Make Bake Sew Grow

It's still sunny! I can't quite believe it. I've been working in the garden all weekend which has been tiring but satisfying, and I hope you've all done something lovely in this perfect, sunny weather. We've had a nice weekend here; full, busy, fulfilling, and I have lots to share with you in my Bake, Bake, Sew, Grow post. 

{ Make }

Making a few small purchases for the house. Nothing to break the bank, just some small treats like these three vintage floral prints I found on ebay for about a pound. Maybe a little more, I can't remember, but so cheap and  - of course - so perfect for the green wall in the porch.

And this delightful carton shaped milk jug, so compact and well proportioned. I love the way it should be cardboard but it's not, it's glass. I don't know why but I find that really pleasing. And it pours well which you'd think would be a prerequisite for all jugs but so often isn't.

And finally this amazing book, Modern Crochet: Crochet Accessories and Projects for Your Home by Molla Mills. 

I think this might be one of the best crochet books I've bought in ages. As soon as I opened it I wanted to make absolutely everything in it, always a good sign, and I feel like my crochet mojo (a bit absent lately) woke up and went "Oh, hello!" It feels like my kind of crochet; clean, neat, not too girly, and in a simple, almost monochromatic palate. This summer I want to make that basket, that rug, that clutch bag, and those necklaces. I need to buy some hoopla yarn! Don't you just love that pre-crafting feeling of excitement? Shopping lists of yarn to buy, hook sizes to check, mentally clearing a crafting window of an evening to make a start on a new project...

Inspired by some of the very cool crocheted jewellery in the book, I had a go at some crochet-covered bangles.

I'm not sure. The yarn slips and slides around as I push them over my wrist. I think the bangles might benefit from being wrapped in double sided sticky tape first, so that the yarn doesn't move. The chunky yellow one works best I think, but it's too warm to wear wool against my skin. 

{ Bake }

Oreo brownies for our recent camping weekend, just like the ones I made this time last year for the same camping trip. I read somewhere recently that traditions only become tradition by the act of doing, rather than remembering or photographing or discussing. I guess these brownies are my camping tradition.

Cherries. We eat them as fast as I buy them. Like peonies, their season is short, sweet and much appreciated.

Also eaten in vast quantities but unphotographed: peaches and nectarines. I love these. Four in one day is my record so far. We need to buy these daily, everyone loves them so much.

{ Sew }

The Midsummer Sprigs sampler continues to work it's magic, although I did have to unpick a whole section as I'd miscounted and put it in the wrong place. That's what happens when you cross stitch when you're sleepy. But I'm still really enjoying it. It feels right to be stitching it at the moment, the right project for the right season, always a happy thing.

{ Grow }

I've really neglected the garden since the half term holiday. I mean, I've been out there almost every day, to hang out washing or eat at the table, but the plants? It's survival of the fittest out there. This is the area of our home which has suffered the most from my return to work, which is a shame but there we are. But, I spent most of yesterday and two hours today out there with lots of help from various lovely family members (John's been at work this weekend so got off lightly) digging, planting, weeding and catching the sun on my shoulders. 

And despite my all or nothing approach to gardening, I found I had something to pick. These yellow flowers cover a bush in our front garden and I believe they are Rose of Sharon or Hypericum, although as always I bow down to your superior gardening knowledge, you fabulous lot.

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{ Make } Something for my home.

 { Bake } Something from the kitchen.

{ Sew } Something crafty.

{ Grow } Something in my garden