What's been caking....

Hello lovelies, just a little sneaky peak of the cakes that have gone out the past couple of weeks.....these have been great fun xxx

Crochet update.....

Hello again...

Just a few snaps to keep you up to date with crochet wips

The ripple for Little J is coming along nicely, just finished row 96, so over half way now....

This was going to be for me, but, Little A has decided she likes it and it matches her bedroom, so she will have this one and I will make myself a ripple!!

I always try to take a ball out when it is just me and the little people...

This little guy made a sneaky appearance one Sunday afternoon, cute eh?  You can find his pattern over here

See ya xxxxxxxxxxx

Is it nearly Spring yet?

I cannot believe it has been 3 weeks since I was here last.......the time is flying by at supersonic rate this year...but in saying that I am well and truly over January and February...in the doldrums, that's me...

I haven't had much opportunity to take snaps, grey days don't make for great photos...I've been here and there and done this and that but nothing monumental that is worth sharing....well I'll let you decide how you feel about that if you make it to the end of this post!!!!  So, here's what's been on my phone so far....

So, I've had lots of coffee, looked at cute flowers, received a fab book for Valentine's, made bread and wrapped up warm with the little people....

Next time I promise I will of managed to do something really exciting!!!!

More bits and bobs......

Hello

Just a few photos of bits and bobs that I have been snapping in January....

Valentine's designs

Lots of tea drinking..........

Ham, melted cheese and slow roasted red onions with French's mustard

Orange sweet buns...(warm with poached egg, streaky bacon and maple syrup for breakfast is the BEST)

Slow roast veg to cheer up some couscous, I'm really trying hard to love like that stuff

Ripples and ripples and ripples.................

January - what I am up to....

Hello everyone, how is January treating you? I don't get on with January so I am plodding through and looking froward to February with a vengeance, I want to do ballet and swimming in the daylight again, I want to get up in the daylight again...enough of these dark, grey cold months!!

My running is improving...I did three sets of 5 mins today with a short spell of walking between and then a nice yoga session when I got home...5 mins of running sounds pathetic when you say it out loud, but, when I first started I struggled with 1 minute!! Anyhow I am pleased with myself....

There was a cake sale a Little J's school, so I knocked up these little pretties for him...I didn't even bother to take a photo of the delights he bought home in return..ermmmmm.....

My crochet along is coming along nicely, I love making blankets, it is starting to get cosy now....

Lots of lovely slow cooker dinners, tonight it's spaghetti and meatballs. I made an baked the meatballs and then added them to my tomato pasta sauce and they will simmer away quite happily..I have left some out as the kids prefer them without the sauce...hey, their choice!!

An 18th Birthday cake left the Niki M Cakes kitchen at the weekend and this week there is loads of prep for next weeks cakes...better start advertising Valentines designs soon and I've already done my Easter ones! Get me!!

Anyway, enough of my rambling, that's how I feel today......catch up with all you lovelies soon
 xxxx

Poncho Ta ta ta tata ta DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH

Hello Lovelies

I hop you are all well and enjoying better weather than we are here?? Rain, wind, rain, wind..you get the picture...does not make for pleasant school runs, if there is such a thing..

Anyway I just wanted to show you my poncho!!  I love it, love it, love it..it was really quick and easy to make....I wish I had not used a bigger hook for the neck as I would of preferred it tighter, but, all in all I am chuffed...want to have a look then?

That last picture doesn't really do it's colours justice, but the light here is awful, but I am sure you get the idea and you will no doubt see me wearing it about the place soon....I have done quite a lot more rows than the pattern suggests, just because I like my poncho's longer..that's just the way I roll!!!!

Bye for now xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bits and bobs

Hello...how are you all?  January is trying it's hardest to beat me, but, I am fighting back.....I don't know about you, but I seem to be all behind, what with a mad busy December, Christmas, New Year, Husband and kids off work.....my cleaning routine fell by the wayside and I have struggled to get back into 'normal' mode, whatever counts as normal round here anyway!!

But, I am back on track and if I do all my jobs today, I can have a real proper day off tomorrow, it is such a rare treat I can hardy remember what to do!!!  From 9am until 3pm I can sit and crochet, drink tea, read magazines, watch telly and not with an ounce of guilt..so I must be quick here and get back to the jobs!!

I have a little list of household 'stuff' that I use to keep me on track, not very exciting I know, but useful, stops me having to think anyway!!

I have also started a new one of these...anyone know what it is?  I'm not telling you yet, I will show you a photo soon of the end result..

Oh, and just because I can, I have got this gorgeous little creation on the go....it is for Little J and he is not that keen on the colours now he has seen them in the flesh, but he likes looking at pictures of it when finished!! Boys eh...a different species, I have no idea?!?

Oh and before I forget another cake I did for last weekend, these are becoming pretty popular and Little A has decided she would like one even though her birthday is months and months away!!

Now, I really must dash...ironing beckons me...I know how to live!!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Poncho

I saw this cute little pattern the other week whilst reading through Attic24 and I have to admit I love a poncho.  I do have one already, it is dark blue, from Next and has tassles and I really like and it does get quite a few comments....but, this one in Simply crochet is just fab....unfortunately issue 25 had left the shops, so I ordered it online, went over to Wool Warehouse to make my colour selection (they were running a 25% off discount) made my purchase and then got busy with the million other jobs that required my attention the week before Christmas...

So, now, I am all ready to go, wool, hooks, pattern, a couple of free hours...

I am using different colours to those in the magazine, my main colour is a light grey and then some nice greys, blues and a few brights to liven it up.....should be good....I'll keep you posted

xx

Niki M Cakes

I would just like to share with you a few of the cakes I made just before Christmas.....

Hope you like
Thank you
xxxx

2015, The Plan.....

WE have been out and about a few times, just pottering really, not wanting to stray too far from the comforts of home, but it is still nice to get out in the fresh air and blow away the cobwebs and walk off some of the over indulgence that the festive season always seems to park at my door!!

I don't make New Year's resolutions, but  I do have some goals that I wish to aim for in 2015:-

   - grow my business
   - banish my belly once and for all (6 pack please)
   - run 5km in a respectable time
 
now onto the exciting stuff     CROCHET....

   - make a poncho
   - make a coastal ripple blanket for little J (This is a crochet along and starts in a couple of weeks)
   - make a cottage ripple for little A
   - Finish Bright Grannie Square blanket
   - start cushion covers
   - make more face cloths
   - scarf/cowl

And then just to be the best Mum, wife and friend that I can be.

So do tell me what have you got planned?

xxxxx

Baby Blanket......Da, Da, Da, Da, Da - Dah.........

Hello everyone and a Happy New Year. I hope you all enjoyed a very pleasant holiday....it has been completely hectic here, small children and Father Christmas, presents, chocolates, sweets....far too many toys.....

But, over the break I have managed to complete the Summer Baby Blanket. My nephew's baby is not due until the summer so I can pop it away in the box and know that my pressie for the new arrival is all sorted....I usually sow a small heart button into the corner of my blankets, but, as this is for a new born I have made a small crochet heart and attached that instead (Health and Safety at work!!)

So without further adue, please let me introduce you to the Summer Baby Blanket.....

It's not huge, but good for pram or car seat.

Technical info:

Wool   -   Stylecraft DK
Amount   -   Hard to say as all odd and ends from other projects
Hook   -   4mm
Pattern   -   Cosy Stripe by Lucy at Attic24
Time to make   -   quick
Experience Level   -   Easy

Byeeeee xx