Another visit to the Standfast Factory Shop, Lancaster

Way back in May last year I took a trip to the Standfast & Barracks factory shop in Lancaster.

Got some lovely fabrics - none of which I have got around to using yet, but that's nothing unusual.  But anyway, it was time to go again  :)

The plan was for me, Shona (daughter) and Marie (daugher's girlfriend) to go for a rummage around the Standfast factory shop, then head off to Festival Market in Morecambe where they have some good fabrics at cheap prices, have lunch, walk on Morecambe Bay beach and head home.

The weather has been pretty rough of late so the trip was 'weather permitting', but this morning it was beautiful, cold, but bright.  So off we went.

The factory shop is not far from the M6 Motorway heading into Lancaster.  You park opposite the building .....and dash across the busy road - not fun when Marie was accompanied by a pair of crutches.

...and dash across the busy road - not fun when Marie was accompanied by a pair of crutches.

Through the gate and look for a black door.

Open the door to reveal a magical rainbow of colours, and textures.

Then you have to decide which ones you want!

Bargain prices too.

This is my stash.... a fent for perhaps making some seat covers for my conservatory chairs as the cats keep casting hair all over them and no one else will sit down.

And this gorgeous fabric that I think I might make a bag with  :)

Close up - it's all glittery!

And I could not resist a 'scrap bag', just one shiny pound for all this.

Then of we trotted to the market only to find it was CLOSED !   What market closes on a Friday?  I should have checked the website, but it didn't occur to me that a market would be closed on a Friday - Monday maybe, but not Friday.  Actually, according to their website they are closed both Mondays and Fridays, so be careful if you are planning a trip!


So we went for lunch instead, to a Fayre & Square pub - where they used to do a lovely vegetarian toad-in-the-hole, which was in fact three sausages sitting in a large Yorkshire pud with mash and peas, and gravy of course.   But it was missing from the menu  (sad face) instead there was sausage and mash with Yorkshire pudding, peas and gravy (happy face) so I had that instead  :)  Haha, you have to wonder what the point is.

By the time we came out of the pub it was lashing down, great, nice big droplets of rain and a 60+ mile trip home down the M6.

Before we got to the Motorway though we stopped off at a little haberdashery shop I had found on Google, will post a blog about that soon.

The trip home was eventful, the speed restrictions were flashing at 30mph a lot of the way home, especially over Shap, which is often shut with extreme weather conditions.

The rain was bouncing - can you believe there was drivers with no lights on and the visibility was terrible?  I even had to put my fog lights on at times as it was so bad.   We passed loads of accidents on the way home, and even aquaplaned a couple of times which was a bit hairy.

Then the snow started, snow that I have never seen the like of before.  Great big cotton wool sized balls of snow that exploded on the windscreen with a big "splooosh".

But now we are home, nice and cosy warm in the house.  Drooling over our purchases and wondering what to do with them  :)

March Workshops / Classes

 Mon 3rd Mar (5.30pm-7.30pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

 Crochet & Craic - £5.00

A tutored crochet group at Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Bring your own projects. No need to book, just drop in..

Tue 4th Mar (5.30pm-7.30pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

 Bead & Banter - £5.00

A tutored beading group at Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Bring your own projects.  Call 01228 812362 to book.

Wed 5th Mar(10.00am-12.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Learn to Crochet 1/4 - £10.00

A course for beginners.  In four consecutive weeks I will take you through all the basic stitches, granny squares, how to increase and decrease and other stuff too.   Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Call 01228 812362 to book.

Wed 5th Mar (1.00pm-3.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Learn to make Beaded Jewellery 1/4 - £12.00

A course for beginners.  In four consecutive weeks I will show you how to make earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more.   Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Call 01228 812362 to book.

Thurs 6th Mar (5.30pm-7.30pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Crochet Doily Coasters - £10.00

Some basic crochet experience needed as we use thread and a small hook to make pretty coasters.  Hobbycraft, Carlisle.  Call 01228 812362 to book.

Sun 9th Mar (10.00am-3.00m)

The Eden Workshop, Plumpton.

Crochet for beginners - £40.00

A workshop for those wishing to learn to crochet. I will take you through all the basic stitches, granny squares, how to increase and decrease and other stuff too.  All materials and lunch included. Email enquiries@theedenworkshop.co.uk  to book, or visit the website www.theedenworkshop.co.uk

Tues 11th Mar (10.00am-3.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

A Day Of Knitting - £25.00

A workshop for beginners. Learn how to cast on and cast off, knit,purl, decrease and increase and more...  Bring a packed lunch, or there is a Greg's & MacDonalds across the car park.  Hobbycraft, Carlisle, including all materials.  Call 01228 812362 to book.

Wed 12th Mar(10.00am-12.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle 

Learn to Crochet 2/4 - £10.00

A course for beginners.  In four consecutive weeks I will take you through all the basic stitches, granny squares, how to increase and decrease and other stuff too.   Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Call 01228 812362 to book.

Wed 12th Mar (1.00pm-3.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Learn to make Beaded Jewellery 2/4 - £12.00

A course for beginners.  In four consecutive weeks I will show you how to make earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more.   Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Call 01228 812362 to book.

Thurs 13th Mar (5.30pm-7.30pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Beaded Tiara - £12.00

Suitable for beginners, come and make yourself a gorgeous tiara using beads and wire.  Hobbycraft, Carlisle , including all materials & loan of tools..  Call 01228 812362 to book.

Mon 17th Mar (5.30pm-7.30pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Crochet & Craic - £5.00

A tutored crochet group at Hobbycraft, Carlisle.Bring your own projects.  No need to book, just drop in..

Tues 18th Feb (10.00am-3.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Crochet Wreath - £25.00

Come and make a beautiful crochet wreath, cover a styrofoam form then choose to cover it with roses, random flowers, even holly leaves.  Some crochet knowledge would be useful.  Bring a packed lunch, or there is a Greg's & MacDonalds across the car park.  Hobbycraft, Carlisle.  Call 01228 812362 to book

Wed 19th Mar(10.00am-12.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Learn to Crochet 3/4 - £10.00

A course for beginners.  In four consecutive weeks I will take you through all the basic stitches, granny squares, how to increase and decrease and other stuff too.   Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Call 01228 812362 to book.

Wed 19th Mar (1.00pm-3.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Learn to make Beaded Jewellery 3/4 - £12.00

A course for beginners.  In four consecutive weeks I will show you how to make earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more.   Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Call 01228 812362 to book.

Thur 20th Mar (5.30pm-7.50pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Zentangle Style Doodling - £10.00

No art knowledge necessary as you learn to make wonderful doodle style drawings using Zentangle patterns.  Hobbycraft in Carlisle.  Call 01228 812362 to book.

Tues 25th Mar (10.00am-3.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

A day of Crochet - £25.00

Suitable for beginners.  I will take you through all the basic stitches, granny squares, how to increase and decrease and other stuff too..  Bring a packed lunch, or there is a Greg's & MacDonalds across the car park.  Hobbycraft, Carlisle.  Call 01228 812362 to book.

Wed 26th Mar(10.00am-12.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Learn to Crochet 4/4 - £10.00

A course for beginners.  In four consecutive weeks I will take you through all the basic stitches, granny squares, how to increase and decrease and other stuff too.   Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Call 01228 812362 to book.

Wed 26th Mar (1.00pm-3.00pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Learn to make Beaded Jewellery 4/4 - £12.00

A course for beginners.  In four consecutive weeks I will show you how to make earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more.   Hobbycraft, Carlisle. Call 01228 812362 to book.

Thur 27th Mar (5.30pm-7.50pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Earring Class - £10.00

For beginners, come and learn how to make beautiful earrings. Learn about putting colours and shapes together to create your own unique jewellery.  Hobbycraft in Carlisle.  Call 01228 812362 to book.

Mon 31st Mar (5.30pm-7.30pm)

Hobbycraft, Carlisle

 Crochet & Craic - £5.00

A tutored crochet group at Hobbycraft, Carlisle.Bring your own projects.  No need to book, just drop in.

A day of beaded jewellery

On Tuesday I ran a class called "A day of beaded jewellery" at Hobbycraft in Carlisle.   Only one student attended, there was another booked on but she had got times muddled up and could not make it unfortunately.

But we had a great day, lots of beading and chitter chatter.

I just had to share with you what was made - such a gorgeous selection of mix & match pieces.

I had a little time to bash out some bits as samples too.

This is a gorgeously clashy necklace in pale pink, red and hot pink, with a silver plated clasp.  Guess where it is going?

.....Yep! In the Birthday Blog Box.  Only 6 more days to go  :)

Chef's Night at Carlisle College Restaurant

Last night I was invited to my future Daughter-in-law's 'Budding Chefs' Night at Carlisle college, where she is a training to be a Chef.

What a wonderful meal we had, seven course, and not seven small courses either.  LARGE size food.

The table was beautifully set with cutlery that was polished to a high shine.  Pristine white tableclothes and not a watermark in sight on any of the glasses.

Table numbers and cute little table decorations were added too.

We started with wine, a good choice on the menu.  We had this very reasonable bottle for just under £11.00.

Next came a basket of warm bread.  Offering plain white, walnut and olive & sun-dried tomato, which was my choice.  Delicious.  Not that bread was needed when there was so much food to follow.

Then followed the Canapés....

• Caramelised onion and brie mini quiches
• Mini leek, gruyere & rocket frittatas
• Sweet potato and bacon rosti
• Sticky chilli tiger prawn mousse on salmon fish cake

I had two sweet potato rostis (minus bacon) as I am vegetarian and didn't have the salmon.

All were delightful, but those sweet potato rostis were just heaven on a plate.

Following on from that came the starters.

Mine wasn't written down on the menu, but it was home-made Haloumi cheese on walnut bread with a pesto sauce.  It was all just gorgeous, I cannot express just how delicious this food was.

The meat eaters got....

• Confit duck leg served with deep fried risotto balls

It seemed to be served on a bed of vegetables - red cabbage perhaps, so a slight change to the menu there, but there was no complaints  :)

The fish course was next, not for me of course, I had beetroot gnocci with an almond pesto sauce.

Another beautiful dish.   Now as you can imagine, I am starting to feel full, in fact I could have happily walked away fully satiated at this point.

The carnivores got..

• Baked cod in a vegetable consommé

A refreshing sorbet followed, to cleanse the palate of course.  I could have eaten this for pudding!  I actually left most of it, although lovely, struggle with the sweet/savoury thing.

Next it was time for the main course, mine was thick buttery slices of swede sandwiched with a wonderful creamed mushroom, accompanied by a beetroot croquette and parnip crisps.

Oh, and this gorgeous little timbale of vegetables.  Look at the vibrant colours in that!

The others got.

• Beef cheeks, sausage meat and spinach stuffing with beetroot croquets and parsnip crisps

By this time we were picking, pushing food about on our plates.  Wanting desperately to eat it all as it tasted so good, but the space was just not there.

Three puddings to finish.  Because obviously we needed three puddings, just in case there was room in our pudding pipes.  (all veggie too)

• Honey lemon semifreddo 
• Mini chocolate mousse topped with spiced raspberries
• Jelly with Autumn berry compote

Couldn't even manage a full truffle at the end, had a tiny nibble and that was me done.  Although Shona seemed to like them  :)  (stealing one as I take a photo - talk about caught in the act!)

That whole magnificent meal cost just £21.00 per head and I have to say I would definitely go back.  You do not need an invite to attend, just check out the events page on the Carlisle College website.

As out evening was made so nice by the fabulous students of the catering department I must mention those who were looking after us.  I do apologise that I have missed some people out, but I didn't manage to catch everyone's names.

First of all I would like to thank Helena Gallop and Paul Fell for the most marvellous menu - inspired and one of the best meals I have had for years.

Then Kayleigh Boyd for hosting so nicely.

And last but not least Roza Bystron and Nathan Condy for serving our table so well, putting up with our bad jokes and generally being helpful.

We also had a lovely wine waitress who did an excellent job as keeping us topped up with red stuff, but I missed her name.  Thank you to you too, you looked a little nervous but did a great job.

Indian spiced swede cakes

On my Facebook page last week I did a post which I called "Share your tea Tuesday".  Sometimes we need a little inspiration to make something different, and I thought by sharing with each other we could re-inspire ourselves and try something new.

My tea (or dinner, if you are Down South) was Indian spiced swede cakes with Quorn sausage and a chilli mayo dip.

There are a few different recipes out there, mine is a mixture of a few, depending on what spices I have in the cupboard.  Give it a go, they are blooming delicious.  And before anyone says anything about 5 a day - there are three veggies in those there cakes  :)

Before I start, those things in the photo below are called Turnips in this area - usually served mashed with carrot in a lovely splodge of orange on the side of your plate.  When I was young you didn't have a pumpkin for halloween, your parents hollowed out a turnip (swede) which must have taken ages!  And the smell of cooking turnip when you lit your candle was a bit rough.

Anyway, I digress, here is the recipe  :)

What you need:

• A swede
• 2 Carrots
• 1 Sweet Potato
• Olive Oil
• Black Onion Seeds
• Cumin
• Ginger
• Breadcrumbs  (ready made or fresh)
• Black pepper

What you do:

• Peel and chop the veg and boil until soft.

• When cooked, drain thoroughly.
• In a new pan heat just a little olive oil, add a good shake of black onion seeds and a teaspoon each of cumin and ginger.

• Splat on top of the vegetables.

• And mash until smooth.  Transfer to a cold dish and leave to cool.

• Shake out the breadcrumbs into a bowl and season with plenty of freshly ground black pepper.

• Make a golf ball size of mixture and roll in the beadcrumbs flatting out into a cake while still in the crumbs.

• They can be frozen at the point, I have cling film between them to stop them sticking together.

• Heat some sunflower oil up until very hot and pop the swede cakes in.  If the oil is too cold the cakes will soak it up.

• Leave one side to cook before carefully turning them over.  They won't take to being flipped over numerous times.

• A nice dip is equal measures of sweet chilli sauce and mayonnaise mixed together.

• Serve and nom.

Crochet heart wreath

I don't usually do sweet and twee, I never buy Valentine cards or barely remember the day -  totally unromantic.  So I surprised myself a little when I picked up this heart shape styrofoam form from Hobbycraft.

What to make?  Well, why not go the full Valentine hog and do something hearty and rosy?

So I did.

A long strip of double crochet.  Long enough to wrap around the heart.

Then sewn up.

Next, roses, I did the strip method, there are loads of free patterns out there.  Try HERE for some nice ones.

Then they get sewn up into cute little rose buds.

Finally they get attached to the heart for a big Voilà moment!

I bashed up another little bluey lilac heart too, and added it to a pin to make a sweet little brooch for the Birthday Blog Box  :)  (only 9 days to go!!)