New blog...

I've moved to http://katiestitches.wordpress.com/ - come on over!

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, turbulent times.

But here are three reasons why I love Hackney in all its shonky glory, taken while dragging my poor father on an epic walk to see the Olympic site. Which was shut.

A lovely tart

Custard tarts are probably my favourite types of cake (pudding?) ever and this little sweetie from Rosie's Deli Cafe in Brixton was one of the best I've ever had. A properly delicious, gloopy treat in the perfect 1970s tones to complement the plate. Plus, with a bucket-sized mug of tea, it all came to £1.50 - bargain!

More treats this evening in the form of a visit from one of my best pals who came wielding a copy of this:

I can't wait to have a delve. Bust is my absolute bible. I was lucky enough to interview editor and Stitch n Bitch founder Debbie Stoller when I worked on Knitting magazine... and to gush like a complete fool and tell her how great she was. Never mind.

WI

A good friend of mine sent me this today. Love the hazy style of the photo.

I also like to think of the behatted WI ladies of Falmouth baking cakes and rolling bandages for the war effort.

Speaking of which, after about three years as a lay member, it's my first Shoreditch Sisters WI committee meeting tonight. Wish me luck!

Icy

Went to stay at my mum's this weekend. This was the view from the windows on Saturday morning - and yes the ice is on the inside. And that was before the snow.

Spent the rest of the time in a fug of over-eating and a slight giddiness after the migraine double-whammy of last week at actually getting some sleep.

Also made more things for the book. Here's a sneak preview of my mum - and Alfie- helping out. I like to think he has a keen eye for a bit of broderie anglais.

Wishing

Things I have been doing:

1. Listening to a lot of Americana, boys-with-guitars-type music, which probably explains the dream I had about cowboy boots - which then in real life were in Scope for only £7. I love it when that happens, it's like the expenditure was fated. OK so they are slightly too big but when I wear them I can pretend I am one of the hipster girls I saw in Portland, Oregon, wearing cowboy boots with vintage dresses and full sleeve tattoos.

I really wish I was back there sometimes, in a painted clapboard house with Mt Hood in the background and writing novels in the local coffee shop. Without all the sad homeless people and drugs of course.

2. Mastering chain-stitch while watching New Girl and girl-crushing on Zooey Deschanel

3. Reading the new Michele Roberts novel, Ignorance. I've only just started, but it reminds me instantly of why she is one of my absolute favourite writers. Her descriptions are as sensuous in your hands as a bunch of tulips.

Reeling

My life at the moment is feeling a bit like these reels of ribbon from that den of temptation, the Berwick Street Cloth Shop in Soho. Organised on the surface - but any minute any of those colourful ribbons could get tangled and knotted and then where would we be?

This rather convoluted metaphor basically means that I have lots of projects on, some secret, some not, but all pretty exciting, and they will be shared very soon...

One thing I can talk about happened over green tea and these rather lovely chrysanthemums, which I didn't notice until later are parked rather incongruously in a pint glass:

At said cafe table a good friend of mine asked me if I wanted to be her bridesmaid. After all the squee-ing I am still feeling incredibly touched and happy, and am secretly hoping to have to wear some kind of satin meringue which I can roll my eyes over but quietly enjoy flouffing around in.