Sunday Book Suggestions.

'Lasting Damage' by Sophie Hannah.

This is something I have never done on my blog before so I am a little nervous but there was NO WAY I could not tell as many people as I can find about this book. It's Incredible. Also I thought Sunday seemed the perfect day to curl up with a book and some hot Ribena. Especially if the book is as good as this one.


Anyone who knows me can tell you I'm a complete wimp. I've never been on a rollercoaster, sleep with the bedsite light on, and the scariest movie I've ever seen is the Scooby Doo movie which I couldn't even finish! But recently I have been getting very into thrillers (books not movies). I cant stop. Its an addiction. I may need thriller rehab.


I have read quite a few great ones in the last few months but none are as good as the book I have just finished. Before I go into detail I must explain that I did cheat a little and listen to the excellently read audiobook, which I would definitely reccomend to all those who like to knit and read at the same time.


I came across 'Lasting Damage' really late one night when I was desperatly searching audible.com for something new to read. The blurb immediatly got me excited and I downloaded it striaght away:


"It's 1.15 a.m. Connie Bowskill should be asleep. Instead, she's logging on to a property website in search of a particular house: 11 Bentley Grove, Cambridge. She knows it's for sale; she saw the estate agent's board in the front garden less than six hours ago.

Soon Connie is clicking on the 'Virtual Tour' button, keen to see the inside of 11 Bentley Grove and put her mind at rest once and for all. She finds herself looking at a scene from a nightmare: in the living room, in the middle of the carpet, there's a woman lying face down in a huge pool of blood. In shock, Connie wakes her husband Kit. But when Kit sits down at the computer to take a look, he sees no dead body, only a pristine beige carpet in a perfectly ordinary room . . ."



You couldn't not be intrigued by that incredible twist and although this may seem like enough to carry a whole novel this is one of the many terrifying, exciting and un-believable twists throughout the whole book.

Not only is this book an amazing thriller, and super exciting it is also exquisitely written and covers some really interesting issues such as marriage and moving away from home and trust. One of the things I loved most about this book is the way that you are not always certain if the charcter you are being told the story by is completly mentally stable and this makes everything a lot more exciting.


As you can proabably tell from awfully this review is written, I haven't written a book review since Year 4. But all I am trying to say is that 'Lasting Damage' is the best book I have read in a long time and maybe even ever and if you are looking for something, exciting, compliacted, clever, well written, sad and complex. This is the book for you. And even if you aren't looking for any of these things, It's still the book for you!


Love Scarlett.

Make it yourself... Quote Cards

Make it yourself... Quote Cards.

I love quotes, which i know sounds really lame, but I do! Quotes from books, quotes from songs, I just love that feeling when you find a quote and think 'thats exactly what I would have said if I was SUPER DUPER clever and interesting.' 

I have been seeing these mini card books a lot on the internet recently and people seem to be using them for all different things, I really wanted to try making one so decided to mix two of my passions, quotes + fun easy craft projects (and of course I was watching Greys Anatomy throughout).

I have only done about 30 quotes so far and am going to continue to add more as I find even more words of wisdom. It may seem like a little bit of a weird project but I promise it is so fun and I look at my quotes all the time!

Here is how to make your own:

Supplies:

1. A pack of playing cards.

2. String or chain.

3. A hole punch.

4. Pritt Stick.

5. A computer and a printer.

Step One:

On a Word Document write out all your favourite quotes in seperate boxes. I used text boxes which worked very well. You also have to make sure that when the boxes are cut out they fit on one of the playing cards.

Step 2:

Holepunch your cards. Annoyingly the hole punch is too big to do each card is one go, so you have to punch two seperate holes in each cards.

Step 3:

PRINT out the quotes. CUT out all the boxes. STICK them in the middle of the cards, making sure not to cover the holes. 

Step 4:

String the cards together using your string or chain. I used chain which worked perfectly but if you did not have any to hand, I'm sure string would work just as well.

Step 5:

Keep your quotes cards in your pocket, bag, or by your bed. That way whenever you need something to turn to... your all set.

I hope this makes sense and if you decide to make one, please send me a picture!

Love Scarlett.

P.S. We have been talking about new Twit-Knit Club projects and seeing as how it is approaching winter (YAY) I was thinking hats might be a fun project? If you agree with hats or would like to join the club please tweet me! And if everyone agrees I will do an introductory blog post in the next few days.

A Recipe for Every Occasion

This summer we have been staying in the country and I have been doing a LOT of baking. I always feel like it more in the country and after having made the biscuits from the same recipe book about a million times I have been looking around the internet for some more fun, experimental recipes. I hope you like what I have found:

Breakfast - Pancake Mix in a Ketchup Bottle - Idea from 'Pinterest'.

I have to admit I cheated a bit with this one and used pancake mix from a packet but putting it in the Ketchup bottle was genius! You just squirt mixture into a hot pan and it makes the most perfect shaped pancakes. Just make sure no one puts it on their hot dogs. 

Camping - Smores Biscuits - Recipe from 'The Girl Who Ate Everything'.

Last weekend it was my family's annual camping trip and I wanted to make something for everyone to nibble around the camp fire. I found the recipe for these smores biscuits online and although I was unable to find any graham crackers I used Tuc biscuits instead which worked extremely well. Unfortunatly they didn't make it to the camp fire as they were all gobbled up by the time it got dark. It's a really fun, easy recipe and I would definitely reccomend. 

Tea Party - Cheesecake Strawberrys - Recipe from 'Sugar Derby'.

Cheesecake Strawberrys are my incredible discovery of the summer. I have already made them about 4 times and they dissapear in seconds. They look very complicated but are unbelievably easy to make and so so much fun. Also if you use light cream cheese they are very low fat and healthy (sort of). 

Sleepover - Oreo Biscuits - Recipe from 'Picky Palate'

When I found this recipe online I literally could not believe my eyes… an oreo… in a chocolate chip biscuit! HEAVEN! And I can officially confirm they are heaven. The recipe is incredible, so easy and with the most helpful pictures. They come out looking like huge chocolate chip biscuits and when I broke them in half no one could believe it. It is an American recipe so some of the measurements are a little confusing but I just used single stuff Oreos instead of double and after a lot of pondering worked out that 1 Stick of Butter is the same as 113 grams. 

Cricket Match - White Chocolate and Rasberry Cupcakes - Recipe from 'Eat Me' by Xanthe Milton.

This recipe is one of the coolest cupcake recipes I have ever found and was surprisingly easy. You have to make the raspberry cupcakes first and then hollow them out and fill with melted white chocolate. They are completely yummy and incredibly moist. 

Kids Party - Smarties Cake and Cupcakes.

I made this cake the other day for my little brothers. The cake hidden underneath the Smarties was very sneakily carrot cake which made my mum very happy and the boys didn’t even notice. It was only after they had had thirds that I confessed what was inside and they all agreed you couldn’t tell. Just use your favourite carrot cake recipe and cover in a LOT of cream cheese icing and smarties. 

Dad's Birthday - Millionaires Shortbread - Recipe from 'Nestle Carnation'.

These shortbreads are one of my Dad’s favourite foods ever and if I may say so myself they are DELICIOUS. They are probably the easiest to make as no baking is required and the condensed milk works incredibly for the scrummy caramel middle. 

Anytime Anywhere - Bannana Bread - Recipe from 'BBC Recipes'.

Bannana bread is a favourite among everyone (except me, I hate bananas) and this BBC recipe is the best I have found. It disappeared in about two seconds and everyone loved it. Especially if you serve it warm. 

Comment or tweet me if you decide to make any of these as I would love to see if they worked out for you.

Love Scarlett

One More Twit-Knit

One of our most special Twit-Knit members is @veganmel's daughter Jas who is only 9 years old and already an amazing knitter! She just finished her very very cute bunny for her second Twit-Knit Club Project.

I think she should be very proud. Definitely a future Teen Granny in the making.

Love Scarlett xx

Twit-Knit Club Project 2 Update & Final Projects

I am extremely ashamed at how long it has taken me to do the Twit-Knit Club update but finally here it is! And if I may say so myself it is pretty amazing. Not everyone is done yet so you are seeing a mixture of finished pieces and works in progress and also if I have forgotten to upload your picture please comment/tweet me/come over and scream at me. I loved this project. Probably more than the blanket if I dare to say it. It was the biggest and hardest pattern I have ever faced but I think I did pretty well! Although the baby does resemble a tooth. Everyone else had done SO well and I can't believe so many people took part. Take a look at the pictures:

My Little Monsters

Posy getting friendly

Two beautiful rainbow babies by @anigroeg7

Amazing ladybugs by @bakebakegirl

A teeny, tiny, adorable bunny by @HazelCatkins

INCREDIBLE camper vans by @megeroberts and @kateeroberts

The sweetest little bird by @rachel_hill

A lovely little bear by @Kimberley_Kate

@JessicaReynolds purple hippo so far.

I am SO impressed by this amazing Elephant by @emmapowell

@veganmel daughter Jas only has the sewing to go on her AMAZING bear.

@daniinthegarden progress so far.

@originalcoolski - See more on her blog about her Peppa Pig dolls. 

A very very cute owl by @maudeapatow

An INCREDIBLE cat by @_Sarah232

These frogs are amazing! - @goldenblades91 - See more on her blog

A lovely spider and pumpkin by @JennyJHoward

The brilliant head of @Mhairigirl monkey

@MrsVelvet has finished her last Twit-Knit Club Project. A beautiful blanket.

I hope everyone has been enjoying this project and if you have any more ideas for the next one please tweet me! 

Love Scarlett xxx

Painting Rocks.

We are back in Walberswick for the summer (or lack thereof) so I have decided to take advantage of the local produce and take up some more rock painting. And I must admit it's exremely addictive. Although I look like a seagull when I walk down the beach because I am constantly dipping down for rocks. If you're not a Harry Potter fan (whats WRONG with you) please ignore the second picture but if you are please not the DURO stone which is the spell that turns thing to rock (I laughed at this for about half an hour, in a very tragic way) 

I took Posy to the beach for the first time yesterday and she LOVED it. She gets so excited whenever she sees another dog and runs up to them but when she gets there and realises how big they are she runs away. Its very sad. 

I also tried to set up a sea-side stall and sell my rocks. I made £2.30. 20 people asked me where the toilet was and about 10 people said they could have just made it all themselves. It wasn't a great success. 

Last night we watched CRASH which was INCREDIBLE. If you haven't seen it you should definitely watch it. One of the best films I have ever seen (although that list is getting scarily long).

I hope everyone is having a lovely summer. Rain is my favourite weather-type, so I'm in heaven. 

Love Scarlett x