Doggy biscuits

All ready to go into the oven.... dog biscuits for our Mabel.

From a great book Doggie Biscuits - Healthy Homemade Treats - Seasoned with Affection. There's some really unusual recipes in here but, most importantly, a bit of info about the stuff your dog should and should not be eating. Had no idea that dogs cannot eat garlic or onion, which I'm sure many owners scrape off their dinner plates into the dog bowl.

Well, just for a taster, here's the recipe for the tuna and oat 'bone' biscuits:

1 can tuna
4 tbsp olive oil
1 egg
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
9 oz cornflour
5 oz rolled oats
2 oz plain flour

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment.

Drain the tuna in a sieve, then puree it with the oil and the egg in a blender. Mix the puree with the other ingredients to make a dough. Add a touch of water if it is too dry.

Roll out the dough to about 1 cm thick and cut it into shapes with your cookie cutter. Place the biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Store in a biscuit tin.

The cookies will keep for about 2 weeks if they last that long!

Another Saturday, another fair

Another Dotty Sparkle vintage and craft market... this time at Thorpe Hall school's 'summer' fete.

Around 40 stallholders gathered in the most glamorous marque - think I'd like one of these permanently erected in my garden as 'the party tent'.  As usual, met some lovely people, ate too much flap jack, drunk    tea from pretty vintage china and had a very boozy glass of Pimms. Oh, and yep, managed to sell quite a bit of stuff too - well Dr Green did as he's much better at the selling bit than me (I get embarrassed).

Here's a photo of Mimi and our stall. And, here's another photo of our purchase - Vintage Dolly Cut Outs - from a fellow stallholder (at £2.50 they are a bargain!).

Right, going to take a break for a bit now. Any sewing will be purely for my own benefit. I have my sewing room to decorate and some good friends' birthdays coming up. Also am working on a patchwork 'nautical' themed picnic blanket to take down to Devon. Cannot wait!

Olympic Torch comes to L-o-S

It was a rotten wet, wet, wet day in L-o-s but that didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits as we cheered on the Olympic torch from our al fesco table at Affinity. Complete with BBQ,  'caberet' singer and much flag waving, it was the perfect way to mark this memorable occasion. Brought a little tear to my eye.

Not sure what my boy thought of it all. But glad he was there so that we could share it together. 

More Village Green

Here's a photo of our stall at the hugely successful Village Green. Still can't believe how well we did that day. Thank you to all my lovely friends who popped by to say hello, bought goodies and provided a much needed glass of wine or two. 

I've also posted a photo of the cushion of the moment. Just LOVE this fabric.

Va Va Village Green

Had a ball at the Village Green on Saturday. The sun came out and the foot flow was huge! Shared a stall with our good mate Kevin who sells housey things made out of car parts and metal objects. We were lucky enough to get a great spot in the vintage area opposite the yummy Bird Wood cafe and the ever-so-popular tea dance floor. "That don't impress me much..." good job we like a bit of Shania! Delighted to sell most of my stock!!!! In particular the cushions went down a storm. Right, onwards and upwards.. we have Thorpe Hall fair this coming Saturday so better get that sewing machine warmed up.

Coolio 'London' cushions

Had a rather enjoyable trip to London last weekend to pick up some super duper fabrics at Fabrics Galore in Clapham. So many lovely fabrics in store I went into a bit of a panic. However, managed to pull myself together to buy some of this gawjus London fabric. Trimmed with a bit of piping, I think these extra large cushions are a bit special. Will be adding these to my stock for the Village Green next weekend! Lovely jubbly.

'LOLOS' Dress A Girl Around the World

A big shout out to the the ladies of Leigh on sea (LOLOS)!!! I do love an acronym..we could even be LILOS - ladies in Leigh on sea but that may have other connotations.

Anyhow, didn't we have a lovely day today making little frocks for Dress a Girl Around the World. This must be THE perfect way to spend a wet/windy/chilly/grey day in Leigh on sea. And much cake eating, tea drinking and chatting was done too. Even Mr Grey got a mention... and I concur, Colin Firth is much too 'nice' to play that role.

A big thank you to the dress makers - Claire B, Claire L, Lorraine, Sarah, Nicola, Kirsty and Vicky - for getting involved. Spread the word ladies.