This morning we went to Butterfly World in Chiswell Green, we were very impressed and when it's finished in 2011 it will be even better! We took lots and lots of photographs not only of the butterflies but of the Future Gardens too.

"As part of phase I of the project, Butterfly World last year hosted a designer gardens exhibition called Future Gardens. This involved inviting talented garden designers from around the world to contribute thought-provoking designs for individual gardens which fit into the segments of a caterpillar. Each of the 12 gardens makes a design statement with no shortage of inspiration for visitors to take home and try for themselves.  These gardens look fabulous in their second year of development and continue to offer fun for the children and great ideas for garden lovers."

My favourite garden was The Theatre of Insects by Ivan Hicks. I particularly liked the hard landscaping, it was made from *gabions filled with discarded man-made objects, we were entertained spotting the trapped articles within the metal gages, I want it in my garden!

*Gabions  are made from galvanised steel wire, formed into mesh panels and fixed together to create a box-like structure. They are immensely strong when filled with large granular material such as rock, slate, granite or stone, and can be linked together in a variety of configurations to form a fixed wall or barrier.

Yesterday, in the evening, we went for a really pleasant walk in Wheathampstead by the river Lea.I took some photographs, for reference, in the low evening light.

A new gift shop has just opened in George Street, St Albans, it's not just full of gorgeous gifts and cards but knitting yarns too. Katrina, who owns the shop, told me she hopes to specialise in items handmade by local craftspeople as well as the quirky gift and toy lines she already stocks.  In the future, with stocking the knitting yarns, Katrina would like to set up opportunities for knitters and stitchers to get together. St Albans is sadly lacking in wool shops I think Rose and Dylan is a much needed gap filler.  They stock yarns by Debbie Bliss and Silk Garden by Noro, a rather luxurious hand dyed Japanese yarn, along with knitting needles and a selection of designer yarn knitting books. I recommend you pop in and say hello. You will get a warm welcome.

Rose & Dylan

6 George Street

St Albans

AL3 4ER

Telephone 01727 833576

I had never heard of Broomstick Crochet before, until Sylvie described it to me. I like to learn new skills/techniques so I googled Broomstick Crochet and found this video tutorial, demonstrating the technique. Following the tutorial I produced a few samples. I found the technique easy, it gives an openwork lace effect. At one time, as the name implies, people used a broomstick to hold the loops, but an oversized knitting needle will do.

"The origins of Broomstick Crochet, which is also called Peacock Stitch or Witchcraft Lace are obscure. There are no references or examples of it in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London or in the American Museum in Bath. Americans claim broomstick crochet as their own because there is evidence that the early settlers used it as a quick way to make blankets. In America, Canada and Australia, it is still practiced as a traditional craft and is demonstrated in rural life museums. In America it is sometimes called "jiffy lace." In Sweden, it is called "Lattice Loop." It probably originated in Europe, born out of necessity and used up odds and ends of yarn. Created in this way, it may not have been treasured as heirlooms and therefore the lack of evidence means that the history is mostly conjecture instead of fact."

From: Muriel Kent, "Exciting Crochet", David & Charles Publ., Devon, 1987

Information on the pink beach dress pattern can be found on Farmhouse Yarns 

A couple of weeks ago I bought a Union Jack rug in Poundland and this weekend I turned into a cushion, backing it with unbleached calico. Very happy with how it turned out.

On Tuesday morning Sylvie introduced me to Sanuk  in Potton End. It was a delightful revelation, a charming tea room, shop and plant nursery located off the beaten track in Potton End. My initial impression of the place was English eccentric/shabby chic! "The barn has had many past-lives including a cow-shed, a dwelling and a farm-shop. As Sanuk it is a unique combination of an English tearoom and Colonial trading post." Just in front of and adjacent to the tearoom is Little Heath Farm Nursery, specialising in Hardy Plants, Shrubs, Trees and Ferns. Sanuk sits just outside the village of Potton End, near Berkhastead. it's adjacent to picturesque woodland owned by the National Trust.

Little Heath Farm London Road, Potten End, Berkhamsted HP4 2RY - 01442 864 951

At the front of the house we have a bank of lavender, it smells wonderful as you brush past it, especially with a wheelie bin! I have seen recipes for lavender biscuits but have not tried them, today I rectified that. I chose a recipe from Meeester Nik it looked like the biscuits would be light and fragrant, and they were.

"Lavender biscuits, with lavender picked fresh from the garden this morning. As long as you can get your hands on the stuff, it’s one of the easiest biscuit recipes of all."

To get started you will need

1. washcloth 
2. Paper cup 
3. Rubber band 
4. Lollipop 

For the cupcake wrapper I cut a paper cup down to the required size. I estimated my paper cup should stand about 5cm (2") tall. Resting a pencil on a box, of the desired hight and with it touching the cup, I turned my cup slowly to give me a perfect line. I cut the excess paper away. Alternatively you can find printable cupcake wrappers on the internet to download, but I decided my idea using paper cups was easier and held the washcloth really well.

To form the 'cake' from the washcloth just follow the photographic tutorial below or watch this very good demonstration video I came across by Jonathan Fong How to make a cupcake from a washcloth What a star!

I think these cupcakes would make a really nice 'thank you' gift for a teacher or alternatively a very easy project for a class to make. You could buy white paper cups and let children design and colour their own cupcake wrappers