Jeos First Tattoo

I got this as my first tattoo at Garrett's in Centereach, N.Y in August 2009, shortly after my 20th birthday. The cross has a little bit of a Celtic edge as I was going for a more Gothic design, and is wrapped within the flowering and budding roses, the banner contains the name Kaz, which was my mother's nickname, stepping away from the stereotypical "mom" tattoo and the common full-name spelled-out approach. While the four-year-old me might have protested, the fifteen-year-old me would have asked why I waited so long, and after finally getting inked can't say one bad thing about the experience. Upon reaching the shop I was a little nervous but 90% of the emotion was excitement. Nick, the newest artist in the shop greeted me and got right down to business; asking specifically what I wanted and the story behind the idea, before going to sketch my description from scratch. After showing me the original sketch we did a little brainstorming on how to put a personal edge on it, ensuring I was a part of the creative process before transferring the outline of the drawing to my arm. Once everything was sterilized and prepared, including my scrubbed arm, I stepped up to my chair where Nick gave me a first taste of the needle to see how I'd handle it. With a minor pinch followed by an inquiring voice, I agreed to continue what would be a two hour job. Despite what many people think, the experience was not bad at all, and I almost fell asleep in the chair listening to Nicks iPod over the shop speakers as he did every detail free hand with grace and artistic passion. Once we were done and my arm was wrapped like a deli-sandwich, I was good to go and quite satisfied with my first tattoo.

By Jonathan Neary

Chloe And Harrys Creative Clay

My Grandma came to stay with us for a week and my brother and I did clay modeling with her. I hope you like them.

By Chloe and Harry

Kellys Valentine Fish Pie

Poach some fish in milk. I use smoked haddock, cod, salmon and king prawns (the prawns don't need poaching, just add them when you add the fish to the white sauce, they will cook in the oven). Drain the fish when cooked and reserve the milk. Make a white sauce using the fishy milk. Chop up six hard boiled eggs. Add the fish and eggs to the white sauce, stir really gently. Squeeze two lemons and add the juice to the sauce. Season really well. Top with mashed potato. Put in the oven til hot and crispy on top. Done!

By Kelly Willows

George

This is George. I was given this wee Quaker parrot by some wonderful people I used to work for, the Turreffs, as a birthday present a few years ago. I was so surprised as I never thought of owning a pet of my very own, I was delighted and named him George. Every morning when I woke up I would take his cover off and say "good morning", within a few days he would say "good morning" back to me! I even taught him to say "goodnight", but the best part was when he called me "mummy", I loved it! At the end of the working day (If I didn't have him on my shoulder) I would go to my room and he would say "hello mummy", then I would let him out to walk all over the bedroom floor while I put my jammies on and got comfy on the couch. When I would sit down he would come looking for me and walk up my leg until he got to my shoulder and there he would sit for the night. I would take him away for weekends to my sis-in-law's house as Carole loved him too. I had him for 2 years, then he died, he had a bacteria around his wee heart, my poor wee baby, he was a fabulous wee bird. I just loved him and still think of him. If I could get the exact same bird I think I would get another. To my wee George, lots of love from his mummy xxx.

By Christine Neary

Sheena The Sheep....Baaaaaaa!

Betty's Pretty Cards

I got this lovely CD from my daughter Tracy at Christmas time. I made some cards from it and sent them to my family.

By Betty McCreadie

Click on photo to enlarge

Loving Message

Happy Valentines Day
to our bloggy friends around the world
with chocolate kisses
from
The Craft Basket crew

Slow Growing Amaryllis

This is one of my favourite plants, the Amaryllis. I bought them in the grocery store and planted them right away in the pots (pots come with plants). Normally they grow very quickly but these two plants took forever and ever and ever! I watered them every two days and they still didn't grow, then I forgot about them for a couple of days. Then all of a sudden I noticed one of them grew about an inch, couple of more days then another inch or so, then it just kept growing. The other small one is beginning to grow but very slowly. Then one night when I came home from work I noticed that one of the flowers popped out, on the next night the other two flowers popped out and surprise, tonight the fourth flower popped out YIPPEE!. Now I am just waiting for the wee one to flower. All in all it's a very beautiful plant.

By Christine Neary

Interview Of The Month

This months interview is with sentimental needle crafter Suzy Neary from Long Island New York.

Question 1. Who or what introduced you to the world of sewing?

"My introduction to sewing was in primary school in England where there were classes that taught a variety of sewing projects. I remember making a yellow Humpty Dumpty pajama case, an applique collage where I chose to put in my favorite animal a horse, working on a hexagon quilt and learning how to knit. Going to school in America I made a stuffed heart for my parents that I still have. I remember wanting to do a good job because it was a gift. A couple of years later I made a skirt in Home Economics class, this stressed me out because sewing machines scare me! In my teens I would buy little inexpensive needlepoint and cross stitch kits from Woolworths. As an adult I enjoyed exploring many other sewing mediums like silk ribbon embroidery, quilting and applique with felt. I also love to crochet."

Question 2. If you were stranded on a desert island and allowed an endless supply of a certain sewing item, what would it be and why?

"Everyone is picking clever and creative things to help them survive. I'm hoping my desert island is not too deserty so I would choose something that I will never grow bored with and that is cross stitch. I would bring an endless supply of floss, aida cloth, needles, scissors and the largest book of patterns on the planet! My grass hut will not be very strong but will look very pretty decorated with all of my projects."

Question 3. Is there something you have always wanted to learn?

"I would love to learn how to use a long arm quilting machine, owning one would be nice too. The women I've seen who use them make it look so easy and relaxing, but I'm sure it takes a lot of practice. It would be the ultimate experience in helping me get over my fear of the sewing machine!"

Question 4. What project do you have going on right now and what is the next one?

"My current project is crocheting a blanket with the wool my brother Jonathan gave me for Christmas. I finished the crochet part last night and will now be chain stitching a floral design on top of the blanket. My next project is to complete a special quilt I started last year. It is made with some floral cotton material my mother bought for me many years ago that I didn't know what to do with. I have been looking forward to finishing it, I was just undecided on what design to use when stitching all the layers together. Now that I know I can happily get back to work on it."

Jonathans Cross Stitch

I was thrilled when Jonathan wanted to try cross stitch too. I can't remember how old he was when he made these projects but it was in the 1990's. His most recent endeavor is an Oasis tribute.

My First Pie

This is a recipe from Neenies nephew (Jonathan) I thought I would try it. I loved using the rolling pin to roll it out and make it a pretty big square then I put it on the baking sheet and poured in the ingredients. There was one thing missing which I love and that was BACON, but I am afraid to say there was no bacon left, I must have ate it all or my brothers ate it, anyway I put it in the oven to bake and when it came out it looked yummy and cheesy. Neenie had a piece of it and I tried some but I didn't really like it, there was too much cheese. I think it would have been better if we had bacon, but it was my first pie and Neenie said I did a great job, I just hope she remembers to buy bacon next time!

By Logan Richman

Coffee Flavored Honey

On a recent trip to Costa Rica I went to visit a coffee plantation. My friends cousin Eduardo, the plantation manager very kindly spent the afternoon showing us how the coffee plants were grown, how the beans were harvested, dried and packed ready to be shipped to the coffee roasters. It was a very enjoyable and interesting day and it made me appreciate more my morning cup of coffee after seeing how much effort and hard work went into picking the beans. These pics are of the smallest beehive I have ever seen, fixed near the door of the plantation office. The bees, only about an eighth of an inch long and sting less, entered the hive through that little round hole. Eduardo removed a part of the roof and pulled out a handful of honey, it was sweeter than normal honey but most surprisingly, it tasted like coffee. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, with wonderful people and hospitality second to none. I can't wait to return.

By John Neary

Handmade For Lewis

I made this for my grandson Lewis. He really liked and loved the button nose and eyes. When asked what name he wanted to give it he said Buttons!

By Michael Hayman

I'm A Mummy!

Meet Maximus and Lola my two new babies, I received the lovely wee turtles from my friend Michelle. She very kindly bought them for me when she went to China Town, she said she had turtles when she lived in Malaysia, she said they make great pets. I feed them every second day, they grow very slowly which is lucky for me as I don't need giant turtles running around my apartment! One wee thing though, she got me a male and a female (I hope they are brother and sister haha), hopefully they won't breed. Babies For Sale! (maybe).

By Christine Neary

A Blue And White Beanie

By Christine Neary

Stylish Beanie

This is another beanie, but the difference is I knitted one half and crocheted the other just to give it a bit of style. Again it knits up easily. The wool is from Peru, the colour is called tintada, it is 40% wool, 40% acrylic and 20% alpaca. The hat pattern is under "The Red Slippers".

By Christine Neary

Fun Beanies

These two hats (which are really called beanies) that Logan is modeling for me were knitted with spare wool I had left. They knit up very quickly and just fun to wear. From the same pattern already on The Craft Basket under "The Red Slippers". The blue hat is made from Lion Brand Yarn in cobalt, it is machine washable and dryer safe, made of polyester and acrylic. The multicoloured hat is made from what I call my "freaky" wool. The brand is Moda Dea Yarns using Jai Alia yarn in damsen. It is 100% polyester. This is a fun hat for fun things!

By Christine Neary

Spoons With Many Tales

My wee Mum collected spoons, I'm not sure when she started but she loved her spoons and the collection grew and grew. A lot of them were given to her by family and friends, when someone went to another country they always remembered to buy Mum a spoon. Here are some countries they came from. South Africa (she had a friend who lived there), Canada (I think I bought her one from there), Greece (from my sister Kathleen), Spain, New York (quite a few came from there as a few family members came to visit New York and I live in New York so I sent her a few too), Portugal, Gran canaria, Athens, Ireland, Cornwall Devon and many more countries. Sadly when she passed away Kathleen kept the spoons, some were dispersed among family but Kathleen keeps the others and I hope she keeps them forever and not get rid of them as they were a big reminder of our lovely wee Mum.

By Christine Neary

Another Good Crop Of Onions

It was another good year for onions. I would pick them on a dry day, clean the soil off the roots and lay them out on the greenhouse floor to dry. A week or so later, the leaves would be dry enough to braid, French style, and then to hang in a cool dark place, providing delicious onions right into the cold winter.

By John Neary

Interview Of The Month

This months interview is with the craft maven Betty McCreadie from Basingstoke, England.

Question 1. Tell us a little bit about your craft history.

"I love knitting and crochet, in fact I love all kinds of craft. I started knitting when I was 13 years old with two sticks and a ball of wool my Mum gave me. We did not have the money to buy needles but I made myself a scarf. At 17 I bought my first sewing machine, I saved up every penny I earned to buy it. I made my two young sisters dresses. Then when I had my own three daughters I made their clothes as well. Forty five years later I still have that very machine and still going strong. I also love paper craft, cross stitch, paper mache and I make my own cards. Every day you will find me doing something as I love all kinds of craft."

Question 2. If you were stranded on a desert island what would you bring and why?

"If I was left on a desert island this is what I would take with me. My sister Christine for company and we can knit together as like me she loves to knit. Lots and lots of wool, all size needles and crochet hooks, scissors, darning needle, as you can make things to help you survive. A big thick book that I can read in my hammock that I knitted. Couple of big packets of rice to eat with the fish that I catch with my knitted net. Sun cream as I will be sunbathing in my knitted bikini. I will knit or crochet blankets and a pillow case and stuff leaves into it to make a pillow. There is so much you can do with wool. I would also take a wok, wooden spoon, matches, we will drink water from the stream. And I must not forget my hair brush or I will look like Girl Friday by the time I leave the island!"

Betty's Clay Play

I was put on a course a couple of weeks ago, normally I hate courses but this one was right up my street. It was a craft course. The photo is the result of what I made. I have never done clay modeling before, this is my first time and it was great fun.

By Betty McCreadie

Betty's Creative Crochet

These are the three blankets and cushion I made just before Christmas.

By Betty McCreadie

My Lil Dumplin

It was one of those days...rainy and cold...time to throw everything into a crock pot and keep adding throughout the day (carrots and cauliflower finally got to see light). Everything was going well until my "Romantic Comedy" moment! I brought out two containers...cornstarch and baking powder. I wanted to thicken my sauce with cornstarch so I put some gravy in a little bowl, measured in some powder and POOF!!! A science experiment before my eyes. I thought "Okay maybe all that foaming just means it's really fresh". I poured it into the pot and turned to see I had used baking powder...ahhhhhhh! I felt embarrassed...all my hard work ruined. I still added some cornstarch and began the hunt for a dumpling recipe. I figured however funky the sauce was going to be at least there would be a dumpling to enjoy. I improvised on this recipe but it turned out to be so fluffy and delicious.

Dumplings:
1 Cup of flour (I used self rising flour)
1 Teaspoon of baking powder
1 Tablespoon of butter (cold)
Salt to taste
Cold water

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Cut in butter with a knife or pastry cutter, add cold water a tablespoon at a time until it forms a lumpy dough. Spoon a dumpling size of dough on top of your casserole or stew. When it's no longer gooey it's done.

Topsy Turvy

This is a teacup and saucer set my wee Mum gave me a few years ago, she knew my love of cups and saucers. On the bottom it says "Leonardo Collection" so I took it to be Leonardo De Vinci art work, I love it. Every time I pour tea into it I think it's going to topple over, it's a fun cup.

By Christine Neary

Christmas Door Hanging

I made this door hanging with bits and pieces and a branch off the Christmas tree. It didn't cost me a penny!

By Rose Ann Hayman

Holly Jolly Memories

For the holiday season I am asking my blog friends what is their favorite Christmas memory...this is Rose Ann's memory.

"I was 12 years old and my Dad had not long been dead. Christmas was looming and I suppose I never thought where the money was going to come from for presents. Maybe I hoped for once, Santa might be real! One day my Aunty Ellen turned up with masses of presents, one for each of us. She handed them all out and there I was sitting on the stairs the only one without a gift. I remember saying to myself, "don't cry, don't let them know it bothers me". Aunty Ellen came over to me and said, "we haven't forgotten about you, your present is not in the shop yet, it will be here soon!" True to her word, a couple of days later she arrived with a big box which was a post office set, and I just loved it! They couldn't (they being my Aunties and Uncles who clubbed together to help my poor widowed Mammy give her 10 children a decent Christmas) have picked a better or more wanted present. Knowing what I know now of relationships, I know that was a supreme act of love on their part. I will never forget that Christmas."

Purple Poncho With Matching Hat

Oh...my Aunties are so clever and creative! This is my chenille poncho and matching hat my Auntie Chris made for me as a Christmas present in 2005. She was not following any pattern so for them to fit without seeing me (I have a large noggin) was well done.