It's beginning to taste a lot like Christmas

 

Today the family got together in the kitchen to decorate our Christmas Cake, which Huffle has been lovingly feeding for a month now.

Small made a snowman and some presents. Smallest made a sledge for the presents and a Christmas Tree. I made a couple of snowmen, snowballs, presents and a reindeer. Huffle worked hard on rolling out the marzipan and Moo made the Royal Icing. 3 egg whites whisked, adding 1.5lbs icing sugar till peaks (couldn't find the glycerin).

 

The icing started to fall off the cake taking a few of the presents with it, but overall it looked good. We out it in the fridge for an hour and then boxed it up.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

 

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woyww knit-a-long

Hello Weddnesdayers. I have missed you. I have been away for some time. School Holidays - I blame the kids. Anyway, today I am linking with the lovely people of Whats on Your Workdesk Wednesday.

Yesterday my desk looked like this.....

knitted squares, my favourite sewing needle for knitting and my new glasses (wow I can see).

I joined a Rowan KAL some time ago, purchased my balls of wool and have been steadily knitting squares all Summer long. 36 squares later and I started sewing them together - which I finished doing today.

Now I just have to knit the edge which is a cable rope which should measure 4.8 metres. Phew.

Hope to visit many other deskers to see what is happening out there in blogland.

 

 

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The Jammiest Jam

Today we went strawberry and raspberry picking. We picked so much we decided to make jam. I had to share the recipe as it was so easy and just so yummy.

2 cups of fruit

2 cups of sugar

1/4 packet of pectin (15g)

1 Tbsp of lemon juice

 

We washed the jars in hot soapy water and then put them in the warming drawer while the jam was being made. We made one of strawberry and one of raspberry. They fit into 500ml jars. We also put a plate in the freezer (this is for testing the jam later).

Put half of the fruit in a saucepan with the lemon juice and heat gently for five minutes whilst mashing the fruit up. (The raspberries were then seived and the pulp pushed through the sieve leaving just the seeds and then put back into the pan without the seeds).

Add the sugar and the pectin to the fruit pulp and stir. Add the remaining fruit and heat until boiling and then boil rapidly for five minutes. Take a small spoonful of each and put on the chilled plate. Push your finger through the jam, if it is ready it will wrinkle. Ours took a few attempts.

Fill the jars lovingly with the jam and seal.

We cooled ours for about five hours and then we spread it thickly on scones. YUM YUM!

We have even more strawberries left so after pancakes tomorrow we may be making some more jam. Wahooooo.

 

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Lemon Blueberry Loaf

Yesterday I made a Lemon Blueberry Loaf. I found the recipe on Facebook but I am not sure who to credit as I can't find it now. I wrote it down and used it another day. It is delicious.

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons lemon juice (this was about one lemon squeezed)

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups flour (it should be all-purpose flour but I used Wholewheat by mistake, normally this would be to heavy but it was perfect).

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (about one lemon)

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (apparently the blueberries don't burst as much if they are frozen, I used both).

GLAZE

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 cup icing sugar

Mix the butter, sugar, juice and eggs together. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and mix into the egg mix with the milk.

Fold in zest and blueberries.

Put mixture into a lined loaf tin and bake for 350* for about 50-60 minutes.

To make the glaze I added the juice and butter to the icing sugar a bit at a time until it was all combined and poured it over the loaf. I did it while it was still hot because I wanted to eat it and I don't have patience. We ate the loaf still warm and it was wonderful. The glaze is very very lemony.

Enjoy and let me know if you make it.

 

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Finished socks - at last

Since February, I have been knitting some Valentine socks with lacey hearts on them. I actually finished them (all but the casting off) some time ago but cast them off too tightly and couldn't get my ample feet in them (actually I have high insteps he he). When my mum came over to visit for the Summer I asked if she wanted to try a different cast off while we were at knitting group.

She used the incredibly loose cast off (sorry I can't credit anyone because my knitting lady told me).

The curly top makes them look incredibly girly (which I am certainly not) but I do love them. I don't normally wear my socks but I think I might wear these ones.

Thanks Mum for finishing them for me x

 

 

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WOYWW - floor squares

Hello, sorry I missed last week. I forgot all about it and then when I I remembered it was too late to join in. This week I am joining in with WOYWW but instead of a desk, I am showing you my floor where I lay my squares for my Mystery Afghan.

I should end up with about 36 (20cmx20cm) squares with a border around the edge. I hope it's big enough. I am enjoying doing the different patterns but I only manage about two and a half a week as I have been so busy in the garden.

Right, I am keeping it short and sweet as I have a child shouting me. Hope to visit as many of you as possible to see what delights you have in store.

As usual to find out about WOYWW go HERE

 

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WOYWW - free motion sewings

Hey Wednesday'ers. My desk, for What's on your Workdesk Wednesday is a mess. I took a workshop to learn 'free motion sewing' today and I absolutely loved it. We learnt lots of different techniques and I really loved the free-ness of the machine. It tapped into my artistic side beautifully and I even started to zentangle on my machine. How cool is that?

So my desk..........

My sewing machine with my favourite sample of the day.

Next to my sample work is my pile of knitted squares for my mystery afghan. We are now on week five and I have to make bobbles (which is proving frustratingly difficult). My quilting squares are still there at the back and so are the ones that need sewing together. I have abandoned it for now as I need more inspiration and want to get on with my blanket. As usual, too many projects on the go. Sewing to do when I have a spare hour, free motion to practice when I get my new foot (Unfortunately I had to order the foot for my machine and it won't be here until Friday), knitting to do in front of the TV at night. I also have a cardi to undo and resew together (that's for Autumn) an elephant to knit and a monkey to finish.

Again I have aerobics first thing, then I have to mow the grass if it is dry and then I will get round to seeing all your wonderful inspirational desks. See you x

 

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WOYWW - side table knittings

Well it's Wednesday again - seriously, where does the time go? I always think ok will have a whole week to get around everyone's desk and maybe post a couple of things in between but it all just goes by far too quickly. Oh dear, is that an age thing?

Anyway, this week, as usual, I am playing along with What's on your Workdesk Wednesday. It's a nosey place with lots of wonderful creativity and normally a few giggles too.

This week my desk has been the side table in front of the TV where I have been knitting my squares for my Mustery Afghan. I am on week three and have knitted a few squares.

Taking up most of the photo is my Kath Kidston Bag with my different squares I have already knitted. Next to that is a pattern for the Heirloom Lace one I am knitting now. Two balls of wool, one needle (where is the other one?) and the map for where my squares will go when it is finished (it is still a mystery because I don't know where or what the future patterns will be plus I don't know how to sew it all together or add the border). Wow, it's like an Agatha Christie.

Hope to get round to see everyone but off to Aerobics first, save me a slice of cake to have with my tea, I'll need it.

 

 

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WOYWW - woolly pins

A sideways view of my desk today for What's on your Workdesk Wednesday. Along the top are my cut out squares for my quilt, already decided on which colour goes with what but ran out of pins to pin them together. Next to that top right is my pile of already sewn together squares. My sewing machine patiently waiting my foot! Left middleish is my huuuuge granny blanket. More squares, pinned, waiting to be sewn together.

Middle right - my wool for my mystery Afghan/Blanket. Each week a new pattern is released for a knitted square. So far I am on week 2 and have knitted 6 squares. There are eight weeks in all and it won't be until week8 till we know what it looks like. The bottom purple one is a Nordic Star. I like these because I can knit them whilst watching TV easily. The lamp is on and shining too bright but the orangey thing is my pair of socks I was knitting for Valentines (whoops a bit late!).

That's me done for this week. Hope to see you all with your lovely desks and creations.

 

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WOYWW #254 - tidy threads

Hello Wednesdayers or What's on your Workdesk Wednesday peeps. Of course, I am joining in with WOYWW today but alas my desk is pretty clear. I have been mainly working on the floor (quilting) or in front of the TV (crochet).

This crochet Granny Blanket has been in the making for about three years now and has been on five plane journeys (it is too big for any planes now). It is wide enough to go over our King Size bed but not quite long enough so I am carrying on for now.

I took my desk one from a different angle today as the last two shots of my desk were the same.

The quilt is coming on fine except I got to the point where the pattern was driving me insane. It was just too complicated (or rather I was making it too complicated) so I I have gathered the squares up and piled them in colour groups. I have also decided I will get a different colour to put between the colourful squares and around the edge so it is not quite so bright!

Ooh I see a rogue Easter Egg hider on the photo!!

Grab a cuppa and go and see who else and what else is going on in the Crafty World of WOYWW.

 

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Woyww #253 squares coming out of my ears

Wednesday. Well that must mean it's the day to show you my desk. In fact I am joining in with WOYWW which translates to What's on your Workdesk Wednesday, but you know that already.

Well it's a messy desk. These days I just tend to run up here, sew a bit, cut a bit, pin a bit and then run down again. No time to tidy the floor, the ironing board or the desk. My Huffle has just stolen the ironing board so I can't show you what was on there but it was a pile of fabrics, a tub of pins and an iron.

This is probably vey similar to last week. My strips of fabric waiting to be cut on my mat. Behind the sewing machine is a Mason Jar which I am filling with any off cuts of material (too small to use for sewing). I saw this tip on one of your blogs somewhere, saying that you never knew when you might need a thin strip of fabric or thread. Good idea and it looks pretty too. My scissors are there (not my good ones just the snippy ones) and a tin with pins in it. Main stage is my sewing machine. I am getting more confident by the day.

And just to prove I am making progress with my quilt, here is where I am so far....

Each little square is 2.5" x 2.5" to to give you perspective. The ones on the edge are waiting to be sewed together but I was planning what colours I needed next. I have to say, I am finding it very therapeutic and the boys came up the other day. The Smallest one said "WOW that's going to be brilliant, will it have buttons on the end like my quilt cover?". The Small one said "Mummy that's amazing, is it a collage?". Love the appreciation.

This project is going to take me forever, I hope I don't lose interest. At the moment it probably fits a cot and I want it to fit a King Size Bed. Plus I still haven't finished Monkey and I am at the point of casting off my socks but I have just signed up for a Knit A Long Blanket where we get a new pattern each week and we don't know what it will turn out like in the end. Exciting!?!?

 

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Woyww#253 - pins and needles

Hi, sorry been away again. I had to hibernate as I was finding this endless snow just too much. However, today the sunshine has brought me out, so I thought I would join in with What's on your Workdesk Wednesday, and show you my desk, which this week is a bit different.

I have got the quilting bug. I bought myself a starter kit with a mat, a cutter, pins etc and a roll of different fabrics and I had a quick lesson from my friend and away I went. I love it. I find the cutting out, the ironing of seams, the small bits of stitching together, more ironing, pinning, unpinning soooooo therapeutic. I have managed to sew together blocks of 16 x 2.5" squares and so far (in less than a week) made 8 blocks. I am just going to keep going until I think it is big enough and then I need my next lesson.

I have to say I am quite pleased with myself. I am still crocheting the monkey and am still knitting my socks and making my pig hat in the evenings but when I can, in the day, I am busily sewing and cutting and pinning. I need a bigger table!!!

I hope to pop round to everyone else's desk after I have done my aerobics and am sitting recuperating with my cup of tea.

 

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Pokemon Cake

Sunday was Smallest's seventh birthday and yesterday was his party for his friends. As usual my kids like to challenge me to make them a spectacular cake (in their eyes anyway!)

So began the challenge............

I made two sandwich chocolate cakes and sandwiched them together with chocolate fudge butter icing.

Then I buttericed them with vanilla buttercream which is called Dirty Icing (I know this because I am an avid Cake Boss fan.

I made two pokemon figures as per my instructions.

May I introduce Pikachu.....

.....and Oshawott

Then I half iced the cake with red fondant icing and the other half with white Fondant icing. Added a red strip around the bottom and a white circle on top.

This is to represent the PokeBall (of course).

I needed a black stripe - I didn't have any black fondant and adding black colouring never properly works plus it tastes bad. So I bought some Black Modelling Wafers, melted them and painted my stripe on (not the best straight line).

 

TADDDAAAAAAAAAA

Tastes good too.

 

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Woyww - one legged no faced monkey

Hey, I have been awol for some time now. I went to England and it was fabulous. There was a proper spring with lambs frolicking and daffodils dancing. We absolutely loved it but had to come to back to Canada as this is where we live. I was hoping the snow would have gone and maybe we would have our own Spring, but alas it is still Winter here. Still, it means I get more time to craft I suppose. Well the reason I am here is because it is Wednesday and I am joining in with What's on your Workdesk Wednesday

I am not at my desk because I have been crocheting in front of the TV. Today my desk is my pouffe with the Ipad showing a pattern for a Monkey from Annaboos House. I have made this one before but for some reason (maybe jetlag) I am struggling to do it's second leg!

I just noticed that it looks like the poor thing has been stabbed where I have left my crochet hook. Whoops, off to rescue it right away before I get complaints.

Hope to visit as many of you as possible in between painting the kitchen, and crocheting a leg of course.

 

 

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WOYWW #245 - a bit of sewing

Today I am joining in with Whats on your Workdesk Wednesday?

I am currently sitting at my desk in the loft and I am freezing. It is snowing outside and although the drive has been cleared once, it is covered again. I am fed up of the snow now.

Anyway, my desk........

Today I have been sewing. A friend of mine came over last week and I showed her how to crochet a foundation row. In return she showed me some tips on my sewing machine and left me with homework to do - a sample piece of different stitches and try and get them straight. Ha that's funny. I did them but straight they are NOT! She is going to show me how to make a simple bag and we are going to use the sample somehow. Exciting.

Left of the table is Sock Monkey Hat, lovingly put there by Smallest - this means it needs mending in some way. No note needed, I just have to find out what is wrong with it. Earlier I found an Imp with a bell beside it which meant "Please Mummy can you sew his bell back on".

Right of my table is my new sock that I started on Friday. This is the one knitted on the very expensive yarn. It has two cables and a heart pattern going up the front. A bit tricky and needs some concentration but I like it. I undid it three times on Friday and once more on Saturday (each time back to the beginning). I am now at the heel part and am very pleased with myself.

At the front are my gorgeous Kirstie Allsop Haberdashery Scissors that my lovely friend sent me for my Birthday last year, a box of pins and some thread and other scissors (how many pairs of scissors does one girl need? And what are they all doing there?).

I hope to visit more of y than I managed last week - very poor - MUST DO BETTER!

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My Lovely Valentine

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.

This is what I made for my Valentine.....

A Zentangled card. A crocheted heart inside. A crocheted envelope with machine stitiched stamp and name tag.

I hope he likes it.

 

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