Finished on a Thursday

Finally, I finished my crochet doll which I started with Annaboo's CAL ages ago.

She is such a poser. Sitting in the various greenery pots around the garden..............

smiling.........

dreaming........

I am quite pleased with her. I still can't quite follow a pattern but I am more confident than I was. I will certainly have a go now.

Thanks Annaboo - you did a wonderful tutorial, I know it was hard work for you. I hope you do another one some time soon.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Finished on a Friday

Last night I finished all the appendages for my monkey.

Then I stitched him all together..................

...........And named him Inky Monkey. One of legs is inside out and I have no idea how this happened. For those of you that don't know, I have been following Annaboo's Crochet-A-Long which has been great because I now feel confident enough to tackle a grown up pattern. Yay.

I still have to crochet some arms, make a dress and grow some hair on my doll.

Also today I have been busy with the sugarcraft and made The Queen and her little doggies for the Jubilee party we are going to. I am also making a cake but not sure where the Queen will go as I was asked to make a simple Victoria Sponge. I'm sure I'll work it out. I also have some Cranberry and Oragne scones and Blueberry scones to make - all for Sunday. I will post the recipes soon.

"Oh come along doggie, get out from under my cloak"

 

Skunky, Scones and a Head

Yesterday I finished Smallest's sock monkey. He was made using a pair of old socks and looks old, worn, loved and really quite 'Skunky' whatever that means. This morning I handed him to Smallest who instantly smelt him! Anyone that knows my Smallest, knows that if he smells something, he loves it. It is what gets him to sleep (normally sniffing his elephant called 'Smelly').

 

The edges were quite frayed and it wasn't a neat sewing job, but I wanted him to look worn. These socks were originally Small's and then passed to Smallest, so they have had plenty of wear. That undeniable dirty heel that you can't ever get really clean.

I made it in two days. He loves it. Now I have to make one for Small. Thank goodness I only have two children and one husband.

Smallest helped me to make some Canadian Scones yesterday. I have had trouble baking since we came here. I blame the cooker (old, came with the house, only one cooking shelf, too hot), and the ingredients (no self raising flour here, need to use baking powder and baking soda, all purpose flour or cake and pastry flour). Anyway a lady at the Garden Centre where I work gave me this fool proof recipe.

4 cups flour (I used all purpose)

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

Mix it all up together.

Add 2 cups of buttermilk

1 cup fruit (I used blueberries)

Bake (I put them at the top) 400* for 12-15 mins.

They look like rock cakes but they do taste like scones. They are quite moist so you don't need butter or jam, especially with the blueberries in them.




I joined in with Annaboo's CAL (Crochet a long) to attempt to crochet a monkey, doll or cat. I chose a monkey - you can never have too many monkies in one house!!!!

Sorry Annaboo, I don't know why this picture is so small

She is blogging step by step instructions, which is great because I finally understand a pattern and she gives pictures to show you what it should look like. Fabulous. I started it Tuesday Evening and it didn't go well and then tried again the next day and it worked.

It isn't perfect. I didn't always have the correct number of stitches. The face is a bit wonky. But I kind of like him/her already. The kids have already asked me "who is that one for?". FOR ME, IT IS FOR ME!!!

There will be more of this CAL next week. How exciting. Maybe I will make a start on a doll while I am waiting. Or maybe I should get on with Small's sock monkey. or maybe I should finish my Granny Blanket, or perhaps I will try some more baking now I have some confidence back.

Giveaway Received

A while ago ( when I still lived in the UK), I won a giveaway from Annaboos House.  

She contacted me to tell me she was ready to send me my handmade gifts and they came in the post this morning.  HOW EXCITING.

These were in my first package.

Gorgeous little crocheted trees with beads and buttons.

Just beautiful.

Such detail.

And the other package had her lovely Christmas blocks.

I love them, love them, love them

And here is everything together

It was part of a handmade giveaway.  She won a giveaway from another crafter and then hosted a giveaway herself.   I now have to host a giveaway too.  Which I will do once I have my crafting supplies up and running.

Thank you so much Annaboo.  

Her work is amazing and I wonder how I will make anything as lovely to giveaway myself.  You can see Annaboos work here http://annabooshouse.blogspot.com/

Do have a look.  Her blog is entertaining, funny, delightful and she also gives patterns away.

Watch this space for the giveaway details.  I will try and set it up in the next couple of weeks.