Crocheting in the new year

Last night was a quiet one for me. Just me the tv and an idea for crochet. Earwarmers for the granddaughters with the yarn leftover from one of their hugs I made them. Such a simple rectangle sewn up to create the twist at the top. 

I think from their faces and his long they wore them indoors they adored them  

Keeping up with my bad photos reputation here’s the first one I made and laid flat.

New year's resolutions are not being made this year. Apart from putting less pressure on myself and try to live a simpler life. Let's see how far this works for.

Bubbles, yarn and vinyl

The plan of working from my list of eight things is falling by the wayside a little. However, I am still using what I have and am being productive. 

Last night I started watching things on Netflix and decided to look through my yarn as fancied crocheting something. Came across this lovely dark pink cotton. Yet again another one of my shower poufs/loofah/scrubby things has fallen to bits leaving me with a long length of net so I decided to crochet up a cotton one that won’t unravel and won’t end up clogging up a landfill or being harmful to wildlife 

It’s coming along well. I’m a slow crocheter so I will carry on and finish this one tonight hopefully and if there’s enough yarn I will make another one up for someone else maybe. 

My younger son has a few jokey periodic table t shirts. So when I saw something similar to this on a mug I decided a shirt must be made and he was up for it. So this evening I designed this in Cricut design space and cut out the HTV vinyl, with my Cricut, ready to press onto the shirt tomorrow. I hope Freddie Mercury would approve ;-) 

Spent some time in the garden with kids and bubbles earlier on. Loving the colours in the garden and the enthusiasm everyone has for bubbles whatever age they are. 

Really has been a fairly busy fun day. Looking forward to seeing what fun tomorrow holds being the half term but might need a rest on Saturday. 

Etching the afternoon away

After having a go at glass etching last week my daughter showed interest in learning how. Always being up for crafting we arranged an afternoon and settled for today and I even offered to light the bbq to cook dinner tonight. 

It rained and was cold enough to put even me off bbq so we ate indoors. It didn’t however put us off spending time crafting. We cut our stencils out of oracle 651 vinyl on the Cricut. Even had the granddaughters pressing buttons as needing and watching the machine cut. 

It must of all gone well as my daughter wants to come back and do more coasters or something another day. 

She made the fairy one and I made the butterfly one. Both went home with my daughter as she loved them. 

What is also cool about these is the shadow effect the etching causes in the light. 

Discussed a lot of ideas on what we could etch and what to do next so I think it’s safe to say I have gained a new crafting partner :-) 

August so far.

How is it August already? I swear I blinked and July just skipped by in that blink! In fact I am pretty sure I got short changed in July at some point time wise. Although there were some epic moments. There has been a lot of decorating planning going on lately, I saw this picture in B&Q, didn't buy it and should have as I love the sentiment.  

So far August has given us rain. I have spent a while trying to do some origami butterflies. This one is still the best one to date.  I never was much good with origami but I will keep trying I need 10 origami butterflies at least. Maybe some better instructions are needed?  Or perhaps I just need to not look at mine so closely.  Fiddly things never were my forte, but they are fun even if it is only laughing at my attempts at the end.

Last week I came across this fabric in Fabric Land. and knew I needed to make a Sorbetto top from it or a variation of it.  I have a few I have made before and wear them often.  I know there is a new updated version that offers more variations these days but I have yet to download and use them.  It's a free pattern if anyone wants to try it out.

This was how it turned out. I made an inverted (?) pleat down the front and left the bottom open instead of catching the bottom in the hem.  

I would say excuse the mess but it's a tiny room full of book cases and boxes and it really doesn't get much tidier on my bookcases as they are all overflowing. 

Here's a closer look of the front detail. 

I did a bias binding hem! I tried this before and read the instructions wrong and the bias binding was done like a bias bound quilt edge or similar, so was visible.  So I gave it a go on the hem and neck line today and it was so easy and neat.  This may be my new hemming method. This was the bottom hem.

I can tell I have made a few of these before due to fact it only took me an hour and 12 minutes! And that included cutting out the fabric.  I usually play an audio book while sewing so I know how long it took by that.

Here's the neck edge. Different colour bindings I know, I was left at the last moment remembering I needed bias binding and didn't have enough of either.  At least they were both colour coordinated though

I then decided to make some chilli cheese cornbread for the boys to go with dinner. Looked a bit unconvincing to me when it was being mixed up

Looked OK upon coming out of the oven

It was a bit to dry though but tastes ok apparently.  I tried a small bit and reminded me of the flavour of  macaroni cheese but a little wimpier.  Still it got a compliment from Luke and was eaten so I am happy with that outcome.  Been a pretty creative day today.

I was even a superhero whooooooooo, eldest sons car battery died so I went over to give him a jump start.  Drove home and he and his girlfriend had broke down again so went back out to find them and got them sorted and followed them to their destination.  All sorted now.

So for tonight I am ready for an early nights sleep and a good day tomorrow. First though a little family time TV and make plans for tomorrows adventures.

Take care

Jules 

How to upset your youngest granddaughter

This is my eldest granddaughter Ever, you can tell from the beautiful smile! She is modelling the collared cloak I made with the help from her younger sister Ruby and her Mum Leanne yesterday.

Here is the view from the back. 

. 

Younger granddaughter looks scared doesn't she? Beautiful but scared.

And here you would of thought we had been torturing her.

Story behind these photos starts off a long time ago in the fabric shop.  I found this lovely soft fabric in 2 colours.  They have like a rose swirl design on them.  I was so taken with it I dragged my daughter in to ask what she thought and maybe if something could be made for the girls with it? The girls are in need of dressing up bits so we decided this colour would make a brilliant princess cape for over the princess dresses they have.  At this point Ruby is in love with the fabric, so soft and fluffy.

Fast forward to yesterday, text from Leanne and can we do something together? We decided on a making day. So dragged out the fabric and a pattern and had a lovely time cutting out the pattern pieces, Ruby helped all the way including with the pinning and ribbon choice etc.  Lots of 'I do it's' and 'I help' Absolute delight in the whole process,  And believe me she helped a lot. She was enchanted watching the sewing machine sew. And after a few hours we had this beautiful satin lined cloak.

Then She refused point blank to wear it for a photo for me her Nana. OK fair enough, it went home with her and Leanne said she would try after shower time. Then I think it became all to much for her and there was no way this was going to happen willingly.  Poor child looks like she is being tortured into wearing something she really hates lol. So in the end the beautiful Ever stepped in and modelled it perfectly for Mum so I could have some photos to share.

So that folks is how to upset your granddaughter, simply get her to help make something she really loves and ask her to wear it.

So onto more less dramatic items I think 

Take care

Jules

advent? blogmas? not sure what to call this

So our first box held the instructions to ask Mum for the first decoration of the season and put it together ready to display.  A 3D star with lights. 

I love Tiger the shop.  Full of lovely things and often fairly cheap to.  But this was a sturdy cardboard 3D star, which went together really easily actually.

Bit of fanning and and unflattening each spike of the star and adding the lights to the interior before using the toggle on the drawstring to keep it all in place.  Luke says it will look great on top of the tree when it goes up.  

And when finished.  Will look great in a lower light later in the season I bet.

I did also make up my quilt block. I used the log cabin method on this one but not really keeping it a true log cabin with light and dark sides. Does this make it a scrappy log cabin block? No idea but I like it.  Already have an idea on what to do with tomorrows block. 

Spent the day shopping with my daughter and got a few Christmas presents. So a pretty eventful but fun day. Tomorrow looks just as busy, with a both more sewing involved.  Unfortunately some of the things I am sewing are gifts so I cannot really share them just yet.

For now I am going to catch up with a few online obligations I have to do and get the bits ready for tomorrows advent box adventures.I think I get more excited over these things than any of the children ever did. 

Take care

Jules xx

Welcoming Autumn

Really have loved our summer.  Didn't try to keep up with anything just enjoying the relaxed days and wonderful company. So now we are two thirds of the way through September.  School has restarted, routines are being reset and the weather is all over the show change wise.  

Instead of boring you with a long endless list of what we did over the summer, it would feel like the dreaded back to school essay sadly, I will just pick up from here and tell you what we are up to from now. 

Yesterday hit me with a touch of the blues I think, Not sure why but it had me getting up this morning determined to make a little more of today.  I cooked and baked today.  Nothing spectacular, Red lentil and bacon soup and sourdough loaf of bread.  I had almost lost my cooking mojo recently.  You always know I am on my way back when I bake bread :o) 

The soup was from the hairy bikers fast food dieters book.  Was pretty tasty and filling for such a easy quick and fairly cheap meal.  Definitely on the must cook again list. Only way I changed the recipe was by added a cob of corn kernels that I cut off the corn and added to to soup right at end off cooking.

Love this bread tin, Bit different to the usually square or oval tins. The dough wasn't enough to fill out the whole tin so I kind of squidged it more to one side of the tin and it came out great.

We have a couple of new additions to the household. Bobby and Eevee.

Adorable and fun, and of course absolutely bonkers.  They are starting to calm down a bit though and Ruby is finally being allowed to stroke them for a while before they wander off. I think this made her day as she gets so excited to see the kitties.

Finally I finished a hat I knitted a couple of years ago.  I rediscovered it and it needs a wash as had been in the bottom of the cupboard and then got slept on by cats. I just needed to sew beads or buttons on the owl cables to finish them off an just got around to it. What do you think?

Before bead eyes

and after.  The colour is nearer to no beads picture and a maroon wine colour.

Found the pattern here on Ravelry while I was looking for a quick easy but different hat at the time.  Hats don't tend to suit me but it was so cold the other year I thought my ears were going to snap off from being so cold.  Hopefully now it is finished I will be able to wear it again soon.  I overheat easily so I am not banking on it.  But it is so pretty I am really hoping I get to wear it again soon.

That's it for now, Hope you are all enjoying the start of Autumn.  

Take care 

Jules xxx

relaxing Saturday

This cough/cold thing is slowly going and I am no longer a feverish wreck, yay. Yesterday we decided to get out of the house and visit a country park with enough space to play cricket. On the way we visited a garden centre and went to see some tropical fish. Exciting stuff huh? The book section drew my attention and the bargains were to good to be not buy the ones that took my eye

So while the boys played Cricket I read and relaxed.  To be honest I did join in with the cricket for a while, got to be done. Also now have an even bigger list of things to cook and places to visit.

And a view of the Cricket game.  Yes we have no bails/bales (can't remember how this version is spelled sorry) They haven't been seen since a cheeky little toddler was waking round with them last week.  They will turn up and some random point no doubt

Today I am itching to start on my sewing project I have cut out.  First though a baking project with the youngest. Hopefully I will get a few photos in between the chaos 

tents and a skirt for a sewalong

Whoo, it's been busy and hot lately.  This summer holidays with the kids has certainly kept me busy and amused.  Which unfortunately means away from here and most of my social media to. On the plus side it's all been good fun up until I got a summer cold/cough yesterday. I will live though don't worry.

We have been very lucky having the granddaughters over a few times a week while my daughter works, not quite sure who is having more fun us or them? On Monday I decided a wigwam type tent was needed for them to play in.  So, off I went to the corner of the garden to retrieve some bamboo sticks that had been hidden in a tangle of honeysuckle.  Bit of string to tie them together in a square triangle, and a duvet cover and pegs and the girls were very impressed with their little hideaway. 

We have also been out to find 'magic' sticks and so far we have been decorating them with small gold and silver stickers.  Next week I think we are going to cut out some felt stars and maybe make them padded and add to the end with some ribbons. What little princess doesn't need a magic wand?

Just right for eating lunch in and finishing off a tube type yogurt out of the sun.

Katie at Inside number 23 both on YouTube and ravelry. Is hosting a sewalong using the Hollyburn skirt by sewaholic. Looks pretty simple and a lovely skirt so I thought I would give it a whirl.  Took me until tonight to cut out my fabric.  A light weight black, floral denim with sparkles? I am hoping you can see them in this photo?

Ruler for reference there for size idea

And this pocket is just genius, first of all I thought there was a pocket piece missing, but no, this piece folds in half to form the complete pocket.  Which means it's less complicated than the last few pockets I have attempted

1 am is just the right time to blog, enough quiet to concentrate and it's slightly cooler in the house.  Not much though.  I have to say I am not complaining about the weather at all.  It's lovely to have such nice weather for so long.  Saying that I a now looking at patterns to make a winter coat.  I figure if I start thinking about it now and start organising things I might actually end up with a new coat by the time the cold weather starts up again.  Just one problem is all I have, what colour to make a coat in?

bread and butter banana pudding

Bananas drive me mad at the moment.  I seem to only be able to find green ones or ones that are getting brown and spotty and mushy.  Don't get me wrong I like very ripe bananas, but now and again I don't want to be eating hard unripe or mushy bananas. Everyone seems to try and ignore the last banana to. When we did our weekly shop on Friday I picked up a nearly out of date sliced loaf knowing we had a few very ripe bananas at home.  Today I made use of both things for the men in the house. 

Started with cutting the crusts off 8 slices of bread and buttering them cutting in half i triangles and laying half of them in the bottom of this pie tin, I artistically cut up ( hacked) a banana and a half into rough slices and layered over the bread and butter with a small handful of chocolate chips.  Sprinkled over cinnamon and then a small handful of demerara sugar. I layered over the rest of the bread and butter and sprinkled a few more chocolate chips, more cinnamon, a thin coating of sugar and a grating of nutmeg. 

I them mixed together 350 mls of milk ( we had semi skimmed to hand) a teaspoon of vanilla extract and 3 medium eggs. Pouredd the milk and egg mixture around the edges of the bread and squished the bread down a bit and left the bread to absorb the eggy milk for about an hour before putting it in the oven at gas mark 4 for about 30-40 minutes. 

The top goes crunchy, to be honest I found the banana to be a bit to bananary but I only had a spoonful so not to sure if that was just my spoonful.  The rest of it was eaten by the men who were quiet eating it and made good comments afterwards.  Now to find something to do with the rest of the bread! 

Nearly finished butterfly dresses

Not to long ago I started on a couple of dresses made using this pattern, using view A, which is the red and white dress on the left/ Today the girls came round to see me after school for a try on of their dresses and some dinner. 

I didn't do the final hemming as I wanted to make sure the length was OK on the girls first. I will do the hems tomorrow so they are all ready for their event on Friday. 

Their Mum took a few photos of the girls today when they tried the dresses on. I thought I would share them with you to show you how they are coming along. 

I think we can safely say they girls were pleased. 

Our mini model Ever. 

Ever and Ruby.  Very happy on the lengths actually.

I didn't think Ruby would be into trying the dress on, but once Ever had hers on and was outside getting her photo taken Ruby was more than willing to join in with the fun of it all. Even with her leggings still on she looked so cute.  They both do.

Can't get over how big these 2 are getting!  I loved doing these dresses,  I learnt a fair bit and had to improvise a bit as I had 3 layers of fabric to deal with in places and 2 where there should of been one.  I chose a chiffon with a border print of butterflies, which I lined with white so it wasn't sheer on the girls.  Then I also had to use lining in places as called for in the pattern.  But it worked :o)