Simple Pleasures

One of my aims for this year is to take time to enjoy little things. I’m terrible for taking on too much, going hell for leather, then spending any spare time I have procrastinating. This year I’m going to relax a bit but try to be more productive in my spare time.

Something that gave me enormous pleasure was finishing my crocheted Tucson Throw.

It was a free pattern on the Naturally Caron site and my first big crochet project. I used Sirdar Supersoft Aran in Scrummy Plum, Kingfisher, Denim and Sand.

I decided not to put the fringing on it, but have some yarn left over, so I can always go back and do it at a later date. It already has pride of place on the futon in the spare room, which doubles as my craft room, so I’m looking forward to spending some chill time in there now.

Next up I’m making a cushion cover in the same colours. I love big projects but when they’re done, I really like to do some smaller things. I’ve also got the urge to pick up a beading needle again; I have a few unfinished objects to work on, so trying to convince myself to work on these before starting something new!

Another simple thing that makes me smile is my new egg chicken

I had wanted one for ages but couldn’t make my mind up between cream and patterned. It looks so much nicer in the kitchen than egg cartons lying around.

Better dash, my hook and needle are beckoning.

Stay warm everyone.

Toodles xoxo

¡Hola!

It’s been longer than I hoped since my last post, but I do have an excuse.  Last weekend the hubster and I hit the sunny climes of Spain for a lovely long weekend, which just happened to coincide with my birthday.  It was really nice and relaxing (so relaxing in fact, that I have barely made a thing since I returned) – so much better than late February in Scotland!  On my birthday we went to a gorgeous restaurant called Oliva – the food was fantastic

I got some lovely goodies with my birthday money too:

A handmade leather bag from a wonderful shop called Manos – you can see the 2 leather work when you visit the shop.  The choker is also handmade and was from a boutique called (I think) Luisa Haan:

We’ve signed up for the next Tryst Craft Fair at the Dobbie Hall in Larbert, so I will definitely need to shake off my nonchalance and get making stuff.  I’ve also been aware that I haven’t done any beading for months; to be honest, I had sickened myself of it a bit, so the break has done me good.  I think it’s time to start again though.  I also want to get some polymer clay out and have a play with that…oh and my sewing stuff!!  I really love my job, but sometimes I wish I could take a year off and just spend all my time making things…well that will never happen, so I need to structure what time I do have a bit better, spend less time procrastinating (a.k.a. faffing) and more time making!

One thing I did do was make dinner on Saturday – spent over 10 hours cooking but it was well worth it.  I made lobster ravioli with lobster sauce, venison with cha-cha-cha sauce (my made up on the spot name for cherry, chilla and chocolate) on butternut squash puree, with fine beans and pancetta.  I really pleased with the sweet (mainly because I normally hate doing sweets).  I did this Pomegranate Meringue Rose Tart from Saveur, but made individual tarts, served with homemade pistachio ice cream, crystalised rose petals and pomegranate sauce.  The tarts looked exactly like the one in the picture, but I’m quite gutted I forgot to take photos – was too busy to think about it really!

Until next time…

Time for tea

I thought I’d show you this gorgeous vintage china cake stand my lovely friend, Jo, gave me for Christmas.  She made it herself and it’s so fabulous it makes me want to bake loads of cakes and scones.  In fact, I may just have to get some jam and clotted cream at the weekend and have a cream tea, using some of my loose leaf teas from Eteaket (my favourite tea shop).

On the craft front, I’m just beginning to get my motivation back after feeling poorly.  We have a craft fair on Sunday and I don’t have as much stock as I’d like, but I’m sure between Lesley, Sigrid and I, we’ll have enough stuff.  Progress with my Belle Ruffle wristwarmers has been slow – it’s definitely showing that it has been a long time since I knitted on 5 needles (I think I was 7 or 8 the one and only time I did it, and even then it may only have been 4 needles).  I’m now on “take 3″:

It was also my first time knitting on a circular needle, which took a little getting used to.  I’m now at the stage where I’m ready to transfer to my 4 needles.

On the fashion front, last week joined Polyvore – OMG what a time sapper that is, but so much fun; I am so looking forward to making new boards, hopefully with some clothes I actually own (and maybe even ones I make, once I learn how to photograph them properly for this).  I must limit my time there though, as I am looking forward to making lots of things in the next wee while.  I’m off fabric shopping next weekend, so will make something from my Sew What! Skirts book.

I’m looking forward to hearing about everyone’s crafty makes and bakes.

Speak soon

Lisa xoxo

p.s. thought I’d better put a little disclaimer here, after finding out about affiliate links.  I don’t use these – any things or places I link to are places I use, love and want to share with you all

Twit-twoo

Happy New Year, everyone.  Hope you all had a good one – mine was very quiet and low key but still nice.  I’m now all ready to take 2012 by the horns.

I’ve not been hugely productive so far though, with only one crafty make in 2012, although I have had orders for another 4 of these in different colours, which I’ll get done this week.

What do you think of this cute little fella?

We’re doing another craft fair next month (a retro one this time), so will definitely be taking some of these along.  I am really looking forward to it; there are quite a few things I noticed at my first fair that I should have done, but it was still a great success.  In fact I’m putting it down to beginners luck, as don’t think the future ones will be just as successful.

I’ve also been doing a bit of crocheting, which I’m pretty new to.  I originally was going to make a shrug, but it started out with a chain of 257 stitches, so I realised pretty quickly that there would be no way I’d still have 257 stitches once I did my foundation row.  I’m not yet comfortable enough with crochet to be able to count my stitches with ease and find the foundation row really difficult; I never quite know if I’m going into one chain loop or half of one loop and half of another.  Recognising my lack of experience, I’ve decided to do a scarf made of star-like flower shapes instead – is it a bit of an easy option? Why, yes it is, but easy isn’t always bad

We hosted the first wine club of 2012 on Saturday night.  It was a great success, not least because my bottle won best bottle!  For food I did home-made pizza (with the help of Eve from Cupcakes & All That), penne & Nigella’s meatballs (although I cheated and bought in the pasta), cheese & crackers and whisky mac cupcakes, from the Love Bakery book, which are exceeding scrumptious.  I have to say the Love Bakery book is my favourite cupcake book ever; I’ve made quite a few of them and they’ve all turned out fantastic.

Well, better dash and start 2012 as I mean to go on, by spending more time making and less procrastinating

Toodles

Lisa xoxo

Incy Wincy Icy

Greetings, poor neglected Oodlers, so sorry I’ve been a bit lax in updating lately.  Been bedlam here in Oblibbyland, trying to get ready for my first craft fair, which I’m doing on 10 December, along with Lesley and Sigrid.

I’ve been busy making Christmas Spiders.  These are black faceted glass, but I’ll also be doing some in Swarovski Crystallised Elements.  They’re chunky little guys – each one is 30mm tall and 40mm fat (including legs)  Just need to print the little stories to go along with them.

Christmas Spiders

I’ve also been trialling some Coconut Ice.  I can’t believe I’ve never made this before…well, actually I can because I only tried home-made stuff a few weeks ago at The Butterfly & Pig, and I’ve never liked the shop-bought stuff – too fondanty and not coconutty enough for me.  This would make a fantastic Christmas present, and the beauty of it is you need zero cooking ability – you don’t even need a cooker!

Coconut Ice

If you fancy giving this a try, it really couldn’t be easier.  Grease a small baking tray (I used a silicone one, so didn’t bother greasing it).  If you don’t have a baking tray, you could probably use a plate, as the mixture is pretty firm and should stay in place.

• 200g desicated coconut
• 200g icing (confectioner’s) sugar
• 280g condensed milk

Beat the icing sugar into the condensed milk until you have a smooth paste, add the coconut and mix well.  Spread half the mixture onto your tray (try to keep it around 1cm thick).  Add a little red food colouring (optional) to remainder and beat well until you have a nice even pink colour.  Spread this on top of the white mix and smooth down the top.  Leave in the fridge overnight then cut into squares.  If there are any uneven edges, you can do what I did – cut them off and eat them.  Enjoy!

Will be back shortly with more craft fair makes.

Until then…

Lisa xoxo

November?

..how on earth did that happen?  One minute it felt like I had just returned from holiday, then I blinked and it’s November.

Since my last post, I haven’t done much crafty stuff, but do have a head full of plans – just lacking some motivation.

One thing I did have a go at was making my own sweeties. I had treated myself to Home-Made Sweet Shop by Claire Ptak.  I made the salted caramel chocolates and adapted the peanut butter fudge (although I think next time I’ll put even more peanut butter in it, as I adore peanut butter).  The book as fantastic – I can see me making quite a few things from it.  I especially love that it’s aimed at the UK market, so all the ingredients are easily obtainable.

I also may have mentioned this before, but I am determined to get to grips with bead embroidery this year.  Dimensional Bead Embroidery by the wonderful Jamie Cloud Eakin is a brilliant book, with really well-written instructions.  It follows on nicely from Beading with Cabochons.

I’m really keen to learn to make my own clothes, so much so that I have visions of myself in glorious party frocks, designed, cut and sewn by me.  I think reality may not be simple – so far I have only got as far as acquiring The Party Dress by Simon Henry, The Vogue Book of Sewing edited by Crystal McDonald , and Advanced Pattern-Drafting for Fashion by Teresa Gilewska I still need to get my hands on a copy of the basic one!)

I have so much to learn!!

Finally, in keep with the festivities this year, here’s Stu and I with a couple of friends at a Hallowe’en party last weekend – I’m Liza Minnelli.

Hopefully November won’t fly by as quickly as October did.

Until next time…

Lisa xoxo

 

Eggsciting Easter

Actually, this post contains nothing about Easter or eggs .  I have been making some nice spring-like rhubarb and custard cupcakes though.  The recipe was from my favourite Love Bakery cupcake book (but I did change the frosting a bit to make it more custardy – I love, love, love custard). They were delicious, even if I do say so myself:

On the beading front, I’ve still not finished my red crystal and pearl bracelet – I need a gold coloured magnetic clasp for it and don’t have one, so will pick one up at Bead & Banter at The Bead Shop Edinburgh next week.  I went to my first Bead & Banter earlier this month with Lesley, Sigrid & Mary, and muchos fun it was too.  I didn’;t buy much when I was there, as I’m trying to be good, but a huge square green stone, green fire polished rounds and dark silver size 15 seedies managed to fall into my basket somehow.

I have an idea in my head of how I want the finished piece to look – so far it’s all coming together quite nicely, but will have to play it by ear a bit I suppose.  I’m also using up some stash, as the delicas have sat around unused for about 18 months to 2 years.

I’ve actually progressed a bit from this photo, so will post an update with my next post.

Hope you all had a fab easter.

Lisa xoxo

Tea & (cup)cakes

We went through to Edinburgh for the afternoon on Saturday, as we were going to grab a burger  plus rum & coke ice cream float at 99 Hanover Street for a late lunch.  We got a fab deal on Groupon and the burgers were superb (I got a Godfather & Stu had a Moroccan) and, although I was expecting the place to be more restauranty than pubby, I’d definitely go back again.

We decided to go for a cuppa (and comfort break!) not long after we first arrived and happened upon Eteaket in Frederick Street.  I had never heard of it before, and have to admit I’m not the world’s greatest tea lover (I know realise that’s probably because I chuck a bag in a cup and leave it until it’s so stewed I need to add a little milk {not a milk lover either}, but really really enjoyed the tea here.  In fact, before we left, we bought a tea strainer and 2 tubs of tea – if you’re ever in Edinburgh, you should drop in and peruse their tea menu.

I’ve been hankering after a large star piping nozzle for ages and didn’t ever seem to get around to getting one, so nipped into Lakeland and got these.  This set is great value at £11.99.  I bought disposable bags for mine, as they’re just so much easier to use the deal with than the washable type.

In honour of Saturday, I decided to make afternoon tea for Sunday dinner.  Got my adored Love Bakery cupcake book out and opted for the Peruvian Bear Cupcakes (named after everyone’s favourite behatted and duffle-coated bear).  They’re basically a chocolate cupcake filled with bitter marmalade and topped with chocolate buttercream.

I didn’t actually feel like one of these on Sunday (I’m not the greatest chocolate cake fan, so really have to be in the mood for it), but tried one when I got home tonight (purely in the interests of quality control, of course {plus I had no dinner last night, so been a bit peckish today).  Was very nice – not too chocolately, perhaps because it was made with cocoa, not chocolate.

Last night we went to see Peter Kay on the Tour that Doesn’t Tour Tour at the SECC.  Was fantastic, he was definitely on top form.  SECC car park was up to its usual shambolic standards as well – took us over an hour to get out of the damn thing!  Didn’t waste a great night though.

Will be back with some beady stuff in the next couple of days.

Lisa xoxo

It’s been a long time…

…since I made a card, and now 2 similar ones come along at once!

It’s Stu’s Dad’s birthday tomorrow and we bought him a ticket to see Ringo Starr in Glasgow (we also got his Mum one as a -very- early birthday present), so I thought it would be nice to make a card each for the tix.  Then I thought it would be nice to make the same card in a male/female version.

Here are the results:

I cut the pockets and arrows using Sizzix dies I bought recently.  The little stars (or should that be Starrs) are also made using a Sizzix washers die and the font is Sizzlits Nouveaux.  The papers are by Making Memories (Avenue Collection and Boho Chic in Olivia), although I’ve had them for so long they probably don’t make them any more!   I used Cats Eye chalk inks to ink the edges.

To keep the surprise factor, I’ve folded the tickets right side in and slotted them into the pockets.  Off to make some banana bread in lieu of a birthday cake shortly.

The dress I was so desperate for arrived on Friday and to be honest I’m really not sure about it.  I thought the skirt would be more A-line but it’s actually quite straight – will make my mind up at the weekend, but in all likelihood I’ll return it, as can’t really justify the money spent on it if I don’t wear it a lot.

I’ve actually already spent some of the returns money on these little beauties

They’re Irregular Choice and this specific pattern is exclusive to Schuh.

No beading the last couple of weeks, but planning on having my beading bum back on in the next couple of days.

Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

A Couple of Cupcakes

It’s been a busy week this week but I managed to make a couple of sets of cupcakes.  Both these recipes are from the Love Bakery book, Cupcakes from the Heart, by Samantha Blears, which I had borrowed but now have been told to keep *skip*.  I can’t recommend this book enough – I have made 3 recipes from it and the two which I tasted were absolutely delicious.

I made these red-nosed pirate ones for Stu to take into work for Red Nose Day.  I know they’re not that piratey but fondant is not my forte!  The cupcake itself is chocolate & marshmallow, topped with chocolate buttercream then a fondant pirate face.

I also made these Whisky Mac ones.  The are so delicious filled with whisky and ginger flavours.  I decided to use a palette knife to add the frosting (obviously this is a skill I need to practice a bit).

The gorgeous dress I wanted arrived, but I’m not 100% sure about it.  It wasn’t cheap, so I need to make a decision on it in the next couple of days.

If I decide it’s not for me, the money is going into my Motorola Xoom fund :D

Better dash, as I’m making a Moroccan dinner for Stu and I tonight, so need to get some of the prep done.

Toodles,

Lisa xoxo