Like Sleeves for Eva

Pattern: Like Sleeves for Baby (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Bendigo Woolen Mills Classic 5ply in Smoke Dreaming up other colour combinations I can make this in... it sits so lovely in the 5ply. Perhaps a cotton version or two... an extra inch in the body and she will get plenty of wear... maybe a kid version for Bella too...

Christmas Cushions

Hand-stitching done and finished with some of my favourite fabrics, new cushions for each of the kids ready for wrapping and going under the Christmas tree.


I was thinking of adding some piping around each, but knowing the chances of me getting to Spotlight then finding the time to finish them before Christmas made it virtually impossible it would happen, better them finished and under the tree than half done and having to be packed in another moving box!

Kwik Sew and a Greyson

Don't go falling off your chair now, but I have some sewing to show. Don't get too excited, it's nothing fancy but a simple dress from an old Kwik Sew dress pattern I had lingering in my pattern box that I picked up from an Op shop a couple of years ago. Luckily the person who owned it before me was apparently the same size because they had already cut all the pieces out.


Really it's not see-through, but this was the only spot I found I could photograph without a packing box in the way... gah to moving.


Isn't the fabric pretty? I had just enough in my stash... now if only those warm days would come back, isn't it supposed to be summer now?

I also finished off a jumper for Liam using a pattern on Ravelry called "Greyson". This Rustic wool from Bendigo started life as a Hemlock Ring blanket but after I spotted a mistake right back at the begining which I KNEW would drive me crazy every time I looked at it, I ripped it back and instead made this jumper for Liam for next year. It apparently needs to be made "un-itchy" so it's headed for the wash before it goes into his box for winter next year.


A great pattern and comes with instructions for a range of plys for 0-10 years so we will get a bit of use out of this basic pattern yet. Ravelry link here.

...back to the boxes...

Recovering

I'm still here.

The last week has been hectic, last Wednesday I had surgery to remove my gall bladder, whilst fielding calls from real estate agents and solicitors to finalise the purchase of our new house. Its just finished getting built so lists are appearing of what we need to decide on...  which blinds, when can the air conditioning be installed, what day for the removalists... apparently Christmas is somewhere in between all this happening as well which I'm sure is not going to help us get tradesmen booked.

At least while Ive spent a lot of time recovering on the couch I managed to finish the kids cushion covers embroidery, a jumper for Liam and another for Eva. Eva's turned out a truly weird shape and fit but I think it's because it is such thick yarn, I was trying to use up the very last of my stash but thick ply yarn on babies just doesn't sit well, so it will be frogged. I found one last ball of Bendigo Classic 5ply in a charcoal grey while cleaning out the craft room and have just cast on a Like Sleeves for Eva and hopefully this will turn out better.

Not that there will be much time for knitting now that I am back on my feet.

Christmas sewing

Christmas planning is in full force. All the presents have been bought and hiding out of arms reach and the last of the bits on the way thanks to online shopping... now it's on to finishing up some sewn presents.

A cushion for each of the kids, awaiting monogramming on the front, a cat softie for Eva (pattern by Saffron Craig here) and for Bella's best buddies at school a little zippered pouch (pattern by Nicole Mallalieu here) each which a little lip gloss in, and a couple of santa sacks commissioned by a friend.

Reindeer Noses

Pinterest... the source of so many ideas, now not all of them eventuate but some do like some little Reindeer Noses for Bella and Liam's school buddies and teachers this Christmas.



Supplies
Rajtan containers from Ikea
Maltesers (I bought the 12 mini packs and used 2 packs in each container)
Small bag of Jaffas (you only need one nose per container... there was only one Rudolf after all!)
Printed label
Ribbon


We had our own little production line going and finished up with 40 little containers.



I made my own labels with the kids names on it, but have made up a blank sheet as well incase anyone wants it.

Click here for the Reindeer Noses template

Renfrew

A quick sew to make sure I can still work the sewing machine.. the good 'ole Renfrew pattern, but a short sleeve version.


Pattern: Sewaholic Renfrew

Fabric purchased from Remnant Warehouse in a delicious mint green, laid out to cut (Im a daredevil who doesn't pre-wash most fabrics) and I was dissapointed... it had a few little holes in it.

It all ended ok though after some precision cutting and making it a touch shorter than my other Renfrews. It looks very meh on the hanger, and for some reason loop-sided, but I assure you it's not. It is super comfy though.

Simplicity 2922

Pattern: Simplicity 2922
Fabric: ?? 

Sewed ages and ages ago, but finally photographed today a top version of Simplicity 2922.

If the weather decides to stay blue skies and warmer temperature I might even be able to wear it soon.

Not camera shy.

Bourke Street Bakery's Flourless Chocolate Cake

One of Liam's best buddies turned 5 today and I offered to make his cake since his Mum is flat out working full-time. You can't have a 5th birthday without a cake... and hey any excuse to bake is good enough for me.


The request was for a Flourless Chocolate Cake, so some blog surfing and a quick dash to the supermarket last night for supplies and I got to baking this morning while the boys were off playing soccer together and having a playdate.



And the end result. Flourless chocolate cakes sure aren't pretty, but it sure smelt good while it was baking and everyone was happy. Especially when there is a Spiderman on it.

Recipe from: Bourke Street Bakery's Flourless Chocolate Cake via My Button Cake.

Weekending

This weekend... the annual trek to Luna Park for Dean's work Family Fun Day...


Eva had her first teacup ride and ice block AND got to see the Bananas in Pajamas in concert. Hello best baby day ever. Bella and Liam rode all the rides that were safely on the ground and at slow speeds... such dare devils my oldest are.

Anzac Cookies

Today Liam was desperate to have a play date but his best buddy was off at a party so while Eva napped we decided to bake cookies to cheer him up. These Anzac cookies have been in my recipe box for a few years now, and are super easy to make with kids... no cracking eggs... no creaming butter... it's really just a quick measure, pour and mix. So we donned our aprons, and he put on his chef's hat and in 20mins we had the batch made, baked and ready to eat.

Anzac Cookies 

Makes approx. 14 

Ingredients 

1 cup plain flour

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup dessicated coconut

3/4 cup brown or raw sugar

125g butter, chopped

2 tablespoons golden syrup

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

2 tablespoons water

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C (355ºF). Line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper. 

Place the flour, oats, coconut and sugar in a mixing bowl and mix together.

In a small saucepan combine the golden syrup and butter over a medium heat and stir until butter is melted. Remove from heat.

Mix bicarbonate of soda and water together in a small bowl/cup and then add to the melted butter/syrup mixture.

Pour the melted butter/syrup mixture into the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients and mix.

Using either a dessertspoon, or I use an ice cream scoop to form balls of dough and place onto trays

Cook for 15 to 18 minutes and cool on trays when done.

Keep out of hands reach of small people... and husbands (these are one of his faves) or they eat them all before you get a chance to sit down and enjoy one with a coffee.

The Greenpoint Cardigan

A new cardigan for Miss Eva, buttons sewen on and ready to wear. The pattern is from Hey June that I snapped it up a few weeks ago. I started with a grey knit but it was much thinner than this black cotton knit from Spotlight and I didn't like how the buttonholes stretched so ditched the grey and went for this black instead.

I love sewing for the kids, but sewing basics like this little cardigan is pretty awesome. The pattern was only $12 and suits from 12 months - 12 years and I can see many many versions out of it.

Playdate

Today Liam has one of his best mates over all day for a playdate while his Mum works.

Soccer games.
Banana muffins.
Catching lizards outside.
Races on the grass.
Typical boy stuff.

While they amuse themselves, I'm working on some Christmas sacks, a dress for a party this weekend and a cardigan for Miss Eva. Hopefully some sewing to blog REAL soon.

Banana Muffin recipe here

Halloween Party

Our first ever Halloween party, the kids had a ball and I had fun coming up with lots of "spooky" food including some healthy options that Bella could enjoy as her stomach can't process much sugar.

Menu

Entree

Jack O'Mandarins

Apple Bites

Witches Fingers with Dip

Main

Mummy Dogs

Chilli Con Carne (recipe here)

Dessert

Dirt Worms

Salted Caramel Macarons (from Adriano Zumbo baking range)

Beverage

Eyeball juice

Links to all the recipes are over on my Halloween Pinterest page http://pinterest.com/princess2monkey/halloween/.