proudly presenting...

Haunt for the Xbox Kinect, made by my husband & his colleagues.

It's a fun, family friendly haunted house game (definitely not scary) suitable for age 7+.

You use your whole body and you arm acts as a torch/ flashlight to illuminate the house as you walk around it.

Click on above picture to see full image.

You duck out of the ghosts way, and can then strike it or dazzle it with the torch to get rid of it!

Really please that Microsoft has put it on their market place, do check it out, really is a fun game!

Very proud of husband and Zoe Mode.

new(ish) beginnings

I'm hoping everyone has had a good start to the new year. Our Christmas and New Year celebrations were brilliant, we spend Christmas with family and had friends over for New Year's celebrations.

I did a lot of cooking and baking (as we had good friends stay over 4/5 days) and I used my new Veg Everyday book with great success. Definitely a new favourite! For dessert for NYE I made a pavlova topped with cream and passion fruit from my Nigella Lawson's "How to Eat" book. It always gets a big thumbs up from people who eat it. Another thing that worked well were the mince pies I made using Rachel Allen's recipe (just 1 jar left to use up this month!). Note to self, halve recipe as I don't need 5/6 jars of mincemeat! I made another huge batch of them this week and both my husband and I took them into our respective workplaces, and they were eaten pretty quickly!

Yesterday to help usher in spring I bought 2 pots of narcissi bulbs and some tulips from our lovely local florist, Miss Mole's Flower Emporium. I thought they all looked gorgeous lit up last night in these two gorgeous tea light holders that my sister bought for me.

My new(ish) beginning is that I started an Open University degree course in English Literature back in October. It's hard work, and a lot of reading and essay writing. This is my way of an apology for few and far between blog posts since the autumn.

If you want to see some more of me(!) on the web, I've recently opened a pinterest page as a one stop shop to link to all ideas/ recipes/ likes/ inspiration to ideas on the web. It's a great free resource.

Take care for now. xox

getting organised

My handbag has become a bit of a mess, with my essentials fighting to be found with everything else. I have been very generous, and purchased a few new items to sort my life out. First up is a new purse, as my old one (5 years hard service) is falling apart. I spent more than I normally would, but decided it's used daily and is something that I want to look nice. It's a Radley trifold purse, with plenty of room for everything.

The next item I bought was a card holder for all those reward cards that I have ruining my current purse. Nothing more frustrating when I don't have my reward card on me.

Next up were some zip bags from zpm to keep hold of my pens, hair brush and nail file and other female items that I don't want the world to know about!

I feel all smug now with my new found order!

dressmaking notions

I have been watching the lessons for the Sew Retro Bombshell Dress on Craftsy.com. There are a few tools that Gretchen uses, that I think would come in handy. She gives US links, but I've tried to track some of these things down in UK/ Europe.

Bracelet Pin Cushion
I have found it impossible to find anyone selling this fancy pin cushion bracelet in the UK but you can get it in France (except the postage to the UK is ridiculous! I could almost swim to France from where I live !!! Crazy) It's by Bohin - called a bracelet (dore) pelote velours. Here are some links : shop 1 & shop 2. Can anyone explain why postage to the UK is sky high from France?

If anyone knows of a UK shop selling these, please share! I have to say I think I would feel very professional wearing this as I sewed!


Tailors Ham

This is not as glam as the pin cushion, but probably more useful! It's for ironing curved seams on. Costs around £10. Link 1 and Link 2.


Dress Form
This is the biggest layout for any keen dressmaker. But what a brilliant tool. Great selection from here. I would love one of these. Expect to pay £100 - £150.

Waxed Tracing Paper
Gertie gets it from here. Not sure where you get this from in the UK. Have you ever seen it for sale? Following a thread on a sewing forum, people like the Clover Chacopy tracing paper. Get it here for £3.31 + p+p. You will need a tracing wheel/ pen as well.

Do you have any must have dressmaking tools? Or any that are a waste of time?

time for tea

There has been enough of a gap, of the over indulgence of Xmas/ New Year, to start to reconsider making and eating cakes and the like.

To make sure that my cakes look as good as they should I bought this tiered cake stand from here for them. It was reasonably priced and quite sweet. Also I can flat pack it when not in use.

I also use my sweet little heart milk jug by Beverly Hewitt that I bought last year, that makes everything look prettier on the table.

And what should go on this stand? Well the BBC has a new baking series on Monday nights, at 8:30pm called Baking made Easy with a new (to the the TV screen) chef called Lorraine Pascale. She has a very friendly easy going manner, that drew me into the programme. All the recipes from the series are here (thank you BBC).

And of course, my new book by Eric Lanlard, Home Bake. Although I have not forgotten about Rachel Allen's Bake, Jane Ashers Baking book or the wonderful Rustic Fruit Desserts book.

To get me into the swing of things, I made some scones at the weekend. Just a simple recipe, served with raspberry jam and a cup of tea. Sometimes in life the simplest things are the best.

corners of my home

We have been looking for new bedding for well over a year now. I have the (good) problem of having a husband who is interested in design and by that has a say in what we buy. Although by and large we sing from the same hymn sheet so we have never had an argument over our choices. It can be tricky choosing some things such as bedding. I wanted something bright and cheery but it had to appeal to both of us. He doesn't want anything overly feminine or flowery and I don't want anything that is too sharp, graphically speaking.

But sometimes the wait just gets a bit too long. You know what I mean? And our old duvet cover had seen better days, so I binned it. Then we took over the guest bed linen. So I had to replace that!

photo from KAS website

I had a look in the Xmas sales and saw this set by an Australian brand called KAS and their range called Cruz. What I liked about it was all the colours, the design, slightly tribal, and the fact it would match the curtains (a plain silk effect plum/ aubergine colour). I showed the husband, and he said "buy it" so the deal was done!

Of course I could have gone cushion mad, as per their very pretty set up, but budget and so on has stopped me doing that!

This is our more simple set up.

I need to buy some coordinating fitted sheets and pillow cases, and then we are good to go! Apart from new light shade, a rug, side lights, painting the room, art on walls etc. It really is never ending.

artistic treasures

Brighton is in the middle of the Xmas 2010 Artists' Open Houses. I have mentioned this amazing scheme before, as it also happens in May for the Brighton festival.

It is the most wonderful thing. I walk to houses, within 5mins of my own, and get to meet artists, see their work and buy things that I like (and can afford).

I started at at the Dragonfly House (#48 on the house tour) which always has a great choice of artists and disciplines. In this house, the ceramicists really caught my eye. There were three (I think, all with totally different styles).

I picked up this heart Xmas tree decoration made by Stacey Manser-Knight.

I really love it, very simple but stylish.

And to prove not all art is expensive, it was only £4.

I believe this sweet little bowl is made by Christiane Kersten, who usually makes printed ceramics. It was only £8, which I thought was pretty good for a limited edition piece.

The next house, that I bought something was The Family Show (#46 on the house tour). The standout artist for me was Shyama Ruffell. I bought this flower print from her (stupid blogger keeps turning it around!) I might be able to sort it out later, I've already tried twice.

I like the seedheads and flowers in this. The originals in oil were amazing, but I could only afford this print, which cost £25.

The next house that I went to, that I was impressed with, was 24 Yardley St (#24 on the house tour) There were three artists, Belen Gomez, John Dilnot and Kate Jenkins.

These 2 cards were by John Dilnot. I have seen his work in a shop in Brighton. I like his animal/ insect prints. All I could afford were these cards at £2 each. I plan to frame them, and put them on the wall in my son's bedroom. My eldest son likes them and wants them above his bed.

I picked up this sweet locket (£8) made by Kate Jenkins.

But my favourite things in Yardley St were these:

One side of the mug

The other side

The ceramics are made by Belen Gomez.

She is a lovely lady, and talented artist. I bought 2 mugs and 2 egg cups from her, with her allotment/ hen theme.

They are all on English fine bone china. (which is always nice to drink out of).

I hope you will agree, this is a great way to find some lovely presents for your family and friends and yourself!

Holiday Ideas

I do plan on doing a tiny bit of making, but that is looking more and more impossible as the weeks go on. I d want to do a tutorial for you guys, but it might all be getting a bit late, for you and me! I have though made a Christmas Cake for my husband using Rachel Allen's recipe (same one I used as last year) Of course now I have crystallised stem ginger in my cupboard that I'm supposed to do what with?? Any recipes using that would be most appreciated!

On the buying front I was in the city today and just on Sydney Street I found these lovely things in the IO Gallery.

lovely glass coasters, in a variety of colours by Lorraine Cole £10

Some great prints and original paintings. These two caught my eye:

Brighton Twittering by Kim Glass - the map in the ones in the shop was of Brighton. £90 framed.




First on the Beach by Ed Boxall. I am very drawn to this, as it reminds me of my sons on the beach. £40 unframed/ £70 framed.

And some books from Dave's Comics, also on Sydney Street for the comic book and anime lovers:

We are big fans of Studio Ghibli films in this household. Film4 often shows them. They are really worth checking out. Howl's Moving Castle is absolutely brilliant, with the young heroine being cursed by a witch and being turned into an old lady. She has to find a way to break the curse with the help of Howl, Calcifer (the talking fire) and the castle. All good stuff.

Final reminder, just a few more days to get your prints with the 30% discount. Code: AUTUMN30.

If it's snowing where you are, stay safe. As yet it hasn't hit Brighton. But that did not stop me from buying some Yaktrax. I'll let you know if they are any good, once I see some snow and ice!

sunday lunch

The traditional British Sunday lunch is Roast Beef, Yorkshire Puddings, Roast Potatoes and lots of vegetables with gravy and is very popular indeed. Although being vegetarian the Roast Beef is left off the plate!

So although that might not be my favourite line up of food, the tradition of having a fine Sunday lunch is certainly one I am happy to go along with. My sister and her husband were here for the weekend, and as a treat and a part celebration of my birthday and their visit we all went out to lunch.

I chose the lovely Bills, which is a famous Brighton restaurant. It's the perfect place for family and friends, but a word for the wise, get there early, as the queues are long. We did arrive reasonably early (11.40ish) but with 6 of us we had a fairly long wait. However, we were expecting that. It's open all day, so there was a lot of people having a Sunday breakfast (another popular Sunday tradition which should be indulged every now and then!)

The restaurant were kind enough to give us free drinks as they thought we were waiting too long (it was about 45mins) but we didn't mind. We were chatting and enjoying ourselves. And the children were playing games on our i-phones!

We ended up sitting in their small upstairs area, but you get a good view of downstairs and the busy hubbub going on. I love their rafia and tissue paper hanging up to decorate. Also the walls packed full of things to buy, chutneys, olive oils, balsamic vinegar etc.


I chose the Meze dish which was lovely and very filling. It has Houmous, Olives, Baba Ganoush, Cucumber Salad, and another salad with toasted bread .

As it was my birthday I had a Pavlova with fruit, far too much cream and a berry coulis. It was good!

It was a lovely way to have Sunday lunch, I thoroughly recommend it!

Brighton Artists Open Houses

The Christmas Artists Open Houses is back on, it started last weekend, will be on this weekend and the 11th and 12th December.

This is a great way to find lovely gifts and support local artists. Plus it's a great to have a nose around people's houses!

There is a flickr group as well here.

homemade home

Kirstie's Homemade Home is back on TV and I thought I would do a quick review, as it's a slightly different format to the first series. The first series should Kirstie learning new crafts to decorate her "Meadowgate" home with. It was quite in depth with seeing how you do blacksmithing, knitting, stained glass window making etc.

This time Kirstie is helping a different family a week. So the first family had an amazing 6 bedroom Victorian house that they had bought 18 months ago and it needed a lot of T+C. As this programme wasn't DIY SOS, Kirstie ignored the kitchen and bathroom, and focused on their hallway and a study/ office.

So with a trip to a huge second hand market and a salvage yard, period furniture and fittings were picked up.



The couple got to make some wrought iron bookends, a stained glass window for their door and some lovely curtains.

Kirstie met crocheting/ knitting legend Erika Knight, who had a tiny bit of screen time. Erika seemed to do all the work, crochet wasn't coming naturally to Kirstie last night!

The couple's hallway and study looked fantastic after they had renovated and decorated it with all their newly made things, and vintage furniture.

All in all there was so much crammed in, nothing was covered in as much detail as the first series.

I believe that Manda from Treefall blog is featured in the series as an expert. I'm not sure what project she is doing, but that'll be nice to see her in "real life". It's great that there is a mainstream craft programme on primetime TV, I'm sure it's very inspiring to a lot of people.

On the site is a sweet knitted house tea cosy tutorial.

All photos courtesy of Channel 4.

UPDATE

My brother in law, ran the 10k, at the weekend. He did it in an impressive 1hr15mins. And has raised well over his £100 target to cancer Research.

I was too tired to quilt last night, so piccies should be on here soon!

present ideas

We are having a birthday this week. Our youngest is turning 4. 4 I know, I can't believe it. Sometimes I feel like I never want my boys to grow up. They are at such great ages, and just like all things in life, once it's gone, it's gone.

Of course, the older they get, the more complex they are. My eldest is just surprising and delighting me with his creativity. We can read complex novels together and both really enjoy it (we're on the Harry Potter series at the moment).

But back to the younger one. It's been quite difficult deciding what to get him. We are very resistant to purchasing more plastic toys, that seem to get everywhere around our house. And of course, having an older brother, a lot of stuff gets handed down. But we have come up with a few cool presents that we think he's going to love.

We have bought him a Vtech Kidizoom Camera (suitable from 3-7yrs). It looks pretty good, you can zoom, do fun editing options and do small movies. I think it's going to be very popular! This is the first working camera that we have bought for either of our children, so I hope that it doesn't cause jealousy with the older one! We will see.

I also bought him a few puzzles and games from a lovely independent toy shop called WigWam in Brighton. There is another great toy shop in the North Laine, on Sydney Street called Daisy Daisy.

The lovely jigsaw we got is by Djeco. I love these, they come in different shaped boxes to fit around the character. They do a ballerina, a pirate, a Knight to name a few.

I love games and when I saw this small card game I couldn't resist. It's Happy Families, which I definitely played when I was little.

The illustrations and design style of these Djeco puzzles and games just make me so happy. I adore their sensibility.

I also picked up this lacing set, which is great for hand eye coordination. You get to make a few sweet pictures.

As my son's birthday is by Halloween, I bought him this very clever torch. In fact I liked it so much, I have bought more of them for other gifts. It doesn't have batteries, you just "wind it up" via squeezing it's sides. Clever!

I have probably spent more than I normally would but he's not having a party, and I can't help feeling as the second child that he misses out on lots because we've already got it/ done it. I hope that he gets a lot of enjoyment out of these gifts, I'm pretty sure he will.

Additional Note: I'm pleased to say that most of my gifts have been bought from independent local shops. And there isn't a huge amount of plastic - phew!

Bake

I haven't been baking but buying a lovely leather/ fabric tote bag from Bake on Etsy.

Photo courtesy of Bake.

Bake is Becca from West Yorkshire, with some gorgeous bags. The fabric is Anna Maria Horner, which I absolutely love.

The leather should make the bag last longer, and stay cleaner than my other totes. It's a brilliant touch.

BTW This is yet another recommendation from Treefall, embarrassing but true! I look like a stalker!

Prints

I have been buying art (mainly prints) for my children's shared bedroom. Partly for decoration, but hopefully to inspire. I hope it just seeps in everyday.





These two prints are by Laura Amiss. She is from Holland, but sells via etsy, both prints and originals. I really liked the pictures, I hope my children do as well.

On a related note, I am pleased to say that my eldest will be attending an after school art club, which I hope he really enjoys. I am looking forward to seeing his creations.

Sale

I've kinda given up on making clothes at the mo, time, disappointment etc I'm happy to do skirts, but can't be bothered to give anything else a whirl at present.

However, sales seem to have started 3-4 weeks earlier than usual (hooray!) so I've ordered a few things to try on and see.This is the Leilani dress from People Tree, reduced to £25, which is great, as they are an ethical and eco friendly business. It is made from 100% organic cotton.


The dresses below are from Boden. Unfortunately they have yet to go eco friendly, but I hope they will, as I'm sure that would fit in with what many of their customers would like.

This is the Pebbles sundress reduced to £29. I ordered the pink, I'm not sure that was a good colour choice on reflection! I think this is a try it on and see dress!


This dress, in the grey and coral, I have been drawling over all season. It came down from £95 to £38. I'm hoping that it suits me!



The postman has not delivered a thing yet. when he does, some things will be returned, but I'm hoping at least 1 dress will suit me!