Birthday Bunting

Last night I knuckled down and sewed for c2 hours to get the bunting finished. I followed these instructions, which were excellent.

The only thing I didn't do was pin the triangles to the binding. Instead I laid my triangles down on the carpet and put them in the order that I wanted them to go up. I had 2 defining triangles, the stars and the gingham and they were alternating for every 4th triangle. The three triangles in between the star and gingham were "random". I tried my best to not get too many of the same fabrics by each other!

I did 6m of binding, which took c28 triangles (8" equilateral) I definitely need more binding if I want to have it all around the lounge but I don't think I have the time (or inclination at the moment!!)

I have the birthday cake all planned out. Pictures next week, as long as it goes well!!!

fabric

This is what I got in the post today! Fat quarters of some lovely fabric for bunting I'm making for birthday decorations for the boys. My youngest son is 2 on the 29th October. I realised I had very little "male" fabric, lots of pinks etc but not much blue. So I had to purchase a few bits to boost what I did have.

I love this stripey fabric by Michael Miller

Then this is a really sweet one with frogs forming squares by Alexander Henry

Here is a fish fabric by Alexander Henry.

Keeping with the animal theme this gorgeous zoo fabric is by Alexander Henry again!

And to finish it off some adorable cupcakes!

Here is the start of the triangles for the bunting. I've cut 8" equilateral triangles out.

I also have some homemade gifts I want to make for people at Xmas, so these fabrics will probably be used in those as well!

Baked Cheesecake Heaven

Thanks again to Rachel Allen and the UKTV food website, as that is where I found the baked cheesecake with blueberries recipe.

My husband described it as "heaven in his mouth"

I'm more of a plain cheesecake person, but this was extremely nice, and you could make it without the blueberries as well. We ate it whilst it was warm, but I think it'll be even nicer when cold from the fridge! My eldest did enjoy smashing up the biscuits with a rolling pin!!!

A very cool thing is happening in our house right now, my eldest son is playing Lego Bionicle on the Xbox, this game was MADE by my husband when our eldest was a baby!!!

Bread bread glorious bread!

Look what I made!!!

Bread!

This is not my easy cheat's bread machine bread. Oh no! This is bread made by my hand!! No gadgets or gizmos used! Proper kneading! With my hands!

I saw the recipe on TV last night in Rachel Allen's new series Bake! And it all looked straightforward, so I Sky+ it (on the +1 channel for reference, printed the recipe off from the website and off I went!) (this is not the Jamie Oliver disaster bread I once made, oh no, this worked like a dream - thank you Rachel!)

The recipe is for 2 loaves, which was not clear when I printed it out, plus she never said that on TV! So I have a big loaf and a small loaf, I plaited both.

The way to plait is take 5 equal strands, and count them from left to right. Then do the following:

Fold 1 over 3
Fold 2 over 3
Fold 5 over 2
Repeat above until finished.

Mine are not as good as I had too much dough (due to not realising the 2 halves thing) but will do it again with photos next bash at the bread making!

We have yet to taste the bread, but I'll let you know if it is nice!

Whaaaattt???

I have invested in Ottobre design magazine as it's choc full of contemporary patterns which I felt was a very reasonable price for what you are getting. Also the website is really good plus some freebies on there as well. I first heard about this magazine through this blog and was totally inspired! However look at the pattern sheets!

They are more complicated than a map of LA (another story!) This is not something to be tackled with when ANYONE else is in the house!!! I bought the women's magazines, I'm not prepared to make clothes for my 2 boys as I don't think it is cost effective! Their clothes get a LOT of rough play!

Not sure when I'll be able to even cut out a pattern, but hopefully it'll be sooner rather than later!

Happy Plate

Last night my son came up to me and said if my plate has a smile on it then the food was good, if it has a straight mouth then the food was not good and not bad, and if the plate has a frown on it then the food was bad.

A picture says a thousand words!!!!

Hat

I have made this hat for a friend who has just had a little boy. I added the stripes, but apart from that I kept the pattern the same.

The pattern is from Debblie Bliss' Baby Knits for Beginners which is a lovely book, and really well written and easy to follow.