Monday, 31 August 2009

sardines, anyone?!

This gives new meaning to the term "packed in like sardines"!


Thursday, 27 August 2009

Kiwifruit Chutney

I meant to post this recipe a couple of weeks ago, when I made it with the last of the golden kiwifruit we were given - it's super yummy!

2lbs Kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
2 Bananas, peeled and chopped
3 Onions, chopped fine
Grated zest of 1 Lemon
Juice of 3 Lemons
1 cup Raisins
1 cup Raw Sugar
1 tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Allspice
1/4 tsp Ground Cardamom
1 Tbsp Salt
1 cup White Vinegar

Put all the ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer uncovered for around an hour, until thickened.

Pour into dry, sterilised jars. Eat with cold meats, and on cheese sandwiches - YUM!

D.

Wednesday, 26 August 2009

I think she likes...

Hope under her new zig-zag quilt reading Eclipse on her 13th Birthday!

Tuesday, 25 August 2009

smells like teen spirit...


My daughter, Hope, turns 13 tomorrow, which officially makes me a mum of a teenager!  EEEEK!

I've made her a quilt, and she's getting the last two books in the twilight saga - plus a couple of other treats which should keep her happy!  We live in hope, anyway.

I'd had great plans to do all sorts of things for her thirteenth, which is a super special age to be, but as with a lot of things this year...  well, they've gone by the by.  So, it's about keeping things simple, but good!

She's having a couple of friends over on Saturday for a Pizza, Sundae, Movie night.  Should be good, just have to pick a movie that's good for 12 and 13 year olds!  Kind of a difficult age, really.

Anyway, wish me luck for the next couple of years...

D.

Sunday, 23 August 2009

Craft Room Gets A Little More Sorted


The lovely Mr Sew Funky has given my craft room a nice little present: his old Apple Mac Dual 1.25 GHz G4 (He's just acquired a Dual 2 GHz G5 for his film and game websites). The G4 is a little on the old side, but still has plenty of grunt for my surfing, blogging and photoshopping needs. Mr Sew Funky also did a quick photo panorama of my craft room in it's present state. Click on the image for a bigger view.

Friday, 21 August 2009

Knitting for charity...

This week I decided to join a new group of crafty ladies at a local church.  I'd been missing my old bunch of crafty pal's and needed a kick-start back into crafting.  Had it really been 7 weeks since I'd crafted?!?  All that shifting and grieving had done my head in!

I was a little bit scared to being going cold into the meeting.  I only "knew" one woman there, and that's taking the "knew" a little bit more than what it was.  I'd met her twice!  So, yeah, little old me, who hates meeting new people, took the plunge and was so pleased I did!

This group of women meet every Tuesday at Franklin Baptist Church, here in Pukekohe.  And boy do they have a good laugh and lots of fun crafting up a storm.  I felt very welcome. :)

Every week they have someone teach a specific project, share morning tea and an encouraging word.

At the moment they are knitting for charity.  Some very cute wee jersey's for the "fish 'n' chip" babies of Africa.  Apparently, wee babies are sent home from the hospital wrapped in newspaper for warmth.  So very sad!  And so a group of people in Australia decided to do something about it, by making and sending wee jumpers for the sweet new babies.  Some of which are afflicted with aids.

I decided to give the pattern a bit of a go and am halfway through my second jersey.  Very easy and fun!  Nothing like doing something for others to take your mind off your own worries!


Here is the pattern if you want to try it;

Baby jumper knitting pattern (Knitted all in one)

8 Ply Yarn
Size 5mm needles (tight knitters)
Size 4.5mm needles (loose knitters)

Cast on 44 stitches
Work 18 Rows in K2, P2 rib
Work 30 Rows stocking stitch (1 row plain, 1 row purl)
Cast on 12 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows and at the same time change to K2,P2 (for sleeve)
Rib 22 more rows.
Next row: Rib 21, cast off 26 stitches, rib 21
Next row: Rib 21, cast on 26 stitches, rib 21
Work 22 rows in K2, P2 rib
Cast off 12 stiches at beginning of next 2 rows
Work 30 rows stocking stitch
Work 18 rows, K2, P2 rib
Cast off

Sew up the sides and under arms 


If you're interested in knitting for this cause, I've included the pattern in this post. Keep in mind that the jumpers may never be washed so don't use light colors like baby pink, light blue or white. Use 8 ply wool. Bright (ie. primary colours) and mixed colours are best – one colour or stripes are ok.

D.

Monday, 10 August 2009

stuff

I guess my Mum and I had more in common than I first thought... She was a hoarder, just like me. And that has been fortuitous for me as we have been wading through all the crafty things she'd kept in storage. I have been adding big time to my collection of craft supplies.

Whilst it's fun to add to what I have, it's also been a very difficult time. It's the little things really, the things she'd kept, the things she didn't. I still haven't come across my wedding dress, I hope it turns up, but...

So, I've lots of things to go through, and photograph to show you all. Keep an eye on the blog over the next couple of weeks for updates of the exciting things I've found.

Here's just a few books I've added to my collection;

click on image to see better...

Some molynyke thread and bits;


And some more BUTTONS! hurrah!


There's lots of yummy fabric, currently in the wash, smocking books, knitting patterns - it's like being in craft heaven!

D.

Friday, 7 August 2009

kiwifruit leather

YUM!  Actually, one of my favourite kitchen appliances is my handy dandy dehydrator.  I just hardly ever use it because of the terrible sound it makes - my ears are still ringing and it's been off for about 2 hours now!


Anyway, as you know from my last post, we've been inundated with kiwifruit and so I thought I'd try something I've always wanted to try and that's kiwifruit leather.  It's so basic I don't know why I've never made it before!

Here's the recipe;

KIWIFRUIT LEATHER

12 Kiwifruit (pureed)
2 1/2 Tbsp Honey
A little Lemon Juice to stop leather from going brown (this was in the recipe but I didn't use it and mine didn't go brown!)

Lay it 1/2 - 3/4 cm thick on your dehydrator's tray and dehydrate overnight.

See, simple.  And also so much better than the roll-ups you buy for kid's lunches.  Not that I buy them - I am scrooge mum when it comes to school lunches! ;)

PS. I am slowly unpacking all my craft stuff into my new room - it's shocking how much I've accumulated over the years!

Thursday, 6 August 2009

when life gives you kiwifruit...

go ahead and make some jam!

this is only half of what we were given...

Earlier this week, I was blessed with being given a huge box full of golden kiwifruit, and left with a dilemma of what to do with them all.  We ate some and then the rest started to ripen and I had to quickly think about what to do with them all.   I hate waste!

Kiwifruit aren't all that nice stewed (I've tried), and so I decided some jam making was in order.  I looked up loads of recipes on the internet, but couldn't find one that suited me.  So I made one up, after years of watching my mum make jam, I guess some knowledge actually sunk in!


Kiwifruit Jam

(makes 5 jars of jam)

6 cups chopped kiwifruit (around 18 kiwifruit)
7 cups sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 heaped Tbsp Kings Jam Setting Mix (Pectin)

Peel & chop kiwifruit into 1cm pieces.


Put into a put heated to a medium heat and stir gently until the fruit breaks down into mush.  This takes around 20 minutes.

Add the sugar and simmer until the sugar has dissolved completely.  This takes around another 20 minutes or so.


Skim off the froth.  Add the lemon juice and pectin to thicken and simmer whilst stirring for another ten minutes.

Remove from the heat and cool.  Place into sterilised jars and refrigerate until required. 

The jam doesn't taste like what you expect, it's a little "marmaladey" in flavour, but good - it's real good!

Tuesday, 4 August 2009

learning to knit | Max Alexander

I'm still around...

... just enjoying setting up the new house, and loving living in a friendly small town. :)

My craft room is not even half way organised, I can't really get my head around sorting it out at the moment.  The sun is shining outside, my children and animals are happy in the new environment and life is looking up. :)

I can walk most places I need to go, and so Mr Sew-Funky and I are sharing the car.  I get it on Mondays and Tuesdays and he gets it Wednesdays through Fridays.  I think it will work out great.  He carpools with a workmate 4 days a week, and so it's one way to keep costs down whilst "saving the planet". :)

I leave you with what I wake up to in my bathroom every morning - I could very well get used to living like this!


Have a neat day, from the currently craftless one...

x D
LinkWithin Related Stories Widget for Blogs

My Etsy Store

Check out my sister's creativity

Come join in the giveaways... Jan 25th

Photo

Followers

Calendar

I am Loving...

  • Loving! - A few summer photos. Our Christmas holidays were filled with a few fun adventures, beginning to paint the outside of our house, a beautiful friend’s wedd...
    2 weeks ago
  • Cool crowdfunding: Moog Controller, Snap Together Ships, and Electronics Kits - [image: Cool crowdfunding: Moog Controller, Snap Together Ships, and Electronics Kits] We receive so many pitches for crowdfunding projects. They pour into...
    2 years ago
  • New News and Good Things - Loobylu is quiet these days. If you are interested in following along with my new adventures, please check out my website at clairerobertson.com and my ins...
    3 years ago
  • After 17 Years as a Mum Here's What I've Learned - [Image Credit] My eldest boy turned 17 the other day, which is crazy because it feels like only yesterday that I began blogging when he was five. Oh my wo...
    5 years ago
  • Beanie & Moccasin set - These two items can be in small (12-14" high baby doll size) or medium (15-18" high baby doll size). Contact me at jan.sale@xtra.co.nz for colour option...
    6 years ago
  • lost my voice - I know that I don't frequent this space as much as I'd hoped to this year, for many reasons, but the main one is that I feel my blog writing voice has som...
    6 years ago
  • Beads embroidery - I enjoy beads embroidery these days. They are so cute and make me happy in my hands. I'm trying various way of beads embroidery. It's easier stitching on fe...
    6 years ago
  • - Sneak Peek at this weekends Market. 21st April 10-2pm 400 New North Road, Kingsland
    6 years ago
  • The Celestial Issue - a quick mention - I came here to post about issue 20 but then realised issue 19 hadn't even had a mention - there are about 12 copies left and I've listed a few 'collect...
    8 years ago
  • Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes - Or just shoulders and knees, really. I think I’ve posted before about my shoulder and how I’m waiting for surgery. I’ve been having shoulder issues for ove...
    8 years ago
  • Mercury Burst - Robyn from robynieland asked if I'd test her Mercury Burst paper pieced block and I leapt at the chance! It looks difficult and fiddly but it's actually no...
    8 years ago
  • Second chances - Hello again, if you are still out there that is. I'm amazed if anyone still visits here. What a lovely summer it's been. I've been far too busy enjoying li...
    9 years ago
  • Tea towel totes - New to Stitcharooney and available this Saturday at Flinders Street Market. I decided it was time to make something of all the very fabulous tea towels in...
    9 years ago
  • aladdin, jr - *Iago + Jafar* *Graeboss, MD* *{Musical Director}* *+ Squadron* *front of house*
    9 years ago
  • Another crosses quilt… - I had an urgent quilt request from a customer. A quilt for an 80th birthday, to be sent overseas. So after a quick consult on pattern and fabric choices ...
    9 years ago
  • It's all go!! - What a roller coaster of a week it has been! There's been lots of sewing: a sloppy top altered into something more structured ( a race against time so no p...
    10 years ago
  • - I Made up my Own pattern Needle US 4 - 3.5 mm Yarn Schachenmayr nomotta Cosy How much? 0.95 skeins = 85.5 yards (78.2 meters), 23 grams Color family Blue ...
    10 years ago
  • What I've been up to - Long time between posts.... Now that I have these new lungs, there's just no time left to sit at the computer composing blog posts. I'm out and about enjo...
    10 years ago
  • Mollie Makes Prints - I'm usually pretty good at resisting the Mollie Makes Magazine. But this month it has seven little prints included and I couldn't help myself. I knew ...
    10 years ago
  • Yogya Punya Sejuta Keindahan - http://redaksikita.com/ http://www.penginapanamanah.com/ http://redaksikita.com/game-bloodstroke-terbaru-hadir-di-android/ http://redaksikita.com/bahaya-oba...
    10 years ago
  • Introducing... - Miss S (2280g/5lb) and Master T (2770g/6lb2oz), born 12 June at 38 weeks exactly. Both perfect and happy and healthy in every way. We are in love with our...
    10 years ago
  • Holiday. - As a general rule, Golden Bay is sunny and breath-taking and beautiful and, well, golden. But even when it’s not, we’re still rather glad we came.
    11 years ago
  • - I haven't been able to blog very much.. at all.... Check out my Facebook page for updates or to shop online click the image below
    12 years ago
  • - Hello everyone. I had hoped to show you a pair of jeans that I made after taking a sewing class with Sherry, you know *the* Sherry. However, I made a few ...
    12 years ago
  • Spinach Balls Recipe - Everyone loves Aunt Theresa's spinach balls so I thought I would share her recipe with everyone. This will also stop me from asking her for the recipe a hu...
    13 years ago
  • The year so far..... - My year started out with my oldest daughter being hospitalised because of mental health issues. She has a diagnoses of Aspergers and ADHD. Poor Button. She...
    13 years ago
  • November Post-poned - Just to let everyone know that our evening for November has been post-poned due to way too much sickness in both our households! Thanks to everyone that RS...
    14 years ago
  • Farewell Ribbons and Pom Poms - I love you, I still love love love packaging but I have little time in my life and managing 2 blogs is just not working out. I will feature packaging on my...
    14 years ago
  • A big blog post that's long overdue! - My gosh, it has been well over a month since my last blog post! There has been so many changes in my life recently that I literally haven't had the time to...
    14 years ago
  • Brooch | Singleton Sock Monkey #3 - This fantastic little brooch was designed by me for you to embellish your favourite item, a bag perhaps or shawl?! At 5cm in diameter, they're sure to be c...
    15 years ago

Sew Translatable

I'm a faraway brown owl!

Brown Owls

taking a little stand...

Visitors