Productive Sunday

As the title suggests, I've got some stuff done today!

My intention was to get in some sewing machine practice, crocheting, cooking and rearranging my bedroom... Well 3 out of 4 isn't bad!

Yesterday I did all the boring food shopping. But on my travels I may have accidentally popped in to the wool shop and bought 7 balls of various colours. Oops. However, it did mean I could get a bit further along with my blanket.

Today I went out with my Dad, went to Congleton, then Leek then home via Buxton. Lovely scenery on the drive.

When I came home, I was in the mood for doing, so I rearranged my bedroom. I used to do this quite a lot when I was younger - every year or so I would move all the furniture round. Well, I did the same in my lounge a couple of months ago, and had been plotting what to do in the boudoir, and finally got round to doing it. I must say, its rather lovely. I don't have a photo because I have started (but not finished) the decorating, so it doesn't look as good as it could... One day I'll get it done!

Then, I went on a bit of a cooking mission. I had a wee bit of spare pastry from hairy-face's pie, so thought I'd make a quiche, a proper one this time! So I did that. Then, seeing as I was on a roll, I also made lasagne, cranberry and chocolate chip cereal bars, apple and banana bread (it's good Hedgehog!) and shepherd's pie. I have taken a photo, but unfortunately some of the bread and quiche have already gone... Things don't last too long in our house! Still, it's all tasty-gorgeous, which is the main thing! And, it means for at least the next 2 nights when get in from work I don't have to do cooking! I can just eat eat eat! One of my favourite things to do!

All in all, rather pleased. Now it's time to get ready for work and ready for bed!

Toodles!

Peg xxx

Stitching and cooking, not in equal measure

I've had a sewing machine for about 5 years. Saturday was the first time it has been turned on in those years. Admittedly for a good portion of that time, I had misplaced the foot pedal... I have moved house 3 times since acquiring the machine, and seemingly only took parts of it with me. I searched ALL the boxes I hadn't unpacked and it wasn't there. So I checked the ONE box I knew it wasn't in, and lo, it was there. So, I asked my aunty (who my sister will attest is an amazing woman, an incredible role model who could build a log cabin from scratch and then furnish it for you) to give me a sewing lesson. And she obliged. So, Sunday, and my Aunty came, ready for my lesson. I set up the machine (after 10 minutes trying to find the illusive foot pedal - I'd put it somewhere safe after I found it, and subsequently lost it again), read through the instructions and settled at the table, ready to thread the machine. But no! No bobbin. I had EVERYTHING needed except that. My bobbins were in fact in storage - one of the few things I hadn't removed from my Dad's house during my various moves, and he had put it into storage while having his house renovated. Curses. So, we went on a bobbin hunt. Tesco, no joy. Rymans, no joy. TJ Huges, no joy. Aldi - full sewing machine - possibly a little OTT just for a 20p bobbin. So, trek back up to my aunty's house (a good 15 minute drive from me). But finally, bobbin joy.From then on, the lesson was productive, informative and enjoyable. And now, I just need to practice getting a straight line, then I can feather my cap some more! And with perfect timing, my lovely hairy-faced man bought me this....

Happy days! Lots of lovely projects to get stuck in to!

I think it might have been a thank you for the meat and veg pie I made for him the other day. My first attempt at pie... I'm hoping to be more home-focused... Making my home nice, cooking more, crafting more, that sort of thing!

I know the heart is a bit twee, but I had spare pastry... Incidentally, I hate making pastry. I'm pleased that I can, and because I know I can, I think its reasonable for me to buy ready-made stuff from now on. Is this acceptable?!

I haven't done any more crafting since my last post, but I have been cooking a lot. In addition to my pie I have made 2 lots of banana bread (a hairy-face favourite), cannelloni, and what I like to call 'pasta-quiche' (something I keep insisting my sister make, because it is yum-scrum).

Cook pasta and leave to one side

Chop onion, mushrooms, peppers, bacon, chicken (or whatever you would normally put in a quiche), and cook until soft

Beat 3 eggs together with a dash of milk and some salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a greased quiche dish

Cover with some grated cheese

Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes

Serve hot or cold, it sits well in old tummy tumkins. Mmm-mm!

This week I have been working the late shift, so my evenings are painfully cut short. It makes me grumpy. I'd much rather finish work at 4 and have hours and hours to while away on crafts and cooking and lovely things. Stupid work getting in my way. Ah well, back on 8-4s in a week and a half... Roll on February 7th! I'll be much more productive then!

Anyway, that's all for now.

Toodles

Peg*

xxx

Crafty Crafty...

Well, I thought I'd give an update on my craftings since my last post...

I've been crocheting like a good'un!

In my last post I made reference to the huge amount of wool sent over by my sister... Well, I have been working my way through it!

I made a hat and scarf for my sister. However, my niece was rather enamoured of said hat, and repeatedly modelled it at school. I must admit I quite like the fact that she's so taken with it... So pleased in fact that I made her one of her own! This one is slightly smaller (being only 8), and is shades of pink and white. Not sure of the reaction to it yet, it is en route! I have to confess that this is the only piece of finished crochet so far, and the only things I haven't taken photos of... Oops. I'll have to get big hedgehog (hint hint) to take some photos and post them instead.

I have also managed to get through ALL the coloured wool I was sent. My plan is to make a big old granny square blanket. My efforts so far...

Once I get more coloured wool, I will be adding to this - it needs to be at least 6 times the size I reckon. Mmmm toasty warm!

I have also made one side of a cushion cover. Again, made with 'sister wool'. I'm actually quite pleased with it. I just need to do the other side, then I have finished article number 3!

Other than that, I have made a start (finally) on some Valentine's Day cards and things. Still a LOT more to do, but again, it's a start!

Any thoughts are always welcome!

Peg xxxx

Inspired by Kojak

Well...

I haven't done any form of update for some time, so figured maybe I should.

I have been inspired to write by a couple of things - firstly, I have been looking at lots of lovely crocheting and crafting and lovely homely blogs, and it's all very lovely. This year, I really want to make more effort to do more myself - more crafting, more baking, learning to sew, make soap and candles and all sorts of lovely things to make people smile. It's all about lovely.

Second, I nagged my sister at Daffodils and Dandelions into blogging again... She hadn't posted anything since November you see, and although I talk to her every day, I still enjoy reading the comedic descriptions of her adventures and misadventures. Her latest in particular is the inspiration for the name of this post - think Kojak, think bald...

What I have been up to isnt a great deal if I'm honest. My attempts to grow veg failed miserably. I managed a whole cherry tomato. No courgettes at all, very disappointing! However, I'm going to plant things at the right time of year, so I may have a bit more to eat come summer time!

I didnt get any decorations, jewellery or cards done before christmas, so no update there either! However, I did make a couple of door signs.

One was a VW camper van, and the other a sign for 'Sebastian' (requested to include the lobster namesake from Little Mermaid, and a reference to boxing. Below were my creations...

Slightly less recently (but still more recently than my last post),

I made a couple of other signs, for new babies.

Quite simple, but still quite pretty.

However, my newest/rekindled obsession is crocheting. I'm not that good, and I can't follow a pattern, but I do enjoy it. I don't understand plans or instructions AT ALL - my Dad taught me, back to front (I'm left handed, he's not) and we know none of the terminology so what I can do is very limited, but I do my best. My brother-in-law came over last week to do some work in my Dad's house, and brought with him 'a few bits of wool' from my sister, that she wouldn't use. Now, when you hear 'a few bits', you assume a few bits....

I admit the picture is terrible (my normal phone with decent camera is broken, and I'm stuck with the old one 'til upgrade time!), but you get the idea. Rather a lot of wool... So my plan is to make a blanket. It may be hideous, but fun all the same. If I get it finished I'll show you!

Toodle-oo!

Peg*

xxx