Time to get the hot water bottles out...

Very chilly today, this evening i got the hot water bottles out mine and the other halves, mine needs a cover, his already has a cover SO what does a crafter do when she needs something? well make it of course. I was reading one of my Home mags and i saw a idea to make hot water bottle covers from old jumpers which gave me the idea to crochet a cover for my hot water bottle. i know how i want it in my mind but i am not that experienced yet to make my own patterns so i had a search on the net so i can get the idea of how to crochet it but put my own theme into it....so this is what i came up with, which is perfect.

I am going to copy up this pattern in a mo, so i can make a start as i need this ASAP!

I made a lovely Chicken and past soup, it was soooo scrummy i am going to have to write down my recipe, i am waiting for the other halve to get back from his football match it will be nice for him to get in from the cold and have a nice bowl of my chicken and pasta soup to warm his cockles.

I had my first day at my new job today, it got of to annoying start because i got to the station at 8.20am and the train was cancelled due to signal probs, and the next one was at 9.30am so i got on the alternative train to take a different route and that came at 5 to 9 and i was due at work for 9.30am once on the train it was stopping constantly, in the end i got to work at 10 past 10am

My manager said he had heard about the train probs so he was ok about it. after that the day went smoothly, i did get a headache at one stage and i was sooo tired towards the end of the day but what can i expect after not working for the last 18 months. i am so glad it is part time though i enjoy spending time at home with my lil man and doing stuff at home so i think it will be a nice balance for me. The good thing though was that i got to read loads of Twilight it is really good.

I made my necklace last night it is SOOOOO pretty i wanted to take a pic to put in this post but by the time i got home from work it was dark so i cannot get a good pic so i will take one tomorrow and post it.

Right i am going to get in bed, finish watching the The Family on channel 4 and copy up the crochet pattern and wait for my babes.

All change...

Just a quick post today, sorry no piccies :o(

My cousin came round with her 6 month baby, it brought me back to when Kyle was that age she was so cute, kyle was having his nap when they first arrived so i got to play with the baby. Later we all went to lunch at Nandos kyle shared my chips and frozen yogurt, he was really good and sat on the grown up chair next to me.

I have my first day at my new job tomorrow i am excited but also apprehensive as it is my first day back to work after being off with kyle for the past 18 months. 

Today i got the rest of my beads for my pretty necklace i am making for myself, i am going to sit in bed and make it as i would like to wear it tomorrow with my pink shirt. Then i will prob do a bit of crochet, i will take a pic of the necklace to post on here.

Kyle made me laugh today when i tucked him into bed he waved to me from under his covers (one of those so cute i nearly cried moments, i really must pull myself together or i will be doing it when he is 16 and i am sure he will not be impressed)

Well i will let you know how it goes tomorrow, nighty night x

Weekend...

I had a nice weekend with my little family on saturday we spent most of the day indoors as my munchkin did not want to nap until the afternoon so once he was up we went shopping to get me some stuff for work shoes, bag, shirt, tights, perfume, etc etc then we got back about 7pm and was knackered, i was supposed to go to my cousins halloween party but made it half way and the connecting train i needed to get was not running so had to return home.

Yesterday we had a day in and we mainly slept, we watch Michael Jackson's 'This is It' documentary it is amazing we still have half an hour left to watch of it tonight before bed. His dancing and the way he works is just amazing to watch so talented.

I think my next film i am going to watch is couples retreat i have heard good things about it.

Also i finished of my crochet birdie that i was talking about in my last post, i have hung it in my sons room, i will prob make a few more so quick and easy to make.

One thing i am looking forward to is some reading time on the train to and from work as i am currently reading Twilight and want to get on with that as it is a good book but just had not had the time to read it properly just here and there.

Here are my birdie pics....

Of to get my munchkin from nursery x

P.S i also tried out my best friends italian meatball recipe more about that in my next post.

Good news...

Today has been such a intense day, i had my interview today and guess what i got the job! I spent the whole morning thinking, rehersing, going over my CV until around 1pm then it was time to get my little munchkin to nursery only he was still sleeping, i had to go in to wake him up which i hate to do as he was so peaceful (well he was snoring so not that peaceful), so i rustled around and came in and out the room not even a flicker of a eye lid and i am sure he had been sleeping for about 3 hours, man does that boy love his sleep! mind you he had been up in the night coughing so i think he was making up for it.

Eventually i managed to get him up and it was a rushed lunch and out the door, when we got to the nursery he was going to start crying but when he realised he was going in with the big babies (as i call them) he just went running in there to see what was going on and i left.

I got up the the Strand poppped in the agency to register and then went down to my interview by this time it was 4pm i went marching right past the place and got to the end of the road and had to walk as quick as i could back up the road in my heels (so was not to quick) and arrived a few mins after 4pm.

After the interview i got a call from the agency to say that i had got the job so i am excited to be going back to work part time 3 days a week and have two days with kyle which is perfect.

Today he brought mummy and daddy home a halloween card with his pic on the front it was so cute i nearly cried lol! i always nearly cry when it comes to my little man, like the other day he learned to wave and was waving at daddy good night it was so cute i nearly cried lol i am so proud of him and very blessed to have him.

So after my long day i have a headache and i am soooo tired i am fighting to stay awake, but i am waiting for my lovely man to come home from his work do.

You know i said in my last post that i refuse to start any other crochet projects until i have completed my ripple blanket well i forgot to say that i ment LARGE projects ;o)

I could not resist i had to start on one of these...they are very quick i done the circle part last night within a hour and i expect the rest of it will take no longer than a evening.

Sorry no pics today to tired. I made some garlic bread this evening to go with our friday pizza, i used some french stick, garlic butter and italian herbs sprinkled on top then into the oven for 10 mins and yum yum!

I am looking forward to having some family time over the weekend yay! have a good weekend x

Good things...

We have been spoiling our little man a bit recently stocking up on things for him, yesterday his thomas the tank engine bean bag arrived, he done the usual when he first gets new things plays with the box and ignores the item, so he has ignored his bean bag but he will soon get curious and start using it. it's the same when we go to the library and get him new books, every night i read him his books before bed and if he sees me pull out a unidentified book he will force it closed and put it back in his draw and over the next few days he will get the unidentified book out and look at it by himself before he will allow it to be incorporated into the bedtime routine.
At the end of the week we are planning to get him this play tent thingy i am excited about that cos i know he will love it (after he has ignored it for a few days).




yesterday we took our usual fornightly trip to the library and i got myself the books you see above and below, for some fresh ideas for autumn/winter cooking. And for some new crochet project ideas, i am dying to crochet a scarf, it is my mums birthday very soon and i was thinking of crocheting her a scarf but not sure as her birthday is on the 7th and i would not get it done in time as i have to much going on so it would be late, she would not mind waiting, i will have to see, if i don't end up doing one for her i will def be doing one for myself.
I knitted (yes knitted) a navy blue one for lil man which goes with his coat and is nice and thick.
I also found a cute crochet pattern for mittens for toddlers, the link is on my other laptop so will have to post it another time but i reckon i could crochet them up in a day or two.



Yesterday morning i was up very early prob due to the clocks going back and my body not used to it, i took advantage and sat in bed and worked on my ripple blanket, i love watching this grow, just need to fit it in here and there so i can get it done, i refuse to start anything else until this blanket is done, my other blanket is on hold as that one is for me and this one is for lil man so of course his one has to be finished first.



Yes it was a pretty busy day for us, not only did all the above happen but i got a call about a job role i could not refuse the money is to good and it is in the city and working 3 days a week, doing management accounts and some other bits and peices, they put my CV forward and i have a interview on Friday.
I have a very strong chance of getting it as it is in a industry i have been working in for the past 6 years and have been doing the exact work before and i know how to use their systems like the back of my hand, the agency reckon i am the strongest candidate, they want the person to start on the 9th Nov so they want things wrapped up pretty soon.
So i am pretty confident about it, but you can never be 100% about these things they may not like me i may not like them, something could go wrong in the interview so it is not good to be over confident, but it is good to be positive and have confidence in yourself that you can give it a good go :o)

So wish me luck and i will let you know if it is a yay or nay! (yes or no) lol!

Glitter painting..

Was doing a bit of blog reading and came accross this link for glitter painting it look like fun, go check it out!

Def a fun project to do with older kids.

Weekend and a cosy winter recipe...

Today i made Chicken and Leek pot pie from my easy cook magazine WITH my little adjustments as i thought it may be a bit bland and my other half is the first to complain about bland food lol.

Here is the recipe: (my adjustments will be in orange so you can decide if you want to use them or not) my pic obviously does not look half as good as the magazine one!

Serves 4 : Takes 30 mins, plus 25 mins in the oven: not suitable for home freezing.

You can make one big one like i did or put them in individual pie dishes.

500g parsnips

300g floury potatoes

500g skinless chicken breasts, cut into small chunks

2 tsp cornflour

1 tsp olive oil

4 leeks, sliced

grated rind of 1 lemon

2 tbsp chopped parsley

2 tbsp low-fat creme fraiche

1 tbsp wholegrain mustard (i did not use this, i hate mustard uck!)

1. Boil the potatoes: turn the oven to fan 180c/conventional 200c/gas 6, chop the parsnips and potatoes into chunks then boil for 15 mins until tender. Drain, reserving some water, then mash with a little seasoning.

2. Cook the chicken: Toss the chicken in the cornflour. Heat the oil in a large pan, add the leeks, then fry for 3 mins until starting soften. Add the chicken and 200ml water from the potatoes (i added 200ml chicken stock)  then bring to the boil stirring. Reduce the heat then gently simmer for 10 mins until the chicken is cooked through, remove from the heat and add the lemon rind (did not use, forgot i had brought a lemon especially, tut!) , parsley, creme fraiche and mustard, (i sprinkled in about a tsp of chicken seasoning in as well).

3. Assemble pie(s): Put filling in large oven proof dish or individual pie dishes, then spoon over the mashed potatoes and parsnips spreading roughly with a fork to seal in filling (i grated some cheddar cheese on top). Bake for 25 mins until crisp and golden.

It was very tasty and a nice cosy dinner for a autumn evening.

Most of my weekend has been spent on my studies, but i have nearly finished the line of fabric i am designing just one more design to do. Cannot wait to get the swatches. 

My lil man has his first afternoon at little learners tomorrow, i can't wait to see how he gets on.

Enjoy the recipe, night x

Creative energy...

Last night i finished my first fabric design, i just need to order a swatch so i can be sure that it prints how i want it and then i will be able to complete the range which will include 4 patterns. So exciting!

I brought a scrap book and some girly pink pritt stick so i can put all my ideas that i get when i am going through my magazines for inspiration. My head gets so full up so this will be a good way to empty it (and let more in lol).

I always look at things in these mags and think i can make that or i will see something that will trigger of an idea for something.

All these ideas and things i want to make are all for my home and family as i like to have a nice home and it gives me pleasure to make things for it and my family.

When i look at all the blogs i read i always wonder what people do with the stuff they make as not everyone shares this. Especially those that cross stitch huge pieces they mostly never say where they are going to put them etc.. and because i am nosy i like to know hehe!

Today my lil man went back to nursery and they said they want to move him up to the next stage as he is the second oldest in his current group, i was really pleased as i feel he will enjoy it more as they have playtime outside and a routine and activities for learning, it will keep him occupied and help him with his development, he starts Monday i will be going in with him and watch what is going on and see how he interacts, i am looking forward to it.

I keep finding ladybirds in the house i wonder how they are getting in, maybe through the vents hmm!

Anyways i am starting to want my bed so nighty night x

Autumn times

The weather has now turned and we are now in that cosy autumn winter stage, i actually had thoughts of xmas sneaking in today!


Today i made a Lemon Drizzle Cake recipe from here. the sponge came out so fluffy! i did not use the food processor just some elbow grease and a wooden spoon and bowl (you will know what i am on about when you read the recipe lol)

At the moment i have lots going on and i have to now get back on with my studies now that i have had a break from the last exam, that means less time for fun things but i always manage to squeeze them in somehow.

Here is a sneaky pic of the ripple blanket is am playing hooky with, remember i said about not being happy about the first few rows well i folded them under for the photo lol!

My son was recently quite ill with some virus but he is better now, i don't know how people cope with more than one sick child at a time and there was me and his dad there to deal with it, it was soo stressful and worrying i dread to think about how we would cope if he catches swine flu or if all of us was ill at the same time.
fingers crossed we don't have to many health issues this winter, i have been giving us all immune boosting vitamins and lots of vitamins C so hopefully they will help.

well enough rambling it is nearly bedtime, nighty night x

Latch Hook rugging...

paisley park rug finished, originally uploaded by Diana Prince.

I have been thinking about doing some latch hook rugs for the house and thought i would get some inspiration from flickr.

I don't want a kit i want to design my own (typical me) i have a image in my head of a round swirly rug.

need to research how to get going and stuff.

The picture above i found on flickr i thought it was nice and the person designed it herself.

"Plop"

Look what plopped through my door yesterday...

I ordered this book with my book vouchers i got for my birthday, along with a spiritualism book which i have not received yet.

This book is real pretty inside and there are a few projects i would like to make from this book, i have so many sewing projects to do but i need to find the right fabric for them seeing as they will be for my home.

I have so much crafty stuff i want to do and can't get them done fast enough lol, i have been so busy with my son by the time the evening comes i am sooo tired, thats why i have taken to crochet more these days as it is so easy to pick up and put down. 

I am hooking away at my ripple blanket, i am not happy with the first few lines of ripple, because it is my first ripple i made a mess of the first few lines but i now have it underway to my satisfaction. just can't bear to undo those lines, all that time wasted but when i have added a few more i will take them ones of. this is why i have delayed posting pics of it but it is worth the wait as it is turning out great.

Well of to chill and crochet in front of the tv and eat pizza and garlic bread for dinner.

ickle update...

I have been away from the internet as my laptop is being repaired it is still being repaired, my brother has kindly lent me his teeny tiny laptop to use, it takes a bit of getting used to with the typing as i keep pressing the wrong keys cos it is a smaller keyboard.

But my time away has been constructive i have started a ripple blanket it is coming along great and cannot wait to post pics, it is nice and colourful to add with his cushion.

also i am so excited as lucy has posted her tutorial for the finishing of the cushion covers i showed you in my last post yay!

Back soon with some pics

Little squares fun...

Yesterday i finished my second little squares cushion front this one is for our room....

I just need to find a nice brown woolly back to finish it of with...

here they are together




i was not pleased with the pic in my last post so i took a better one

i have the backing for the colourful one so once i get the tutorial i will start turning them into cushions.

Friday Fun...

Today i had a jewlery making day and have listed the items in my online shops, which you can check out for further details Misi and Etsy...

still here...

I am still here, just having laptop problems at the moment my laptop is with the computer fixing friend of my other half. In the meantime i am using my other half laptop which has a cracked screen so therefore plugged into our plasma tv so much palva that i can't post my photos until i have my laptop back i am afraid.

while all this is going on with the laptop i am busy behind the scenes hooking away at my second little squares cushion which is coming along nicely and i still have my nappy pouch in the Amy butler fabric to put up and i am working on preparing for my next quilt project which is another quilt for my son seeing as winter is coming i want to have a few available for him.

So stayed tuned i will be back soon with some pics :o)

A better way..

In my previous post i showed you my cushion front i had finished crocheting, well my plan was to crochet the side again and join them together, UNTIL Lucy from Attic24 posted that what she was going to do with her cushion fronts and that is get a woolly jumper from the charity shop and and some buttons and make up the cushion that way and if i am right in thinking this will be better than how i had planned to do mine because then i will be able to be take it of for washing instead of having to wash the whole cushion. 

She will be posting a tutorial later in the week so i will wait for that and most likely do it that way, in the mean time i will look in the charity shops for a matching woolly jumper to use and get started on my second cover which is for our room and will be in browns, i am tempted to add a bit of turquoise as i love brown and turquoise together, you will just have to see if i do or not...

I must start collecting buttons they do come in handy at times like this as now i am going to have to buy some buttons.

The weekend is here again so it will be time to get the sewing machine out and sew up that Amy Butler nappy pouch to put in my shop, also i have nearly finished the ipod cover.

One side finished...

I did say i would be working on my little squares cushion this week well i have finished one side 

Now to do the other side, hopefully today i will be able to get hold of some more yellow and orange wool which i have run out of.

Last night i watched 'Burn after reading' with George Clooney and Brad Pitt, what a strange film and the ending was quite pointless although i did enjoy the film.

Don't cha just hate mondays?

Pic from Amy Butler website

Well today did not get of to a good start but i won't get into that on here, i did not get much sewing time at the weekend i spent Saturday night cutting fabric so all that is done, then during Sunday i made a ipod cover for my online shops it came out nice just need to finish of the handstitching, it took me some of Friday and a little while on Sunday to sketch up my pattern for it, so i will have to sew up my nappy pouch next weekend now.

Recently i have been admiring Amy Butlers new handcrafted rugs they are lovely as you can see above, i would the love to buy the top one for my place, you can view the whole range here

This week i am going to be working on the little squares cushion, as i need to get back on with my blankets.

Well i had better go and get in the shower as me and little man are of to my friends house within the next hour. I will post pics of the ipod cover soon as i have finished the hand stitching.

More excitement...Amy Butler Fabric

Today i received my Amy Butler - Sweet Jasmine fabric...

It looks much better than the pic they had for it on the site, it has a olive colour to the background not grey...as you can see in my photos..

I could not wait to take some snaps of it before i cut it up for my nappy pouches later on..

Then i started to think hmmm what would it look like it i covered all the chairs seats in it....

oh and how about a nice cushion....

So that was my play time with the fabric later i will get down to the serious business of cutting it up and sewing some pouches which i can't wait to see in this fabric.

See you Monday hopefully for some photos of some completed pouches, have a good weekend, mine is quite busy!

Always up to something...

Now that i have my etsy shop and Misi shop all sorted i am now going to work on my website, today i registered my domain, found web hosting, i am going to be designing a proper logo and stuff  so watch this space.. 



and i also ordered some Amy Butler fabric called 'Sweet Jasmine'  for my range of Nappy Pouches. 



Also i like this fabric above by Phil Jacob called 'Tropical' it is quite bright  on the right project it would look fantastic!