Monday 28 February 2011

Eleanors Apron



Having a brand new sewing machine (it's new, but I've had it for a few weeks now) I am keen make anything and try new crafts. Normally I don't make presents for every tom, dick or eleanor, but I couldn't resist getting out zippy. He loves it when I get him out to play.

This sweet apron was inspired by one in Cath Kidstons 'Sew' book. I told you I could never resist putting my little flowers on everything. It might have to be removed when the apron is washed, oh well I just the designer, practical is not really in my nature.


It's a very nice project for beginners (like me) and children too. I got to use bias tape for the first time (actually I didn't really know what it was until I had to order it. (blush)


I had fun with this apron, why not give it a go :-)
Enjoy Sus x

Soda bread



I wanted to share this for awhile (how sad am I?). I have never made bread before and one saturday (about a month ago), I put aside my fears and rolled up my sleeves (otherwise they always get floury, my sleeves not my fears), to make my first ever loaf. The recipe that I have posted is very easy and doesn't take very long ( excellent for the scared or beginner). It tasted lovely, even though not a huge fan of soda bread, it went amazingly well with the homemade soup (recipe at a later date, maybe :-) Give it a go and tell what you think.
Enjoy Sus x

BBC - Food - Recipes : Irish soda bread

BBC - Food - Recipes : Irish soda bread: "Irish soda breadVeg
Try this easy soda bread recipe for when you want bread in a hurry - it's ready in less than an hour.
Ingredients
170g/6oz self-raising wholemeal flour
170g/6oz plain flour
½ tsp salt
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
290ml/½ pint buttermilk
Preparation method
Preheat the oven to 400F/200C/Gas 6.
Tip the flours, salt and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl and stir.
Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk, mixing quickly with a large fork to form a soft dough. (Depending upon the absorbency of the flour, you may need to add a little milk if the dough seems too stiff but it should not be too wet or sticky.)
Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly.
Technique: Kneading bread Watch technique
2:35 minsForm into a round and flatten the dough slightly before placing on a lightly floured baking sheet.
Cut a cross on the top and bake for about 30 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack."

Thursday 24 February 2011

Quilted Babies ball



This is one of two balls that kept me extremely busy just before christmas. Two babies due (not to me, I must add) and it was a guessing game to their flavour (blue or pink). I made one of each colour hoping they both didn't have boys or something and as it worked out one had a girl and one a boy (yippee). These balls take a good day to make and very hard on the fingers as you have to hand sew everything. But I loved the result. When putting in the wading I added a small bell and hey voila a babies toy. Very satisfying to do, after all the ironing flat and stitching is done! (phew!)

Enjoy Sus x

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Kinzashi flowers



I have discovered these cute Kinzashi flowers. I can't get enough of them. They are fab for embellishing anything. I brought the purse for my god daughters birthday and couldn't resist adding a little something of my own.



I may show you how to make them in the future , but you have to ask nicely

Enjoy Sus x

Saturday 12 February 2011

Cheese, walnut and date scones


Yummmmmmmmmmy, I made these delicious scones the other weekend and I thought I would share the recipe.
I love baking, but I have to be in the right mood. If it's too cold outside, grey or raining, the kitchen doesn't always make me feel in the right frame of mind. I can't seem to control it, like other areas of my home and life it just get too rowdy for me to handle. I am trying, I being stronger and being more productive in dealing with the rowdiness before it gets out of hand. I think scones were one of the first things I ever made. I like my mums scones but she tends to bake things crisper than I like, so I think I thought I would have a go and created some lovely cheese tartlets, they weren't very deep you see- but they were very tasty....and that's another reason why I don't make them very often, because no-one else gets a look in.....but anywhay to the recipe Batman!

Cheese,walnut and date scones
10oz Plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2oz Butter (organic of course)
2oz caster sugar
1 egg
A splash of milk, if the mixture is tooo think
A blob of english mustard
Half a teaspoon Nutmeg
As much Strong cheese as you like
A handful of dates
A few walnuts or pecans if you prefer.

Put the flour, baking powder, sugar, mustard and butter in a bowl and rub together with your fingers, until like breadcrumbs. Then add a egg, alittle milk at a time whilst working the dough. Add cheese, date, walnuts and nutmeg, work it all together until mixed throughly-neither too wet or too dry. Roll out to approx 4 cms thinkness and cut out scones with cutter of your choice. Brush with egg or milk and sprinkle more cheese and nutmeg on the top. Bake in the oven for 20mins gas mark 5, until film and golden. Then place in your gob and enjoy! Sus x