Sunday 26 January 2014

Preparing for Kids Clothes Week (KCW)

I'm excited to be participating in Kids Clothes Week again - I missed KCW Summer as we were off on our raod trip and I had family staying for KCW Fall, so I am super excited for next week to spend time in my sewing room creating.

This time I thought I would get myself prepared this week, on what I want to sew so I can hit the ground running. I knew I wanted to make a couple of skirts for the girls and I have the idea of using tweed, so after an intensive internet search on girls skirts I finally settled for this Oliver + S pattern and I am excited.


And if you buy any patterns from Oliver + S during January use this coupon code JAN2014 for an extra 25% off and don't forget to like them on facebook too their patterns are great.

I have a feeling if I stick to my 1 hour a day of sewing I may only get 2 skirts made, but if I do manage to get these made and have time on my hands, I may have a go at the top in a nice jersey material.

As I said I was keen on making the skirts in Tweed until I discovered Harris Tweed is rather expensive and is shipped from the UK so instead I've chosen some lovely wool blend fabric for the skirts, I went with a tweed like fabric from fabric.com - I love this online shop, lots to chose from and inexpensive too.

And whilst I wait for my fabric to arrive, I have already got myself started and prepared for next weeks sewing. I have cut out my pattern pieces and for the 1st skirt (Ruby's) I'm using some Prints Charming fabric which I love.


The second skirt (Tilly's) we are also using some gorgeous Prints Charming fabric and I have already cut out the pattern pieces ready to sew sew sew.

And with this gorgeous British style fabric I am hoping to get a few bibs, burps cloths and baby things whipped up 


With the temperatures being a rather cold -18c next week I'll be happy to spend all week in my sewing room hibernating.


 










Wednesday 22 January 2014

On the Needles




Over the Christmas Holidays I enjoyed a spot of knitting and knitted my mum a pair of gloves - I follow the MillaMia blog as I love their yarn, patterns and books and whilst reading, I came across this post on gloves and loved them so I decided to knit a pair. The pattern can be found on Ravelry - it's called Emilee Dee Mitts by Paula McKeever.

As I didn't have a pair of size 4 (3.50mm) DPN needles and I couldn't wait to get started I used a size 3 (3.25mm) and cast on 48 st. I also repeated the chart 1 instructions to make the gloves longer in length. Once finished they fit me perfectly and my mum tells me they do indeed fit her perfectly too.


I used a yarn called Elegance by Loops and Threads in color Earth and one skein was just enough.

A craft I have been struggling to get the grip of quite literally is crochet, I have youtubed it, watched tutorials, read tutorials followed photo tutorials and still it aludes me, I put it down to being left handed and not quite knowing which hand to use, although I knit fine right handed, Crochet has just had me puzzled and frustrated until now.

My lovely Mother-In-Law Viv, also more commonly known as Grannie, taught me over this Christmas Break, we sat down together for a one to one and very patiently Grannie taught me to crochet literally one stitch at a time until I got the hang of it.


And my first crochet project was the triple layer flower by Lucy at the fabulous blog Attic 24 - if you have not discovered her blog go now quickly it is truly wonderful.


Once I had got my first flower under my wing there was no stopping me, or Grannie, between us we managed 8 in one day.



It's wasn't long before I was crocheting these little beauties all by myself and Viv and I made them into brooches, by adding a pin bar button at the back and jazzed them up with buttons in the middle.

The last completed project hot off my needles is this lovely pink seed stitch hat - which will be available to buy in my Etsy shop shortly.


And now on my needles are a pair (or one of the pair) of the Emilee Dee Mitts for me in this lovely grey.


I'm hoping to have these finished soon as they are a quick knit.

What's on your needles?


Sunday 19 January 2014

A Fun Winter Craft



We're in the middle of a polar vortex here in Chicago, the temperatures are freezing cold and the lowest it's been is -26c/-15f, which is very cold but with the wind chill, it feels more like -40c brrrrr.

Today in comparison has been a mild 0c/32f, but it did snow all day yesterday so in weather like this we spend alot of time indoors and to avoid cabin fever today I decided to look through my Crafty Kids Pinterest board and pick something to do and I found this and as I knew I had all the items in, I knew we had to do it.

Armed with toilet rolls, peanut butter and bird seed we set to work to make this Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder.


 We covered our toilet rolls with peanut butter and we slapped it on thick.


and then we dipped, rolled and pressed the bird seed onto the holders until it was fully coated and more, or not so fully coated in Tilly's case.

Ruby got busy filling in all empty patches


then we attached some string to them and went outside to hang them up


The girls choose where to put the bird feeders in the garden, and now we wait for the birds (or more likely the squirrels) to eat them, but whilst we waited we decided to have a play in the snow


and then it was hot chocolate time.

Thursday 16 January 2014

My Hand Made Christmas 2013

I love sewing, baking and knitting, and I find Christmas time is a great time to share this love.
This year.....

.....I made a Christmas Pudding
- Using a Jamie Oliver recipe (sorry Viv, Mum brought me over his Christmas Magazine and I couldn't resist)




A Christmas Cake
- again a Jamie Oliver recipe 



Some Christmas Presents
- A knitted hat with a lovely crochet flower (I can't take credit for the flower, Grannie did this for me) and cord skirt made for our little friend Elodie.
- One cute Royal Tie Onesie made for little Ezra





Our Christmas Stockings
- made for the family



 And the Christmas Table Cloth and Napkins
- which we'll also use through the year. Ikea is great for fabric I picked this lovely fabric up at Ikea for $7.99 a yard and used 3 yards to make the tablecloth and 4 napkins.


And that is my handmade Christmas.

This year I am determined to make more for gifts as I feel there is nothing quite so special as a hand made gift and now I have my Silhouette Machine I can create more.






Monday 13 January 2014

Christmas Pudding Ice Cream





Christmas Pudding is always a must in our family we serve it after our Christmas Dinner and it is truly delicious with a nice rum or brandy sauce, ice cream or custard for that matter.

And leftover Christmas Pudding is truly scrumptious when made into an ice cream. I did mean to make this last year but never got round to it so this year I just did it.

I searched for a recipe online and found plenty of delicious ones but they all included making the pudding from scratch, but it wasn't long before I came across this recipe and in the process discovered a great British cooking website - Great British Chefs

Using leftover Christmas Pudding and I think Christmas Cake would work well too and a basic ice cream (custard) base this is delicious

Christmas Pudding Ice Cream 

Ingredients



  • 600ml of single cream
  • 300ml of milk
  • 1/2 vanilla pod, split lengthways
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 125g of caster sugar
  • 250g of christmas pudding, crumbled into pieces
  • - See more at: http://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/christmas-pudding-ice-cream-recipe#sthash.YUmelhXJ.dpuf



  • 600ml of single cream
  • 300ml of milk
  • 1/2 vanilla pod, split lengthways
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 125g of caster sugar
  • 250g of christmas pudding, crumbled into pieces
  • - See more at: http://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/christmas-pudding-ice-cream-recipe#sthash.YUmelhXJ.dpuf
    600ml of single/double/whipping cream
    300ml milk
    1/2 vanilla pod (split lengthways) or 1tsp of vanilla essence
    6 egg yolks
    125g caster/superfine sugar
    250g Christmas Pudding, crumbled into pieces

    Directions
    1. Add the cream and milk to a saucepan and scrape in the seeds from the vanilla pod and add the scraped pod to the pan (or just add your vanilla essence and stir in)
    2. Bring to a gentle simmer and remove from heat (if you have used a vanilla pod then the pan aside to infuse for 30 mins)
    3. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until pale and smooth. Bring the milk and cream mixture back up to a gentle simmer.
    4. Whilst slowly whisking the eggs, gradually add the milk/cream mixture to the eggs.
    5. Once combined, return the mixture to the saucepan and over a low heat stir continuously until you have a thin custard that coats the back of a wooden spoon.
    6. Remove the pan from the heat. Pass the custard through a fine sieve into a bowl and allow to cool completely. Lay cling film directly on top of the custard, this prevents a skin from forming.
    7. Once cooled I place the custard mixture in the fridge overnight to cool completely.
    8. Next day or when your custard mixture is completely cool, churn the mixture in an ice cream maker or attachment (as per the instructions of your maker or attachment) stirring in the Christmas Pudding pieces once the mixture starts to thicken and freeze.
    9. Transfer to containers and store in the freezer (4 to 5 hours) until ready to serve.


    Cream & milk mixture heating on the stove.

     

    Egg yolks and sugar whisked together until pale and smooth
     

     Adding the cream mixture to the eggs whilst slowly whisking to combine


    Return combined mixture (custard base) to a pan and heat gently until you have a thin custard that coats the back of a spoon


    Transfer to a bowl to cool completely, cover with clingfilm to prevent a skin forming, and cool overnight in the fridge.



    Crumble the leftover Christmas Pudding into pieces.


    And following the directions of your ice cream maker or attachment, as in my case, I have the ice cream bowl attachment for the Kitchenaid start to churn custard mixture.


    Once the mixture starts to thicken and freeze, add in your Christmas Pudding, with the Kitchenaid attatchement, it advises to add your extras in during the last 5 mins of churning.


    Transfer to bowls and freeze until ready to serve.

    With the Kitchenaid ice cream bowl, once the ice cream is churned, the ice cream is soft serve ready, so it will need an extra 4-5 hours in the freezer to firm up.

    Serve and enjoy

    Unfortunately we (4 adults) did manage to devour this ice cream within 2 days and all of us agreed it was truly delicious, hence why it didn't last long.

    Try it some day you won't be disappointed.
    Add the cream and milk to a pan and scrape in the seeds from the vanilla pod. Add the scraped pod and place the pan over a medium-high heat
    Back to school
    Making custard is a great skill for older kids to pick up. Not only is it great drizzled over many desserts, but it is also used as a base for ice cream - as it is here
    2.
    Bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from the heat and set aside to infuse for 30 minutes
    3.
    In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale and smooth. Bring the milk and cream back up to a simmer
    4.
    While slowly whisking the eggs, gradually pour in the hot cream
    Room for a little one
    Two sets of hands will make this step a lot of easier. Ask a child to keep whisking while you pour in the hot cream – just be careful not to scald them
    5.
    Return the mixture to the saucepan. Place the pan over a low heat and stir continuously until you have a thin custard that coats the back of a wooden spoon
    6.
    Remove the pan from the heat. Pass the custard through a fine sieve into a bowl and allow to cool completely, laying cling film directly on top of the custard to prevent a skin forming
    7.
    Churn the custard in an ice cream maker, stirring in the Christmas pudding as the mixture begins to thicken and freeze. Store in the freezer until ready to serve
    - See more at: http://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/christmas-pudding-ice-cream-recipe#sthash.YUmelhXJ.dpuf


    Add the cream and milk to a pan and scrape in the seeds from the vanilla pod. Add the scraped pod and place the pan over a medium-high heat
    Back to school
    Making custard is a great skill for older kids to pick up. Not only is it great drizzled over many desserts, but it is also used as a base for ice cream - as it is here
    2.
    Bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from the heat and set aside to infuse for 30 minutes
    3.
    In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale and smooth. Bring the milk and cream back up to a simmer
    4.
    While slowly whisking the eggs, gradually pour in the hot cream
    Room for a little one
    Two sets of hands will make this step a lot of easier. Ask a child to keep whisking while you pour in the hot cream – just be careful not to scald them
    5.
    Return the mixture to the saucepan. Place the pan over a low heat and stir continuously until you have a thin custard that coats the back of a wooden spoon
    6.
    Remove the pan from the heat. Pass the custard through a fine sieve into a bowl and allow to cool completely, laying cling film directly on top of the custard to prevent a skin forming
    7.
    Churn the custard in an ice cream maker, stirring in the Christmas pudding as the mixture begins to thicken and freeze. Store in the freezer until ready to serve
    - See more at: http://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/christmas-pudding-ice-cream-recipe#sthash.YUmelhXJ.dpuf
    Add the cream and milk to a pan and scrape in the seeds from the vanilla pod. Add the scraped pod and place the pan over a medium-high heat
    Back to school
    Making custard is a great skill for older kids to pick up. Not only is it great drizzled over many desserts, but it is also used as a base for ice cream - as it is here
    2.
    Bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from the heat and set aside to infuse for 30 minutes
    3.
    In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale and smooth. Bring the milk and cream back up to a simmer
    4.
    While slowly whisking the eggs, gradually pour in the hot cream
    Room for a little one
    Two sets of hands will make this step a lot of easier. Ask a child to keep whisking while you pour in the hot cream – just be careful not to scald them
    5.
    Return the mixture to the saucepan. Place the pan over a low heat and stir continuously until you have a thin custard that coats the back of a wooden spoon
    6.
    Remove the pan from the heat. Pass the custard through a fine sieve into a bowl and allow to cool completely, laying cling film directly on top of the custard to prevent a skin forming
    7.
    Churn the custard in an ice cream maker, stirring in the Christmas pudding as the mixture begins to thicken and freeze. Store in the freezer until ready to serve
    - See more at: http://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/christmas-pudding-ice-cream-recipe#sthash.YUmelhXJ.dpuf

    Wednesday 8 January 2014

    An Instragram(ed) Chaplin Christmas




    I've said it before and I'll say it again we love Christmas in the Chaplin household, and more than not ours can be quiet ones, with family being so far away when we lived in Australia, it's not always easy nor cheap to visit us over this special time of the year. Although in 12 Christmases there we didn't do bad, and had plenty of Christmas visitors.

    Last year it was just the four of us, but this year we invited Mr C's family to join us and his parents took us up on the offer, so Grannie and Grandad and made the relatively short trip across the pond to spend Christmas and New Year with us.

    On the back of a Thanksgiving visit by my mum, we had the Christmas tree picked bought and assembled before she left and the Grandparents arriving - a short 3 day gap between them.


    Grannie and Grandad arrived and had a special present for Mr C, as requested by Mr C, Grannie had made him a Christmas Jumper (sweater) which everyone loved, we nearly put Grannie into production making more as so many people asked Mr C where he had got it from.

    Mr C sporting his Christmas Jumper made by Grannie

    We spent our days prior to Christmas, Christmas Shopping, doing Christmassy things, Christmas Craft, and Christmas baking whilst battling snow and freezing cold temperatures up to -18c with a wind chill factor making it feel -28c brrrrrr.

    The CTA Holiday train was once again doing the rounds and in our area so we were able to ride the Holiday Train with Grandad.


    It wasn't long before Christmas Eve was upon us and we left Mr C roasting a ham whilst we went to the family service at Church and it was such a great service.

    After Church we had our friends round for our Christmas Eve Roast Ham and we enjoyed the meal, their company and Annas most delicious yummy dessert.


    Then it was time to track Santa on Norad to see where he was, put the mince pie and glass of milk out for Santa and a carrot for the reindeers and time to do the present from Santa's Elves - Christmas pyjamas and a Christmas book of course.


    Then with the girls in bed it was time to play Santa, we put up the Christmas stockings, handmade and personalized by me for the adults.


    And not before long we had quite a pleasant wake up call from Tilly (not too early either) who loudly and excitedly announced Santa had been. In our pyjamas we all made it downstairs to open our stockings whilst sipping on a cup of tea.

     
    Then we made the girls wait until after we were all dressed (well the adults) and had had breakfast before they could open the rest of pressies - what cruel parents we are, but they were wonderful and they entertained themselves with their stocking gifts so this kept them busy until it was present time.

    The girls helped collect all the presents from under and around the tree and made handed them all out, then we devoured our piles of presents starting with the girls first.


    And how we do Christmas is, the girls know they get presents from family and friends (this means we can write those thank you letters - which are in the post) but Santa brings their one main present (which we remember to wrap in Christmas paper different to any we have already used). This year Ruby asked Santa for a desk and Tilly asked for Playmobil and Santa delivered.

    Once all the presents were open, Mr C got busy with Christmas Dinner, but not before the tickle monster arrived and tickled (I got Mr C this awesome Tickle Monster Laughter Kit gift as our girls love the Tickle Monster and are always wanting Mr C to play the tickle monster before bed it's a fab gift for any family) and the girls got busy playing with their presents.


    We had a lovely traditional Christmas Lunch - Roast turkey and all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding.

    the only non instagram

    We spent the afternoon playing games - UNO and Creationary and Mr C and Grandad built Ruby's desk - it was such a lovely day.

    Another Chaplin tradition is to watch one of our favorite Christmas movies, The National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and Mr C sported the very same Moose Mug Clark Griswold has in the movie - classic.


    And after the movie it was time for the girls to go to bed so the adults could watch the Downton Christmas Special and indulge in a little Downton wine too.


    And that was our family instragram(ed) Christmas,  and as the girls would say the best day ever.