Blissed out

Baby Knitting & A New Mummy Necklace

I've been knitting - but I'm holding off knitting for my baby until after my 20 week scan (May 6th.) But I made this yellow and green cardigan for the 3 month old baby of some of our friends. 

The pattern is from Debbie Bliss's Baby Cashmerino book and it's the first time I've used her Cashmerino yarn which is lovely - soft and cosy but machine washable. I've added a selection of green vintage buttons of different sizes.

I also made this necklace for Jael the new Mummy, although she's also step mum to two lovely boys so I added all 3 of them to the necklace. 

A little blue glass bead offsets the silver.  Jael loved it and both of the older boys thought it pretty cool to see their names stamped out like that too.

We went away for a few days last week with the 5 of them to Wales to try our hands at surfing.  Well, obviously being preggers I couldn't really have a go but I had great fun watching the rest of them.  Cole loved it (although was a bit freaked out when he rolled off the board and it ended up on top of his head under water.  It only lasted a second but it was enough to make him want to stick to the boogie board from then on - can't say I blame him!)

But John was amazing - he stood up on the board on his first day which is apparently pretty difficult to do. 

The boys seemed to be having the best fun and I was a little jealous - although it was almost worth it just to see the comic genius that was John getting into his wet suit for the first time!  Those suckers aren't easy to maneuver into believe me!  As you can see from the pictures, the weather wasn't great - in fact, these pictures were taken about 30 minutes before the heavens opened.  Not that the boys cared because they were in the water already wet, but I was sat on the shoreline desperately trying to gather everything up and get back to the car!

But the weather this weekend has been gorgeous - so sunny and spring like.  We've been out in the garden a lot and planing lots of seeds as well as harvesting the last of the winter crops we planted in the autumn - including this beautiful purple sprouting broccoli.  I can't wait for summer and now this baby is on the way and I'm feeling energised and optimistic I think it's going to be a time that I really enjoy.

Recipe - Healthy(ish) Banana Muffins

It's so nice to not be feeling nauseous constantly and to  be able to cook and bake again.  I have the loveliest husband in the world who cooked, cleaned, ferried and generally consoled during those long, sicky, exhausting months on pregnancy.  I swear there were weeks on end when I could barely enter the kitchen let alone think about cooking food.

But all that has now thankfully passed and I'm firmly back in cooking mode.  I whizzed up these muffins yesterday prompted by 2 things - I wanted to incorporate a bit more fibre into mine the the family's diets (Cole especially seems to have an aversion to almost anything vaguely wholesome looking) and we had some very over ripe bananas smelling out the kitchen. 

So these were my solution - healthy(ish) banana muffins - really easy to make and rather yummy too.

Ingredients:
1 & 1/4 cups wholemeal flour
3/4 cup plain white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 cup butter (about 150g)
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup like for like sugar substitute (I used splenda but you could use any that's the equal volume as sugar i.e. 1 tsp=1tsp sugar)  Or you could use plain old sugar if you prefer.
2 large eggs - whisked
2/3 ripe bananas mashed
1/3 cup semi skimmed/reduced fat milk
1/2 cup mixed raisins and sultanas (If you can get the super plump ones all the better
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Muesli for sprinkling on top of muffins before they go into the oven

Instructions:

1. Pre heat your oven at 190C or 375F.  Place 12 muffin cases in a muffin tray
2. Cream together the butter and sugars/splenda and mix until nicely fluffy. You can use a food processor for this but I personally like to do it by hand - it just doesn't feel like baking to me otherwise!
3. Gradually add the eggs until combined with the butter/sugar mixture, adding a spoonful of flour to the mix with the final egg batch (this stops the mixture for curdling)
4. Add the mashed up bananas and vanilla extract.  Mix well.
5. In a separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients before adding to the egg/sugar/banana mixture.  When fully mixed, add the milk and stir well.  Finally, add the raisins/sultanas - you might want to add a bit more than 1/2 cup if you like them nice and juicy.
6. Dollop the mixture evenly between the 12 cases and sprinkle the tops with muesli. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until they are nice and golden on top.
7. Leave to cool until they're at least not going to burn your mouth before eating!
8. Enjoy

I hope you're having a lovely time where ever you are. Cole and I are off to the local farmers market later so I'm hoping to come back with loads of lovely goodies for dinner.

Jo x

New Curtains

I have a confession.  I've hated my living room curtains for over 4 years now.  They were the cheapest of cheap IKEA plain, unlined, cream, cotton.  For the first 2 years I lived in this house they weren't even hemmed - I'd just cut the off at the bottom!

Then when I was painting the room about 18 months ago (after I'd finally got round to hemming the curtains!) I got impatient and decided to do a bit of touching up of the paintwork when they were still up and dripped cream emulsion on one of them.  And still they stayed up for almost another 2 years.

Everytime I looked at them, I hated them.  But I never could decide what to do instead of them.  Whenever I saw a pair of beautiful curtains that I thought would go just perfectly in the room, I balked at the price (why are made to measure curtains so expensive?) and as the windows in my living room are so big (the price to pay for lovely high ceilings) it was almost impossible to find ready made ones - hence the IKEA basic ones (they're obviously used to high ceilings in Sweden!)

But recently I decided I would change things - I would make some.  I've never really made curtains before, but I knew the sewing bit at least would be fairly simple.  But what i didn't count on was just how awkward they are to pin, press and get to line up straight.  They took forever - not to mention the space needed.  But after lots of redo's - and not to mention more than a few bad words, I finally got them done.  And I love them!

Every time I go into my living room they make me smile. 

What makes me smile even more is that I found the fabric on sale at half price in John Lewis - so they were a bargain to boot!
Have a lovely Easter eveyone
Jo x

Blossom

The year is going so quickly.  One minute it was Christmas and then I seemed to go into a 3 month hibernation and then ... it's spring. 

The garden has burst forth into blossom.  Flowers are everywhere.  Yesterday the evening sun was so beautiful I just had to go out and take some pictures of the cherry blossom.

New life appears to be everywhere.  In more ways than one.  My hibernation has been blossom related too - I'm 15 weeks pregnant. 

I know this won't be news to everyone but I've not discussed it on this blog for a few reasons.  Firstly I really felt protective of the whole experience and didn't want to talk about it in 'normal' circles until I felt of safer ground.  As this blog has been such a big part of my life for the past 18 months and so many of you are people I'd consider to be friends, talking about it here would be like unleashing a secret before it was ready.  I also didn't want to muddy the bloggy waters with discussions of my worries, sickness and exhaustion.  It felt right to separate those early 'will it work,  won't it work' months of pregnancy from the rest of my life.  And I hope you take that as a compliment - because it's meant as one!

In fact, we told very few people initially, and even then only really close friends and family.  And keeping it quiet seemed to, bizarrely, allow me to stay calmer about it all than if I was discussing it all the time (Which, as one of life's terminal over analyzers I would have done given half a chance!)

I spent those first 3 months sleeping mainly.  And feeling sick - constantly.  In between those two things there was a new job to get to grips with, an 8 year old boy and a husband who needed my attention (what was left of it!)- there wasn't a lot of time left for worrying or crafting. 

Thankfully I'm now 15 weeks, have a nicely developing bump and 3 ultrasound scans have shown that, so far anyway, everything is fine.  My next scan at 20 weeks and we're hoping to find out the gender of the baby too - well how else will I know whether to buy a load of Amy Butler fabric in blue or pink?

And wonderfully my energy has started to return and I'm crafting again.  I've making some new curtains for our lounge today and have just ordered Amy Butler's Little Stitches.  I'm also busy altering some second hand maternity clothes I've bought from ebay and local charity shops (why are maternity clothes either really expensive or totally frumpy?) And on top of that I'm revamping the Blissed out knitting website which will (tiredness allowing) be back up and running in a week or so - I'll put an announcement up when it's done.

So thank you all again for being so patient.  John, Cole and I are thrilled to be having a baby - as many of you know, it's been a bit of a twisty, turny road to get here!  My due date is September 22nd so that gives me lots of time to do all kinds of baby related crafty projects over the summer - I'm happy to get any suggestions for favourite projects you can recommend.

Jo x

made something at last

Ok, I know I've been ridiculously quiet.  In fact, over the past 3 months I've barely managed more than a handful of posts.  And I've felt guilty about it (silly, pointless emotion I know but you can't shake that catholic upbringing!) but it just really was about all I could manage.

But during this quiet time I have been making something at least.  I've had the idea for this cardigan in mind for over a year now - it just took me an age to get around to making it.  I love the basic shape of this cardigan - it's taken from Rowan magazine no 41 which I've made before and knew suited me.

The pattern's pretty easy to do and has a lovely, relaxed yet fitted shape to it with a little scalloped crochet edge.

I wanted to do a prettied up version with little beaded flowers adorning it so came up with this:

It's sort of inspired by a sweater I'd seen in anthropologie when I was in New York a while back (seems like yesterday but actually about 18 months ago - Noooo!) and it took me a while to come up with flowers that I was happy with in both shape and colour.
 

I'm semi happy with it now - I'm still not 100% on the colours but they were the closest I could find to the one's I had in my head when I dreamed it up. 

I like the beads though and I think I'll get plenty of wear out of it when the weather warms up a bit - it's still lambswood and angora weather here although we did get a hint of spring yesterday which always makes me feel so optimistic and happy.

More posts coming in the near future - I'm coming out of my hiatus (with good explanation to follow) and I can feel my creative juices returning.  Thanks for bearing with me.
Jo x

Granny's Treasures

A few weeks ago my Dad was sorting things out in the loft and said he had my Granny's old sewing box which he thought I would like and be able to put to some use.  And down came this treasure trove of vintage lovliness. 

My Granny passed away a few years ago now but her house was one of my favourite places in the world when I was younger.  She lived by the seaside and we would go up there for holidays when I was younger - it was the North East cost of England mind so while I remember the sand and the smell of the sea, I also remember lots of brave days on the beach wrapped in towels and huddled behind the stripy windbreaker!

The beaches of Northumberland are still some of the most beautiful I've seem and still rarely busy - probably because of the weather!  But I have such fond memories of those holidays in Granny's house which was filled with light, the smell of the sea and baking, and all manner of handicrafts.  Perhaps that's where my leanings in that direction comes from, who knows?

But how lovely to find a box full of things filled with such history.  Even the packaging makes me think about how many women have used these needles (well, not this exact packet obviously) over the years.


My Granny was obviously into rug making and I found these pattern books - how fantastic is the make your own carpet?


 
And gorgeous vintage patterns - I'm going to see if I can scan some of them - I might even offer them as a download (if I can work out how it's done!)

And the ads at the back of the book are fantastic - and they seem so apt for the times we're living in today too.

And I'm sorry for not posting more often of late.  I seem to have the energy of half a person at the moment and with work and sleeping there doesn't seem to be much of me left to take pictures of make things (although I'm knitting lots so I'll have something to show you real soon.)

Jo x

The Beatles Had It Right

I've been making pendants - little phrases pop in and out of my mind - some I automatically reject, others sit with me and percolate a while.  I always try to allow myself the leeway to be surprised at what my own subconscious will throw up.  Phrases from movies, a poem, my childhood, things friends have said to me, or just how I feel about someone or something.  I love the idea of wearing words - words are so powerful in how they can shape our experience or view of the world that I love wearing words of wisdom, or inspiration, or love.

So my latest have come from a variety of sources.  I grew up in a town just outside of Liverpool in England.  My mum's family were scousers but because I didn't live inside the city limits I felt a sadness and envy of identity that those who knew where they were from could have.  My teenage self longed for anything that would give me a stronger connection to the city so, even though I grew up in the 1970's and 80's, my favourite band growing up were the Liverpool sons, The Beatles.

Now, when all my friends were into Abba and The Jackson 5, my love of these 60's throwbacks did not help my cool factor one bit.  Never mind, I continued to love them and what they represented to me and as I grew up I learned the real genius of their music and how influencial it's been. 

So when I was thinking up ideas for pendants the one phrase that kept coming to mind was this one.  Who could argue with that?

I also made 2 with 'You Make My Heart Sing' - one for the woman who inspired it (Ms Twiggy of the Pea Sticks) She used this phrase to describe how she feels about her son and I instantly knew what she meant - which parent hasn't felt that 'love you so much my chest's gonna burst' feeling? So I made this pendant for Twiggy - and another for my Etsy store.

I've got a few more phrases bubbling in my consciousness that I'm planning on working on this weekend - watch this space...

Jo x

Retro Baby Quilt

Although I've been really busy over the past few weeks (wow, I'd forgotten how much focus a new job takes once it really kicks off!) I have been doing some creative things though - I've done some more pendants for my little Etsy store (just in time for valentine's day) and I've been doing quite a lot of knitting - well it's that type of weather isn't it?  The thing about knitting is that it's not as instant gratification as sewing of jewlery making so there's not much to show right now apart from some pieces to a cardigan I'm making myself - so I'll unveil it when it looks less like a collection of rags!

But what I'm really pleased with this week is the baby quilt I've made for a friend of mine who had her first baby on Sunday morning.  She has fantastic, quirky style (and I mean that in the best way - she's always wears things that make me think 'oh, I wish I'd thought of that) so I didn't want to do her a traditional pastels baby blues and pinks. 

I'd seen the Moda Recess range online and loved the retro feel to it and was delighted by the colours when my charm pack arrived - lovely tones to the colours - oranges, blues, reds, greens, yellows with lovely little chintzy patterns - yum! 

I've added a few squares of Robert Kaufman Cowgirl in red because it's just so cute and I'm so pleased with how it's turned out. My quilting skills are definitely improving (although I still need to work out how to do neat corners - mine are a tiny bit messy -how do you get them neat?)

I'll post pictures of the pendants over the next few days too.  Have a lovely weekend

Jo xx

Oh but it went so quickly!

Christmas and New Year - Oh how quickly it went.  I had a whole 10 days off work - with no Uni work, no work work - in fact nothing to do but visit friends and hang out together.  And it was lovely - and went by in a flash.

And now I'm back at work and I'm really enjoying my new job-but it's taking lots of energy and attention (as all new jobs do I suppose) - but it's all good.  I like my team, we get on well and the work straddles that balance between playing to my strengths and experience and being suitably challenging and new.  So far, so good!

I thought I'd get tons of stuff done over the break but to be honest I only really had one day to craft - we just seemed to be busy, busy.  I did some more to the quilt I'm working on (Gosh you quilters are dedicated - the patience you must have!) and I finally made the apron I've been intending to do for about a year!

The pattern is totally made up - and the little pleats at the top were a beautiful accident - the thing just gaped without them in a most unattractive and un 1950's housewife sort of way.  I love the colour combination too so overall I'm super pleased - but I might put a little loop on it to attach a towel so that I can wipe my hands - the apron is WAY too nice to do that!

We're Set

The Turkey is bought.  So are the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, cranberries, red cabbage, brandy butter, assorted mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas pudding cheesecake (Oh how those M&S adverts lure us in!)
 

Plus, Cole and I have made over 100 chocolate chip cookies to give as gifts (rather good even if I say so myself), some rocky road, spiced mixed nuts, cranberry and pistachio biscotti, white chocolate candy cane bark, 3 Christmas cakes and a cushion (a gift from him to his Dad and step mum.) 

On top of that I've made cranberry sauce, candied peel, around 15 necklaces, written I don't know how many Christmas cards and am entertaining 11 people tomorrow for Christmas dinner!  Plus, did I mention I started a new job this month? When you list it all like that I think I've  right to feel rather pleased with myself!

I'm so pleased with the cushion Cole made for his Dad and stepmum - it's inspired by an idea in sew hip magazine. OK, I did do a lot of the sewing machine stuff but he did all of the printing and embroidery-plus he picked all of the fabric. 

I hope you're similarly sorted for the holidays in your own way.  Happy Christmas - here's to a happy, healthy, peaceful and fiscally stable 2009. 

Jo x