{26 Things I Made} 9/26: Baby Bibs

Some more gifts for new babies.  They have two snaps on the neck so they are adjustable and can be used for longer.  I have been making these bibs for years and they are always gratefully received and well used by the mamas I have gifted them to.  I made doubles of some of these which I will try and list in my very neglected Felt Shop in the next few days.

{26 Things I Made}: 8/26 Taggie Toys

Some more dinosaur taggies from this pattern and some cloud taggies, inspired by this and this.  The backs of the cloud taggies have some cute cloud fabric that I got from Spotlight ages ago that has been in my stash waiting for the right project.  I saw the cloud cushion on Pinterest, thought of my cloud fabric and it all clicked.  These toys all have a small rattle insert inside so they double as rattles as well as tag toys.  The clouds have a loop of ribbon at the top so they can be hung from a baby gym or above a buggy or cot.  All are gifts for sweet new babies that have recently arrived or are about to arrive.

Chocolate Peppermint Slice

I had to make something for a morning tea at work and had pinned a couple of Chocolate Peppermint Slice recipes that I thought I might be able to adapt to make them vegan.  Mint + Chocolate is one of my favourite flavour combinations, but I've not had Peppermint Slice since I became vegan.

This recipe is a result of combining a couple of recipes and adjusting some quantities.  The slice was a great hit, both at work and with my favourite baking-tester (Alex).  Here is the recipe in case you would like to try it too.  Beware, it is very rich and sweet, so small pieces are a must!

Chocolate Peppermint Slice
Makes approx 48 pieces

For the base:
1 ½ cups self raising flour

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 cup dessicated coconut

½ cup brown sugar
, firmly packed
125g vegan margarine, melted

Filling
:
60g Kremelta, melted

4 cups icing sugar

4 tablespoons soy milk
1 teaspoon peppermint essence



Chocolate topping:
200g dark chocolate

50g Kremelta

Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C. Butter a 16cm x 26cm slice tray. Combine flour, cocoa, coconut and brown sugar in a bowl, stir in melted margarine and mix until well combined. Press mixture into slice tray and bake for 10-15 minutes until starting to brown. Remove from oven and cool slightly. Do not overcook as you don't want it to be too crumbly.

To make filling, place icing sugar in a small bowl, stir in melted Kremelta, soy milk and peppermint essence. Spread filling over warm base using a spatula or the back of a warm spoon. Place tray in fridge for about 30 minutes until filling is cold.

To make the topping, melt Kremelta and chocolate together either in a microwave proof jug or in a bowl over hot water.  Stir until smooth. Pour chocolate over peppermint filling - you can tip the tray from side to side to get it evenly covered.   Leave at room temperature to set and then slice into squares.   Use a sharp warm knife (run under hot water then dry) to cut the slice - the warm knife helps you to cut the chocolate without it cracking.

Eat, go into a sugar coma.  Come back for round 2.

{26 Things I Made} 6/26 and 7/26: some crafting for me

I actually finished both of these before we went to Boston in April, but have only just got around to taking photos and posting them.

6/26: Knitted Slippers

Made from the popular Aunt Maggies Slipper's pattern.  Ravelry details here.  I knitted these to take away with us on holiday and they were fantastic - I wore them on the plane and around our hotel rooms.  Very warm, squishy and comfortable.  Perfect to squash into your suitcase.  And also great to wear around the house.  I have always worn shoe-type slippers that you can walk in outside to the washing line or to the letterbox, but I think these slippers may convert me to being a slipper-sock wearer.  Alex has asked me to knit him a pair and I think I may need to knit a second pair for me for days when these ones are in the wash, so expect to see more of these on the blog soon!


7/26: Pleated skirt





A less successful project.  I fell in love with this amazing Japanese Chrysanthemum print fabric found here and decided to recreate a favourite pleated skirt from Max that I wore lots last summer.  I used my standard a-line skirt pattern and added in some pleats to the front before I cut it out.    Somehow the pleating has affected the overall shape of the skirt and it doesn't sit quite right.  I have worn it a couple of times, but I think it needs some altering so it sits more on my waist.  Future restyle post to come I think!  But the fabric itself is lovely and I have quite a bit leftover for pockets or binding on other projects.

Another amazing giveway

For those of you who love beautifully-made NZ-made clothing (doesn't everyone?), you should really check out Sailor Spy.  I don't yet own any of their pieces, but I am a regular visitor to their online shop and have lots of their items in my dream-wardrobe.  So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that Stella is hosting a giveaway for a $75 Sailor Spy voucher!  Woop!  Get yourself over there and enter now!