Sunday 30 June 2013

{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.

Baby bibs

Wednesday 26 June 2013

{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.

Cloud and Dinosaur taggie toys Back of cloud taggie

Monday 24 June 2013

Chocolate Peppermint Slice

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

Knitted SlippersMade 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

Pleated skirt

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.

Sunday 16 June 2013

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!