Can you tell what it is yet....?

You might recall in my last post I told you about my trip to Bolton to buy some fabric. Well this weekend I managed to find a couple of hours to do something with some of it.

I'm not going to show you any close up shots because quite honestly the sewing isn't the best. I definitely need more practice! In case you are wondering, I made a ring sling. I am a fan of babywearing as some of you might know. I have a couple of slings already (ok I have 4 but who's counting?!) I had a ring sling for my eldest but never got on with it really. But then she didn't enjoy being in a sling much - I think I was too unsure of it myself. But I had to get a stretchy wrap for my second girl as she was a really clingy babe (and still is) and I found it a great help. Caelan has taken to it really well, probably because he's been in a sling since he was a few days old. So when I saw a pattern for a ring sling I thought I'd have a go and see how he liked it too.

It was not the easiest thing I've made even though the instructions were simple enough, and the finish was not how I hoped it would turn out. But even so I'm quite pleased that I did it. And I'm looking forward to getting a bit of time to do something with the remnants of fabric soon.

I'd like to link up with Wendy for  Handmade Monday. There are lots of inspiring blogs linked there so have a lootil next time!

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Fun in the Sun

How was your bank holiday weekend? I hope you found time to spend it with loved ones. For once the sun was shining and Monday was a lovely day here in the north west. We didn't want to waste it even though me and the eldest were a tad off colour and decided to go for a little drive out. That little drive out resulted in a lovely afternoon at  Standedge Tunnel visitors centre in Marsden. It really was a case of seeing the sign and saying 'shall we see what that's about?'

The girls loved it. There's an outdoor play area with picnic tables, and an indoor soft play area too. As well as a small exhibition telling you about the tunnel and a craft space too (unfortunately dosed on our visit) Just a few yards away there's a cafe where you can not only get the requisite ice creams for the small people, but also tickets for a boat ride too. We didn't partake on  this occasion but plan to on our return. We'll also make sure we follow the nature trail. Unfortunately our pram is just a bit big really for the trail so I'll make sure I take a sling for the little man next time.

It was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours with the kids and without sending much money too (always a bonus) If you're in the area then definitely take a look.

I haven't got much to show this week for  Handmade Monday I don't know were the week has gone to be honest. I did have a trip to a Haberdashery in Bolton earlier today and bought myself some fabric.... If you want to know what I'm going to use it for well you'll just have to wait and see!

Til next time!


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The Sewing Bee part 2

I would love to be able to say that I've been a busy girl sewing away to my heart's content, making lots of things well into the night. But I'm a mum of 3, 3 small ones for that matter, so you know how likely that is.

I have, however, managed to make a case for my daughter's DS. It only took me a couple of evenings, which is ridiculous but when you have a small boy demanding your attention it's not easy to sew one handed! Has anyone mastered it? I'd love to hear how!

I tried to make it as upcycled as I could. The only thing I bought for it was the velcro, which I thought would be more child friendly than a button. The case itself is made from an old pair of jeans of mine lined with an old sheet. The cat and the motif came from an old pyjama top of Caoimhe's. It didn't turn out quite as well as I wanted it to but I think it's ok for it's use, and I'm much happier with it than with the case I made for her leap pad.

In other news I made a chocolate Herman cake that I was actually happy about. My previous attempts have been a little flat and stodgy. So I doubled the amount of baking powder and used an extra egg. As well as using cocoa powder I used a packet of chocolate buttons from an Easter egg (yes we still have eggs left!) I also added a few raisins, well you have to try an offset some of the naughtiness don't you! When I get around to sorting out the new website I will be posting up my Herman recipes, amongst others though in the meantime if anyone wants me to post them I don't mind doing that too.

It's that time of the week when Wendy hosts  Handmade Monday so have a look at the lovely blogs linked up and see what folk have been up to. I'm about to sink into a lovely hot bath while the milk monster is being entertained by daddy. My peace might last 5 minutes if I'm lucky :)

Have a great week. Til next time!

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The Great Gallery Sewing Bee!

I stumbled across the Great British Sewing Bee by accident last week and must say I've really enjoyed watching it. It's the final this week.and I'm rooting for Lauren to win. Loving her efforts and my word is she talented! Is anyone else watching it? Who are you wanting to win??

So this weekend we had our own sewing bee! I used to sew when I was little. I was never amazing at it but I got by. I have found, like many women I suspect, that after having kids my self confidence has taken a bashing. So it was lovely to sit with my sister in law Fiona and make a few things, just having someone there bolstering my confidence was what I needed. And it was fun too. I made a couple of things for Caelan, a taggie and a stuffed felt rabbit. I'll share the picture of the rabbit on another post. The taggie (pictured above) is a true upcycled item. It's make from a receiving blanket which I no longer use, I had been swaddling Caelan with it (shhh don't tell the health visitor!) but he has grown out of being swaddled now (mostly because he likes to sleep with mummy but don't tell the health visitor that either!)  and I won't be (intentionally!) having any more children. It was used for all three children  and now it'll stay in the family a bit longer! The back is part of a muslin  square, that essential bit of fabric all mums must have a hoard of! The ribbons were acquired after a trip to my mum's! I am fairly pleased with the finish article but it remains to be seen whether Himself will be impressed with it! You might recall that I made a taggie for Teaghan some time ago, and although it stays in her cot that's the extent of her interest in it!

This week we found out that our eldest has not been allocated to our first choice school, which happens to be where she is at nursery. I can't say I am overly surprised as it is not our parish school, which she has been allocated a place for and we are happy for her to attend, but we were quite disappointed obviously as she is very happy and settled at the nursery. But I have been incredibly proud of the way Caoimhe has reacted. She has accepted that she will be leaving her nursery friends behind and is looking forward to making new ones. She says going to a new school will be a big adventure. My children never cease to amaze me in the way they see things, and embrace everything with so much eagerness. I know Caelan will be no different. They're awesome,kids, aren't they?!

As usual i'd like to link up with Wendy for Handmade Harbour  and I'll be having a bimble over to see what everyone else has been doing this week.

Til next time!

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Chocolate overload!

Like most houses I think we've had rather too much chocolate following Easter. If there can be such a thing as too much chocolate! So this week I've been trying to come up with ideas to use it up. Last weekend we visited the lovely Mackay family and the girls were kept busy before tea decorating fairy cakes with melted Easter eggs and mini eggs. So when I looked after my niece as well as my own girls this week I thought they could do the same. I made the buns the night before, to save time, and set the table with buns, melted chocolate, a variety of sprinkles and jelly sweets.They certainly seemed to enjoy themselves and at the end of the day we are two eggs lighter!

If you are looking for other ideas to use your Easter egg glut, you could make chocolate truffles mixing the same weight of fruit cake (Christmas cake works well) with melted chocolate and rolling into bite sized balls. You could roll in cocoa powder or decorate with melted chocolate. Or you could engage the children in making chocolate crispie cakes, letting them loose with sprinkles or jelly sweets, try making them with Coco pops or weetos for an extra chocolatey kick. Or make use of that Herman starter bubbling away under the tea towel on your counter and make chocolate and banana Herman cake.

Like most families we are facing a bit of a financial challenge at the moment. We all want to put good food on the table and give our kids everything we can but money is tight and it doesn't look like getting any better in the near future. In any case shouldn't we be making the most of what we have? I am also aware that as a mum to three (not sure how that happened! I'm still in a state if shock!) I have experiences to share that some people might find useful, or at least enjoy reading about. With all that in mind I am thinking of expanding my blog, and maybe incorporating a website, where I can share a bit more of my life - recipes, crafty ideas, and pass on my parenting experience- the high points and the low ones. I might also be looking for other people's contributions so if you have something you'd like me to share then please get in touch.

I'd like to link up with Wendy for  Handmade Monday and think you should go and see what other people have been up to.

Hope you all have a lovely week. Til next time!

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Hello son!

Those of you who know me or follow me on Facebook might already know that I've had a busy week. This would be because of the St Paddy's day present I received, bang on time unlike his tardy sisters! Last Sunday at 1216 am Caelan Michael arrived after a reasonably short (thanks son) but no less painful entrance to the world. We're all doing fine, if a bit sore and sleep deprived, and getting to know each other. The girls are besotted of course. And I'm loving being a third time mum. Only wish I could meet that gynaecologist who told me I'd definitely need medical intervention to have a child. Boo sucks to you mister! I proved you wrong three times!

So obviously I've not really had much time to make anything this week. I had hoped to show you the decorated egg Caoimhe (well let's be honest it will be mostly me) has to make for nursery this week, but an impromptu visit to the pictures yesterday (Caoimhe not me) put paid to that. Hopefully we will be making it in the next couple of days and I can share it again. The girls already have a fair collection of Easter eggs so it looks like there will be lots of cooking with chocolate over the next few weeks.

I did want to share something since it's  Handmade Monday so I have finally written down my recipe for banana pancakes. These are quick, easy and delicious, and my girls love them for breakfast. You can add anything you like or have to hand to the batter, but this is the winning combination for my girls! This recipe makes enough pancakes for 2 hungry girls and I usually have a pancake left over too.

You need: 1/2 cup of flour - I usually use plain but self raising is fine too. 1 banana, the riper the batter, 1 pot of yogurt or fromage frais - the fruit kind, I haven't tried plain but suspect you would need to add sugar or other sweetener if you did. 1 egg, a splash of milk, a good handful of raisins or chocolate chips.

Mash the banana in a bowl and add the egg and yogurt. Mix well and add the flour stirring well to incorporate it all. You may need to add a little milk here to shaken the batter. It all depends on the size of the egg and amount of yogurt. You are looking for a soft dropping consistency. These are thick pancakes, like drop scones, not like thin flat pancakes for tossing.

Drop spoonfuls of batter into a hot frying pan, not too hot or they burn before they are set. When the top looks set and there are little bubbles on the top turn them over for a minute or so to brown the other side. Serve with fresh fruit and syrup - strawberry dessert syrup is the hit here.

You can make the pancakes as big or small as you like. From experience I can tell you they make a good first finger food for weaning too.

Have a wander over to Wendy's blog and see what everyone else has been doing this week.

Til next time!

Wordless Wednesday