Two bags in one {sewing}

The reversible bag is finished (free pattern from a very purple person). I made some time today to sew it together - I had the different bits looking at me with reproach - 'what are you waiting for?' (yes I talk to projects, don't you?). Well, I am not sure why I had a mental blockage when it came to finishing it. I just did not seem to understand the instructions, which are super easy - and yes I had to believe that the bag would go through the straps - I could not get my head around it. But It works. 

I took extra care to match the piping and that worked ok. I love the shape created by the darts at the bottom. As you may have noticed I made a bigger version, I increased all the measurements (I think by 5 inches but I am not sure anymore). 

The other side is surprisingly nice as well - I did not think I would like it, I put the rest of the spotty fabric because I had it handy, not because I would like use that side. But it is the top stitch that finish off the bag. It really makes the bag. 

Here we are a new bag for taking my projects around, especially Umaro! 

On another note, I finally on the MiH facebook page posted some pics of our holiday in Montenegro - just in case you wonder what it looks like!

Row 17 {Knitting}

Umaro is one of these patterns I had in my Ravelry favourites for - like - ever. I bought the yarn early in the year, ready and then I got pregnant and very sick - and I could not face it. Knitting is clearly back on the cards, and as the Cascade Yarns Lana Grande skeins are HUGE - and therefore taking a lot of space, it was time to get down to business. 

Had to make balls first, and Mr MiH - helpfully - made fun of me because my hands were too small for the balls I was making (I am knitted 2 threads at the same time)

 Pattern: Umaro by the talented Jared Flood (bought on line)

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Lana Grande in Latte

Needle size: 10 mm (you know, there is no way I am doing that big a project with small needles)

Modification: Added one repeat to the chart because it will go to a king size bed

All was fine, actually this was much easier than what I expected (can I note that some knitters finished it in a week!!!) and stalled at Line 17 - officially my nemesis. I lost count of how many times I knitted it. I managed the line just before I had to rush out the door to make my Eurostar to Brussels on Tuesday! 

I am now back on it and things are looking better. I think I got confused by the fact that the icons for the right side are used on the wrong side - but I was supposed to make the switch in my head (thought I did not make it, but actually I had, so had to change back, then got confused and had to redo it again.. - one hell of an hour!).

But the bottom line is this Umaro needs to be finished because that would mean some serious de-stashing!

Triangles + Curves {sewing}

I finally started piecing together the triangles cushion cover and the Totally Groovy QAL. 

The cushion top quilt is now pieced together and needs to be quilted. I have spent the last couple of days thinking about this - I have it... until I change my mind again. Next week for an update! But so far so good - I do love triangles!

The piecing of the Totally Groovy QAL is on its way too - I must be really slow as everyone seemed to have pieced the quilt top within a day. In my defence I had to master the piecing of curves - a first for me. On the QAL post chains, Alyssa has asked other quilters to show us their tips - and after trying a couple I opted for the pinning method. It totally made sense to me when I read it - and I was able to replicate it quite easily. And here is the curvy start. This is a real fin quilt top to put together. So it may be time to think about the backing fabric - I am totally getting ahead of myself here - wild!  

I decided not to piece it line by line - crazy stuff...  split the quilt into blocks. I thought I may have more of a chance to make it look nice. Well you will have to decide when you see it finished!

Linking up late to Freshly Pieced today! 

The cut, the welcomed and the thrifted - Purchases Galore

The Cut

Ever wondered what a pile of 122 charms looked like? I no longer do. Last night I spent a couple of hours making it happen (yes I am a bit slow but at 6 months and a half pregnant - well it was not easy) . I used the Oh Fransson! Charm Sqaures tutorial. My charm pack is now off to the States to take part in the LVSwap! Cannot wait to receive my charm pack back. 

The Welcomed

I won two giveaways recently 9thank you, thank you, thank you) and received fabric and thread! Got this gorgeous fabric for SkyeReve fabrics (the giveaway was hosted by Plum and June). I love the red fabrics - beautiful! 

And finally I will get a chance to try the Aurifil Thread thanks to Freshly Pieced! The orange thread is going to be perfect for the Totally Groovy QAL. Cannot wait! I saw so many raving reviews, I have high expectations. 

The Thrifted

Oh and I have a new addiction - Ebay buying (ok no exactly new new, but I had calmed down for a bit)... This can only get worse with me spending more time at home come November. But look at those how could I let them go?

I got this cross-stitch panel (not exactly sure what it was meant for) - made by hand (yes, someone spent hours on this) for £2.99. It is not even the price of the fabric it is stitched on! Clearly this has been done by an experienced cross-stitcher (look at the back it is spotless). This is probably going to become the cover of a cushion for my new hobby room. Need to clean it first.. 

I bought this Welsh blanket for £3.99. It is in very good condition, thinner than what I expected - but will make a perfect tablecloth for Christmas time. 

And some more fabric - Vintage Liberty (yes there is Vintage AND Liberty in the same name). Probably the size of a fat quarter maybe a bit bigger - £4.90 (well with Liberty and Vintage it was bound to be expensive).. My mother-in-law is quite into Art Nouveau/Art Decor so I am hoping to make something for her using the fabric. 

So here we are I am TOTALLY on my way to de-stash as you can see, making real progress... Mr MiH is not impressed. 

One Tree Left {Cross-stitching}

I took ONE project on holiday - the Olympics cross-stitch project. I have made ... progress (sort of), way too many beautiful things to see (I will try to post some pictures on the MiH facebook page over the weekend). But I have finished one more tree - which means only one more to go! Did you notice that this one had a little nest, the two little birdies are so cute together!

It is all taking shape, and I am still committed to finish this project soon - which is amazing considering the number of cross-stitch projects I have abandoned in the past. The next tree is actually the smallest of the 3 - so hopefully it should be quicker. Then we enter the bottom phase with squirrels and plants... 

I would like to thank everyone for their support regarding the midwife comment yesterday. Was really touched! I am fine, the baby is fine - he is just not responding to authority - and nor is his Mum - we are going to have a blast together!

Linking to HANDMADE PARADE today! Check out the other projects... 

Apple Moelleux {Recipe}

I have not written a cooking post for a while - probably because I have not needed a cake as much I needed it on Tuesday. What can be better than a slide of warm, moist (which is as close a translation to 'moelleux' as I can think of) apple cake and a cup of tea after an appointment with the midwife (who just freaked you out)? Nothing, believe me. 

This is a super easy recipe - and it has been approved by Mr MiH taste buds. It uses things that should be in your kitchen right now, so you have no excuse.

Here is what you need (I made around 10 slices - hard to know though because I ate quite a lot of it before I sliced the cake into actual portions)

  190g of plain flour

  150g of caster sugar

  3 eggs

  1/2 tbsp of baking powder

  150 ml  of double cream (recipe) or semi-skimmed milk (what I used)

  75g of unsalted butter

  3 apples (depends on the size of your apples)

  2 tbsp of calvados (recipe) or whisky (what I used) 

(You can see this is from a French recipe so beware my translation skills are not the best)

                             

The instructions bit:

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time to the dough while mixing. 

2. When you get a homogeneous mixture, add the double cream (or milk) and the calvados (or whisky). And mix some more.

3. Separately add the baking powder to the flour, and add to the mixture obtained above little by little. 

4. Butter your dish and pour the mixture. Spread evenly. Preheat the oven at 200C

5. Cut the peeled apples in thick slices. Arrange on top of the mixture. 

6. In the oven for 30/35 minutes, oven at 200C. Check the middle of the cake is cooked in the middle. 

7. If you can manage it, wait for the cake to cool down. 

Here we are it is that simple. Let me know if you make it and what you think! 
Bon Appétit! 

post Holiday Blues {sewing - or lack of}

Can we make today Friday? Coming back to work has been quite a shock to the system. In front of my computer all day long (no beach hopping anymore!!) - and the workload that no one has touched for a whole week. My maternity cover has also started this week, and well, I am not very good at delegating - so that is going to be an interesting two month period. So not a lot has been done on the sewing front since I left - but a lot of falling asleep on the sofa. 

The beach bag will become a project bag (as it was not done in time for my holiday), everything is ready I just need to find the energy to sew it together now. 

I did go for the piping option in the end. And, after some tricky moments with my sewing machine, I think it will look quite nice. So hopefully you can expect a review of the pattern I used next week. 

Other than that I had many parcels welcoming me back home - it was Christmas before Christmas. Mr MiH is always amazed at how much I buy on line - at the same in terms of weight he wins hands down (he is expecting deliveries in tons - cement mix is one of his top buys at the moment). So received was the fabric for the Low Volume Swap organised by Rebecca Lynne. Needs to be cut and send, and then the wait of receiving my charms!! I am still undecided on what I will make, but I am hoping to be struck by the creativity genie when I receive my parcel.

And yes I had to send some Rashida Coleman-Hale design. The choice for the second fabric was between the Little Red in Icing featured or some Lotta Jansdotter - but I thought you might be bored of me sticking to the same fabric. I need to widen my horizons.  

In the car {knitting}

Everyone has a project for the car, one that is easy to carry, a pattern that is easily to follow and does not require intricate stitches. The Burberry inspired cowl is exactly that... well in part. I managed to do it all in the car! And the tricky bits are all worth it when you can get that texture. 

- Pattern: the Burberry inspired cowl neck scarf by Julianne Smith (free pattern)

- Modifications: Knitted in 1x1 rib and cast on 65 stitches to make it a bit wider

- Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Pearl

- Needle size: 5mm

So one of first things I had to learn is the provisional cast on - I printed the Purlbee tutorial which is very easy to follow. And you can see the pink crochet chain I made for it. I cannot wait to finish and see how it works in the end. It leads me to the second bit that will prove problematic at some point - the Kitchener stitch that will come at the end... But I am still far from it - so plenty of time to gather tips on how to do it, although Kessanlin joined this in Moebius so there may be different ways to end it. Apart from that the 8-stitch cable stitch is a bit fiddly, and it is a case of making sure I am not losing stitches in the process!

Finally I love this yarn - so soft and looks very luxurious, and the colour is going to be perfect for the Autumn/Winter time - for any of my coats. This is a perfect commuting project or for the knitting group! Cannot wait to finish and wear it! 

Linking up to Tamis' Amis.  

Holiday Test

We are on holiday! I am hoping the blogger app works, I have never tried it before -and it may have been clever to actually have tested it... So let's say this is the test post, and here are the two things I have decided to focus on - in the hope of real progress!

[when I work out how to do It, there should be a picture
 of the olympics cross stitching 
and the hunger games book - volume 1] ....

I am a bit late at the Hunger Games Party, and I was really missing out... I only bought the first volume, may have been a mistake.