26 Mar 2012

Sucker for Punishment!


Oh yes I've done it again!  Again with the "beep, beep, beepity, beep" instructions!



Feeling a whisker cocky after almost completing my first knitted garment sans mistakes I eagerly got cracking and cast on this yummy buttery yellow yarn for a little Kina for mon petit poppet.


It has a gorgeous gathered neckline with lots of increases. Lots...but not quite as many as I decided to incorporate (pattern creator extrodinaire that I am!). Mmmm....note to self...when the pattern says knit one, make one (increase), knit one, make one, repeat to end...it actually means this you great big twit...not make one, make one, make one etc.


Needless to say I had double the amount of stitches on my needles and was wondering why I was churning through the yarn and taking the age of the earth to knit a row. I was also starting to think all those knitting lasses out in blog land who wax lyrical about this pattern were not quite all there! Oh how those tables have turned.


SOOOO love whiling away my precious crafty time re-doing something I've stuffed up! Will I ever learn!!!!!! What has caused a crafty tantrum to rival a toddler's in the lolly aisle of the supermarket in your world of late?

20 Mar 2012

Corn, Zucchini and Spinach Fritters


Lately we've been ordering our fruit and veg online. Each Friday I'm greeted by a lovely man who delivers a large box of the freshest most seasonal organic delights. I'm loving the somewhat Pandora's Box-ishness of it all and am relishing coming up with new ways to incorporate fruit and vegetables into our daily meals.


Some leftover spinach, zucchini, corn and a glut of heavenly avocados produced this affair. And it was trés scrummy!

Corn, Zucchini and Spinach Fritters with Guacamole

2 cobs corn, kernels cut off
1 large zucchini, grated
a good handful of spinach, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 handful of cheese, I used cheddar
2 eggs lightly beaten
1/3 cup milk (may need to add a whisker more)
1 cup self raising flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Mix together corn, zucchini, spinach, garlic, eggs and milk.
Add sifted flour. cumin, salt and pepper.
Shallow fry large spoonfuls in oil until golden.
Serve with guacamole (I just mashed 2 avocados, added a chopped tomato, a decent squeeze of lemon juice and sea salt), sour cream and sweet chilli sauce.
Stuff greedily into your salivating gob!

1 Mar 2012

Mr. Chucky No More!


Before my left breast decided to do it's best impersonation of that puffer fish from Finding Nemo I was in the crafting zone. Sewing, knitting, crocheting, doll making...you name it...I was doing it. Mmm...tis highly likely this is the very reason for my bosom's Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde style metamorphosis. Or perhaps the bucket loads of concrete I heaved into a giant skip last weekend. I really need a smack!


But anyhoo...mammary woes aside. Onto more crafty tidings with some much needed burp cloths for the little man. In saying that, they were much needed as he regularly projected milky slush á la The Exorcist but wee little detective that I am discovered the culprit. Chocolate people!!! Could there be a more crushing blow. Went off the gorgeous stuff and next day...Mr. Chucky no more. Yay...and boo hoo all rolled into one.


Using up some of my mountainous stash of fabric and trying ever so hard to live up to my New Year's resolution to not buy anymore fabric, I put together some gorgeous Heather Ross Far Far Away double gauze backed with some pale blue vintage chenille. I just whacked right sides together, sewed them up on Jan leaving a turning hole then turned them right side out and topstiched all around. Trés simple.


And the verdict from Monsieur Remoulade. "Moi..Mr.Chucky? I think not!"


"Ah but Mr. Smiley...now that's a title I'll more than happily wear!"

Joining in over here and finding all the brilliant crafty inspiration just the elixir I need. Ta!