Monday, April 26, 2010

...

The shop is updated! Woohoo!


I am very proud of the stuff I have been making lately.
Today I also found the time to start all my winter squash and with a little helper, planted the peas, carrots, beets, kale and lettuce. Here's hoping it doesn't snow! x

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Busy Like a Bee


I have been sewing up a storm! Just finished up a custom bag and am about to cut another custom order out. I have a showcase coming up on Etsy featuring my bags so I want to get the shop stocked. And I finished up a new style of bag!


I had started this ages ago ( like in the fall) but during the renovation it got packed up and forgotten...until yesterday! I finished it up and have started another. I am more of a purse kind of a girl but messenger bags have their following and their purpose. I hope people like them!
My Etsy showcase is on 27 April. Stop by and have a look!
Hope you are having a lovely weekend! x

Friday, April 23, 2010

Calling All Metal Heads....


Tonight is the live debut of my friend, Nikko's, band - Savage Blade. They are awesome! If you are in Nelson, go on down to the Spirit Bar. Tickets are $15 at the door.
If you are in Whistler go check them out tomorrow night!
These guys play classic heavy metal and they rock!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

...

This is a photo of me and my dad. I was thinking about him last night. You know how a smell can just transport you through time and space? Well, the fresh spring air did that very thing to me and all I could think about was my dad.
He was my friend too. We would talk to each other for hours on the phone, about nothing really but somehow everything. He made me laugh and sometime shocked me. He knew everything there was to know about the woods and the garden and I would regularly benefit from this knowledge. Dad was also an amazing cook - a lot of my memories about him are related to food. The feasts he would prepare were mind boggling and when my brother's and I get together we always end up talking about some amazing meal that we had with him.
He died a couple of years ago. I have never felt so lost in my entire life as I did in that moment. His death was expected. It didn't make it any easier to comprehend. But I did get to say good bye and tell him how much he meant to me. I know a lot of people don't get that chance. This is going to sound cheesy but it is true - there is a part of me that feels empty without him here. I can go for weeks without thinking about it but sooner or later it always creeps up on me.
I remember sitting in the hospital one day, holding my dad's hand. This memory from when I was about eight years old came rushing back to me. We had gone out to the woods to look for mushrooms. I remember the smell of the forest - the trees, the warm dirt, the mossy rocks, the warm sunshine peeking through the trees. The morels. Dad could always find them, I never could. But that didn't matter to me. All I cared about was spending time with my dad in the place he loved best.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Its all about the mermaids...

My sweet little girl is very fascinated by mermaids these days. Anything and everything mermaid - swimsuits, books, movies, toys...you get the idea. So I decided that I would make her a mermaid doll. I found this awesome tutorial at The Purl Bee blog. The doll pattern is by Mimi Kirchner. She makes some of the most amazing dolls I have ever seen. At first I thought I was crazy for trying this but I ignored those voices and dove right in. I am known for trying things waaaaay outside my skill level. This doll was surprisingly easy to make, aside from all the hand sewing. As I wanted to make a mermaid I omitted the legs from the pattern and drew up some fins. She is made entirely from wool felt. Her bikini top is from a scrap of fabric I have been saving for what seems like forever.
So, without further ado, here she is:


I am so proud of her! And the little cutie loves her.
Have a great evening and watch for my Etsy shop update! I have been sewing up a storm. x

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Mmmmmm!


The hot cross buns turned out great! We ate sooooo many of them.....Here is the recipe.

Hot Cross Buns

1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. warm water
1 Tbsp. yeast
3 1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
3/4 c. warm milk
1/4 c. melted butter
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
1/4 c. dried currants
1/4 c. dried cranberries
1/4 c. candied mixed peel
GLAZE:
2 Tbsp. each sugar and water
ICING:
1/2 c. icing sugar
1 tsp. water

In a small bowl dissolve 1Tbsp. of the sugar in the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit until frothy, about 10 min.
In large bowl mix the dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and pour in liquid ingredients and yeast mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. The dough was quite sticky so I just kneaded in a bit more flour as I went.
Knead for about 8 min. or until dough is very smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and let rise for about an hour, until dough has doubled in bulk.
Punch dough down and knead in fruit and mixed peel. Cut dough into 12 pieces. Shape each into a ball, making tops as smooth as possible. Place in greased 9 x 13 pan, cover and let rise until doubled in size, about a half hour. Bake at 400 F for 15 min. The buns will be golden brown.
GLAZE: Combine sugar and water and cook over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Brush over the cooked buns and let them cool in the pan.
ICING: Combine icing ingredients. I just used a teaspoon to pour the icing over the buns in the traditional cross shape.
Yummy!
* In place of the candied peel you could use the zest from an orange and the zest from a lemon. I just happened to have some peel left over from Xmas baking. *

Friday, April 2, 2010

.....

Today is Good Friday. We are not big on celebrating holidays in general. We really appreciate having a day where we don't have to go to work and get to spend some time together. I enjoy cooking a delicious meal and having some family over. My brothers are always up for a meal at my house. They love to eat! I am having my in-laws over on Sunday and at least two of my brothers.
But today the wee beast and I will be making hot cross buns. Yum! As a child we didn't really go crazy on the holidays either but my mom or dad always made hot cross buns. The sweet spicy smell of them makes me instantly nostalgic. I have a few recipes that I am going to combine and if my amalgamation works I will post the finished recipe.
I wanted to show you a little vest that I made for Grace. It is the Neighborly pattern from Jennifer Casa. This vest knit up so quickly! And Grace got to pick out any button she wanted from my collection. I used a cotton and wool blend yarn by Mirasol in a lovely turquoise shade (my favourite!). I absolutely love the finished vest. I kinda want one for myself!


I hope you all enjoy your day off! x

P.S. Its snowing! ♥