tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37480175579598015482024-03-13T20:32:10.567+00:00monkey make monkey dolittle creations every weekTequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-32017716666378715882011-03-23T17:09:00.003+00:002011-03-23T17:17:24.545+00:00New ToyI have a new toy! What do you think?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn18QiVi4HW21GzFl4w69FV2Zyc8tj1Zz8g8XurJfC2UscVcQaMgCaFsOKp2j0TVWZ8OVKws5MGai7QTYghy4qj8isGoqGw6wqN_p44UGdAsvmFE5hXG4bZuH5T6z-4kPk9ojzHNE2SOqS/s1600/IMG_5487.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn18QiVi4HW21GzFl4w69FV2Zyc8tj1Zz8g8XurJfC2UscVcQaMgCaFsOKp2j0TVWZ8OVKws5MGai7QTYghy4qj8isGoqGw6wqN_p44UGdAsvmFE5hXG4bZuH5T6z-4kPk9ojzHNE2SOqS/s400/IMG_5487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587324461469801698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l9z9tsN2TsCD6TVgtQ2UrgU0ixB8oceZR7sX9IMTBjuS-zSHBsmTG61_F4cKIND6sL1Vdc4sYsdBWzxRVcY_MHQenIHCiHM2psQpEae4E0DDpg95MyLA5DBeO52pZLniHynRk279c3ir/s1600/IMG_5488.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l9z9tsN2TsCD6TVgtQ2UrgU0ixB8oceZR7sX9IMTBjuS-zSHBsmTG61_F4cKIND6sL1Vdc4sYsdBWzxRVcY_MHQenIHCiHM2psQpEae4E0DDpg95MyLA5DBeO52pZLniHynRk279c3ir/s400/IMG_5488.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587324464827449314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not impressed? You'll have to admit it's a gorgeously retro cabinet, but the exciting thing is how it converts....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMVSEDSe8pHkXFn_grS9BUNZFpLgSa9O1GRRcI1LFvBW__haNueu9E0td3RkUzseEbslcY33id_IfKvJAubrmPzXN8qn4q4rYfhlrlMjvGRRjPSjAlrhcVAuMfq7V0SqH3Vti0XbPmfef/s1600/IMG_5489.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMVSEDSe8pHkXFn_grS9BUNZFpLgSa9O1GRRcI1LFvBW__haNueu9E0td3RkUzseEbslcY33id_IfKvJAubrmPzXN8qn4q4rYfhlrlMjvGRRjPSjAlrhcVAuMfq7V0SqH3Vti0XbPmfef/s400/IMG_5489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587324471124856642" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l9z9tsN2TsCD6TVgtQ2UrgU0ixB8oceZR7sX9IMTBjuS-zSHBsmTG61_F4cKIND6sL1Vdc4sYsdBWzxRVcY_MHQenIHCiHM2psQpEae4E0DDpg95MyLA5DBeO52pZLniHynRk279c3ir/s1600/IMG_5488.JPG"><br /></a><br />It's a sewing cabinet! Finally I have a proper place to sew rather than lugging my machine through to the kitchen table. Now any of you that know anything about machines will have spotted that the machine didn't originally go with the cabinet. The cabinet is a 1960s model whereas the machine is from the 1940s.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA3qr9imgfUiiXjpTK0CClOjc3nb3wf24oDvDhSP3TXDQomGReXXClv5FCFKO3FzqTnJzOOdU6MSX_CAxBN_lto9krOhZUVSEnL9FeFJJSz3Yni_JL7lZJc8KjGBHQFODHACz-RWbkOJe/s1600/IMG_5490.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA3qr9imgfUiiXjpTK0CClOjc3nb3wf24oDvDhSP3TXDQomGReXXClv5FCFKO3FzqTnJzOOdU6MSX_CAxBN_lto9krOhZUVSEnL9FeFJJSz3Yni_JL7lZJc8KjGBHQFODHACz-RWbkOJe/s400/IMG_5490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587324475645926786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's a Singer 201K, and as these instruction books I found in one of the drawers show, this cabinet originally came with a Singer 317.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2toSPYWqs5OtfzAK-dPMJBbI-EZCDb8nvoCB7_jX4Di7WKxljq78ue6jD7HXxaGU6rm4Alkm7hw3PPieNY5Cc7EGw7fiNrEM7VDBl5HgbEDPEshZXXRyi-D5AiBi2l_1xIMYKTXCOtcdG/s1600/IMG_5491.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2toSPYWqs5OtfzAK-dPMJBbI-EZCDb8nvoCB7_jX4Di7WKxljq78ue6jD7HXxaGU6rm4Alkm7hw3PPieNY5Cc7EGw7fiNrEM7VDBl5HgbEDPEshZXXRyi-D5AiBi2l_1xIMYKTXCOtcdG/s400/IMG_5491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587324476152988146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYPjBVbyPuSTJIPqphxoX5UIloxfTrYoaTjf3EIVAxhVUYQ1wY_XAiSVt72TwPBQX7wkg6yBBdR43s8xrqw4cSKG4UJk8bEdmBgomCydPYFNEgYB3x4VQ631I9veCdBapex9p40v2FQow/s1600/IMG_5486.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYPjBVbyPuSTJIPqphxoX5UIloxfTrYoaTjf3EIVAxhVUYQ1wY_XAiSVt72TwPBQX7wkg6yBBdR43s8xrqw4cSKG4UJk8bEdmBgomCydPYFNEgYB3x4VQ631I9veCdBapex9p40v2FQow/s400/IMG_5486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587324584494450178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm not complaining though, as the Singer 201K is a lovely machine, and this particular model has just had a service so runs like a dream. It has also come with an intriguing array of attachments I'm yet to figure out.<br /><br />I've inherited this beauty from my Grandad who has decided his sewing days are behind him. I can't wait to fully try it out!Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-9892926677835492752010-09-01T20:10:00.000+01:002010-09-01T20:10:00.367+01:00Present for the best mother ever!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkh4tgoPVglxgXw30d0PsZxP35ZtA2lfj1bKB9m6LlFMweu8GJWs47mtV8V3WtnJI8q4tot-M2sg7Ni1s3pGDe9fdoZvMOT9Kp2BorYIeqx0hKsscwQik0RKYgTVpCTGHsOTr6LzZM57-/s1600/IMG_2973.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkh4tgoPVglxgXw30d0PsZxP35ZtA2lfj1bKB9m6LlFMweu8GJWs47mtV8V3WtnJI8q4tot-M2sg7Ni1s3pGDe9fdoZvMOT9Kp2BorYIeqx0hKsscwQik0RKYgTVpCTGHsOTr6LzZM57-/s400/IMG_2973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511654569863991810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was my mother's birthday on Bank Holiday Monday and I found myself totally without the funds to get her a present she truly deserves. My mother is a wonderful, amazing, inspiring person and I really wanted to make her something to let her know I appreciated her.<br /><br />I decided to pour my heart into crafting every part of it and made her a special bag containing two jars, one filled with mini handmade lavender bath bombs and the other with handmade chocolates.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyx4edxFUw3s5NyB1m3dKOOdwJrqvDkqGupv924Fh_hQqJDikV0Y2HPXRxrj9Toig-gGASxG4pp_GQpj4oLv-rXKqTGhlD4skcFjhNNLuSuQWs0g5eb2jE8243_CMR-qPeda1lIp7fzsV/s1600/IMG_2959.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZNSOWXcH4beHRjzItlj35neJB6GeHgzfKnugj5dMolveBmVPQREJfz6KVoseCRqKSoiAXsoTr02tgmu89RUdoturffeI3jvPXPvs8D23SRzfYytc7OCG-Y7w_ndU2jnRU5WnROzQ-8BW/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZNSOWXcH4beHRjzItlj35neJB6GeHgzfKnugj5dMolveBmVPQREJfz6KVoseCRqKSoiAXsoTr02tgmu89RUdoturffeI3jvPXPvs8D23SRzfYytc7OCG-Y7w_ndU2jnRU5WnROzQ-8BW/s400/IMG_2960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511657449280231826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHblIkW5Jk8fiO_gy_tbwAKYS-dke0IX4OTFSskYMO1fftcMRxO-r2jmkxs4wjHo8xmuPKBbtvkqYUKngvoHLhyWIabGdOfqcrAganzHPPUw4GtSqb4Wdqox6xYqVRl1aCcp4lBXvF68Ks/s1600/IMG_2968.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHblIkW5Jk8fiO_gy_tbwAKYS-dke0IX4OTFSskYMO1fftcMRxO-r2jmkxs4wjHo8xmuPKBbtvkqYUKngvoHLhyWIabGdOfqcrAganzHPPUw4GtSqb4Wdqox6xYqVRl1aCcp4lBXvF68Ks/s400/IMG_2968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511654585764035442" border="0" /></a><br />I used the material as an inspiration to decorate the tops of the jars and to sew a card.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsVmVXqVfZqU3L3gmwo_bQB1ZsSVp5GNDcQUhFrClDHc5Zk4qSxQv0Nx8ff9v6cCKceknjDn_7inOpW5ZLR-AjbZlSSt9NcrnQY7lCOZxAKHDWWJgpApWQH-x2a3G8ijKYNgHG1nHLYgj/s1600/IMG_2963.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsVmVXqVfZqU3L3gmwo_bQB1ZsSVp5GNDcQUhFrClDHc5Zk4qSxQv0Nx8ff9v6cCKceknjDn_7inOpW5ZLR-AjbZlSSt9NcrnQY7lCOZxAKHDWWJgpApWQH-x2a3G8ijKYNgHG1nHLYgj/s400/IMG_2963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511655673302343746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFg_5yxFnSPPb8z0pp7HXrDkLYEOMSahAsJWV1IuZWeJRsAm6lrjFsP-62alZuOCGMailvi8JoA7ZhDmqh4RMSYqZAmovVgdZSJIOYz2SdGXlzqtR2IulmdhOL12b5vNP0EsXUpRdetEO/s1600/IMG_2971.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFg_5yxFnSPPb8z0pp7HXrDkLYEOMSahAsJWV1IuZWeJRsAm6lrjFsP-62alZuOCGMailvi8JoA7ZhDmqh4RMSYqZAmovVgdZSJIOYz2SdGXlzqtR2IulmdhOL12b5vNP0EsXUpRdetEO/s400/IMG_2971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511654577285530482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkh4tgoPVglxgXw30d0PsZxP35ZtA2lfj1bKB9m6LlFMweu8GJWs47mtV8V3WtnJI8q4tot-M2sg7Ni1s3pGDe9fdoZvMOT9Kp2BorYIeqx0hKsscwQik0RKYgTVpCTGHsOTr6LzZM57-/s1600/IMG_2973.JPG"><br /></a>I hope it went some way towards letting her know how important she is to me :-)Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-64505492946418701672010-07-14T12:47:00.001+01:002010-07-14T14:26:12.010+01:00Beetroot Dip<center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/14/381.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/14/s_381.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 400px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />This was in the Sunday Times a few weeks ago. The original recipe by Lucas Hollweg called for fresh beetroots you then roasted in the oven, but since I had a pack of pre-prepared beetroot that needed to be used I thought I'd give it a go!<br /><br />Beetroot Dip (my version)<br /><br />Ingredients<br />300g beetroots<br />6 cloves of garlic, in their skins<br />Extra virgin olive oil<br />Fresh thyme<br />Black pepper<br />200g tub of spreadable goat's cheese<br /><br />Instructions<br />1. Roast the garlic in the oven until soft.<br /><br />2. Finely chop the beetroots and add to a food processor with the garlic flesh, 4 tablespoons of olive oil and the thyme.<br /><br />3. Season well and blitz till smooth. Add the goat's cheese and blitz again. Then serve!<br /><br />It comes out a glorious pink that my photos don't really do justice! I served it with rice tortilla chips to dip. It complimented my flowers beautifully ;-)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/14/382.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/14/s_382.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 400px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/14/384.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/14/s_384.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 400px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneTequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-59078464148825861882010-07-11T09:18:00.000+01:002010-07-11T09:18:01.017+01:00Thank you gifts for teachersWith limited funds it always feels a challenge to come up with gifts for the children's teachers that truly express our appreciation for the amazing job they do.<br /><br />I have been doing a fair amount of experimentation making chocolates lately, so decided to make some homemade chocolates part of the gift. I came up with a very rich dark chocolate and chilli skull-shaped one....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/129.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/s_129.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />....and a very vanillary white chocolate fish.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/131.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/s_131.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I added to these a little swirly round milk chocolate, and a flower-shaped raw chocolate.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/133.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/s_133.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I couldn't figure out what to present them in, until I saw these cute chalkboard pots on Classic Campbell (http://classiccampbell.blogspot.com/2010/06/chalkboard-pots.html) and knew I had found the perfect thing! We even already had the pots and the spray paint! The kids helped me spray them up over the course of a few days. Papaya chose pink insides (of course!) for her teachers, and Povey chose red for his.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/135.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/s_135.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/137.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/s_137.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Then we filled them with tissue paper and the chocolates in ribbon tied bags, and the children wrote on them.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/140.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/s_140.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/146.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/s_146.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/147.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/07/11/s_147.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />It was a bit precarious getting them into school (I was terrified of dropping and smashing them!) but the teachers seemed happy with them :-)<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-60239011351551406562010-05-26T22:54:00.000+01:002010-05-26T23:01:12.047+01:00Raw Chocolate<br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/1566.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/s_1566.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chocolate that's good for you! Well not so bad for you anyway as it has no dairy or sugar. I'm practically living on this stuff right now ;-)<br /><br />This is my current favourite recipe after experimenting with combinations of recipes from the Naked Chocolate book and others I've found online. This is the best I've come up with so far, it's changing all the time though! <br /><br />This batch is sweet and bitter with a definite kick; definitely not for children! They are also extremely rich, so whilst they work out quite expensive, just one a day will be all you need to curb cravings and give you a boost! <br /><br />You should be able to find everything you need to make them at your local health food store, but failing that go straight to the inspirational Shazzie and her Detox Your World website. <br /><br /><br /><br />Raw Chocolates<br /><br />Ingredients<br />(Makes around 30 chocolates) <br />100g raw Cacao Butter<br />90g raw Coconut Oil<br />1 tablespoon (approx, basically a big lump!) raw Cocoa Liquor<br />100ml Agave Syrup<br />50g raw Cocoa Powder<br />3 teaspoons Maca powder<br />2 teaspoon Guarana Powder<br />Few drops vanilla essence<br /><br />Instructions<br /><br />1. Chop the Cocoa Butter and Cocoa Liquor into smaller pieces and put in a bowl or jug with the Coconut Oil. Place this over another bowl or jug filled with boiling water. Be sure the water cannot touch the mixture. Allow to gently melt. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/1567.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/s_1567.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />2. Once melted, add the Cocoa Powder, Agave, Maca, Guarana and Vanilla. Mix well and if possible use a blender; I use a small hand blender just to ensure it's all well mixed.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/1569.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/s_1569.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />3. Pour into silicone moulds. I found this fantastic swirly chocolate mould at Lakeland today, but ice cube moulds work just as well for sweet little chocolate cubes.<br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/1570.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/s_1570.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/1571.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/s_1571.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />4. Freeze for at least 20 minutes, then pop out of the mould. These chocolates melt very easily so are best stored in either the fridge or freezer.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/1572.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/26/s_1572.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />I think I may have to go back to Lakeland to get another mould they had with dinosaur shapes and make some child-friendly chocolates; without the Maca and Guarana! <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-24820530496204853962010-05-05T21:07:00.001+01:002010-05-05T21:07:03.789+01:00Bread BagThis is something I've been meaning to make for months....many many months! I actually meant to make this before we moved house even! It's crazy it's taken me so long as it was so very simple.<br /><br />The Comedian can't have wheat and Povey can't have dairy so most of our bread I make myself... Well I throw the ingredients into the breadmaker and it makes them ;-) The problem with homemade bread is getting it to keep without going mouldy or stale. In the past I used to wrap the bread in plastic or foil but it didn't work so well. I did manage to extend the life of loaves slightly by adding an egg to the mix but storage was still a problem.<br /><br />A bit of research led me to an old-fashioned solution, a fabric breadbag!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/05/1283.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/05/s_1283.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I used some loosly woven fabric I picked up in a charity shop years ago and had as yet failed to find a use for. I used French seams inside the bag (to avoid rough edges rubbing on the loaf) and used some cotton cord firctge drawstring. Otherwise I made it just as I would my present bags, ensuring it would fit a whole loaf without being too loose. I was a little dubious of how well it would work as I'd tried a plastic-lined fabric bread bag (from Lakeland) before and it hadn't worked. It must have been the plastic that was the problem as you can see this bag has kept this white spelt flour loaf fresh for a week. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/05/1285.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/05/s_1285.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/05/1287.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/05/s_1287.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Mainly I just like how much prettier it looks on my shelf than a shop-bought loaf ;-)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/05/1291.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/05/05/s_1291.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />I only made the one to see how it did, but now I'll make some more so I always have one handy. I may even colour code the drawstrings!<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-89799722477014967272010-04-21T13:54:00.001+01:002010-04-21T13:54:20.462+01:00T-shirt cushionEasy peasy quick sewing job this one.<br /><br />I had an old t-shirt of Povey's that I just couldn't bear to part with or pass on....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/21/440.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/21/s_440.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I turned it inside out and sewed a straight line along the bottom, another along the top (just below the neckline) and along one side across the armhole. I then turned the whole thing back the right side out through the remaining unsewn sleeve. No need to trim anything off as it all just helped to stuff it! I found some stuffing to fill it with through the sleeve hole, hand-sewed that final opening and voilà , a cushion! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/21/442.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/21/s_442.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's a bit lumpy as the stuffing needs moving around a bit, but some cuddling will soon sort that. I then just snuck it into Povey's bed while he slept ;-)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/21/443.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/21/s_443.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-17519879860604067642010-03-25T10:28:00.001+00:002010-03-25T10:28:17.163+00:00Green shootsIn abscence of signs of Spring outside, due to the continuing cold weather, we decided to plant some seeds indoors. A couple of weeks later the rocket is doing okay.....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/157.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/s_157.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />.....the coriander fair.....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/158.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/s_158.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />.....the basil pretty good....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/159.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/s_159.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />....and of course the children's cress-heads are doing the best of all!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/160.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/s_160.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />What had failed so far were the three types of chilli I planted. Not a single shoot or leaf had appeared and I had all but given up hope.... Until this morning!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/161.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/25/s_161.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Can you see that tiny green shoot on the right? There are a few in the middle too! A few days of sunshine through the window and they are finally beginning to grow. Perhaps Spring is on it's way after all!<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-8127065312478395952010-03-18T20:02:00.000+00:002010-03-18T20:12:01.530+00:00Kit aka DarlyI wanted to make something special for Povey's best friend's birthday present so I decided to make him a Clothkits doll. They have just recently re-released one of the original 70's doll designs, a boy doll called "Kit". In a classic case of taking on waaaaay too much I only gave myself one evening to sew him and his clothes!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/996.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/s_996.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/1003.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/s_1003.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />I started at 7.30pm and finished at midnight! I sewed the doll, his trousers, his shirt, his waistcoat, and his bag. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/1004.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/s_1004.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/1005.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/s_1005.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The only thing I didn't manage was his pyjamas so I'll do them at a later date. I want to use them as a pattern to make pyjamas for Papaya and Povey's dolls too. I followed tge original instructions although I must admit I adapted him ever so slightly in that I reduced the size of his scarily Prince Charles-esque ears!<br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/1008.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/s_1008.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The Best Friend loved his doll and re-christened him "Darly"!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/1009.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/18/s_1009.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I'm looking forward to making three little pairs of pyjamas, but I think I'll give myself more time for them ;-)<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Heathcote%20Rd,Whitehill,United%20Kingdom%4051.109780%2C-0.859028&z=10'>Heathcote Rd,Whitehill,United Kingdom</a></p>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-79782035595075080692010-03-10T17:30:00.001+00:002010-03-10T17:30:03.360+00:00Yo ho ho and a bottle of rumWorking with my friend, the Artist, today on pirate party decorations for our boys.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/694.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/s_694.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Here's some of our work in progress; pirate ships, a treasure map and "pin the tail on the parrot" ;-)<br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/695.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/s_695.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/696.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/s_696.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/697.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/s_697.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/698.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/s_698.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Oh and I didn't do enough party bags so will be sewing more tonight. Busy busy.....<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Upper%20Manor%20Rd,Witley,United%20Kingdom%4051.109817%2C-0.858915&z=10'>Upper Manor Rd,Witley,United Kingdom</a></p>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-20330279478000029662010-03-10T09:37:00.000+00:002010-03-10T09:38:27.707+00:00Party bagsI've been kept pretty busy over the past few nights sewing up these party bags for the pirate party Povey is sharing with his best friend.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/78.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/s_78.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Papaya lives pirates as much as Povey, but I know not all girls feel the same, so I made sure there were some Dora pirate bags too! All the rest of the fabric came from my own stash I've been collecting since Povey the pirate was born!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/80.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/s_80.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/82.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/10/s_82.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Today I'm at Povey's best mate's house so that his mum and I can paint up the decorations for the day. Should be fun ;-)<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Upper%20Manor%20Rd,Witley,United%20Kingdom%4051.171458%2C-0.649480&z=10'>Upper Manor Rd,Witley,United Kingdom</a></p>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-44321104534369513652010-03-01T11:34:00.001+00:002010-06-12T14:01:22.748+01:00iPhone PhotosThought I should probably put this in my craft diary as it's kind of arty being about photos. I've had my iPhone a few months now and have tried a few different photo apps that I thought I'd share.<br /><br />First up is some alternative cameras. The camera that comes with the phone isn't bad but it has very limited abilities and no zoom. Here are some daffodils in my kitchen on this lovely sunny March day using just the standard camera.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/158.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_158.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" border="0" width="210" height="281" /></a></center><br /><br />The camera I mainly use is one I downloaded called Gorillacam. It's by the same people who make the handy "Gorillapod" tripods that you can use anywhere. The main advantages I've found with it are the zoom (although it tends to be grainy), clearer photos and the extra features such as being able to take many photos on quick succession... Very handy with small children! For a simple comparison here I just took one photo of the same daffodils.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/159.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_159.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" border="0" width="281" height="210" /></a></center><br /><br /><br />The other two camera apps I use are ways of getting different styles of photo rather tha improving normal photos. This first is ShakeItPhoto, a gimmicky camera that gives you the experience of taking a polaroid. It slides down in the same way and you shake if to speed up the development... Although of course that's technically inaccuarate as everyone knows shaking a real Polaroid doesn't develop any quicker when you shake it.... But anyway ;-) The quality of the photos you get are very polaroid-like too. Here are those daffodils again.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/160.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_160.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" border="0" width="281" height="274" /></a></center><br /><br />Another I like is Hipstamatic. This lovely little app looks like an old fashioned camera and produces photos like the ones from your childhood complete with over-saturation and dodgy flash! This is my favourite in terms of the look of the photos but they are a bit huge as you'll see! The daffodils don't really show it to it's best advantage but you get the idea.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/161.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_161.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 400px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />Finally here is Lego Camera. I originally got this app for the kids but find myself using it just as much! Not too effective on the daffodils here so I've also put in a photo of Papaya as it's most effective on faces.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/162.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_162.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" border="0" width="187" height="281" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/164.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_164.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" border="0" width="187" height="281" /></a></center><br /><br />Now I've shown you my camera apps I wanted to put a bit about photo editing apps. I've only tried two so far. Here's a very quick edit on Photogene with the original photo first. It's me on a very cold snowy day last month.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/165.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_165.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" border="0" width="210" height="281" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/167.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_167.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" border="0" width="191" height="281" /></a></center><br /><br /><br />Photogene has some fun little features like speech bubbles etc. as well as being able to change colours/saturation, but I'm preferring Photoshop for mobiles. Here are a few of the extra effects PS Mobile offers.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/168.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_168.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" border="0" width="210" height="281" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/169.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_169.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" border="0" width="210" height="281" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/170.jpg"><img src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/03/01/s_170.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 400px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />What neither of them do is the things I'd really like photo editing software for, like being able to change the background and erase spots, marks etc.<br /><br />That's definitely enough photos of me for this blog! I hate photos of myself and rarely take them so it's unlikely you'll see me again ;-)<br /><br />As I said I've only had the phone a few months so haven't tried everything. I'd love to know what photo apps you would recommend! Any suggestions?<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class="blogpress_location">Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Meadow%20View,Whitehill,United%20Kingdom%4051.111205%2C-0.849762&z=10">Meadow View,Whitehill,United Kingdom</a></p>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-23261185186500945632010-02-15T18:00:00.000+00:002010-02-15T18:02:21.547+00:00Fire fire<br />Here's a present for my friend's little boy who is obsessed with Fireman Sam. I used some Lego blocks and fabric paint to print up a special t-shirt....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/02/15/630.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/02/15/s_630.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/02/15/631.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/02/15/s_631.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='253' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />...and then sewed up one of Samantha Yoon's railway design fire stations into a bag to store it (and all his toy fire engines!) in, using fine cord lining fabric rather than stuffing it.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/02/15/632.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/02/15/s_632.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/02/15/633.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/02/15/s_633.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I added a strap to it later (that I never managed to get a photo of) to make it a proper bag. <br /><br />I was pretty pleased with how it all turned out, especially the t-shirt, I will definitely be doing some more Lego printing! It was a bit nerve-wracking as I didn't do a practise run first but it turned out okay in the end :-)<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Heathcote%20Rd,Whitehill,United%20Kingdom%4051.109796%2C-0.859069&z=10'>Heathcote Rd,Whitehill,United Kingdom</a></p>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-38695676179085158902010-01-29T17:02:00.000+00:002010-01-29T17:31:43.109+00:00Very Handy Tomato SauceThis is one of my staples. I make a big pot of this every month or so and freeze it into bags of little cubes to use when needed. It's super versatile; it can be passata for pizza, a base for soup, a replacement for ketchup with chips or even just the tomatoey element to any recipe you can think of. It's most perfect as a last minute pasta sauce, if I'm in a rush and haven't planned tea I just boil pasta and add a few cubes of this sauce plus whatever other extra veg/meat I have in the house. It's very easy and obvious to make but I'll hazard a recipe anyway.....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/402.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/s_402.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /> <br />Handy Tomato Sauce<br /><br />Ingredients<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/403.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/s_403.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />1 onion<br /><br />3 cloves garlic<br /><br />5 carrots<br /><br />1 pint vegetable stock ( either homemade or I sometimes use the Marigold low salt one)<br /><br />1/2 cup red lentils<br /><br />2 tins tomatoes (or fresh if you're lucky to have them)<br /><br />Tomato purée... A good squirt!<br /><br />Plus whatever extra veg you have in the house! Today's sauce had an aubergine, some courgettes, and red and green peppers.<br /><br />Instructions<br />1. Finely chop all the vegetables including the onion and garlic. If using peppers I roast them first and remove the skin (putting them in a plastic bag straight out the oven and then removing once cool makes the skins easier to peel off) before slicing them up.<br /><br />2. Warm a teaspoon of olive oil in a large pan and add the onion and garlic. Fry gently until softened.<br /><br />3. Add the carrots (and any other root vegetables) and fry gently for another 5 mins.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/404.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/s_404.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />4. Add the other vegetables and fry for 5 mins more.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/405.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/s_405.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />5. Now add the stock and lentils and bring to the boil.<br /><br />6. Reduce the heat and add the tomatoes and tomato purée.<br /><br />7. Now simmer until all the veg and lentils are soft.<br /><br />8. Liquidise the whole lot. I use a hand blender in the pot as my kids love veg and don't mind the odd lump, but if your kids are fussy and you're trying to disguise the veg then do it in a stand up blender.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/406.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/s_406.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />9. Freeze using ice cube trays. Once frozen transfer the cubes into a freezer bag or Tupperware for convenience.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/407.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/01/29/s_407.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /> <br /><br />Lovely stuff! Papaya and Povey are about to have some on pasta with added herbs, red wine and chorizo.... Yum yum!<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Heathcote%20Rd,Whitehill,United%20Kingdom%4051.109768%2C-0.858969&z=10'>Heathcote Rd,Whitehill,United Kingdom</a></p>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-23556383891968371592009-12-22T08:26:00.004+00:002009-12-22T09:07:59.609+00:00Elf-workLots of "Elf-work" for me over the last couple of weeks. Santa has kept me busy most evenings sewing things up for the stockings. Papaya and Povey don't read this blog so I can show you a glimpse of what I made for them; the Comedian will have to wait ;)<br /><br />First is a rag doll each. Clothkits (again) with two outfits each including one for Povey's doll that matches his <a href="http://monkeymakemonkeydo.blogspot.com/2009/06/lion-dungarees.html">dungarees</a> :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmc5c2eG2DCruqLIrt4uyp4R_y6kG8IZwIi0EduPaLwCUPlnwEvZM-qqSxtkTye9-7S6TeOHYYN6HWv60qSGe8kR-nlWHSqtR2Pku5OFEP4aeLhbr9UfyL_Zf1Z9jaCS3m5QWpP9wHlcvq/s1600-h/DSC08803.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmc5c2eG2DCruqLIrt4uyp4R_y6kG8IZwIi0EduPaLwCUPlnwEvZM-qqSxtkTye9-7S6TeOHYYN6HWv60qSGe8kR-nlWHSqtR2Pku5OFEP4aeLhbr9UfyL_Zf1Z9jaCS3m5QWpP9wHlcvq/s400/DSC08803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417982235503781922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-3_fcjh2AIFzfJsaq-xTUacJ2xoRMtu-g_uxKIpx1388WPkJSAcfVTgaX1v6T_ms7TJV7rNv_2WfcdORMkbuAep4pZkRWE-ZVHz8Y-eh2OcjwG78heKkBMLwJY6G6iVZ3Z9a8LSnOVBm/s1600-h/DSC08812.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-3_fcjh2AIFzfJsaq-xTUacJ2xoRMtu-g_uxKIpx1388WPkJSAcfVTgaX1v6T_ms7TJV7rNv_2WfcdORMkbuAep4pZkRWE-ZVHz8Y-eh2OcjwG78heKkBMLwJY6G6iVZ3Z9a8LSnOVBm/s400/DSC08812.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417982222115899938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkJXu4U_TIlanz-eNSRdyjfPih3xT7T3gVNdaghAB6lVWb46SlnC6Z2uWmAfRJx_HubdPtIbuI-QQqCCPkb-6MYMEMq-PAOXTDhC-4-OkZpG9DaM6X-P3ZcDOdeeL2_7BJAu_Y0Z93NZf/s1600-h/DSC08814.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkJXu4U_TIlanz-eNSRdyjfPih3xT7T3gVNdaghAB6lVWb46SlnC6Z2uWmAfRJx_HubdPtIbuI-QQqCCPkb-6MYMEMq-PAOXTDhC-4-OkZpG9DaM6X-P3ZcDOdeeL2_7BJAu_Y0Z93NZf/s400/DSC08814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417980466664363842" border="0" /></a><br />Povey also gets a train track play rug/blanket with squidgy cushion houses that velcro to it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci4nR_AoSVC1SBUnAZCTI-oYVZlV0domB7hxrszEdQzL2QPga24kxjWUTXoWsznDRzOMJHDM9dDVjLO_tbFs5KQNaF-KmqehEAbmFu4Oz1XPkTASrgBYqK8Y7GoeWrG4IfFFHncoZewt0/s1600-h/DSC08829.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci4nR_AoSVC1SBUnAZCTI-oYVZlV0domB7hxrszEdQzL2QPga24kxjWUTXoWsznDRzOMJHDM9dDVjLO_tbFs5KQNaF-KmqehEAbmFu4Oz1XPkTASrgBYqK8Y7GoeWrG4IfFFHncoZewt0/s400/DSC08829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417980461156373202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJgGy5_GwvbWIHKHZ3YF0b8rf4G-341122Bw8EGhXxVO6Q9sFWQ57YKntykOp5ZcYqnkXMg8ZvWiO44VYIteU08A7ulOSmS2ncHA388b1QYq0KEIi6u0uiv6mxhBwTW0s9kjxmLVE-jT3/s1600-h/DSC08828.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJgGy5_GwvbWIHKHZ3YF0b8rf4G-341122Bw8EGhXxVO6Q9sFWQ57YKntykOp5ZcYqnkXMg8ZvWiO44VYIteU08A7ulOSmS2ncHA388b1QYq0KEIi6u0uiv6mxhBwTW0s9kjxmLVE-jT3/s400/DSC08828.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417980451972633266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJUuzS6m8Ii85ZLbWUAKaRYXxPfubOD7Jekk5K4gOthy_BQZqpkmuiYrs-fBY7kcOpDnBqYgK1tvNablRIUdNvMZ4NM4Yv46LcUHwgNQfHxZIDKkhca3ENtPsWCh0DZjBnRngG-PpDsnn/s1600-h/DSC08830.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJUuzS6m8Ii85ZLbWUAKaRYXxPfubOD7Jekk5K4gOthy_BQZqpkmuiYrs-fBY7kcOpDnBqYgK1tvNablRIUdNvMZ4NM4Yv46LcUHwgNQfHxZIDKkhca3ENtPsWCh0DZjBnRngG-PpDsnn/s400/DSC08830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417980442809246914" border="0" /></a><br />Other than that there is of course the various gift bags to complete my <a href="http://monkeymakemonkeydo.blogspot.com/2008/12/xmas-bags.html">whole year of not using wrapping paper</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczG0erkZaBNcDpxNz0l3r5ShlQjnJ7PnheTdS-sg9bTZe2Cl52X9gpzc7XEKh-uV79hgQZRIWkeIXJrioiIpHKM8N1aw5oT8K1-gJbnL50GDL70mfqOtBGTgnVY351SXLUAIyKbKr_-L-/s1600-h/DSC08823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczG0erkZaBNcDpxNz0l3r5ShlQjnJ7PnheTdS-sg9bTZe2Cl52X9gpzc7XEKh-uV79hgQZRIWkeIXJrioiIpHKM8N1aw5oT8K1-gJbnL50GDL70mfqOtBGTgnVY351SXLUAIyKbKr_-L-/s400/DSC08823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417980438286445826" border="0" /></a><br />That's all I can show you without giving too much away! I'll be back in the New Year to show you the rest once the surprise is past.<br /><br />Merry Xmas everyone!!!Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-8944427536554127302009-12-04T11:53:00.008+00:002009-12-04T14:50:36.032+00:00Back in the saddle<span style="font-family:verdana;">Last night I finally found the box with the sewing machine in! Hurrah!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After the kids went to bed at 8.00pm I wasted no time in finding the huge pile of sewing I need to get done before Xmas and setting to work. First up I did all the little bits of mending and darning that were needed on various items of clothing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Then I started up on some new stuff. I sewed 12 napkins (old BA first class ones... don't ask) together to make a tablecloth to match the 8 remaining ones. It's pretty rough and ready as I just zigzagged them all together but will be fine as an under tablecloth. I actually dyed these napkins from dark blue to black, but they look blue again in these photos! Weird, they are definitely black in real life. Difficult to take photos of a dark tablecloth really.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQudGyXKoKCWtpOFXAH-5lYmZuX1d4SedIWTjlmHD2anPXlsNE1wUvPGoqi09JDVirNolsAPlaHpAEqLi7Rj7_C_CBpBacjPYi-nLI2JqiN8EuHi4Hsda03y9ismBRxJ31MT9VEPj8P4Y_/s1600-h/DSC08580.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQudGyXKoKCWtpOFXAH-5lYmZuX1d4SedIWTjlmHD2anPXlsNE1wUvPGoqi09JDVirNolsAPlaHpAEqLi7Rj7_C_CBpBacjPYi-nLI2JqiN8EuHi4Hsda03y9ismBRxJ31MT9VEPj8P4Y_/s400/DSC08580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411349184327247922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcN5OzL_xelwD8Hmnyi-8oEUhimEWPn_Iqyfp-_KalwJxfU8KsFGhmKTF9fOD4JnY8KbZ2SZVCZyf_RREO_oeaOdHVkgvyK2Vm_eqZJGZBu7hME-n6wgFrWZbNQ_MI93xFtqNNXLpF2Ub/s1600-h/DSC08562.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcN5OzL_xelwD8Hmnyi-8oEUhimEWPn_Iqyfp-_KalwJxfU8KsFGhmKTF9fOD4JnY8KbZ2SZVCZyf_RREO_oeaOdHVkgvyK2Vm_eqZJGZBu7hME-n6wgFrWZbNQ_MI93xFtqNNXLpF2Ub/s400/DSC08562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411349160618440962" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Next up were two little <a href="http://www.clothkits.co.uk/">Clothkits</a> items I've had waiting. These are the final little bits of sewing I need to get done before I can start the sewing I'm doing to help Santa ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The first is a simple doorstop for our bedroom. Our old house had doors that just wedged in place but in this nice brand new house the doors swing freely. It was a very easy pattern to sew together and I'm hoping to copy the design top make doorstops for other rooms too. It is filled with some black-eyed beans that the previous residents here left behind.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z9YLXN1-_F17u25mt68_sxAbbEAXGwyBFj3Wz_elNwYcx0N1yZw0j8AjeAeP9R_pAdBLWn9BaTYp0RLUGTg6mb1980NciEwU2m0zYcGdWzcyZ-PZ0BbDeCbSruMxkCN5_PIpOxexCZAw/s1600-h/DSC08576.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z9YLXN1-_F17u25mt68_sxAbbEAXGwyBFj3Wz_elNwYcx0N1yZw0j8AjeAeP9R_pAdBLWn9BaTYp0RLUGTg6mb1980NciEwU2m0zYcGdWzcyZ-PZ0BbDeCbSruMxkCN5_PIpOxexCZAw/s400/DSC08576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411392956925529858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJEZgn6K3vGqn3xmBF4A5sI4GN8ochRkkwkICetaBLvuB8okiUk0kND3Ta8PveUNtw0e8Fn9OuTtI32peo30LqdFfHH2AGz-cUvpjwlf1nSUD5YD0IEnat8ikEs-Nxsq9mduv4vh_IoNl/s1600-h/DSC08567.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJEZgn6K3vGqn3xmBF4A5sI4GN8ochRkkwkICetaBLvuB8okiUk0kND3Ta8PveUNtw0e8Fn9OuTtI32peo30LqdFfHH2AGz-cUvpjwlf1nSUD5YD0IEnat8ikEs-Nxsq9mduv4vh_IoNl/s400/DSC08567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411392950889802690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The last bit of sewing I managed last night before my eyes started going funny was a little Clothkits skirt for Papaya. A <a href="http://janefosterblog.blogspot.com/">Jane Foster</a> design again, I just love her stuff! I'd fill our whole house and wardrobes with them if could. This is called an "Easy Peasy Skirt" and it really is. I did take the slightly more difficult option though of a drawstring waist for my snake-hipped girl.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSHFaE0tfToeBPodI9mkgRIRH8vz4b4F7o2ynN1VH6k0nLSAAcGKBXSXUa5iS07__Hf2wRqB4-aRwxSkLtxYG1f8y5-qJRwbJyjIy48zDwENG6OIx9JWoRL4t2WkiGjcHAwLf0JlRvpJw/s1600-h/DSC08577.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSHFaE0tfToeBPodI9mkgRIRH8vz4b4F7o2ynN1VH6k0nLSAAcGKBXSXUa5iS07__Hf2wRqB4-aRwxSkLtxYG1f8y5-qJRwbJyjIy48zDwENG6OIx9JWoRL4t2WkiGjcHAwLf0JlRvpJw/s400/DSC08577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411349169133773714" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4qgZqDVztrE7xhJEqJ1rC7WUquDru3DJ5194ieLFkcazuemkaZYBc5T78FBxLqq6Z_h5nibBagWGqkL0MWYSm3OqAnIPoASHZnfxrTnNo2R4QPWcBK9rESqEpp7t3PHFYfXqh6xsig4w/s1600-h/DSC08578.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4qgZqDVztrE7xhJEqJ1rC7WUquDru3DJ5194ieLFkcazuemkaZYBc5T78FBxLqq6Z_h5nibBagWGqkL0MWYSm3OqAnIPoASHZnfxrTnNo2R4QPWcBK9rESqEpp7t3PHFYfXqh6xsig4w/s400/DSC08578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411349180625334674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here's the girl herself modelling it she says it's very comfy and was particularly enamoured by the flowers on the bottom!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP74MwxSDziVruf2RSq254UMJzGNwNSXehVq-bjShKkeLgWSeGmF5BosuoY0yNECbFtsCkOJKqwrNJaX0tabSqNj_JoOzOvZO0XQyuXfpPeojc2GwzT1GARa33g4EGCTbvCnmCaK9ArPR5/s1600-h/DSC08588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP74MwxSDziVruf2RSq254UMJzGNwNSXehVq-bjShKkeLgWSeGmF5BosuoY0yNECbFtsCkOJKqwrNJaX0tabSqNj_JoOzOvZO0XQyuXfpPeojc2GwzT1GARa33g4EGCTbvCnmCaK9ArPR5/s400/DSC08588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411370936056592274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucQHKOnEHFsLwBaNW6Na5IcKJypS27VqOGmnzdg8P7cusFUKLAK-zGFrzy4DCtS0nEVpw3uRlOFxXZ5InW3JONUgH0ThdUAfyWFmuXe2veOzh0tHnjXvHvDRwIJ87_P6E3Y0Z4PQkOqOB/s1600-h/DSC08589.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucQHKOnEHFsLwBaNW6Na5IcKJypS27VqOGmnzdg8P7cusFUKLAK-zGFrzy4DCtS0nEVpw3uRlOFxXZ5InW3JONUgH0ThdUAfyWFmuXe2veOzh0tHnjXvHvDRwIJ87_P6E3Y0Z4PQkOqOB/s400/DSC08589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411370933440032066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Note the further pile of boxes to be unpacked in the background... maybe the phone is in there?! I have no photo editing software on this computer yet so photos are having to go up as is.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It was wonderful to finally get some sewing under my belt. Felt like I was back in the saddle with it all. Such a relief as well to finally make a dent in the huge pile that has been building up!</span>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-28203720563820249152009-11-13T17:02:00.007+00:002009-11-13T19:57:22.070+00:00Lemon Risotto<span style="font-family:verdana;">I know you can't believe it... a post on this blog!<br /><br />Big shock huh after nearly four months! Sorry for the hiatus, it was all due to moving house, and losing the camera, and then just life taking over! I was preparing dinner tonight though and suddenly felt inspired to put the recipe up on here. It's another of our regular favourites and to be honest I'm surprised it's not on here already as it is the Comedian's most frequent request. Don't panic too much about the time involved in cooking risotto. Yes you do have to keep checking it and stirring it, but I've found I've got quite good at adding a ladle-full of stock and then running and doing a quick job or check on the kids before getting back to stir and add another ladle-full. It doesn't necessarily mean standing and stirring non-stop for an hour! Here's my recipe.....</span><br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Lemon Risotto</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4WVscNtUlNZLeoHxoWiu6qk3ImqH2UOtZk_X7G_NfVa-dTn1TCW8rebmk7bnFG8V0_zE_NYG6oeofysnfVy2UlQYfdH0-cPu3WIIXDZWrj-0oGcoUN64SLZX4egPIuTUkFCEsiRMC0pH/s1600-h/DSC08296.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4WVscNtUlNZLeoHxoWiu6qk3ImqH2UOtZk_X7G_NfVa-dTn1TCW8rebmk7bnFG8V0_zE_NYG6oeofysnfVy2UlQYfdH0-cPu3WIIXDZWrj-0oGcoUN64SLZX4egPIuTUkFCEsiRMC0pH/s400/DSC08296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403678014037095922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">1 Red onion<br />1 Shallot<br />2 or 3 garlic cloves<br />Tablespoon olive oil<br />Knob of butter<br />250g Risotto rice<br />1 Litre Chicken stock<br />1/2 glass white wine<br />Juice of two lemons<br />Lemon rind (I've put this separately as you don't really want the rind of both lemons! Just some)<br />1 Egg yolk<br />Parmesan cheese<br />Black pepper<br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Instructions</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">1. Grate the red onion, shallot and garlic. This will <span style="font-weight: bold;">kill</span> your eyes by the way, but is definitely worth it to produce a smooth and creamy risotto without big hard lumps of onion.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9tFfTcTG53iK5xWOuCwU7ybRpRFg-kTRQtBmthzoCHeFMBOw-ZxKQoG_6pkNOoGXxog0mMDLiWMfOG7KJ8MT41Kddngz_FLgWvkN2zDyWEKHwUu7FnOpY__aj52Nk-Ohl5HR26kCZod4/s1600-h/DSC08284.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9tFfTcTG53iK5xWOuCwU7ybRpRFg-kTRQtBmthzoCHeFMBOw-ZxKQoG_6pkNOoGXxog0mMDLiWMfOG7KJ8MT41Kddngz_FLgWvkN2zDyWEKHwUu7FnOpY__aj52Nk-Ohl5HR26kCZod4/s400/DSC08284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403678025159340034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">2. </span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Put two large pans onto the hob; in</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> one heat the chicken stock, in the other melt the butter and olive oil together and add the grated oniony mixture. Cook until softened.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">3. Add the risotto rice and stir until coated with the oniony oily mixture.</span><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">4. Now comes the important part. Take a ladle-full of the stock and add it to the risotto pan, stir until it has absorbed. Repeat this process until the risotto is creamy but not too soft and puddingy. This may take 20 minutes or may take an hour. You may not use all the stock or you may use it all and need to top up with boiling water. It seems to be different every time I make it. About halfway through I substitute one of the ladles of stock for half a glass of white wine... just because I reckon all food tastes better with alcohol in it ;) Don't worry the alcohol cooks away, it just gives a lovely flavour.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">5. At this point you have your basic risotto and can remove from the heat to add whatever flavour you fancy. For the lemon risotto I mix together the lemon juice, lemon rind, egg yolk, a generous helping of parmesan cheese and black pepper, and stir the whole lot in. Today I also added some peas and some leftover chicken I got off the bones before I turned them into the stock. You can add anything though, mushrooms also work well, or bacon.</span><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">6. Serve with a green salad on the side and lots more parmesan on top.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42ojMlX7T48Md_Zzfw4-oruczCUFLENgP_cPOGx_dqW81IWjzgE45mMfslsdywdPweo5yAw5WD6fz-MYfHc7Gx0QZ1xNp0KQWaApgrG7W0U_xKDWo3Nw3824DX_KvrwhRIbGm27lAQTJb/s1600-h/DSC08293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42ojMlX7T48Md_Zzfw4-oruczCUFLENgP_cPOGx_dqW81IWjzgE45mMfslsdywdPweo5yAw5WD6fz-MYfHc7Gx0QZ1xNp0KQWaApgrG7W0U_xKDWo3Nw3824DX_KvrwhRIbGm27lAQTJb/s400/DSC08293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403678011426865890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Risotto is such lovely comforting food, perfect for this chilly, rainy weather. The Comedian is rather addicted to the lemon version, but maybe over this season I can get him to let me branch out a little.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />There we are, I've broken the blogging break. We're about to hit the season of Yuletide sewing so hopefully I'll be on here much more over the next month... once I work out which box the sewing machine is in!</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxco9JOSxupYcRP40_oaM78ADuNqueMqdj-9oFMAVHZiqD6wSyeA_XIUub7EGt3bUD-aJfwfqAygyAwlVOw5PiuWUQsf-LfyhlVUx3UtHIPxn4Mksn_SXKKCX6x0I6aifyDmrsgTSJwRN/s1600-h/DSC08292.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxco9JOSxupYcRP40_oaM78ADuNqueMqdj-9oFMAVHZiqD6wSyeA_XIUub7EGt3bUD-aJfwfqAygyAwlVOw5PiuWUQsf-LfyhlVUx3UtHIPxn4Mksn_SXKKCX6x0I6aifyDmrsgTSJwRN/s400/DSC08292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403678008818095250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />I'd better run as Friday night is date night, so I've just run away from the table above, abandoning my husband, to quickly post this. By the way; the Midwinter Graphic ceramics above were discovered by my mum and I in a charity shop in Guildford. Just £15 for 16 plates, two casserole dishes and a sauce jug... bargain!</span>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-29185103001866355722009-07-24T13:19:00.002+01:002009-07-24T13:22:22.020+01:00Kitschy Coo<span style="font-family: verdana;">Quick everyone, there are bargains to be had of Kitschy Coo's fabulous retro and funky baby and chldren's clothing!</span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/2009/07/get-em-while-theyre-hot-or-at-least-dry.html"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Click here to grab a bargain!</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wish there was some in my size too ;)</span>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-75155431483086639802009-06-09T23:10:00.001+01:002009-06-09T23:10:00.952+01:00Lion Dungarees<span style="font-family: verdana;">You knew I'd be back with more Clothkits stuff didn't you? In my defence I was not just satisfying my own kit needs, I was making sure I was being equal with the kids. I have this inbuilt sense of fairness about my two, and if I do or make something for one of my children I have to equalise it with the other. I think it's because my mum did that with my brother and I. That meant that I had to force myself (haha) to choose an outfit to make for my boy. I loved the dungarees so went for a pair of them but was deliberating between the funky car ones and the lion ones.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HgFt8m05f4lcmmyQUBRwO0ISiNN344YlH-_laFF1aeMqk7ZC99AfkqYUChyphenhyphenBz6UoFpGvDsaiV8K3e4PJmS0FoFnFJ0eVcl7ZvPG8dsJgxdv8-94HREGxHXiTDOT8vX-I4V-KksA_VoT0/s1600-h/yellow-dungarees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HgFt8m05f4lcmmyQUBRwO0ISiNN344YlH-_laFF1aeMqk7ZC99AfkqYUChyphenhyphenBz6UoFpGvDsaiV8K3e4PJmS0FoFnFJ0eVcl7ZvPG8dsJgxdv8-94HREGxHXiTDOT8vX-I4V-KksA_VoT0/s400/yellow-dungarees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345440789719902738" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1d8ovifSyMsCdBnAuiV8KmTaBQRsuxnY5VQOnvFtVcI9i_O52QLMRyEAj0OtIfUtPedEdiDkzOkiH2vow99VHDnQ_BOSDKo-wJCBeZZkJvik78MuIuM8D_76zHQOx24G9qJX1fz9op25i/s1600-h/vw-dungarees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1d8ovifSyMsCdBnAuiV8KmTaBQRsuxnY5VQOnvFtVcI9i_O52QLMRyEAj0OtIfUtPedEdiDkzOkiH2vow99VHDnQ_BOSDKo-wJCBeZZkJvik78MuIuM8D_76zHQOx24G9qJX1fz9op25i/s400/vw-dungarees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345440783077095314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I decided to go for the super retro orange and red lions because he loves lions...and because I can only get away with dressing Povey in this kind of thing while he's still small ;) I'm guessing that they must have been based on some of the original Clothkits designs, if this classic catalogue shot is anything to go by!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpkQHzj00e0ibjxvjpTgu93-saV_CWuIcpE5NfzRau5mf8nCdsHzLrkM-M5vOS1tEY34pvRTWQwbZkYHZACZKymbA8WW92VXGnXgpw1Mk4q55Z8OeWTub8tojuf0py5sZ_iJHcDnjUllx/s1600-h/clothkits1970s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpkQHzj00e0ibjxvjpTgu93-saV_CWuIcpE5NfzRau5mf8nCdsHzLrkM-M5vOS1tEY34pvRTWQwbZkYHZACZKymbA8WW92VXGnXgpw1Mk4q55Z8OeWTub8tojuf0py5sZ_iJHcDnjUllx/s400/clothkits1970s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345438216947803106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The kit was as super kitty as I could want and again I made them in one evening but to be honest that was because I COULD NOT STOP! I finally completed them (save trying them on my boy to do the hems) at 2.00am!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpmlCmCZ-FimfYFd_3ctBwoBSfj0Ymu4kDbu5ylN0K0rgpc_iE4dmIxwJtlqh-ZBMwq9bi77AoZHTopBvJdkINqNEx5h4OENeQ3mX08WGVb9Zh2S3qplxtNN0_d3QCu3lprUWKVOXizZV/s1600-h/DSC07262.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpmlCmCZ-FimfYFd_3ctBwoBSfj0Ymu4kDbu5ylN0K0rgpc_iE4dmIxwJtlqh-ZBMwq9bi77AoZHTopBvJdkINqNEx5h4OENeQ3mX08WGVb9Zh2S3qplxtNN0_d3QCu3lprUWKVOXizZV/s400/DSC07262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344657483713487170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was in such a hurry to make them I forgot to take a photo of the whole thing before I cut them out but managed to find this photo online. All other photos here were taken by me or Clothkits.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVLgP1nrUahrjcHfnfIVTkc_B1o1YXLPA5_-N4fkdGst2Jcdu-JeblvBGPfYt5wJrRB8SZc5eo1o5JV6gY51Nd_d5zYUHkH8Tq6CaynPzHwWG2htonOxjswoP87IOKp8pzf8VhZ8UUN6I/s1600-h/clothkitsliondungarees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVLgP1nrUahrjcHfnfIVTkc_B1o1YXLPA5_-N4fkdGst2Jcdu-JeblvBGPfYt5wJrRB8SZc5eo1o5JV6gY51Nd_d5zYUHkH8Tq6CaynPzHwWG2htonOxjswoP87IOKp8pzf8VhZ8UUN6I/s400/clothkitsliondungarees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345438220124391346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Considering they were a pair of dungarees I was surprised by how easy they were to put together. The most fiddly bit was sewing around the elastic at the back. They did come up rather small I felt. I made them in the largest size, which is meant to be suitable on a 4 year old, and they only just fit Povey at 3! Then again he isn't a small lad.<br /><br /><br />Povey himself loves them but was rather reluctant to be photographed! I finally managed to convince him to let me near him with the camera on day two of wearing them and these three shots are all I could get! His expression in the first one is priceless but doesn't reflect his opinion of the dungarees honest (I think the fact this was day two of wearing after he made me wash them overnight shows he likes them!) it was more in objection to being made to sit still!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-kMpSww1x40cfFJxW95nblQufr8-l3npCJxpd3xWa44ECso-V_gureGNOeg1ajtVEQ7oT13mG1Zy2h5itdm8FNU4NjP8QoW8ENFEhD95EathNy5GEu7vm8uH_6dfogtNgY658Y6HKw3d/s1600-h/DSC07270.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-kMpSww1x40cfFJxW95nblQufr8-l3npCJxpd3xWa44ECso-V_gureGNOeg1ajtVEQ7oT13mG1Zy2h5itdm8FNU4NjP8QoW8ENFEhD95EathNy5GEu7vm8uH_6dfogtNgY658Y6HKw3d/s400/DSC07270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345438223129950754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9Q0YZL8VpPY7CH4MFAo9VuLj32mKA-_IpOF9w3I4p8mi16KG0gXQYxNWj-Utmo22CIoCzHTjsfCquflXVDvs0c6SHZTw_pDo1e_aifhmGpUhramJGuqNafx7MIQZjJZw9LNYj5XHheLn/s1600-h/DSC07273.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9Q0YZL8VpPY7CH4MFAo9VuLj32mKA-_IpOF9w3I4p8mi16KG0gXQYxNWj-Utmo22CIoCzHTjsfCquflXVDvs0c6SHZTw_pDo1e_aifhmGpUhramJGuqNafx7MIQZjJZw9LNYj5XHheLn/s400/DSC07273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345438491807762034" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPnWSKAO-8intphE2WaIsM-VcMCIfYrO7gIO8op3tOkWe_aIVcyZMyroRmFRhvFphoUe3vsXDg6oVBqRDeNtQoOqVdSNnxRE22dzOhG3kwLx5onLen_4vFIu8gWYKHSHDmh1QIWRyh4-Q/s1600-h/DSC07272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPnWSKAO-8intphE2WaIsM-VcMCIfYrO7gIO8op3tOkWe_aIVcyZMyroRmFRhvFphoUe3vsXDg6oVBqRDeNtQoOqVdSNnxRE22dzOhG3kwLx5onLen_4vFIu8gWYKHSHDmh1QIWRyh4-Q/s400/DSC07272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345438232334050498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back soon (hopefully) with some more (non-Clothkits!) sewing projects!</span>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-77956053184279692682009-06-07T21:09:00.000+01:002009-06-07T21:22:17.797+01:00Clothkits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOVIZu8IcYVq_54ZcwifIP0ghGJl95I8wJHUC37D6L-pxyMKSglgk3GHiqQF45i6dLvwQIsf6E4JhHAzPxlfB_cmT7H8nOlwL7bisxLS5ygiUJPB3s1RcyB6ewHEUcE1p__GWfUlSReKR/s1600-h/kits_on_table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOVIZu8IcYVq_54ZcwifIP0ghGJl95I8wJHUC37D6L-pxyMKSglgk3GHiqQF45i6dLvwQIsf6E4JhHAzPxlfB_cmT7H8nOlwL7bisxLS5ygiUJPB3s1RcyB6ewHEUcE1p__GWfUlSReKR/s400/kits_on_table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344680751952409682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have long coveted a </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.clothkits.co.uk/">Clothkits</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> pattern to make up. Unlike many it's not something I remember from my childhood, (mother sewed a lot for us but as this was in the mid-80s she missed Clothkits's heyday by a few years) it was last year when they had their major relaunch that they first came to my attention. For one their prints are just so gorgeous! Bright colours and retro styles, right up my street! The other thing that appealed was the whole "kit" idea. Now anyone who knows me well knows that I love a kit... of any kind; fajita dinner kits, pamper you kits, nail kits, craft kits, kit kits just any kind of kit! I even like the meals you get on planes because they're like a little kit. Clothkits's kits just looked perfect but until now I had resisted as they just seemed rather expensive and we are poor as church mice! A nudge from a <a href="http://tracyandjon.fireflyinternet.co.uk/">lovely friend</a> and a well-timed sale meant I finally submitted and ordered their <span style="font-style: italic;">Stop! Traffic Lights Frock Kit</span> for Papaya.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZyb8Y8ZPkggkzLcqd2pSE3w8gpq4ZCil3VvNreRVxH6QWE2FZnhjt_ajMNUbzwBXCID_DgU58Iu6BWMhRafG_QBTCzXL9tfgPp3m431whlTg25z9JUirMZy1AWVJcGRQzjHt7atfJEoY/s1600-h/grace_traffic_red.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZyb8Y8ZPkggkzLcqd2pSE3w8gpq4ZCil3VvNreRVxH6QWE2FZnhjt_ajMNUbzwBXCID_DgU58Iu6BWMhRafG_QBTCzXL9tfgPp3m431whlTg25z9JUirMZy1AWVJcGRQzjHt7atfJEoY/s400/grace_traffic_red.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344679353919138210" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />The kit arrived the very next day and was suitably pleasing in it's kitness. Inside the tissue paper was not only the printed fabric but also the buttons, thread and lables I would need to make it up.... oh and the all important instructions!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5JsU3vU36d5FmvCKJMXJAvdS5vdOUFRIoGVmxpZCySx2u9Hmyt9uK_4UMOTox16IUNhkl5PHjO-u6uIMN6OJf62Z78L-ETukxvAqFnp5HLFPtzgsrOTMl8s9tQi6Y0owp7Ofk7GP1fyo/s1600-h/DSC07238.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5JsU3vU36d5FmvCKJMXJAvdS5vdOUFRIoGVmxpZCySx2u9Hmyt9uK_4UMOTox16IUNhkl5PHjO-u6uIMN6OJf62Z78L-ETukxvAqFnp5HLFPtzgsrOTMl8s9tQi6Y0owp7Ofk7GP1fyo/s400/DSC07238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344677211459407378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9_64gvp-4VOOKqawU_hUDx1kAzOJWYOHv11LIP0I7kSf0r7fCrohlQINQCWX3E4gCKAlTH3mZyNavSMfMZucAiveOlNA_F2QSMm2guvsymKd2ax20nXDu1f0yZ8no22FLyOgiTZEpVQ3/s1600-h/DSC07244.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9_64gvp-4VOOKqawU_hUDx1kAzOJWYOHv11LIP0I7kSf0r7fCrohlQINQCWX3E4gCKAlTH3mZyNavSMfMZucAiveOlNA_F2QSMm2guvsymKd2ax20nXDu1f0yZ8no22FLyOgiTZEpVQ3/s400/DSC07244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344677213420126834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Clothkits designs come all ready printed onto the fabric. Every piece was there, even the lining.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">You then just cut it all out (you don't even have to leave selvage around, it's all been worked out for you!) and sew it up. Easy peasy!</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJy8ZlFzCCNmCohQfxAgNDRlgOzPU-inMxYJlZVHD1u0ekeoWSFSe4f3vjsZzFojwNO6a7OQGFrzjvNa4xGXw3jFlYODtxZJJILlN8VAe2V4fKQTzREili_DbIc76kITPtKbzVvW9AndU/s1600-h/DSC07243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJy8ZlFzCCNmCohQfxAgNDRlgOzPU-inMxYJlZVHD1u0ekeoWSFSe4f3vjsZzFojwNO6a7OQGFrzjvNa4xGXw3jFlYODtxZJJILlN8VAe2V4fKQTzREili_DbIc76kITPtKbzVvW9AndU/s400/DSC07243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344675314551337490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />It really was easy peasy too! I can only ever sew in the evening once the children are in bed and then I have to do it on the dining table so must clear away before morning. I was therefore very grateful that the dress just took the one evening to complete, bar the hem which I needed Papaya to model it for!</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">It was so super simple, no matching of notches, the pieces just fit together. It makes you wonder why we ever bother with patterns and all that nonsense!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxW-2XRInhP19TNDQm47zL_FhfuETQB0h-zhKVN0S4ipbJvf7Qo6WGzHHQnOBYGiu1UNvYGhdYg5hkShTTlb04O87t6hGTe0Ta9dG4cnemJbvCfqLA7W2n1XiOrWNwOVGU-O0X4Q3WJVt/s1600-h/DSC07247.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxW-2XRInhP19TNDQm47zL_FhfuETQB0h-zhKVN0S4ipbJvf7Qo6WGzHHQnOBYGiu1UNvYGhdYg5hkShTTlb04O87t6hGTe0Ta9dG4cnemJbvCfqLA7W2n1XiOrWNwOVGU-O0X4Q3WJVt/s400/DSC07247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344675307047368594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />The only sticky point I had was with the back of the dress where the halves of two cars had to be matched. The instructions didn't tell you to do it, so it wasn't until I turned the dress right way out that I noticed the problem. It looked okay mismatched but I couldn't bear it! At that point I couldn't unstitch the whole thing so I had to try and restitch from the inside to even it up. I did my best and if you don't look too closely it's pretty good.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRsWcj9Uv0ZKhLFklKf5AIfAvXnEQSCsxEcvtAGn1yo1AsFvRFxbbqxTknpCdnC5hsZBK1juC3EzgUuYHZmZ0F9i97RBCV1pdS36_FSrS35wRHwEnIhTbpWlNiUjuyLKS9zUfBvWnMVLk/s1600-h/DSC07245.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRsWcj9Uv0ZKhLFklKf5AIfAvXnEQSCsxEcvtAGn1yo1AsFvRFxbbqxTknpCdnC5hsZBK1juC3EzgUuYHZmZ0F9i97RBCV1pdS36_FSrS35wRHwEnIhTbpWlNiUjuyLKS9zUfBvWnMVLk/s400/DSC07245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344675309939780194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />I decided to forgo the buttons that came with the kit and instead used some poppers (matching the yellow colour to the road lining) for ease of dressing.... and because I'm not much good at buttonholes ;) Here is my Papaya modelling it, I reckon the poppers work well with the modern print on the dress.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqUyhcduRmojrNYMEI5PVp58QJsLbsd5oLJj6ZD6owD1VpXhWJ_3BtRvTDccEmg-aZsOb3bLkAu-Dso6Gcdl7KLut7R1ln_ATGvWMa8Rqw21ew5fzMN8iSAkCNskxzQpTP0LAYcX7zxd_/s1600-h/DSC07266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqUyhcduRmojrNYMEI5PVp58QJsLbsd5oLJj6ZD6owD1VpXhWJ_3BtRvTDccEmg-aZsOb3bLkAu-Dso6Gcdl7KLut7R1ln_ATGvWMa8Rqw21ew5fzMN8iSAkCNskxzQpTP0LAYcX7zxd_/s400/DSC07266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344675296892398018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7P6InGhmkHT0HIvqn2msZtKXpndnFDl98l2hd1t9sZrPzFdcYwlwqcMP2k6_HfstkiOJ5bfAbLNYp4gIGZD3VpQgkvMQSZV7mYcdLWW4o1k6-wS8VNrjs3kKmUC0m_Axnn82ntwU2s2n7/s1600-h/DSC07267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7P6InGhmkHT0HIvqn2msZtKXpndnFDl98l2hd1t9sZrPzFdcYwlwqcMP2k6_HfstkiOJ5bfAbLNYp4gIGZD3VpQgkvMQSZV7mYcdLWW4o1k6-wS8VNrjs3kKmUC0m_Axnn82ntwU2s2n7/s400/DSC07267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344675290877807426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am now properly addicted and have my eye on more of the range, including maybe a skirt for me. I still reckon they're pretty expensive so had better start saving up!</span>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-89255108018887936232009-05-22T21:43:00.003+01:002009-05-22T21:43:00.662+01:00Purple<span style="font-family:verdana;">Two months since I wrote anything here! That's shocking! I have been crafting but have been too busy to pick up a camera and photograph it, let alone write about it! I've finally got a moment now so I wanted to show you two bits of sewing with a purple theme!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The first was for a baby shower. I wanted to make the present specific to the mother rather than the child (I'll do something for the baby once he's here!) so rather than baby blue or pastel pink I went for a rich purple. The fabric is some nice thick Indian linen with a waffle texture. I used it to make a bag with some silver ribbon for the drawstring and to make a flower brooch attached to the bag. Inside the bag are pregnancy toiletries.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmbNY-6HJ1vlQlKXZ_RIdmAd5Z1NwFfyJfRSXGyzHpy4kir4iRnVrWV8jzsEmtUQjCj4umdMErXBxeXPUzCx57sAoyp0TbCE0XyYNu2I_ngF-MLgBaHhMu0MWCGJ8AAMcIzc0ZYN3bItn/s1600-h/DSC07133.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmbNY-6HJ1vlQlKXZ_RIdmAd5Z1NwFfyJfRSXGyzHpy4kir4iRnVrWV8jzsEmtUQjCj4umdMErXBxeXPUzCx57sAoyp0TbCE0XyYNu2I_ngF-MLgBaHhMu0MWCGJ8AAMcIzc0ZYN3bItn/s400/DSC07133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336872514526639714" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIKXmBNIkRk8WRelvwqq7_SwKMC_5ekw6iLZKMlLwR3Kb1h9f1jFsLHMgMjmK7t8zJCJ_6ec2t4GMAYoyAyT4txAKxqhf65OsNd7flvEX6pHkJgcJGJPZ-pIhUKRXPq15IXvp6i2GsSto/s1600-h/DSC07131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIKXmBNIkRk8WRelvwqq7_SwKMC_5ekw6iLZKMlLwR3Kb1h9f1jFsLHMgMjmK7t8zJCJ_6ec2t4GMAYoyAyT4txAKxqhf65OsNd7flvEX6pHkJgcJGJPZ-pIhUKRXPq15IXvp6i2GsSto/s400/DSC07131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336872509524574930" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">You can't see the brooch particularly well unfortunately as it blends into the bag. I made it using strips of the fabric, with the edges left unfinished. In the centre is a fabric covered button from </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">the huge button collection I inherited </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >off my Grandmother.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhGMf0-zHqt6B_j0D8G8AHiaEoCH7l_3zGfn80jNJLYT2az0s0vdDye3qM-i5m6tSpAzF_JG2PECbPcUB3ITefzV5r4TqVpDrCd8B6FWU5ZMQd-7WOgctogm-mN54s5d9mMZjtk4CwSLd/s1600-h/DSC07135.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhGMf0-zHqt6B_j0D8G8AHiaEoCH7l_3zGfn80jNJLYT2az0s0vdDye3qM-i5m6tSpAzF_JG2PECbPcUB3ITefzV5r4TqVpDrCd8B6FWU5ZMQd-7WOgctogm-mN54s5d9mMZjtk4CwSLd/s400/DSC07135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336872508374566194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The second little purple collection was put together for my friend's birthday. She is a real fashionista and as my budget didn't stretch to her usual labels I decided to make her something more personal. I found this beautifully soft vest in her favourite purple colour and thought I could make a little brooch for it. In the end I went a bit brooch crazy!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6VstEA1gK1rnMhyphenhyphenot504ZUiW-EKQc2K4-kB9xvTiOTebiePwem7iQ0FUYnTFFLxxvJYFXZ2WQHSxzHKBTrg9OioZmQSs8hKJSM8WXzNJVDzET6uDUlMiAfPrzxmnssn84C7bmIfIF0Q5/s1600-h/DSC07150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6VstEA1gK1rnMhyphenhyphenot504ZUiW-EKQc2K4-kB9xvTiOTebiePwem7iQ0FUYnTFFLxxvJYFXZ2WQHSxzHKBTrg9OioZmQSs8hKJSM8WXzNJVDzET6uDUlMiAfPrzxmnssn84C7bmIfIF0Q5/s400/DSC07150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338578926800943154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Four little brooches, each handmade. I could have kept going but didn't want to overpower the delicate little vest. My friend doesn't have to wear any of them with the vest, she could take them off and put them elsewhere or maybe just choose them one at a time. I think my favourite is the two button brooch, although I'm quite fond of the simple little bow too.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYooNCev8GfROvSouJwVIaplwiIDYclxy7MNAOon8rf3qDFaFfvgKbos7HkuHwdXRJfcAUMeU3rZi8b2VZySSMsjPH9p9yIcubsYPlu897ry6l1JqIMZ_H7HSR7s8MB2YOrdjMeuy6xBD5/s1600-h/DSC07151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYooNCev8GfROvSouJwVIaplwiIDYclxy7MNAOon8rf3qDFaFfvgKbos7HkuHwdXRJfcAUMeU3rZi8b2VZySSMsjPH9p9yIcubsYPlu897ry6l1JqIMZ_H7HSR7s8MB2YOrdjMeuy6xBD5/s400/DSC07151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338578936739411410" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2lMmzZsVcHXj_X3L0UMfWX3Vxa92uwRIKl7cRQH_Yn_FmDW9ay6wAlgiL1CsMD0-T4hc0eVbYlYcVtVcnHhE3NA_R7JZ43LtJplEnG5IpGIlTQTwCGRvQgif4ogOy1HZhgPKBT2xbUP4/s1600-h/DSC07153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2lMmzZsVcHXj_X3L0UMfWX3Vxa92uwRIKl7cRQH_Yn_FmDW9ay6wAlgiL1CsMD0-T4hc0eVbYlYcVtVcnHhE3NA_R7JZ43LtJplEnG5IpGIlTQTwCGRvQgif4ogOy1HZhgPKBT2xbUP4/s400/DSC07153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338578935211949138" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VmBw2A_QCbr6XM3mcgb1eiJ_HJnXMNaiLOcink957Rsv4wxBEZAjPE1tlzPHr0wRiBJoseW8Aeswymbv6-AoI75ZUt1YfPPmUaDp0CA2HNaDqRGT3d7ZpKJcedHv15rmsz9_zCXIu9Wh/s1600-h/DSC07155.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VmBw2A_QCbr6XM3mcgb1eiJ_HJnXMNaiLOcink957Rsv4wxBEZAjPE1tlzPHr0wRiBJoseW8Aeswymbv6-AoI75ZUt1YfPPmUaDp0CA2HNaDqRGT3d7ZpKJcedHv15rmsz9_zCXIu9Wh/s400/DSC07155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338578932571571490" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGF-A8BSkS4nGWb61X6O6CRYSAf_qZywhZKog54W8z4IMOEzI2riZuM9MfMsc4QmL-zVdCUy3W_tD7HIqs8KzmzKqG2STq4WjcKuJZxIlJeN1oa8RUBdAe5-s3YrpCuDym41W4BXAHjRaA/s1600-h/DSC07157.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGF-A8BSkS4nGWb61X6O6CRYSAf_qZywhZKog54W8z4IMOEzI2riZuM9MfMsc4QmL-zVdCUy3W_tD7HIqs8KzmzKqG2STq4WjcKuJZxIlJeN1oa8RUBdAe5-s3YrpCuDym41W4BXAHjRaA/s400/DSC07157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338578931147864258" border="0" /></a>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-60309998498360932662009-03-17T21:26:00.003+00:002009-03-17T21:43:44.023+00:00Sugar Skull Badges for Sale!!!<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally I have something up for sale in my </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/tequilamonkey">Folksy shop</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have had so many positive comments on the little Sugar Skull badges I made for my </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://monkeymakemonkeydo.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-puffy-badges.html">SIL</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and myself. My </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://joeljessup.blogspot.com/">brother</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> really liked them too and asked me to make some for him to sell on his table at the </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.ukwebcomixthing.co.uk/">UK Web and Mini Comix Thing 2009</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">!<br /><br />I decided to make up some extras to sell on Folksy....</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRSdRn5wjtMz0F82fslGthTvUfLIeejDUB5vClQLbNGwsW1CeNMXHzmLYMe7PqkcszrwcjqtpO6GQYYPXH76IYmuULPSpDXAVueDDmFKgR8tX6CaZEbOdG7P9RXYbV9KSiftWMxX8whdq/s1600-h/sugarskullpurple.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 381px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRSdRn5wjtMz0F82fslGthTvUfLIeejDUB5vClQLbNGwsW1CeNMXHzmLYMe7PqkcszrwcjqtpO6GQYYPXH76IYmuULPSpDXAVueDDmFKgR8tX6CaZEbOdG7P9RXYbV9KSiftWMxX8whdq/s400/sugarskullpurple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314272886076754050" border="0" /><br /></a><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbzP7Ygf1laAM8nXax8XhvGNZ9lPR86Dm_-DEyteGfl5-oOFM6eY2YVZGy8yTjcA7Yv7kmJit8Sui9tUeWW1Ows9GKPtcQ2UKdDjYnBI6v206HiQxTAfxS1m66h9YABM-oBDsZHzcNLMV/s1600-h/suagrskullyellow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbzP7Ygf1laAM8nXax8XhvGNZ9lPR86Dm_-DEyteGfl5-oOFM6eY2YVZGy8yTjcA7Yv7kmJit8Sui9tUeWW1Ows9GKPtcQ2UKdDjYnBI6v206HiQxTAfxS1m66h9YABM-oBDsZHzcNLMV/s400/suagrskullyellow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314272841740255506" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWQFj1WeLPjFEK-IAcorzQNK2QabOkf8ARQq_un5DienLiskvflsmsiLk5b5ycnJdztrleJ41488J1JQFApzrb8wlAM6RkiwWWX4lgPGoGVWIiweKzvSRm10FV-OHMSFHIYCv9lMtKQD3/s1600-h/sugarskullred.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWQFj1WeLPjFEK-IAcorzQNK2QabOkf8ARQq_un5DienLiskvflsmsiLk5b5ycnJdztrleJ41488J1JQFApzrb8wlAM6RkiwWWX4lgPGoGVWIiweKzvSRm10FV-OHMSFHIYCv9lMtKQD3/s400/sugarskullred.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314272881835164434" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-i2NLH0ieQpXj9k6G2nee3MO5N-TY-crSc-WA-Pm-OxvWBIXXMlLtVVIFX83y36TM7kKXlR-_uHqXjAv5nwJBwUhyKwQ7qpvw3RD0Z3kgAfnObU0fW7p_8-HW7fjddn3dJJGWIA0f5IT/s1600-h/sugarskullpile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-i2NLH0ieQpXj9k6G2nee3MO5N-TY-crSc-WA-Pm-OxvWBIXXMlLtVVIFX83y36TM7kKXlR-_uHqXjAv5nwJBwUhyKwQ7qpvw3RD0Z3kgAfnObU0fW7p_8-HW7fjddn3dJJGWIA0f5IT/s400/sugarskullpile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314272872713952002" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftV4TbKt3sTtE8pbWYL2n610iRrzhZhiJivvtHzq5nAizn8KGZJD8a8Zf8NwkKZvRNH8TvMO_eD6y_nTSNv8lSLpsDVShiM4BhrOXsNiaKXvd44tLJL3eiVc82h4zfWwsPw8n5xEGYWTg/s1600-h/sugarskullcoat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftV4TbKt3sTtE8pbWYL2n610iRrzhZhiJivvtHzq5nAizn8KGZJD8a8Zf8NwkKZvRNH8TvMO_eD6y_nTSNv8lSLpsDVShiM4BhrOXsNiaKXvd44tLJL3eiVc82h4zfWwsPw8n5xEGYWTg/s400/sugarskullcoat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314272859153263762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Click </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/tequilamonkey">here</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> if you'd like to buy one :D</span></span>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-84345810750683356152009-02-24T19:56:00.003+00:002009-02-24T20:41:48.883+00:00Honey mustard sausages<span style="font-family: verdana;">As requested by </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://tatsplace.blogspot.com/">Tat</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This recipe is super easy and super yummy! It doesn't make for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">prettiest</span> photographs I'm afraid but here goes.....</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rIQ8m0GBc5ulIQzPGvSHHUIHkmK_ohzx6begmeFWSTfcPfLE4Ov0r8bvVNjMcUl-lgTFL2XIo7yWkoNLNEFslm0cS10BrRXj4te5vRZCcHpDCLESkFiKwYwEj-AW0RZp-b6hKiHcFdql/s1600-h/DSC06545.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rIQ8m0GBc5ulIQzPGvSHHUIHkmK_ohzx6begmeFWSTfcPfLE4Ov0r8bvVNjMcUl-lgTFL2XIo7yWkoNLNEFslm0cS10BrRXj4te5vRZCcHpDCLESkFiKwYwEj-AW0RZp-b6hKiHcFdql/s400/DSC06545.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306456635612169362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Honey Mustard Sausages</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">1 pack sausages (any type but this time I used some delicious 75% meat ones)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">2 tablespoons mustard (the mustard above is the best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">imo</span>)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">2 tablespoons honey</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Instructions</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">1. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pre</span>-heat oven to 190 degrees Celsius (gas mark 3).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">2. Place sausages into a casserole dish, and place in oven.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">3. Bake until cooked but not too brown... around half an hour.</span><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXZgtYyTFI1rad3JJNahqE9Ou7ZOJm8464_BMpd43r5dswBqcj6YGp81sDVi3Tl6H_K8ghOJl_rpmts8fBbuTq13YrVgzkHuwgV5m0eusFLxzZzRjO_1z7xfAkZZX_ZNL4VEbGXyqdy9Y/s1600-h/DSC06539.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXZgtYyTFI1rad3JJNahqE9Ou7ZOJm8464_BMpd43r5dswBqcj6YGp81sDVi3Tl6H_K8ghOJl_rpmts8fBbuTq13YrVgzkHuwgV5m0eusFLxzZzRjO_1z7xfAkZZX_ZNL4VEbGXyqdy9Y/s400/DSC06539.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306457955217188034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">4. Meanwhile mix the mustard and honey together in a bowl.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">5. Remove sausages from oven and brush with the mustard honey mixture.</span><br /><br /></span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyr8qaOoSEdKrpjWrzM927v8WKDOzihkOhoI-vL9GQnVUS02lDWMIubW-JkRiAmzjNXSVq7nuguIxud7kGuBsTq7QqaatOCKEMnsM4mshuLfMC_DDZ0CdSm10ACTWBfWnIJtuh2IULk6G/s1600-h/DSC06540.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyr8qaOoSEdKrpjWrzM927v8WKDOzihkOhoI-vL9GQnVUS02lDWMIubW-JkRiAmzjNXSVq7nuguIxud7kGuBsTq7QqaatOCKEMnsM4mshuLfMC_DDZ0CdSm10ACTWBfWnIJtuh2IULk6G/s400/DSC06540.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306457947218899826" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCVTiqnvEYE5AWyNYidgUzGYSy7dW9PfvCwHnimIYTgSaewmVH6YHwvBpI1iDQUJlu2GyqJpLzj-A7InBUJqlHAiobDF20W82ftKyyg2q9hM97op1Yk87AKPL8Fz0cTyYhk7UX-cwzBe5/s1600-h/DSC06541.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCVTiqnvEYE5AWyNYidgUzGYSy7dW9PfvCwHnimIYTgSaewmVH6YHwvBpI1iDQUJlu2GyqJpLzj-A7InBUJqlHAiobDF20W82ftKyyg2q9hM97op1Yk87AKPL8Fz0cTyYhk7UX-cwzBe5/s400/DSC06541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306457948871924450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">6. Return the sausages to the oven and continue cooking until brown and sticky. Baste occasionally with the remaining honey mustard mixture.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05AHKyn7Mm_pCZOS6_ENAyyuzkyzYYMbM9uzHnLNfGPGmrJoakJLP3aY5_QnM5tElW4P7-ugHqzVJGr4Gbg0ucLz9_MY8fKE4SJ4mf157tzAJ8pwt2BugH9JT9KwiUq8KZgM-FOkYqlY9/s1600-h/DSC06548.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05AHKyn7Mm_pCZOS6_ENAyyuzkyzYYMbM9uzHnLNfGPGmrJoakJLP3aY5_QnM5tElW4P7-ugHqzVJGr4Gbg0ucLz9_MY8fKE4SJ4mf157tzAJ8pwt2BugH9JT9KwiUq8KZgM-FOkYqlY9/s400/DSC06548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306456628899818114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">7. Serve however you like. Today we had them with cheese filled pancakes as it's pancake day!</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnDMY00VUKW5CBUlMdsJc8RAX7dwMqAFKC6dZBgxD6sFQxGL1F-viqpDXTLBeg4n6BojaTwuSxyEkDRtkiOPn8cS5SLFGXRNxceI5BU_3HdWXdNuurnmtrIIhZbP7Ot1kdNk3zSvC-CIi/s1600-h/DSC06549.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnDMY00VUKW5CBUlMdsJc8RAX7dwMqAFKC6dZBgxD6sFQxGL1F-viqpDXTLBeg4n6BojaTwuSxyEkDRtkiOPn8cS5SLFGXRNxceI5BU_3HdWXdNuurnmtrIIhZbP7Ot1kdNk3zSvC-CIi/s400/DSC06549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306456626192394162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckh3hbuWatOph-FC_H4yKuwAccLIqexUgpT_RX8fu6dFDFRNYFiAo-whwvyiKZQexbXk8vGkMIi6KReMNCh77vcBMEGXPwdVbcpVyWRSbQyTipcLPc41y6UHxbEQbaqc1HKaq87FWqFfx/s1600-h/DSC06551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckh3hbuWatOph-FC_H4yKuwAccLIqexUgpT_RX8fu6dFDFRNYFiAo-whwvyiKZQexbXk8vGkMIi6KReMNCh77vcBMEGXPwdVbcpVyWRSbQyTipcLPc41y6UHxbEQbaqc1HKaq87FWqFfx/s400/DSC06551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306456620428077042" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That's it... easy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">peasy</span>! You can adjust the amounts as you like and can even sprinkle the sausages with sesame seeds. It works well with cocktail sausages too for a party!</span>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-32123329572297083862009-02-13T22:37:00.000+00:002009-02-13T22:42:00.075+00:00My heart in your hand<span style="font-family:verdana;">Here is my Valentine's day present for the Comedian.<br /><br />We usually give each other underwear but I changed that by asking for the perfume below this year. Left to my own devices I decided to get my man something that may not seem romantic to anyone else but I know he'll be really touched by.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">He suffers from psoriasis on his hands and has tried most creams and often spends the evenings with cotton gloves on while the cream soaks in. I decided to buy some extra nice cream and make him some soft red gloves plus a bag to hold it all, oh and a little heart brooch....</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKLSNCElLjNMxvhfcSrclvxQgjfL1r7UOL9ajUu0adVKNz-zLj0a8ddW6atKCVqJhSAmkMIm0UOMt2JpC4Jlpha0pB79l49MH_7pJQ6QCpIXTC7J3odOLzcNTByUkF_Eb6TdcYBX38W33/s1600-h/DSC06447.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKLSNCElLjNMxvhfcSrclvxQgjfL1r7UOL9ajUu0adVKNz-zLj0a8ddW6atKCVqJhSAmkMIm0UOMt2JpC4Jlpha0pB79l49MH_7pJQ6QCpIXTC7J3odOLzcNTByUkF_Eb6TdcYBX38W33/s400/DSC06447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302415168052607602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">and a card to match.....</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjGng1Ht25SQrM7Yp9G-rvUpNfVzmvZt9zvguloRAzy-4umNuH7ZTqVKrLMPrJCBF1LpdqN_-nLpKyVZBI5bvGluOKimyVi5ClgVW7ynO37Z-4dxejwAol6aaE-xYrRfRWs7L67OkhAZ0/s1600-h/DSC06451.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjGng1Ht25SQrM7Yp9G-rvUpNfVzmvZt9zvguloRAzy-4umNuH7ZTqVKrLMPrJCBF1LpdqN_-nLpKyVZBI5bvGluOKimyVi5ClgVW7ynO37Z-4dxejwAol6aaE-xYrRfRWs7L67OkhAZ0/s400/DSC06451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302415174478658514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I really hope he likes them :D</span>Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748017557959801548.post-70593932053755835142009-02-03T20:09:00.005+00:002009-02-03T20:43:53.078+00:00Dolly PerfumeThis isn't about my own craft I'm afraid. I have a few things in the pipeline but life (and snow!!) keeps interrupting me. I just wanted to blog about this and it seemed more a crafty blog type thing than a family blog type thing... if you know what I mean.<br /><br />When I was around the age my daughter is now, about four years old, I went into a Pharmacy with my mother and spotted some children's perfumes in the shape of little dollies. They came in various fruity fragrances and were in colours appropriate to each fragrance. My lovely mum agreed to buy me one but I was stuck in a dilemma. I loved the smell of oranges, but my favourite colour was pink (like my daughter's is now!).... should I go with the lovely orange smelling, but orange coloured dolly, or should I go with the pretty pink, but not so nice strawberry smelling dolly?<br /><br />In the end I let my nose win and chose the orange dolly.... and I still have her!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L1_Gs9CTVaBuuKBj3Q01nZcnT6fK1-M2Hz6BZLlDhTcNEvRuQpzwSGYSgDQDBcP9CHKC2DYbwxVhVpQlWQ9v0gzoKaJMPPUbjwSoWEZPX7TQOBZwWELlL8leZP93uOOrTY1j7lMofqsI/s1600-h/DSC06309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L1_Gs9CTVaBuuKBj3Q01nZcnT6fK1-M2Hz6BZLlDhTcNEvRuQpzwSGYSgDQDBcP9CHKC2DYbwxVhVpQlWQ9v0gzoKaJMPPUbjwSoWEZPX7TQOBZwWELlL8leZP93uOOrTY1j7lMofqsI/s400/DSC06309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298666452564405554" border="0" /></a><br />She still smells ever so slightly of the perfume too! I let my daughter play with her now.<br />I was faced with a similar dilemma recently when I discovered that Gwen Stefani had brought out a range of dolly perfumes herself!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoeZ77NaMX1OtrvXGKD0IY8-ZSaxlXT6IuD1sr_ICfgwv7XMD25CDf58LrkT6yWz7NBgM0OLExJYG4_ZYs5W2EWezwaFmaxLTGNZIH6dvZP5khSN4tU_0EM0ICE2fk_h97N-tGlUAdm72/s1600-h/harajukulovers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoeZ77NaMX1OtrvXGKD0IY8-ZSaxlXT6IuD1sr_ICfgwv7XMD25CDf58LrkT6yWz7NBgM0OLExJYG4_ZYs5W2EWezwaFmaxLTGNZIH6dvZP5khSN4tU_0EM0ICE2fk_h97N-tGlUAdm72/s400/harajukulovers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298671214712653922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzcc8noASREMYHX5ZjEVSIxmRnwc562iIYdwrswMYYL9V7w3B6HG9dZNTB4VPFx0YeBDHPCqQIMBc9XneEFlr5aCI8eX3ApVTtIYird5xJVP7joHi5YwcPFUIWAPyATJkzz_n11qFvPa3/s1600-h/425.harajuku.lovers.dolls.040408.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzcc8noASREMYHX5ZjEVSIxmRnwc562iIYdwrswMYYL9V7w3B6HG9dZNTB4VPFx0YeBDHPCqQIMBc9XneEFlr5aCI8eX3ApVTtIYird5xJVP7joHi5YwcPFUIWAPyATJkzz_n11qFvPa3/s400/425.harajuku.lovers.dolls.040408.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298671752565772914" border="0" /></a><br />Now I have funny pheromones, it seems like whatever perfume I try it smells awful on me, so I'm always on the lookout for a perfume that would work. Generally anything fruity or with Jasmine seems to work, it's anything too musky that goes wrong. I read the descriptions of these 5 and two of them, "Music" and "G", sounded like they might actually work for me. I spotted them in Debenhams and tried them out. My favourite of the scents was "Music" but I really liked the blonde Gwen Stefani style bottle for "G", which to choose?<br /><br /><br />Again I let my nose win and am now the proud owner of this....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VC9ShdQQsGkt8q3-G9yCx1htzU9XhM6DDZrydbRkhDqSCqRbdm3V1p5-xnfYhiOM6sFj9yF32nEHFE_0Qw7oPnd0tMimwGnHw9bfm9Wln99jXZvHX7ZHxrlyBuDIZmwxc2eyuC_z9BLp/s1600-h/DSC06314.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VC9ShdQQsGkt8q3-G9yCx1htzU9XhM6DDZrydbRkhDqSCqRbdm3V1p5-xnfYhiOM6sFj9yF32nEHFE_0Qw7oPnd0tMimwGnHw9bfm9Wln99jXZvHX7ZHxrlyBuDIZmwxc2eyuC_z9BLp/s400/DSC06314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298666453513882898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So far so good the fragrance really works for me, now I just need to stop my daughter stealing it!Tequilamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684892649684706052noreply@blogger.com2