shiny shiny buff and polish

One project finished at lightning speed woohoo.

While DF was polishing his shoes last evening he asked If we had a spare canvas bag to keep all the shoe shining items in the current carrier bag was falling apart at the seams.

Mmh me thinks I can make it look more apt.

yeah I know I should have ironed the bag 

This is what the image looks like up close.

DF was really pleased.

Sewing box

As I've mentioned before I work in a care home.

I made this from a roses chocolate tin, painted it with acrylic paint, and added some transfers, buttons, measuring tape to.

Helps keep these items tidy and hopefully in one place when we need to sew on some buttons. Also wanted it to be tactile.

 

Tin before which is kinda pretty.

 

Sewing tin after.

Something I read today

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass....

it's about learning how to dance in the rain."

Be kinder than necessary,

Because everyone you meet

Is fighting some kind of battle.

The last bit was the hook that got me. We are all fighting our own battle everyday just trying to get through each day, sometimes it helps to realise we are not alone in this. Our battles may be different but we all have our struggles. 

Cherry, cherry oh baby

Did I mention I love cherries.
Strangely enough not many cherry flavoured items out there.
Used to love cherry coke and cherry 7up but no longer available least not in Scotland, boohoo.
Today's shopping score three pitiful cherry items.

Roll on summer for fresh cherry season too too short.

Baking again

Today I had another mini bakeathon it's becoming a weekly habit, mmh yumyum.
Lemon tart, 2 orange cakes (which is basically the lemon cake made with orange instead of lemon. Rocket science, maybe not) Tiffin slice, thumb print cookies. ohh and of course not forgetting banana muffins.

 

If life gives you lemons bake a cake

        I always thought about that phrase if life gives you lemons (which seems to be the case at the mo) make lemonade which is all very well easy to make, refreshing to drink, however cake is sooooo much better so I thought I would share my Lemon cake recipe. 

I'm sure there is lots of version of this yummy cake out there in blogland but this is the one my Mum makes and I love it.

       Recipe

• 175g Butter softened
• 175g Caster sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 4 tbspn milk
• 175g Self raising flour
• Lemon zest unwaxed is best
• Juice of the lemon
• Tbspn icing sugar

Cream together the butter and sugar (sometimes I cheat and pop the butter in the micro to soften but not melt).

Gradually mix in the milk and eggs, then fold in the flour and lemon zest. Spoon mixture into a greased loaf or cake tin and bake for 50-60 minutes at 180c/350f or gas mark 4 (or like I do when its golden brown and my skewer is clean)

Just before you remove the cake mix together the icing sugar and lemon juice and pour over cake immediately upon removing the cake from the oven. Allow the cake to cool slightly in the tin then remove and cool completely on a wire rack. Mind you sometimes a sneaky slice has been know to mysteriously disappear before the cake has cooled.

Octopus for Sam

I've been thinking of making some toys for Sam however I couldn't decide what would be the best shape until today on our usual walk around the park. He was foraging around in the shrubbery when all of a sudden he came bounding out tossing something around (don't worry I thought that too for a second) when I realised it was a just a glove someone had obviously dropped. There was no-one around just me and Sam so I let him keep it.

Boy did he have fun throwing it in the air and catching it.

That's when inspiration hit me an octopus. Well okay I could have just given him some old gloves but where would the fun be for me in that. I had an old sweater that I loved the colours of and was loathed to throw away so I had my material.

   

I cut the hood off then drew a rough Octopus shape before cutting out.

The hood was lined with the same material in plain grey which meant I had four layers.

I'm an impatient stitcher and tend to sew without tacking (bad me).

I stitched the two layers of the tentacles together but not the head yet, I then turned the tentacles right side out and joined the striped bits of the head together then turned then the right side out.

Sam waiting patiently.

I added some eyes just for effect though they probably won't last long with Sam.

I then stuffed the head lightly but not the tentacles as I wanted to mimic the lightness of the glove.

I tucked in the excess material to strengthen the head (hopefully last a bit longer).

Then hand stitched the seam.

Et voila! 

  

Precious symbols

A few days ago I realised what was the most precious thing, my DF and I are currently experiencing financial difficulties. It almost pushed me to breaking point when DF's car broke down again and needs expensive work done.
So trying to be pragmatic we're having a boot sale (Yard sale), and anything that is of value we have decided to sell separately (not that we have much of value however). We managed to agree on several items of small value that we will sell on ebay. However I felt that we could pawn my engagement ring and vintage tiara that was to be  for our wedding.
At this point DF broke down I was stunned, normally I'm the emotional sentimental one and he doesn't show any  signs of emotion. I thought I was being practical but he reminded me of just what that ring symbolises and how proud he was when he purchased it for me.
So this is how I realised my most precious thing DF of course but the ring is a symbol of all his love and our hopes and dreams.
Our current financial situation is only a blip we have a plan and coupled with frugality, hard work and a tight budget we'll get there.
We now have a dreams box which contains items which symbolise all our hopes and dreams. A picture of which I will post later.

Busy day

Well yes I haven't posted for a while hmm hence the dilly dally.
But today has been a busy day off work for 2 whole weeks. As today was my first day woohoo I decided to be productive.
My DF and I took our beloved little Sam for a very long walk, he had a whale of a time roaming about and foraging in the undergrowth. He must be tired because both he and DF are curled up on the sofa snoring.
When we came back I made Spicy Chicken Salsa with tacos for Dinner. Chicken and rice for Sam.
Then I had a mini bake-athon  cheesecake, scones and lemon drizzle cake. Feeling very pleased with myself and rewarded myself with a nice gin & tonic. mmmmhh.