New beginnings for Little Mr

I have just taken Little Mr to school for his first day. I have felt sick all morning and still do now, I also came out in the biggest spot you will ever see on my chin (must be the worry). I am sure he will be fine, I left him playing with a wooden garage. I was the last parent to leave but I had only been there a couple of minutes I would have liked to have stayed a bit more really. I am now not sure what to do with myself which is odd as he goes to nursery so I am used to him not being here all day. He only goes for mornings this week so next week will be worse when I have to be parted from him all day. I will try to keep busy and get some housework done (there is plenty that needs doing!). I will be thinking of him all morning and just hope that he will be ok and enjoying himself.

Look what I won

I recently entered a competition on Doda's Creative Wanderings Blog and I couldn't believe it, I won, I was so excited, I can't remember the last time I won anything. My prize was a punch that she designed (how clever is that?), she also sent me one of her lovely matchbook notebooks, you can see the tutorial for these on her fantastic blog.

Her blog has some great features including her Angel Delight cake frosting which I tried the other day.

I can't wait to get using my punch, I am now off to look to see whose birthday card I have to make next so I can try it.

Thanks Doda you really made my day.

Knit and Natter

I went along to a knit and natter group yesterday. The only thing I have ever knitted is a scarf when I was about 12! I have wanted to learn to crochet for ages and have looked at so many books and you tube but just couldn't get it, I was hoping there would be someone at the group who would teach me. I was lucky as there were two volunteers to show me two different ways so I could use the one I felt most comfortable with, the people at the group were very friendly. This is what I made

Ok so I need lots more practice but for me just to do one stitch and hold the yarn was an achievement. Last night I made myself a face scrubbie, the whole in the center was too big and the stitching uneven but I am still getting used to how it all works. My next project will be a bear which I am working on now. I will go again to the group and am actually looking forward to showing them what I have made. Next time I may take some knitting needles as well.

Getting ready for Christmas

 I have finally got round to start making some bits for Christmas, every year I make friends and family some handmade items. This year I will make up some felt trees with people names on. I am going to use these as gift tags then they can be kept to be hung on the tree.

They are double sided, one side has small coloured buttons on and the other wooden heart buttons and the persons name in letter beads. This is the first one I have done for myself, hopefully my sewing will get neater on the subsequent ones.

I have not decided what I will be giving out as the presents yet. If I manage to find any teacups I will do teacup candles. I would also like to give some handmade soap with crocheted face scrubbies but as I can't crochet yet, this may be a problem! I am going tomorrow to a knitting club (can't wait) so am hoping someone will teach me there. I will let you know how it goes.

Bye for now.



Sprinkles Playdough

Well we made some play dough with sprinkles in (for recipe, see previous post). I wanted it to be white so didn't use any colouring and instead of vegetable oil (which might have turned it yellowish) I used baby oil. This part worked quite well but next time I will need to think of something else to add as sprinkles. We used plastic straws which we cut up into tiny pieces, this might have been ok if they were a darker colour but I only had pastel shade ones and these turned out to be difficult to see.  Little Mr loved it though and happily played with play dough all afternoon. I now just need to figure out how to remove it from the carpet!

Play dough recipe

I never buy play-doh, it is so easy to make your own, and very cheap. Use the cheapest flour you can buy or you can use any out of date flour you might have. This is my tried and tested recipe, I have have found that the most important stage is you have to get the mix very smooth before you start to heat (sift your flour and use a whisk to mix). Once made the more you kneed it, the better it is.

Ingredients

1 Cup Flour

½ Cup Salt

1 Tablespoon of Cream of Tarter (found in the cooking isle of supermarkets)

1 Cup Water

1 Teaspoon (approx) Food Colouring

1 Tablespoon Oil

2 Teaspoon (approx) Vanilla Essence (optional – I think this makes it smell more like original play doh)

Equipment
Bowl
Jug
Whisk
Pan (an old non-stick one is best)

Method
Combine flour (you do not need to sift but I do), water, salt and cream of tarter in a bowl.
In a jug combine water, colouring, oil and essence (if using), whisk this into the flour mixture, the smoother this mix the better, which is why I sift the flour.
Cook over a medium heat stirring all the time until mixture starts to come away from the sides of the pan and forms a sticky ball
Remove from heat and kneed well for a few minutes, if it is too sticky add some flour.

Keep in an air tight tub

Variations
Add glitter for a sparkling dough
Try peppermint essence for a different smell
Substitute some of the flour with coco powder to give a brown colour and chocolate smell (obviously no food colouring needed with this)

PLEASE BE AWARE this has a high salt content, so watch you child whilst using

 The mix ready to heat

 Looks like this whilst cooking

Ready when it starts to come away from the sides of the pan

This recipe makes just the right amount to fit in one of those chinese takeaway containers you get

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY!

Little Mr wants to make some with sprinkles in so we will try that one later today - I am not sure how it will turn out - I will post later with the results

Anyone like to add any of their tips for making playdough?

I made my first solid shampoo

I managed to get the shampoo made, I was a bit concerned as when I did the soap it set really quickly but the shampoo took ages. It still hadn't set when I went to bed. I had to get up in the middle of the night to let the cat out so checked on it then and took it out of the moulds, luckily it was ok. You can see from the picture I do not have any professional moulds I just use silicone cupcake cases. The little bits are camomile as this is suppose to make your hair blonder.

If you have never tried solid shampoo I recommend you do, I have been using it for ages and would not go back now. I am not suggesting that you make your own you can find some lovely homemade bars on folksy or lush do them. Don't be put off by the price they do last a lot longer than liquid shampoo.

Unfortunately I did not get my other project started and I won't have time tonight as I really need to get some housework done this evening, but I will get there in the end.