Red Rapunzel

Coraline pumpkin

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Happy Celtic New Year.
We are having a Coraline theme to our Halloween party this year.
I've just finished this pumpkin. I'm hoping to do another one as it needs a few adjustments here and there but thought I would post this one anyway.
More photos later.

The Best book shelf ever !

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:37:00 +0000

How Wonderful is this Bookshelf ?

You can find more details about the Designer here.... at Design Artist.

After recently moving house I've been looking for some new ideas. The new house needs some TLC and hopefully some of the work will be starting in the next few weeks. We have a big meeting with our builder on Monday. So in the meantime we are living with the previous owners taste in decor. Its exciting to be starting afresh with a new space to transform. We are trying to furnish this home with as many renewed pieces as we can, but will I'm sure find space some new stuff.

I've realised that after a few weeks browsing that there is a bit of a tree theme running through

the items that I have as favourites, some are unfortunately out side our budget like......

This Beautiful bed by Shawn Lovell Metal Works.

However I can afford this ....

Its from Urban Outfitters and more in my price range at £16.

This bed is cute but in my opinion is over dressed, I think it would be great with a less is more approach to the linen and accessories, what do you think ?

Its available on Etsy and called The Apple Tree bed, which is coincidental as since the first time we viewed our new home we have called it the Apple Tree House.
The bed is designed by Attilladesign.

Work in progress

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:01:00 +0000

My sewing bug has returned. Inspired by the birth of a friends new baby girl.
I've had this project or one similar to this in mind now for a long time and the birth of Charlotta's little girl has prompted me to give it a burl. I had lots of little tiny patchwork hexagons around after making my flower pin cushion so kindly blogged at turning*turning. So I thought I could put them to good use.

I really can't tell you how much I enjoy making tiny patchwork. I really enjoy using up little pieces of fabric that other wise would be thrown away, yet when put together can be spectacular.

The fact that you can easily carry it with you. Making every opportunity to do a little sewing, no matter where you are. Last week we took a trip to a nearby beach and while O & M explored I was able to sit by the shore line and sew (more about this trip soon).

I'm currently searching for a pretty red work monogram to embroider in the centre of the blanket stitched heart. I was wondering if anyone knew of any good "free" sites for monogram patterns ?
Hoping to get this finished in the next few days so I'll post a picture of it finished and framed.

Perfect Pound Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:50:00 +0000

At home my family love my cupcakes and cookies. My cakes on the other hand are not met with the same enthusiasm.

For years I've been blaming it on my oven . I'm sure that before we bought it my cakes were much nicer.

In attempt to prove this theory I've been trying some new cake recipes. The first attempt was the Bruce Bogtrotter cake from Jane Brockets lovely book "Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer."

This was a very successful attempt. Couldn't fault my oven, I'm begining to realise it may be all in the Recipe.

This week I found the perfect Pound Cake recipe. So easy and it even worked for me. I originally found the recipe on RecipeZaar, but tweeked it a little.

Here's my version if you want to give it a try.

Perfect Pound Cake ......

3 cups golden caster sugar

1 cup softened cream cheese

1 1/2 cups softened butter

6 medium free range eggs (room temperature)

1 tsp good vanilla essence

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest

3 cups plain flour, sifted

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1, Cream sugar, butter and cream cheese, untill pale

2, Add eggs one at a time, beat well

3, sift dry ingredients together and add in stages to cream mixture

4, place in well greased 10" pan (I used two ring baking pans as mine were smaller)

5, Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 mins

6, Let cake cool in pan for 15 mins before removing, this ensures the cake stays

moist.

7, Better served the day after baking.

Property development for Fairies

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:50:00 +0000

Recently we took a day to drive to the Ards Peninsula in County Down.

We walked through the grounds of Mount Stewart, enjoying the ancient trees and the carpet of bluebells.

Then we came across this little jetty at the edge of the lake.

These Alpine water ferns totally caught our imagination.

M and I almost immediately thought of Fairies.

We had recently read Barry and Tracy Kane's book "Fairy houses Everywhere"

The rest of the day was spent collecting materials and building.

We enjoyed building this little house so much .

I can see a Summer filled with more Fairy Real Estate.

I've agreed to carry a ball of twine and pair of nail scissors with us on all our walks and park visits just incase.

You can find some beautiful fairy houses created by Roxie on Flickr here and here.

Sometimes its Sunny

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Some afternoons its Sunny in my back garden and here is the proof.
And, there are daisies popping up everywhere !

Hope the sun lasts for a few days more.

Sew Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:27:00 +0000

I know I've been away from my blog for a while. Lots of new stuff has been happening though.
There is a new Home for us in the next few weeks and I've been busy organizing all the grown up contract stuff for that.
I have lots of new ideas for this house as its pretty much a blank canvas. We will have lots more room and a beautiful garden and to top it all an Apple Tree!!
So as you can guess there has been limited crafting happening around here.
Just lots of cutting ideas from magazines and a little sewing, accompanied by the
Beautiful voice of Lisa Hannigan.....

This song "I don't know " is free on Itunes

Lovely album cover as well, don't you think ?

Pear and Almond

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:58:00 +0000

After an unplanned break from my blog I've eventually got my act together to post. It's not that I haven't been thinking of blogging, but with a nasty chest infection and a sprained ankle I just haven't had the energy to do very much.
However I'm glad that both have now resolved and I'm back to my old self.
Anyway the picture above is of my latest muffin flavor combination.
Even if I do say so myself they are scrummy.
Sweet, moist and delicious. Best eaten when still warm.
I've used my regular muffin recipe but substituted 1 oz of ground almonds for 1 oz of flour, added a few drops of almond essence and some freshly chopped ripe pears.
A dusting of icing sugar while they were cooling just finished them off nicely.

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:34:00 +0000

I don't know about you but my hands have been Freezing over the past few weeks.

This has prompted me to search for nice patterns for hand warmers. Although I like the idea of a full glove, they prove to be unpractical and I hate the loss of dexterity that comes with having the ends of your fingers covered.
So for me the perfect solution is market gloves, hand warmers or fingerless gloves.
I found these crocheted beauties on Etsy, made by the lovely Salina.

You can find more lovely things made by Salina on her blog Salina's Home Journal. I just love the cotton lace trim so much.

Thank you Salina. They are so comfortable, warm and most importantly pretty.

There is a saying that goes "Cold hands , Warm Heart" so to prove this true I've decided to have my first Give Away.

While searching for pretty patterns I have been tinkering with my own and have come up with these.

Please excuse the dodgy nail painting, nail art is unfortunately not my forte. I must get M trained up in the art of manicure.
If you leave a comment to this post with a link or copy of your favourite soup recipe before the 1st of February, I will enter you into the draw to win a pair of these hand warmers. You can choose the colour.
Good Luck.

The challenge of a Chocolate cake.

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:37:00 +0000

There has been some Very cold weather around here lately , so the fire has been lit most nights.
Some of the best things in the world according to O are a real fire and a Chocolate cake. I tend to agree.
Now I must admit to being a lot more proficient in the cupcake making department.
I tend to burn large cakes a lot !
Not sure why as my scones, cookies and other baking are usually OK, some of it I'm told is very good.

So I saw 2009 as the year to conquer my fear of the CAKE !!

Luckily for me one of my Christmas presents was "Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer" by the ingenious Jane Brocket. While following her blog Yarnstorm I had always admired her cake making expertise. Jane's cakes were never runny in the middle and burnt to a crisp at the edges like mine.

Book in hand I accepted the challenge from O to attempt the Bruce Bogtrotter Chocolate Cake. The ideas for the recipes in Jane's book all come from children's fiction. They can all be found either being made or eaten by the characters in stories that we all know and love.
The origin of the Chocolate cake is from Roald Dahl's "Matilda" were Bruce Bogtrotter is made to finish eating a large chocolate cake by miss Trunchbull as punishment for stealing. My children have always loved this story and were delighted at the thought of having a slice of the cake from "Matilda".

The resulting cake I'm glad to say was a complete success. I'm so pleased that at last I have found a chocolate cake recipe that works for me and my oven.

Another Christmas present was the pastry tin to make these pretty buns.

They are made using the Garden Gang cake pan from Lakeland. Available here. Small buns are much more familiar territory for me . The tin is made of really heavy aluminium. I was apprehensive that it would be difficult to remove the cakes in one piece after baking, but the tin works beautifully and gives a beautiful result.

Starting the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:40:00 +0000

I can't believe this is my first post of 2009 ! Where have those two weeks gone? Working night shift over Christmas has meant that the holidays have zoomed past for me. The Maternity unit where I work was has been very busy over the past few weeks.

I thought I'd post this photograph taken by D on the first walk of the year. It's of the road approaching Slieve Binnion in the Mourne Mountains. I think it is such a tranquil scene. It reminds me to slow my pace in 2009. The natural colour scheme of purple, pink and green is so soothing and the dry stone wall is a beautiful contrast.

So far in 2009 I've been smitten by the hand stitching bug and have spent the past few nights stitching these tiny fabric boxes while sitting by a lovely peat fire.

They are great for holding small items of jewellery. I've also used them over Christmas as gift boxes to hold small surprises. They are also a good way to use up those little scraps left over from bigger projects.

The pattern for these little gems can be found in this book.

Which is available here.

Seasons Greetings

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:57:00 +0000

Wishing you all a Peaceful and Happy Holiday.

All my parcels are posted

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:49:00 +0000

Phew !!! What a week.

I've finally got the last parcel in the post. Now to tackle the Christmas baking and finish off the presents for those closer to home.

I thought I'd share this Post Office advert circa 1951 by Lotte Reiniger, to celebrate that this year all my presents should reach their destination in time for Christmas.

Isn't it Great?

I love Lotte Reiniger's work so much that I bought M the DVD of Lotte's "Fairy Tale Films" for Christmas. Most of her short films included are based on classic fairy tales and all animated using her distinctive Paper Silhouette technique. The DVD is available here and you can find more clips of her work on Youtube.

I am amazed by her delicate attention to detail. Her work is Magical.

Prints of some of Lotte's stills can be ordered here.

You can read more about her work and life here.

3 Wishes for Cinderella

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:18:00 +0000

After my last post I've been thinking about films, books and television programmes I loved as a child.

I've been lamenting the fact that some of the wonderful children's programmes made in the 1970's aren't repeated today and I suppose nostalgia has truly set in.

My mission this week has been to try and acquire copies of some of these programmes to share with my own children.

Top of my list was a Czech version of Cinderella directed by Vaclav Vorlicek. It was serialised for children's television. I think it was originally recorded for German television, so it has English subtitles. Which I had forgotten about. My children loved every minute of this film.

"Three Wishes for Cinderella" or "Three Nuts for Cinderella" was usually broadcast around this time of the year and has a very strong association with the excitement of Christmas for me.

A great film to be watched on a frosty night in front of the fire while drinking hot chocolate.

The film is so beautifully shot with amazing scenery and exquisite costumes. The story has only slight deviations from the traditional story of Cinderella but enough to add a little more magic.

This Cinderella is independent and in control of her own destiny, even if she relies on a bit of good fortune in the form of 3 magic walnuts which contain 3 wishes and some cool outfits.
The fact that Cinders rides horses and shots like a sharpshooter made it more appealing and enjoyable for the boys in our house.

I found the following trailer on Youtube.

Isn't the music great too ?
The DVD can be found here.

Oliver Postgate

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:01:00 +0000

Today we lost a wonderful man. Oliver Postgate died at his home aged 83.

He created some of the most imaginative children's books and television programmes ever made. You can read a tribute to him here.

Ive posted the following episode of "Bagpuss" because its my favourite.

When I think about how much I love Fairy Tales and creating things from fabric, I immediately think of this episode of Bagpuss.

I really do think that this Rag Doll house episode sparked inspiration and an interest that would last throughout my life and for that Mr. Postgate I will always be Thankful.

I've included the link below to a short documentary about this amazing Animator and his work.

The Youtube tribute put together by The Guardian can be viewed here.

Moving towards the future.

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:07:00 +0000

Last week was an important one for the most precious girl in my life.

Where we live in Ireland children aged between 10 and 11 sit two important exams which determine the school they will move to the following September.
M sat her second exam on Friday.

After months of hard work and concentration the pressure is now off. I'm looking forward to more time spent walking, talking and making and baking together.
It's a huge relief as fractions, times tables and long division aren't really my thing.
We just have to wait until February now for the results before we can choose her new school.

Still on the mushroom thing

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:54:00 +0000

Our little fungi hunting expedition has given me craving for all things mushroomy. I've been thinking of making some felted mushrooms after seeing a fabulous pattern "Myriads of Mushrooms" by Grace Schnebly posted on Kathryn Ivy blog.

The nearest craft shop to where I live has a very limited range of 100% wool yarn.

Two colours to be precise.

Lucky for me they were in hues of mushroom. I bought a ball each of Sirdar Eco Wool DK. It has a lovely homespun texture. I had to cross my fingers that it would felt well.

For the red toadstool caps I managed to find some 20g skeins of Red Anchor Tapisserie wool that had been reduced.

Due to the impulsive "have to make it Now!" aspect of my personality I bought it and hoped for the best.

The Tapisserie wool felted really quickly. I made a mental note to scoop up any reduced skeins on my next visit for felting.

Thought I'd post this pic of me tinkering with the mushrooms in the forest.

I'm still knitting and felting so there may be more mushrooms to follow.....

Seth Lakeman Rocked or should I say Folked !

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:05:00 +0000

A few evenings ago we had the good fortune to go and see Seth Lakeman again.

Seth sings songs with a story, which we love.

Following the folk tradition of recounting the past and using his own unique style.

Described as folk music for people who aren't ready to wear an aran jumper or stick their finger in their ear just yet.

Our video clip of the night didn't turn out so well so I've added the clip below to give you a little taste of the magic.
You can find our version here. Not so good due to the fact we were behind the sound desk and D's arm started to hurt. Anyway enjoy this clip, much better I think.

Fungi Foray

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:10:00 +0000

A few Sunday's ago we met in a nearby wood to search for mushrooms. The walk was led by some members of The Northern Ireland Fungus Group.

The weather stayed dry and the scenery was beautiful.

We were amazed at how many species and types of fungi we found.

Needless to say that the children made the best foragers.

They have such good eyesight and can spot even the smallest mushroom hidden amongst the leaves and moss.

The experts helped us to identify our finds.

Our favourite native mushroom was the Earth Star.

A cloud of spores is released by this mushroom when raindrops touch it, or when they are tapped lightly.

I found this clip of one releasing its spores.

Just magical.

By the end of the afternoon we had found lots of variety's of mushroom but none in sufficient quantities to cook.

However we did gather a great collection for M & O to bring to school.

Kitchen Poetry 7

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:01:00 +0000

M helping to make creamy vegetable soup for todays lunch.

Kitchen Poetry 6

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:42:00 +0000

Cookies for the weekend.

Got these ready before work this afternoon.
I hope to post some family in tomorrows Kitchen Poetry.

Kitchen Poetry 5

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:54:00 +0000

The view through my Kitchen door this morning.

A grey and dreary day but my little glass apple cheered me.

Kitchen Poetry 4

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:11:00 +0000

Kitchen Poetry 3... ( celebration breakfast )

noreply@blogger.com (Cele) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:44:00 +0000

After staying up into the wee small hours to watch an historic event on Tv.

A celebration breakfast was called for. Home made Soda Farls.

Soda bread is best cooked on a griddle and stored wrapped in a linen tea towel.

I'm so lucky to have been sent this beautiful hand stencilled linen tea towel by Maya of maya*made blog.

You can see more and purchase some of her gorgeous work here on Etsy.

This was the second batch.

The first batch ?

Well to be honest they didn't last long.

They are too delicious when eaten warm with butter.