Too tired to come up with a title

Snowman. Because I'm unlikely to get a real one around here.
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I really hate weaving in loose ends, but I did finally got out the yarn needle and sit down the other evening to finish off a couple more gifts. Here's a crochet scarf made using this pattern:This one's a baby blanket for a wee boy: I really ought to come up with something a bit more interesting for the baby boys. Oh, that reminds me - I've had quite a few people ask me for the pattern for the baby blankets that I make based upon the Rhubarb scarf. I'm happy to share it, but the stitch pattern came from a stitch pattern book. Is it violating copyright laws to share the pattern, or is the book taken as just being a teaching tool for various stitches? Does anyone know if you are allowed to share projects made from those stitch patterns?
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While I'm asking questions, I've had a couple of people mention that they've had trouble commenting on this site. Has anyone else had issues? E-mail me (address is over there at the top on the left) if you can't comment. The 100th post giveaway is slowly approaching, so I'd like to be sure that all is well by then.

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It's been at least 25 years since I last made a pom-pom.

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I had better run - busy day today. Take care,

Last-minute knit mitts (for beginners)

I heard a shop playing Christmas music today, which made me smile. I know that some people think that it's too early, but I kind of like going around singing Christmas carols for a couple of months, even if my family dearly wished that I didn't...
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Anyway, Autumn is pretty much passing me by. The local weather is not 'Autumnal' yet and, what with me and my daughter getting ill, we didn't even carve a pumpkin for Hallowe'en this year. I grew up with harvest festivals (where schools and churches get decorated up and collect food to give to the needy) rather than Thanksgiving (nice meal, but could really do with some roast spuds and Yorkshire puds, if you ask me). Christmas, on the other hand, gets me all nostalgic. AND I've already started sorting out some presents for Christmas (I know, I know, you're wondering who I am and what happened to the procrastinator that usually posts on this blog...).
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One wee present that I've made is these ever-so-simple mitts. I was going to try the toast / toasty pattern, but didn't have the correct sized needles and couldn't get my husband off the PC so that I could check out what type of yarn was used etc. So I decided to make something up as I went along instead. Nothing ground-breaking, but I thought that I would share it, as it would be a great project for a beginner that hasn't knit in the round before. The ribbing would hide any join line and the thumb hole is simply made by switching to rows. The stretchy ribbing improves the chances of a good fit. Plus they do not take much yarn and can be knitted up quickly, even by slow-pokes like me. And I like the way that they look more like the ends of a layered jumper (sweater) poking out from your cardy sleeve than mitts.
Here goes:
Last-minute knit mitt version 1:
Ravelry link
Yarn: less than a ball of Bernat Soft Bouclé
Needles: four US size 5 double pointed needles (3.75mm)
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Cast on 30 stitches (I cast on using the long tail cast on method as I have some vague memory of reading that this is a stretchy cast-on stitch. My memory might not be reliable. Feel free to correct me).
Divide the stitches onto 3 double-pointed needles, so that there are 10 stitches on each needle.
Join, taking care not to twist the stitches. Mark the beginning of the round (ok, I never do this - I just look for where the tail of yarn dangles from the cast on edge and judge it from that).
Work in a knit 1 purl 1 rib (*knit 1, purl 1, repeat from *) for 5-8 inches, depending on what length that you want the mitts to be (measure your arm from 1" below the thumb joint to the desired length). Then, when you reach the end of that round, STOP - do not join. You should have ended on a purl stitch
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Thumb hole (stop working in the round, and work back and forth in rows for 10 rows):
Row 1: Turn the knitting around (facing the inside of the mitt), and start with a knit stitch (in that previous purl stitch), then purl 1, then continue in the knit 1, purl 1 rib pattern to the end of the row, turn.
Row 2-9: Starting each row with a knit stitch to maintain the rib pattern, knit 1, purl 1 rib to the end of the row and turn
Row 10: knit 1, purl 1 rib to the end of the row, then join.
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Top of mitt:
Knit 10 more rounds in the knit 1, purl 1 rib.
Cast off (I used the sewn cast-off method - again, vague memories about stretchiness).
Done. Make another one. Ta da.
I wish I had thought to use the self-timer when photographing previous mitts.Here's some green paper inside the mitt to show the thumb hole better. It's that hole being pointed to by my scruffy-nailed finger.

Last-minute knit mitt version 2 - the green mitt:

Yarn: less than a ball of Red Heart Plush (bought way back when during a closing down sale and I have never seen another ball of this yarn since...)

Needles: four US size 5 double pointed needles (3.75mm)

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I made this version a fraction looser. Cast on 36 stitches, divide onto 3 needles, 12 stitches to a needle. Join and knit in a wider rib of *knit 2, purl 2, repeat from *. Continue knitting in the knit 2 purl 2 rib, following the pattern for version 1 mitts. ie. knit up to the thumb hole, then knit back and forth in rows, keeping the knit 2 purl 2 rib, for 10 rows, then knitting 10 more rows in the round.

Translation of the Day:

UK English: cardy / cardie (abbr.) = cardigan in US English.

I shouldn't get me started on the different clothing terms again...

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PS. Don't worry - I am still a procrastinator. I haven't even taken a photo of my kids in their Halloween costumes yet...

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PPS. I apologise in advance for all grouchy comments concerning the local weather. I get disappointed all over again every year about California's lack of seasons. Maybe I'll accept it as a given one day and stop singing "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" all December long...

All dressed up and nowhere to go

My brother-in-law just held a reception to celebrate his recent marriage. This triggered a rush to the closets to see whether there is anything halfway decent that fits anyone, as, well, smart casual is a step above what normally passes for attire around here. My daughter was in-between dresses. Even though she gets several hand-me-down dresses each year from her cousins that do not get worn as, well, jeans and shorts are just so much more practical. Especially for a girl more likely to be found hanging upside down from a climbing frame than playing tea party. So I knocked out something on the quick, for cheap.

Yep, just a longer version of the smock top. With fewer pleats as I changed my mind about which side of the fabric was the 'right' side halfway through. I estimated instead of measuring the pleats. And did a horrific job on hemming the lining, as I was rushing it at the last minute.

Still, it turned out ok.

Then we arrived at the reception and it was whipped off her, as apparently they had a dress for her that matched her cousins'. It turns out that they had bought some little girl dresses for the cousins back when they were considering a church wedding. So, I had a late night of sewing for nothing. Still, at least I was spared the stress of having my daughter be a flower girl in front of a crowd of people. I didn't even know that they had been considering it. I wouldn't have put it past her to cartwheel down the aisle...

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I might shorten it into another top. Otherwise it will probably gather dust like the other dresses.

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Regarding the flour: it's not that 'English flour' is a special variety, it's just that American flour is made in a different way to English flour. Something to do with the weight of it or whether it is bleached or how much protein is in it or the amount of salt or whatever - so that the same recipe will turn out differently depending upon whether you used the American variety or the English variety of self-raising flour, for instance. I had been wondering why everything that I baked over here turned out awful, when I happened to see it mentioned that a cookbook author travelled to England to use their ingredients for the English version of her book, because of the differences. Now the difference in the sugars is fairly easy to see, but I had been unaware that there was a difference in the flour.

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So I did more research and came across a wonderful article that went into the exact composition of the different types of flours in each country and how they differed and what you should add extra / how you should adjust the weight etc. to compensate for the difference, so that your baking will turn out as planned. Then I forgot to bookmark it. I have been searching for it ever since. So, in the meantime, I am just buying the imported flour, as that is the one my English cookbooks have been written for. Hopefully I'll find that article once more - or will at least replace my English recipes with American recipes that use the American ingredients on hand...

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I'm supposed to cleaning the house, so no translation of the day today...

Take care.

Just a little bit hungry

I had to take a 'cultural snack' to my daughter's preschool today. This is the kind of task that makes me nervous, as I have the ability to even mess up a cake mix (nb.English Muffins were included on their list of ideas from previous years. I hope they were meant to represent American culture, as further research into finding out what on earth they are turned up that they were invented in America).
I decided on scones, as my mum is from Devon (and I took a battenberg cake last time and decided that the likelihood of my making another one turn out as well was poor). Luckily for the preschoolers the import store was out of English flour, so I just bought a scone mix to make the scones with. They look ok. Hopefully they taste ok. I felt a bit daft using a mix to make something as simple as scones.
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You might have noticed that I mentioned that the import store sometimes carries English flour. Yes, they are ridiculously tiny bags for a ridiculously high price, but while my search for an American sponge recipe continues, they at least mean that I can produce this
instead of this
See that? There's even a gentle rise there!
And once they are dolled up with some English cake decorations (very generously sent by Ali - what a sweetheart!), they disappear quick...
I made quite a few snacks from my childhood for the kids this summer. I'm not sure what has happened to me, but despite still not enjoying cooking, I've been spending more time in the kitchen lately and, gulp, even trying out a few new recipes for dinners! These are just a few old favourites, though, like chocolate crunchies
and flapjacks
as suggested by my golden syrup can.
I'm not showing you a picture of my Bran Parkin Cookies, mind. I'm still trying to figure out what went wrong there. They turned out looking more like rock cakes...
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While on the subject of disasters, I finally tried dyeing. No, not my rapidly appearing grey hairs. Fabric. Luckily I didn't start with the bag and did a trial run on some old t-shirts instead. The process seemed a lot easier (and cleaner) than what I was expecting, but I think that I should have left them in a lot longer. What should have been navy turned out the colour of surgical scrubs. That wouldn't be so bad, except that I chose to dye a loose fitting v-neck t-shirt that, well, now looks like surgical scrubs. Now I'll never be able to wear it in public, for fear of a medical emergency happening in my presence and everyone turning to me with expectation in their eyes. It's probably been about 20 years since I earned my First Aid badge...
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My mouse-wielding (the computer variety - not rodents...) arm is still giving me grief. So, I've been spending very little time on the computer. Ah, I miss my blog-reading. I will one day reply to e-mails and comments, but it might not be soon (ask my mum - she hasn't been getting replies to her e-mails to me, either).
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Plus I've apparently got arthritis, because the rapidly appearing grey hairs just weren't making me feel ancient enough...
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I'm off to eat some leftover scones. All these food pictures are making me a wee bit peckish.
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Translation of the day:
UK English: peckish = hungy in US English. Well, moderately hungry. Not starving, just a little bit hungry. That doesn't mean that 2 scones will be enough, of course...

(Somewhat) Satchel

The bag that was going to be a scarf. Carefully cropped so that you can not see what a mess my garden is. It's been too darn hot to do any gardening lately...

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I found a new yarn shop, full of what seemed to be very impractical yarn. Still, I found myself unable to leave without purchasing a couple of skeins of this yarn (#1 and #22, I think). I do not normally even wear pink. I started a scarf, but soon realised that it was going to be itchy. This is weird yarn - it felt really soft when balled up, but felt kind of rough and scratchy when I was actually working with it. Maybe it's just me. Even so, I knew that I didn't want it around my neck, so I hoped that there was enough to make a bag from instead. The (Somewhat) Satchel was knocked out.

Disclaimer: I don't know what I am doing when it comes to crochet and often wonder if I am just making things up as I go along, but I thought I'd attempt to share the pattern with you anyway. If you do try making one, I'd love to get some feedback about any errors (I'm awful at counting stitches and rows) and ideas for better phrasing or the correct way of doing this etc.

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The bag body is made in one piece, starting with the base. You will add a row of single crochet around the edge of the base, then work in the round up the sides. The flap is then worked back and forth in rows. The shoulder strap and buckle straps are made separately in contrasting yarn and sewn on at the end.

Ravelry link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/somewhat-satchel

You will need:

approx 180 yards / 160cm of heavy worsted yarn (I used 2 skeins of Savanna by GGH)

1 skein of yarn in a contrasting colour for the straps (I used Vanna's Choice by Lion's Brand)

2 buckles (I bought a couple of dirt cheap cat collars and removed the buckles)

US size K 10.5 hook (6.50mm)

US size I 9 hook (5.50mm)

Yarn needle

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Abbreviations used (nb. I'm using the American stitch terms):

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

fpdc = front post double crochet (a search on the 'net shows lots of great tutorials for this easy stitch - it's the same as a dc, but you put the hook behind the 'post' of the stitch)

sl st = slip stitch

rep = repeat

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gauge: 30sc = 8" or 20cm

finished bag measures approximately 8" x 2½" x 5½" or 21cm x 6cm x 15cm

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BAG BASE:

Row 1: (Using the larger size K hook) ch 30

Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in second ch from hook and each ch across =30sc

Rows 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in each sc across

Rows 4-10: rep row 3

At the end of row 10 you will work down the side of the piece (ie. along the short side of the rectangle), and then around the first edge (row 1) and then up the other side:

Turning the corner, sc in last sc of row 10 again (marked ** on picture), then sc in each of the gaps (marked *) down the edge (9sc). Turn the corner, sc in each of the ch of row 1 (30sc). Turn the corner, sc up the remaining edge (9sc).

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BAG SIDES (worked in the round):

Round 1: sc in the back loop (furthest loop from you of the two top loops that make a single chain) of each sc all the way around = 78sc

Round 2: (switch to smaller size I hook) dc in each sc all the way around = 78dc

Round 3: fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in next 9dc, fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in next 9dc (the fpdc are at each of the corners of the bag)

Rounds 4 - 13: rep round 3

Round 14: fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in next 9 dc, fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in nect 8dc, sl st in last dc

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BAG FLAP (worked back and forth in rows):

Row 1: ch 3, (continuing along the long edge of the bag) dc in next 29 dc

Row 2: ch 3 for turning chain, dc in next 29 dc

Rows 3 - 11: rep row 2
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I then did a row of sc down the side of the flap, around the top of the bag and up the other side of the flap and along the top of the flap. This gives it a nice neat edge, but isn't necessary.

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In contrasting yarn:

SHOULDER STRAP:

Row 1: ch 200

Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in each ch

Rows 3 - 8: rep row 2

Sew strap on outside of bag using the yarn.

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BUCKLE STRAPS (nb. The inside edge of my buckle was equal to 3 rows of crochet. You may need fewer or more rows, depending on the width of your buckle) :

Make 2:

Row 1: ch 10

Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in each ch

Row 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in each sc.

Sew buckle onto the end of this strap.

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Make 2:

Row 1: ch 21

Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in each ch

Row 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in each sc
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Sew the 2 straps attached to the buckle onto the front of the bag, then (making sure that they are in line with the buckles) sew the longer straps onto the flap of the bag (use the picture as a guide)

You're finished. As modelled by a pyjama-clad kid in a garden that needs raking:

Wow, it seems a lot more complicated when you're writing out every step, but it's not a hard bag to make.

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Translation of the day:

UK English: purse = small coin purse (feminine version of a wallet) in US English

UK English: handbag = purse, handbag or (apparently) pocketbook in US English.
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I had to look pocketbook up after reading that word the other day. I had no clue what was being referred to, but guessed that they weren't talking about a paperback book. Is it in common usage over here?

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nb. I have a lot of catching up to do. I am way behind on replying to people, but I have an old wrist injury keeping me from spending much time on the computer. A police dog bit me 10 years ago (no, I wasn't on the run from the law - I just knew the dog handler) and it still keeps playing up (my wrist, that is. Hopefully the dog has stopped playing up).

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Not too long to go 'til my 100th post and a giveaway. I'll give you a clue - there'll be some fabric up for grabs. It seems like I bought it ages ago now. I was under the illusion that I would be posting regularly and often over the summer... Take care all.

The report

"The report of my death was an exaggeration" ~ Mark Twain.
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When I said that you might not hear from me for a while, I didn't think that I would be disappearing for the rest of the summer. Well, the first half of the summer was spent without a car, with two stir crazy kids confined by heat and a poorly designed public transportation system to the house / local park / backyard paddling pool / supermarket (which involved a less than a mile walk, but you would have thought that it was a death march with the way that the kids were complaining. Ok, it was hot, but I'm pretty sure that the one carrying the shopping while dragging along two kids had the worst end of the deal...). Then the second half of the summer was spent rushing around trying to squeeze in all the things that we missed out on during the first half of the summer.
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By the way, I love that the cities around here put on free concerts and movies in the park during the summer. One group of people had set up a table, with a table cloth, napkins, fancy meal, dessert and wine at one of the concerts. What a great way to dine.
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So what did we do this summer?

My parents visited and we went camping.

My friend visited and we went sightseeing (although, if you ask me, I'd advise steering clear of many of the local sights).

We did a bit of time-travel.

Played baseball.

Then checked out how the big boys play it.

We made sandcastles.

that turned out nothing like this.

We splashed.

There was lots of courage displayed at swimming lessons.

There were busy days.

and then there were quiet days.

Summer holidays have come to an end now, though. The swimming pool and wading pools are closed. My son calmly started first grade last week (it was his mum who had first day butterflies). My daughter goes back to preschool next week (she's disappointed that she's got to wait another year before she gets to go to kindergarten). I'm back.
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Translation of the day:
UK English: holiday= vacation in US English
UK English: bank holiday or public holiday = holiday in US English.
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American publishers have marked a lot of special dates on my calendar, but not all of them get you a day off school or work. I'm still trying to work out which ones do. Do we get a day off on Columbus day?
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Ooh, I almost forgot. Talking of calendars: I'm in one! Well, to be more precise, my pear pincushion pattern is in it. The calendar is a collection of simple sewing projects - two a week, I believe. I had no clue what to expect, so I was really excited to get my copy. Some really talented bloggers and sewers have contributed projects to this calendar. I feel very intimidated by the company that I've found myself in.
I hope that those of you in the Northern hemisphere enjoyed your summer. Take care.

Lots of loose ends that need tying up

I'm finally starting to feel a lot more like my normal self. My poor kids have had a bit of a boring start to their summer. When the doc said that the medicine can cause sensitivity to the sun, he wasn't kidding, so I've been stuck indoors. Crocheting always seems like a good craft for times when I'm feeling under the weather. It's easy to put down at a moment's notice without having to worry about trying to find my place when I return. So I decided that it was about time that I worked out how to do a granny square. nb. The light was a bit dull this morning, but you can get a better idea of the colours of the yarn used here.

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I originally started with these 2 squares from 101 crochet squares by Jean Leinhauser.

This one didn't seem sturdy enough. I liked this one, but then thought about how many of these squares it would take to make even a small blanket. That's the point that I decided to try the basic granny square, to see if it was any quicker. It was. Even so, these granny square blankets are pretty time consuming. I'm only planning on making a small lap blanket, though, so I think I'm about half way done. Ignore all the loose threads in the pictures - I've been too lazy to weave them in yet. Then there will be joining all the squares together. I think I'm too slow a crocheter to do this very often...

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My parents will be visiting soon, so don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for a while. This month of illness has put me a tad behind on my to-do list. The first thing should probably be finally planting the plants I bought the day before I became ill. Plastering and painting will have to wait a little longer. I'm still not anywhere near to catching up on what's in my e-mail inbox. I had better check that the camping stuff is all still in good shape. And I had better make it up to my kids for keeping them cooped up indoors for the last couple of weeks...

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Talking of which, I'm being nagged to get off the computer so that we can get out of the house, so I had better get going. No translation of the day for today, sorry.

School's out for summer

Gulp. No school for 13 weeks.

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I think that there were just as many mums crying today as there were on the first day of Kindergarten. I stayed true to my British roots and kept a stiff upper lip. Whatever illness I had has left me with some sinus infection, so believe me, no one there would have wanted to see me bawling...

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My son has had the best ever Kindergarten teacher this last year. I really could not have asked for a better teacher. We went in on the class gift, but I think that even if I hadn't already made something extra, I would have anyway, as she is such a sweetheart. My son had told me that she likes to bake cookies. I don't know how reliable my informant is, but if even someone with my culinary abilities has an apron, I'm hoping that she might like one too, even if she just uses it when cleaning out drains or something. So I made another Emmeline apron. Side 1:

Side 2:

I added an inch or so to the pattern after reading a discussion on the sizing online, figuring that I'm pretty small-framed and I don't think that I would want mine any smaller. I'm not so sure that I needed to, though (maybe I used bigger seam allowances than those recommended when I made mine?). I hope it fits her ok. Still, at least the mirror got dusted. Here's how they look without the weird side lighting:

Ok, the gloomy weather we've been having lately is wonderful, but it is awful for taking pictures. Alright, now I've played around with the colours on the computer, so hopefully this will give you an idea of the actual colours:

I'm not ready for my son to be a first-grader. Does he have to grow up this fast?

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Thank you for the sympathy for my sewing machine troubles. The needle had stopped moving because some part had come loose under the *wheel thing on the right side*. The big round thing that you turn to move the needle up and down (I'm guessing that there probably are technical terms for these things). I popped it open and tightened the part, so hopefully that will be ok now. As for the tension nuttiness, when I next got the machine out I noticed that there was a small piece of metal on the *metal thing that you put the bobbin in* that was a fraction out of place and caught on an edge. Now I'm wondering how I was even lucky enough to manage to sew that final bloomin' line of topstitching without the thread going nuts.

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I'm still scared of the sewing machine, but now that I've poked around it a bit, I do feel like I'm starting to get to know it a bit better, even if I can't name the parts...

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Translation of the day:

UK English: plaster or Elastoplast = adhesive bandage or Band-Aid in US English.

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I think people here think that I am raising two little hypochondriacs, as my kids keep demanding a plaster after they've taken a tumble. Americans think that they are asking for plaster casts...

Blood, toil, tears and sweat

One line of topstitching had me close to giving up sewing for good.
My daughter's preschool teacher seems to like neutrals, so I decided to make her this tote bag as part of her end of year gift. I figured that reusable bags are useful. I have lots. Most of mine seem to have a WIP (work in progress) stuffed in the bottom, which might be why someone like me believes them to be useful.

(That's the shadow of a plant on the right of the photo, by the way - not grime)

All was going well. I did manage to give myself a cut lip (there's the blood) while turning the handles, but we all know that sewing is fraught with danger. I flipped the bag through the opening and found no glaring errors. All that was left was the line of topstitching around the top.
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I had to rip that bloomin' topstitching out about 5 bloomin' times. Why the tension was suddenly off, I don't know, but I adjusted the top thread tension, then decided the screw on the bobbin thing was the problem. I didn't notice that I was about to run out of bobbin thread, of course. And then.... my needle stopped moving. And that's the point where I was blinking back the tears.
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That one line of topstitching took me over an hour. I think I have fixed the machine.
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Here's the lining. There's a tiny error in that line of topstitching, but hopefully she won't care. I can't bring myself to risk ripping it out and redoing it. I have visions of the machine just deciding to spontaneously combust or something if I go near that topstitching just one more time...
Lately, a lot of my limited computer time (my husband is a gamer) has been spent on my grandmother-in-law's 90th birthday celebration. I've been designing invites and reply cards, scanning hundreds of photos for a slideshow, downloading music and putting together playlists of of 30s and 40s music (it turns out that rather a lot of people have written songs about their 'honey', but I think that I did finally find the one that she remembered...). After seeing all the work that goes into organising flower arrangements and the like, I am so glad that I got married on a clifftop at sunset with just two witnesses present.
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The party went well, though. I was going to say that my blog should be a little less neglected now, but, considering that I'm ill at present, the end of the school year is fast approaching, my parents will be visiting etc. etc. that's probably a rash thing to say. Still, I'm trying to think up ideas for a giveaway for my upcoming 100th post, even if it might be months before I reach that milestone at the current rate...
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Translation of the day:
UK English: blooming (usually pronounced bloomin') = darned in US English. Often used as an intensifier or as an exclamation of surprise or anger. It's a minced oath used instead of 'bloody'. Using 'bloody' would have got me a clip around the ear as a kid, though. I think I would have just about got away with using 'blooming'.

I felt the earth move under my feet

Ah, my dear daughter, who can not stand still for 5 seconds. Thank goodness I don't want to put pictures of your face on this blog, as I don't think there was a single picture in the whole batch of you just looking at me (please stop crossing your eyes).

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I bought the material months ago, but have only just got around to replacing my daughter's outgrown peasant top (less than a year later and her belly shows when she wears it - how is that possible?). And then we had a 4.7 earthquake (definitely felt it this time). The last time I made her a peasant top it was a 5.4 quake. Do I dare put together the one that is cut out and waiting to be sewn? Should I contact Cal Tech's seismology department before I make any peasant tops and let them know that a seismic event may be about to occur?

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Aside from their earthquake-triggering properties, these tops are great. So quick to sew and they look good in busy (read 'stain-concealing') prints. I was even able to use the template I put together last year, as she's been growing upward not outwards. I've been seeing lots of similar ones on blogs lately, so I think that there's plenty of patterns about.

The next one is in a less practical fabric. I'm just not sure if I should risk another quake.

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Translation of the Day

UK English: Gordon Bennett! = an exclamation of surprise, anger or disbelief in US English.

It can be used as a more publicly acceptable replacement for several swear words or 'Oh My God!' although the latter seems to be used these days for every little thing here in California, while Gordon Bennett is reserved for the more emotional occasions.

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For instance, when your house starts shaking around you, it is a good time to say "Gordon Bennett!"

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I think the phrase "OMG! that is so, like, adorable, you should totally, like, get that" is unlikely to ever be rephrased using Gordon Bennett.

Apple bookmark

Just a quickie:
It's Teacher Appreciation Week this week, so my son is doing little things for his teacher each day. Monday is 'hug your teacher day', Tuesday he's taking in a thank you note, Wednesday a flower, Thursday some English sweets, Friday is 'whatever you would like to do for your teacher day'.
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When I saw the link to these wire bookmarks on Crafty Crow this morning, I decided that I might add a little wire apple bookmark to Friday's offering. A bit of bending wire and hammering later and here's my apple:

Is it recognisable as an apple?

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The end of the school year is really sneaking up on me. It's about time that I started making the end of year gifts for the kids' teachers. I wish my son could stay in Kindergarten forever - I could not have asked for a nicer teacher than the one he has now.

Ok, got to run. Take care all.

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Edit: I used 19 gauge annealed wire, as that was the only wire I had in the house. Pliers were used to bend the stalk and the end of the leaf, but the rest I just shaped by hand. I hammered it on a metal surface, until it was flat. I have no clue if this is the 'proper' method.

ladybird, ladybird fly away home

I didn't think that I would be gone for so long. Our flying visit to Sacramento went well - thank you for your suggestions for things to do. Old Town Sacramento didn't seem to wake up until 11am, so we ended up spending the most time at the Capital building.
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If anyone was wondering about that little heat wave that hit Southern California a week or so back, that was because the electric company had switched our power off while they were installing a new pole. I was stuck at home with not even a fan to keep me cool, but at least that meant that I did not miss it when hundreds of these ladybirds (ladybugs) stopped by for a brief visit.
Then we were ill. Not the swine 'flu. My husband, of course, was convinced that he might be at death's door. Men.

I finally finished the baby blanket for my friend. Same pattern, same yarn again.

Then another of my babies turned a year older. Yes, someone had nicked 3 chocolate buttons off the cake. The investigation is ongoing, but 2 suspects have been identified and taken in for questioning.

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Which reminds me:

A lot of people here seem to use cake mixes, which do produce lovely fluffy moist cakes, but I don't have much luck with them and I prefer the taste of cakes made from scratch. Yet, while the cakes that I've made from scratch usually taste ok, they just don't seem to have turned out as well as the ones I used to make back home.

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I'm not a great cook, so I put that down to my poor culinary skills. Then I finally read an article about how American flours, sugars, baking powder etc. differ slightly from English ones, so the same recipe will turn out much different. Ok, my poor culinary skills might still be a contributing factor, but let's ignore that for a moment.

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So, as I have the American ingredients at my disposal, the solution must be to find an American recipe to use instead of my British ones. I'm trying to find an American equivalent of the basic sponge cake recipe (the British 6-6-6-3 recipe). I skim read a couple of local cookbooks, but they didn't seem to have something similar. Can anyone help?

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Translation of the day:

UK English: nick (verb) = to steal in US English

UK English: nick (verb) = to arrest in US English

As in, my offspring risked getting nicked by the fuzz by nicking chocolate buttons off the birthday cake.

Smocked

I got a little nervous after posting that sneak peek on the previous post - and people telling me that they couldn't wait to see the finished item - that I was going to bodge this. As for those asking me what it is called (really, you should know by now that I am the last person to ask about technical terminology), according to the McCall's Needlework Treasury that my grandmother-in-law gave me, it is honeycomb smocking. There's an online tutorial here.

I have had this idea for a top for my daughter for a long while now, but I was a little intimidated by the idea of doing the honeycomb smocking and kept procrastinating (as usual). It turned out that my only problem was with trying to iron it, as I was too lazy to clear the counter top and I didn't have much room to manoeuvre (maneuver). The stitching itself took no time at all.

It's grey with pink stitches on the smocking, but I'm not sure that you can tell that from the photos. Lined with a pink polka dot fabric, in case I needed to persuade my daughter that girls can wear grey (she's starting to get ideas about what she wants to wear these days). Trying to get her to stand still for a picture is proving difficult these days too, for that matter...

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Translation of the day:

UK English: bodge = botch, to do an inept or inelegant job in US English. Sometimes as a temporary repair.

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I'm not sure yet when we are heading out of town, but we shouldn't be gone for long. Take care.

Avoiding painting the living room

Well, both versions 1 and 2 of the baby blanket got scrapped. My friend that just had the baby has been my friend since we were toddlers and it just didn't seem right to give her a blanket that I was not happy with - and one that did not seem to fit her personality either.
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There was still the problem of finding some yarn that I did like, though. The above eggs (made using this pattern) are made out of yarn that I have stashed, ready to make a normal blanket with. So, I did pull those out for consideration, but, while I love the colour combo, the yarn just doesn't feel soft enough to go against a baby's soft skin.
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So when I found the same yarn that I have used before, I went with it. I had hoped to have a change from what seems to be becoming my standard baby blanket pattern, but I know this yarn works and, more importantly, I think she'll like it. I hope so, anyway.
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I think I will make my daughter a messenger bag out of the ridiculously thick yarn, as we do not know anyone in the Arctic that will need a baby blanket anytime soon...
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Meanwhile, here's a sneak peek at what I am making next. Hopefully I'll be able to find the sewing machine - it's probably covered in rust, dust and cobwebs by now...
Translation of the day:
UK English: yonks = a long period of time, an age, ages in US English.
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As in, I haven't sewn anything in yonks. I hope I remember how to thread the bloomin' machine...

Hidden dangers of spring cleaning

Well, I haven't been keeping the curtains shut, leaving the phone off the hook and catching up on things around here.

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Somehow the spring cleaning led to buying two new bookshelves and moving my daughter out of a toddler bed, which somehow led to plans to rearrange and redecorate two rooms. Ugh, I don't want to do plastering and painting again. I haven't even found a cupboard or finished putting up the shelves etc. in the bathroom yet. Why couldn't I just leave well enough alone??

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Translation of the day:

UK English: DIY = 'do it yourself' in US English

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My husband says that Americans do not use the acronym. Not that he would be the one to know - I'm the one that does all the DIY around here. Installing laminate flooring, putting up shelves, putting together furniture etc. etc. is all done by yours truly.

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Actually, I do like putting together furniture, but it does take a while when you're having to chase curious kids away from the hardware every 5 minutes (my husband was supposed to be entertaining them, but I guess that watching him play computer games wasn't that entertaining...).

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There hasn't been much spare room / time for crafting. Finding two matching colours of the same yarn in my still half empty yarn stores for a baby blanket has been a challenge. Version #1 felt too thick and fluffy, even for Scottish weather. I started version 2 last night, but I'm not convinced that those colours work. Any ideas for things to make with thick and surprisingly fuzzy yarn?

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While I'm asking for ideas: We're off to Sacramento for a night or two in a few week's time. Does anyone have any recommendations for things to see / shops worth checking out?

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(PS. Paperweight made by tying a Monkey's Fist knot around a wooden ball).

Normal posting will resume shortly...

Next week, after I file our taxes, that is. Sorry, it's been a little hectic around here and I simply haven't been on the computer. Aside from searching for crumpled receipts and lost statements (one year I will get around to setting up a better system for organising all this tax stuff), I seem to have found myself doing lots of tasks for other people, while things on the home front have been a little neglected.

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We did find time to eat a little cake. How is it possible that my little lad is now 6??

We also have a new nephew. That's 10 nephews / nieces now. My money tip for those struggling in today's economy is: marry an only child. Seriously. Christmas can get pretty expensive these days. My husband still has siblings who have yet to start reproducing...

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When I have found myself at home with a little spare time, I've been spring cleaning. No, that doesn't mean my house is now tidy. It just means that you are less likely to get injured when opening a few certain cupboards. Unfortunately, you are now more likely to get injured tripping over one of the many bags destined for charity that are lying around the place (if you haven't already gone head over heels over one of the many piles of tax paperwork that are littering my bedroom floor, that is...).

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The last thing that I did make was another set of fingerless gloves. I used this pattern this time.

I'm not sure that I agree with her when she says that this is a good project to start learning how to knit cables with. Cables are a lot easier than they look, but adding yet another set of needle points to all the double-ended needle points sticking out in all directions is a little fiddly. I'd imagine that it's easier to knit cables on normal needles.

It was a nice easy pattern, though. There's a mistake that I didn't fix on the one glove, which is bugging me, even though I don't think it is too noticeable. I'm thinking that I probably have enough gloves now, though, considering that I live in Southern California. I even wore shorts one day last week. Tch, I'm not ready for winter (I use that term loosely) to be over.

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Ah well, I'd better get going - got a nephew to visit. I just thought that I had better pop my head around the door and let you know that I am still alive and kicking. I can't wait 'til next week. I plan on keeping the curtains shut and leaving the phone off the hook, while I catch up on things around here. I'm scared to even peek at what my e-mail inbox looks like these days.

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Take care all.

If you want to get ahead, get a hat

Ah, the wonders of the Internet: a little bit of browsing turns up this pattern for a hat from Simple Beans. A bit more Internet searching turns up instructions (with photos) for how to do FPDc and SC2tog. Now I have a hat and feel like I'm starting to get the hang of this crocheting lark.
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Despite my husband helpfully informing me that I looked like (a) a gangster or (b) a leukemia patient while wearing my hat, I like it. nb. I might have been indoors, wearing a dressing gown and the hat at the time of the second comment - we're stingy with the heating in this house...
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Translation of the day:
UK English: dressing gown = bathrobe in US English (in case you had forgotten)
UK English: parky = cool, cold, chilly in US English
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As in, 'the weather might be warm ouside, but it's a wee bit parky in our house of a morning'
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What to do next: get out all the paperwork and start on the taxes, tidy the house, or make a top for my daughter. Hmmm, that's a tough one...
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Well, first things first, it's pancakes for lunch today.

Rainy day

Once it was mentioned that an 8 year old boy had given his seal of approval to the melted crayon hearts, we decided that we would use up the rest of our broken crayons and make some more for my son's Kindergarten class, too.
I'll admit it, I wasn't really looking forward to thinking of something else to make, anyway. I don't get very excited about hearts and pink frilly things. The main reason I look forward to Valentine's Day is that as soon as it's over the stores start stocking Cadbury's Creme Eggs ready for Easter. Well, it is the only time of year that I can buy English chocolate here without having to pay import store prices. American chocolate just doesn't compare...We had a rainy time last weekend, so the kids and I spent a nice day huddled indoors. We made cookies (heart shaped as I couldn't find the gingerbread man cookie cutter - they didn't last until Valentine's Day, though...).I faced my fear of commitment and finally got around to putting some paint on a peg doll. It was just a practice version using what paint I had on hand, but I think there will soon be more around here. Can anyone recommend a varnish?
And you're probably wondering if you're experiencing déjà vu, but no, this is just yet another baby blanket using the Catherine Wheel crochet stitch. Yep, I've even used the same yarn as a previous one, but you can blame my 3 local yarn shops for that. Apparently they all had big sales to clear out stock (without telling me...), then didn't bother to restock. All that was left was empty bins and all those weird colours that no one wants to buy, so I was kind of relieved to finally find these yarns in the third store I tried.
It is different from the previous blanket, in that the stripes run in the opposite direction. I'll pretend that that was on purpose and not just the result of my poor counting when casting on...
The main reason that I am mentioning this blanket, though, is that it is the first time that my husband has asked me to make something (it's for a workmate whose wife is expecting - I'm experiencing the usual worry about giving a handmade gift, especially as I do not know them that well). Normally my husband views my making things as just an annoying hobby...
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Translation of the day:
UK English: crisps = potato chips in US English
UK English: chips = french fries in US English
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It's not just the chocolate that is a disappointment in the US. Crisps in England come in all sorts of flavours, such as prawn cocktail, Worcester sauce, ketchup, barbecue, roast chicken and stuffing, ready salted, cheese and onion, smoky bacon, bacon and cheddar, mango chili, salt and vinegar..., ok so that's all I can remember off the top of my head, but I know I am missing a few (someone told me that 'squirrel' is a new one, is that true???). Americans, it really is about time that you demanded that prawn cocktail flavour crisps grace the supermarket shelves over here...
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Take care,

A very belated thank you

I was editing the links in some old posts when I came across this blog post. I can't believe that I never noticed that I had hit 'save as a draft' instead of 'publish'. Sorry to these lovely ladies.

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I'm not usually a winner. I rarely have any luck in competitions, so it was a big surprise to me to find out that I had won not one, not two, but three giveaways. It completely makes up for all those years of holding the losing raffle ticket... Look at all these goodies (and excuse the poor pictures):

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from The Sometimes Crafter:

from the Sewing Sistas:

from Sew What:

And last, but not least, look what Mr Monkeysuit sent me as a thank you for just a peasant blouse template: all this (those are cute little wooden magnets in the poorly photographed red packet) and a pattern for this sweet dolly. Thank you all so very much!

Melting hearts

When I was growing up, Valentine's Day was pretty low key at my primary (elementary) school. I don't remember anyone getting a Valentine card. After all, Valentine cards were only given to someone that you wanted to be your Valentine and most of us were too busy playing British Bulldog to worry about that sort of thing. It probably didn't help that I had short hair (mum said I was less likely to get nits that way) and was occasionally mistaken for a boy...

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Things are different for my two kids. The American way seems to be that everyone gives everyone else in their class a Valentine. So that's about 32 Valentines this year. So I'm getting an earlier start than last year.

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Project #1: crayon hearts for my daughter's preschool class (instructions can be found here). I found the silicone heart baking tray on clearance at Michaels. Crayons came from the big bag of broken crayon pieces that is around here somewhere. I cut the pieces up further into more equal parts, but I don't know if that helped.

Pop in the oven, melt, cool and voilà:

I've still got lots of broken crayon bits left over. Maybe my son's kindergarten class might get some, too. Looks like I also need to give my kids lessons on not pressing so bloomin' hard when colouring with crayons...

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No translation of the day today. I'd better clean up a bit around here if I want to stand a chance of getting a Valentine from my husband. That, and my mum has started reading my blog and, just like that, I can't think of any nice clean English slang off the top of my head... Hi mum.

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PS. Both times my hard drive crashed I lost a bunch of my links. If you are wondering why you haven't heard from me in ages, please drop me a new comment: there's loads of blogs that I can not remember the addresses for and would like to read again. Thanks.