Super Easy Mandarin and Date Cake

Today's experimental 'use up what's in the fruit bowl' recipe was such a success that I thought I'd better share.
Not only did I think it was delicious, but Alice shoved handfuls of cake into her little mouth and I've never seen her do that before!

My Mum passed along a 'tangy orange cake' recipe that uses a whole orange, and this is a variation of that recipe.

Mandarin and Date Cake:
Ingredients:
3 small mandarins, chopped in half
Handful of dates
175g melted butter
1.5 cups self raising flour
0.5 cups sugar
3 eggs

Method:
Blitz the mandarins and dates in the food processor. Add all other ingredients and blitz until combined.
Pour into a greased 20cm cake tin.
Bake at 180 degrees for 35-40mins.
Serve drenched with icing sugar.

Back with a hat

So I haven't been blogging lately, but I have been making things..
I finished a new sunhat for Alice today and it has inspired me to get blogging again!

I love crocheting hats. Since my nephews came along I have made quite a few! Mostly simple beanies/winter hats but I have made the odd sunhat for Alice. This winter I have made hats for myself and my sister too (but that's a whole different blog post)

This sunhat is nice and simple and I love the interchangeable flower too.. It fits my 14 month old with room to move, so I guess it is a 12-18 month size.

Once you know how to make a basic hat the world is your oyster. The basic idea is to increase in a circle until you get the right head size, stop the increase and do enough rows to get down to above the ears, and then increase again to make the brim.

For this hat I used 4ply cotton from Lincraft.

So here is the pattern:

3 ch. Join with slip stitch to first chain to make a ring

Row 1: 3 ch (becomes first tr), 11 tr in ring

Row 2: 3ch, 1tr at base of the 3ch, 2tr in each tr to end

Row 3: 3ch, 1tr at base of the 3ch, 1tr in next tr,*2tr in next tr, 1tr in next tr*, repeat from * until end

Row 4: 3ch, 1tr at base of the 3ch, 1tr in next 2 tr,*2tr in next tr, 1tr in next 2 tr*, repeat from * until end

Row 5: 3ch, 1tr at base of the 3ch, 1tr in next 3 tr,*2tr in next tr, 1tr in next 3 tr*, repeat from * until end

.....

Continue in this way (adding 1 more tr in between the 2tr clusters) until the hat is the right size.

I did 9 rows, so I finished my increase with the following row:

Row 9: 3ch, 1tr at base of the 3ch, 1tr in next 7 tr,*2tr in next tr, 1tr in next 7 tr*, repeat from * until end

Row 10 (ridge row): 3ch, 1tr in each tr to end, working into only the back loop of the tr

 (this picture shows the increase and the ridge row)

Rows 11-14: 3ch, 1tr in each tr to end
Row 15: 1ch, 1dc in each tr to end
Row 16 (spaces for tie/ribbon): 4ch, *skip 1tr, 1tr in the next tr*, repeat from * to end
Row 17: 1ch, 1dc in tr/chain space to end

 Rows 18-23 (brim increase): 3ch, 1tr at base of the 3ch, 1tr in each of the next 5 tr, *2tr in next tr, 1tr in each of the next 5 tr*, repeat from * to end (you will end with 4 trs as there is not space for 5).

Finishing off:
Darn in all ends.
I crocheted the tie/ribbon by creating a long string of chains, and then 1 row of dc the whole way along.

For this hat I sewed on a pretty button, and then created a flower which fits over the button. This way I can create lots of coloured flowers to go with every outfit!

The flower was created as follows:
7ch, join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
4ch, *1 tr into the ring, 1ch* repeat from * 11 times
Petals:
*slip stitch in next space (between the trebles), 2ch, 2tr, 2ch, slip stitch (all in the same space)*
repeat from * in all spaces to end.

I hope you enjoy making this hat as much as I did. I now just need to find a way to keep it on Alice's head!

A little applique

Bubba is having a long sleep this morning, so rather than getting annoyed that she's interfering with our social engagements (we were due to be at Play Up about now) I have been doing a little applique.
I love appliqueing (is that a word?). I buy really cheap tshirts and then personalise them adding whatever cute picture I like! It's really fun and uses up scraps of fabric too. A little fabric, some fusible webbing and some blanket stitch and voila, a one off shirt for a fashionable little person.
This shirt is for a little 1 year old who is having her party this weekend. It is so cute I think Alice might need a matching one too!
I'll stitch it this afternoon during the next nap...

Amish Puzzle Ball

Just a quick post this morning as bubs is about to wake up from her morning nap (edit: she is awake now so I'd better publish this FAST!)

I found this Amish puzzle ball on Pinterest and it was such a fun little project and a great way to use up some scraps of wool!
It is nice and simple to do while watching TV as you have to make 12 of the same thing (the crescents) and then 3 of the 'lids'. You then crochet them together and have the fun task of figuring out how the ball goes together!

The pattern is by 'Look what I made', website here.
I can't wait to make some more of these... perhaps a rainbow one!

Alice loves it so much that it is hard to get any photos with the ball in focus! It's always being flung about the place.

Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit Restoration

Let me just start by saying how lucky I am. My Ma not only taught me how to crochet, but she also passed on to me some genuine mid-century furniture in wonderful condition. As a lover of all things retro (my house was built in 1972) I know how rare it is to come across beautiful examples of retro furniture!

I'll start with an 'after' shot of the wall unit, all styled in my lounge room:

Isn't she a beauty?! This wall unit is an Australian piece by Chiswell. My Grandparents purchased the 4 piece unit in the 1960's (the other two pieces are in my study awaiting attention).

This is the 'before' shot of the wall unit in my Ma's house:

As you can see, it is in amazingly good condition after over 50 years, and really just needed a bit of TLC.

As it is a veneer in parts, I didn't want to go sanding it. It also had no bumps or scratches so I didn't need to bother. I gave it a clean with Feast Watson Floor Clean and then oiled it with Feast Watson Scandinavian Oil that I bought from Bunnings. I used a scrubby to apply the oil, waited for 30 minutes, wiped off the excess with a clean rag, let it dry for a few hours and voila! It was pretty easy and it came up a treat. It just gives the old girl a bit of a shine and the wood grain really pops!

Once it was restored I had the bigger task of styling her up. 

I have some amazing retro glassware that I have got from my Mother-in-law and family friends, so what better thing to grace a retro wall unit!

I got the stacking teacups idea from Pinterest, and then just tried to balance the blue, white and clear glass so it looked even.

The dinner set is also from my Ma, it was a wedding present!

The open shelves were a bit trickier, and I may yet change them! I love that retro turquoise blue glass so much! It just screams 1970's. We got the plate from a ceramics factory in Turkey.

 

This is my favourite part: The wall unit has an inbuilt desk that folds down. I toyed with making it a liquor cabinet but in the end... a hole drilled in the back and we have a computer desk neatly hidden away. I love it.

 

So there is is, my beautiful mid-century modern Australian wall unit. I'm sure we will love and cherish it for another 50 years. (Won't that monitor be small and dinky in 50 years time?! I guess we'll have fancy computer watches or headsets by then..)

Crochet Cardigan/Bolero

So I've decided to blog. I started this blog up years ago, and at the time I thought I had nothing creative or interesting to blog about. Since having my little girl and being a stay at home Mum, I have been more creatively inclined so I feel like I have something to share!

I have been crocheting since I was a teenager. My Grandmother 'Ma' taught me how to chain and treble and I started off making simple scarves. When I fell pregnant I started getting back into it, and challenging myself to make hats, cardigans, rugs etc. I've even made an Amish puzzle ball (but that's a whole other blog post!).

So, cardigans: My little girl is 1 now and I have found it hard to find nice simple cardigan patterns. There seem to be a lot of lovely knitted cardigan patterns but not many crochet patterns. I therefore decided to come up with my own pattern.

I wanted to make something that could be easily amended to fit smaller or larger children (see notes at end for some ideas).

So here is the finished product:

And my beautiful girl modelling the cardigan:

For the cardigan above I used 2 balls of 4ply cotton. It is big on my smallish 1 year old so should fit an average 1 year old.

The pattern:
Start with 74 chains
Row 1: 1 treble (tr) in the 4th chain from the hook (first 3 chains make the first tr), 1tr in each of the next 9 chains. 2tr in the each of the next 2 chains, 1tr in the next 12 chains, 2tr in each of the next 2 chains. 1tr in each of the next 20 chains, 2tr in each of the next 2 chains, 1tr in each of the next 12 chains, 2tr in each of the next 2 chains, 1tr in the next 10 chains, Turn.
Row 2: 3ch, 1tr in the next 10 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 14 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 22 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 14 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the last 11 stitches, turn.

.. so we are increasing at the corner points on each row, putting 2 tr in two of increasing trebles from the last round...

Row 3: 3ch, 1tr in the next 11 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 16 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 24 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 16 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the last 12 stitches, turn.
Row 4: 3ch, 1tr in the next 12 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 18 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 26 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 18 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the last 13 stitches, turn.
Row 5: 3ch, 1tr in the next 13 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 20 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 28 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 20 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the last 14 stitches, turn.
Row 6: 3ch, 1tr in the next 14 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 22 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 30 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 22 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the last 15 stitches, turn.
Row 7: 3ch, 1tr in the next 15 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 24 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 32 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 24 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the last 16 stitches, turn.
Row 8: 3ch, 1tr in the next 16 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 26 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 34 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the next 26 stitches, 2tr in the next 2 stitches, 1tr in the last 17 stitches, turn.

.. ok I'm going to simplify the pattern down so it is less long-winded..

Row 9: 3ch, 17*1tr, 2*2tr, 28*1tr, 2*2tr, 36*1tr, 2*2tr, 28*1tr, 2*2tr, 18*1tr, turn
Row 10: 3ch, 18*1tr, 2*2tr, 30*1tr, 2*2tr, 38*1tr, 2*2tr, 30*1tr, 2*2tr, 19*1tr, turn
Row 11: 3ch, 19*1tr, 2*2tr, 32*1tr, 2*2tr, 40*1tr, 2*2tr, 32*1tr, 2*2tr, 20*1tr, turn
Row 12: 3ch, 20*1tr, 2*2tr, 34*1tr, 2*2tr, 42*1tr, 2*2tr, 34*1tr, 2*2tr, 21*1tr, turn
Row 13: 3ch, 21*1tr, 2*2tr, 36*1tr, 2*2tr, 44*1tr, 2*2tr, 36*1tr, 2*2tr, 22*1tr, turn
Row 14: 3ch, 22*1tr, 2*2tr, 38*1tr, 2*2tr, 46*1tr, 2*2tr, 38*1tr, 2*2tr, 23*1tr, turn

..the next row is where we skip some stitches to make/join the arm holes:

Row 15: 3ch, 23*1tr, 1*2tr, skip 42tr, 1*2tr, 48*1tr, 1*2tr, skip 42tr, 1*2tr, 24*1tr, turn
Row 16: 3ch, 24*1tr, 2*2tr, 50*1tr, 2*2tr, 25*1tr, turn
Row 17: 3ch, 25*1tr, 2*2tr, 52*1tr, 2*2tr, 26*1tr, turn
Row 18: 3ch, 26*1tr, 2*2tr, 54*1tr, 2*2tr, 27*1tr, turn
Row 19: 3ch, 27*1tr, 2*2tr, 56*1tr, 2*2tr, 28*1tr, turn
Row 20: 3ch, 28*1tr, 2*2tr, 58*1tr, 2*2tr, 29*1tr, turn
Row 21: 3ch, 1tr in each stitch

To finish: I did a row of double crochet (dc) all the way around, so along the bottom, up the front and along the neckline. 

If you want to add buttons you can add some chain loops at this stage. 

I just did a string of chains and threaded it through, but you could use ribbon or even sew on press studs!

I finished mine with this crochet flower that I found on Pinterest.

To make this larger:
Of course you could change the wool to 8ply which would automatically make this larger.,
If the neck size doesn't need to change, then simply keep on increasing before joining the arm holes, as this will increase the chest size. You will then need to add more rows at the bottom.
If the neck does need to be bigger, you could start on a later row, i.e. row 3, which would require you to start with 90 chains.

To make this smaller:
To make this a little smaller, for say a 6 month old, I would join the arm holes up higher. say on row 11 rather than row 15.

Happy crocheting!

A study in primary colours

I'm pretty sure that I'm breaking the rules of interior design, but my family room/kitchen has become a study in primary colours.
It all started with my love of pop art...Roy Lichtenstein in particular. I bought my husband a poster (the one on the right) for our first wedding anniversary, and it, combined with the yellow pendant in the kitchen, set the scene for the family room.
The union jack cushion was made from 2 tea towels, the floor lamp is from ikea, and the rug was crocheted by my aunty Janelle.
This is the most used part of or house. It is where we eat most meals, and the place where guests are drawn to. The favourite seat for guests is obviously the yellow rocking chair. My brother in-law says it is good for his back, but I think he just likes to rock...