Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Ginger Muesli Flapjack Recipe
I love flapjacks, they are sticky, chewy and my treat of choice. I first made them about five years ago with a lovely Scottish Flapjack recipe that I had found on the internet. I didn't write the recipe down and have been searching for a new one ever since. For a long time I used one out of a supermarket magazine but the recipe just didn't work and although they tasted great they just didn't hold together.
A couple of months ago I was reading Ruby "The Big Katie Morag Storybook" by Mairi Hedderwick and came across a recipe for Porridgie. As soon as she was asleep I was in the kitchen trying it out. Hooray, at last a flapjack or porridgies recipe that works and tastes yummy.
Last nigh the flapjack craving struck again and I reached for Ruby's book. But when I went to the cupboard for the oats the tub was bare! So I reached for the muesli instead. It that made them a little crunchier and I also threw in some ground ginger too.
Here is my variation of the recipe:
Ginger Muesli Flapjack
Makes approx. 16 4x4cm squares
Pre-heat oven to 110 degrees C (Gas Mark 3)
Grease or line (with baking paper) a shallow baking tray approx. 20cm x30cm
Method:
Melt butter over a low heat and then stir in sugar and syrup until dissolved.
Weigh out muesli into a big bowl and stir in the ginger.
Pour over the melted butter, sugar and syrup and mix well.
Transfer to the prepared baking tray spreading out with a pallet knife
Place the tray in the oven for 25-35 minutes. Remove when golden brown and allow to cool.
Once cool, cut into approx. 16 squares. Eat one or two and put the rest in an air tight container.
I have no idea how long they could last for because they barely make it through a day in our house!
Do you have a favourite recipe or treat?
A couple of months ago I was reading Ruby "The Big Katie Morag Storybook" by Mairi Hedderwick and came across a recipe for Porridgie. As soon as she was asleep I was in the kitchen trying it out. Hooray, at last a flapjack or porridgies recipe that works and tastes yummy.
Last nigh the flapjack craving struck again and I reached for Ruby's book. But when I went to the cupboard for the oats the tub was bare! So I reached for the muesli instead. It that made them a little crunchier and I also threw in some ground ginger too.
Here is my variation of the recipe:
Ginger Muesli Flapjack
Makes approx. 16 4x4cm squares
Ingredients:
100g (4oz) butter
75g (3oz) soft brown sugar
30ml (2 tablespoons) golden syrup
200g (8oz) muesli
1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
If not using salted butter add a pinch of salt.
Pre-heat oven to 110 degrees C (Gas Mark 3)
Grease or line (with baking paper) a shallow baking tray approx. 20cm x30cm
Method:
Melt butter over a low heat and then stir in sugar and syrup until dissolved.
Weigh out muesli into a big bowl and stir in the ginger.
Pour over the melted butter, sugar and syrup and mix well.
Transfer to the prepared baking tray spreading out with a pallet knife
Place the tray in the oven for 25-35 minutes. Remove when golden brown and allow to cool.
Once cool, cut into approx. 16 squares. Eat one or two and put the rest in an air tight container.
I have no idea how long they could last for because they barely make it through a day in our house!
Do you have a favourite recipe or treat?
Monday, 18 March 2013
Spring Inspiration
I can see one lonely daffodil in my front garden from the living room window. It lay down during last week's snow only to stand tall again hinting that warmer days are to come.
I don't normally pay much attention to spring, I save my excitement for autumn and winter when we have our birthdays and Christmas (I love Christmas) but this year I have surprised myself and I am finding spring inspirational.
I am loving the bright colours in the shops, the yellow daffodils bursting out of the ground and chevron and scallop fabrics that have me dreaming of summer dresses.
As I am feeling so inspired I thought I would share some of my spring cheer with you!
My obsession with anything yellow
Easter is nearly here!
I'm hoping to find time to make this cute bunny that I found in one of my Golden Hands magazines.
Colourful Easter chicks, that might find their way onto an Easter wreath or the Simnel Cake that I really must get round to making. I found the plastic eggs in Asda, a bargain at £1 for 12 and so colourful. I think I'm going to use mine for an Easter egg hunt.
Fabric inspiration
Chevrons and scallops are my favourite patterns at the moment. I would love a scallop tiled fireplace.
These scallops are on a cute kids apron at Ikea. I'd love to make a scallop print dress so I am on the look out for fabric. The cute chevron ribbon came free on this month's Mollie Makes magazine and I'm going to use it on my wreath.
I don't normally pay much attention to spring, I save my excitement for autumn and winter when we have our birthdays and Christmas (I love Christmas) but this year I have surprised myself and I am finding spring inspirational.
I am loving the bright colours in the shops, the yellow daffodils bursting out of the ground and chevron and scallop fabrics that have me dreaming of summer dresses.
As I am feeling so inspired I thought I would share some of my spring cheer with you!
My obsession with anything yellow
 |
| Yellow Quilting Pins |
 |
| Cloud Napkin Rack from Ikea |
 |
| Yellow Chevron Fabric from fabricrehab.co.uk |
I'm hoping to find time to make this cute bunny that I found in one of my Golden Hands magazines.
Colourful Easter chicks, that might find their way onto an Easter wreath or the Simnel Cake that I really must get round to making. I found the plastic eggs in Asda, a bargain at £1 for 12 and so colourful. I think I'm going to use mine for an Easter egg hunt.
Fabric inspiration
Chevrons and scallops are my favourite patterns at the moment. I would love a scallop tiled fireplace.
These scallops are on a cute kids apron at Ikea. I'd love to make a scallop print dress so I am on the look out for fabric. The cute chevron ribbon came free on this month's Mollie Makes magazine and I'm going to use it on my wreath.
What is your favourite season and what is inspiring you at the moment?
Friday, 15 March 2013
Flashback Friday - Bunting and Tea Cosies
I love scrolling through iPhoto looking for inspiration for my Flashback Friday posts. I am reminded of Jacob and Ruby's baby and toddler years and my past sewing projects. There is such a difference from the first items I made back in 2007 to the things that I make now. I would not have dreamed of making a parrot costume then.
Today it is mostly tea cosies and bunting that have caught my eye.
The tea cosies are made out of old jumpers and are adorned with appliqué and buttons.
These two are from 2010 and made out of Gap jumpers. Caroline Childerly, did you give one of these a home?
Custom orders of personalised memory bunting.
And very cool Batman and Thomas bunting!
This one is my personal favourite and lives on our Bell Tent in the summer months!
Do you give any of these a home?
Today it is mostly tea cosies and bunting that have caught my eye.
The tea cosies are made out of old jumpers and are adorned with appliqué and buttons.
The Bumble Tea Cosy is one of the first ones I made and it live's with my friend Lou. I think I could make a much better one now and will get round to it one day. If anyone has a yellow and black/grey striped jumper that is heading for the charity shop think of me!
These two are from 2010 and made out of Gap jumpers. Caroline Childerly, did you give one of these a home?
I think this beach hut cosy is one of my favourites. It was double sided and made at the end of 2011 as part of my "Brighton" collection.
I have lost count of the number of metres of bunting I have sewn over the last six years but I am guessing in excess of 100! Here are some of my favourites...
Camping bunting with appliquéd tents.
Custom orders of personalised memory bunting.
Both of these sets were made using baby/toddler clothes that had been saved by the Mummy's.
And very cool Batman and Thomas bunting!
This one is my personal favourite and lives on our Bell Tent in the summer months!
Do you give any of these a home?
Thursday, 14 March 2013
I Have a Confession to Make...
...I am not a natural housewife!
I've been a stay at home mum for seven and a half years and in that time you would have thought that I would have perfected the cleaning and ironing, but no I haven't. I cook, I sew, look after my kids but when it comes to the household chores there are so many things I would rather do instead. Instagram anyone?
Anyway...
When Jacob was a baby I remember reading an editors letter in a magazine that said something along the lines of "there is more to life than cleaning, who cares if there is Wheatabix on the floor, the kids will grow so fast enjoy them now and the cleaning can wait". This stuck with me and I use it as an excuse whenever I feel bad about not having done the ironing.
Most of the time I only have a good tidy up when family and friends are popping by. There are varying levels of cleaning depending on who is coming over. A visit from my Mum usually involves me shouting "quick! hoover up", a number of times she's been left on the doorstep because we've not heard the bell over the vacuum cleaner. There are other friends, one in particular, that I stopped giving the cleaning excuses to. She takes us as she finds us and we do the same to her.
I keep wondering if my natural tidying instinct will kick in when my kids are older and I have time on my hands. I think deep down I know it won't, I'll just find something more interesting to do instead.
I might not like cleaning but I do wish my house was more organised with a home for everything. So that is my Spring Clean mission. To fill my cupboards with labeled organised jars like Martha Stewart (I never thought I'd say this but I love Martha and spend hours searching through her site for holiday decoration inspiration and cake recipes) and to make a home for everything so that the cleaning becomes less of a big deal when I feel like doing it.
I want to record my to-do list so that I can't avoid it or pretend that it doesn't exist. Feel free to ask me about my progress and give me an incentive to get through it! So here it is,
My Spring Cleaning Mission
Are you spring cleaning? Do you find the housework a pleasure or a chore?
I've been a stay at home mum for seven and a half years and in that time you would have thought that I would have perfected the cleaning and ironing, but no I haven't. I cook, I sew, look after my kids but when it comes to the household chores there are so many things I would rather do instead. Instagram anyone?
Anyway...
When Jacob was a baby I remember reading an editors letter in a magazine that said something along the lines of "there is more to life than cleaning, who cares if there is Wheatabix on the floor, the kids will grow so fast enjoy them now and the cleaning can wait". This stuck with me and I use it as an excuse whenever I feel bad about not having done the ironing.
Most of the time I only have a good tidy up when family and friends are popping by. There are varying levels of cleaning depending on who is coming over. A visit from my Mum usually involves me shouting "quick! hoover up", a number of times she's been left on the doorstep because we've not heard the bell over the vacuum cleaner. There are other friends, one in particular, that I stopped giving the cleaning excuses to. She takes us as she finds us and we do the same to her.
I keep wondering if my natural tidying instinct will kick in when my kids are older and I have time on my hands. I think deep down I know it won't, I'll just find something more interesting to do instead.
I might not like cleaning but I do wish my house was more organised with a home for everything. So that is my Spring Clean mission. To fill my cupboards with labeled organised jars like Martha Stewart (I never thought I'd say this but I love Martha and spend hours searching through her site for holiday decoration inspiration and cake recipes) and to make a home for everything so that the cleaning becomes less of a big deal when I feel like doing it.
I want to record my to-do list so that I can't avoid it or pretend that it doesn't exist. Feel free to ask me about my progress and give me an incentive to get through it! So here it is,
My Spring Cleaning Mission
- Organise kitchen cupboards
- Buy and label food storage jars
- Bathroom and washing bins
- Kids toys
- Cleaning cupboard
- Kids craft stuff
Are you spring cleaning? Do you find the housework a pleasure or a chore?
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Craft in Progress
We've had a crafty start to the week...
It began with a trip to Fiveways Arts and Crafts yesterday morning to buy fabric paints and cartridge paper for today's craft plans. The rest of the afternoon was spent helping my friend Selena tissue paper a willow UFO for this year's Children's Parade.
Last night I sat under a blanket by the radiator drinking tea, peeping at the snow outside, watching Being Human on the iPlayer and starting an Easter wreath. Chris makes the Christmas wreath and I have been so inspired by all of the spring wreaths on Pinterest that I decided to make an Easter one.
It's a craft in progress!
My vision of a peaceful Tuesday afternoon linocut printing was disrupted by the kids being off school on a snow day. Rather than shelving my plans till next week I let them join in.
As they are both obsessed with how far away Easter is we started making some decorations. They both drew Easter designs on Lino that I cut it out for them. This is Jacob's egg:
Ruby chose yellow ink and had a great time making about 6 sheets of prints. She picked up the process really quickly and had her own counting system for the length of time she spent rolling the Lino. We decided that counting to 100 each time was probably too long, especially as it was me doing the counting.
I was amazed by how much Jacob enjoyed it. He can be a reluctant crafter sometimes. Begrudgingly starting something to find he gets really into it after a while. The printing held his attention for a whole afternoon and he now has some lovely prints and posters that he is planning to decorate the house with.
I printed some more owls, this time in different colours. I love the yellow on the white paper background. I'm not sure about it on the fabric though. I think the fabric paints I have used were not the right consistency for what I needed. I'll read a bit more of this book before I have another go.
Some of the blue prints will be on their way to you soon Sara Brown!
What projects have you got on the go?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
