I have been a busy bee!!!

In between juggling looking after the children, making food, shopping for food, tidying, tidying again... and again, etc. etc. I have also been getting stock together for Christmas, and updating my shop.

You may have noticed on my shop widget at the right hand side that I have some new products.  I had a product shoot with Michael J Oakes, so I am now (slowly) listing them in my shop.  

There are some fabulous new fabrics...

...wash bags...

... cosmetic bags... 

... halter neck pinnies

 ... shower caps...

... these are just a few things that have been listed, so please do pop over to my shop to have a closer look.

There are more products to come over the next week or so... and then I may have time to tell you about the clothkits doll that my daughter is in the process of making with my sewing machine!!!

This weekend I have conquered!!!

I am feeling rather chuffed with myself this lovely, almost summer, evening!!!  I just love the fact that we are going to have longer days... it really does make it feel as thought there are more hours in the day.  This evening we went outside with the children after tea, and it felt like it was the holidays... okay, I must admit it was on the chilly side, and I did ask for a blanket at one point, but it felt great!  Anyway, I have digressed... although the almost summer evening has left me feeling rather pleased, it is the fact I have conquered my washing this weekend that has done it for me!!!!!!  I know, I know, but it really has given me a feeling of satisfaction.  I have been so busy that chores have been the last thing on my list of things to do and because of this, we had empty drawers... I had dirty clothes waiting to be washed and huge piles of clean clothes that have been waiting to be ironed for weeks (it has been driving me mad, everywhere I looked there were piles of clothes!).  I decided at the end of the week I would twirl (I perfected it as a child after I was given a Wonder Woman outfit for Christmas), and become 'Washer Woman'!!!!!  

Now I don't have an ironing pile...

... my piles of ironed clothes are away, and our drawers are full.   I start the new week without the frustration of washing (and a clean pressed pinny-left hand side with big floral design!).  For a few days at least!!!  Best wishes for the new week.

A trip to the laundrette

Last Friday we did a photo shoot for my new label.  At the moment the photos are still being worked on, but I just wanted to share this one with you.  I love it, and I am really excited about receiving them finished.

I hope that you too have experienced pancake heaven!

As soon as the little Tinker heard that I was off to the kitchen to pop on my pinny and make pancakes for tea, he followed behind dragging a chair and demanding that I put an apron on him.  Unfortunately for him he doesn't have one made by me... aprons for boys are in the pipeline!

I am a lover of the fat little pancakes (I fell in love with them, and ate copious amounts, on holiday in America as a child), not the ones that people (often men if I am not mistaken... please correct me if I am wrong but I have the understanding that pancake throwing goes alongside fire making and barbecuing!!!), for some reason, insist on throwing into the air.  The exception being crepes which are a completely different kettle of fish!!!

Here's the recipe.  I know it is a little late in the day for sharing pancake recipes...  I really should get more organised... but please don't wait until next year to try these.  They are a definite hit with my children and we love to eat them for breakfast at weekends (if they are lucky!!!).

200g of plain flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 egg

1tsp sugar

10ml milk

1 grated apple*

butter to fry them in

To serve... what ever you fancy, for example

maple syrup or honey

creme fraiche or mascarpone

* use any fruit you fancy really.  They are very tasty with grated pear, mashed banana, a handful of blueberries or chopped strawberries.

Simply throw your pancake mixture into a bowl and use a whisk to mix.  Add the fruit of your choice.  Heat a frying pan and melt a teaspoon or so of butter to cover the bottom of your pan.  When hot add a little of the pancake mix... use about half a ladle full for each one.  Fry for a minute or two, flip (with spatula!!!) and cook the other side.

Put on a plate, cover with yummy things, and eat.

You can find more delicious recipes here.

Fabric to brighten up your day

You may remember this fabric from a previous post.  It is stunning, and here is how it looks...

... as one of my beautiful pinnies (actually there are two of these).  I finally managed to get the labels sewn on and some pics of it over the weekend and you can now buy one in my Folksy shop or in my Etsy shop (which has been a little neglected of late, but that will soon be looking healthier!).

I am particularly loving the way the bow looks...

... it has taken a bit of time to perfect bow tying, but I love the way I can tie one that looks good on my first attempt now.  It is sad how little things can satisfy.  No lets rephrase that... isn't it fabulous how you can get satisfaction from little things?!!!  

Fabulous florals

Earlier in the week the sun was shining so I thought I would pop on my wellies and take 'Bob' my mannequin out into the garden for a bit of a photo shoot.  Wellies were definitely needed, although the grass wasn't too damp, the lawn is covered in soggy plums that I haven't managed to collect from our three plum trees.  Yughhh.  Luckily it was a bit too chilly for the dreaded wasps! 

I am very aware that my photos simply don't show my items in the way they deserve, so I was hoping they would look better if taken outside.  Here are my new pinnies that have just gone up for sale in my Folksy shop.  If you click on the images it will take you to the shop listing and more images.

I love this fabric.  There are two in this design.  I have kept one.  I thought I deserved one as I was still wearing the original Pukka Pinny which is made from a 1960's, maybe 70's, bed sheet (one of the mad purple pattern ones!!)

I also love this fabric.  This is a one off...

... and so is this.  

So what do you think to the images?  Is it worth dragging poor 'Bob' out into the cold?  Maybe I just need to take the plunge, conquer my shyness and get snaps of me in them... hmmm, not convinced but I think I need to do something.

Do you like this?  It is fabulous, and I have just finished pinnies made out of it.  One of the things I love about my pinnies is that you really can be outrageous in your choice of fabric.  I don't think I could wear a dress made out of this, as it really would draw attention, but what a fantastic pinny.  More pics to come.

Have a good week next week.

Where has time gone to?

Yesterday I

finally managed to get round to taking some pics of the pinnies I finished a few weeks ago. I love the blues in the patterned fabrics I have used. They work perfectly with the plain cornflower blue. The ties at the back of the pinnies look gorgeous. I think my favourite is the one with the large navy flowers. It has a fabulous turquoise that reminds me of crystal clear waters of Leonidion (Plaka) on the Peloponnese in Greece. They are obviously giving me a summery feeling!!! Which is your favourite? These pinnies are now also available to buy on my online shops in my Etsy shop, and also in my new Folksy shop.