Recent Test Knitting

I have been busy test knitting a few patterns and some more than once!

In September, I test knitted a new pattern by Julia from Just One W.I.P. called Marji.

A cute modern cropped cardigan, featuring a textured garter stitch pattern.

* Perfect for layering all year long.
* Easy enough for a beginner knitter.
* Uses small amounts of yarn.
* Quick enough to knit for a last minute gift.

Go on and get yourself a copy of the pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marjie

Marji on Makayla

Marji on Makayla

I really love this photo of Makayla. Happy and showing her fun personality.

I really love this photo of Makayla. Happy and showing her fun personality.

Another test I have done recently is a new pattern just released yesterday and the first installment in a series of pattern’s based on the Von Trapp sisters from The Sound of Music. The pattern is called “Gretl” after the youngest of the family and sisters. It is a sweet shrug with a smocking stitch detail at the back and bell ruffle. I made one for Ariana first and then thought Holly would love one as she has grown out of her other shrugs. So then HAD to make another for middle sister Makayla! I love Makayla’s one especially as the smocking stitch looks fab in sparkle yarn.

Ariana’s Gretl took 101g  http://ravel.me/ChevGirl/gt2

Gretl Ariana collage

Holly’s Gretl used 53g of hand dyed yarn http://ravel.me/ChevGirl/gfh

Holly Gretl Collage

Then I made Makayla one in sparkle yarn – 83g http://ravel.me/ChevGirl/gfmt

Makayla Gretl collage

 

And then I cast on another! This one will be a Christmas Gift to a certain 3 yo niece. http://ravel.me/ChevGirl/gfjt

Red gretl collage

 

It is a quick item to knit as it is knit in a loose gauge. These one’s were on a 6mm  & 4.5mm needle using DK/8ply.

Go and check both of these patterns out!

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Filed under Family, Gifts, Gretl Shrug, Knitting, Marji, My children, Test knits, Uncategorized, Wool dying

School Holiday Fun

School term is back (YAH!) and the last one for the year. The school holidays speed by with lots of fun and family times.

We had my nephews Christening ♥ and then in the first week the kid’s found the sprinkler and they had a blast on the lawn.

sprinkler fun

 

We went to movies and the girls went to the Zoo and then we visited my husband’s parents in Central North Island. Beautiful place!

ohakune collage

 

One morning the two big girls and Dean went for a ride on horses and a play at the play ground. The girls picked flower’s for Grandma from her garden and they helped Granddad get the free range chooks into their coop and feed them.

Holiday collage

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Filed under Family, flowers, My children, scenic views, Views a plenty

Buttons!

Recently I entered a competition on Buttons by Benji blog and I WON! Yippee!

I won the chance to design my own buttons and then have them. I designed them around a test knit I have just finished knitting called La Petite. Dusky pink and grey stripes in uneven stripes like the jersey.

My Vintage Haze buttons on the La Petite knit top.

My Vintage Haze buttons on the La Petite knit top.

Here are some more photo’s of the La Petite which is yet to be released.

Ariana in her new top.

Ariana in her new top.

I also won $20 credit to spend on more buttons. I chose these wee beauties.

buttons collage

 

Check out more new buttons on Buttons by Benji.

Kate XXX

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Filed under buttons, Knitting, My children, Test knits, Wool dying

Garden Makeover

While my hubby took the two big kid’s to the Auckland Zoo, my friend & I attacked my garden. The weeds were banished quick smart into heaps which Holly loved carting around “helping”. The big spade was used to aerate the soil and break it up to plant seeds.

The stink part was transporting some fresh compost to the garden from our compost bin. Oh lordy, did it honk! We mixed this in with the soil already there as it would have been too much for seeds. We added in some seed raising mix and planted some rows of baby carrots, lettuce and radish and planted the lavender bush into the garden.  The rectangle garden then had some flower seeds around the edge to help combat bugs attacking the vegetables.

garden collage

In some cut up milk bottle container’s we planted a range of vegetable’s and some more butterfly enticing flowers. Now the fun is watching these all grow!

In the butterfly part of the garden we moved one swan plant from last year to be closer to the other two.  Some butterfly enticing seeds were planted at the driveway end.  We planted some more butterfly flower seeds in some containers and I will plant them in this garden later on. Some of these seeds were so delicate. The butterfly seeds were from a packet from the Butterflies for Tara showcase in June.

Butterfly Flower Seed Mix

Butterfly Flower Seed Mix

I had a play with my new DSLR camera and captured these photo’s of flowers in our garden. The rose & lavender were my gift’s from Mother’s Day from the girl’s and the other flower’s are just natural (wild) flower’s around the section.

flowers collageIt was quite therapeutic to get outside and do this. It looks great now and the kid’s were super impressed when they came home. My friend and I will sort out the front of the house and get some sunflower’s growing out there.

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Filed under Butterflies & Bugs - fundraiser, Butterfly, flowers, gardening, seeds

Chocolate Almond Slice

This was a recipe my Mum and Jo used to make for sale at Mainline Station. Mum wrote out lots of recipes from my childhood and the cafe into a special journal recipe book. It is one of the best Christmas present’s ever.

Chocolate Almond Slice

Base:

Cream 6 oz butter & 3/4 C sugar

Add in 2 small eggs, 1.5 C flour, 1.5 tbsp cocoa powder & 1.5 tsp baking powder.

Put in a greased slice tin and bake for 20 minutes at 170 degrees.

Almond Filling:

When the chocolate base is cold or nearly cold put the almond filling made up with:

Cream:  6 oz butter, 12 oz icing sugar

Mix in: 2 egg yolks, 6 oz cornflour & 3 tsp almond essence

Chill for a little bit and then top with chocolate icing.

Chocolate Almond Slice

Chocolate Almond Slice

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Filed under Chocolate, Kitchen, Recipes

Snickerdoodles – go on and try them.

These tasty morsels have a funny name but are quite moreish so be warned.

Snickerdoodles Recipe

 

1 cup Olivani

1.5 C sugar

2 eggs

2 & 1/4 C flour

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 Tbsp cinnamon

2 Tbsp sugar

Cream the olivani, sugar & eggs.

Add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda & salt.

Mix until well blended.

Roll into balls and roll into the mixed cinnamon & sugar mix.

Place on baking paper tray.  It will flatten slightly when they bake.

Bake in moderate oven for 8 – 10 minutes.

PhotoGrid_1378443894997

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Filed under Baking, Recipes

Polka Dot Party

Makayla turned FIVE at the start of August and is now happily learning at school. It is great seeing both girls trotting up the steps to school happy being together. Ariana is loving having her younger sister there with her. ♥

I thought I would share how her special 5th Birthday Party went. The start of the month actually seems so long ago. August has been so busy!

I thought a Polka Dot theme would be easy enough to do and would appease Miss Girly Pants as well. I collected things for the theme for a month or two before hand so that helped a lot!

Some favourite snap shots ta

Some favourite snap shots taken on the day.

After going to another friend’s girls 5th birthday party and seeing an awesome fairy called Taffy, I booked her in to come and help. Makayla was mega excited about Fairy Taffy coming. I can not recommend Taffy enough! She was just awesome to deal with leading up to the party and on the day gosh it was brilliant having her there. The children were mesmerized with her and lined up for a small face paint. She used a number system so the kid’s could play and come back when it was their turn. There were activities set up for children to jump in and play with.  Check her facebook page out.

Here are some of the face paint creations Taffy the Fairy did:

face painting

 

 

Now I had fun deciding what food to make! Pinterest was an awesome tool to collate ideas together. I made an album on there and went from there. Polka Dot Cake of course plus other round or dotty spotty inspired items….lolly cake, marshmallow treats, popcorn, cupcakes, rice crackles among some of the items. Jelly Ribbon slice was just cause I wanted an excuse to make it!  Honestly that was fun and easy to make! I will defiantly make it again as the wow factor is so cool.

Here is the recipe:

Ribbon Jelly Slice Recipe

 

Here is the Jelly Ribbon Slice that I made for the party:

554908_10151856777680039_961184425_n

 

I made cupcakes in a few different bright colours and they looked great on the spotty dotty cupcake stand I found at Spotlight.

party food

 

It was super fun! The cake was massive and we had three quarter’s of it left after the party had finished as each slice you could cut into four pieces! Hubby took a chunk to our neighbours and another chunk to his work. It slowly but surely disappeared.

Three more years to the little one turns five and 2 years til the biggest turn;s 10 so we can have a holiday from BIG birthday parties.

 

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Filed under Baking, Birthdays, Cake, face painting, Family, Jelly, My children, Recipes, Taffy the Fairy

Wise words

I found this on facebook today and want save it to reread again.

 

1. There are plenty of ways to enter a pool. The stairs is not one of them.

2. Never cancel dinner plans by text message.

3. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.

4. If a street performer makes you stop walking, you owe him a buck.

5. Always use ‘we’ when referring to your home team or your government.

6. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.

7. Don’t underestimate free throws in a game of ‘horse’.

8. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

9. Don’t dumb it down.

10. You only get one chance to notice a new haircut.

11. If you’re staying more than one night, unpack.

12. Never park in front of a bar.

13. Expect the seat in front of you to recline. Prepare accordingly.

14. Keep a picture of your first fish, first car, and first boy/girlfriend.

15. Hold your heroes to a high standard.

16. A suntan is earned, not bought.

17. Never lie to your doctor.

18. All guns are loaded.

19. Don’t mention sunburns. Believe me, they know.

20. The best way to show thanks is to wear it. Even if it’s only once.

21. Take a vacation of your cell phone, internet, and TV once a year.

22. Don’t fill up on bread, no matter how good.

23. A handshake beats an autograph.

24. Don’t linger in the doorway. In or out.

25. If you choose to go in drag, don’t sell yourself short.

26. If you want to know what makes you unique, sit for a caricature.

27. Never get your hair cut the day of a special event.

28. Be mindful of what comes between you and the Earth. Always buy good shoes, tires, and sheets.

29. Never eat lunch at your desk if you can avoid it.

30. When you’re with new friends, don’t just talk about old friends.

31. Eat lunch with the new kids.

32. When traveling, keep your wits about you.

33. It’s never too late for an apology.

34. Don’t pose with booze.

35. If you have the right of way, take it.

36. You don’t get to choose your own nickname.

37. When you marry someone, remember you marry their entire family.

38. Never push someone off a dock.

39. Under no circumstances should you ask a woman if she’s pregnant.

40. It’s not enough to be proud of your ancestry; live up to it.

41. Don’t make a scene.

42. When giving a thank you speech, short and sweet is best.

43. Know when to ignore the camera.

44. Never gloat.

45. Invest in good luggage.

46. Make time for your mom on your birthday. It’s her special day, too.

47. When opening presents, no one likes a good guesser.

48. Sympathy is a crutch, never fake a limp.

49. Give credit. Take blame.

50. Suck it up every now and again.

51. Never be the last one in the pool.

52. Don’t stare.

53. Address everyone that carries a firearm professionally.

54. Stand up to bullies. You’ll only have to do it once.

55. If you’ve made your point, stop talking.

56. Admit it when you’re wrong.

57. If you offer to help don’t quit until the job is done.

58. Look people in the eye when you thank them.

59. Thank the bus driver.

60. Never answer the phone at the dinner table.

61. Forgive yourself for your mistakes.

62. Know at least one good joke.

63. Don’t boo. Even the ref is somebody’s son.

64. Know how to cook one good meal.

65. Learn to drive a stick shift.

66. Be cool to younger kids. Reputations are built over a lifetime.

67. It’s okay to go to the movies by yourself.

68. Dance with your mother/father.

69. Don’t lose your cool. Especially at work.

70. Always thank the host.

71. If you don’t understand, ask before it’s too late.

72. Know the size of your boy/girlfriend’s clothes.

73. There is nothing wrong with a plain t-shirt.

74. Be a good listener. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk.

75. Keep your word.

76. In college, always sit in the front. You’ll stand out immediately.

77. Carry your mother’s bags. She carried you for nine months.

78. Be patient with airport security. They’re just doing their jobs.

79. Don’t be the talker in a movie.

80. The opposite sex likes people who shower.

81. You are what you do, not what you say.

82. Learn to change a tire.

83. Be kind. Everyone has a hard fight ahead of them.

84. An hour with grandparents is time well spent. Ask for advice when you need it.

85. Don’t litter.

86. If you have a sister, get to know her boyfriend. Your opinion is important.

87. You won’t always be the strongest or the fastest. But you can be the toughest.

88. Never call someone before 9am or after 9pm.

89. Buy the orange properties in Monopoly.

90. Make the little things count.

91. Always wear a bra at work.

92. There is a fine line between looking sultry and slutty. Find it.

93. You’re never too old to need your mom.

94. Ladies, if you make the decision to wear heels on the first date, commit to keeping them on and keeping your trap shut about how much your feet kill.

95. Know the words to your national anthem.

96. Your dance moves might not be the best, but I promise making a fool of yourself is more fun then sitting on the bench alone.

97. Smile at strangers.

98. Make goals.

99. Being old is not dictated by your bedtime.

100. If you have to fight, punch first and punch hard.

— one high school teacher’s list of 100 wisest word

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A quick cake recipe.

It is good to have a handy dandy cake recipe available in case you have to whip up something fast for the next morning or in an hour or two.

I have made this Chocolate Cake quite a few times. It is fast to put together and bake and doesn’t take long to cool to ice it. It also doesn’t take long for it to disappear as well! 😆

 

Chocolate Cake (Microwave)

125g butter

1.5 C sugar

2 tbsp cocoa

1 C hot water

½ tsp baking soda

2 eggs

1.5 C flour

1 tsp baking powder

Combine the first five ingredients in a large bowl.  Cook in microwave on high for 2 minutes, stir then a further 2 minutes.

Stir in 2 beaten eggs fast with a whisk and then flour and baking powder. Whisk out lumps.

Put in paper lined microwave proof ring cake mold and cook for 6 – 9 minutes till it is mostly dry on top. It may spill a little.

Stand on rack in mold for 15 minutes before turning it out.

Cool and then ice.

cake collage text

 

PS: The reason I put recipes on my blog is so I can find them here if I can’t find them in the recipe books especially if I am away from home. I can search for them and off I go. I hope you like them too. 🙂

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Filed under Chocolate, Recipes

Its Poverty

Please read this wonderfully written post by my friend Carla. So insightful and so bang on.

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