End of 2013

Well it is the last day of the year 2013 . This is the year I started with my Blog and created the Oban Cottage page. I have enjoy this year and have created a few great dishes and crochet to my hearts desires. UP and forward for next year 2014 and now I have my own space to create. So much has been completed with the start of my husband  creating a lovey space in the back yard for entertaining. The feasting table is a success and now with the end of the year pizza oven. My big Girl has returned from Perth and found a good job and now a new man in her life with dreams of a good 2014. My Son move out to start his life as a bachelor. My youngest Girl has now completed her year 7 and will continue with wanting to socialise more than she should and this day the last day of the year See's her that one year older.

I look back on 2013 and wonder where this year has gone. So I have put together a few snippets of ordinary yet extraordinary bits of my 2013 .

I hope all of you have had a good 2013 and will have a even better 2014 See you all next year .

My new craft room

Well it was all very exciting last week. When On Thursday I got home from work to find that my 18 year son made the decision to move out. I love my son to bits but I didn't like his room been in a mess and the boy smells that were coming out of his room and contaminating the rest of the house . He move out and we have made a rule that he is to come home on the Sundays to catch up and get a good feed. I might even have some baking for him too. So you can image what I did that weekend. 

Yes well you can tell with these photo's. I turn my ll year old daughters room into my craft room and moved her into my Son room ,which she was OK with. I wanted her room mainly because it was the only room in the house that was not carpeted and this would make it easy to vacuum up the little bits of cotton .  

This room is all i have wanted for months now. Hubby would get a little upset because I had my craft stuff all over the place, mind due though we do have a sleep out (guest house )and a two car garage but oh no, i was not allowed to have anything crafty in any of these room . He kept saying wait till one of the kids moves out . Well the day has come and no one was stopping me. 

So here are some pictures of my pink craft room. I didn't choose this colour as this was already this colour when my daughter was in it . So I shot up the road to my favorite shop (Spotlight) and found just the right fabric . Please to say my hubby built me a cutting table and Sew and work bench the cutting table  has wheels on it so when there's more than one of us I can move it to the  end of the room. Also I got the computer in so now I can search pattern and not have to use my small screen   phone . Also the printer is right next to it and now it just hit the print button and it all at my finger tips. 

I have just been given a Factory machine sewing machine from one of my work mates and will need to go and pick that up shortly. So i will use my small basic Janome one in the mean time and for small thing.. 

When I was putting all my thing away in there right places . I got my over locker out . I have been meaning for months to go get this service as the tension was way off and I couldn't get it back to the right look. But my dear mum came around and she has  the same one  as mine. She place the dials into the place she remember that her ones are at, and guess what . Yay it working. So I didn't need to take it to get service. 

By the end of the weekend I had a finsihed and completed work room and its all mine. So now it time to have some action and will start my sewing back up . As it was the left over fabric I have made into PJ pants they look good. 

So this is where we sit. My new friend likes it in here too keeping me company while i complete my creations. 

I hate waste so the left over fabric I made my daughters some PJ pants. 

Just to add some more colour i have place two little African violets. Which seem to be doing well at this stage and I haven't kill them. I am not good at keeping plants alive. It because I forget to water them. I am too busy on other things to think of doing this. So if they are right in front of me when I do stuff I wont forget. Just like the ones in the kitchen as that the 2nd room in the house I spend my time. Creating fab food which I am sure my son will miss.But who to say while we are all at work that he doesn't come home and raid my fridge. 

Now alot of people have told me these day the kids keep coming back. Well yes they do come back and they are welcome to come back but for any of them i have a sleep out and at this moment daughter has return home from Perth and i don't think it will be long for her to be leaving. 

So Welcome to my craft room and hope to you can visit me . Happy crafting and enjoy your xmas . 

I am now panicking cause I do this every year and leave things to the last moment. Why is it that December is on fast forward and before you realize 24 is here and you haven't done any shopping. 

Larry the Lamar

 I was around at my friends place one Saturday afternoon and I found this in one of her Handmade Magazine. I borrowed the book and rush straight home to get stuck in and to try and see if I could make this. Well I am pleased to say Tad ah and  finished by Sunday after noon.  

Change to Larry the Lamar . 

This sweet giraffe designed by Kathryn McWilliam well delight any little one and would also look great in bright primary colours

• Enough to make two giraffes 
• 50gm balls each of colours you have chosen
• 3mm (No11 Uk) crochet hook
• Scrap of black felt ( I used black buttons however if you  give to baby avoid ) Hazard to choking
• Short length of red wool for smile.
• Paddle-Pop stick for neck ( helps to keep the neck up right)
• Polyester filing 
• Darning needle

Mesurements finished size 45.5cm (18in)

Abbreviations: ch=chain, dc= double cochet tog= together 

Noted please this is in  UK terms . 

so if it saying dc,in USA terms it sc single crochet terms. 

Note: the giraffe is worked in rounds. Use a small piece of contrasting yarn as a marker at the beginning of each round. When a round is finished , move the marker to the start of the next round. Note: a yarn other than that specified will not give satisfactory results. ( I use a Crochet Marker that you can buy at your local wool supplier  

When I completed this lovely thing . I took it into work. My work Mates said something was missing from its head to make it look like a Giraffe . One lady said it looks more like a Lamar than a Giraffe. So I have changed it to Larry the Larmar.

HEAD

Starting at the nose with a  light brown yarn, wrok 2 ch then 6dc in second ch from the hook.

Round 1: 2dc in each dc.....12dc

Round 2: *2dc in next dc, 1dc in next dc* repeat from * to * to end of round... 18dc

Round 3 to 5 : Dc.

Round 6 : *2dc in next dc, 1 dec in next dc* , repeat from * to * to end of round ... 27dc

Rounds 7 and 8: Dc 

Change to white yarn. 

Round 9: *2dc in next dc, 1dc in each of next 2dc*, repeat from* to* te end ...36dc.

Round 10: DC

Round 11: *2dc in next dc, 1dc each of next 8dc*, repeat from * to * to end 40dc.

Round 12: Dc 

Round 13: *2dc in next dc, 1dc in next 4dc*, repeat from * to * ...48dc

Round 14: Dc

Round 15: *dc2tog, 1dc in next 4dc*, repeat from * to * to end...40dc

Round 16: Dc

Round17: *dc2tog, 1dc in next 3dc*, repeat from * to * to end 32dc.

Round 18 and 19: Dc

Round 20:  *dc2tog, 1dc in next 2dc.

Round 21:  Dc

Round 22: dc2tog to end 12dc.

Begin to stuff the head with polyester filling before the opening is too small.

Round 23: dc2tog to end ...6dc

Finish stuffing the head firmly, trim the yarn with a long tail, thread it in the darning needle, then close the opening with a few tight stitches.

TOP TIP :  Use the different colour yarns randomly changing every four to six rounds. 

NECK AND BODY: 

Chain 19, join into a ring being careful to not twist the chain.

Round: 1 Miss 1ch, 1dc in each cha to end...18dc.

Round: 2 to 20: Dc

Round 21: *2dc in next dc, 1dc in next 5dc*, repeat from *to* to end ...21dc.

Round 22: Dc.

Round 23: *2dc in next dc, 1dc in next 6dc*, repeat from * to * to end...24dc

Round 24: Dc

Round 25: *2dc in next dc, 1dc in next 3dc*, repeat from * to * to end...30dc. 

Round 26:  30dc.

Round 27: *2dc in next dc, 1dc in next 2 dc*, repeat from * to * to end ....40dc.

Round 28 to 31: Dc 

Round 32: *2dc in next dc, 1dc in next 3dc*, repeat from * to * to end ...50dc

Round 33 to 39: Dc

Begin to decrease as follows: 

Round 40: *dc2tog, 1dc in next dc* repeat from *to * to last  2dc then dc 2tog ...33dc

Round 41: *dc2tog, 1dc in next dc* repeat from *to * to end ...22dc.

Round 42: Dc

Round 43: Dc2tog to end ...11dc. 

Begin to stuff body before opening is too small.

Round 44: Dc2tog to last st, 1dc...6dc

Round 45: Dc2tog to end ... 3dc.

Finish stuffing body, noting that the neck opening will be stuffed and closed after finishing the body. 

Cut yarn at body opening, leaving a tail, then sew the opening together as before. 

Rejoin yarn at neck edge in matching colour to orginal.

To close neck: Dc2tog to end of round ...9dc.

Dc2tog to last st, dc ...5dc. 

Finish off and cut the yarn with a long tail. 

The Neck can be made firmer by inserting an ice block stick or half a chopstick into it and stuffing around it. Finish off the thread and leave a long tail. Pin the head in place at the top of the neck then ladder-stitch them together with matching thread. 

EARS

makes 4

Note: these are worked as rows. 

Chain 12.

Row 1: miss 1st ch, 1dc in each ch to end.....11dc

Row 2 to 8: Dc

Row 9: Miss 1dc, 1dc in next 9dc, miss last dc

Row 10:  Dc

Row 11: Miss 1dc, dc in next 7dc, miss last dc.

Row 12: Dc

Row 13: Miss 1dc, dc in next 5dc, miss last dc.

Row 14: Dc.

Row 15: Miss 1dc, dc in next 3dc, miss lastdc. 

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. 

With right sides facing, sew two ears pieces together along the curved edges, leaving the bottom edges open. Turn it right side out, then stuff it lightly with polyester filling. Gather the lower edge, fasten off the thread with a few tight stitches but don't cut it Attach the ear to the side of the head with the rest of the thread. 

Complete the other ear in the same way.

FORELEGS: 

Makes 2 

Note: Change colour every six rows. One colour will be used twice. 

Ch2 then 6dc in 2nd ch from hook.

Round 1: 2dc in each dc to end ...12dc.

Round 2: 2dc in each dc to end 24dc.

Round 3 to 5: Dc

Round 6: *dc2tog, 1dc*, repeat from * to * to end... 16dc.

Change colour. 

Round 7 to 37: Dc changing colour after 6ounds. 

Stuffing foreleg firmly: 

Round 38: dc2tog to end ...8dc

Round 39: dc2tog to end ...4dc.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail, and close the opening with a few tight stitches. Sew the forelegs to the body. 

BACK LEGS: 

Make these in the same way as the forelegs, adding six more rows to the length before stuffing - two colours will be used twice. Stuff them and close the openings as before. 

Sew the legs to the body. 

FINISHING:

Cut two small circles out of the black felt for the eyes then sew them in place. Stem stitch the mount with red wool or black. 

You can hand stitch the eyes if you wish . I used buttons . But that was for my first trail. However if I was giving it to a baby for a gift I would hand sew black thread as this would not cause choking. 

I would not like that to happen . I have read up on toy making and this is a NO1 rule. 

Full of colour crochet hangers

Well Christmas is only just around the corner and I have a few orders to get sorted before then.

 I started with this order of crochet hangers and I am using up some of my odd wool and I had them in a box next to my seat.

Yesterday I was out and about with my youngest daughter and while waiting for her to finish her dance practice there was a lady selling her odd bits and pieces outside a shop, and look what I found , I had the exact change on me, so It was meant to be and I knew what I would use it for. 

I have three orders to get done and started with a order of six. and each one needs to be different just to make them look colourful and bright.

I  will try and get a few made for the xmas markets that we have coming up at the end of December . But I have a feeling I am ruining out of time. 

I took some of these into work and received some more orders. When I posted this on the Obancottage Facebook page we  received another order. 

We have got a price for them and based on the matrial and cost of time which is very hard to do. We have come up with a resalable price. 

$5 each or $20 for 5. 

Email me if you wish to place a order . tanya.williams@slingshot.co.nz 

Chicken roulade

I was completely and totally impressed with this recipe . This is 

is yet another great recipe from Kim Evan out of her new cook book Little and Friday. I found this recipe on the latest Taste Magazine . This was great and full of flavor. Just a little tricky but not too bad. I didn't use the Prosciutto as way to expensive , so I use streaky bacon which we pe-cook under the grill prior to making the dish up. So give this a go and see how easy this was and I am sure you will impress your guest with this dish.  

I serve this cold and made sure it was completely cold before cutting up. I took the leftover to work and just re heat this for a minute and I liked it hot more than cold but still very nice for a summer night meal served with a side salad and potatoes of your choice. 

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 onion, diced

2 glove garlic, crushed 

250g pork mince

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley 

1 cup breadcrumbs 

1 egg

6 slices of prosciutto

2 double chicken breast , skinless 

100 slices bacon 

handful of basil leaves 

4  hard boil eggs. 

1. Preheat oven to 180c 
2. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and cook onion and garlic until translucent.
3. In a bowl, mix pork mince, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg and cooked onion mixture until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Lay 2 sheets of aluminium foil on top of each other on the bench. Lay slices of prosciutto crosswise down the centre of the foil, slightly overlapping the slices.
5. Place chicken breast in a plastic bag and flatten, using a rolling pin or mallet. Lay flattened breasts over the prosciutto. 
6. Spread mince mixture over chicken breasts, then top with bacon, slightly overlapping the slices. Top with torn basil leaves, then line up hard-boiled eggs down the middle. 
7. With the long side facing you. Roll up the roulade in the foil, forming a tight roll. Twist the ends of the foil to sea. Place on a baking tray and cook in the centre of oven for 1 1/4 hours. 
8. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before unwrapping. 

This can be stored in your fridge for up to 2 days. However if your place is like mine you might be lucky to get leftover to take to work the next day for your lunch . 

This serve 5 adults and one child with leftovers . Great costs for at least two meals 

Granny squares big and small.

Just a Plain three mixed colours of small and large granny sqaure.

I made four of these and joined as I went for a block of four with the lighter purple. Then I made the next block with the two purple first then added the white then back to the two purple until this measured the same as the first block

The edging was hard once I finished this blanket. I wasn't sure how I wanted the edging. So I came up with this . Its just a plan sc around three times. Then sc in the first sc space then skip two ch then seven double crochet into the next sc then skip two ch. Repeat all the way around

See the result at the end. I joined the blocks as I went and tided up the back  as I went. I hate it when at the end of all this work the last thing is to tidy up the back which then make you think . Wow I still have alot of work to complete it. I don't make that mistake any more. 

This blanket took Three balls of the light purple, three balls of the dark purple and 4 and 1/2 of the white .

All the balls of wool I buy is mainly 100g at 100% arcylic and I use a 4m hook , when I got the the boarder I went up to 5.5m hook which created the bigger Scallops

To buy this in a shop you are looking at least $100 nz plus . But When I charge I charge for the balls of wool I use and then add a little . $60 

Now one thing I find very hard when I charge people when they ask could I make, You can't put money on time so I do this cause I love to make things , bake things and just make people happy. 

Bags and Key Rings

SPRING IS HERE

Spring is here,

In the air,

You can smell it coming,

On the trees,

Leaves are green,

Caterpillars sunning.

Birds are back,

Grass is out,

Busy bees are humming,

On the trees,

Leaves are green,

Caterpillars sunning.

These beautiful Tulip's are the ones I gave my mother for Mother's Day back in May .
 She planted a few in the pot that I gave her and now looks whats showing off.
Many more have bloomed . So happy they gave her a great display.

Well Spring is here and the blossom are out. Our little town is in full bloom with Cherry tress looking fantastic, with their branches full of little delicate pink flowers and the trees are all in full bloom down the street.
So our little town are putting on a Blossom Festival to celebrate the springs . My friend and I have  been invite to set up a stall, so for the last two week I had to put my other projects aside to take up some smaller and quicker little things to sell at our Stall. So here are  a few things that  I've put  together. So I thought Id share what I have made.

Its all about colour and I just love this time of year.
Pink , Purples, Greens and  Blues, yellow to orange and rich reds too , from dark to bright to the delicate shades from Sky to ground what colors can I choose..

Pretty in Pink 

All in Blue 

Now I love Purple

This is the tree outside of my work and every year we watch it bloom . Sad thing is this will be the last spring we  get to see this tree blossom as we move office in October. Great time watching this tree change every year.


Keys rings to hang. 

Full of Love 

These are just a few things I have made over the two weeks. There will be more that my friend has made and once she comes around I will add to this.

This is a view of down the street from my office just to show you how my little town looks like in spring time. Spring 2013 

Orange Blossom

Whooo

WHOOOOOOO

These little Owl were a bit of a challenge for me . I found a pattern but do you think I could follow it. I tried several  times. In the end I just went with the picture. Wow I was impressed with myself if i don't say so my self. 

This is the end result of our hard work over the last two weeks. We are pretty happy with these Items. Ranging from big bags to small clutch bags with assorted range of key rings. 

This is our temporary Label. Hand made by Christine. 

Assorted bags. These are just great for doing a quick shop or just putting your beach towel and drink  and hopping to the beach for the afternoon.

While we where sitting, waiting patiently for our customer to come and see us, this green man turn up entertaining the village . He was on his stilts just having fun with the public. 

OUR little set up . It was just a small one just to see how we went. Well after been there from 10am to 2pm we sold a few items and was pretty please with that by the end of the day. :)

It was not suppose to rain but just minutes after setting up, the heavens opened. But we were fine. We had the public come to have shelter under our stall which was one good way to get the punters in. Throughout the day the wind was blowing , the sun came out  and then it would rain again. But this did not stop the public coming to Greerton to come and enjoy. We had bands playing we had face painting and at the local school we had a huge big blow up slide . There were stalls selling food and little stalls like our to sell there goodies.

Well that's the end of this blog for Spring 2013.