Food post: Choco-mallow-pie

Yesterday I decided I wanted to do some baking. This doesn't happen very much anymore, due to the large amount of washing up it produces, but.. its a long weekend so who cares! Now, the recipe we decided on wasn't actually so much baking as putting together, but it was fun (and tasty) anyway!

The recipe came from a book my Mum bought my fiancé about a year ago, "Essential Student Cookbook" by Cas Clarke. Not really where you'd expect to find this recipe, but I think it was in the "entertaining" section. The recipe is relatively simple, with only 4 ingredients.. cream, chocolate, marshmallows and a pastry base. I guess that is cheating a bit, but even celeb chefs don't seem to make their own pastry anymore! So.. here it is!

It was yummy (I say was.. we still have a fair amount left!) and I would definitely make this again.. although maybe with the help of an electric whisk next time! Let's just say that beating cream 'til it holds its shape is difficult without one..

New yarn!

I treated myself to several small balls of yarn so I have plenty of colours for smaller projects.

Mostly, the yarn is the same as I've been using for my baby blanket.. with the addition of a lilac.

I didn't bother to buy black or white as I can pick those up easily in town :)

I've already used one of these on one of my current projects and can't wait to use the rest!

New lipstick: L'Oreal Colour Riche - Feeric Fushia

Having spent a while searching superdrug for a new pink lipstick, I was surprised to get this one for free the same night!

It's my first "high-end" drugstore lipstick as I usually just buy cheap ones.

Needless to say, I had high expectations for this well-known brand.

I don't have any problems with this, although I've never had a sparkly lipstick (as an adult)

My issue, however, was that the colour started to peel off my lips within an hour of applying it.

I don't know if that was down to the lipstick itself, or my lipcote, but I've not had an issue with lipcote before..

I will try this colour again, without the lipcote to see, but I don't think this is going to be lipstick of choice very often..

Finished project: Trying tunisian crochet

Basic Tunisian Crochet Stitch

Tunisian Crossed Stitch

Tunisian Crochet Bias Stitch

I stumbled across how to do Tunisian crochet without a specialised hook and whilst I didn't get along with the instructions I'd found I quickly googled for more tutorials.

I found a great blog with really clear instructions and got a bit carried away trying 3 different stitches!

I think they turned out quite well though, and I really enjoyed the method

I might have to try and find some patterns.. or attempt to make some up.. soon!

My first swatch - the basic stitch was done using a 4mm hook (just my standard one with a hair band wrapped round the end so the stitches don't fall off the end)

The other two swatches were done with a 5mm hook.

All swatches were done with Hayfields Baby Changes DK yarn is yellow/green.

If you don't know anything about Tunisian crochet I suggest you check out this blog - Crocheting the Day Away which is where I got all the tutorials for these stitches.

I'm itching to either try more stitches, or make something with them!

NOTW: Gelly nails and crackle

I'm not sure what made me realise, but I haven't worn my crackle top-coat for ages.

Its not the best one in the world, but it was from poundland, so I can't really complain!

It seems to have gone a bit sticky, and it's probably just been sat on a shelf somewhere for too long.

I love this colour, barry m gelly nails in blueberry (available here for £3.99)

I seem to just want to wear pastel colours at the moment!

I think I need to raid my stash and see how many I have... I might have to treat myself to more!

The wear of this look disappointed me a bit

I wore the combination (without a topcoat) and it had chipped - as you can see in the picture, by the third day of wear

This is quite unusual for me, so I changed it quick!

You'll see what I have on at the moment in the next few days! :)

Finished project: Mother's Day Mug Hug

My Mum requested a mug hug this year, for Mother's Day.

I had this yarn left-over from when I made my plum snood and know that she loves the colour as much as I do!

I wanted to test myself on this as it could become quite a simple thing to make, so I decided to try a new stitch!

After a lot of hunting, I finally decided on the cable stitch.

I followed the pattern for the stitch from here.

Other than that, the pattern for the hug itself was made up as I went along. 

I think I did 3 rows and skipped 3 stitches out of the 5 when making the button hole.

I also used this bright green spotty button that came in a pack that my Mum got me for Christmas. 

I thought the green contrasted quite well with the plum to give a bit more interest!

Finished project: Grumpasaurus!

This little monster was made as a birthday present for my Dad.

Part of the reason I wanted to make this was to test myself.

I don't knit very often, and when I do it's not often great!

This was done (mostly) on DPNs (double-pointed needles) which means that there are some imperfections.

I've only ever made one other toy with DPNs, and that was just to practise, so this is the first real project using them!

Mostly I think it was okay, but you can see where I managed to stretch the stitches too far in places!

The "comb" along Grumpy's back was actually quite fun (and simple) to make.

When I looked at it, and the instructions I thought.. "oh no!" but it was a lot nicer to make than I thought it would be!

I don't think I'll be in any rush to make any more knitted items, they're not my favourite, but at least I know that I could if I wanted to!

Now back to my crochet blankets!

The pattern for Grumpasaurus can be found here.

WIP: Mystery knitting

This has come on quite a way since I took these photos now. 

But here is a little secret(ish) knitting project.

I wonder if any of you can guess what it'll be...

I'm still not confident knitting.. but I'm getting there (I think)

February recap!

Top left: my #imapiece

Bottom left: rose pomander

Centre: neon pink nails

Top right: December made it prize

Bottom right: silk flowers