The birds

There was a spot of baking here this morning. We were taking a little something to a party for a special 7 year-old. So what to bake for a boy who likes birds?

Avian-inspired gingerbread.



I had grand plans for the plumage, but forgot an important decorating principle: less is more.

I was a little heavy-handed with the icing and sprinkles.



And once I got the whole flock together, they morphed into something that would send shivers down Tippi Hedren's spine.

Yes, Tweenage Mutant Ginger Turtledoves.



Of course appearances aren't everything. The kids seemed to like them!

Gingerbread
(My adaption of a trusty recipe from Taste )

150g (5½oz) unsalted butter
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup honey
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 egg (I use the equivalent in an egg substitute)
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon mixed spice
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup cocoa
2¾ cups plain flour

1. Place the butter, sugar and honey in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until the ingredients are melted and the sugar dissolved. Boil for one minute, then remove from the heat.
2. Stir in the bicarbonate of soda, then place the mixture in a large bowl and allow to cool
3. Sift together the dry ingredients
4. Beat the egg lightly, then stir into the butter mixture
5. Add the dry ingredients and combine until a smooth dough
6. Preheat oven to 180ºC (350ºF)
7. Divide dough in half, wrap tightly in cling wrap and refrigerate for an hour
8. Remove dough from fridge and roll out each half of dough in turn between two pieces of baking paper
9. Cut out shapes and bake for approximately 7 - 9 minutes depending upon thickness and size
10. Leave for 5 minutes on the tray before removing to cool completely. Decorate.

iScream v.2.0

Friday, early evening: I was becoming vaguely aware of something in the distance.

Di di di deeee di di di dock.

As I tapped away at the computer, I became more conscious of it: the sound.
Frankly, it was a little irritating.

Di di di deeee di di di dock
Di di di deeee di di di dock

What was it? I started to look around the house. It sounded electronic. TV? No. Mr Hoppo Bumpo playing a console game? No. A toy with its batteries going flat? No.

Di di di deeee di di di dock
Di di di deeee di di di dock

Now the short, repetitive computer game riff was beginning to send me spare. I walked into the garden to see if the sound was coming from outside.

Someone rode past on a bike. A couple in tracksuits walked past on their evening stroll. Nothing. Then my heart gave a little jump, as a small, white ice-cream van cruised past.

Oh, how I love ice-cream vans. In my mind they are the very essence of summer. They appear mysteriously on balmy evenings, signalling their presence with their tinkly music box tunes. Their sides are decorated with promises of choc tops, soft-serve and gelati.

Di di di deeee di di di dock
Di di di deeee di di di dock

Huh? That noise ... was actually the ice-cream van tune.

The vehicle sailed on by, blaring its quasi-computer-game music across the neighborhood. Is this what tempts children away from their computers and fancy game consoles? What happened to Greensleeves?

I sighed as yet another childhood memory slowly disappeared into the sunset. Hmmmph - I suppose that the chap behind the wheel is probably now also known now as Mr Wii-ppy.

An alteration with a difference (or sewing for a plaster cast)

Life is full of surprises - and frankly its often the simplest things that prove the stumbling block.

Take Argy's double-layout-full-pike-with-twist accident, recently. By the time the inevitable plaster cast had been applied, I thought I had the son-has-a-broken-arm checklist sorted.

Sling. Check.
Garbage bag to cover arm in bath. Check.
Knitting needle for itching arm. Check.
Shoes with Velcro. Check.
Pillow to prop heavy arm up in bed. Check.
Food that is easy to eat left-handed when you are a right-hander.
Check.
Story to relay to strangers who stop and ask if it was a trampoline or clothesline (neither: stairs). Check.

Yes, I thought I had it all worked out. That was until the weather turned a little chilly.

I really didn't account for that. How does a 4 year old with an arm circumference of 12 inches wear a jacket or a sweater? I'm afraid the test was akin to that scene in Cinderella where the ugly sister tries to shoehorn her big foot into the dainty crystal slipper.

Poor Argy. I decided to make him something with big sleeves and a generous neckline.

Altering a long sleeved t-shirt pattern to accommodate a plaster cast

I started out by choosing a very simple pattern for a basic boy's long sleeved t-shirt. The pattern comprised just three pieces - a front, back and sleeve all cut on the fold. The pattern I used was by Kwik Sew and suitable for stretch fabrics only.



Creating a better neckline

Next I used the instructions from a tutorial by Dana of Made. Her terrific 90 minute shirt instructions describe how to convert a regular child's neckline to an envelope neckline. This is the sort that you see on baby onesies and really does make easing tricky arms into sleeves a lot simpler. Perfect for a broken arm ... though intended, I suspect, for much younger children (the neckline that is, not the broken arm!).

Whilst Dana drafts the alteration straight on to the pattern, I left mine as a separate piece for the time being. You see the two pieces for front and back, below.



Changing the sleeve size

The next task was to alter the sleeve size. I decided to add an insert of nice stretchy cotton ribbing into the middle of the sleeve. The pattern piece I drafted for the insert was a simple rectangle, as you can see below. I also changed the cutting instructions for the original sleeve from being "Cut 2 on the fold" to "Cut 4".



To be able to set in the much wider sleeve, I then made a change to size of the armscye (armhole) on the body of the top. To do this I added half the size of the finished insert (ie. excluding the seam allowance either side of the insert), at the shoulder seam of the front and back of the top.



Finally, I taped all the pattern pieces together for both the front and back. As you see below, the redrafted envelope neckline was taped on after I altered the armhole.



All that remained was to cut the fabric. I sewed the inserts into the sleeves first, then followed a combination of Dana's instructions and the original pattern for completing the remainder of the garment.

So hurrah - now Argy has a long-sleeved top that caters for a rigid bent arm weighing an extra one and half kilos!

And thankfully I haven't yet heard that question: does my ... er ... arm .... look big in this?

My creative space

I am joining in with Thursday's My Creative Space at Kootoyoo.

I very much doubt that I can hoodwink anyone into believing this to be my creative space, so I had better come clean. This wonderful space (a studio, of the recording variety), of course, belongs to someone else.

For the record, though, the soft light and muting walls were so calming, that I should rather like a space like this at home. Note to self: investigate the viability of using egg cartons and craft glue on the walls ... or failing that, perhaps on the children.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to be invited to this studio today, to chat about the creative space that is blogging. I was a little nervous - especially fearing that my rumbling tummy would also be captured by that huge microphone - but it was great fun. Thank you very much for inviting me, Penny!

Thank you also to Kirsty for hosting My Creative Space. Its great fun seeing what everyone is doing. To see who else is showing their creative space (or to join in), head over here.

Where's Wally?

Hang on, that's not Wally, is it?

Quick ... you over there - could you remove the steam iron? And someone ... take the calculator, the preschool accounts and that boy with the plaster cast off her head. Now remove the kindergarten backpacks and the cats. Easy does it ... watch out for her dodgy shoulder. Can we get a team over here to scrape back the laundry, the dishes and 3826 Lego blocks?

I think we're clear.

OK everyone ... on the count of three ... hoist her up in front of the computer.

1, 2, 3 ...

A variation on an old adage

This is the story of a mother who went in search of a nice little sling. One that would help a poor broken little arm.

She set out one afternoon and visited all the pharmacies close to home. But one after another, they turned her away: no small slings in stock. The search was fruitless.

But then at the last one a kindly assistant had a suggestion. Have you considered a fabric shop, dear? They have things called remnants she explained. Maybe you could cut a large triangle?

There was a bright flash, as the red-faced mother had a light bulb moment. Er, thank you, she said exiting quickly.

She went home and surveyed the cupboard. Then the shelves, the boxes, the floor, a table and some chairs. The accumulation was expansive; some might even say impressive.

It was a clear case of not being able to see the sling for all the fabric. How embarrassing.

The sunset clause

Five hundred and ninety-nine days.



Three hundred and two photographs.



Infinite beautiful colours and effects to admire.



But do all good things come to an end?



Maybe.



Last night Mr Hoppo Bumpo presented his handiwork. He was right chuffed with his new flywire screen.

Er, right over the window where I take my pictures.



This might sound just the teeniest bit evil, but do you think I should ask him to take it down?

Remembering

Black Saturday
7 February 2009
Victoria, Australia

Continuing professional development

Audrey realised that the house did indeed look better through a Vichy mud mask

Dear Mrs Hoppo Bumpo,

We wish to advise that your 5-year registration as Homemaker is about to expire.

In order to renew your registration, you are required to demonstrate a commitment to your continuing professional development. Please find enclosed the compulsory text Better Home Making*.

Core studies for this term are Stain Removal, Invalid Cookery, Harmonious Lighting and Lovely Legs. Due to several complaints received by the board, you are also required to complete Grace And Charm.

In addition we would encourage you to undertake an elective from Hang Your Own Wallpaper, Mend A Fuse or Home Manicure.

We trust these studies will be as fulfilling as the joyous practical work in which you are engaged.

Sincerely,

The Certifiable Board of Homemakers



* My copy of "Better Home Making" c.1950, was an excellent thrift shop find. I'll make sure I share some of its advice with you some time soon!

My creative space

I am joining in with Thursday's My Creative Space at Kootoyoo.

This week's creative space harbours some eleventh-hour craft. I am hoping that all this fabric, piping cord, nylon and continuous zippering will turn itself into two backpacks, before daybreak tomorrow. You see Argy and Bargy have both started kindergarten this week. Argy is attending 4 year old kindergarten, while Bargy has joined a three-year-old group. They are incredibly excited, while I am feeling a little wistful.

Yes ... regretfully the timetabling completely lacks craft serendipity. The three and four year old kindergarten classes never run concurrently. Disappointment. No rest - or craft - for the wicked. (Now you didn't think I was going to say I was sad that the boys were going to kindergarten did you? Well, maybe .... just a little.)

But I digress: whilst excited, the boys still don't have new kindergarten bags.

Its quite difficult to find suitably-sized backpack for preschoolers. The cute, compact types hold little more than a folded handkerchief and some fresh air. By contrast the larger sizes, will hold a lunch, a hat, a jacket, some tissues, 5 pieces of artwork and a full change of clothes. They also have the effect of making a small child look like a backpack on legs. The solution? Something tailor-made from the Toddler Backpack pattern by Made by Rae.



I first saw this very cute backpack being sewn by Angie and then Nikki. I couldn't resist jumping on the bandwagon, especially as the pattern is very reasonably priced (USD$6) and uses only a modest amount of fabric. The bag is a designed for 2 - 5 year olds, but comes with instructions for enlarging the pattern. I've added a little extra depth, width and height to all my pattern pieces.

Now I am just looking for that window of craft serendipity to do the sewing.

Thank you very much Kirsty for hosting My Creative Space. Its great fun seeing what everyone is doing. To see who else is showing their creative space (or to join in), head over here

Beware those bearing crayons

As I continue to sift and sort through all my high school artwork, Argy and Bargy have been keen spectators. I thought they might like the story behind this now-faded ink house, which I drew for my grandparents when I was about 15.

Its a picture of my grandparent's place. The weatherboard house was built by my grandad, who worked for a newspaper and was a printer by trade. Imagine working all day and then coming home ... to build your home. The boys did like the story (though I do have to wonder whether they think he built the house out of Lego).

They were, however, quite disturbed by the ink. I had clearly left the picture unfinished all these years. Can we colour it in now? asked Argy.

Origami box

I have been trying out a bit of origami.

You see, the delightful Jay of Finki is hosting a monthly design challenge. The aim is to create a project to a monthly theme, using your own medium and interpretation. "Japanese" was the theme selected for the first month.

(Thankfully I have finished my contribution just in the nick of time on the 33rd of January.)

Its not a particularly original contribution, but I really wanted to try origami. I have never had any success with the art of paper folding. Flowers and cranes have baffled me; paper airplanes have plummeted to the ground. Paper is not my friend.

So I decided to try using something a little more familiar and forgiving: fabric. (Fabric doesn't rip like paper does. And it can be salvaged with an iron, when you put a crease in the wrong place.)



I chose a very simply project - a traditional little origami box called a Masu box. I began by interfacing a square and pinking the edges, so that it wouldn't fray. Then I got to work using the excellent diagrams at www.origami-instructions.com.



To start, I folded the square in half in both directions. I used my trusty iron to press nice crisp folds.



Next I folded the points in and pressed the folds again.



Then brought the top and bottom edges to the middle.



Followed by the left and right edges to the middle. Then I pressed it all again.



Following the instructions, I opened out the square, leaving just the points at the sides folded inward.



The next bit was a little tricky - its a sort of squeeze-flip-fold manoevere, that I suspect is common to all beautiful origami. You know ... all in the wrist action. My squeeze-flip-fold technique was a bit flawed, so this side of my Masu box is a little bit wonky.





I repeated the manoeuvre on the remaining side of the box.



Finished!

(And ready to be commandeered by Argy and Bargy who filled it with headless Lego men. Perhaps something from a a Manga story-line?)



With thanks to Jay, for hosting this challenge. To see some absolutely beautiful Japanese-inspired projects - including collage, sewing and jewellry-making - head over here.