Sunday 19 May 2013

Trying New Things

Over the weekend, I tried out a couple of new recipes and also learned some new crafty skills...

Miss M and I made this on Saturday for G to share with his work mates on Sunday. It's called Party Time Refrigerator Cake and is a Lorraine Pascale recipe from this book. It's packed with chocolate, maltesers and digestive biscuits and is quite delicious. The recipe made loads so there was plenty to share with my mum and dad and also to keep a little in the biscuit tin for us...

Red Lentil, Chickpea and Chilli Soup. I also made this on Saturday and it was really good, really thick and warming. Perfect as the weather was wet, cold and generally awful here on Saturday. Recipe can be found here...

I have been practising my crochet techniques recently, starting with this simple plain granny square. I like how this little square has turned out and am thinking that lots of these little squares in pretty colours would make a lovely blanket. Pattern is from Jan Eaton's 200 Crochet Blocks..

I have also been practising some embroidery stitches as well as learning some new ones. Clockwise from top - cross stitch, whipped running stitch, blanket stitch and back stitch...

Learning lazy daisy stitch. I found this very tricky and as you can see a lot more practise is needed...

Above is the book Stitch with Love by Mandy Shaw, such a nice book. I borrowed this from the library and have found it fantastic for learning new stitches and techniques...

Another new recipe, this time made by G - these are Sesame Peanut Noodles. He made a huge bowl of these which we are going to take to work during the week...

So, it has been a weekend for trying new things. I love to do this every so often, especially at the weekend when there tends to be a bit more time.

Thank you for the lovely comments on my "Prettifying" post - you are all very kind. Back soon with another little project...

X

 

 

19 comments:

  1. What a lovely weekend you've had. The granny square is so neat and the food looks scrummy. Sarah X

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  2. What a lovely productive weekend! Well done on the crochet - looks like you've cracked it x Jane

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  3. Your granny square looks really neat and even. I have made a blanket using a load of these and it was very effective. Jo x

    http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. You have accomplished a lot this weekend!!! The granny square is so lovely, you could make a patchwork-style blanket by crocheting each one a different colour...and the embroidery is great, good for you for learning and practicing new stitches! I'm trying to finish two embroidery projects as I have two waiting to be started! Ah, if only every weekend could be as delightfully productive, eh? Chrissie x

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  5. Great little stitches, well done on the crochet too....and that food looks delicious! :) x

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  6. I now have chocolate cravings!

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  7. Ooo what yummy looking food. Your crochet is lovely, the embroidery looks great I must brush up my skills I've neglected my embroidery for sometime.
    The sesame peanut noodles look delicious I think I might have to give them a go x

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  8. The cake and soup look yummy and we love peanut noodles. I'm intrigued now - what is M practising embroidery stitches for?? Can't wait to find out! xx

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  9. What a wonderfully varied and productive weekend you've had - and gorgeous results from everything you've 'turned your hand to' - thank you for sharing it all with us! Joy x

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  10. Thank you for visiting my blog, I'm so glad I returned the favour, you have some lovely things on here and I am going to try the delicious lentil soup today as it is really cold here today. Julie x

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  11. Yum!! All that food has worked up a serious appetite here, it looks delish. Well done on your crochet square it looks lovely and will make a very sweet blankie. Practice makes perfect and those stitches says it all. Thanks for tip in the book and for sharing your lovely weekend. Xo

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  12. It looks like it was a yummy weekend.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  13. I'm definitely going to try those recipes! The photos are making my mouth water. And I love your embroidery stitches, they are really pretty. Have a great week x

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  14. I have got that book and some of the squares are so gorgeous. I'm really loving that first photo of the chocolate squares. Tempting but I REALLY must go on a diet! Take care. Chel x

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  15. Mmm, I love those sesame peanut noodles, are they from Nigella express? It's high time I made them again! And that chocolate refrigerator cake looks very good. x

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  16. Wow, you have been busy! Those choccy fridge cakes look yumy!

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  17. Ohhhh I love Rocky Road cake, if you enjoy that...You need to look for a recipe for Chocolate Tiffin, as it is quite similar to what you have made. Your soup looks delicious and warming.

    Your crochet is looking very neat, you are practising very well. Same with your embroidery, which is something I can't do :D

    Busy busy you have been!x

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  18. Oh what lovely stuff, You have been busy:)

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  19. Yummy :) Your embroidery books looks lovely and the stitches you made are so pretty xx

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