Kids Clothes Week - The Finished Garments

 
Very late indeed but here is a round up of the clothes I managed to make during KCW (Kids Clothes week) a few weeks back.

As I always love a challenge, I do get pretty determined when I set my mind to things, so for the rest of the KCW, I was busy planning what to make, cutting out patterns, cutting out fabric and finally sewing and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I whipped up a pretty easy skirt on day one - see here

Day 2  - saw me do the planning side of things, as I'd had a busy day with Tilly, only being home for lunch, before taking her to pre-school where I stayed as I was parent helper for the day, by the time we had picked up Ruby from school, I knew I wouldn't and didn't have time to do any sewing so I opted for planning instead - deciding what were going to be my challenges for the week.

After scouring through my favourite books & patterns - Make It Perfect and Making Children's Clothes, I settled on the Puffball Skirt for Ruby from Making Children's Clothes and a simple Simplicity A-Line Dress for Tilly (pattern no 1836).

Day 3 - I traced the size patterns I needed and cut them out onto tracing paper - well actually I used parchment paper as I couldn't find tracing paper. I then got all the pieces cut out for the puffball ball skirt and dress and before I knew it my hour or so was up.

Puffball Skirt Pattern pieces

Day 4  - I got the puffball skirt started, the instructions were clear and easy even the gathering wasn't too bad, but it did take a while to get it even(ish) so I only got as a far as gathering the bottom part of the skirt, inserting the lining and sewing the two pieces together.

Day 5 - I completed the top part of the puffball skirt which included more gathering and adding the waistband, but then the instructions said to slip stitch the waistband on the inside, and I hate hand sewing so after contemplating using the sewing machine, I decided against it, as I thought it just wouldn't look right or neat, I put it too one side and got on with making Tilly the A-Line Dress. After several attempts at putting in the zip (more my curse of perfection than doing it wrong) I finally got it right how I wanted it and ended my sewing hour(s) there.

Day 6 - Saturday with Mr C at home I got to spend more time in my sewing room, so I finally plucked up the courage to do the hand sewing on the puff ball skirt, and I was very pleased with the results, once finished I sewed on the buttons, inserted the buttonhole elastic and voila one finished skirt, I love it and more importantly Ruby loves it.

Day 7 - Sunday - after my several attempts at inserting the zip, I discovered my back piece was now way smaller than the front piece arghhhh and had to start all over again, so I cut out two more back pieces, inserted the zip correctly first time too phew and left it at that, and that is where is it still currently. I will finish it honestly.

Ruby posing in her new skirt

She makes a great little model.

Fabric is Amy Butler - Lotus Wall Flower in Cherry, I've had it ages and wanted to make myself either the versatile wrap or the shearwater kaftan by Make it Perfect as I have both these patterns with the fabric, but I had bought the fabric before the patterns and discovered I didn't have enough for either, so instead I get to enjoy my Ruby wearing the fabric instead.

Kid's Clothes Week - April 22-29

I'm so happy I came across this yesterday  - Kid's Clothes Week it's right up my alley and I couldn't wait to get started.

So I abandoned my ironing, plonked Tilly in front of the computer (ABC Mouse) and literally ran to my sewing room to get started, I actually did only have an hour to spare, as school pick up was just over an hour away and I wanted to get something made.

As I hadn't had time to plan anything, or search Pinterest for ideas, I went with an old favorite, a simple skirt with an elasticated waist for my eldest daughter Ruby, luckily over the weekend she had been through my fabric stash and picked out some lovely Prints Charming fabric. so with that in mind I got to work.

Just under 1 hour later the skirt was completed, elastic in, and hemmed - brilliant I was so pleased.

The fabric Ruby chose, is from my favorite Australian Fabric Designers Prints Charming I was lucky to pick up a good amount of this fabric at an incredible price at one of their sales - I was very pleased. In fact I'm now thinking this fabric would make a great Kaftan for me and I have the perfect (Make it Perfect) pattern for it - it's the Shearwater Kaftan.

Day 2 - I haven't done my hour yet today, I've had a busy day and spent the afternoon at Tilly's pre-school- so instead I'm going to choose what I'm going to make next, and get the fabric cut out this evening so I'm ready to pin and sew tomorrow. As long as I get my hour in I will be happy.

Then I'll have the pleasure of watching the final of the The Great British Sewing Bee which is nothing like Project Runway or Fashion Star but a show I am enjoying immensely.

Keep sewing ladies

WW Week 11

Week 11 - Weight Loss -0.9kg/2lbs

Oooopppps a bit late with this post, a few things have happened these last 3 weeks which I will get too, but here is my week 11 update for week ending 23rd March.

Woo hoo finally a decent weight loss, I'm back on track and I hit my 10% weight loss goal too, only another 9.6kg/20lbs to go........

It's been a very good week, which started with a very naughty meal out last Saturday night with friends, we went to this fabulous Chinese Restaurant called Sun Wah BBQ and had Peking duck, that they served whole to the table, and carved it up in front of us before serving - it was perfect and we ended the night at a famous Chicago Jazz place called Green Mill - super night out

The rest of the week was spent being very careful point wise and exercising - 4 times on the treadmill, I redid week 5 on the couch to 5k plan due to me having a week off, I thought it would be best to go back a week and carry on and I'm pleased I did.

And talking of running yesterday my dad for my birthday (next week) treated me to a proper pair of running shoes, I had my feet assessed - I overpronate which I knew, so the salesperson was able to find and fit the right pair of running shoes to help this and I have to say he did a great job, I walked out with a great pair of running shoes and my dad walked out with a lighter wallet - I can't wait to try them out

The girls finished school this week for Spring Break and we're taking a little road trip down Route 66 to St Louis for a few days before heading back to celebrate my 40th, I've always wanted to have afternoon tea (very English I know) at a posh hotel so I've requested we go here The Drake Hotel and I'm looking forward to it

With such a busy week I don't know how I'm going to stay on track but I will try and fingers crossed for a loss even if it's just a little one, but I fear with cake, alcohol, eating out and my 40th I may be setting myself up for a fail.

Having said that it is only 1 week out of many, I will survive and get right back on it next week.

Favorite Meal - has to be the Peking Duck we went out for & my Lamb Biryani my dad and I enjoyed.

Favorite Snack - Ben & Jerry's Liz Lemon frozen yoghurt - delicious - I had a kids size portion but it still came in at 6 points a definite treat.

I'm 40 and I'm Proud

Baby Me

Wow where did the last 40 years go...... some of it I can remember some of it I can't but all in all I'm very pleased with it all. In the last 40 years I've found some amazing friends & I have an amazing family, I've been able to travel, I've lived in the UK, Australia and America, I've backpacked around Australia, climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, got married in the beautiful Hunter Valley, had my babies, my two beautiful girls and then there is everything in between- I got to do a lot of amazing things really.

How Birthday's were celebrated - homemade cake & friends - that's me on the right

My Bestfriends

My gorgeous mum & I before the biggest event of my life

Yesterday was my 40th, I've had many a birthday where I've partied hard, but this one, yes my 40th, was one I was looking forward too, no hard core partying for me, just celebrating with the family and it was great.

Mr C & the girls surprised me with Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in bed, yummy, I then got told to say in bed so I opened my lovely cards and then I got treated to breakfast in bed - wow.

Then it was time to open my presents except I had to go on a treasure hunt to find them, with Ruby reading the clues and Tilly leading the way and my dad and Mr C holding up the rear, I managed to find all my presents and I was so pleased with them all.

- a new pair of posh running shoes from my dad who was over for my 40th
- a winter coat from my mum (although technically this was a very early present as I've been wearing it for the last 2 months)
- a clothes shop gift voucher and a book from my girlies
- a Namaste Zuma bag (for my knitting) and ravioli set from my parents (in law)
- a gorgeous handbag in my favorite colour and fab tea towel from my lovely friend Lesley
- flowers and a balloon from the lovely Freeman's in Sydney - thank you so much my gorgeous Mel
- some lovely kitchenware from my friend Anna and the family
- a spa gift voucher to a top spa here in Chicago from my Sister & brother in law - I can honestly not wait to use this
- and finally a brand new overlooker/serger from Mr C it was just what I wanted

With presents done, I left the clan to go and have some me time at the nail salon, then it was time for my afternoon birthday treat. I have always wanted to go and have afternoon tea at a lovely establishment, it must be the English in me, I wanted to do it in Sydney but never got round to it

So I was very pleased to find out we were going to the Historic Drake Hotel in Chicago for Afternoon Tea - and it was wonderful, everything I expected it to be and more, we enjoyed delightful sandwiches, fruit bread & scones, French pastries and more, along with pots of tea - I choose an Orange Dulce - a brew teeming with notes of bergamot, orange, vanilla and jasmine blossoms - could a tea sound any nicer.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, with my dad and Mr C - Tilly and Ruby loved their "tea" chocolate milk straight out of a tea pot

Tilly practicing her Afternoon Tea skills

We couldn't wait for the food to come out, as in the menu it all sounded delicious.

Enjoying a tea - in a very British way

Where do I start first........

The sandwiches were yummy, as too were the banana bread and scones -with Devonshire cream and strawberry jam what more could a girl ask for - except a top plate of little french pastries - it was an afternoon delight.

We all tucked in and enjoyed the afternoon immensely - except for poor Ruby who at this point had started to feel unwell.

The night before, as technically it was my birthday in Australia, we did the cake - Mr C had made me a red velvet birthday cake with a little help from the girls

And it was truly delicious - look at all that red loveliness.

This girl knows how to party -well use too

The other best thing about the day was all the lovely birthday wishes I received on facebook - I truly felt the love. 


Happy 40th to me.

Mint Choc Chip Cookie Ice Cream

Mr C bought me for Christmas, the freezer bowl attachment for my KitchenAid to make homemade ice cream, I was extremely pleased with it, but because, I then started weight watchers, I have not made any ice cream in it yet - not even a test run.

So last Friday I thought I would rectify that and make the girls their favorite ice cream - Mint Choc Chip so a quick scout around on the net I found these great ice cream recipes from the Brown Eyed Baker and immediately got to work on the Mint Choc Chip recipe.

Mint Choc Chip Cookie Ice Cream
Ingredients
2 cups heavy cream, divided
1½ cups whole milk
¾ cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ teaspoons mint extract
3 drops green food coloring (optional)
½ cup chocolate chips
Special Ingredient - Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies broken up.

Directions

1. Warm 1 cup of the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar and pinch of salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves.
2. Pour the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream into a large bowl and set a mesh strainer on top.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks.
4. Slowly pour the warm mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.
5. Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula (if using a thermometer, it should be right around 170 degrees F).
6. Pour the custard through the strainer and stir it into the cream.
7. Add the vanilla and mint extracts and the food coloring (if using), and stir until cool over an ice bath.
8. Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator (preferably overnight).
9. Churn according to your ice cream maker's directions, adding the chocolate chips and thin mint cookies during the last 5 minutes of churning.

Custard Mixture Made up and Chilled

When making ice cream you are technically making a custard base that needs to be chilled thoroughly (I chilled mine overnight) then churned into ice cream.

Custard Mixture starting to churn

Mixture increases in volume as it churns

It's always important to read your ice cream makers instructions, with the KitchenAid freezer bowl, once assembled onto your stand, you must start the paddle churning before you add your custard mixture

Thin Mint Cookies and Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

During the last 5 mins of churning time, I added the chocolate chips and thin mint cookies to the ice cream.

Yummy Ice cream

Once churned the ice cream is ready to eat - it'll be a soft serve consistency, so if you want it firmer, transfer to a shallow airtight bowl and freeze for a further 4-6 hours. Will keep for one month in your freezer although I do not expect homemade ice cream to last nearly that long in our house.

And the proof is in the pudding, as that evening the girls got to enjoy the ice cream which was announced as the "best ever ice cream". I love Tilly's grin.

Next time I'm going to make a raspberry and white chocolate ice cream - one of my favorite flavors and I'll be make a slightly healthier version too.

Recipe Source - very slightly adapted from Brown Eyed Baker

WW Week 10

Week 10 weight GAIN + 0.4kgs/0.88lbs

Arghhhhh so I have recorded my first weight gain in the WW journey, I am only surprised it wasn't more, you see my dear dear Grandad died this week, I got the news on Sunday he had passed - a very sad time for us all and I can't even be with my family in the UK - well not yet anyway.

Luckily my Dad arrived on Tuesday, and after chatting to him, it was decided I was going to fly home with him and attend the funeral, luckily my mum was able to delay the funeral, so I can attend. I am very close to my Grandad, so close he gave me away at my wedding.

So because of this news, my WW plan went slightly astray this week, it didn't help that my dad brought me over some Cadbury's Mini Eggs that were quickly devoured by moi and on top of that we've enjoyed several more glasses of red, than I normally would.

I've not been at all motivated this week, forgetting to use my points tracker, not exercising. I didn't even get on the treadmill until yesterday, my first time on it in a week and boy did I notice it.

I'm not going to be tough on myself or feel guilty for the gain, it happened and that's it, next week is another week.

As the week has gone on, and knowing my Grandad is in the best place, he was poorly and more or less housebound so his passing is a blessing, I've started to feel better and ready to get back on the WW wagon and aim for a good 1kg/2.2lbs weight loss this next week.

Favorite Meal - Chorizo & Butter Bean Stew - 10 Points

Favorite Snack - Has to be the Mini Eggs - 6 points per 1/4 bag - I did manage to eat the whole bag over 3 days though oopsie.

WW Week 9

Week 9 - Weight Loss - 0.2kg/0.44lbs

Ok so here it comes my rant and the only thing I hate about WW - the plateau stage and yep I've hit it big time with only a 0.2kg lost this week and what I hate about it the most is that - I've exercised, I've eaten right, I've been eating my daily allowance every day with limited treats, and all I get is a 0.2kg loss - I could cry but a loss is a loss, it could be worse it could have been a gain. Argghhh the frustration.

But on a better note - I've tried several new recipes this week - we've had Skinny Chicken Cordon Bleu & Garlic Shrimp from Skinnytaste both were delicious, I am so glad I found her site, her meals are fresh, healthy and she points them up too bonus.

I also smartly converted a favorite recipe of ours Chicken Tortilla into a more healthier version too, by using less chicken and lower point tortillas (1 point per tortilla as compared to 3-4 for the usual ones), I could have got it lower too if I'd used reduced fat cheese too, but I didn't and although it was a hugely delicious meal it still came in at 14 points per serve a definite treat saving up for.

The training on the Couch To 5K, took a little back burner this week, so I'm going to start the week again today, I'm still deciding whether to enter this Bunny Rock 5k run as my first 5K run as a 40 year old.....as it is just after my birthday.

Favorite Meal - Chicken Cordon Bleu - points 4 per roll, scrumptiously delicious

Favorite Snack - light mini baby bel - 1 point each and satisfies my cheese tooth - most days