Keeping up the hard work

This afternoon these little cuddlers showed up.


I had the idea for them pop into my head last weekend when I was starting to think about getting ready for christmas. So I buckled down this afternoon and here they are.
Geoff's stepsister has adorable twin daughters, and these guys are for them.
I even embroidered their names on the back of each one, so there won't be any infighting. Hopefully.
The Cuddlers are whippets. Everyone loves Norman, so now the girls can snuggle their own.

They look like windsocks, but trust me, they're whippets.

Cozy weekend in, oh yes

On Saturday this weekend, I started my christmas crafting. This is the first year that gifts from me have not been predominantly jewellery.
It feels kind of good.
It starts with this...





Oh the cuteness! It's the same itchy (for me, everyone else is probably fine, I'm just lucky) gorgeous green tweed of the Top. The Cuteness as I will call it.
And I tried my hand at embroidery, which I think might be my new favorite thing right now. It's like drawing with thread, and I REALLY like that right now.

So I might have to embroider everything I own.
You know how it is.

On top of that fun project I've been preparing gifts for christmas as well.
(I can't post pictures though, I don't want to ruin the surprises!)


Today has been about food.

These cookies are amazing.
I haven't made them since we lived in Halifax, and a friend who couldn't eat gluten used to come over for tea. I had used a straight quinoa flour and it was pretty darn good, a little nuttier tasting than the originals, but still delicious.
Today I made them with the GF mix that I make here at home (Bette Hagman's four flour mix) and they were much closer to the original flavour.
So wonderful!

Fudgies:
(makes three dozen accordingly to the recipe, but about 2 when I made them today)
3/4 C butter
3/4 C granulated sugar
1/4 C brown sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1/4 t salt
2 C flour (and I substitute my flour 1:1, it's such a good mix)
1 C chopped walnuts (but I've never used them)

Cream the butter until light.
Gradually beat in the white and brown sugar until creamy and light
Beat in the egg and vanilla
Meanwhile, melt the chocolate over LOW heat.
Stir the chocolate into the butter mixture.
Slowly stir in the salt and flour, combine thoroughly (but don't overbeat, it will make the cookies drier.)
Shape into walnut sized balls, and make an imprint with your thumb.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until JUST done.
Cool on a rack.

Although I will be perfectly honest and admit that they rarely reach the rack they are so good.


And I am currently waiting for Gnocci to dry out so I can cook up some Sweet Potato gnocci.
This is the first time I've tried this recipe, so we'll see how it goes!

(I apologize for the super dark picture! I always bake the stuff I want to take pictures of at night!)
I'm thinking that I will sprinkle the top of my gnocci with some shredded goat's milk, gouda cheese.

Should be good.

in which she waxes poetic about hoods

Those of you who read this blog (Hi Mom) may remember the black cozy sweater that I made a couple of weekends ago. I was so stoked about it that I made another one in green the next day. It was itchy? Remember that?
Well I have since made ANOTHER one in green, not itchy, but somehow I managed to make it strangely large and unflattering. I think that I may need to learn more about sewing with stretch knits.
And will likely try it again.
I went back to the cozy black sweater, the harbinger of all the others.
And added the hood you know see. It's a little odd, not quite "right" but man, I had not realized how great hood living really was. It really is like living in your own little world. Sweaters made for girls always have tiny decorative hoods that don't really cover your head. What, pray tell, is the point of that? I am not a girl who dresses just for cuteness. The cuteness simply oozes out of me. I actually dress for the good sense that my mother gave me, which is good and practical. I don't want to wear something if it doesn't do what it is meant to do.
So I had never realized that a hood was really as great as Geoff has been soap boxing to me all these years.
I may wear it every day.

At least until it gets too hot. Then I'll obsess about something else.


Rad right??

Man, I love it when it comes together.

Voila, new layout! And all it took was all afternoon and a helping hand now and then from Geoff.
As soon as I get some white posterboard I will try out the makeshift lightbox and get some of my own work on my mini etsy and in the shop!

Some photos to peruse...



We went for a stroll on Sunday after the snow had all melted and the light was so beautiful.
And an amazing Alf skateboard just hanging out by the tennis courts.

Bear with me

I am making some changes to the template here at Janamade This, and I am learning as I go.

I followed the instructions, but alas, it appears that I missed something!
I'm trying to make that extra column on the right scoot over to the left, so the posts are in the center.

I'll sort it out.
Eventually.

And then watch out! My etsy shop will be here and I am hoping to set up a gallery spot of new work as well.

Just bear with me!

grrr

The mice are back.
I'm not super excited about this.
I can hear them chewing behind the stove right now.

As soon as Geoff gets home I will ask if we can pull the stove out.
I don't think I can do it by myself! Isn't that ridiculous!

But I am still waiting.

I just can't sit still apparently

I spent Saturday afternoon making this cozy black sweater. Please note the extra long sleeves.
Please don't remark on the disgusting state of that mirror! EUGH! I will deal with that presently!


I also finished a slightly trashy novel (it was WONDERFUL!)
and baked the greasiest flattest shortbread known to man.
Delicious, but eaten with a fork.

Who eats shortbread with a fork?


I blame the lack of xantham gum for the grease cake. Baking Gluten free has it's ups and downs!

And because I loved the cozy black sweater so much, on Sunday I made this one.


Oh the cuteness!
Get a load of that button!
But I can't wear it because I failed to notice when I bought the fabric that it apparently has wool in it.
Itch city for girls allergic to wool.

Oh sigh.

It's alright, I'll make it again non itchy.

As promised, pictures from the show (aka the longest post ever)

I know it's has taken me too long to post these, but better late than never right??
Setting up was probably the only time it felt strange to be going in the BACK doors to the craft fair. I thought that I would feel weird and out of place since I have been a shopper at that show since I was 14, but it felt good. And it felt so bizarre when we packed everything up and left, like we should be coming back the next day.
Oh Out of Hand!






We were so well received! One girl walked in and told everyone that she wished our booth was her room! How sweet is that!






Angie and I had a bag of snack that we brought to keep us going, lots of trail mixes, fruit and chocolate covered almonds. Oh the chocolate covered almonds! They were a godsend! But we did get a little silly.



We had amazing neighbors at the show too, right across from us was Douglas Walker who made amazing birdfeeders out of old instruments and copper.

He and his wife Jann would dance (the cha cha cha and waltz's!) when it was slow.

And Don who made lamps and soap dispensers and bookends out of ocean rocks.






We had such a good time! We got to hang out for 4 days, meet amazing new people and sell our wares. Not too shabby if you ask me.

I'll leave you with the last couple of shots as we were taking it all down.
Thank you to everyone who came to share and support us!
Wee!