Knitting squares

Years ago I shared a room with a lovely Canadian called Ellen. At the time Oxfam were doing their blanket squares fund raising appeal, getting people to knit blankets to be sent out to the developing world. We sat like a couple of old dears listening to Sleepless in Seatle sound track and drinking tea and knitting our squares from what ever we could find. Unravelling old jumpers even! Our blanket never made it to Oxfam, instead we said we'd share it and passit back and forth over the coming years, we even talked of wrapping our babies in it. Ellen still has it in Canada (I hope) and we've never managed to exchange it.

My litle girl - also called Ellen started knitting the other day - taught by her granny. Which suddenly inspired me to start knitting blanket squares again. This time I will make it much more tasteful (no garish wool from unravelled jumpers!). I will go around the charity shops to see what nice wool I can pick up. I'm really looking forward to having a little project and something to lure me away from the darn computer! I will post some pictures when its more than just a few rows!

Jo - Exeter UK

kidoyc.com

I've found the most Delicious site for kids Eco friendly toys http://www.kidonyc.com/home/
It's full of everything that I want!! Some things are expensive but a lot of things very reasonable..all of it is delicious!!

Abigail (New Brunswick)

Have you tried Microfibre?

I had hoped my first post to this blog would be something a little more creative but I have been so impressed with this little discovery I thought I should share the tip. I might be the last person on the planet to find out about these cloths and sorry if this is the case, but if I'm not you really should try a microfibre cleaning cloth. My Mum introduced me to them and they really are amazing. They soak up seven times their weight in water, make cleaning almost a joy (I can't think of anything I like less than cleaning, so this is quite a statement!) and they don't leave smears. You can also wash them...and if you are so inclined, use them as nappy boosters (apparently!). Need I say more! If you haven't heard of these cloths, give one a go because I'm sure you will be converted.

Hayley

Yoyo Santa

I love this community blog! I'm trying to keep a blog of my own but it's something that takes precious time. When Abigail mentioned this blog, I thought it was definitely worth the time to share ideas with crafty friends!

I live in NZ where Christmas is warm so the instinct to start thinking about Christmas comes to me in August when the weather is cold and dreary! Preparing for Christmas crafts started about September when I was asked to decorate for our church's "Women's Creative Craft" night. This was on Friday the 20th so I can breath a sigh of relief now that it's over. It was a huge success and my white tree branches in white jugs were my favorite decoration. I put miniature cookie cutters and kitchen utensils on white ribbon and hung them from the branches. I am hoping someone took pictures. I had three jugs on the food table. The other two were felted birds with sparkling diamentes and knitted and beaded cream ornaments.

I have finished a few projects that I will post in a few days. This is a Santa that I made last Christmas. It's made from yoyos, using Kaffe Fasset fabric. I love to create using quilting fabrics or fancy yarns. This year, I knitted miniature jumpers and mittens for the tree. I also beaded some tiny stockings and ornaments. My quilting friends and I made some quilted ornaments that turned out just gorgeous! I can't wait to show you!

Marilyn

Who am I?

I've done the Myers Briggs personality test (who hasn't?).
But I much prefer the Enneagram personality test which you can sample for free online
http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/dis_sample_36.asp?discover

I've never paid to have the indepth test done but this quick test online (just scroll down the page on this link) is actually really good and what's the most fun is getting your partner to do the test too, then you can select the option of reading what the two personality's are like in partnership together..that's where it gets really interesting.
If you've got ten minutes to spear this is a fun thing to do.

The best play

Over the past year I have bought a fair few albums but this one is by far the best soundtrack and album that I have purchased.
Not only do I love the movie and have watched it about a dozen times but I have listened to this soundtrack probably a hundred times or more.
It's very sophisticated and the instant I put it on I feel chic and grown-up!
Half of the songs are french (which must be where the chic bit comes in) it's very feel good but not cheesy..it's a must! I got it for pennies on amazon and I think the postage cost more than the CD itself?
Love it!

p.s I found this blog template which I thought was a bit more cheerful..what do you think?

Abigail (New Brunswick)

Julie and Julia... and Kristen

The blogosphere has intimidated me for years...but after recently watching Julie and Julia I was inspired to both cook cook cook and to share some of the delightful (and not so delightful) recipe concoctions my husband and I come up with. Not sure if this is the best platform...seems so me-centric...but maybe this community style will help dim the spotlight...or at least limit the spotlight duration. Thanks for initiating this, Abigail!

I DO NOT know blogging etiquette so feel free to set me straight at any time.

Community Survey:
I would love to know if this is common knowledge: Did you know that won ton wrappers (found in most grocery stores) make excellent ravioli shells?

Last night my husband, friend and I made homemade lobster ravioli...and it was delectable! We've made homemade ravioli before using the won ton wrappers:

1. We make a filling (3 mushroom and thyme, chicken and now lobster)
2. Have an egg wash ready (1 whisked egg)
3. Take one won ton wrapper square...we turn it to diamond shape...put enough filling on one side of the diamond, leaving enough room to seal around the edges...
4. Rub the egg wash along one side of the diamond and fold over into a triangle
5. Place the triangles a few at a time in boiling water (do not crowd them, or they'll stick together)
6. then pan fry them in melted butter (you can add fresh herbs to the butter to flavour it if you like)
7. Plate and eat (sauce is optional!)

There are a ton of ravioli filling recipes online.
Let me know if you give it a go! (or if it's already part of your pasta making repertoire!)
::kristen::

Oi

Welcome to our comminuty blog.
This is where we get to post and share anything we want whenever we want to.
Who goes first??

Cheers
Abigailx