Not quite Charity Kit Day...

 Hello friends

If you are stopping by for this month's Charity Kit - 
just to let you know it will be available next Sunday, 10 January.  

I have something a little different planned for this month's kit and the items 

 haven't arrived yet, Royal Mail is definitely struggling right now.

Please accept my apologies for the short delay and be sure to stop by next Sunday.

Take care - be safe.

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends - Happy New Year!

I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and was able to see 

in the New Year safely.

I know everything has been so very different this year.

We planned our Christmas around lots of Facetime calls with my parents,

which certainly helped but not the same as celebrating with them in person.

Also confused Bella a great deal. 

Recipe:

With everything going on in the big wide world right now,

do you have those evenings when you just cannot settle?

At 9pm one evening I decided I fancied cinnamon buns.

At around midnight they were ready.

I highly recommend these but perhaps start them earlier in the day...

This is a bread machine recipe, if you do not have a bread machine

it is the same dough recipe - knead by hand and prove.

Dough: 225ml milk, 500g white bread flour, ½ tsp salt,

50g sugar, 50g softened butter, 7g yeast.

Filling: 50g sugar, 2tbsp cinnamon, 50g melted butter.

Icing – icing sugar, add warm water until runny glaze consistency.

Add the dough ingredients into the bread machine as per your machine specifications, 

set to dough. Once done, remove and place on floured surface, 

roll out to rectangle 30cm x 20cm.

Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a separate bowl.

Brush melted butter over rolled out dough, sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon. 

Roll the dough up along the long side and press ends to seal.

Cut into 12 equal slices – definitely use a sharp knife.

Lay slices into a buttered baking tin, brush with remaining butter.

Cover with cling film and leave in warm place for 1 hour.

Bake in preheated oven 200C for 20 minutes.

Glaze with icing. 

These freeze perfectly (without icing), 

defrost fully and pop them in microwave for 15 seconds prior to eating.

Dangerously yummy!

Printable is available here and recipe also added to blog tab.

Keeping with food...

our Christmas cake was hastily iced hence the dodgy corners.

I chose to call it 'shocked penguins in a snow storm'!

I am pleased to report the sub-standard icing did not detract from the 

actual cake, wow it has a lot of sherry in it and if I may say so, it is delicious.

Crochet:

It isn't a blanket - shock!

I finished this cushion just before Christmas and had plans to pop it in

my Folksy shop, it didn't make it because I kept looking at it and thinking

I really like you.

I am making another one which is definitely going in the shop, it is...honest!

One side is random placing of squares, the other is a more shaded version.

Not quite how I planned the squares, they were all placed out on the dining table

and Lily cat decided to do a spectacular jump and whoosh half of them onto the floor.

With me swearing and Mitchell laughing they were then placed in this order.

Garden:

It's all a bit sad in the garden at this time of year, not much colour and trees bare 

it but I espied my Winter Beauty Clematis - huge buds, I do hope they flower ok,

I've become quite attached to my plants.

And it appears Winter doesn't stop me buying plants, I bought this little

Christmas tree online. I must admit the picture was of a fuller tree!

It should grow about 30cm by next Christmas...we shall see.

Telly:

Ghosts - BBCiPlayer

A young couple who are desperately trying to save up for their first home are 

shocked to learn that they are to inherit a grand country house from a distant relative. 

They then discover that the house is also home to the ghosts of its previous inhabitants. 

I think I may have recommended this series before, I was delighted to see the

Christmas special. It is a comedy but also quite moving, possibly one of my most

favourite things I've watched over Christmas.

Bridgerton - Netflix

During the Regency era in England, eight close-knit siblings of the 

powerful Bridgerton family attempt to find love.

If you have Netflix you cannot have failed to see this pop up,

Jane Austen it isn't! 

Nonetheless enjoyable and whilst I was looking at the fabulous dresses,

beautiful homes, flowers - I couldn't fail to notice that the hair stylist

must have been very scissor happy with fringes! 

Charity Kits:

This Sunday is Charity Kit Day BUT I'm afraid I need to delay it by one week.

Just for this month due to my plan being thwarted by Royal Mail.

I have ordered something a little different for the kits this month

but they still haven't arrived.

So...Charity Kit Day this month will be 10 January.

(It will be back to first Sunday in the month for the rest of the year).

 I am sorry about that but hoping you like what I have planned,

so worth the little wait.

And that wraps up this week's post.

Again, may I wish you the happiest possible New Year,

let's be grateful we are all crafty people, it certainly helps.

Take care, stay safe and be kind to yourself - yes, that means 

chocolate for breakfast!

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Happy Friday!

Hope you are all well and you've had a good week so far.

Crochet:

Something a little different - I made a pin cushion, 

it could easily be confused with a foot stool for a small animal!

I used a hook that was too big and the wrong yarn

but I still like it and I'm unlikely to lose it.

The pattern is lovely, very easy to follow and available here. 

Also - not a blanket (shock!) is the beginnings of a cushion cover.

I am determined to try to use up some of my yarn leftovers.

When you are a papercrafter you have scraps,

when you are crocheter you have leftovers - cannot escape it.

I'm at the stage of sewing all the little squares together -

going to be a total of 36 each side.

Let's just say the crochet part is a lot more fun.

And this is Lily who you probably don't see very often, she's quite timid but

loves yarn.  She makes crocheting challenging.

Recipe:

Cheating this week and sharing Christmas Cake progress.

And here it is - the Christmas Cake is finally marzipanned. 

Don't look too closely - it is thinner in places and my joins are a little off.

I went with the knowledge: 'no-one sees this under the icing!'

Also there were some very delicious offcuts.

I will certainly not be entering Bake Off.

I will be embarking on icing at the weekend - a simple snow scene is calling me.

This week was Christmas duvet week, yes I've made that a thing and 

I have festive/winter design covers - the boys refuse them now sadly.

Each time I change the covers I have a pristine bed for about ten minutes -

 then this happens...

She knows she should not be there but she is equally safe in the knowledge

that I will not move her - totally soft.

That face! 

Telly:

 Dickensian - BBC iPlayer

 Very happy to see this available on BBC iPlayer.

Fictional characters from famous Charles Dickens novels come 

to life when their paths cross each other in 19th century London.

A Dickens 'mash up' if you like!

Worth watching if only for Pauline Collins playing Mrs Gamp - very funny.

The Prom - Netflix

Down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up a small Indiana town 

as they rally behind a teen who wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend.
Starring James Corden, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep.

It's a musical, it's cheesy, funny and comes with an important message.

Other news:

I am pleased to report that our Covid tests came back as negative, phew.

We are still being very cautious - here in Kent we are in tier 3.

Like many we are celebrating Christmas very differently this year.  

As a family we have chosen not to be together.

I am meeting my sister next week in a park to do a swap

over of gifts (the drop and run as we are calling it)

and having spoken to our parents we feel all eating

together over Christmas is far too risky.

It is so hard for everyone but ultimately it is the safest decision.

Here's to new normal next year.

Thank you to those who have sent wonderful handmade cards,

all on display and looking gorgeous.

I confess I did not make cards this year, I did a lot of clicking

on Etsy and supported small businesses.

And talking of Christmas ... this time next week is Christmas Day!

I will not be doing a chat day next week, instead I will be back the following

week - New Year's Day with a double dose of chatter.

It remains for me to say: 

I wish you all the best Christmas possible and please be safe.

Thank you so much for stopping by each week and reading my ramblings 

and natterings - it means a lot.

Much love,

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

I hope this week's chatter finds you all well.

Recipe:

It has been a funny ol' week here in the Emberson household.

I had planned to show you a marzipanned Christmas Cake,

(thrilling eh?!) but I didn't get around to that so apologies.

It is a recipe free blog post this week,

the cake excitement can wait!

I can reveal what has caused this household restlessness.

For the last three months I've been going through a redundancy consultation

process with my city job.  It has involved assessments and a Zoom interview.

The last interview I had was 20+ years ago so I was anxious (understatement).

The results  were being relayed to us this week, I would finally 

find out whether my job was safe or not.

6pm Wednesday an email arrived - it said...

this may give you a clue.

A weight the size of a boulder has been lifted from my shoulders.

But with my good news there has been the sadness of some of my colleagues,

who are dear friends, that did not pass the assessments and will now be redundant.

I'm still trying to come to terms with that.

And also on the day of my job news this happened...

Mitchell's manager at work proved positive so a round of isolating has begun.  

Incredibly frustrating because we have done so much to keep safe,

with both my Mum and Elliott being vulnerable it was imperative.

Sadly not all people are careful.

For any of you who have had to take the test - 

let's just say, it's not pleasant.

We should have the results within a few days.

Charity Kits:

Thank you, as always, for your response to this month's kit.

There is just one, yes ONE kit left - if you missed it please click here.

I always get a bit nervous on kit day, will you like it etc?

And then I see the response and I beam, I probably look ridiculous 

with a big smile on my face whilst printing postage labels!

Crochet:

I've been doing quite a lot of crochet, you're not surprised are you? 
I cannot show you a certain project as it is a Christmas gift,

I'll be sure to take photos to share in January.

Before then, I can show you these...

It's NOT another blanket!

It is going to be a cushion made up of little squares,

with a snazzy border.

I intend for it to be in my Folksy shop but I'm beginning to fall 

in love with it already.

The colours are more vintage than in the picture, 

the light has been truly awful for photos recently.

Telly:

Kirstie's Handmade Christmas

Channel 4/Channel 4 on Demand

My run up to Christmas wouldn't feel the same without Kirstie.

Each year, like many, I have a giggle when they say:

"simple, fun and affordable crafts which can be achieved in just 45 minutes."

Nonetheless it is always enjoyable, I glean some festive ideas and 

suddenly wish for items that I never knew existed.

In stark contrast to Kirstie - The Mandalorian - Disney+

We've got Disney+ on a free trial again.

 (I'm not sure what technical magic my boys weave!)

It has allowed me to watch this series, part of the Star Wars franchise.

A lone gunfighter makes his way through the outer reaches of the galaxy, 

far from the authority of the New Republic.

The fact is has a baby Yoda gives it a cuteness factor.

Now I could say I watch this stuff because I have sons but truthfully,

I've been a Star Wars fan since the first film which I saw with my Dad.

And that wraps up my week again.

This weekend, staying at home of course - I intend to wrap

Christmas gifts and marzipan that cake! 

Take care friends - keep safe.

Charity Kit Day - December 2020

 Hello friends

Welcome to this month's Charity Kit Day.

Thank you for visiting.

Each month a donation is made to a different charity and this month

it is Last Chance Animal Rescue who rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs, 

cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

To keep track of charities there is a tab at the top of my blog 

here.  It is now updated with the 2021 chosen charities, clickable links and 

there's general kit info there too

And here is this month's kit:

it is a festive Thank You card, perfect to send after Christmas or even before

to anyone that needs festive thanks.  

If you prefer, it could be switched out to be a Christmas card 

just be removing the Thank You and stamping/writing your own message.

Included in your kit:

White 6 x 6  heavy linen card - feels nice!

White envelope

Matte silver card mat, white card mat

Die cuts - Florence Medallion x 2 (white/silver), white square,

lattice square, square with stamped sentiment,

poinsettias x 6 (to create 3 flowers), leaves x 2

Full instructions

(Items you will need: adhesive, foam pads, pearls/gemstones)

The kits are packed in recyclable paper bags and sent in a 'do not bend' 

envelope so they arrive in pristine condition. 
To make up the kits you just need a basic craft kit, everything is pre-cut.

The kit cost is £5.85 that's the total payment -

inclusive of postage and packing.

Payment is via the PayPal link below.

If you wish to purchase but would prefer not to use PayPal, 

please email me:

hope-chances@live.co.uk  

I'm happy to help with alternative payment arrangements.

It is possible to purchase multiple kits,

there's an option for that too.

In case you missed last month's Autumn inspired kit, 

there's some still available...

Please click here.

If you would like to support the kits but do not need one right now,

there is a 'Ko-fi' button', at the top of the blog, it's not really for coffee...

all donations enable me to purchase card blanks, envelopes, the paper bags,

sticky labels used each month.

I am very grateful thanks to those of you who help through Ko-fi,

it makes a real difference.

Thank you so much for your valuable and truly wonderful  support.

Take care friends, enjoy your Sunday, 

wrap up warm if you pop out for a walk.

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Hope you are all well.

Brhhh - certainly a change in the weather this week, it is enough to make you seek out comfort food which brings me neatly to this week's recipe - Chocolate Puddin' Cake. It's a little more dense than a regular sponge, may have something to do with quite a lot of chocolate...

Recipe:

175g softened butter, 175g sugar, 3 eggs,

150g dark chocolate (75g melted/75g chopped)

175g plain flour, 3tbsp cocoa, 1½tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line a large loaf tin.

Using a mixer/whisk, cream butter and sugar.

Add eggs gradually (add a little of the flour to prevent 

curdling if needed). Add melted chocolate.

Fold in flour, cocoa, baking powder.

Once combined fold through chopped chocolate -

reserve a little bit.

Spoon into tin. Scatter remaining chopped chocolate on top.

Bake for 45  minutes, 

check with skewer (if clean when removed then it is done).

Delicious warm with cream.

Click here for the recipe printable.

This and all previous recipes can also be found on the Recipe page

at the top of my blog - there's quite a few now.

Crochet:

I've been trying my hand at crocheting snowflakes this week, these are from

Bella Coco's YouTube channel, her videos are nice and easy to follow.

I chose to use a white cotton and a tiny hook! 

And a tiny bit of cursing - little bit fiddly.

   

And I've finished the Winter/Vintage Harmony Blanket,

So now THIS one is my favourite!

A combination of Autumn shades with mauves, blues and pinks.

It is such a lovely pattern and crochets up to be nice and soft.

I am parting with it, it is available for sale on my crochet page here or I have listings on

Folksy - link at top of my blog.

Home:

I made a little purchase with my birthday money, this festive Hyacinch arrangement.

Little fairy lights make everything so much nicer don't they!

My first attempt at bulbs indoors, well they should be squirrel free!

Telly:

As mentioned a week or so ago, at this time of year I give myself licence to 

watch anything sentimental and cheesy so I give you...

Virgin River on Netflix

Seeking a fresh start, a nurse practitioner moves from Los Angeles to a remote 

Northern California town and is surprised by what -- and who -- she finds.

Two seasons are available to watch, it's very easy going and lovely scenery too,

actual scenery not the dashing gentleman!

Charity Kit:

This Sunday is Charity Kit Day, the last one of this year and then we

start with 12 new charities next year.

This month's chosen charity is Last Chance Animal Rescue,

more details on Sunday but before then here's a sneak peek...

Please stop by on Sunday, blog post goes live at 7am and then I splash

it all over social media.

Take care friends - I'm not dwelling on the fact that we are Tier 3 here in Kent,

weather is so awful who wants to go out anyway! 

And this one is totally unaffected... it's her dreaming face.

Have a lovely weekend, keep safe, keep well.

Much love,