I am a bad blogger...

and a bad housekeeper, bad gardener and don't even get me started on my motherhood standards... But I am trying not to be too tough on myself. I am making two babies!

We had our 20 week scan last week and all is doing well in there. I could have told them that. I am the size of a house! We still don't definately know the sex of the babies. They were reluctant to cooperate which is so funny because so was bambino. The sonographer said they could be girls but because we have a scan every four weeks from here I think she felt we could try again next time!

I'm a bit worried about what I'm going to put in this blog in the next few months. I have zero energy for crafts and very little enthusiasm for cooking and food. I did try to make chilli jam a couple of weeks ago but it didn't set. I tried this remedy and still no luck. I read something about it being a bad idea to increase ingredients in jam - so I guess quadrupling the recipe was a bad idea? And I had lots of orders based on friends and family's enthusiasm for last year's batch, so disapointed to let them down. I may have to sweet talk PJ into giving me more of his precious chillies (said in manner of Lord of the Rings).

I've just converted a pair of ordinary black trousers to maternity trousers while bambino was napping!

As I cut into the trousers I thought, I should be photographing this. But I didn't sorry, had no idea they would turn out so well!

I bought some black t shirt material in town this morning. I cut of the waist band and then cut a half moon shape out of the front, completly taking out the zip.

Using the pieces I had removed I cut new, slightly more generous pieces from the t shirt fabric and sewed them to the existing trousers.

Saved myself a few pennies there! Feeling very smug! I'm now 17, nearly 18 weeks and these babies are growing fast. I keep reading about how twin mummies tend to grow out of their maternity clothes. Therefore a lot more improvising likely in the coming weeks!

Very exciting news!

We are very excited. We are expecting baby no.2 ... and baby no.3! It wasn't until my 12 week scan that we found out there's two in there; twins! The sonographer said to me "Can you see what I can see?" I didn't like to say what I was thinking, in case she said, "don't be stupid." But she didn't, she said, "Yes, it's twins!"

We are delighted, if a little shocked and now assesing how much life will change, do we need a new car, we're going to have to buy a triple buggy...

For now, here are the TWINS!

Washer Wonders

It's been a busy few weeks and not only have I not blogged but I haven't made much to blog about either! I have however made this washer necklace for a colleague who has just retired.

I saw this tutorial over on "Always a Project" (great blog name) while I was blog browsing and although I liked it for some reason I forgot to bookmark it. So I had a go without any instructions and although I love the finished product from the front it's not a pretty picture on the back! It was joining the washers together that I messed up. I must have another go and this time pay attention! Anyway it was gratefully received and it is pretty from the front which is what really counts!

What's Cooking This Week

I have to say, being back at work has really put the brakes on my experimenting with new recipes! But I still try to have a go at something new on a Friday which is one of my days off. Last week I tried...


Zesty Haddock with Crushed Potatoes and Peas It was yummy! Definately printing that one off for my binder. We had cod instead of haddock and I also used spring onions instead of chives because it was pouring with rain and I couldn't be bothered to walk to the bottom of the garden to get chives! I think when I make it again I will still use spring onions, nice to have a bit of crunch.

This weekend we've had a very chilly BBQ and tonight I treated us to crispy duck and pancakes, yummy, yummy. I've also knocked up a batch of my Rhubarb Jelly now that it's in season again.

This week...
...will be a busy one. My parents are on holiday and I'm going to be watering their mammoth garden as well as looking after Daisy, their dog and keeping an eye on my Nanna. So quick and simple food is required. Some of the meal on plan are...

Chicken allla cacciatora
This is a Nigella recipe and I've made it many times, it is super easy, quick and tasty. I might freeze a couple of portions for Bambino.

Homemade fish finger sarnie
Another fishy favourite, fairly recently discovered. I love the way that the fish is coated in cornflakes, you'd never know when you taste it!

I'm also going to make Bambino some Cheese and Carrot Muffins from Annabel Karmel's 100 Finger Foods. She likes muffins for tea and I have some lovely silcone cases to make them in.

Tiaras!

Here we go, the long awaited Daisy Tiaras. I so enjoyed making these and we popped along to the evening reception: the bride looked gorgeous and the bridesmaids were lovely.

Here's hoping for some more bridal orders. They're so much fun!

The bride's tiara

The bridesmaid's tiaras (a little less bling!)

The bride's jewellery

The bridesmaid's jewellery

Magnetic Noticeboard

When I saw this tutorial over on madigan made I really wanted one. Not only that but I thought they would make fab presents so I set about making one for my sister whose birthday was approaching.

I found this fab paper at Flutterby Crafts (I bought several for myself and still can't decide which to go for). I bought the spray paint on Ebay (it's for retouching a car!) and I also bought the little wooden birds, which became the magnets, on Ebay. I think they're meant for card making but I have hot glued magnets to the back.

I didn't fancy the tie hanging madigan made used so I used epoxy glue to stick a hook to the back

I was so pleased with it. Now I need to decide which paper I am going to use for my board and find some suitable magnets. Here it is again!

I will try to pop back again this week to show off the tiaras I mentioned!