Friday Phone Dump - 7/7/17

I love the end of the week when i clear out my phone folder. It gives me a chance to look thorough pictures i have forgot i took and lets me look back on the week.

This week was the 1st official one of the Summer holidays and its been a jam packed one. In fact today has been the first day that we have spent in our PJs, just chilling and watching Disney DVD's.

We've been to a bike show, held owls, practised archery, made butterflies, painted pictures, helped grow caterpillars, attended a double baptism, went swimming, attempted ice-skating, drank copious amounts of caffeine, spent time with family and broke a nail in at the quick ... and we're only 7 days in.

Zelda Triforce Birthday Cake

This week was Agent D's 28th Birthday and i wanted to make him a birthday cake. Since he's Zelda daft i thought i would make a Triforce cake. And what a giggle we had!

Now, let me preface this by saying I'm not and have never claimed to be a great cake decorator. 

I can bake amongst the best of them and it always tastes amazing but when it comes to decorating, i tend to go basic.

When I've made Agent M's cakes in the past I've preferred to paint them using food colouring or work with icing in pipe bags. This time though i thought i would try my hand at ready to roll icing. Oh how hindsight is a great thing.

Although my cake didn't turn out how i had imagined, it was recognisable, Agent M and i had a great laugh making it and Agent D was beyond thrilled that we made his day as special as we could when he wasn't expecting anything.

The cake itself turned out delish and you can find the recipe below.

My Sunday Photo - 25.6.17

Its Sunday ... and we're all tired. Between the heat and Agent M being a little under the weather the last couple of days, its been a nice change of pace just to sit and chill today.

While Agent D plays his PS4 and Agent M reads his new book ... I've decided to get a jump start on some planner band sewing.

I have so many different styles available in the store. At the same time i cant wait till they are all gone so i can use the profit to buy more to make. Its a cycle really :)

I've had to start making notes and carrying about a book with me to doodle in while I'm out and about too cause I've got so many ideas. I just hope i can turn them into something worthwhile and make some pennies for the house.

Hows your Sunday fairing? Busy with family or having a lazy one?

Fat Quarter Book Reviews

I have a bit of an addiction when it comes to fabric. I have stacks of the stuff in many shades, lengths and weights. I have piles of charm packs and meters of patterned prints but my favourite has to be, without a doubt, Fat Quarters.

For those who don't know, a fat quarter (or FQ for short) is a piece of fabric that is usually 18 inches by 22 inches. It is made by quartering a yard/meter of fabric hence the title.

FQ's are amazing because you can get a variety of fabrics (often in coordinating ranges) for a discounted price. You can also make so many things with FQ's.

I recently had the opportunity to review two wonderful books which specialise in Fat Quarters.

Fat Quarter: Home and Fat Quarter: Quick Makes use left over scraps and remnants of fabric to create decorative and useful items for the home and beautiful gifts to give to friends and family.

Each book has 25 projects which feature step by step instructions and beautiful photos to keep you right. 

Quick Makes features tutorials on lots of different makes from "Fashion and Accessories" to "Presents" such as fabric flowers and passport covers. There is a tutorial to make use of all kinds of FQ's and fabric remnants. 

  

Home features tutorials for decorative household items such as tote bags, tablet covers and half aprons. With sections such as "Kitchen/Diner" and "Living room" there is something to help you personalise every room in your home.

  

Both books have templates at the back so that you don't have to worry about going free-hand, Just trace, cut and go.

Each tutorial also lists everything you will need to complete the project so there will be no surprises half way through (though i always recommend reading the instructions through before you start so you know what your doing).

The projects in each book are designed for even the most novice stitcher with a techniques section at the beginning to help you out if you get stuck on how to do a specific stitch.

I had hoped to test out some of the projects by the time i was ready to review these books but unfortunately my sewing machine has decided to die on me. I have looked through the tutorials thoroughly though and i promise you they are really easy to follow.

Fat Quarter: Home and Fat Quarter: Quick Makes by Amanda Russell and Juliet Bawden, published by GMC (£12.99 each, available from www.thegmcgroup.com)

**Disclaimer - These books were sent to me for free to review. However all opinion are my own. You can learn more about my disclosure policy here

Weight Loss 2.0

I was so proud of myself with how well i done on Slimming world world before my sisters wedding.
I managed to shift 2 stone in i lost count of how many weeks and i was enjoying feeling better about myself all round. I felt healthier and i was on the right track.

Then some things happened in my personal life that kind of shot everything down from the sky. My mental health went waaaaaay down hill and to be honest the last thing i could have cared about was counting those syns, There were days there i didn't bother eating at all cause i was so low and days where i looked for comfort in the bottom of a tub of Ben and Jerry's. At the time - Who cared. My life felt like it was slipping though my fingers and i was holding on for dear life.

So how are things now? Honestly i wouldn't say they are how they should be. Far from my happy little bubble i was living in, I'm slowly trying to pull my life back into some kind of semblance of normality.

One thing i have to really get on top of though is my weight.

Its getting out of control and I'm now heavier than i was when i first started trying to lose weight. I hate that i have let myself get into this situation but i did it to myself and only i can get out of it.

Last week i was 19st 7lb (I know -  That's big right!) and I'm kinda happy that this week i am down to 19st 5lb. Yeah its only 2lb but I'll take it!

I can only hope that this time, even if my personal life does take another swan dive, that i can keep going with the weight loss and hopefully find comfort in exercise rather than food.