October excuses

As you probably may have guessed by now, I'm a bit of a lazy blogger (in my defense I am also pretty boring and don’t usually have much to talk about). Nonetheless, bad me for not posting anything for October yet!

I am still soldiering along in the Regency sewing challenge, my project for September is very close to completion but I had a mishap with my sewing machine about a week ago where I accidentally put my finger through, and on top of a rather painful sewn finger, I also snapped my needle and haven’t been brave enough to change it until now... but finger is now on the and not swollen and bleeding everywhere (seriously, I do NOT recommend sewing yourself!) and I have braved the change of needle and finished the little sundress that was in progress when I sewed myself.

I have also been busy forgetting about my graduation and having to scramble at the last minute to hire academic dress, but I got there despite the best efforts of my terrible memory and the freight train that broke down on the track ahead of my train.

The only thing left to distract me from my sewing is a trip to Ikea on Monday, but hopefully the Ikea-induced euphoria will translate into desire to sew.

Lookin' academic in my robes at the University of Sydney (or, as I usually called it, Hogwarts)

Regency Sewing Challenge: July & August Updates

My (very late) Regency sewing challenge projects for July and August. 

Bonnet
Plain straw Jane bonnet purchased from Austentation.
White poly-cotton lining
Gold satin cap
Knife-pleated white satin ribbon, with white braid
Gold satin ribbon rosettes with pearls (I'm not entirely sure if these are period, but they were too cute to leave off)
White satin ribbon bow and ties
Pink velvet roses (from Miss Rose Sister Violet, whom I love!)
Yellow roses All stitched, and mainly by hand (the only machine stitching is the hem of the lining... no glue used, although I will be sorely tempted to use it next time, it would make it so much easier!)

I am tossing up whether or not to add more flowers, and possibly a feather.
The only problem I found with this bonnet is that the top of the cap part of the bonnet is very flat so it sits on your head funny, but since it’s a straw bonnet I imagine I can squish it into a rounder shape. I also have an Elinor awaiting decoration, but that’s another project for another month. 

Reticule
Four diamond panels (made from the pattern I found here) 
White poly-cotton lining
Pink and cream upholstery fabric 
White lace decorative trim with pink bead tipped yellow ribbon draw string
Yellow ribbon wrist/shoulder strap
Five yellow tassels (that could probably do with a bit of a trim, they seem very long) 
Mix of machine and hand sewing.

My September project is still in progress as it is pretty embroidery-heavy, but I'm hoping to have it done by the end of the month.

filler

Since my craft projects are taking ages to finish (some brightspark decided embroidery was a good idea... then got distracted with making Hobbit garb), I have decided to start doing some filler entries in the long stretches between projects, this will mainly be recipes or ramblings about my garden (unless I get a specific request). I hope you enjoy and will forgive my tardy craftiness.
Today I would like to share one of my favourite, and more naughty, recipes...

Rocky Road Brownies

1 ½ cup plain flour

250g chocolate, coarsely chopped*

125g butter

½ cup chocolate chips*

½ cup mini marshmallows

½ cup glacé cherries, chopped*

½ cup desiccated coconut

½ cup pecans, chopped*

2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 160 °C.

Line 20cm square baking pan with baking paper.

Melt 250g chocolate and butter in double boiler over simmering water; let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Transfer to bigger bowl, if needed, and mix in chocolate chips, marshmallows, cherries, coconut and pecans.

Add eggs, one at a time, and mix until blended.

Mix in flour.

Spoon batter into lined baking pan and bake for 30 minutes or until dry on top and firm to the touch.

Let cool in pan, then enjoy!

(*Dark, milk or white chocolate can be used, as well as other types of fruit and nut. Experiment!)

Here's one I prepared earlier (I've always wanted to say that!)