Elvis Chutney

This is the batch of spiced apple chutney I made before Christmas, a Nigella recipe (How To Be A Domestic Goddess). It's really smooth and lovely but with quite a kick - not unlike Elvis.

What better way to enjoy listening to the old hip shaker himself than on a bright red portable record player - and here's the one Santa brought my daughter!

Decking The Halls

Cloves and an orange are the ingredients for this Oldskool Christmas make. Mask the orange with tape so you know where the ribbon will lie then stud the orange with cloves - use a skewer and a thimble or you'll have sore finger tips.

The pomander really needs to dry out in a paper bag for a few weeks with the help of orris root or it may go mouldy - but this one will only be hanging by the tree for a few days over Christmas so I missed that step out.
It gives off the most wonderful Christmas scent ...

I rustled up a batch of mince pies for the army of tree decorators...

And finally - I bought a couple of new decs this year. Kitty Cat is from Paperchase but the reindeer prancing with baubles is from a pound shop up the High Street - result!

Christmas Frock In A Day

OK so here was the challenge - would the Christmas fabric I ordered online arrive before the jive party on Saturday? Could I run up a frock in a day? 

The answer is yes and yes!

I really fell for the range of Christmas crafting fabrics from Sherri Berry - mostly used for patchwork I suppose and small craft projects. Making a frock out of such seasonal fabric limits me to how often I’d wear it - although at first glance the Christmas titles on the record sleeves are not blindingly obvious, neither are the snowflakes on the background        …        from a distance. 

It was the dinky record players that made this fabric oh so perfect for the rock 'n' roll party at my regular jive dance class.

I had wanted to use this vintage pattern from the stash I blogged about here ... 

But on opening the packet - disaster! All the dress pattern pieces were missing - I could have made the cape, but that wouldn’t have covered much and baby it’s cold outside…

So it was back to trusty old New Look 6375.

The frock did only take a day to put together (although I pre-washed the fabric the day before) as I’ve said it’s such a simple pattern.
I think I could have pressed the seams a little better before I went out mind you!

Right that’s it - I’ve made 6 frocks from this pattern and it’s time to move on, get out of my comfort zone ...

... which is exactly what I did for the Christmas poinsettia swing dress I made along side this one - next post folks!

I Made A Happy Birthday

My daughter requested a Victorian Sponge with fresh cream and strawberries for her birthday. I was happy to oblige!

Paris Cafe Pom Pom Frock

As an antidote to the cold weather, pour yourself a cocktail and view the Paris Cafe Pom Pom frock I made in the summer. I used my trusty New Look 6375 as this is a dress I go dancing in and this pattern really rocks when it comes to jiitterbug. By the time the night is done and the band have gone you can wring out any dancing frock I've worn .. it gets that hot.

The pom pom trim is an echo of a wonderful full circle skirt I had in the 80's that had 3 tiers of much larger pom poms - I've obviously mellowed with age.

The frock is decorously draped over my recently acquired vintage Ercol chair bought from Yesterday Furniture, run by the wonderful Gabrielle Sharp who sources fabulous pieces internationally and has storage here in East London.
So comfy for curling up on with coffee/book/Mad Men on the box.