A new home for Strandom

Hallo there! 


I've been very busy working on a brand new blog and website (hopefully an online shop too!) the past few weeks. I will be posting over there from when it goes live (or launches...) and I'll leave the new address here for you all. It'll probably be another week or two before it's all done, but I'm looking forward to it! All the posts from this blog have been transferred over, so once it's all up and running I'll delete them here and leave the link to redirect people. 

New website: www.strandom.com

I'm so happy no-one stole my name before I needed it either, haha! 

A sketch of Queen's House in Greenwich, London - from a few years ago!

Kathelle x

Parsnip and Bacon Soup - Recipe

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There's nothing quite like a delicious, hot bowl of soup on a winter's night.  I came up with this recipe a few years ago; it's easy, doesn't involve many ingredients or too much preparation (perfect for when the wee ones are demanding attention!) and it tastes even better the next day.  

I've recently started making soups more often during the week to try and relieve some of the craziness of teatime with toddlers.  It can all be done during the day or the night before and you just heat it up when you're ready.  It's all too easy to reach for the pizza and chips when you're harassed but it's not always the best idea...

My husband takes soup to work with him most days in the winter to keep him warm as he works outside.  Blended soups are also much easier to pour into a flask at six in the morning!

Parsnip and Bacon Soup

Ingredients
1 onion
250g unsmoked back bacon (roughly 7 slices)
600g parsnips (2 large ones or 4-5 small)
1/2 large swede
80g red lentils
1 1/2 litres chicken/vegetable stock (I used one chicken stock cube and one vegetable stock cube - you only need two or it'll be too salty, you normally need three for that amount of water)


Method

1.  Dice onion and chop up the bacon whilst melting roughly a teaspoon of butter (or oil if you prefer) in a soup pan.  Fry the onion and bacon gently for five minutes.

2.  Add the roughly chopped parsnip and turnip and fry for another 5 minutes or so.

3.  Rinse the lentils and add to the pan, giving it a good mix.

4.  Add the stock, stir and bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 20-30 minutes until the lentils are cooked  and the vegetables are tender.  Check and stir a few times to make sure the lentils don't stick.

5.  Blend well and season to taste with black pepper and salt if you need it.  Serve with a swirl of cream and a sprinkle of parsley.  Enjoy!  

2015 To Do list... as opposed to resolutions!

I shouldn't have mentioned diaries in my last post, it was bound to be a few months until I'd be back on here, haha! 

2014 was quite a tough year for me for many reasons, so I hope to make 2015 what it could and should be.  I have a few updates to post in the coming weeks on previous projects and some new ones as well!  

I've also ventured into the world of dressmaking...  My To Do list is as long as ever, so here's a snippet of what's on it and what I plan to work on in the near future, DV.

I have six PDF patterns from The Peekaboo Pattern Shop on Etsy to work on, four of which I have done or intend to do soon.  (I got them for Christmas!) These four are:

The Hampton Hoody for myself

The Classic Sweatshirt for Miss EJ

Alex and Anna Winter PJs for both DJ and EJ

Oopsy Daisy Overalls Jumper for Miss EJ

 I also got the Classic Chinos and the Classic Oxford Button Up Shirt patterns for when required... It was so hard to stick to just five or six.  I think they'll prove very useful and wearable with potential for variations.  The great thing about the kids patterns especially is that they have such a great range of sizes, a lot go up to age twelve! You could definitely get your money's worth with these.

Also on the To-Do List (no, that's not enough...)  is finish piecing DJs "Double Crossed Quilt" by Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter.  I chose similar colours to those in her quilt, with added cars and planes and diggers for a vehicle mad little boy! It's the twin size I'm working on, so there's no major hurry as such... ahem...


 

Last year, I purchased the Moneta dress pattern by Colette and really wanted to get started but can't decide what fabric to make it in... it needs three metres of jersey and I really want to love my choice before buying anything.

Oh and on a slightly urgent note, Mr P. needs work shirts!

There's probably more ideas lurking in the far corners of my brain and Pinterest, but that should keep me busy for now!  My lists are legendary.

I'll be posting updates on my 2015 To Do list to keep you informed on my progress.  

What's on your sewing list? Please comment if you have one too :)



Kathelle x

Strandom - Block of the Month sneak preview!

Ah my poor blog... neglected like my diaries of old! Hopefully not any more though.  It's been a very busy few months here, as I'm sure it has been for most of you!  I've done two workshops at The Sew Room in Alford now, so I'm semi-officially a sewing tutor :) (More details and pics soon!) 

In summer holiday terms we've been to John O'Groats and back, Dunrobin Castle (after 5 years of nearly getting there!) and a lovely wedding of dear friends of ours.

This is a sneak preview (you saw it here first!) of a Block of the Month sampler quilt series we're hoping to start very soon at The Sew Room.  I decided to play with solids for a change, which is quite fun :)

Kathelle x

A past life in the world of architecture...

Balsa structural model - 1st year

Well, this week my year in uni received their results for their Masters in Architecture... Why was I not with them, you may ask?  That'd be a long story, but suffice it to say it was one of the hardest decisions of my life so far, and yet one that I don't regret.

Haberdasher's Hall scale model, 2nd Year

I've always had an interest in it, and still do - I love seeing what people on my class have been working on, though there's only one friend I keep in touch with now, a very good and kind friend who was my tea and model making buddy! :)

Wee mannie in final conceptual model, 2nd year

My time was not wasted, and what I learnt - both academically and with regards to life - has been invaluable.  My husband, as you may know, is a stonemason (fancy that, architecture student and a stonemason!) and when he comes home from work I understand most of what he tells me because of what I learnt (the rest I quiz him until I do!) For example, tonight we were re-pointing the cement around our window and he let me have a go - I rather enjoyed it and it wasn't too bad for a first attempt haha!

Quaker Meeting House, Stonehaven - 2nd year

I sometimes wonder what life would've been like if I'd carried on, but then I would've been miserable and stressed, we would've got married later and I wouldn't in all likelihood have my two precious little children.  Some people see going to uni and getting a degree as the be all and end all for school pupils, but though it definitely has it's place - it's not for everyone, it was never meant to be. 

My last proper Studio project in 3rd year - a library in St. Andrews

Mr P. is a building geek sometimes (in the best sense!) as he has books and books on masonry, surveying, building history, technical details...  I was going to sell most of my textbooks after uni, he had a flick through and decided to keep them all! haha!  I never had his passion for my course, I should've known, but I was too scared of what people would say if I of all people left - what, Kathelle, the Dux?? Yes, me.  I would've loved to study embroidery with the Royal School of Needlework or done Textiles in Art School (I think the latter would've been more me), but we are where we are.  God's plans are beyond our reasoning and so much better in the long run that anything we'd do! 

Waldorf School, Stonehaven - 2nd year

Look up! Conceptual project, 2nd year

I am now a sewing and quilting geek - I love to find out new techniques, more about different materials, trying out new things, buying more books... I have a passion for what I do now that is greater than what I have for architecture.  Sure, it's a great thing to be able to design people's homes and public buildings but I want to fill those homes with pattern and colour and warmth that only textiles and quilts can bring.  I can only do small things at the moment, but it's the small details that make a difference...   

Nursery for two! Decorating for a boy and a girl - Part 3

As part of the room "makeover", one of the first things we did was get rid of old mismatched furniture (well, hid one in the wardrobe and put the broken one to local recycling!).  We bought a new cabinet from Argos, to match the chest of drawers, to store their books and what had been in the old bedside cabinets.  

It's amazing how much surface space it cleared up! The books were just piled up because we had nowhere to put them, and DJ couldn't reach them... :(

Kids Scandinavia 4 Cube Storage Unit

When it arrived, I thought I'd save Mr P. a job, as he's always so busy on Saturdays, and decided to put it together myself.  I rather enjoy building the old flatpack furniture haha!  However, I did not quite bargain for a cheeky little 18 month old in the process...  Whilst EJ was asleep we put it together, and remarkably all was going rather well (considering a little boy's liking for wood and tools...) until I had to put the top on.  

  I just managed to align the dowels and screws on one side, I moved to the other side to align that - and DJ goes and pulls the first side to "help" thus undoing my good work!  Cue exasperated but rather amused mother, haha!  I tried again to no avail, nearly lined up... and then pop! DJ was at it again.  At this point I plonked him in his cot so he could watch but not touch haha!  Otherwise I honestly think I'd still be at it ;)

Anyway, Mr. P. was very happy and proceeded to beeswax it at the next opportunity (the furniture is unfinished on arrival).  We then covered the rather dull chipbboard shelf backing with a lovely bright starry fabric with some PVA spread over the surface as evenly and relatively thinly as possible before it was pinned in place.  And voila!  Much better! :)  Now he can reach his books, he loves reading them and even tries to read them to his wee sister sometimes!
  Next post on this will be on EJ's side which is as yet very blank...:(  I have ideas and the materials but it needs done! :)

Kathelle x

Fellow Folksy-ers! Sue Mellem of Beadstorm Jewellery

This is the second in the series of interviews with fellow Folksy sellers to find out a wee bit more about them and what they do :)  This week we have Sue Mellem from Beadstorm Jewellery!

Dragonfly Charm Necklace with lavender jade and Swarovski crystal

First of all, could you please tell us a bit about yourself ?

I qualified as a Mental Health Nurse many years ago and worked in mental healthcare for over 30 years - as a nurse and later as a manager. I count myself very lucky to have had such a fascinating and rewarding career, and to have helped some lovely people along the way.
I finished work a couple of years ago and now dedicate my ‘working’ hours to my business Beadstorm Jewellery.
I live in Northampton with my husband, teenage daughter and 2 lovely cats (husband and daughter are lovely too!)

Tell us about your shop, Beadstorm Jewellery

I started selling my jewellery through Beadstorm Jewellery nearly 3 years ago. My first customer was my secretary from work, who was great in giving me lots of encouragement in making my jewellery – as well as modelling quite a lot of it!
I use mainly gemstones, crystals and pearls in my jewellery as these are the materials that I am drawn to and love. I like to think of my style as being something of a modern take on classical styles.
I have developed several sales outlets – I opened my Folksy shop in September 2011 and after a slow start I’m pleased with how it’s developed. I also sell through a couple of ‘real’ shops & through craft fairs, school and village fetes and any other events that I can find.
I love the interactions that I have with other crafters. The supportive community at Folksy is great and there’s so much knowledge that people are always willing to share. I’ve also made some great friends through doing craft fairs.

Red Jasper Pendant Necklace

How did you get started?

I started making jewellery by accident. My daughter was doing a Product Design course at school and decided to make a bracelet using wooden beads. I went to a well known national craft store to look for them and saw a vast array of beads. I then looked on line and discovered even more beads.
I bought some jewellery making magazines, watched some tutorials, had a go myself and got completed hooked!
Since then it’s been a steep learning curve to get proficient in all the other aspects of selling jewellery – the greatest challenge has been turning myself from a complete novice with a camera to being able to take reasonable photos that I can use on line in my Folksy shop and on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Beadstormjewellery



Handmade Bracelet, with blue gemstones, crystal and heart charm

What’s your favourite item in your shop and why?

Difficult question – and if you asked me again tomorrow I’d probably come up with a different answer.
Today I’m picking these earrings http://folksy.com/items/5899151-Handmade-earrings-with-delicate-peach-agate-and-copper- because I love the agates in them and I’ve got a thing about working with copper at the moment!

Handmade earrings - with delicate peach agate and copper


Favourite place to visit?

We were lucky enough to visit San Diego last year & I love it there. The coast is fabulous, with beautiful sunsets and the climate is great. San Diego is an ideal size and people are friendly. Plus I found a wonderful bead fair to visit while we were there!

A random fact about you?

Last year I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of 100 featured sellers by Small Business Saturday UK, and as a result of this I was invited to a reception at number 11 Downing Street on the eve of Small Business Saturday.
I attended along with lots of other small business representatives for what was a fabulous memorable day.  Small Business Saturday really gained momentum last year and I hope more people will support it this year.

Handmade neon green peridot and metallic crystal earrings

Pick three of your favourite items/shops on Folksy

There are so many lovely shops and talented makers of Folksy it’s hard to pick just three.
I love the humour in Snappy Crocodile’s cards.

I really like the items in Steph Short Supplies and I have bought some lovely patterned shapes from Steph that I like to include when I wrap my parcels. Steph also has a stationery shop stocking some beautiful cards.

Handmade with Love Labels

Last, but not least, I love the work of Funky Mosaic and this is one of my favourite items from Liz’s shop.

Tulips Mosaic - Garden Ornament or Wall Plaque

Thank you very much Sue!  One of my personal favourites in her shop is her beaded bracelets - I have two already and I love them!  Here's one that's available now - I love how it's such a classic colour combination:

Handmade white jade and blue crystal bracelet

 If you'd like to have a proper look at the beautiful range in Sue's shop then here's the link: www.beadstormjewellery.folksy.com 

All the images above have the link to the appropriate shop in the caption, just click on the name :)

Kathelle x