A New Home For Rhino

He's up!! My little Rhino has been rehoused to my living room wall and I think he is quite happy there.

Last time I posted on Rhino he had just been pieced together and because I chose a sturdy paper to make him he didn't sit quite so neatly together so he needed a little make-over.

I had a lot of packing paper lying around. You know the kind you get in a homeware store that they use to wrap up your dishes so they don't break on the way home? I usually keep some to have just in case and it was perfect for papier maché.

To start with I taped up all of Rhinos gaps with masking tape.

Next step was to cut strips of the paper, inch thick strips work great for all of the angles.

The easiest papier mache adhesive solution is 1 part PVA glue to 2 parts water. It looks hideous but it mixes well and forms a great finish.

So mix up your paste and get painting on the paper. I think I coated Rhino 3 times, adding a few more layers to the particularly gappy bits.

The paper I used was unbleached so he looks very natural. 

Should I paint him?? Im not sure. Im afraid theres no going back if I do. I like him au natural. The light colour really shows off his lovely angles.

If you want to make a Rhino like mine here is the link again to my previous blog post http://twillandtwee.blogspot.ie/2016/07/a-rhino.html

Nic xx

A Rhino

A little paper craft project I think!

So in the desire for a mini gallery wall in my living room I wanted something a little 3D. Everyone seems to have stags and moose heads with big impressive horns that have come from some vintage shop costing an arm and a leg or from your everyday homewares store for €5 but plastic and cheap looking.

Something a little different perhaps?

Enter the Rhino Project!

I bought my Rhino instructions from Etsy. Its a digital download so the designer sends you a PDF and its up to you from there.

Here is the Rhino I chose https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1144810552

There are some other beautiful animals to choose from the sellers shop.

Other websites offer kits, ideal for someone who is new to paper craft or an ideal gift. 

Most of these printables are for A3 sized blueprints. I didn't want such a huge rhino so I went for A4 which still turned out pretty big. Plus I didn't have to seek out an A3 printer.

So!! Time to get started. Print out the instructions and READ THEM!!! Do not skip a word you may regret it later.

Print out the blueprints and cut them out.

I of course had to make it more difficult for myself. I wasn't happy with xerox paper its too thin and had a tonne of card left over from our wedding so I glued the blueprints onto the card, it was too thick for my printer, and then cut it all out again.......great fun!!

Time to start creasing and folding. There is a key in the instructions that tells you which lines need folding and which need creasing in the opposite direction. A skinny ruler and a good edge on a desk or a table are really helpful here.

When assembling I had a little trouble with glue as it wasn't holding the heavy pieces of card together so I had a mixture of glue, double sided tape and tiny clothes pegs as holders. Paper clips would work great too!! 

Its a numbers game, you match the numbers together like a big jigsaw puzzle.

It gets a little fiddly towards the end but hang in there!!! It will look amazing when it is done.

And here he is!! My little rhino friend. Look at the beautiful angles!!

Im not quite done yet. I would like a much smoother finish so Im going cover him up somehow whether it be paint or papier maché. I will do a follow up post next week.

I just love him he's so unusual!! 

Now to clean up........

Gooseberry and Apple Crumble

Gooseberry season has finally arrived. Time to make use of those delicious berries. 

Its the first batch so we can't resist a yummy crumble. Its a staple for us.

The recipe couldn't be simpler. This makes enough for 4 small portions or 3 large, just double the mix if you have a crowd for dinner.

Ingredients:

150g fresh gooseberries (topped and tailed if required)
1 cooking apple peeled and diced into 1 inch cubes
120g plain flour
60g butter chilled
60g soft brown sugar
2 tbsp caster sugar (less if the gooseberries are not too sour)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C

2. Scatter the apples and gooseberries over the bottom of an oven proof dish.

3. Sprinkle the caster sugar evenly over the fruit and set aside.

4. To make the crumble topping put the flour into a separate bowl. Add in the butter and using your hands pinch the butter into the flour to make coarse bread crumbs. A handy tip; if your butter gets really hard in the fridge, grate it in!! 

Add the brown sugar and this is what you should have.

5. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over your fruit.

6. Bake in the oven for 30-40 mins until the fruit is bubbling and the top is golden.

Done!! How easy is that? Allow to cool for about 10 minutes as the fruit will be like lava hiding underneath the crumble.

Then EAT!

Mine is with ice-cream, his with Greek yogurt....he's so good! Don't forget the tea.

Enjoy everyone 

Nic x

Elliot's Ripple Baby Blanket

For my first pregnancy I was determined to learn a new craft because I wanted to make something special for the baby that he could have forever. I could knit but I found it frustrating so I researched classes in Dublin city and a crochet class popped up. Perfect!!

Remarkably only 2 of us signed up so we had almost one to one lessons it was amazing. We had a ball gossiping, drinking endless cups of tea and crocheting. 

I came away with all of the basic stitches and a few nifty tricks so I started my baby project.

A blanket seemed the best first project as it was repetitive and easy to manage.

For the yarn I chose Stylecraft Special DK because of the amazing range of colours for its very reasonable price...and because its acrylic. Im very allergic to wool sadly cannot use it. 
Not to worry acrylic is an excellent choice, it washes and dries like a dream and doesn't ball or fray.

Not knowing the sex of the baby I thought every colour will do so I got all of these!!

Here are a list of the colours if you wish to do the same scheme.

• 1259 Bright green
• 1061 Plum
• 1026 Apricot
• 1020 Lemon
• 1241 Fondant
• 1245 Lipstick
• 1117 Royal
• 1132 Shrimp
• 1063 Graphite
• 1034 Sherbet
• 1116 Green
• 1256 Jaffa
• 1390 Clematis
• 1001 White

The pattern is a beautiful easy pattern by the blogger Attic24. If you can do the basic crochet stitches you can do this pattern, just follow the instructions carefully. I find youtube tutorials great for learning new tricks. You will find how to do the increase and decrease stitches no problem. 

See the pattern here...

So pop the kettle on, put the feet up, turn on a good movie and get crocheting!! 

Nic xx

One Small Change, Whole New Frame

I have just discovered TK Maxx. How did it take me so long?

Being in the house almost 2 years now we need to get personalising and what better way to do that than with photos. To put up nice photos you need some nice frames but these can be expensive.

To the discount shops!!!

My friends have been raving about TK Maxx for years now and although there is one nearby I just couldn't face the chaos of the jumbles of clothes. BUT, now that I have a house to furnish its ideal for accessories and furnishings. 

I picked up two small but sweet photo frames, an ornate wooden one and a shell one that I adore. 

The wooden one was sweet but a bit on the ugly side colour wise so I thought Id jazz it up a bit with some gold paint. 

A pack of Judson's Gold Paint has been hugging the bottom of my craft box for years now. Ive just discovered that its no longer manufactured but similar gold or gold leaf paint is easily picked up at your local craft shop.

This little package is so old that the medium leaked all over the box but after prising the lid off with a pliers there was just enough left to mix up some gold paint. How gorgeous does the gold look mixing with the medium?

Bit of prep work first. Give the frame a good clean if its an oldie to remove any grease. Remove the glass to keep it nice and clean.

Time to get painting. 

Simply coat the frame in paint. Allow to dry and if necessary apply a second coat. Ta-daaaaaaa far too easy if you ask me!!

But, what a transformation!! 

So give it a go. Any acrylic paint will look great. My next one will be salmon pink. Can't wait!!

Nic x

Rhubarb Buns

Summer time means Rhubarb time!! So many things to make but where to start. 

My son isn't the biggest cake fan but wow does he like a good bun so buns it is. Stewed rhubarb is the easiest thing in the world to make and is amazing with so many things, custard, ice-cream, rice pudding and now my mums buns.

Here in the emerald isle buns are cupcakes!


Mum and I used to make these with apples when I was little and I loved to help her out scooping the layers of cake mix and stewed apples. For a little change we used rhubarb.

So grab the kids, get messy and have fun making buns!!








Ingredients

For the stewed rhubarb. (This is my version but most families have their own methods and ingredients for this so go with what you know.)

• 2 medium thickness rhubarb stalks
• 1 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tbsp water

For the bun mixture

• 175g self raising flour
• 150g butter softened
• 150g caster sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Chop the rhubarb into half inch pieces and place into a saucepan. Add the sugar and water.
2. On a high heat bring the rhubarb to the boil. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover.
3. Stew the rhubarb for 10-15 mins until soft. Set aside to cool.
4. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F
5. Place all of the ingredients for the buns mixture into a food processor.
6. Mix on the lowest setting until all the ingredients have combined into a smooth batter.
7. Spoon a heaped teaspoon of batter into the bun cases and spread to ensure the base is covered
8. Spoon a teaspoon of  rhubarb on top of this.
9. Fill the bun cases with the remaining batter.
10. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes until they are golden in colour and a skewer comes away clean when inserted into the centre of a bun.

Be warned the rhubarb will be piping hot after baking so allow time to cool before tucking in.

Enjoy

Nic x

Easy Carrot and Ginger Soup

After a mini Irish heatwave the chills have returned to the breeze so that calls for some warming soup.

My wonderful mother-in-law cooked myself and her hubby some stunning carrot soup a few weeks back and I have been keen to piece together a recipe for myself.

Im usually cooking for one or two on a day to day basis so this is a handy soup that can be whipped up in a few minutes!!

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

• 3 large carrots peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves grated/crushed garlic
• 1/2 medium onion diced
• 500ml chicken stock
• 1 tbsp vegetable or rapeseed oil
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Add the oil to a medium/large saucepan and heat to a medium heat.
2. Add the onion. Reducing the heat to low. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Do not allow to brown or burn.
3. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the carrots.
5. Pour over the chicken stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the carrots are tender.
6. Blitz the soup to a smooth consistency using a blender or a hand blender. If its very thick add some water to achieve your desired consistency.
7. Season to taste and serve.

Notes: Add a pinch of nutmeg for some extra spice.

Hope it warms the cockles,

Nic x