Christmas Pudding!

To be honest I'm not a fan of Christmas pudding.  Although I've only had it once. It was disgusting. I'm allowed to say that because I'm the one who made it. 

It was a flop. Perhaps it was the recipe...

I'd be willing to try it again...

Maybe...

😉

It is just so iconic & adorable though.

Being an anglophile I'd really like to like it.

I thought I'd try my hand at a crocheted version instead! 

Here are the tutorials I used if you like to make one as well!

For the circles I made one brown & one off white of this Cherry Heart tutorial. 

For the holly leaves I used this Attic24 tutorial & fingering weight yarn.

For the berries I made 3 bobbles {one right after the other without chains in between} using this tutorial loosely.

For the drippy icing scallops I joined the two circles with single crochet with the bottom side facing me {the brown one}. Stuff with polyfil before closing completely. Then *skip 2 sts. Work 6 DC in 3rd st. Skip 2 sts. Work 1sc in 3rd st. Repeat from * all around. Slip stitch into base of beginning. Fasten off.

I hope you enjoy your tasty puddin'! 😙 

Miss Strawberry Makes Podcast Episode 5

Where to find me:

Instagram 

Ravelry : MissMichelleBelle 

Ravelry Group : The Strawberry Patch 

I mentioned this Cherry Heart podcast by Sandra in which she recommended my lil podcast!

Works in Progress/Finished Objects 

Socks for the wee rabbits 

Using Chroma Fingering & Felici 

What I'm wearing:

Julgran Sweater by Andi Satterlund 

Little Bobbins Knits Christmas Eve Cast On plan:

Using her new sock pattern & Felici Spring Blooms 

Miss Strawberry Makes Podcast Episode 4

Where to find yours truly on social media:

Instagram 

Ravelry 

Finished Objects:

Julgran Sweater by Andi Satterlund

Christmas Rose Cushion

I used this tutorial for the granny square rose & this one for a round cushion.

Christmas Candy Curtains

Made with this fabric from Hobby Lobby

Work in Progress 

Socks for the kiddos! 

{Knitting at the movies with Wes. We all went to see Home Alone on the big screen!}

Miss Strawberry Makes Podcast Episode 3

It's a short one but here is Episode 3 of the Miss Strawberry Makes Podcast 🍓 

I wanted to show off Jackson's blankie. See previous post for the pattern I made up!

Also I'm all decorated for Christmas & couldn't wait for you all to see.

I made some progress on my Julgran Sweater & just love the Gloss DK yarn I got for it from Knitpicks. The minimal seaming design of this kitschy - cute sweater reminded me of the Levenwick sweater I knitted for my friend Gus a couple years ago.

The wee rabbits picked out their sock yarns for their Christmas stockings. 😊 Such gorgeous colorways of Chroma Fingering & Felici Fingering. 

I also made a little Thanksgiving pie making video which you may like to see.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, 

For His lovingkindness is everlasting." {Psalm 136:1}

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving. I sure did. I'm all a go for Christmas now tho! 😄 

Love, Michelle 🍓 

The Jackson's Bay Blankie

An easy crocheted blanket 

Inspired by the iconic Hudson's Bay Blanket 

By Michelle {aka Miss Strawberry Shortgirl}

I made this blankie for my 5 year old nephew Jack. Whenever he saw me crocheting something he would ask if it was for him so I thought I'd better make him a cozy blanket. 

You will need:

5 - 6oz. Skeins of worsted weight acrylic yarn for the main color (MC)

{I used Hobby Lobby's "Crafter's Secret" in Off-white}

1 - 6oz. Skein each of 4 colors for the stripes

{I used HL "Crafter's Secret in Navy, Yellow, Red, & Jelly Bean}

Size J (5.75mm) hook

Chain 150 loosely in MC.  

{Helpful hint: you may use a size larger hook to make foundation chain.)

DC into 4th chain from hook & every following stitch. 148 sts. (Counting beg. Ch.3 not worked as a st.)

Ch.3 turn. 1 DC in every stitch. (Starting with stitch after the stitch the ch. 3 is in.)

Work 8 more rows of MC & fasten off.

Work 6 rows of Navy.

Work 6 rows of MC.

Work 6 rows of Yellow.

Work 6 rows of MC.

Work 6 rows of Red.

Work 6 rows of MC.

Work 6 rows of Green.

Now work 42 rows MC.

Work 6 rows of Green. 

Work 6 rows of MC.

Work 6 rows of Red.

Work 6 rows of MC.

Work 6 rows of Yellow. 

Work 6 rows of MC.

Work 6 rows of Navy.

Now work 10 rows of MC.

And you're done!

Easy peasy lemon squeezey, huh?

Jackson was really pleased with it!

If you make it hopefully you will be too!

Love,

Michelle 🍓 

Miss Strawberry Makes Podcast Episode 2

I received such an encouraging response from my first podcast last week! Thank you so much everyone who "liked", commented, & subscribed. Y'all are the sweetest!

I finished the two projects I was working on & just had to share them with you all in another installment. 

Here are this episode's show notes:

Finished Objects 

1. Cath Kidston colours A Good Vintage Granny Cardi by Fran Morgan 

Knit in KnitPicks Palette in Silver, Tumeric, Sky, Tomato, Blush, Pistachio, Custard, Rose Hip, & Wonderland Heather 

2. Scottie dog sweater 

Pattern Fairisle yoke sweater by Debbie Bliss
I used this chart to make the scotties.

Yarn Knitpicks Palette in Serrano & Black

{Aran colored yarn is an unknown sock yarn - possibly Kroy}

Work in Progress

Hudson's Bay Inspired blankie by me

Yarn is Crafter's Secret from Hobby Lobby

Lookie, lookie what I found!

1. Candy Shoppe fabric by Leicen 

2. Bunnies in Teacups fabric by Quilt Gate

Both from @janumfabrics Etsy Shop.

The first ever Miss Strawberry Makes Podcast!

Guess what? 

{Well, don't guess if you read the title of this post. That's cheating. 😉}

I made a crafty podcast. Eeeek!

I've just recently discovered the wonderful world of craft podcasts & I thought I'd give it a go. If you'd like to see me & hear my mumbley ramblings here it is!

I am super excited about this. 

{And a fair bit nervous too, I'll admit.}

If you're into this sort of thing feel free to pop over & subscribe to my new channel.

Here are the "show notes" as they're called in the podcast scene. 😆

Miss Strawberry Makes Podcast 🍓 

Episode 1.

Find me on Instagram @miss_strawberry_shortgirl

Ravelry MissMichelleBelle

Podcasters that inspired me:
Constance of Yarning Over the Days
Sandra of Cherry Heart
Dani of Little Bobbins Knits

Oldie but a Goodie: 

Cath Kidston Provence Rose duck cloth 60s shift.

Vintage Simplicity 7300 {Out of print}

Works in Progress:

Cath Kidston colours granny stripe cardi

Pattern: A Good Vintage by Fran Morgan

Yarn: Palette from Knitpicks

Scottie dog sweater
Pattern: Fairisle yoke sweater by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Also Palette from Knitpicks

Plans:
Julgran Sweater by Andi Satterlund

Just Ducky!

When I first saw this cardi in the Mini Boden catalog I was smitten! When I got online "just to look at it" I saw that it said low stock in my size & every other color was already sold out I pounced! It was a bit of a splurge for me but I had a percent off discount & free shipping & returns so I thought it was as good a deal as could be expected. {A few days later I checked back online & they had all sold out! Glad I jumped when I did!}

I think it's been a good investment though. It's so snuggly & cozy. I've worn it quite a lot already. Yes, I could've made one much like it myself but sometimes it's nice to not have to. 😊 

Naturally I needed a duck dress to go with it!

I hunted on eBay & Etsy for good fabrics. I found this vintage duck print cotton on eBay. 

Of course I had to accessorize while I was at it. 😉 So I scored these cute mallard earrings on eBay too!

I used vintage McCall's 7741.

I made the A-line version. 

I had a trusty vintage metal zipper in the stash that coordinated perfectly! 

Funnily enough the new dress had its debut on the first day of duck season! 🙈😆

Keep making!

💕 Michelle 🍓 

Falling for Flannel

It's starting to get rather chilly in my neck of the woods. There's nothing quite like soft & snuggly flannel to keep cozy & warm. It's not just for pjs {Though I do love nice flannel jammies.} Here's what I've been making with it lately.

London Calling

Mod Sixties Shift Dress

{Vintage Simplicity 7300 from 1967}

Fabric from Joann's 

《a couple years ago now I think.》

I found some adorable earring to go with all my anglophile outfits on eBay!  They even came from England & were very inexpensive! 

Teatime Dirndl Skirt

With Ric Rac Trim

Fabric also from Joann's 

These gorgeous plaid flannel were found at Walmart. They are extra thick & so wonderful to work with. A great value for the price. I've made a pair of cigarette trousers from the black and white buffalo plaid. 

I intended to make the same from the tartan but I'm thinking of making a 60s shift with a big pleat in front instead as I tend to get more wear out of my dresses than trousers.

{Vogue V9189}
《Original 1960 design》

These trousers remind me of some worn by Lettuce in the 1986 version of Murder At The Vicarage & Gina in the 1991 version of They Do It With Mirrors.

This sweater is an old make from the Debbie Bliss knitting booklet Land Girl. 

I've got lots of cooler weather wear planned including a red knitted top like this one to go with these trousers. I'm thinking of working scottie dogs into the yoke. Won't that be darling??

What are you making?

Love,

Michelle 🍓 

August Roundup

 August!

My birthday month. 😄

I decided to go ahead & turn 31 on the 15th rather than counting back down to 29 as so many women are prone to do. 😉

For the 1st time in my life I spent my bday away from home. 

These chicken jammies {a gift from my sister Beth} came along.

To beautiful Washington state.

We visited Mt. Rainier 

Mt. Saint Helens 

&

Pike Place Market

We were out there for a wedding. It was my first flight & i loved it! As fun & beautiful as the trip was there is truly no place like home. 💕🏡💕 The weather back in my neck of the woods is unseasonably cool & has me looking forward to Autumn.

I'm excitedly planning colorful wooly makes. I want to make my first crocheted cardigan out of these Cath Kidston colors.

But first I need to make a lil something for my cousin's baby boy who is due any minute.

I'd had a dream of cubbies for all my yarn & some of my tchotchkes too. It's finally come true & it's just as cute as I imagined. {They're only about half filled here.}

Seeing all the colors is really going to spark inspiration I think.

How was your August?

Any big plans for September? 

Love,

Michelle 🍓 

Timmy Willie's GF Country Berry Scones

My sister Beth is one of the many people that benefits greatly from a Gluten Free diet so I had to be sure to have something yummy at the Beatrix Potter party for her to enjoy. I decided on scones since it was a tea party & I'd been wanting to try my hand at GF scones for a while now. We all loved them, even the gluten eaters, so I'd like to share my recipe with you. 

From Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse"

 1 {16oz} box of GF baking mix 

{I used Aldi's pancakes kind.}

1/4c. Sugar

1/2c. Butter {chilled}

1 {3.5oz} pkg. Dried Blueberries 

1c. Fresh Strawberries  

{cut into bite sized pieces}

3/4c. Milk

3 Eggs

1/2tsp. Vanilla Extract 

🍓🍓🍓

Mix together baking mix & sugar in a large bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry blender. Add berries & toss until evenly distributed & strawberries are coated. Mix milk, eggs. & vanilla in a separate bowl very well. Now add this to the flour & berry mixture. Stir with a rubber spatula until well incorporated. Drop by rounded 1/2 cupsful onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 425° F for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown & baked through. This makes about 8 large scones. You could also make them smaller & adjust cooking times accordingly. 

From Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse"

Perhaps you could serve them the next time a friend from the town comes to visit?

Enjoy!

Happy 151st Birthday, Beatrix!

Last year on Beatrix Potter's 150th birthday we had an impromptu painting party. It was so much fun that I decided to actually plan one this year! It was so much fun. I think my six wee leetle rabbits enjoyed it very much! I know I did. 

I found a few fun ideas on Pinterest. The little cabbages are oreo truffles in ruffled circles of tissue paper. So easy but so cute! The garden boxes are made from wafer cookies & frosting.

I asked the kids to wear an outfit inspired by their favorite Beatrix Potter character. 

Joel is Tom Kitten

Annelise is Moffat

{Tom's sister}

Jack is Tommy Brock the Badger

{Note his badger shoes}

James is Mr. Tod the Fox

Abbey is Cottontail

 one of Peter's sisters 

Wes is a foxy-whiskered-gentleman too

{And at the age where he gets easily embarrassed by Auntie.}

Oh, & I was Beatrix herself,  of course.

Painting!

It really was a wonderful party! I'm so glad it worked out. I think we'll do it again next year!