Visit to Krafty Cow Tea Room, Burnley

I took the smalls to Krafty Cow tea rooms in Burnley today.  They both love it here, so much that Little Miss demands to go to the "Play Cafe" every time we go to the town centre.

She was delighted to visit again and had her cost off and thrown over her favourite chair before I was even through the door with the pram.

The coffee here is divine, particularly with a cheeky shot of Irish cream flavour syrup.  

The kids were having such a good time playing with all the toys and craft activities that we stayed for lunch.  They shared a sandwich and I had a BBQ chicken panini which was scrummy as always.  The prices are really reasonable.

We had such a good time the kids playing and me enjoying some peace and quiet, that we stayed for ages.  

McCalls 6873 Shirt Sewing Project

This is one of Daddy's old shirts.  The fabric has a beautiful sheen to it and the oriental embroidered design is gorgeous.  Unfortunately the shirt is getting too tight for Daddy (read Daddy ate too many pies) so it's been requisitioned for Little Pickle.  I've also re-used the buttons as of course they match perfectly - no hunting through my gigantic button box - win.

Tools and Materials:

Most of my sewing stash comes form the lovely people at Minerva Crafts.

Apply interfacing to collar pieces.

Shoulder seams.

Set in sleeves.

Side and sleeve seams.

Hems finished (I've used an overlocker) and pressed.

Press front edges to inside and stitch top and bottom.

Then press to the outside and top stitch.

Stitch collar sections together and clip corners.

Turn.

Press and top stitch finished edges.

Pin un-interfaced collar band to interfaced side of collar.

Pin interfaced side of collar band to collar.

And sew.

Turn and press.

Pin and sew one side of collar to shirt.

Press exposed seam allowance under.

Top stitch in place.

Mark button holes and sew.

Mark button placement and hand sew buttons in place.

Super Quick Chocolate Nut Sponge Cake Recipe

I can not believe how quick and simple this recipe is.  I can start making it after dinner and have it on the table before the kids get bored.  If I know I'm making it ahead of time I do the mixing first and just pop the microwave on after everyone's finished eating.  It's honestly quicker and easier than nipping to the local shop for the frozen version - not to mention a fraction of the price.  

Ingredients:

2 Eggs

100g Sugar

100g Self Raising Flour

100g Butter

2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder

For the Topping: 2 Tablespoons of Chocolate Nut Spread 

Splash of Milk

Whisk together the eggs, butter, flour and sugar in a microwave proof bowl.

Add the cocoa powder.

Heat in the microwave for 4 minutes.

That's it, seriously.

For the topping pop 2 tablespoons (or more) of chocolate nut spread and a splash of milk into a cup.

Heat it up for 1 minute and give it a good stir.

Before pouring it over the sponge cake.

We like it with custard.