Patience!!

I don't normally sew - well when I say sewing I mean actually making something from scratch such as a dress, skirt or cushion etc. I love other crafts but apart from the odd bit of sewing a button on or hemming a garment I am absolutely useless!

This is not really in keeping with the way I was brought up. I learnt to knit when I was 3 and my grandmother was a seamstress. She spent hours and hours teaching me all she new about everything. But sewing had me baffled! I admit I don't have the patience to keep pressing seams and going from the sewing machine to the ironing board - and I really don't know why!

And sewing machines - well they're another matter! I inherited a little old singer from a family member. It had worked for years - until I owned it! Thinking it was just getting old I decided to buy a brand new one with grand ideas of making all my own clothes and soft furnishings.

Yeah sure! - the machine is wonderful when its working - but why do they play up so much? I faffed around with the thing one day that by the time it was working I had completely gone off the idea of doing any sewing at all!

I have come to the conclusion that I am much better sewing by hand. I managed to produce a lovely little patchwork cushion and a Shabby Chic rabbit, without even going near that flaming sewing machine of mine!

The machine (out of use as there is something wrong with the bobbin - I think it is the way I wound it, but I don't have the patience to find out) is now at the bottom of my wardrobe hiding away from me (I think it may have found itself through the window if I had spent anymore time with it)!

But I have had much better results sewing by hand - without going near that metal contraption. Maybe the seams are not as strong - but a least I am still in control of my mind!!

One day maybe, I will become friends with my sewing machine - but I really can't see it myself!

Jaffa Cake Pudding

I came across this recipe in Best's 'Just For Kids' recipe collection, however I changed the make up slightly as I thought is was a bit fiddly.

Ingredients:

1 Orange Jelly, cut into squares
375ml Orange Juice
1 x 10in Sponge Base
275g Plain Chocolate
350ml Double Cream

Heat 150ml orange juice until boiling and use to dissolve jelly, add remaining juice. Leave to cool and partially set for a few hours - jelly should be quite thick but not completely set.

Spread jelly onto the sponge flan case and refrigerate until set.

Break chocolate into a bowl and add half the cream. Set over a bowl of hot water and stir until dissolved. Leave to cool.

Whip remaining cream until it forms soft peaks and fold into chocolate mixture. Refrigerate until set.