Coffee Cuddlers 'n Corsets

Alert, Coffee fanatics! Introducing my Coffee Cuddlers 'n Corsets; a reusable, eco-friendly way to not only help you hold on to your steaming hot beverage, but to funk up those boring cups at the same time! These cute little holders replace those flimsy paper sleeves, giving you a more personalised way of protecting your hands from the heat whilst helping to save the planet! :)


"Coffee Cuddlers" and "Coffee Corsets" will help keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold.

They cost £3.50 and are customisable. Chose the design you like and your favourite colours - there's even a Christmas variety which makes a lovely seasonal gift. P&P is £1.50. Paypal payments can be made to Chilekat@live.co.uk. State your choice of design and colour preferences when making payment. Alternatively, you can e-mail me to discuss :-)

"Coffee Cuddlers" and "Coffee Corsets" © Kat Williams

End of chilli season 2011.....

Determined to get a head start after a pathetic crop this year (thanks to the erratic weather), I've just taken a secateurs to my babies - now they are all cut back and ready for overwintering. Fingers crossed for a good survival rate!



Hopefully I'll get a good crop of chillies earlier in the season next year, rather than waiting for a whole plant to grow from seed.....that's assuming the plants survive the winter! I've kept 1 x Orange Habanero, 1 x Jamaican Red Hot, 1 x Fatalli, 1 x Cili Goronong and 1 x Criolla Sella. I'm also keeping the 7 Pot White that didn't grow white.

Fingers crossed!!

Cap'n Kat's Craft Cabin

YAY! I've created a Facebook page for all my crafty doings, most will be available for sale. I'm excited to say that with the interest I've had so far, I've decided to start taking commissions! You can follow me here at: KatsCraftCabin

I look forward to meeting some of you on the great book of faces :)

Another LOL-cat!....

....courtesy of my newest addition, Miggins :)
She's a loveable little rascal!

"I'll have a 'P' please, Bob...."

Let me explain; it is rather amusing...

This morning, I sat at the computer with the leftovers from last night - Cheesy mash and peas. We had it with fish, but I love it just as much on it‘s own. Anyhoo, I digress.
As I sat shovelling said banquet into my face, I caught sight of the black frayed ends of my jumper sleeve through the bottom of the Tupperware container. Believing this to be a spider in my food, I screamed and threw the container up in the air, diving out of my chair and down onto my bum.
Classic. I knew the moment the food left my hand what I had really seen, but by then it was too late; the wheels were in motion... and so too was I. I’ve laughed considerably since, and though it worth sharing; especially when my mate Steve and I decided that I’d “Peed on my keyboard”...

The offending "SpiderSleeve"

The 20 Minute Easy Newborn Hat

The best bit about a project for me, is getting to the end. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy the creative process, I most certainly do; I just find that the most rewarding part for me is holding up the finished piece :)
This pattern is a simple hat for newborn babies that makes a great gift and only takes 20 minutes from start to finish, so it’s ideal; especially if it’s a last minute thing!

Hook Size: 5mm
Yarn Size: DK

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
sl st - slip stitch
sp - space

Start by chaining 4 and join with a sl-st to form a ring.
R1: ch3 (this counts as your first dc of this round, same applies for all future rounds), 9dc into ring, join with a sl st (Join all future rows this way). - 10
R2: ch3, dc in same sp, 2dc in each sp to end - 20
R3: ch3, 2dc in next, *1dc, 2dc in next* to end - 30
R4: ch3, 1dc in next, 2dc in next sp, *1dc in each of the next 2 sp, 2dc in next* to end - 40
R5-12: ch3, dc all sp to end.

Tie off and weave in ends.

EASY PEASY!!

Handmade Chilli Necklets :)

These are my latest creation after a request for a unisex chilli necklet. A classy single glass chilli, either on it's own or paired with a shiny metal or Swarovski crystal bead; hung on a crocheted chilli green cotton cord. The perfect gift for the chilli-head in your life!! £10 :)

Payment to be made via paypal to chilekat@live.co.uk (remember to include your address).

Chilekat’s Smoked Haddock & Chorizo rice!

Last Saturday, I returned to the Upton Cheyney chilli festival and once again, it was a storming success!(Though I ducked out of the eating contest this year....)
While I was there I met Becky, giving out tasters of a splendid Garlic & Herb chorizo, by 'The Bath Pig' http://www.thebathpig.com/
The flavour was intense and lovely; I wanted to make it into a meal with ingredients that would compliment rather than take away from or clash with it; so I came up with this little beauty. The chilliheads amongst you will notice I've not added any heat! I wanted to keep it quite subtle to keep the flavour of the chorizo as the main event. If you want to add some, by all means go ahead!

Ingredients

200g Basmati rice
2 smoked haddock fillets
100g Chorizo
Vegetable stock cube
1 bay leaf
A good splash of milk
1 onion, diced
600ml water
Salt & pepper

Method

1. In a medium saucepan, dissolve a vegetable stock cube in 600ml of water.
Add the rice and simmer until the rice has cooked and absorbed the stock - add a little water if it dries out before being completely cooked.

2. Dice the onion and cut the chorizo into small, half-moon slices.

3. Place the fish in a small pan with the bay leaf. Pour in just enough milk to cover the fish. Bring to a simmer and cook gently until the fish flakes.

3. Remove the fish from the pan, flake with a fork, and set aside. Discard the milk and the bay leaf.

4. Splash some olive oil in a large pan. Add the onion and the chorizo pieces. Fry for a minute or two, then add the cooked rice, and the fish.

5. Season with plenty of salt and pepper.

6. Shovel into your face and enjoy the magic. ;-)

Kat x

Spiders, anyone?!

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I cannot stand to be anywhere near spiders. I don't wish them any harm and I can't say I "hate" them as they've never done anything to me... I just want to run a mile at the very sight of one.
Well, today I did this:

"I'm OK.... I'm OK......"


"....JUST TAKE THE BLOODY PHOTO!"


"Ooooooooooo.....actually, he's rather cute!"


Looking at the change in me in just these 3 photos, it amazes me how quickly you can get over something if you really push to get over a hurdle in your mind. Once I'd watched it on me a few times, it really was ok.

That's not to say I'd be ready to rush over to one and pick it up again...oh no. But this is another item ticked off my "Facing Fears" list!

Hadouken!

MR WILSON - This cat ain't no pussy - he's kicking some old school ass.

Tooth Fairy Pouch

My latest crochet design, this is a delightful little drawstring pouch that stores a tooth overnight before it gets sneakily swapped over for coinage by mum or dad whilst 'gappy' is sound asleep.

They are available to purchase here: http://www.folksy.com/items/1813581-Tooth-Fairy-Pouch

:-)

Chilli potting and er... a pond!

I spent a chunk of yesterday, and a fair lump of today decorating my lawn with pots....

With 40 plants on the go, I had some serious sorting to do!
I now have 30 chilli plants in the greenhouse, all cuddled up in their final buckets:


I had 40 before I started, but just didn't have the room! I ended up giving 7 to my sister and killed 3 stragglers.

I feel a lot better now that is done. Now I can carry on with the pond that I decided to start digging!!

It all started when I picked up a copy of the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening; I got to a page showing how to make a pond and thought "I could do that!" Moments later I was on freecycle and found a lady advertising natural stone - just what I wanted to edge the pond that half an hour previously I'd never even considered.......

We picked them up a day or so later and busted out a funky shape on the lawn:


Then I roped poor ole Rob digging:


While I began bashing up the leftovers........ FOR A WISHING WELL!!



All I have to do now is learn how to cement........

Firewalking For The Furries!!

I did it!
Not that there was any chance of me backing out after raising a grand total of £268 for the furries :-)

I also knitted them a kitty hat for their raffle:


Whilst I was in training, Rob took some pics of the fire being started:













And then I was off!!!





One of the best experiences ever - not just for the walk; in the grand scheme of it, the walk itself was a passing moment, even though a very awesome passing moment; what I really got something out of was the talk beforehand. I learned so much - dare I say (at the risk of sounding like I've gone all weird) I may have even learned a bit about myself!

Go on.... laugh!

Anyway, my feet were disgusting afterwards - lovely!:


And here I am with my certificate:


I couldn't recommend it highly enough, it was truly uplifting.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped me by sponsoring and geeing me on. Kat xxx

NOT ALL GREENS ARE GOOD FOR YOU!

A mixed bag of news from the little Welsh chilli conservatory;

Here is the brood as of 5 minutes ago:



GOOD GREEN THINGS:

My Cap 253C is pushing out it's first pods already!!

BAD GREEN THINGS:

At least 7 of my plants are INFESTED with greenfly. They've been swiftly relegated to the black towel of doom....



I've got some plants that have been treated with Bayer ultimate bug killer previously, and some that haven't.... the ones that haven't are far bigger and healthier looking, if possible, I'd like to keep them that way - so I'm trying the fairy liquid method as an experiment. If I don't get any joy, I'll be getting the bayer out again!!

After googling around for the correct ratio of fairy liquid to water, I've decided there isn't one.
Therefore, I settled on the following recipe:

1 GOOD SQUIRT PER LITRE.

Before spraying, I placed the pots onto their side in an effort to prevent masses of soapy suds going into the compost - I've no idea what effect it would have, but I'd rather play it safe. Then I blasted the buggers to heck:



I'll leave them like this until they dry; I don't imagine it will do them any harm to be on their sides for an hour.

After 15 mins, if you look closely, you can see there are already little green dots on the black towel:



Scores on the door so far -

KAT 1 - GREEN GITS 0......

Taking cuttings :-)

Today found me making my first serious attempt at taking cuttings from my shrubs. I say mine, the yellow Euonymus Fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' came from my neighbour as a thank you for helping her to dig out her dandelions! Both the Euonymus Fortunei 'Silver Queen' and Pieris japonica "Flaming Silver" came from the raised bed in my front garden. My hope is that at least 2 or 3 of each variety manage to root so that I have free shrubs to plant in the back garden; a garden that up until fairly recently, has been devoid of anything; and therefore didn't really deserve the description "garden"....

Fingers crossed the little buggers make it!

My cat wants to be a drummer.......

......so all we need now, is a bassist!!

Shitty Dog Owners.

There are dog owners who pick up after their pets and there are those who don't. Though I prefer the former, I can kind of understand the latter; but what I cannot even begin to comprehend is the idiotic bastards in the middle.

How many times have you seen a little black poo-bag hanging in a bush or strewn by the wayside? For Christ sake what is the matter with these people? Why go to the trouble of bagging a turd, only to lob it back down on the floor or make a hideous tree ornament out of it?

At least if you just left it, nature could take it's course and eventually the smelly pet present would disappear of it's own accord, but you twits have wrapped it in a non biodegradable bag and added that to the environment. I am at a loss... you utter plonkers! Especially as you've gone to the effort of picking up the damn thing in the first place. If it were up to me, I'd make you eat it.

Kat’s Floppy Sun Hat

Spring has sprung and I was in need of a hat to shield my eyes from the sun whilst out painting the fence! It went so well, I'm sharing it here.

This crochet lark is far quicker than knitting; So much so that (and I never thought I'd say it)I think I'm turning into a crochet queen rather than a knitting nutter!

Once I've typed this pattern up I'll be off out to take on the fence... it's a horrible job, but you've got to look after your wood! Besides it's an absolute stunner of a day, the daffodils are out and the birds are singing; what more could you want? Ooooo I know - a floppy sun hat!!

Ok - here's the pattern:

Abbreviations:
sts - stitches
sl st - slip Stitch
ch - chain
sc - single crochet

HAT

Using a 5.5mm (size I) hook, and DK yarn, start by making a chain of four sts and then join with a sl st.

Round 1: ch 1 and do 10 sc into the loop. If you are changing the colour for a striped effect like mine, join by adding the new colour through your first and last sc. - 10 sts.

Round 2: ch 1, do 2 sc in every st of the round and join by adding the original colour through your first and last sc. - 20 sts.

Round 3: ch 1, then sc all sts, increasing every third st by doing 2 sc in the same space. Join with alternate colour.

Round 4: ch 1, do 1 sc in each st of the round then join with alternate colour as before.

Round 5: ch 1, then sc all sts, increasing every third st by doing 2 sc in the same space. Join with alternate colour.

Round 6: ch 1, do 1 sc in each st of the round then join with alternate colour.

Round 7: ch 1, then sc all sts, increasing every third st by doing 2 sc in the same space. Join with alternate colour.

Round 8: ch 1, do 1 sc in each st of the round then join with alternate colour as before.

Round 9: ch 1, then sc all sts, increasing every third st by doing 2 sc in the same space. Join with alternate colour.

(If you want the pattern to continue as it is and have all stripes the same width, continue your colour changes as established. If you want them like mine, you now change colour on every other row, giving you a 2 row thickness.)

Round 10: ch 1, do 1 sc in each st of the round then join with alternate colour as before.

Round 11: Count your sts - we want 66, you’ll have less. ch 1, then make up the difference by increasing evenly across this row.

Round 12 - 31: ch 1, do 1 sc in each st of the round then join, remembering to colour change where required in order to obtain your desired stripe pattern.

FLOPPY BRIM

Round 32: sc every st, increasing 8 sc evenly across the round.

33 - 42: Continue to increase 8 sc on each round as established, alternating the spacing of your increases so as to avoid developing an increase line.

Final Round: working in the back loop only, sc in each st of the round and join with a sl st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

You can make the brim as big as you like….I did mine so it was just enough to shield my eyes, but you could do a huge silly one! (If you really want to.)

Right, that's me done - I'm off out in the sun.... lookk out fence, here I come!

Kat's "Magic Dust" Spice Pouch

Here's my latest design; a crocheted pouch to hold my precious "Magic Dust" chilli powder. I put a lot of effort into growing and processing the chillies - I reckon they deserve the best treatment and that includes storage! The pouch holds an airtight shaker and is finished off with a handmade charm - for this I used a genuine Swarovski crystal bead and 2 delightful murano glass chilli peppers!

YAY! :-)

Firewalk in Memory of Mewzli x

OH MY!! I've only gone and signed up for a firewalk!

I'm doing it in memory of my bestest friend Mewzli who passed away on 24th January.

We now have a new friend called Mr. Wilson who came to us via the Cats Protection adoption centre in Bridgend; I'd like to do something to aid them in their great work finding new homes for adoreable kitties that need help.
So, if you can, please help and sponsor me to do this rather mad thing!

You can sponsor me here: http://www.justgiving.com/KatWilliams

Kat xx

How to: Make your own grow light.

Grow lights are an essential piece of kit if you want to get a head start on your growing season or want to be able to grow indoors all year round.

If you want to make your own light set-up, here's a how to, along with the costings and where I got my bits and pieces. (prices were correct as of 2010.)

I used:

3 x 30W Daylight bulbs £6.69 each £20.07
3 x Bulb Batten Holders £1.69 each £5.07
2 x Rolls of Aluminium foil tape £2 each from poundland £2.00
1.5mm twin and earth cable approx £1.00 per mtr in B&Q £2.00
1 x Plug from ASDA £0.36
1 x Carboard box
1 x Piece of wood I had lying about

So I spent a grand total of £29.50 bear in mind that is for 3 bulbs! If you only used 2, it would only be just over £21.00...

FAR cheaper than your shop bought stuff and lets face it - far more fun and rewarding.

Here's a link for the bulbs, and one for the holders:

BULBS: http://uk.farnell.com/pro-lite/helix-30w-es-64/lamp-daylight-es-30w-6400k/dp/1298309

BATTEN HOLDERS: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Batten-Holder/invt/710002

So.... here comes the best bit, making it!

The batten holders are screwed to the piece of wood and then wired up with the 1.5mm twin and earth cable like so:



I've drawn it onto the batten holder instructions to give you a better idea:



Make sure you put a plug on the other end that has a 3 amp fuse, and that's it done:



...and with bulbs!:



Now for the reflector and it's amazing what you can achieve with a piece of cardboard and some aluminium foil tape; here's how I did it:

I cut jagged edges where I want my ends to be - this will help when folding the card around the end pieces; I also scored along the width of the card to help it bend neatly:


Then I cut out 2 end pieces:



I folded the ends of the shade around the side pieces and stuck them down:



Then I started lining the box with aluminium foil tape - I thought this would be neater than kitchen foil. You can pick this stuff up for a few quid a roll, but I got mine from the DIY bit in poundland!!





And that's that bit done - one nice and shiny reflector:




Then I added my lights. Using a sharp blade, I cut out a slit from the reflector allowing me to put it behind the batton holders; then I screwed in my bulbs:



I've got 3 30W daylight bulbs and wow; when I switched them on, the whole room went white! - You cant really get that from the photo, but believe me it was a shocker :-)



So that's it; get on and make one for yourself, then stand back and swell with pride.

Happy lighting, folks!

Kat