Ah, what to say about 2012? Perhaps I’ll just say it didn’t go to plan. At all. But with the new year comes new beginnings. May your new year be full of good times, sweet treats and dreams that come true.

What’s Christmas without a Bon Jovi song or two? No need to thank me. Merry Christmas!

Vanilla Cupcakes
Adapted from: 500 Cupcakes edited by Fergal Connolly

Ingredients

225g/8oz unsalted butter, softened
225g/8oz caster sugar
225g/8oz gluten-free self-raising flour mix (I like Orgran Gluten-Free Self-Raising Flour)
1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
2 tablespoons milk
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius/350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In the bowl of a stand mixer beat butter slightly, then add sugar, flour, baking powder, milk, eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth and pale, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Spoon mixture into 18 – 24 patty cases. (Fill only to half full to avoid muffin tops.) Bake for 15 – 20 minutes.

Remove trays from oven and cool 5 minutes before removing from tray to cool on a rack.

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Happy birthday to my little cousin Amy, she recently turned 21. She’s smart, confident and ambitious. She’s loyal, affectionate and popular. And she loves a gluten-free cupcake with cream cheese frosting.

Some blankety facts:
* The rainbow contains 11 colours.
* The yarn is Panda Magnum Soft and Stylecraft Special DK.
* I started it in August and finished in early December. (During this time I also worked on a baby blanket, the Hodge Podge, Mr Ladybug and Yoda)
* To keep the blanket square and stop it from becoming crooked I turned the whole blanket over after each row, before starting the next one. By alternating the side you start each row on you avoid the distortion that can happen with large granny squares.

One of my besties Jess (with another friend, Phoebe) just launched her own range of canvas bags. The bags are designed in Australia and finished with genuine leather. They all have nifty interior pockets, including one just for your drink bottle. I’d stash a small pair of scissors and a crochet hook inside of course.

Check out the Made Beautiful site for the full range. I’m hoping Santa brings me this striped version!

My crafty friend Thouraya has a range of vintage-inspired clothing for little ones called Amelie and Atticus. She makes adorable capes, dresses and bloomers and has two of the cutest models around. You can check out her handmade pieces at Shorties in Newton, Sydney or online in her Etsy Store. She blogs her creative adventures too. (Check out the costumes she makes!)

I made Smarty B. Panda a few years ago, when I was just starting out with crochet. It took me a few attempts to get the hang of making amigurumi (Japanese for small knitted toy), but once I figured out how to read the pattern properly Smarty B. was born. He is probably my favourite toy project to date, partly because he is so darn cute but also because he was a challenge to make at the time.

The pattern is by the talented Jess of Teddy Bear’s Wednesday and can be found in Pip Lincolne’s book Meet Me At Mike’s.

Here’s another cute panda pattern from Angie’s Art Studio. I’ve also made an amigurumi Yoda and a penguin.

Certainly since that day I didn’t have much to do with Star Wars. All that science-fictiony, fantasy-type stuff has never interested me much. Until I married a Star Wars fan. And around the same time, my young cousin developed an early appreciation for the series. When he was little I’d tell him Star Wars was “yuuuuucky!” and he’d giggle his head off. I’m not sure why he thought it was so hilarious. As he got older he’d antagonise me with Star Wars talk to see if I’d react. When I did answer with the obligitory “yucky” of course he would laugh. We still occasionally play the game. He knows when I say “yucky” in that particular tone I’m talking about Star Wars; just as I know what he is referring to when he exclaims “Uh-oh, Katie isn’t going to like this!”

I made this Yoda up as I went so there is no pattern to share. The robe is a separate piece to the body, which I sewed closed at the neck. The arms are attached to the robe only. The main body piece is a dome shape. There is flat circle on the bottom to which I sewed main part of the body. If you would like to make your own Yoda try this cute pattern by Geek Central Station.

So little cousin, here is my little birthday gift to you. An amigurumi Yoda. Yucky Yoda!

Dottie the elephant. Fabric is Summer Song by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake. Pattern by Retro Mama.

I have been trying to eat well, and working out consistently. Trying to take heed of the one piece of advice that I’ve been told so many times this year – “Look after yourself!”

Clockwise from left: Ham, cottage cheese and corn relish wrap. Cinnamon butternut pumpkin and feta salad. Steak with mustard mushroom sauce and beans. Beef fajita with natural yoghurt.

And of course I’ve baked – this week the ever-popular kitchen sink cookies and Pioneer Woman’s infamous cinnamon buns.

Here’s hoping the coming week is filled with more craftiness, good eats and a dash of good fortune!

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For – J & E’s baby, due in January. (My money is on a girl!)
Yarn – Panda Magnum Soft 8ply in white, approximately six skeins
Measurements – 100cm x 90cm
Time – About three weeks
Pattern – I made this one up. {Two (UK) trebles in one stitch, chain one, skip next stitch} repeat. The edging is a scallop pattern {Five (UK) trebles in one stitch, chain one, skip next stitch, slip stitch in next stitch, one chain} repeat.

Sweet Potato Pie

To all of my American friends and family I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving. I’m taking the holiday as a reminder to be thankful for the good people and blessings in my life.