... and all things nice

7 months

2011-08-14T09:55:00.004+10:00

7 months of:

broken sleep
mountains of washing
hundreds (maybe thousands) of nappy changes
tears
studying
hazy days
not much sewing
so little time to myself

but:
smiles
giggles
and the best cuddles ever

Anyone still out there?

2011-05-22T16:52:00.005+10:00

I just wanted to pop back in and thankyou all for your lovely messages over the past 4 and a half months and apologise for not getting back to anyone. We have settled back in Melbourne now and I am loving my time with Eloise. She has such a lovely nature and is almost always smiling which makes her a real joy to be around.

I cannot quite believe how fast time has gone and how big my littl girl is getting. At 4 months she weighed in at 6.77kg and measured 61cm (she was born at 3.1kg and 51cm) and seems to get bigger every day. She is currently learning how to use her voice and loves to scream with joy.

I'm still doing my uni degree this year so things are incredibly hectic - as if having a new baby wasn't enough! As a result, the only sewing I've done since the night before Eloise arrived was a quilt label for a friends baby quilt. However I am seriously hoping to remedy this during my mid-year break as 2 more friends are expecting little ones (including a cousin for Eloise!). Otherwise I am trying to enjoy each stage with Eloise - I'm sure there will be loads of time for sewing in the future.

an introduction and a hiatus

2011-01-14T19:14:00.001+11:00

Eloise Juliet arrived safely on January 6th, weighing 3100g (6 pounds 13 ounces) and measuring 51cm. Her arrival was text-book - no dramas and completely natural. I can't find a single bad thing to say about the care we recieved from the midwives at the RPA birth centre, it was better than I could ever have hoped for.

We are settling into life with Eloise quite well. She is feeding like a champion and is generally very placid. I feel incredibly lucky, albeit a bit sleep deprived!

In the last few weeks of my pregnancy I made a ton of stuff for Eloise - cuddle blankets, toy storage bags, I finished her quilt (in the pic above), tiny dresses and even a rattle - however I have not had the urge to write about it all here. So I am going to take a little break from my blog - my days are now filled with feeding, nappy changes and many many cuddles, which is certainly enough to keep me occupied. I hope to come back to it in the future, however I am not sure when that will be.

Thankyou for all your emails and messages - I have read them all, but have been a little busy to respond to them as quickly as I might have usually. Wishing you all a belated happy new year and hoping that 2011 brings you joy.

And with the current situation in Queensland breaking so many hearts I urge you all to support Toni's awesome effort to raise some much needed money for the people who have been affected by the flood disaster.

Christmas baking

2010-12-14T18:37:00.004+11:00

December is a wonderful time to be off work - I have so much time to make my favourite Christmas treats. Today (while wishing I was in Oprah's audience at the Opera house), I made some gingerbread men, boys and even some houses - tomorrow is decorating day.

I have finished the binding on two of my quilts and also made a few other little things for the bub too. Hopefully photos tomorrow when the light is better.

Simple things...

2010-12-07T20:10:00.006+11:00

...like my colourful pincushion, make me happy.

I'm spending my days at the moment cooking, reading and sewing. Yesterday I made banana bread, today I finished my Christmas cake and I'm hoping to make some shortbread by the end of the week. December is a really nice time to be off work - I love Christmas and I love making Christmas goodies. We won't be cutting into the Christmas cake until Christmas eve, so I suspect it might become the perfect midnight snack in the new year when I am up every 4 hours or so.

I've also been sewing the bindings on my 4 quilts - 2 presents, 1 for me and 1 for the bub. And seeing as though it's been a while since I posted my 'bump' photo, I thought I'd show you my bump from last week at 36 weeks. Although I swear I have doubled in size since then!

I've really enjoyed my pregnancy, so much so that I am a little sad that it will be over soon. It is such a special feeling to have this little one growing inside of me - but that said, I can't wait to meet her. I spend my days wondering whether she will be easy going like my husband or a little more anxious like me (!), whether she will have my blond hair or his dark hair and other little things. But it won't be too long now until I find all these things out. I still have a few more things to do, so hopefully she will wait for me to cross everything off my "to do" list before she makes her entrance!

it's off!

2010-11-28T16:10:00.000+11:00

My mod sampler is currently at the quilters. I can't wait to see it all together! This is the design I chose to match with all the daisies in the fabric.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to get a good shot of the entire quilt top as I have been getting home when the light is terrible, but once it comes back I will get a nice one.

The back turned out lovely too. It looks a little dark here, but it is quite fresh and bright. Sampson definitely approves of it!

I finished work on Friday (hooray!), so now I have 4 weeks (hopefully!) to get things ready for the little Miss, as well as some presents to finish for her soon to be friends. I have binding on 2 of them that still needs to be sewn down by hand and I am about to go sit on the couch, put my feet up and get them started.

something to cuddle

2010-11-22T07:43:00.005+11:00

Finally, a handmade toy for our little one.

Truth be told, I started this softie a very long time ago, so it was quick to finish. It was designed by Jhoanna of One Red Robin and the pattern was in Homespun (Volume 9 no 10).

I love her quilted body and big googly eyes. The only problem is, I can't think of a suitable name for her? Do you have any suggestions?

a finish!

2010-11-20T16:59:00.005+11:00

I made this taggy blanket in about an hour a couple of nights ago. It is nice to have finished something - even if it is pretty small!

A simple cotton on the front, some satin, grosgrain and gauze ribbons as well as some ric-rac, and some super cuddly minky on the back.

I struggled to find any coordinating fabric in my stash to make a patchwork front, so instead I decided to make it textured. I used the 'shrinky sheet' I bought at last years 'spring stitch-in', however my cheap and old iron is not too good at steaming, so it took quite a while to shrink!

And look at these lovelies back from the quilters yesterday - now I just have to get onto binding them all!

yummy colours

2010-11-17T17:20:00.002+11:00

I ordered this cute little fat quarter bundle with the idea of using it to make some fabric storage baskets. Imagine my delight when I opened it up to find it perfectly matches the babies quilt! Remember I said I was going to use neutrals and a splash of colour in the babies room? hmmm... I lied! I couldn't help myself - these colours are much more fun!

progress

2010-11-11T07:23:00.002+11:00

12 days left at work
6 weeks and 5 days until my due date
2 rows and outer borders left to sew

everything is coming along very quickly at the moment!

Etsy Love

2010-11-09T17:18:00.010+11:00

With the soaring Australian dollar, Etsy browsing is becoming incredibly dangerous..!

I love this storage bucket with its cute bunting (find it here)

as well as these storage bins from the same seller
and these ear-rings
and I think this teddy bear beanie is ever so cute

And I LOVE LOVE LOVE this handbag!

It is all so tempting!!!

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2010-11-01T13:29:00.004+11:00

Unfortunately, looking for a quilt for the bloggers quilt festival made me realise just how few quilts I have actually completed this year. I have a heap of quilt tops that I have finished (including 3 currently at the quilters), one that has been quilted for months and is still waiting on binding, but I think this is the only quilt I have actually finished in 2010 (not to mention any of the WIPs).

This quilt was made for Alessia - the first child of some very good friends of ours. I allowed my friend to choose the fabrics for this quilt and I was so nervous that it would not look any good once the blocks were all sewn together. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised as the quilt top came together and it did not look like the dog's breakfast I thought it might. I quilted this quilt myself which I am so proud of. It is the biggest quilt I have quilted and it was a lot of work, but I am so pleased with the results. And I have it on good authority that Alessia loves it too.

2010 has been a big year for me - a move early on, starting a new Uni course, expecting our first child and now finishing off work and planning our move home to Melbourne - so understandingly, my sewing has stalled a little. However when I think that I am 32 weeks pregnant and I have still not completed a single handmade item for our baby, it does make me a little sad! I spent yesterday working on the quilt top for our little girl. However there was a moment of sheer panic when I realised that the instructions I was following have been taken down! Thankfully, the original instructions had been cached by google and my mini crisis was averted - phew! I hope to get this quilt top finished over the next few weeks which will leave the four weeks of maternity leave prior to my due date free to make up some bibs, burp cloths and finish my crocheted blanket too.

Head here to check out all the other gorgeous quilt festival entries

Sunday

2010-10-11T06:56:00.004+11:00

Apologies for the low light photo - but in my defense, I took it at 11pm. I can't believe I stayed up past 9:30pm without feeling unwell! And I even sewed in the evening. I don't know what this pregnancy is doing to me!

I woke up yesterday morning knowing I had a pile of things I wanted to get done and a little nervous about completing any of it. However I think I managed one of my most productive days in a long time - one session of yoga completed, the weekly grocery shopping done, I wrote almost half of one of my big uni essays, a trial cake was made for my dear husbands upcoming birthday party (this one), dinners for the 2 nights we have birthing classes this week are in the fridge and two quilts and their backings were finished and ready to go off to the quilters.

So much for the vacuuming...!

I am still trying to make a decision on the quilting design for the above quilt - I am leaning towards this one which is what my windmill quilt was quilted with.

But then there is this one too - any opinions?

more yarn

2010-10-07T08:02:00.003+11:00

Our weekend away was lovely - lots of relaxing, lots of crocheting and some good food (and yes, a little football too!).

My blanket is now actually looking a bit like a blanket and I am really happy with the way it is progressing. Unfortunately I have 3 big uni assignments plus 2 trips to Melbourne before the end of the month, so I am not sure I will be doing too much crafting until November. I do have 3 quilt tops that need backs so they can be sent to the quilters ASAP, so hopefully that will happen this weekend at least!I bought some more yarn recently - a lovely organic cotton to knit up this cute little cardi (pattern info here). Thankfully (as my knitting skills are very limited!) my Aunt keeps asking for patterns that I like which she can knit for our little one. She has so far knitted a version of autumn leaves and I am about to send off this pattern and yarn for the baby kina. I can't wait to dress our little one in them!

progress

2010-09-27T07:01:00.004+10:00

I spent Saturday afternoon on the couch in front of the TV and the AFL grandfinal. Meat pies and beer (of the ginger variety for me) were consumed as the traditional meal of the day. While the game was incredibly frustrating, I managed to get a lot done on my crochet blanket. I am hoping it will be a good size for the cot or the pram.

Next weekend we are heading to the Hunter Valley for 3 days, however the impending grand final replay left us a bit nervous that my husband (an AFL reporter and diehard) would have to work again on the Saturday. But thankfully it seems he has been granted the weekend off as hoped. Now I just have to see if he can hold up his end of our 'no tv, no phones and no computers' on holiday rule! I think I will be taking my crocheting with me just in case I end up in front of the game again

more than halfway

2010-09-18T21:26:00.004+10:00

I have sewn more than half of my blocks together tonight for my mod sampler baby quilt. I am a little worried about one of my fabric pairs, but I am perservering...for now. I seem to have a lot of yellow in there... Otherwise, the blocks are looking really sweet. I am still waiting on a delivery of white fabric from my favourite store, so I won't be able to get the sashings on these blocks until then. I hope to have it finshed ASAP though so I can send it with my other quilt tops for some long arm quilting love after the school holidays.

This morning, Michael and I headed to Lakemba for some grocery shopping as well as some lunch. I'm not sure what it is, but ever since I fell pregnant I have been craving Lebanese food - and in particular, the dishes that I would eat as a child. Lunch today consisted of kafta, felafel, salad, bread and baba ghanouj at Jasmin's. Last week I made a lamb and okra stew called Yak'nit Bahmeh and after my exciting find on this mornings shopping trip, tomorrow I am making Jew's mallow or Molokhia with chicken. I wonder what it is that it causing me to crave these dishes of my childhood? It has been a great push though to finally learn how to cook these dishes which my Mother, Aunts and Grandmother have previously prepared for us. I only hope I can do these recipes justice.

The haul from our shopping trip today

25 weeks tomorrow

2010-09-14T18:03:00.004+10:00

I love my new iphone! I can even take a picture of myself easily. 25 weeks tomorrow - I can barely believe it.

PS - this is my most flattering top, I am bigger than I appear here - trust me!!

relaxed

2010-09-12T18:39:00.005+10:00

I have had a lovely, relaxing time at home this weekend. I cut out all the fabric for the blocks of my mod sampler baby quilt; I picked up some backing material for my pinwheel sampler quilt as well as for 2 of my baby quilts; I have 'booked' in 3 quilt tops for some professional quilting (surely I shouldn't crawl around on the floor to baste quilts while I am pregnant? That's my excuse anyway and I am sticking to it!); I baked some lovely brioche cinnamon pecan scrolls (even though they look rather anaemic in the photo below); and I have been playing with my new toy - an iphone 4! Hence my new look photos - courtesy of the iphone!

It has been so nice to have a relaxing weekend. We've had so many visitors recently, which is wonderful but I felt like I was constantly entertaining. I'm still prac teaching for one more week and then I only have 10 weeks left at work before I start maternity leave. I can't quite believe it is all coming along so quickly. We even start our childbirth and parenting classes in 2 weeks - eek!

There's still 15 weeks until the baby is due and my list of things to do is growing every day - my crafty list that is! I still have to cut and hem the material I bought to make sheets, I have to hem some muslin for some swaddling wraps, I need to make some bibs and burp cloths, finish my granny square blanket and I also hope to make a Sarah doll for the wall of the babies room - not to mention put the quilt together! Although I am feeling very crafty at the moment so I need to take advantage of it - maybe this is start of the 'nesting'?

bits and pieces

2010-09-08T18:50:00.004+10:00

I'm off to the Craft room tonight with my granny squares and some strawberry and coconut loaves. I'm currently in the middle of another round of prac teaching which keeps me pretty busy, but it will be nice to have an evening of crafting, chatter and nibbles.
We've had visitors staying with us for 3 of the past 4 weekends, so my sewing is progressing incredibly slowly, but I am looking forward to starting on my own version of Oh Fransson's mod sampler very soon. I want to make a quilt for my little one that will last longer than just the baby years, so I think this particular pattern will be perfect. I am going to use some fabric I have had squirreled away for quite a while now.

And from that I think you might be able to guess the sex of my little one!

tempted...

2010-09-06T07:27:00.003+10:00

Sorely tempted... I do need to do a big order of white yardage from the Fat quarter shop, but I am trying to be strong and not add these to my cart too. Boy do I love the Nate set...

now what?

2010-08-22T16:47:00.004+10:00

Sometimes it pays to be slow. With so many babies due around the same time as mine, I was getting a little nervous about the amount of sewing I had in front of me. Thankfully, my UFO basket is full of half finished quilt tops which will be perfect for these little ones!

This is a top I started when we first came to Sydney just over 3 years ago. I remember now why I never finished it, because I couldn't figure out how ... and I still can't. I'm thinking a solid light peach border followed by a dark binding. The only thing is, the quilt top is still quite small- about 30"x 33". I'm thinking of quite a thick border, maybe 3" finished? Making the finished dimensions abour 36" x 39". Is that too small? I guess it could just be a little snuggle quilt, maybe for a pram? I would add more blocks, but I barely have any of this fabric left. Otherwise this weekend, I have finally put together my pinwheel sampler quilt top. I ended up adding a scrappy border too, similar to this one, as it looked too plain without it. Now I just have to get some backing, choose a quilting pattern and send it off. I can't wait to have this one finished and on our bed. Too bad winter is almost over! But that's what happens when you are slow!
Sorry about all the dark photos lately (including these awful ones). My husband assures me he has re-set the camera for me now!

You and Me

2010-08-13T17:55:00.002+10:00

Isn't this just the most gorgeous fabric? I saw it here and immediately bought half a yard as I think it will be wonderful for the babies room. I want to keep the colours in the babies room fairly neutral, but with a few splashes of colour. I am thinking this will become a cushion perhaps...

My granny squares are slowly coming together, but with Uni in full swing at the moment my progress has been a little slower than I had hoped. But I am determined to have it finished by December!

sewing for little ones

2010-08-07T10:58:00.006+10:00

My granny squares are starting to pile up and I have recently learnt from you tube how to join them. I am really enjoying making these little squares and imagining the little fingers that will run accross them

Turns out four of my friends are also pregnant and due within a month or two of me as well as my cousin who is expecting her third! So I have lots of baby related sewing to do. A quick clean-out of my craft area led to the discovery of 3 unfinished baby quilt tops, which will definitely help, and also two orphaned quilt blocks from a quilt I made for my cousin Belle. After seeing the ridiculously overpriced taggy blankets in the shops I decided that these quilt blocks could become perfect taggy blankets.

With some satin and felt ribbons and some soft minky on the back, they were very quick little gifts to whip up. And I even got to practice my free motion quilting too. During my cleanout I discovered a shrinky sheet I purchased last year, so I hope to use that in the next one to give it a little more texture.

Now I just have to start a quilt for my little one.

granny square overload!

2010-07-20T16:59:00.003+10:00

1. Bright granny squares afghan, 2. Granny square blanket, 3. first, 4. New Colorful Flowery Blanket, 5. IMG_0975, 6. Granny A Day blanket

These pics are my current flickr faves. I have found some lovely bright wool and have started my granny squares. I am using a 4 ply merino wool and a size 5 crochet hook. I tried a 3.5mm hook first but the squares were tight and very small, but with the 5mm hook they are big and soft. My only worry is that they might stretch - does anyone know if this might be a problem? My knowledge of wool and crocheting is limited to say the least!

BIG change..

2010-07-16T08:08:00.007+10:00

Remember when I said that 2010 looked to be full of change? Well I wasn't kidding - along with our new home here in Sydney and my study, my husband and I are also expecting a special kind of Christmas present this year - one with 10 fingers and 10 toes.
To say we are excited is an understatement! I have been very lucky and not been sick at all, just VERY tired. But hopefully I am getting to the stage now when my energy should be coming back.

I bought some material last weekend to start making some wraps - some muslin and some flannelette as well as some gloriously soft minky to make a cuddle toy. Only greens, yellows and aquas at the moment as we don't know the sex, but hopefully the little one will cooperate in a few weeks time so that we can find out.

When I told my workmates I was pregnant one of the girls showed me the gorgeous crocheted hats and jackets she makes for premature babies (which she donates to hospitals), so I took the oppurtunity on one afternoon tea break to learn how to crochet! I am so happy to have finally learnt and have made myself some granny squares to practice. I am hoping to get to the shops this weekend to pick up some soft baby yarn to make a special blanket.

And to add to the change, we are also planning our return to Melbourne early next year too. My life really doesn't feel right if I don't have a million things going on at once!

Glee - how I love thee

2010-07-09T19:21:00.005+10:00

I am so sad that my favourite show Glee has finished. I love this show - it's so witty and cheeky, and so much fun!

This was a highlight for me last night (and Finn telling Rachel he loved her AND Mr Schu telling Emma he loved her!)- I have loved this song since my Dad made me watch To Sir with love as a young girl

Is anyone else addicted to Glee?

My husband has kindly cleared his work stuff from our spare room this evening and I am planning a weekend of sewing and cooking. Just what I need to recharge.
Have a good weekend!

My new favourite store

2010-06-21T22:16:00.004+10:00

I discovered the Liberty store on my very first day in London - wow! Why don't we have a Liberty store in Sydney?

It is probably a good thing though, I could spend a lot of money here!

I was very restrained and just bought one roll of pre-washed, pre loved, super soft fabric - the pink, purple, blue roll in the middle of this photo. The cost was insane if I convert it from pounds into dollars, so I won't. But it was so pretty I couldn't leave without it!

I'm still here

2010-05-27T07:37:00.004+10:00

It's the end of the uni semester and I have 4 assignments all due next week. I am feeling a little snowed under right now, but I have 2 finished and the other 2 started so it's not all bad.

I am also heading away in just over a week for a conference for work and then to see my sister in London! So while i am desperate to get to my sewing machine, I just can't seem to find the time. I have placed a pattern and some material next to our desk so I am constantly being reminded of what is waiting for me when I finish all my homework!

Otherwise, I am looking forward to a BIG day of craft later in June with all the Craft Room girls. I have a couple of quilts that need binding which I think will be perfect for that day.

PS - I LOVED my teaching round and am so excited to be moving my life in a new direction. I just wish I could start full time already! Thanks for your lovely wishes on my last post

back to school...

2010-05-02T16:35:00.006+10:00

Tomorrow is the day. I am going back to high school - but this time as a teacher (well a student/training teacher!). I am pretty nervous, but also incredibly excited about my first placement. I am almost certain that I made the right choice by going back to uni to change my career, and I hope that these coming few weeks cement that certainty. I can't wait for tomorrow to come so I can get started!

We've been doing a bit of cooking this weekend including these 'blondies'. I had never had a blondie before but I had a bag of butterscotch chips that my sister-in-law had bought for me in the US, and this was the first recipe I found that used them. They have a lovely chewy edge and the coconut is a great addition - but they are very sweet! Although I suspect they will be great for my school lunch box tomorrow, the perfect morning tea treat for my first day.

Chewy, Chunky Blondies

2 cups plain flour (I used wholemeal)
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt / fleur de sel
225g butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups (packed) light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup shredded coconut

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C. Butter and line a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add both sugars and beat for another 3 minutes, or until well incorporated.

Add the eggs one by one, beating for 1 minute after each addition, then beat in the vanilla.

Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing just until they disappear into the batter. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the chips, nuts and coconut.

Scrape the batter into the buttered pan and use the spatula to even the top as best you can.

Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center of the blondies comes out clean. The blondies should pull away from the sides of the pan a little and the top should be a nice honey brown. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for about 15 minutes before turning the blondies out onto another rack. Invert onto a rack and cool the blondies to room temperature right side up, before cutting into squares or bars

Recipe from Dorie Greenspan, Baking: From My Home to Yours

I have a fear of triangles...part 2

2010-04-26T20:59:00.005+10:00

Well my sewing mojo has well and truly returned and I spent much of the weekend at my machine. Although Rachel's quilt along began 9 weeks ago, I started on Saturday and have managed to get all 16 blocks done. Not bad for someone with triangle phobia!

A few of my favourite blocks

Pretend those loose threads aren't there please!

I don't think I'll make Rachel's 2 week challenge to get it all together, quilted and bound, but hopefully I'll at least have the top together in the next fortnight. I think I'll go with white sashing and cornerstones - maybe mini pinwheels.

I'm also thinking I might have this one quilted professionally as the thought of stippling over those bulky seams is a little scary. But I'm not sure whether to go with an all over design or have something different for each block - ideas?

I have a fear of triangles...

2010-04-25T09:30:00.001+10:00

So I started a quilt comprised almost entirely of triangles. Nothing like facing a fear head on. I really love pinwheel quilts so I decided it was about time I make my own. I am following Rachel's pinwheel sampler tutorial and using a hunky dory layer cake.

This is what our desk looked like yesterday while I made a start on this quilt - I think I need a bigger desk!

lucky girl!

2010-04-24T21:44:00.003+10:00

Check out what Sarah sent me! I won a retrospective giveaway on her blog, so Sarah sent me the maroon brooch. And I purchased the aqua one from her too - aren't they gorgeous?

I'll be back with some sewing pictures tomorrow.

Under the sea...

2010-04-08T21:10:00.003+10:00

Some sewing over the weekend - no idea where this is going as yet, but I'll see where it takes me. I usually plan my quilts, but I thought I might just play with this one, and I am really enjoying it. I am also taking notes and photos, so perhaps it may become a tutorial in the future...or maybe I'll even get up the courage to submit it to a magazine...

I also had another go at some macarons and I really think I am getting there, although the tops weren't as smooth as last time. Same recipe, but this time I substituted 35g of almond meal for cocoa, and made a dark salted chocolate buttercream to fill them. Seriously yum!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T08:57:00.002+10:00

The Easter bunny was very generous in our house this morning - you'd think there were kids living here, but this stash is for 2 (childish perhaps?) adults!

I hope you are having a wonderful long weekend!

French Macarons - take 1

2010-04-02T13:00:00.001+11:00

Inspired by Lisa's French baking and my workmate Anita's delicious macarons of the pistachio variety - I decided to have a go at the infamous French macaron (with Tilly's help of course!).

To say I was nervous about making these is an understatement! Googling "French Macarons" reveals a multitude of pages about the intricacies of baking these gorgeous biscuits. So I read and read and read. I found many different recipes and even pages on troubleshooting. Then I decided to give it a shot - and I was pretty stoked with the result! Their 'feet' were a little splayed, and the inside a little sticky, but otherwise they were great. The troubleshooting guide tells me that my oven was probably a little too warm - file that away for next time.

I used the basic recipe from macaron extraordinaire Tartlette, with no colouring or flavouring in the biscuit. And I made a chilli chocolate butter cream with which to fill them.

FIngers crossed I can perfect them next time.

Done and dusted

2010-04-01T07:50:00.001+11:00

It's done! Less than 2 weeks after the baby was born, I sewed on the label and finished it! My running name for this quilt was Katya's baby quilt, after the Mum-to-be, but now it is Alessia's baby quilt!

Of course, as soon as I finished it, Sydney has had nothing but grey days which made it an absolute bugger to take photos of. I couldn't take any outside! But I am happy with how the quilt turned out - even with my uncertainty about all those patterns!

And I have really fallen for pieced backs and I'm so glad I pieced this one. It really brightens it up. I'm not thrilled with the backing fabric as from afar it almost looks like a solid, and doesn't look to match.

But up close you can see all the cute polka dots in the backing and the binding fabrics.

I hope Alessia (and her Mum) like it!

almost.... there...

2010-03-27T14:52:00.002+11:00

This quilt has been a bit of a saga hasn't it? But it is bound and washed (with beautiful crinkles - thankyou all for the tips!), and I am just about to sew on the label I finished embroidering this morning...

Full pictures soon - I promise!

got binding?

2010-03-20T14:01:00.003+11:00

The quilting is all done, now it's just the binding to go on - and the baby arrived yesterday!

Here is the recipe - brownies with peanut butter chips!

2010-03-18T17:26:00.000+11:00

Let me start with a warning - this has to be one of the most unhealthy treats I have EVER made! Although, my husband declared "there is no doubt that these are the best brownies in the world. You are a total baking legend".... I guess that speaks for itself!

I dare you not to make them! The recipe is a little more involved than a normal brownie recipe, but it is so worth it.

1 cup plain flour
1/2 tsp fleur de sel (normal salt is fine too)
225g butter, chopped
230g dark chocolate, chopped or broken into pieces
2 cups white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 cup peanut butter chips (or I would use white chocolate chips - or none at all and stick by the original recipe, Aussies - you can purchase peanut butter chips here)

preheat the oven to 180º C (160º C fan forced). Put a 9 inch square baking pan on a baking sheet and spray lightly. Line with baking paper if you wish.

Whisk flour and salt together in a bowl.

Set a heat proof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water, put the butter and chocolate in. Stir frequently until the ingredients are just melted-you don’t want them to get so hot that the butter separates. Add 1 cup of the sugar and whisk gently just to incorporate it, then remove the bowl from the pan of water. Stir in the vanilla and transfer to a large bowl.

Lightly whisk together the remaining cup of sugar and the 4 eggs. Then add half of this sugar-egg mixture to the warm chocolate, stirring very gently, but without stopping so that you don't end up with scrambled eggs in your chocolate!

Beat the reaming sugar and egg mixture on medium-high for about 3 minutes, or until it doubles in volume and is nice and fluffy. Using a spatula, gently fold the whipped eggs into the chocolate, stopping just short of blending them in completely.

Sprinkle the flour/salt mix and the peanut butter or chocolate chips over the batter and delicately fold them in, working only until they disappear. Scrape the batter into your prepared pan.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top looks dry (warning - I cooked mine for 40 mins and the centre pieces were still gooey and quite uncooked - similar to this, which I am assured is actually ok, but you might want to cook it a little longer)

Allow the brownies to cool in the pan and refrigerate before cutting.

Makes 16-20

Recipe from Baking from my home to yours, Dorie Greenspan (Rick Katz's brownies for Julia)

Enjoy (and don't blame me when you can't stop eating them - I warned you!)

apologies for the not so great photos - we couldn't wait to tuck in!

couch potato

2010-03-17T11:27:00.004+11:00

hi all, still not too much sewing here - just finishing off the quilting on the baby quilt (so much for being almost done 3 weeks before the baby was due, she's now 5 days overdue and it's still not done!). I have been doing lots of studying though - I have 2 essays due in 2 weeks time which are keeping me very busy. I think once my assignments are off, the sewing will come more easily.

I have enjoyed being a couch potato of late though and have seen some good movies and read some more books. This movie in particular was fantastic, I loved every minute of it (and I adored the clothes in this too - they were very cute). I also saw Julie and Julia - a great movie about food and blogging, which made me want to do lots of cooking.

Right now I am thinking about brownies with peanut butter chips.... stay tuned!

trying to get my groove back

2010-03-11T17:25:00.001+11:00

so much inspiration from others. look at all these lovelies...

1. Lila's Quilt - Back, 2. not finished but growing!, 3. Mabel Monkey, 4. 23 Avril 2009 003, 5. Scrapbuster Quilt, 6. Pinwheel Quilt Top - Almost Done, 7. Mod Sampler Quilt along, 8. Snippets Windmills, 9. DSCN1336, 10. nicey jane quilt front again, 11. Gelati Log Cabin, 12. Pincushions, 13. Flower on shelf, 14. scrappy x is progressing like a champ!, 15. Quilt Top Made from Blocks Received from Sweet Dreams Quilting Bee Quilters!, 16. AvaRose#14

have you seen my sewing mojo?

2010-03-01T17:34:00.000+11:00

It is missing. Gone. Hence the lack of posts around here.

So I did a little baking yesterday instead. This is one of my favourite biscuit recipes which I make quite often. I haven't gotten used to the new oven yet, so they came out a little dark - but still great nonetheless.

But this time they had a little something extra in them along with the chocolate chips. My sister-in-law brought me these during her recent trip trip to the US. I not only have peanut butter chips, but butterscotch chips and cinnamon chips as well as toffee pieces. Seriously yummy!

Right now all I want to do is read. I've read two wonderful books in the past few weeks - The Book Thief, By Markus Zusak and The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. Great great stories.

However today is officially my first day back at Uni - so this is how I spent last night. I found my first readings really interesting, but my first assignment is due in four weeks! Eek! It's full steam ahead now.

half done

2010-02-19T08:00:00.004+11:00

and the baby isn't due for 3 weeks! This must be a record for me. I bet she makes an early entrance...

crinkles and washing

2010-02-16T17:23:00.001+11:00

How do you wash your quilts? I have been washing mine in cold water and then hanging them over a clothes airer to dry, but they don't seem to get that lovely crinkly texture of others quilts.

Should I be washing them with warm water or using the dryer to get those crinkles happening?

Is now the right time to tell you that I am one of those naughty people who never pre-washes fabric, but will hold their breath while the quilt is in the washing machine, petrified my hard work will be ruined? But still I don't pre wash. I will test a tiny piece of dark colours or reds in hot water though, does that make it ok?

What do you do?

it's oh so quiet...

2010-02-12T07:23:00.003+11:00

Where did the time go? A week and a half since my last post has just flown. A big weekend last one with two shows (Tim Freedman and Wicked) and a friend visiting from Boston, so there has been no sewing for a while now... my fingers are getting itchy! I suspect I will remedy it this weekend - and hopefully return with a more interesting post next week. For now I'll just leave you with a picture of Tim... lovely!

Picture from the Adelaide Advertiser

Have a great weekend!

Mad Hatters Tea Party

2010-02-03T07:41:00.004+11:00

Our move is almost finished now. We still have a pile of empty boxes waiting to go out, but I think we have almost unpacked everything now. Unfortunately with the move I didn't get my quilt finished for the baby shower on the weekend, but it will (should!) definitely be done by the time the baby arrives in March.

The baby shower / mad hatters tea party was lots of fun. One of the girls organised these gorgeous (and really yummy!) cupcakes from Cupcake Occasion in South Yarra.

I made a bunch of tea wallets to hold our teabags and for people to take home (there is a really simple tutorial here that I used). It only took me a few hours to make 16 of them. I also made a little toy for the baby, but I completely forgot to take a picture of it. Great simple idea though that I will definitely use again.

Everyone also got a sweet teapot tape measure.

I didn't get pictures of all the little details - like tags saying "Eat me" tied to teacups full of lollies or "drink me" on the teapots, teapots full of flowers or silver stands piled with sweet treats, but the effort one particular friend went to was amazing.

I have the best friends and it was great to have a girly afternoon with them.

Change

2010-01-27T07:46:00.001+11:00

2010 looks to be a year of changes for me and my little family. It started on Friday night with our move. We have almost finished bringing everything over to the new place, just some plants and the BBQ are left to come across. I have to say, doing the majority of the moving on Saturday - when it reached 41 degrees in Sydney - was tough. It was made even tougher by the set of stairs everything had to be brought down, and the two flights of stairs it all had to be carried up.

The new place is looking great. I am loving the big screen door on the balcony which allows an abundance of fresh air into the house. I love the fly screens on the windows which stop the mosquitoes. I love having a dining room where we can put a table so we no longer have to eat dinner on the couch. Simple things can make a place so much nicer.

Another change for me this year...

I have decided to go back to Uni. After 8 and a half years of Uni previously and less than 3 years in the workforce, I have decided to try another career. I knew halfway through my postgraduate degree that I wasn't going to be happy being a scientist in the long term, but I pushed through and completed my degree. Partly because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. And I like to finish things that I start. Also because I didn't want anyone to think I couldn't do it.

So I have decided to do a Graduate Diploma of Education to become a secondary school science teacher. Working with teenage girls last year in the SISTER2sister program was tough, but so rewarding. Having thought about teaching for a long time, these girls helped to cement my decision. I am really excited about this new direction. The degree will take me two years so I still have some research in me, but it is a start - and I can't wait to get started.

Please meet Tilly!

2010-01-22T07:25:00.011+11:00

My shiny new pink KitchenAid!

She came out of the box for a photo, but then went straight back in ready for our move this weekend. I think her first test will be Karen Martini's pizza dough.

I hope we will become good friends.

Quilt top - check

2010-01-18T17:26:00.000+11:00

Even with all the packing we did on the weekend, I managed to get this quilt top finished. The sun shining through it distorts the colours a little, but I am pretty happy with how it is looking. It's much nicer than when the blocks were separate that's for sure. I really enjoyed piecing this quilt as it was simple and quick which allowed me to see results quickly (yes, I am impatient!). I put it together from 16 fat quarters and some white yardage. I do love quilts that use lots of fat quarters as they tend to be the predominant pieces in my stash.

Only 4 days until our move and I can dismantle mount cardboard! Thank God!

And today is Sampson's 5th birthday - happy birthday little man!

chaos

2010-01-13T07:36:00.001+11:00

Chaos and hot weather - not a nice combination! We are moving in a week and a half, not too far, just a few streets down in fact, but the packing and organisation is still the same as a big move. Our lounge room looks like a cardboard monster threw up in it and my sewing room...let's not go there.

I am heading to Melbourne at the end of the month for a baby shower and I really wanted to have my present finished to take with me. So I can't pack my sewing machine, or the fabrics I need, which is fine - but now I have no room to baste the thing because the floor is covered in boxes! We get the keys to the new place late one afternoon, so I wonder if I can convince my husband that before we move in, that I need to use the wide open floor to baste my quilt??

I am a bit nervous about this quilt. I let my friend choose the fabrics as our tastes are so very different. As I was sewing the blocks together I started to get very worried, individually, some of them are not so pretty at all. However I am hoping (and crossing everything), that when they are all together that it will look ok.

Last night in the heat I decided it would be a good idea to do some baking. The apartment is still about 10 degrees warmer than it is outside, but I do have some beautiful salted chocolate cookies to show for it.

Craft room girls - these are for tonight!

World Peace Cookies

1¼ cups plain flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

½ tsp baking soda

155g unsalted butter, at room temperature (it really does need to be soft for this recipe as there are no other wet ingredients)

2/3 cup (packed) light brown sugar

¼ cup sugar
½ tsp fleur de sel or ¼ tsp fine sea salt

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

140g dark chocolate, chopped

Sift the flour, cocoa and baking powder together. Beat the butter until soft and creamy. Add both sugars, the salt and vanilla extract and beat for another 2 minutes. Pour in the dry ingredients and mix just until the flour just disappears into the dough- don’t be concerned if the dough looks a little crumbly. Add the chocolate pieces and mix just to incorporate. Turn half the dough out onto a piece of cling wrap on the bench. Shape the dough into a log of 4cm in diameter. Wrap the cling wrap around the log and refrigerate or freeze for at least 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 160˚C. Using a sharp knife, slice the logs into rounds that are 1 cm thick. (The rounds are likely to crack and break as you’re cutting them- don’t be concerned, just squeeze the bits back onto each cookie.) Arrange the rounds onto baking paper lined trays, leaving about 3cm between them. Bake for 12 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool.

recipe from Baking From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan

December daily - 13 to 19

2010-01-07T17:56:00.001+11:00

I was really organised with my December Daily journal - I finished all the pages before we left for Melbourne and took some glue, scissors and a pen with me with every intention of finishing it off but, it never left my suitcase!

I am almost done now though - I just have to get my last few days of photos printed.

But here's Dec 13-19 which are (almost) done!

Dec 13 - carols by candlelight in the local park

Dec 14 - making Kris Kringle presents

Dec 15 and 16a - Christmas parties (15 still needs a photo)

Dec 16b and 17 - Christmas feast and presents for my sister

Dec 18 - a leisurely night at home and Dec 17 - picnic in the park - also awaiting a photo.

I've really enjoyed doing this little journal, it certainly helped make Christmas a little more special. I can't wait to finish it off this weekend.

Spoilt

2010-01-06T07:34:00.001+11:00

I was very lucky this Christmas - some of my favourite presents were:

Karen Martini's second book - Cooking at home - from my parents. I think I am going to love this one as much as I loved the first one - I've been home for 4 nights and already cooked 2 meals from it!

A gift voucher from my in-laws...

for Patchwork on Central Park!

I used it to get some gorgeous Japenese fairytale fabric and Amy Butler's pattern for Gumdrop pillows.

I also got the book "The Art of Happiness" by the Delai Lama - from my brother-in-law and his wife, and a Sydney/Melbourne 'Taste' voucher from my sister and her boyfriend which can be used at a number of restaraunts, bars and cafes.

And somehow, I also got 5 blocks of chocolate! 3 different varieties of Lindt and 2 fruit and nut...

See - seriously spoilt!!

Home again, home again...

2010-01-03T16:43:00.004+11:00

Why do car trips always seem so much longer on the way home? We drove home to Sydney yesterday from Melbourne, and after dinner and a glass of red it was lovely to get into my own bed again. We picked up Sampson today from his holiday at the cattery and he is incredibly smoochy - it has been lovely!

And now I'm finally settling in for some late afternoon sewing... just what I need to relax after a busy, but wonderful time away.

I forgot to upload these photos before I went away, but these are the presents I sent to Emily for Chookyblue's SSCS.

This sweet bag was designed by Leanne Beasley

And this little angel was from a pattern in Homespun (and of course, I can't find the issue right now because I am looking for it!)

And of course I had to make one for myself too

SSCS gift

2009-12-26T09:35:00.001+11:00

My SSCS presents came from Marica in Sweden. I must say, I have been very spoilt! Marica made 2 beautiful Christmas stockings and also sent a Tilda stitchery and threads and a bundle of Christmas fabric too.

Aren't these stockings gorgeous? They match so many of my other handmade decorations too.

The stockings are wonderfully made. And Marica's hand stitching is beautiful - so tiny and perfect!

And the Tilda stitchery - I squeeled with delight when I opened the package because you can't find these in Australia (at least, not that I know of). The design and threads are very much in the style I love - absolutely perfect!

Here's a (bad!) picture of the back of the pack showing the stitchery design. It is so pretty...

Thankyou so so much Marica! I feel so lucky that you have made these for me, and all the extras - the stitchery, threads and the fabrics - were so very generous of you. I can't thank you enough for your generosity and the happiness these presents have brought me.

I think I will be smiling for days!

From my little family to yours...

2009-12-25T08:30:00.001+11:00

These photos are from the amazing SSCS presents that I received from Marica - I am overwhelmed by her generosity and am so grateful for all the work she has put into these presents - more photos to come soon!

last minute rush...

2009-12-22T21:35:00.001+11:00

There's been some furious last minute sewing here the past two nights...

I made this skirt last weekend (a Make it Perfect pattern) and have just finished adjusting the ties so I can wear it to the cricket on boxing day (I remembered to shorten the skirt length but not the ties - doh!). And I finally figured out what to make for my little cousins - little appliqued t-shirts! I just bought some plain coloured t-shirts and then free motion appliqued some little pics on the front of them - so simple.

A sunbonnet sue for Bonnie...

A butterfly for Yasmeen...

A bee for Belle...

Ladybirds for Lily...

And a sad kitten who went off to the cattery today for his Christmas holiday.

Tomorrow we are up early for a ROAD TRIP (!) to Melbourne for Christmas with family and friends.

The joy of giving...

2009-12-20T14:38:00.001+11:00

Giving. With no expectation of anything in return. Not even a thankyou.

This year we decided that we had to re-evaluate our reasons for giving Christmas presents. Last year I was very disheartened when one of the presents I had spent some time putting together was barely even unwrapped before being placed aside. I had to prompt the recipient to continue opening the packaging because there was more in there that they hadn't even gotten to.

Afterwards, I started to think about why I had given this person a present in the first place.
Was it because I felt I had to?
Or because I wanted a thankyou and a present in return?
Or because I wanted to give them something nice that they would enjoy?

I realised it was a bit of all three. I felt I had to buy them a present, and I expected at least a thankyou in return, but the effort I went to putting the present together was because I wanted to ensure it was something they would enjoy.

So this year I have decided that the frustration and even resentment that I felt after observing their response to my present was not worth it. And so this Christmas we are giving presents simply because we want to. For the simple pleasure of giving. In the knowledge that we have spent time thinking about what each person would like and enjoy. And I'm not going to give the presents that I have felt that I have to give. This year, the only presents I will be giving are the ones I want to give. And I don't expect anything in return.

I don't for one second think that it will be as easy as that. If I am faced with a situation similar to last years, I'm sure I will get frustrated. But I hope to be able to quickly remind myself of my motives, and then move on.

And so today I began my giving. Another pointy kitty went looking for a home today in Inner West Sydney as part of the Toy Society Worldwide Christmas drop. I was drop #36 and the last time I checked there was over 50 drops reported. All those toys being dropped in the hope that someone will rescue them, and knowing that you may never know what happened to them or even hear from the recipient. But I did it because I wanted to. And I hope someone gets as much joy from Miss pointy kitty as I have.

hot + not

2009-12-18T13:30:00.001+11:00

HOT

Heather Bailey's new fabric range - Nicey Jane. I would love to find a fat quarter bundle of this under my Christmas tree. I think it would make a great quilt for my bed.

Christmas parties, picnic lunches and cricket in the park.

Mini Christmas puddings - I've made two batches so far and plan to make at least another one this weekend.

Finiding lots of inspiration for a mad hatters tea party themed baby shower on Etsy

This stop sign near my home, I almost wet myself laughing the first time I saw it. It still makes me smile every time I stop at it.

NOT

2 mores days of work before we head down to Melbourne for Christmas

Blisters from my shiny new red shoes

Lack of time - I have so many things to do before we leave for Melbourne. 4 Christmas presents to finish, 1 toy to stuff for the Toy Society worldwide Christmas drop this weekend, bags to pack, presents to wrap, December journal to finish... But I will have a lot of fun this weekend doing it all!

More hot and nots over here...

Last minute Christmas pressies - Cookies for Santa

2009-12-15T11:50:00.002+11:00

I prepared some Kris Kringle presents last night for todays work Christmas picnic. I saw the idea first on Bakerella and then a Christmas version on Make it Do. I think it's a great idea and much nicer than a box of chocolates. The first time I did it, I put the sugar on top of the M&Ms like the others have, but it fell through, so this time I played it safe and put the sugar nearer the bottom. Unfortunately I couldn't find only red and green M&Ms, even the Christmas packs were filled with all colours, but I put in regular size and minis. These only took me 15 mins to put together which was a bonus. I hope the recipient likes them.

December daily update

2009-12-13T14:18:00.002+11:00

I've been trying hard to stay up to date with my December daily album and I am really enjoying it! My scrapbooking isn't too elaborate, but I am happy with the way it is turning out.

I do wish I had my own printer though - it would make things so much easier!

The tree on Dec 4 is made from a brown satin ribon, some olive green ribbon and felt. I really like the different textures and want to try to incorporate more ribbons, trims and fabric into my pages.

Dec 10 is still waiting on a photo of my new red shoes that I bought to wear with my new dress on Christmas day.

Dec 12, which I put together this morning is definitely my favourite page so far. I'm not sure if you can tell in these photos, but Sampson has been sleeping with his head on my SSCS presents!

As you can see, I finally found some rings to bind my album. I had been searching for "binder rings", but I found out they are actually called "book rings". As soon as I changed my google search I was able to find loads of them.

This week I really have to start putting some Christmas presents together. I haven't even worked out what to make for three of my four little cousins, let alone started on anything. Although I am leaning towards making them each a kidlet, as I know from last time I made one, it was simple and quick to put together.

This week I have a couple of Christmas parties to go to, including a lunch for our research group at Aria. I am seriously excited - I have been wanting to eat there for a while, so it will be nice to do so when someone else is picking up the bill!

And tonight we are off to the local Carols by Candlelight. The Salvation army band played some carols in our street on Wednesday night which was a lovely warm-up for tonight.

It is definitely starting to feel like Christmas...!

Gifts (of the non-Christmas variety)

2009-12-08T18:58:00.002+11:00

I am 2 months late with the quilt for my baby cousin Lily...better late than never hey?

I used a honey bun of "Swanky" fabric (which I got for $13 on sale!) and a pattern from Moda bakeshop. Can you spot the pea?

I'm pretty happy with my quilting on this one (although this photo is pretty shitty). When I compare it to my first attempt at free motion quilting - it is a lot better. Just got to do some practice.

I also finished off another pointy kitty - this one is for my cousin Belle for her 1st birthday.

Tomorrow night I am off to the craft room... with a stack of fabric, a rotary cutter, some tea and Christmas pudding!

Sunday stash & December daily

2009-12-06T18:35:00.009+11:00

The range "Feedsack Melody" is the new fabric in my stash. One of my close friends is pregnant with her first child and knowing that we have quite different tastes, I asked her to choose the fabrics for a quilt.

Not my usual style or colours, but I do love these sweet birdsI've also made a start on my December daily album. However I still can't find any rings to bind my album. I've tried Officeworks plus K-mart and Target and also Lincraft... Does anyone know where I can find them?I'm not limiting my entries to Christmas, but documenting the 25 days... although I suspect the vast majority will be about Christmas!!

SSCS handmade ornaments

2009-12-05T07:58:00.005+11:00

I woke this morning to hear that the parcel I sent to the US for Chookyblue's SSCS had been recieved!

I made presents for Emily, including these 2 ornaments which she has already put on her Christmas tree! If you head to he blog, she has lots of gorgeous handmade goodies on her tree, so I hope these fit right in.

I have had to borrow these photos from Emily's blog (sorry!) because I didn't take any photos of the ornaments I sent without the other presents in the background - oops!

I hope you like them Emily!

PS - the pattern for the gingerbread man can be found here - they are super quick to make, and would be a great last minute present.

15 minutes of fame...

2009-12-03T18:24:00.003+11:00

Another cheeky picture in the Homespun mailbag pages -can you tell I love this magazine?

Here's a closer picture of my version of Dear Fii's Pepper doll.

SSCS presents received!

2009-12-02T10:20:00.001+11:00

Look what arrived on my doorstep yesterday - all the way from Sweden! My presents from Chookyblue's Christmas swap!

Marica is my secret santa (got to love return addresses!) and she made me this lovely ornament with a beaded tassle on the end! Thanks Marica! I've put it up with the first of our Christmas cards that also arrived yesterday.

I can't wait to open the others on Christmas morning!

what are husbands good for?

2009-11-30T08:12:00.007+11:00

They help you remove the cover plate on your sewing machine when you don't have the strength to turn the screws yourself.

Which helps turn this disgusting mess...

into this

They cook a beautiful dinner so that you can keep sewing and bring you a gin and tonic while dinner is being cooked...

AND they watch you quietly while you stamp your feet and swear like a sailor when your quilting won't work and THEN figure out what you have been doing wrong that has been frustrating you for months...

What on earth would I do without him?

wrapped and sent

2009-11-27T09:47:00.005+11:00

My pressies for Chookyblue's SSCS have been sent... I wonder where they are headed?!!

Now it's time to get onto my December Daily journal. I've set up my stuff on the kitchen table which I plan to take over for the next month. My poor husband, he thinks it is just for tonight...!

And make sure you pop on over to the gorgeous Retromummy blog - where Corrie is having a giveaway!

a weekend in the mountains

2009-11-26T17:25:00.001+11:00

We had such a lovely time in the Blue Mountains last weekend - probably because it was cooler there than it was in Sydney! We stayed in a lovely cottage and we slept late on both days - it was bliss!

We visited the Jenolan Caves - and it has to be one of the coolest things I've been to in Australia! The caves and the formations within them were simply awesome and I can't wait to go back and explore some more of them.

We spent an afternoon wandering around Katoomba where we came accross many lamp posts, street signs and even bike racks adorned with knitted or crocheted decorations - very cool!

And my darling husband made me breakfast on both days... Gotta love him!

This weekend we are planning to start our Christmas shopping - I'm counting down now until we leave for our 2 week break in Melbourne!

What have I got myself in for?

2009-11-23T19:41:00.006+11:00

As if I have enough time for another project... Don't we all know that feeling?!

I blame Janelle. Her December Daily Christmas journal was so gorgeous last year. So, now I want to create my own.

Any one else want to join in? There is info here, here, here and here.

disclaimer: I am not a scrapbooker - but that should make it fun! My previous best attempt at scrapbooking can be seen here and here...

hot + not

2009-11-19T07:22:00.009+11:00

Picture credit

HOT

Finally working out Skype and having an hour long face to face chat with my sister last night - yay!

A weekend in the Blue Mountains this weekend for some relaxation and some exploring (although not our first choice, see my NOT list below)

Tetsuya's marinated Crystal bay prawns - seriously yummy! All the food was yummy, but the 10 course matching wine menu had me feeling a little worse for wear yesterday! I'm glad I finally used my K.Rudd stimulus money though - having it sitting in a little envelope at home for so long was tempting me to spend it elsewhere!

Having arts and craft nights with my new workmates (interspersed with the occasional cooking night!). It's nice to make friends with people with similar interests.

The ever rising Australian dollar. Not good for our exports, but good for material shopping from the US.

NOT

Coming up to our long awaited weekend in the Hunter Valley and finding out our accomodation has been double booked, and given to the other people. Plus, there is a big event on there that weekend and we couldn't get any other accomodation - grrr! So, Blue Mountains it is...

The price of hairdressers when you live in the inner city. I refuse to pay $180 for colour only... Au naturel will suit me just fine thanks.

The few weeks left before Christmas - I haven't even made my Christmas cake, let alone any presents!

Not having anyone to go see New Moon with. I will be strong and head in on my own (although I suspect I could probably convince a workmate to see it a second time!)

More hot + not lists here

Dance!

2009-11-17T06:55:00.004+11:00

This year I took part in a program called SISTER2sister - a mentoring program for teenage girls. The girls finished up their year long commitment to the program on Saturday with a graduation ceremony in the city which was lots of fun. So I made my little sister a present to commemerate the year and to give her something to remember it all by.

Her bedroom is decorated in hot pink and green - so it was easy to find fabrics in my stash to match. The butterfly was the symbol of the program, so it was an easy choice for the applique.

She seemed pretty happy with her cushion and even asked me where I had gotten it made. I think she was a bit excited when I told her that I had made it!

I also gave her a copy of the book "Girl Stuff" by Kaz Cooke. After a bit of a read, I would really reccommend it for young, teenage girls - it covers everything from puberty, friends, family and relationships to drugs, alcohol, mental illness and many others. And it does it in a really accessible way for young people. There are lots of cheeky cartoons and funny sayings in it. I wanted to read the whole thing myself!

Tonight my husband and I, along with his twin brother and his wife are off to Tetsuya's for dinner! It is constantly voted in Australia's top 5 best restaraunts and has even made the top 10 world list for a number of years - I can't wait! We made our booking 6 months ago, so it has been a long time coming!

And tomorrow I'd better finish off the last of my present for Chookblue's SSCS - only a few days to go now!

what I am dreaming of...

2009-11-11T00:00:00.001+11:00

1. Having fun in the sun, getting laid in the shade, 2. Whitsundays, 3. Bling, 4. Bathing Box, Mornington

Apologies for the name of the first pic! I just realised what it was (I didn't name it, don't blame me!)

Christmas sewing

2009-11-09T07:42:00.005+11:00

Have you started yours yet? Everytime I visit Chookyblue's blog and see her countdown, I freak out a little bit! Christmas is actually quite soon!

I spent the whole weekend sewing and this is all I can show you - just a sneak peek of part of my present for the SSCS swap.

I hope you had a good weekend with lots of sewing!

what do your flickr faves say about you?

2009-11-07T08:44:00.001+11:00

1. fabric stash, 2. Cleaned off the sewing table, 3. progress in the studio 1, 4. little garden pin cushion, 5. Hello Kitty Redwork Quilt Top 2008, 6. Printers Tray, 7. Heaven, 8. My throne, 9. fada, 10. Olivia the cat, 11. va, 12. Where the crafting happens Trois, 13. Where the crafting happens Trois, 14. plate rack, 15. A Doll's House, 16. Grandmother's Flower Garden

I think mine say:

* I would like a bigger fabric stash

* I would love my own, organised sewing space

* I would like my own cosy, comfy house

* I like pretty, girly things

What do your flickr faves say about you?

Hot + Not

2009-11-05T07:12:00.002+11:00

We're half way through the week again!? These weeks are flying by... It's going to be Christmas soon (eek!)

Hot

Stitching! I have definitely gotten back into the stitching groove this week and have done a few hand projects on the train. And last night I got started on a present for my "little sister". Her bedroom is bright pink and green so hopefully this will match!

Glee - I am a Gleek. I admit it. I love the satire. I love Sue. It makes me laugh so much because the humour is so very wrong - love it!

Finally having the courage to make my own designs...

A husband with a new BBQ book. He asked if he could cook me a BBQ on the weekend- Sure thing!

Deadlines - I have to get my SSCS present for Chookyblue's swap finished and sent in just over 2 weeks! I can't keep putting it off and the deadline has dragged me to my sewing machine - which isn't all that bad really!

Bonne Maman jam - it is soooo good! It tastes like homemade jam and not that crap, jelly-like seedless junk you get from the supermarket. I made scones recently just because we had this jam. It is seriously delish!

Not

Colds. I had Monday and half of Tuesday off work this week. I am still feeling pretty rotten, but I have too many things that I am in the middle of at work to take any more time off. Although being able to watch the full first season of Grey's Anatomy on Monday was fun!

Hot weather and Sydney's trains - they just don't mix. Disgusting.

Being the only one in blog land not solely using designer fabric!? Am I the only one who still buys material from Spotlight or other small fabric stores that doesn't necessarily have a Moda or Free Spirit label on it? Will people scoff if I join a quilting bee and send non-designer fabric for them to use? Only if I really love a range will I buy some - hence the woodland bloom fabric used in my project above. But I can't afford to constantly buy and only use the expensive stuff. This is one reason I love Crazy Mom Quilts, this lady is great at being thrifty. She uses cheap Ikea bedsheets as quilt backings and even for sashing - genious!

Do you have a hot + not list? There are more here...

Meet Blossom

2009-10-31T16:07:00.004+11:00

A little while ago I showed you this:

Well, please be the first to meet...
...
...
...
...

Blossom!

After the wandering around the incubator section of the stitches and craft show earlier this year I was inspired to start creating my own softies. While Blossom did not turn out exactly as I had pictured, it is exciting to see something come to life from my own vision. And I really enjoyed not following a pattern and just sewing on the fly!

You never know what friends may be waiting for her at the bottom of the garden...!

what's hot + what's not

2009-10-28T19:46:00.001+11:00

Seems only yesterday I wrote the last one, but it's what's hot + what's not time again!

What's hot

Having a cat who runs to the door when you get home from work and reaches up like a child for you to pick him up for cuddles. It's a nice welcome home each night

Body attack classes - at first I thought they were a strange form of torture (and sometimes I still do), but I am slowly becoming addicted to them. They definitely get me going of a morning.

This one is kind of hot and kind of not - A year of volunteering coming to an end - and actually noticing that a difference has been made. I have been part of a youth mentoring program this year, which has been both tough and very rewarding. We now only have the graduation night of the program left and while I am sad, I am thrilled that the girls have done so much and come so far this year.

What's not

having a cat the meows for breakfast at 5am. My alarm goes off at 5:30 - why can't he wait an extra 30 mins?

My sewing machine having not come out of it's bag for 2 weeks now (although it is about to come out. I have to 'pimp' a labcoat for a colleague that is leaving on Friday!)

My best-friend living overseas. She has been in France for over a year now and I miss her dearly. I miss our coffee dates and sitting on the couch with quilts and cups of tea and chatting into the night.

Check out Loobylu's page for more lists

no sewing?

2009-10-25T16:33:00.003+11:00

because there has been too much cooking...!

This is the second Sunday in a row that I have spent almost entirely in the kitchen. My goodies from the last 2 weeks have included a couple of loaves of seeded light rye bread

Pizza

Banana toffee pie

Coconut and dark chocolate bread

and lemon polenta cakes

And there's still a veal and mushroom pie for tonight's dinner and lemon meringue pie for dessert.

The diet starts tomorrow...!

Crochet anyone?

2009-10-22T17:59:00.003+11:00

I'm thinking of trying once again to learn how to crochet. Mainly because of this gorgeous blanket. I have tried teaching myself through you tube videos, but I just can't get the hang of it...

There is a class in the city next month... maybe I will sign up for it

What's Hot + What's Not

2009-10-21T18:43:00.002+11:00

Inspired by Looby Lu, I give you:

What’s hot...

Redwork stitching on calico a la Kootoyoo's The Quilt Project. Inspired by these totally amazing stitcheries, I traced my own this morning and got started on the train to work.

Reliving our recent Europe trip by sharing photos with my workmates. The picture above is of my our early morning shadows in Herepian, France, with my Mother-in-law in the distance.

Homemade dulche de leche on ice-cream – I made a caramel toffee pie on Sunday and we still have some left-over caramel in the fridge - yum yum yum!

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge – I am going this Saturday with a bunch of very excited young ladies. Hopefully the sun will shine for us.

Winning a huge meat tray at the pub a few weeks ago. Tonight we are having porterhouse steaks for dinner and there are still many more meals in the freezer.

What’s not…

My bobbin thread continually breaking while free motion quilting – it is driving me crazy! That, together with my issues quilting straight lines (which has been suggested to be a problem with my feeddogs), indicates that my sewing machine is probably in need of a service. Bummer.

Not enough hours in the day – I am really busy at work currently so the only stitching that is being done at the moment is on the train to and from work. I’m really hoping I don’t have to go into work this weekend like I did last Saturday.

Work in general… it is beyond frustrating at the moment for a multitude of reasons… If only I could make enough money at home doing my sewing. Although I suspect that would require me to be a fair bit more creative than I actually am. Maybe I could sew samples for a shop - how much fun would that be! How do I get that gig?

For other what's hot + what's not lists, check out LoobyLu’s page

To my sister...

2009-10-19T20:09:00.003+11:00

who is moving to London tomorrow...

We'll miss you lots
xxx

To do list...

2009-10-15T08:01:00.003+11:00

find some backing material for this one:

and this one...
and finish quilting this one...

It looks to be a fun weekend!

windmills in the wind

2009-10-11T17:11:00.006+11:00

I've been terribly slack with posting a picture of my latest quilt - but I finally got outside this afternoon to take some shots and after battling the wind, I got a couple of good ones! And I thought it would be a good entry for the Park City Girl Fall/Autumn Quilt Festival.

I started this quilt a little while ago - during Easter this year actually. I found the white tulip print material in Melbourne when I was there for Christmas last year and knew it would be great in our lounge room which is predominantly blue. After free motion quilting my first quilt over Easter, I got very inspired and starting cutting fabric up for this one immediately. And now it is finally done.

It was quilted by Belinda of Eucalypt Ridge Quilting and I just love how it turned out - thankyou so much Belinda!

I didn't want to buy any extra fabric - hence the pieced back, but I am glad I did it now. It makes the quilting a real feature and I love it almost as much as the front.

And now I am off to snuggle underneath it on the couch and watch the first season of Grey's Anatomy - I love Sundays!

Make sure you pop over here and check out all the other AMAZING quilts in the quilt festival! And grab a cuppa first!

Welcome Lily!

2009-10-09T21:18:00.006+11:00

I just heard news that I have a new baby cousin! Lily was born just after 5pm this afternoon - that makes 4 girls of 4 babies in the last 3 years!

I have almost finished her quilt. The top is done, I just need to get some backing fabric so I can get onto the quilting part.

I'm not sure what I will do when I have to make a present for a little boy - I am far too girly! Here's the presents I made for the other three girls.

Yasmeen's Sunbonnet Sue wallhanging

Bonnie's baby blanket

Belle's baby quilt

I made it and I'm not afraid to wear it!

2009-10-02T09:21:00.002+10:00

At the Spring Stitch In, I spotted 4 women wearing the same skirt in different colours. Figuring it surely could not be a coincidence, I inquired and discovered that they were all made from a pattern by Make it Perfect call The Versatile Wrap Skirt. So, I bought the pattern, and some cheap material with the idea of making a skirt that I would likely not ever wear out of the house.

But I am pretty damn happy with the results and even wore it to work yesterday - hurrah! Perhaps my fear of sewing clothes has been conquered! Although I should probably try making something with a zip or even a button before I start proclaiming that!

Please excuse the awfully messy room and unmade bed in these pictures! I swear, it is normally perfect (yep, really, definitely, perfectly clean...uh huh).

Lebanese Stuffed Zucchinis in Tomato Sauce

2009-09-29T07:59:00.001+10:00

Most people double take when I tell them I am half Lebanese. Sometimes they don't believe me. Often I have to get out photos of my family to show them. I think it has something to do with the blond hair, pale skin and blue eyes...

My Dad was born and raised in Lebanon, and came to Australia when he was 21. My Mother is Australian. We were raised on a mixture of Lebanese and Australian food. Christmas dinner can be roast lamb with potatoes and pumpkin, with a side of hommus and kibbi. The food is one of my favourite parts of my Lebanese heritage.

Mihshi kousa b'banadoura (or stuffed zucchinis in tomato sauce) is still one of my favourite Lebanese meals. Most of my absolute favourites are those cooked by my Aunt or Grandmother (Teta) which I have no idea how to make! One day I hope I can learn these recipes so that I can share them with my future family. Thankfully my husband adores Lebanese food!

The only tricky part of this dish is hollowing the zucchinis. I use a special scoop that I got from a Lebanese bakery. It looks like a thin pipe, cut in half lengthwise. However you could use an apple corer instead. The zucchini pulp is not used in this dish, but we keep it to add to soups, or to make fritters. However this time, my husband used it to make zucchini and sultana muffins (recipe in the Handmade Help cookbook)

Stuffed Zucchinis

Serves 6

Meat filling

1 med onion, finely chopped

1 tbs ghee or olive oil

2 tsp salt (or to taste)

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp cinnamon or mixed spice (I use a combo of cinnamon, ground clove, nutmeg and a little ground ginger)

1 1/4 cups white rice, washed and drained

500g minced lamb

1/2 cup water

18 small or 12 medium Lebanese zucchinis

2 med onions

4-5 tbs ghee or olive oil

4 garlic cloves, sliced

1 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)

2x 455g cans chopped tomatoes

2 cups water

1 teaspoon of dried mint

To make the meat stuffing, saute 1 of the chopped onion in the ghee/oil until soft. Mix the onions, along with the spices, salt and pepper into the rice. Add the lamb and the water and mix with your hands until well mixed and a smooth consistency is reached.

Wash the zucchini and cut off the tops. Scoop out the pulp, being careful not to break the skin. Rinse and drain the zucchini.

Fill each zucchini with the meat and rice filling, only to about 3/4 full to allow for the rice to expand during cooking. Make any leftover meat mxture into meatballs to be cooked with the zucchinis or save it for another day.

Lightly brown the 2 chopped onions in the ghee/oil (do this in the pot you will cook the zucchinis in). Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Spread the onion mix evenly over the bottom of the pot and place the stuffed zucchinis on top in closely packed rows and layers. (Add any meatballs around the zucchinis). Mix the canned tomatoes with the water and salt and pepper and pour over the zucchinis. Sprinkle over the dried mint.

Cover the zucchinis with an upturned heat proof plate to keep the zucchinis from floating. Cover the saucepan. Bring to the boil and then turn down to a simmer and leave to cook for 60-90 mins.

Serve the zucchinis piled on a platter with the juice poured over the top. Make sure you have lots of pita bread to serve it with!

a food porn close-up!

Recipe from The Lebanese Cookbook, by Dawn, Elaine and Selwa Anthony.

Remember these?

2009-09-27T14:53:00.002+10:00

I actually did do some sewing on my trip in July - I just haven't put it all together yet (shocking, I know!). That will be my first job today.

My husband left for Melbourne on Friday afternoon for the AFL Grand Final and won't be back until late on Tuesday night. I had planned for 2 full days of sewing (!) however I have been feeling a little off colour, so I spent yesterday curled up on the couch with some DVDs and finished a couple of hand sewing projects.

I also finished sewing the binding onto my windmill quilt (the teasing pic in my last post), now I just have to get outside to photograph it. It's a bit too windy today, but hopefully soon!

This is definitely my favourite, la Tour Eiffel - belle!

This groups of fat quarters has got me excited... What ever shall I use them for?

distracted...

2009-09-22T07:06:00.006+10:00

Not much stitching happening here at the moment... I've been distracted. Yes they are books for teenagers, yes they are not particularly well written in parts but it is pure fantasy and I've been sucked in. I tried hard not to be, but I have...

I did do a small amount of sewing on the weekend, and it's almost done. Just got to put the book down to finish it off!

apologies for all the cat hair!

Strawberry Rose Cupcakes and a Girls Night In

2009-09-16T07:08:00.003+10:00

I found these pictures recently of some cupcakes I made a while ago and thought I would share them with you. They are quite girly and I think they would be great for the Cancer Council's Girl's Night In which is happening in October. It's a great excuse to have a night with your girl-friends and raise money for an important cause.

To join in the fun you simply register as a Girls Night In host and then invite your friends, workmates and/or family to a get together one evening. Guests are then asked to donate the equivalent of what they would have spent on a night out if you had gone to a club, restaraunt or show.

Perhaps you could have a crafty night in?

Strawberry Rose Cupcakes

165g butter
100g white chocolate, chopped
1 1/3 cups (290g) caster sugar
2/3 cup (170ml) water
1 teaspoon rosewater
Pink food colouring
1/2 teaspoon strawberry flavouring/essence
1 cup (150g) plain flour
2 tablespoons self raising flour
1 egg

1. Preheat oven to moderate 170degrees/150 fan forced. Line 12 hole standard muffin pan with paper cases

2. Combine butter, chocolate, sugar, the water and flavours in small saucepan, stir over low heat until smooth.

3. Transfer mixture to large bowl; cool 15 minutes and then add colouring to get a vivid pink shade. Whisk in sifted flours, then egg. Divide mixture among cases.

4. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes before turning cakes onto wire rack to cool.

I iced these cupcakes with either a vanilla buttercream (which was lovely) or a rosewater buttercream (which I thought was a little too much with the rosewater in the cupcake, but my friends liked it).

Buttercream Icing
125g soft butter
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
2 tablespoons milk
a few drops of the flavouring of your choice (vanilla, rosewater, etc)

Beat the butter in a mixer until very pale. Gradually add 1/2 the icing sugar, then the milk and flavouring, then the rest of the icing sugar. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes. Top with sprinkles or other ready made decorations if you wish.

Adapted from the Women's Weekly Cupcakes book.

Spring Stitch-In - 12th September

2009-09-13T19:01:00.002+10:00

I flew to Melbourne on Friday night ready for my day at Glenharrow with Leanne and Rosalie...

There were giftbags at each seat with some very cute cookie cutters, a kit each from Rosalie and Leanne and also 2 fat-eighths of Rosalie's new fabric range!!

There were lollies to keep our energy levels up (note the tablecloth of Rosie's new fabric)...

And he barn was decorated with gorgeous samples of Rosalie and Leanne's work.

It was lovely to see these quilts up close and to discover the incredible amount of work that Leanne had put into them - her embroidery stitches are so tiny!

We did a little stitching too - in between nibbling on the lollies!

Here's my Mum - busily stitching!

We enjoyed a lovely lunch...

And then went for a walk through the gardens of Glenharrow...

We met some of the Glenharrow family....

This little guy was my favourite!

We went back inside for some show and tell. This is Chantelle - one of the lovely girls Mum and I shared a table with. She had two gorgeous quilts to share.

Then I showed off my Leanne's house quilt (yes, I know, I've still not finished! It will happen one day!)

Leanne spent some time chatting with us and teaching us her method for needle-turn applique

Then Rosalie taught us how to mount our stitcheries onto a canvas

I was a little nervous when we arrived as all the ladies seemed to know each otheralready. But everyone was so lovely and Rosalie and Leanne were incredibly friendly, approachable and very honest. A huge thankyou to both ladies (as well as Nel, Erica and the others) for organising such a wonderful day.

Mum and I had such a great day - when can we sign up for next year?!?

Ideas...

2009-09-10T08:00:00.001+10:00

I've had lots of ideas lately for little projects, all of which I've been jotting in my little notebook that I carry in my handbag. I decided to start with the smallest, and simplest - a small needlebook and pincushion.

I got this fabric from Silly Gilly in a giveaway and knew immediately what I wanted to use it for.

I picked these buttons for their stitching detail around the edge - so cute!

And I also made my very first, Renee-designed softie! I've had this idea in my head for a while and it was nice to see it in fabric too. Here's just a sneak peek as I am still not entirely happy with her face.

Can you tell what she is?

Only 2 days until I head to Melbourne for the Spring Stitch In with Rosie and Leanne! I can't wait!

WTF?

2009-09-07T19:02:00.005+10:00

Please excuse the title, but really... how can my quilting go from this:

to this?

And really, who can free motion quilt, but not quilt a straight line? Seriously... it's doing my head in!

But I shouldn't complain, my stippling is improving and I am actually enjoying it now!

And as always, Sampson is enjoying it too.

winner!

2009-09-07T07:58:00.003+10:00

Using the random number picker, also know as my husband (!), Suzie is the winner of my giveaway!

Congratulations Suzie!

Thankyou everyone who dropped by and left such lovely comments. Reading them is one of my favourite things about having this blog.

It's giveaway time!

2009-09-03T08:00:00.002+10:00

Thankyou to everyone who has commented, given advice and encouragement over my last 100 posts. I really do appreciate it. Especially to those of you who are always here!

So, now it's my turn to give back to you!

I have a "Bug in a Bag" kit to give away. It includes the pattern, from Rosalie Quinlan designs, the 3 fabrics and stranded thread that you need to make the cute little pincushion. The pattern is not too hard, so it would also be good for a beginner - so those of you non-sewers out there (I know there are a few of you!), don't be afraid to enter!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post by Sunday Sept 6th, 5pm (Sydney time) - and please tell your friends to come visit too!

Good Luck!

yes, I will post anywhere :)

Tutorial: three-dimensional flower

2009-08-30T09:30:00.004+10:00

I used these fabric flowers to embelish the bag I made to take on my recent holiday.

Me and my bag in Carcasonne, France (!)

The flowers are really simple and very quick to make. I think they would also look good made into a brooch or even on a wallhanging. Please let me know if you have any queries about the following instructions.

For each flower, trace 5 circles the same size onto your chosen fabric. For my pink flower the circles I used had a diameter of approx 2 - 2.5 inches. I think I traced around a small espresso cup!

Cut out the circles on the lines.

Fold each circle in half, wrong sides together. Press. Then fold in half again to form a triangular shape. Press. These are your petals.

Using matching thread, work a running stitch along the curved edge of the first petal. Without knotting or cutting the thread, work a running stitch through the next petal in the same manner.

Continue until all 5 petals are joined.

Pull the thread taught to gather all the petals together into the flower shape. Sew the first and last petal together.

Sew the joined petals to your bag/wallhanging/brooch backing.

I added a button to the centre of my flower, big enough to cover the raw edges, but I think it would also look great with an appliqued circle or a suffolk puff in a contrasting colour.

That's it. Easy huh? :)

This is my 99th post - stay tuned for my 100th post giveaway!

All together now: awwww!

2009-08-28T08:09:00.003+10:00

Isn't it nice to see your handiwork being appreciated?

I swear, no-one covered Sampson with the quilt. My husband found him like this recently one chilly morning and took a photo to show me when I got home.

Isn't he cute?

Stitches and Craft Show

2009-08-25T21:57:00.002+10:00

I got to see The dress!

And I must say it is even better up close!

I really enjoyed the incubator section of this years show - I even got up the nerve to introduce myself to Kate of Two Little Banshees.

Her wombats were so sweet!

And I also met the gorgeous Fi of Dear Fii. Her dolls, while simple, have so much character. I love that!

Thanks ladies for letting me take photos of your beautiful creations!

However, I didn't enjoy the show as much this year as other years. While the incubator section was full of inspiration, the market area was rather small. When I did try to join in at one of the craft bars, the wait was super long and kind of awkward as people tried to push in and grab seats where they could. At another craft bar I was asked if I had ever threaded a needle and whether I needed help to do it... I hope this was just a general question they asked everyone - or do I look like I am unable to thread a needle? Hmmmm!

So, rather than hanging around too long, I decided to go home and sew! Here's my version of Fi's Pepper doll - made with a pattern from Homespun magazine. She will be a present for a friends baby daughter, although I think I may need to make another for myself!

And I just noticed I am getting close to my 100th post - I guess that means it's giveaway time! Stay tuned...!

PS - is anyone else going to Leanne and Rosie's Spring Stitch In? I am going to be there on the Saturday....

Italy

2009-08-24T09:30:00.001+10:00

After days of sightseeing in Paris, some very late nights with my best friend in Strasbourg and running after two little kids in Switzerland, I was feeling a bit like this little guy when we arrived in Italy:

We started our Italian adventure in Manarola, one of the 5 villages that make up the Cinque Terre. The Cinque Terre is a world heritage listed site on the Italian riviera. The 5 villages perch on the edge of cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. The villagers have spent years carving huge steps into the surrounding mountains to allow them to grow their grape vines and vegetables. My husband had found us a beautiful room to stay in, complete with a balcony on which we enjoyed many a glass of wine while watching the sun go down. There was a 12km hike which took you to all 5 villages which we also did on one day. Below is a picture of Manarola taken from the walking track.

After lazing in the Cinque Terre, we headed off to Florence. The picture below was taken from the Ponte Vecchio in between browsing the nearby jewellery stores(!).

One thing I loved about Italy was that it didn't get dark until quite late at night - it made the days go on forever!

We spent many a long balmy evening on the steps in front of the Uffizi, people watching and enjoying some gelato.

The local market in Florence - Mercato Centrale - was vibrant and lively. The local produce was glorious, I wish we had had access to a kitchen, I would have loved to cook up a storm here.

After Florence we headed off to Rome. Rome was the biggest surprise of the trip for me. Many people had told us that Rome was a big, brash city but I adored it. I loved wandering around and stumbling upon another monument, old building or ruins. Although we were there in summer, it didn't seem as busy as we had expected either. Or maybe we planned well? After hearing about horribly long queues at many of the attractions, we never waited any longer than 15 mins for anything.

The Colosseum was really interesting and it was fun to imagine what it would have been like in its heyday.

The Vatican museums and St Peter's Basilica were mind-blowing. The architecture and the art was simply beautiful.

And the food... oh the food... It should be a crime for food to taste as good as the food we ate in Rome.

And of course, after dinner, there was always a wonderful spot to sit and enjoy yet another gelato!

I promise my next post will have something sewing related!

Homemade

2009-08-21T22:11:00.005+10:00

Have you seen the Homemade cookbook?

It's a wonderful collection of recipes from people who wanted to help out after the Victorian bushfires earlier this year. The contributers include well known chefs such as Margaret Fulton and Greg Malouf along with families, homecooks and craft bloggers that you probably know including Kate, Lara and me! It's pretty damn cool to have my name listed alongside Ms Fulton's and Mr Malouf's!

Half the copies of Homemade will be given as gifts to those affected by the bushfires, while the other half will be sold and the money raised donated to the Salvation Army. Currently I have the apple and sultana cake by Leonie in the oven and it smells divine! It should be perfect for morning tea tomorrow.

You can order your copy of Homemade here

Edit: My contributions to the book included my quick mix chocolate and coconut cake and my beans and rice. Thanks for the reminder Ann!

And I haven't forgotten about my Italy photos - they are coming soon!

Morges, Switzerland

2009-08-18T22:32:00.003+10:00

Whenever we told someone that we were going to Morges, Switzerland the response was either "why?" or "you must be visiting someone". Well, truth be told, we were visiting friends, but the town of Morges is beautiful and somewhere I would definitely consider visiting, even without the lure of friends.

Located on Lake Geneva near Lausanne, Morges is a small and quiet town with the most tremendous scenery. A walk shortly after arriving in Switzerland deposited us here - with the awesome sight of the alps rising from beyond the lake. It was simply breathtaking.

We spent our 3 days in Morges with old friends. Friends we had only seen for the sum total of 4 hours in the past 5 years, so it was wonderful to catch up with them again. Our short time was spent lazing by Lake Geneva with picnics, hiking in the nearby mountains, playing with the children and trying lots of Swiss food each evening (mmm... cheese fondue).

The nearby mountains were every bit as stunning as the sight of the Alps and Lake Geneva. There were tiny wildflowers everywhere you looked and cows with large rectangular bells hanging from their necks, the sound of which could be heard from miles away.

Morges is definitely somewhere I can imagine living.