days 14 - 20
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
To do lists
Im not sure why some days full of housework & homemaking seem like a real chore, but others, like today, seem to just flow. They make you appreciate the fact that you are blessed enough to be able to spend time at home with your children, to bake, to craft, to play, and to have a safe and secure home filled with family that you love dearly.
Anyway, we are having a busy and productive day today. My to do list was as long as my arm, but we are slowly working our way through most of the items on the list.
Washing x 3 loads - done
Folding - Mt foldmore is still growing..havn't got to this yet!!!!!!
Tidy kitchen and do dishes - Ive been really slack and not getting this done at night lately - must get back into the routine of doing it straight after tea. - was done until we baked...round 2 still to go!
Baking biscuits - done - double batch of choc chip & coconut
Bake an apple cake - done...although it turned into orange and apricot cake once I realised there were no lemons, and the kids ate the last two apples while I was getting everything organised!
Package up blog giveaways (they are coming eventually Shaz & Kelly, all ready to go in the post, sorry for being so slack!) - done
Organise tea for Craig & the kids, Im going to a kindy dinner meeting
Send a message to get prams that I'm giving away picked up - done
finalise purchase of tie dyed fabric for party decorations - done
Sweep - done
Vacuum - done
Make beds - done
Blog next PAD shots (before I get too far behind) - done
Knit some more of Isaacs beanie
Do something special with Isaac while Jazz has her nap - done
We made soap jumpers - doesnt that sound cute, its what Isaac called it when I explained what we were going to do. Its actually just wet felting some wool over a bar of soap. He loved it.
We took some carded wool (I got a big bag of this, in lots of colours at the markets the other week) and I cut a bar of my goats milk soap in half so we could make one each.
Isaac picked some colours and wrapped his bar of soap.
He loved the whole felting process of course. Who wouldnt enjoy getting to play with soap and water.
After a while we had two soap jumpers made and ready to be dried off and tested out in tonights bath!
Sitting here blogging isnt going to get any more things marked off my list!
Hope you are all having a happy and productive day as well!
Anyway, we are having a busy and productive day today. My to do list was as long as my arm, but we are slowly working our way through most of the items on the list.
Washing x 3 loads - done
Folding - Mt foldmore is still growing..havn't got to this yet!!!!!!
Tidy kitchen and do dishes - Ive been really slack and not getting this done at night lately - must get back into the routine of doing it straight after tea. - was done until we baked...round 2 still to go!
Baking biscuits - done - double batch of choc chip & coconut
Bake an apple cake - done...although it turned into orange and apricot cake once I realised there were no lemons, and the kids ate the last two apples while I was getting everything organised!
Package up blog giveaways (they are coming eventually Shaz & Kelly, all ready to go in the post, sorry for being so slack!) - done
Organise tea for Craig & the kids, Im going to a kindy dinner meeting
Send a message to get prams that I'm giving away picked up - done
finalise purchase of tie dyed fabric for party decorations - done
Sweep - done
Vacuum - done
Make beds - done
Blog next PAD shots (before I get too far behind) - done
Knit some more of Isaacs beanie
Do something special with Isaac while Jazz has her nap - done
We made soap jumpers - doesnt that sound cute, its what Isaac called it when I explained what we were going to do. Its actually just wet felting some wool over a bar of soap. He loved it.
We took some carded wool (I got a big bag of this, in lots of colours at the markets the other week) and I cut a bar of my goats milk soap in half so we could make one each.
Isaac picked some colours and wrapped his bar of soap.
He loved the whole felting process of course. Who wouldnt enjoy getting to play with soap and water.
After a while we had two soap jumpers made and ready to be dried off and tested out in tonights bath!
Sitting here blogging isnt going to get any more things marked off my list!
Hope you are all having a happy and productive day as well!
Photo a Day Challenge - August
Photo a Day August 2010
days 9 -13
****insert*** op shop bargains 12th August
days 9 -13
****insert*** op shop bargains 12th August
Monday, August 09, 2010
A new lunch box favourite
I hurriedly copied this recipe from a thread on essential baby the other night, and decided to try them out today. They are yummy, and super quick and easy to make - Isaac & Jacinta have been eating them all day (even after they were packed away in a container with a lid I thought she couldn't get off) and once the older boys have a few after school, I will have to whip up another batch for lunchboxes tomorrow. I think they will be fun to play around with flavourings in too. Spinach, bacon & feta, sun dried tomato & chives...the list is endless!
Cheese and Bacon snacks
200g diced bacon
2 cups grated cheese
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup SR flour
1/2 cup milk
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Place Flour, Bacon, Onion & Cheese in a bowl.
In a small jug combine beaten egg, milk & mustard.
Add the egg/milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
Form generous tablespoons of mixture into balls and place on a lined oven tray - allow a little room for spreading.
Bake at 200 C for 18 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes approx 25.
Cheese and Bacon snacks
200g diced bacon
2 cups grated cheese
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup SR flour
1/2 cup milk
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Place Flour, Bacon, Onion & Cheese in a bowl.
In a small jug combine beaten egg, milk & mustard.
Add the egg/milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
Form generous tablespoons of mixture into balls and place on a lined oven tray - allow a little room for spreading.
Bake at 200 C for 18 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes approx 25.
Monday, August 02, 2010
and the winner is.....
Thank You to everyone that left comments on my 400th post. It was great to read all of them (especially from those of you who left their first comment) and hear of all the crafts you enjoy doing - there are some very multi talented crafters amongst you!
This morning I wrote each of your names on a piece of paper, put all the names into a bowl and then enlisted the help of my beautiful assistants.
firstly there was lots of mixing to make sure it was a fair draw ( I think this was her favourite part)
Then came the all important choosing and unfolding of a winner...
and the announcement - in typical two year old fashion...
..and just to clarify - with a little help from Mummy!
Congratulations Shazz! Thanks for being a regular reader and commenter on my blog right from the start, and for being such a lovely friend. -you always have some words of wisdom or encouragement, and are an inspiration as a Mum, scrapper and all round lovely person.
If you could email me your address I will pop your prize in the post for you.
But wait, thats not all!!!
Since there were two assistants, there had to be a second draw for another lucky person.
This morning I wrote each of your names on a piece of paper, put all the names into a bowl and then enlisted the help of my beautiful assistants.
firstly there was lots of mixing to make sure it was a fair draw ( I think this was her favourite part)
Then came the all important choosing and unfolding of a winner...
and the announcement - in typical two year old fashion...
..and just to clarify - with a little help from Mummy!
Congratulations Shazz! Thanks for being a regular reader and commenter on my blog right from the start, and for being such a lovely friend. -you always have some words of wisdom or encouragement, and are an inspiration as a Mum, scrapper and all round lovely person.
If you could email me your address I will pop your prize in the post for you.
But wait, thats not all!!!
Since there were two assistants, there had to be a second draw for another lucky person.
This time right way up from the start...
Congratulations to the very talented Kelly (the handmaden). Thank you for the lovely comments you leave here, for reaching your 400th post recently, and for writing your lovely blogs that are always full of inspiration. ( Kellys blogs - The Handmaden & Nourish from Scratch ) If you let me know your address I will send out a little something for you as well.
Congratulations to the very talented Kelly (the handmaden). Thank you for the lovely comments you leave here, for reaching your 400th post recently, and for writing your lovely blogs that are always full of inspiration. ( Kellys blogs - The Handmaden & Nourish from Scratch ) If you let me know your address I will send out a little something for you as well.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
time for knitting
I remember when I was about ten Mum tried to teach me to knit. I perfected the art of increasing and decreasing (not intentionally though) and producing lovely (actually not so lovely) holey pieces of work. At the time it definitely wasn't a skill that I felt the need to persevere and master.
Having a little girl in my life, and taking note of all the really cute knitted longies while she was in cloth nappies, and loving cute beanies etc had sparked my interest in maybe giving it another go.
I guess it was also born a little of necessity too - have you ever tried to find a cute kids beanie that doesn't have Dora, Barbie, Thomas or BTB plastered all over it? its near on impossible!
When Nell assured she could have me knit a beanie in a day, I was doubtful. She was up to the challenge, and after having to reschedule our crafty day several times, today we finally managed our knitting day.
It wasn't as hard as I had imagined. With only a few mistakes (seems I possess the ability with any type of needle/hook and yarn to increase and decrease stitches - with out meaning to!!!
By the time Home and away had finished tonight, I had a completed beanie. ( I even managed to bath & PJ the little ones and feed the family as well!)
Its gorgeous.
The wool was hand spun by Nell, and is just divine.
Im not sure where I went wrong (see Nell, I told you I couldnt follow patterns LOL) but it is way too small for Jacinta :( It would make a lovely new born beanie. I will try again though, and both the little ones will have cute hand knitted beanies by the end of winter - Im just not sure which winter ;)
Having a little girl in my life, and taking note of all the really cute knitted longies while she was in cloth nappies, and loving cute beanies etc had sparked my interest in maybe giving it another go.
I guess it was also born a little of necessity too - have you ever tried to find a cute kids beanie that doesn't have Dora, Barbie, Thomas or BTB plastered all over it? its near on impossible!
When Nell assured she could have me knit a beanie in a day, I was doubtful. She was up to the challenge, and after having to reschedule our crafty day several times, today we finally managed our knitting day.
It wasn't as hard as I had imagined. With only a few mistakes (seems I possess the ability with any type of needle/hook and yarn to increase and decrease stitches - with out meaning to!!!
By the time Home and away had finished tonight, I had a completed beanie. ( I even managed to bath & PJ the little ones and feed the family as well!)
Its gorgeous.
The wool was hand spun by Nell, and is just divine.
Im not sure where I went wrong (see Nell, I told you I couldnt follow patterns LOL) but it is way too small for Jacinta :( It would make a lovely new born beanie. I will try again though, and both the little ones will have cute hand knitted beanies by the end of winter - Im just not sure which winter ;)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Inspired again
The other day I received the most delightful bag of fabrics from my friend Kayscha. She was having a huge declutter and offered to give away lots of her fabrics for the price of postage (how awesomely generous is that!!!!) It was a bit of a lucky dip, she just filled a bag for anyone interested on a first in best dressed basis. I had no idea what I would receive, and it was a such a thrill to open up a package full of such bright, happy and gorgeous fabrics. Of course I'm keeping some pieces for my scrap quilt, but there were fat quarters, and other large pieces in there as well. Ive already ear marked a couple of prints for summer skirts and dresses for Jacinta.
Surrounded by all that fabric, how could I not be inspired to get out my sewing machine. I started out with a project that I had been meaning to try for ages - journal covers.
Well lets just say that the first one looked gorgeous (floral/stripes), but is a little snug on the actual journal. I tried a second one slightly larger, and pieced together from some jelly roll strips (orange/blue/green) - even though i made it a little larger, somehow it ended up a touch to small again GRRRRRRRRRR. The following day I had another try, I finally got the size right, and now have a gorgeous journal cover for me. (the swirl fabric on this one and the blue/green strip on the last one were the only two bits of fabric that I didn't get from K! isn't she just such a sweetie - THANK YOU!) The one for my blog giveaway was attempt #4 (some what appropriate for a 400th post giveaway) and is defiantly proof of the old saying that practice makes perfect. Well OK, its probably not perfect, but you know what I mean!
Todays project also used a couple of the fat quarters from my newly inherited stash. A gorgeous sunny strawberry print and co-ordinating yellow check for Jacinta's bag, and a lovely bright red fat quarter for the lining of Isaac's bag. The car print is one I picked up on sale at Patchwork apple for $2 ages ago.
I made these tote bags for the kids. Lots of their imaginative play lately has including carrying around dolls/teddies/puppies even wombats. After watching Isaac trying to get the two handles of a library bag over his head (and of course he protege was attempting to find a bag to do the same) I decided it might be safer to whip up a quick easy bag for them to sling over their shoulder.
It really was so easy to make. I know as a beginner sewer even some of these simple projects can seem quite daunting, so I thought I would share how I made mine. If you are a stickler for beautifully finished seams and precise measurements then you might want to stop reading now!!! When I say quick and easy, that's exactly what it is.
Materials
2 fat quarters - see I told you it was simple!
Directions
1. press your fat quarters and fold in half from the selvage to the centre. As you can see I didn't even bother removing the selvage.
2. From each folded fat quarter cut 2 x 3" strips from the fold to the opposite edge. These will be the handles. You will have 4 pieces when you open them up.
3. Stitch together the short end of each of the handle strips so you have one long strip of each fabric. With right sides of the strips you just made facing each other, stitch along both the long sides using about a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn this tube through and press. Top stitch along both sides of the handle. That's the handle completed.
4. Turn & press a 1/2" fold along both the sides that lay opposite the fold on your fat quarters.
5. Take one of the fat quarters. With right sides together and the pressed edges lined up, sew a seam down both sides. Repeat with the second fat quarter.
6. Turn the fabric that you want to be the outside of your bag in the right way and press. Slide the lining piece inside, match up the tops and pin. Centre the handle on the side seams, slipping it between the two layers. Pin. You can adjust the length at this point by having more of it tucked down inside the bag.
7. Top stitch all the way around the bag. Make sure to back stitch a few times over the handles to secure them.
I added very simple little bow detail to the strap of Jacinta's bag as it was still a bit too long. I also left a lot of the handle down inside the bag, if it survives long enough, it will be relatively easy to unpick and lengthen the strap as she grows.
They have already carried babies, balls, toys, dummies and even some mail for the cubby house letterbox!!!
I think they would make great little gifts, especially with a book or some pencils tucked inside.
Surrounded by all that fabric, how could I not be inspired to get out my sewing machine. I started out with a project that I had been meaning to try for ages - journal covers.
Well lets just say that the first one looked gorgeous (floral/stripes), but is a little snug on the actual journal. I tried a second one slightly larger, and pieced together from some jelly roll strips (orange/blue/green) - even though i made it a little larger, somehow it ended up a touch to small again GRRRRRRRRRR. The following day I had another try, I finally got the size right, and now have a gorgeous journal cover for me. (the swirl fabric on this one and the blue/green strip on the last one were the only two bits of fabric that I didn't get from K! isn't she just such a sweetie - THANK YOU!) The one for my blog giveaway was attempt #4 (some what appropriate for a 400th post giveaway) and is defiantly proof of the old saying that practice makes perfect. Well OK, its probably not perfect, but you know what I mean!
Todays project also used a couple of the fat quarters from my newly inherited stash. A gorgeous sunny strawberry print and co-ordinating yellow check for Jacinta's bag, and a lovely bright red fat quarter for the lining of Isaac's bag. The car print is one I picked up on sale at Patchwork apple for $2 ages ago.
I made these tote bags for the kids. Lots of their imaginative play lately has including carrying around dolls/teddies/puppies even wombats. After watching Isaac trying to get the two handles of a library bag over his head (and of course he protege was attempting to find a bag to do the same) I decided it might be safer to whip up a quick easy bag for them to sling over their shoulder.
It really was so easy to make. I know as a beginner sewer even some of these simple projects can seem quite daunting, so I thought I would share how I made mine. If you are a stickler for beautifully finished seams and precise measurements then you might want to stop reading now!!! When I say quick and easy, that's exactly what it is.
Materials
2 fat quarters - see I told you it was simple!
Directions
1. press your fat quarters and fold in half from the selvage to the centre. As you can see I didn't even bother removing the selvage.
2. From each folded fat quarter cut 2 x 3" strips from the fold to the opposite edge. These will be the handles. You will have 4 pieces when you open them up.
3. Stitch together the short end of each of the handle strips so you have one long strip of each fabric. With right sides of the strips you just made facing each other, stitch along both the long sides using about a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn this tube through and press. Top stitch along both sides of the handle. That's the handle completed.
4. Turn & press a 1/2" fold along both the sides that lay opposite the fold on your fat quarters.
5. Take one of the fat quarters. With right sides together and the pressed edges lined up, sew a seam down both sides. Repeat with the second fat quarter.
6. Turn the fabric that you want to be the outside of your bag in the right way and press. Slide the lining piece inside, match up the tops and pin. Centre the handle on the side seams, slipping it between the two layers. Pin. You can adjust the length at this point by having more of it tucked down inside the bag.
7. Top stitch all the way around the bag. Make sure to back stitch a few times over the handles to secure them.
I added very simple little bow detail to the strap of Jacinta's bag as it was still a bit too long. I also left a lot of the handle down inside the bag, if it survives long enough, it will be relatively easy to unpick and lengthen the strap as she grows.
They have already carried babies, balls, toys, dummies and even some mail for the cubby house letterbox!!!
I think they would make great little gifts, especially with a book or some pencils tucked inside.
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