Tutorial: Passport Protector

I have made up a Passport Protector out of the Garden Party fabric that I got through the Amitie Blog VIP Mailout.

You can find the tutorial here. There is also a link in the sidebar.

Posted by Lisa

Waiting for Spring..

During a walk in my lunch break this week, I discovered a fabulous gift shop Giraffe Home Garden Giftware that sells handcrafted items from around the world - Africa, Asia, Europe. I treated myself to these gorgeous little Matryoshka dolls that now sit on the shelf in our sewing studio. They were hand painted in the Ukraine.

Both my children are busy with rehearsals for Tournament of Minds competition. The regional finals are on this weekend. As part of the competition,the children need to make all their own costumes and props. We have had both of their teams of 7 at our place for the past 2 weekends, busily sewing and constructing away. I have kept myself busy while waiting for them during rehearsals with this quick little knitted washcloth that I made using a pattern I found at Anna's blog, Thimbleanna.

Australia Post has been making a few deliveries at our place over the past week so I now have plenty of goodies and craft supplies for some new projects.

I received my Amitie Blog VIP Mailout - which consisted of these gorgeous Garden Party fabrics. I have an idea for these - hope to get to it on the weekend. (I should have ironed them before the pic - oops!)

I received these gorgeous Japanese fabrics from good-ness for some baby gift projects

and this fabric with school supplies on it - perfect for a pencil case or two!

I also received this precious little onesie as a thank you from Kristine at Townmouse. It is almost too sweet to use! Check out her beautiful range of designer babies and children's wear - it is absolutely gorgeous. Townmouse clothing has been worn by Princess Mary's children!

Posted By Lisa

Muffins and Magnets

This week, I have been busy making these cute little canvas magnets based on tutorial from How About Orange. You should check out her blog, she makes some cool stuff! Mum and I covered ours with scrapbooking paper (using Mod Podge of course)  instead of painting them.

I have also been baking for the school lunchboxes this week and made a batch of Choc Chip Muffins, using the recipe I found here. They turned out really well, are easy to make, and freeze well.

Posted by Sarah

Farmers Market

My order of Farmers Market from the Fat Quarter Shop arrived today! I love the bright summery colours and have loads of projects in mind for this fabric. 



In fact, I put some of it to good use already in these sweet little yo yo’s I am making.



I am working on this project at the moment …. (can’t show you it all just yet!)




I whipped up another little basket this week.




Things may be a little quiet around here over the next week or so. Life is very busy at the moment – mainly with ferrying kids to rehearsals etc. I am looking forward to September when life will be getting back to normal and the arrival of Spring! 

I would like to thank Erin, Sarah and Ang who have given us awards recently – thanks so much ladies – much appreciated!!

Posted by Lisa

Happy Mail!

This week we have received some happy mail! First up, we finally received our pincushions from Darlene of Quilting Daze as part of Linda - All Stitched Up -  pincushion swap. The pincushions got delayed in Melbourne by Australian customs, but have now arrived safely. They are made of gorgeous fabric, and are a great shape and weight. Darlene also sent us some matching journals and cute pins, which will all be put to good use!

Check out Darlene’s blog Quilting Daze – she is a fabulous quilter and does lots of lovely stitchery too.

We also won a giveaway from Sarah at Pink Petal Designs. We got a gorgeous knitted house pincushion and some cute Japanese fabric with lots of candy bars on it!

Sarah makes some gorgeous knitted mug warmers; knitted tea bag holders; passport covers; and notebook covers. Check out her blog and shop for inspiration!

This week I have also made some Chocolate Caramel Slice and would like to share this recipe with you. 

1 cup (125 g/4 oz) self raising flour
1 cup (90 g / 3 oz) coconut
I/2 cup (125 g/4 oz) caster sugar
125 g (4 oz) butter, melted

Filling:
400g (13 oz) condensed milk
20 g (3/4 oz butter)
2 tablespoons golden syrup

Chocolate Topping:
150 g (5 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
20 g (3/4 oz) copha (white vegetable shortening)

Preheat oven to moderate 180 degrees C. Line a lightly greased shallow tin with baking paper.
Sift the flour into a bowl. Mix in the coconut and sugar, stir through the melted butter, then press into the tin. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly coloured. Cool.
Place ingredients for caramel filling in a small pan. Slowly bring the boil, stirring constantly, then boil gently, stirring for 4-5 minutes, or until lightly caramelised. Quickly pour over the base, spreading evenly. Bake for 10 minutes, set aside to cool.
To make the topping, stir the chocolate and the copha in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water until melted. Spread over the caramel filling, Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until set. Cut into pieces with a hot, dry knife. (Makes 20 pieces).

Mum and I were also interviewed this week by Sarah at Sewing Business.  They have lots of sewing tips and techniques; and advice for setting up a sewing related business. http://sewingbusiness.com/

Posted by Sarah

Osnaburg Love!

According to Wikipedia, "Osnaburg was a coarse type of plain textile fabric, named for the city of Osnabrück . Originally made from flax yarns, it has been made from either flax, tow or jute yarns". I recently bought some Osnaburg from Lincraft and have enjoyed using it today in a couple of projects. It is so soft to work with, doesn't crush like linen, and is cheaper - what's not to like!

First up I made this little basket out of some treasured scraps.  I think it is destined to be the first of many – it was fun and quick to make! I based it on a great tutorial I found here.

I finally cut in to my Mollybirds fabric to create a little purse (with a boxed bottom) using a flexi frame closure that I purchased at a recent craft show. I have another flexi frame so will probably make a sun glasses case with it.






Have a great week!

Posted by Lisa

Cooking and Crafting..

Thanks you for all your wonderful comments about the cookbook project! It has been very exciting to be involved in a cookbook – so far 10 of my recipes have been styled and photographed, with another 8 being done this week. I have learnt some great food styling tips and it will be fun to see some of my baking in print later in the year. Sarah took a day off school to be my assistant and thoroughly enjoyed herself, as well as having the opportunity to get a good insight into behind the scenes of a publication. It has been a good few months for me on that score as 5 of my sewing projects will be featured in the Lark Book publications “Pretty Little Presents” and “Sweet Nothings” which will be coming out in fall 2009. 

I have been spending most of my free time in the kitchen over the past week and had to deal with such frustrations as my freezer dying on me on Sunday (I am still waiting for the repairman!). I whipped up a new pot holder using Cassie’s excellent tutorial for perfect binding. You can see it here with my “Baby Apple and Almond Cakes” in the background.

I played around with a quilted piece of fabric that I had left over from another project and made this triangular shaped purse.

After my recent foray into decoupage (it is very addictive), I made a little coaster for my studio to match the clipboard I made recently.

I am hoping to get back into sewing and crafting next week. One of the first things Sarah and I want to make is these little magnetic canvases from How About Orange. 

Today is my dear sons 14th Birthday! It is hard to believe how fast the past 14 years have flown since we embarked on parenthood. Although he prefers to remain anonymous on our blog, I just wanted to share one of my favourite early pics of him with you. He is such an easy going, caring, generous son. Happy Birthday BJ!!

Posted By Lisa

Swap, Tags and Projects

This week I got a lovely surprise in the mail from Mel and James from Day to Day for the Children's Sewing Kit swap. I received this great book "A is for Apron".

These cute little buttons, floss and ribbons.

And these fantastic pieces of fabric (love the cupcake print!).

Thanks again Mel and James. You should check out James' blog! I can't wait to make up an apron or two!

This week I have also repurposed a top, and made it into a cute little bag. I am still deciding what to put in it, but plan to hang it in my bedroom to store things in.

I have also made this bag out of an old pair of jeans. I got the cool little tute from  here.

       

It was super easy to make and only took a few hours.  We have also be super spoilt this week with 4 tags/awards. From

• Lisa at Bon Souvenir we got the E for Excellent blog award. Lisa makes the cutest clothes for her little girl.
• Rachael at Rachael Rabbit we got the Art Y Pico Award. Rachael did a brilliant job organising the Cupcake and Tea Swap and makes the sweetest little bunnies and other cute items.
• Gemma at Dancin Puffin awarded us the Art Y Pico Award. Gemma is raising some little chickens and knits the best iPod covers.
• Jen at August Street awarded us the Tree of Happiness Award which involves sharing 6 things we are happy about right now! They include: it is the weekend; I've finished my homework; I have been sewing today; my friend is coming over soon; and it isn't raining today!!! Jen has lots of good food tips and crafty stuff.

Thanks so much everyone for these awards. We love all the blogs we visit so consider yourself awarded!

Posted by Sarah