Authentically Dad

With Fathers Day just around the corner, I designed a few fast projects for Dad. I always find making projects that are appealing to men a challenge. With my Dad's (Husband, Father, Father-in-Law, and Grand-dad) less is more - they don't like things that are too overdone. The Authentic fabric range was the perfect choice.

The tutorials for these projects will be released over the coming days at QFD Creative. The first project, Authentic Coasters, can already be found there.

The other projects include a golf towel (with a eyelet and hook to hang on your golf buggy), Fathers Day Card, and Picture Frame (if you look closely I am in the picture).

My sweet friend Janelle from Janellybelly Bags and Things, is giving away one of her fabulous rose bags. Pop on over here to enter.

Material Monday

There is nothing quite like a delivery of fabric to lift your spirits when you are recovering from the flu!

I love the Be Merry by My Minds Eye by Riley Blake fabric because you can never have too much Christmas fabric.

The Moda Lamour Circles Red fabric reminds me of sashiko embroidery and will be incorporated into my next sashiko project.

Sarah loves the Just Dreamy by Minds Eye for Riley Blake fabric. She has signed up to do Textiles as an elective at school next year so hopefully we will have more of her sewing projects to share. Meanwhile she is building up her stash.

These fabrics are all available from 

Ladybug Quilt Shop

I also stocked up on delicious Heather Bailey wool felt last week at Calico and Ivy for a project that I am working on. Aren't the colours delicious?

My kids have been really busy at school this term with loads of extra curricular activities - such as debating, Tournament of the Minds, etc. I want to surprise them after school today with a special afternoon tea.

I made up some pikelets that we will have with some cinnamon sugar. (Recipe from Exclusively Food).

I also baked up a batch of Carrot Cupcakes with Lemon Icing. (Recipe from "How to Be  Domestic Goddess" by Nigella Lawson).

I think I might go and have a cupcake now myself and do some stitching before it is time for the school pickup!

Winner and Paper Projects

We are pleased to announce that Simone de Klerk won our giveaway. A copy of the Craft Hope book will now be on its way to you Simone!

Simone de Klerk said...

What a lovely project you made for the book! I haven't heard of the book, but find it a great initiative!
Would love to have the chance to win a copy.
I make quilts for children with a chronic or life threatening illness and their family and I love to join charity quilts, making one or more blocks.

14 August 2010 6:14 PM

Thanks to everyone for entering. We were touched by all the stories that you shared - looks like many of you have been touched by illness in your family and it has inspired you to help others in need. The crafting community are really so very generous with their time and skills.

Sarah and I spent some time on the weekend playing with our Sweet Treats Cricut Cartridge which has lots of cake and ice cream shapes, including little favour boxes and cupcake holders.

Sarah made this sweet card...

.... and favour box.

I made up this favour box for my nephew whose birthday is just around the corner.

It was fun playing with paper! Now it is back to some sewing.

Vote For Craft!

Quilting Arts Gifts is a special issue of Quilting Arts Magazine devoted to the art of gift-giving and will be on sale soon. I was most excited to discover that my Advent Houses have made the cover. I had a lot of fun with this project - I love everything about Christmas. Now I can't wait to see the magazine in person - the contents is available here and it looks like a fabulous issue.

Australia went to the polls today and we are still waiting to hear the outcome - it is going to be close. We are also going to have a poll of our own!  Sarah has been busy putting her graphic design skills to work and has designed three new headers for A Spoonful of Sugar (fantastic effort for 13 year old!). We would love your opinion - check out the poll in our side bar -

Blue Header

Pink/Red Header

Multi- Coloured Header

We will be back tomorrow with the winner of our Craft Hope Giveaway.

Fete Favourites

The latest Handmade Magazine hit the news stands today, and it has a fun feature of things to make for fetes, including two of my projects. Now that my two kids are no longer in primary school, I haven't been as involved recently in school fetes. However it is always good to have a few ideas at the ready for when you need to whip up a batch of goodies for a fund raiser.

Here are my Peg Magnets (using my ever increasing supply of Japanese masking tape)

and some Lavender Wheat Bags.

What types of things do you like to make for fetes and fairs?

Vive La France

Sewing time has been in short supply again this week but I did get a chance to make up a Passport Protector for a friend's daughter who loves all things French. I used one of my older tutorials for the Passport Protector. You can find it here.

The fabric I used was Trefle by Kokka, a linen blend, with some Lecien polka dots.

I found the sweet Eiffel Tower label from This and That from Japan They don't have any more in stock but have some lovely Japanese trims/ribbons.

I made up a matching tag using the Summer in Paris Cricut Cartridge.

Thanks for all the comments on my giveaway post. Love all the ideas for crafting for a cause - lots of worthwhile charities around. You still have time to enter - I will draw a winner on Saturday.

Craft Hope: Handmade Crafts for a Cause + Giveaway

I was most excited to receive a copy of the Craft Hope book in the mail yesterday. I was thrilled last year when Jade Sims asked me to contribute to her book. For me, crafting is all about making things for others to bring them some sunshine and joy, so what could be better than been inspired to make projects for people in need, so that they know someone cares about them.  The book contains a lovely range of projects to suit all skill levels and would be a great way to get kids inspired to make things for those less fortunate.


My project is "Care Caps" - a warm, soft beanie for use by anyone who has lost their hair as a side effect of chemotherapy. Chemo patients often complain of cold heads, and a hand made beanie is sure to warm their heads and lift their spirits. Made in vibrant colours, it will help them to look and feel good whilst going through a challenging time. The beanie is lined in soft flannel to provide extra warmth. A special feature of the hat is a little heart sewn into the lining, to remind the wearer  that the beanie has been created especially for them. 

The book links each project up with suggested charity organisations. The Care Caps can be donated to local cancer clinics or homeless shelters. One of the reasons I selected this project was when my husband was undergoing chemo a few years ago, I noticed how there were often volunteers in the clinic giving out scarves and hats, and how it really helped to raise the spirits of the people receiving treatment. 

I would like to give away a copy of this book to one of our readers. Simply leave a comment on this post and we will draw a winner on Saturday 21 August. If you have any favourite charities, I would love to hear about them. The draw is open to everyone, just make sure you leave an email address if you don't have a blogger profile so we can contact you. If you would like to get hold of a copy for yourself, the book is available from The Book Depository (currently AUD $19.68 with free shipping anywhere in the world) and part proceeds of the sale goes to Global Impact  www.charity.org.

Let There Be Light...

I finally got around to constructing a light box - I am not sure why I didn't do it sooner as it was a super quick project. It was very easily made using the tutorial I found at Strobist a couple of years ago. I just used an old box and covered the sides and top with greaseproof paper. It now means that I can take decent photos in winter and at night. I just need to get a better lamp.

I had the chance to try out the Light Box today when my order of Divine Twine arrived from the lovely Anna at Thimbleanna Store. I think I will find all sorts of uses for my twine... 

I have already put some to use on this gift. I made the tag on my cricut using the Cindy Loo cartridge. 

My dear friend Janelle has recently opened an online store selling her gorgeous bags. Her attention to detail and workmanship are simply amazing. Janelle's speciality are the lovely and original  Rose Bags - you  may recall the stunning deep red one that she gave me for my birthday (shown again below).  She also makes lots of other lovely styles too - pop on over to Janellybelly Bags and Things!

Have a great weekend - I hope to spend plenty of time in my craft room!

Bits and Bobs

To prove that we don't just make lots of cakes over here at "Chez Sugar", Sarah made up a Stromboli that she has portioned up and frozen ready for the school lunches this week. It tastes delicious!

You can find the recipe over at Lillabilly - she is doing a great series on school lunch boxes. It is always good to get some inspiration in that department!

Brent's party went well yesterday. We had eight 16 year olds over for a LAN Party and then took them out for dinner and a movie. What a lovely group of young men! I couldn't resist making some party cakes - they were all demolished so I think they were well received:)

Last year I was approached by the lovely Jade Sims of Craft Hope fame, to contribute a project to her book, Craft Hope - Handmade Crafts for a Cause. Well the book was published this week and Lark Crafts are celebrating with a Month of Hope -including free projects, profiles and more. Lark Crafts are sending all contributors a free book for a giveaway, so check back here soon. I can't wait to share some pics from the book with you.

Finally I would like to welcome our newest sponsor, Ladybug Quilt Shop. Sara has exceptional customer service and great prices (most fabric is less than US$8 per yard). You will find her button over in our side bar.

A Week in August

Life seems to be flying my by at the moment - my new job is keeping me busy and is turning out to be more hours than I initially realised. I hope to get into a better routine soon as I am missing my time spent creating and blogging.

Here is a snap shot of my week.....

Today is my son's 16th birthday! We are having the grandparents over after school to celebrate so I couldn't resist making these streusel topped apple cupcakes with cupcake toppers. He is having his mates over tomorrow - I don't think I would get away with cupcake toppers then:) It is hard to believe that I am a parent to a 16 year old - they grow up way too fast.

I have been working on some machine quilting....

I have been looking at this pile of fabric - destined for some Fathers Day inspired projects.

I have been reading this library book - lots of fun ideas for cushions.

I had better go and frost the chocolate cake before the birthday boy gets home from school! Have a great weekend.

More Baking:)

A family get together is always a good excuse to do some baking - best of all you don't end up with a tempting array of cakes/cookies on hand for the rest of the week. Today I decided that the decadent Lemon Meringue Cupcakes would be the perfect treat to take to a family afternoon tea. The recipe was from this book.

Sarah made some Vanilla Malted Cookie Sandwiches based on a recipe from her Martha Stewart Cookie's Book.

I think I had better focus on making some healthier foods for the rest of the week!