Yo Yo Rosette

Transform a paper bag into a lovely gift package by adding a yo yo rosette and a gathered frill. This is a great way to use up small pieces of your favourite fabric and ribbon. By adding a brooch backing to your yo yo rosette, it can then be pinned to your favourite bag as a decoration.

Materials:

• printed paper bag (10 x 6.5 inches)
• fabric scraps
• 2 small buttons (one small and one medium)
• ribbons (2 ribbons each 7-8 inches in length)
• brooch backing (optional)
• double sided tape

Make a yo yo (using a clover yo yo maker - large) that measures approx 2 inches (45 mm) in diameter. Fold the ribbons in half and trim the ends. Hand stitch the ribbons to the back of the yo yo. Layer the buttons and stitch them to the centre of the yo yo. If desired stitch a brooch back to the back of the yo yo rosette.

Cut a fabric strip measuring 1 3/4 inch x 11 inches. Cut another strip measuring 1 x 11 inches. Centre the smaller strip in the middle of the wider strip with the right sides facing upwards. Sew a gathering thread along the centre, and then pull the thread to gather the strip until it measures 6.5 inches. Stitch it in place through the centre to the bottom part of the paper bag.

Seal the bag with double sided tape. Attach the yo yo rosette in place using the brooch backing or else use a piece of double sided tape.

Supplies: You can find printed paper bags and ribbon at Ribbons Galore.

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{Book Reviews} Sweet Confections and Celebrate with Cupcakes

This week we are reviewing two new titles that will appeal to those who love to bake and give sweet treats from their kitchen.

Sweet Confections: Beautiful Candy to Make at Home by Nina Wanat introduces readers to the wonderful world of handmade candy. She demystifies the process and shows how you can easily transform basic ingredients like sugar, butter, and milk into wonderful confections with a few basic tools. The book includes a helpful Getting Started section that covers the main ingredients, tools, and techniques to get you started. In includes clear step by step photos of some of  the processes to guide you through.

Sweet Confections includes over 40 delicious recipes (all beautifully photographed)  that are divided into chapters on - Crunchy Candy, Chewy Candy, Silky Candy, and In the Pantry. The recipes include old favourites such as Peanut Brittle and Chocolate Fudge, as well as more contemporary confections such as Strawberry Lemonade Marshmallows and Pina Colada Truffles - there is something for every taste. These Sweet Confections would be perfect to share at your next formal dinner or party, and packaged beautifully would make lovely hostess gifts.

If you love to create and give sweet treats, this would be a great resource and source of inspiration!

Book Details:
ISBN:      9781600599200
Publisher:  Lark Books
Format:     Paperback, 144 pages
RRP:         $19.99

Sweet Confections is available from Fishpond and Booktopia

Celebrate with Cupcakes by Lindy Smith, Includes designs and techniques for creating 30 decorated cupcakes for your next special occasion. The cupcakes are suitable for children's parties, birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. The book opens with a reference section which includes a number of cupcake recipes, as well as basic techniques for icing and decorating, and a list of the basic equipment needed.

The Decorated Cakes are divided into Bring on the Bling; Time to Celebrate; and Animal Magic. Each cupcake project includes helpful instructions and photos showing the steps to create the cupcake, as well as tips/suggestions on how to very the design. Most of the recipes use rolled fondant (sugarpaste) and modelling paste to decorate the cupcakes.

If you love cake decorating with fondant, this would make a handy addition to your library.

Book Details:
ISBN:          9781446300541
Publisher:     David and Charles
Format:       Paperback, 128 pages
RRP:           $29.99

Celebrate with Cupcakes is available from Booktopia, Can Do Books, and Fishpond.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from distributors/publishers. We are affiliates of Booktopia and Fishpond.

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Crocheted Scarf {Free Pattern}

Now that the weather is starting to cool, I have been enjoying a spot of crocheting. It is so relaxing to sit with some yarn in front of the TV at night. I have designed and made a scarf using some gorgeous BC Garn Baby Alpaca Yarn from Suzy Hausfrau Yarn Store. The supersoft, lightweight yarn was perfect for the lacy design, it drapes beautifully, and  is very warm. The skein is a generous 500 m (547 yards) which is ideal for a scarf and is available in a wonderful range of colours.

If you would like to make your own scarf, I have included the instructions below. The free scarf pattern has been named the Maureen Scarf after my sweet Mum who is a fantastic crocheter and lover of yarn. The pattern is very easy and repetitive, perfect for crocheting on the go or in front of the TV.

Maureen Scarf Pattern by Lisa Cox

Yarn:  BC Garn Baby Alpaca 
Hook:  3.00 mm
Dimensions:  15cm wide (6 inches) x 160 cm  (63 inches)  in length
Rows: 178

UK Version
Chain 52 (or 44 for a narrower scarf)

Row 1: 3 tr into 8th ch from hook, ch 2, 3 tr into same ch as previous 3 tr, ch 1, miss 3 ch, 1 tr into next ch, *ch 1, miss 3 ch, 3 tr into next ch, ch 2, 3 tr into same ch as previous 3 tr, ch 1, miss 3 ch, 1 tr into next ch. Repeat from * until end. 

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr plus 1 ch), miss 1 ch and 3 tr, and 3 tr into first 2 ch space, ch 2, 3 tr into same ch space, **ch 1, miss 1 ch, 1 tr into tr below, ch 1, 3 tr into 2 ch space, ch 2, 3 tr into same ch space, ch 1, 1 tr into tr. Repeat from ** until end, ending with last tr in 3rd chain of turning ch. 

Rows 3 +: Repeat Row 2 until the scarf reaches the desired length

US Version
Chain 52 (or 44 for a narrower scarf)

Row 1: 3 dc into 8th ch from hook, ch 2, 3 dc into same ch as previous 3 dc, ch 1, miss 3 ch, 1 dc into next ch, *ch 1, miss 3 ch, 3 dc into next ch, ch 2, 3 dc into same ch as previous 3 dc, ch 1, miss 3 ch, 1 dc into next ch. Repeat from * until end. 

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc plus 1 ch), miss 1 ch and 3 dc,  and 3 dc into first 2 ch space, ch 2, 3 dc into same ch space, **ch 1, miss 1 ch, dc into dc below, ch 1, 3 dc into 2 ch space, ch 2, 3 dc into same ch space, ch 1, 1 dc into dc. Repeat from ** until end, ending with last dc in 3rd chain of turning ch. 

Rows 3 +: Repeat Row 2 until the scarf reaches the desired length

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Maple Cookies

If you are after some delicious plain cookies for afternoon tea, you can't go past these Maple Cookies. They have a delicate maple flavour, and are light and crisp on the outside and slightly chewy in the middle. You won't want to stop at one!

Maple Cookies

Ingredients:

(makes approx 4 dozen)

- 1 1/2 sticks (170 g) butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 cups sugar + 1/4 cup for coating cookie balls
- 1 large eggs
- ¼ cup maple syrup

- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups plain flour

Method: 1. Line cookie sheets with baking paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix melted butter and 1 cup sugar.
3. Add egg, syrup, baking soda, and vanilla.
4. Mix in flour. Stir until well-combined.
5. Cover mixing bowl, and allow your dough to chill in the fridge for at least an hour, or freeze for 15 minutes
6. Preheat oven to 350 deg C (175 deg C)
7. Pull your bowl out of the fridge. Roll your dough into 1-1/2 inch balls with your palms.
8. Fill a small bowl with remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Roll each ball in the sugar to coat.
9. Line cookie balls at least 2 inches apart on your cookie sheet. Press down with the back of a spoon.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Adapted from Just Putzing Around the Kitchen

They are especially wonderful just warm from the oven.

(baked by Sarah)

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Book Review: Jelly Roll Dreams and Push Stitchery

New titles for the Quilters and those that love Fibre Arts.....

Jelly Roll Dreams Compiled by Pam and Nicky Lintott

Jelly Roll Dreams: 12 New Designs for Jelly Roll Quilts  includes 12 lovely quilt designs from the finalists of the Jelly Roll Dreams International Quilting Competition. For each quilt, there is a variation created by Pam and Nicky Lintott using different jelly roll fabrics.  Jelly Rolls are becoming really popular in the quilting world, and this book will inspire you to unravel those beautiful rolls of fabric.

There is a great range of creative designs - some that are suited to beginners with simple and clever uses for a jelly roll; and other designs are more challenging and inventive. I love seeing each design presented in two different colourways/variations.

All the quilt patterns include helpful diagrams and photographs, and clear instructions. All templates are shown at full size. The book also includes a helpful section of General Techniques to guide the beginner quilter through the basics of quilting, adding borders, attaching binding, and more.

My favourite designs include:

The Penny Quilt by Penny Vanderwal

Sense of Direction by Mary Claire Allen

If you enjoy using pre-cut fabrics in your quilts, this is a great book to add to your quilting library.

Publisher:    David and Charles
ISBN:        1446300404
Format:      Paperback, 128 pages
RRP:          $29.99

Jelly Roll Dreams is available from  Booktopia ,Fishpond, and Can Do Books.

Push Stitchery Curated by Jamie Chalmers

Push Stitchery: 30 Artists Explore the Boundaries of Stitched Art is an inspiring volume that showcases the work of 30 artists from around the world who "Push" the boundaries of traditional craft mediums as they show just what can be accomplished with needle and thread, whilst using techniques of embroidery, needlecraft, quilting and textile crafts. Although the majority of the pieces use fabric, other unorthodox surfaces such as metal, porcelain, and stone show how modern artists have transformed some traditional crafts into a contemporary forms of art.

Way of Roses, Severija Incirauskaite-Kriauneviciene

Push Stitchery is not a "how to" book with project and instructions. Rather it is a gallery of inspiring artists, each presenting a collection of their work that is interspersed with an interview where they describe some of their techniques; their medium of choice; where they find inspiration; their process; and more.

Blue Dress, Diem Chau

Some of the projects include: Cross stitched cars; stitched stone sculptures; embroidered paintings; and Blackwork embroidered cities.

Welcome to Eastbourne Pier, Gillian Bates

Push Stitchery is a book that can be picked up and studied whenever you need some inspiration for your next stitched project.

Publisher:      Lark
ISBN:           9781600597879
Format:         Hardcover, 176 Pages
RRP:             $24.99

Push Stitchery is available from Fishpond, Booktopia and Can Do Books.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from distributors/publishers. We are affiliates of Booktopia and Fishpond.

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A Mothers Day Celebration

We hope that all Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunties, Sisters, and Daughters had a lovely Mother's Day last Sunday. We had a wonderful get together with our extended family to celebrate Mothers Day and my parents 51st Wedding Anniversary

To make the afternoon extra special, we went with a High Tea theme - it was a good excuse to get out our cake stands, and my Grandmothers Vintage Tea Set.

Vintage Tea Set used to Hold Chocolates

It looked pink and girly - just what we were after! ( I photographed the table before our visitors arrived - and then forgot to take more photos of the table after the food was laid out).

White serving platters were lined with pink gingham waxed paper to fit with the pink theme.  Pink flowers cut from vellum were scattered on the table cloth.

We even found some pink and white M & M's to match!

Some of the savoury food included:

Red Curry Tuna Tarts

Herbed Smoked Salmon Tartlets

Some of the sweet treats included:

Vanilla Macarons

Chocolate Marble Cupcakes

Cheesecake Cups

Nothing beats an enjoyable afternoon with the family.

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Winner of the Mosey Giveaway

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway to win the Vintage Pattern Journal and Bookmark, sponsored by Mosey. The lucky winner of the gorgeous journal and bookmark is Julie Richards. We have sent you an email Julie.

If you are looking for a lovely handmade gift for someone special, check out the wonderful range of handmade Australian and New Zealand goods over at Mosey.

Silhouette Art

Just wanted to share this Silhouette Art project with you. This would be a fun project to do with an older child - I love silhouettes and made up this project recently for a friend. This would look great on a child's bedroom wall - it is so colourful and fun!


Instructions:

• Find a thrifted or vintage  frame, remove the glass, and spray paint it in a bright colour. 
• Line the frame with some damask or monochromatic fabric cut to size. 
• Take a profile photo of your child, enlarge it to the right size, and then trace the outline onto appliqué film (such as steam a seam). 
• Press the appliqué film to the back of some black homespun (following manufacturer's directions), cut out the silhouette image, and then fuse with your iron onto the centre of the frame.

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Oaty Choc-Chip Cookies

One of my favourite types of cookies, are Oaty Choc Chip.

Ingredients:
1 Stick (125 g) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
1/2 cup (100g) firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/4 cup (110g) rolled oats
1 cup (150g) plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda
175g (6 oz) choc chips (can use white, dark, or milk)
150g (5 1/2 oz) roasted hazelnuts, peeled, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 170 deg C (340 deg F). Line 3 baking trays with baking paper.

Using electric beaters, beat butter, sugars and vanilla until pale and thick. Beat in egg until just combined. Using a wooden spoon fold in oats. Sift flour, baking powder, soda and i/2 teaspoon salt over mixture, then fold in. When almost incorporated fold in chocolate and hazelnuts. Using ice-cream scoop, scoop balls of dough (1 heaped tablespoon) onto tray 4 cm apart. Flatten slightly, then bake in two batches for about 10 minutes or until golden. Cookies will feel soft but will crisp as they cool.


Sarah was pretty sure we had shared these cookies previously on our blog. I did a quick search and sure enough she had made them back in 2008 (when she was just 11 years old!). One of the lovely things about blogging is that it is such a good record of your life. I think that Sarah's passion for baking has only grown since then.


 Note: The greaseproof/wax paper with text was purchased here.

Home Sweet Home - A Mothers Day Project

If you are after a last minute gift project  to make your Mum for Mother's Day, the scrabble tile Family Motto may be just the thing!

Create a family motto to hang in your kitchen, using vintage fabrics and scrabble tiles. Find a thrifted vintage frame and line it with some retro fabric. Spell out the words of your family motto using Scrabble Tiles, and adhere them to the fabric with a strong glue that bonds fabric and plastic. The whole family can get involved in selecting the perfect phrase (e.g Love One Another; Kiss The Cook etc).

"Home Sweet Home" is a quick mock up I did of the idea to test out the concept. I haven't glued the tiles on as our family love Scrabble! I now need to go op shopping (thrift shopping) to find an old Scrabble set and vintage frame. I would love to hang this in my kitchen.

I also included another quick Mothers Day project in our newsletter that was sent out yesterday. If you would like to subscribe, you can do so here.

                                                  Subscribe to our newsletter

I will be re-sending the newsletter to new subscribers tomorrow.

Classic Vanilla Cupcakes

To celebrate my birthday last weekend, Sarah made up a batch of delicious Vanilla Cupcakes with a Buttercream Frosting. She used the Wilton 2D Decorating Tip to make the lovely swirls.

Vanilla Cupcakes (makes 18)

Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/8 cups self-raising flour
• 1  cup plain (all-purpose) flour
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 deg C (350 degrees F).

Line muffin tins with cupcake liners.

In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside.

In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended. Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about 3/4 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.

Cool the cupcakes in tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing.

Frosting:

Ingredients:

125 g butter (1 stick), softened

3 cups icing (confectioners sugar)

2 - 4 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

pink food colouring

sprinkles

Method:

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl and on medium speed of an electric mixer beat until smooth. Add  the sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy, about 5-7 minutes. Gradually add the remaining milk or until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. Add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. 

Place icing in piping bag with 2D Tip. Pipe swirls onto cupcakes and add sprinkles as desired.

Thanks Sarah for the fabulous cupcakes!

Sponsored Giveaway: Mosey

Mosey is an online marketplace for independent designers and makers in Australia and New Zealand. If you are after some unique, hand crafted gifts, you will find plenty of inspiration over at Mosey. Mosey are generously giving A Spoonful of Sugar readers the opportunity to win the following fantastic prize, valued at $55.

Vintage Dress Pattern Journal 

The cover of this handmade journal from Left Hand Books features images from McCall’s pattern 5780 – a dress straight out of the ‘Mad Men’ era. The front of the journal features the two variation of the dress that could be made from this pattern and the back cover shows the instructions from the reverse of the pattern envelope – complete with markings from the dressmaker.

The spine is pink buckram (book cloth) which compliments the dress pictured on the cover and the journal is finished off with a matching pink satin ribbon bookmark.

The paper is quality (approx 140 gsm) with a creamy, smooth texture  -   beautiful for writing on.  Ball points will glide across the page and fountain pens will not bleed.  The hand torn pages are blank for you to write or draw on.  

Dimensions:

17.5 x 24 cm (Approx. A5)

8 signatures hand sewn

128 hand torn pages 

Satin ribbon bookmark

Limited edition (Individually numbered)

This journal comes presented in a handmade calico bag

Page 47 Bookmark

Page 47 Bookmarks are created by hand, using decorative art papers, reclaimed patterned papers, authentic sheet music and vintage images that have been treated to impart a feeling of the past.

This bookmark is created from a limited supply of a decorative art paper that has a floral design that is gentle and soft but with a brave colour combination.

Your page is marked by the bookmark being placed on the top corner of the page you have reached in your novel and are really nice to notice when your return to your reading again. Your book will love wearing your Page 47 bookmark.

**To be in the running to win this prize from Mosey (valued at $55), log in to the Raflecopter giveaway box below with your email address or facebook account and follow the steps. TIP: If you don’t see Rafflecopter Click READ MORE below, and it will then show the Rafflecopter Form!!  Giveaway is open until May 16. Good Luck!

Flower Tape Measure

If you are after a quick gift to make for a sewing friend, you can't go past a covered tape measure - pretty and practical. I made this version using some die cut felt flowers (purchased here) or you could easily cut your own flowers from coloured felt.

The Covered Tape Measure Tutorial was one of my first designs. Although my photography and styling has improved enormously since it was published on our blog in 2008, the instructions are still the same. Simply stitch the layered felt flowers onto one side of the cover before it is assembled.

I also added a smaller flower to the end of the tape measure (you can stitch it through the plastic tape using a sharp needle) to finish it off.

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Book Review: Mad Men, Bad Girls, and the Guerilla Knitters Institute

Maggie Groff's novel Mad Men, Bad Girls and the Guerilla Knitters Institute  is an entertaining page turner that kept me up late last night.  It follows investigate journalist, Scout Davis, on her quest to expose an American cult with strange beliefs and bizarre practices that has located to the Gold Coast. Scout is also investigating vandalism as an exclusive private school as a favour to her sister. She has secrets of her own - she is part of the Guerilla Knitters Institute - an underground group of yarn bombers who sneak out in the dead of night to beautify the locality with knitted art. Add in a new love interest, absentee boyfriend, colourful family, and it makes for a lively read.

Whilst the book is essentially a mystery/crime novel with drama and twists, it has enough quirky characters and humour to make it a fun read. I can't wait to see what Scout gets up to next!

Publisher:    Pan Macmillan
ISBN:         9781742610795
Format:       Paperback
Published:    1st  March 2012
Mad Men, Bad Girls and the Guerilla Knitters Institute is available from Booktopia and Fishpond.



Apart from the Friday Night Knitters Club, I haven't read many other novels that reference knitting. I have enjoyed many novels though in the quilting genre. If you can recommend any novels that have a craft slant to them, please list them in the comments. I am always on the lookout for more books to read.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from distributors/publishers. We are affiliates of Booktopia and Fishpond.

Product Review: Tefal Steam Generator Iron

Product Talk by Nuffnang

When I found out that I had been selected by Nuffnang to review Tefal's Pro Express Turbo Steam Generator Iron, I did a happy dance. I am a bit OCD when it comes to ironing (sad I know)- I am one of those people who iron tea towels, pillowcases, tablecoths, T-Shirts - pretty much everything apart from sheets and underwear. I get a lot of satisfaction when the ironing is all up to date for another week. As a sewer/quilter, I am always pressing fabric for my latest project.


I haven't had a good track record with irons recently - I have gone through 7 irons in the past 10 years (admittedly I did drop one!). They always seem to leak water everywhere or burn out if they are left on for too long. I was very keen to put the Tefal Pro Express Turbo through its paces to see how it measures up. Coincidently my current iron is also a Tefal - the Aquaspeed Auto Clean which I am very happy with.

The Tefal Steam Generator Iron is BIG - it includes the generator iron rest, which has a 1.8 L removable water tank, and has a retractable cord (like a vacuum cleaner).  The iron locks onto the rest when not in use. When using the iron, you position the iron rest on an adjacent bench or at the end of the ironing board, and the electricity and steam travel to the iron by a thick cord. The iron itself has a steam control button, as well as a Turbo steam button for vertical steam ironing. The iron takes 2 minutes to warm up before use, and has an auto shut off after 8 mins. You can use tap water in the iron and it can be easily descaled/cleaned.


I spent some time today ironing a range of items - including school uniforms, business shirts, delicate fabrics, jeans etc. I found that the powerful continuous steam cut down my ironing time significantly, and there was no need to use spray starch which I often use on some shirts. The iron itself is lighter as the water tank is in the separate iron rest. I walked away to take a phone call and when I came back the iron had turned itself off, but quickly warmed up again in approx 2 minutes.

Tefal Pro Express Turbo Steam Generator Iron


Pro's

• Continuous powerful steam
• Lighter iron
• Ability to use tap water
• Anti-calc autoclean
• Turbo function for vertical steam ironing
• Auto shut off after 8 minutes
• Retractable power cord
• Steam button on inside of handle so is easy to access
• Large water tank keeps you ironing for a long time without the need to be refilling the iron
• The shape of of the iron (pointed end) is good for ironing shirts
• Can get the ironing done in half the time as you only need to iron over each section once.

Con's

• The iron plus the base unit is quite large and heavy when filled with water. You would need to have a bench nearby or else a large sturdy ironing board to rest it on.
• Price  (I checked on line and it sells from $320 - $550)
• You need to be careful as it generates a lot of steam - probably not a good iron to teach the kids to iron with.

In summary, I love my new Tefal Pro Express Turbo and it would be a great iron to consider if you have a large family, or have a lot of ironing. It is the perfect addition to the sewing room for quilters/sewers.

Disclaimer: Please note we did not get paid to write this product review but we did receive an iron to review.