Bunnies, Bag and Skirt January 17, 2010

I found a cute bag pattern in the Australian Homespun Handbag Special, which I modified from the shown green to my fave blue. I got spoiled with an iPhone this month and the bag ofcourse have a custom made iPhone sized pocket Pics of the green version here (scroll to ‘the Prairie satchel’).

A dear friend wore a very nice wrap skirt last i saw her, and when she told me it was made using this pattern I just had to give it a go. It was easy peasy to make, but when I went shopping for fabric I forgot about the contrasting binding and was too impatient not to finish the skirt once I got started, so i guess this is the plain Jane sister.

It was only last night when looking for pics of the bag from the Homespun Magazine that I realised it was the talented Toni that had created both patterns!

Today, a rainy summers day in Melbourne, I managed to do a little gardening and a little sewing. I have made prototypes of bunnies for two of my colleagues who had babies last year. I always make something homemade for my friends, but was not in a space to do it when the littlies arrived.

Blue Quilt progress, hand quilting half done January 16, 2010

It is taking its time I must admit.

A downturn in my mental health, a wee bit of christmas prep and celebration and an awful lot of suny Melbourne days got in the way me thinks.

I am taking the quilt to work, and work on it in my breaks, I get at least 30 minutes done per shift, and I work 7 days of a fortnight. Should be done by easter

Should have viewed the pic before uploading – that is terrible! But now the day light is gone, so cant redo it.

Lindas Lunch Bag December 12, 2009

I have long been a fan of the simple but multi-uses Jordy bag. Last year I made a medium sized one that I use to carry my lunchboxes to and from work, love the idea of not using plastic bags. Tonight I had this sudden urge to make one for my dear friend for christmas. I am hoping I can hide it under her tree for a surprise. Her fave colour is green, who would have guessed

A little bit of order December 12, 2009

in an otherwise terribly messy room.

My crafty space December 11, 2009

Is in my spare room.

Much of this year it has been taken over by a double bed and visitors, and since my in laws are invading next week, I am madly trying to finish all the machine work on my blue squares, the rest I can do by hand whilst on the couch conversing

More crafty spaces here.

Oaty-chrissy treats December 10, 2009

One of my fave danish christmas treats are oat-balls ‘havregrynskugler‘. A variation on a rum ball I suppose.

You’ll need

100g of soft butter

300ml quick cooking oats

150ml icing sugar

100ml cocoa

100ml dessicated coconut

1 teaspoon strong coffee

a dash of vanilla

Mix all ingredients, roll into small balls and roll in more coconut.

Store in the fridge.

We love these so much I have just made batch number 4 already.

Crafty Tuesday – cheats gifttags December 2, 2009

Inspired by Diane I have been VERY crafty today It is almost cheating calling it a craft – but what the heck, I’m taking the chance.

I alway tear of the front of last years christmas cards before depositing the backs in the recycling. In years past, we have pasted chrissy images onto red cardboard for new christmas cards, but this year I dont think my mental health lends itself to card-stress, so this years project is even easier – gifttags.

Doesn’t get much easier than that!

Merry 2nd December.

Tuesday Lunch December 2, 2009

Today was a blah-kind of a day. It drew tears, and nearly a tantrum by 9am. So the soul needed renourishing, and what better way than cooking up a feast, convincing the hubby to take a mental health day, and enjoying a lunchtime chat in the georgeous Melbourne sun.

I softened a sliced red onion in olive oil, added 2 chopped tomatoes, and half a chopped red capsicum and cooked until nicely coloured.

I added a handful of fresh spinach leaves and rocket leaves from the garden, and then poured over 8 lightly beaten eggs*

Topped the lunchtime feast with sliced of feta, and cooked over alow heat with the lid on until hubby returned from the hardware store.

We had a simple salad of greens, and advocado as well as a few sliced of crusty bread.

The mood was far more positive with a our tummies and hearts full.

Best of all, enough leftovers to do for dinner as well.

*may I brag about getting 3 fresh eggs every morning from our resident chooks.

Rainbow values quilt, first lay up October 15, 2009

I have cut all my pieces for my scrap-buster values quilt. Most of the pieces have been stitched, and the squares cut in half – tonight I lined up all the squares to see how it will come together. Its very rainbow!!

I’m not really sure what to think… It might be a good one for a picnic, where a few grass stains wont spoil the look.

My ‘Red work with a difference’ October 6, 2009

Inspired by this, I made this:

I am not entirely happy with it, next time I’d spend more time playing with the ‘font’, and I have some long red stitches running behind the lettering that I hope wont be visible when I frame it.

11 weeks till christmas – I’m just saying…