To blog or not to blog........

I am on a campaign to get my Mum to start a blog of her own. She is really awesome, you would all love her heaps, I promise. Sign the petition (a.k.a leave a comment) if you want my awesome Mum to start a blog.

Pleaaaaase leave a comment!!!

my creative space...

My creative space this week has been all about the finishes. Finally finished my pattern testing for Jodie (I am sooo sorry I took so long!!) and finished one of my submissions for the Ipswich Show's creative crafts section.

This one is for the handmade bear section. I hope the bear purists don't mind my interpretation of the handmade bear. This one is being quite shy too. Normally they tell me their name during construction, but this one..... Any suggestions?

The shell on Ernst the turtle just kills me! It's sooo cute!

Home of my creative space, over here.

edited to add: "Posie" it is! Thanks heaps to Kylie for coming up with that name, I think it's perfect!

Sneaky

Look who snuck her way into bed with Miss 12 this morning. Do you think I could get angry with that face? Not a chance.

Flea Market finds

Bit late with my flea market finds this week. My head is doing me in with all the things I have to get to this week, and all the things I want to get to this week. Can somebody please extend this week? Maybe just a day or two longer??

Went off to the local tip shop this week, just had to check out the madness that is a Friday there. Wow, security guards breaking up fights, people taking off with other peoples trolleys, people hovering over you as you decide whether or not you want the full piece retro kitchen set minus the lid for the flour (I didn't buy it, but I did take it off the shelf and walk around with it for a bit, just for my own amusement!).

What I did buy was this fabulous kero lantern that I had seen somewhere once for $40. I paid $4. I really love it. I also picked up that panel of Ikea fabric for .50c. Bargain. The chair was opped sometime last year and I have been meaning to paint it ever since. Another thing to add to the "to do" list....

Vintage sheet swap

Miriam alerted me yesterday to a great vintage sheet swap organised by Ange's Ramblings. If you are interested pop over there and check out all the details. Sign up is until the end of June, so plenty of time to get yourself organised. I love a good swap, and in this case, the more the merrier!

Click on the link on my sidebar to take you to the swap post.

my creative space...

Yep. That's me.

It's almost done Jodie, I promise!

For more productive creative spaces, head over to Kirsty's.

Flea Market finds

On Friday morning my Mum and I headed off to Ipswich to go to check out a few things going on. We first headed to Handmade Heaven where Mum made a few purchases from these gorgeous ladies. We then headed up the road to St Pauls Church where they were having a small quilt show. My Aunt had a quilt in the Qld Quilters challenge. I wish I had of taken my camera! There was a little church stall of handmade goodies out the front that had some very cute items for sale. I simply could not resist this tea cosy and little cupcake! Tea and cupcakes anyone?

My flea market find of the week came about as we stopped into a little coffee shop on our way back to the car. In the coffee shop she had vintage knick knacks displayed and I noticed price tags on them.Now I have never been drawn to anything like this before, but when I saw it, I simply couldn't resist! $5.00. I don't know really what it would be used for, but to me it's saying pincushion. I'll have a fiddle and see what it looks like.

And, I can't resist having one more cute puppy shot. This is Millie in her little crate saying "please let me out!!".

Ummm....

Look what I got. Her name is Millie, and I believe she has stolen my heart.



Oh, and word on the street is my pincushion has been received and is well loved. Go check out Tracey's blog for the unveiling.

Done!

Finally, my pincushion is done! It took me more time agonising over which teacup and which fabric to use than it actually did constructing it! But I'm very happy with the result. I just hope my swap partner agrees!

Too soon?

Mr Vintage has been bombarding me with very cute pictures of Staffy pups in the hope that I will agree to getting a new puppy.The problem is though, is it too soon after the loss of my beloved China? He has some valid points for why now is a good time, with me at home for a few months before looking for another casual job, we won't have to leave a puppy home alone a lot.
But is it too soon? Will it ever be "the right time"?
He has, in fact, been wanting a new puppy since our other dog, Jack, ran away (for the 1,345th, and the last, time) about 4 years ago. I wanted China to live out her twilight years in peace and quiet, and he agreed, which is why now he so keen to get another one.
Is there meant to be a set mourning period, or am being too morbid about it? Does anyone have any thoughts? I would love to hear them.

All puppy images found on the net, although that white one looks very much like China as a puppy, not quite as cute though.

Swapsies!

Look what arrived today! My pincushion from Foxs Lane pincushion swap!


My secret swap partner was Megan from Simple Pleasures, and she made me this gorgeous, bright and cheery pincushion. And there was also one of her zipper pouches as well. Thank you so much Megan, they are simply gorgeous!


Head over to Megan's blog now, she has a super cute giveaway happening. But don't enter or anything, I want it for myself!

my creative space...

Shhh, secret crafters business going on around here.

Well, at least there will be when I can get rid of the Spawn of Evil (a.k.a one very hormonal almost 13 year old Miss M) for a couple of days.

Other more creative spaces over here.

Pincushion Overload

Is anyone else involved in Kate's pincushion swap having a minor freakout?? I've got to stop Googling pincushions!

I had decided what kind of pincushion I'm going to make for my secret swap partner, but now I'm having some doubts. I've made several teacup pincushions before and think they are gorgeous, but I've just got that nagging feeling of whether or not my partner will dig it as much as I do.

These are just a few of the images I've come across in my searches. I hope I can pull this thing off without anyone getting disappointed!


all images found on the net.

A little "baking"

I simply couldn't resist "baking" some croissants to go with my cupcakes. I'll start the coffee machine, are you popping over for some baked goodies?

Flea market finds on Bunny day!

Happy Bunny day everyone!

I have been so busy this week with my job ending and doctors visits that I've barely had time to scratch myself, let alone go op shopping! But I did find myself with a spare 15 mins between errands and couldn't resist popping into my local oppy for a little poke around. So glad I did! I found these 2 sweaters, perfect for felting.
And what's that you say? Does that sweater say "100% cashmere on it's label?", why yes, it does! 1 pure cashmere and a lambswool/angora blend sweater all for a total of $10.


And the cashmere felted up gorgeously and has already come in handy for a last minute bunny gift for Miss 12. Using this super easy tutorial.


Pop over to Sophie's and check out all the bunny day finds!

Bunny Friday - week 4.... Happy Easter!

Well, I promised last week the piece de resistance of bunnies, but....things went a little pear shaped. Still tastes good, just looks a little.... well, melted.

Bunny marshmallow! My Mum used to make these when I was a kid, and they were oh-so-good. Recipe from my CWA cook book.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of gelatine
125ml cold water (1/2 cup)
pinch salt160ml hot water (3/4 cup)
320g sugar (1 1/2 cup)
colouring and flavouring (optional)

1.Prepare your bunny moulds by brushing some melted butter over the inside and dusting them with an equal measure of cornflour and icing sugar.2. In a bowl combine gelatine, cold water and salt.
3. Bring sugar and hot water to the boil and pour over gelatine.
4.Beat until thick and white.
5. Add colouring and flavouring if desired. (I only added pink colouring to the mix after I had poured the little ones. I didn't add any flavour and they taste great.)
6. Pour into your moulds.7. Cover and stand in fridge for 24 hrs.


To turn them out I dipped them in a sink of hot water. This is where I probably went too far. The little ones came out easier, but I left the big one in too long and it melted the top, so her ears aren't as pronounced. Oh well, live and learn! Once they are on the plate, dust them with icing sugar and enjoy!

Hope you all have a great Easter break, I have some baking planned tomorrow, using this recipe for hot cross buns. Have a bunny great time on Sunday!

my creative space...

Stepping out of my comfort zone a little this week and trying out a different medium than what I'm used to working with. Quite enjoyable actually!

Very much inspired by this post from Krafty Panda, I'm making some pin toppers to go along with my pincushion for the great pincushion swap.

Yes, they are cupcakes..... in case you couldn't tell.

More creative spaces over at Kirsty's.