A little bit of my view

Who wouldn't find inspiration with this view.  Some times it's nice to just stop and take it all in - you know, appreciate all that is around us....... Don't ya think ?

Inspiration

My little Willow loves clothing and takes great pride in what she wears, much to her mummy's frustration, she even gets funny about what to pack in her kindy bag. Its no great surprise that my girls are my number one inspiration. I probably make more for her because she gets the most excited about what I create and she is also the hardest to dress.

Willow was doing a fitting for me until she got lured in by her easter eggs.

My happy little creative space...

Cotton voile from spotlight given to me from mum and my Kai scissors which I could not live with out.

I was thrilled with this new style to create, not only did it have two fabrics to combine it has edges left raw (me the perfectionist was told to take short cuts!! Muslin used as ruffle lining which will fray nicely. I am hoping to add this one to the summer range, more images to come. This is just a small snippet of my creative space and inspiration.

The Art of Craft............

For those of you who sew or craft you will know how rewarding it can be. Not only can it be hugely relaxing, it can be a great way to save money also.  Your stash determines who you are no less than the way you behave. It is like an novel written about you left open for all to see. The range of colour and quality and texture always there to add to and save and cherish for that rainy day, that is what brings me to the first couple of photos, this is what I managed to pull together quickly for one of Ivy's school friends for a birthday present.  On weeks when funds are limited and time is an issue this quick dress is a beauty and came from retromummy. Fabric from Lincraft given to me by my lovely mum.

The lovely Willow.

My mum has taught me to sew and I will always cherish that time she gave me and talent she has passed on. She has just moved up the coast and although I am so happy for her retirement I miss her terribly already (yep, not yet 14 days!)

 
We often talk about fabrics and sewing stuff. She has the best stash ever! and a gadget for almost anything crafty.  Some of her stash I would have to say is almost vintage. Sorry mum! But really it is, I unpacked her sewing room for her last week at her new house and seriously......how much track suiting fabric could one really want? Did people really wear matching track pant and top out of the house? 
There was something really special about going through her collection and seeing her years creativity unfold in front of me. So here mum this post is for you, a tribute from one sewer to another - thank you for all that you are and all that you have taught me.

Christmas day dress

I can definitely be accused of not buying the twins a lot of their own clothing however it is really only due to the fact that when Ivy grows out of her lovely things the little girls not only want to wear their older sisters things however they fit into them nicely. So for Christmas I decided it was time to make the little girls a dress of their own with some of the fabric in my stash.

Isla is sporting her favourite colour yellow, the fabric came from The Fabric Store Surry Hills.

Willow loves blue, yes I know so refreshing from the usual pink love affair. Main fabric from Spotlight.

Excuse the undie flash!

The girls loved their dresses, I can strongly see their love of clothing (like me!) already.

Winter Knits...

Ok, so it would have been nice if we had some happy smiley faces but we got there in the end.


This beautiful cardigan was knitted by our dear Aunty Ros, she is AH-MAYZ-ING! I sent her a picture of the sort of styles I liked (from the Seed website of course) and she whipped this one up in less than two weeks. It is a beautiful cotton from the wool shed and came up so soft. Aunty Ros put so much gorgeous detail into - she is a mighty fine knitter and has since completed two more cardigans for the twins. You may not see the cute little pockets on the front (just like grandpa had!) where Ivy loves to put all those little things, which are of high importance, you know like barbie shoes, lollies etc.

                                             

So thank you Aunty Ros we think you have done a fab job and hope you will continue to knit for us in the years to come xx

yum, yum and yum!

I had to share this great cookie recipe with you, thanks to the lovely nigella.  It has been a while since I have baked and I now remember why...... I eat too much of my own creations.


This is how mine turned out......

 Recipe: Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies

Nigella Lawson

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 125g salt free butter
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 180C.

Measure out the flour, baking powder, salt and rolled oats into a bowl.

Put the butter and sugars into another bowl and beat together until creamy — this is obviously easier with an electric mixer of some kind, but you just need to put some muscle into otherwise — then beat in the egg and vanilla.

Beat in the flour, baking powder, salt and oat mixture and then fold in the cranberries, chopped pecans and chocolate chips.

Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into a ball with your hands, and then place them on a lined or greased baking sheet and squish the dough balls down with a fork. You may need two baking sheets or be prepared to make these in two batches.

Cook for 15 minutes; when ready, the cookies will be tinged a pale gold, but be too soft to lift immediately off the tray, so leave the tray on a cool surface and let them harden for about 5 minutes. Remove with a spatula or whatever to cool fully on a wire rack.

Serving Size

Makes 30

The next Olsen twins...

I watched from a far, amused at my little girls performing what I believe could be the beginning of a fabulous career!

Isla, who true to form was in charge and predictably bossy was using a pink ribbon for a tape measure to take the measurements of her twin sister's waist.

My budding seamstress was efficient and calculating and extremely passionate about the task at hand, perhaps the next Olsen twins ? One will tell!