GetTing CraFty WiTh it...............

Some time during this year, I happened to purchase a template for a Drunkards path.... another thing to squirrel away in the craft room.  :)

Well, after much procrastinating over some stitching down of binding this afternoon, I went for a wonder to my craft room.  Just to see what it looked like oh and to see if my sewing machine still worked with a years worth of dust collecting on it. Well guess what?  It did work, and then this mad woman kicked into gear......
Trawling through the scrap box, I thought I would just see if I could get this template.. . . .I had also previously purchased (a couple of years ago at the Sydney craft show, after much harassment of the demonstrator, But will I be able to use it right when I get home? YES) A roller and these tweezery things specifically for this purpose.  Because apparently you need to roll the seem flat NOT IRON IT OUT....

So then it was the massive digging through the fabric stash.  I have managed to use fabric that had only been cut previously and scraps so far.  Go figure.  Looks great huh.  A few more to go yet.  But I'm loving the results.

. 
Happy sewing...

Kath x

HaPpY NeW yEaR - 2011 here we are

Happy New Year everyone. 

Well 2010 was a bit of a whirl wind of a year for me.  It was hard to keep up at times.  But after having had a lovely restful week of swimming, sleeping in, gardening and reading.  Im now ready for the new year and to hit the ground running.  I have my list of goals cooking away (I kept them to a page :)  ), so watch this space..... 

I have been busting to do some fabric and dollie dyeing after visiting with my Sister and her partner up in gorgeous Bellingen (Northern NSW).  So where does a girl get dollies?  Raid Mum's linen cupboard (thanks MUM) with all of her starched out doilies.  The starch still isn't out of them.    
Not to worry the colour took anyway.

 Pink - ooh nice. 

 I think this one is my favorite.  This one is for my bedroom.  Purple, mmmm lovely purple....

This set is lovely too.  The colour just makes them pop.





What to do with old 100% white cotton sheets????  Dye them of course. 

Stage one.  Tick, dyed.  There is a slight difference, not that you can notice in the pic.  I was trying for one dark and one light.  Lesson learnt.  Leave the first one in longer with less water.

Stage two.  Silk screen them.



Put this book to use.  Thanks Cath and Kirsten for the inspiration http://www.printscharming.typepad.com/.

Best I get cracking.  I'm looking forward to seeing the end results.

Enjoy the holiday period.
Kath x

Weekend happenings...... Sydney arhhh

Well what a crazy week/months, studying and exams.  It was all over for the semester on Saturday.
And what a relief to walk out of that last exam.. sigh..

Baggie packed and off to sydney for a couple of days rest.  Catching up with Jen, Pete, Rod and the other usual suspects.  Shared meals, and loads of conversations... just to remind myself of life outside my bubble...

Rods exhibition is all set up.  The bois spent Sat doing the lay out.  Lucky for me i got a sneak peek since I cant make the opening for Wednesday... 

 The Zebra is one of my fav's just the concept.  Sensational......

 Georgeous Pete, tired and sweaty after a hard morning......

Off to the Pub for a beautiful seafood lunch with beers on,.......
After a lovely lunch we, Jen & I poddled off for a walk, Woolloomooloo....  (so many ooooo's) upto the Cross for a Toffee Apple Martini.  Just what the Dr ordered.  Views grabbed on the way lapping back....  The Jacaranda's are all out in full bloom this time of year in the city.
Just beautiful...

 Some passionfruit flowers out...  The colours grabbed me...

Im off to Bellingen this coming weekend. Which should be another adventure filled weekend.

Kath x

Eat, Pray Love

Yes Ive read the book.  Now i have seen the movie.  To see someone else's journey through the trials and tribulations of life, love, faith and of course food.....  Julia Roberts is wonderful as always.  Enjoy it.  I did.  There is always HOPE..... 

Thursday Night - Vinnies Fashion Parade

Vinnies Fashion Show, it was fun and Vinnies supports the local community through offering hope to those who need it.  Cheap good quality clothes, goodie bags, finger food and mock cocktails.!!  What more can a girl ask for?  Look out for this in your home town.  Would recommend it to anyone who likes to dress on a budget.
Nothing like seeing brand new evening dresses with the price tags still on them going for cheap and cheerful.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/eventdetails/vinnies-in-style-fashion-parade/44608.aspx

Give Aways..... I would love one of these.....

Do you want an AccuQuilt Go and your choice of three dies?

If so then head on over to:  http://milliesquilting.blogspot.com/2010/09/accuquilt-go-cutter-giveaway.html

You can enter 3 times......
Good luck and happy sewing

Quote for the week - says it all........

HOLIDAY IS OVER.......

Well, reality has set in. The holiday is out. Life has taken over yet again this year.
Uni papers and study coming out of my ears.
Best just to focus for the rest of the semester and just get it all done.

Holiday will have to wait for christmas time...

K

Preparing for Holiday.......

So im all booked in for a little holiday.

where am I going. I hear you ask..

Well no where.... IM STAYING AT HOME...

So i thought I would start thinking about what to do... I cant watch Oprah everyday. :)

well I could, but i want to try out these.....

The count down is on. 2 weeks to go.

I need a rest, and poddle about at home for a week, of swimming, walk, and being creative.

Caio.

K :)

June 2010 Long weekend

So the June long weekend has come and gone. I spent the weekend in Sydney with friends from Melbourne and Sydney. Friday night was Vietnamese dinner (the duck pancakes, to die for), drinks, laughing, dancing the night away on Oxford street.
Saturday walking around the harbour, rocks markets, and circular quay, before heading through the city, Hyde Park and back to Burke St.

Sydney was truly beautiful, with sensational sunny days.

The bridge in all its glory.....

And the opera house...... what can i say.

Saturday night, pizza.. oh the desert pizza with nutella and strawberries... mmmm

Sunday, brunch in Ashfield in a Chinese cafe. Shanghai, dumplings.. Noice

Then off to the Victoria room, where it was high tea. Champagne and relaxing in a beautifully decorated Victorian styled room. Where all the girls were having afternoon tea, with little sandwiches and cakes. Very lovely. Where to go and be posh... :)) NOT...

Then off to the Winery in Paddington. Sensational. Again around the victorian theme. Plush seating, fabulous Sangria. (they were going down way too easily.....) chandeliers hanging around the bar. Beautiful people wall to wall....

Monday out to breakfast. Have a little wander through some very funky little shops.

Popped back to a friends place who is a working artist. To see his latest piece. Which is a Zebra in a box. Amazing. the doors open on the left the shooting menu. on the Right What the, guns on the wall and web page listings for different shooting parties. The idea is amazing... The friends house is incredible. Everywhere you look something to grab the eye, from the collection of crucifix's to the little canvas's tucked all over the place. So much to look at.. . The talent and the process..... for his work truly inspires me.

Monday arvo back to reality, driving into the Illawarra i start to think about my week to come.

Study, prepping for 3 1/2 hour exam on Thur.... swimming and banana bread baking.... Which i have attached the recipe because it is sooooo good..

Banana and date bread

125g Butter

1 Cup brown sugar

2 Eggs

1 1/2 cups plain flour, sifted

1 t Baking powder

1/2 t bicarbonate of soda

1/4 t ground nutmeg

1/4 t ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups mashed banana

1/4 cup maple syrup (use the real thing)

1 cup chopped dates

Oven 160 degrees

Beat Butter and sugar, till pale and creamy.

Eggs one at a time. Dry ingredients all sifted.

Throw everything into the bowl and mix it up.

line your baking tin. It can go in a loaf tin or round pan.

Bake for 1 hour and 10 mins. or until cooked when tested with skewer.

allow to cool in tin.

This has to be my favorite by far.

Oh and someone suggested Mascopone, with a dash of maple syrup or honey mixed in as a topping. .

Till next time.

Kath