Thursday, May 28, 2009

A RAG RUG FOR THE HANDMADE EXPO





I finished off another rag rug last night.  It will come with me to Ipswich for the Handmade Expo on 27th June (if it's not sold before that).  I like the way I managed to get the corners more squared off  with this one.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

COUNTRY POTMITS

I'll be taking this collection of country potmits to the Handmade Expo in Ipswich on 27th June. It's a great market with lots of stalls and all stall holders sell only their handmade goods.  If you can make it there you'll not be disappointed.

Monday, May 25, 2009

NOVELTY BUTTONS ON SALE




Here is a selection of some of my timber novelty buttons that you'll find on my website.  I have just reduced them to $1.00 each.  They're great for embellishing your sewing projects or some people have purchased them for scrapbooking and cards.  I really like the finish that's already on them, but you can paint them if you want.  

Sunday, May 24, 2009

DOODLE DEE DOO

Another small quilt from Meme Quilts. It will go on my website as soon as I work out a price for the kit.  Love those chooks.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

"CHRISTMAS MAGIC" FROM LYNETTE ANDERSON


I know Christmas seems like a long way off, but the four fabrics I ordered from Lynette Anderson's "Christmas Magic" range arrived yesterday.  The rep told me I'd get them in August, so it was a big surprise that they came so early.  They're quite irresistible and I especially love the reindeers and snowmen.  If you want to see what Lynette is doing with her beautiful fabric range, take a minute and check out her blog.  I know you'll enjoy your visit. 

Sunday, May 10, 2009

A BRAND NEW DESIGN FROM APPLE COTTAGE

Sam's latest design is so new she hasn't even named it yet.  I put the binding on it for her this morning, but the rest of it is all her work.  The pattern will be available as soon as she gets a chance to write it up.  At 60" square it is quite a large throw size.  I love the spring colours she's used.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

BLESS OUR HOME

"Bless Our Home" is probably my favourite Meme Quilt design.  This one will be on my website offered as a kit until I can't supply the same fabrics any more and then I will sell it readymade.  The first one I made I've kept for myself.  I have it on our dining table, but it would look equally as good hanging on the wall.  Wouldn't it make an excellent house warming gift for a special couple.

Monday, May 4, 2009

RHUBARB CAKE

I'm a really lazy cook and this rhubarb cake is probably just a little more effort than I would normally look for, but having said that, it is really easy and so well worth the effort.

Rhubarb Cake
(You can use frozen rhubarb, but I use fresh because it's so easy to grow and I have ready access to it)
60g Butter
1 1/2 cups  Brown Sugar, firmly packed
1 Teasp Vanilla Essence
1 Teasp grated lemon rind (I leave this out if I don't have any)
2 Eggs
1 Cup SR Flour
1 Cup Plain Flour
1 Teasp Cinnamon
1 Cup Sour Cream (I use a 300ml carton)
500g Fresh Rhubarb, cut into 2cm lengths
Extra Brown Sugar and Cinnamon to sprinkle over top of cake

Lightly grease 23cm round tin and line with greaseproof paper.
Beat butter, sugar, essence and rind in bowl with electric beater.
Beat in eggs one at a time.
Stir in sifted dry ingredients and cream in 2 batches; add rhubarb.  
Spread into pan, sprinkle with extra sugar and cinnamon.  
Bake in moderate oven 1 1/2 - 2 hrs.  
Stand 5 mins before turning onto wire rack.

I promise you that this cake will become one of your favourites - it's YUM

Sunday, May 3, 2009

HAIRCUT AND BATH TIME

Guess who needs a bath and a hair cut.  I would love some of Mr Dermott's intuition because he knows I'm talking about a bath and a hair cut and that's why he's "hiding" under our dining table.  I fail to understand why the mere mention of a hair cut sends him into panic mode. We select a nice sunny spot on the deck and the gentle humming of the clippers practically sends me to sleep.  Not so him.  He does everything in his power to make the job as difficult as he can in the hope that I will leave him be and let him go back to sleeping on the sofa. He just doesn't care whether or not he looks like a scruff bag.

All done for the moment and we're back on the sofa and smelling all lovely.  It's actually a constant work in progress as we continue to trim bits we've missed for the next week or so. What a spoilt baby.