Productivity!

June 14, 2009 By 17 Comments

I’ve had a very productive weekend…with a few skirts and dresses whipped up. The freshcut FQ’s were crying out to be used straight away so I made a little skirt for miss keira……


Then I thought a dolls quilt would be cute so I whipped this up last night….I just need more energy to make the binding, but it was quick and easy.


I’m trying to finalise a class list for my store and think a dolls quilt would be good for a total beginner quilter. what do you think? You can at least cover piecing, sandwiching, quilting and binding on a Sunday!


and how much does this $3.49/metre flannel from Spotlight remind you of Cath Kidston! I’m thinking cute pj pants and appliqued tee’s for my little girls! I took the whole bolt at that price, well there was only 4m left on the bolt but it sounds so much more dramatic!

Filed Under: fabric, heather bailey, sewing

white chocolate rocky road

June 12, 2009 By 18 Comments

this one is for the kiddies but I’m sure everyone will be eating it. It was perfect at Keira’s pink party and the leftovers didn’t last long! Its an adaptation of a Woman’s Weekly recipe which was too fussy and time consuming for me.


heres what you need
375g white chocolate melts
1/2 cup desic. coconut
1 cup raspberry lollies (chopped)
1 bag mini marshmallows

* melt chocolate for 2-3 minutes on medium in microwave. Stir several times and remove just as it is melted.
* Add remaining ingredients and combine well.
* pour into lamington/square cake tin. I use silicon pans which don’t need greasing or lining but if you’re using a metal tin I’d probably line it so it just pops out! Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
* Cut and enjoy. These also looked adorable in tiny pink patty pans! As always, I take no responsibility for the number you consume!

And how great is the current issue of Family Circle…so many craft projects for winter! Follow the link for a free chocolate caramel slice recipe..yum!


there are so many great craft projects and the recipes will have winter covered too….why haven’t I bought this magazine before! Knitting, crochet, quilting, french embroidery….


I’m impressed!

Filed Under: chocolate, magazines, recipe

craft show haul

June 11, 2009 By 18 Comments

Today we made a trip to the city (oh so brave of me with the twins) for the Craft fair…this is my favourite one as I can park at hubby’s work and pop over. I always pack as if I’m travelling for a week and hope my children will behave. It was a great show as usual but I was so busy talking and shopping that I missed the 2 workshops I wanted to sit in on…there’s always next year. Here is what I came home with…some lovely wool from Bendigo….


some lovely fabrics from the always lovely Amitie and another store I didn’t pay attention at because I was so distracted by Heather Bailey fat quarters for $3….at this point the babies lost the plot and we had to quickly stop for lunch. Devonshire tea with the works and a big table to ourselves was perfect but unfortunately there was a 10 minute wait on coffee. I had peppermint tea and a huge headache later and 2 coffees back to back when I got home. I’m so glad the show has improved with a coffee and cake pitstop – of course its what all good crafters need!!!!


All in all a great morning….the twins were very well behaved and I decided to bring them home with me as well! Mind you there were plenty of ladies who were quite taken with them. And a big hi to Kate who I met at the Amitie stand, its always nice to meet other bloggers at the show!

Filed Under: shopping

I love a bargain!

June 9, 2009 By 9 Comments

Yes, I love a bargain and $5 patterns from Spotlight made me very happy! Of course there were no prices on the boxes so they weren’t being snapped up but it meant there were more for me! I love the Built by Wendy patterns!


and I found my little miss under the table today, we start them sewing early in this house!

Filed Under: patterns

lazy afternoon sewing

June 7, 2009 By 13 Comments

I love afternoons where the babies are napping, miss keira is happily playing on her own (OK, the truth is she was watching her new Little Mermaid dvd and fell asleep watching it)…but you get the picture…the house is quiet and no one needs me. So I whipped up 2 little dresses…this one is going to a little miss having a party tomorrow (not my little miss).


The fabric was a 100% cotton from Spotlight and has a sweet little floral design going on….


and I made this little dress as a sample for my store….I think it will be great to see how the super cute japanese fabrics look made up into items. Gosh I love this fabric and pretty dresses aren’t wasted in this house….


And lastly one of the little onesies I appliqued this week using the super cute Atelier Akiko fabric. I can’t wait till I receive my order of this fabric range from Japan!


Hope you are getting some ‘me’ time too!

Filed Under: fabric, sewing

Another day, another bolero

June 5, 2009 By 13 Comments

Ok, I promise this will be the last time I make this Debbie Bliss bolero for a while since this is the third one I’ve made this winter!


Keira loves it (not that you can tell by her facial expressions) and modelled it for me complete with fluffy princess tiara and sore lip after a playground altercation yesterday.


Pattern available here and made in Bendigo’s Luxury 8ply in pink. The pattern calls for Cashmerino Aran and 5mm needles but in my experience ends up huger than huge. I used 8 ply and 4mm needles and the 18-24 months size has turned out a perfect fit for Keira who is a size 3.


And for dinner tonight I made a chicken version of pork tonkatsu….super crispy chicken pieces complete with homemade tonkatsu sauce and steamed spinach with sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. I have one very happy and contented family after a week of japanese home cooked meals!

Filed Under: japanese, knitting

like a kid in a candy shop

June 4, 2009 By 12 Comments

yep…deciding what to restock my store with at the trade show was like being in a candy shop….all that choice, all those pinks, all that cute. Now I need to wait patiently for the orders to arrive on my doorstep….


Just think cute, just think japanese and think over 50 fabrics to choose from including Far & Away by Heather Ross (yipee!). I’m going to be one very busy lady but trust me when I say there is something for everyone and you won’t be disappointed! These photos were kindly taken in the Lecien corner by my assistant buyer for the day. It was nice to get a second opinion and have some company on the day…………


I should mention that retro daddy was my ‘manny’ for the day as the thought of being stuck at home with the twins for a few hours didn’t appeal to him (um hello welcome to my world retro daddy). And while he doesn’t ooh and ahh over bambi prints he was very impressed with the beautiful quilts and outfits on display. These projects are Melly & Me and Rosalie Quinlan and looked just fabulous.

Filed Under: fabric, japanese

how cute….

June 2, 2009 By 10 Comments

is this fabric? I’m so in love with it and want more but will have to settle with the yard I have of it (edited to add that no I have ordered 6 bolts in this range….woohoo)


its from the country that does cute fabric best..Japan! In top secret news, I have 11 bolts of new Japanese fairy tale fabric winging its way to me now and I look forward to getting back into business later this month! I knew I couldn’t stay away for too long and I’m off to my first trade show this week which should be fun!!

Filed Under: fabric, japanese

Japanese Cooking 101

May 31, 2009 By 14 Comments

I can now cook japanese! On saturday we made vegetable tempura, agedashi tofu (my favourite), pork tonkatsu, cucumber salad, miso soup and sauces to accompany each dish. Our lovely teacher Keiko was my pattern making teacher and gave us plenty of tips and other recipes. She classifies her cooking style as japanese home cooking which is just what I needed to learn. Sydney ladies I did my course here!


Here is the agedashi tofu that my kitchen made. I was most suprised by how easy every dish was, the ingredients are so simple and once you have your basic supplies (cooking sake, dashi powder, soy sauce, rice) you just need to add a few things and you’re off. Yesterday I wasted no time in heading to Tokyo Mart (sydney ladies this place is a fabulous mini supermarket in Northbridge) and bought all my supplies. I then popped next door for a rice cooker and last night made chicken and egg donburi (do you think I remembered to take a photo). Retro Daddy is thrilled with the new recipes and we’re having japanese all week!


I also whipped up a quick skirt and top for keira yesterday which she loves! Nothing like a 1 hour project on a Sunday afternoon while babies nap…fabric from Spotlight last summer and a target long sleeved white tee….too easy!

Filed Under: cooking, sewing

recovered

May 29, 2009 By 8 Comments

Thank you for all of your lovely comments, Keira had a wonderful birthday and its only taken me a week to recover from her party! I’m still finding little barbie shoes and accessories around the house but at least there is plenty to keep my little miss occupied!


I did manage to squeeze in some knitting this week and hope the recipient likes it. Its another of the Debbie Bliss bolero’s made in Lincraft’s soft n cosy wool which is super soft and the palest of pinks. I’m now on to my 3rd bolero of the season, this time for miss keira using Bendigo’s Luxury which is just lovely…..if you’re yet to try it you won’t be disappointed and the colour range keeps everyone happy!


Now I better get ready for my Japanese Cooking Class which is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon…cooking, eating, talking and no children for 4 hours! woo hoo! I’ve never tackled tempura before but have always enjoyed it so am most looking forward to learning how to prepare it!

Filed Under: knitting

three

May 26, 2009 By 32 Comments

Where have the years gone…you were so wanted and I prayed to have you. We saw doctors, had tests, took tablets and I wanted nothing more than for you to come into our lives. You had a wonderful time inside my tummy and didn’t want to come out so the doctor had to take you out and what a lovely chubby little thing you were.


I remember your first days with us and what a funny little person you were…smiling at us and our visitors in the hospital and we kept being told you must have wind. You didn’t like to sleep at night so we pampered you and let you sleep with us until you were 2.


You were always laughing and happy and have kept us entertained everyday that you have been with us.


You are the most chatty little person and my own mummy tells me I was exactly the same so we must have a lot in common. Some days you just never stop talking to me.


today you are still as happy as ever, always friendly and you want everyone to be your friend. You talk to everyone and if we don’t listen you say ‘ mummy talk to me’….and that makes me laugh.


You love dancing, princesses, marshmallows, cupcakes, anything pink, dresses, shopping, your little friends and of course your mummy, daddy and little Finn & Tillie. YOu love to sing Frere Jacques, Hey diddle where the dishwasher and the spoon ran off together and Alouette. You say hello to people in japanese and french and introduce me as ‘corrie my mummy’ to everyone.


I still thank God for giving you to me and pray for you everyday. I love that its my full time job to look after you and bring you up to be the most wonderful little lady. To my very beautiful and precious keira happy birthday and I can’t wait to watch you grow up into an ever more amazing person than you are. Don’t change a thing for anyone my darling


love mummy

Filed Under: birthdays

creating a first impression

May 26, 2009 By 5 Comments

here is my front hallway still looking pretty from Keira’s party. My mother in law’s vintage singer table (with machine hidden away), ikea enamel jug and 2 bunches of roses. The previous owners had exactly the same table in this spot when we came to view the house so I knew this house was ours!


I love fresh flowers and really should buy a bunch each week as they totally transform your home!


p.s I’m so sorry I’m behind with replying to your lovely comments…I’ve been so preoccupied with keira’s party and had to make another cake today for pre-school, will do a cake for tonight’s dinner and then another one for playgroup on friday! phew!
p.p.s The Craft Room is meeting tomorrow night so if you want to come and are close to Sydney’s northern beaches then its only $2 and we’d love to have you. Just drop me an email if you’re interested (retromummy@gmail.com)

Filed Under: everything else

all cupcaked out!

May 25, 2009 By 15 Comments

phew! I was too tired to type anything last night and I’m still waiting for all the photos from our party photographer (aka my dad!) but here are a few! The little girls ate marshmallows, heart shaped hamwiches and fairy bread, the very traditional sausage rolls and party franks (or footy franks if you come from Victoria according to my husband), white chocolate rocky road (recipe tomorrow) and of course cupcakes.


When the little girls arrived I had them colour in the tablemat which provided some entertainment while we waited for everyone to arrive.


then we played pass the parcel, marshmallow and spoon race, musical statues, hide and seek and whats the time mr wolf….we sang happy birthday, ate cake, had lots of play time with balls going into the pool and then it was hometime!


All the mums had a lovely time too chatting to each other and I was so happy with how it turned out!!!!!! I also had 2 cupcakes for lunch and have a secret stash of lollies left in the pantry to get me through the week!

Filed Under: baking, everything else

and two for the girls

May 22, 2009 By 15 Comments

I love russian dolls and so does miss keira so we made a few tees up….she loved the ones I made her last winter and this time around I’ve used a different fabric but just as cute…no I think its cuter!


I’m still working on my model standing still


Now I’ve got some party preparations to continue with….we have 8 little misses coming over to celebrate with miss keira on sunday and I am one busy mummy till then!!!!!

Filed Under: sewing

one for the boys

May 19, 2009 By 18 Comments

poor little Finn, I love pink so much I don’t make as much for him as I should!


but this cute japanese fabric has been sitting in my stash untouched for almost 2 years! its perfect for little retro boys!

Filed Under: japanese, sewing
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