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a little flower sugar giveaway

June 30, 2014 By corrie 220 Comments

Firstly, congratulations to Ruthena who won my last fabric giveaway. Now I feel we are well overdue for another one.

Today I’ve got 11 fat quarters of my one of my all time favourite fabric ranges. Flower Sugar by Lecien

I just love the sweet florals and polka dots and this little collection includes teal and navy and is very pretty. Perfect for a quilt, some cushions, baby or children’s wear or you might just like to look at them all stacked up for a while.

To enter I thought I’d ask a different question – what sewing machine do you use and why? Or maybe you are like me and have a few machines living at your house. Anyone can enter around the world, one entry per person and I’ll pick a winner this Sunday night 6th July. Good luck.

congratulations Erolyn who was chosen as the winner of this giveaway! another one coming soon!

Filed Under: fabric, fabrics, giveaway, giveaways

baby socks are done

June 29, 2014 By corrie 12 Comments

6 weeks to go and I’m starting to feel the pressure to get things done. Bassinet still needs to be washed, all the baby clothes need to be sorted and washed, cot sheets to be made, new bouncer, pack the hospital bag and have the house all organised and fully unpacked.

But at least I can say that I finished some hand knitted baby socks for the new baby. That is something.

I’ve officially entered that stage where I don’t want to really leave the house, just sit down and rest. Which is great if you want to get some craft done and snuggle time on the couch with the kids……..not so great when you have so many things to do. I had a bit of a panic yesterday when some braxton hicks contractions were getting a bit too uncomfortable and I needed to run a bath for myself. I never get in the bath (I run plenty of them but just never get in) and that didn’t help but after an hour I was fine…and relaxed. It did make me get out a suitcase and start packing the hospital bag just in case anything happens early. But based on my track record it never does.

Pattern is Debbie Bliss baby socks on 2 needles, I used BC Garn which I love (oh this colour is a lovely one) and ravelry details are here.

Filed Under: babies, baby, debbie bliss, knitting

winter in my garden

June 27, 2014 By corrie 10 Comments

I’m not really a gardener but I love to enjoy the flowers and greenery at our new house. Well in any house I usually enjoy the flowers. Now there are no hydrangeas here but I’ll fix that when the weather warms up. But I’ve had some lovely surprises in the garden thanks to the previous owners and I get to enjoy them with just a bit of TLC from me.

When we moved in there was an old rose bush that looked very sad. I went crazy pruning it back and last week discovered that it was flowering beautifully with lots of gorgeous green leaves too.

I am just loving the colours and might have to get another rose bush in nearby as it’s obviously loving the sunny spot and doing well………with minimum attention. I like that. Some of you thought it was a double delight or peace rose. Unfortunately I am clueless and have no idea except that it’s very pretty, smells lovely and is growing beautifully after the big prune.

We also have lots of native plants in the garden which I also love because they take care of themselves and all day long the birds are into these plants.

and tucked around the corner of our house we have a few statues…..that the kids like to rearrange for me. This one is a bit too heavy so she’s not going anywhere but adds a little bit of peace to the garden.

And there are also more pretty flowers and a lovely gate around the side of the house too. Must remember this gate when I need to photography a quilt or blanket. very pretty.

and a wall of camellias in shades of pink…………..

And the sun was going down and my little photographing session had come to an end. If you like to work on your camera skills then getting out into the garden is a great thing to do. I love late afternoon light. I had set my camera with ISO of 250 and adjusted the light meter depending on where I was in the garden and how much light was near the flower I was trying to photograph. It’s a great chance to use a macro lens or be in macro setting on your camera. And another tip is to get up close and half press the shutter a few times to focus in on the flower. Now sometimes on my camera if I get too close it doesn’t like me and just won’t focus. So step back a little and half press the shutter again and see how you go. Another tip is to focus on the flower with it in the centre of your shot and then slightly move your camera to the right or left so that you apply the rule of thirds then press the shutter down in full (not half) and take the shot.

And that was just the back of the house………..the front is still to come……..

Filed Under: gardening, homes

quick things to sew for a baby

June 24, 2014 By corrie 30 Comments

Yesterday I headed off to the dentist. Another thing to check off my list before our newest addition arrives. Just one of many things though on the list. I have a few things that I really want to sew and have 7 weeks to get my butt into gear. Here are a few of the things on my list or things I love to make for a new baby.

sheets

so quick and easy. I just do flat sheets and measure my cot or bassinet mattress (including the sides) and add a few more inches and off I go. You can fold over the edges twice or do a simple rolled hem on your overlocker (if you like playing around with your overlocker and getting it back to its usual setting – not always an easy job).

muslin wraps

Another quick job. I always find muslin at Spotlight and even have some very cute muslin from Japan stashed away somewhere. Just a rolled hem or even a nice tight overlocked edge will do on these. I usually make it about the same size as a cloth I already have. Don’t make them too small or they aren’t big enough to wrap baby in. I love to use these as a quick sun cover on a pram, cover up while feeding, make shift change mat, great for wiping up spills and accidents, lay down and pop baby on it if you’re out and don’t have anything else and of course to wrap a baby in. Just can’t live without them.

bibs

there are so many cute bib patterns out there but I use a japanese pattern. I have a few favourite ways of making them. One is to have a layer of cute cotton fabric on the top and some polar fleece or terry towelling on the other side. So you sew them right sides together leaving a gap to turn out and then stitch the opening closed. Another way which I really love is to use 2 layers of cute cotton fabric and a layer of quilt batting in the inside. It makes it really soft and lovely and they wash and wear so well and of course are absorbent. Check out pinterest if you need more inspiration and you can always find a bib pattern in a baby sewing book or just grab a free pdf pattern online like this one.

quick change trousers

Oh how I love this pattern. You’ll find it in Anna Maria Horner’s ‘Handmade Beginnings’ and it really is the cutest pattern. I’ve made over 5 pairs and really want to whip up some more. Use a quilting cotton and they’ll wash and wear really well and I’ve learnt to cut a few pairs at once to save time and because they are so addictive. Definitely one to add to your list.

quick blankets

I’ve made a few of these after following the simple pattern in Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts and it is so great. You’ll need 2 pieces of fabric and batting the same size. Pin the 2 pieces of fabric right sides together with the batting underneath the fabric. I used a walking foot to sew around all sides leaving a gap of a few inches. Trim corners and turn right side out. Now I top stitch all around the quilt. The pattern doesn’t but I just love the top stitching and keeping it all together. Then you find a cute satin stitch on your machine and do some little stitches all over to hold it all together. So cute and a great gift to make.

applique some singlets and onesies

having a ready supply of singlets and little jumpsuits is a must. I love to decorate them with cute fabrics. You can use patchwork templates or just draw your own onto your iron on adhesive and then iron onto the wrong side of the fabric you’re using. I love to do a blanket stitch to stitch it onto the singlet or onesie. The blanket stitch looks like a comb when you are looking at your machine stitches.

I also love to make nappy bags (Amy Butler’s nappy bag pattern which is a really old one of hers is fabulous and I love making it for the kids as they get bigger too) and of course small quilts made out of charm square quilts are perfect to keep a baby warm in their pram or carseat. There is a fabulous tutorial if you’ve never made one here and it’s not quick but it’s so worth it.

What is your favourite thing to make for a baby? Love to hear…………….

Filed Under: babies, baby, sewing, sewing machine, sewing room

another block bites the dust

June 22, 2014 By corrie 15 Comments

I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before but when I worked in an office (which seems like 50 million years ago) and I’d finish a file or a piece of work I’d love to sing a few lines of ‘another one bites the dust!’ Such a great feeling to finish some work and put it away. And that song still sticks in my head when I finish something crafty like on the weekend. Our saturdays involve rugby, swimming and netball and on saturday the boys then went out to watch the wallabies. The rest of us stayed home and after a great play outside (you would think it was summer) and lots of laundry making it onto the line I thought I might just get one more block for my red letter day quilt done.

And I love it………..I’m actually going to use this for my centre block and just love the red and white together. And it co-ordinates with my shoes! Always a nice to have……

By doing this pattern and taking Camille’s class I’ve learnt how to do a 9 patch and chain piecing. The 9 patches are so worth the very careful pinning to get your points to all match up and I was always a bit nervous about sewing over pins but you should see me now. I’ve been sewing over them and really taking the time to get everything perfectly matched up.

And while I was doing a few practice ones at home I realised that there was a slight difference between the 1/4 inch feet I have for my machine. Yes I have 2 different 1/4 inch feet with my machine and one gives me a scant 1/4 inch seam which is perfect when you are sewing the strips together whereas the other one with the guide (which is kind of raised up from the foot) wasn’t giving me the nice 5 inch finished rows that I was after. So it’s always worth checking out your machine and 1/4 inch foot BEFORE you start doing something like this. A quick solution is to move your needle position to the right if you can to get closer to the edge of your foot. Have you ever had that happen? I know the lovely lady I sat next to at our workshop was having the same problem I had at home until I changed 1/4 inch feet.

So that’s 3 blocks down and 6 more to go. Now that we are on school holidays I’m hoping I will have completed quilt top by the end of our 3 weeks……………..

Filed Under: craft, quilt, quilting

clean first then you can craft

June 19, 2014 By corrie 19 Comments

Yesterday I had a sudden urge to have a home day and get on top of the laundry, floors and clutter in the house. I don’t think it’s nesting. I really wanted to sit down and finish another block for my red letter quilt but I knew I had to get some of the housework done first. In the end the sun was out and I mixed cleaning with playing outside and had a lovely day with about 15 minutes knitting on the couch and not a minute spent at my machine.

But I wonder do you do that? Set little goals so if you do this then you can sit down and do what you really want to do. Even if it’s just 20 minutes on the couch with my knitting, I feel much better about everything because I took that time to do something that I love. With less than 8 weeks till a new member of our family arrives I have a big to do list and have just added making a little cardigan to come home from the hospital in.

And I also want to have a couple of pairs of baby socks knitted up too. This is my all time favourite baby sock pattern and is in a couple of Debbie Bliss pattern books. I’ve made them a couple of times and they are so sweet and warm.

What’s your secret for getting some craft time into your day?

Filed Under: craft

doing a quilt class with Camille of Bonnie & Camille

June 15, 2014 By corrie 28 Comments

Now us aussies live a long way away from some of our favourite crafters and fabric designers over in the states. I always get so envious when I see pictures of quilt market and people having their photo taken with all the big names. So the chance to spend a day with the lovely Camille of Bonnie & Camille was just something I couldn’t miss. I’ve loved all of the pretty ranges that have come out of Bonnie & Camille for Moda and just the chance to get out of the house for the day was a treat in itself let alone quilting with Camille.

And I have to tell you that Camille is as sweet and happy as she looks in all of the photos of her. Just a sweet person and she had so much time for all of us today. She was getting asked so many questions and was so helpful and lovely to all of us. I learnt chain piecing and am now addicted and learnt a new way to put such a big block together.

Now if I was at home I would do each row by carefully pinning each little block to the one next to it, then I’d press it and then I’d work on the next row and then I’d join all the rows together from top to bottom. Well Camille had us sew the first two pieces together. Then using chain piecing do the next 2 pieces underneath and so on going down. And then you take the 3rd piece on the top row and join it to the top row you’ve started, run a few stitches on the machine and join the 3rd piece in the 2nd row to the 2nd row you’ve started. It takes a bit of practice and concentration and my automatic reaction to cut the threads after I sew but I got it.

And just when I thought I’d finished my first big block it was pointed out that one of my half square triangles was the wrong way around! wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I almost didn’t believe it. So out came the unpicker and thankfully it was in a bottom corner and I was back on my way. First block done. I love this block pattern and only did my first nine patch yesterday so am loving what I’m learning. The pattern is called Red Letter Day by Thimbleblossoms available here and at hopefully at your nearest quilting store.

and on to the design wall. I am so making one of these walls during the holidays. Once the craft room is finished.

Quick shop downstairs in Kim’s lovely store, quick bite to eat then back to it on my 2nd block. I was woman on a mission and determined to finish a 2nd block by the time the day was out. Now some people were miles ahead of me but I like to balance the quilting with the chatting and enjoying the day. Because it’s all about having a great day and not being totally head down for the whole day. Plus I had lost half an hour because I got the start time for the day wrong (too much going on in my head right now!!!) so I was determined to go home with 2 finished blocks.

And I did it. Woohoo. Another block finished. These blocks are big and beautiful. The green stripe for the centre is a design feature and has nothing to do with the fact that I had accidentally cut into the 5 inch square for the centre block and had no more fabric with me. No it’s not that reason at all. I just knew the green stripe would be perfect. Wink wink. Always call it a design feature.

And by the end of the day there were over 55 finished blocks and it looked amazing! So many different fabric choices.

A big thank you to the gorgeous Camille for coming out to Australia and for being such a wonderful teacher. And another big thank you to the lovely Kim of Kim Bradley Creations (I’ll definitely be coming back for another class!!!!) and her friendly helpers for organising such a great day and looking after us, Di Mills for organising Camille’s trip, the wonderful ladies at my table – Cindy, Karen and Kim (Kim owns her own patchwork store here if you’re ever in Nowra!!!) and everyone on the day who made it such a fun and friendly day. And of course my lovely man at home who looked after all of the little ones and let me escape the crazy for a day.

and because someone commented that they couldn’t see the baby bump, here you go. Just 8 weeks and counting till I meet my bub…………….

You can see how many beautiful blocks were created while Camille was in australia just by checking out #redletteraustralia on instagram! Camille is also on Instagram as @thimbleblossom

Filed Under: craft, quilt, quilting

cutting a quilt

June 12, 2014 By corrie 18 Comments

Yesterday was one of those days where I had to laugh otherwise I’d cry. We’ve managed to get our big girl back at school for half days until the smaller cast and crutches come our way. But yesterday had me at school again for school photos, back again before lunch to bring her home then back again for the twins assembly and to take them home. Swimming lessons, a rushed dinner, loads of washing to put away (it’s still waiting for me), the house hadn’t been touched all day, 2 blog posts due and a day that I felt like I chased my littlest 2 all day. They are my runners. My big kids just weren’t runners, they’d stay with me and hold the pram but my littlest guy is a runner and he’s fast and his sister just goes with him. And they laugh all the way.

Anyway so that was yesterday and today has been much less stressful and involved some homework before a quilting class this weekend. It has been so long between quilts for me and I’m just so looking forward to spending a day out of the house and doing something for me. I need to have the quilt all cut before the class. First step was to pick the fabrics. I’ve chosen April Showers by Bonnie & Camille for Moda.

Second step was replace the blade on my favourite rotary cutter. Why haven’t I done this before. Piece of cake to replace and it’s whizzing through the fabric. Then with a lego tub tipped out and in between car trips to school, nappy changes and snacks I managed to cut 8 fat quarters into their required measurements. Tonight I’ll do the other 8 fat quarters and then it’s just the white background fabric and I’ll be ready for the weekend.

I’ve also used the opportunity to give my sewing box a bit of a top up and tidy up. I bought this from Tupperware about 7 years ago and it’s still going strong. I love all the little compartments on the top and the lid goes on and you’re off to class.

Cut a quilt lately? I’ve got the itch now……………………………

Filed Under: craft, fabric, fabrics, moda, quilt, quilting

milo in a long weekend

June 9, 2014 By corrie 18 Comments

I love a project that you can start and finish in a weekend. I cast this on friday night and had it finished on a rainy and overcast monday afternoon of a long weekend. My legs are just aching as the lovely veins in one of my legs get more lovely as this pregnancy goes along. They were playing up with the last pregnancy and this one might just tip them over the edge into ugly vein land. So putting my feet up each night and knitting away is just what was needed.

And this is a bit of a change from my usual knitting and I think I might name this project my ‘hippy milo’ as it’s a bit different from the solid colours I usually knit with. The milo pattern by tiKKi is super easy and one of the most popular patterns on ravelry.

The yarn is from the stash and a bit of an extravagant purchase from Jimmy Beans last year. It’s called Liberty Wool by Classic Elite Yarns and the pattern is called Reflecting Pond (7806).

I’m now itching to cast on another milo in cream now that I’ve finished this one so quickly. Ravelry details are here. And I should point out that this is straight off the needles, not blocked or anything. I just weaved in the ends and grabbed my camera. Just love it.

Filed Under: babies, baby, knitting, ravelry

the granny stripe is finished

June 5, 2014 By corrie 27 Comments

I’ve always wanted a rustic fence or gate to throw a blanket or quilt over to photograph. And now I have the choice of a few nice spots and was spoilt for choice this morning. Unfortunately we have lots of chicken wire on the fences so it was delicately placed on the gate and very delicately lifted off again.

I have really enjoyed making this blanket and started on the 22nd December as my Christmas holiday project. Now of course blankets take some time to finish but it’s been nice to pick up when I’ve been in the mood and keep working on it. I got so excited when it was finished only to realise that doing 4 rounds to finish the blanket would take a bit of time too. But I love the edge and have to say that if you’re going to make a granny stripe then definitely do the edge because it’s lots of fun and really makes the blanket what it is.

I’ve followed the pattern here on Attic 24 and used various shades of Bendigo 8 ply cotton. Ravelry details are here.

And one of the best things about finishing a project is starting another…………………..time to knit for baby!

Filed Under: bendigo woollen mills, craft, crochet

chicken + chorizo with quinoa (gluten +dairy free)

June 4, 2014 By corrie 13 Comments

This post is brought to you by Woolworths

In this house dinners need to be quick, easy and gluten free. I’m trying to supervise homework and sometimes we’re late in the door and we don’t have a lot of time. I love dishes that you can just whack in the oven and leave and come back to. No stirring or cooking on the stove is always a winner. Now my sweet friend and emerson’s godmother made this recipe for us when he was a little bub. She came over with all of the ingredients and made it for our dinner. It’s become a family favourite since then and always popular with everyone.

And quinoa is the most perfect way to serve up this dish too. My little miss will eat a bowl or two of plain quinoa because she loves it so much. And on the day I made this recipe I needed to make 2 batches of quinoa so that we had enough for dinner. If you have a thermomix just cook it as you would rice for 20 minutes. It’s super healthy and delicious. And just a final note if you want to ensure this dish is gluten free then always read the label on the chorizo but I had no problem finding a gluten free one. You’ll find it near the gourmet cheeses in the deli section of your nearest Woolies.

You can also make the chicken in your slow cooker. Just follow all the instructions and cook it about 6 hours on low. Its up to you whether you want to sauté the onions or just pop them in but I like them sauteed first.

chicken and chorizo with quinoa

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

1 hour

Total time

1 hour 10 mins

Serves: 6

What you'll need

1 onion
500g Woolworths macro Free Range chicken thigh fillets
1 chorizo sausage, sliced (gluten free)
2 cans Woolworths Select diced tomatoes
1 can Woolworths macro Organic Chick peas
sprinkling of smoked paprika
1 green capsicum
½ cup Woolworths Select liquid vegetable stock
bunch of flat leaf/Continental parsley
250g Woolworths macro organic quinoa

Instructions

Dice onion and saute in a little olive oil for a few minutes. Place in bottom of oven dish.
Slice capsicum, chorizo and chicken and add to the dish.
Pour in the drained chickpeas followed by the 2 cans of tomatoes.
Add in the stock and paprika and give a good stir.
Place in a 180C oven for at least 40 minutes with a lid or foil on the dish.
Prepare quinoa according to instructions on the packet or weigh into thermomix basket and top with 500mls water. On speed 5 let the water swirl around for at least 10 seconds.
Cook quinoa for 20 minutes, varoma temperature, speed 4.
While your quinoa is cooking remove lid or foil from your oven dish and bake for 20 minutes.
Serve up the chicken on top of quinoa and garnish with torn up parsley on top.

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Filed Under: gluten free, review, thermomix

the granny stripe keeps growing

June 3, 2014 By corrie 7 Comments

Just 2 more rows around the edge, a bit of weaving in ends and I am done!

It feels good getting to the end of this blanket……even if I did start it at Christmas as my holiday project.

But these things take time and it’s always good to have an easy project to pick up. I’ve actually kept it in the same straw basket with all the supplies so I can just take it out with me if I need a project on the run. Pattern here and I’m using Bendigo Cotton 8 ply in a range of colours from the stash and loving it.

Can’t wait to share the finished blanket with you all soon!

Filed Under: bendigo woollen mills, craft, crochet

not in noosa

June 1, 2014 By corrie 11 Comments

My lovely blogging buddies at The Remarkables are in Noosa this week and it is sooooo tough not being there. And since I’m not there enjoying the sunshine, beautiful beach, food and shopping here are a few of my favourite Noosa snaps from our last trip there.

Noosa is such a great holiday destination and especially for families! Easy to get around, lots of family friendly accommodation, great food and shopping, the most beautiful beach and just a stylish destination for a getaway. We’ll be back there next year with the whole family (all 8 of us!) so that’s what I’ll cheer myself up with every time I see photos of Noosa pop up in my feed this week!

And of course my gorgeous girl who needs all of my attention right now. 17 days till we get a smaller cast and crutches and we are definitely counting down!

Filed Under: noosa

weekend at home

May 31, 2014 By corrie 18 Comments

Well it’s the weekend and daddy took charge of doing rugby and swimming this morning. That left me to mind the biggest and the littlest and photograph the gorgeous thick mist outside. My little guy also discovered a big hole in the chicken wire around the fence and escaped…………adding that job to the ‘to do’ list. I was watching him thinking he’s not going to get out and he was probably thinking that no one was watching him. I can’t take my eyes off him for a second these days as he is always into something – toilet rolls in the toilet, pulling out my knitting, emptying out the pantry. Could be worse, the twins liked to put cutlery down the toilet at any opportunity.

On the knitting front I have been working on keira’s gidday but had a slight hiccup because I started in white thinking it was cream and I ordered more cream last week. I’m trying so hard to knit from the stash so started with what I had and decided to order more to finish it. I decided to knit the body with the new ball of wool only to discover that the yoke was done in white and the yarn I ordered was cream. Oh dear. People, keep your ball bands/tags with your wool as this is what can go wrong when you don’t. The white is just so close to cream but lesson learnt. And of course in this photo it’s clear as day that one ball is white and one is cream but when it arrived they looked so close I couldn’t tell the difference.

And in the meantime I’ve picked up my granny stripe again and hope to finish the edging in the next few days. I’ve used Attic24’s granny stripe pattern and am also following the instructions for her edging here. I’ve used Bendigo cotton and it’s just so soft and draping nicely. I also love that I’ll be able to chuck it in the washer and dryer and it will stay nice and soft over the years. The granny stripe is super easy and a nice change from granny squares and I think the kids are just hoping I get finished it quickly.

I should be jetting off to Noosa tomorrow but am home on nurse duties but have to say that I have a very sweet patient. She has worked out how to shuffle herself through the house using a pillow and we try to get out in the sunshine each day. We have also knuckled down and got stuck into our school work and I’m learning all about nouns, verbs and pronouns all over again. We’ve also been loving the Great British Bake Off and watching Daddy Day Care and Hotel Transylvania for the 50th time.

Have a lovely weekend everyone

Filed Under: crochet, everything else, homes, knitting

sitting outside

May 28, 2014 By corrie 17 Comments

I’m doing a parenting course at the moment for parents of special needs kids and it’s been so informative and helpful. I had missed last week because of the accident but went last night and it was about conflict and also managing our anger and feelings. I drove home and realised the reason I’ve been so cranky and in a bad mood the past week and a half is the anger I’m still feeling over what has happened to our big girl. It’s funny how we think we’re fine but then can’t understand why we have no patience, are cranky and upset all the time. I’ve been telling people how fine I was but really I knew I wasn’t. So I realised that I need to move on from how I’m feeling over how this happened.

Life was so perfect when we moved here and I knew at the back of my mind that saying it was perfect would mean something would go wrong. I just knew it. I almost put in a blog post that I didn’t want to write how perfect everything was because something could go wrong. And it did. But this morning I’ve woken up and decided to not be angry and be aware of how I am treating everyone. We’re back to the hospital for another x-ray and the 3rd cast on today and hopefully some crutches to get around with the aim of getting her back to school in a week or two. I also have a bag of wool to drop off to the lovely volunteers at the children’s hospital who knit and crochet for their little shop.

Sitting outside yesterday and then chasing this little guy around is one way I feel better. Chocolate and a nice cup of tea is another. The birds sing all day and my little man just runs around listening and looking for the birds, chasing the ball, calling out to me to ‘come on’ and just having fun. And just hanging out the washing and looking at the beautiful view reminds me that life is good out here and I have a lot to be grateful for.

Filed Under: everything else