Upcycle Love

I have been busy designing some up cycled dresses. This one is made from a shirt of mine, that has sat in my cupboard for a very long time (mainly because it is too small for me!) 
My practice piece is always for miss 'E' and at her request it is a long one. 
I love turning something that isn't being used or is a little unloved into something pretty and loved again.  And I think Miss 'E' looks quite impressed with it herself!

Long time, no see

I am sorry little blog for the lack of attention I have showed you, the sheer abandonment and complete lack of love. I promise I will change, make more time for you and fit you into my everyday life.

The kitchen and my new found hobby (like I need another one) crochet, have been taking up quite a big slice of my time.  Lemon cordial and Lemon Butter have been among my favourite kitchen sessions, followed closely by flicking through the pages of my op shop find  "AUSTRALIAN COOKERY OF TODAY - ILLUSTRATED". This book has 512 pages and can be quite entertaining to read as well as being full of beautiful "old fashioned" recipes.

Now, crochet is one thing that I have said on many occasions that I do not need to learn!  Well I have blown that theory out of the water.  I have learnt and I love it!  Below are some photos of my first of many crochet granny squares.

And just to explain before you ask "what is with all of the parsley photos?" 
I have found that I can grow parsley like a professional (or maybe it's just really easy to grow).  I am going to stick with the professional theory because it makes me feel more accomplished.  Now, because of my over abundance of parsley and under abundance of beautiful flowers (I'm not so good at growing them) , I have chosen to use my parsley as a cut flower and display it with pride in my kitchen.  And I have found that it looks much better in a vase (mostly an old preserving jar) than silver beet!

Photos from the kitchen

 

 

 

Trash to Treasure

We are currently building a new house, and I am constantly on the look out for that "right" piece of furniture. A little visit to St Vinnies saw me leave a very happy lady.

This little nest of tables look a little tired but I have a plan!!!

And after a little bit of love, this is what they look like now.  Sorry about the bad photo, I will post some better ones soon.

"Lemons"

My husband was working on Mother's day and I was looking for something for the kids and I to do together. We went lemon picking. I know it doesn't sound quite like a run of the mill Mother's Day activity, but we had a blast. And boy did we pick enough lemons to almost last a lifetime, the kids just didn’t want to stop. And after giving paper bags full to friends and family, a big batch of lemon butter, eating lots of fish (with freshly squeezed lemon) and my first attempt at homemade lemon cordial, they have almost all gone. We are now planning our next lemon picking day!

What started out with me trying to take some photos of the lemons and my new op-shop find
(the basket) quickly turned into a photo shoot with miss"E"!!

"Jelly Roll' Skirt

Miss 'E' found some fabric that I had jammed into a box full of fabric scraps. " I like these ones, are they for me?" she asked.  I couldn't bring myself to give up these Moda 'Jelly Roll' pieces quite so easily.  Although she did insist that she would put them in her cupboard!!

From this..

to this...

So it turns out that Miss 'E' will be able to keep this pretty fabric in her cupboard after all. This little skirt was rather quick to make, so I can see quite a few more 'Jelly Roll' skirts rolling off the sewing table.

'Curtains' for the Races

On a recent visit to our local op shop/garage sale, I found this pair of vintage curtains.  At first I was thinking neck tie dress and pockets for an A-Line pinny, but I have now decided that this pair of curtains will be my Gold Cup Races outfit.  Obviously they are going to need a little more love & attention before race day!!

Little Bags

YES, I have turned my screen printed trees into cute little bags that are fully lined with red spotty fabric.