recovery

A few weeks out from having been stuck home on the couch with a yucky cold I'm feeling so much better. Now my credit card just needs to recover from all the online shopping I did when I didn't feel up to much else! Here are a couple of things I bought...

a new friend from Aunty Cookie - she'll fit right in with the pair I bought years ago


a japanese craft book - carved eraser stamps! Very cute!


Dala cookie cutters

xo

solidarity

We have chosen to answer cruelty with closeness. We have chosen to meet hate with solidarity. We choose a Norway where freedom is stronger than fear.

Haakon – Crown Prince of Norway




Beautiful and sad words and pictures at In My Tree

xo

Mollie Makes

Everyone has probably seen this already, but I love it so I'm posting it anyway!



After seeing the cute video I was obsessed with hunting down a copy of Mollie Makes magazine, and when I managed to get my hands on an air freight copy of issue 2 about a month ago I loved it so much I subscribed right away.

(I don't even like fruit, but I have such an urge to crochet those apple cosies!!)

Issue 1 has just popped up in my local newsies - in greater numbers that the air freight copies were (my local only got 2 copies of the air freights!) - so now is a good time to go and hunt it down if you're interested!



I do love a magazine, and as well as being super pretty each issue so far has had loads of lovely projects - issue 3 has the pattern for the fairy tale embroidery on the cover of this book, which I almost bought last week! - and interviews with clever crafty people! Ooh, and free project kits! You can see what people are making from the patterns on the Mollie Makes projects flickr page.

I can't wait for issue 4 to arrive - it has the pattern for those undies flashing dollies in the video =)

xo

Also, I am so going to Bath next time I'm in the UK!!

lazy Saturday

We're still not feeling 1000% here, and the weather is gloomy, so we're having a nice, lazy, on the couch Saturday afternoon...



I've got the puzzle out - I'm popping in a piece here and there between rows of my knitting, with a (weekend-sized) mug of coffee and a plate of gingerbread for sustenance, and kitties on either side of me (for moral puzzle support hehe).

xo

creative space :: gingerbread take 1

Another day at home today, but will be heading back to work tomorrow!
I was feeling much better this afternoon so decided to kick off my hunt for the perfect gingerbread (am I the only one who feels better after a bit of baking?) - starting with this recipe from Melbourne Epicure, recommended in the comments yesterday by Cam (thanks Cam!).



These were pretty tasty, but weren't quite as gingery as I would like, and were a bit too crisp biscuity, rather than soft like I'm looking for. I will be keeping the recipe in mind though for if I want to make cut-out biscuits for decorating because they held their shape really well.

Remember to check out more creative spaces here!

xo

ginger

Still home - with a buddy today (the guy is sick too) - and I spent the day googling gingerbread!

We bought this box of lovely gingerbread stars at Skate in the City and they are just delicious!


It's soft but firm and not too spicy but just perfect - so now I'm on the hunt for my own perfect recipe! I want something soft like this, and also something that will hold a nice shape when baked - rather than puffing/spreading in the oven.

I've started collecting recipes and other gingerbready inspiration on my gingerbread board over at Pinterest (natch) and can't wait to start trying some of the recipes I've found so far.

I'd love any recommendations, so if you have a favourite perfect gingerbread recipe please let me know so I can give it a go too! =)

xo

sick day

I'm feeling a bit under the weather with a cold today so it has been all knitting and snuggles on the couch.



I'm almost through the plain knit and up to the shaping which is exciting - although I have to admit I had one of those days where I can't stop thinking what I would like to make next!

xo

skate in the city

Yesterday arvo we popped into Civic to see the new X-men film (loved it!) and then to check out Skate in the City.



For the month of July an outdoor ice skating rink has been set up in the centre of the city, with skating sessions and different events like fashion shows and skating exhibitions.



I thought was fun - there are fairy lights, and snowflakes, and gingerbread and mulled wine. I expected a few more markety-type stalls based on the description on the website, but I do think it is a great idea, and a good start to build on next time. =)



If you're interested you can check out the program here. =)



xo

Creative spaces :: close knit

Close Knit, a photo by kukita on Flickr.

I'm in Sydney for work this week, so have brought along a new knitting project - the lillen bottoms from MillaMia's close knit gang. The yarn is also MillaMia - naturally soft merino in the seaside colourway.
Unfortunately I don't have my camera or computer here so for now you'll have to make do with a dodgy pic from my iPhone, and probably equally dodgy looking blog post (shouldn't blogger have an app for this???!)

more creative spaces here

Xo

delicious Sunday

Mulled wine, pizza and chickpeas on the balcony at Haha


The best, most delicious roasty type dinner I have ever made


Chocolate slice (a la Sadie and Lance) and a cup of tea (Earl Grey with a teeny bit of star anise) before bed


mmmm - delish

xo

*pop*

It looks quite gloomy and chilly outside today - just perfect for popping in a film and indulging in my latest food obsession :: caramel popcorn.



I literally had a dream about making caramel popcorn one night, and just had to make some the next day. There are lots of recipes out there on the internet, many of which use glucose/corn syrup/cream, but I chose this one at real living for its simplicity - sugar, butter and golden syrup.

I like to add a generous sprinkle of salt too (mmm salty caramel!) - its best to do this while it is still warm so that it sticks. I cook my caramel for as long as I can without freaking out that it is burnt, because I like it to set crunchy. If you prefer chewy just cook it for less time.

Enjoy!

xo

Hottie

In the middle of May, when Cam announced that she was organising a group entry for the Hottie Challenge to raise money for Margaret Pratt Foundation I was super excited and signed up immediately.

You may have noticed I'm rather prone too episodes of super excited and signing up-ness, but this time I actually managed to follow through and get my hottie cover both ready AND posted to Cam in time to be part of the exhibition!


Please excuse the pics - I didn't have any ribbon at home so I picked some up on the way to lunch, finished it while I waited for my noodles and posted it on the way back, so these were taken in the restaurant with my iPhone =)

The pattern is from Alicia Paulson's Embroidery Companion - I sewed it up in soft snuggly polar fleece, and added a chilli for extra warmth =)


It was super easy to make - in fact I like it so much I think it might be a good candidate to make for some presents =)

The hottie cover challenge exhibition opens at Open Drawer tonight and runs through to Sunday 24 July - do pop along if you can. =)
If, like me, you won't be able to make it you can still have a look at all those gorgeous hottie covers - Cam has been featuring them on her blog, and there are loads of lovely pics in the flickr group!

Thanks again Cam for letting us know about such a fun way to support a great cause!

xo