And some more frills

I bought this playsuit yesterday and thought it was missing a certain something..... Frills of course. It was a little tricky to handle, as I made the frills quite narrow, but considering its size 000, I thought a small frill was more suited.

I also decided every baby girl needs a tutu and I was just the Aunty to make one!

After carefully watching a few utube videos of how to sew tutu's, I felt confident to try and translate the techniques to a mini tutu on the base of a singlet. I will not lie - it was Fiddly.

Here's the technique I used:

(sorry there isnt any pics along the way - but you get to use your imagination!!)

1. Firstly I measured the base of the singlet (the width) and cut a piece of elastic to this size (I used underwear elastic as I like the softness of it). The Tulle needs to be roughly 3 or 4 times this measurement depending how full you want the tutu. I only multiplied the measurement by 3, so not too full for a first timer.

2. I decided it would have only three layers. Each layers length is 3cm shorter than the previous. So my top layer I decided was 12cm, then the layer underneath was 9cm and the last layer was 6cm. All pieces have the same width (measured and multiplied by 3, from step 1).

3. Next, I measured 3 pieces of thread that were as long as the elastic. Then comes the first fiddly bit. I took a needle and my first bit of thread and tulle. Made a knot at one top end and along the top, thread my needle in and out bunching the tulle together till I got to the end and finished with another knot. Make sure you use the full length of thread so the piece is as long as the elastic when you are finished. Do this on all three pieces.

4. Ok, Now pin the shortest piece (which will be the under layer) to the elastic along the lower edge and sew in place. The next layer, the middle layer, pin in place next to the strip already sewn in place, but not over the top but edge to edge which you will flip over after you are finished sewing. So you will be sewing down the middle of the elastic with the tops of each layer butt up against each other and after sewing you can flip the middle layer down over the bottom layer so you wont be able to see the thread... hope I am explaining this right!

5. Now, pin on the top layer the same way as the second so you will flip it when sewn. Sew it.

Then I pinned it to the bottom of the singlet and again with the machine, sew it!

I then thought the ribbon would finish it off nicely.

I cant wait till she is born.

Sweet and Easy with a frill

I have been making lots of bits and really want to make more clothing. I decided to try sewing a top for a little person. For the sweetest little girl, a 16 month old sibling of my sons friend.

I picked some cute material and thought about the style and an easy way to put it together.

I then realised I had no idea of the size that she would be. I had held her the day before at swimming class. So there I was re-enacting holding her trying to gauge how big she was! Hmmm... accurate much!

Considering I didnt have a pattern to follow, I thought through what I wanted it to look like finished, and the process I would take to get there.

I had nearly finished and realised it was missing something... some frills of course.

If you can believe it, it fits her ever so sweetly, and the style of it allows it to grow with her so should see her through the summer. Sweet.

Ding Dong Merrily on high

There are only 13 weeks till christmas and yet it feels so far away. My assignment for school was a christmas card design. But this was not just an assignment, it was a real brief from a real company. It was a competition. There was a prize to be one, a winner will be chosen, and they will pay you for your design.

The Pressure!! and boy did I feel it.

It was a corporate brief for a corporate design - so you had to stay classic.

I of course first procrastinated with many other important tasks, then came up with reasons why I couldn't start it yet. Finally when I did start it I realised I needed more equipment to complete it.

But its finally done.... ta da

Just like a bought one dont you think!

You could submit up to three designs, but one was enough for me. I confidently handed it in.... like I only needed the one shot to win!!

A girly playdate

My daughter LOVES entertaining. As the school bell rings I am continually met with a little lady and friend in tow "Can she come to our house?" "Whose coming over today?" "Who can we ask over today?" Some days I find this exhausting, but mostly I too love having people around and enjoy her enthusiasm.

Well, wasn't she in heaven the other day when not one, but two girlfriends came to play. They were so sweet together, even including little bro in the girly fun.

Usually on arrival home, my two are straight to the kitchen searching out an afternoon snack. This afternoon was no exception, just doubled by extra hungry bellies.

One of the treats I had waiting was a take on the LCM bars. It is super easy and quick to make, looks pretty, egg and dairy free and is always a winner. Its a sweet treat with all the marshmallows, but we all need a treat after a long day at school!

Ricebubble Slice

4 cups of rice bubbles

250g packet of marshmallows (I used Paskals pink & white)

25g nuttelex (dairy free margarine - you can use butter)

I put the marshmallows and butter in a microwave proof bowl and place in microwave. Start in on 30 secs, give it a quick stir, then give it another 30 sec zap.

It is quite sticky but smooth.

Place ricebubbles in a big bowl

Pour the melted marshmallow and butter onto the ricebubbles and mix straight away, making sure all the bubbles are covered.

Then place it into a paper lined tin and press it down. I pour on sprinkles, then place in the fridge usually top shelf for roughly half hour.

When its set, I spray a large knife with cooking oil spray. Then remove from tin and slice up into treat size. YUMMY.

Who will be coming for dinner tomorrow night?!

Cheesecake success

As promised, I successfully attempted the mini baked cheesecakes ....

I followed the receipe from the Exclusively Food blog

   click here for link 

and while they did not look quite as pretty and perfect as the example one, they were actually quite easy to make and tasted scrumptious.

I was able to make 12 (and still had some crumble base left over) using a muffin tray. It surprised me to see them rise like cupcakes, then a sad face as they all proceeded to sag back down, but they settled nicely... was just part of the process.

I quite like the texture and taste, compared with the usual cheesecake that just sets in the fridge.

I took them for supper at class and can I quote (yes I can!) 'the cheesecake changed my life!'

Next challenge - The caramel!

Fit for a designer

For too long I've been taking a red vinyl pencil case (which I borrowed off my son!) to class and for too long I've been meaning to replace it. And finally I made myself an extremely cute pencil case fit for a design class! I lined it with terry towelling which is soft and feels nice when feeling around for just the right pencil! It is surprisingly roomy inside. I had sized up the old case and thought it was roughly the same, but for some reason it seems larger.

I got the zipper from a cushion cover that expired from our decor. I am getting use to working with zippers and quite like them...

I am also a frill fan of late. Its the little girl in me. I love the frill at the bottom which was trial and error so I learnt a few things along the way.

Looking forward to my next class to show it off!

Wall of fame

The season is over but will be fondly remembered.

The first season, The first try, the first tag and the first Trophy. New friends made, fun and games had. And now my baby has TWO for the shelf of honour. He was awarded the players player, receiving a bronze medalion and he wears it with pride. (and how proud am I, just quietly!)

Knit two, Pearl one

The knitting group was so much fun. I've not done a group thing before. I've thought about joining a book club or a tennis team, but never followed through.

One of the mums from school was loosley talking about it and I thought it was a fun idea and would love to actually properly learn something instead of the hard self lessons I usually opt for.

And then something happened... emails were sent, a date was set and the group was formed.

So.... the recount: I took with me what I had, which turned out not useful for a beginner. Luckily the group leader is quite equipped and I've upgraded needles, got some quality yarn AND picked a pattern to follow! YES I am knitting from a pattern to create a cowneck scarf.

I picked the most delicious pale shade of green (that goes with my green phase I am going through - still faithful to the pink but branching out, oh la la) and learned the art of casting on - which is like sewing a hem in sewing terms - then knitted a whole row and pearled a whole row creating a stocking stitch. Sounds fancy I know.

In amongst this I consumed two cups of tea and the most delicious little shortbread biscuits to provide me with the energy to continue!

Knitting requires concentration and looks to be quite a longer process. Quite the contrast to my sewing where I gain quick satisfaction from making something in half a day (like the two cushions I finally made for my love seat today)

I think I need to sew myself a knitting bag to keep it all together!! add it to the list!

My homework is to knit two, pearl one - remembering to move the yarn each switch for 36 stitches and to create roughly 40 rows to make a gauge! Here I go....

Its time..

Spring has sprung! I am all smiles.

The roses are really starting to flourish, the potatoes the kids buried have started to sprout and the passionfruit has gone wild. The strawberries have a bloom, such a pretty flower for a yummy fruit. I am feeling inspired.

So... I have decided to take on two cooking challenges.

I am going to attempt to make mini baked cheesecakes and to make caramel by boiling the sweetened condensed milk can!

I think I can.... I think I can

And just to add to the mix, I have joined a knitting group. First group starts this week. I've knitted before. Well actually, all I have done is cast on and knit rows!!! A novice really.

Will keep you posted!

just for him...

Another little something for the new fella born only a few weeks ago. It is so small and so bright white and I can almost smell that new baby smell as I wrap it up.

Hope he likes it.

One for the Lady

I picked up this material what feels like forever ago (at least four weeks ago!) and have been dreaming of something cute for me. Finally today I had a chance to make something.

What to make.... in the end I decided on a cute half apron.

Was a little trial and error, but it didn't take long and I LOVE IT.

Cant wait to wear it tomorrow. The day is always brighter with an apron on and I have a New one!

Special thanks to my handsome model x

No eggs...but lots of dairy!

Now we are a full fledged dairy house, caramel has become a favourite. So tonite I thought I would bake up some treats with caramel.

First up Caramel drops.... a slight variation to the jammie drops I usually make. I've included the receipe as they are so delicious you really should try them.

Cookie mix

80g butter softened

1/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons milk

teaspoon vanilla

1 cup self raising flour

1/3 cup custard powder (sometimes I use Banana flavoured custard powder - yummo)

Caramel

400g can condensed milk

125g butter

1/3 cup white sugar

1/3 cup golden syrup

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 180 degreesC

2 beat butter and sugar till light and creamy

3 add milk and vanilla

4 add flour and custard powder and mix on slower speed to create a soft dough.

Somedays my dough is really tight together and other days it is a bit sticky. you can add small amounts of flour to make it less sticky but either consistency is fine.

5 roll little balls of mixture together, place on tray/rack and press in middle with your thumb

6 bake for 10 to 15 mins depending on your oven. I check them as soon as they smell good cause I dont like them too brown.

7 Now to the caramel - Combine all ingredients over LOW heat in a small pan. Continually stir for roughly 15 mins till sugar has dissolved and the mixture starts to thicken up and change colour slightly to a caramel colour. You can turn up the heat but be careful as it burns easily.

8 remove from the heat and cool slightly

9 fill the centres of the biscuits with caramel.

10 EAT THEM!

I had caramel left over which I put into some vanilla cupcakes, just dolloped onto of each cupcake and then mixed it through slightly before cooking - They are also delicious.

Happy Caramel cooking x