new softies and dresses for sale

At long last, it is time for an obligatory shop update announcement.

I have re-stocked my etsy store with new corduroy baby dresses and softie rattle friends. Won't you please take a look?

sewing up a storm

I'm in the midst of a crafting overload at the moment. Perhaps the nesting instinct has hit me?

I've also been trying to improve on Christmas, when only about half the gifts I gave were handmade. Birthdays will be better!

So here are the latest toddler gifts I have made.

Pencil rolls.


Why do I have the urge to put names on everything I make? Is it the wanna-be librarian in me, putting labels on everyone?

Appliqued t-shirts.




And a matching hair clip.

Happy birthday, kids.

knitting back on track

Well. Sort of.


I'd like to introduce you to Mr Dangly.
He was made using a free pattern by Hannah Simpson of Cakeyvoice.

And he's very cute!


He will serve as a present to be given from the new baby to Olive.
So while I still haven't made anything for new bubs, at least I have started preparing for her arrival.

off-track knitting

I haven't mentioned that I'm pregnant yet, have I? I'm over 6 months through already! After a first pregnancy that ended tragically at 33 weeks, and a second pregnancy fraught with 2 or 3 panic attacks a week, my tactic this time has been to largely pretend that I'm not pregnant. But I thought it was about time that I started bonding so I cast on to make daughter number three a special cable knit cardigan. Then ran out of wool and got completely distracted on Ravelry. The result? Two new knitted gifts to be given at the next first birthday parties we are invited to.


First up, a green lambie made out of the waste cardigan wool using Barbara Prime's free Fuzzy Mitten Lamb pattern. My plan is to accompany it with a board book copy of Mem Fox's "Where is the Green Sheep".

Next up, a sweet cupcake hat. I used another free pattern, this time from Living Creatively. Be warned though, the decrease row instructions are partially missing and faulty so a little interpretation is required.



Maybe I'll make something for the new baby next ...

proud daughter

I am VERY EXCITED to be able to announce the launch of my oh-so talented mother's new blog/website where you can see some of her amazing botanical art. Originally a potter, Margaret started the transition to botanical illustration in the early nineties and in addition to creating her own works also coordinates the Botanic Illustrators group at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne. Won't you take a look?


We will be adding more paintings to the site soon, along with some other products such as a birthday book, note cards and postcard packs. How would you like to see her work featured?

alphabet street

Okay, so I admit it. I have a slight tendency towards obsession. So when I noticed a letter "B" on a telephone pole some months ago, I developed a new mission: To find all of the letters of the alphabet.

The self-imposed (why?) rules were:
1. All letters must be found by the side of the road
2. All letters must stand alone, ie. not form part of a larger word or code.

Some letters were easy but others demanded a little more creative viewing. Can you spot the photo that I had to turn upside down?

vegan apple cinnamon drops recipe

More baking. I have been sick for the last few days and still can't stomach anything fancier than toast but couldn't stop myself from baking all the same. Crazy.

These Apple Cinnamon Drops are my own invention, designed to use up some of the apple sauce left behind by the meat eaters who came for Christmas.

Ingredients
1/2 cup non-dairy margarine
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons egg replacer
120ml soy or rice milk
2 cups plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
apple sauce

Method
Preheat oven to moderate.
Cream the margarine and sugar.
Gradually add the milk.
Add the sifted dry ingredients, mixing well.
Roll into small balls and place onto a greased tray.
Press an indentation in the centre of each biscuit and spoon in a little apple sauce.
Bake for 15 minutes.