bountifully

2012-02-14T06:49:00.000+10:00

Work-y me (or should that read dork-y)

2012-02-13T16:09:00.000+10:00

My work website has been upgraded and we all got a new photo...

It is amazing what a professional photographer can do...

Day Out in "Cinematic" Style

2012-02-11T22:23:00.000+10:00

Family day trip to Binna Burra with good friends.
We live in a beautiful part of the world.

All the water falls and little brooks were cascading and bubbling after the heavy rains.
We love getting out of town on our day off together.

We return with heads clear and hearts closer.

*photo of me was after pulling 3 leaches off my ankles...

Chuffed

2012-02-08T21:09:00.000+10:00

I made a new blog header today. I am pretty chuffed with myself. Recently I found this blog and was instantly smitten with the header.

Source: pret-a-voyager.com via Bountifully on Pinterest

Two hours of internet searching later, and worries that I would have to master photo shop to make one myself, I stumbled upon this little how to. I made myself one in Word, yes, Word!

Do you like it? I might have a bit more of a fiddle, maybe get rid of the black outline. Opinions welcome!

This is the background image, sourced from this site.

Chuffed, seriously.

Ridiculously easy placemats

2012-02-07T15:37:00.000+10:00

I made some stuff today! Would you like to make a ridiculously easy set of placemats? I thought you would...

1. Take yourself to Ikea and buy a few meters of pre-hemmed linen/cotton blend fabric. Return from Ikea with said fabric, plus about 10 other items you never knew you needed.
2. Chop it up into lengths of your choosing. I did large rectangles, because the smalls are ~~messy~~ enthusiastic eaters. I think squares would look rather sophisticated though.
3. Now for the easy peasy bit. Instead of hemming your two chopped sides, simply zig zag stitch leaving about a 1 cm margin.
4. Wash your place mats a few times to encourage fashionable fraying along the sides. Tell your Crafty Mother that you entirely meant them to look all frayed and it is not at all due to your laziness.
5. Whip up a few napkins following these (hem-less!) instructions to complete your look.

xx

The Queue

2012-02-05T08:18:00.000+10:00

I don't like dot points. With this blog I have tried to avoid them and make myself write in sentences and paragraphs, just to prove to myself that I am still capable of doing so. I know a list should probably have dot points, but to me it would not be pretty nor prose like anymore.

So here is my link-y list, sans dot points, my little queue of projects. No deadlines, no must do's, just things I would really like to make and do this year if I get around to it...

In no particular order:

A Poof Daddy (or maybe two), crocheted. Picture above from Pickles.
A Milo for The Boy (using the NewZealand wool)
A Zig Zag blanket. I bought this kit.
This Dolly
Painting this road side find like this.
A new potager, in a new location
More cloth napkins for the table, I hate using paper ones. I like that I will not have to do tiny hems on these ones
We need more table cloths and placemats. I like the look of these.
The Mr has asked for more cushions. These look cool.
I would like to paint the kids rooms. I think white would be a good backdrop for all the colour in their rooms.
Paint the Armoire in the Little Miss's room. Maybe like this.
The Mr would love if I actually finished The Whitening of the french doors.
I would love a row of standard roses along the front of the house, right under my office/sewing spot.
Sew some clothes for me. Finish this dress. And this one. Make this skirt. These would be fun too.
I think some of these towels would be good for the beach.

I think that out to do it for now. Have you got yourself on pinterest yet? I have my queue over there too.

xx

2012-02-04T11:38:00.001+10:00

Hooking up a foot stool with some chunky yarn. Using Pickles Poof Daddy for inspiration.
Thanks for the encouragement from my last post. I promise no more deep and meaningfuls for now, just lots of turtle type projects :-)

From Hare to Turtle

2012-02-02T11:56:00.000+10:00

I am taking the next 6 months a little slower. The Boy is now at school, which leaves me a bit more time alone at home. Eventually I am going to have to do a bit more work, paid or otherwise, or perhaps a bit more study. But for the next 6 months I am going to find my inner turtle (when naturally I am probably a bit more of a hare).

For the last 4 years I have taken antidepressant medication. This was largely because I got pretty anxious after the birth of The Boy and we moved interstate when he was 2 months old. I also went a bit crazy premenstrually. I would get very, very down and think some very dark thoughts a few days before my period, then as soon as it started I was ok again. One day I found myself seriously planning how I could become dead. This understandably scared me (and the Mr) a little, so very soon I got myself a box of Prozac and things got much better. I never fully liked the idea of having to take a little pill everyday of the month, to prevent the crazy feeling that only came on 3 days of the month. However, this was preferable to ending up dead by accident, just because of one day of silly, uncharacteristic thinking.

Are you still with me? I hope the death comments don't freak you too much, I do have a some what inappropriate sense of humour...

Jump forward to now and while I am very thankful to the little happy pill and relieved that I am very much alive, I find that I am not actually very happy. Now I do not expect life to always be happy, to the contrary, my views on the happiness game are very much in alignment with this book, not to mention of course, this one. One day I was talking with a patient about the side effects of antidepressants and in particular the tendency, over time, to become a bit flat in one's emotions. Not too sad, yes, but also not that happy either. Not able to cry or feel too much sadness is sometimes a trouble. It is good, I believe, to howl like a baby some times. There are also times you want to howl like a wolf, to be filled with the thrill of being alive, to enjoy the intimacy of your relationship, to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the world and the One who created it. To be deeply in love, with others, with God, with your self.

I was lacking these things, I had become flat. Light bulb moments are good, aren't they? Had I been better at crying I probably would have burst into tears in front of my poor patient, but fortunately, being still in control of my senses, I was able to complete the consultation and reflect on the "ah-hah" moment later.

I have taken myself off the little pill. My life is very different now, compared to when I first started taking it. I am different. You see way back then I did also spend some time with a lovely psychologist who helped immensely. I started living in a fantastic community, surrounded by other Christian women who taught me soooo much. I got creative, I started this blog, I started exercising, I lost some weight. I met you guys, and despite the on-off nature of my blogging and commenting you are still here. You are fab, thank you. I have a new psychologist too. He is trying to help me loose weight, and being the clever chap that he is, he has helped me get a grasp on the happiness game. Apparently deeply content and truly happy people are less likely to be overweight. Go figure.

So, I am finding my inner turtle. I am giving myself time to do the things I want. I am going to potter around my house, finishing projects, starting new ones. I am going to read books, go to the gym, catch up with friends, be more mindful in my relationships. I am going to love my husband and work on the relationship I promised to work at, and even in the low times I am not going to entertain the idea of leaving. I am going to love my children and be "present" when I am with them. I am going to show them that emotions come and go, but that which we believe to be real and true never changes. I am going to teach them that it is normal to feel sad, anxious, angry and irritable. It is what we do with the emotions that matters and how we go about getting help when they hang about too long. When they start lurking at the front door, like the proverbial black dog, threatening to take us from everyday blues to outright depression.

Many of you know I am a doctor. I treat people with depression all the time. I think I treat them very well. Sometimes I use medication, but always I use my time, my creativity and my professional networks to help them get better. When I prescribe an antidepressant I get them to promise, and I promise them, that every 6 months we will review if it is still needed or not. I am glad I have started to actually treat myself as well as I treat other people.

So, hey, all is good here, ok people? I am going to work on a queue today. A list of all the projects I might want to do over the coming months. I am going to post them soon, because I think they are cool and I thought you might want to check them out too.

I hope you can find something encouraging in this post today, but largely I am just writing it for me, for my kids, and for the record. If you relate to what I am experiencing, you know you should just go see your doctor, right? This post is all about me :)
xx

beginings

2012-01-24T18:58:00.001+10:00

Today The Boy enjoyed his first full school day. He had a blast.

The Little Miss is delighted to have her little brother at school. My heart warms to see how much they care for each other.

Book decorating, The Little Miss and I. Remembering how much I loved the start of a school year, all empty pages waiting to be filled. A young mind delighted to be learning.

Today was also a beginning for the bestie and I. We have been friends since we were 12 and this week both our youngest are at school. We celebrated with lunch out, two old friends and our own beginings to talk about.

Trace xx

ps our lunch destination was here. A new kid on the Brunswick street block, this Lady is getting up on her feet. Beautiful interiors, delightful owner, looking forward to going back in a few months time and see how it is all progressing. I want those stools!

Campervan-ing New Zealand: Craft,Vintage and Good Sorts

2012-01-23T06:38:00.000+10:00

No holiday is complete without the search for local craft, op shops and art. The Mr has come to accept this over the years, and will now happily send me off to wander local markets, will pull over suddenly when I spy an op shop and does not get too edgey if I stray into a yarn shop. As the Little Miss gets older she is a great companion on these little trips, and has a growing appreciation for old things and that which is handmade and well made.

In Te Anau en route to a Dairy (for our daily ice cream) I spied a yarn shop packed floor to ceiling in that tidy looking box shelving you often find in yarn shops. I decided on the spot that a few balls of New Zealand wool would make a souvenir much nicer than a stuffed kiwi dressed in an All Blacks uniform. This grey Aran weight seemed perfect. I am thinking of knitting up a wee vest for The Boy, who has to date missed out on my attempts to knit garments.

Hokitika. The Mr wishes to never mention the name of this town again, because that is were he, um, damaged the Campervan on a shop awning. None the less, Hokitika, on the West Coast, is the local art and craft hot spot. Mostly jade and timber stores, which I did not think I would go for, however, I was pretty smitten over a pair jade earrings (sob, these stayed in the shop...)

Stone painter, William Steyn, gathers local stones from the beach and paints cute little kiwi's on them for a (somewhat) novel souvenir. He had a lovely light filled studio and we were smitten with his old red Kelvinator, topped with local driftwood and awash with his stones.

He noticed the little Miss was left handed, and being a left-y himself, told her all the best people are left handed and encouraged her to continue with her arty ways. Later on at Arthur's Pass we went fossicking for some stones she could paint herself. Our last night was spent camping here, in a meadow of flowers along side a meandering rocky creek, high up in this mountainous pass connecting the west and east coasts.

The Queenstown markets were a busy hub the day before New Years. We were pretty quick to get out of there, as it appeared all of the youth of the South Island including the seasonal back packers, were due to descend to celebrate at one of the first towns in the Oceania to welcome the New Year.

We bought some lovely soy candles, packaged in an 1960's newsprint. One of the classiest stalls at the Market, George and Edi makes beautifully packaged, not to mention the prettiest smelling candles.

More local sourdough and salmon was picked up at the nearby food market before we bolted out of town.

Okarito is situated on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. A small relatively untouched coastal township with a community run camper park and no shops. We came here to kayak on the Okarito lagoon and enjoy some of the stunning water birds, including the New Zealand White Heron.

Okarito nature tours are one those small family run companies that make you want to go home and tell all your friends about them. Ultra professional, environmentally aware, passionate and knowledgable. The best outing of our trip, the hours we spent kayaking together on that peaceful lagoon, exploring it's tributries, bird watching and enjoying the changing habitats: coastal forest, wetlands, back dropped with snow topped mountains. Bliss. It also happened the owners have a thing for vintage. The little cafe/meeting room was adorned with old sofa's and home made cushions from vintage fabrics. Loving the sofa upholstered in an old army blanket. My kind of people.

The smalls are off to school today. It is the big "O" day for The Boy, who is now a preppie and I am now a mum with two kids at school. This of course means more time for blogging, so I hope I shall not be too late with the next New Zealand post:playing with the new click/how-cool-are-these-photos?

Happy first day at school Queenslanders!

Trace xx

Campervan-ing in New Zealand:Food

2012-01-17T23:48:00.000+10:00

The bounttifully fam sent overselves over the ocean to the land of the All Blacks, funny looking nocturnal birds and strangely amusing air travel safety videos, for our annual summer holiday to some-place-less- hot-than-Queensland.

This was our third holiday in a Campervan. I hope it does not sound too boastful to say that we are getting good at it now. We are hooked on the mobile holiday home concept and I have spent the last week scrolling the classifieds for a second hand caravan to call our (vintage/homemade/quirky) own.

Today begins a series of posts dedicated to our holiday and the bountiful delights we found in New Zealand. Let us start with food, shall we?

The advantage of having a campervan/caravan is that you carry your food with you. Once you have gathered some supplies from the local supermarket, topped up by some road side farm stalls and a trip to the local providore, then you are all set for the self catering holiday. Apart from saving money, you get to munch at lovely locations. The following lunch was taken after playing in the snow on the Milford road with a back drop of snow capped mountains and cheeky Kea's.

We literally stuffed ourselves on berries, cherries and apples, all at wonderful in-season prices. We also managed to find great coffee, the best hot chocolate ever, and hand crafted sour dough breads. It seems my fear that our holiday would be supermarket bread and instant coffee was completely groundless!

Keeping it simple is the key to food on the go. With a small fridge and pantry and without the pantry basics from home, it is a challenge to come up with good meals. Some of our favorites: one pan chicken, balsamic and lentil hot pot; teriyaki beef with crisp green salad and buttered noodles; chinese styled pork mince stuffed into iceberg lettuce leafs. We of course availed ourselves of the cool climate wines New Zealand is famous for, Pinot Gris being one of my favourites.

The smalls loved the local Dairy's and the $2 ice cream cones made with creamy New Zealand Ice Cream. The promise of this each day sent them off to sleep in their cosy little shared bed tucked above the driving cabin, without fighting or giggling. Daylight saving and the long twilight made getting these guys off to sleep a challenge.

Next time, some pictures of the Queenstown market and the New Zealand wool and I just had to buy while the others were outside scoffing ice cream....

Trace xx

Christmas

2011-12-20T16:39:00.000+10:00

Time to sign off for the year, wishing you a Merry Christmas, see you in the New Year.

Trace xx

A Magical Day

2011-12-18T08:17:00.000+10:00

The fab little M and I spent a few hours at GoMA yesterday for some magical fairy land type fun:

And the aptly titled Obliteration Room:

Eventually we had to drag ourselves away to visit The Corner. Look at the lovely things we spotted there, I wonder who made this fabulous crochet blanket?

I could see a few of these books hanging from the ceiling in a children's bedroom:

The grand finale of our mother and daughter-y day, Swan Lake, a first for my little ballerina

Queensland Ballet presents Swan Lake from Queensland Ballet on Vimeo.

I love spending time with you, Little M, thank you for a wondrous day xx

Today

2011-12-15T15:36:00.000+10:00

Corn Fritters with smoky tomato salsa

Salted Dark Chocolate and Walnut Fudge (oh num, num, num)

The Boy's Christmas creation. A great idea from preschool - all the kids planted these flower baskets from seeds to gift to the parents

Trace xx

fourteen

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000+10:00

fourteen years ago today I married Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome.

happy anniversary, love. I think this is part of the growing old together bit now. Our wedding photos pre date digital photography...

Trace xx

Rocket Cake

2011-12-09T22:30:00.001+10:00

hmm, so The Boy turned 5 in October, right? Here is the rocket cake - better late than never I guess!

Trace xx

Book Review: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

2011-12-09T16:07:00.000+10:00

Isn't it great when you are getting to know a new friend and you find a shared love of books? Over lunch with one such friend, we discovered a shared love of well written and slightly left field novels. She lent me The Elegance of the Hedgehog and in return I shared The Art of Racing in the Rain.

I adored the Hedgehog. Not just because it is French (though I have to admit that helped get me in). The book is set in Paris and follows the thoughts of two narrators, one an aging concierge who is a closet philosopher and avid reader. The second a gifted child who sees the world so clearly and harshly, devoid of meaning, that she pledges to kill herself and set alight the extravagant apartment she shares with her family, just before she reaches her 12th birthday. The child sets her mind to find a reason worthy to justify living in such a world, and only then will she turn from the path she has laid for herself. In true french writing style, the desire to die is not melancholic, simply a matter of fact and the child's musings on the meaningless world around her often had me laughing out loud. Her account of the meeting between two of her pompous, wealthy neighbours and their somewhat excitable pooches, had me in stitches.

As the book moves forward the similarities between the two voices - whom we discover live in the same apartment complex and have a love of Japan (the younger is a manga fan, the older loses herself in Japanese movies). The two voices meet in time and they influence each others lives in a most powerful way.

The book has been translated from french, and reads very well. Though at times it is a bit hard going. It is quirky in an Amelie kind of way, and is as frank as it is subtle. This I believe is a beautiful merging of French and Japanese culture, a quietness, a gentle flow, a double meaning. The concierge at one point finds herself utterly moved by a line from her favourite japanese movie, were the characters reflect on the beauty of a camellia against moss. The theme of natural beauty and its astounding effects on those in her world draws together sharply and with a sudden-ness that took my breath away at the end.

I am delighted to discover the book has been made into a movie, if you want a spoiler, then you can see the trailer here.

"The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery, translated by Alison Anderson.

click click

2011-12-08T18:45:00.001+10:00

Ho Ho and all, Santa has come early to the bounitfully household. I have a new click, yes, a functioning one, that takes neat photo's. We are fast becoming friends.

Speaking of friends, it has been a while, hasn't it? Thanks for hanging around. I am thinking the new click is just the thing to get me back in the blogging groove.

Hilda's Coat

2011-11-12T14:56:00.001+10:00

How ridiculously neglected this blog has been. My life and thoughts are thoroughly filled with good, bountifully things. Lovely new fabric from the Crafty Mothers recent shopping spree in Houston, a number of great books read, delicious meals, flowering gardens. Life is busy and I am lazily enjoying it, well, there it is really.

Hilda's new coat is almost completely bound, though it has a needle and thread hanging from one side, it still does the job of protecting her from dust while awaiting it's finishing touches.

Pretty flowers, not from my garden, but from a Church function I catered for this morning. I am loving the purple-y lilac with the orange.

Trace xx

2011-10-30T08:48:00.001+10:00

Did the shopping at the magic IGA today. I usually do not shop with the smalls, however the smaller size and friendly staff at this new shop make it almost do-able.
Look at the American yumminess we found. No one does peanut butter confectionery as good as them.
The smalls were tres happy to taste test. Approval all round.
Trace xx

listening to....

2011-10-25T19:32:00.000+10:00

In My World by Sophie KohTrace xx

2011-10-23T09:16:00.000+10:00

Trialling Blogger from my mobile.

I was out and about with the bestie yesterday. Found lots of vintage crafty goodness at the Paddington antique centre.

Have a great weekend

Trace xx

Sent from my Garmin-Asus phone

Hilda

2011-10-21T14:50:00.000+10:00

I learnt to sew on my mothers old Husqvarna that is as old as I am. Apparently she was frightfully expensive in her day. My mum sent her my way again when I was pregnant with my first. I made a simple cot quilt and some tab curtains, but I was not so much into sewing as I am now, you see, so the Husqvarna languished in the cupboard. For some reason she came with us to Sydney, and glad I was of this when one day I stumbled upon a shelf full of Amy Butler and knew I wanted to make something.

Back then I did not realise the value of old things. I thought the Husqvarna was clunky and ugly. I yearned for a new plastic model. My mum sent me her old Janome when she upgraded again. For two years the Janome and I tried to tango, but dance well together we did not. The Crafty One bought me a new Janome, and while the old one did serve my mother well for a good 5 years or more, the new one died after about 12 months. Search as I did for the receipt we could not find it. The store it came from was understanding (I guess they must see this a bit) they offered to take the old one off our hands and sell us another for a (slightly) cheaper price...

However by now I had deemed my Janome days over and requested the Husqvarna be returned. I researched, I bought service manuals, and by now I had learned that new was not better and that old, well, was something else all together good.

Upon her return I dusted her down, I found an overseas stockist of her missing bobin holder. I wedged her old power point into the socket, I put my foot down, and slowly she clunked over. I did not desist as I knew she had some clever self oiling mechanism. What I did not know was if said mechanism had lasted 36 years...Slowly the old girl started running faster and faster. I played with her tension, I fiddled a little, and soon I had her humming and was running up stitches in no time.

I decided such an old, faithful girl needed a name. Hilda came immediately to mind and though I have toyed with others, I keep coming back to that most Scandinavian of names.

Welcome back Hilda, you may be brown and metal and corroding, but girl, you can sew!

Trace xx

ps: She needed a cover, one to match her age, so some vintage sheet strips were sewn together and bound, you can see them in the corner. I promise to post a picture of Hilda in her new coat very soon.

Poppies

2011-10-18T12:36:00.000+10:00

I adore poppies. When I was pregnant with the Little Miss I wanted to call her Poppy, but alas our surname also starts with a P so it was a bit Peter Piper-ish, if you know what I mean.

A new IGA supermarket opened up across the road from work, which is also close to my home. My friend calls it the "Magic IGA" - because it is open from 6 am to midnight. I think it is magic as it is a market style IGA, opened in an old bowling alley. It has a flower stall with the most delightful blooms. This is where I found my poppies last week.

The Magic IGA also has the largest gluten free and organic section I have ever seen. As one trying to eat more natural and less processed foods, I am loving the availability of fresh produce and brands the larger supermarkets do not stock. Speaking of natural, I am cooking many recipes from 101 Cookbooks. This is worth a look if you are looking to renovate your diet and cooking regime. I am thinking of adding one of her cook books to my own sizable collection.

Trace xx

2011-10-16T15:02:00.001+10:00

The bountifully family took ourselves off camping over the school holidays. We have adjusted our view of a good camp over the years. For us it is pretty much keeping it simple. Two light weight tents - one for us and one for the smalls. These are easy to put up and to be honest, what is the point of spending an hour and much ~~arguing~~ discussion on putting up a larger and more complicated one?

We have a large tarp that we string up to make a cover, then it is a table, chairs, cooker and lamp. That is about it. Not too long setting up, more time to read/crochet/play.

We took along lots of games: Guess Who, Connect 4, Uno, Battle Ship. No TV and internet to distract us from some family fun.

There was a lovely little creek meters away from our camp spot. The smalls spent hours of splashy, muddy, rock collecting fun there. The Mr and I sat in our comfy camp chairs (these are probably the fanciest things we bring) reading and chatting and enjoying the sunshine and quiet.

As it was school holidays we were not alone, of course, but this provides lots of other kids to play with and fellow campers to chat with, which is all part of the camping experience.

I also like to keep the food simple. First night we had taco's - I came up with the idea of hanging the taco shells over a long stick and toasting them over the fire. Wood smoked taco shells, yum. We had the obligatory marshmellows over the camp fire, I am always delighted by the caramalised transformation of the marshmellow when toasted. Day two was sausages in a bun. We threaded the buns, which had lost their freshness by this time, onto our taco toasting stick and enjoyed our wood fired bread and sausies.

We came home so refreshed after our two days of simple living. We can't wait to go again.

Trace xx

Five

2011-10-03T19:55:00.000+10:00

I love your happy morning face,
how you hug and kiss me every day,
how you call out "my mum's here!" at the top of your voice when I pick you up from kindy.

I love mummy and Bock-y Thursdays,
how we have "coffee" together,
how you are so creative with boxes, milk containers and toilet rolls.

I love how you sing Colin song's loudly, even at the shops,
how you love green stuff and cauliflower curry,
how you love animals and feel sad if they are hurt.

I love your sloppy kisses,
how you reach up to grab my hand,

how you still love to curl up in my arms and go to sleep at night.

I love how you giggle uncontrollably when I tickle you,
how you blow raspberries on my cheek,
how you will sit and read and read and read with me.

I love you to bits, my little big boy,
I am so proud to be your mum,
Happy Birthday Bock-y Boy

Mum xxx

morning light

2011-10-02T21:38:00.000+10:00

Little things, grabbing my attention lately, so much on the go, it is good to stop for a moment, even if it is to only snatch a photo with my phone camera

The light through our bedroom window this morning. I love Spring.

Vignette: Spring School Holidays

2011-09-27T21:57:00.000+10:00

At my besties house today, playing with my new Android phone app. Loving her tissue paper flowers.

Trace xx

Old Doll, New Trick

2011-09-16T12:22:00.000+10:00

On a recent visit to my parents place I rediscovered a box filled with my childhood doll collection. You see whenever a family member went overseas, they would bring me back a souvenir doll. Such dolls were much better quality back then. Most of the dolls are, um, well over 30 years old I guess.

This wooden doll was bought by my grandparents from Japan. I am looking for some interesting ways to display some of the others around my home.

Still here, blogging is sporadic, thanks for sticking around, you are fab!

Trace xx

Short

2011-08-30T19:46:00.000+10:00

My new "do"

Considerably shorter than my old "do"

Me thinks I like it...

Trace xx

It's ok to be...

2011-08-23T20:32:00.000+10:00

Today was book week parade at the Little Miss' school. Months ago we had talked about the Pippy Longstocking dress up - I was all set to make a blue dress with red patches and brown and black long socks were to be sourced.

Then a note came home from school ~~informing us~~ encouraging us to send our year 2's dressed as Dalmatian puppies. It seems one of the teachers with dramatic flair decided she would like to dress up as Cruella De Vil (which I have to agree, would be a fab book week dress up). She then decided that it would be even more fab if she had a 101 grade two kiddies to be the puppies for her.

Sounds great right? Except we don't especially like Hollywood kids movies, particularly the one in question. Nor have we even read the original novel by Dodie Smith. Isn't book week parade about dressing up as your favourite book character? Is there not a little thing called individuality? Surely you should have at least read the book you are basing your character costume upon?

So for two weeks we have um-ed and ah-ed about it. Do we do the Dalmatian thing and not
make a fuss, how would she feel if she was the only grade 2 NOT sporting doggy spots?

In the end she went with Pippy - and it was all a bit last minute (night before kind of stuff). The sewing machine is broken, so no blue dress with red patches could be made. We did not have time to go shopping for black and brown socks. But we did have our imagination and a cupboard full of clothes, and together a Pippy outfit we did make.

Mr Nillson the monkey and the case full of gold coins was her idea. The pipe cleaners in the plaits to make them stick out was mine. I was nervous for her at drop off when a sea of spots greeted us, but the Little Miss is a quirky one, a true individual and marched into the parade with excitement and enthusiasm. At the end of the day I asked her if she was glad with her choice. "Oh yes, mum" was the answer.

It's ok, it is, to be different.

Trace xx

Spiced Chocolate Anzacs

2011-08-16T12:14:00.002+10:00

A happy, happy marriage of rich cocoa powder, orange and cinnamon. In an Anzac like biscuit. Oh yum, you gotta give these girls a go.

They came together the other evening when I was having a "I really want to send my kids to school with more home baked stuff" kind of moment. These are more adult like than kid like, but if you have little foodies like I do, then I am sure your kids will love them too.

makes about 30 odd finger squished biscuits:

1/2 cup of cocoa powder (I know it is a lot, but trust me ok?)
1 1/2 cups of plain flour
1 cup of quick oats
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar

mix these dry ingredients together then add:

2 tsp finely grated orange rind (or to taste)

2 eggs

150 gm s melted butter (or about 1/2 cup of vegetable oil)
a few hand fulls of chopped nuts (or sunflower kernels if you have to go nut free)

if it is all a bit dry, add a little extra oil and/or milk. I find it largely depends on the cocoa powder you are working with

roll into dough balls and squish down with two fingers and bake in a moderate oven for about 10-15 min. The biscuits will harden while cooling, though they should retain that chewy Anzac like centre.

Enjoy, I would love to know if you give these a go!

Trace xx

Ghosts

2011-08-09T12:44:00.000+10:00

Oh yes, there are Ghosts in my living room. Not of the spooky kind, mind you, of the replica Philippe Starck variety.

I have been much-ly desiring this style of chair for many moons. The ~~impetuous~~ impetus to purchase them came after having my extended family over and us not having enough chairs. Well, that and a post general anaesthetic daze (that is my story, Mr B, and I am sticking to it).

These pictures are the first the Mr, who is in Sydney this week - lucky chap, will see of our new dining area. Come on now, darling, they do look noice...

Trace xx

Rumbly In My Tumbly

2011-08-05T08:09:00.000+10:00

Bears love honey

And I'm a Pooh bear,

So I do care,

So I'll climb there.

I'm so rumbly in my tumbly,

Time for something sweet to eat!

My parents and my bro are honey producers, so we always have a good stash of honey in our house. I had been on the look out for a little honey pot that Pooh himself would approve of. I think I found it.

Spied and grabbed at my local oppie

missing lettering neither here nor there, not when it is time for something sweet.

Trace xx

Creative Space: Green

2011-08-04T15:09:00.000+10:00

The Boy and I were in the kitchen today. We road tested Anna's DO-Muffins - except we used our electric donut maker instead of the muffin tins. The Boy insisted we ice them green and I agreed, hoping the frog like colour would deter me from testing too many of them...

More creative stuff here

Trace xx

Book Review:A Prayer for Owen Meany

2011-08-03T19:45:00.000+10:00

A Prayer for Owen Meany

As promised weeks ago, I am going to start reviewing some of my favourite books and movies. I thought I would start off with A Prayer for Owen Meany. Author John Irving claims the opening line of Owen Meany is best he has ever written:

I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice - not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany

What follows is a story written in the first person by Johnny Wheelwright, a boy orphaned by a rogue baseball at a young age, and his relationship to Owen Meany. From the accident that links them to the mystery that folllows them and the martydom that parts them the events of their lives form a tapestry of fate and faith... (exerpt from back cover).

I am a Christian, which many of you know. That is I believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection and the promise of eternal relationship with God through faith in what Jesus has done. I am not a Christian because of Owen Meany. I found the story interesting and insightful - an insight into someone with a different understanding of faith than I have. I do not know what John Irving thinks about Jesus and it occurs to me that the book may be a mock up of the Christian faith as much as the opening line would appear in support of it. There is no fierce direction or clear conclusion at the end, which of course, is one of the reasons I loved this book. It indeed left me thinking for weeks afterwards.

I was enticed into reading the book by the promise of many "laugh out loud"moments, and indeed, I was to be found on the couch, at work and in the park laughing deliriously out-loud. I could equally be found filled with sadness and loss, and as the book concluded there was less laughing and more reflection.

The early chapters set out a jigsaw puzzle of types and concludes by filling in the missing pieces. A Prayer for Owen Meany is part coming of age story, part fairy tale (of the non Disney type), part political and religious commentary. The character development is superbly well done and the rich interweaving lives of the characters a delight to read.

This is novel writing at its best, you will not be disappointed.

Trace xx

The Fam

2011-08-02T11:07:00.000+10:00

The bountifully fam, in our natural, silly state...

Photo by Sean Joyce

Trace xx

Introducing...

2011-07-29T12:07:00.000+10:00

Charlie, the newest member of the bountifully household. Charlie is a chocolate/sable boy cavoodle. Charlie came home with me last week after The Boy and I fell in love with him at the pet shop. Bountifully-iers had always sworn that we were big, lets go for a run type dog people. We also said if we got a dog it would be an outside dog, a dog bought direct from the breeder, perhaps even a pure bred.

But here we are with Charlie and we are smitten. He is perfect for us, he does not shed hair, he does smell a bit, but nothing a bit of home perfume cannot overcome. He is happy running about in our yard, or curled up in the lounge room. The kids can cuddle him and on a cold night in front of the TV he is better than a wheat bag.

How hard it is to photograph a dog! And I thought the smalls were hard, geez...

Trace xx

p.s. for those interested types, purchase of Charlie was prompted by my recent birthday combined with timely fixing of our side fence...
p.s.s for those even more interested, I turned 36, and am absolutely loving this 30's gig.

colour blocking: bountifully style

2011-07-20T11:01:00.003+10:00

This is kinda what I am wearing at work today, well minus those awesome YSL pumps...
You know how I hate posting my picture on the blog, perhaps when I finish my new plan, then I will get the courage up. Details of THE PLAN to come next week.
In the meantime, trying to get the hang of posting from polyvore - sorry for all the edited and deleted posts, hoping this one come through loud and clear.
Hope you are having a good one,

Trace xx

colour blocking

2011-07-19T12:16:00.000+10:00

Colour blocking in my inbox this morning. Will you rescue me from my winter of denim, navy, grey and white?

images via Anthropology. Look but don't touch my Australian friends. The shipping for these babies alone will buy you an entire opted wardrobe...

Perhaps you could enter Brenda's giveaway and treat yourself to a little colour blocking splurge?

The Party

2011-07-17T15:22:00.001+10:00

The Cake

The Friends

The Special Friend who is also a Boy

The Birthday Song

Happy Birthday Little Miss, we do indeed-y love ya lots! xxx

Dandelions

2011-07-16T11:41:00.000+10:00

My lawn, filled with Dandelions, which I should probably dig out, but who am I kidding?

The Little Miss turns 8 on Monday. She is awesome, she is spunky, she is quirky.
She is having a little party at our favourite Chinese restaurant tomorrow. Just us four and six of her friends. We will eat dumplings and salt and pepper squid and make pretty paper lanterns. We will bring our own cake, which has been chosen by the birthday one from THE book from which one picks these things.

tutorial via happy clippings

Then we will go and I will have no mess to clean up. Awesome idea Little Miss.

Wishing you a lovely weekend,

Trace xx

My Creative Space

2011-07-14T16:00:00.000+10:00

Yes, I did have better things to do with my time...

More creative spaces here

Trace xx

Rabbit Hole

2011-07-09T22:27:00.000+10:00

The Mr and The Boy have gone camping with some other guys from our Church, leaving the Little Miss and I home alone for a few days.

While at the DVD store renting Anne of Green Gables (which the Little Miss and I watched together this afternoon) I thought I would rent Rabbit Hole starring Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart. This is not a movie the Mr would want to watch (he is more of a Terminator meets Aliens kinda guy). If you have seen it, then you would be right to question why I would watch a movie like this with my 4 year old son away....

image

The movie follows the lives of a couple 8 months on from a tragic accident. It is hard to watch, and I was openly sobbing at one point, which is rare for me. The grief is so raw and so real you can feel it hang around you in the air. And yet, there is nothing contrived about this movie, there is no false sentimentality, there is no promise that the pain will end, there is no happy ending. But there is a move forward and a grief shared, and I think this is why I have not gotten up from my sofa utterly wretched and depressed. This is in comparison to how sad I felt at the end of Revolutionary Road, which left me feeling gutted and wondering why on earth I had subjected myself to such hopeless sadness.

For me, I have long been tired on Hollywood endings and empty performances. The direction and quality acting in this movie was refreshing to me, and I am glad I rented it. I would love to know what you thought of the movie.

I am hoping to review more movies and books on my blog over the coming months. I best now go wash off my runny mascara and climb into bed alongside the peacefully sleeping Little Miss...

Trace xx

Creative Space: Slippies

2011-07-07T15:38:00.000+10:00

This is the first pair I crochet, and now working on a second in more neutral tones. I am using up my Bendigo cotton, so I can justify buying some new yarn.

Worked in two strands of 8 ply Bendigo cotton, sorry I have forgotten what the colours are. Pattern can be found here. The instructions are excellent, and would make a good project for a beginner. They are a little rough underfoot, so I am thinking of making some padded insoles to go in them.

More creative spaces here.

Beach Treasure

2011-07-06T14:29:00.000+10:00

Back from our winter break at the Whitsunday's in tropical North Queensland. A week of lovely sunshine, clear waters and plenty of time (and yet, not enough time) to catch up with good friends.

A few treasures from the beach are up on display. I am putting together a little beach inspired colour post, as I could not stop taking pictures of driftwood, shells, white sand and sun-bleached coral.

This bowl of shells is a work in progress, we keep adding to it with each beach side holiday. I have filled another jar with the more tiny shells.

Some new driftwood meant the treasure shelf needed a redo. I am loving the washed out timber next to the crystal and black wrought iron.

More of that beach colour. Can you see the hem of my wool jersey maxi dress I made for the holiday?

Back soon with some holiday knitting and beach inspired colour way.

Trace xx

Break

2011-06-23T12:50:00.001+10:00

We are off on holidays for the next couple of weeks. Earlier in the week I spied some lovely wool jersey at Spotlight. I have a favourite wool jersey maxi dress, and I managed to cut a pattern off it, and made myself another to take away. I also made another cowl. As we are doing winter on the North Queensland beaches, I am thinking layering maxi dresses with cardies and a belt will do me pretty well...

It is always a hard decision on what to take. I am thinking a few easy, interchangeable outfits, a good book, and a yarn project should do me just fine. I am going to try my hand at another cardie for the Little Miss, in this navy Bendigo cotton that has been in the stash for awhile:

Be seeing you soon and be sure to check out other creative spaces over here

Trace xx

An Ode to Primer

2011-06-20T21:26:00.000+10:00

Primer, how much do I love thee? I paint you on my glossy, pre painted surfaces. Photo frames, shiny wooden furniture, laminated surfaces. You stick to them with ease, you spare me many hours of sanding. Whatever top coat I wish to use, it will bond to you and hold on for dear life.

My bestie told me about Zinsser, about its superior ways. It was love at first brush stroke, I am now smitten...

Primer, how much do I love thee? I found primer can also help make up stick to my blotchy, downy face. How many years did I go with a patchy, grainy, foundation smeared nose before I found MAC make up primer? Due to you, my make up love, my made up face is smooth and blemish free without a pancake in sight.

I bid you adieu, to you and to you,

Trace xx

Please note dear readers that this ridiculous post is entirely unsponsored and is brought to you tonight by the pure love of primer.

Satuday's Cowl is Warm and Soft

2011-06-18T14:42:00.001+10:00

It is such a crystal clear day here today, a typical Brisbane winter day. The Mr has made the most of it and has gone on a long day walk (bush walk) with some mates. The smalls and I decided to meander over to a near by school fete. Of course we made a bee line to the craft stall, were the local mothers (earth mothers, my friend calls them, with an eye roll...)had done a fabulous job with their stall and we walked away with this sweet knitted dino - picture at the end of this post.

Despite the lovely weather, it does actually get cold here. I find scarves hard to wear, and them came up with the idea for this cowl. I am sure it is not an original idea. I grabbed some jersey from the stash, hacked into it to make a long wide strip and then sew the ends together to make a ring. A bit of zig zags on the raw edges, and there you have it, my 5 min jersey cowl, which for me has the right amount of soft, without the wooly itch.

I am completely rubbish at posing!

Here is the dinosaur, I love his limey "skin" colour

Hoping you are having a lovely weekend

Trace xx

Fiddling

2011-06-16T17:19:00.000+10:00

I have been fiddling, want to come see? I alternate between wanting a more minimal blog, to wanting to put heaps of stuff in my sidebars. Lately I have been thinking, there is a lot of space when you scroll down my sidebars, why not put all my mates blogs there? So there you all are, want to see if you can find your name? Then I thought about all the profile info I never had time to fill out, so I put on my little thinking cap and came up with a selection of books and movies I like, and answered the silly random question. Oh and I found I can put a little gadget in that lets you get emails of my posts, which I doubt you will want, but maybe my mum and best friend might sign up...

This is also the first ever post I have done without a photo. It feels a little naked, but there you go, have a good night!

Trace xx

creative space:growing grannies

2011-06-16T06:00:00.005+10:00

The granny rug is growing. I get bored with it after a while, then move onto my hexies, then get bored with them and move onto doing some painting. Now you see I am back to crochet, as there is not much left to paint in my house...

Can you see the cute shoes? From the op shop last week!

Trace xx

Creative Space Mothership over here

Today

2011-06-14T15:21:00.001+10:00

it has been a little hectic at the bountifully household over the past few weeks. The Mr took a well earned day off today, so while the smalls were at school/preschool, we went out for the day.

We started at Dandelion and Driftwood. Brisbane coffee lovers will well be aware of this fabulous place. I was alternating between delirious bliss over my coffee (s!) and the adorable decor. Image via Bean Hunter, worth a visit to see more of the interior of this cafe!

We drove home via a favourite op shop, which is a hard place to get the Mr to visit, I tell you. He managed find himself a shirt though, so he was rather chuffed and I found a bone handled round blade knife to use for cake decorating.

While the Mr was collecting the smalls, I found some time to take some more interiors shots. Oh look, I spy a finished mirror! The before shot is over here.

Trace xx

Completed

2011-06-07T12:36:00.000+10:00

Little old table gifted to me last Christmas is now thoroughly whitened, and re-situated in the dining room. Will hopefully have a mirror to show you next week.

a little before photo

undercoat: Zinsser 1-2-3 Bullseye (more on this fabulous product in another post)
topcoats: Dulux Aquanamel in Antique White USA

Trace xx

The Boy's Room

2011-05-31T17:07:00.001+10:00

Ahh.... child free and home alone Tuesday....

Blissful day spent pottering about tidying up, getting on with the current "whitening" projects I have on the go and preparing dinner. Tonight we are having Gordon Ramsay's twice cooked pork belly. Mmmm, the smells from my oven are maddening. According the BBC website cooking the pork in fat (confit) actually makes it leaner as the fat is rendered out. I am yet to be convinced, but lets see how we go.

I spent an inordinate amount of time making The Boy's room tidy, easier to play in and more pleasing to the eye (it is a win-win really)

The picture was an engagement present to the Mr and I. It is the Story Bridge here in Brisbane with the Kookaburra Queen paddle steamer in the foreground. It has found a good home here, I think.

Trace xx

ginger and pears, upside down

2011-05-24T06:00:00.001+10:00

How much there is to love about the gooey caramelisation of pears atop a richly spiced ginger cake. The Boy and I found ourselves home alone last week and cake-less, which would never do, so we whipped ourselves up one of these.

This is a beaut little cake if you want to make cake fast and in small quantities. We made ours in a small loaf tin.

You will need:
150 g of butter
60 g brown sugar
80 g flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ginger
1 egg

for the topping
2 tbs brown suger
1 tbs melted butter
one sliced pear - firm would probably be best

To make get you oven set on 160 degress (C). Pop the melted butter into a loaf tin, then sprinkle on the brown sugar. Layer your sliced pear on top. Try to make it look pretty, but fail as small helper demands to do the former.

Cream the butter and sugar together, then beat in the egg. Promise small child he will have the beater soon, but first you need to beat in the remaining ingredients. Give beaters to child.

Pour your batter on top of your pears and pop in the oven for about 30 min, which will give you enough time to wrangle beaters off small child and clean him up. When ready, make yourself a cuppa and enjoy on the veranda with your helper. Be pleased that you have managed to produce such a decerning foodie...

Trace xx

lucky little 'ol me

2011-05-19T22:02:00.000+10:00

Lucky me to win not one, but two give aways recently! Isn't it lovely when you get things in the post?

First came Christina's Scotty Dog pendant.

The picture is from Christina's blog. I love Christina's blog, it is one of the ones I look at immediately when it pops up in my reader. Not only am I in love with her jewellery (I have given her store details to the Mr, hoping that one day some more loveliness will come my way), but she knits and crochets, and I do adore her colour ways.

Another girl who knows a thing or two about colour is Melissa. I love Melissa's blog too, and yeap, it is another one on my must read list. The lovely Melissa sent me this sweet pincushion and mug rug. I have never had a mug rug. I put it on my desk at work and clients commented on it all day. I am indeed glad to now have such a pretty rug for my morning coffee. I love what Melissa does with vintage sheets and linen. Her quilts are spectacular, sigh...

Thank you ladies, love your work, but you already new that I hope!

Trace xx

On the Kid

2011-05-17T16:52:00.000+10:00

Knit vest is complete, and popped on the Kid, who adores it so much, she even consented to model it for me. She promised to waive the usual fee with the promise of dessert...

A kind of Ballet pose. Not sure what is going on with the sleeves, I think they are looking a bit Star Trek-y???? Help?

Currently doing a tension square for a vest for me, cause I think I got a thing for this knitting gig.

Trace xx

Sticks

2011-05-03T06:00:00.004+10:00

Hey look, I am knitting! I have attempted this pattern 3 times in the past, so yes, this is number 4. I was told years ago it would be a good beginner pattern. Unfortunately said person had woefully underestimated how much I suck at knitting...

However, I have now mastered, thanks to my friends on You Tube, the Longtail Cast-0n method, how to knit in the round, the Magic Loop Method and last but not least, the Continental knitting method. The later was suggested by Tania who triple dared me to give it a go. Being the slightly competitive type that I am, the triple dare was all I needed to give it another go...

Well, I also needed yarn and proper circular needles. I have bucket loads of yarn from here, which is very nice, but for ages I have had a yarn crush on just about everything from Pickles. I am trying hard not to contemplate the yarn miles that went into shipping me my super soft, hand dyed merino wool from Oslo, but here I have it none the less and I do indeed love it. And a new pair of bamboo needles, which I have found much preferable to my old clickity clacks.

Need to say more? Yarn from Pickles, pattern from here.

Trace xx

*ok now knit-y types, please don't look too close or you will see the big error of my ribbing ways
** yes, this is the second time in the last month I have linked back to Tania. Well, she is super awesome and so very good at yarn type stuff (and the rest!)

Op Shop Finds

2011-05-01T14:15:00.001+10:00

Over the school holidays The Boy and I found ourselves with a few hours to burn while The Little Miss attended a school holiday art workshop. On the drive over, to a part of Brisbane I rarely visit, I noticed a large Lifeline store near by so we returned to lose ourselves there for a good hour (or was that two...)

I have been on the hunt for a set of kitchen canisters for many years now. I have found a few sets I have loved at my local antique centre, but have not loved the price tag, so the op shop hunt continued. That is until I spied these girls:

My kitchen is largely white with black accents and the occasional pop of colour, so these are absolutely perfect. And at $14 for the set, these girls were definitely coming home with me.

I also found this intriguing old case, which upon opening, unearthed a treasure trove of vintage knitting needles (pictured behind) and some spools of mercerised thread.

Not pictured are the most perfectly fitting pair of Jag Jeans (all of $2), and an old navy suitcase to join my little bedroom stack, and, ah, a Transformer (well, one does have to amuse The Boy somehow while hunting for treasure...)

More finds at Sophies.

Trace xx

Creative Space:Growing Hexies

2011-04-28T11:05:00.000+10:00

It is good to have a bit of routine back, the little Miss actually got to school on time this morning...

A rainy day here in Brisbane, so the Boy and I are going to make dinosaurs out of milk bottles, drink hot chocolate and perhaps pop into the shops in the afternoon. I so love the slower pace of Thursdays.

Of course, I am hoping for a bit of down time to make something more me (though don't get me wrong, I love a good milk bottle craft!) Today I believe it will be Hexies. I am having so much fun with this, playing with the colours and arranging and rearranging my hexagon flowers. I love how it is coming together.

More Creative Space-ers over here.

Trace xx

Long Weekending

2011-04-25T16:46:00.000+10:00

I am sad to see the holiday's coming to an end, it has been lovely to have a break from the make the lunches, dress and feed everyone, get the homework and ballet outfit together, get myself organised all before 8.30 am routine - you know how it goes...

Our smalls went for a visit with their grandparents - the Crafty Mother took 4 grandchildren camping (no, I have not sprouted another 2, they are the cousins) on my parents rural property. Two days and nights sans smalls was just the right amount of time for us all I think. The Mr and I went and saw "My Afternoons with Margueritte", a must see for lovers of french films.

We also had a leisurely trip to the markets for great coffee, fresh produce and flowers.

I spent a good part of a day cooking for the Mr's annual birthday dinner party. No photos, just 5 courses, plenty of wine, a souffle that did indeed rise and the cherry tart that did not flambe. Lots of laughter, good friends and a menu picked from Julia's collection.

When it was time to pick up the smalls, we were all happy to be back together, and spent the afternoon in the garden, pottering around.

A few pictures of what is growing in our yard, and the flourishing potager...

One more day, then back to the routine, which is welcome, until the next holiday!

Trace xx

Pretty Salad

2011-04-21T06:00:00.001+10:00

This is the prettiest salad I have ever made and eaten. I have been following La Tartine Gourmande for sometime now. I love her food styling. I love her approach to food, her love of fresh and attractive ingredients. And she does beautiful salads, which I really need to eat more of!

Trace xx

Tea with the Ladies

2011-04-20T06:00:00.000+10:00

Have you read Pippy Longstockings? The Little Miss and I are reading this together. I bought her Lauren Child's beautifully illustrated Pippy a few years ago. My favourite chapter is when Pippy gets invited to tea with the ladies next door, and she manages to eat a whole cake and entertain the ladies with her shockingly tall story of the ankle biting maid her grandmother once had...

Any how, I had some ladies over for tea recently, sans Pippy, though I think it would have been a blast had she been there. We had a selection of teas, fresh brewed coffee and cake. I made Red Velvet Cup Cakes, now made famous by the Magnolia Bakery in New York. I have never been to New York, but if I went, I think the Magnolia Bakery would be on my To Visit list.

Cushions

2011-04-18T14:22:00.000+10:00

Mmmm, kind of boring title, but here you have them, two new cushions for the bountifully sofa.

I painted the ampersand myself, it is a lovely inky navy, cause you know I've got a navy thing going on, don't you? The other is a vintage doily. I even learnt how to sew a button hole so I could make the covers removable (mind you, it took the best part of my sewing time to find my machines instruction manual to work out how to use the button foot...)

Thought I could show a little bit of perspective and shoot a picture of my lounge/dining room. It is hard to photograph interiors, isn't it? Anyway, despite the not so good light, it was a day when my house was tidy and devoid of small people, so this is probably as good as I am going to get it.

My dad and I have bought a paint spray gun and an air compressor. I am not sure what he wants it for, but I have a certain date with those orange hued timber chairs and some duck egg blue paint...

Vintage Sheet Picnic-y Rug

2011-04-15T06:00:00.000+10:00

Another completed project, my vintage sheet picnic rug. Unfortunately rain hampered our recent plans for wine and cheese-ing type picnic-ing with friends, so alas these pictures are just in my backyard. But there is sun, there is a good book, there is a cushion for ones head, so perhaps things are not so bad after all.

The top is made with vintage sheets, and the backing is an old woollen blanket from the oppie. No quilting, just stitched together, pure and simple. Easily washed and popped into the back of the car ready for impromptu picnic-ing opportunities...

Trace xx

Cotton-y Crochet:Trying Again

2011-04-13T06:00:00.001+10:00

Many moons ago I was tempted by Tania into purchasing some soft, super smooth Jo Sharp Cotton. I have fiddled with it, crocheted block colour granny's, then block rows, and even attempted a softy, but I keep coming back to that which originally inspired me.

Tania's blanket is all but completed, and though she groaned about all the end-y bits, and exhorted me to continue with my block colours, her blanket is a thing of beauty. And I want one.

So I am unraveling and re-rolling, and hooking my way along. I am joining as I go, and weaving ends in as I go (they will probably pop out again, but lets see how it goes).

I doubt I will have much to show you any time soon. Perhaps I will alternate between showing you crochet squares and hexagon flowers...

Trace xx

Musical Art

2011-04-12T07:28:00.000+10:00

Remember the LP jackets I fell in love with at the oppie?

Now framed and hanging. Ikea RIBBA frames are the perfect size for framing LP jackets, just in case you get all nostalgic and want to frame your own...

Trace xx

Gifted and Thrifted

2011-04-10T09:03:00.000+10:00

This gilt mirror was gifted by a friend yesterday. She and her man even brought it to my house for me, it weighs a ton... I know, I do have good friends!

You do know what I am going to do with this don't you?

Oh and how do you take a photo of a mirror without taking a photo of yourself? My outfit is thrifted, for the most part.

I am going through a navy phase at the moment. Navy and tan (in boots), navy and pale pink, and of course, navy and lime green (one of my favourite colour combinations).

Linky List of other glorious finds here.

eggs

2011-04-03T06:00:00.002+10:00

I love eggs. The Mr is a whizz at poaching them, he follows Julia's method. On sourdough toast they are the perfect breakfast. A top a salad of rocket, spinach, or watercress, sprinkled with shavings of parmesan cheese and seasoned with cracked pepper, poached eggs make a delicious lunch.

Fresh eggs are the best. I cannot come at using the supermarket variety in anything but baking.

These eggs came from a new friend. She has starting coming over once a week to talk with the Mr and I about church, religion and the Bible. Last week she bought eggs with her. She had me sussed pretty quick, I think, and knew the eggs would go down well.

And while we are on eggs, I am still pondering whether to get started on painting my chairs duck egg blue. I mean, there are 8 chairs, with lots of fiddly bits, oh the time commitment! First I have to find the perfect shade, almost a whitish-grey I think, with just the palest hint of blue. The linen in my picture is getting close to it. Any suggestions are more than welcome.

Trace xx

The Whitening...

2011-04-01T12:26:00.000+10:00

So yesterday while my friend practiced her hooking on the lovely teal yarn, I pottered about a bit, so as to not be constantly watching over her shoulder. It was, I might add, lovely to watch her sit and look so calm and meditative as she worked her way along her chains. Thus is the beauty of making something, is it not?

Back to my pottering, so I picked up the brush and finished my little "Whitening" project. I do so love this term for it, many thanks to the lovely comment-or who suggested it.

Last night I rummaged in the store cupboard - I was sure I had stashed an old shade in there somewhere. I was in luck, and so out come the mod podge, and delightful Amy Butler print I had been saving for the "right" project.

As a little aside, do you miss Notebook Magazine? I do, but then I found the inspiring Vera Klein (previous home editor of Notebook) has her own blog, packed full of her fabulous projects, which reminded me how much I loved the magazine. She has a great post on how to cover your own lampshade, should you be all inspired like to give it a go.

Wishing you a lovely weekend

Trace xx

Creative Space

2011-03-31T07:51:00.000+10:00

Today, teaching a good friend how to crochet. I chose the yarn for her 'cause it was a bit thicker and I knew she would love the colour.

And the obsession with painting everything continues...

the Mr is looking mighty nervous whenever he spies me with a paint brush.

I am experimenting with my photos. The backdrop is the back of one of the doors I took off during my kitchen DIY. More ways I am using the old cabinets to come!

Trace xx

Creative Space hosted weekly at Kootoyoo.

A Delightful Saturday

2011-03-27T18:57:00.000+10:00

Me and my Bestie, four child free hours, oh the possibility!

We started off here, some of my favourite stalls...

Had lunch at the Pearl Cafe, Woolloongabba,

Mmmm, I love this place! Roasted vegetable bubble and squeak (!) with a poached hens egg and watercress. Delighful. The coffee was also perfect and my dessert, pear and pistachio cake, was moist and all the things a cake should be.

image

Browsed the local shops including Absolutely Fabulous, and ended up at the local oppie, where I bought these LPs. Not because I want to play them, but more for the cover designs.

Are they not delightful? I am going to frame them (I am thinking square RIBBA frames from Ikea ) and pop them on the wall next to this poster.

More opted finds at Sophie's place

oh, some people were troubled over the lack of fridge photo in my kitchen DIY post, so just for you, Bungalow Girl, here is the link...

Creative Space:Hexagons Revisited

2011-03-24T06:00:00.002+10:00

Progress on my Hexagon charm quilt has been halting, to say the least. Largely, I believe, due to a lack of direction. I was happy to initially cut up little bits of scrap, tack them to bits of hexagon shaped paper and stack into little colour coded piles.

But where to then? So I left them in the cupboard for a while, as you do, when you have lots of projects on the go. The Crafty Mother then started her own little hexagon quilt (which, by the way, is looking stunning). She showed me a picture of this quilt: We are not sure where the original is from, if you know, please let us know!

A similar quilt popped up in last months Real Living Magazine. I am was smitten, enough to pull the hexies out of their confinement and start making hexagon flowers.

I think I will just randomly sew them together, as I go, and just keep adding and adding. I can't promise it won't go back in the cupboard for awhile again, but for now, I am going with the flow.

Creative Space hosted weekly here

DIY Kitchen Makeover

2011-03-21T14:37:00.000+10:00

Last week I hinted that the kitchen was getting a wee make over. You see last week the fridge broke down, just like that, and as much as I hate the whole chuck it away if it does not work mentality, alas there was little point to fixing her*.

The new fridge being much wider required some, um, kitchen cabinentry modifications.
The Mr was having a busy week, and was not all that happy about my reno plans, so it was up to me to rip down the old fridge cabinet. While I was at it, I decided to rip down some more cabinets, as you do, 'cause one likes the open shelving look and I was on a roll by that point.

Not much of a before shot, I am afraid, I was much to busy for that. If you go over to this photo, you can see some of the "old" kitchen in the background.

In 3 days I had a shiny new stainless steel fridge, new shelving, and new kitchen lighting (that was the last flickering circular fluro left in the house) a monumental first for the bountifully household, as such things usually remain a work in progress for months and months (sometimes even years...)

Here she is, ain't she grand?

Oh, more of those sexy Ikea shelves...

And to alleviate any guilt over the old shelving, I shall post the uses I have found for it around the house later in the week.
Still waiting for picnic-y weather to photograph the vintage sheet picnic blankie.

Trace xx

*The chaps who took my old fridge away assured me it would be used for spare parts and the remainder was to go into scrap metal, so I do hope it is not laying in landfill somewhere.

Conversations

2011-03-20T20:20:00.001+10:00

Today, the girl at the check out asked me what I was doing with the rest of my day.
"Going to Church" I replied.
She seemed a bit shocked, but recovered to ask what time it started.
"10 am, and today, we are having lunch together afterwards". I point to the bread sticks I was purchasing.
"Bummer, that will take up your afternoon then" she answered.
It was my turn to be shocked, but I recovered to correct her, "I love hanging out with people from my Church, there (like) family"

Another woman, at the service station, said she loved my purse.
"Where did you get it?"
"Online, it came from the USA".
"Oh, can you tell me what site?"
"Etsy"
"How do you spell that?"
"E-T-S-Y dot com"
She writes it down, she is going to look it up. I walk away smiling, wondering how long she will lose herself in the treasures of Etsy.

To a friend today I say "Oh dear, I am such an air head, it is a mystery to me how I ever got through med school."
She replies in all honesty "I have wondered that, too."
I am a little surprised until I realised I asked for it.
She recovers to say "I am sure you are focused there, I have seen you focus before".

It rained and rained this weekend, the picnic was cancelled. Eventually.
My good friends, who had organised the picnic, are persistent.
I shared with my friend "I am relieved you cancelled the picnic". She looks a little puzzled, it is pouring down rain,she says, "there is no way we could have taken the children and entertained them under the veranda of the winery, not these (our collective) kids anyway."
I recount the time she I went camping when we were 16, "it rained, and rained, and still you ran outside of the tent every time the rain stopped for a moment to try and light the camp fire..." She smiles, she had forgotten that.

To the same friend, I am fiddling with her hair, making braids. She says "I love people doing my hair." I say, "if you moan, I'm gonna stop doing this."

No picnic rug pictures, but some pictures of The Boy, he is pretty gorgeous, me thinks.

Hope your weekend was an enjoyable one.

Trace xx

Creative Space: 'Tis the Month for Vintage Sheets

2011-03-17T07:00:00.002+10:00

Dimly lit photos taken last night of the vintage sheet project. No time for photos today - I have the electrician coming, I need to paint a wall in my kitchen (after pulling the old cabinets off on home alone Tuesday when I should have been resting my achilles...) and open shelving to put up in its place. Yes, it is all happening here at bountifully, and I am so excited that all the little 'undone' things are actually, well, getting done.

Good thing the family and I are heading here on the weekend for a lovely afternoon of picnicking, wine, frolicking and lazing about on the completed vintage sheet project. The big reveal next week!

Wishing you a creative week, of course if you were ever stuck for ideas, you know the place to head don't you?

Rags to Riches

2011-03-14T22:03:00.001+10:00

Pretty impressive for fabric destined for the rag bin! I am glad I showed you my Heidi braids as it meant I had to actually get it finished. Now just waiting to finish off my other vintage sheet project...

This girl is not heirloom quality - if you want that, I think you gotta go the neatly pressed rags and hand stitching route. There are good instructions of how to do this in Handmade Home (link in my bookshelf).

My "Heidi" rug has a bit of a shabby hand made look, which of course I love. I am now thinking of doing a bigger one, using calico and red based floral sheeting, to use as a kitchen floor rug.

Tomorrow is home alone Tuesday, and I will indeed be at home as I have injured a tendon in my leg, so hoping for a bit of creative time. Wishing you a great week...

Trace xx

Creative Space:Channeling My Inner Heidi

2011-03-10T07:08:00.000+10:00

So after hacking into my vintage sheets last week, I am left with the dilemma of what to do with the middle part of the sheet. You know the thinner central part which I know has been worn down by constant use (unless you are fortunate enough to find them unused).

I did have them in a messy pile waiting to be chopped into cleaning clothes. One night while lying in bed, trying to sleep but thinking of crafty things, as you do, I had a spot of brilliance.

Next morning, I was into my pile, ripping them into 2 inch wide strips, and making this pile of Heidi-like plaits (there was a Heidi in my class at school, and she did indeed wear her hair in two long thick plaits).

I am, of course, not planning an extravagant wig, but one of these beauties.

As always on Thursdays, you can be endlessly inspired at Kirsty's...

Trace xx

p.s. the vintage squares are sewn together, hoping to actually have a finished product to show you next week

House or Home?

2011-03-08T11:22:00.033+10:00

The lighting in our home today is just delightful and because today is child free, home alone Tuesday (meaning I can take pictures without small people demanding to be in them), I thought I would take a few snaps to share with you.

I have posted a view of my bedroom previously, since then I have added this gorgeous old mirror.

I had been on the hunt for one like it for sometime, when a friend mentioned this to another friend, who had one in her house and she was keen to be rid of it. Aren't friends fabulous like that?

The quilt is one the first things I made when I started getting all creative like.

The little reading nook has been replaced with this suitcase stack. Inside are various bits and pieces that get shoved away and forgotten about.

The red case came from my favourite brisbane antique centre. The Blue one the Little Miss and I found on the road side. The pear cushion is from one of my favourite brissy crafty girls.

My cleaner* commented last week that she looks forward to seeing what is new in my house each week. I am always changing things around, but I did not realise it looked different every week. Over the weekend the kids decided to swap rooms, so I suppose she will get a bit of a shock tomorrow...

My dining table is my new pride and joy. Remember this photo of the little table my dad gave me for Christmas? You can see it in the background.

Since then dad has also given me this table. He rescued it from an old Girl Guide Hut and it has been sitting around my parents place for awhile. Every time I visited I admired it. So the Handy Father (it is only fair he have a little name as the Crafty Mother has one...) sanded the white top to reveal the Maiden Hoop Pine, which I have oiled and polished, slowly building up the layers. I am keen to do something with the chairs now, as they have aged to a very orange hue and no longer are to my taste. I am thinking duck egg blue?

This side board was one of the first "old" furniture I bought.

When we first moved into our home there was a lovely second hand furniture store just down the road. I did not have as much appreciation for old things back then, if I had I would have bought much, much more. Anyways, I bought this during their closing down sale.

It houses a lot of crafty/sewing/crochet notions and bits and bobs. It is the first thing you see when you enter our house.

The old traveling case belonged to my father in-law. The Mr has carted it around from many pre-marriage share houses, and has our surname stamped on it, which is pretty cool, i think.

So many things that make a house a home, things that have a story, that mean something. It has been wonderful to share them today, thanks for indulging me in the uncharacteristically long post...

Trace xx

* yes I have a cleaner, don't judge me, well you can if you want, but maybe I can do a post about having a cleaner and work/life balance some other time... ;)

Flea Market Finds:Shoes

2011-03-06T08:47:00.000+10:00

I love shoes, I love it when I find great shoes at the Op Shop. You know what it is like when you enter an Op Shop, the lighting is bad, the smell is (often) bad, the shelves are disorganised. The Mr thinks I have a special Op shopping sense. He walks in and wrinkles his nose, cautiously fingers the rows of clothing and walks off to get the coffee... I on the other hand feel that little adrenaline rush, the possibility of unearthing gems.

When I found these shoes it was such a moment. I spotted them half fallen over on the shoe rack, I was there in a flash.

Good condition? Check
My size? Check
Vintage? Check

These heels, I could not believe my good fortune. They looked designer, with leather soles and quality stitching, though I did not recognise the name. For $7 I thought I would take them home. Intrigued by the name, I did my google search "Marni" which lead me straight to Net-A-Porter, where I discovered my new to me shoes could be purchased new for around 400 euro...

Now if this post is not enough to have you looking beyond the grunge, then pop over to Sophie's for more op shop treasure.

Trace xx

Weekend Breakfast

2011-03-05T13:25:00.001+10:00

a photo by bountifully on Flickr.

Last weekend we had guests over for breakfast. I think breakfast is a great meal for entertaining. The kids are bright and happy, you can eat outside, the menu can be simple.

Our favourite breakfast is French Toast. I am not sure how french-y french toast really is. The kids call it egg-y bread. We take a loaf of sourdough bread and dip slices into a mixture of egg and milk (cream if feeing decadent). The bread is then fried in a little butter until golden. I work on one egg per person, with just enough milk to loosen the mixture up a little.

You can go to town with the toppings. The Mr loves banana, bacon and maple syrup. I prefer homemade lemon curd, raspberries and greek yogurt. I give the kids a little ramekin of maple syrup and they dip their "soldiers" in.

We have a little routine, the kids play, I make the french toast and the Mr makes the cappuccino. It is a blissful start to the weekend.

Hoping you are enjoying your weekend,

Trace xx

Creative Space:Vintage Sheets

2011-03-03T16:25:00.000+10:00

So on "child free and home alone" Tuesday, I finally got into cutting up some vintage sheets from my sizeable stash. I believe I have put it off for so long, as I could not work out how to cut up a sheet into useable pieces.

I am pleased to report that I got there in the end, any tips for next time are more than welcome. The Crafty Mother was over in the evening, and with her experienced quilters eye, we managed to arrange my squares appropriately, however I will have to wait until next Tuesday to sew them all together.

Loving the little picture links over at Kootoyoo

Moroccan Chicken with Cauliflower puree

2011-02-21T10:41:00.000+10:00

Last week the Mr went for a visit to Melbourne, sans me and the kids, and I actually managed to get myself organised before he left to make up a pot of this Moroccan Chicken so I could feed myself and the smalls without having to cook while he was away.

I love this meal, it is adapted from Jane Kennedy: Fabulous Food, Minus the Boombah. My additions, to bulk out the meal, are lentils and broad beans, which makes this a very filling and substantial meal. The Cauliflower puree is optional, and it will go perfectly with any casserole and is particularly yummy with roast lamb.

you will need:

700 grams skinless chicken thighs, fat trimmed and left whole

1-2 tablespoons of Herbies Chermula mix

a good squeeze or two of lemon juice

mix the chicken thighs, Chermula and lemon juice together and leave for 10-15 min for the flavour to infuse.

In a large stove top casserole pot, fry together:

1 sliced red onion

3 cloves of sliced garlic

1 large knob of ginger, grated (I use a microplane grater)

in a splosh of olive oil, for about 5 min being careful that it does not burn

next chuck in the chicken thighs and the marinade and fry for another 5 mins.

Then add:

5 cups of water (or chicken stock if you have it),

1 cup of dried French lentils (you can find them with the other pulses at Coles),

one packet of frozen broad beans (fresh would be fab if you have them!), defrosted and outer shells removed,

one finely sliced lemon,

1/2 cup of green olives

1 cinnamon stick

pop the lid on and simmer for about an hour.

Close to serving time, chop up half a cauliflower and steam. Puree while still hot in a food processor (I use my mini) with 1 tablespoon of butter, 1/2 clove of garlic, salt and pepper and enough milk to make a puree.

Serves about 6-8, or in our house of two adults and two smalls, one meal tonight and one for another!

Bon appetit!

Trace xx

Thrifted Wardrobe Revisited

2011-02-20T15:36:00.000+10:00

I thought today I would revisit my thrifted wardrobe posts. Now I am mighty camera shy, so it is with nervous hand wringing that I post a picture of moi in my thrifted finds.

Today in the Brissy heat while searching for something to wear to my non-airconditioned church, I had the thought to dress down this strapless evening dress with a little white t shirt, and low heels.

Dress opted Purplepatch
T Shirt opted Country Road
Shoes bought new, Dianne Ferrari

I think this outfit works for me as the t shirt gives a bit of balance to the ample bosom, the waist is fitted where I am the smallest and their is a bit of runching to hide the tum.

What have you found at the oppie lately? See what else has been found at Sophies

Creative Space:Wonky Cross Stitch

2011-02-10T12:50:00.000+10:00

Wonky cross stitch is on the cards today. Home sick with two moderately sick kids (one I am sure was just dodging school), this wonky attempt at cross stitch is helping sooth the trapped indoors nerves.

The pattern is from Cath Kidston Stitch! sourced at my local library, which appears to have gone on a fabulous crafty book purchasing spree.

It is good to be back in the blogging saddle, hope I can stay on and contribute more regularly. This year I feel stretched thin between the Mr starting fulltime work, the little Miss starting Ballet, work, church, friends. It has been hard to find time to make anything, let alone blog about it. However, I know that absence of creativity begs the Black Dog to come sniffing and I cannot let that be, for what use would I then be to anyone?

So, lets hope more creativity pops up on this space. Meanwhile I am off to check out some spaces over at Kirsty's

Buttoning Down the Hatches

2011-01-13T13:44:00.001+10:00

That is what we are doing here in Brisbane, and in so many other parts of Australia. Our house is high up and unaffected by the flooding. Brisbane feels like it is working in slow motion. Businesses are closed, roads cut, local playgrounds flooded.

I have been doing a bit of button-y fiddling while The Boy and the Little Miss are otherwise engaged (how thankful I am for ABC kids...)You all know how comforting little activities are in troublesome times.

The Mr has taken a strong dislike to this poster. He thinks it should read something like this:

"In times of trouble, hold onto God and wait for The Day".

The Day meaning the day that Jesus returns to end suffering and make all things new. Amen to that, though even the Mr agrees this saying is way to wordy for poster art, and we shall agree to think of the revised statement whenever we wonder past the offending poster.

Thank you to those who have emailed and facebook-ed your love and concerns.

One can donate to the Queensland Premiers Flood Relief Fund here.

Trace xx

Edit: Two more ways to help! Online Handmade Auction with proceeds to the flood relief - details here; and a generous bunch of Etsy sellers are donating proceeds from selected purchases - details here.

Black and White

2011-01-11T08:44:00.000+10:00

Father and Son en route to Bruny Island

Taken by the Mr, Bay of Fires

Some of our Black and White Tasmanian Holiday Images. Join in a week of black and white with Christina

And Were Back...

2011-01-10T09:44:00.000+10:00

The Bountifully household has spent a most fabulous and joyous month or two. More to come on our Tasmanian food and wine trek, though for now I do declare that I am in love with the apple isle and all her historic buildings, cold climate wines, berries and cheeses...

Back at the little house I have been pottering, re arranging and the like. I wanted to show you this dear little table, gifted to me by my dad for Christmas.

It once belonged to my Grandparents and was previously coated in many, many layers of enamel paint. As a teen I once tried to remove some of these layers, but as teens do, soon tired of the task. My dad arranged for the paint to be removed for me and here she is, waiting for a fresh coat of paint (white of course, apologies to the purest of antique lovers out there, though the top I shall varnish, so I hope I shall be forgiven).

The French linen teatowels were gifted by my grandmother and the old case was a lucky road side find. Speaking of cases, oh how many the LittleMiss and I found on the road side last year! Oh the horror to see them collapsing under the torrential rain, though we did manage to salvage a few.

The top shelf of my living room display case. The pine cones were collected in Tasmania, and the other bits of nature from various walks with the children. Do you see the twiggy stick in the tall white vase - it from a branch of the peach blossom tree in the grounds of But Har Gra. I think it is most lovely to have momentos such as these to remember holidays and the like.

Trace xx

Does absence make the heart grow fonder?

2010-12-06T20:14:00.000+10:00

I have been oh so very absent from blogger. You will forgive me, won't you?
I have not been idle though.
I have finished my self stitched garment and would have started the second if gift making and holiday plans had not been afloat.
Pictures of said garment coming this way when I have time to actually photograph myself before running out the door.

So this brings me to gift giving and Christmas. I have been having a bit of a think about Christmas. What does it mean to me and my family, my extended family, my friends?

As a Christian it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, though to me, every day I can celebrate this. Is it a time for reflection on the year past, a time to visit relatives and chill out with friends? Is it a time for giving gifts to show I love and care for those around me?

I guess it is all of these things. What I really want to do is establish my own family traditions. Less gift giving, more celebration, more time with friends and family. I love giving gifts, but the mega give at Christmas sends me into a spin. I would rather lavish gifts at Birthdays or "just because I saw this/made this and was thinking of you".

This year on Christmas day it will be just me, the Mr, the little Miss and the Boy. We will go to Church in the morning, come home and open our gifts. We are going to eat food we love with minimal fuss. We will watch a video together and play outside with a ball and jump on the trampoline.

The only gifts I made this year were for my work mates. I love where I work, I love the people who make going to work so much more than a job. Here is a little collection of what I made:

As for my other gifts, I went for show tickets and iTunes albums. Things that will be enjoyed but will not add to the clutter or piles of useless stuff.

Just a few of my rambling thoughts! The family and I are off soon to Tasmania for two weeks of campervaning fun and catching up with old friends. Our present to ourselves! I hope and pray for joy for you and your family this Christmas season and a very happy New Year to you too,

See you next year!

Trace xx

Self Stitched Wardrobe Update

2010-11-17T12:20:00.000+10:00

Hands up who loves yummy packaging?!

Yesterday I found my way over to Gardams fabrics in Indooroopilly. I bought my wedding dress (many moons ago I might add) from Gardems when it was closing down in Brisbane City.

I always loved going there, sometimes with the Crafty Mother, other times with girlfriends looking for formal dress fabric. I was surprised to learn recently that Gardams had reopened in the city, and in Toowoomba and Indooroopilly. I had it on good authority that if self stitching was the way I was going, then I must wander the aisles of Spotlight no further and get myself over to Gardams.

I am mighty glad I did.

Greeted immediately by a friendly shop assistant, I remarked "Oh, it is like being in a lolly shop!" She smiled knowingly, and left me to wander, touch and generally get all inspired like.

Another assistant spent much time measuring me, and the wrap dress I was wearing, to help me decide how much fabric I needed to copy it. She then bustled about finding me thread and notions and lining. No one has ever helped me like that at Spotlight. Do not get me wrong about Spotlight, if you want good priced fabric and like to be left alone, then this is your place. It is like comparing apples and oranges, now isn't it?

Of course, I paid more for my fabric - however, no where near as much as I was expecting. I think both of the fabrics I bought were about $18-20 a meter.

And look at the lovely packaging! Packaging people! Paper and string! I skipped my way home feeling very much like I had stepped into the 1950s...

While we are considering vintage-y vibes, looks at the presentation of this Colette pattern that was waiting in the mail box for me after my little fabric jaunt. Inside there is a booklet with clear instructions, glossary and good quality pattern paper.

Now regarding my first project, 'twas a bit of a flop - due to poor fabric choice I believe and me neglecting to make a muslin first.... On first wear I was covered with fluff after an hour or two and the too big waist band was driving me crazy. Let us learn that in future we will consider our fabric wisely and make up a muslin (trial garment in inexpensive fabric) first....

Hoping you are all having a fab day!

Trace xx

Creative Space:Self Stitched Wardrobe?

2010-11-11T08:52:00.000+10:00

The self stitched garment is taking shape, Hooray! Navy cotton twill with a little bit of stretch, some lime green hand stitched details. I am having more fun than I thought with this... It may be the beginning of a whole new self stitched wardrobe. I am loving the idea of making unique pieces, fitting perfectly for me and mixing them with my existing vintage/opted pieces.

Gotta go get a new hair "do" for the Boy, so you best find your way over here for some more creative groove.

Hanky Blanky?

2010-11-08T10:38:00.000+10:00

Another baby gift to show you today. This little cot blanket with its wonky piecing was made for my neighbour, who managed to produce a sweet little girl after two very boisterous boys...

Made from vintage handkerchiefs and sheets, and some of the left overs from my "Sweet" quilt. The back is vintage flannel and the inner is cotton calico to make it more useful for our Brisbane temperatures. To help hold it all together, I ran a few rows of hand quilting across it and machine bound the edges.

I was a bit nervous that she would not like it. It is hard making gifts that are very much your own style, you really put yourself out there. Anyways, I need not have worried as she adores it (apparently hankies are special to her as her late grandmother always gave them to her...)

I seem to have picked up some nasty flu, so crafting this week will be restricted to the sofa with my hook and cotton, as the crochet Hexies are just the thing when you are feeling poorly.

Hope you have a fab week!

Trace xx

Pretty in Pink

2010-11-04T21:00:00.000+10:00

I have been oh so busy sewing gifts this past week. I thought I would do a few posts on those baby gifts I have been telling you about last week...

This little pink number will be sent out in the post tomorrow. The Kimono pattern is adapted from this book: Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching

The bloomers I kind of winged it from a pair I already had.

I have been wandering my way around some blogs devoted to sewing your own clothes, picking up some ideas, bookmarking useful links. Got me thinking about how wonderful blogs really are for sharing and teaching. Hopefully I will have my first self stitched garment to show next week!

Trace xx

Vintage Finds

2010-10-31T08:00:00.001+10:00

I love this orange salad set (mid 1960s) I found in its original box and unused. Of course, such bounty was found at the Crafty Mothers local oppie. Oh I love that place!

More finds over here

"Sweet"

2010-10-30T08:00:00.001+10:00

The Sweet Quilt is completed! This has to be my favourite quilt ever. I love the colours, I love that I hand quilted it, I love that the backing is a vintage sheet gifted by my Granny.

Made from one Layer Cake (purchased pre Utmost Challenge, I remind you!), the design is my own. I think it would make a great first quilting project, especially as you can achieve the "scrappy" look without having to wait to accumulate enough scraps.

Now I have a certain Hexagon quilt (and now a crochet blanket too), but they will not be completed for some time to come.

I have a nice pile of vintage sheets accumulating - I just need a couple more to have enough variety to start my next quilting project (I appear to have NO luck at finding any lately).

Trace xx

Creative Space:Little Projects

2010-10-28T08:30:00.000+10:00

A few little project happening here at present. There has been a bit happening, deadlines, illness, appointments... You know the stuff that often seems to all come at once? I am finding little projects that can easily be completed soothing. Do you see I am back with the hook again?

{The little motifs are part of the Hexagon slow burn project. Crochet jar cover inspired by dottie angel. The squirrel design is from my latest library book, "Made in France".}

Kirsty is back on the hook also, you may want to pop over and check out some other spaces at Kootoyoo.

Trace xx

Peanut Biscuits

2010-10-25T20:24:00.001+10:00

I have a confession - I looooooooove peanuts in cooking. Oh yes, I am nuts about them.

Do you feel a little naughty using peanuts in your cooking? There are so many unfortunate little souls who are allergic to the very whiff of peanuts, that they are banned just about everywhere.

But for me and my non allergic household, the peanut will continue to be thrown into a bounty of different recipes.

At the moment I have a whole sweet/salty thing going on. I do believe it started when I made Cathies peanut butter cupcakes. I made them for the Boy's pirate party, mostly because the Boy loves peanut butter (and also because I knew none of kids coming had a peanut allergy). I have to say it took all my resolve not to munch and munch on them, instead I wandered around espousing the virtues of sweet and salty to all who would hear, and they were gone like that.

(Cathies look much better and less, ahh, well you know what I mean...)

Cow pat frosting aside, tonight the baking urge came upon me and I came up with a little peanut-y biscuits recipe.

They are all you could want for in a cookie. Chewing center with a crispy, melt in your mouth exterior...

Naughty, Naughty...

Peanut Biscuits

125 gms soft butter

1/3 cup of salt reduced crunchy peanut butter

1 egg

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 and 1/4 cups of plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

Beat the butter, peanut butter and sugar until pale, add in the egg and beat well.

Slowly beat in the flour and baking powder - it should come together nicely with the beaters.

Roll into balls, place onto a lined biscuit tray and gently press flat with your fingers.

Bake in a moderate oven for 12-15 min - keep checking on them, they should be a nice golden colour.

Enjoy!

Trace xx

Homemade Peppermints

2010-10-15T14:17:00.002+10:00

Pastel pink peppermints, melt in the mouth, stamped with my (cleaned) letter stamps. Devoured quickly after making, sampled, shared, perfect for little hands and fingers..

Recipe found here, one of my new favourite places to visit.

Have a lovely weekend!
Trace xx

Creative Space:in the bag

2010-10-14T10:01:00.001+10:00

Birthdays are the thing here at present, and in my usual fashion, this bag will be arriving late. In fact, it is still in my house, and I am hoping the birthday girl in question does not mind me showing you her bag today (she has already had a wee sneak peak herself).

The pattern is adapted from the Charming Handbag pattern in this book:

Bend-the-rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew

It was one of the first ever sewing books I purchased, and was indispensible for getting me started with the basics.

The lovely green floral was from my latest vintage fabric spree at the Crafty Mothers local country oppie.

Speaking of The Crafty One, 'tis her birthday tomorrow, and being a lover of things red (and purple, often together, while hanging out this group), I whipped her up an Amy Butler Swing Bag. The most fabulous fabric, which still is a favorite, even though I stare up at it each day, is from here.

Creative Space hosted weekly at Kootoyoo...

Arrrgh, its a bountifully pirate-y party me heart-y!

2010-10-13T13:48:00.000+10:00

Me wee lad-y turned four and to celebrate we had a bit of a shindig. Twas bad weather for it, so we hauled our bounty to ye old church hall...

Happy Birthday me little pirate!

{pirate-y theme goodness sourced from here, oh so good cupcake recipes from Cathie}