Meg's Threads

The Only Scout Group in the City of Melbourne is holding a Market!

2011-11-28T17:29:00.001+11:00

There is going to be a captured market of people wanting buy great stuff if you are wanting to get yourself a table to sell your wares at the Kensington & Flemington Community Market at the Scout Hall this Saturday. There are still tables up for grabs. Give Fleur a call on 0448 476 705 if you are interested.

If you are just interested in grabbing those last minute Christmas presents, then this is the market for you. Come along between 10 & 4pm to 55 McCracken St, Kensington.

Printmaking & Book Making Workshops with Sally Darlison

2011-09-09T09:48:00.000+10:00

Book by Sally Darlison

I am trying to decide which workshop to book into with my sister's workshops. Sally is an artist & she is running some great workshops at her place & I am really keen to learn about printmaking, but the "New Surfaces" workshop has sparked my interest as well.

Not only would I get a great day away from the all of the testosterone in my house, but I might actually learn something new.

Sally also has a great blog called Fusion - Fabrics, Paper, Stitch , so pop over & have a look at her work.

The details are:

Workshops with Sally Darlison

www.sallydarlison.com

Printmaking

1 day class 9.30 am - 3.30pm

This class will explore block printingtechniques. Design ideas and image making will be part of this class. Studentswill learn to make prints both with and without a press.

This class could be extended to be a 2day class if there was enough interest

Maximum of 6 students per class.

Classes held in Sally’s studio inBalwyn, Victoria

Cost $160 includes materials and lunch

Book making

Beginning book making

1 day class 9.30am - 3.30pm

This class is suitable for beginningbook makers

In this class students will learn tocreate several types of book including concertina, flag and pamphlet books.

Maximum of 6 students per class.

Classes held in Sally’s studio inBalwyn, Victoria

Cost $160 for the day includesmaterials and lunch.

Advanced book making

1 day class 9.30am - 3.30pm

This class further explores book makingtechniques. A Stitched book will be created in this fun class.

Maximum of 6 students per class.

Classes held in Sally’s studio inBalwyn, Victoria

Cost $160 for the day includesmaterials and lunch

New Surfaces

1 day class 9.30 am - 3.30pm

This class will explore differenttechniques for changing the surface of both paper and fabric, including simpleprinting, simple dyeing techniques, rusting. These fabrics and papers can beused for collage and book making.

This class could be extended to be a 2day class if there was enough interest

Maximum of 6 students per class.

Classes held in Sally’s studio inBalwyn, Victoria

Cost $160 for the day includesmaterials and lunch

Collage

1 day class9.30 am - 3.30pm

In this class students will learn waysof combining various papers and fabrics to create collage. Starting with cardsand progressing onto a larger piece.

Maximum of 6 students per class.

Classes held in Sally’s studio inBalwyn, Victoria

Cost $160 for the day includesmaterials and lunch

Dates for 2011

Printmaking

Saturday 22 Oct

Beginning Books

Thursday 10 Nov

Advanced Books

Saturday 26 Nov

New Surfaces

TBA

Collage

TBA

More classes will be arranged for 2012.

Sally is happy for you to request aclass and you can then arrange a mutually agreeable time, especially if you canfind at least 3 willing people to join you. She is available to teach onThursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Contact details

sally.darlison@gmail.com

0409 183 685

Choices, choices! Book in before it is too late...

Inspirations from travelling

2011-07-28T18:38:00.000+10:00

This is my first attempt at quilting, using the overlocker, of course - where would I be with out it!

All of the pieces are woollen felt with 2 of the pieces being textured for interest.

The quilt was inspired by these massive double decker and sometimes triple decker shipping containers on incredibly long trains through South Australia near Port Pirie at the bottom of the Southern Flinders Ranges.

The trains (excuse the blurriness - this is the best shot!)

This is an attempt of mine to first of all use oil pastels - not a medium I am particularly comfortable with, and also to try to capture the essence of the Kimberly, the boabs, the roundness of the body of the tree and the seeds, and incredible sunsets that we were surrounded with.

The boab again. I am completely captured by them, as many who have visited the Kimberly area are. Each tree becomes a great character. Sketching, a medium I more comfortable with, and enjoy getting lost in for hours on end.

This, another graphite pencil, began with the hand (my hand) and me just wanting to stretch myself as I find them quite hard. I then wanted to try to push myself a little more with it and explore what the picture could do.

A Clearer Direction

2011-07-16T19:31:00.000+10:00

If you liked to follow me here to read about my ramblings in my family life, my opinions and views books I have read, words and thoughts that come to me, you may want to pop by my blog, By Meg's Pen as this is where I will be collecting them from now on.

I will be keeping Meg's Threads for rambling on about my creative stuff, tools of the trade, creative mending and passing on any tips for you as I go, and will put up some more of my tutorials as I go.

A great big thank you to those who like to pop by.

I'm back...

2011-07-12T23:55:00.000+10:00

Yep, for those who didn't know, I'm back from my trip.

I have been stitching (a rug inspired by a cargo train), drawing, painting and knitting socks between working a day job. (bah humbug!)

Pictures will come.

I know this is a space that has been neglected. I am stealing back moments.

New blog for trip

2010-04-25T15:38:00.000+10:00

I've finally done it! Not all slick yet...it takes time...yet here it is

New Adventure

2010-03-23T15:30:00.000+11:00

As I write this, I am sitting in a 14 year old rusty dingo bright blue camper trailer in Adelaide. 17 days ago we drove out of Melbourne after packing up the house and renting it out. We made the big decision to "do the Big Trip"! We are travelling for about 9 months. Myself and my 4 boys (partner included). That's a lot of testosterone in close quarters, I can tell you now already!

Anyway, I could go on for a long, long, long, long way, however, I am writing to say that this is really why I haven't had time to do a post. I was flat out packing up the house for 6 months with the last 2 months being insane. Now that I have more time, I am not really around my sewing things (funnily enough!), and power is quite limited, and I am enjoying more of the simple things.

I may well do a blog about the trip...my mind has been turning it over , I just needed to slow down a little first...watch this space, you will know if I do. Anyway, I'll be back...2011.

Cheers for now and thanks for the support to here, Meg

Tracksuit pants hem tutorial

2009-12-03T16:24:00.001+11:00

Ok, this is a tute for all those who would like to put up their hems of their trackie dacks (tracksuit pants) so that they look just as professional as before. It is not as hard as it seems.

Step 1: First thing is to measure how much you will need to take them up. You may need help from someone else with this. A good general rule of thumb is that the bottom of the new hem should be the bottom of your heel.

Step 2: Now turn your pants inside out and measure that distance from the current bottom of the pants up. This is where you will now fold the pants up with the outside of the pants folding toward the inside. You should be seeing the inside out of the pants with the outside of the fold. It is best to do this on your ironing board as you will be ironing this in a moment.

Step 3: With your iron set on the appropriate setting for the pants (check the label), iron the crease of the fold (which will be your new hem line) all around the edge. Do this for both legs. (please ignore the cut on the pants in the photo - I took the photo after I had done Step 5!)

Step 4: Now measure the length of the current hem. It is always a good idea to follow what has been done already, except in the cases where it is too small. In these cases, allow for more fabric for the hem.

Step 5: Now with this measurement of the hem, cut that length from the ironed crease (toward the bottom of the pants) all the way around the pants - be sure to cut evenly. Do this with both legs.

Step 6: Now with your overlocker, stitch around the edge in cotton that either matches or is neutral. If you do not have an overlocker, use a zigzag stitch along the edge. Do this for both legs.

Step 7: Iron with steam to relax the fabric back and to set the stitches. Do this for both legs.

Step 8: Pin the hem around (knob ends pointing down to the bottom of the pants. Do this for both legs.

Step 9: Pop your Twin Needle (make sure you use the "Stretch" needles for stretch fabric) and thread up your machine with cotton to match the pants or slightly darker cotton (use either two cotton reels or make up two bobbins and use one bobbin up the top as your other reel).

Step 10: Making sure that you are stitching on top of your edge of your hem, sew on the right side of your pants. Careful not to pull the fabric as it goes through the machine. Keep it at a consistent width from the bottom edge. Do this for both legs.

Step 11: Turn up the steam on your iron

and put the finished pants, inside out on the ironing board. You will notice that they are all bubbly. Don't freak out! Hold the iron over the top, not ironing, just holding over, push the steam button and give them a shot of stem and watch the fabric reclaim its elasticity!

Ta Da!

Step 12: Now turn them the right way and give them an iron and your job is done!

Busy Term nearly over

2009-12-01T12:10:00.000+11:00

Here are three of my girls showing off their fantastic bags that they have spent their time making whilst I taught them how to use their sewing machines and the basics of sewing. Brilliant girls! Well done.

One week to do where we will continue to work on zippers, centred, lapped and invisible. Pop over to Lara's blog for a fantastic tute on invisible zippers - it has certainly turned my sewing life around (especially as I am moonlighting as Ink and Spindle's cushion girl).

Good bye Edna

2009-11-20T12:48:00.003+11:00

Yesterday one of my lovely old ladies passed away. These are two roses from her garden. I feel very sad as I have always had at least one lovely old lady in my life to share her stories with me and I feel a deep loss now at the stories untold. I know that it was her time to go. She was 96 years old. She was tired. She told me about 3 years ago that she always felt that she was about 21 years old. I can't even count the number of times that she has shown me her dresses that she has kept from great memories, laid each one out for me to see. Each dress preserved with memory and love - not every dress that she ever had, just the important dresses. She would take me through her house to show me anything new that had come in, a card, or a bunch of flowers, a photo of her two grandsons. When I lived next door to her, we shared a vegetable garden so that she could have fresh vegetables still after Charlie had passed away and she would share her fabulous scones and her care. I will miss Edna. I will miss her calls to say that she needs help to fix something. I love my old ladies. Rest now, Edna, rest your weary bones, thank you for all your time you have shared with me and thank you for all those times you asked for our help.

The Very West, A call for emerging musicians from the west

2009-11-05T21:52:00.001+11:00

I just stumbled over this in my email box, & thought that there might be the odd muso out there that is emerging like a beautiful butterfly...if so, this is your chance!

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and Footscray Community Arts Centre present:

THE VERY WEST

Are you an emerging musician or band?

From the Melbourne’s West?

Ready to take over the world…?

Then, we want you!

The Laneway Festival and Footscray Community Arts Centre are proud to be working together on a brand new initiative – The Very West, designed to support emerging musicians from Melbourne’s western suburbs. The Very West will offer local unsigned and unheard of bands, and/or musicians, the opportunity to prove their stuff to a panel of industry professionals at a special showcase event.

This panel of experts can then choose one band to go on and perform at the Laneway Festival in Sydney in January 2010. The lucky group will be flown to Sydney, provided with accommodation, given a dedicated stage slot, and the chance to give it all they’ve got in front of music industry representatives and thousands of music loving fans. With your name on the bill, this could kickstart your journey into the professional music industry!

Musicians must be from the western region of metropolitan Melbourne and be available to audition, showcase, and perform at the designated dates (see below). All showcasing artists will receive constructive feedback from the industry panel members and be offered the invaluable opportunity to network during the showcase.

Timeline

• Applications open Tuesday 27 October and close at 5pm on Friday 27 November, 2009
• Audition/Interview at Footscray Community Arts Centre – Saturday 5 December, 2009
• Showcase – date and location to be confirmed
• The selected artist/s may play the Sydney Laneway Festival on Sunday 31 January, 2010

What we need from you?

• Biography (including a list of recent gigs, if applicable)
• Up to three images of the artist/s
• Your myspace link or a CD of a selection of material
• A statement about what you are hoping to achieve in your musical careers (up to 150 words)

Criteria

Bands/musicians will be chosen to take part in the The Very West Showcasee Performance based on the following criteria:

Artistic Merit
Orginality
Technical Skill
Readiness to take the next step
Individuality/Personality – something unique

Due Date for Applications

Applications must be received by: Close of Business Friday 27th November, 2009
Electronically to bec@footscrayarts.com
Hard copy submissions (including all digital material) must be sent via snail mail or hand delivered to:

Bec Reid, Producer Arts and Community
Footscray Community Arts Centre
45 Moreland St
Footscray, VIC 3011
AUSTRALIA

*Please note: Footscray Community Arts Centre’s hours of operation are 9.30am – 5pm / Tuesday – Sunday.
Contacts & Further Information
Bec Reid, Producer Arts and Community - Footscray Community Arts Centre
bec@footscrayarts.com

t. +61 3 9362 8802
f. +61 3 9362 8866

w: http://www.footscrayarts.com.au/getinvolved/the_very_west/
footscrayarts.com /// lanewayfestival.com.au

Love Meccano!

2009-10-09T14:00:00.004+11:00

This weekend I think that I might take the kids down to the Melbourne Meccano Exhibition in Brighton to provide them with a little inspiration for their project. I love meccano. The way it does up. The metal. The amazing things that you can make with it. Yay!

"I'm not tired!"

2009-09-20T23:15:00.007+10:00

Sorry, I know that I haven't really blogged for a little while. Life has gotten on top of me & I am am feeling a little like those cars about to be smashed by that Monster Truck (yes, I did find myself at this whilst looking at camper trailers...YIKES!!!!). Anyway, haven't really had time to spend on the computer except for the essentials (getting ready for the tax man, stuff for school, preparing for classes, making sure emails aren't too out of control...).

Currently searching for 8th day in week.

Or maid.

On an interesting note, my sister Sally Darlison showed me this today...Too cool

Spring Fair in Collingwood - Calling for Stall Holders

2009-09-05T08:37:00.003+10:00

If you are needing something to do next Sunday, I have heard from a friend of mine who has her kids at this school that there are still a few spaces open for craft stalls to be a part of the spring Fair at Collingwood College. If you make family friendly crafty things and are interested in having a stall contact Jane at janeandaiya@yahoo.com.au or 0400 287 917. Stall fees are $35 per stall plus $10 if you need a trestle table.

Danger in the kitchen

2009-09-04T18:22:00.002+10:00

Ok, one of those kind of afternoons... I love this mixer. It's quiet, light, easy to use and we got it from Skip Shopper's Grandparents & May made plenty of sponges with this beauty. Special . It really whizzes a storm and we have it out all the time, until now. One birthday cake too many. Smoke. Yep. Smoke coming out. Luckily, it started to smoke when the cake had finished smoking, I did have to hand mix the colours for the marbling in.

It is actually the second appliance we have blown up today. The first one made me believe that there was a power outage with the rain storm. The boys were making toasties (baked bean) after school, and then the youngest one (6yrs) decided to make one too, popped it in the breville...and futt. Yep. There was a noise. That should have been the clue, but no, I still thought that the power has just gone out. Called the neighbour on the "stuck" phone (the one attached to the wall. No, she was right, decided that she was on a different grid. Had a lovely long chat. Got off the phone, answered a phone message from Edna (95) down the road about the postman leaving my mum's mail at her house, forgot to ask her about the power, spoke to my mum (her neighbour) forgot to ask her about the power... then rang the power people. No power outage. IS THE SWITCH DOWN???? Oh, you mean that one that is switched down? (I have never seen THAT one down before - only individual ones - yikes! Must have been a biggie!) Yep. Ok, comprehendo.... Yes, I won't use the toastie anymore kind sir....promise.... Now I look at it, the wires are a little melted.....................

Nice afternoon.

Cake is cooked now.

Let's hope I can do dinner with no hitches

Day 20 - Raindrops

2009-08-20T08:34:00.004+10:00

The rain came last night. I love the rain. I love the way the raindrops pool in the nasturtium leaves. This nasturtium is incredible. The leaves are the size of dinner plates!

Head over to The Byron Life to some great pics & links to others joining in A Photo a Day in August

Day 19 - And the winner is... MissyP!

2009-08-19T08:58:00.003+10:00

With the help of two of my sons and my lovely sewing basket, the draw was done, not at 8pm last night, but first thing this morning. If that is your name there, then you are the lucky winner of the giveaway! When I have your address it will be on it's way to you!

Today is an exciting day in our house with the school play - matinee & evening - all three boys in it...three tired little boys tomorrow! One will be a crocodile, another a teenager and the other a butler.

Head over to The Byron Life to some great pics & links to others joining in A Photo a Day in August

Day 18 - Time is ticking by

2009-08-18T09:41:00.004+10:00

Today is one of those days that I watch the clock. Lots to do & not enough time...I love this clock. It came from Skip shopper's grandparent's house & sat on their mantel above the wood stove in the kitchen. It is a wind up & ticks really loudly. It has a wind up alarm too that I set for just before the boys fly in the door from school so I can remember to breath before they do. Tick tock.

Head over to The Byron Life to some great pics & links to others joining in A Photo a Day in August

Don't forget that today is the last day for the giveaway, so if you want to enter, all you need to do is to leave a comment on the post below! Good luck. Gotta go.

Day 17 - Crisp & Clean

2009-08-17T22:50:00.003+10:00

Today for me it was all about cleaning and washing...one of life's mundane tasks. I took my mind off it with listening to great vinyls on our record player that we have just brought back from my mum's holiday place with our great collection of records (all mainly from the 80's...) My 6 year old said this morning (first day of record player in the house) "You know, I'm really getting into this record thing mum." He played records before school and after school. Musical bliss!

Head over to The Byron Life to some great pics & links to others joining in A Photo a Day in August

Day 16 - Still life from the beach side

2009-08-17T12:11:00.003+10:00

This a still life that my middle son took yesterday (that is way it is day 16...day 17 still to come) We had a weekend at the beach and this was a collection that he found on a little walk & he wanted to take a picture of them. I like what he has done.

Head over to The Byron Life to some great pics & links to others joining in A Photo a Day in August

Day 14 - Another day with Florence

2009-08-14T17:12:00.007+10:00

I am not very good at this very organised photo a day thing (sorry to Meg from The Byron Life), as life does just get in the way here & there ... school camps, work, cleaning the house, etc...anyway, today after having a one on one with a pilates instructor trying to learn how to find my transverse abdominals again (eep), and then being pumelled by my wonderful osteo (who I tend to hate for up to 2 days after seeing him), I came home and made piping with Florence Broadhurst. Nice. Cutting strips. 2.5cm strips sewn together & then piped. I love the look of them.

I have managed to finish the throw cushions without too much of a hitch...
Oops, forgot to leave the zipper open... I always tell myself to remember, then on the last one...I forgot...

The 3 cushion covers for the throw cushions which I have finished now.

I also put a zipper in one of the large sided cushions before picking up number one son from his first school camp. He is now very very tired and there is lots of crankiness going on here, but he did have a really good time.

Stitch the zipper to the folded over fabric on right hand side of the zipper.

...leaving the top of the zipper 10mm from the top edge & the top stitching to be 7mm from the edge of the fabric.

Lay the other folded piece of folded over fabric so that the entire width equals the width of the cushion sides (make sure that you have enough to overlap the zipper on the outside so that you will not be able to see the zipper once the cushion has be finished) and pin the zipper to this piece of fabric, keeping it even the whole length.

Top stitch this on the underside (the zipper side) keeping the zipper foot to the edge of the zipper fabric.

Finish the bottom of the open ends of fabric off neatly so that they will not open and that the zipper cannot undo any more.

I hope this is helpful & makes sense - let me know if it doesn't

A photo a day in August - Day 12...Florence Broadhurst

2009-08-12T12:55:00.003+10:00

Today I am spending the day with Florence...Here she is drapped over the knitting machine that I haven't yet worked out how to use : ( ...that is another story. This fabric is going to be cushions for a friend of mine who has commisioned me to make them for her. Lovely to work with gorgeous prints.

For some much better artistic photos, head to The Bryon Life and see all the photos that people have been taking during August.

Don't forget to leave a comment in the post below if you want win the giveaway!

A photo a Day in August- Day 11 - 100th post giveaway!

2009-08-11T10:40:00.004+10:00

This is my photo today, it is a glimpse of what I am giving away!

Head over to The Byron Life to some great pics & links to others joining in A Photo a Day in August

Yes, it's giveaway time...I have been blogging 100 blogs today on this blog - Wow! Well, probably more, because some I have started, and then forgotten about and then deleted, but, ANYWAY, that is beside the point, but getting back to the point, I am giving stuff away and as they always say, you have to be in it to win it.

I am going to follow Little Diva's lead because she is having a fantastic giveaway as well, & I love her idea and, so if you want to enter in this surprise stash giveaway, all you have to do is to follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, or become a fan of my Facebook page. You'll get one entry for each so make sure you leave a separate comment for each and if you already follow me, that's great, still leave a comment for each one putting your twitter & facebook names in the comments. So you could get 3 entries! Yippee!

You have until next Tuesday 18 August 8pm to make a comment when I will draw the winner.

Without giving too much away the giveaway will be full of special treats from my stash and drawers, some things that I have collected (lovely old trims, fabric, book....), and a couple of things that I have made. I hope that you will enjoy.

a photo a day in august - day 10

2009-08-10T11:14:00.003+10:00

Ok, I know that I have missed a few... but I have to confess that I suffer from migraines a I got a really bad one last week that took me off line & then my "real" life (ie family) needed some attention after that... so no blogging... So, here are some celebratory cupcakes on Granny May's cake plate.

Head over to The Byron Life to some great pics & links to others joining in A Photo a Day in August

Next blog will be my 100th post, so get ready to make a comment on it if you are wanting to win the surprise giveaway... Watch this space

A Photo a Day in August - Day 4

2009-08-04T12:55:00.005+10:00

Ok, I feel like I might be cheating here, but running out of time... anyway, here is my still life photo of my buttons, scissors & thread..... which I used on my facebook page to create the event to tell anyone who needs to / wants to, that the Kensington Neighbourhood House is offering Basic Mending (run by me) on 5 Sept from 2.30 -4pm where I will teach people how to sew on a button, (even thread a needle), simple hemming, simple patching... If you, or anyone you know, needs this, it really is very, very cheap at only $10/$8 (concession) , but you do need to book in by contact them:
89 McCracken Street, Kensington VIC 3031
Ph: 03 9376 6366 kwgp@vicnet.net.au

There is also the UFO Workshops that I will be running. The first one coming up is 29 Aug, then at this stage 7 Nov, 5 Dec. The purpose of these is to bring along the sewing projects that you are stuck on, or need some inspiration on, or would just like to be in a creative environment with other sewing types. Sit & sew, swap ideas, help each other, give tips on sewing, haby & fabric haunts, have a lot of fun. I think that the 2 hours will probably go pretty fast.

Head over to The Byron Life to some great pics & links to others joining in A Photo a Day in August

A Scarf a day - brown & orange in the hair

2009-08-04T11:10:00.004+10:00

This is a lovely brown & orange paisley scarf from Skip shopper's granny May that I was lucky enough to inherit. They were all nicely folded in a drawer all very neatly. I wish that I was that neat with my scarves...

I love my neck piece that Skip Shopper made for me from a found box of Singer bits. I just had to show it off!

Did I mention that on Saturday I went to Yarraville Market & saw Sew Hum & her gorgeous crochet work & lovely bebuska dolls & pencil cases, met Beccasaurus & saw all the fantastic baby mats that she has been making, pencil cases, tee shirts, and purses. Their stalls looked really good & their stock looked fantastic. I also saw Glenda from Reaburn who makes gorgeous retro fabric cushions & lampshades who said that she will be opening a shop over summer down at the peninsula (watch this space). The girl who did watercolours next to Sew Hum was amazing & I also met some locals from Kensington/Flemington who quilt and knit. And then I bumped into Curly Pops & met Tinnygirl! What a small world it is.

Must get on with the day...class to plan for the girls - 7 girls cutting out fabric at once. Should be fun.

A Scarf a Day - Coral

2009-08-03T21:18:00.002+10:00

I picked up this gorgeous piece of fabric at Clear It in Brunswick St. It's an Alannah Hill offcut & they often have pieces of hers & other designers upstairs & zips & other habby. I love the colour & texture.

A photo a day in august - day three

2009-08-03T20:52:00.003+10:00

This is part of our collection of tins that we inherited from Skipshopper's grandparents. I really love tins to hide things in...like threads, scissors, buttons, knick knacks... and all sorts of other things! I especially love tins that already have stories to tell. I am sure that these tins could tell a great many stories.

You can head over to The Byron Life to see who else is playing along with A Photo in a Day in August or join in.

A photo a day in August - Day two

2009-08-02T20:07:00.004+10:00

Moss , originally uploaded by megs threads.

The Byron Life is hosting a photo a day in august, which I jumped on as I hope that I may improve on my photography skills...unfortunately, I have already missed a day...however, we had a really lovely day today which provided a some opportunity for photography (see my flickr for more). We decided to go on a picnic, inspired by my neighbours doing a similar soujourn, and put our finger on the map to Sugarloaf Reservoir in Christmas Hills, via the Kangaroo Grounds Memorial Lookout. A race to the top of the lookout, an amazing look around each and every way, and then the slow (scary for some) climb down. Sad to see the reservoir so empty, however we were so blessed to have 3 mobs of kangaroos bound past us whilst we were walking around. This picture is of the moss that was around there, I love moss & there was plenty there, and many varieties to see. I love the different textures and colours.

Always great to get out and see the bush. It was a sad drive home the long way through the Christmas Hills, seeing for the first time, first hand the severity of the February bush fires, the tears well up as I felt the people's and the place's pain and I didn't feel right to pull out the camera there.

A scarf a day

2009-08-02T17:20:00.002+10:00

Today I needed a knitted kind of a scarf because we were going on a little trip to the Chrismas Hills for a picnic, so I pulled out my long grey & black lacy knit scarves & wore them. (sorry about the colour of the pic...) I also have a red one that I wear sometimes with the black or the grey and am making a yellow one.

Don't forget, if you want to play along with scarf a day, leave a comment with your link so that I can do a link list & pop your link in.

a scarf a day

2009-08-01T09:39:00.003+10:00

Today is an orange kind of day. This scarf I have had forever & for a while it went into the dress ups, then out again (I think that I actually got it out of mum's dress ups). I just love the orange & it really goes with the orange in my skirt & I don't mind a bit of a matchy-match

BTW, a big link to Curly Pops who made a great bag & I loved it so much (and have such bad eyesight & really should remember to wear my reading glasses more) that I clicked on the what I thought was the "Like" button in network blogs in facebook.... apparently what I have actually done is link my blog post to hers.... Sorry Curly Pops....I am not trying to shamelessly promote myself, I actually really like your bag.

a scarf a day

2009-07-31T13:56:00.002+10:00

I have a lot of scarves, so have decided to do a scarf a day whilst it is still cold. Care to join in? Comment if you will.

doodly-doo, oh, doodly-do

2009-07-31T12:49:00.003+10:00

I must confess that I am an obsessive doodler. It started at a very young age when I would watch my mother when she was thinking or talking on the phone doing these amazing drawings. I used to think that she should be an artist with the drawings that she she did. She told me that they were doodles. I now do it when I need to think, relax, form thoughts, pass a moment by. Do you doodle?

Foot up....now... gently....go!

2009-07-29T12:46:00.002+10:00

Completed reversible bag, originally uploaded by megs threads.

Yesterday I had a buzz with the girls in my sewing class. It had it's slightly chaotic moments with with 6 machines all going full boar at the same time and girls trying to sew without putting the presser foot down...however, in the end, they learnt how to thread the bobbin, machine, the safety of the machine & iron & how to sew a straight stitch & zigzag! Yay! Next week cutting out to make the bag above which is a reversible bag. Have a look at the other side on my flickr site.

drawing, writing, sewing...

2009-07-27T23:13:00.005+10:00

I've been very busy, too busy to look up infact. Got a class starting tomorrow with the girls (unfortunately no boys signed up) to learn how to sew on a machine. They are going to make a bag whilst they are learning in the 8 weeks. So I have had to transcribe my pattern in my head to paper & all of the instructions to make sense.....lovely little drawings & take photos of them to pop into the instructions...and now its time for bed. I hope I don't dream of bags.

2009-07-20T10:47:00.003+10:00

I had a great time whizzing around on Friday at the Design Made Trade 2009 looking at the fantastic things on offer that people have been creating. It was great to see what Nick at Design Loop has been doing with bamboo this year, and the lovely Anna and all of her brilliant cards. There was Mattt with the new digital printing bags that he has been doing - always great bags & now he also has detachable straps on bags. I bumped into a friend from school and saw their incredible furniture The Timber Trip - worth looking at - incredibly well made furniture from recycled timbers. There were also so many others there worth mentioning:
makedo - cool connectors that you can use to create sculptures out of anything
designboom - this was an incredible market of international designers - wow
in-sync design - great geometric jewellery
...and many many more!
What a creative place to live in!

Tool of the trade - Point Turner

2009-07-14T10:05:00.009+10:00

Now this is something that I cannot do without. I inherited it in one of my op shop sewing tin finds and now that I have it, the tool is invaluable. It makes the difference in the corners of collars and corners being turned completely out.

Curvy bit for curvy corners,

pointy bit for pointy corners.

Keep your eyes out for one.

Charles Jenkins & The Zhivagos - Blue Atlas Winter Ball 08

2009-07-08T21:30:00.005+10:00

BlueAtlasWinterBall108, originally uploaded by carbiewarbie concert photography.

There is us (v. late at night, or early in the morning) - yes sometimes we do go out! At the Blue Atlas Winter Ball. Charles Jenkins & The Zhivagos. A legend, along with a bunch of others. (Tim Rogers, Ron Peno, Clare Bowditch, Spencer P Jones, Davey Lane, Mick Thomas, Anna Burley, Abby Dobson, Rebecca Barnard, Shane O'Mara, Kerri Simpson, Cal & Donovan Walker, Liz Stringer and even a string section.) You shoulda been there. Watch out for next year - go here for other great pics of the night by Carbie Warbie

..what we did today...a little bit of sewing

2009-07-07T22:33:00.005+10:00

So, today, two of my boys were watching me putting together all the little bags of eye, nose, mouth, eyebrow, abstract shapes, threading 32 needles, then sewing myself a little felt needle book to look after those needles all in preparation for these 2 (only 1 hour) classes with kids tomorrow... when .... they declared that they would like to do some sewing now....

This is John's (8) Lobster. He said that I could show it to the class as an "eg" (his words) for them

This is Pete's (6) pocket book (sorry for the blur - see below for non blur - he really wanted his hands in). For his pocket. He said he thought he might try a different stitch to blanket stitch on the front (a bit of flare).

And Frank (9) made us morning tea. Voila

Just a softie at heart...

2009-07-06T23:45:00.004+10:00

We have just had a lovely week away in windy wintry weather at Inverloch and I had a lovely time getting ready for the kids holiday program that I am running this week at the Kensington Neighbourhood House making softies with primary school kids.

...and this is the one that I have made to give them an idea of what they will be hopefully coming up with at the end.

The brochure has come out for the sewing beginners classes for adults and the classes for kids for term 3 and 4 . The times will be :

Tuesday 1 - 3pm or Thursday 7 - 9pm for adults

and Tuesday 3.45 - 5pm for kids

These classes will run during the school terms.

I will also be running a few workshops :

UFO (Unfinished Objects) workshop where you can sit around & work out those little niggly things that just won't work in a nice creative environment. These will run Sat 25 July, 29 Aug, 7 Nov and 5 Dec from 2 - 4pm.

The other one is Basic Mending on 5 September from 2.30 - 4pm for those who really would like to learn some basic skills.

Come along & join in.

How to make Egg Free Crepes

2009-06-22T18:36:00.008+10:00

This is one of our favourites that we cook nearly every Sunday morning. We sat down to eat them yesterday & I thought that it would be nice to share them with others. My sister shared the recipe with me, and now, I share it with the world. Thanks Bec! It is really easy & no fail.

Bec's Egg Free Crepes

1 & 1/2 cups milk
1 & 1/2 cups flour
1 tbs sunflower oil

Mix all together & add more milk if you need to make it a runny cream like consistency.

Pour about 1/3 cup in a hot frypan that has been sprayed with oil & when it looks like it has started to change colour and firm up, turn over & cook the other side. Voila! Crepes galore.

Just get the lemons & sugar, & maple & bacon ready to serve.

I use the old Sunbeam mixer as it is so quick, quiet & easy. I triple the recipe for our family of 3 boys & 2 adults so that there are no arguements over the last one. They last really well in the fridge or freezer if any are left over & they make great desserts (with chocolate sauce & ice-cream....).

Chuffed!

2009-06-16T20:31:00.004+10:00

My "sewing around the curves" is tip of the week over at The Haby Goddess! How's that! I'm chuffed. Go visit Haby's gorgeous store & see the fantastic things that she has to offer.

Time for me to dig out some more tips...

Fidgetty fingers

2009-06-07T11:39:00.003+10:00

Necklaces, originally uploaded by megs threads.

A little something that I have been doing in the evenings...and seeing what happens when crocheting with different mediums..wire, linen thread, cotton thread and vintage buttons

Surprise

2009-06-01T12:40:00.004+10:00

I just got home from my morning errands and found a lovely surprise package on my doorstep. I really love a surprise, especially when it comes in a box and has lovely things in it! This one was from Peppermint Magazine because I was the lucky winner of the ‘Thriftscore’ Vintage Sewing Kit for being a subscriber from the last magazine! Hip hip hooray! Get a copy of their mag. It's great and it's Australian and full of great sustainable, organic crafty, fashion, arty people and ideas.

Sewing around curves

2009-05-29T14:49:00.004+10:00

Peter pan collar

There is nothing more frustrating than when you have sewn up something and the curves are not so curvy. It is probably because the seam allowances haven't been snipped enough.

To get the best out of your curves the trick is to snip every 10mm or 1cm in your seam allowance so that it allows the seam to curve around as well. Once you have done this, then make sure that you press it well on the correct side.

Words and Pictures - Tucked up in Bed

2009-05-27T22:13:00.004+10:00

We have just got some great new fluffy doonas in our house, and now that it is getting colder it is getting much, much harder to get out of bed in the mornings. One thing that I do love however is that first cup of coffee in the morning that Skip Shopper brings to me while I am still tucked up in bed!

Thanks Pip for hosting one of my favourite themes!

Back to school?

2009-05-26T14:00:00.001+10:00

Sewing Class, circa 1890s
Originally uploaded by Iowa State University Library Special Collections

I have just booked my sewing classes in with the Kensington Neighbourhood House for terms 3 and 4. There will be:
* Kids Only class after school on Tuesdays,
* Basic Learn to Sew on either Tuesday afternoons or Thursday evening term 3
* Intermediate Learn to Sew on either Tuesday afternoons or Thursday evening term 4
* UFO (UnFinished Object) Workshops (sit around & sort out those things that you just can't seem to finish...) 25th July, 29th August, 7th November, 5th December
* Basic mending workshop 5 September

Tra-la

knock, knock

2009-05-22T14:01:00.001+10:00

250
Originally uploaded by =sm=

I am knocking on my own bloggy door and I'm not allowed in...apparently it's a known issue & it's just some bloggers who are affected... baa humbug.. I was going to respond to some lovely comments...do a couple of things...I can sneak in the backdoor!

How's that?

cotton, linen, wool, viscose, polyester, silk....HELP

2009-05-19T15:30:00.004+10:00

I am so deeply absorbed at the moment in designing a training course on fabrics that all I can see is 3 pages of different fabrics....When I try to think of the most common fabrics, all I can see is that they are all used...I am too, too close.. Help...I need a quick lifesaver outta here. What are your first five fabrics you think of.

words & pictures - remember

2009-05-14T20:22:00.008+10:00

I remember, I remember, I remember that beautiful strapless cobalt blue taffeta frock that I designed myself that I wore to my year 11 formal. I remember the hair that I curled to go with it that stuck out way too far...and the white court shoes & white stockings....the blue and pink eyeshadow and pink lippy. Precious. I was with my best friend. She had a dress in the same colour and permed hair. She had white court shoes. We were like twins. Our dates were not. Our nights did not end the same. Mine had really bad garlic breath and I couldn't bear to go near him. He just annoyed me in the end. Hers was really nice. They were best friends too.

I remember the 1920's style cream dress I designed and made for the year 11 deb ball. I thought I was going to marry that boy. You have no idea when you are 15, but you think you know everything. I remember how much my heart was broken the next year.

I remember the dress I designed and made for the year 12 formal with the red and black lame fabric and red and black tulle with the daring split and all of the diamantes I glued and sewed onto it with all of its angles. I remember the big hair and Michael confessing his love for me completely out of the blue, and someone else slashing themselves later in the night in the bushes.

Dresses have all of their memories that are entrenched in their seams and they tell their stories for all their years to come, whispering them out of the closet for people to hear. They help the stories to keep coming out. They keep the remembering....the laughter, the tears, the sadness, the dances, the goodtimes.

Thanks Pip for a lovely theme of remembering!

Now that's a tool!

2009-05-12T15:25:00.003+10:00

It took me a good while to work this one out. I got it in the fantastic stash from Betty (my friend's relative who had worked as a seamstress), so I knew that it must have had a really good use. I finally worked it out & it is REALLY, REALLY useful - still.

Can you work it out? Those blades are sharp & turn around so that you can select each one. It measures 12cm long & the circle is 5cm wide & the blades are 9mm, 14mm & 18mm wide. Does this help?

Chaotic creative space...creative mind?

2009-05-12T15:13:00.003+10:00

Why does my space always end up like this? Anyone else have this problem?

Time for a clean up...again!

Words and Pictures - Fragant

2009-05-08T11:35:00.006+10:00

I love waking up on Sunday morning to the fragrant smell of coffee and waffles. Coffee is one of my favourite smells in all time, and the smell of waffles cooking in the morning is just precious. The fragrance fills the house until every corner has been saturated with waffle. Then we gobble them up covered in maple syrup, tomatoes, bacon, lemon & sugar, yogurt, or whatever we feel like, and sip our coffee. Yum.

Egg-Free Waffles:

2 Cups of flour

1&1/2 tsp baking soda

2 cups milk

1 tbsp sunflower oil

Whizz this all together & then put a few tablespoons onto your waffle iron & cook until golden. Enjoy!

Thanks Pip for a great theme again this week.

Words and Pictures - Rainy Days

2009-05-01T15:05:00.003+10:00

Out the Window
Originally uploaded by derok7

I love waking to the sound of the rain drops falling on the tin roof. Plip, plop. I know that I will be able to warm inside and watch the rain through my window as I try to sew. Somehow I find it more inspiring working inside when it is raining and cold. Heater on, tea and coffee flowing, CD stories talking to keep me company, I feel nice and cosy as I look out the rain now blasting on the window. The plants seem to grow as I look out at them in the rain and the green takes on a different shade with the changing light. My fingers find it hard to keep warm on these rainy cold days no matter how many clothes I put on and I can't really wear gloves while I am working as I need the dexterity. Swoosh go the cars to break the concentration. I love the warmth and dryness that I feel now as I work from my home studio. I hear the school bell. Time for the onslaught. I open the door to the cold, wet blasts. Two minutes tops before they come flying through. Here they are, heard before seen, running feet on wet pavement. No raincoats on, of course. "Hey, shoes off please", and in they run. "It's so hot in here, Mum!", it's time for afternoon tea.

Thanks Pip for the theme for this weeks words and pictures! Join in & play along.

Beautiful Rain

2009-04-27T19:14:00.003+10:00

I love the sound of the rain, the feel of the cold, it has got me thinking about winter, even though it it not quite here. Time to haul out the winter woollies and get knitting. I'm knitting a vest for my son who came home from school very sick today (spewing - I hate spewing - I am very good at acting the good mum, but in truth, I hate the spew). I don't know why I am knitting a vest for my son. The last 2 (hoodie) vests that I knitted for my other sons (to their specifications) have never been worn - not because they are ugly - but because they never get cold. In truth, they only occasionally wear a zip up hoodie, and as my 5 1/2 yr pointed out, if I had made it in fabric, he might have worn it. Yet, the 8yr old insists that he will wear it....if I knit it in footy colours.....Hurrah! So, here I am, knitting the same pattern again (in the biggest size possible so that it will hopefully fit for a while...). Let's hope that I get it knitted before the footy finishes.

My greatest learning curve has been that I can't knit it on the circular needles (my needles of choice) as I am doing vertical stripes - now that was a valuable lesson. As my friend's husband is oft heard to say whilst she is knitting, and unravelling... "Are you having fun yet?"

Mending softies

2009-04-09T13:32:00.004+10:00

My boys think that skip shopper and I can fix anything & who am I to burst their bubble? Sometimes things just sit for an incredibly long time until it has been forgotten or superseded, other things, like these old softies, just get slowly mended (some of them like orange doggie get done over & over & over again).

Old George has been so well loved that his "skin" needs to be remade. Orange doggie needs his ear remade.

Caramello bear's legs sewn back on.

These are the important things that I do in the night.

cold feet

2009-04-07T10:40:00.007+10:00

The phone call had come out of the blue. Veronica recognised the voice immediately. It was from such a long time ago that she could have blown the cobwebs off it. As soon as she heard it she was reminded of the time that they used to spend together at the clubs down in King St, Melbourne so many years ago. Short skirts, teased hair, lippy, earrings, tight tops and high heels, music, drink, men and everything else. What a wild time they had. What different time that seemed to be from now. Veronica had closed that whole part of her memory as though it did not exist and here she was being woken from 20 years sleep.

Suddenly she was gasping for air. Her suburban life was sucking her dry. Veronica could hear Simone sucking on a fag and the longing came back, even after all of those years. Veronica yearned for a life that had a buzz again. Her heart was leaping with fear and excitement at the idea. This was just what she needed right now. Something to get the hell out of here.

Life was not what she had really planned. Here she was trudging through the humdrum of life and suburbia: meals, cleaning, lunches, washing. On and on it went. Veronica had been caught in Ground Hog day for too long and thought that she would never be free of it. She was sucked dry. She could hardly even remember who she was any more. Her name bore a vague resemblance to her. Other than that, there was little else. There didn't seem to be much point in throwing the lippy on anymore or doing the hair. It was just trackies & frumpiness for Veronica for years.

When it came to the day, it seemed all to easy to arrange. Make the lunches, wipe the benches, drop the kids at school, come home and pack the bags. This was the easy part. In fact, it was down right exciting and Veronica had to stop herself from shouting about it to everyone around her. Everything seemed to be done a little faster than usual and Veronica was shaking the whole way through. This was just the break that she needed. She deserved it after all of these years. It was all going to change from here. No note. She didn't feel like it. It didn't seem like that it would do any of it justice anyway. Maybe she might come back. She didn't know. The excitement was a little sickening.

Bags packed and clothes changed. Trackies folded onto the queen sized bed. Never to be worn again. Time to leave now. Heels on, mini skirt on, hair teased, lippy on. Walk out the door. Veronica paused at the hall mirror. Behind her was the family portrait. With that she turned and removed her heels from her cold, cold feet and put them into her warm ugg boots and got on with her day.

Thanks Pip for the theme for this weeks (creative!!) words and pictures!

iron on interfacing

2009-04-03T13:57:00.006+11:00

One of the things that I used to always find frustrating with sewing was using iron on interfacing for a few reasons:

a: I don't like the smell of it as it sticks onto my iron

b: I don't like it sticking to my ironing board & then to everything else that I use afterwards

c: I can't stand that bubbling thing that happens when you use it.

So I have improved my ways with using it & most people has what is needed to be able to get the professional results in their kitchen pantry.

There are two phrases that you need to remember: "NON-STICK BAKING PAPER" & "STEAM OFF"

1. Using 2 sheets of NON-STICK BAKING PAPER, put the piece of fabric & interfacing (glue side facing the fabric) between the sheets of NON-STICK BAKING PAPER.

2. With the iron up to Hottest temperature possible for the fabric (most important) and the STEAM OFF, press down over the top sheet of NON-STICK BAKING PAPER.

3. Ensure that you cover all of the fabric & do this for about 1 minute moving the iron around the whole time with the STEAM OFF with reasonable pressure.

4. Once you have finished, you will be able to reuse this NON-STICK BAKING PAPER, just ensure that you keep the "insides" of them together & roll them up so that you never put your iron on the insides of the used NON-STICK BAKING PAPER.

Out of Scraps

2009-04-03T13:41:00.004+11:00

This is a little bag that I made up yesterday afternoon from a scrap of towelling fabric. It was an odd shape, hence the odd shape bag, however, it seems kinda cute for a mobile phone. Nice and cosy for winter. It was also my first time with the "clicker". I stuffed up the first try with the press stud (had it upside down), smashed one old wooden cotton reel, but in the end, got it right. I have demystified the press stud.

a long drive

2009-04-01T15:06:00.010+11:00

just one bag each

packed night before

yellow combi full to the gunnels

curtains drawn

tick tock goes the clock

footsteps in the night

bing goes the alarm

lights shining now

bleary eyed children

parents rushing here

quell tablets pushed down throats

one last stop at the loo

then slam go the doors

"hush! the neighbours sleep"

take seats quickly

pillows under head

teddies under arms

eyelids shut now

engine turns over

roll up the gravel drive

start the ardous journey

from templestowe

all the way to kurrajong

thanks to Pip at Meet me at Mikes for hosting words & pictures! Play along if you like - it's fun.

Little Things

2009-03-25T14:26:00.007+11:00

This week's theme for the great words and pictures set up by Meet me at Mikes of Little Things and if you want to read some of the other great stories, then just have a look over here and settle down for a read.

The words "Anger Management For Mums" flashed at me on the brochure in the Maternal and Child Health Centre. I grabbed the brochure & stuffed it in my bag before anyone could see me. It was a red brochure. Why red? Was that so that everyone would be able to see the people who had picked it up in their mother's groups? Thank goodness I wasn't with anyone. I pushed the brochure further down into the bag just in case it surfaced when I went to the shops later.
"Come on, let's get out of here." I said to my youngest.

I knew that I wasn't that angry, but still was it all right to scream like a banshee between 4 and 6 pm to 3 boys aged between 3 & 7. I know that there were a lot worse things that could be happening out there, but I also knew that there were a lot better things that could be happening. I wanted to find a way to stop that fire that built up inside me until I felt like getting one of the kids, it didn't matter which & throttling them. I knew it wasn't pc to talk about, but that was how I felt. I knew I couldn't throttle. I even knew that hitting wasn't ok, so all that was left was to scream. Once the screaming was done, I was like a wet rag all rung out. Nothing left except sorrow and remorse. All I could do was apologise for my terrible behaviour. I justified it with the fact that they were learning the full spectrum of emotion and that they would not be emotional cripples. Great! I knew I was wrong deep down, that screaming at the top of my lungs at them was not really doing anything.

I timidly booked into the course (with free childcare - whoopee!) ready to be lectured about my abhorrent behaviour. I expected there to be a bunch of really angry women there. What do really angry women look like? Wow! They just look like me, and you, and every other woman around me that I always see. It was the most empowering day of my life. There was understanding. There was nodding. There was sadness. There was a richness and most of all there were strategies, real life strategies on how to get through the anger.

The most important thing that I learnt from this was some words from the lady running the course.

When things are getting out of control, and they won't listen to you, or you feel angry, just slip their hand into yours, and remember that they are only this small once and your anger will melt away. They are just Little Things.

sorting the mountain

2009-03-24T10:49:00.008+11:00

A great friend Andrea sent me an email last week wondering if I was interested in some old buttons & fabric from an old relative of hers & I have been having a wonderful time in lounge room since then going through many bags and boxes of this gorgeous lady's sewing history.

There was so much fabric that I had to sort it into colours (is this too anal?)

and then the buttons

and the buckles (can you believe the amount of them...! I think that I might have to make belts)

I feel soooo lucky. Bless her! There are are other treasures that I will share once I have got it organised and taken the pics.

now that's a weekend

2009-03-22T20:56:00.004+11:00

2 nights out, without the kids, living large. Two events on one night - doesn't sound much to those without kids...but to the rest of us...this is HUGE!!

Friday night, Harmony picnic at school followed by (yes, second event!!!), CD launch for Charles Jenkins & the Zhivago's - The Blue Altas Collection at the Northcote Social Club.

Brilliant night catching up with friends, listening to great tunes, sensational strings and watching a definitely underated band perform. A CD worth having in my collection, and if you haven't heard of them, you have now, and should get yourself a cd of their intelligent rock. Best listened to loud & danced to (...well that's what I do!). All credits to Charles Jenkins and The Zhivagos (Matty Vehl, Art Starr and Dave Milne) & producer Ric Morgan & sound engineer Jimi Maroudas. Out now in Australia on Dust Devil Music via Stomp at all good cd shops ...

Next night out to dinner, just skip shopper & I, initially booked for one place that could only give us a late booking. We arrived for the late booking on time to find the said restaraunt booked...out.... Now, let's say, skip shopper is a little on the leaner side of skinny & doesn't last too long past dinner time... so we were happy to wait a little while, however... The people that came after us were given a table 15 mins after we arrived whilst we stood perusing the large window menu... thank goodness for the warm night! While I watched skip shopper turn yellow & eyes beginning to glaze, I looked back to our old favourite, The Asian Kitchen in Racecourse Rd, Flemington (Victoria). I ran up to check that they had a spare table & sure enough, just one. Gorgeous! They have done a beautifule reno & new menus but same food & same beautiful staff. I saw food on there that I was unable to read before because it was written on the blackboard & didn't want to stand for too long at someone else's table trying to read just 'cause I've got crap eyesight. Fabo. Phat talay. The best. Spicy tongues, full tummies, no kids & we get to walk home! Bliss.

Final hurrah. A good friend dropped over a stash of fabric & notions (that means buttons, lace, trims etc) from her old relative for me! Yippee!

Words & Pictures - Cosy

2009-03-20T10:12:00.004+11:00

picture courtesy: su-lin

When I grew up in Lower Templestowe, there was a big paddock between our house and our school. We did not have to walk very far to school, in fact the walk was very short. My brother, four years older than I, my sister, half way between us, and I walked together up the crunchy gravel driveway under the big gum trees and out onto the concrete pavement. We would then turn right past the tall brick fence of the Boggi's house and run past the giant gate with the barking German Sheppard to get to the corner house with the sagging paling fence that had teeth missing. I would sometimes run a stick along the fence until I got the short brick fence with the black brick topping that ran to the corner angles. At the corner, the three of us would hold hands and look both ways before we crossed over Hazel Drive. We would then climb up the little worn-in dirt path that was in the cliff that would take us into the over grown and neglected paddock. I loved walking through this paddock to school because it felt like we were going on an adventurous journey. We would talk about the mysteries of the glasshouse that was in the next paddock and why all of the windows had been smashed. I always wondered if there was anyone in there and if there any plants were growing in there. There was a very falling down old fence that would have been very easy to get through, however, none of us were brave enough to go through it.

When it rained, we had gumboots and bright yellow rain capes to wear that protected our bags as well & had tiny slits at the front for our hands to come out. What this meant was that we couldn't really move our arms at all and had to be really careful not to fall over. I remember one day my sister falling over on the way home and falling face first into a muddy puddle. My brother and I couldn't stop laughing because she couldn't get her hands out to get up & she was just rolling around like a yellow lump in the mud. When we got home, mum quickly got all of her clothes off and popped her in the bath and made her a delicious hot chocolate and hot cinnamon and sugar toast to warm her up.

I was a very quick learner, even at that young age, so whenever it rain (and take note you youngen's, it did seem to rain a lot more back in the 70's), I would make sure that I got as wet and muddy as possible in the paddock on the way home to make sure that I could get that bath, hot chocolate and cinnamon toast and be nice and cosy....

tomato heaven

2009-03-20T09:38:00.002+11:00

we have been doing a bit of thrifty buying lately with the humble tomato. Firstly on a trip to Lederderg Gorge, we found ourselves at Jeff Jone's fruit and veggie stall in Bacchus Marsh where we bought a whole box of tomatoes for $5. Yikes! I hear you cry! So I had to make sauce, as in the sauce you put on snags, chops, chips or anything you like. One batch with Red Wine Vinegar & one batch with Balsamic. It's a great sauce.

Tomato Sauce:

1 tbs cloves

2 tbs whole allspice

1 tbs black peppercorns

Tie these in a square of muslin

5 kg tomatoes chopped up roughly

6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tbs ground ginger

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

30g salt

600g vinegar (I experiment with different ones to get different flavour ones, apple cider, malt, red wine, etc)

Put all these into your biggest non-reactive pot & bring it to the boil. Boil it steadily for 1 hour making sure that you stir from time to time to ensure that it doesn't stick to the bottom & burn.

Add 1 kg sugar & continue to boil for another 2 hours stirring from time to time.

Take out the muslin bag & squeeze out the juices. Blend the whole pot with a stick blender, & using a funnel, pour into sterilised bottles, cap & allow to cool.

Then skip shopper went to the vic market early on Saturday morning & bought another box of roma tomatoes (bigger box) for $10...that have sat waiting until last night - I couldn't be bothered doing it by myself. So last night, we got ourselves organised, 1st chopping board at one end, bucket for rotten bits, bucket with water for washing them, next chopping board to chop them up, then pot. We filled 2 huge pots - I know lust after one of those huge cauldrons. I also suddenly wanted to have music playing with people dancing around, beer and wine being drunk, children running around, food being eaten....a great tomato festival! Next year. We chopped, we cooked, we blended, we funnelled, we spilt, we put the crown seals on, I broke a bottle...not a good idea - but the red was a great red - we cleaned up, then sat down at 11pm & watch Scrubs, I had no idea that this was on at this time! Great show. I am tired, but have great bottles of tomato.

flashback

2009-03-13T13:58:00.005+11:00

Crazy 90's flashback moment. The event was the Kensington Women's Dinner & I do quite like a dress up affair. I didn't think that there was such a thing as "flashback" to 90's & thought that maybe I was still wearing the same clothes...but, when it came down to it & skipshopper & I had a good think about it... there it was. Surprisingly enough (or sadly enough - depending on how you look at it) in my roof space, I still have my 21st dress, Thai silk with matching lined velvet bolero jacket. Yes, it did still fit, but no, I couldn't sit with ease all night - the dress has shrunk in the heat of the roof.

I still had the heels too which look barely worn, probably because they haven't been....I think that I stopped working corporate not long after I got them. The most wear they get now is up & down the hall with the boys...

Yesterday I had a ripper of an excursion to the Stitches & Craft show & met a heap of bloggers. I picked up Mixtape & took up a subscription, met Justine Telfer & watched them making buttons, saw Liz from Betty Jo & her gorgeous lino jewellery & chatted about diving into skips and so forth..., had a chat with Melanie of textile allsorts & grabbed a pair of patterned orange stockings to replace the last pair from her, marvelled at Thea's graceful designs & beautiful ecofriendly fabrics of thea & sami , said hi to the girls of ink & spindle & saw their beautiful works & the great tree for their display, inspired by Nicola Mallalieu (& she was incredibly busy!) with the beautiful bags & purses that she makes in such gorgeous colours, also met a lovely couple Ellie & Sam of red seed studio who do beautiful screen printing on cotton/bamboo fabric. I did also see Aunty Cookie who was swamped with customers - wow! Her fabric & quilts were looking great & she was pretty happy. I think there was something for everyone - there was the quilting, lacy, beading stuff, then there was the more "contemporary" stuff. I did hear an older lady say that it was a little bit "trendy" now.... I watched "Handmade Nation" while I was there too - super inspiring.

He he he....not really enjoying having all the kids at school...now what will be my next excursion?

my book tower

2009-03-11T12:43:00.003+11:00

This is the little tower that accompanies me when I go to bed & I am slowly devouring them (some faster than others). Some make me go to sleep, some have made me laugh out loud, some have made me cry. So far this year (this is the year that I have dedicated to reading) I have read "The Slap" by Chris Tsiolkas (thought provoking, good Melbourne read 9/10), "The Time We Have Taken" by Steven Carroll" (a little slow here & there, very Melbourne again, but well written, 7/10), "My Guantanamo Diary" by Mahvish Rukhsana Khan (WOW, everyone in the world should read this to stop and think, 10/10), and "All that Happened at Number 26" by Dennis Scott" (a laugh, a cringe, a cry...did she spy on my house...well written, very funny 9/10), oh, and not to forget 2 Frankie magazines cover to cover!

Right now I am reading "Breath" by Tim Winton (I loooooove him - well his writing, I haven't actually met him, yet), "He'll be OK" by Celia Lashlie (in some kind of hope that my 3, no 4 boys, all turn out all OK, and that I can stop worrying about them), and "I Could Do Anything I Want If only I Knew What It Was" by Barbara Sher" (in the hope that I'll turn out OK when I grow up).

What are you reading?

Words & Pictures

2009-03-10T17:17:00.010+11:00

I love words...so much so that my kids have sacked me from picking up duty because I talk too much...but I love the written word and that is why this words & pictures blog appealed to me. I like a challenge, and now that I have fixed the glitch in the computer (HURRAH!), I can work on it without it screaming at me and having it threaten to die (thank you computer man xxx)

The theme given for this weeks assignment is "School lunches" which immediately sends shivers down my spine as I remember the sound of my carrot top and apple core rattling around in my blue lunch box as I ran around the playground trying to hold on to it whilst playing. I think that my family were the only family at our school in the north east of Melbourne to have lunch boxes. It seemed to me, at that delicate age, that everyone else had fantastic disposable bags... Oh how jealous I was of them.

My mum, bless her, made our bread which we named crumpet bread. It was stiff and brown. Delicious straight out of the oven with butter dripping through it, stiff as a board at lunch time. We were allowed to choose our own fillings for our sandwiches, as long as it was salad (lettuce from the garden, tomato). The extra choices were cheese (none of that processed stuff please), and left over meat if there was any. It was always a bonus when we had meatloaf left over because she made a mean meatloaf (and still does). Occasionally we had "meat pie" sandwich which consisted of tomato sauce - yep that's it, just sauce! I know it is weird, but it is kinda nice. We did also sometimes have promite, Vegemite, homemade jam or peanut butter (of course on the homemade bread). I do remember striking out during high school and insisting that I could no longer have tomato in my sandwich as it made my bread soggy and I couldn't bear it any more unless it went between the lettuce and the cheese.

The other standards in our lunch boxes were 1 tomato - whole, 1 carrot - whole and a piece of fruit of your choice. In winter we could take a thermos of soup as well if we wanted.

I think I did spend a great deal of my 13 schooling years hankering after a canteen lunch or a paper bag lunch, or a white bread with jam, or white bread with Vegemite and plastic cheese sandwich like my best friend Jenny had. In fact, we found out later in life that we were very jealous of each other's lunches. I wanted her so called normality and she wanted my nutrition.

I now find that I am inflicting about 50% of this on my kids .... without the crumpet bread! The good news for them is that they get to leave their lunch boxes in the classrooms nowadays.

The bean bag

2009-02-27T10:34:00.004+11:00

Now That's a bean bag! This was the last bit of the "let's fix up your room" & he wanted a bean bag that was as big as the one my brother has, so, with a whole bunch of fabric, a bit of fiddling around with an old pattern out a Stitch by Stitch book (gotta lovum) - tada. Very hard to get out of... and fits the family in. (just note the beautifully done boards that skipshopper did with my brother's help - good huh! Sealed with organic oil...mmmm)

Nothing to be sorry about

2009-02-23T12:46:00.003+11:00

Skip shopper & I had an unscheduled dinner alone the other night & found ourselves hand in hand walking down to the local shops (strange when you have 3 kids, trust me) to find some good tasty food. It was a lovely warm night, and given that I was a little (well, quite badly) sunburnt because I got completely distracted by talking to the loveliest of grandpa's at the local pool & couldn't find a way to tell him that I had to get out of the sun & then suddenly there was a fantastic cultural event on & I couldn't tear the kids away....Don't worry I did turn it into a lesson for the kids. Anyway, I digress. I was burnt & all I could think of was Asian food & a nice drop of something & our time was limited due to the kids going out for dinner themselves. We were going to go to our normal place that does do great, great Thai food (we are very lucky in Kensington and Flemington (victoria, for those of youse who are wondering - unlucky for those of you who are not here!)

We found ourselves at the restauraunt/cafe called Cafe Sori at 174 Belair St, in Kensington that is right opposite the Kensington train station & I was caught by the words "new management" and "new menu". They had pictures of some of the meals that quite frankly looked tantilising: beef teppanyaki, octopus teppanyaki...I suddenly felt very hungry, and very hungry for some japanese food. We decided to go with our new rule of asking the waiter what they think is the best thing on the menu, and Julie, or Jihyun Park, suggested that Bibimbab which is a Korean dish was probably her favourite, she said that the chef (her sister), Jessi, or Younghyun Park, liked the udon stir fry, she also said that the raw salmon & tuna sashimi was fresh every day and was very good. So we had gorgeous sashimi for entree, followed by bibimbab and chicken teriyaki. The bibimbab was amazing. The flavours were complex and it felt so incredibly healthy. It came in a hot pot with all parts separate: vegatables, beef (could have chosed tofu) and rice with a fried egg on top and then you pour either soy sauce or chilli sauce over & mix up & then put little bits in your bowl & eat. It also comes with a bowl of miso soup...and only $14.50. Worth another go. They also do this really cool & cheap lunch packs, and take aways, so if you like Korean and Japanese food, or would like to try something different, it's probably worth checking out Julie and Jessi at Cafe Sori. If nothing else, you could sing along to the music that is from an era that we do know all the words!
I'm looking forward to our next little escape so we can try another unexpected restaurant when we get another unscheduled night out....

Hip hip hooray

2009-02-14T16:00:00.007+11:00

I know that things have been a little quiet here, but this is no reflection on real life. Kids have all gone back to school (yep! All of them now!) without too many hitches. Am trying to work out what this new life means... Working with school chicks to make a fruit & vegie garden.... Shell shocked about the bush fires surrounding our city & gathering everything I can to help out... Sorting out the 2 car loads of stuff we have inherited from hubbie's grandparents house...more to come still... Silently swimming in the North Melbourne pool trying to swim through my migraines.... Trying to find my sewing room again after the hol's have finished (have just remembered that's what I do!) as it has been filled up with with everyone else's things and bits I have gathered along the way :)...

Now I need to get ready for the Maribynong Makers Market on 14 March as I just found that I got accepted! Yay! Hip Hip Hooray. Time to sew.

here & not forgotten

2009-01-22T15:55:00.005+11:00

School holidays are here and many projects have been ahappening o' here. Renovating eldest son's room...whilst he takes over my sewing retreat...driving up & down the Hume Hwy emptying out hubby's grandparents house in Wangaratta & finding great treasures...sitting at North Melb pool for swimming lessons...forgetting that we have a computer...making jelly...bucketing water on plants to try to keep them alive...lieing on the concrete floor with the fan on to stay cool...painting toe nails...late nights...catching up with friends
School will be back soon... life will return to normal...whether we like it or not

make a list

2008-12-31T11:12:00.002+11:00

It's my tradition that today I make a list of what my goals and dreams will be for the next year and I look at my list from last year and feel all fuzzy about how I went with those (or not depending on the year).

So, things that I am feeling really good about this year are:
* attending 3 markets & opening my salon up
* challenging myself to make some new things
* putting some of my things into a shop
* feeding my family all year and watching them grow into gorgeous boys
* slowly getting less migraines and back pain as the year went by
* organising the house just a little bit more
* planting more vegetables around the garden
* starting writing
* finding a really good osteopath

* being encouraged into doing a blog by some good people

Things I am looking forward to next year:
* sending my youngest to school
* reading quietly during daylight
* sewing and creating more
* writing
* breathing gently
* loving my family
* loving my friends
* getting better at blogging

a time for a break

2008-12-30T13:40:00.004+11:00

For all those who have been so kind as to have been reading my blog, thank you. I hope that you all had a very merry Christmas and wonderful time with your families.

We hosted Christmas at our house and it was just the best. The company, the shared food (argentenian bbq - yummm), the noise, the crafty/foody deco's that the kids and I spent hours/days making, squeezing everyone around our table... all made it to be what Christmas should be. We missed the members of the family who couldn't make it and remembered them with angels flying above the table. I will post some photos later when I am back with the photos of Christmas. We finished the day with driving around looking at the most amazing Chrissy lights in Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds (and have decided to make that a new family tradition).

I am now taking a little break from it all recouperating from the year; reading, gardening, writing, op shopping, breathing & playing with the kids. See you all again in the new year.

I wish you all the very best for the new year and hope that you can find some way to get a little closer to your dreams.

Happy New Year! Feliz Año Nuevo! Glückliches Neues Jahr! Καλή χρονιά! Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! Nouvelle année heureuse ! Nuovo anno felice! 明けましておめでとう! 새해 복 많이 받으세요! Ano novo feliz! С новым годом! 新年好! Sretna Nova Godina!

surprise package

2008-12-18T13:49:00.004+11:00

I received a lovely package in mail yesterday from a clever girl, SaffronCraig & it was such a lovely surprise. I had forgotten that by just visiting her site she sent me a gorgeous piece of her hand printed fabric. Now I have the lovely joy of thinking of a project for it!

I will be opening the Salon again this Saturday between 10am & 12pm for those who are after last minute Chrissie pressies. You can call me 0407 124 553 for the address or email me megsthreads@gmail.com.

living boxes

2008-12-16T10:57:00.007+11:00

skip shopper had this great idea of reusing recycling to make growing boxes to give away for chrissy pressies. Mixed lettuce, rocket & coriander seeds that are just starting to sprout (and they did survive the great downpour on Friday).

John (son) had this beautiful idea at the park of a "stick star", so we now have a new gorgeous decoration to add to our collection. We just wound string around the sticks adding one at a time & hung it with fishing wire.

...and Mum handed me down our old christmas lights that don't work - but look gorgeous all the same, so I have to keep them & one day I'll work out how to fix them, in the meantime, they just make great decorations.

angels

2008-12-09T10:08:00.006+11:00

The boys call her the fat angel, I kinda like her. They made her. Do ya reckon yellow pages could have timed it better for new books? An entire afternoon & morning activity. Yay. Wouldn`t want more than two though...

triptych

2008-12-09T09:56:00.006+11:00

Suddenly realised how close we are to Christmas & have potted up these hanging baskets to look pretty on the day as we are hosting. They have oregano, thyme (always need more of that), basil seeds, and marigolds to keep the bugs away & to eat the petals! Made an ugly wall, well, just not so ugly!

wish upon a star

2008-12-04T14:06:00.008+11:00

Ahh, I loooove decorating for Christmas. These are really easy to make. I stole the idea from a show that we watch on Friday nights & adapted it to use materials that we have at home. Kids can make them & you can hang them too.

Cut strips of paper from magazines (the more colourful the better), then loop the ends so that they cross over about 3cm.

Punch a hole though the middle of the crossed over bit & the middle of the other side as shown

Stick this onto your split pin.

When you have enough on there (between 7 & 12), split the pin & then bend over the ends so there are no sharp bits & you will also have something to hang a string or fishing wire from!

Check the shop, come on Saturday or Tuesday for some hand made goodness between 10 & 12(megsthreads@gmail.com) and get into the spirit.

face up

2008-12-02T16:49:00.004+11:00

Who saw that last night? Cool huh!

New stuff in shop. New stuff in Bamakko. Open shop went well, opening again next tuesday 9 december 10-12pm and saturday 6 december 10-12pm megsthreads@gmail.com for all those who are going crazy thinking of a nice handmade something for chrissy (or just want something for themselves...)

make bunches while the rain falls

2008-11-28T09:41:00.005+11:00

I looooove fresh herbs and absolutely love to cook with them, however oregano is one that is best dried. Now is the time that it is gows tall so I like to cut bunches of the stems before they get too "leggy".

I gather about 10 stems which works out to be about right a good amount of dried oregano for a single use.

then tie them up with the string that I used from the last bunch (just loosen the knot)

And hang them to dry until I need to crunch them over the pot of bubbling pasta sauce....soup...bolognese...mmmm

Time to go sew...

studio open!

2008-11-25T16:01:00.005+11:00

next tuesday 10am - 12pm

come & get something for yourself or something for christmas

email me for details megsthreads@gmail.com

brrrrrr

2008-11-25T13:04:00.004+11:00

Wow! Who would have expected such an incredible wintry day for end of Nov? I did start the day outside and the tent was sooo purtty ('cept for the mud)...however, as the tent began to fly away and the sleet/hail fell, they managed to find a tiny space to squeeze me inside. Sorry, no pics of inside stall.

Massive thanks to all who helped out. Lou, Rob, Fiona R, Vish, Pete, Milly, Tansy, Matt (my love), Mum, my boys, Ric, and Caroline - I couldn't have survived the day without you.

Thanks to all loyal customers who hunted me down and found me! It was great to see you again.

I will be opening my doors v. soon for "shop mornings/evenings" during the week and/or the weekend. Just catching my breath & working out which days. Watch this space.

ahhhh

2008-11-21T10:42:00.003+11:00

a month of handbags

new & cute purses

fresh new tees

stacks of hats

did someone say pens down yet?

see me tomorrow at market 3031 whatever the weather... :)

why oh why

2008-11-13T11:00:00.006+11:00

Why oh why does kinder finish 1/2 hour earlier than I am ready? An extra 1/2 hour would have enabled me to actually finished this wrap tunic in one session rather than drawing it out over the entire day...
And why oh why did I make this tunic in size 10 when I am not even nearly near that? I really like it, and Bessy gets to wear it until I sell it at the market. It's cute and it wraps (I do have a bit of a thing for a wrap).

Thanks Caroline for the pattern & thanks Jo for the fabric.

Now I'll need to make another in my size for me after I resize the pattern (my least favourite job).

a little house keeping

2008-11-13T10:22:00.002+11:00

I have realised my "labels" on my blog were getting a little out of control, so have done a little bit of housework & cleaned it up. Now hopefully it will be easier for you, the reader, to find out about the bits that you are interested in. Would be very pleased to get your feedback on site. Send me an email on megsthreads@gmail.com or leave a comment.

board of inspiration or bored

2008-11-11T15:14:00.004+11:00

This is my inspiration board which I did refresh not so long ago, however, when I was taking photos, I began to wonder whether it or I was a little bored...maybe it's time for a change (or maybe I am procrastinating again). Looking at it, I do seem to like the flowery thang....

Hey, been playing with t-shirts, and am quite happy with the result

the grass is greener

2008-11-10T14:05:00.011+11:00

I do get very distracted at times by my garden and I know that it is not very big (inner city chick), but I have packed a lot into a small block and I love to get down to ground level and pluck the weeds and check the vegies and admire the fruit trees. I am always amazed at the vast amounts of time that I can pass whilst out there. Being passionate about indigenous plants (which are local plants to the area) and productive plants, I have been spending a lot of time admiring my indigenous lawn as it comes into seed. The seed is feeding the bare patches and also feeding the poor hungry birds with the proper foods that they should be eating. Ok, I do spend a lot of time crawling around plucking out grasses that shouldn't be there, but I am winning the battle. The grass is green and the birds are fed! Joy.

Tomatoes are in. With basil. Good. Corn and bean and cucumber all planted. Good. Everything else is going to seed. Great! Herbs gone beserk. Fantastic.

Figs fruiting. Beautiful - love the shade of the leaves.

Passionfruit flowers. Aren't they GORGEOUS!!! I can't wait for the fruit to be tipped over yoghurt. I love it. Must remember to stick some more compost around the roots.

Nectarine...I do love them, however, feel a little ambivalent due to the fruit fly outbreak on it last year. Here's hoping we get to eat them this year.

mmm, packham pears. Delicious

Really happy that the grapevine cuttings have taken off - even the one that looked like it was dead, and then after 2 weeks of bucketing....reserection

I am constantly amazed at what will continue to grow without watering or with just buckets of water from inside. We water only once every 3 months or so because we are basically too lazy to get out of bed & remember when it is our turn to water, so it really is just up to our garden to survive!

As you can see, it is very easy to get distracted, and I really am only scratching the surface here. Too much to look at. Who would think that I have a market to get ready for...

found fabrics

2008-11-09T07:47:00.012+11:00

In this last week I have been really lucky to have 2 friends pop by with unwanted fabric and clothing for me to rip into and allow my creative juices flow which has been a bit of fun (and a little overwhelming). Some of it I may not touch for a while as my time is quite limited and it just doesn't "talk" to me yet, but is too good to chuck, some is too bad to store & has moved on already and some bits just got me thinking a little left of field (more on that later once I can get it to work...).

Anyway, I am pretty happy with the wrap skirt with the big pocket which was a great piece of fabric that I found at the bottom of one of the boxes (that will be at the market3031 on 22 November in Kensington and you can see me there!)

The other thing that I was inspired to make yesterday was from a great big pile of shirts that came from my second chance encounter. Now these clothes were huge which has some advantages on my part. There is HEAPS of fabric. So the first thing that came to mind was a light spring scarf as seen on my male model below.
Now what to do with all those collars and sleeves? Trust me, I'll think of something. I hate to see anything go to waste. Oh, and there are a few suits I have my eye on chopping and changing. Oh what fun!

and another thing

2008-11-07T10:38:00.005+11:00

Have just joined Veg About, not exactly sure what this entails other than popping some more posts on about what I'm doing in my garden as well as in my play room.... Hey check out what the other creative half gets up to when he's let loose...hmmm

lazy weekends

2008-11-05T12:43:00.008+11:00

Phew! Love a long weekend. Time to play in the garden, hang out in the hammock, play with the kids, renovate the bathroom, hang the odd door, make a few reversable hats and brooches and sit back and relax. Thank goodness it's back to school and work today!

five or ten....

2008-10-24T21:39:00.005+11:00

yeah, OK, so I am crap sometimes at finding the time to turn the computer on. Fighting my way through the humdrum of inner suburbia mumsy life that just seems to take over so that I can't even see the computer anymore. I even get to the point where I forget that I have a blog and shop...let alone an entire room that is just crying for me to sew in and make stuff and sing really loudly outa tune... Anyway, as it turns out, I have squeezed in a bit a time to make a bit of stuff that started with Matt (the other half) saying "why not a bucket hat?" and ended with having a great time playing with Aunty Cookie's scraps from her sewing room (thanks Aunty Cookie!). The hats are totally reversable, so what you see are only 5 hats but 10 choices. I am excited and having fun with them. I am also playing with new skirts and new brooches & if you want to see them, come on down to market 3031 in Kensington on 22 November between 10 & 4pm. I will fight my way out of the house to be there.

spring time in my vases

2008-09-26T15:03:00.004+10:00

It all started with some grapevine cuttings from Matt's Pa's place when we visited him in Wangaratta. Very special as they actually are from Matt's great grandfather's vines & the story goes that he got them from someone else up the Murray before that... Now, as we have just farewelled Cliff to the final part of his journey of life (God speed Cliff, you were a lovely man & I really enjoyed our conversations about many things, especially the garden) they are ready with roots to go in the ground.

Then there were some nectarine cuttings that now have taken root (nectarine tree anyone?) and then I liked the look of the fig cuttings.

What do you have in your vases?

these walls around me

2008-09-17T10:33:00.005+10:00

These are the some of things that I have hanging on my walls in my room as part of my inspiration. From some I love the colour, others it's the cut or the fabric or the patterns. What's on your wall?

button fever

2008-09-02T17:17:00.006+10:00

Two kids too sick, one mummy too sick, time to play with buttons. Got me to thinking about Buttonmania (2nd Floor 37 Swanston St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 p: (03) 9650 3627) and when their next sale will be...

tidy time

2008-08-22T13:22:00.006+10:00

Having a MASSIVE tidy of my salon so that I can clear my head.

Have put a couple new pix on flickr.

all sewed up & ready to go

2008-08-12T21:01:00.008+10:00

Taking my skirts this time, new scarves and all sorts. Come down to Rose St this Saturday 16 Aug or in a fortnight on 30 Aug & say hi.

breaky worth getting up for

2008-08-09T17:30:00.007+10:00

Now, this is a mean muesli & I feel a little selfish keeping the recipe to myself, so, for lovers of fine, good food who don't mind spending a little time in the kitchen - this is worth it. My measurements are approximated as I do tend to just tip stuff in. I make it nut free due to allergies in the family, if you like nuts, just substitute the seeds with nuts - or add them in.

1.1 kg of rolled oats

1 cup of oat or wheat bran

juice of 2 oranges or equivalent juice of whatever takes your fancy

4 tablespoons of honey

1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional, but worth it)

1/2 tsp ground cloves (optional, but worth it)

100g each of linseeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds

100g each of dried apple, dried apricot, dates, sultanas (I do tend to change these every time)

Mix juice, spices & honey together & pour over oats & bran. Use your hands to thoroughly massage mixture. Spread into a large tin (I use the BIG cake tin) & pop in the oven pre-heated at 200 degrees Celsius. Every 10-15 mins you need to use an egg flipper or spoon to turn it all over, taking care with the corners to ensure that it doesn't burn. Cook until it is not too golden brown.

Whilst it is cooking, pop the sesame & linseeds on a tray & put them in the oven. When you open the oven to turn the oats, do the same with the seeds. After about 20 min, add the pumpkin & sunflower. Keep checking them & when they are golden, take them out - make sure they don't burn.

Take both out & put all ingredients together & allow to cool. Store in an airtight container. Will last for probably a number of weeks if given the chance.

Feel free to change it around with the spices, juice, fruit & seeds - you will get all different kinds of muesli to keep you going.

new scarves

2008-08-09T16:08:00.004+10:00

Two scarves I have finished this week. One knitted & long, the other is from a recycled woollen jumper that I have cut up and overlocked. What do you think?

creative surrounds

2008-08-05T11:07:00.001+10:00

What a buzz to be at Rose St Market being surrounded by creative people like Anna Laura who was able to help me through my screen printing thought crisis - thanks Anna!

I bought some lovely soaps that are good enough to eat from Greta at Food for Your Skin for my kids that are great for anyone who has ezcema.

Took a good look at Dan McGill's sea urchin inspired jewellery - beautiful is the word.

And Carey who does amazingly great art & furniture helped me out when the battery ran out on my camera (start of day....)

Looking forward to see who I meet next fortnight!