Apple Season

It is apple season here in Tasmania and I have just been given a 10kg bag of Granny Smith Apples. I use apples a lot in cooking and am not one for waste so this morning we all pitched in and used my apple machine to peel and core them and then they were stewed and frozen.

We picked up young Thomas early this morning so he of course helped the 2 girls and Pa with Grandma's fancy machine.

My little machine peels and cores the apple just by the turn of the handle. I have to say that I just love it. Our hens, pet rabbit and worm farm all get the skins and cores.

The house smelt divine with all of the cooking.

I have kept out some apples to do a little cooking with this afternoon. I think that Little Apple Cakes will definetely be on the list of "to do's".

Whilst Thomas had his afternoon nap today I seperated out our carrot seedlings. It is the first time that I have grown carrots from seed and realise now that I should have mixed the seed with sand and sewn directly in rows into the garden instead of raising the seeds in pots and transplanting. They were just way too hard to seperate and I have so many of them !! I think I am going to need to buy another freezer if our vegetable and fruit continues to be so productive. Tonight I am going to continue some handstitching on my "Spring Swap" gift ready to be posted to it's new home next week.

I hope that you have all had a fantastic Saturday - The sun here is glorious and quite warm for an autumn day.

Easter Parcel Received

Yesterday I received my secret easter swap parcel. My partner turned out to be the lovely Tracey who has really spoilt me.

Here is my parcel wrapped in a lovely Tisket Tasket Fat Quarter and some gorgeous chick fabric topped off with an easter fabric postcard with a lovely message from Tracey on the back.

And here is everything that she made for me. There is a lovely bag with 2 stitched bunnies on it and some gorgeous fabrics.





There is a quilted sketch book cover with a stitched bunny on the front, a lovely little needle book and a gorgeous bunny pencil case. Tracey also gave me a box of quilting pins, 4 DMC Threads and A lovely bag of M & M Crackle Eggs which I "Love" but am proud to say have not opened yet :))

Sketch Book with Quilted Cover and Bunny

Gorgeous Quilted & Stitched bag - I just love the rose fabric

Needle Book & Post Card

Bunny Pencil Case

I can't thank you enough Tracey - Everything is lovely. I hope that my partner likes her parcel half as much as I love mine. Also a huge thanks to Julie for organising this swap.

We have Thomas tomorrow so I think that we will be having an outside day - Have a great weekend everyone and I hope that it is lovely in your part of the world.

Easter Swap Is On It's Way

My Easter Swap Gifts are on their way to their new home across the oceans. I have taken some pictures of my gifts so just as soon as they have arrived I will reveal what I have sent.

I have a soft spot for books and have recently purchased these 3 books. This Warm Fuzzies book is fantastic and has lots of things inside that I have on my "TO MAKE" list - Which I might add is growing all of the time.

This book is one of my favourites - Sew Pretty Homestyle - it has lots of pretty items perfect for gift giving and home decorating - I highly recommend this book.

And of course last but no least is this adorable book - Sam is sitting beside me going through it and putting in her orders :)) I am going to be sooo busy in the coming winter months.


Talking about winter .......... we had the wood heater doctor around today who gave our poor little "Ultimate" a bad report. He has to be removed from our home next week and will be in hospital for a little while. His treatment is going to be expensive but he will come back to us in a week or two a "New Man" - He will even get a "Face Lift" - I just hope that "Jack Frost" stays away fora little while.

I hope that you are all having a wonderful week.

Fantastic Giveaway !!

Terri is having a giveaway - Fantastic prizes are on offer. Do yourself a favour and pop over for a look.

Weekend Catch-Up

I hope that you have all had a fantastic weekend. Yesterday was a bright and sunny day but today has been quite steamy - It rained most of the morning and then became very muggy. Great weather for the vegie garden. Our tomato crop is fantastic and we are getting so many tomatoes. I am going to need to make something with them tomorrow night to make sure that we utilise as many as we can. I am thinking an italian style pasta sauce so will have to google some recipes later. I have fresh basil in the garden so I can use that as well. Our broccoli and cabbages are going really well as are the spinach, silver beet, pumpkin and carrot seedlings. I have purchased heaps of seeds lately to start off and would really love to buy a glass house. But I have so many other things to spend on at the moment so it will have to wait.

The wedding went really well. Here are the happy couple - Jeremy & Sarah.

Here is the function centre where the reception was held. This is where I work. The colour scheme was black and ivory which hasn't photographed really well but it was quite effective and looked very stylish.

I will be posting off some swaps in the coming week so will take some sneak previews in the next day or two. I have 2 weeks off over easter and can't wait.

I am also planning a welcome home Maddie party because we didin't get to hold Sam's baby shower. She is doing really well and is starting to suckle which is fantastic. She is gaining weight steadily and taking more notice of what is going on around her. So just as soon as we get the word that she is able to come home the party will begin. I have purchased pink cupcake holders and lots of other "pink" things in anticipation - Do I sound excited? I am VERY excited !!!

Moda Bakeshop Items - WIN !!!!

Want to win some fabric? Pop on over here to see Camille - She gives a great explanation of Moda packs and tells you what to expect in every pack. You can tell by her descriptive words how much she loves Moda packs as do I. While you are at it go to the Moda site and see the ranges that they are about to release in the next 2 months I have fallen in love with Sorbet and am now off to see if I can pre-order it somehwere.

I am going to my best friend's daughters wedding this afternoon of which I have arranged. (I manage a function centre) so I had a lot of fun with this one - I was asked numerous times if it was my wedding :)) I chose the colours for the reception etc and will post pics tomorrow.

Until then have a happy day stitching, gardening or just relaxing.

PS. These are the flowers that the bride gave me yesterday - My house smells glorious.

New Look Thursday

Today my blog has had a face lift. The top logo is my new logo for my business "Mothers Cupboard" which will be launched in the coming months. I thought that I would test it out here first to see what you think?

How was your Thursday? Mine was fairly mundane until I got home from work. I put an Asian Curry in the slow cooker this morning before I left and the house smelt divine when we returned. I have tonight finished my Secret Easter Gift and will send off all of my goodies tomorrow. I wonder where it will land?

I am also in the home straight on my Spring Swap Gift.

I have joined my youngest daughter Amy up in Pigeon Pair's Kids Mail Swap. If you have any children that enjoy receiving mail pop on over and join up. It sounds like so much fun.

Bye for now and have a Fantastic Friday.

Wonderful Wednesday

Today was my day off and I was kept company by Thomas whilst his mum spent time with Maddie at the hospital. We managed to get some sewing done . The picture above is a sneak peek at a swap gift I have almost finished to send overseas. Below are some blocks that we played with from the Moda Beach House range which I am sewing up tonight.

As you can see Thomas was a fantastic help and I am sure has a bright future in textiles.

I also managed to get this little beanie and booties set sewn up to send down to Maddie. I made it from the wool I purchased at the Stitches and Craft Show it is called Shepherd and is gorgeous to work with and knits up beautifully. I also have it in a Raspberry colour which I am saving for an extra special project.


Now for a clue about my upcoming major project. These arrived today in a big box which Thomas helped me unpack. I spent a lot of time just looking at them and touching them. I am dreaming of all of the things that I can make from it. They will not be lonely there are others but all with a similar theme. I think that I have gone a little dotty. DH would agree.

Have a fantastic Thursday - Not long now until the Weekend !!!

Sensational Sunday

What a Sensational Sunday it has been !! A beautiful sunny day followed by a huge downpour about half an hour ago. The air smells delicious. A day of stitching, baking, ironing and visiting. Above is the baking that I did this morning. Plum Jam Shortbread, Banana Yoghurt Muffins and Yo Yo's. The muffins are gorgeous. It is a lovely easy recipe to make and a great way to use up those brown bananas so that they do not get wasted. Here is the recipe :-

Banana Yoghurt Muffins

1 3/4 Cups of SR Flour
1/2 Cup Caster Sugar

1 Cup Vanilla Yoghurt

1 Egg

2/3 Cup Vegetable Oil

2 Large Mashed Bananas

Preheat oven to 180C. Lightly grease a muffin pan or use cases. Sift flour and sugar into a bowl. In another bowl combine Yoghurt, Egg, Oil & Bananas gradually add the dry ingredients stirring until just combined (Do not over stir) Spoon into pan or cases and bake for 20 - 25 minutes. Stand for 5 minutes and then put on wire rack to cool.

They are just delicious !!!

I usually bake whilst ironing running backwards and forward to the kitchen because I hate ironing so much and it seems to make it more bearable :))

Then it was off to the hospital to visit with Maddie. Here she is in grandma's arms sleeping soundly. She is tube feeding well and is now in a normal crib which is really pleasing.

And here are the latest blocks from Gail's BOM. My traditional version and my pastel version. I have to say that I am really looking forward to putting the pastel one together it is going to be so girly looking.

You might recall that I mentioned a few weeks back about some lifestyle changes and major decisions. The first was cutting back my hours at work which I have sucessfully done. I am almost ready to reveal the next instalment of that "plan" which involves a "Builder" and my "Garage" I will put together some pics and reveal things later in the week.

Off now to finish cooking dinner which is Satay Chicken and Rice tonight and then to do a little stitching.

Hugs,

Stitches & Craft Fair

I went to the Stitches and Craft Fair on Wednesday for the day - After getting home at 12.30am from Madeliene's birth I rose again at 4.00am to catch the 6.00am flight. In hindsight I wished I hadn't been so tired but I am still glad that I went. It was quite an inspirational day.

Here is the back view of Vintage Ric Rac's display of items. I took a front on shot but blogger won't play with me tonight so I 'll have to leave it until another day. Jodi's items were fabulous and expertly made. Her work is very inspirational and her site was lovely.

Here are some of the things that I purchased including a 3 metre printed roll of ribbon for each of the grandkids which I will use in a project of some sort - Thomas & Maddie. Lots of "Shepherd" wool which I have some perfect patterns for. Rabbit ear pack of 7 fat quarters of "fun" fabrics. Some beading bits and an embroidered bear panel which I intend to use as a feature panel in a quilt for Maddie.

It was a lovely day finished off with a spot of shopping at the DFO on the way back to the airport. I took lots of pics which I will add over the next week or two.

It is raining at the moment and I am enjoy listening to it on our tin roof - I have stitched my Gail Pan BOM blocks tonight and will have show and tell tomorrow. I am also in the home straight on the baby blanket that I am making for a friends grand daughter.

Tomorrow will be a baking and ironing day with room for a visit to the hospital to visit with Maddie and then some stitching on some swap projects tomorrow night.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone and thanks again for all of the e-mails and messages. I will have an update on Maddie tomorrow.

Madeliene Has Arrived

Well she is here !!! Madeliene was born at 8.52pm on Tuesday 10th December at 32 weeks gestation and I am pleased to say is doing quiet well. She is in NICU (Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit) and will be so for the next 6 - 8 weeks. Sam is exhausted and very emotional but extremely grateful that she is okay.

Thanks so much for all of your kind words and wishes. It means so much.

Baby Blues

Wasn't sure what to call this post but baby blues seems to fit.....

My Sammy is due to give birth in 8 weeks time. She called me at 6pm last night to ask me to meet her at the hospital as her waters had burst. Madeleine had decided that she wanted out of there which is not the best thing for her right now. After a long evening of doctors and lots more doctors she is still in the "oven" at this stage and mum is in hospital resting and trying to get her a little more cooked before she enters the world. Sooooo this afternoon will be spent making premmy things. Anyone have any good patterns for little baby girls?

Sammy has so much to worry about at the moment but is more worried that Maddy will have nothing to wear :)) God Bless her cotton socks..... Sam has kidney disease so has not had an easy time of things, but fingers crossed they will both come out of this just fine.

The above photo if anyone is wondering is of some items that I picked up at a local market. The cups and saucers were a find as I collect Blue and White. They are porcelain and Czech and just gorgeous.

Off now to make some beanies for Maddy - Have a great day.

I Won My First Blog Draw !!!!!

I am so excited ............. I won my first blog draw over at Threadbare Creations and my prize arrived in the mail today. It was the patterns to make all 4 seasonal samplers. Thank you so much Rose - I love them and can't wait to get started on them.

They have fantastic easy to follow instructions so grab a copy to do over the winter period. Rose's blog has links to where they are available for purchase.

As part of my new lifestyle changes I had today off work which will now be a permanent day off every week and I enjoyed my day very much. Later this afternoon it rained quiet heavily which was great for the garden.

The rain also brought out some little visitors to my pond near the back door. Thomas adores frogs and I have little ceramic ones hidden throughout the garden for him to spot but this was the first time that he had actually met one in person.

It was just so lovely for him he loved every minute. The little frog jumped off Sam's hand and back into the pond. The look on Tom's face was priceless but unfortunately I was too busy watching to snap a shot - DAMN !!!!

On the sewing front I am busy sewing away on projects that I can't show you as they are swap gifts for the Easter Swap, Redwork Swap, Spring Swap & Hot Pad Swap. I am having so much fun with them all.

I am off now to bottle this tomato relish that I have started to cook tonight.

Have a great Thursday