Mothers Day Freebies, Storage Ideas + Quick Recipe

Have you seen all of the delicious FREE projects and gift ideas on offer over at the Among The Gumtrees Blog? There are so many lovely things to make as gifts. The heat packs above are a FREE design given by Jenny of Elefantz. I couldn't resist making them. One is for my darling mother-in-law and the other for me to keep. My youngest DD, Amy tells me that I need to keep more of what I sew - Bless her she's right.

Since moving my studio back into the house I have had a few problems with space. You may remember that I went vertical with my shelving on tables? That works really well but I still needed some extra space for the boxes of trims etc that I have. So I bought some of these.


For the bargain mark down price of $2.00. Told you I was being frugal !!

This is how it goes on the back of the door - Isn't it fantastic !! Now I just have to have the time to sort out all of my trims into the lovely little pockets.

I thought I would share with you a very quick side dish to have instead of garlic bread with a hearty winter meal - "Sweet Chilli & Cheese Toast"


Cut a Foccocia bun in half, slightly toast and spread with sweet chilli sauce. Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese has melted.

Cut up and serve - It is delicious !! I often take it to work for lunch too.

Look at what is arriving in store this week. A BIG Shipment of gorgeous hand painted Theodora Cleave Buttons. I will let you know when they have arrived and have been loaded into my shop.

Have a great day

Sewing Assistant Position Now Filled !!

Do you recall my last post when I was telling you about my sewing distractions and the excuses as to why I have just a few UFO's? Dreamer always seems to want to help in my studio so on Saturday afternoon I agreed to audition him for the position of Assistant.

Our mission was to make Toby (His canine brother) a comfortable bed to replace the chewed up mess he was currently sleeping on. Dreamer chose the fabric and we set off on our quest to make a comfortable sleeping bed.

Dreamer assisted in assembling the bed and inspected the stuffing to ensure the quality and texture was perfect for his brother's sleeping comfort.



After that process was complete the bed was finished. Despite my objections Dreamer insisted on testing the said bed before it was delivered to it's new owner.

As you can see it pased the comfort test.

And the re-positioning test.

And once again the roll over, back flip and 3/4 turn test.

To ensure that the entire afternoon was not lost to UFOITIS the removalist were called in to pick up the said bed and remove the offending distraction - This was over a 3 hour period I might add and he did not blink an eyelid. Despite his lack of productivity I have decided to keep him on the payroll so the position of sewing assistant is now filled.

Oh and yes Toby did finally get his new bed and he loves it as much as Dreamer.

Not Finishing Disease AKA UFOITIS

The gum tree girls chitter chatter all day every day - We are soul sisters you see..........

Our conversation has recently turned to unfinished projects - I think shamefully I may have the longest list............................ Dawnie calls it "Not Finishing Disease" I quite like that term - Maybe I can list it along with all of my other ailments? LOL I also like the term UFOITIS - Gives it a bit of "professionalism" don't you think?

Regardless of the term it is rather naughty....... The picture above is the beginning of another new doily design - Stitched but laying there unfinished...... My mission today is to finish some unfinished projects.

I do have excuses though...... Who could possibly kick this fellow of the cutting table whilst he is sunbaking? Meet Dreamer........................ For Grays Anatomy fans he is named after McDreamy - He has those eyes !!!!!

And look here 3 distractions !!!

Nevertheless I have started well this morning. This is a quilt I designed last year "Bunny Crossing". It just needed the final borders stitched on which I completed this morning. On Monday I will send it up to my friend Sarah who will work her quilting magic on it.


Please excuse the photo. Everytime I go to photograph a quilt it is windy and way too sunny but I just wanted to show you today's first finish. (You can see the shadow of all of my seams - quite eerie really)

It is made from HUSHABYE - Lovely soft pastels.....

So what are you doing today? Are you going to join me in searching for a cure for this dreadful quilting disease?

Fat Quarter Bundles & Birthday Bliss

New stock has been arriving this week - Look at all these yummy fat quarter bundles - Aren't they delicious !! Martinique, Rural Jardin, Hunky Dory & Frolic.

I thought I would introduce you all to my darling Mr "MC" - He is the love of my life and my "soul mate" - Yes we both look a little jolly enjoying my birthday party- LOL

One of my dear friends Jo made this for me for my birthday - The photo does not do it justice it is just lovely and is a sewing room scene which says "Fiona's Sewing Room" in shabby pinks of course.

All of my gumnutty sisters have made me the most delightful blocks to put together as a little lap quilt and have lavished me in gifts. I will show you them soon but for now here is a gorgeous Shabby Pussy Cat sent to me by my sweet friend Jen.

And look at all of these fat quarters I have been spoilt with.

Not long now until Mothers Day girls - Are you making hand made gifts? The Gum Tree Designers are doing some special things for Mothers day next week "Mothers Day Mania" - The item above may have something to do with it.


I hope what ever you are doing this week that you are enjoying it and taking some time out for yourself. Keep Safe.

What A Weekend !! + Winners !!

Gosh what a weekend. I turned 40 on Friday and had a little celebration last night - It was quite a big night shared with some lovely friends and family. Here is my blogging buddy Jo celebrating with me. We met through blogging and have become great friends.

Just a very quick blog from me tonight to let you know who won my pattern packs for my Florentine Doily. Congrats to Heather (Vintage Girl ) & Helen (helbell19). Please drop me a line with your address details.

Until next time,

HUGS,

Thanks for Asking........

Thank you for all of the lovely e-mails recently enquiring about my health. It has been a fairly stressful few weeks with doctors appointments and lots of machines and tests but that is all over now for 6 months or so. I have some fancy little pills which will hopefully help me to cope better with my symptoms until I undergo the next barrage of tests - I am so grateful for the lovely friendships I have formed here and the care that you have shown me.

Gosh there have been so many of you out there that have been cooking my "Wellingtons" aren't they just so yummy? And so easy......... I think it was Lurline that asked about a recipe index on my blog - I will do that in the next day or two so it is easier to find them - Thanks for the great suggestion.

Are you ready for another quick and easy recipe? This time it is Mini Quiches. I make enough mix to make 24 - 27 at once which is usually a weekend lunch on the run for our family.


Take 6 eggs and beat until mixed together. Add 1 diced onion, 4 rashes diced bacon, sprinkle of pepper, 1 1/2 Cups of cheese. Use 3 sheets of puff pastry( you should get 9 cases per sheet) and cut out circles using a cutter or glass. Place into a well greased muffin tray. Spoon the quiche mixture into the pastry shells and bake in a moderate oven (180 degrees celcius) for around 15 minutes or until golden.


Place on a wire rack to cool slightly and then eat whilst still warm - DELICIOUS !!



I have been doing a few small projects over the past week or so. I made this appliqued canvas for my nieces bedroom wall as an easter gift using some delicious Quilt Soup fabrics from their bubblegum basics range.

And this one for Maddie from painted wooden letters.

It was Sam's birthday last Saturday and we celebrated with a birthday tea. Here is Tom with both Sam and I helping to blow out the candles. Don't forget to enter the draw in the previous post. Entries close tomorrow !!

Look at these delightful dahlias which I purchased at the market last weekend. Sadly they haven't lasted too well in the vase but they were so pretty for a few days. They are such a lovely flower aren't they?

Oh and whilst I am here I thought that I would show you a recent thrift shop find. A free standing quilting hoop !!! Yes you heard me right !! Isn't it lovely? It swivels in every direction and is all mine mine mine !!! And for just $30.00.

Have a great weekend girls !




HUGS,

Florentine Doily is Finished !!!

Here is my latest Pattern Release - "Florentine Doily"

Florentine has a flower and vine stitched centre and is surrounded by Yo Yo's. It measures 16 1/2 Inches X 12 Inches.

Since making my first I have now made a pastel version for our bed-side tables in the gorgeous "Beach House" range of fabrics by Robyn Pandolph.

You can purchase the full colour paper pattern pack or a kit from HERE

Or if you want to leave a comment on this post by 5pm on my birthday (Not telling you when that is) I will enter you in the draw to win one of two pattern packs that I am giving away to celebrate the launch of this new design.

HUGS,

Challenge Piece, A Recipe & A Winner

Well what do you do when you have something in your mind to make and then find you do not have quite enough fabric - Improvise !! Here is a little journal I made from the fabric that Helen gave us at the recent gathering. We had to make it into something by today. So here it is "Gathering My Thoughts" with attached bookmark - It does have a small white strip down each side as I ran out of the feature fabric but it will do just fine to write down my thoughts.

This would have to be one of the laziest Easter's I have ever had - I have done nothing really but watch movies and stitch - Nothing wrong with that I suppose but having almost 1 acre of garden there is always something to do outside.


This is the stitchery featured on the doily I designed recently - I know I haven't shown you yet but I will just as soon as the pattern writing is finished. This is a pastel version of which I am making 2 - For our bed side tables.


I thought I would share with you a quick side dish recipe which is another vegetable disguise used in our house a lot. It is Curried Cabbage and Bacon.

Dice up 3 rashes of bacon and fry with a little olive oil in a frying pan. Remove and place in a bowl to the side. Slice 1/4 of a large cabbage and place into the same pan. Mix 2 tablespoons of Chicken Stock powder and 2 teaspoons of curry powder with 2 cups of water mix well and add to the pan. Put a lid on the pan and simmer for 20 minutes. Stirring occassionally.

Add the bacon and simmer for a further 10 minutes and then serve as a side dish !! This is a real favourite in our household.

Today will be filled with housework for me and finishing off a few projects in various stages of completion.

Thankyou to all of those people who created nice projects from my rabbit stitchery - The winner is MISTEA - Please e-mail me with your address details.

Until Next Time

HUGS