Monday, April 26, 2010

Domestic Goddess

My DH has been at it again, this time he made us Norwegian Cinnamon Buns. The recipe comes from another Nigella Lawson cookbook, ‘How to be a Domestic Goddess – Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking’. They tasted as good as they looked!

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I was also influenced by the title of this post to whip up another sample for work – no, it’s not a bag, it’s an apron :)

Apron

The pattern is by Jan Lutz (The Apron Lady) for McCall’s – M5997. It was a joy to make and I can’t wait for it to come and live at my house.

With Love

Janellebelly2a

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

2 bags for the price of 1

My friend Cheryl asked me to make her a reversible denim shoulder bag similar to the Anna Maria Horner ‘Taxi Tote’ pattern. After a bit of discussion & tweaking of the pattern we came up with this.

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It has a loop and ‘duffle coat toggle’ (does it have a real name?) closure and has an internal and external pocket – the external pocket is worn against the body for extra security. The floral fabric used is ‘Kleo’ by Alexander Henry.

My DH has been cooking again, he uses my Kitchenaid more than I do! After watching ‘Nigella Feasts’ on Saturday night, he made her ‘’Quadruple Chocolate Loaf Cake on Sunday – I had a tiny slither and it was delicious.

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I got to catch up with my special bloggy/crafty friends Lisa and Birthday Girl (for the 20/4) Susan. We went to the gorgeous set of shops lined up in Gratham St, Wembley - Woolly Latte’s (Knitting cafe and supplies), Paper Fusion (Papercraft supplies) & Hot Possum (Funky fabric and patterns). We then went on to a great shop called UK 2 U, a homewares, china and gifts store with factory outlet prices. We had lunch at Floreat Forum before we made our way home to collect our kids from school. Susan was able to spend a bit of her birthday money on some very special bits and pieces – it was lovely to celebrate with you!

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I also got a text from TJ today to say that due to volcanic ash, they won’t be flying out tomorrow & will be staying in Perth till the 12th May – I think another catch up will have to be planned!

I have managed to put one mitered border on my Midwest Modern Zig Zag quilt with a little help from this tutorial. One more border to go and I can get it off to the quilters so it’s ready for Rachel’s birthday – it would be nice to have it finished in under 1 year :)

With Love

Janellebelly2a

Friday, April 16, 2010

hello kitty

On a recent trip to Winterwood for some beautiful wool felt I stumbled across this gorgeous kitty pattern by Kristen Doran, well you know  cats have a mind of their own and you can’t tell them anything, so next thing I know he has jumped into my bag and come home with me.

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I used an old pair of holey jeans, some Lara Cameron Houses and Bicycles fabric and a little wool felt for the tummy and voila, kitty….I think there may be a whole litter of kitties by the end of the weekend!

Keep Smiling (c:
Kylie

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Guess who just came to dinner!

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TJ and her precious family came over for a BBQ tea tonight – and I did give her that big squeezy hug! They have been enjoying the lovely Perth Autumn weather, quite a change from the freezing winter they have just experienced in the UK. They have been busily sorting, packing and selling their things to head back to England for another few years (sniff, sniff). I HOPE to be able to visit them whilst they’re living there. TJ showed me her completed Big Owl cushion (with a little help for Cath), the pattern is by Hot Possum.

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I did quite well at the markets yesterday, I tried a few new designs that proved to be popular. Remember when I fell in love with Paullina Simons' Valentino Rosier Taffeta Tote?

Valentino Rossier tote

Well we got these great taffeta cushions at work recently and I refashioned one to make my own taffeta rose bag – it was the first bag to sell!

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I was also inspired by the Melly & Me ‘Sherbet’ bag I made in Melbourne & came up with this.

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The fabric is ‘Jitterbug’ by Cosmo Cricket

Time for bed, I have work tomorrow. I wonder if I’ll come home without buying any fabric :)

With Love

Janellebelly2a

Friday, April 9, 2010

To Market, to market

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The Inglewood Artisan Markets are on again tomorrow – Saturday 10th March from 9am-1pm. I will be sharing a bags and things stall with Leanne, one of the talented customers from Midland Textile Traders. This is the final market for the season, I will be searching for a new market/forum where I can sell my bits and pieces.

Other bits of news…

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Katherine (Krafty KJ) for the 2nd April – We love ya heaps :)

2. Both Kylie and Katherine have Big Brown Bernina Boxes!!!

3. Welcome Home TJ, Kev, Kaleb and Talia, enjoy your holiday and I can’t wait to give you all a big squeezy hug xx

Off to do some last minute sewing

With Love

Janellebelly2a