Busy, Busy, Busy!!

Well the garden sure has been super busy and so confused.  Strawberries in NZ in June???  OK it's a small one, but still.  Spring bulbs flowering?? 

Autumn leaves still changing?  Very late, but then the temps have been so warm and so NOT mid June.  It was 20 degrees on Saturday!!!  T-shirt weather I tell you! The high temps in Auckland are anything from 15 degrees to 20 at the moment.  They should be below 10!

Never mind we are not complaining at all.  No we are not.  And we sure are having our share of wet weather today. 

Now do you remember ages ago that I said I was too busy to blog because of a project I had been working on?  Well I can now tell you what that big thing was...

HOMESCHOOLING!!!!!

Oh yes, I may well have completely lost the plot this time around, but you know what?  I LOVE it!!  No.1 loves it too.  Yep it's just her and I at the moment (with No.4 pottering around) but we have two other younger sisters keen to join in sometime soonish.  So our days are busy now with work, outings, crafting, drawing, lots of learning in a fun way.

My mother celebrated her birthday the weekend before we started on our new venture. I decorated her cake.  Her sister baked the cake.  Just how I like it to be, no cooking.

This was her present from us...

I started this quilt about two years ago!!!  Finally finished and being loved.  I do love how it turned out.

A fancy little addition to the back and another doily label.

And last but not least.  I tested the linen with the cotton fabrics in the wash by making a cushion and guess what?  It was a success!  So now I can safely finish the quilt, sometime!  In the meantime No.4 can enjoy her new cushion on her bed.

And now my dears, we are off to the swimming pool.  And no I won't be going in.  Perhaps next time when I've sorted out the forests growing on my legs!!  How embarrassing!  The little ones have started lessons too and they are doing fabulously.  So sweet.  But for now it's No.1's turn to have fun.  See you next time xxx

Well...

I have actually made a start on No.4's quilt!  Yes I know!  Amazing, it really is.  And I started on the spur of the moment as well.  I just decided two nights ago to rip into it.  I'm not sure if many of you sew like I do.  I just went into this quilt with no idea of what I was really aiming for.  I knew that I was having squares and doilies, but as for design, really I was in the dark.  So I just began stitching squares together and I have to say I really like it so far. 

I might need to find a couple more bigger sized doilies, but that's OK.  I don't really know if I'm going to fill in all the small linen squares or just some of them with little doilies and bits of table cloths. 

I do think I'll make the whole quilt and then stitch the doilies on in case it shrinks and looks blimmin' awful.  And no I haven't pre-washed any of the fabrics.  And yes I know that linen mix isn't the same as the cottons and the shrinkage may differ. As I say, I like livin' on the edge a little.

And today I ordered another pile of fabrics as I ran out at cot size!  It's very me I'm afraid.  Not to worry, they should be here tomorrow.  There was a panicky moment or two when I saw that one of the fabrics wasn't available on the online shop.  Turns out she just hadn't listed some of them.  It sure does pay to ask ladies.  Actually it might pay to make sure you have enough fabric in the future when embarking on a quilt, unless you prefer to live on the edge like me.

So this is the quilt so far.  I've used bigger linen squares for underneath the doilies for support.  'Cause a doily needs a lot of support you know.  I've even decided to do quilting lines either side of each seam which another first for me. 

The little lady thinks it's a bit special to finally be getting a real quilt.  "Is it really mine?"  She keeps asking.  Although she's not keen on the spotty squares.  Who knows why??  This is a girl that hates to wear stickers and name tags, fake tattoos and pen marks on skin.

I'm thinking, yes I know I've done a bit much of that lately haven't I?!! Anyway I'm thinking that I'll just do more squares around the edges but not any more doilies as it will be less fussy that way.  But who knows what it will turn out like in the end.   Now I think I've prattled on quite enough for one day!  See you later xx

Little Fish for Someone Special

A while back my dear bloggy friend Lara sent me a quilt top, two matching fabrics and another matching charm pack.  She was having a clear out and getting rid of things that made her feel guilty.  Oh you know the feeling do you?  Yes, me too.  I told her I would finish the quilt and donate it to a charity.   Well surprise, surprise Lara, it's finally done!!!

And it's so cute too!  I love the Moda Odyssey range of fabrics.  I think a little boy in Christchurch is going to love snuggling up in his new quilt, don't you?

It's not that big, but big enough for a little lad and his teddy.  I'm sure it would look wonderful on a wooden cot too.

I went for wavy quilting lines as I thought it looked suitably sea-like for the little fishes.  A bit of a breakaway from my usual stippling.  Way quicker too, especially as I didn't measure the distance between each line.  It's fairly even I think.

A little label was made on my fab little machine...

and then stitched onto the dotty quilt back.  I really love the backing fabric.  It's just a cheapy from Spotlight but it goes well.  And next week when I meet up with Cat I will pass it onto her, to accompany her to Christchurch. 

Thank you Lara for helping me make this quilt for someone special.  xxx

Modern Meadow Quilt

I've had a collection of Modern meadow for quite a few months now.  I do love it.  I bought it because I loved them, not with a use in mind.  That's the nicest kinda fabric shopping don't you think?  Anyway it seems I'm not the only one who fancies it.  No.4 also thinks it is pretty and her thing.  Could I please have a quilt with this fabric she asked one day?  I really thought she was having me on as it's quite sophisticated fabric and not little girly at all.  She's only four after all.  Anyway I was thrilled to hear her say that and they have been labeled with her name since.

I've been searching for the perfect quilt design to use for her quilt.  And finally last night I found it - inside my own head!  Well actually it's pretty basic, just what I like, but with a twist.  You may remember that I was wanting to make a quilt out of doilies and traycloths?  Well this incorporates these with the collection of fabric as well.

So I got a cutting last night at 8.30.  Yep I cut every last piece of them and some linen/cotton as well.  I'm still a little shocked at the speed of cutting and the fact that I've actually cut through them!  Have I done the right thing?  Maybe squares are too yesterday?  Well if they are that's perfect because doilies are from the same era, right?  And old fashioned is what my little girl likes.  I do love that.  She and I delight in changing our dressing table mats, choosing which new one to have.

Are you seeing my vision?  Am I right in thinking it's going to be beautiful?  Or am I loosing the plot entirely? 

The whole quilt will be stitched together with larger squares of linen.  I will then sew the doilies and cloths over the top when the top is finished.  I'm thinking of handstitching some flowers and hearts onto some of the smaller linen squares for a nice handmade look.

And let's hope that they will NOT still be sitting in this container next year!!  I can be rather naughty like that sometimes.  I'm hoping that No.4 will be really bossy and nag at me to get moving on her quilt.

Now I must order some more of one fabric for the binding.  I'm thinking of using the circles one.  And now I really must run.  Have a super weekend everyone!!

Clean Cleaning

Well I promised you a recipe for a dish washing powder that you can make yourself, but wait, there's more!!  Yes I am going to show you how you can clean all of your home with just a few different recipe cleaning products.  Now when I go down the aisle at the supermarket for cleaners, washing powders etc I just aim straight ahead and then go down the next aisle.  I have absolutely no business down there whatsoever! 

Not only am I saving money, but I am creating a cleaner, more healthy home for my family.  With allergies in our family this has been brilliant for us.  I can safely wash our clothes and know no one will get itchy skin.  I can clean the benches and know it's not going to affect our girls.

Now without further ado, here are the recipes I use...

Dish washing powder:

1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup citric acid


Blend washing soda until fine, then add and blend other ingredients. Use 1 tablespoon per load in dishwasher. You can use white vinegar in the rinse.

Window/glass cleaner:

2 cups water
1 cup white vinegar
a few drops of liquid detergent
add a few drops of lavender oil if you like

Mix together in a good quality spray bottle and spray onto glass.  Wipe clean with a dry cloth.  I washed these windows today using a wet cloth and this product, and the aluminium frames came up a treat as well.  Simple and quick.

Shower Cleaner:

500ml water
500ml white vinegar

Mix in a good quality spray bottle.  Spray on shower, vanity and toilet then wipe clean with a damp cloth.  I also use this in the kitchen for surfaces. 

For cleaning hobs I sprinkle baking soda all over the top then spray shower cleaner over the b.s. and leave for 15mins or so.  Then all the grime just wipes away.  I use it in the oven as well. 

Washing Powder:

1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
60ml liquid castile soap
drops of essential oil if you like

Blend the washing soda until fine.  Add the baking soda, liquid soap and essential oil.  Mix until blended well.  Use one tablespoon in an average load.  Your washing will come out smelling wonderful and so clean as well.

Floor cleaner:

4 litres of hot water
1 cup white vinegar
half a squeezed lemon

Put in a bucket and wash floors with mop.  Your floors will smell lovely with the lemon and they will come up a treat.


*All of these ingredients, except the liquid castile soap, I found in our local supermarket.  The washing soda can be found near the clothes washing powders.  The liquid soap came from the health shop.  These cleaners are a fraction of the cost of bought ones and are all natural. 

*I found these recipes online and from Wendyl Nissen's book, A Home Companion.

*And of course, use these products at your risk.  Please don't blame me if something awful happens!  It's what I use and I haven't had any problems.

The Last Birthday!!!

Yep that's us done and dusted for all the girls birthdays this year!!  Yee ha I say.  Although I do love bits of them.  Like the cake decorating bit.  And the planning part.  And maybe the buying of serviettes and finding a theme perhaps.  So it's not too bad I guess, but it is exhausting having them so close together.

Anyway this birthday was for No.1, Molly.  She turned the very grand age of 12 on Friday 20th.  My goodness it's starting to make us sound OLD suddenly.  So we had a little family afternoon tea.  Sponge cake provided by Nana.  The real deal too!  Dropped on the floor after baking kinda deal!!  Not really sure why that's so important but it sure does sound impressive.  And boy did it taste fabulous.  I've just had a sneaky piece actually!  There's still a couple of pieces left if you want to drop by.

On the Saturday Molly invited a couple of friends over for a movie night.  It was very sweet and most enjoyable.  Such sweet girls.  So this is the cake we made...

The idea is that you break open the chocolate layer and there is a cake covered in treasure underneath.  Well as I said, that's the theory!!  The reality is, is that the chocolate was rather thick and rather impossible to break without damage to the plate.  So she just attacked it instead with her hands.  It sure did look pretty though - to start with I mean!  The big girls and I spent a good hour painstakingly decorating it will all those smarties and rainbow drops. 

And now that it's all over, I'm in relaxation mode.  What I mean is, I plan to be relaxing sometime this week.  Today I Autumn-cleaned a small child's room, shopped for new bedding for two girls, made two beds, did a bit of decluttering, several loads of washing, made too many meals, ironed four shirts, shined the sink, make laundry clay, made and used dishwasher powder (absolutely brilliant recipe will follow at another date!) and ate sponge cake of course.  After this I'm going to find a book and read until bed time.

Now do you want a great read yourself?  This library book was passed on to me by my mother and neither of us could put it down.  It's such a good book.  It's one of those suspense ones with a clever ending.  I've asked my mother to check out the library for her first novel.  I'm sure it should be just as good. 

OK my dears, I hope you are all good and enjoying a bit of relaxing time yourselves.  Grab a book and sit down with a piece of cake if you are so inclined.  You are more than welcome to have a glass of wine with it if that's your thing. Or a good old cuppa tea if it's before 10am!  See you later!!  Yep with that recipe I promise.  Remind me if I get forgetful.  Bye!

A Happy Day!

Quick, go and check this out NOW!!