Happy Birthday Mr L!

Today my precious Baby turned 11!

Oh my how time flies!

Of course he only had a little time to do the cake with candles thing, coz heaven knows he'd miss a few minutes of playing with his new DSi!

Even though his Birthday is this close to Christmas we do try and make it special for him!

Usually our Christmas decorations are down, but this year it just has been too hot to get really stuck into it!

Once again Happy Birthday Blue! We love you to bits!

Hooray! My Christmas present arrived!

TA DA!!!

Our new outdoor setting! was to be a Christmas present for Mr. J and I, to be picked up by Dec 16th, only to be told time and time again that it hadn't arrived yet!

And then just when I was going to cancel the damn order if they told me it wasn't there again, they ring and tell me it is ready to be picked up! only 14 days late!!

Mr J went and picked it up in Melbourne yesterday!

And Damn doesn't it look good in my backyard?

We had our dinner out there last night and it was lovely! And this morning I had my breakfast out there too!

There is nothing better then sit out there with your cuppa, toast and a magazine!

Christmas Morning

What is happening? It is Christmas Morning and I'm the only one up and it is almost 7:30 am!!

I know Mr L isn't here for Christmas( he is spending it at his Grandparents), but I would have thought

Miss D would be up a bit earlier, I think the dreaded teenage years have set in!

To keep myself from ripping open everybody's presents I made another Ornie.

I saw a picture of it on my friend Hayley's Prim it Up blog and decided to steal the idea!

I'm pretty happy with the way it looks.

On this lovely Christmas Morning once again:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Merry Christmas!

I Would like to wish all my friends out there in Blog Land

A Merry Christmas

 and

 a Happy and Safe New Year!!

Miss M is 18 Today!

Today our second girls is turning 18, we celebrated with family and friends in a lovely little cafe in Bendigo on Sunday. We all met up for lunch and drinks and some more drinks! ( I steered away from the drinks as I was the designated driver for the day!) Mr J gave a lovely speech about how proud we are of Miss M and our funny little experiences with her along the years!
It really doesn't seem like it was that long ago that I was getting ready to go to hospital!

HAPPY BIRZDAY MISS M! We're all looking forward to celebrating many many more!

Introducing: My new Snow Angel

This little Fellow has joined the ranks of my Christmas decorations!

I made him from a Catnap Primitives pattern.

Have you tried one of Karen's patterns?

I find them easy to be easy to follow.

I'm definatly adding more of her patterns to my to do list!

He was actually to be a Tree topper, but unfortunatly my tree isn't being very co-operative

it just isn't sturdy enough!

Christmas at Jazy's!

Finally I've got my Christmas Decorations up!

We had our carpets cleaned last Monday and so we waited until that was done before we decorated!

Usually our decorations go up on the first of December and it was torture to have to wait a whole 7 days!

The kids were driving me nuts with it to ( Although Miss D pretended to be to old for it!)

And even with only 2 kids home, it was still maddening with all the questions about when we put them up!

I'm looking forward to the Family Xmas BBQ on the 19th when all the in-laws and a few good friends are coming down for Miss M's 18th birthday! ( Holy Batman!! She's 18 already?? how did that happen?)

Merry Christmas Pinkeep

It's done!! I finished the pin keep from a Country Rustic Primitives pattern.

The Pinkeep is 6"x4" and has 22 xstitches per inch (don't ask me why I counted them, I'm just weird that way!)

I really enjoyed making it! I will go and buy some Osnaburg, as that would be easier to stitch on then this old tea towel I used.

I'm itching to stitch another cross stitch!

Rediscovering an Old favourite!

After sewing dolls, quilts, ornies, embroidery for many years I have re-discovered Cross Stitch!

It was one of the first crafts I  learned sitting at my Grandma's knee (the first being knitting and crochet)when I was a tiny little 4 year old (OMG is that really already 41 years ago? NOOO It can't be!)

 Jazy 4 years old

Wasn't I the cutest??

 So now I've dug out the embroidery threads and have been stitching up a storm! I'm really giving the old eyes a work out as I'm stitching on Osnaburg or even an old linen teatowel as in the first photo. I put an Australian 5 cent piece next to it to give an idea of the stitch size ( although I did notice just now the needle does a good job there already!)

New signs on ebay!

Did you all see the air turn blue? For 3 days I've been trying to get this post up and for 3 days blogger has laughed in my face!
So this is my 4th try!!
I've been a busy girl and have been selling a few of my prim signs on ebay and put some new ones up !

Breakfast

This morning Mr L requested a special breakfast: Mum's Star Pancakes!

Very complicated recipe!

 Actually it is a secret recipe ( buy the add water pancake mix, add the water and shake the bottle!)

Mr L thinks the star shaped ones taste way better then the flower shaped ones! LOL

Seeing I'm once again on a diet, this is my share of the pancakes!

Finished!

It is done! I must say I really enjoyed the Locked Hooking.

it was easy to do and was finished in record time ( ok so an 11 x 11 inch pillow should be quick to finish)

Well it was easy until it came to putting together the pillow!

Due to the thickness of the hooked area, it was hard to sew close to the edge of it.

And lets not start about turning it right side out, that sure was no fun!

But we got there in the end!

I rag stuffed the pillow to give it a lumpy feel and I'm pretty happy with the results.

I'm now all set to start a table runner with my scraps (no backing to sew on and turning it right side out!)

So watch this space!!

I'm in Love!!

With a new craft!
I started the Locker Hooking kit I bought yesterday and I have to say it is Easy Peasy!
And so quick too, an added bonus is getting rid of a lot of fabric strips!
After this one I can feel a table runner coming on! (was going to say floor rug, but that would be too ambitious! LOL)

An another Project!

I managed to squeeze in  some retail therapy while killing time in
 between Orthodontist appointments

 ( 1 @ 10 am s and 1 @ 3 pm t)

I happened to walk into one of the quilt shops in town
 and I just happened to see a kit for Locker Hooking 

which was priced down to $10 and I just loved the look of it!

I bought the kit and am frantically looking through my fabrics
 to see what I can use!

The above picture is  the kit I bought, which is only a little 11"x11" pillow,

just the right project to start a new craft!

below a pic of the actual hook

Another work in progress!

Just what I need! Something else to do!

I bought the Christmas Pillow Cupboard Keep form Country Rustic Primitives and just could resist temptation!

I send Mr J. into work on his day off to print the pattern off after I found out the in in our printer was finished. And as the Darling that he is, he went with no complaints ( well at least not within my hearing anyway!)

This is where Iwas up to at 4:30 am, after waking up with a bad tummy ache! After that settled I couldn't sleep and just got up and did my cross stitch!

This pattern is so easy to follow, it did take a minute to get used to the small threads of the Osnaburg, but it looks amazing.

I'm working on the M as the moment and am kinda ticked off at not having time to do more until tonight!

I will be spending the Day in Bendigo with Miss D, who is having her braces off today!

first appointment is at 10 am, then again at 3 pm to fit the retainers!

Oh heck I just realized: I'll be stuck in town with a teenage girl! HHHHEEEEEEELLLLLPPPPPPPP!!!

A productive Sunday!

What to do with a wardrobe the kids no longer want ( coz it is too daggy) ?

Well move it into the sewing/craft room! A girl can never have too much storage!

Craft stuff seems to multiply overnight!

Now I have more room to hide the gazillions of patterns, bit of fabric etc from hubby!

While moving the wardrobe in we found out the craft room is on a slight lean! According to Mr J. that is because all my s**t weighs a ton, which I just think is an a lie!

getting back!

For a while now I've been working on a lap quilt made from Civil War Repro's in Brown and Pink.
So far I've made 26 (colours were wrong in 1 so had to make another one, the spare will make a cute little pillow!) added a 1.5" brown border and am now working on 2.5"( unfinished) triangle squares.With any luck I will finish it next year (can't rush these things you know!)

Too hot to trot!

Hello blogger Friends!
 Don't think I've forgotten about you again, I haven't, it has just been too hot to do anything but sit in front of the A/C and whine about the heat!
So far we've topped the list of hottest town (as in temperature, not coz I live here!) in the State of Victoria a few time already this month! Yesterday we made it to 43C (109F)

I did manage to paint AND sell a few signs on ebay! iwas running into the garage adding 1 coat of paint, back inside in front of the A/C, then back out again next coat etc etc.
I do have to say this heat speeds up the drying process.

    

2 of the signs I sold

Time flies!

Still trying out the new camera! I "surprised" Mr. L when I took this picture!

I just love that I just got out of bed look! lol

At the moment he's the only one that will stand still when I take pictures the girls all cover their face when I walk around with my camera in hand! ( Spoil Sports!!)

Can you believe this sweet little face will turn 11 on the last day of the year?

Time sure flies!

I still remember fighting with the nurses about who was going to feed or change his nappy! Lol

He was born in a small country hospital and he was the only baby in there! When I decided to leave after 5 days they almost tied me to the bed to make me stay longer!

It arrived!! It arrived!

This afternoon my new camera has arrived! I am so happy with it. I think I will spend a lot of time taking pics!



PICTURE OF MY GERANIUM

Moroccan Apricot Chicken

Serves 4
1tbsp olive oil
4 (approx 150gr each)chicken breast fillets
1 med brown onion, halved, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed 
1tbsp Moroccan Seasoning
1tbsp tomato paste 2 tbsp honey
400gr can whole peeled tomatoes 
1 cup chicken stock 
1 cup dried apricots
400gr can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
fresh coriander leaves and couscous to serve 




1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 2 min each side or until browned. transfer to a plate 
2. Add onion to pan. Cook stirring, for 5 min or until softened. Add garlic and seasoning. Cook for 1 min or until fragrant. Add tomato paste and honey. Cook, stirring, for 1 min. Add tomatoes, stock, apricots and chickpeas. Bring to the boil
3. Return chicken to the pan. Reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered,turning chicken occasionally, for 20 min or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. Serve chicken mixture with couscous and coriander


Recipe comes from either Super Food ideas or Recipe+ magazines not sure which one, if anyone knows let me know so I can quote the right one

I bought a new camera!

LAst week after 10 years of service my trusty camera decided that was long enough and stopped working.
After thourough research I ordered the Canon IXUS 100 IS. Can't wait til it arrives and I get to play with it!



I'm looking forward to sharing many more pics like these with you all (for Aussie followers I bought the camera at: www.hotbuys.com.au and saved over a $100 from prices I saw in the shops, incl postage!)
Blanket I'm crocheting, need to get rid of some left over woll and this seemed the best idea!

4 inch frame (outside) picture.

Will I make it?

In Nov 2007 I hand pieced a BowTie quilt top with Christmas fabrics, with the idea of having it hanging on the wall by Christmas that year!

Well as all great plans, that one didn't happen!

So next the aim was Christmas 2008! Now that would give me 12 whole months to do it.

And what happened? I cleaned my sewing/craft room and the Quilt got put in the back!

I found it last night, it is 1/3 done, so I have a sneaking suspicion that 2009 isn't the quilts year either!!

Maybe aim for 2010??

What to do with a load of old wood! part 2

A while back I got my grubby little hands on a load of old veranda planks.

People thought I was strange ( no idea why they would think that!!! LOL) when I told them to drop them off at my house, because I was going to use them for something.

Not that I had any idea for what at the time though!

But the other day I was thinking (and it didn't even hurt!!) what to use them for and I came up with this:

We've got 2 made now, and planted geraniums in them. It looks very nice around my veranda!

Where I wind down!

I thought I'd share a photo of the place where I lay my weary head at night!

I love my antique quilt! It is made up of feedsack fabric and it is expertly quilted,( 12 stitches per inch)

At bed time I snuggle up with a good book and read for about an hour before I go to sleep!

It's a sad day!

Today my trusty camera has passed away!  Well sort of, if I smack it hard it will take a few photos (sounds kinda kinky: Smack that Camera!!) They were a good 10 years we had!!

So now I'll be spending my day researching what camera to get next! Already have 2 favourites: Canon Powershot A200 IS or the Kodak easyshare V1073. 

My poor departed camera was a Kodak Easyshare DX4330, so I'm leaning towards the Kodak as I find them easy to use ( my camera before that was a Kodak too, so maybe stick with what I know and like?)

Making up for lost time!

I thought I just show you some more pictures! it is easier to show you what I've been up to then tell you! Heck the posts would be like novels, just to get you up to date!

Time Flies!

Hello Blog Pals,

Remember me?? I used to hang around here, but that nasty little thing called Facebook got it's little hooks into me and I got sidetracked there!

I will try and not neglect my Blog as much!

So what have I been up to since June (Holy Batman, June? Really, that long?)?

Well besides being on Facebook at lot, I've been crafting a bit, getting to know my power tools a little better, my wood working skills are slowly improving!

Shall I show you a few things I've got up to??

Here we go:

               

Another thing that has kept me busy is this little bugger (ok he/she(didn't get close enough to check) is one of about 3 or 4 of them!):

he/she is part of a group of 3 or 4 possums that were having WILD parties in our roof! We've been relocating them on a regular basis!  But they keep coming back ( unless others in town spray paint yellow Xs on the back of possums, they are same ones all the time!) Even an hour long drive doesn't stop them coming back!

What to do with a load of old wood?

I got my grubby little hands on a load of 80 year old planks from an old veranda.

Some time this afternoon was  spendt a bit of time removing some old nails so I could use the wood for all kinds of fun things ( I'm thinking frames for stitcheries, bird houses and many more ideas)

Having been biten by the stencil bug I thought I should try and sand one of the boards back enough to stencil on it ( THICK layer of green paint on the boards) and see how that would turn out. I must say I like it! It will need to be prim-ed up a bit more, but we'll have to wait with that til the paint is dry.

A lot more nails to remove and some more sanding to do too, may have to leave that for J to do, as I did notice a few spider egg sacks on a few planks, and I'm not going anywhere near those!!

How I spend my Sunday

For a while now J was getting sick of my wood working stuff under the veranda where I was just making a mess. And a big mess too! Sawdust and bits of wood everywhere! Enough is enough said my darling J we're gonna build a workbench!

So after we ordered the wood on Thursday we were ready to do it today!!

How impressive is my new workbench??

J and I spend a whole day today building it! (would have been half a day if we didn't have a dodgy electric screwdriver battery that would only let us screw in 6 screws at a time, before it had to be recharged.)

Comfort Food

We're having wonderful cold Winter weather here!

And after being hit on the noggin today by a blind that decided to jump off the wall (oh and lets not start about the 15 min I had to stand holding the darn thing up, til J came home to save me!)

I really was in need for some comfort food. So out came the trusty Pumpkin Soup, with yummy garlic rolls ( for some reason we like to have our garlic bread made in individual packets ( just Hot Dog rolls, with garlic butter wrapped in alu foil).

So Yummy with sour cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

To top it off we had a mug of hot Bestest Chocolate milk with a cookie

We all know how to make a good pumpkin soup, so I won't bore you with a recipe.

But for the Bestest Chocolate Milk, I will give you the recipe:

Bestest Ever Chocolate Milk

Serves 4.

4 cups of milk

2 cinnamon sticks

200gr block of milk chocolate (broken into bits)

mini marsh mellows to serve

Bring milk with the 2 cinnamon sticks to a simmer ( do not boil!) and stir occasionally for 10 minutes. Turn of the heat, cover and leave stand for 10 min.

Remove cinnamon sticks. Turn heat back on and while re-heating the milk add the chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted. pour into 4 cups and top with a handful of mini-marshmallows.

Enjoy!

Note: I got this recipe from a magazine, I just can't remember which one it was, if anyone knows let me know, so I can give proper credit to them!)