NO, I am not lost

I know, it has been a while!

Our January was busy with sailing and camping and walking and swimming and keeping cool!

Busy time of the year with holidays and now school starting back. My baby has begun kindy and has had a great week. He is disappointed that the weekend is here and he can't go to school for a whole 2 days. Wonder how long that will last. Guitar Dude and Zippy are in high school and have settled in well (and they are glad the weekend is coming).

So now all the little munchkins have started school I am finding myself with more time for myself. I have got so many things I want to do so I definately won't be bored.

One thing I have been investigating is selling handmade craft on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/ and Made It http://www.madeit.com.au/

Made It is an Australian site for buying and selling handmade and there are some wonderfully talented crafters out there!

This week I have got my sewing machine out (first time for over a year). Part of the reason I haven't sewn for ages is because I haven't had anywhere to keep it set up. It is such a hassle to take it out and set it up on the table and then having to either eat around it or put everything away while in the middle of a sewing project. I have now found a place to set it up permantly. My laundry is large , large enough for a chest freezer and for the ironing board to be permantly set up. With a bit of rearranging I have made myself a great creative sewing place in the laundry. The freezer is going and the ironing board is folded away.

And I have been sewing!

I will share my sewing projects in another post.

After a visit to spotlight to get some material I came away amazed at the price of material and fabric. So whats a girl to do but check out the local op shops for some bargains. And there was plenty to be had too. I came home with material for $1.00 a bunch, zips for $1.00, ribbons and more.

Also picked up this cookbook for a couple of dollars. It is a 1970's book but love the recipes in it. Promotes cooking seasonal foods from scratch with real foods. It even has recipes and instructions for making marmalades, pates, sauces and killing and plucking a chook ( I can't see myself ever doing this but good to know just in case).

And some Little Golden Books illustrated by Elois Wilkin. I am in love with her illustrations of babies and little children and collect her books.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trywhistlingthis/sets/72157605891976713/

I came across this person on Made It who makes cards from the books.

http://www.madeit.com.au/detail.asp?id=35095

I wouldn't have the heart to rip up a good book but I have come across some in opshops with ripped pages which would be great for cards etc.

How gorgeous is this drawing?

STITCHING 'N' BREWING

I have been somewhat of a slack blogger lately. I have lots I have wanted to share but just haven't had the time to get on here and write a post. So I will be making more frequent posts for a while now.

I wanted to share these very cute owls. Found the pattern in a handmade magazine and I have been collecting scraps of material for a while. These cute owls are all made from offcuts from old clothes etc. I made them as Easter pressies for two cute niecesof mine but guess what? As soon as they were finished Super Boy and Zippy claimed one each.

I had intended making a couple more but haven't had the time and now that school hols are here I won't be getting the sewing machine out for another few weeks yet.

The herbs in the garden are growing prolifically at the moment. I have heaps of basil, parsley, lemon grass, lemon verbena, marjoran, oregano, rosemary and sage. I tend to get a bit lazy and forget to use them. So yesterday I went hunting for recipes and found some wonderful ones I plan on trying. Not just cooking ones either. As I try them out over the next few days I will share them here.

Today I brewed up a batch of hair shine. I have made this before and it worked a treat, especially on my hair and the boys which is straight and brown. It even cleared up Guitar Dudes flaky scalp problem.

Rosemary and Sage Hair Shine

3 tbs rosemary

2 tbs sage

1 1/2 quartz water

Boil the sage and rosemary in the water for 15 minutes. Remove the herbs and pour the liquid into a container. I use a spray container. When cool refrigerate. Spray on hair and let the liquid sit for 2 minutes. Rinse off.

M xx

PRESENTS

It is only 13 weeks to Christmas. We don't go overboard in our house with Christmas buying/giving. Mr. Gadget and I usually get something for each other that is practical or for the house or garden. This year I am after a water tank.

The boys get one main pressie and then smaller ones we have usually brought on sale and put away during the year. I always spoil the kids, mine and my nieces and nephews!

But I love giving presents and making presents. Usually I give my family and friends something handmade. I go to great lengths to make something that I know the recipitent will use or value. Giving presents is a talent, to know what a person wants, what suits their personality, what they will appreciate. I love it!

I also encourage Guitar Dude, Zippy and Super Boy to make and give presents to us, to one another and to grandparents or special friends.

So I have made a start on some presents. Some covered diarys for the kids to give to their teachers.

Milo tin decorated for a nephew. The tin will be filled with toy wild animals - he is animal mad. I am currently decorating another milo tin for my Aunt who is a gardener. Her decorated tin will be full of seeds, gardening gloves etc. And when the next tin of milo is empty I will decorate it for my niece and fill it full of hairclips, make up, lip gloss etc. These are so fun and quick to make.

Bookmarks with quotes and beautiful rose photos on them. These ones are for my reader friends.

M xx