Today ....

I made one of these pot holders a while back in an Easter swap... I couldn't resist cutting a couple more out  and I got these done over the weekend..... for the present box...

They are a Tilda pattern and I think very sweet either as a teapot holder (which is what they were designed for)... or a pot holder in the kitchen or a mug rug for those of us who love our mug rugz....

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This is one of Hubz and my favourite meals in front of the TV....

(of course it is easy peasy scrummy yummy)

Roasted cherry tomatoes.... 

I punnet of ripe tomatoes (these were quite big ones so I halved them but I don't usually)

dried thyme to taste

salt and pepper to taste

a good glug of olive oil

roast for about 30 minutes....

... we like it best served with a lump of camembert cheese which has been melted in the oven for 5 minutes, some fresh crispy bread and chilli/garlic olives....

... and of course a glass of excellent home brew...

Today Hubz and I are celebrating an anniversary....

I looked up what 35 year gifts could be....

Traditional... Coral.... (forget that I like our reef!!)

Coral apparently has the power to prevent sterility.... not sure why that might be an issue after 35 years.... but still.. whatever blows your hair back...

Modern... Jade..... (I have some pretty green beads already)

Jade is associated with increased body strength and longevity...  if you've got this far you've had your fair portion of it already????

Gemstone .... Emerald..... they are pretty but pitifully I don't wear a lot of jewellery

The Egyptians buried emeralds with mummies... not a good sign thanks....

Gifts... Tropical cruise... holiday to a tropical island ... I wonder if the children will pick up on that one...

I think I will just serve peas with the yummy slow cooker dinner tonight..... (they look like pretty green beads?

Righto, Gotto Go..... time to sit back and dream of that cruise.....

Lucky me....

lucky for me ... the cold has come and I am ready....

I was given a bundle of flannelette scraps, mostly they were 10" by 5" scraps and I bought some matching for the backing.... I was amazed how far they went... 2 adult size scarves and a little one... for little visitors...

 

lucky for me... the postie came by

with a surprise bundle from Melody.... lots of pretty fabrics with beads and sequins... and a big bag of buttons.... isnt it fun getting something to play with.... thanks Mel...xx

.. and lucky for me when it is cold it's lovely to quilt....

... this is how I like to plan and think about how I am going to quilt... I roughly draw it out... in this case I stitched in the ditch around all the triangles to secure it all and then went diagonally across the triangles sewing the mid lines first and then feathes to fill in the spaces

My evening handwork is some Christmas stitcheries..... hopefully by december this will be a swag of stars!

Righto, Gotto Go.... I love winter.... slow cooker meals, soups, flannel pj's and ugg boots.... what's your favourite thing about winter???

Tilda Photoshoot ................

Formal seated

Profile

Portrait

Seductive

Reclining

Upright

Little Rabbit made from Tilda book and dressed in Tilda fabric

Welcome Wallhanging

design by Kris from Tag Along Teddies (her patterns can be found HERE)

created in Tilda fabrics

applique and hand stitching

 quilted with feathers

made for Karen

Karen likes colourful, fresh, lots of white.....

Tilda fabrics certainly are fresh and happy to play with .....

Thanks Peg and Shez who have organised this swap and made a few of us reach out of our comfort zone ... first time I have used Tilda... I loved it.. and first little Tilda bunny.... I love it too...

Righto, Gotto Go.... time for a snack ......

June FNSI

Thank you Wendy for having us for a stitching time.... 

Well... I didn't do much sewing... Hubz had a business trip and I went along....

A long drive on Friday to 'blue's' country..... Casino in NSW.... for PRIMEX... an agricultural exhibition...

Once the dust had settled a bit following Wednesday night sports...

(a historical game between NSW and QLD....at which us 'maroons' have won the last 8 years.... but didn't this year!!!!!!)

now.... I don't wish to talk about this any more.....

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... a beautiful day for PRIMEX....

I had a bit of a wander and chats whilst Hubz worked .... 

... that evening I did a bit of crochet in front of the TV ... 

and the next day after another short visit there we headed off to the coast....

... stopping off at a lovely cafe on the way ....

an evening walk... the water was lovely and warm for a paddle...

... a most delicious Greek meal.... and a bad night on a hard motel bed....

.... early morning walk.... the shadows make us look tall... but the butt didn't slim down.... 

... the up from the Gold Coast to Mount Tamborine... this view faces the Gold Coast... you can just see the tall buildings in the distance ...

there was an area right by the road where the paragliders take off so we stopped to watch for a while...

... and off to the Botanical Gardens for a stroll... not much in flower at this time of the year of course but lovely Autumn leaves...

... I loved this giant dragonfly in the pond...

... then to Bavarian Haus for lunch and German Beer...  I had the goulash..... oooooh

... Back home... I will sleep well tonight..

Righto, Gotto Go...off to see what others got up to making on Friday....

Saving in the Laundry.....

I've been pinning this quilt... delicious fabrics in a simple design

.. then I needed a stretch so I went to replenish supplies ....

Another of my savings is with Laundry Powder....

Yea, I know.... better things to do with your time....

There is such a range of detergents available.. the cheapest I saw was about $4/kg (homebrand).  Based on 1/4cup needed per wash that's probably 15 washes...... or 26c a wash.....

Assuming one wash a day using the cheapest brand it's about $94.90 a year on laundry powder....

I spend $12 a year and it takes me 5 minutes to get it together

This is my recipe:

2 bars laundry soap (homebrand) 

1 x 500g bag of baking soda (homebrand)

(you can use Borax instead of baking soda but if you use grey water, which I do, it is not advised)

500g (or half a bag) washing soda (Lectric is found in woolies)

(If out of Australia I don't know any equivalents... sorry)

Grate up your laundry soap..... this is what takes up the time .... about 3 minutes per bar!!

Mix them all together....

I find the 1kg yoghurt container is perfect ..... this is over 6 months supply for me

Use 2 level teaspoons per wash (in most detergents there is a lot of extra salts... they don't do anything but add bulk because we seem to think a big cup of detergent means a better wash...)

I have a fun spoon which holds the 2 teaspoons nicely....

That's it....

of course if you do more washing you make more savings

P.S. I do use a tablespoon of the Di-san (Aldi's napisan equivalent) in my white wash... adds a bit of extra cost and also I do need help with hard stains (but I think we all do whatever detergent we use)

.. and then I made a big mess with cutting blocks and applique preparations....

Righto, Gotto Go... I've just saved $100 ... shall I use it on fabric?

Wendy is hosting

this Friday... sign ups are HERE.... hope you can join us.... Wendy has made chocolate pudding.  I've got a load of handwork I want done....