Lego start to festive season

Not the most complicated homemade Christmas deco, but while messing around trying to get the creative juices going (for work) I built these last night. I'm feeling festive!

a storm in a pin-cushion... or... I joined Pinterest

OK. I'll admit that I'm a little late to this party, but Pinterest is freaking addictive and I'm finally on it.

15 minute garland

This week it's been 3 years since beloved asked me to marry him and I like to celebrate the day in a small, low-key way. So the night before I put this together, it really only took a few minutes and came out nicer than I expected. Here is a very quick how to in case you decide to make something similar.

I cut scraps of red cardboard I had into heart shapes. They weren't all the same.

I had this very cute gingham binding which I had bought for another project and then not used.

 I also used the binding to mark my scissors as one of my "crafternoon" friends has exactly the same ones.

 I used my beloved stamp set to do the lettering.

 And my beloved sewing machine to make it all come together.

Fold the binding in half so that you can put the heart shape inside and sew in a straight big stitch right over it.

The message said, "three years on and my answer is still yes"

the worst things for sale

This is a really fun way to surf away a few hours. Funny as hell.

Beloved had actually pointed these taps out to me a while ago.... they would be rad in our new bathroom

Quiet books

I am not sure whether my niece is too old for a quiet book (she's a very grown up 3 and a 1/2 year old) but I think I want to try making one anyway. For the uninitiated, quiet books are made of fabric and have activities on each page, or just interesting things to look at, to keep kids quiet when you need to. As they are made of fabric, even turning the pages is quiet. I heard of some people doing a very cool thing: let's say 6 of us each wanted to make a book, we would each make 6 of the same page, then each give each other one of our pages, and each end up with a 6 page book. I would imagine that it is easier (and cheaper) to make the same thing 6 times than 6 different things. I have found a million examples that I love:

This  butterfly page is just to freaking cute for words!

I think if I made one similar to this flower page (above) I would use the opportunity to practice buttonholes and make the flowers button on and off. That means there would also need to be a pocket for the flowers somewhere. 

The dressing theme ones are super cute and can be as simple as this

Or as complicated as this. I must say, I love the little clothes pegs in the one above!

The name done with press studs here is a great idea, and maybe more age appropriate for Maya

but does that mean that the artist's palette

the pom pom worm

the barn

the teddy in a tent

and these awesome silly faces are out of the question?? I hope not!

Talking to myself... it's the first sign they say!

I am a big fan of telling myself good things, of consciously bombarding myself with positive talk. Some call it mantra (I normally do) although I don't use Sanskrit words and I don't do it for any religious reasons, some call it affirmation. So what do I say? It depends on what I need to hear, my fallback line for when I need a self esteem boost is "I am lovable and capable". Say it loud, say it under your breath, look yourself in the mirror and say it. It works for me. I also use some for health issues from the occasional chest infection that I get to my achy breaky creaky knees ("forgiveness, understanding, compassion. I bend and flow with ease. All is well.")

I have set this week aside to really work on my attitude to life, this means a return to my gratitude journal, and remembering my mantras. This one will be playing a big part, "I have enough. I do enough. I am enough."

I'm certainly no expert here, but a few tips that have worked for me:
1. Choose a message that works for what you need right now. Find it on the net or craft it yourself.
2. Make it something you can believe in. All the mantra speaking in the world won't make me believe I can win the Tour de France next year.
3. Use positive language and talk in the present tense. Rather "I am confident" than "I won't be shy".
4. I write these on post-it notes and stick them where I will encounter them, like in my desk drawer at work.
5. Repeat as often as you need to, or as often as possible.

Good luck!

What is it with me and bags?

I have been sewing a lot lately and am really enjoying making something from very little. I am using a lot of recycled fabrics too, which makes me super happy! But all I want to make is bags. So far gift bags and tote bags. I have made many of each. I'm not sure whether it is because they seem pretty useful or whether they only require straight lines, but this is all I want to sew for now!

I used these instructions for some of the totes.

I think I may attempt some clothes for my niece next, mostly because of how gorgeous some of the kiddies fabrics are!

what an exciting week

Beloved and I bought a flat! We are so excited about all the changes and improvements we plan to make.  

A new blog

My friends and I have started a new blog that focuses on fashion. Enjoy it.

Another lovely scented gift (feeling so loved)

I am reading Gary's Chapman's "The Five Love Languages" at the moment and enjoying it. I think would be no suprise to those who know me well that of the 5, my love language might well be the one about receiving gifts. It sounds materialistic, but isnt really as the gift could be a strange shape stone that the person found and thought of me. Bottom line, I just freaking love gifts. When my awesome sister returned from her Italy/ France trip she certainly bought me some beautiful gifts. This is just one of them, Roger and Gallet's Eau des Bienfaits. 

Roger and Gallet is a brand I have loved for EVER, having originally found it through winning a hamper of their Imperial Bouquet fragrance. That fragrance seems to have been discontinued (BOO!) Have yourself a sensory experience and visit their website.

spice and all things nice

Last night, beloved and I hosted our second semi-annual curry taste off. Our friends and family brought a total of 8 curries, all really different and brilliant in their own ways and everyone tasted and voted for a winner. Our vote counter noted some tomfoolery as we ended up with a few more votes than we had guests, but the IEC declared the election "free and fair" and the prize-giving took place. In tie 3rd place were Militza with her Thai green chicken curry (paste made FROM SCRATCH after running around the whole of Jozi to find strange and wonderful ingredients!) and Danelle's Chicken Tikka Masala (the newcomer to the competition's entry was delish, hearty and tomato-ey). In second place was beloved's Chicken Kinda Masala. I must say, I had a great time watching him make it, with the help of a video off food TV where the chef spoke with such a heavy Indian accent that beloved had to replay many of the instructions over and over to understand what to add next! The winner, who took home the "curry" cup was Martin's marvelous mouth-melting mass destruction missile, which was a beef curry served as a Bunny chow.

All in all, a top night of friends and family and laughs. Thanks everyone who participated.

Gift for me!

Beloved has been away for a month and returned a few days ago. He was (wisely) bearing gifts,these 4 miniature daisy fragrances. Such gorgeous packaging and I really love the clean simple notes. They are really similar but I think the blue (Up in the air) is my favourite. So pleased to have him home.

Sew I finally did...

Yes, i finally did get my sewing machine which explains in large part why I haven't posted for so long. I simply love it. I have fixed just about everything in my wardrobe and my home that needed fixing and have made some tote bags and some gift bags (those little organza numbers). Anyway, this is the type I got, it is an Elna as my Mom swears by them.

Today I bought a pattern (vintage, of course) for a very simple tank dress. One day when I am feeling brave, I will attempt it. For now, I will continue with straight seams only!

happy world baking day

Today is World Baking Day. If you haven't already, get out your spatula and get going with something delicious!!

We have a family lunch later and so I have tried this recipe for Pear spice cake with a walnut praline topping from the wonderful Joy the Baker. I hope it is going to turn out as good as it looks in her pics! The batter tasted delicious. It is in the oven now!

My Gran, who just celebrated her 90th birthday, is still a wonderful baker and I often think of her when I am in the kitchen. Along with a real talent for baking, I believe it is her patience and the real love she puts into everything she bakes, that makes her kitchen treats extra-scrummy!

Good luck in your baking endeavours today and everyday.

Thank you Kate!

A red lipstick that is a great shade, stays put and even smells good. I love the new Rimmel Kate lipsticks. I have been wearing shade 11.

Colours that I love right now

too late she cried

Discovered this awesome blog only DAYS before it finishes forever. I love it!

camping...... or....... glamping

we are off to the great outdoors for a rustic Easter weekend. I'm excited because I need a bit of a chill out sesh and family time will be great, however it has got a little chilly this last weekend, so I will need to take some WARM clothes!

That aside, I recently discovered "glamping".... Love!

Happy Easter (if you celebrate) and happy travels (if you're going away)!

I freaking love this stuff

I got a motherload of cool duct tapes from the US last week as we don't get the really nice printed ones here in South Africa. Yay! I have so many crafty ideas. Thank you overseas family (even though they thought it was a crazy thing to lug across here)!

idea for next crafternoon

I really love friendship bracelets at the moment. This looks like a good tutorial. Love this "arm party" look!

Free printable loveliness

I discovered kind over matter this week. Look at their gorgeous freebie today! happy Friday!

sew sew part 2

so... of course I decided to go for the "bargain" vintage sewing machine and took it straight to sewing machine hospital where I was informed that the lower gear is broken and basically irreplaceable. I am so disappointed. It will be a while before I get sewing after all.

sew sew

For a while now I have been very keen to get a sewing machine. I have visions of me refashioning all my vintage finds, running up little gifts, and saving a fortune. After trawling loads of second-hand ads, I started looking at new machines and really love the Elna 2130. It seems really simple for a total beginner like me, even has a one step button hole doodad, etc.

But, of course, the bargain hunter in me didn't just go and buy it, nor did I stop trawling for a second hand machine. I always believe the best deal of my life is JUST around the next corner. Well, today I found a very vintage Elna Contessa online for a real bargain price. 

Now the questions.... I am so utterly ignorant that I can hardly say whether this is a good buy or even whether it is functional. Should I snap up the bargain and take it for a (possibly expensive) service only to find out it is no good? Shiny and new (so tempting) or bargain and vintage? I'm going to sleep on it. 

Dogs and cats

I remember almost peeing myself laughing the first time I read this.

Sunday night viewing

I so love Downton Abbey which is only in it's third week here at the bottom end of Africa. Meanwhile I see that the DVD store already has series 2 (well I was told so, I try never to go into a DVD store. I hate that pressure to make a decision.) The clothes in the show are so worth watching for.

Pimp my pumps

 I bought some very comfy pumps because the CROCS that I really wanted were just WAY out of my frugalista budget. Then yesterday, my friend Tracy and I did some work on them to take them from cute and comfortable to SUPER DEE DUPER! I love them so much. Check out the transformation. 

Crocs (above). Lovely but too co$tly for me!

New shoes (below) 

New Shoes, now pimped (below)

Best part of the new shoes: VERY inexpensive (like less than 10% of the price of the Crocs) and fun to transform while chatting with my friend. 

an early adopter's dream

Home tester Club is really pretty cool. Free products (new to market products- YAY!) are sent to you (seems it works on a lottery type system). I got to give 11 of my friends two fabulous products this month: the new Omo liquid (PS. don't you LOVE that TV ad?) and the comfort concentrated softener.

I am not sure whether it is the Comfort or the OMO, but my bed linen smelled AMAZING all week. I will definitely be using this combo! Thanks Home Tester Club!