A New Home

I've got a new little space on the wide world web, so please update your subscriptions and come say 'hello' over 'On Polkadot Lane'.

Hope to see you there!

xx

O Bargain of Bargains

I come from a close-knit family of bargain hunters..well, the females in our family are. So when it came to buying these super duper shoes at a super duper bargain price, I just had to share, especially as I know my lovely family read this blog...

So here's my bargain...

These shoes were $79.95 but I paid................


$7.50!

Yep, you read right, $7.50. I know...fantastic bargain huh?

My Creative Space..

has a few works-in-progress waiting to be worked on..

My zinnia cushion is nearly all cut out..I love this Amy Butler August Fields fabric


And this was the first of fifteen flower granny squares to be made up, for a bubby blanket. I've got 3 complete, and 3 in progress at different stages. Have also added in a little bit of musky pink to the mix for some contrast..


Many more creative spaces to be found over here. Why not check out a few and say 'hello'.

Loving Levi

is easy. Just look at this cuteness...


Levi is now 4 months and here's a few things about him...
* He has more than doubled his birth weight, now weighing 7.2kgs
* He is still waking twice at night for feeds (am working on this!)
* He loves playing on the floor with his toy mobile
* He snuggles fleecy blankets when he's tired
* He loves to chat
* He had rice cereal for the first time yesterday, after recommendations from the MHN, and loved it.
* He still has all his hair, and he has a chin dimple like me!
* Everyone is still completely besotted by him, even when he's grumpy :-P

xx

Fabric Love

Some lovely fabrics that makes me want to sew...

Amy Butler..
Alice Kennedy...

Michael Miller...

Riley Blake...
Hmm..lovely...

Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb

I have fond memories of rhubarb from my childhood (mainly apple & rhubarb pie or crumble), but hadn't eaten it in a very long time. So when I saw this recipe for 'Rhubarb & Orange Upside-down Cake' in the current issue of Real Living I thought....why not give it a go?


Verdict : Yum!

Snuggly Scarves

Scarves are definitely an essential item in any winter wardrobe..well, in my mind anyhow.

Over the last month, I rustled up a couple of scarves for loved ones and here they are....

A knitted, super cosy grey scarf for Rohan...a simple rib design but manly :-P


And a crocheted skinny stripe scarf for my dear friend Cass...


I have another skinny stripe scarf on my hook at the moment, but instead of the teal shades, I'm using two shades of red..not sure who this one's for yet either ...

Stay warm xx

Photo Selected

Just found out that one of my Sherbrooke Forest photos has been selected to appear in the 12th edition of the online guide 'Schmap' - Melbourne Edition - check it out here.

Lovely surprise

xx

Cute Little Handbag

A few weeks ago, I won this adorable fabric in a fat quarter piece from the Kelani blog - yay for me! It's called 'Retro Bambi in Red on Peach'.


And on Friday night, I decided to make a little handbag from it, using a Simplicity pattern # 4650. By Saturday night it was finished, and it didn't turn out too bad at all :-P

Lined in an off-white and black damask-y flower print..

Finished with a magnetic snap clip...

and some top-stitching..


I had fun making it, and have another one or two planned in my head. Next project though : Amy Butler's Zinnia Cushion in the 24" design - should be a challenge and a half!

Cupcake Creations

Just a short and sweet post about a couple of the cupcake party's smaller details, but to start with something fun, and a little out there, here was Alannah's cupcake creation...


Hmm...I think it took her four sittings over two days to finish eating this..he he :-P

And here's a close up of the apron I made her..my design


And lastly, the left-over undecorated cupcakes got dunked in a chocolate cream icing, and topped with a flower (store bought but so cute!).

I picked up an awesome baking tin which allows you to cook the cupcakes in two halves, which you then paste together with a sticky icing mix, but it gives you the spirally top which is just too cute.


Will be back very soon with a sewing post.

xx

A Family Favourite - Sour Cream Carrot Cake

My mum used to make this cake when I was a kid, and it is so yummy. Especially with the 'cheesecake' icing. So quite a while ago, I copied this recipe from my mum's collection, and over the last couple of weeks, have made it a couple of times for my family, which they are loving :-)

Thought I'd share the goodness here too...

Sour Cream Carrot Cake

1 cup wholemeal SR flour
1 cup white plain flour
1 tsp Bicarb of Soda
2 tsp Cinnamon
2 tsp Nutmeg
1 cup white or raw sugar
1 cup vegetable or sunflower oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup Sour Cream
3 cups grated Carrot (about 4 carrots)

Sift flours, soda, cinnamon and nutmeg into large bowl.
Add sugar and oil, mix well.
Put eggs and sour cream into separate bowl, beat well.
Add to flour mixture, mix until smooth.
Add carrot, mix well.
Pour into 2 greased and lined loaf tins. (I usually make one big round cake instead, just needs to cook a little longer)
Bake at 180, centre of oven.
When cooked, stand a few minutes, turn onto wire rack to cool.
Top with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Icing

60g packet Cream Cheese
30g Butter
1 tsp grated Lemon Rind
1 1/2 cups Icing Sugar

Mix cheese, butter, lemon until smooth.
Gradually beat in sifted icing sugar.

xx

Little Boy Dress Ups

Another fun week at kinder for Jude - he had two dress up days - yep..two!

Tuesday he went as Peter Pan...


And then on Wednesday he went as Carol from the movie/book "Where The Wild Things Are". Danielle rustled up this costume over a couple of days, made from scratch - isn't it crazy cool? Jude loves it!

Such a cutie :-)

xx

Cupcake Cuteness

So I didn't make it to the Craft & Quilt Fair on Friday but this was the reason why - Alannah's Cupcake Party which was held on Saturday.

Ambitiously, I decided to sew a little apron for each little girl attending (10 including Alannah) and then went ahead and designed a not-so-simple apron to reproduce...stupid maybe, but it all looked very cute :-P

Here are a few photos of the event taken by my lovely talented sister DQ :



So this is what I'd been working on pretty much all last week, ignoring housework, cooking and other usual responsibilities..he he...fun!

And I want to send a huge 'thank you' to my sis Dan, Reeze, Kate & Paula for all your help last week and on the day - you guys are the best! xx

Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair

Starts today. I'm heading in tomorrow - anyone else going?

xx

New Inspiration ..

..just arrived on my doorstep...

Before & After - Kitchen Reno

So most of you who have been following my blog for the past couple of years, will know that we have been undertaking some major renovating, including an extension and rebuild on the existing cottage. We are still working away finishing off lots of little bits, and I hope to have more 'before & after' shots to share in the near future!

But the kitchen is pretty much finished now, so here is the before shot...


And the after shots....this first one is taken from the same spot as the 'before' photo..



My new friend, the dishwasher, is now installed, and really the only things left to do are properly install the kickboards and one more coat of paint on the bi-fold window frames.

And I picked up this funky tea towel from Yardage Design on etsy for the photos, and because who doesn't just love a new design-y tea towel every now and then...love it!


Yay! a finished room!

Thanks to DQ for taking some photos for me :-) (the last one is mine though :-P).

Oh, and a few notes...my kitchen is not always this tidy..he he....and it was styled up by me and Dan for these photos. I will make an effort to keep it this neat and lovely looking, but knowing my family, the benches wont remain this clutter-free for very long :-P

xx

A Work In Progress

Just a little something for the kitchen..