A Mug Rug Swap

Ok! I thought a mug rug swap would be a lovely idea.

Guidelines -

Finished mug rug should measure approx 10"x 7" - but don't stress if it is 9x6 or 10x6 or 9x7!
Mug rugs are to be made of 100% cotton, quilted and securely bound. There is no set design...make it as simple or as complicated as you like!

To take part please register as Attending on the Mug Rug swap Event - you need to register by 31st August.

To give us plenty of time and no pressure, the date for Mug Rug completion is 30th October. We will endeavour to send our rugs in the first week of November.

This will be a secret swap - you will know who you are making for, but not who is making for you. I will post a list of questions for everyone to answer so that we can give our swap partner a few clues re likes and dislikes.

There is a nice tut here on making a mug rug
http://www.ryanwalshquilts.com/2010/11/dresden-wedges-mug-rug-tutorial-bliss.html
and if you need inspiration -
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1533394@N22/

Most of all this is meant to be fun!

How does this sound?? Feel free to suggest any changes or add anything I have left out!!

A wonderful wednesday of sewing!

Ever since I met Elizabeth from Frolic in Fabric http://www.frolicinfabric.blogspot.com/ at the Bishop Druitt Fair I have wanted to do a workshop with her. Elizabeth makes gorgeous bags and outfits with lovely fabric. I contacted Elizabeth and she suggested we make a bag for our first workshop so on Wednesday morning after dropping my little ones at preschool I headed over to Elizabeth's studio.

It was a wonderful day and just what I needed! Tea, cakes, crafting and conversation! It actually took us a little while to get around to the crafting....we were too busy enjoying caramel slice, chocolate brownies and chocolate banana bread and chatting away.

We chose some wonderful fabric from IKEA to make my bag. Who would have thought that you could get such groovy stuff from IKEA!



Inside of the bag with contrasting pocket



Sewing the pocket with the Bernina

 The bag is fully reversible with a contrasting inner pocket AND a zippered pocket. I had never put a zipper in before and was very pleased with myself when I did this!
I am so happy with the finished product -

what a wonderful way to spend a day! I can't wait to spend another sewing day with Elizabeth...I know that we will have a wonderful time!

Almond and cranberry biscotti

This recipe is one that I make alot, and it is my favourite way to use the eggswhites that are left over when I make Spinach and Ricotta canneloni. It makes a nice little nibble to go with my evening cuppa too!

Almond and cranberry biscotti

3 large eggwhites or 4 small
1/2 cup of raw sugar
1 cup of plain flour
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup craisins (dried cranberries)

Preheat the oven to 180C
Beat the eggwhites and sugar together until smooth and thick and glossy. Stir in the flour, almonds and craisins.
Place the mix into a greased thin loaf tin and bake for 30-40minutes. Allow to cool in the tin.
when cool remove from the tin and slice thinly. Place slices on a baking tray and pop back into the oven until browned (10-15min).

* If you aren't a fan of craisins, just use a cup of almonds instead.
** feel free to use gluten-free flour as a substitute. I have done this many times and it doesn't effect the taste or the texture.

A little bit of Europe in my kitchen

It must be my Dutch heritage! I am oh so partial to cinnamon and spices...the aroma, the taste...just love it! So when I came across this recipe whilst flicking thru my stash of Delicious mags at lunchtime (multitasking - eating and reading!) I just had to give it a go.

so now my kitchen smells delightful...full of ginger, cinnamon and spice!

Gingerbread biscuits

1/2 cup golden syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup caster sugar
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
125g butter
1 egg
3 cups plain flour
1 1/2 cup icing sugar (sifted)

• Preheat the oven to 170C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
• Place the golden syrup and the sugars in a small pan over very low heat, stirring until the sugars dissolve.
• Add the spices and the soda. When the mixture starts to bubble, remove from the heat.
• Place melted butter and hot syrup in a bowl and stir well. allow to cool slightly.
• Add the egg and then gradually sift the flour in as you stir the mixture.
• Roll the dough into walnut size balls and place on the trays. Flatten slightly with your hand and bake in the oven for 12-15minutes.Allow to cool.

To make the icing -

Dissolve icing sugar in 1 tblsp warm water or lemon juice ( add more if icing is too stiff). Drizzle tops of the biscuits with icing.

They were soooo yummy with a cuppa.  B even asked to try one and I got to explain to him a little about our family and that Oma was born in Holland.

Little butter biscuits

Well the biscuit tin was empty again so I thought I should do some baking. I much prefer my boys to be eating homemade biccies because at least I know what is in them when I make them myself. I rarely buy supermarket biscuits....although my hubby is rather partial to the Double Coat Timtams......

So I made some butter biscuits. This recipe is very simple and you can use it for a plain shortbready biscuit or decorate it with lollies or make jam drops (my favourite!)

Butter Biscuits

125g butter

1/3 cup caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp milk

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
2. Beat the butter, caster sugar and vanilla essence in a medium mixing bowl with electric beaters until pale and creamy. Sift the plain flour and baking powder together. Use a wooden spoon to mix the dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture. Mix to a soft dough.
3. Roll small balls of biscuit mixture with lightly floured hands and place on the prepared baking try about 5cm apart. Flatten each ball and decorate as you wish
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden and cooked through. Stand on the baking tray for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.



Smartie butter biscuits waiting for the oven





Choc bud biccies



Ahoy there!

Last weekend we were invited to a Pirate Birthday party for a gorgeous little boy who was turning 1. I was going through my fabrics and discovered that I still had some lovely red pirate cotton that I had used on one of B's quilts. I decided to make a pair of shorts for the birthday boy

And I came up with a pirate ship design for a matching tee -

And for Master T I whipped up a singlet for him to wear to the party. Ben was sorted with his Captain Feathersword outfit!

homemade muesli goodness

My house smells like cinnamon! Have just been making a batch of homemade muesli and now there is this gorgeous smell wafting down the hall. Yum

Trays cooling after some gentle roasting in the oven.
The recipe I use is basically this one from Bountifully. I have found apple juice just as good to use as pear and I add some currants instead of pepitas. It is just lovely with some natural yoghurt and fruit for brekky.