Handmaiden

Win a Desk Lamp

I have a Christmas present for you. The people from Buyster lighting have kindly given me a $100 gift voucher .You could use it to buy this desk lamp for your crafting valued at $85.. Buyster is a new online lighting company offering outdoor lighting, ceiling lighting and much more.

 

 

Just leave me a comment as to what you would spend your $100 on by looking at their online lighting store. Competition will close 8pm AEST Sunday December 6th. This competiton is only open to Australian residents, so tell your mates and good luck. Winner will be chosen by The Random Generator and  announced Monday December 7th.

Sharon

Hoi-Ses-Co Duck

Hoisin, Coconut Vinegar and Sesame Oil are basted on duck marylands or breasts to give a BBQ flavour and then roasted for 20-30 mins depending on size. It's delicious.

Serve with Green Papaya Salad

Great for this hot weather

Sharon
 

Healesville

Have you been to Healesville lately? Not only can you pick up some fab local produce but there are two fantastic micro-breweries up there........White Rabbit and Giant Steps offering great food, music and beer

And it's not far from Healesville Sanctuary

Sharon
 

My Creative Space

It's some time since I posted my latest Creative Space, but today I have something to share. You can see my pincushion and felted christmas card I made into a needle book.

I am making Cherry Blossoms and Maple Leaf  Handstitched Treasures and have decided to make them in a Christmas fabric, Thats the japanese cotton in the foreground.

For more wonderful spaces check out  Kirsty

Sharon 

Urban Summer

The CAE have launched their Urban Summer programme. Lots to do from Book Binding, Screen Printing and Photography courses plus lots of patternmaking and sewing classes;

Check it out, there are some summer schools too

Sharon
 

BurdaStyle Free Patterns

I have been checking out BurdaStyle's free patterns

I had chosen the skirt pattern Kaisa. It's one of  Nikkishell's favourite, she's made 3. I found it very easy to download and piece together and used the multi-size options to make it for the right size. But then once I started following the pattern instructions my joy turned to disappointment. I had to re-read and then read again to understand the instructions. The instructions were all written with the tinniest of visuals to try and understand. The hardest part was the piecing together of the yoke and facings. At one point I wished I had bought a pattern and not gone for the free option - you know what they say "you only get what you pay for". I took it to the BurdaStyle Club  that I go to at Tessuti and the girls urged me to keep on going.

So I have perservered and worked on it slowly so I dont make any mistakes. So I am showing you work in progress. I have basted the side seams ready for a fitting on my neice before I can go any further. I have put in a trouser zip and the outer panel which has been lined with Japanese cotton will have 6 buttonholes. This panel will make the pockets and you can see the side yokes in the same Japanese cotton.

 

So to be done are the facings on the waistband/yolk, then the buttonholes and heming. Phew. Now that I have made it once it would be alot easier but don't think I would recommend this, however it does look very good in the flesh so I am looking forward to doing the fitting and seeing what my neice thinks. Stay tuned

Sharon

Best Of Friends

I celebrated a special birthday of one of my BF's on the weekend. We have known each other over 30 years and even though I have travelled far and wide we have kept the friendship going. I made her a silver freshwater pearl bracelet and popped it in a Cherry Blossom. She loved it.

The table was set

Flowers for the occasion - Water Lillies and Lillies

and the menu included my favourite Raspberry, Ricotta and Almond Tart

Delicious

Sharon
  

  
 
 

 

 

Spring Treasures

I know it feels more like Summer at the moment but today I did a wonderful class at Kimono House to make this beautiful Cherry Blossom Handstitched Spring Treasure............I wonder what treasure I will keep in it?

And these other treasures are now on my list..........perfect to hold a small gift or maybe some jewellery. I am thinking of putting some lavendar in mine and keeping it with my lingerie.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the milder weather

Sharon
 
 

Beautiful Baby Quilt

At last I have finished my first baby quilt. Soon to be on its way to London for my nephew's baby. A Koka square in the middle, backed with an orange fabric and acqua binding and hand quilted with an orange Perle 8 thread.

I downloaded this Speedy Baby Quilt pattern from Quilttaffy

Sharon
 

Christmas Markets

There are some wonderful November markets happening and I am keen to get some early present buying done.

The wonderful Matilda's Market is on Sunday Nov 22nd at Hawthorn Town Hall. This Saturday the 14th sees Craft Hatch  at the City library and the Maribyrnong Makers Market  in Seddon.

Enjoy the hot weather. I am off to a very crafty afternoon with Tinniegirl

Sharon