Handmaiden

Felting Supplies for Nuno Felting

While at Precious Purl in Brunswick St yesterday I bought some beautiful hand dyed tissue silk and matching wool top and silk embellishments. I love tone on tone and I am going to experiment with this beautiful purple.

Some red wool top for another scarf. I need to find some fabric for this project.

Enjoy your Sunday

Sharon

  

Precious Purl

Had a great day today browsing along Brunswick St after brunch at Babka's

First stop was at Precious Purl on the Mezzanine level above Calico House where I oohed and aghed about all the delicious felting supplies. Regular readers will know I have been smitten by the felting bug and am keen to try my hand at nuno felting on tissue silk, something like the scarf below. So I succumbed to buying the hand dyed silk in a plummy aubergine with matching wool tops. You will have to wait till I take a photo of my supplies to see the richness of the colour-just so perfect for this winter.

It was great to meet Wendy who has been a blog reader of mine. For anyone interested in learning how to wet felt, Precious Purl  will be conducting a workshop for beginners.....all supplies included for $40 and you will come away with swatches that you can use as embellishments on bags, hats or other craft projects.

Its happening on June 5

Have a great weekend and I promise to post more of my shopping trip over the weekend when I have a bit more time...............the day has just flown and have just got back from seeing New York, I Love You shich I thought was fab and could easily see it again.

Sharon
 

Fushion Felt

The Victorian Feltmakers are showing their work at the Fusion Exhibition at 2 Minona St, Hawthorn. Its on until the end of the month. Here are some of my favs

Really inspiring stuff. I particularly like the scarves and wraps as you can see and aminspired to try some nuno felting on silk.

Sharon

  
 
 
 

Pomegranate Jewels

I bought this big beautiful pomegranate at the market today. Breaking it open displays its wonderful pockets of tiny little jewels. I love the seeds bursting with so much flavour.

I usually put the seeds on my muesli but they are also great sprinkled on salads or even through fruit salads.

 

But I couldnt resist buying these figs at the market, added a dollop of greek yoghurt, some manuka honey (which is the only honey to have) and sprinkled the seeds over. It is so yummy and quick to make.

 
 

You can check out lots of information on Pomegranate's and how good they are for you.

Yum

Sharon

Papoose

Check out Papoose in Clarendon St South Melbourne for graet felting supplies and toys
Have a great day in this sunshine
Sharon

Blog posted here.

Intellectual Property Talk at Craft Victoria

It's Law Week and there is a presentation on Intellectual Property - Victoria Law Foundation Calendar.to be held at Craft Victoria on Tuesday evening.

"Discover how you can protect your craft with intellectual property. This talk will discuss how to find the most relevant form of intellectual property to your craft - patents, registered designs, copyright or trade marks. This event will appeal to craft and design practitioners."
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Everyday Luxury

I started buying cashmere sweaters when I was in London. Back then it was difficult to buy fashionable styles, they all seemed a little too conservative but I managed.

But how things have changed with great styling and beautiful colours available.

I was introduced to Eugenie cashmere at No 8 Inkerman St

 

Recently I have come across Yum Cashmere available online and at the Pink Zebra store in High St, Armadale

So warm and snuggly for crisp autumn nights

Sharon
 

The Coat Project Begins

I am at Tessuti choosing fabric for my Collette Lady Grey coat.......this is the lining, beautiful jewelled colours on a dark background. Perfect to go with the black cashmere and wool blend outer.

Have a great weekend

Sharon

Blog posted here.

Poached Quince

I had the most delicious Poached Quinces last night

 

From The Age Good Weekend, Andrew McDonnell's Poached Quince recipe

 

Serves 8

3 cups of sugar

4 1/2  cups water

1 cup madeira

1/2 vanilla pod

1/2 stick cinnamon

pinch of mixed spice

1 bay leaf

2 large quince

1 strip of lemon zest

Place the sugar, water, madeira, spices and the bay leaf in  a medium saucepan over moderate heat and bring to a simmer.

Peel and halve the quinces. Add the lemon zest and quince halves and skin to the pot and return to the simmer......upto 21/2 hours or in the oven for 6 hours - they need to be covered during cooking and fully submerged in the syrup.

To serve, remove the core from each quince half and slice. Simmer 1 cup of the cooking liquid for a few minutes to reduce. Spoon liquid over quince and add a large dollop of greek yoghurt.

Enjoy

Sharon

Passionfruit Sponge with Lemon Curd

The first time I made a sponge was when my mother came to visit me in Singapore for mothers day some years ago and it was a complete flop. We often bring it up in conversationa and laugh it off as only a mother would do with "It was the thought that counts."..............I blame the humidity. So my second try 8 years later was a great succes.

 I made a delicious lemon curd for the filling which was the easiest of recipes from The Joy of Baking. It firmed up nicely in a sterilised jar in the fridge.

 

This no fail recipe is from Stephanie Alexander and I topped it off with passionfruit icing sandwiched with the curd and cream. Pure decadence but my mother's favourite.

Happy Mothers Day

Sharon