passing notes from my cell

 

Hi , thanks for getting through the prison security .

 

Although I am here in solitary confinement I have given

some thought to my friends from overseas and

wanted to wish you a very scary Halloween !

 

To all those affected by Sandy I hope you are safe and well .

 

Hope to see you again soon xxx

 

Next time please bring cake .

 

read all about it

testing out Christmas

 

I've been doing a few Christmas gift try outs.

This one is so very easy .

 

All I did was melt some really nice chocolate in the microwave.

Then I dipped in some beautiful old teaspoons I found at Vinnies.

Pop them onto some baking paper to set in the fridge and

when they are nice and firm wrap some cellophane around them.

Decorate with a pretty piece of festive ribbon .

 

I thought the dipped spoons would go really well with

some Christmassy cups with marshmallows.

They would also be good with homemade bickies or special coffee.

 

The chocolate spoons can be swirled through hot milk or coffee

and then your friend gets to keep the spoon and the cup .

 

 

The whole thing only costs a few dollars so you could

make a few for teachers , neighbours or

for the unexpected Christmas guest .

 

Or your kids could just pinch them and suck the chocolate

off like my kids are sure to do !

 

What do you think ?

Do you have any cheap and cheerful Christmas ideas ?

 

under the christmas tree

 

Oh my golly gosh the time is flying !

The last fortnight has just been a blur .

 

How are you ?

Do you thrive on being busy or fall to pieces ?

 

Have you had a chance to think about Christmas ?

 

I admit I have been thinking about it a lot but have not

had a chance to get anything done sigh.....

 

I'll be very happy for you to inspire us all !

 

Please add your link and maybe you'll get us moving !

 

the one with dr who

My husband launched his handcrafted woodwork range this week .

Months of hard work went into the preparation for his first exhibition .

The soiree went off beautifully with lots of arty farty types

swanning around oohing and aahing .

The wife of the now famous artist just wanted to sneak off to crochet

but that's a whole other story .

 

Congratulations David xxx

morning tea with

 Good morning to Fiona Tully from Two Brown Birds .

What is your business ? What do you do ?

My business is called “Two Brown Birds”.  I design and create craft textile patterns, including quilts, stitcheries, and soft toys.
How long has it been going ? How did it start out ?
The business has been running for almost two years.  It started out when lots of people told me I should write up my patterns and try selling them – so I did!
How do manage around your family ?
Ah yes, the balancing act!  I try to mange balancing everything by schedueling “work free days”, and doing as much work as I can while my girls are at school, or after they’re in bed at night.
When your craft becomes your work how do you relax ?
Other ways I relax are by reading, baking, or every now and again when my brain is completely drained from over-work, I might work on a craft project by another designer – that way I can enjoy stitching without having to think about the technical pattern writing aspect.
Do you make things and sometimes keep them for yourself ?
I often keep things for myself!  When I make something, I feel quite attached to it, and if I give it away I feel like I’m giving away one of my children!  But there are times when I decide that I will make something for some-one, and if I know that from the start of the project, I’m happy to give it away.
What is your favourite craft ?
I don’t have one, but several that I rotate. I love designing  and working stitcheries – I feel like it’s colouring in on fabric.  Quilting is a big love of mine – there’s nothing better than having a new pile of fabrics to play with, arrange, re-arrange, and make into a quilt.  Sometimes I will have an idea for a new little character or playset, which I love making.  I decide on the personality of the character as I create it.  Every now and then if I’m feeling a bit overworked, I love to knit – I find the rhythmic repetition of the needles click-clacking relaxing, and it’s rewarding to see knitting grow quickly!

Are your designs your own ?
The designs that I feature on my blog are my own.  Occasionally I work on a project made by another designer if my brain needs a break after months of working on my own designs, but I tend not to blog about those projects.
Tell us something quirky about yourself ?
Hmmm…….well I don’t think it’s quirky ( I think I’m normal ha ha!), but anyone that watches me tie my shoelaces always comments and says “Wow!!  You tie you’re shoelaces different to anyone else I’ve ever seen!”

 

 

What are your plans ? How much further do you plan to take your business ?
I am so excited that the wonderful people from “Creative Abundance” have recently invited me to  join their list of talented designers.  This has truly been a dream come true for me, and I am so excited to see where this will lead.
Where do you sell ? 
 Creative Abundance distribute my patterns to retail and online craft shops.  Anyone that’s interested in my patterns can follow my blog at   to see pictures of my current designs, and sneak peeks of upcoming projects.

Find Fionas gorgeous designs at Creative Abundance (wholesale enquiries)
Fiona is having some great pattern giveaways on her blog at the moment too !
Or maybe you'd like to chat with my friend on facebook .

Thanks so much and and congratulations Fiona x

under the christmas tree

 

Only ten weeks till Christmas !

 

Have you started any crafty decorations ?

Have you started making any Christmas gifts ?

 

If you've gotten a head start on Christmas , please show us !

 

Leave your link below and don't forget to visit some other blogs and say hello .

 

 

 

back to school muffins

 

We are a fruit loving family and eat lots of it

but even here we end up with the odd bruised and battered banana.

 

I have a fantastic banana cake recipe that makes 2 big loaves

but it takes six bananas.

 

I wanted a recipe (besides making smoothies) to use lonely bananas.

After a bit of fiddling I ended up with a recipe that uses only 1 cup

of banana but makes 12 delicious muffins and if there are any

not eaten they freeze beautifully .

 

Whisk together 2 cups S/R flour , 1/3 cup brown sugar , 1 egg ,

100g melted butter , 1/2 cup milk , 1 cup mashed up lonely banana

and 1/4 cup maple syrup (the syrup really gives a special taste)

 

Spoon into muffin cases and bake at 180c for about 25 mins.

 

I hope your family enjoys them as much as my family does xxx

morning tea with

 

 

 Hi everyone!! I am Meegan from What Meegan Makes  

I am so happy to be here this morning with Clare for"Morning Tea".

I am an ocean loving, grand baby kissing, vintage finding, paint hungry woman and wife that loves to blog about all of the above.

 

Coffee or tea ?
  I personally like Hazelnut Herbal tea

 

What is your business ?

 I write a blog about my crafting and designing. I also do wedding flowers occasionally.  I enjoy making our home an oasis from the stresses of the world. My hope is to help others create a warm and cozy home with minimal cost.
 

How long has it been going ? I have been blogging for 9 mths.
 

 How did it start out ? We had moved into a condo from living in a fairly large home. I decided it would be fun to change things up and make it "our home". I was using up a lot of our family blog space to share my projects-so I decided to start my own .
 

How do manage around your family ?
 Our 7 children are all grown with families of their own. Our youngest gets married this Nov :) But, I still need to manage my blog around them and my Hubby. I try to keep balance between Hubby, his job (and school), and all my projects. Sometimes I am not so good at it.
 

When your craft becomes your work how do you relax ? I like to watch old movies and eat ice cream. But, I LOVE to lay out by the pool most of all.
 

Do you make things and sometimes keep them for yourself ?
  Most times I do keep them. But, lately it has been fun to share them with friends and family.
 

Are you right or left handed ? Yes I'm not afraid to ask the tough questions
I am right handed :)
 

What is your favourite craft ? I would have to say painting a frame, piece of furniture, or any kind of home accessory such as a candlestick, end table, or mirror. I like to refresh items and give them new life!!

 

Describe a normal day for you ? 

  My brain is constantly creating and working. My husband will often ask me,"Does your creativity ever stop?" My answer is always no. So, when I get up in the morning, I am already looking and starting the next project. Sometimes the idea comes right away and others I have to sit on them awhile-then the creative juices start flowing. When the projects come together I can't stop until it is done. I LOVE seeing the finished project. I walk by it several times to see it from all angles. Then I decide how I could perfect it, and maybe I even just look at it for a day or so. Then it finds a place in our home.
 

Are your designs your own ? I LOVE to make my own creations, by putting a little twist or highlight to it. But, there is so much to see "out there" that who can resist being inspired by others .
 

What is the very first thing you would buy if you won the lottery ?
A home by the beach so all of our family could come play in the sun. Then give the rest to charity to help others.
 

Tell us something quirky about yourself ?

  Hmmm...There are SO many things!! I like ice cream and cookies for breakfast. I don't eat it-but I certainly like it !
 

What are your plans ?

  I would love to make a little money from my blog. But am enjoying floral design as well.

 How much further do you plan to take your business ?
I want to do what I love for as long as I love it. Once the love is gone, so will be the business
 

Do you sell your crafts if yes where do you sell ?

 People ask me all the time if I sell my crafts, or furniture. I haven't sold any yet. But I would want to if the time and price was right.
 

Thanks for having me for "Morning Tea today, Clare! It has been an honor and a pleasure. I hope your readers will come by for a visit .

    Come join along with me as I share what I love, and love what I do.

 

Find Meegan at her blog ~ here or at pinterest ~ here

or on facebook ~ here or hometalk ~ here

or stumble upon ~ here   

and if Meegan isn't in any of these places she's probably

transforming a boring piece of furniture into a thing of beauty !

 

I have another special crafter next week and she has BIG news for us !

Ooooh don't you just love a bit of mystery .......

 

under the christmas tree ~ 11 weeks to go

 

Isn't that getting scary , only 11 weeks to go !

 

For those of you who are new here this is what's happening ~

 

We are leaving some craft here under the Christmas tree

and adding the link to our blogs.

This craft can be new or old , cooking or sewing , lists or decorations .

 

Show us whatever you like that is Christmas related .

Grab a button from my sidebar and tell your friends you're playing .

 

Visit some different blogs and be inspired !

 

 

lolly wreath ~ anyone know a good dentist ?

 

I wanted to try making a lolly wreath so I got myself

some very willing helpers , lots of wrapped lollies,

 a wooden ring and some string .

I then just tied those little lollies to the wooden ring .

 

 

I kept tying and then I did some more tying .

 

These are going to be sweet  Christmas decorations !

 

 

See you on Sunday for the Christmas linky !

morning tea with

 

Good morning Melissa from Ms Midge .

 

 

Coffee or tea ?

   Weak black tea with one sugar in the morning - but Jarrah hot chockie in the evenings!

 

What is your business ? What do you do ?

  My little "hobby business" is Ms Midge! I sew a variety of yummy goodies, but mostly now make little girls clothing.

 

How long has it been going ? How did it start out ?

  I started out in late 2010, making art smocks and library bags for the kids at my children's school. I then began getting orders outside of that circle and it just sprung from there. I've made a whole lot of different bits and pieces, but find it most fun to try new patterns using gorgeous prints. 

 

How do manage around your family ?

I only have the youngest of my four children at home, and she is four. So when I want to sew, she is generally happy to amuse herself, or she will come in and "help" me. I also work part time, so having full days to get projects and orders completed are pretty rare. I basically just fit it all in when I can.

 

 

Do you make things and sometimes keep them for  yourself ?

   Quite often! When I use a pattern for the first time, I generally make it in one of my girls' sizes, so that I can check the sizing. On many occasions they have asked to keep them, and I have said yes.

What is your favourite craft ? 

Sewing! I used to do a lot of scrapbooking, but found that I needed big blocks of time to be able to sit and get what I wanted done, which just doesn't happen.

 

Describe a normal day for you ? 

  A normal day starts around 7am, getting all four kids out the door to school or swimming, then returning home to clean up before I can get stuck into whatever it is I am creating. I could spend hours looking for fabrics, but once I see something I like, it's ordered and on its way. I can also spend hours working out fabric combinations and sizing choices. I like to get all my sewing done by the time school finishes - but it doesn't always work out that way!

 

Are your designs your own ? 

Nope! I use a multitude of different patterns, from all different pattern designers. I would love to be able to design my own patterns, but am not confident. I alter patterns to suit what I want and to make them a little different!

 

Tell us something quirky about yourself ?

  I am a serious creature of habit! I eat the exact same thing for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea every single day. My workmates think that is very bizarre! I also do not like melted cheese - a fact that shocks many.

 

What are your plans ? How much further do you plan to take your business ? 

I'm more than happy where my little business is at present. I honestly couldn't do much more than I am doing now without burning out. I want to continue enjoying doing what I'm doing, without it becoming a task or something I HAVE to do.

 

Where do you sell ?

I have a website www.msmidge.com but just don't have the time to keep it up to date at present. So I mainly sell on my FB page www.fb.com/msmidgemadebyme where customers can find ready made items as well as custom order options. I also have a blog which is a mix of personal and sewing - www.msmidge.blogspot.com.au

 

Thanks so much for coming over for a cuppa Melissa .

 

Another fantastic crafty girl next week , seeya then x

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