Bake-a-holics Anonymous

Hello.  My name is Clare and I am a bake-a-holic.  It has been two hours since my last scone.
I am also a compulsive 'over-caterer'.

This is afternoon tea for 3 adults and an 8 year old.  Hopefully a very hungry 8 year old.  Whenever I have people over and I'm trying to decide what to make it goes like this.  "Mmm.  I think I'll make brownie" (inner voice:  but what if they don't like chocolate.  I don't know who doesn't like chocolate but WHAT IF they don't) "Ok, so I'll make brownie and crunchy lemon muffins" (sounds good, but what if they'd prefer savoury?)  "Brownie, crunchy lemon muffins, and cheese scones"  (Well if you're making cheese scones you may as well make some different types, because you can just use the same mix as the base.)

And that, my friends, is how you end up with all this food to go with your afternoon cuppa.   The voice does go on...(what if they are gluten-free?  or dairy-free?  should you go buy some soy milk?  you only have instant coffee, you really should go get some beans...)

But this is when I tell it to shut up and ask it who is going to do all these bloody dishes.

Wardrobe Wednesday

Good Morning!

Top - Shanton

Cardi - Postie Plus

Skirt - The Wardrobe!

Shoes - Birkenstock

Necklace - My friend in London.

These shoes are appearing often!  Can't wait for some new sandals, these have been great, but are nearly worn out. 

I thought we'd have a theme next week!!  Well perhaps its more of a challenge than a theme. 
Next week - No black, No denim.  Can you do it??  Just for a change!  Something colourful for spring - will you meet the challenge!?!

Nappy Wrap Part II

So this was a bit of a happy accident, like I said yesterday.  I was cutting patches like a mad-woman and planning on making lots of baby change/play mats.  I set out the pieces for my first one, sewed the lot together...and it was WAY too small.  I didn't take into account how much of a difference all those tiny seams would make to the size of my final piece.  So I sat there and looked annoyed for about 1/2 hour and then this little beauty of an idea sprang into my head.  It is based on a gift I got from hubby's Auntie (who blogs here about her lovely vintage finds and other things!)

It fits a couple of nappies and some wipes, and you can squeeze in a jersey, and a spare pair of socks as well.  I use mine a lot when I'm going to my sister-in-law's place, as she has kiddo's so I don't have to take my whole nappy bag - because if I really need anything I can borrow it from her.  Just chuck the nappy wrap in the buggy and off we go!  It's also handy for me to keep in the nappy bag for longer trips, because I tend to take along everything but the kitchen sink, and when I use this I don't have to go digging around in the bag to find the naps/wipes.  So far I've got 6 of these little beauties made for my market stall.  The one I showed you yesterday went to Miss Stella as a swap!  Yay!  I'll be doing a shop update after the market, so if you'd like one keep an eye out there or send me an email.

Nappy Wrap

This was a happy accident, a result of all those patches I was cutting weeks ago.  I'll tell you more tomorrow...today is disappearing on me! xo

this sunday I love...

.: grow, grow, grow and get in my belly :.

Friday filler.

Have a great weekend y'all.  Mine will hopefully be filled with sewing.  2 weeks till market!

Swap-tastic!!

Oh my, I do love blogging!  The things that can come from it, new friends, a growing community of Wardrobe Wednesday participants, and now my GORGEOUS new skirt!!
So I threw out an idea a couple of weeks back about doing some swaps, if anyone was interested.  Ninotchka from The Wardrobe sent me an email offering up one of her beautiful Kotuku denim skirts in exchange for a few bits and bobs from my felt shop.  Um, YES!! 

I've wanted a straight-ish, dark, denim skirt for ages, as I thought it was something I would get a lot of wear out of.  I nearly found what I wanted at the op-shop a few months back but it was too small.  And I don't have big $$ to spend.   My own sewing skills aren't the best when it comes to fitting more structured fabrics like denim, so I was just waiting and hoping.  And then this happened!

So my skirt arrived yesterday and it is beyond fantastic.  It fits SO well, and is made so professionally.  And (secretly I like this best of all) due to the Canterbury earthquake my skirt is one of a kind!   This is due to the fact that Ninotchka couldn't get into town to her embroidery supplier, so my Kotuku design is a one-off!  You can see (and buy!) her fantastic original design here.

I mean this skirt is so nice I keep wanting to go look at my butt in the mirror!
I know, right!!?

 Thanks Ninotchka! xo

Wardrobe Wednesday

Edit!!  Wardrobe Wednesday Update 9th December 2010 - Are you new to Wardrobe Wednesday??  What is this Wardrobe Wednesday stuff??  It all started here and here...and you can get a button here if you like!  My latest rambling about it was here, until I decided to take a break, here.  Whew!!  Got that?!  

So it's Wednesday again!  I'm glad you've popped by. 
I think we're all getting the hang of this Wardrobe Wednesday thing by now, so I thought I'd do a wee post about it with some idea's I've been pondering...
I have a stat counter and I know that there are a lot of you coming to visit on a Wednesday.  So why not join us!!?  For any newbies here are the rules...

1.  You don't talk about fight club.  Just kidding!  Feel free to spread the word about WW, in fact you can steal the button if you like!

2.  There are no rules, essentially, you can do what you like and I can't stop you.

3.  The general idea is that every Wednesday you post a pic (or 2 or 3) of yourself in an outfit you wore during the previous week.  It doesn't have to be what you wore on a Wednesday.

4.  When Rhiannon and I were talking about this whole idea initially we wanted it to be a bit of an inspirational thing.  To get us out of our PJ's, trackies and jeans and make a bit of an effort.  Put on a skirt, a dress, some great pants...a bit of lip gloss maybe!?  Something to hark back to the 'before baby' days when we had a bit more confidence and personal style. 

5.  As such, we'd like to see your favourite outfit of the week, the one that gave you a bit of a spring in your step as you headed out the door to face the day.  We're not pretending that we look like this everyday, that we don't spend days in our PJ's or in clothes that have baby sick and food all down them.  Often I put my shoes on just to take the picture, because as Kristin said, who really wears shoes at home?  It's not about being a stylish superwoman all day, everyday.  But it is about the outfit!  We want to see something that might give us an idea for putting together some things in our own wardrobe...or something we'd like to look for next time we're at the shops.

So there you go.  I hope I haven't been too bossy and that you'd still like to play along!  I'd LOVE to have you join us, cause frankly I just love looking at what everyone is wearing.  It's so much nicer to see clothes on real people rather than just the women in the magazines...

So, anyway, let's get to this weeks outfit!

Top - Made by my Mama

Skirt - Made by Me!

Tights - Farmers

Shoes - Birkenstock

But for me, this week's outfit is made by the little accessories...

Bracelet - Vintage, belonged to my Nan

Earrings - made from old china, don't know the artist sorry, bought from Grape Escape, Nelson.

I can't wait to see what you are wearing this week! xo

another iceblock

This one is more for me, than for the baby.  Not that I need ice blocks really, but oh well.  It is made with trim milk, yoghurt and a packet of instant pudding.  Mix well until smooth (even in the blender would be good).  Pour into moulds and freeze.  Yumm-o!  I like this because I can make small ones and they are way cheaper than bought ice blocks.  We don't buy ice cream or ice blocks in this house and I remember when I was pregnant I really wanted some, but I was too cheap to buy them because they seemed like such a rip off.
Roll on summer.

rain makes me hungry

Probably not really due to the rain but to the boredom.  You know that feeling when you've got heaps to do, but you find yourself wandering around doing not much at all.  Except eating way too many of the cheese scones you made for lunch.

this sunday I love...

.:  Progress.  Sometimes slow, but progress  :.

Green stuff again

I'm not sure that anyone (except Miss Amy) is particularly interested in my gardening escapades.  But that's the great thing about having a blog.  It's my blog.  I can do what I want. 

Yay!  Weed mat and plastic down.  I will beat you weeds.

Those are onions in there.  Yes, and some weeds.

Mmmm.  Rhubarb.

MMMMM.  Rhubarb + Strawberries!  Even better.

Blossoms in my garden

 .: Peach :. 

.: Plum :.

.: Pear :.

Wardrobe Wednesday

Dress - made by me (Simplicity New Look 6557)

Cardi - Glassons

Boots - Overland

Necklace - Vanette

This is what I wore on Sunday when we had Stitch and Bitch.  I'm looking at my daughter who is sitting in her highchair just inside the door.  I bet she was laughing at me!

I probably could have taken more care to brush my hair.  Sorry 'bout that ladies.

some numbers

Patchwork change mat / play mat tops completed :: 3

Hours of sleep :: 6

Sick (again) babies :: 1

Cups of tea so far this morning :: 2

Things on my 'to do' list :: 473

Ideas for dinner :: 0

Black Krim (tomato) seedlings up :: 9

Sleeps till Wardrobe Wednesday :: 1!

making progress...

this sunday I love...

.:  Mmm.  New friends who bring baking :.

spring has most definitely sprung.

Lovely.
Its always this time of year when the seedlings are so small I start to think "Well that's not much.  I think I've under-planted.  Must put some more seeds in ASAP!"   Then in about January I'm thinking "Why the hell do I have 40 tomato plants.  FORTY!  What on earth was I thinking..."  But then I do it again next year.

• I'm very pleased to report that we have had 3 full nights sleep in a row round these parts, and everyone is feeling much better for that!
• Weight loss to date is 4.8kg!  Seriously that's the most I've ever lost.  I think this blog is keeping me accountable, which is fine by me.
• Looking forward to Stitch and Bitch on Sunday and hoping some of the others will show up and I won't be stitching alone!  If I have to eat all the goodies myself it won't be good for the waistline!
• Hoping that it won't rain this weekend.
• Still thinking about all my lovelies in Chch all the time.  I lived in Chch for 7 years, and worked in an old brick building in the CBD, so this all feels very real to me.
• Working hard on stuff for the market which is happening one month from today!  Arrggh!  Not feeling prepared!  Lots to do.
• Looking forward to next Wardrobe Wednesday already, I'm really enjoying it.
• That's about it!  xoxo

the washing machine ate my cardi

So not fair.  I know I should have hand washed it but that doesn't happen often round these parts.  Am wondering whether something can be salvaged from this mess...

Wardrobe Wednesday

The little one is feeling much better, nearly back to her usual self.  This pic is about the best of a sad old week clothing wise.

Cardi  -  Glassons

Top  -  Used to be a dress but I chopped it, Glassons

Horrid Jeans  -  Farmers

Shoes  -  Birkenstock

Button Brooch  -  Me

What is all this Wardrobe Wednesday stuff about?  See here.

this sunday I am thankful...

That the earthquake struck at 4.35am when most people were tucked up at home with their families, and that not many people were hurt.

Take care Christchurch xo

Ps.  I'm going to take a bit of time out from this space next week.  Baby is still not 100% and we just need to concentrate on the basics for a while.  Till next time xoxo

TGIF and an idea for leftover coleslaw.

Here I am going on about coleslaw again.  Weird. 
Anyway, this is a good busy mama tip I discovered.  If you have some leftover coleslaw, and it hasn't got dressing on it, or raisins etc do you know what?  You can put it in lots of things the next day!  Like a stir fry, or in this case fried rice!  Awesome, no chopping veges up for dinner!  Just whisk some egg in a jug and make into a flat omelet, cook the veges, cook some rice and mix all together with a good dose of garlic, ginger, sweet chilli and soy.  Also yum with chicken.  Easy!

Yummo.  And healthy.
On another note, look what Sarah sent me, as a wee thank you for completing a survey for her!  The tea badge is VERY much me.  Love that nut and bee stuff!  And she made a cute handmade envelope!

Video to send me off into the weekend.  Best listened to once babe's in bed, with a glass of wine in hand and headphones on.
Love this song. 


Thanks for all your lovely supportive messages from yesterday.  Can't wait till hubby is home for the weekend to help out with bebe.  She getting there, but still a bit miserable.  Looks like the poor thing got her mama and papa's hay fever genes too...