Apron sneak-peek

A little more creating and finishing (!!!!) has been going on here over the past few days. My apron creation is finished and flying it's way to the UK - all wrapped up and ready to live with Viv at Pooh's abode in her lovely, English kitchen. I think it will fit in well and hopefully Viv will like it and enjoy wearing it as much as I enjoyed making it. Here is a little sneak-peak - two fabrics and some pretty bits.

Thanks so much to Sarah at Red gingham for organising the swap. It was lots of fun pulling together the ideas, fabrics and all the trimmings to suit the picture I had in my head. I love that a swap, with their looming deadline, forces me (and us?!?!) to finish a project within a time frame, proving to myself that I can get something finished when I really want and need to! So now it's onto my half-done projects, but first, the washing and ironing!

Three bags full

This week has been about bag making. Three little receptacles have been produced: one for me, one as a birthday gift for my sister-in-law in Brisbane and one by my sister. I took my youngest sister through my little draw-string design that I make so many of and she did a wonderful job. I can see her making more!

The only problem is that only one of the bags made a dent in my fabric supply! My sister brought her own materials to play with and I found the perfect fabric for my sister-in-law's birthday gift in a local art and craft shop. I just had to have it!

I tried a new pattern for two of them, using Soulemama's design from The Handmade Home. Before cutting in to the new fabric for Helen, I had to try out the pattern first for myself, using up some of what I already had in the chest. I love the 'summer' version I came up with!  I varied the measurements of this pattern to make it a bit deeper - just so it could accommodate A4 size books and papers for my sister-in-law. As she is a primary school music teacher I could see this bag having a few uses in her busy week.

It is quite incredible that, of all the careers they could have chosen, she and her big brother are both specialist primary music teachers. They are also both full-time in their respective primary schools. Certainly in Tassie, there are few primary schools big enough or wanting to place so much time with music. Once they get chatting 'school' on the phone they settle in and love to compare notes!

Well, that's it for bags for this week. There are other projects, both creative and practical, that need my attention tomorrow!

x

A swing and a clean

Finally, the new skirts I made for the twins recently: soft, warm navy cord and a little applique with scraps. They were today's chosen outfit (chosen, that is, by the girls!), they were clean and ironed, we were home and the girls were happy so we headed out for a little photo or two. The only thing missing was the sun! I made them to match a couple of new tops I bought recently so we've got an easy outfit to pull together in our morning rush. It turns out these skirts match quite a few of their winter tops so I think they will wear them often!

Ruby was happy on the swings today. 

Hannah was most concerned with cleaning and drying every seat and bar on the swing set. She loves being helpful.

Ruby picked this flower (a clover flower, I think!) for Mummy.

I've realised now that the beanies the girls are wearing were made by two of their great grandmothers. Grandma knitted Ruby's pale pink beanie (along with 3 others) for the twins as babies - they have worn them since before they had hair! Hannah's was made by my late Nan for Sarah and Alice (there is another one somewhere!) - complete with a little flower on the side.

I love that the things we create provide a memory of people (and ourselves!) and times in our life for years to come.

x

Weekend warming

Welcome, weekend!  There will need to be plenty of warming food, drinks and activities here today. We've had a low of 3 overnight, will reach only twelve degrees today and although a fine forecast, there is not a sign of sunshine.

Our two eldest girls have gone to a statewide gathering for Girl Guides today in the north of the state, a two and a half hour drive away. They left at 6.30am (!), in the dark, but on very warm, cosy coaches. I had expected they could sit together, snuggle up and have a sleep leaning on one another. You can imagine the picture, I think! Well, all that was dashed when we found they were to travel on two separate buses in their guiding age groups. (Breathe, Mummy, breathe) As so often is the case, they were less bothered by that than me, and happily found a good friend to fall asleep on. They're expected back at 7pm - what a day they will have!

Daddy has also headed north for the day - not quite as far, but nearly spot on in the middle of Tassie in the little town of Ross. Again, a statewide gathering, meeting in a central spot, to talk school, music and committees.

So, it's just the twins and I. Hannah and Ruby are used to having just Mummy during the week, but this is very odd for a Saturday. I suspect we may get some baking done, and a touch of sewing. My plan is to get as much housework done by 9am as possible. Waking up at 5.30 on a Saturday has some advantages, I guess!

We have the pleasure of visitors today, too. My sister and her husband are in Hobart for the weekend, so they will spend some time here which will be lovely. She has even bought her current sewing projects with her so I think we may get a little done together. She got her first machine last year, has started building her fabric supply and has a few projects on the go.

These photos were taken on Thursday, when the sun was shining - how cute is Hannah bending down over the geraniums? She was so worried about the flowers that have finished and now brown and shrivelled! I made their skirts a few weeks ago out of embroidered denim - so cute with little flowers, butterflies and gingham love hearts. The remainder of the denim (the plain section) was used for Sarah's skirt that I posted about last weekend. Not one scrap of that fabric was left. Now that's a good feeling.

All the very best for a good weekend.

x

Nan's original rulers

Better than finding great vintage goodies at the second hand shop is inheriting great vintage goodies from your grandmother. I use a lot of her fabrics and sewing bits and pieces (including two ancient pairs of pinking shears) and now Mum has given me the original timber rulers that Nan bought when she first began sewing. They are just beautiful, no doubt well used but in great condition. I think we will get much use out of them here and they will get much care and love.

Nan was an accomplished seamstress, working in the department store McKinlays in Launceston during the 1930s and 40s and then continuing to sew right through her latter years. As a child, I remember her black Singer machine always set up with a pile of alterations and garments half made beside it. She worked on many weddings, made many suits and took on lots of alterations for her friends.

One of our favourite family stories is the sewing that she took on during her last years. After a stroke put my grandfather in a nursing home, Nan moved into an independent unit in the same establishment, just metres away from Pop's room. She loved to be busy, and was always driving her 'older friends' around the city for their hair and medical appointments. She seemed to forget they were the same age as her!!!

She also did a lot of sewing for her neighbours during this time, taking in skirts and hemming their 'slacks'. The nursing staff recognised her work and asked that she do some alterations for them. So, with pride and a sense of purpose, she refashioned dozens of men's pyjama tops: sewing up the front panel of buttons, cutting down the centre back and adding velcro top to bottom. It made dressing those in bed much easier and Nan loved doing it.

So, welcome Nan's rulers. You are very special to us.

x

Mummy dinners

Last night's dinner was what we commonly call a 'Mummy dinner' - creations that come from Mummy's own head rather than a recipe. It happens every now and then, either through necessity or the desire to be a little creative and inspired in the kitchen.

Dinner was to be baked meatballs and spaghetti. Then I thought it would be handy to have it all in one dish, straight from the oven to the table.

I find that makes the last 20 minutes or so before dinner much easier. I know at our house there is so much happening at 5.45. There's a lost slipper and someone's hair needing attention. Novels need to be put down (!!!), home readers put in bags for tomorrow and there is always someone not keen on leaving their artwork unfinished! With dinner in the oven, all the frying, boiling, simmering and straining has been done. The washing up from the pasta, meatballs and sauce was done and put away. The dish stays hot too while we sort everyone out, pour water, dish up etc.

So this is what I came up with. It took longer prep time than the standard meatballs with pasta but I think it was worth it. Not one bit was left - four of us had seconds and everyone was happy. We had our own beans and silverbeet, steamed together, to go with it. The twins are eating green beans now - so pleased about that!

                                

Baked Meatballs and Pasta

Ingredients

Pasta (I used large spirals - about 5 cups raw went into the boiling water)

Meatballs

300g beef mince

2 slices wholemeal bread, processed

1 garlic clove, crushed

zest of one lemon (the lemon flavour just makes the meatballs!)

chopped parsley

salt and pepper

Sauce

1 onion, chopped finely

1 garlic clove, crushed

4 mushrooms, chopped finely

(I used my new hand blender to process finely - twins did not notice the mushrooms!)

1 bottle tomato passata

1 tb worcestershire sauce

a good sprinkle of italian herb mix (oregano or basil would work well too)

salt and pepper

1 cup grated tasty cheese

Drain cooked pasta and spread across bottom of large baking dish

Brown meatballs all over in olive oil over medium-high heat. Spread evenly over pasta.

In same pan, heat a little more oil and fry chopped vegetables for 2-3 minutes, then add rest of sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes. Pour sauce over meatballs and pasta, top with grated cheese and bake in moderate oven for about 30 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and cheese has melted and browned.

Hope you enjoy as we did!

Four skirts for four girls

The girls have been needing more winter skirts of late. They all still love wearing their skirts and pinafores, leggings and tights.

So the thin, cotton summer favourites have had to be put aside and the winter-weight skirts brought to the front of the wardrobe. There were quite a few, but not everyone had a lovely selection that would fit them well for all of winter. The much-loved skirts that the twins have grown in to need to do double the work so there was certainly not enough in their size!

So over the last few weeks I've been buying suitable fabrics, using up stashed denim and making the requested skirts. The final two came together on Friday and Saturday so today was the day. All four wanted to wear their new 'Mummy skirts' to church.

Poor Hannah, feeling miserable with a cold and nasty cough, had to stay home. She wasn't that keen on missing Sunday school and was upset that she wouldn't be able to wear her new skirt! I told her she could wear it anyway and she was rather relieved!

Alice's skirt was a bit of a colour change for us - gorgeous soft cord in choc brown with mauve and cream flowers. But she and I love how it turned out. The cream lace was given from a friend and the yo-yo made from material that was my late Nan's. She actually made my mother a shirt with a self-frilled round collar in the 80s in that purple floral. Ali's cardigan was made for Sarah a few years ago by my wonderful and clever grandmother. She has knitted non-stop for my girls since they were born!!

Sarah's skirt was made using the plain end of a length of embroidered denim. Hannah and Ruby each have a skirt made with the embroidered end and there was plenty left over for a skirt for Sarah. Plenty also to make a frill. Can you tell I recently bought a yo-yo template? Sarah's are made with a gorgeous strawberry print I bought from Corrie at Retro mummy. This skirt was the first of this batch of sewing and saw some mild, early-autumn days with short sleeves and ballet flats. Love something versatile!

Hannah and Ruby were not quite in the mood for a little photo shoot today. They were tired and needed a sleep, which with Daddy's patience and cuddles, they were able to get. Tomorrow we will have a little share - till then think navy cord with appliqued flowers and a button or two!

 And while we were getting ready this morning, me gathering everything for Sunday school, making a quick soup for lunch and getting everyone ready, Sarah knitted this little woollen bangle, beginning to end, all on her own. Five stitches cast on, knitted and cast off. I had no idea she was making it! My clever and creative girl.


And the blue sky? It was a gorgeous autumn day. Daddy and Alice had a long bike ride together yesterday so today it was time for Mummy and Sarah to get our bikes and enjoy a pretty (and flat!) bike trail close to our house. I'm sure bike seats were a lot softer and more comfortable when I was young!

Hope you too had a productive and/or restful weekend. Here's to a new, fresh week ahead!

x

A little gift creating

Handmade gifts have been a regular thing around here of late. Last week I spent some time gift creating to clear some fabric from my overflowing chest (ie. the lid won't shut unless my mother is here to re-fold and organise it - she does it so well!) and came up with presents for two mothers and one little sister. 

After making a few purchases to go with the handmade goodies (plus some arty, crafty creations from all the girls) I came up with three gifts that ticked the important boxes - used up some fabric, saved some money, gave something personal and just a little different and had mummy sewing something other than hems of school trousers!

A recent report from my sister in Melbourne says that her birthday parcel has arrived safely. She has been doing lots of kitchen experimenting lately - working her way through cookbook after cookbook it seems. Working very long days all week, she seems to spend half the weekend cooking. That, plus the need for some decent wooden spoons in her kitchen, meant that a cute apron and a set of wooden spoons was in order.

I had a pattern (circa 1977!) from a clean out of Mum's sewing box and wanted to try it out. Also, aprons are being made from all corners of the globe this month for Sarah's apron swap at Red Gingham.  I wanted to have a play with aprons before I made and sent one to my partner Viv in the UK at Pooh's Abode. (I had a back up plan for Lib's present if the apron didn't work!) The pattern worked well, and with a little frill of fabric from my late grandmother's stash, I had a cute and colourful apron for my sister. I bought the main fabric from the gorgeous range on offer at retro mummy. Thanks, Corrie.

Sarah was good enough to take this photo of the completed apron before we wrapped it. It felt a little long on me, but my sister is quite a bit taller so hopefully it will suit her better. Now she has a pretty apron and all the sizes of wooden spoons she'll ever need. Her fancy red Kenwood mixer, that I happily used at Christmas time, is great, but you have to have a good wooden spoon! Hope you had a happy birthday, Lib.

A day of touring

Today was spent showing this beautiful place to a lovely Finnish tourist. As a renowned music specialist, she has been in Tassie and Victoria for just a few days, presenting day-long workshops to our primary music teachers. Daddy is President of the Tasmanian association and suggested I take her on a personal tour of some of our highlights.

Yesterday she toured Bruny Island, by land and sea. Today, we followed my itinerary. First stop was Mount Wellington - the weather forecast wasn't great but we had no cloud and a wonderful clear view of Hobart and its intricate waterways and hills. But it was sooooo cold up there and I have never walked into wind blowing so strong - not even on the rolling hills of Yolla, NW Tassie, bringing home the cows for milking!

Despite the conditions, we were impressed and my friend was quite taken aback by the scale and beauty of the place. As was Ruby with the following comment. While in the observation tower looking at the view:

Ruby: Mummy, I had no idea the world was SO big!

The concept of distance and space is a tricky one to grasp when you are just 3. I think their innocence is just so delightful.

A drive to Longley, Margate, Kingston and then Richmond was next - lunch, galleries, lolly shop and the 1823 Richmond Bridge. My client was enthralled, made a lovely purchase of local craftsmanship and took lots of lovely photos. I, despite running back inside for my camera this morning, took not one photo. None. Totally forgot I had it in my bag. I guess being a tourist guide requires focus! Therefore, no photos.

And many thanks must go to my dear friend Claire. With half an hour's notice, she happily collected my girls from school (along with her own kids) and took them home for afternoon tea, while we made our way back across town from Richmond.

We picked up the girls, came home and prepared and shared dinner. Peter and our guest talked 'school' and the girls learnt Finnish hand clapping games. They played their favourite kid's CDs for our guest and she made a long list. Maybe young children in Finland will enjoy them too! Mr Whiskers, The Wiggles, Justine, Georgie and Jay all made the shortlist. What a great experience it was for the girls.

Story time and bedtime came around. As did a trip to the airport for our guest - Melbourne and then home to Finland. Daddy drove, I did the 'story time, teeth and toilet'.

And that was our day. A few too many words though!!! x

Busy bees and many beans

A mid-autumn blogging break has come to an end - I've finally got myself back on track with my blog and plan to be a lot more regular. There is so much going on - cooking, gardening, sewing and busy little girls - that I could be sharing so much more! Many days have passed where I've wanted to post and then I don't have a suitable photo, they're not uploaded to the computer or I just run out of time and energy!!! I'm sure you all know how it is!! Every day is so full with important things to be done that this little outlet of Mummy's is put at the bottom of the list. Maybe I need to try the 'little and often' approach - I've always been known to enjoy my words (!!!!), but I shall try to cut back on the writing and share more often.

A weekend away (more on that later) and the start of a new week always motivates me and helps me re-focus on what I need (and want) to do each day. This morning: housework (plus lots of washing) and the veggie garden. My father-in-law planted out all of these veggies while here in February - they have done so well - lots of harvesting to be done!!! 

Back - runner beans, hiding in the middle - broad beans (apparently Daddy will NOT eat them!) and a very healthy crop of celery at the front. Many stalks have gone in many stir fries, soups and stews already.

This is my second attempt at growing beans from seed - the first lot must had too much water and rotted - they haven't been seen since! This crop has been very successful. The beans took a while to come but the wait was certainly worth it. All the girls have been eating them - Hannah and Ruby will even eat three pieces with their dinner. There's even enough to take to school for the girls' teachers.

Some very healthy celery - although the slugs have left little holes down many of the stalks. How to keep them away? Do I have to use snail pellets or is there another trick?

Ever since the girls were born silverbeet has been a constant veggie in the garden (apart from the season or two after Hannah and Ruby were born!!! - not much gardening got done there for a while) It is just so versatile - whether shredded for a stir fry, soup, stew, lasagne, canneloni, or just steamed with a mix of other veggies. The girls all had it pureed with potato and pumpkin when they started solids (the only bottled food I bought was custard for when we went out - they didn't like anything else!)

But, alas, the snails and slugs love it too. Do I not worry about a few holes or aim to rid the hungry creatures from my patch? Let me know what you think.

School pickup and swimming lessons await. 

Till next time, have fun in your patch, whatever type of patch it may be. x