Sew-Mania!

Well, I have more than redeemed myself this week and managed to set my machine on fire creating a back log of things I wanted to sew.

I also have had a chance to use my overlocker. I brought it home over the weekend and even though its 20 years old shes gotta lotta life left in her. I was super excited...but some of that waned when my MIL and I tried to thread the thing! Or should I say she threaded and I sat by watching and holding the torch...yes the torch!

So here we go.... I apologise for the pics they were taken on my phone as I cant find the camera!



These are some brown cord pants I wanted to make for Jack. They come from a Burda pattern which I dont like I have decided and I think they look a bit baggy really. But comfy!


Here is the finished dress and Mary Jane shoes for Lainey. LOADS of lessons learnt here and I think it will be a while before I make a lined outfit again! I bought a cute white skivvy to go underneath and now just need some stockings and she is away!


I love these - and I love the pattern for the pants - one piece!!! I made the pants and appliquéd the top. Jack loves it and I think he might wear this one to bed tonight! I have also discovered that when doing patterns for Jack I need to make the size 2 but with the 3 length. Tall and thin...if only I was too!



Last but not least the Wiggles bootie pj pants. This is a shocking pic and doesnt show the bootie part well on one leg but Jack was..well.. jack of pulling off and putting on clothes for me! Since having taken this pic I have fiddled with the elastic in the feet and they are alot more fitted - more like the original pair. These are super warm and great for cold nights. I also made the jumper a while ago - I think it was my second project ever.

Ok so there you go - up to date and I have all but one thing to go to finish my current list. Then I am going to go through my fabric and pattern stash and see whats next. Probably some jammies for Lainey! Who knows!

xx Gilly


PS Lainey has started sleeping through the night now (5 out of the last 6) and I have been having the most bizzaro dreams. Last night I had a dream I hung out with the Pope when he was here (I am not catholic nor religious so it was odd!) and the night before that I had a dream thatc Jack was bitten by a snake....not good as I have a mortal fear of snake. How weird!!!

Sew-Mania!

Well, I have more than redeemed myself this week and managed to set my machine on fire creating a back log of things I wanted to sew.

I also have had a chance to use my overlocker. I brought it home over the weekend and even though its 20 years old shes gotta lotta life left in her. I was super excited...but some of that waned when my MIL and I tried to thread the thing! Or should I say she threaded and I sat by watching and holding the torch...yes the torch!

So here we go.... I apologise for the pics they were taken on my phone as I cant find the camera!



These are some brown cord pants I wanted to make for Jack. They come from a Burda pattern which I dont like I have decided and I think they look a bit baggy really. But comfy!


Here is the finished dress and Mary Jane shoes for Lainey. LOADS of lessons learnt here and I think it will be a while before I make a lined outfit again! I bought a cute white skivvy to go underneath and now just need some stockings and she is away!


I love these - and I love the pattern for the pants - one piece!!! I made the pants and appliquéd the top. Jack loves it and I think he might wear this one to bed tonight! I have also discovered that when doing patterns for Jack I need to make the size 2 but with the 3 length. Tall and thin...if only I was too!



Last but not least the Wiggles bootie pj pants. This is a shocking pic and doesnt show the bootie part well on one leg but Jack was..well.. jack of pulling off and putting on clothes for me! Since having taken this pic I have fiddled with the elastic in the feet and they are alot more fitted - more like the original pair. These are super warm and great for cold nights. I also made the jumper a while ago - I think it was my second project ever.

Ok so there you go - up to date and I have all but one thing to go to finish my current list. Then I am going to go through my fabric and pattern stash and see whats next. Probably some jammies for Lainey! Who knows!

xx Gilly


PS Lainey has started sleeping through the night now (5 out of the last 6) and I have been having the most bizzaro dreams. Last night I had a dream I hung out with the Pope when he was here (I am not catholic nor religious so it was odd!) and the night before that I had a dream thatc Jack was bitten by a snake....not good as I have a mortal fear of snake. How weird!!!

Just A Quickie...and A Face Lift

oI'm off to the big smoke tomorrow. Lainey has her regular peds appointment for her reflux so its hi ho off we go. I will be home Wednesday afternoon and then off to Narrogin Thursday and hopefully some quiet time on Friday before off to Perth overnight again on Saturday! Man we are busy...

On the sewing front I have bought some patterns, done some hemming, traced and cut out some patterns and bought some fabric. I also intend to go to SL sometime in the next 24 hours! Of course.

I have scored an overlocker from MIL's ex-next door neighbour and I also have scored some TopKids pattern books and I also think some Kwik-Knit patterns too. All to add to my stash! I am sooo looking forward to getting my overlocker - second hand but a great place to start!!!

Ok well just wanted to touch base so you wouldn't get lonely!! Oh and by the way - Lainey got a tooth...about time!

Well off to bed so I can get up and drive for 3 hours to Perth...yah for me!

xxGilly

PS I gave you a face lift because well between you and me you looked a little tired....you look great now! Until the next time I get bored....lol

Just A Quickie...and A Face Lift

oI'm off to the big smoke tomorrow. Lainey has her regular peds appointment for her reflux so its hi ho off we go. I will be home Wednesday afternoon and then off to Narrogin Thursday and hopefully some quiet time on Friday before off to Perth overnight again on Saturday! Man we are busy...

On the sewing front I have bought some patterns, done some hemming, traced and cut out some patterns and bought some fabric. I also intend to go to SL sometime in the next 24 hours! Of course.

I have scored an overlocker from MIL's ex-next door neighbour and I also have scored some TopKids pattern books and I also think some Kwik-Knit patterns too. All to add to my stash! I am sooo looking forward to getting my overlocker - second hand but a great place to start!!!

Ok well just wanted to touch base so you wouldn't get lonely!! Oh and by the way - Lainey got a tooth...about time!

Well off to bed so I can get up and drive for 3 hours to Perth...yah for me!

xxGilly

PS I gave you a face lift because well between you and me you looked a little tired....you look great now! Until the next time I get bored....lol

Library Bags and Little Girls Dresses..oh and Coca Cola Cake!

Hey blog...long time no see...looking great.....have you lost weight!??

Well being the school holidays we have been jaunting to and from the big smoke and generally relaxing. All is set to return to normal though as Mike goes back to work tomorrow. :(

I have been working away at a dress that I have been cooking for Lainey. I used a basic A line dress pattern and then lined it. I used a beautiful flannel material I bought in Narrogin to make some Mary Jane shoes for Lainey and then used the rest to make the dress. Here is the dress so far..it needs to be fitted, hemmed and have buttons put on the shoulders.


I have also started on the EB sewing group challenge which is a bag (or two). I know its not sexy but on my list of things to sew has been new library bags as we have recently joined a new library in the area. So last night I also made Jack this bag.


I took a pic of it with the books in it for effect. Jack loved waking up to it this morning. Its lined with calico to make it stronger and neater on the inside! I will make mine tonight.

Next on the agenda is corduroy pants for Jack and an outfit for Lainey. I will trace patterns and what not this evening whilst the Amazing Race double episode is on! Thanks to my MIL for getting me hooked on that one.

Nowwwww...onto the best part of the post. I recently borrowed from the library a Nigella Lawson cookbook called How To Be A Domestic Goddess. I was looking through it last night and came across this recipe for Coca Cola Chocolate Cake. I made it, ate a slice and am now in love...its even nicer with a scoop of ice cream! If you try it let me know!

Coca Cola Chocolate Cake

For the cake
200g plain flour
250g castor sugar
1/2 teaspoon bicarb
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
125ml of buttermilk (although I did use normal milk..not sure if it made a diff)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
125g unsalted butter
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
175ml Coca Cola

For the Icing
225g icing sugar
2 tablespoons (30g) butter
3 tablespoons (45ml) Coca Cola
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and put in a baking sheet at the same time. Line a 22-23cm spring form tin with al-foil to stop the cake batter leaking through and spray with cooking oil.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, bicarb, and salt. Beat an egg, buttermilk and vanilla in a measuring jug. In a heavy based saucepan (or the microwave) melt the butter, cocoa powder and Coke gently until butter is melted. Pour into the dry ingredients, stir well with a wooden spoon and then add the liquid ingredients from the jug, beating until well blended.

Pour into the prepared tin and bake on the warn sheet for 40 minutes or until the tester comes out clean.

Leave to stand for 15 minutes in the tin before unmoulding. Then unclip, unwrap and turn out onto a wire rack, making sure you have a sheet of newspaper or something underneath the rack to collect the icing that will drip off it later.

Sieve the icing sugar and set aside. In a heavy based saucepan (or the microwave) combine the butter, Coca Cola and cocoa powder until melted. remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Then spoon in the icing sugar and beat until you have a good spreadable but still runny icing mix.

Pour this over the cake whilst it is still warm and then leave to cool completely. place on serving plate. Great on its own, or with something yummy like ice cream.

Thanks Nigella!!!

If you try that let me know what you think. Ok off now to walk to the post office as Lainey has awoken from her slumber. Then lunch, patterns and mor sewing. Ahh the good life!

xxxGilly

Library Bags and Little Girls Dresses..oh and Coca Cola Cake!

Hey blog...long time no see...looking great.....have you lost weight!??

Well being the school holidays we have been jaunting to and from the big smoke and generally relaxing. All is set to return to normal though as Mike goes back to work tomorrow. :(

I have been working away at a dress that I have been cooking for Lainey. I used a basic A line dress pattern and then lined it. I used a beautiful flannel material I bought in Narrogin to make some Mary Jane shoes for Lainey and then used the rest to make the dress. Here is the dress so far..it needs to be fitted, hemmed and have buttons put on the shoulders.


I have also started on the EB sewing group challenge which is a bag (or two). I know its not sexy but on my list of things to sew has been new library bags as we have recently joined a new library in the area. So last night I also made Jack this bag.


I took a pic of it with the books in it for effect. Jack loved waking up to it this morning. Its lined with calico to make it stronger and neater on the inside! I will make mine tonight.

Next on the agenda is corduroy pants for Jack and an outfit for Lainey. I will trace patterns and what not this evening whilst the Amazing Race double episode is on! Thanks to my MIL for getting me hooked on that one.

Nowwwww...onto the best part of the post. I recently borrowed from the library a Nigella Lawson cookbook called How To Be A Domestic Goddess. I was looking through it last night and came across this recipe for Coca Cola Chocolate Cake. I made it, ate a slice and am now in love...its even nicer with a scoop of ice cream! If you try it let me know!

Coca Cola Chocolate Cake

For the cake
200g plain flour
250g castor sugar
1/2 teaspoon bicarb
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
125ml of buttermilk (although I did use normal milk..not sure if it made a diff)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
125g unsalted butter
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
175ml Coca Cola

For the Icing
225g icing sugar
2 tablespoons (30g) butter
3 tablespoons (45ml) Coca Cola
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and put in a baking sheet at the same time. Line a 22-23cm spring form tin with al-foil to stop the cake batter leaking through and spray with cooking oil.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, bicarb, and salt. Beat an egg, buttermilk and vanilla in a measuring jug. In a heavy based saucepan (or the microwave) melt the butter, cocoa powder and Coke gently until butter is melted. Pour into the dry ingredients, stir well with a wooden spoon and then add the liquid ingredients from the jug, beating until well blended.

Pour into the prepared tin and bake on the warn sheet for 40 minutes or until the tester comes out clean.

Leave to stand for 15 minutes in the tin before unmoulding. Then unclip, unwrap and turn out onto a wire rack, making sure you have a sheet of newspaper or something underneath the rack to collect the icing that will drip off it later.

Sieve the icing sugar and set aside. In a heavy based saucepan (or the microwave) combine the butter, Coca Cola and cocoa powder until melted. remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Then spoon in the icing sugar and beat until you have a good spreadable but still runny icing mix.

Pour this over the cake whilst it is still warm and then leave to cool completely. place on serving plate. Great on its own, or with something yummy like ice cream.

Thanks Nigella!!!

If you try that let me know what you think. Ok off now to walk to the post office as Lainey has awoken from her slumber. Then lunch, patterns and mor sewing. Ahh the good life!

xxxGilly

Sew Much to Tell You

I know I know - 8 days without a post...poor blog.

Well be prepared for a catch up.

Firstly it was Jacks third birthday on the 30th June. I made him a train cake as he is Thomas mad at the minute!

He got a bike, a cubby house and a train set, and of course the usual colouring in pencils etc etc. He is so gorgeous, I just love him to pieces and have been so blessed to be his mummy for three years!

Now onto sewing! I would like to introduce you to Molly the Dolly.......

I think she is so cute! She was a little harder than I thought at first but she brushed up just dandy I think! Next time though I will choose fabric that can be sewn with all the same colour thread as the body, and I will make the limbs a little chubbier. That will just make them easier to sew.

So what next...well I have a jumper cut out for Jack to sew and I must make some more pj pants for him. Then I want to make a library bag .........ahhh the list never ends.

xxGilly

Sew Much to Tell You

I know I know - 8 days without a post...poor blog.

Well be prepared for a catch up.

Firstly it was Jacks third birthday on the 30th June. I made him a train cake as he is Thomas mad at the minute!

He got a bike, a cubby house and a train set, and of course the usual colouring in pencils etc etc. He is so gorgeous, I just love him to pieces and have been so blessed to be his mummy for three years!

Now onto sewing! I would like to introduce you to Molly the Dolly.......

I think she is so cute! She was a little harder than I thought at first but she brushed up just dandy I think! Next time though I will choose fabric that can be sewn with all the same colour thread as the body, and I will make the limbs a little chubbier. That will just make them easier to sew.

So what next...well I have a jumper cut out for Jack to sew and I must make some more pj pants for him. Then I want to make a library bag .........ahhh the list never ends.

xxGilly