FELTING

It was quite a lazy day today so I took the opportunity to do a little felting. I made a needle holder for my larger sewing needles that tend to get misplaced easily. It's made from wool roving, cotton muslin and silk threads. I used the wet felting technique of placing stands of fibres over muslin and felting until the desired effect is achieved. I left the edges rough because I like it that way. I think it adds to the rustic look of the wool felt.

Cheers,
Lynda

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

It's your day so get out those rainbow colours and paint your day beautiful!

Happy birthday Erin, this day is all about YOU! My family and I wish you the best birthday ever and hope the day holds all that makes you happy. May the year to follow be successful and see many of your dreams come true. I wish you didn't live on the opposite side of the world but one day we will share cake!! Well I get to enjoy your birthday twice, our 16th and your 16th!!!

Luv ya heaps,
Cheers beautiful,
Lynda

YOUNG AT HEART

Have you ever gone into a toy store and found something so cute you just had to buy it?
It happened to me yesterday. I was shopping for a birthday present for Lachie who is about to turn three. It was difficult as he has lots of toys but I finally settled on a set of blocks from the Disney/Pixar Cars movie and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Board game for Kaylee to give him. With the presents selected we were about to leave the store and then I spotted it. I knew straight away Kaylee would love it and she did. I had to have it.



How cute is this?

This jewel box contains the sweetest checkers set for little girls that you could possibly imagine. It is the Disney Princess Checkers Set.

Take a look.
And it all packs away neatly into the jewel box. Who wouldn't love it?? Well little boys probably but....

Cheers,

Lynda

THE AFTERMATH

Well we didn't get off as lightly as we first thought. There are broken tiles on the roof that we didn't notice until the water damage appeared on the ceiling and there are broken windows at the back of the house. The cars look even worse in the clear light of day when we can step back and assess the damage. Worst of all there is another storm set for tonight. It is a few hours away so hopefully it veers away from us or breaks down before it gets here. They are calling it a super cell - don't exactly know what that entails but it is very bad apparently.

The poor horses copped it also. They were fairly exposed to the weather and hail and there was no chance to even rug them up before it hit. Now we know another storm is approaching they will fare better if the storm hits tonight.

"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. ~Roger Miller

I think we can safely say that on this occassion we just got wet!!!

Cheers,
Lynda

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

Everyone was looking forward to the long weekend for Labour Day on Monday. Some people are going away to the beach and others are just making the most of a restful weekend. That was until the storms hit. Rain was forecast over the 3 days which is a change from the dry Melbourne weather that we have been having lately. We were hoping that there would be enough rain to refresh the gardens that so desperately need the rain and also help with filling the water storage reservoirs but no one expected this. The damage is horrendous.


The city streets are waist high in flood water, rooves are damaged, tree branches and debris litter the street and windows are smashed.

From our own perspective all of our cars are extensively hail damaged and Jeff's has a broken windscreen as well. Jeff's car that was only repaired last week was the worst hit with every panel damaged and he got the broken windscreen as well. (Is there some reason this guy is attracting all the trouble!!!!) The house is ok with all the windows still intact but neighbours weren't so lucky. The shed has a damaged roof. Ross was hit in the head with the above hail stones as he ran to cover his precious 1971 Ford Falcon GT. (can't let anything happen to that - he loves it) and has lumps and bumps on his forehead and head that will give him a story to tell for awhile.


The sound of the huge hail stones hitting windows and cars was frightening. Many of the hail stones were the size of tennis balls or apples, definitely bigger than the usual golf ball.



I guess we can be grateful for small mercies. It could have been worse.

Cheers,
Lynda

PLAYDOUGH FUN

I love making playdough. Kaylee measured out all the ingredients and I did the cooking bit. We both had fun squishing it, rolling it out and making all sorts of shapes. We have had so much fun today and it is only lunchtime.

Playdough Recipe

1 cup plain flour

1/2 cup salt

1 tablespoon oil

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

food colouring

1 cup water

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the mixture comes together to form a firm ball. Be careful as it sticks and burns on the saucepan very easily. Stir vigorously all the way through cooking process. It is best to work with this amount of mixture so it is manageable in the saucepan and just make more if you want extra or other colours.

Cheers,

Lynda

SWEET TOOTH

No news today! There is nothing to report with regards to my knitting that has taken a back seat lately. I've only managed a few rows here and there on the Lacy Kerchief Scarf but it is good to see the garter stitch panel taking shape. I like the pattern and really must make time to knit more.

I did manage some baking today. I'll share these little snacks with you. I think everyone I know has there own recipe for these favourites but here's mine anyway.

Jam Drops

3/4 cup sugar
125 grams (4ozs) butter or marg
2 eggs
2 cups plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Jam (a firm jam works best)

Beat butter and sugar to cream, add vanilla, eggs then flour and baking powder. Mix together. The mixture should be a little stiff. Take teaspoonfuls of the mixture, dust in extra plain flour and roll into balls. Make an indent in the ball with thumb and fill with jam.
Bake 180C for approx 10 minutes until golden.

I don't try to make these perfect. If the jam runs a little it adds to the homemade country style look of the cookie.

And..

Raspberry Coconut Slice

3/4 cup plain flour

1/4 cup self raising flour

1/4 cup sugar

90 grams (3ozs) butter

1 egg

Raspberry jam (you can of course use other jam if you like)

Mix the dry ingredients together in bowl, rub in butter, add egg and mix to make a firm dough. Press dough over the base of greased or baking paper lined tray (11in x 7in). Spread over enough jam to cover sparingly or as desired. Next sprinkle over the topping.

For the topping mix together 1 egg, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 1/4 cups coconut.

Bake at 180C for approx 25 minutes until golden brown.

Cheers,
Lynda

TO FAIL OR NOT TO FAIL

This is the display picture on Shan's computer monitor at the moment. She changes it very frequently as the mood takes her. She is currently studying her VCE. Do you think she is telling me something?

I wonder whether someone may be failing or someone is not being very innovative.

mmm maybe it could be she just likes the quote!!

Cheers,

Lynda

MEET MR. BEASLEY

Mr. Beasley is a 5 inch teddy bear. He is hand stitched, fully jointed and made in a short pile German mohair fabric. His eyes are small black glass beads.

The pattern is by Pam Holton Designs.

I love this little bear. The mohair is just long enough to give him a soft plush look. He is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.

Cheers,
Lynda