Uber-Nerd strikes again!

I am a nerd.  It's a fact.  I love anything that is technologically new and I just HAVE to have it!  The girls at Shop Handmade have affectionately nicknamed me "Tech Support" and I often fix any technology related problems for them

On the weekend we went to our local shopping centre to get a new mobile phone plan and we ended up getting one of these too - the new T-Hub from Telstra.

It now has pride of place next to my computer and I need to set aside a bit of time on the weekend to enter in all of our contacts information and really learn how to use this fabulous piece of technology.  Nerd heaven!

Lou x

Let the challenge begin!

We have been struggling with Miss M to get her to stop sucking her thumb.  She only sucks it at night and when she is really tired in the late afternoon.  Nevertheless at 6 years of age it is time for this habit to be stopped.  I searched around a while ago and found this helpful chart on Kid Giddy.

The chart is now on the wall with her chosen reward being a Nintendo DSi (we were planning on getting her one for Christmas anyway).  The time line has been set and she will hopefully have her wonderful new treat in time for the next school holidays.  Love the fact it is aqua and red! 

Wish us luck!

Lou x

I want, I want!

Continuing with my obsession with all things red and aqua I stumbled across this gorgeous idea from Cathe Holden at Just Something I Made.  How fantastic is this?  I love the wagons repurposed into book organisers and would love to get my hands on some of those little aqua drawers!

Our family has quite a big announcement to make in the next few days (I'll tell you as soon as the paperwork is organised!)

Lou x 

Surely there is not 2 of us!

My husband found this on a wall in Williamstown, SA, whilst on his 4WD adventure

amazing that he could actually see or find anything as the rest of the wall looked like this!

Craft and Quilt Fair - Canberra Style!

After the safe return of my camera (and husband after his 4WD trek across the Simpson Desert) I have been itching to get snapping away again.  The opportunity came along when I went to the Craft and Quilt Fair at EPIC last weekend (2hrs of blissfull shopping - on my own!).

I met up with some of the regular stallholders and learnt some great new techniques - although there wasn't enough time to join in with the workshops :(

One of my favourites was Miss Sampson's Drapery - all the way from Swan Hill, Victoria!  I bought a gorgeous quilt kit from them last year (which is still on my to do list) and this year bought some gorgeous Babushka double gauze.  Their stall was in prime position and was set up beautifully.  I also picked up one of these beautiful panels of dresses.

Next it was on to Murally Craft from Orange, NSW.  They had THE best craft bags there and I bought 3 of them!  I'm actually planning on using the smallest one for all the bits and pieces I need on busy market days.

Next stop was margaret's fabrics who had a fantastic set-up and Monica Poole was there showing her great quilt-as-you-go technique.  Check out her book here for more details!

Canberra fabric store Rosemont the Patchwork Shop was there too with a huge display of quilts, fabrics, patterns and craft supplies.

And I snapped up this Jelly Roll (for a quilt for Master T) for only $25 from Just Patchwork along with these lovely fat quarters - 5 for $10!

     

My fabric stash is growing by the day and I need to get stitching if I'm going to be ready for the next Handmade Market in a few weeks time!

Lou x

A New Look!

I have been playing around with the idea of creating a whole new look for my blog, business cards and other associated advertising.  I am so in love with anything red and aqua at the moment - I have been scouring the internet for fabrics and have found some fabulous pieces that I can't wait to make into a quilt.  I'd love to show you some photos but hubby is on a 4wd trip to the Simpson Desert and he has taken MY camera with him :(

Now I am certainly not an expert in html or web design and but even little old me managed to create this blog design with the help of the cutest blog on the block.  They have a link there for paint.net which is a really easy to use program, similar to photo shop - but the best thing is it's free!

So what do you think?  There is another reason for the cherries - but that's a secret to be revealed later...

Louise x

Chocolate Pizza!!!!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a cook.  I cook only out of absolute necessity, never for fun or to try new things.  It just isn't my thing.  My husband is the cook in our household which makes it life very difficult for the kids and I when he works away for 4 and half weeks at a time!

Miss M recently celebrated her 6th Birthday and invited a couple of her little friends over for a Pyjama and Pizza Party.  The Pizza thing was easy to organise - a quick call to the local takeaway shop took care of that.  But then there was the cake.  I have always made my children their Birthday cakes (albeit a bought slab sponge from Woolworths).  I painstakingly decorate and ice them to look exactly the same as the ones in the book and they usually turn out pretty good.  I guess I want them to look back at photos of when they were young and remember the time that Mummy did in fact make something edible in the kitchen!

This year I took an even easier option - the Chocolate Pizza!  In keeping with the Pizza theme of the party I made this:

This would have to be the easiest cake I have EVER made!  All it needs is:

Sponge Flan (store bought of course)

Nutella for the 'sauce'

Mini M&M's

Marshmallows (pink and white cut in half)

Strawberries

Banana

Sprinkles

Put them all together like a regular Pizza and there you have it!  I served it with cream and ice-cream and it was fantastic.  The girls loved it and the best thing was it only took about 5 minutes to make!

Happy Birthday Miss M x