Chicago sister

Well I am officially calling these

The Royal Chicago Sisters...thanks to great suggestions of course...
i don't really tend to name them until i do more than one
you see when there is only one it is not
officially a sister...
well after making up this gorgeous little "flapper"
how could i not...
this could be the start of a beautiful new theme...P.S. if anyone can tell me how i can
reply directly to peoples comments...
i get lovely replies from you when i post comments on your blogs
( they are the ones that the original comment is at the bottom of the e-mail)
and i can't seem to do the same...and i sooooooo
love all your comments...

great suggestion...

Well this is the result of a wonderful suggestion
from BELLGIRL
after quiet a few pages of drawing
I decided to just get the material out
and "wing it" and see how it went.
"WOW" so glad I did...

the eyes are very different to what I'm use to but I do think
it worked really well and with the added
chenille drop waist on the bottom it finishes the style
off quiet nicely...
I love making dolls especially when they turn out like this...
not all do of course...
with every new doll though I get quiet attached
and think I can't bare to see them go...
but then I start a new one all over again, and again, and again...

op shopping...

went to the local op shop today
and managed to grab a few bargains
little miss loves books...
oh well out of three kids
your bound to get one that does...
and as she insists on 3 books every night before bed
(secretly i love that time with her)
i need to update a bit so i don't get bored either..
i already have a snow white but i do like to get other versions
and i would hope that one day i can find one that
rewords the part about the queen wanting to (kill) her...
i change it myself when i read it to her but she is very
bright and likes me to point to the words as i read them...
i don't think it will be very long before she reads them herself...
and of course i hunted through the material but
(i sadly can up empty)
so i was lucky enough to find this little beauty hanging
on a rack....very vintage....
i really don't know what this fabric is called but lots of things
were made back then out of it...
it has a real weave about it...

and this gingham orange one that i already
know who i will be sending this too...
it has the prettiest crochet pattern of what i would call a
"my fair lady style" girl...
our op shop is very riffled through
as everyone in town goes there and
nabs the good stuff straight away...
but i think i was pretty lucky today...

country life...and winner...

HERE is the "ROOSTER"

that keeps us awake all night...
the rooster that poops on the back step...
the rooster that crows when I'm on the phone...
which i know i live in the country but jeez it makes it sound
like hicks ville...

and here is "MILLY" that would love to
eat the rooster if she wasn't so scared...now for the Winner which was pulled from little misses
trusty pre-school hat...
BETTY JO

congratulations
i will e-mail you shortly...
loved all the comments and will definitely be having another
giveaway...
to the girls that this time missed out...
I'm so glad you left a comment as finding your blogs has been
wonderful...love them...
and of course here is pic of a "royal sister"
in the making...
i usually do the faces first
but was a bit unsure what kind of look
i was going for...
now i find myself stuck...
she's a bit "roaring 20's" and i love the fabric
it was the only other vintage fabric my grandmother left us...
and sporting a yoyo on the cloche hat...
if anyone has a suggestions...let me know...

strawberry jam...

thanks to

spoon full of sugar
for their great strawberry jam recipe...

fresh strawberries...


mashing up the strawberries...yum...


this is the sugar and strawberry mixture
you let it sit for 10 minutes...


i mixed the hot mixture of jam setta and water
into the strawberries and sugar mixture

then pour it into the (jars)
here is the finished product...
as you can see i could not find a empty jar in the whole
house so takeaway containers it is...

for all the ingredients, measurement etc check out
spoon full of sugars post...
it was so quick and easy
just like they said...
now all i have to do is patiently wait for it to set......

just remember to go to my 100th post
and put a comment as it will be draw very soon...

bag and a mission...

After being very inspired
by the quilt show and all the girls work
i set myself a task of making up a bag
bigger than the others and incorporating yoyo's
i thought the yoyo's a bit tedious at first but soon
got the hang of it...
this could turn into a quilt blog soon
if i keep sewing like this
(ohhhhh no say the girls)
not that!!!!!!

now for my BTW mission
( really don't know what that stands for )

CLOTHES SHOP: ummmmm are there clothes shops where i live
maybe country target if i'm lucky...
FURNITURE SHOP: now were pushing it....
but i would love to go to ikea.
SWEET: yes i am....thanks for asking.
CITY: i so want to go to Paris...
DRINK: easy Tia and milk...
Music: really not fussed
i have constant noise around me...
TV SERIES: Gilmore girls...sex in the city...
FILM: love actually...
and a stack of mostly girly soppy or funny flicks
WORKOUT: now really who needs to workout...
i own a small dog just so i don't have to walk it...
PASTRIES: yum chocolate eclairs....
COFFEE: yuk...prefer a case of coke thanks...

THANKS TO BELLGIRL
AND FLOWER GARDEN FOR GIVING ME
THIS MISSION...
check out there great sites...

P.S LEAVE A COMMENT
on my 100th post to be in the running
for a great prize...

Quilt Show...

I took the royal sisters out to the quilt show and
even though the numbers were down on what were
hoped for it was wonderful to see the hall
with all the beautiful quilts hanging around...
Sharon did a more than amazing job at organizing the event...
and spent every second of the day making sure it was
looking lovely for all to see...
the winners on the day donated there prize money back to
the breast cancer organization which was truly thoughtful...

these are mine that i put in the small item section...
even though i did not win the 2 girls will be on sale at the
community centre and money going to the fundraiser...

Sharon won the open section with this amazing quilt
that has little yoyos on it and is the prettiest thing i have seen
in ages...
visit her new blog here...

and this lovely quilt...

it has got me to think i really need to finish mine...
don't forget the giveaway is still up and running
leave a comment on the post below to be in the draw...

100th post...

Well i feel almost a bit star treky
with this
Michelle's log... post 100...in a galaxy far, far, away...
or maybe not....
well it has been a bit between posts as i have
had a fair bit of work to get through...
one thing i really wanted to finish to put up
was this pizza carry bag...
as the story goes...
there is a very sweet old man that comes
to our business most nights
for the usual chat and social get together with his mates
and every sunday he gets me to make up a pizza
and he takes it home for him and his wife's dinner
it is rather sweet and he has always brought down
a very old and rather worn out "library bag"
to take his pizza home with him...

one night he had forgotten to bring down the "bag"
and it got me think i really need to stop and think
about other people and how spending a
bit of time and make something for someone else can
just make someone feel "thought of"

so here it is, the pizza carrier
complete with funky cowboy material
and handles positioned to insure that the pizza
sits flat for the walk home...

Now on
another
subject,
giveaway
time
i'm
not going to forget my fellow bloggers
and if you leave a comment and maybe even tell me of a "little joy"
you brought to someones day by making
or doing something for someone else...
it doesn't have to be earth shattering
just something sweet, i will put
you in my 100 giveaway to receive
this sweet babushka with the pretty blue eyes...


have a great weekend and i will post some pics after the
quilt show this weekend...

Cute and cuter...

WOW! what a productive week I'm having...
can't believe that the more
stress and work i have seems
to be when i make the most amazing "girls"...
I thought i would get a bit arty with the photos
i really need to organize a decent backdrop...

will be spending a bit of time this week
getting ready for the quilt show in October
I'm going to take the "girls" there and
hopefully they will find lovely homes
to go to...and lots of hugs...

this time of year is always busy.

the warm weather means more people out and about...
more meals to cook more drinks to serve...
hoping the sun stays around for a bit longer
and yes i think i don't need any more stress
i think if i tried really hard i can manage
to make a few more dolls without it...
honest...

Wedding Cake Anyone...

I you are after a more than imaginative wedding cake/party cake

your in luck...

our sister is now back in Australia
and baking her heart out.
with already a successful market stall and many
wedding expos organized
she is on a roll...
you can find her blog here "sugarrushconfections"
you may remember her from the turtle cake we blogged about before...
i still think it looked like she went
to the local zoo and nicked one...it's amazing.

This Month

I'm following a bit of a theme here and

thought i would include three things i
LOVE this monthabove is a pic from lino forest
i love all the wonderful creations Betty Jo makes
and the reason i wanted to post this mosaic
was the beautiful set of "flying ducks"
i so love them and this is on my Christmas list...
its amazing how she transforms this material into
pieces of art that are decorative and even
wearable like her brooches
check out her great blog here "lino forest"

above and below are my blackapple
prints that i now own
the "waiting room" print i was lucky enough
to buy on Emily's sale and cost me next to nothing
i have my eye on the next one i want
and then the wall will be complete...
Emily sells her prints here "theblackapple etsy"

Belinda has two as well
and i think we are both a bit obsessed.
and number three is SPRING
its about time it arrivednow I've noticed that everyone lawn needs a mow...

Vintage Material...

today i decided i have been
getting of the beaten track a bit.
and thought i should sit down and at least
paint a couple of faces...
well of course once the face is done
i can't leave it for another day,
just waiting patiently for me.
no, it says, finish me...
so after looking at my very low material pile.
i spotted this fabric...
now of course i have know it was always there but...
this material was my grandmothers and is very "special"
and after a bit of convincing my self that the wee girls
don't use up much, i carefully arranged
the pattern as to not use to much.
it is after all original 50's fabric...
and feels so soft.
her legs are made out of felt!
i really like the way it worked..
this "royal sister" will not be for sale as you can imagine
but i thought i would share her with you.

Little drawing.

I'm slightly obsessed with these little drawings
at the moment.
As you may have noticed by the new header.
My material stash is dangerously low and in need
of re-stocking.
My closest "big" material shop is 2 hours
away and work and kids and well
everything
don't allow a shopping trip in the equation.
So at the moment i have to be content!

Also for trivia sake. Three thing about me.
1. If i eat chocolate before i go to bed i have nightmares.
2.I eat about 1/2 a bag of raw mushrooms a day.
3.And for the amount of coca-cola i drink per day i should own the company by now.
yes, yes i know you all really wanted to know that.
see yah soon...

Three Ducks

This poem is about my nanna
these flying ducks were hers
and now they are mine.
i think that sometimes i feel like her
now "the oldest and dearest"
has flown the nest.
but yet in nearly every way we are nothing alike
(not something i will go into)
she had three sons
and i think the poem
is getting back to that whole feeling...
Well read into it what you will
but hopefully you will feel something...

Three Ducks

The tellies on
but talks to itself.
She says to herself and stares.

The lino’s become
old and worn,
She scrubs it still
thou no-one’s home.
The washings hung,
in neat little rows.
Mend the holes, scrub the toes.
She says to herself and stares.

The Dahlia’s are pretty
this time of year.
Thorns and prickles
in her hands.
Grass as high as her knee.
It’s going to be hot
this summer she says.
She says to herself and stares.

Dinners cooked
and going cold.
Remembering things, apron strings.
The kids will be home,
maybe next week.
A cup of tea,
and a biscuit for me.
She smiles and stares.

By Michelle…

op shop bargains

went to the op shop today
and scored big time
got a Colorado skirt and a
blouse with a little ruffle front which
i think is a Myer brand.
and a very cute jumper that is a yarra trail
i can't believe it only cost $5 to fill a bag
(there on the right day of course) so to add i got
a nice grey waist length jacket.
i know a darling shot
but the best i could do with the timer on,
and putting it on the tank stand to get a pic.

over the range...

I had to venture "over the range"
today which was quiet funny when
I found this fabric in a very small (back in time)
craft shop.
they were having 50% off so that's why I bought it.
I have no idea what I would use something
this intense for, but it had the kitsch value.
giddy up cowboy...

Kate and Samuel.

Voyage Told.

Kate loves Samuel,
Samuel loves Kate.
They sailed across the ocean,
to escape their mistakes.
Kate stole some bread,
Samuel stole a cow.
While living by the crown,
was hard to be around.

They both made their trade,
in a life now paid.
By the tears that were spilled,
their life simple yet fulfilled.
Children played, music serenade.
Hand in hand now they lay,
side by side each day.
They are now as one in dust,
Looking over their legacy we entrust.

Many renditions are told,
by generations that hold,
this couple as a keepsake of the past.
When you struggle through,
Love is always true.
An unassuming tale of the heart.

By Michelle…

this poem came about as little miss named my latest
doll "kiss me Kate" because she said the cross
on the mouth was a kiss...
it made me think about my ancestors "Kate and Samuel"
who came out together on the 3rd fleet.
and next minute i knew i was putting
this poem together in my head.
now I'm by no means a poetry buff.
I'm sure that anyone with any writing background
might cringe but i like coming up with these little poems,
and it keeps me happy.
so that's just how it is...

through necessity.

Yes I've been at it again
another bag...only through necessity thou
really..?
mum spotted my last bag today and as a result
she wanted one just like it.
of course when i got home i realized that i didn't
have any burgundy paisley print left.
so to the material stash i went..
boy i seems to have a mess there.
and after much sorting i found this combo.
much to my surprise i quiet like it and i somehow made the strap
a bit longer which suits me fine..
so I'm very much hoping that mum still really likes
the last one and i get to keep this one instead...
but of course i couldn't stop there
i have drawn a few pics of another doll
and last night i managed to sit down and try
and make one up that resemble my drawings.
yes she is faceless at the moment
as I'm trying to decide what to do.
and I'm really undecided which way to go.
as per usual the picture doesn't do her justice,
there are some nice double seams around her head
and around her coat that look every classy and
the colour is a lot softer in real life
but you get the idea anyway.

oh well knowing me she could be totally different by next time
or maybe the same?
edit....thought i would add a last minute sketch
that i had of the doll .i don't scan well (if you know what i mean)
but you can get the general idea.
sometimes i really wish i got past year 8 art..
i think i missed so much.
one day I'll have time and go to some classes and work out
how to make sometimg out of my ideas...

from basket to bag.

While it has been very wet and raining
for our last day of winter.
i decided to have another go at the basket pattern
and turn it into a shoulder bag.
it was so much easier to do the second time around
and i can think of lots of nice bags for summer
in the making.

i did each side slightly different
and a nice long handle to cross over my shoulder
so it doesn't slip off every time i lean over.
it has rained here so much in the past 24 hours that the creek
only 500 metres or so for our place, is already over the 2 metre mark.
unfortunately it is pitch black outside at the moment
so i though i would post a pic of last time it was that high so you can get a idea.
there is a road that runs parallel to the bridge and is about 2 and a bit metres
below the bottom of this bridge somewhere......

it's so amazing that by tomorrow it will have already reseeded
by more than half...and will be heading down stream...

favorite plate.

this is one of my favorite plates

it's by J & G Meakin
and it's from the sunshine series
and called "lost horizon"
i really know nothing about it
so if anyone does could you leave me a comment
that would be great...
the detail is magnificent and I'm thinking it
was a war time series thing as there is the plane at the top
of the plate and the man in the picture looks
like he has a uniform on.
i think they would have been made
for displaying not using as square plates
would have not be that "in" back then.
that's not to say i haven't seen a lot,
because i have seen some really nice square ones but i really
don't recall my grandmother using square plates on a daily bases.

tonight i still have our fire going
and it is rather nippy to say the least.
if spring is in 3 days time i think it's having a memory
laps or something.

comfort food?

This is tonight's dinner
fryed veggies on toast...
now I'm not a vegetarian but over the past 6 years
or so since I've ran our restaurant
i have a great appreciation for the good old veg...
i par cook mine in the microwave first
in freezer bags (speeds up the time)
but do remember to pierce holes in the bags!!!
it only takes about 3-5 mins depending on the size and type etc
i heat up some olive oil in a fry pan
toss in some wedges of onion then the par cooked veggies
add some chopped fresh mint and when almost ready
splash in some balsamic vinegar
serve on toast with feta cheese and more mint on top
done...
this only takes about 10 - 15 mins from start to finish
now the reason i question why it's comfort food is that the strange
thing is i do tend not to eat when i have a lot happening
or "stressing me" at the time...
my oldest and dearest has flown the coup so to speak
(well he is 19 after all)
but of course like all sudden move outs it was due to a tiff, initially...
of course i drove down today and delivered the first of what will
be many a "mummy" care package, you know the usual
more towels, clothes, kitchen utensils,
and the stop off at the supermarket
bread, milk, noodles, chicken tonight,
flour, sugar, something to cook for dinner
for the next few days.......
I'm sure it was cheaper to have him at home!!!

plus this is one of many things happening in my life at the moment
not all of which are sad
some really exciting thing are happening as well.

but i think any mum's out there who have sons
realize that when they leave home something different happens
and that is because you feel that someone else
(namely a girlfriend or special life partner - can't discriminate)
will now replace you and when you have daughters
they seem to stay around, ask advise, show you what their doing etc.
(i suppose not always thou) but in most cases!!!

I'm not ready to be replaced
and as much as i know my son loves me lots
and cares about me even more
he is now growing into a man...
and one minute I'm so proud and the next i want to cry...
(i don't know i think I'm prattling now)

anyway its something i needed to just say...
thanks for listening it means a lot.