Linaloo

Moppet and Paul

I've given myself a break from the sewing machine this week, we've not been getting along so well recently. I'm not sure if I'm a neglectful owner or whether I was just cheap when I bought it. (Probably both). Ruby didn't want to go to preschool yesterday, so instead we had a visit to the library and some sewing fun with mummy.

Meet Moppet the mouse (he's sick in bed, with a few cornflakes to nibble on).

Although I'm not sure how sick as later on I caught him watching TV in a different bed in the dollshouse.

And then there's Paul, his best friend.

As seen here with the original tutorial here.

Beating the Winter Blues

Perhaps my mention last week of being in my PJs until noon everyday was an alarm bell, as I’ve realised my annual “winter blues” are starting to take hold. I don’t wish to be maudlin on a Monday and I’d like to keep my blog a happy place, but I have to warn you that I'm not a fan of November. I remember reading about Amanda’s February Funk earlier this year and it absolutely sums up how I feel about November. Daylight savings and the arrival of cold weather seem to send my mind and body into serious hibernation mode. All I want to do is gorge on sugar and carbs, sleep and be anti-social. I’m not a fully fledged SAD sufferer, it usually only lasts until Christmas and, as I get older and used to it, I just think of it as seasonal adjustment phase that eventually passes.

In an effort to remain healthy and positive in the weeks ahead, I’m going to try and get at least half an hour of outdoor time every day and cut back on the carbs I crave so badly (especially after 5pm as they just make me feel even more sluggish and lethargic). Exercise helps too, so I just renewed my membership at the gym. Most importantly of all, I'll ride the wave and, if, necessary, indulge myself a little more. Lots of long baths, reading and early nights for me!

Girly Makes

Made by me last night at a Newcomer's club meeting.

Made by Ruby this morning for a friend's 4th birthday in two weeks (she likes to be organised)!

Have a great weekend - we're daytripping to Ottawa tomorrow - see you Monday.

Pleated Beauty - Finished!

Another Amy bag finished. This time it was the turn of the pleated beauty. I love the end result, but goodness it took FOREVER. Simple enough (especially as the instructions are very clear and concise) but there were a zillion steps involved, far too many to satisfy my quick sewing fix needs apparently! Pleated Beauty, may your recipient cherish you dearly as you are most definitely a one off. I will however thoroughly recommend it if you have a longer attention span than mine, (not difficult). I also recommend the Charming Bag and will definitely making more of these.

I'm spending far too much time on bloglines lately...I can't get anything done because I'm too busy checking out Christmassy stuff like this and this. What's a girl to do? I just want to make an advent calendar of some sorts quickly and finding so much inspiration sends me into a spin of indecision. Such a hard life I lead!

And just in case there are suddenly more hours in the day, I signed up for another Christmas ornament swap. I couldn't help myself!

Tuesday Treasures - Mellow Mornings

One of the things I cherish about being a stay at home mum is the fact that our days are so flexible. Of course there's routine and structure to a certain extent, mealtimes, preschool, bedtimes etc, but more often than not we get to pick and choose what we want to do and when. Ruby and Tommy are not at preschool until 12:30 and finish at 3pm, so there's no terrible rush first thing. Our morning ritual is delightfully stress-free. We have a leisurely breakfast, play a bit and at some point get dressed. We are, quite often, all playing and pottering quite happily until lunch time in our PJs and occasionally Mummy has to get dressed frantically when the doorbell rings and we are asked out to the park by our neighbours!

Of course, some mornings we are up and out of the door early, but I realise with kindergarten next year these mellow mornings are to be savoured. Next September we're in for a rude awakening with school starting at 7:50am. I'm trying not to think about that too much.

Happy Monday

Happy birthday Bethan, my niece, who is 8 today.
Happy bonfire night to everyone in the UK.
Happy Monday to everyone else.

Just wanted to show you a new favourite "corner of my home". Come and have a look.

First, there's some new art from Jen at Swallowfield, lovely isn't it?

Then there's this pretty rick-rack/patchwork cushion I sewed this weekend. I love the cheerful fabric - a pillowcase thrifted this summer. I've never done a rick rack trim before but I like it, simple and cute.

Put it all together and it looks like this.

A quiet, sunny spot in my kitchen, great for reading and enjoying the garden. Now, if only I could make up my mind about those curtains!

Pumpkin Leftovers?

Here's a totally AMAZING recipe from one of the members of my craft group (her own creation):

Spicy Upside Down Pumpkin Tart

Serves 2 as a main course or 4 as an appetizer

Ingredients
300g butter puff pastry (homemade or store bought)
350g pumpkin (peeled, deseeded and cut into 1 inch cubes)
2 apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 chilli
Fresh ginger
40g sugar
Fresh thyme, salt and pepper to taste
25g butter
120g goats cheese (we used goat feta)

Directions
Peel and cut apples, spinkle with the lemon juice.
Caramalize sugar in an oven dish and add the butter, pumpkin, apples and spices.
Cook for about 10 minutes.
Cover with the pastry dough and bake at 400F for 20-30 minutes.
Carefully transfer it, pumpkin side up, to a plate and sprinkle with the cheese.

Enjoy your weekend!

Pay it Forward and other Bloggy Things

Ok I signed up for PIF on Driftwood's blog. Now I feel a little sheepish, because she makes lovely things and I didn't really think this through, as it's entirely likely that I'll have no takers...Anyway, I'm now duty bound to pay it forward so here goes.

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people (or less, depending on the number of commenters!) who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

Go on, leave a comment and make my day (am I sounding too desperate?)

The other bloggy thing I've been keen to do since starting mine is a swap of some sorts. I love the idea of these - maybe the novelty wears off if you're a seasoned veteran, but my enthusiasm knows no limits for this kind of stuff. Recently I've found several Christmassy swaps, but have limited myself to this one. Am childishly super excited! Still working on getting the button on my sidebar, it seems I may have to alter my page set up to fit it on properly..