Stash PART 1: spread your wings

A little while ago, whilst flittering away in my sewing room, drowning in what appeared to be way too much fabric, I made a little pledge to make and make and make and make....and not buy.  Yep, not to purchase any more fabric, until the fabric stash already in my possession was transformed into projects that they were destined to be when first brought home.

One such project I did not set out to make was an adorable owl costume for my daughter.  I blame Pinterest.  It really is a place of good and evil.  Mostly evil I dare say...all that pinning and not much actually following through with the actual making of anything pinned.   All those projects, recipes, tips for this, that, ones that inspire, ones that claim to get you looking fit in seven days*, and all quotes that make you jsut giggle.  But this costume was just the ticket for busting through some of that stash.  I cut out all the fabric one night, then it was sewn the next and enjoyed each day thereafter, it has been a joy to think that my cacophany of jumbled bits of fabric could result in such an eye-catching delight.

In an effort for more fabric stash project I can called this PART 1, I hope this will be one of many of the projects I share.

Do you have any projects that are good for a fabric collector?
Do you really make all that stuff you pin?



The inspiration and tutorial for this project came from here.

Last chance to enter my Bakers Delight Giveaway!


*If I'm going to pin fitness themed articles, then I must stop pinning cakes, brownies and nutella truffles!

Boys Zone

My son is about to turn 6.

Six!

So, we are doing up his bedroom, well because quite frankly he got the raw end of the deal and has put up with some odds and ends and hand-me-downs that his room is feeling a little lack lustre and dis-jointed.  Don't get me wrong...there's nothing wrong with second hand and re-furbished....why when I decided on getting him a new desk...I started searching ebay for a "new" second hand one.  See....

The inspiration is in full swing.  The Pinterest Board is mulled over at length.  I'm loving the use of pops of colour with vintage bits and bobs.  Having some toys and books at easy reach is essential and a little place for him to sit, draw, read and write is important too. The new bed has been ordered so I'm slowly getting some idea's about how to pull together a great boys room.

What aspects of a kids room do you consider essential?
xx

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

Ok,  So I came across this recipe whilst wasting away such precious hours on Pinterest from this gorgeous blog.  I would easily say this is one recipe that once made looks way more impressive than the time taken to make them!  All up - I'd say I spent 20 minutes at it, and that included baking time!   I love anything lemon but am not really a fan on meringue but gave it ago and wow-ee this packs a punch!  So going to whip these babies up when I next have dinner guests!!!


Here is what you need.... 


200g shortbread biscuits

3 eggs, separated
1 can sweetened condensed milk
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup of caster sugar

This is what you do....

1. Preheat oven to 180C (350F). And line 12 holes of a muffin tray with papers.

2. Smash shortbread with a rolling pin in a bag or whizz in the food processor until you have coarse crumbs. Divide crumbs between the muffin trays.

3. Combine egg yolks, condensed milk, lemon juice and zest in a bowl and place on top of the crumb bases.

4. Whisk egg whites until stiff. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat for a few more minutes until the sugar is dissolved.

5. Spoon whites on top of the lemon filling.

6. Bake for 10 minutes or until the meringue is golden. Cool before serving.


And before you've had time to flick the kettle on and lick the remnants of condensed milk these babies will be done. 


xx

craft room inspiration

Source: lystadsvingen.blogspot.com via Brenda on Pinterest

Source: countryliving.com via Brenda on Pinterest

Source: everythingetsy.com via Brenda on Pinterest

Source: moody-cat.tumblr.com via Brenda on Pinterest

Source: armellejewelry.blogspot.com via Brenda on Pinterest

Source: tipnut.com via Brenda on Pinterest

I am fortunate that I have my own craft room in my house.  Albeit it is very small, more like a cupboard, but I prefer to focus on the positives, and that is, that it is a room entirely for me and my craft.

It measures 1.7 by 2.1 - see cupboard like.  But it's my crafty paradise.  Although more crafty cyclone devestation is more accurate.  It is in major need of an overhaul.  It's getting to the point where I can't find what I need easily, I'm buying stuff I already have....and it's just not as functional as it could be.

So I have be clearing some rubbish out and making a list of the things I think will make my craft room more inspirational.  I'll be putting things in close reach...things like scissors and pins, tape measure and threads.  I want a more cohesive area for my fabrics, big and small, and a little area for planning, packaging and for storage of books, magazines and patterns.  Perhaps an inspiration board, a spot for projects on the go and just making it look pretty too.

And of course I turned to pinterest.  For a while I've been collecting some inspirational pictures of craft rooms around the globe to see what tricks might work for me!

What's your craft area secret?
Please share!
xx