Practically Paper Piecing Blog Hop!

When I first heard about Kristy from Quiet Play and her plans for a paper piecing blog hop I was a little aprehensive. I hadn't ever tried paper piecing like this before and thought to myself - maybe this is something I can learn? Then my dear friend Sally said she would show me how and I figured it might be worth a go. I believe I even mumbled something about my failure being a warning to others - so here we go ;) I found a little block I thought I might like to try - a little intertwined block that had almost a celtic feel.

THIS IS NOT MY BLOCK!! This is the one Sally made first to make sure she could show me how. It is made up of 4 pieces, which are then pieced together. I made 2 sections with Sal and then attempted the other two at home, all by myself.... Sal's block looks awesome - mine however is another story. So much another story that I am not going to show you, because it is kinda embarrassing just how badly I failed at it.... BUT I had signed up, so I needed to work out how to do this some how. I googled 'easy beginners paper piecing quilt block' and was blown away by the options, most of which really didnt look all that easy lol! I came across this on about page 5. I have a hubby who is mad on model aeroplanes and a little boy who wants to be just like his Dad (Bob help me!) so I figured an aeroplane I might be able to use somehow! I did it!!! Ok, it has a few issues, like this: (Let's pretend that I didn't mess that up ok?) So what to make with an aeroplane block? I considered a bag, pillow, quillow, quilt - all boring when it comes to original ideas for an orphan block. I don't really remember how it came about but someone suggested making it into a shirt. Then I wondered about a quilted vest, something to keep the little mister warm while flying with Dad. A close up of the block and quilting - it could be worse right? I have only just finished hand sewing down the binding and my little boy is sleeping so an action shot will have to wait until morning (I will grab one in the morning and pop it up sometime tomorrow afternoon if you happen to feel like popping back to see it lol). But I had fun, despite my early 'mishaps' - thankyou ladies for the opportunity to try something new!!! And don't forget to check out tomorrow's stop on the Blog Hop Train - The Textile Diva!! Edited to add: Mr 8 is in a MOOD this morning and doesn't want to play, this is the best I could get lol! Will try for another when he is in a better mood!

A Productive Sunday Afternoon

Stash. And scrappy bits. I have more than I should of both. So this afternoons sewing session was about using up some of the bits and pieces I have been meaning to do something with for a while. Firstly I completed some paintbox blocks for a friends quilt. I am not sure if I am doing them right, but I like them and I am hoping she will too! I also used up the last of my daisy yellow scrappy bits! It is only cot sized, but it is cute enough ;) One of hubbys friends recently had a little boy, I just need to find the right backing and quilt it. And last but not least, nothing fancy, but a collections of reds and pinks. Like I said, nothing fancy but I do like half square triangles ;) A productive afternoon! Oh and my machine sews like a dream after its service!

I never thought I would do it...

But I made a mug rug. I know, I know. Why would I do that? Do people actually use them? And why? What purpose do they serve? Why do people use them? What is wrong with just putting your mug right there on the table? I will justify it by saying that it is for a swap on Ravelry. My partner has a thing for purple and I happened to have a few purple scraps lying about that needed a new home. Pieces that werent really big enough to do anything with on their own. It was a good way to use up a heap of little scrappy pieces :)

I used MadeByRae's tutorial for using the backing fabric as the binding and it was so easy, I will be using it again! Now I just hope my secret swap pal likes it!

Duck

Thankyou Em and Tara and boys for the lovely morning sitting at the park. The boys played and ran and yelled and swung and slid and ran and ate and ran for a while, I hope they all had fun!

We had a few extras today, just wandering past;)

Day Thirty Seven: A bit of fun

Day Thirty Six: Daughter

I am cheating today. This photo was taken by my husbeast.

Day thirty Five: For a Swap Parcel

A little crafting this afternoon for a swap parcel. Hopefully my partner will like a pair of these ;)

Day Thirty Four: Summer

So apparently someone forgot to tell summer that it is summer time. I think I am starting to forget what the sun looks like! This morning Alex asked if we could have soup as he was cold. So soup for dinner it is!

There are plenty of good pumpkin soup receipes, mine is simple, but we like it ;)

2.5kg of pumpkin, (I like a mix of Butternut and Jap best, but whatever pumpkin you like is good)
2 medium onions, sliced
2 teaspoons of Curry Powder
1 teaspoon Brown Sugar
Chopped Garlic to taste
1ltr Chicken Stock

Skin your pumpkin and cut into chunks. Put into crockpot or big saucepan.
In small saucepan fry off onion until transparent, stir through curry powder, sugar and garlic and cook for another minute or two just to cook through the garlic.

Put onion mix into crockpot stir through with pumpkin, cover with chicken stock (you may not need a full litre) and set to cook.

Should take a few hours in the crockpot or an hour or so on the stovetop. Once the pumpkin is cooked through grab a stick blender or blender and whizz it all together. Serve hot!
I like to stir a small amount of sour cream through just prior to eating but Hubby likes a little grated cheese instead. The kids like both lol!

IF there should be any leftovers, it will last a few days in the fridge, jut heat what you need as you go, or it freezes well and is great to pull out of the freezer when you just don't feel like cooking ;)

Day Thirty Three: An Abundance

Oops, missed one!

I think I may end up making banana bread on the weekend. Anyone got a good receipe?

Day Thirty Two: A Test Crochet

A test crochet for a friend. A very unwilling model!

Still need to add a flower to the big one and it is too small against the suggested sizing on the pattern so thre are some kinks to iron out, but it is a cute pattern ;)

Day Thirty One: Dinner

Made with home grown tomato, capsicum, carrots, asparagus, basil, oregano, garlic, onion, zucchini and squash (don't tell Husbeast or Mr8 as they both HATE zucc and squash, but only when they know that it is in there). Some from our little garden and some from Dad's ;) Someone remind me to look into a mushroom box later, I had to buy those!

And about to go in the oven ;)

This is my favourite lasagne dish, big enough for two and a half meals for us and for some reason great lasagne always tastes even better reheated the next day. It freezes well too which is great for when Husbeast or I get time to come home for a quick nuked lunch.
I will try and remember to take a photo once it comes out of the oven:)

Day Thirty: A Visitor

A little yellow and black visitor has been hanging around the chair out the back for a few days.

Day Twenty Nine: Knit

Day Twenty Eight: Wooah...

It rained pretty much the whole time we were there. But there were a few non rainy bits.

Day Twenty Seven: More Beach

Day Twenty Six: The Beach

Day Twenty Five: Some Mothers Do Have Them

I had forgotten Jess had asked to use my camera the other rainy afternoon. Sometimes I have to wonder about that child... and the ones that are upside down are actually the right way up!

Days 18-24 - A Catch Up

I know, I know, I fail at these things....

So here is a catch up post. Still a photo for each day, just posted all at once lol!

These where taken on the balcony at the house we stay at when we go to Nambucca Heads. These guys are obviously fed by others who stay there, they show up like clockwork each morning ready for noms. They are vey comfortable with people, they will even eat out of your hand if you are game (which Alex thought he was, but turns out he was not, bless him).

Day Seventeen: The Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Little Man ;)