The Sewing Answer Book.

Yesterday I took a rare opportunity to go to Mildura with some friends for the day. Mildura is 300kms from here and has the closest Book City, Cotton On, Kmart, Target [not Country Target] not to mention Spotlight and Lincraft.  Addie came along and was incredibly good for us all day! When we got home at night it was a different story, but I guess she can't be perfect all the time!

I managed to spend lots of money on books, tshirts for Addie, birthday presents and fabric for dresses for both of us. What I want to show you though is a book I bought for me.

I do love this book. It's written in a question & answer format, so its easy to find the section you want. It kind of reminds me of the old Singer Sewing Book, with it's 'Why? Because' section at the end of each chapter. Some of it's information is basic, especially if you're experienced, but I'm still finding heaps of ways to do things that I haven't thought about, or that could be used as an alternative method.  I also learned a better way of sewing on a press stud, and handy tip for turning the corner when topstiching. And I've only spent 10 minutes flicking through it. 

I reckon it's a worthwhile buy.  Plus, it's cute. You can't argue with a cute book.

And it's a ...

August 23rd 2010 marks 2 years of marriage for Andrew and myself. We celebrated by having our 19 week ultrasound for Baby Schultz #2.  Addie was in a fantastic but loud mood and dropped her rice crackers all over the floor.
Baby was awake and moving quite a lot so the sonographer was able to get all the pictures that he needed quite quickly. Thankfully we can report that he found everything to be where it should be and the baby looks healthy and well.  We were even able to, by a stroke of good luck see it do a pee! Now thats pretty special :)

As for the gender the pee gave it away. Even in the womb boys and girls pee differently so we are confidant [borrowing from the sonographer's confidence] that we are expecting a girl. Addie will have a little sister to grow up with. 

Below are some of the shots we were given to take home. Isn't she lovely?

Head Shot. 

Profile

5 fingers on one hand, 5 on the other!

Birthday Cake of Sorts

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was Andrew's 26th birthday. He really likes roast pork, and because I don't cook it much I made it for his birthday dinner, along with all the usual roast trimmings. It was lucky that the meat took forever to cook, because by the time we ate Addie had already gone to bed, and hence wasn't trying to steal our food or finding other ways to annoy us.

Instead of cake I made a chocolate ganache tart with cream and raspberries, from the Masterchef recipe made by Fiona from season 2. 

Chocolate Ganache & Raspberry Tart

I left out the lavender in the recipe and used some vanilla instead. It worked well. The raspberries are frozen, tart and make a great contrast to the rich ganache and cream. You kind of need something tart on top and these are the bomb. They are delish, easy to make and a little bit special.

Is it over yet?

I know we're all sick of the election campaign.  I am sick of being annoyed and frustrated at the games that the parties play and of being angry at how selfish we are as a nation. I have major issues with all of the major parties, as well as the wannabes. Yet we have the right and obligation to vote. I'm reluctant to make an informal vote, even though I don't even trust myself to make the right decision. I've researched as much as I can the policies of the majors, and have come out with the Greens as my preferred choice. They have one policy which I can not be at peace with [on the subject of abortion] but as I have discussed with a number of people, I've looked closely at it and I don't think that their policy will make a difference to what actually happens in Australia anyway. The Jesuits have a good article regarding this here.

My friend Jodie sent me a link to the very clever Voteamatic 2.0  that asks a range of questions about current issues and how strongly you feel about each. It takes 5 min max to do and will help to clear any confusion about where your beliefs lie. You should do it.

Another worthwhile link, if you're into social justice is the Make Poverty History website, and it's scorecard on the 3 majors.

I know its weird, but while I hate the election and it's processes [while I'm thankful that we live in a country which gives some power to the people], I love election night. I'll be in front of the Tv, with my laptop giving me updates [I'll probably watch the more amusing Channel 10 coverage, but use the ABC website] lapping up the coverage. I like the break-down of what happened, why it did, and what the future holds.  Sorry for being a big lame-o on that one!

New glasses.

I can see!

Not because I'm pregnant.

We could blame this on 'pregnancy brain', or just me being a bit careless.

How does your garden grow?

Quite well thank you. I'm very impressed with how well I have grown this garden [as if I made the sunshine and rain!].  Usually I'm so BAD at keeping plants alive. They just seem to want water and stuff on a regular basis, I forget and hey presto, dead plants. Either that or they are so over grown by weeds that its hard to tell if there is even a plant there.

Rhubarb

We've been growing this for almost 2 years now, dragging it from house to house, as a result its not as big and tough as it should be, but it looks promising!

Flat Leaf Parsley

 I keep thinking this is coriander, but its parsley. Not the 1970's curly garnish parsley, but the Masterchef kind. 

Aloe Vera

Broccoli Seedlings that I propagated myself!

I'm sure that growing broccoli from seed isn't that hard, but I thought it might be and I was very impressed that they grew so well.

Beetroot

 I have no idea when these are ready to pull up, but they look so pretty with their green and burgundy leaves.

Dodgy picture of dodgy onions

So the onions aren't doing to well. I didn't know you weren't supposed to plant them near peas. Next time I'll know better.

A lovely weed that has been enjoying the water and fertiliser.

A broccoli that has been planted
-with lovely weed in background.

I grew 5 times the broccoli seedlings that I needed "just in case". I managed to give some away and planted what I needed - still have some left lover :) The ones in the ground have started spreading out which is pretty cool.

Peas

 I may have killed the peas - not sure yet. They outgrew my string trellis, so I found some trellis that used to be on the veranda but it rotted and blew off in a storm. It is too damaged to reattach, but I though it may work for the peas. While I was trying to get the trellis behind the peas, they buckled under their own weight and bent in two - in a way that plants should not bend. Eek! So I'm not sure how they'll pull up, I guess time will tell but right now they look great!

Flowering Pea

So pretty! The peas have flowers starting to come out. They are very sweet and delicate. 

Andrew and I have ordered a book that we saw while on holidays. Its called "The Backyard Homestead" and it promises to teach us how to produce all the food we need on just 1/4 acre. It looks like a light treatment of the subject but we're only at the beginning. As we get more understanding and experience we'll be able to dive more deeply into the issues of permaculture etc. 

If you have a book or website that you can recommend regarding self-sustainability, growing produce, community food etc, then please let me know. Meanwhile our chooks [read about them here, here and here] are behaving like real chooks now and are having a ball in their bigger house that has real dirt floors and room to fly a bit, and Andrew still thinks that people who think goats are a nuisance just aren't building good enough fences. *sigh* Sometimes its good to be able to pass the buck to the landlord!

Don't read this Dad.

Ok, well if you're a boy and you feel the need to read this - be my guest but a warning that it contains Women's Business. Ok? Consider yourself warned.

I've wanted to blog about this before but didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. Having had a baby and heard many discussions about things before considered "private" as well as having been prodded, checked and more by total strangers [the badge may have said Dr or midwife but still :)] I'm feeling a bit better about sharing.

For the past 6 years or so I've stopped buying disposable menstrual products. A friend of mine made her own cloth pads and convinced me to give it a go. At first when she told me, I was grossed out. Its stinky and gross right? Plus I'm a heavy bleeder. Over the next few months though as I looked at the pile of rubbish I created every month - just because of a natural cycle, it started to bother me. So, I bought some sheets and towels from the opshop, cut up an old worn pair of pyjamas and made myself a few pads. Within a couple of months I'd switched completely to cloth.  Interestingly it DIDN'T smell. I have since found out that the odour associated with menstrual cloths actually comes from a chemical reaction that happens within the pad as a result of bleaches used to make them white! Unbelievable!! While many people sell cloth pads online, its easy to make your own.  A seller on madeit.com.au has a PDF available for $8 that has a few patterns and good instructions in it. I made up my own pattern, with removable towelling inserts [so I can change how much absorbency I may think I need, and it makes washing and drying faster. Google 'cloth pads' for more links and ideas on making them, or contact me and I'll make you some [if you're in Australia] :)

The next year I bought a cup [called Mooncup] - a silicone cup device that catches the 'flow' in a similar way to a tampon. It means you're comfortable, dry and there is less washing to do. Completely brilliant!!

A few years ago there were a couple of options for cups - but looking online today I found many different brands, designs and pretty colours!!!  I'm excited :) I think that it is fantastic that we can have good options that don't create waste. There a lot of sellers of these devices now - possibly the best site I could find is a UK one called Feminine Wear with a ton of different options and prices. Silicone cups have another benefit in that they have not been associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome, because the surface of the cup doesn't give bacteria anywhere to sit and do their dirty work. Yay for that!

I will certainly be encouraging Addie to use these great [dare I say better] alternatives when [in many years!] it is her turn to figure out how this all fits into her world.

Mmm, I don't feel like I've been very eloquent about all of this. I'd like to hear what you think, and what it is that might stop you from using these over the disposable "sanitary" options.

Whim Whams for Addie

I finally did it. I'm still not sure if its a good idea or if I'll jinx myself, but I decided to see if I could sell some stuff that I have made. I've had a couple of commissions this week, so I decided I should give it a go - nothing ventured - nothing gained!

The phrase Whim Wham is a medieval one which means fanciful bauble or trinket, and I added 'for Addie' because the reality is that most of things I make are for Addie, and are at least tried and tested. I'll probably put in other things too when I make them that aren't for kids but we'll see how it goes. I've also been working on a new nappy design that I might end up offering too. So, I've been a bit busy, as well as playing with my new book.

Faux Chook

Like the little chook family?? I do!  Its very up-myself I know [to say I think they're awesome], but I made these for a 1st birthday present for my friend's very cute daughter.  

I didn't quite finish all three chickens before I gave the little girl the present, so you can see one of the chickies is missing an eye and a wing. Oh well :)

The mum chook is made from a shirt dress that I was given - but I"m not a fan of wearing brown. It makes an awesome chook though! The chickies are made from flannelette baby blankets so they are soft and lovely.

I got the pattern from Martha. She says to make them from felt, but I'm no clone! The chickies are the given pattern at 180% {I think?} and the Chook is something like 450% or thereabouts. I did try to remember, I swear!! Also, the mum chook [yes I do know they are called hens, but I like to say 'mum chook'] is 3D - she has the gusset at the bottom like the pattern says to, but the chickies are 2D so they're simpler and very easy for little hands to grab and squeeze.

Cake

Addie's 1st birthday is in about a month. That means I need to make a cake to show off in photos  - or else she'll hate me later on in life.

But what to make? Her favourite things in the world are dummies [dum dums], the TV, TV remote, my mobile phone, her bottom [bum bum], shredded wheat biscuits.  Just not sure that any of those make for a cute cake option. You know?

Suggestions gratefully accepted.

I bought Handmade Beginnings!

Today after months of looking at the book Handmade Beginnings, I walked into the bookshop, plonked down my eftpos card and took it home with me. Yay!!

There are rave reviews about Handmade Beginnings all over blog world, and for good reason! It is wonderful. I took it to my craft group today [its full of mums] and almost everyone who picked it up found a project in it that they want to make, and one said it almost convinced her to start sewing. A good book will do that.

I'm planning on making the Cute-as-a-Button Booties for Addie and the new one, The Mariprosa Dress for maternity the Four Corners Top for breastfeeding [and because it is cute!]  and MAYBE even the 'Sixth-Time's-The-Charm-Crib-Quilt' [shown on the front cover] - which is impressive for me because I get bored quilting, but I love the patchy look of this one.  Not related to this book I also have to make at least a set of small fitted nappies for the new one and summer dresses for Addie. I'd better get to it I think.

I have found some ways you can peek at this book. Youtube has a video by the author Anna Maria Horner, introducing it. These blogs have reviews on it [the linked post has a list of blogs to look at down the bottom], and finally here is the author's blog. Happy flicking and dreaming.