It's Link Love time again

Source: etsy.com via Chantal on Pinterest

I once made the excuse, back in the day, that I couldn't possibly go out with a guy (who I obviously had no interest in seeing) because it was 'my birthday week'.
Ever since then my good friend Ladle and I love to laugh about it being our birthday week....or sometimes even month... as a way of avoiding uncomfortable social requests.
This possibly isn't funny to anyone but us. I can't tell you the amount of time we've spent laughing about it. Making up ridiculous voices and saying 'oh no, I'm sorry I couldn't possibly, it's my birthday week.'
It still makes me laugh, even just typing it.

This little story isn't really going anywhere....except to say it's 'my birthday week'! So, in honor of all the completely stupid things that make me laugh, here's a list of links I'm loving lately:

the above birthday wreath made by Itz Fitz. It's available over at her Etsy shop.

My Scandinavian Retreat found via Ladle's Pinterest . Boy oh boy, totally dreamy interiors.

this sneak peak over at Design Sponge of Elizabeth Dunker's country house.

Darrah Parker's Slow down: Your September Slices of Life photos.

new blog friends here & here.

Rick Mereki and his Wonderlust series.... phew, he's it's damn hot!

these gorgeous camera bags. I think I'd like one.

the lovely photos over at Closet Visit.

the idea of these little cards making travel, with kids, a total breeze.

and lastly, all the goodness over at A Cup of Jo.

Adios. I'm signing off for the rest of the week....need I say why?!
See you on Monday.
Happy grand final weekend.
Hip, hip hooray. xox

Baking Success

Yippee! It worked. After a quick consultation with Bruise Mouse this morning, before I popped the loaves into the oven, they baked perfectly. I'm so pleased.
We've already downed a loaf & the L.F. has gone to work this morning with a lovely packed lunch....freshly baked bread & lettuce from the garden...were among the goodness.
I followed the recipe from yesterday's post although I used rye and spelt flour for these little babies. All the flour used was organic, even for the starter. So, I'm happy to say they're completely organic loaves. They taste great too. It was well worth the time & patience required to produce them.

Here's to a happy future of bread making in our home. x

Bread making 101

I'm trying my hand at making sourdough bread. Encouraged by Bruise Mouse at Living a Little Greener and CHFG I've spent the last 8 mornings weighing flour and water out to add to a fermenting gloop....more precisely know as a sourdough starter. After 8 days my starter seemed prime for baking.....

I'm not sure why.... because I was making a starter so that I could make my own bread but this 'readiness' caused a bit of panic....Heck, what was I to do with the gloop now?

After a mad scramble to find a recipe that would suit a newbie like me I discovered this recipe over at Wild Yeast. My head is now swimming with thoughts of creating a steam oven, folding, baking stones and proving. They're all totally new concepts to me.
I'm up to the 2.5 hours of fermenting with a fold at 1hr. The fold was successful and I have roughly half an hour before any further action is required. I'm just hoping the faint outline of a sad face I can see in the dough above can be turned into a smile. The smile of successful bread making.

PS. Don't ask about the dress....I did start. There was a lot of puckering and after tearing my hair in frustration I've put it aside..... until later tonight.

Good Morning

Greetings from down on the coast. Z & I are visiting my Dad and we woke up... rather early...to this incredible sunrise.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend. X

Hold me close

Do you think I could possibly wear this 'Hold me Close Heating Pad Cover' to the wedding? I've managed to whip it up instead of the dress. Granted, it's been on my to-do list for some time but really....right now!? I have 2 hours to make a start on the dress before Z needs to be picked up. Why am I so terrified of silk?

The Heating Pad Cover is from the book Denyse Schmidt Quilts, 30 colorful Quilt & Patchwork Projects. I'd like to make one of her fabulous quilts next... but not before I finish the dress. I promise.

distractions & pretty things

Source: thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com via Stupendous Joy on Pinterest

I have this dream about bunk beds and a country house.
I've tried to convince my dad to build an extra room onto his house (he lives on the coast) and make it into a bunk room ..... but for some reason he's not buying my dream, so I continue to dream.
I came across this image last night, while procrastinating, over at The House that AM Built. I spent so much time looking at pretty images that I haven't made a start on the dress.
Damn you pretty things, you lured me form my plans yet again.

Thankfully A-M had also posted this....

Source: thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com via Stupendous Joy on Pinterest

You've gotta love a second chance. So, tomorrow I sew!

While speaking of second chances.....I am onto Day 3 of making a sourdough starter. After my failed attempt last time around (I completely forgot about it for 2 days)I've been re-inspired by City Hippy Farm Girl, who makes it look so easy. Here's hoping, if I'm not somehow distracted, I'll be ready to make my own bread by the end of the week.

Yay to Papa Play Days

The weekend was a wonderful mix of play and productivity. The boy's played while I managed to grab some precious time to sew.
Z & the L.F. hung out. Made a truck out of recycled boxes an some colourful bottle tops, took a long ride along the beach down to Sandringham for a Dixie Bell ice-cream and dip their toes in the water (brrrr). Sped to the local shops on Z's super fast scooter and played rough... all while I finished off the Amy Butler Anna Tunic top I was making.
I've had this pattern sitting aside since a trip we did to Newcastle a while back. I'd grabbed a copy from the funny little quilting store next door to Rolador and it's sat in my to-do pile until now.
It turned out quite well.... I do have some reservations about the pattern. The arm holes are tiny! Thankfully I'd read this somewhere before sewing the fabric pieces together and cut extra room around the arm holes. It's still quite tight for me. I like room under my arms to breathe. The front isn't sitting perfectly ...possibly that's because of my pleating.... or maybe it was designed for flat chested ladies... either way, I think a couple of darts may help the issue. I'll snap a photo soon so you can see for yourself.
I'm now onto the Miz Mozelle dress above. This one is to be sewn in silk. Mmmm, tricky.... I'm thinking. The fabric pieces are ready to go. I just needed to get a size 70 needle for my machine for the finer fabric. In the meantime, I've been researching all sorts of tips and tricks to help me with sewing in silk. I'll definitely use french seams for the raw edges. My favourite tip so far is to sew the pieces between two layers of toilet paper or tissue paper to stop the fabric from slipping. Fingers crossed.
I'll make a start tonight. xx