Gingerbread Crafts

Gingerbread Crafts
Time for tea.

Sunday, 26 June 2011

Katoomba

Had a wonderful day today, we (my kids and I) drove up to the Blue Mountains. We had lunch at Wentworth Falls, a couple of pizzas that I made last night, the remainder of the mini loaves. I was warming the pizzas on top of an electric BBQ next to 2 ladies and a man who were cooking up a pile of sausages, they turned to me and asked if we wanted some they had brought way too many.





After lunch and a visit to a couple of lookouts we drove to Katoomba and did a little shopping on the main street. I bought a crystal pendalum and a couple of fairy/elf bags filled with crystals from one shop and investigated several of the Antique shops, next time I go back it will be without my teenagers.




No photos yet, have to find a way to get them off the camera, I forgot to put the card back in.


We headed to Echo point, Thomas and I decided to walk to the 3 sisters while my 19 year old daughter opted to wait in the warmth of the car. The steps down were steep, didn't look forward going back up. I need to get much fitter. I did make it back to the car, then to the chocolate shop for some hot chocolate for them and a cup of tea for me.





I found the weather invigorating, it was cool but didn't really feel cold until later when we were down at the 3 Sisters, there was a strong wind blowing, the walk/drag back up warmed me up. I wore my Tam, still way too big and decided to search for the pattern to make a smaller one. I really have to label my posts better, I did remember I had made it around my MIL's birthday and searched for past posts

Bread Making


Just did a silly thing, I was channel surfing and came across a scary movie, I watched for a moment then thought it might become too bad so switched channels. Thought to myself that I was being a wimp so switched back, within a minute my heart was pounding, screaming in my head and I may just have nightmares for the rest of my life. I figure if I laugh at myself perhaps it won't be so bad. And watching Cake Boss, might rub some sugary goodness off on me.




Had a much more relaxing day, no work for me, swapped shifts with a colleague who needs Monday off. I spent time reading blogs, getting inspired and cleaning the kitchen. Put the inspiration into action by baking some bread.




This loaf looks absolutely perfect, don't you think?






Take a closer look.......





How cute is that? The family loved the little loaves, my husband who doesn't like homemade even had some and said he liked it. I cut one into slices and made a tiny vegemite sandwich. I bought the baking tin with 8 little loaf tins at my work this week, the dough was made in my bread maker while I was cleaning/reading blogs.







Bread Machine Loaf





1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons caster sugar
1 teaspoon dried yeast
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
440g bread flour
1 teaspoon salt



Place the water, sugar and yeast in the pan of the bread machine. Let the yeast dissolve and foam for 10 minutes. Add the oil, flour and salt to the yeast. Select Basic or White Bread setting, and press Start.




A very easy, basic recipe that tasted delicious, found here at Allrecipes.




Also made my first attempt at making pizza dough, we had home made pizza for dinner. As I mentioned before my husband doesn't like homemade bread, he opted for a store bought pizza base as well. I made my pizza and when my son saw it he asked if he could have some too. He raved about how good it was, then I showed him how to use the dough to make a base. Husband must have felt left out, he told me I should make the bases again. The recipe was out of the Breville Baker's Oven Instruction manual.


Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Stretch velvet sewing day 3

Didn't do any sewing yesterday, attended one niece's baby shower and then went on to visit her sister who wasn't able to attend. She's having a hard time so I thought I'd drop in some hypnosis cds. We sat, drank tea, talked, snuggled with her kids for over 3 hours. She messaged me later that she had tried one of the cd sessions and the difference in how she was feeling was amazing, told me she loved me and I was the best Aunt ever. I read that when I hopped into bed and went to sleep with smile on my face.

I did find some fabric to use as lining, it's swimsuit lining, stretchy and soft enough to do as I wanted - but only came in black or beige. Black was fine, it's only for the bodice, possibly sleeves and I am going to do Hong Kong seams for any visible seams in black satin bias. It's funny how when you are deciding whether to do something or not something always pops up to aid your decision. Now I have never seen any garment that had Hong Kong seams, only in pictures but today a customer was wearing a lovely skirt that had Hong Kong seams on the outside as a design feature, I found myself staring and admiring it.

No pictures tonight I spent most of my sewing time procrastinating then cut out the lining fabric and testing seam finishes. The Hong Kong seams look great but added bulk to the seam that was visible from the outside, after some trials I decided that a flat fell seam was best. It's the sort of seam that is on the leg of jeans. Because the lining will cover the seam I didn't worry about folding under the raw edge of the top seam allowance which kept the bulk down and made the seams easy to top stitch.

I finished all the seams and then thought about the shoulder seams, as I went to start I noticed the light in the room flicker. I had spent the time listening to Doreen Virtue reading her Archangel Raphael and wondered whether this was a sign to finish up for the evening, putting my work down, the flickering stopped. After a few moments I thought no that I wanted to get it done and picked up the bodice with determination. As soon as I got it in my hands the light went out completely. Took that as a message.

My lamp was still on and I turned it off while still seated at my desk, and looked around the room to get my eyes acustomed to the dark. What I saw was lovely, I was surrounded by sparkles of white light, pin pricking the dark. It was a lovely way to end the night, I know the angels were letting me know they were with me.

Sunday, 19 June 2011

Stretch velvet day 2

Having experienced sewing with Crushed Panne before and without the greatest results I figured it a good idea to look for tips in sewing stretch velvet, this was the best I came across Stretch Velvet Sewing. Though after spending time basting seams, something I rarely do, I wasn't pleased with the seams so I took out all the basting and pinned instead. Much quicker.

It was recommended to use a walking or roller foot, I just so happen to have a walking foot.




The foot installed, it's arm sits over the needle screw and when the needle raises, it lifts the arm which works the walking part of the foot.
Test sewing, the first sample the stitches are too small, the fabric puckering and the seam gaping, with longer stitches - 3.5 setting on my machine the seam lies flat.
I finger pressed the seam open, I don't think pressing was needed. I was worried about crushing the pile or burning an image of the iron into the fabric.

Shoulder seams were taped, I only had extra wide tape so cut it in half. Didn't want to risk it shrinking so I wet and then ironed it dry. The taping will prevent the shoulder seam from stretching and should be done on all stretch fabric shoulders.

I hadn't done any fitting and ran the risk of it not fitting, was very pleased at the first fitting and found it fitted quite well. When the band is added to the centre front it will do up nicely.


My next dilemma is deciding what to do inside. I don't want to overlock (serge), had thought of Hong Kong seam finish using satin bias binding or even just turning the cut edge of the seam under it's self. I may just line the bodice if I can find the fabric for it.

Saturday, 18 June 2011

Sewing with Stretch Velvet. Sort of tutorial.




Recently I decided I wanted a stretch velvet coat or jacket, it started with some velvet cushion covers at work and a day or so later a friend mentioned wanting a green velvet jacket. I had a clear vision of what I wanted in deep red or purple. The covers came in a divine purple.

I found the stretch velvet fabric in spotlight, waiting till I could use a discount voucher, I could only get the purple but yesterday I found the red in a different branch. Will see how this one turns out.

Pattern pieces, pressed and cut out - always on the line, not inside or outside but so you can see the line. Cutting either inside or outside the line adds extra dimensions, making the finished article smaller or bigger, pieces won't fit together accurately.
Fold stretch velvet in half lengthways, pin within the selvage edge to keep from sliding. Fold with velvet on the outside, it prevents the pile catching on it's self.


Layout pattern pieces, I have not followed layout in pattern instructions, because I bought more fabric.
To ensure grain is correct, measure from grain line to selvage edge, from the base and top of grain line.
First cut, I bought new scissors for the task - always use sharp scissors and never ever cut paper with your dressmaking scissors. It actually blunts them, it's the same in reverse too, don't cut fabric with your paper scissors. And do not under any circumstances ever cut the cat's stitches with dressmaking scissors - I don't care if stitches are classed as sewing. Mum do you hear me? You can see I pinned the piece, only pin in seam allowance, velvet is unforgiving and can show pin marks.
Nick into positioning marks - do not cut the whole triangle out a straight nick from centre of mark to tip of triangle is all that is needed.
Blurry picture of a tailor's tack, instead of using chalk or marker to mark each point I stitched tailor's tacks. To do this, put a threaded needle straight into centre of circle mark, do not lean it to the side it must be straight. Pull thread through leaving long tails at both ends.
Gently pull apart fabric without pulling stitches out.



Cut thread. Each thread marks a fitting spot and corresponds with another mark on another piece of pattern.

I only cut out the bodice tonight, I want to work on those before cutting out the sleeves and skirt of the coat. If at any point you get tired don't keep on, tiredness brings on mistakes and mistakes on velvet can be costly.

To be continued.

Friday, 17 June 2011

Pies


After languishing, gathering dust in the pantry I pulled out the pie maker today - no hold on it wasn't me in the pantry gathering dust it was the pie maker.....although with the amount I've been cooking around here I am getting a bit dusty. The pie maker has been sitting there since last I had the urge to use it, was it last year or the year before?


Tonight, Friday is usually just my daughter and I home but soccer has been called off so the rest are home as well. So I had to come up with dinner for 4, checked the freezer and noticed some meat pie filling I made a few weeks back, I cheated and just made puff pastry tops. Also had pastry sheets in there as well. I thought the meat needed a touch more flavour and stuck about a teaspoon full of vegemite - my secret. The pies were nice but there was only enough filling to make 6, David and Thomas had 2 each. I was still hungry so cooked up an apple with a handful of frozen raspberries, a little sugar and arrowroot to thicken it. There was just enough pastry for 2. Of course Thomas put his hand up for one, I had the other with custard. Yummy.








Friday, 10 June 2011


It's stocktake time again, I got the tablecloth area and spent most of my time counting hundreds of fabric napkins, tablecloths and hundreds of cushion covers. Tomorrow if the store isn't too busy I can look forward to more tablecloths and thousands of napkins. If I had of known this when unpacking last week I would have kept most of them sewn together in dozen lots.

Was ready for a cup of tea when I got home and why not add some predinner dessert? On special china too, Spode no less and better than just any Spode, free Spode. A fringe benefit from work, the boss wanted to clear out mismatched china and sets missing items, he told us to choose what we wanted. This set was missing a plate and saucer, I also got a bonus tea cup. It made the supermarket custard tart taste that little bit better. Apparently my husband went shopping hungry.

Tuesday, 7 June 2011

You know you're Australian if ...


* You believe that stubbies can be either drunk or worn.

* You waddle when you walk due to the 53 expired petrol discount vouchers stuffed in your wallet or purse.

* You've made a bong out of your garden hose rather than use it for something illegal such as watering the garden. Never! I use mine for something illegal like watering the garden or washing the car

* You think it's normal to have a leader called Julia. Not there yet

* You believe it is appropriate to put a rubber in your son's pencil case when he first attends school.

* You're liable to burst out laughing whenever you hear of Americans "rooting" for something.

* You understand that the phrase 'a group of women wearing black thongs' refers to footwear and may be less alluring than it sounds.

* You pronounce Melbourne as 'Mel-bn'. And Brisbane is Bris-ben

* You believe the 'l' in the word ' Australia ' is optional. I like the l

* You know that some people pronounce Australia like "Strayla" and that's ok.

* You can translate: 'Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas.'

* You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its
highways with large fibreglass bananas, prawns and sheep. Isn't there an Oyster as well?

* You call your best friend 'a total bastard' but someone you really, truly despise is just 'a bit of a bastard'.

* You think 'Woolloomooloo' is a perfectly reasonable name for a place.

* You're secretly proud of our killer wildlife.

* You believe it makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that's twice as big as its $2 coin.

* You understand that 'Wagga Wagga' can be abbreviated to 'Wagga' but 'Woy Woy' can't be called 'Woy'. Been to both, lived in Woy Woy for a while.

* You believe that cooked-down axle grease makes a good breakfast spread. You've also squeezed it through Vita Wheats biscuits to make little Vegemite worms. Yum, bought a new jar today

* You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.

* Hamburger with Beetroot? Of course!

* You know that certain words must, by law, be shouted out during any rendition of the Angels' song 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again'. No Way..... 8-)

* You believe that the confectionery known as the Wagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year. Eat Ze Wagon Wheel.

* You wear ugh boots outside the house.

* You believe that every important discovery in the world was made by an Australian but then sold off to the Yanks for a pittance.

* You believe that the more you shorten someone's name the more you like them. Lengthening does the same.

* Whatever your linguistic skills, you find yourself able to order
takeaway fluently in every Asian language.

* You understand that 'excuse me' can sound rude, while 'scuse me' is always polite.

* You know what it's like to swallow a fly. Ptoohey

* You know it's not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle and a seat belt buckle becomes a pretty good branding iron.

* Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules for beach cricket.

* You shake your head in horror when companies try to market what they call 'Anzac cookies'. BISCUITS, they are BISCUITS!

* You still think of Kylie as 'that girl off Neighbours'.

* You understand that all train timetables are works of fiction.

* When working in a bar, you understand male customers will feel the need to offer an excuse whenever they
order low-alcohol beer.

* You know how to abbreviate every word, all of which usually end in -o: arvo, combo, garbo, kero, lezzo, metho, milko, muso, rego, servo, smoko, speedo, righto etc.

* You know that there is a universal place called "woop woop" located in the middle of nowhere...no matter where you actually are.

* You know that none of us actually drink Fosters beer, because it tastes like shit. But we let the world think we do. Because we can.

* You have some time in your life slept with Aeroguard on in the summer. Maybe even as perfume.

* You've only ever used the words - tops, ripper, sick, mad, rad, sweet - to mean good. And then you place 'bloody' in front of it when you REALLY mean it.

* You know that the barbeque is a political arena; the person holding the tongs is always the boss and usually a man. And the women make the salad.

* You say 'no worries' quite often, whether you realise it or not.

* You've drank your tea/coffee/milo through a Tim Tam. Yum

* You own a Bond's chesty. In several different colours. I have one, in white.

* You've ordered a steak the size of your head and only
paid $5 at your local RSL.

* You know that roo meat tastes pretty good, but not as good as barra. Or a meat pie.

Agree with all the rest, except don't think roo tastes that great.

Monday, 6 June 2011

Socks

Finished the second pair of socks from the book tonight, the fit is much better. The pattern was pretty much identical to the first, apart from the length. Being used to elasticated thin socks they don't quite feel right on, think some knitting elastic in the band will help for next time.
I have set a little table up along side of a tub chair I bought at a garage sale a few years back, it's now my favourite place to eat breakfast and get some reading done each morning. Below is some of the books I want to get through, finished Save yesterday and started Stainless today. The orange book is The Land of the Painted Caves by Jean Auel, the latest book in the Earth's Children series, am halfway through that. Above it is White Magic by Lucy Cavendish again partway through. The ratty book on top of it is The Five Peppers and how they Grew, probably my favourite childhood book, I've decided to read it again. Under Stainless is How to be Comfy, I am sure I have Spotless around here somewhere too. The little blue book is called Meeting Fairies, I too am partway through it, I feel guided to only read it outdoors and have not been able to get out enough lately. I've tried reading it inside but the words are so blurry but are very clear outside. Went to Spotlight yesterday with my husband in tow, can't remember the last time he came into there with me - probably was when I worked at another branch and he got a temporary job there as well, quite a few years back. Found a good use for him while I took a quick look around, he stood on the line at the cutting counter, until he got bored and tried ringing me to come back - he didn't realise I was behind him. Bought 4 metres of purple velveteen for my Redingote, was supposed to start cutting it out today but didn't get to it.

Yesterday my Mum came over wanting to know if she had lent me a bag, she was a little upset it was lost so I offered to help her look. She said the last time she had it was when she went away a few weekends ago and it contained her fabrics and unfinished quilts, I was feeling bad for her. Questioned whether it might have been left behind, she was sure she put it in the car and that she would have been called. Again she made emphasis on what was packed in the bag, I asked if someone had the bag if they would know it was hers by recognising the quilts -- that's when she told me that all the fabric and quilts were in her sewing room. At that point I got a little frustrated, I've no idea why :S. As I passed the rarely used downstairs bathroom I asked if anyone had checked the shower, heading in and pulling the door open. That's when we all broke down in hysterics, because there was a pile of things stacked in the shower, under a coat was the illusive and empty bag, apparently they where hidden there when they moved rooms around.