Something Different

Merry Christmas for yesterday everyone. I hope your day was, like mine, filled with smiley children, wonderful food, surprises and a little bit of magic.

Over the last few days I've been watching my Mum as she makes progress with her holiday project. (Like myself and so many of us crafty types, she needs something to keep her fingers busy in every possible quiet moment.)This technique is quite fascinating-sort of a patchworky fabric foldy type process. We've named it "Extreme Patchworking".

Here Mum's using a sturdy canvas type fabric. I think it's going to be a bag when it's finished. But you could use it for anything really-I'm thinking scarves, wall hangings, purses, cushions...

It looks like it would use a lot of fabric but the beauty is that no lining is required, the technique is such that there are no raw edges exposed. I just had to give it a go- I've done three squares so far and if I can produce anything worthwhile I will definitely do a tutorial. Extreme Patchworking... My Mum is cool.

Lemon Curd

My absolute favourite thing to spread on toast, in the whole world, is Lemon Curd. I made some today, to give as Christmas presents.

I used the last of the lemons from my tree. I think the best Lemon Curd uses fresh lemon juice. Isn't it the most wonderful colour?

Lemon Curd Recipe

Ingredients

9 large eggs

360ml fresh lemon juice

450grams white sugar

165grams butter

3 tablespoons lemon zest

Method

In a stainless steel bowl, placed over a saucepan of simmering water, whisk together the eggs, sugar and lemon juice until blended.

Cook, stirring constantly to prevent curdling.

Cook until thick, and pale coloured.

Remove from heat and whisk in the butter, cubed. Add lemon zest, pour into jars and cool.

This Year's Swap.

What do you call them? Jandals? Flipflops? Thongs? Depends on where abouts you are in the world I guess...

These are my contribution to the Kiwi Christmas Ornament Swap 2009. You can check out the pictures from the swap here.

Last year I made my Speckled Angels, but this year I was feeling a bit more Kiwiana inspired.

And, unknown to me, I was creating something almost impossible to photograph!

But there you have it.

So much more fun than drying dishes...

Instead, why not cut up your tea towel to make an iconic softie? This is a commission project that I'm proud to say I completed in a week. If you're not familiar with Kiwi birds, they are a flightless and somewhat strange looking but nonetheless very sweet native New Zealand bird. The brief was to create a kiwi from a New Zealand map, ensuring that the Whakatane was in a prominent place. You may remember the NZ Map train from a while ago?

Right-I'm off to finish my decorations for the great swap! Looking great so far everyone! I just lOVE those colourful birds. Mine are going to be less traditional, but very New Zealandy-I think the Kiwi above has reignited my love for Aotearoa xx

Giddy Up!

I've been flat out, flat out, making horses! No less than 5 in the last week. Here are two- going to my lovely colleagues' children-as Christmas presents I think so sssshhhhhhh...

And the other thing taking up my crafting time is below. Yes folks, it's time once again for the town's Christmas Float Parade, and I've been busy crafting 25 or so Superhero costumes. It's been fun, colourful, sparkly, all those things that make me smile. The parade is next weekend and I can't wait!

In other news, I'd like to wish a huge (albeit rather late) CONGRATULATIONS! To the beautiful Janelle of Heart Felt, on the birth of her lovely little son Oscar.

The annual Kiwi Christmas Ornament Swap is on again! Check it out at 2o Cent Mixture

And here are two things I can now definitely say for sure... Firstly, Summer picnics are gorgeous, even if they're only in the back garden.

And, after last night's power cut, I can promise you that candlelight really does make things look more magical.

Stitch Therapy

I've become obsessed with sewing little squares together. By hand of course 'cos that's how I roll! I've been travelling a bit lately, and while my fingers still had the itch to stitch, I needed something portable. But more importantly, something therapeutic, rhythmical and soothing.

So I pack it all into my Queen Elizabeth 1953 Coronation tin (love that tin) and off I go. Because sometimes I think that's how you have to approach life too-just one little bit at a time.

Still Here

It's not that nothing's been happening. On the contrary, I feel as though this is the first time I've sat down since my last post! This made me very sad, and at the same time, love, appreciate and value my children's safety even more, if possible, and for that I will always be grateful to little Aisling. My heart goes out to her family at this time.
Then there's been work, stockings, work, housework, the flu and all those other general miscellaneous things during which time seems to be sucked down a huge vortex and leaves you wondering where it went so quickly.
So, this is my 100th post, and that is the only real news I have to share, but I still wanted to stop in and let you know that I'm still here.

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years"

Abraham Lincoln