Long time no talk

I admit it, I've been slack. So so slack. No posts in nearly a month, hardly any reading of other blogs either. Where have I been - well, nowhere exciting but have been in the midst of a huge work project, including creating a new website for the company I work for. I hired website designers, yet still so much input has had to come from me that I've been a little snowed under. Fingers crossed the launch all goes well next week!!

I've not let the craftiness completely slide by though, that's been very much my downtime relaxation. I sold a wee hat on felt - love the colour combination don't you?

And I've been knitting again. It's been so long since I picked up needles, but I've tried something different - socks.... Such Fun!

And I've been making loads of jewellery. Only a few items ever made it into my felt shop as I tend to carry my box of goodies in my car, so it's come with me to a party, to book group, to work and so on and I've really done well selling it to friends. I've not even had to push it - it sells very easily. Lovely little earner for me!

And of course much of it has made it's way into my jewellery box too, I get so many positive comments that it's been very rewarding.

Since I've last blogged I've celebrated a birthday, must say it was one of the nicest birthdays ever. The other half sent me out shopping for the day and I came home to a beautifully tidy house, a yummy birthday cake and then some very good friends came around for dinner. 

I also found the cutest vintage pyrex dish and lid set at the op shop so I was rapt with that too!

 

My sister sent me the most fantastic cookbook, it's a NZ one - based on recipes from an Auckland Cafe. Real treat food, and we've made a fair few goodies from it already.

My garden is coming to the end of the summer goodness, the autumn fruits are in full harvest - apples, feijoas, jerusalem artichokes and I've been busy sowing seeds for some lovely Stock plants to add beautiful colour to dull winter days. The vege garden has been planted for winter so we're on track for a plentiful garden.

Anyway it's 7:30 Friday night and I have some more work to do. Sad isn't it. Kids are slowing drifting off to sleep so it's the most productive time for me to get through the list of "to-dos".

Have a great week xxx Kylie

Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows

The rain has stayed away, my anti-rain dance must have worked. It looks like it'll stay clear for another week or so at least. Finally it's Summer. So in preparation we have been packing the caravan for our upcoming holiday. Don't you love how there are little compartments for every item in the cupboards.

I got a couple of little gems at the op shop the other day. A brand new set of Cath Kidston handcreams was a must have. I don't use fragranced handcreams usually (I make my own as I react to shop brought ones) but these were to cute to pass by. Must have been discarded by someone who hasn't found the Kidston love yet.

The other gem was a vintage crochet magazine. Love it!

There are a few patterns that I would use....

And a few that I think the other half probably wouldn't appreciate too much....

Don't you love the look of this one ;)

And this one cracked me up, written in a different time with saying that it will look "gay in blue and white stripes".

I bottled the monster beetroot this weekend. We have tons and tons of jars but I'm the only one who eats it. I think I will have to take much of it into work and see if they want some.

I also need some marrow recipes if you have any - we have a few of those too!

Have a great week all. x Kylie

Soothing

I've just had one kiddie for a couple of days (the other one has been at her grandparents for a mid school holiday break) and wow it's so peaceful with no sibling rivalry.

So I've been making good use of my time...

A little concotion for my littlest ones eczema flare up - Chamomile and Calendula cream. Using Grapeseed oil and beeswax as a base, with glycerine, vitamin C, emulsifying wax and a infusion of organic Calendula and Chamomile Flowers. Chamomile flowers have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic properties, Calendula has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and the oil just helps keep the moisture in the skin. It seemed to soothe her skin well the first night I tried we tried it.

Making Cupcakes, pink by request of course, lovingly topped by my big girl. Hmmmm I think she ate more than she put on the cakes.

It's sitting on a lovely Paragon plate I picked up at the Hospice shop yesterday (as well as a matching saucer - now I just need the cup to make a set). It made me feel a little bit happier after I broke a saucer and a cup of two totally seperate trios yesterday. I can't believe how clumsy I was. Kicking myself now.

 I am so excited.... I have been searching for these jars everywhere, and now I have finally found them. I have no idea what I will keep in them (they are pretty large) but I saw them in a magazine and I just had to have them. I hunted high and low in my city but no luck, but yesterday I headed over to the in-laws little town and I couldn't believe it when I spotted them in a gift shop. Fairly inexpensive as well which is an extra bonus!

The new cat, Tootu, has settled in completely. The Chief isn't so fussed on her but I think she's pretty cute - except for when I spot her trying to catch the goldfish. She will learn when she falls in I guess.

So many spring bulbs out at the moment - and it's only halfway through winter.

It's really mild outside today so I'm sure I will have a garden full of Daffodils soon!

I've got my Tangelos and lemons soaking at the moment so I can make my annual batch of Marmalade tommorrow. We have so many Tangelos this year though that I think I'll have to make a few batches.

Speaking of Tangelo, I have some new (but old) retro Tupperware for the caravan. Isn't it just so kitch but perfect for the 70's style.

My hooks and yarn are calling now. More hats, a cowl or more work on the granny blanket????

And we went walking

We took the children walking on Sunday, before a promised lunch treat. You often miss the beauty of your own town and take it for granted all too often.  Granted the weather wasn't too clear but it still made for the most lovely family day in a long time.

I had fun shopping for a friend's birthday present the other day - I found exactly what I was looking for (see below) and filled it with chocolate. It was the last one in the shop, now I'm on a hunt for another one for me!
 

Vintage style glass jar

What's your favourite household product? Odd question I know, but I have been meaning to share mine. I love Soapnuts for the laundry. I have extremely sensitive skin and commercial washing powder really causes a reaction, so about 18 months ago I discovered Soapnuts and I was won over by how great they are. Completely natural, great for the our septic tank system (which can't cope with too many chemicals) and fab for our Skin. about 4 soapnuts in a calico bag in with the wash (which lasts about 8 washes) and a drop of essential oil (if desired) in the rinse cycle. A $20 bag of soapnuts lasts about 9 months for us, which is certainly cheaper than powders/liquids ever were.

It's not so warm here today, so I'm off to think about winter warmers for dinner.

x Kylie

Picnic night

We had the school picnic tonight, what a beautiful night for it! Sunshine, still air, humidity right up there. Tropical paradise tonight. Loads of people took takeaways (yum!) but I thought I'd be good and take my Tiffin Tin that my dear friend Leah picked up for me, filled with all sorts of yummy treats. Vietnamese Chicken Salad, fruit and a few other nibbles, plus a container of Caramel Slice to finish it off.

The kids had a ball - we hardly saw them. You know it's all good when they are off happily playing with their friends.

Duraware

I love the colours of this Duraware that we were just given. They just don't make stuff like this now. Perfect for camping - or "Glamping" as I have been calling it - Glam camping. Can't wait - only a week and a half until we head off.