The bird shirt - 5 minute quick fix

I found this sweet shirt at the op shop recently, I didn't have time to try it on, but as it was a Rivers size 16 I figured it would fit with room to spare!
There was a fabric tie in the bottom hem, which I didn't really like- but it was the perfect size  to pull out, cut a teeny hole in the binding around the neckline, and re thread the tie through there. Just right to pull the neckline in enough so it doesn't gape and fall off my shoulders, it gives a much better shape around the neckline, and makes the shirt a little bit different to the original RTW shirt.  I LOVE the bird print fabric, this is now one of my favourite shirts!

Homemade muesli bars

I have been looking for a muesli bar recipe for ages. One for a crunchy, nutty, seedy bar* just like a bought muesli bar. But none are quite right.
Too soft.
Too cakey.
Too crunchy.
Falls apart - ends up looking like granola!

But I think I have nailed it with this recipe from River Cottage.

Although I omitted the chilli and rosemary, & opted for pink salt instead.

I used 200g pepitas,and added 100g slivered almonds

The rice malt syrup was the winner, the perfect " glue" for homemade muesli bars! Yummy, just right consistency. They hold together just right. Not too sweet, nice and crunchy. A definite winner, will make them with cranberries next time!

* that is to say I have been looking for a muesli bar recipe which is not like one of those budgie treat bars you hang in a bird cage, as opposed to looking for a dodgy pub!!!

Quick make over

I got a little bit of sewing done this week - ploughing through the basket of repairs & minor " finishing off" jobs.  These 2 calico bags have been hanging around for a while, I wanted to cover up the branding printed on them.
A piece of Aunty Cookie fabric and a rainbow patch piece  sewn up as a test run for the rainbow cushions I made last year ( it was too small for what I needed) did the job.  Much nicer than the branded bags!

Fairfield Restash 2018

Just a quick post to promote the Fabric Restash event this Saturday, organized by the lovely Anna of Blogless Anna & a team of other wonderful sewists!  

Hope to see you there, I will be wearing my floral Darth T so come & say Hi!!!

( photos blatently copied from Blogless Anna !!!)

Looking forward to Autumn

Did you see this brilliant mini magazine in today's Age?

Showcasing the Daylesford- Macedon region, the magazine highlights  the countryside, local producers & businesses of the region.  There is also a lovely piece titled "nature's bounty" written by Kate from "Foxs Lane".

Autumn is the time for festivals in the region, including a couple I visited  2 years ago- Trentham Spudfest, this year on May 5 (lots of amazing colours & shapes of heirloom spuds, and the BEST hot jam donuts I have ever eaten!); and the fascinating "Lost Trades Fair" held in Kyneton 10-11 March.

(2016 Lost Trades Fair)

There is also a comprehensive calendar of all events, markets etc. in the region during Autumn. 

I think I might have to plan some family road trips!

Blanket progress

I am officially half way through my grey stripe knitted throw- I added some extra plain grey in the middle, and started the next big ball on the weekend.

The big ball seems to make the knitting go so much quicker - not having to stop & decide if the coloured stripe is big enough or if it needs a couple more rows, not stopping to check which colour comes next, and taking time to change colours ( once I have figured if I am on the same side as other changes, or need to knit one more row!)

During a quick visit to the wonderful " Variety Store" in Bendigo yesterday, I spotted a shelf full of gorgeous new colour combo balls, " Ice Cream" by Porta Craft; $10 for each 200g 8 ply ball.

How great are these colours!!!

These are my 4 favourites-

So much yarn. So little time!

Comfy cushions

Still catching up on holiday sewing posts (not that I did very much!). I finally made some new covers for the cushions on the couch. 

 I had made a couple of new covers about 2 years ago, and then not got any further! The old ones were looking a bit faded, plus the fabric ( polyseter peach skin or somesuch)  although soft is kind of weird to touch, particularly on a hot day!
So I grabbed some fabrics from the stash and whipped up a couple of simple envelope back covers.

This fabric started life as a pillow case, cut up to make a quilt ( and a couple of pieces used for a patchwork cushion cover). Plus the back ended up with a pleasing pattern too!

 

Quilt scrap cushion made last year.

This next one was an experiment, after taking some screenshots from a craft book review online ( but I can't remember which book!). The fabric was really too thick to use, but I'm pleased with the final result- if you don't look to closely!

Mind you it is not particularly comfy to lean on as it is sooo bumpy with the thick ridges!!!