Cooking adventures..

This week was my turn for Cupcake duty. 

I was trying to make THESE, but my cakes didn't rise enough so I had to make something up. 

The kids thought these were good enough. 

The horns are banana lollies chopped in half, jaffa eyes and candy teeth. 

I used a butter frosting and dipped each cake into coloured sugar.

These were a winner with Pete and the kids.

Chocolate Cream Biscuits.

(Don't you love all the free recipes on the web?)
I'm planning on baking another batch for The Biggest Morning Tea this Thursday.

These are simply Arnotts Marie Biscuits, iced and decorated with hundreds and thousands and smarties. These are also destined for The Biggest Morning Tea.

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea raises money for the fight against cancer.

My dad died of cancer, just over two years ago.

I miss him.

Please support your local morning tea and help to support the fight.

Enid - Wrap around skirt

I'm an Enid Fan.

I have an Enid Blog over here... Inspired by Enid

For those who have only recently begun reading my blog I'll fill you in.

Enid Gilchrist for four decades designed clothing patterns. 

Her magazines were published for home sewers to draft and make clothing.

A few generations of Australian children were dressed in mummy made clothes using Enid's designs.

I think I now have a complete collection of her magazines. 

I need to update my Enid Blog with the new additions.

I'm that much of a fan, I once rang her son and had a lovely chat about his mother's work.

He was a model for many of his mother's creations.

Today I got a little sewing time in and drafted a skirt for Lilly.

It's a little old fashioned and still kind of cute.

Enid designed her patterns with measurements to use for drafting.

It was her own unique drafting system.

Very easy to do with a little practice.

Most designs start with a central vertical line off which you mark the vertical measurements and lines off. There are guide lines to help you draw the curves.

Enid's earlier books used woven fabrics as stretch fabrics weren't available.

I used some corduroy to make this skirt and lined it with chambray.

It's actually the skirt on the front of this magazine, but not as short and the straps are longer.

I really like the way it fastens at the back and it's so easy to make.

I think when I make this again I'll get rid of the straps.

Now I'm off to cross post this on my Enid Blog

Olivia (no.4)

Another Olivia, the fourth I've made. 

So easy and quick to make.

The girls love them too.

Lilly has worn the other one constantly.

The fabrics were all from the Crafty Mamas store.
I hope Lisa doesn't go bankrupt while I'm having my no fabric ban!
It was nice to get some sewing done today.

I finished a capsule liner for a friend too. 

Arghh ...

The witching hour is upon us here.

Tired, hungry children and parents worn out of patience.

It was a very nice Mothers' day.

Happy Mothers' Day

My Mothers' Day Flowers

I was showered with handmade gifts and cards.

I had poems written in my honor.

With such memorable lines as ....

My mum is like a machine with her sewing

and my personal favorite...

My mum is as sleepy as a sloth

I was served breakfast in bed, after supplying fore mentioned meal to one 4 month old.

My not so secret vice for magazines was sated.

I received three knitting magazines.

But the best of all ......

Were the smiles, hugs and kisses. 

And the chorus of, 'we love you mum'.

This morning I had one of my 'brainstroms'.

I've come to realise that the secret of personal happiness is to make those you love happy.

Happy Mothers' Day