Creativity in art, craft and food!

David's Kitchenalia - gorgeous tea cosy!

2012-01-23T04:22:00.000-08:00

When I first saw this tea cosy I first though, maybe I'd better not blog this as it may be 'politically incorrect' but then I thought about it and for me, Golliwogs are not a symbol of racism or anything negative at all. I love these and I grew up reading Enid Blyton, where Noddy was gay and Golliwogs were just a character. Whatever the intentions were, as I was brought up to be accepting of and respecting people from all cultural backgrounds I have no problem to say I love Golliwogs and especially this one. It's so cute! I recently read about the history of Golliwogs and I can see there are some negative connections, especially in the UK and the US, however it's all about how you think about it yourself and I think they are just a cute toy.

Fresh and tasty with a bit of spice

2012-01-19T03:41:00.000-08:00

I had some nice Sweetlip fillets in the freezer (thanks Chris) and felt like something tasty and healthy for dinner tonight. This is the recipe I came up with to go with the fish. YUM

Spice paste for fish
Works well with white fish fillets

1 small bunch coriander, including stems and roots, washed and chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

3cm piece ginger, peeled and chopped

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp sesame oil

2 tsp brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons sambal oeleck (chilli paste)

a few sprigs fresh mint leaved, picked

2 tsp rice wine

2 tbs fish sauce

Place all the above ingredients in a small blender and blend to a thick paste. Coat fish fillets in the paste and cover and marinate at least 1 hour.

Pan fry fillets in a little olive oil, turning once. When fish is cooked, remove from pan and throw in the cherry tomatoes, cook for 2 minutes until warmed and slightly cooked.

Serve fish over brown rice, and top with tomatoes. Serve with Avocado Salsa

Avocado Salsa

1 medium avocado,diced

1 lebanese cucumber, diced

2 tbs chopped coriander

2 spring onions, chopped

juice of 1/2 lime

1/2 tsp sesame oil

Mix all ingredients to combine

Pork Belly - not for those watching their waistline!

2012-01-19T03:05:00.000-08:00

Wow, this is a pork belly dish my nephew had when we were

recently in Brisbane. I had a taste and it was great, I had a

seafood risotto which was amazing. I usually don't eat

risotto much at restaurants as it can often be stodgy,

but at Verve Cafe Bar it was excellent. In fact, eating here

was the best meal I had in Brisbane. The atmosphere was great

the staff were extremely friendly and helpful and everyone loved

their meals. I would definitely go there again! It's in Edward St in the city and just around

the corner from where we stayed.

David's Kitchenalia

2012-01-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

This is the latest photo I've received from David of his mushroom butter dish and this cool cannister. I love this cannister!!! I would love that design on fabric and to make a skirt from it!! I never see any cannisters that groovy these days. I also like the clock at the bottom of the picture, looks like it could be a radio too?

David's Kitchenalia

2012-01-17T23:20:00.000-08:00

How could you pass up the opportunity to buy this little beauty! David didn't and is now the happy owner of this casserole dish/lobster pot which he snapped up for $3.00, actually no, it was 50% off so it was $1.50. I think I missed something when I was last in Newcastle, I didn't see any of this stuff...will have to look harder next time. David uses all his functional art which is great and seems to have an eye for it too.

This dish brings back memories of a party I went to in Wolfe St, Newcastle in 1992, where I was given a plastic lobster as a present for turning up at the party by the appreciative host.

It's all in the dressing

2012-01-17T23:03:00.000-08:00

This is such a simple thing to make, and common too, but the special thing about this is the coriander yoghurt dressing. It really makes it extra tasty. I made the skewers with the dressing and salad for a tasty low carb dinner, then the next day cooked another skewer and had it in a mountain bread rye wrap for lunch. I love these wraps as they are so light and don't make you feel overly full.

This recipe is also from the October 2011 Delicious magazine, but it's not on Taste.com so I've put the details here - slightly modified...

Chicken tikka masala skewers with coriander dressing

2 tbs tikka masala paste

1 1/2 cups Greek style yoghurt (I used Farmer's Union Light Greek Style Yoghurt)

1kg skinless chicken fillets, cut into 3cm pieces

1 bunch coriander

2 tsp caster sugar

4cm piece ginger, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 tbs olive oil

juice of 2 limes

I served this with a salad of snow pea sprouts, seeded cucumber, mung bean sprouts and cherry tomatoes.

Soak 8 wooden skewers in cold water for 20 mins
Combine tikka masala paste with 1 cup yoghurt and season well.
Coat the chicken in the marinde and refridgerate for at least 15 mins (I usually leave for it for a couple of hours)
Place the coriander, including stalks and leaves, sugar, garlic, ginger, olive oil and half the lime juice in a food processor and whiz until a coarse puree. Sir in the remaining yoghurt and set aside.

Place chicken skewers under a hot grill, cook until charred, usually around 5 mins each side (depending on how thickly you've cut your chicken) turning once.

Tip- when cooking the skewers make sure there is a nice thick coating of yoghurt on the, this stops them drying out under the grill.

Serve with the salad and dressing.

For the wrap I used one and a half pieces mountain bread putting the half piece in the centre of the full one - this makes it less flimsy. Put down a layer of baby spinach and some left over salad, or just some cucumber and sprouts then add the chicken from one skewer, top with dressing and roll up! Enjoy..

David's Kitchenalia

2012-01-17T18:29:00.000-08:00

I was very impressed when I received this photo from a friend, David. (almost as impressed as when he sent me some before and after photos of his dinner). I am envious of his cow butter dish, as I haven't seen any like that around here. I love all the old kitchen paraphernalia you can pick up at op shops, David said he got this one from the Salvos and it was a bargain. I am also loving the salt and pepper shakers in the background, and I am hoping he'll keep sending more pics of his collection....

Amazing Mexican (not smothered in cheese and stodgy!)

2012-01-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

I've been reading some past copies of Delicious magazine and came across this recipe by Jill Dupleix. I thought it sounded like a nice change from the stodgy Mexican that all seems to taste the same and makes you feel so full! I've avoided Mexican restaurants for a few years now but thought this recipe sounded like it was worth a go. I can tell you this was fantastic!! The flavours were amazing, so fresh with a bit of tang and It was the tastiest, yummiest lunch. This one is a keeper and is so easy too.

For the tortillas I used Mission Brand Hi Fibre as they have the lowest carbs and calories of the range I looked at in the supermarket.

You could make this recipe with a lower fat content by using a bit less avocado but I wasn't too worried about it. I always use Josephine's reduced fat Danish style feta, as it's really creamy but low in fat.

I also used double the amount of pumpkin, as pumpkin tends to shrink a bit when roasted and the amount was perfect. I also used cherry tomatoes instead of roma as in the original recipe

Using my adaption this this recipe had around 495 calories per serve.

Roast Vegetable Tostadas

Ingredients: (Serves 4)

400g butternut or Kent/Jap pumpkin, sliced

approx 12 cherry tomatoes

2 red onions, cut into wedges

4 tbs olive oil

4 corn or flour tortillas

1 tbs finely chopped Jalapeno chillis and 1 tbs of the pickling brine

1 tbs lime juice plus extra to serve

125g can red kidney beans rinsed and drained

1 avocado, chopped

100g feta, crumbled

Mexican chilli salsa (approx 1 tbs per tortilla or to taste)

Coriander sprigs

Preheat oven to 180º and line a large baking sheet with baking paper. Place the pumpkin, tomato and onion on the tray and drizzle with a little olive oil then sprinkle with sea salt and coarsley ground black pepper to taste. Bake for around 40 mins or until vegetables are soft and lightly charred. Cool.

Wrap the tortillas loosely in foil and warm in the oven for 3 mins.
Meanwhile, whisk the chopped jalapenos, brine, lime juice and remaining olive oil in a bowl and season to taste. Add the kidney beans and the avocado and mix gently to combine.

To serve, scatter avocado salad over warmed tortillas and top with roast vegetables, feta and salsa. Garnish with coriander and an extra squeeze of lime.

Let me know if you enjoy this as much as I did!

Anyone for a cigar?

2012-01-15T17:55:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite cookbooks is 'Arabesque' by Claudia Roden, which I bought at an amazing bookshop in Fremantle, W.A. (although it's much cheaper at Fishpond). It was one of those bookshops that have lots of books that the standard franchise shops don't have, as well as lots of beautiful cards and paper.

I made this recipe the other night, but changed a couple of things:

- instead of using lamb mince, I bought diced lamb and put it in the food processor to mince it (less fat)

- I put Nigella seeds on top of each roll before cooking them in the oven

- I used olive oil with a pastry brush for the pastry instead of butter

- I made a yoghurt dip to serve them with ( so I processed a small bunch of coriander and a small bunch of mint with 2 tbs natural yoghurt) then I added another cup and a half of natural yoghurt to that and put in a bowl with the juice of half a lemon and 1/2 tsp ground cumin.

- I used 1tsp Sambal Oeleck (chilli paste) instead of dried chilli

Recipe:
1 medium onion, chopped finely
4 tbs veg oil
750g minced lamb or beef (I used lamb as above)
1/2 -1 tsp ground ginger
pinch salt
black pepper or pinch ground chilli pepper
small bunch coriander, chopped
small bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped
5 eggs lightly beaten (for a lower fat option, leave out 2 of the egg yolks)
500g large sheets of filo pastry
olive oil to brush on pastry

Method:

In a large frying pan soften the onion in the oil. Add the meat, spices, salt and pepper or chilli and cook, crushing the meat with a fork and turning it over, until it changes colour, approx 10 mins. Stir in the parsley and coriander and the beaten eggs and cook on low heat for a few moments, stirring until the eggs are set and a creamy consistency. Allow filling to cool.

Lay a few sheets of filo pastry on top of each other and cut in half lengthways so you have strips of around 15cm x 30cm. Put the piles of strips together and cover with a tea towel so they don't dry out.

Place one strip of filo on a chopping board and lightly brush the ends with oil and a little along the middle. Lay a tablespoon of filling at one short end, about 2cm from each edge. Roll up like a cigar, when you get to halfway, fold the sides in and then continue to roll letting the sides unfold so the cigars appear to be open.

Place the rolls side by side on a tray with baking paper and brush the tops with a light layer of olive oil. Sprinkle with nigella seeds, or alternatively you can use white or black sesame seeds, and cook for around 20-30 mins in an oven preheated to 180ºc.

Serve hot with the yoghurt sauce or plain.

These can be made in advance and just cooked prior to serving. They got the thumbs up from my friends!

Blackberry Smoothie!

2012-01-15T17:12:00.000-08:00

I am LOVING fresh blackberries at the moment, they are even cheaper than blueberries. I am determined to get healthier this year and lose the weight of my textbooks that I have seemed to absorb over the last year of study. I am enjoying smoothies for breakfast and this one is extra nice because it's bright purple!! High in calcium and fibre and only around 290 calories it's a great start to the day. After one of these I am so full I don't need to snack mid-morning.

1 medium banana
1/2 cup fresh (or frozen) blackberries
1/2 cup fresh (or frozen) blueberries
250ml Physical no-fat milk
1 tsp honey (optional for those with a sweet tooth)

Blend all of the above, admire the 'purpleness' and enjoy!

Raspberry, Pistachio and Rosewater Icecream

2012-01-15T16:59:00.000-08:00

Yum - I made this for a recent dinner party and it was great! So easy too! I had Middle Eastern, mostly Morroccan food, so I wanted something that would go with that theme. My sister gave me the idea from something my mum had made one Christmas, so I got the recipe from her, not sure where it came from originally.

2 litres Streets Blue Ribbon ice-cream, softened
approx 400g frozen or fresh raspberries
85g natural unsalted pistachios
1 tbs honey
2 tsp Rosewater essence
Fresh raspberries and honey to serve

Put the softened icecream in a bowl add the raspberries, pistachios and rosewater essence. Drizzle in 1tbs honey. Stir gently to combine. Press into a bowl or loaf tin (I used an extra long loaf tin) lined with plastic wrap and cover with more plastic wrap. Refreeze.

To serve, lift the icecream from the bowl or tin and slice, serve with the fresh raspberries and a drizzle of honey.

Enjoy!

New fabric and ideas

2012-01-08T20:01:00.000-08:00

So I've just got back from Brisbane where I was inspired with new ideas. I recently bought myself a wide bias maker and my plan is to make some lightweight denim skirts, blue and black A lines and I'll be putting a patterned bias around the hem. With this and some original applique featuring some new fabrics and embellishments I should soon have a few one off skirts for sale (and some for me!) which will be around $60 each. That's all for now (as I get interrupted every 5 mins in school hols) but will be back with some more soon! I am planning to make 2012 a year of creativity combined with part-time teaching, and hopefully will get to teach my students some creativity too!

Here are some of the fabrics I've just ordered, can't wait to get them.

Wow - so long since I've blogged!!

2011-12-23T00:37:00.000-08:00

I just logged in to this blog and realised it's been since May!!!! since I've put anything on here. Well a good reason for that is this year I finished my post grad teaching degree. Yes, so next year I can start working at a primary teacher. Yay! I can't wait, and the best thing about it is the opportunity to be creative and think up great ideas to inspire my students while making sure they have fun while they learn.

I recently went to the Jeannie Baker exhibition at Newcastle Library, and while I was there picked up the education kit, with lots of inspiring ideas and activities to use with primary students. I can't wait to have a fabric collage lesson, especially considering I have such a huge collection of gorgeous fabric scraps.

Next year I'm looking forward to making some one off ladies skirts, more purses and just generally being creative when I'm not working. These holidays I have already had time to make myself some new clothes and a couple of presents for friends.

Here are a few pictures of things I did manage to make during the year.

Merry Christmas to all my customers too - thanks for supporting my creative addictions!

Carolyne

I made this dress for Holly for her school Christmas Carols night

Size 1 dress made with gorgeous Dutch Fabric

I love this fabric, so made some ladies skirts too, including one for myself.

Echino is one of my fave fabrics, looking forward to making more skirts next year

Made this skirt for myself using 'Nature Walk' 100% organic cotton fabric

Japanese Tensha bead earrings, nearly all sold out now

These resin and Chiyogami paper earrings proved to be really popular

Fabric earrings

More skirts

2011-05-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

Here are a few skirts I've been making lately. As I am so busy with uni and prac teaching, these are great as they don't take long to make. I'm having fun using the mountains of gorgeous fabrics I have stashed too!

These are all available in my made it shop.

Upcyling

2011-05-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

This purse used to be the bottom of a maxi dress, but I decided I wanted the dress shorter. Now I have 2 of these purses to put in my madeit shop.

Decisions, decisions

2011-03-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

I recently made myself this skirt, and now I want to make more! Since wearing it a couple of times I've had requests to make some. It is such a simple design, but can look amazing with some of the gorgeous fabrics around at the moment. That's the problem, deciding which fabrics to buy. I think I'll only make 2 or 3 in each fabric,there's nothing worse than mass produced clothing and people turning up in the same skirt/dress/top in a small town! So I will have fun looking at fabric sites and deciding what to get.

Yesterday I made a skirt for my friend Jacqui's birthday but I didn't take any photos as I was in too much of a rush to get it posted. I used the Echino Patchwork in the Autumn colours - but I did take a photo of the card I made with some Echino fabric offcuts and buttons on recycled card. I stitched the fabric to the card with a zig-zag stitch, the top button is an Amy Butler brad and the bottom is a cute wooden butterfly button I bought from an Etsy shop. I like it! I hope she does too.

Echino pinny dress

2011-02-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

I have such a huge stash of fabric, it's actually pretty ridiculous as I'll never get time to use it all, but you know what it's like when you see it and have to have it. Echino fabric is one of my faves so I thought I'd better use some and made this little size 2 pinny dress. I hadn't done any sewing int he school hols so now I've made this one I feel inspired to make more. I also bought some gorgeous fabric from Holland and the the next one will be made using that.

I love this!

2011-01-10T05:16:00.001-08:00

Here is a gorgeous quilt made by my friend Jacqui - she is so clever and although she works just about full time she still manages to create some really original and interesting things. this quilt is made from vintage sheets, which makes it even more special... love it!

Happy New Year

2011-01-10T04:56:00.000-08:00

Well things have been pretty quiet on the creative side here in the school holidays, but I've been able to clean out my office and workroom and get ready for the coming year. I will be going completely online once I get more stock online and out of the Pod Collective shop. It's been a fun time being in the Pod Collective shop but I'm going to focus on working from home and concentrating on finishing my study.

I have recently opened a shop on http://www.ethikl.com.au/rubylimedesign/ so with this and my made it shop http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=20196 I will be busy enough looking after both of these. Although I will be busy with uni and study this year, I am hoping to still have time to make a few things to put on my site. I will concentrate on using some of the gorgeous fabrics I have in stock, making some more little girls' dresses and some more shorts for boys too, as I have lots of great fabrics for boys. I am looking forward to creating some interesting and unique pieces by upcycling for my Ethikl store and using some of my clothes I no longer wear to do this.

I can't say how fortunate I feel that I am in one of the few areas not devastated by floods. I can't imagine how the people in those areas must be feeling or going through. Watching it makes me feel sick so how must it be to be living it. I am hoping to get involved by donating some of my stock to raise funds for the affected people.

Fair Trade Bags in my Ethikl Store made by villagers in North Western India

Glass tile pendants - only $12.95

Some of my newest fabric purchases!

As I haven't been making much lately I've put on a few pics of things I've recently put in my online shops and some fabric I'll be using soon.

New Echino Fabric

2010-11-23T20:21:00.000-08:00

I am loving one of the latest Echino fabrics, here are a few things I've been making with it.

Rice Paper Rolls

2010-11-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

After watching a seafood cooking demo by Sally Jenyns yesterday I am wanting seafood even more!!! So today I bought some tiger prawns and made these rice paper rolls. Usually they have cooked vermicilli rice noodles in them but I left these out. So this is how I made them today...

In this bowl is finely sliced red onion, sliced baby cucumbers, red capsicum, garlic chives, coriander and basil leaves and some torn oakleaf lettuce leaves.

1/2 kilo cooked tiger prawns

Peel the prawns and have some soft lettuce leaves torn in half ready to go

Also you will need these

Pour just boiled water into a dish big enough to fit the rice paper sheets. Using tongs, immerse the sheet in water for a few seconds until soft, but not falling apart. Remove carefully and put on a chopping board.

place a couple of big lettuce leaves on the rice paper, a small handful of salad mix and 2-3 prawns

fold the sides in first then carefully roll up the rice paper to make a package, make sure the ends are tucked in so it doesn't all fall out.

Put on a plate and pour some dipping sauce into a small bowl. Enjoy

and.. put some in a lunchbox for hubby to take to work.

Yum, I love these and much healthier and tastier than the deep fried spring rolls!!

Mini Cupcake soap - Lemon Icing - by FIGGandhoney on madeit

2010-11-07T03:29:00.000-08:00

Mini Cupcake soap - Lemon Icing - by FIGGandhoney on madeit

Yummmm! This is the sort of cupcake I like, looks and smells great, but won't need to be worked off!

Hairclips and Bobby Pins

2010-10-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

I am loving these gorgeous wood buttons and making some hairclips and bobby pins with them. They are only $3.95 each in my madeit store.

Fabric collage cards

2010-10-19T04:06:00.000-07:00

I'm enjoying making cards at the moment, hoping to get a few in the shop as I've run out... these ones are made with fabric and I've added some ric rac and buttons. I like making this style of cards as it's nice to have something a bit different, mass produced cards get a bit boring, there are some I love, but I like making cards for any occassion I need one for..

Handmade Cards

2010-10-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

I love this natural daisy paper which my friend Jacqui sent me over 2 years ago!! I finally made these cards last night. The cards are made from natural rice paper - a Japanese cardstock I get from a lady in Perth who has the most amazing papers and cards.

I found the paper for these cards while I was in Newcastle, I love the colours and the design

Button bobby pins

2010-10-15T01:14:00.000-07:00

I love these buttons! Today I made these button bobby pins while I was in the Arty Chic shop. I'm going to keep these for my madeit shop and will be putting them on there soon.

Linen purse with owls

2010-10-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

I made this linen purse yesterday with an applique patch of Saffron Craig 'owls in a row' fabric on polka dots, and the lining is Echino fabric. It didn't last long on madeit - I love this linen, will be making more things with it very soon..

and then I got an order for another one of these so I made this one.. I like the embroidery stitch around the border..

Rainforest Mandala drawing

2010-10-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

This is a drawing I did in watercolour pencil, I actually did this in 2005, but wanted to show someone, so here it is! I have it framed in a gold frame in my bathroom.

Owls and beads

2010-10-08T02:36:00.000-07:00

I made these beaded lanyards today too - I love these owls. These lanyards are about 90cm long and you just twist it over itself wherever you like. They look great with lots of different outfits with all the colours and they have all sorts of beads, Japanese Tensha beads, crystals, indian beads, natural wood and seeds, hand blown glass - so many types....

Felt, Wool and Buttons

2010-10-08T02:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some unfinished 'things' I made today. I have used some groovy Japanese buttons, hand dyed wool and wool felt. So, now I have to decide what I'll use them for?? Maybe as brooches, a funky pendant or maybe sew onto a linen purse.

Fabric Bow Hair Clip

2010-10-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

This is my first fabric bow hairclip and I'll be putting a few of these on madeit.

Chai

2010-10-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a week and a bit in Newcastle. One of my fave things to do there is go to catch up with friends at Goldburgs in Darby St and drink their Bengali Chai... I bought some Chai back with me (amoung other things) to sit and drink on my front porch. Here is Holly pouring it for me next to my new floor cushion from 'Tree of Life'. I can sit here and think about what I will make next ...

Owl canvas with upcycled denim

2010-10-03T05:23:00.000-07:00

I used a 20 x 20 canvas, an old pair of jeans and some pretty pink fabrics to make this owl collage. The eyes and beak are felt and I stretched the fabric around the canvas and used a staple gun to secure it. I love buying pairs of old jeans from the local op shop 'Bindaree', you can make so many things from one pair of jeans, the bigger the better.

Mushrooms!!

2010-09-04T02:05:00.000-07:00

I've had this fabric for a couple of years and I made a cushion cover ages ago in another colourway. This time I thought I'd make a cute little dress. I only had enough for a size one, but still enough remnants to make some little purses. It's a Japanese cotton, quite a thick quality one too and it holds its shape really nicely. I listed it on my madeit store.

Brooch

2010-09-02T04:17:00.000-07:00

This is my first brooch, listed in my madeit store. This one is 8cm wide. I have made this one nice and neat on the back and am now looking forward to making more of these, they are fun to make!

Ghost Furniture - Tips and tricks- Bulb in Blue

2010-08-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

Ghost Furniture - Tips and tricks- Bulb in Blue

I just love the pink tray!

Fabric Flower Brooch

2010-08-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

This is my first fabric flower brooch. It measures almost 10cm across and is made from all cotton fabrics. On the back the brooch pin is secured to a small square of wood to ensure it won't come off! I thought this would be a great way to brighten up any plain t-shirt, dress or singlet. I am also making some hair clips with smaller flowers on them, some will be multicoloured and others all the same fabric. These are fun to make!

Starry Starry Night

2010-08-19T04:31:00.000-07:00

I love this.

More dresses

2010-08-13T21:46:00.000-07:00

I made these two dresses to take to my stall at the St Francis school market day tomorrow. I have decided to make a few baby dresses size 6 months up to about size 4 or 5 to use up the mountains of fabric I have! I will get into doing this once I finish all my uni assignments but am excited about the idea of it and plan to make one off designs with maybe in a couple of sizes. I don't want to get bored by making heaps of the same thing and it's more fun doing something different each time!

Dress for Holly

2010-08-09T21:19:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to making a dress for Holly. It's corduroy and it was a really easy pattern. I'm going to make a few smaller ones, sizes 1 - 4. I like this simple style.

Fun with Fairy Quilt by Saffron Craig

2010-07-31T19:49:00.001-07:00

Fun with Fairy Quilt by Saffron Craig, originally uploaded by Saffron Craig.

I bought a set of these fabrics but haven't made anything yet... here is some inspiration

eating in Laos

2010-07-31T19:47:00.001-07:00

eating in Laos, originally uploaded by Asiacamera.

This has nothing to do with sewing or painting, but I also love food, culture and Asia. This photo was taken in Laos, somewhere I would love to go!

Storybook page purses

2010-07-11T23:18:00.000-07:00

I LOVE making these! They are old book pages made into coin purses with wrist straps in contrasting fabrics. The pages are encased in plastic for protection and you can see the reverse side of the page inside the purses. I've used a thick strip of velcro so there is no chance your things will fall out of these!

Mickey Mouse Tote Bag

2010-07-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

This is my latest 'Storybook' bag. Using 4 pages from an old Mickey Mouse Golden Book, the outside is protected with plastic and the inside is lined with blue and white polka dots. The straps are long enough so you can put it over your shoulder and it sits at waist height, and the straps and behind the pages feature Japanese honeycomb cotton fabric. The bag has a magnetic catch for a closure. This is the first of my new larger Storybook bags - I am liking the black outer - use for a tote for yourself or a nappy bag, all will be one off designs so you can be sure no one will have one the same.

More Cats

2010-06-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

I have finished a small family of cats - the last of these I'll be doing until near Christmas, have to get back into study now...

More painting

2010-06-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

This is the last painting I'll have time for before I start study again. I felt like doing something bright and colourful, that's how I've felt the past 2 weeks on my uni break. It has made me appreciate even more how much I love art, craft, sewing and cooking, and being able to go and exercise without the pressure of assignments and other paperwork to worry about. These canvasses are both approx 73cm square.

Max's doona cover - finally!

2010-06-20T01:52:00.000-07:00

It's about time, poor Max has had the same doona cover since he was 1! So I finally made him a new one to go with his new lime green wall, I am pretty happy with the result.

Before

Another cat softie

2010-06-20T01:48:00.000-07:00

this is the little sister of my first cat softie

Cat Softie

2010-06-18T01:36:00.000-07:00

I saw a picture of some Cat Softies on Chunky Chooky's blog http://chunkychooky.blogspot.com/ from a new softies book. I made up my own pattern to make a cat as I thought they were so cute! Mine is less 'purrfect' than the ones on the original picture, but I still like it. I used hand dyed pure wool for the front and face and Amy Butler fabric. as well as some Japanese sewing tape I've had stashed for a while.

More Eco purses

2010-06-16T04:15:00.000-07:00

Wow, it is fun not studying! I do love my course, but having a couple of weeks off makes me appreciate everything else more. I went op-shopping today and got some great kids books, a bookcase and a couple of feather boas for dress ups. Only just over a week to go of being creative then back to study. I'd love to get a couple more paintings done, the next one is going to be an oil pastel on a collage background with the pages from Wuthering Heights and some mango leaf paper... should be interesting.

Yum - an Italian Lemon Cake

2010-06-16T04:07:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to try this! It's a Lemon Prosecco Italian Dessert cake from the May Edition of ABC Delicious magazine. It has 6 eggs, lots of lemon rind and juice and the champagne of course. I had to finish off the bottle to avoid wastage, lucky it was a small botttle...

Painting

2010-06-16T04:01:00.000-07:00

I've been dying to do a painting as the last one I did was a few months ago. This is just a quick one but should add a bit of variety to the shop..don't ask me what it means but I did it mostly with a dry chux, that was the fun part.

A new 'old' desk

2010-06-16T03:48:00.000-07:00

Now that I have 2 weeks off I've had time to enjoy myself and some painting. The first thing I've done it do up this desk for Holly, I got it at a garage sale across the road for $5.00 and I tinted some paint I already had for the purple and the lime green was a sample pot I had from ages ago. Holly is pretty happy with her new desk, I just have to finish her chair now.

Before

After

Ecofest 2010

2010-06-09T05:26:00.000-07:00

Ecofest 2010 at the Tondoon Botanical Garden on Sunday was such a great day. Perfect weather, lots of people and a lot of awesome stalls! The entertainment was excellent and it was a fun atmosphere - I had a stall with Ali Bird of http://www.twobirdcollection.blogspot.com/ very glad I went!

Magnets made with old children's books

2010-06-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

ve been dying to make these and finally got around to it just before Ecofest tomorrow. These magnets are made with old damaged Golden books and other kids' books. They have a really strong rare earth magnet on the back and they are made with glass tiles 4.5cm in diameter. They all come with a gift tin lined with some of the page from the same book. A unique and cute gift! These are only $8.95 and will soon be in my online shop.

new.year.sweep

2010-05-22T03:32:00.001-07:00

new.year.sweep, originally uploaded by annamariahorner.

Oh I really need this outfit! I love it all and have yet to be able to find any leggings like this....

Japanese Tensha Bead earrings

2010-05-13T00:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of earrings I am making with beautiful Japanese Tensha beads... I have put some in my online shop and will have more very soon.

Hand made earrings

2010-05-07T06:16:00.000-07:00

This is my latest 'thing' something I've been working on for a while....very slowly, it took my a while to decide how to make these but I'm happy with the result. I can now use my bag of fabric and paper scraps for something fun to make. These are now in my online shop http://rubylimedesign.com.au/category_49/Earrings.htm

Hand made purse

2010-05-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

It's not a matter of wanting one of these purses, it's a matter of which one to get! This is just one gorgeous purse made by Ali Bird, there are a few in the shop and they are all priced around $30 - $35, a fraction of the price you'd pay in the big smoke!! All handmade with beautiful fabrics, how could I not want one?

Upcycled denim and things on Sale

2010-05-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

As you know I love to find old things and made things from them, 'Upcycling' so very large sized old jeans from op-shops are something I can do a lot with! These purses are made using this refashioned denim to create a larger sized zipped purse with a wrist strap. They are approx 18 x 17cm some are 18 x 15 and they fit phone,keys, money, makeup, etc quite a bit will fit in them. These new ones are only $19.95 and I've just listed them on my online shop here along with lots of other purses that are ALL on sale!

Envirosax - I also have Envirosax 5 packs on sale. There are normally $40 but are now $34.95 for 5 bags great value and you can see there here.

I am about to embark on a new earring making project and yes it will be using scrap pieces of fabric. I hate to throw out nice bits of fabric so have collected a nice bag of little pieces of some gorgeous fabrics. These will soon appear in the form of glamourous resin earrings and glass pendants. If I ever get a break from my uni work I will be starting them as soon as I can.

Here in Tannum Sands we just had our first BAM (Beach Art Music) festival event. It's going to be a monthly event and it was fantastic. There were hundreds of people, great music, food stalls and lots of arts stalls, a great atmosphere and a fun time was had by all. It's about time we had something like this and thanks to the small group of people who organised this, what a great job they did. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so photos will come next time...

I had to share these pics with you too. Some photos of clothes made by Ali Bird. Ali is in the Pod Collective shop too and Iove her clothes, I think I have have 8 of her skirts and my daughter is also a fan and has lots of her clothes. I love this dress (above) and if it's still there next time I'm in I might just have to get it.

I also love these dresses - there are quite a few sizes too. Ali's work is so original and unique, it's a nice change from all the mass produced stuff that is everywhere!!

In my Element

2010-04-14T02:01:00.000-07:00

I made a card tonight, it was only simple and I used Japanese paper, a really beautiful red and gold one. When I was making it I had 'that' feeling that I get when I'm making things. I guess you could say I was in my element! For a few minutes I forgot I will be up until midnight again studying, and the big pile of work awaiting me. What are you doing when you are in your Element?

My recycling glog

2010-04-06T04:52:00.000-07:00

More bags

2010-03-23T00:33:00.000-07:00

I haven't had much time for any sewing lately, but I had a custom order to do (the pink and orange bag) and so if you do one bag, you may as well do two.. Here are the results...I'm happy to say a previous Alice in Wonderland bag I made will soon have a new home in Newcastle.. can't wait to go there tomorrow!

The Asia Challenge with Pod Collective

2010-03-20T05:51:00.000-07:00

Well lately I've been a tad busy.... so when i heard about the latest Pod Collective challenge I decided I don't have enough time to create an artwork, so my artistic challenge for March comes to you in the form of a tart!

A bit of background on the tart....I found a recipe on Taste.com.au and I modified it. I will type up my version and add to here, as soon as I can get around to it. Anyway, in the recipe you whisk eggs, sugar and cream together and put in lime juice and lime rind, which you later put through a sieve. So for my version I put in 3 crumpled fresh kaffir lime leaves, 2 stalks of bruised lemongrass (the lower third) and a heaped tsp of freshly grated ginger. Also, instead of 1 cup of cream I used 1/2 cup cream and 1/2 cup coconut cream, and then added some toasted shredded coconut on top. This was served with Red Papaya on bamboo skewers which had been sprinkled with lime juice ( I have dozens of limes on my tree!).

To set the scene I brought in a few of my asian things, they all have a bit of a story.

A CD "Taiwan 100 year favourites" a classical music CD I bought on my last night in Taiwan and which was not what I was expecting!

The table runner is a piece of ikat weaving from West Timor. Click here to see a website which explains the process of ikat weaving, this one is also in Nusa Tenggara ( the region of the islands east of Bali) During the time I lived in the N.T. I went to West Timor about 4 times between 1996 and 1999 and was lucky to meet a very interesting lady known as the Queen of Baun, Ibu Koroh in the village of Baun, West Timor. She is a renowned weaver of the ikat style and speaks English very well. She lives in an amazing house built by a Dutch arhitect and I went to see her each time I visited Kupang. She loves cooking and baking cakes but couldn't get all the ingredients to get the cakes she wanted so asked me to bring her over some packet cake mixes next time I came over. (there used to be flights from Darwin to Kupang a few times a week, it was only an hour and a half flight). So the next time I went there I took a bundle of cake mixes and took them to her house. She wasn't home so I left them with a friend and went back to Kupang. The next day I returned to the hotel after an outing and she was waiting for me in the foyer. She brought this beautiful ikat weaving for me to thank me for the cake mixes. Needless to say I was extremely embarrassed, there is certainly no comparison, but the polite thing to do of course is to accept the gift. This weaving has a lot of memories attached to it from my visits to the Queen of Baun and to West Timor. There are no longer any direct flights there and I can't imagine I'll ever get there again, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to do so at the time.

Here is a link to the website that shows weavings using Ibu Koroh's technique with some information about her.

An example of an ikat weaving from West Timor

The Taiwanese teaset is gorgeous and was given to me by a group of student I taught in Taiwan in 2001. Going to teahouses is a big part of Taiwanese culture and I really enjoyed doing this with friends I met in Tsaotun. This group of students were the 'advanced' level class and I also taught their children during the day at the school I worked at. What a nice bunch of people they were, always taking me out for dinner and on weekend day trips.

Here is a photo of me with them.

So, after all that, here are the pictures

Served on a banana leaf with a big dollop of double cream!

Part of my Taiwanese Tea set

I forgot to mention my Thai cutlery - unremarkably I bought this at Bangkok airport, sorry, should have made up an exotic tale about it

Shannon and Ali enjoying have their pie and eating it too...

The table, set up in our Pod Collective shop

I'm looking forward to coming back from hols and seeing the results of the other girls' challenge.

New bag for my netbook!

2010-03-16T18:35:00.000-07:00

I made this bag for my new netbook with Echino Migratory Birds fabric in Natural. It's covered in PVC and has some nice soft padding......

The last of the satchel bags

2010-03-10T23:37:00.000-08:00

These are the last of this style of satchel bag that I have - I'll be getting some more of the heavy duty ones soon and also another new style.

Echino Tote Bag

2010-03-10T23:23:00.000-08:00

Tote bag made with Japanese Echingo fabric 'Migratory Birds'. the outside is covered in PVC and the matching coin purse has PVC on one side and is a dark denim on the other, lined in purple fabric the same as the bag.

approx 30cm wide and 28cm high with a 10cm wide base.

Toys

2010-03-08T00:54:00.000-08:00

A couple of toys I finished off today, a giant soft block for babies to toddlers, easy to throw and catch. 6 colourful squares of polka dot, designer and Japanese fabrics, each square is approx 19cm square. The owl softie is made using a panel from Australian designer 'Saffron Craig'.

More bags

2010-03-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

I've certainly been making a lot of bags lately, and am planning on a couple more this week (if I get all my uni work done first!)

This set is a custom order girl's tote bag and matching coin purse.

A custom order 'Bambi' bag

3 different black and white patterned fabrics for this one, another custom order

Go Skippy!

2010-03-06T22:10:00.000-08:00

I love old golden books and a freind (Lainie) brought this and some others into the shop for me to look at, I love these pages...

Aw...how cute

You get him Skippy!

I love the looks on their faces!

Video posted below

2010-03-06T14:29:00.000-08:00

I just watched this video as part of my teaching studies and I really think any artist or creative person will really relate to what Sir Ken Robinson is saying. It goes for 20 minutes but I think it is amazing (and funny )and well worth watching. He talks about how we should put so much more value into developing and supporting creativity in our children and ourselves, have a look and let me know what you think!

2010-03-06T14:26:00.001-08:00

Collage

2010-03-04T01:54:00.000-08:00

This collage was made for a Pod Collective creative challenge 'something red'. The canvas is covered in hemp paper and the tree branch is cut from Classique paper. The flowers are cut from Japanese fabrics and leather for the stamens. I loved making this and I'm planning a really big one all in earthy tones for my newly painting living area...

Another Satchel bag

2010-02-26T22:05:00.000-08:00

here's another satchel bag in the new style I have. This one has more wooden Japanese buttons and some fabric applique..

Satchel Bag

2010-02-25T20:35:00.000-08:00

I only have a few of this style of satchel bag left as this style has been discontinued. I did this one up today with some of my favourite Laura Gunn fabric and appliqued a bird on the branch...

Bambi - Forest Friends

2010-02-21T00:45:00.000-08:00

I love this bag! Using an old "Bambi" Golden Book. Bambi is so cute and both pages have lots of colour and animals and I love the orange in the tree and the bluebird. The straps are made using Japanese echino fabric, cute colourful bugs fabric for the lining with black and white polka dots behind the pages and pink and white polka dot heart. The bag is 22cm high, 27cm wide and the base is 9cm. The outside of the bag is covered in PVC to protect the old book pages and it is sturdy enough to stand up on its own.

Hello Kitty

2010-02-20T02:13:00.000-08:00

I love this little bag, I got some Hello Kitty fabric and some cute polka dot fabric and the design is on both sides, and so is the cute little black and white yoyo with pink button....

New satchel bags

2010-02-18T23:17:00.000-08:00

These are my new style of satchel bags - these are
100% cotton canvas 340g uni bag, durable, ideal tote fits standard laptop
- enzyme washed for contemporary look and soft finish
- comfortable wide shoulder strap, flap with magnetic stud closure
- inside two roomy compartments, one large zip pocket; outside large zip pocket
- bag approx. 35cm tall x 48cm wide
I made this one for myself

and I'm putting this one in my online shop

The Poky Little Puppy returns....

2010-02-18T17:59:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love the Poky Little Puppy? Well this time I've used a page from an old copy of the book and put it with a panel of Japanese Kei Honeycomb fabric. The fabric and paper is covered with PVC to protect it. This bag is made from canvas and is not lined. It has a 10cm wide base and is 30cm wide and 22cm high

Birdies

2010-02-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

I love this birdie fabric, it's a Japanese cotton, so I've appliqued some singlets and t-shirts and they are now in my online shop.

I love op shops!

2010-02-11T20:14:00.000-08:00

This is my new outfit and I got it from the local Salvos shop. The dress was $4.00 and I bought 2 mens' ties and sewed them together to make the belt. You've got to be happy with that....

Yummy cake

2010-02-11T02:23:00.000-08:00

This cake is so nice - Ricotta, Fig and Chocolate. The recipe is from an ABC Delicious cafe food book and it's from the Lotus Eaters Cafe in Cygnet, Tasmania. They have a facebook page which is here . If you would like the recipe let me know.

Owl Collage

2010-02-11T02:16:00.001-08:00

I had this owl in a purple frame but it didn't look right so I painted an old wooden frame white and remade the collage onto bigger paper and added the moon and some falling leaves. I like it a lot more now...

Shadowboxes

2010-02-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

I love making these - I mostly put these in the Pod Collective shop - Butteflies hand cut from Japanese Chiyogami paper in the black shadowboxes and the blue and white is a pretty decorative paper I found in my paper stash...

More Storybook bags

2010-02-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

I am loving making these!!

Alice in Wonderland

Pussy Willow

The Jetsons

Little Red Riding Hood

2010-02-02T18:38:00.000-08:00

I have been quite excited about making this bag and I'm really happy with the result. It was so much fun making it, from finding the old book at the Salvos store and designing it and putting it all together! The handles have boning in them to make them stand up, the outside is covered in pvc to protect the book pages and it has a magnetic closure inside. Can't wait to try another theme next! Maybe 'The Jetsons'?!? or maybe some cute kittens......

Drawstring Purse

2010-01-31T00:03:00.000-08:00

I finished this purse today - it's an Amy Butler 'Drawstring Purse' pattern, love the fabrics and the Japanese wooden button on the front.

New jewellery - twist necklaces with unique and unusual beads

2010-01-30T15:17:00.000-08:00

I wanted to start the year with something new, so this is my new line of jewellery. After sourcing some interesting and unusual beads I have found some beautiful ones that make the pieces unique and not something you will see dozens of. Each piece is different and features a mix of hand made, ethnic beads and crystals including pottery, glass, ceramic and porcelain, and many other types with natural gemstones, Indian, Japanese Tensha beads and Swarovski crystals. The beads are on a very strong brown cord which is approx 90cm long. You can twist the necklace around itself and have a different look every time you wear it. These will soon be available in my online shop and also at the Pod Collective Market Place shop at Boyne Island.

Creative bags

2010-01-17T21:17:00.000-08:00

One of the bags I just put in my online shop - I love making these with baby canvas and Japanese fabric for the strap with some hand stitching too. This one has a really long strap so you can wear it across your body.

Card for a special boy

2010-01-06T03:14:00.000-08:00

I made this card for my friend who has just had a gorgeous baby boy called Loye. I used some brown gingham and ironed it on with Vlisofix and the picture is from one of my old golden books with some ribbon and button embellishments

Collage

2010-01-05T00:07:00.000-08:00

I saw this red frame today and straight away saw an owl collage in it using an old percussion textbook I found at the op shop. Here it is and it's now in my online shop too.

New Fabric and exciting things

2010-01-03T22:47:00.000-08:00

I was so excited today when this parcel arrived with this gorgeous fabric and some sewing tape, buttons and tags, can't wait to make something....

Linen purse

2010-01-02T23:28:00.000-08:00

I've been dying to use some linen and the Japanese wooden buttons I bought so made this today and put in my online shop...

Satchel Bags

2010-01-02T20:45:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of satchel bags I finished today for my online shop

New Glass Tile Pendants

2010-01-01T22:12:00.000-08:00

I just finished my first new year batch of glass tile pendants

On my desk

2010-01-01T22:05:00.000-08:00

Watercolour drawing of a Sturt's Desert Pea flower I did in 2005, some recycled vintage atlas coasters, little stuffed owl, kokeshi doll badge and some rock my friend Mel from W.A. gave me....

A little sketch

2010-01-01T21:28:00.000-08:00

a friend gave me a sketchbook for Christmas so one of my New Year Resolutions is to actually use it.... I bought a visual diary in 2004 and have only used about 5 pages of it, so this year, I WILL use them!

A favourite recipe

2009-12-25T17:29:00.000-08:00

this is something I have to share with you - one of my favourite recipes. it is SO yummy, you have to try it! Let me know what you think if you do...

I usually make a batch of this and spread it on both sides of a salmon fillet then pan fry and have a big spoonful of it served with the salmon, on a potato and sweet potato mash with steamed snow peas and asparagus - YUM

Coriander and Cashew Pesto

3/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, tightly packed

1 level tsp sambal oeleck (chilli paste)

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 cup cashews

1 tsp grated lime zest

1 tbs grated orange zest

2 1/2 tbs fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp sugar

1 tsp white pepper

5 tbs light olive oil

1 tbs rice vinegar

1 tbs tamari soy sauce

salt to taste

Place all in a food processor to make a paste. I usually make a double batch. it's also great spread on Chicken fillets or mixed through a wok full of green prawns and scallops.

Enjoy....

My favourite Christmas Card

2009-12-25T14:19:00.000-08:00

This is my fave Christmas card I received this year - all the way from the UK, from a friend I met in Thailand 16 years ago. It's actually a Unicef card and I love the design

Cushions

2009-12-20T21:34:00.000-08:00

I made a few cushions yesterday and today....

and here they are 35x35cm and all under $30 in the Pod Collective shop from tomorrow