Flea Market Finds and Family Time

We've just spent a very happy day at my Mum's place in the country. She is, without doubt, the best Flea Market Finder around town and she had a stash of d'oyleys for me to bring home so that I could wash them and give them a new life on some Cute as Buttons clothes.

I won't be using these for Cute as Buttons but we couldn't pass them up as they were just the kind of thing my Nin used to make out of the nylon ribbon that coathanger covers used to be made from. I think she used a loom of some kind and I remember many and varied versions of the basic pattern being made into lipstick purses, toilet roll covers and of course, d'oyleys just like these. They'll go into my linen cupboard after a little TLC.

There was also a gorgeous, squishy dolly for Miss Molly which I shall have to photograph some other time as Mary the doll was far too busy being loved to pose for a photoshoot!

My Mum and Dad built their house on property that was always passed down to the eldest son in each generation in my Dad's family. Our house was built adjacent to the house block where my great, great grandparents lived and the first photo is of some lillies which bloom around the base of the old tank stand whenever we have some wet weather. I love it that these little flowers lie waiting for just enough moisture to pop up and share their beauty. Not strictly a flea market find but I quite like the shot and it is in keeping with the idea of appreciating and finding new beauty in things that once were!

For more Flea Market Finds, please visit Sophie at Her Library Adventures. Many thanks, Sophie for the chance to join in the fun.

My Creative Space

It is my first time playing along with one of these games. I do like reading what everyone else is up to so I thought I'd give it a whirl. At present I have abandoned the sewing machine and I'm working my way through a mountain of beautifully textured wool to make a cosy throw for our bed. I launched myself into this project about 5 years ago, churning out two single bed throws and a massive double bed one for my Mum before I ground to a halt quite early in the life of the one for our bed!

I would love to possess the knittery skills of some other folk about the place but find I totally lack the patience to master anything beyond straight knitting. I've decided it is a bit like kaftan sewing, choose something with a gorgeous texture to distract the admirer from the utter simplicity of the project!

It's just getting to a nice little length to have sitting on my lap on a cool, Brissy night. To discover a whole host of other creative folk, visit Kirsty at kootoyoo. Thanks for letting me play along, Kirsty! I've had a jolly nice time.

Thought for Thursday

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

Anne Frank

Simple, eloquent and something to aspire to. Cuddling a small child, returning the shopping trolley to the bay, being patient on the roads, giving a genuine compliment to an acquaintance. So many achievable things I can do to make the world better. It's a nice thought to take to bed!

Hello Out There

Hello and welcome to the new followers out there. Hello and THANKS A BUNCH to the old followers who have been patiently awaiting this post. Before I launch into a very image heavy recap of the last couple of weeks, I would love some advice on juggling. No, not the small ball kind (although that would probably win me big Brownie points in the Prep classrooms this week) but,

Blogging/Facebook/Crafting/Marketing/PARENTING/Day Job (ie. odd bits of relief teaching when Mr Button can be home to mind the wee folk)/Finding time to cover grey hair, trainingwith the Mad Exercise

Fiend

Friend, waxing legs,

kind of juggling. Really, how do you do it? All advice gratefully received and happily acknowledged! I've noticed a few of us having this conversation of late so I am eager to hear from the wise women and men who are part of our world.

It's been a busy but delightful couple of weeks, the Mothers Day Boutique market was loads of fun and was made even nicer by a visit from Mr Button and the Little Buttons. The day was quite festive in feel and I really enjoyed myself.

The Handmade Expo in Ipswich was one of those perfectly clear autumn days that remind you just how lucky we are to live in this part of the world. I set up next to Sandra-Ann Millinery and was greatly entertained as the locals selected their exclusive creations for the Ipswich Cup. Micky modelled hers beautifully and I hope I haven't let the cat out of the bag too soon. I stocked up on min nah bottoms for the Littlest Buttons who seem to have grown about 15cm in a matter of weeks. The girls have introduced a new little skirt which is very cute with tights. Molly thought she was it and a bit in her outfit over the weekend.

I have finished some more name towels for orders and am about to start work on another batch tonight. I am working my way through an order for Buzzi 'n Moo. Kylie has asked for a Babushka towel set so that lovely little lady will be making an appearance on towels and I will post some photos of the finished product.

I've been a bit obsessed with kaftan like garments of late, particularly the kind that don't require any ironing so I took a bit of time off from Cute as Buttons sewing and made myself a couple. I was moderately happy with this one:

but, I really think I nailed it with version 2. I know the photos aren't in the least bit helpful in terms of overall look but really, how do you photograph a kaftan nicely?

You can see it in the flesh at the next BiDM which is at St Augustine's on Racecourse Rd at Hamilton on June 5th. I am so happy with it it may just be my market attire on a regular basis. I'm not promising a tutorial but I will pop up a post with some more info about the process a bit later in the week. It is embarrassingly easy compared to some of the other tutorials about the place! I know you said it is easy Steph, so I will eagerly await your next instalment!

Now, as a little reward for reading this far, here is a fast and delicious cake recipe which I made for the Little Buttons afternoon tea. It is a one bowl wonder, which I love, but still moist and light. If you are a gingerbread fan you will really enjoy it. (Note to MEF/aka Deb: I did have one piece but just so I could make sure it tasted alright!)

GOLDEN GINGER SULTANA CAKE

125g softened butter, chopped

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

2 cups plain flour

1tspn ground ginger

1 cup golden syrup

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tspn bicarb soda

1/2 cup of sultanas

1/3 cup glace ginger, chopped (I omitted this to prevent small children gagging and complaining)

LINE 20cmx30cm lamington pan with paper

PREHEAT oven to 160C

COMBINE all ingredients except sultanas and glace ginger in medium size bowl

BEAT with electric mixer on low speed to combine

BEAT on medium speed until smooth and changed in colour

STIR in sultanas and chopped ginger

SPREAD into pan and bake for about 55min

COOL on cake rack

SPREAD with cinnamon flavoured icing.

I feel like I have just finished War and Peace so I think I shall stop here and head off for a cup of tea and maybe one more slice of that cake.

Thought for Thursday

Friends, they are kind to each other's hopes and cherish each other's dreams.

Thoreau

This week has been a mighty friendly one at my place. Mothers Day markets with family and friends at Portside, a road trip with Denim by Deborah to visit Handmade Heaven and restock and a natter with Cathy from Peg and Kate, catch ups by phone and in person with friends during the week and seeing all The Handmade Expo folk on Saturday at the Ipswich Turf Club.

Made for Me Bathtowel in Handmade Heaven

Image: Denim by Deborah

Towel stock in Handmade Heaven

Image: Denim by Deborah

Deb's delightful bags

Image: Denim by Deborah

I'm a lucky duck, don't you think?

Still Kicking About the Traps

Popping in ever so fleetingly to say a quick 'G'day' and an even quicker 'Hooroo'. Today was spent here in great company. I chose an indoor Boutique Indie stall and loved my neighbours,tasha2shoes and Therese of Little Mary Moo's Place. Therese's Mum came to my aid with a marvellous assortment of bandaids in a Little Mary Moo purse, after an unfortunate incident with my finger and the hinge on the trestle table. I am happy to report I now stock my own selection of bandaids in my market basket, just in case you need one. I am about to go and purchase this little purse from her Etsy store to hold said bandaids as a little reward for my stoicism!

Tomorrow is of course Mothers Day. So to all the mums who are reading, have a cuppa, put your feet up and enjoy being taken care of for a day. Once you've done that, pop on down to the Boutique Markets at Hamilton where I will be spending my day alongside many other magnificent mums. Do call in, I'd love a cup of tea and some company and I'll even show you my VERY sore finger.