Petal Pocket Pillows

 When I happened across this sweet pattern a few weeks ago I knew exactly what I was going to make for two special girls having a birthday.

Nova at A cuppa and a catch up has created a fun pattern to make these gorgeous pillows. Such easy steps to follow and although I didn't do a lot of it by hand as she does I'm still really happy with the outcome.

The pillow is fully lined and combining the fabrics is the most fun. It's almost like making an entire quilt with hand stitched binding and all. The backing is quilted and you can choose to hand quilt the front if you like. She even has a boys version.

The best thing for me is that I used pieces from my stash and scrap bin and even used the old strips of wadding that are always left over after quilting, these were joined perfectly to make for not one but two very snugly and ever so cute Petal Pocket Pillows.

Go on, you know you want to make one!

Flea Market Finds

A Few finds of the wooden kind this week, loving my little trolly, it houses all kinds of things like school bags, notes, mail, keys and pencils. The husband seems to think the bottom shelf is a good spot for his beer....I think not!   planning on painting it white or bright yellow and attaching some new modern castor wheels.

I found this lamp base for $30 and a plain shade a week later for $5. I am just playing with fabric at the moment, attaching it with a peg to see what suits. I'm liking the yellow pods from Cloth but a black,yellow or green chevron would be the perfect addition for this room I think.

And this, oh so pretty cross stitch.  It was hiding behind a few frames, you know the ones that sometimes you can't even be bother to peek behind? it was closing time and the guy was calling out to all shoppers, I had to make a hasty decision. At $20 it was not cheap but how could I not bring it home with me? The more I look at it the more I love it and now I'm asking myself the question 


"Is it corny to have Christmas on your walls all year round"? 


 I think if I keep it in my craft room then that's ok....yes?

As always, linking up with the lovely Sophie.

Baking, Sewing and Beaching

Love Day baking with my girl.

Sewing from the stash for some precious new bubs.

My first machine sewn binding. 

Playing with colours for a table cloth wrap skirt.

Ah the beach...we love you.

As long a the week ahead holds promise of all three then I'm happy.

I hope there is a bit of this going on at your place too.

On the wall

Linking up with Punky and Me at her weekly meme My Place and Yours, the theme is "on the wall"

There is always lots going on on walls in my house.   My plate wall is definitely my fave thing at the moment and it's ever evolving.  I'm sure you would agree, a trip to the op shop is not complete with out a scurry through the crockery section.

The boys room

My dining room

My sewing room

Giveaway Winner

The winner to my vintage wrap/boardies giveaway is # 9, Conrats Imby, let me know what size you are after and I'll whip it up for you. Cross fingers for a bit more Sydney summer so your little sweet gets to wear it.

Milo Cookies

If you are looking for a simple, yummy cookie for the kids for afternoon tea or lunch boxes then this one takes the cookie (sorry, bad joke!).

This one is for you Tammi,  my Milo Cookie recipe, well it's not mine but handed on from my friend. With just the right amount of chewy in the centre and crunchy around the edges it soon became one of our staples. Be careful not to overcook as they can quickly turn into crunchy cookies.

Milo Cookies


125g Butter
1/2 cup Castor Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla Essence
1 Egg
1 3/4 Cups Self Raising Flour
1/2 Cup Milo


Cream butter and sugars then add egg and vanilla
Fold in Milo and Flour
Roll into small balls and flatten slightly (I don't do this as they quickly become really flat anyway)
Bake at 180 degrees Celsius  or until golden on edges.


Enjoy!


P.S My giveaway ends tonight if you haven't already entered.

The Lesson

After a long line of wet days this summer the sun finally showed it's face. Paul had been promising the little man that he would teach him to surf all summer. He is small for a 6 year old and is made of nothing but muscle and determination, his low centre of gravity certainly came in handy for him getting up on the first go. (sadly I missed that photo) 


We went to Freshwater, Harbord (along with every other Sydney sider). I can see where this family friendly beach gets it's name from, the water is sparking clear and the waves are gentle and just the right size. When I saw him stand for the first time my heart skipped a beat, he looked for mummy with the camera eager to see the thumbs up. 

 Surfing is something really close to Paul's heart and I just knew when we had boys that he wouldn't be able to wait to teach them the sport that he himself loved as a kid.  Of course it's not just for the boys, I know Rosa will be itching to learn next year as well. Paul is an excellent teacher and it was the best first lesson ever, they both came out of the water pumped and proud.

I am so proud of this little man of ours and I can't wait to get back there this week end to give it another crack.


I hope your week end was as sunny and happy as ours.


PS. Have you entered my first giveaway here yet?