Zakka Sew Along - Delightful Linen Bag

Another week, another little zakka project! This week was the "Delightful Linen Bag" designed by Mette Robl.

I received the new Umbrella Prints "Elephants Love Water" fabrics on Friday, and really wanted to use them for this project, but have only had a chance to finish the little bag this afternoon.

 I used the blanket stitch on my sewing machine to applique some of the fabrics,

And some matching aqua linen for the binding and button tab.

I found a cute red wooden button which was just right too.

Linking to LR stitched, and Fabric Tuesday @ Quiltstory.
Kirsten.

A Modern Quilted Pillow Swap - Echo in the Mist

This is an 18" pillow that I made for a recent flickr Modern Quilted Pillow swap - I have called it "Echo in the Mist" . This was a swap where we were required to make a pillow and submit it to the group, then vote for a favourite pillow. The maker of the pillow with the most votes gets their first choice, and the second most popular pillow maker then gets their choice of the remaining pillows and so on until everyone has one.  

I found it a bit daunting to make a pillow without knowing anything about my partner so I chose something I felt comfortable making which was a Love in a Mist block - and I also got to try out the Thangles I won recently from Shannon at "Hello , my name is Quilt!", and I must say that they made making HST's so much easier!!

This was the first time I have sewn a binding onto a pillow and I really like how it frames the design - I will definitely be doing it like this again. 

I densely quilted it with straight lines and just did an envelope enclosure on the back with  a little bit of patchwork detail:

This pillow will soon be posted off to my secret partner - it has a long journey to get to her and I  hope she likes it. There were so many fabulous pillows in the swap -  I can't wait to see which one arrives on my doorstep!

Linking to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory, and to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced (buttons in left sidebar)

Kirsten.

Tuesday at the Picnic Table - Zucchini slice

This is a quick and easy slice that is has often been made for morning tea where I work.

ZUCCHINI SLICE


Ingredients:
4 eggs
1/2 cup grated cheese
1 zucchini - grated
1 small carrot -grated


Method:
Whisk eggs in a bowl, then add grated zucchini and carrot. 
Mix in grated cheese and pour into a rectangular tin about 20 x 30 cm ( 8 x 12 inches) that has been sprayed with canola oil.
Bake in a moderate oven for about 25 minutes, or until firm.
Allow to cool and slice into smaller pieces to serve.

You could also add some diced cooked onion, bacon or ham,  or even tinned tuna and corn kernels to the mixture before cooking. 
Another variation is to cook the prepared mixture in muffin tins to make savoury muffins - these are also quite handy for kids lunchboxes.

 

Linking to Tuesday at the Picnic Table with Debbie at A Quilters Table.

Kirsten.

Colourful Grannys - part 2

I worked on a sewing project last week, but as it is for a secret swap, I can't share any pics as yet. 

One thing I can show is the completed top for the sewing machine cover that I am making out of A Stitch In Color fabric.

I have joined the blocks together with grey sashing and I really love these how these fabrics look with grey!

Linking to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

 

Kirsten.

Zakka Style Sew along - Elephant bookmark.

I love elephants and have been collecting them for about 30 years now, so I couldn't possibly skip making this little ele bookmark as part of the Zakka style sew along.

Angela at Fussy Cut had a few tips for making this bookmark but I still had trouble turning this out although I only used a light interfacing - the trunk was probably the trickiest part.

I used one of my favourite prints from Ruby - Sundae scallops in lime and a scrap of fabric for the ear. 

Anyway, I love it and will use it all the time!
Linking to LR Stitched and to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory.

Kirsten.

A World of Fun.....

It is school holidays here in Australia and we always try to go somewhere with the kids. This time, it was a trip up to the Gold Coast to one of the theme parks - Dreamworld. It has been cold and rainy here for most of the holidays but we managed to go on a sunny day - and it was warm enough to have gone to White Water World as well, if we had remembered to bring our swimmers.

 I don't really like the "thrill rides" but my teenagers do!

Dreamworld has 7 big thrill rides - this is the Tower of Terror.

 And they got to meet a few funny characters.......

 As well as a few Aussie ones.

My hubby had to see if he was the right height for the Mick Doohan motocoaster ride.

Dreamworld is home to some Bengal and Sumatran tigers as part of a conservation and breeding program, and they recently welcomed two cubs, Baru and Ravi - they are so cute!

 
Kirsten.

Tuesday at the Picnic Table - Spinach and Feta Quiche

I will eat almost anything that has a combination of Spinach and Feta cheese:) We really love this quiche recipe and it can be eaten warm or cool.

SPINACH AND FETA QUICHE

Ingredients:
1/2 large silverbeet/ spinach leaves- washed and finely chopped
1 1/2 cups silverbeet white stalks - finely chopped
1 medium onion - finely chopped
50 g butter
2 tbspn pine nuts
pinch of grated nutmeg
4 eggs , beaten
100mL cream
200g crumbled feta cheese
one or two sheets of frozen filo pastry (or enough to cover base of pie dish)

Method: 
1. Wash the silver beet, and finely dice the leaves, stalks and onion.
2. Toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan, tossing until they are browned. Remove.
3. Melt butter in frying pan and cook the onion and stalks, then add the silverbeet leaves and sweat over a gentle heat until wilted.
4. Break eggs into a bowl and whisk well. Add in cream, crumbled feta cheese and nutmeg, then the silverbeet mixture and stir through.
5. Pour the filling into the pastry base, and top with pine nuts.
6. Bake in a hot oven for 10 minutes, then a moderate oven for about half an hour, or until set and browned. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before cutting. Can be served warm or cold. 

Enjoy! Linking to  Tuesday at the Picnic Table with Debbie at A Quilters Table.

Kirsten.

Colourful Granny's

I am making a sewing machine cover for my new Singer 160 and after making a couple of some Granny Square blocks for potholders a few weeks ago, have decided to use them again for the cover as I really liked the one Debbie made for her daughter recently. 

I am using some lovely "A Stitch In Color" fabric that Debbie kindly sent me, and Tracey's way of making the blocks with setting triangles again.

I really love how the bright  fabric looks with ash grey! I am probably going with the layout above as these six blocks will be enough for the sewing machine cover when I join them together with some sashing 
Linking to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory, and to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced (buttons in left sidebar).
Kirsten.

One thing One week (14) - Swoon #4

I have finally gotten around to sewing up another Swoon block.

Now I have 4 blocks, I am pretty much halfway - but there is a lot of trimming of HST's to go yet!

Linking to Amy's One thing, One week challenge 14 at Amy's Creative Side.

Kirsten.

At the Picnic Table.

Debbie has a new theme for his month - "Tuesday at the Picnic table".  As it is winter here, we probably wont be doing much picniking but I have a few recipes in mind.

photo source 

This is a recipe for a Layered Taco Dip, which looks quite effective when layered in a glass dish.

LAYERED TACO DIP

1 x 435g can refried beans (Old El Paso®)
1 x 300ml jar hot salsa (Masterfoods®)
1 tablespoon salt-reduced taco seasoning (Old El Paso®)
½ cup (125g) avocado mashed
1 x 200g tub low-fat natural yoghurt or sour cream
¼ cup 25% reduced-fat grated tasty cheese
½ cup tomato diced
2 shallots sliced
¼ cup capsicum diced

In a medium size mixing bowl combine refried beans and jar of salsa together. Spread over the base of a pie dish. Mix the taco seasoning with avocado and gently spread over top of bean mix. Spread yoghurt over avocado then sprinkle cheese, tomato, shallots and capsicum over top of yoghurt or sour cream. Serve with rice crackers or some corn chips.

Linking to Tuesday at the Picnic Table with Debbie at a Quilters Table.

Kirsten.

WIP - Just three for July......

I am pretty happy that I managed to get my "3" things done for June, especially as a few of them were belated presents!

1. Made a Noodle head "241" bag for my Sister-in-law's birthday present which was at the start of May.

2. Made my Mum a very late Mother's Day pressie - her starsign is"Leo" so I used some Echino  Lion fabric to make a simple pillow.

 3. Made a bag using Annas @ Noodlehead's "Go Anywhere" bag pattern - I used the Navy Echo Blooms again as it is so lovely!

I also made another "Typo" 241 bag and a few potholders using Granny squares and also a round one from the Zakka style book.

Now for July's Just three:

1. I recently won some "Thangles" from Shannon, so I would like to try them out as I haven't used them before.

photo source

2.   I would really like to get more done on my Swoon quilt, as mentioned here. I still have six blocks to go, but if I sew at least one more block I will be nearly halfway!

3. Make  a sewing machine cover for my new Singer 160. I had these fabrics out last week, which were sent to me by my friend Debbie and I am planning to use them for to make this.

Linking to Just 3 with Tracey  @ Traceyjay Quilts, and to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Kirsten.

One thing one week - still Swooning!

Amy is encouraging us to try and finish one thing this week - and my one thing to do is to try and sew up at least one more swoon block. I have all the pieces cut ready to stitch together.

I have made 3 blocks already but still have 6 to go, so if I do one more then I am {almost} halfway!

It is school holidays here so this is something I can manage with the kids home - even if I can't start sewing until after mid morning (or lunchtime) as my teenage sons don't wake up until then.......................

Kirsten.

Zakka pot holder.

I finished sewing the binding on the potholder after work yesterday, and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

I used the dark navy linen for the binding as well as for the pockets on the back. 

It can also be used as a a trivet for some pumpkin soup in my lovely pottery mugs........

Linking to LR stitched.

Kirsten.