SHABBY TOTE BAG

I made up my Rebel Roses & Jezebel fabrics into our Shabby Tote Bag pattern.  Sam called this pattern shabby because she put the seams to the outside of the bag to give it a bit more texture, and I just used my pinking shears to give it the zigzaggy finish.  This is the large one which is 17"x18", but she's also put a smaller 14"x12" version in her pattern.   I'm pretty happy with the way it shows up this bright and cheerful range of fabrics.

MY GRANNY SQUARE ADDICTION

I can see that my pile of Granny Squares from Naomi's jumper is going to take me longer to join up than I thought they would, so I'm going to have to leave them for a bit because I have to make up a Tote Bag that I want to put in my next advertisement for Country Threads. I want to show off my new fabrics and thought a simple pieced bag would work well.  I'll take a photo when it's done.  

COTTON PICKING TIME

Cotton picking time is just around the corner.  The guys are so busy right now as they're getting the soya beans off and then they'll be right to start picking the cotton.
It seems to me like such a crazy lengthy process.  We have the raw product right in our back yard (well on our farm actually) and then who knows where it has to go before it comes back to me as beautiful quilt fabric.

I'll get some more photos when they get the machines into action and it gets a bit more interesting.

GRANNY SQUARES

Naomi is Grandchild number five.  She's here with her older sister Chloe.  Last year I thought I'd knit her a lovely stripey jumper. which seemed like such a good idea until I discovered the jumper I'd knitted her wouldn't go over her head.  Needless to say it's been in the back of the cupboard ever since.  The other day I was reading a blog by "Hello! It's Meet Me at Mikes!" and she was crocheting Granny Squares.  So - now I've unpicked that ill fated jumper and I'm turning it into Granny Squares.  I've never crocheted Granny Squares before, but let me tell you they are addictive.  They're quick and easy and fun.  I think Naomi would rather have a jumper, but maybe next year..........

HE IS RISEN

I made this Easter message last year from some old fence posts that were on their way to the dump.  What a crime!! Think Mr Apple Cottage has finally got the message to check with me first before taking ANYTHING to the dump these days.  I made some with stars and some with trees  for a Christmassy theme too.  I had ideas of making some for every season so I could have a rotating message all year round. That idea hasn't quite materialised yet.  But for today - HE IS RISEN INDEED.

A WET EASTER SATURDAY

I was determined not to work this Easter Weekend, but to take some time and tidy up my garden.  Well, it's RAINING.  Doesn't look like rain in the photo, but it really is WET rain and if I was a  keen gardener, I would revel in being out there and getting wet.  But I'd rather be inside stitching.  I managed to get some broccoli and cauliflower seedlings planted out this morning and mulched them with some lucern hay, so I did achieve something.   Now I'm back inside and still trying not to work even though I have some orders to fill.  So, I've prepared a vegetable lasagna for dinner tonight and I've got a boiled fruit cake cooking in the oven. Now I think I might just have to give in and get those orders done.

EASTER BLESSINGS

I love this little primitive heart stitchery. It's one of Sam's designs, and it hangs on my bookcase all year round.  But I especially like it at Easter time.  I adore bunnies and chocolate, but I need to be reminded that there is more to Easter than bunnies and chocolate.

Please stay safe on our roads this Easter, and make sure that bunny finds you on Easter Sunday morning.

RAG RUGS

I've been crocheting rag rugs in the evenings while I'm waiting for the cooler weather to begin to hand quilt my "Dashing Through the Snowcones" quilt.  That quilt is going to be so cosy to quilt when we get some chilly evenings.  Can't wait!!

What I love about making my rag rugs is the surprise element.  The fabric always looks totally different after it's made up.  These 2 will come to Ipswich with me to the Handmade Expo in June if they don't sell before that. 

REMEMBER ME

I was looking at my fabrics the other day and wondered why I still have several fabrics left in the "Remember Me" range.  When when I checked them on my website, I realised I'd never listed them there.  So I got busy and now they're all there and I've reduced them to $15.00m.  They're beautiful rich country colours and so easy to use for any country quilting project.

OVER RIPE BANANAS

My over ripe bananas go straight into my freezer - just as they are skin and all.  Then when I get 5 minutes spare I make them into the BEST BANANA MUFFINS.  The bananas come out of the freezer and after I thaw them  they are all squashy and ready to use for my muffins.  The muffins are YUMMO and they are easy & quick.  Cooking takes me away from stitching time, so "quick and easy" is pretty much a prerequisite for me when it comes to cooking.

Here's the recipe.

Best Banana Muffins

1 cup brown sugar not packed down (I use less)

1/2 cup cooking oil

1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 big ones)

1 egg

1 teasp vanilla

1/2 cup allbran (I use weetbix if I'm out of allbran)

Combine all these ingredients and then add:-

1/3 cup sultanas (raisins, dates or whatever)

1/2 cup SR flour

1/2 cup Plain flour

1 teasp Baking Powder

1 teasp Bi-Carb Soda

Mix all together and bake 180 in muffin tins for 20mts.