ROLLING PINS

You know a function has been well organised and planned to perfection when it all appears to run smoothly and everybody is happy and friendly and it all looks too easy. That is how Spring Into The Country at  Geham  was over the week end. The girls did an amazing job and it was an excellent market. I loved being there and being part of it and meeting and talking to people who have similar interests. Even the rain held off for us - well it did until it was time to pack up! But it wouldn't have mattered as that is why undercover markets have so much to offer.

I was ecstatic to find some old rolling pins there and this was my "big" purchase for the weekend (we won't talk about the fudge).  I already had a few, so only 2 of these are my new ones. The ones I love most are the ones with the green and red handles. Gorgeous aren't they, and how she could part with them for just $5.00 is a mystery to me. Thankyou Sharon if you happen to read this. They will be well loved in my home.

BED TIME ON MY DRESSER

One of the joys of having little people coming to visit on a regular basis is finding little surprises like this after they have gone home.  I'm not sure why this little floppy eared dog is such a favourite, but it made me smile when I found him so carefully put to bed on the shelf of the dresser that decorates our hallway entrance.  The doiley that's being used as his doona is one of the nice things my mother in law hand embroidered  and gave me a very long time ago.  A perfectly good use for it don't you think?

LOOK WHAT I FOUND AT LINCRAFT

Much as I love the "men" in my life, I get very upset when my tools disappear on a regular basis.  But today I realised there is a solution and I think it might just work.  I don't have a problem with my sewing tape measure which is regarded as second class by all but me, but I do have a problem with the other type of tape measure which you buy at the hardware shop.  I use that type too, as we do quite a lot of house renovating, so I'm always measuring something or other.  That's where Lincraft comes in.  Do you think he'll be "brave" enough to claim this one for himself?

It's not quite perfect in that it only has centimeter measurements, but I think I can cope with that.

An other problem area is my stapler.  I lose track of how many I buy, so where they disappear to is a complete mystery to me.

Lincraft have a variety of tools - all very pretty and girly.  So I may just have just have to pay them another visit and expand my range. (I'm sure you'll find them places other than Lincraft, but I just happened to find them there)

SELINAS DATE CAKE

There's a bit of a fresh breeze at my place this morning which means everyone seems to be looking for something delicious and warm to have with  coffee.  If you go on over to 
Selinas Vintage Blog (just a couple of posts back) and try out her recipe for Date Cake, you'll find the perfect complement to your morning cuppa.  It is disappearing very quickly at my place and already I've been asked for the recipe.   I must say I think the lashings of butter that she recommends are decidedly wicked, but seriously scrumptious.

ANGELS CUSHION

Sally Giblin from The Rivendale Collection has some beautiful new designs.  I've made up this cushion pattern that she's called "Angels", and I'm really loving it in country fabrics.  I'll have it for sale as a kit at the "Spring Into The Country" Geham Market on 18th & 19th September.  If you're in the Toowoomba region that week end for the Carnival of Flowers, come for a drive out to Geham and visit the market at the Geham School.  Be prepared though, to spend a day in our area as we're spoilt here, and I promise you you'll be renewing your list of favourite coffee shops and special places to visit.

CUMQUAT JAM & PATTY CAKES

I noticed 2 of my grandsons using the fruit off my cumquat tree for target practise the other day, so I decided there would have to be a much better use for them.  After rescuing the ones they didn't completely demolish, I decided that the only thing I'd heard of using them for is jam. Now, I have tried on many occasions to like marmalade, but I just don't.  Whether it was the tedious cutting up these tiny little fruit or the copious amounts of sugar that I used, I'm not sure, but I actually quite liked the end result.  As you can see by the photo, I even gave my jar a little bonnet, just like Grandma would have.  My half kilo of fruit made up 2 jars, but my son in law got the other one.  I think he'll like it too.

And while we're spending time in the kitchen, I want to show you this gorgeous cushion.  It's one of Sally Giblin's (from The Rivendale Collection) patterns.  I've just added quite a few of her new patterns (and some not so new) to my website.  You'll find them on this link.  I'd much rather stitch a recipe that cook it, so I think this would suit me very well.  I can even see it looking equally as gorgeous in country colours.  

HARVEST MOON & ITSY BITS

Fabric from Harvest Moon by Buggy Barn and Itsy Bits arrived last week.  Finally I have some gorgeous country checks.  It's embarrassing to have country fabrics, but hardly any checks. But no more.  Itsy Bits is a lovely range too.  Tone on tone with just a little pattern.  Nice.

While I spent an afternoon photographing them to list on my website, my little shadow opened his eyes and looked back at me.  "How come you're taking all these photos and NONE of me" he said.  So just to make him happy...............

I've also listed some of my fabrics on sale.  They're a good price and I'll be adding more as they sell.

There's a few changes happening on my website.  I've added a few buttons and rearranged others.  I've still got a way to go, but it will be easier to navigate your way around when I'm eventually done.