The Beach

We went to the beach on the weekend, first time since last Summer.

I saw the ocean through the fresh eyes of our kids. 

They were jumping, splashing, squealing, it was pure freedom and joy for them (us too). 

We forgot the beach umbrella, but it wasn't too hot, it felt so nice to get out in the sun.
I forgot my togs, but it didn't matter, so I got a little wet, my clothes dried out eventually. 
 I forgot my diet too, and ate pistachio gelato without feeling guilty, so what? 

Stole a cheeky kiss from my sweetheart on the shore,
there's something about the sea, it seems to bring out my relaxed, spontaneous side.
I couldn't stop smiling!

Of course I forgot to take photos of all of this, guess we were too absorbed in the moment.

Yes, Winter is well and truly behind us now,
with Summer just around the corner saying, "I'm waiting!". 

I'm so grateful for days like this.

How was your weekend?

xSam

*This post has been edited to remove photos of my children, for internet security purposes.

My Creative Space - Sprocket Pillow

One of the reasons I love blogging is that it keeps me motivated to try news things and to find the time to create.  I'm fairly new to sewing, having only completed a couple of small projects, and this week I decided to have a go at making this sprocket pillow .  

Although my seams didn't line up in the centre, it didn't matter, because that was all covered up with the button! My first covered button too, who knew how easy that would be?

*This photo of my son has been removed for internet security purposes.

Mind you, it's a little hard to concentrate around here in between movies, playground visits, tantrums and tears on this first week of school holidays, but overall we're having a pretty good time hanging out together.  It's also nice to have a break from the usual morning routine and school drop-off.  

In fact, it's a beautiful day outside, so we're off to the park. 

To make your own sprocket pillow, just visit cluck-cluck-sew for a great tutorial.

Maybe you've already made a sprocket pillow, if so I'd love to see it!

There's also way more creative projects to check out over at ourcreativespaces.

xSam
*This post has been edited to remove photos of my children, for internet security purposes.

Lazy Hazy Sunday

Brisbane has been covered in a smoky haze for the last couple of days.  We're only just out of winter and it looks like we're approaching bushfire season already.   Yesterday it was 32 degrees, can you believe it?  It felt warm, but I didn't think it actually felt that hot.

I decided to venture out for some me-time, leaving the kids at home with their dad, just to recharge my batteries a little before the school holidays start tomorrow. 

So I headed off to one of my favourite spots, Old Petrie Town country markets.  It's a great day out for the family, but today, it was my day to browse at all the shops I wouldn't normally take my littlies into (you know what little hands are like).

I found this gorgeous zippered pouch at Billy Angel, I think the fabric is so pretty, and so soft too! Laura makes lovely personalised cushions for kids, handmade gifts, and also stocks jewellery and vintage treasures in her shop.   The shop is just gorgeous, I hadn't been for a while, and it was nice to meet a fellow blogger in person too!  I only wish I could whip up such beautiful things on my sewing machine.  Maybe we could trade sewing lessons for cupcakes? (just kidding of course Laura.. I think).

As I kept wandering through the markets, a few other things caught my eye....

a little needlecase and rose loveheart broach from Lilly Cottage, another shop full of vintage treasures and handmade gifts to drool, I mean browse through..

a basket of pansies to make our front porch a bit more colourful, sweet huh?

 

and some new lettuce seedlings to restock the veggie patch.

Later in the day I managed a spot of baking for our lovely neighbours too.  They were supposed to look like hydrangeas (hmpph), but that didn't quite work out (I was experimenting), so I tossed the piping bag and went back to basics, just simple cupcakes with sprinkles, afterall, it was Sunday. I'll try again soon, and with a new piping set.. they'll look beautiful if I can get it right.

I'll leave you with a glimpse of the sunset we watched from our backyard later in the day. The smoky haze had a positive side afterall, leaving a glowing red sun on a canvas of purply pink hazed sky.  I was a little late in getting the camera out, nevertheless, think it gives you an idea of how amazing it was.

  

How was your weekend? Have you noticed the change in season where you live?

Hope you have a great week.

xSam

Busy with Bunting

So many ideas and things to work on at the moment, yet so little time!  Was going to do some baking today, but my oven is smelling a little dodgy (think it's electrical), so better call up my handy electrician brother for help!

Have more important priorities anyway...thought I'd better make a start on some bunting for the bunting swap.   Lovely Rachael at Squiggly Rainbow is hosting this, so if you haven't already joined up and are interested go here.

What's keeping you busy this week?

There's plenty of creative business going on at ourcreativespaces today, why not pop over there for a squiz!

xSam

"They came back in droves.  And they came back in good spirits". - Clayton Muhhamad

When I was a kid, my Mum baked this slice all the time, amongst many others.  Maybe it was her way of keeping everyone close to home. Funny, I remember how as soon as it came out of the oven a quiet house would all of a sudden become, well not so quiet.  My brothers (I have five) would all come out of the woodwork, along with any friends who were visiting at the time.  There'd be a scurry towards the kitchen, hands reaching across eachother, and just like that, the slice would disappear, you had to be quick in our household.  

The recipe has stuck with me, the slice now a regular in our household, hubby is always asking me to make it for his "smoko".  And honestly, does it get any easier than this?

All you need is:
1 cup sultanas
1 cup dessicated coconut
1 cup rolled oats
1 and a half cups plain flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
125g melted butter

And all you do is:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C or 160°C for fan forced oven.
2.Combine dry ingredients in bowl.
3. Melt butter, cool and add to mixture, stir thoroughly until mixture becomes  a little like biscuit dough in texture.
4. Mix egg with fork in small bowl, then add to biscuit mixture.  Stir until thoroughly combined.
5. Press mixture into lined slice tray.
6. Bake for approx 20-30 mins (until golden around edges).
7. Allow to cool in tray, then slice.

You could also add choc chips if you want, but don't let me tempt you, it's pretty tasty as is, and perfect for the lunchbox.

Do you have a favourite slice or other recipe that has been passed along?

xSam

Grateful

Today I'm grateful for..

Little independent people who have the confidence and initiative to

do things for themselves, like..

My 6 year old son tieing his own shoelaces..

and he loves taking photos to surprise mummy when she next uses the camera,

here's a few examples..

 

Not bad for a 6 year old, don't you think?

Then there's this cityscape drawing/watercolour he completed, resisting any direction from me

still don't know how he knew how to draw a cityscape!! When I mentioned it to his Prep teacher she said he may have seen it on Mr Maker).




My 2 year old likes helping around the house ..


*Photos of  my daughter removed for internet security purposes

You know you're falling a little behind when your toddler starts folding laundry

that's been on the couch for two days, and puts it away!

 Everyday they surprise me with something new they've learned, really keeping me on my toes!  It's kind of sad in one way, they're growing up so fast, but then to see them taking initiative and their confidence growing each day is so lovely, makes me think I must be doing something right afterall!

Hope you're enjoying a magic weekend! I'm popping over to Kymmie's blog now, she's hosting grateful this week.

xSam

Things I'm Loving

Shorter hair!

They say a change is as good as good as a holiday...and boy do I need a holiday,  well a haircut will do for now, so chop chop...and here's the new me, well, same old me, just with less hair.  I wish I'd done this sooner, it feels great and is so much less maintenance, I thought I'd feel older with shorter hair, but I actually feel younger and more hip (in my own lunchbox anyway).

Reaping the benefits of our veggie patch. 

It's so great to be able to show the kids where real food comes from.

To see them picking vegetables out of the ground in their own backyard just makes me smile. Who needs dinner plates! And no pesticides here either! 

The back steps hubby finally finished (he's so handy), meaning the kids can actually go down to the bottom yard and have fun running around.  Also doubling as nifty seating, such a nice place to sit with a cuppa in the afternoon!

*This photo of me with my children has been removed for internet security purposes

Why not check out Things I'm Loving at PaisleyJade!

Hope you're enjoying your Friday!

xSam
*This post has been edited to remove photos of my children for internet security purposes

My Creative Space - Cat In A Hat

What to do with "The Cat In The Hat"?

A bit of this, a bit of that,

A library bag, a desk organiser?

Told my son, I'm gonna surprise yer!

Ok, that's enough rhyming, better get sewing...trouble is, I'm not sure what to make, I just saw this cute fabric from Spotlight and with 30% off, how could I resist?

Any suggestions? I'd love to hear them.  Quick, before it gets lost in the cupboard with all the other fabrics that had great potential!

Something fairly simple, I'm a rooky remember..otherwise I'll be sewing all the way to December (sorry, it's Dr Seuss making me rhyme again, I can't help it! But then this is my "creative space" afterall!)

Happy creating to you, and for more creativity drop by ourcreativespaces.
xSam