Monday, May 27, 2013

Embroidery Thread and Washi Tape

I saw a cute image on Pinterest last week 

to organise embroidery thread.


The image is from Mrs Jones blog 

Colourful and organised! I love it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

A few weeks ago, I purchased a fishing tackle box to store 

my embroidery thread. Last week I purchased some wooden pegs. 



The fishing tackle box was a bit boring so I pulled out my stash 

of washi tape and started decorating it. Huge improvement! 


Now it's a pretty embroidery thread storage box.


It took a long time to wind my embroidery threads onto each 

wooden peg. Good thing I have a small stash of threads! 

It was worth the effort.


I used a pencil to label some pegs with the thread numbers.

Most of my embroidery threads are from cross stitches I completed 

years ago. Most of the pegs are not labelled due to this reason.



If I need to take my craft with me I have my embroidery threads, 

pins, needles and scissors ready to go!


Do you have a creative way to store your embroidery threads? 



Saturday, May 18, 2013

Markets, Daiso and Madtongsan 2

Last Saturday, May 11, our family had a fun day together


We visited the BrisStyle City Hall Market, held in Brisbane


There were lots of market stalls

Each had beautiful handmade creations for sale

~ ~ ~ 

We visited Zillpa. Clare transforms rope into beautiful homewares


Clare is a Set Up Shop graduate 


Purple and Mint collection is my favourite


~ ~ ~ 

We visited Rebecca at edward & lilly

Hand embroidery, crochet and soft toys


~ ~ ~ 

We visited Kaylee at Pretty Unique

Handmade cards and paper flowers



 Kaylee's paper flowers are stunning in real life


~ ~ ~ 

We visited Jessica at Epheriell

Sleek, Elegant, Modern Sterling Silver Jewellery


Jessica was our teacher throughout the Set Up Shop course

It was nice to meet Jessica and other stall holders

~ ~ ~ 

After the markets, we visited Daiso in the Myer Centre

Everything is $2.80

Our children chose a notebook and have loved using them 
to draw pictures and write important info in 


Check out Daiso's facebook page 


Image via ~ http://www.bnecity.com.au/News/News-Article.aspx?id=25403&returnurl=~/News/Default.aspx

~ ~ ~

It was time for lunch so we headed off to our favourite Korean restaurant

Madtongsan 2

Located at Level 1, 85 Elizabeth St, Brisbane

The owners Han Seok and Tang are lovely


Our children love eating here, so do hubby and I


Dumplings


Spicy beef and vegetable soup, with a serve of rice


Mixed rice with vegetables and kimchi


Chicken cutlet with rice and salad

~ ~ ~

After lunch, we went downstairs to KOZ Mart

We stocked up on Korean groceries



It was so nice to have a family day out


Hope you've had an enjoyable day today! 















Thursday, May 16, 2013

Apple and Mixed Berry Crumble


Over the years I've searched and we have tried various crumble recipes. The recipe listed below is a combination of a few recipes. I've added cinnamon and ginger for extra flavour. This is my favourite crumble recipe! I hope you like it too.

Each time I make this dessert I use different fruits. 

Including fresh, frozen or tinned fruit. 

Image via Pinterest


Image via Pinterest


This time we enjoyed Apple and Mixed Berry Crumble.

I used frozen mixed berries and let them thaw. 


Apple Crumble recipe

6 large granny smith apples - peeled, cored, sliced  (see note)
1 cup raw sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup SR flour
1 cup rolled oats
2tsp ground cinnamon
2tsp ground ginger
50g softened butter (not melted)


Preheat oven 180 oC

Cook apples in a saucepan with a splash of water and simmer on stove until just cooked. Place cooked apples into a large baking dish. If using mixed berries or tinned fruit there is no need to cook on the stove.

Mix sugar, coconut, SR flour, rolled oats, cinnamon and ginger in a bowl, including the butter. Crumble butter with fingertips to form coarse crumbs. Spoon crumble mixture over the fruit.

Bake in oven for approximately 20 minutes (check after 15 minutes to make sure top does not burn).

Serve with ice cream or custard


* Note – any fruit can be used. Mixed berries, peach, pear, etc
* SR flour – self raising flour


A yummy dessert to warm your tummy during the cooler months of the year. 


Great way to start the day with a warm breakfast.

Image via Pinterest



Do you have a favourite food to eat during the cooler weather?




Friday, May 10, 2013

Vintage Dreams ~ sneak peek

Good Morning~ 

Are you ready for a sneak peek, at the beginnings, of the Vintage Dreams collection?


Are you curious?



Image via Pinterest

Have a glass of water while you're waiting


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Introducing the first part of the Vintage Dreams collection


Apple and Pear pincushions



For the creative person


On this apple, a felt heart has been blanket stitched


Suitable to decorate your home


The Vintage Dreams collection will be available end of May/ early June


Would you like to see a patchwork pincushion added to the collection?


I would like to hear your feedback








Thursday, May 09, 2013

Vintage Fabrics and Chickpea Stew

This week I started on a collection using beautiful vintage fabrics. 



Image via Pinterest


The collection will be released end of this month or early June. I'll show sneak peeks along the way. 


~ ~ ~ ~ ~  

Here's a very healthy, super tasty meal to warm your tummy.


Chickpea Stew



4 brown onions (or use Spanish onions), chopped
Oil
1 cup water
2 containers cherry tomatoes, half are sliced in half
1 cup chicken stock
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 red chilli, chopped, with or without seeds
2 tins chickpeas, drained
1 tbsp turmeric
Salt
Pepper
2 handfuls baby spinach leaves
½ lemon, juiced
Olive bread, garlic dip or aioli, optional
Danish feta, crumbled


Using a stove

In a large heated saucepan, add oil and onions. Cook until soft, and then add water. Add cherry tomatoes and chicken stock. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes with lid on, until liquid reduces and ingredients are soft. Add garlic, red chilli, chickpeas and turmeric. Stir together.

Add a pinch salt and pepper and stir. Replace lid back on for 10 minutes. Increase the heat then turn heat off. Add baby spinach leaves. Mix through and add lemon juice. Serve on toasted olive bread topped with garlic dip or aioli and crumble feta on top. 

Lemon wedges and cracked pepper. Nice without bread too! 


Using a slow cooker

Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low for 1 hour or on high if you need to cook if faster. Check occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom and stir. Add water and extra chicken stock.

Serve on plates and crumble Danish feta on top. Very healthy. Super tasty!



* This delicious recipe was shared by Skye Tiernan. Please visit her facebook page Little Pearl Designs and let her know Squeeze Cuddles sent you!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 


 Today, I'll be creating more items for the vintage fabric collection. 

What are you creating today?