Six Random Things...

::random photo of Ollie

I was tagged by Hoppo Bumpo today (my first time!).

These are the rules ...
1. Link to the person who “tagged” you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Random Facts:

1. My favourite number is 17

2. Coincidentally, I have lived in 17 different houses

3. I'm a sucker for reality TV - it was a real struggle not to watch Big Brother this year, but I was strong (and watched hardly any!!).

4. I have a pretty shocking memory, except when it comes to numbers. They tend to stick in my mind a lot easier

5. The last movie I saw at a cinema was Happy Feet (when it just came out). Yes, it's been that long!

6. My new favourite appliance is my Empire Red KitchenAid Mixer. Have I mentioned it before?? I touch it every time I walk through the kitchen

This was harder than I thought! 

I've seen this one around (for a while), so consider yourself tagged if you'd like to play along.

Brownie Goodness

I found this Donna Hay recipe on the internet about 2-3 years ago, but can no longer find a link to it. 

Chocolate Brownies

375g butter

2 cups brown sugar

3 eggs

2 cups plain flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2/3 cup cocoa, double sifted

200g dark melted chocolate

3/4 cup milk

~

Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius.

Beat eggs and sugar for 8-10 mins. Gradually add eggs.

Add melted chocolate, then stir through dry ingredients and milk.

Spoon into greased/lined 20cm by 30cm slice tray.

Bake for 50 minutes.

This little lady is still waiting for someone to fix the (stuffing) hole in her head, weeks after she was started! A face would be nice, too. I came across the pattern on by the Black Apple here.

Empire Red

:: KitchenAid Mixer

Really, is there any other colour?? This arrived in the post today (have I mentioned how much I love my postie?). I put it straight to good use, making a batch of Donna Hay Chocolate Brownies (I'll post the recipe later, a bit stretched for time at the moment). An absolute delight to use! Much quieter than I thought, too (good for Ollie, who doesn't cope well with loud noises).

craft fair goodies

:: Cotton Reel Stand by Jarrah Lacky

Stash Building

Not much craft has been happening in my house for the last week or so (although I'm not sure what I've been doing instead!). I have had numerous visits from the postie, though! 

I thought my stash was getting a little low (*cough*), and there were some fabrics I have coveted for ages that are becoming much harder to find, so I bought up big!

::Cicada Studio

Nob Hill

I'm knitting "Nob Hill" (Knitty Issue Spring 08) for my daughter, about 90% finished. Just doing the sleeve edges and collar. The yarn is Moda Vera Torte (from Spotlight), colour Indigo (a much darker purple than it appears in this photo). I'm knitting on Size 10 and Size 8 needles (just using what I had), and I'm on the 3rd ball of yarn.

more crafting

:: knitting bag using black pinwale cord and some pippijoe fabric

:: some cross stitch to slip into mum's b'day card

best buys

I found some of my best op-shop buys of the year today - this road carpet rug for Ollie was only $10, brand new condition! 

My sister bought me this red teapot last week, all I needed was a tray to put everything on (oh, and maybe a new sugar bowl!). I found this dark wooden tray for $5, same colour as my kitchen table - perfect! 
Now I just need some doilies to go on it...

Little Red

My first cross stitch, pattern is from a Japanese Cross stitch book I bought on Etsy.

Temporary Workspace

Every now and again, mainly when J is at her dad's for a longer weekend, I move my sewing machine into the lounge room. I commandeer J's desk, plonk it next to the heater, in front of the TV, and sew, day and night. 

I'm much more productive when it's set up like this - so far, I've made 9 peasant tops and 2 pairs of pants for my etsy store, a pair of shorts for Ollie, and a boat neck top for myself. I have until Tuesday lunchtime to clean it up before J gets home - I have many more plans, so hope it's enough time!

Shop update

I haven't updated my Etsy shop in ages! After doing so much knitting lately, I just had to get the sewing machine out again.
I've just discovered the joys of fold over elastic (FOE). Unfortunately I can't find any coloured elastic here in Melbourne, so I've been searching US sites for the stuff. Sewzannes and Fabric Hound have a heap of different colours, but really, there's no point paying for postage from the US if I'm not going to get some fabric too, is there?? Dangerous stuff...
I love this style of top - do you think it's to girly for a little boy? Even with a very masculine fabric? Too much?? Maybe I'll just make some big ones for me, like this Built by Wendy pattern. Should be easy enough to make up a pattern, shouldn't it?