Bellingen in the Window!

One of our most favourite places to go for a day trip is Bellingen. Only a 30 minute drive south of Coffs Harbour. How exciting it was to see some of my label in the window of The Vintage Nest. The Vintage Nest sells quality recycled and new clothing and miscellaneous goods. The blue floral dress, the girls skirts and flag banner are all Frolic in Fabric. Sadly the shop was closed so the only pics taken were through the window!
Next door to The Vintage Nest is the Vintage Expresso which is currently undergoing renovations. They sell great coffee and delicious sweeties...

Have to say i don't mind the reflection of the tress in this picture and some of the streetscape of Bellingen.

Just a few of the locals we saw in the main street. Have to say i have never seen four together like this before. We did have three in our own tree at home once. Aren't they gorgeous?

This is the three we saw in our chinese raisin tree at home back in 2008. We called them the little owl family (mUm dAd and bUb). How cute is the baby? This was the first photo when they were alseep. The next photo was when our kids woke them up!

What posers they are!

Brightening the Studio!

The question was: Would we get the gyrocking be done by Christmas? Yes and with a couple of days to spare. The difference is amazing. It has transformed it from a dark cold shed to a light and airy studio. The natural light and white walls will create the perfect sewing environment. Just can not wait to get set up in here!!

We added some insulation (or should i say my hubby - who had to suit up in overalls on a hot day!) and as you can image this has made it a more livable space. The temperature difference is about 8-10c.

The boys were always being delivered refreshments - some early christmas treats that were being made up in the Cook's Kitchen.

With just the cornices to be put up it has been a very rewarding day!

Tis the Season ...To make Red Cherry Almond Bread

If you have never made almond bread it is a wonderful thing to make at Christmas time. It is very simple and goes a LONG way. I have made double the mixture this time and this amount made enough for five gift boxes (see below). My Aunty has been asking me to make her almond bread for Christmas since July!



Here is the recipe:
Red Cherry Almond Bread
Ingredients:
3 egg whites
1/2 cup castor sugar
1 cup plain flour
250g almonds
1 sml packet of glazed cherries

1. Turn on oven at 180C, lightly grease 8x4 inch loaf tin.
2. Beat egg whites until stiff.
3. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat until stiff meringue consistancy.
4. Fold in sifted flour, then add almonds and cherrys - stir in cherries gently.
5. Put mixture into loaf tin and bake for about 30mins until lightly browned. Leave to cool in tin.
6. Take out of tin, wrap in foil and put in fridge for 1-2 days.
7. Cut loaf into wafer thin slices (an Electric knife is great or a serrated knife) and place on a tray in a slow oven until dryed out ( but not brown). I set mine at about 125C and they take about 35mins.
8. Hide them from the kids if you plan on giving them away for Christmas.



This is a great job for the kids.

These are now ready to go into my hand made Christmas boxes. These boxes are simple origami and they are SO versatile depending on the paper you use. I make these boxes all year round to put pressies in.

I have made a couple of spares this year in case i have forgotten anyone or someone unexpected turns up...usually the way at Christmas time.

Have fun making the Red Cherry Almond bread..you still have time!

Elizabeth X

What did I make with the Vintage Finds?

This is just a small selection of the garments that were made with the vintage fabric finds? They are all one offs and i have to say how funcky is the bag fabric... so 70,s? These are all available for purchase at The Vintage Nest in Bellingen (NSW - Australia)

Creating for the Vintage Nest

I really love mixing the old with the new. This lovely embroidered table cloth had several stains on it while some parts were in excellent condition. The colours are great combined with these new fabrics. I am mixing some colours and fabrics together to make some cute and frilly skirts and flags for a banner.

How do you like my ruffle skirt made out of curtains? It was very simple and and easy to make.

And really not very expensive.

Here we have fabric button hair ties and magnets. The large owl is also a magnet.


I call these my Miako Girl Charms. A cute handbag accessory.

The SHED is now a STUDIO!

At last our shed is beginning to look like a studio. As soon as the old garage door was removed the vision of the studio started to become a reality. With the much appreciated help of dear Uncle Rosco and of course my wonderful hubby the entrance frame was soon in place and the old doors ready to put in.

One door is in, Yippee. While the boys were putting in the doors i thought i had better go and buy a handle and lock. Well you wouldn't believe the difficulty I had finding the right lock with the right handle at the right price and do you think anyone had any in stock? NO. Our doors it turns out have a rather narrow style (the panel where the handle and lock goes) so the Mortice lock that is fitted inside the door has to have a back set of 45mm and standard back sets are usually 60mm. Then to top it off the french doors are rebated (a lip on the edge of the doors) so i also needed to purchase a rebate kit. Obviously i should have done a little bit of research earlier.

The boys sure made great progress. The next steps are to gyprock the internal walls, put in the lighting, floors and then paint. Will we get it done by Christmas?? Well maybe the gyprocking.

What to make with the Vintage Fabric Finds?

I have been given a whole box of Vintage fabrics and have been asked to make a variety of garments for a local store. How much fun is this going to be? The fabrics are amazing and all so different. The fabric below has a gorgeous borders on each selvedge.



This fabric is very flowy and i just love the way the fabric has been joined together.




Check out the spots.

I will use some old patterns of my Mums from the 1960's very simple styles as the fabric says it all!