Wool felt playscape


I made this playscape for my animal loving Mary's 6th birthday next week, but it's turned out so well I had to share it early!


I dyed the wool felt myself to get the depth of shades I wanted.


I needle felted, then embroidered a nest that fits either kitty or Mother Duck and her 3 ducklings.


It took a lot longer in the planning than in the making, I was so indecisive about what to do.


But I'm so happy with it and I think she'll love it!

The patterns for the knitted animals came from "Knitted Animals" by Anne-Dorthe Grigaff. I used either merino or alpaca yarn.

Latest hand dyed yarns

 Rainbow 4 ply superwash



 "Rhubarb" wool, alpaca, mohair and silk 8 ply



Spring meadow wool and bamboo 8 ply




These are all available in my Madeit shop now :)

Chocolate crunchy slice

I suddenly remembered this recipe yesterday. It is one of my Mum's old recipes and now that she is gone I have her recipe book which is largely hand written.
As a girl I would make it for my Dad while he was working - I'd take him a cup of coffee and some slice and his most common response was "Goody!" while rubbing his hands together.


It's really easy for kids to make too, my 5 year old made this one with me.

2 cups dessicated coconut
250 grams butter
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups self raising flour
1 cup sugar

Pre heat oven to 180 degrees. (C)
Melt butter and add to the dry ingredients. Mix well. If mixture seems a little dry add a little milk.
Press into a lightly greased slice tray. Bake for 25 minutes.

When cool you may ice the slice if you wish. I make a simple icing with soft icing sugar, cocoa powder and milk. Spread this on and sprinkle with extra coconut.

Busy, making


I've started on the felt play mat for an upcoming birthday. I hand dyed the wool felt and it came up a bit blotchy, but doesn't really matter seeing as it's grass.


I'm not sure what else I'll add in at this point, I tried some trees but they looked silly. Some mushrooms may be my next attempt.


Needle felting a nest for Mother duck and her ducklings (also in progress, nearly finished).



I've also turned some of our screen prints into cushions and bags.


I love the way my hobo style bags came out so I'll probably sew more in this design.

More updates to come, and if you're interested in a tutorial or how to for how to make the play mat, just let me know :)

Gossamer Dreams tomorrow night






I'm a guest with Gossamer Dreams this month and have some special Winter treats up for grabs. You can see previews of my items and all the other beautiful handmade goodies from some very talented artisans tonight from 8pm. This gives you time to "window shop" before the listings open. 

The shop goes live at 8pm Saturday 15th June, tomorrow night.

I hope you find something you love and happy shopping!

Coconut Cakelets

They don't look like much. You will have to trust me on this one - they taste a lot better than they look. I made some and the kids gobbled them and begged for more.


This recipe is slightly adapted from the Primus Rice Paper recipe for cakelets.

120g dessicated coconut
220g white sugar
1/2 cup white flour
2 large eggs
Enough milk to make it mushy!
2 sheets of rice paper

Set oven to preheat 180 degrees (C)

Mix all dry ingredients together, then work in the wet. Adjust the milk so that your mixture is moist and thick but not too wet or sloppy.

Lay 2 sheets of rice paper on a baking tray. Place blobs (1 dessertspoon full for large cakelets or teaspoon fulls for little cakelets) onto rice paper.

Bake in the oven until golden brown (around 15 minutes)

These are really delicious if eaten while still warm but very nice cold as well.

Enjoy!

I didn't have time...

I didn't have time to finish the ironing today. I didn't have time to clean the toilet. Or to scrub that desperately dirty shower. Or to dust the layers of built up dust. Or to tidy my sewing table. Nope, no time to vacuum out the van either.

But I did have time to do art and craft with the children. I had time to take them to the playground to play in the sun. I had time to make them tasty and wholesome meals. I had time to wash and hand their clothes. I had time to respond to the seemingly endless "watch me Mum!"s and smile and laugh where appropriate. I had lots of time for hugs and kisses.

And the day is not over yet! I will have time to bathe them and wash their hair. We will all pray together. We will read books and snuggle together.

I'm annoyed and disappointed that I didn't have time to do everything that I could have today. But I'm so grateful that I made time to do all the things I should.


This blog is closing!

All posts will now be found at my new site.  Click here to go the the new site.