Check Out This Giveaway

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Jacinta

Not on my blog, but I thought it would be worth sharing here.  Cute fabric and book.

Check out the link:

http://theplaidscottie.blogspot.com/2011/03/wewantfun-blogiversary-giveaway.html?showComment=1299194212387#c6621802672205389806

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Not Just A Square

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Jacinta

A lovely friend is due to have a baby soon.  I was meant to attend her blessingway this weekend past, but had over committed myself and couldn’t get there.  It was the same day as Tenneille’s birthday and being the ‘I can do it all mama’ thought I could pull off doing something else on the same day, um, no!

The knitted square, pictured below, is to be part of a knitted blanket, which we all contributed a knitted square to for our friend’s baby.  It is such a wonderful keepsake for a child and mother.  I can’t wait to see the end result and hopefully if I can, I will post a picture here of the finished baby blanket.

Now some of you might be wondering what a blessingway (or mother blessing) is.  A blessingway is a ceremony which honours the mother-to-be, surrounded by special people in her life.  It’s about encouraging and empowering a woman not so much through gifts, but by offering support, wisdom, and understanding leading up to the birth of their baby, however that ends up.
Every blessingway is different, but the essence remains the same.  I had one before I had Jairah and it was a beautiful day spent with wonderful women.  Unfortunately my camera battery died, so I never took any photos, but I won’t forget the sentiment behind it.  I was also given meals to sustain us in the early days after Jairah was born.  The same will be done for our friend.  I think it was the best gift I could ever have received,  not having to cook for two weeks after giving birth.  I am lucky to live in a community of thoughtful and generous people and it is always nice to return the favour.

Posted in Celebrations, Craft, Knitting | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Felt Farm

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Jacinta

While buying gifts for Tenneille for her birthday last week, I came across this gorgeous book, A Felt Farm by Rotraud Reinhard.

I picked it up, flicked through a couple of pages and announced it was mine!  I figured it was my birth-day gift to me.  The detail is amazing and so inspiring.  Scarlett has already flicked through it and listed what she wants me to make her for her birthday, practically the whole book it seems.

It has great step by step instructions and has cute little stories next to the pictures in the second half of the book.  Don’t you just love what can be done with a felting needle and wool.  The animal are so realistic.  The pigs and the pony are my favourites.

So come and drool with me over the pages, I’m sure you’ll love it too.

How cute are the pots and crockery, oh and the clothes on the line.

I love the pony and the lit up house

Do you want a scratch behind the ear little piggies?

I hope you feel inspired.  Let me know what your current favourite craft book is.  There are so many out there, I find personal recommendations the best way to find them.  Jacinta x

Posted in Books, Craft, Recommendations, Steiner/Waldorf | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Piece of Resistance

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Jacinta

Well that’s how I like to think of what I created for Tenneille for her birthday.  I made her a gorgeous smocked nightie.  I figured it was worthy of it’s own post.  I spent hours making it.  It’s the kind of nightie I would have loved as a little girl. I’m hoping Tenneille will feel the same.  Time will tell.  I suspect she will want to wear it as a dress, which I think it could pass as too.  It is based on a pattern out of Australia Smocking and Embroidery issue number 93.  These are the most divine books.  I have made quite a few smocked outfits for my kids and certain other special people over the years.

It started out like this:

And it ended up looking like this:

Based on Light As A Feather from Australian Smocking and Embroidery Issue 93

I made a little keepsake bag too

Keepsake bag

Australian Smocking and Embroidery Issue no. 93

Tenneille's nightie is based on this one

The girl in her nightie

Oh, those sweet little dimples.

Posted in Sewing | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Five

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Jacinta

Tenneille turned 5 today, but not until she had a birthday cake sitting in front of her, us singing happy birthday and her blowing out candles.  Tenneille doesn’t believe you turn the next number (her words) until the above mentioned has been followed through with.  I love how certain things have to be an exact science.

Today five years ago, at an approximate time of 5am Tenneille Sophia arrived earth side, in water at home.  labour was less than 5 hours and very straightforward.  She was 8lb 12oz and so gorgeous.

Just born

First cuddle with Scarlett

Two days old

That thumb!

Doesn't feel like 5 years

We have had a beautiful day today.  We had to alter our plans due to wet weather, but it turned out the perfect day.  We had a yummy chocolate cake decorated with dinosaurs, cream and strawberries as, requested by Tenneille.

 

 

Present opening was left till the end of the day.  Tenneille was quite restrained and didn’t mind waiting at all.  She was very delighted with her gifts.

She has had her eye on this dinosaur at a local shop for months!

How cute is this card (and girl)

Yes, you are a crazy dog

Happy birthday to our sparkly little poppet!  Love you, Mama xx

Posted in Celebrations, Family Life | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

This Moment

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Jacinta

An idea via Soulemama

{this moment} – A Friday ritual.  A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Feel free to leave a link to your moment in the comments for others to see.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Posted in This Moment | Tagged | 20 Comments

Toadstool Cushion Tutorial

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Jacinta

A free pattern, just for you lovelies.  I am more than happy for you to use this pattern at your discretion.  However, I would appreciate if you publish this pattern in any shape or form, please link back to here. Thank you, Jacinta x

This is a great project where kids can join in the fun of crafting by helping you stuff the cushions.

Note: I used an overlocker to sew my cushions, so didn’t use a seem allowance as I sewed the edges directly.  If using a sewing machine add a 0.5cm seam allowance.  For extra security, use an overlocking stitch or zigzag stitch on edges remembering to leave a gap for stuffing.

Requirements to make up to 8 cushions:

110cm x 150cm wide red spotted polar fleece or fabric of choice
110cm 150cm wide plain red or white polar fleece or fabric of choice
1kg synthetic stuffing
Contrasting thread
Sharp scissors
Sewing machine or overlocker
Taylors chalk or fabric pencil/pen for tracing
Pins

Using a dinner plate or something round with an approximate diameter of 30cm (30.5cm if using sewing machine) trace eight circles on both the spotted fleece and plain fleece.  Cut out circles.  With right sides of circles facing, pin one piece of spotted fleece to one piece of plain fleece.

Spotted fabric and plain fabric pinned together right sides facing

 

Pin with right sides of fabric facing

Sew the edges leaving a small opening of about 3-4cm for stuffing.

Leave a gap for filling cushion

 

Turn cushion right side out.

Stuff to desired firmness.

Thread a needle with contrasting cotton and sew up opening.  You now have the cutest toadstool cushions for your sweet ones to enjoy!

Finished cushions

Embracingitall 2011 – Jacinta Gleeson Munn

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A Parasol, Dinosaurs and a Party

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Jacinta

The weather smiled upon Tenneille’s party yesterday and we were able to celebrate on the new deck.  I had been busy crafting the last couple of days in preparation.  I made mice for the party bags and toadstool cushions for the kids to sit on.  The cushions were a big hit.

Pass the parcel was the only organised game, as the kids entertained themselves beautifully.  I used seed packets as the gifts for pass the parcel.  They were all excited with their bounty!   The cake was ice-cream both fruit sorbet and mixed berry.  I used crushed mixed berries and whipped cream to cover the ice-cream.  It was served up in waffle cones, yum!  Tenneille originally wanted a Leopard party and a leopard cake, but we spent so much time trying to find leopard candles she kind of got disheartened and decided she wanted dinosaurs instead.   Well dinosaurs are another favourite of hers.

The children were delighted with their felt mice and organic lollypop in the party bag and all went home with smiles.

Tenneille loved the parasol she was given as a gift.  It got twirled and swirled for many hours.  A fun day indeed.

I will do a tutorial for the party bags and the toadstool cushions in another post.  The pattern for the mice can be found in the book, Feltcraft – Making Dolls, Gifts and Toys by Petra Berger.  This is a great little book with lots of lovely Steiner/Waldorf style projects.

Posted in Celebrations, Family Life, Steiner/Waldorf | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

We Have A Deck!

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Jacinta

My very industrious other half has been busy the last couple of weekends getting our decking finished.  Thanks Greg!  We are very pleased with the end result.  We used spotted gum as the timber.  I can’t believe how much better the front of the house looks with the deck completed!  The alcove where we have built the deck was overgrown with a few large tree ferns and smaller ground ferns.

Overgrown alcove before the deck (Very bad lighting on my face!)

This is a picture from inside the house, before we moved in, looking out to the alcove (the venetian blinds were blocking the view, they have been removed since we moved in)

We have relocated the plants to other areas of the garden as they were too messy to be so close to the front door.

Tenneille is having her birthday party on Wednesday (her actual birthday isn’t until next weekend) and she requested that it be on the deck.  Now if only the weather can seal the deal, that is what we will do.  Please weather gods/goddesses, no rain on Wednesday!!  Anyway, here is a selection of photos of the deck, from construction to completion.

Our little helper

He is a very nosey birdie!

Better than t.v., our own home improvement show and Jairah has a front row seat!

Looking onto deck from front door

This is looking out the same window as the second photo from the top. Note, no venetian blind!

Looking from front verandah back towards the house

Posted in Renovations (Renos 101!) | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Jacinta

Renovating, parenting and just trying to get through the day calls for something pretty special once the kiddos are in bed.  That something special, chocolate self-saucing pudding.  I make it in the dish I bake it in to save on dishes.

Ingredients:

1 cup plain flour
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
30gm butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder

Optional Ingredients:

50gm dark or milk chocolate (I use Green & Blacks organic chocolate)
2 tbsp cointreau or your favourite liquor

Sauce:

1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups boiling water

Method:

Place 1/2 cup brown sugar, egg and melted butter in baking dish (liquor if desired) and beat until well combined.  Add sifted dry ingredients and beat gently until ingredients combine.  If adding chocolate, break it up into small pieces and place around pudding surface.  Sprinkle sifted cocoa and brown sugar evenly over pudding surface and pour over boiling water.  Place in a pre-heated moderate oven for approximately 30 minutes or until cooked through.  Serve with cream if desired.

Posted in Gastronomic Explosions - aka Yummy Food/Recipes | Tagged , , | Leave a comment