tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-153174922024-03-08T03:03:34.255+11:00Sadieandlancemiscellaneous craft related adventures of sadieandlance...SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.comBlogger330125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-82457574339742490232015-07-07T00:28:00.002+10:002015-07-07T00:28:29.050+10:00Stand Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG86X1eeyz34kWPBD3hOsD5jC0l2xpN8LlWVuSf4I-O9GBA_q-FwMV82F0hbonBWvcMy9heRCGMUwvMEfm2306cwxFkshIpVOac07rQ2MNYMxSaqm-IzB7AhqHaQslao6tCcs/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG86X1eeyz34kWPBD3hOsD5jC0l2xpN8LlWVuSf4I-O9GBA_q-FwMV82F0hbonBWvcMy9heRCGMUwvMEfm2306cwxFkshIpVOac07rQ2MNYMxSaqm-IzB7AhqHaQslao6tCcs/s400/IMG_0816.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love this image. It was snapped outside the back of the Smurf's school. I have no doubt it was put there by one of the students and that it would have been done without protest from the school. I discovered it by accident one afternoon. An important reminder to look up (or in this case down but not towards a phone screen) and take in the surrounds; there is so much to be seen.SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-43918694339769092222014-06-15T23:36:00.000+10:002014-06-15T23:36:19.877+10:00On Being Human<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXC1GNFrwKioI7xsxOON76aNn6J-wHYIuidnQVcLrG9NERf5Lgmoi1kscvmC8eODPTeia2I8r9deHvM5NpXQXBgFokD97xlgj-9r9qrRrxNzkKoHHajenL0Cz-uc950hmgrAh/s1600/2014+Human+Brochure+Mt+Ainslie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXC1GNFrwKioI7xsxOON76aNn6J-wHYIuidnQVcLrG9NERf5Lgmoi1kscvmC8eODPTeia2I8r9deHvM5NpXQXBgFokD97xlgj-9r9qrRrxNzkKoHHajenL0Cz-uc950hmgrAh/s1600/2014+Human+Brochure+Mt+Ainslie.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canberra has more than one hill! And none of the other hills have an important "house" on them. </td></tr>
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No, I don't mean a post about being human in the way you're expecting.<br />
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I'm participating in a project called <a href="http://humanbrochure.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>The Human Brochure</b></a> (not being paid for any opinions, just so you know*). If you're anywhere on social media, you've most likely heard of it. I've been threatening to write a post about Canberra since we moved here and the Human Brochure is the perfect reason.<br />
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I've been pretty clear about my love of Canberra. Before I moved here, I didn't feel the same way. I played the same role as you most likely do. "Judger from Afar", "Speaker of Uncomplimentary Things", "Maker of Assumptions that Canberra is only about politics".<br />
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And then I moved here and my role changed. I became that annoying person singing Canberra's praises. Just like the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/travel/36-hours-in-canberra-australia.html?_r=1" target="_blank"><b>New York Times</b></a>. "There ARE things to do here", "There ARE great cafes", There ARE some really great restaurants AND yes, even bars", "There ARE some interesting places to hang out AND interesting people to meet. Plus, it's clean and easy to get around and nature is actually a considered part of this "city". Oh, and we have a really<b> <a href="http://www.brodburger.com.au/" target="_blank">great burger place</a></b> that started in a caravan that may actually have been around before all your burger vans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BHEZpeCbaACpYH1cfYzgBjUN_d_sYaqV9NFaXTk_NjZL03J6onT4HtwUOGbEZ5JAhpjo7qpmijk_xnOcIlYJIMu-VTHvY6xX8hj7Pfhch-PMrFhmPGw1dzMJT82HBhyphenhyphenfrUyz/s1600/IMG_9196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BHEZpeCbaACpYH1cfYzgBjUN_d_sYaqV9NFaXTk_NjZL03J6onT4HtwUOGbEZ5JAhpjo7qpmijk_xnOcIlYJIMu-VTHvY6xX8hj7Pfhch-PMrFhmPGw1dzMJT82HBhyphenhyphenfrUyz/s1600/IMG_9196.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look! Burgers! Really good burgers in little red plastic baskets with chips. </td></tr>
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That's the thing about Canberra, you can't judge it from afar. You can't even judge it by driving down the main street (the <b><a href="http://www.brodburger.com.au/" target="_blank">burger place</a></b> isn't on the main street incase you need to know). Canberra has depth, man. And you can't find it driving around roundabouts on main streets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rglP-aPGJ4ZHhNZDMLbyZH1iaxZgz9-uVRhWucf4XEMprmmnvfhUiida_dFREZRo-aE2dbbJTiU7-Q91pP2GU8B8uaJEbNo8DOBk7W9MC_F9SXYcQaeARQW3DDHzkw4TK3n2/s1600/IMG_9896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rglP-aPGJ4ZHhNZDMLbyZH1iaxZgz9-uVRhWucf4XEMprmmnvfhUiida_dFREZRo-aE2dbbJTiU7-Q91pP2GU8B8uaJEbNo8DOBk7W9MC_F9SXYcQaeARQW3DDHzkw4TK3n2/s1600/IMG_9896.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's that? You have an important Craft Council? Don't worry, we do too. And teeny little exhibition spaces. </td></tr>
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Then, in 2012, along came the Human Brochure; a Visit Canberra tourism project designed to dispel the Canberra myths. They brought 500 interstate social media savvy visitors to Canberra and let this city speak for itself. And it worked! Many of the visitors hadn't been to Canberra before and they loved it. It was great to see people experiencing the real Canberra and not falling for the stereotype anymore.<br />
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And now, ACT Tourism are repeating the project with 101 locals. And they kindly let me be one of those locals. This is the perfect thing for me - I already celebrate Canberra anyway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78yGL50bp2jiqx6h9CprwvSPGrIL55CPZll5miwImmKdxc7LxV1FJrhTkcTPfE48LnZroVgHnpvc9mScMotSrq3gOWgudkaC0Z4p_rreEyb0clbxcj6GDgwGMfbGbUeBEvBJx/s1600/IMG_9858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78yGL50bp2jiqx6h9CprwvSPGrIL55CPZll5miwImmKdxc7LxV1FJrhTkcTPfE48LnZroVgHnpvc9mScMotSrq3gOWgudkaC0Z4p_rreEyb0clbxcj6GDgwGMfbGbUeBEvBJx/s1600/IMG_9858.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry. Not sorry. Food and Wine. Don't feel bad for me.</td></tr>
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I'm in the Food and Wine stream. I know, poor me. I thought about applying for the family fun stream (for about a second) but Food and Wine it was. So, Visit Canberra are treating us 101 "humans" to a bunch of local fun and we'll all write about it. *There is no obligation for what or how we talk about it, so my opinions are not up for sale.<br />
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I'm mostly talking about my experiences on <a href="http://instagram.com/sadieandlance" target="_blank"><b>instagram</b></a> and <b><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/sadieandlance/" target="_blank">pinterest</a></b> but I will be dropping by here to post things that I think fit well in this space.<br />
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SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-8385477065121727442014-03-17T22:07:00.000+11:002014-03-17T22:13:07.394+11:00An Elephant Never Forgets...until it does<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5TIrMedBKuHrkpNCMGSR9IMFZNW3wjf34-69QJZXEO6rcOLSPELudhYw4u_e2qR9vq0IVhGfNv6EkveLxUcJN1Rs0GjYoKB79LHzBm3m2NU1jxDRI8sdfWTHl9hu-nYyy3dL/s1600/Sadieandlance+Brown+Rice+Salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5TIrMedBKuHrkpNCMGSR9IMFZNW3wjf34-69QJZXEO6rcOLSPELudhYw4u_e2qR9vq0IVhGfNv6EkveLxUcJN1Rs0GjYoKB79LHzBm3m2NU1jxDRI8sdfWTHl9hu-nYyy3dL/s1600/Sadieandlance+Brown+Rice+Salad.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used to make a prawn salad, all the time. It was an almost weekly summer go-to recipe. Prawns marinated in olive oil, sumac, garlic, herbs and more, fried in a hot pan with a splash of white wine to cook down into a dressing for a yummy salad of baby spinach leaves, avocado, tomatoes, chickpeas and I forget the rest but gee it was tasty. I always thought I would remember that recipe given I made it so often.<br />
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And then we moved to Canberra and I didn't make it as often, actually at all, for whatever reason. And then I forgot how to make it. I was completely blank when I went to make it this summer. Damn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUQ5zDoQw4UP3gugphkwz-IvOIF_XCwIQDsNFEbYoZShHHwr9cvPyfo_gqLDTTdLi3T-PuU6CPcvAKtCk07IC6Oc69RhyeGs1FAFE-hGp37QFYjg0Gkm2OcQ2S-ZHfwTd6WvN/s1600/Sadieandlance+Brown+Rice+Salad+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUQ5zDoQw4UP3gugphkwz-IvOIF_XCwIQDsNFEbYoZShHHwr9cvPyfo_gqLDTTdLi3T-PuU6CPcvAKtCk07IC6Oc69RhyeGs1FAFE-hGp37QFYjg0Gkm2OcQ2S-ZHfwTd6WvN/s1600/Sadieandlance+Brown+Rice+Salad+1.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't want to be in the same position with my Nutty Brown Rice Salad; that's it above. It's my current go to. A regular one of my minimum three salads for a BBQ (yes, a minimum of three salads at any BBQ at my place). A regular on our summer dinner table - often with meatballs, fresh tomato, sliced spanish onion and hummus in wraps. So, here's my best attempt at helping an elephant to never forget....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdg4aaXSPsSuG9vgPXR84oMSTJ-OwUJehcqah4NPYUQQ5oGSmdPfTy6KwLYpS6oefF2gt7490WshA0MfWxK-nDhZXOp3Rr1n6OyMyFofickccRMxVmJUPhOYj9CTFsX1l12gh/s1600/Sadieandlance+Brown+Rice+Salad+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdg4aaXSPsSuG9vgPXR84oMSTJ-OwUJehcqah4NPYUQQ5oGSmdPfTy6KwLYpS6oefF2gt7490WshA0MfWxK-nDhZXOp3Rr1n6OyMyFofickccRMxVmJUPhOYj9CTFsX1l12gh/s1600/Sadieandlance+Brown+Rice+Salad+.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Nutty Brown Rice Salad</b><br />
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I think the secret of this brown rice salad is the flavour the rice gets from cooking in the stock and all the garlic. I use homemade chicken stock for most things but I keep a tin of (insert brand name) low-salt imitation chicken stock (what's that you say? Chicken stock for hipsters ?) just for this.<br />
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1 1/2 cups brown rice (I don't actually measure this, I just pour it into the saucepan but I think this amount is about right for the rest of the ingredients)<br />
1 big heaped Tbsp powdered stock<br />
3 garlic cloves, peeled plus 1 extra crushed or finely chopped<br />
2 Tbsp olive oil<br />
1 medium brown onion, diced<br />
2 Tbsp pine nuts<br />
2 Tbsp slivered almonds<br />
2 Tbsp pepitas<br />
2 Tbsp sunflower seeds<br />
chickpeas - about 3/4 tin (I use chickpeas I've soaked, boiled and frozen - about a small ziplock bag full)<br />
salt and pepper to taste and an extra glug of olive oil<br />
chopped fresh parsley<br />
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Put the rice into a saucepan with the stock powder and 3 peeled garlic cloves, cover generously with cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer rice until cooked.<br />
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While the rice is cooking, heat a medium sized frypan (one that will fit all the rice in it) over a low to medium heat. Add the oil and onions, a dash of sea salt, pine nuts, almonds, pepitas and sunflower seeds and cook until the onions are soft and starting to turn a bit brown and crispy and the seeds and nuts are looking toasty.<br />
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Add the extra garlic clove and cook just a little bit more to soften.<br />
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By now the rice should be cooked (be careful not to over cook it). Drain well and add to the onion/nut/seed mix along with the chickpeas. Keep the garlic cloves that were boiled with the rice in there too, just use your wooden spoon to mash them down a bit and mix them in well.<br />
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Add a gluc of olive oil, parsley, salt and cracked pepper to taste and mix well.<br />
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You can serve it hot but I prefer it cold. Would be pretty good alongside some <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/falafel-if-you-love-them-this-recipe.html" target="_blank"><b>falafel</b></a>.<br />
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Now it's turning cool enough to get the knitting needles out, I have plenty of time to experiment to get that prawn salad recipe back, ready for next summer.<br />
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<br />SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-15610855282579270582014-03-12T23:01:00.001+11:002014-03-17T22:13:24.468+11:00I was thinking...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I was thinking about killing this space. Then I wasn't. Then I was. Then I just ignored it again.<br />
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I've been watching a few of my old blogging pals end their online space. I feel sad about that, although I know we're still connected via other means. <br />
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I've also been reading and watching and hanging in new spaces. New (to me), really inspiring spaces. Completely inspiring and hilarious spaces like <a href="http://brittanyherself.com/" target="_blank"><b>Brittany's</b></a> (you already hang out there, don't you?). And local creative spaces like <b><a href="http://www.bimbleandpimble.com/" target="_blank">Amanda's</a>.</b> And other inspiring places with local parents I already know but am not sure if I should link to.<br />
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It makes me want to hear my own voice again.<br />
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So, I'm not ready to say goodbye to this space. I like writing. I like this space. I think I'll stick around more. I don't have to be limited to only sharing crafty stuff. I can write other stuff, too. If I feel like it. I know, I know, I've said it all before.<br />
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Besides, I owe myself a post on being the Mother of a Daughter.<br />
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Actually, I can do that right now. It reads pretty much identical to <b><a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/being-mother-of-son.html" target="_blank">this post</a>,</b> but where you read son/he/him substitute daughter/she/her. Done *dusts hands*.<br />
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What next.....<br />
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<br />SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-83198879422440894252013-06-21T08:49:00.004+10:002014-03-17T22:13:57.428+11:00Being The Mother Of A Son<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWnDKQ64FLuLSCH1fttfWDnKAfA0HyVRj5a_7NYeIM_VWwUyyLtCufj2VA-iBEZ37yX1dcUQl1I96niFGUnq2Hc0bjWADAlxYDzK7Ku5yr-pSx0DRkPS6jNt1_PX2GjKqf9AR/s1600/Sadieandlance+Smurf+and+his+axes+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWnDKQ64FLuLSCH1fttfWDnKAfA0HyVRj5a_7NYeIM_VWwUyyLtCufj2VA-iBEZ37yX1dcUQl1I96niFGUnq2Hc0bjWADAlxYDzK7Ku5yr-pSx0DRkPS6jNt1_PX2GjKqf9AR/s640/Sadieandlance+Smurf+and+his+axes+crop.jpg" height="518" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double Axe Wielding Smurf. Look closely, the kid is playing a paper jams guitar AND holding a toy axe. His own doing.</td></tr>
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With the media and community's recent attention firmly (and rightly so, in my humble opinion) on the despicable, sexist and violent behaviour of people <i>that should know better</i>, I was invited by Lexi of <a href="http://pottymouthmama.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Pottymouthama</a> to join a very impressive bunch of bloggers to reflect on our roles as mothers of sons. </div>
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Oh, golly, where do I start. When I first started thinking about this post I kept getting distracted by the steps up to my soapbox, where this week it features sexism, misogyny and being a footy fan and geez things are shit. </div>
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But I think I'll leave that conversation for a time we're all together at the pub, beer in hand.<br />
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Although, when the topic of sexism comes up, I am, naively, surprised and disappointed that it still exists in the way displayed this week. I guess that's because I'm lucky. Not lucky, that shouldn't be the word I have to use. The men in my life are fabulous. Respectful, compassionate people with good values. They are fathers, brothers, sons. They are athletes, stay at home dads, artists, community workers and business people. Lovers of music, sport and reading. Some went to university and others worked hard through other paths to get where they are.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rAMIqSePqfsZ3SeZLuYMRKryOHvAYeT5VVtJUdBgyc9C4ZEaTeIpOzUEMU0w6y_ivdhZd0xQIBaUA1A1OetYo-4k0Z2ywl9LqDbmw4egctpHWvXu7jfkIA4X74Ay3jXOHvVs/s1600/Sadieandlance+Smurf+Auskick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rAMIqSePqfsZ3SeZLuYMRKryOHvAYeT5VVtJUdBgyc9C4ZEaTeIpOzUEMU0w6y_ivdhZd0xQIBaUA1A1OetYo-4k0Z2ywl9LqDbmw4egctpHWvXu7jfkIA4X74Ay3jXOHvVs/s640/Sadieandlance+Smurf+Auskick.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes footy requires pink shoes. </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span">The women are fabulous, too. Respectful, compassionate people with good values. They are mothers, sisters and daughters. They are also athletes, stay at home mums, artists, community workers and business people. Lovers of music, sport and reading.</span> Some went to university and others worked hard through other paths to get where they are.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span">They are all role models. Role models in how to live and love. Of how to treat each other. Of how to exist successfully within a community. And that is so important to me, that the Smurf sees, everyday, in every way, that this is just how you live your life. It's his normal. It's normal to be respectful of each other. That we don't place value on someone's contribution, be that to our household or our nation's parliament, based on their gender. That women and men are different and that's OK but it doesn't mean that your gender assigns you to a limited number of roles. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">These role models and people that surround our family also support him and his choices - regardless of whether he wants to wear pink or blue. They are people that understand your favourite colour does not define who you are and that the colour you choose is such an insignificant thing when compared with how you treat other people. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiomQ12ZiL41aDiob45lUdFm7_hEZuBBdwax-tiK49v191WAIgWU4g-dqQw9JsrsBvgtwWd2AHgWV5UbAdyo-TmZ0UDeSf066yztSXIoBEjAIdKtduIT1epQeFFVCFxT8bMLQ/s1600/Sadieandlance+Smurf+Knit+Commissions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiomQ12ZiL41aDiob45lUdFm7_hEZuBBdwax-tiK49v191WAIgWU4g-dqQw9JsrsBvgtwWd2AHgWV5UbAdyo-TmZ0UDeSf066yztSXIoBEjAIdKtduIT1epQeFFVCFxT8bMLQ/s640/Sadieandlance+Smurf+Knit+Commissions.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Smurf's colour choices for this year's scarf.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">They are people that help him put his dress ups on whether that's a giraffe suit, a super hero costume or a princess dress. Because they understand that dress ups are just that, dress ups. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">They are people that will sit down with him and cuddle his baby doll or kick the footy, because that's what he chooses to play with. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlA28mjfBmRerSQV5h4X_kQ6HsQmt4ut3O8bNGT6tUG-rp6XFZy4JmIBGG2F_SGqMP566Q13EHqnl8O6XGSkvFfnU1r2t3_EKn0GrfMKaUr4fqKCYbjjy6RuTvPJBeR18DGo7/s1600/Sadieandlance+Smurf+Theatre+for+Babies+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlA28mjfBmRerSQV5h4X_kQ6HsQmt4ut3O8bNGT6tUG-rp6XFZy4JmIBGG2F_SGqMP566Q13EHqnl8O6XGSkvFfnU1r2t3_EKn0GrfMKaUr4fqKCYbjjy6RuTvPJBeR18DGo7/s640/Sadieandlance+Smurf+Theatre+for+Babies+1.JPG" height="592" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smurf Puppet Theatre show for babies</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">There is no judgement, just honouring of the childhood of one awesome Smurf and helping him to work out who he is and what he likes.</span><br />
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Initially, I admit, I was surprised to have a boy. It wasn't that I wanted to have a girl necessarily. I truly didn't care, as long as my baby was healthy. But, I grew up surrounded by lots of women. Strong, independent women who were fabulous role models for me. I assumed that I could be a better mother of a girl, as I understood them. It wasn't rational nor was it scientifically justified in anyway, obviously.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xWSNuyxVIej9AOa0XJPSQuKpuai-8vYzHbsZeHqJ560c-iXG0QUftB4f61cwjKRoZ9AqJAprfFOyKjRVkryexKWKhzYrpgv7EaRXM8qhU2E7qT0wwQLwlododSBhvZc00fg9/s1600/Sadieandlance+Smurf+Support+Your+Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xWSNuyxVIej9AOa0XJPSQuKpuai-8vYzHbsZeHqJ560c-iXG0QUftB4f61cwjKRoZ9AqJAprfFOyKjRVkryexKWKhzYrpgv7EaRXM8qhU2E7qT0wwQLwlododSBhvZc00fg9/s640/Sadieandlance+Smurf+Support+Your+Team.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aways support your team, no matter how crap they are. </td></tr>
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I couldn't be happier to be the mother of a boy. My Smurf is a sensitive, kind, compassionate boy. He is funny and he makes me laugh. He is creative and curious and capable. His preferred mode of getting around the house is to slide on his tummy (yes it drives me bonkers) and he likes to run a lot when he's outside. He has taught me a lot about masculinity and being a boy. I see him being shaped every day by the role models in his life and it makes me feel happy and safe and that he has an amazing future ahead of him.<br />
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And at the end of the day, that's what it's all about, guiding our kids to their futures and hoping that the values we have given them help them find their way along their path.<br />
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If you haven't already, you can visit the other bloggers posting today on "Being the Mother of a Son" (a very impressive list!):<br />
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Meet Me At Mikes - <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">meetmeatmikes.com</a></div>
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Kootoyoo - <a href="http://kootoyoo.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">kootoyoo.com</a></div>
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One Flew Over - <a href="http://oneflewover-oneflewover.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">oneflewover-oneflewover.com/</a></div>
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Pigeon Pair - <a href="http://pigeon-pair.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">pigeon-pair.com/</a></div>
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Mogantosh - <a href="http://mogantosh.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">mogantosh.blogspot.com.au/</a></div>
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Hugo and Elsa - <a href="http://hugoandelsa.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">hugoandelsa.com/</a></div>
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Gourmet Girlfriend - <a href="http://gourmetgirl-friend.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">gourmetgirl-friend.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com.au/</a></div>
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Checks and Spots - <a href="http://checksandspots.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">checksandspots.com/</a></div>
PottyMouthMama - <a href="http://pottymouthmama.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">pottymouthmama<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1155cc;">.</span>blogspot<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1155cc;">.com.</span>au</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mrs Smith: <a href="http://fuffenscheit.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">fuffenscheit.blogspot.com.au/</a></span><br />
Mamabake: <a href="http://mamabake.com/">mamabake.com/</a></div>
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SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-24625777915175797972013-06-10T23:54:00.002+10:002013-06-10T23:55:32.482+10:00Sewing Smurf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Smurf never ceases to amaze me. This weekend we collaborated on a craft project I have been thinking about doing together for the longest time.<br />
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He drew his own images on fabric and I sewed them into something 3 dimensional and filled with stuffing. Only, my vision was slightly wrong. I didn't do the sewing, the Smurf did.<br />
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After learning how to lift the presser foot, manually move the needle, place the fabric and cut the thread he was ready to sew some lines. And then turn corners.<br />
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He was busting to bring his fabric drawings to three dimensional life. A tree with bark, leaves and birds to become a soft toy and a tree with an owl surrounded by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for a cushion.<br />
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And so off he went, after carefully choosing his backing fabrics (flannelette for the back of the soft toy as it will be cuddled and the flannelette is soft!). He sewed some parts completely by himself (foot on peddle and guiding the stitching) with verbal guidance from me and some parts with me physically helping to guide the fabric or sewing a line first for him to then follow on his own.<br />
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He could not be more proud of the outcome. Nor can I.<br />
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He is busy planning his next few creations. Every time I look at these photos my heart feels like it might literally burst with pride.<br />
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<br />SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-48946999922765831242013-05-18T00:51:00.002+10:002013-05-23T23:21:37.466+10:00On LossThis week I lost a friend. It was a sudden and very tragic loss. The tragedy includes her partner. I am so sad. I am feeling so many things. I am watching her friends and community grieve. Some of them are my friends and community, too. The loss is so much bigger than anyone can comprehend. Two parents leaving behind two cherished young children. It will take so much time to heal.<br />
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This is all playing out in my daily offline life as well as my online life. I know you know my friend. I know you know her because you probably have an online connection to the craft world. If you have that connection then you most certainly know Kathreen and her website <a href="http://www.whipup.net/" target="_blank"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Whip Up</span></b></a>.<br />
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I have been consumed by these happenings in my offline life. Not in a bad way, but a necessary way. Doing my fumbling best to support our common friends. <b><a href="http://soozs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Soozs</span></a> </b>thoughts on <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://soozs.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/up-close.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">circles of grief</span></a> </span></b>(bottom of the post), and how I care for those in a smaller circle than me, are ringing so loudly in my ears.<br />
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I have been avoiding this space and yet at the same time somehow strangely drawn to it. But I feel now is the right time to come here. This space, this incredible community I am part of, without it I would have never met Kathreen.<br />
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Kathreen's connections are prolific. She had such a self-less and collaborative approach to the way she went about things that community naturally built around her. I feel as though the whole world knows about this and is feeling the loss of these two inspirational people.<br />
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When we spent time together, we rarely chatted about Whip Up. We chatted about education philosophies, ethical farming, raising boys that like pink (mine), secret farmer's market tips, fox attacks on chooks, once in a lifetime family adventures around Australia... you know stuff. We would say we would catch up for a quick cuppa only to realise three hours had passed.<br />
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But you didn't need to have shared a cuppa with Kathreen to feel her loss. A friend talked so eloquently last night about how meaningful online connections can be. How real they are, especially in the crafting community. It is something people outside of the community can struggle to understand. And tonight I remembered that <a href="http://whipup.net/2010/09/12/2010-guest-blogging-series-celebrate-the-community-of-craft-blogging/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WhipUp+%28whip+up%29" target="_blank"><b>I wrote a post about just that</b></a>...on Whip Up. (And here I go with the tears again). It was reading that post that compelled me to come here and write.<br />
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"<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #292929; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #292929; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">I never imagined a connection via a computer could feel so real. But you must have felt it too?</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #292929; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> "</span><br />
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This is why I know you're hurting, too. Because even though you may not have had the privilege of sharing a cuppa in person with this beautiful, gentle, sometimes cheeky, incredibly talented woman; you didn't have to. You know her because you, too, were part of the wonderful community she created and nurtured. You've nurtured it too, just by participating.<br />
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We are all in this together.<br />
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<b>** A donation account for Kathreen and Rob's children has been established to help support them in their futures. If you can spare anything, even as little as $5, it will help. All the details are <a href="http://whipup.net/2013/05/17/how-you-can-help/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.</b><br />
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<br />SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-91440525086623913792013-05-13T23:02:00.000+10:002013-05-13T23:12:14.490+10:00The Surprise Pet Cemetery and Fresh Garden Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't take it any longer. The itch cannot be ignored. It's time to get into the garden. We no longer live in our sweet little <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/under-pear-tree.html" target="_blank">1950s museum house</a> with the amazing garden. The house <i>is </i>still standing, but not for long.<br />
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We have been in this, the shoebox house, for around 6 months now. It was so difficult to be here over summer without a healthy garden bed to stick so much as a seed in. I did manage to console myself to a couple of hanging baskets of herbs perched on the rambling branches of the Manchurian Pear Tree.<br />
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I dug around, studied the sun moving across the garden, even chucked a few seeds in a bed to see what happened. The outcomes didn't make me happy. Terrible, terrible soil. The best looking bed completely shaded for most of the day. No seeds struck. At least the chooks were happy. Well, when they're not being bossed out of the coop...<br />
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I despaired. And then I noticed the back corner of the garden. I usually ignore it. In my mind it is assigned as chook scratching/cat rolling/poisoned bed of former weeds (the landlord knocked everything off with some handy dandy garden poison).<br />
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Then I noticed the sun. Perfect, full, warm sun blazing down on that bare patch, all day long. I asked every one I knew with the teeniest inclination towards gardening about the ongoing presence of that handy dandy garden poison (I have not ever and will never use it). And I dug around to see what the soil was like.<br />
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Things started to come together. Apparently the poison doesn't stick around for long. The soil can be cheaply improved with all those ausumn leaves floating about, a bit of gypsum and a planting of green manure. The bark chips can be raked away. The chooks can be told to scratch around elsewhere. It's all good.<br />
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Other than the pet cemetery I unearthed, with the help of those scratching chooks. That wasn't so great. But according to yet more (this time expert) advice, the presence of the cemetery is not such a bad thing. Creepy? Yep. Problem for the soil? Not at all, in fact it's good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIk7F0czOxobLO15ukmzIf9Yhaivm7hVJe5kw3fXh9W1z1bDtRJGSD7Jy61LbG8HKZS98Mag07d0k6NQrDo_KTXsZrNaDKa7nTPD1qRcjpMjskuOtRIz0MwAoaNoojDlzMG58/s1600/Sadieandlance+Them+Bones.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIk7F0czOxobLO15ukmzIf9Yhaivm7hVJe5kw3fXh9W1z1bDtRJGSD7Jy61LbG8HKZS98Mag07d0k6NQrDo_KTXsZrNaDKa7nTPD1qRcjpMjskuOtRIz0MwAoaNoojDlzMG58/s640/Sadieandlance+Them+Bones.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I'm soldiering on with my new bed in the perfectly sunny spot. Albeit with an alternative plan that doesn't involve me improving the soil. I scabbed some abandoned bricks, from a lovely neighbour, to mark out the bed and I'll be adding half a trailer load of veggie mix. Then, instead of growing broad beans to only dig back into the soil, we will get to eat them! And our usual winter greens and spring onions and whatever else I decide to pop into that warm, healthy veggie mix. Yipee!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y77pRZRmbMBY3qswAT7HyoiXin9uBd30IVZzTj8OWTkBYZbuXWaSpB5W435H76qO0OnHnvlxQPOaH-zMYxUwXME2zfgCk7W26paxQT9IcDSq3azGo3b2xtGnn242pral2L70/s1600/Sadieandlance+new+bed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y77pRZRmbMBY3qswAT7HyoiXin9uBd30IVZzTj8OWTkBYZbuXWaSpB5W435H76qO0OnHnvlxQPOaH-zMYxUwXME2zfgCk7W26paxQT9IcDSq3azGo3b2xtGnn242pral2L70/s640/Sadieandlance+new+bed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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That photo above is the bed, ready and waiting for the veggie mix. I'm already planning the summer garden and it's not even properly winter yet.SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-211197986245558312013-04-07T10:21:00.002+10:002013-04-07T10:28:11.377+10:00Super Stuff - a how to of sorts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGepSsOyNyDmxiP7-KLTJ6zHV2GHGGG5mihHhJYt0ArqjdXfkdhziq_LqwLHH23T80xJFB_yUNZwsFw26toHTACUBSNpHpJMAo6R8RkrblzGZRRXUauoZEDEFNr7vUlkvIBcQr/s1600/Sadieandlance+super+shoes+close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGepSsOyNyDmxiP7-KLTJ6zHV2GHGGG5mihHhJYt0ArqjdXfkdhziq_LqwLHH23T80xJFB_yUNZwsFw26toHTACUBSNpHpJMAo6R8RkrblzGZRRXUauoZEDEFNr7vUlkvIBcQr/s640/Sadieandlance+super+shoes+close.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few weeks ago we had an invite to a 5th birthday party. We spend a bit of time with this 5 year old. Her brief was "something in pink or purple and not something for boys". I can do that, I thought. As time drew closer, I felt little inspiration in the way of something to purchase.<br />
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Whenever Miss L visits our house, all the dress ups are pulled out and everyone strips down and dresses up. So I hit my <a href="http://pinterest.com/sadieandlance/making-for-kids/" target="_blank"><b>pinterest boards</b></a> looking for some homemade dress up inspiration.<br />
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And so, Super L was created. A personalised cape, super powered cuffs, mask for identity protection, shoe wings for flying (inspired by <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/33495590948196007/" target="_blank"><b>this pin</b></a>). All reversible.<br />
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I do have some issues with Super Heroes; we spend a lot of time talking about how Emergency Services people are the real super heroes. However, we couldn't hold the flood gates closed on the superhero barrage, so The Smurf has lots of generic, homemade dress ups as well as the trademarked super people. And he loves them. So, I was hopeful Super L would feel the same.<br />
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I started out writing instructions for each piece, but really it is as simple as drawing the shapes and going from there. It's pretty simple to work things out from the pictures.<br />
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<b>A How To of sorts... </b><br />
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<ul>
<li>The wrist cuffs are rectangles of felt and joined on the short ends with two pieces of elastic attached at each end of the cuff. The cuff becomes a tube that is easily slipped on and off. I based the size on a toilet paper roll - The Smurf has quite a collection of super hero cuffs made from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/33495590948049322/" target="_blank"><b>toilet paper rolls</b></a>.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>The mask is two pieces of felt sewn together with elastic sandwiched at the outer edges. No fussy turning out and clipping seams, just draw a template, place it on top of two pieces of felt, trace (with a seam allowance), sew and cut out - be careful not to cut the elastic while you're at it.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>The shoe wings are again two layers of felt. Draw the shape on paper first so you can tweak it until you're happy. Trace, sew, cut. Then punch some shoelace holes for threading onto shoes. </li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>There are endless free cape tutorials on the web. My favourite is <a href="http://floatingworld.typepad.com/floating_world_views/2009/08/superhero-cape-pattern.html" target="_blank"><b>this one</b></a> by Suzy at Floating World. However, the last few times I've made capes, I've used just one piece of fabric, rather than having a separate piece for the neckline. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>To make a reversible one-piece cape, I fold a piece of fabric in half length ways and use a kids singlet to get a rough guide on the depth of the neckline and tweak a bit deeper from that. Then simply draw the rest of the shape as you choose. Place the cut out piece face down on your second piece of fabric. Pin and sew around your shape, leaving a gap for turning in the right way. Clip your curves, turn in the right way and top stitch. Sew small pieces of velcro at the neck joins (remember Edna in The Incredibles says "No Capes!" so it needs to easily rip apart if it gets caught). </li>
</ul>
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How do you feel about Super Heroes? Have you kept them at bay at your place or is it all Pow! Bang! Biff! Boom!<br />
<br />SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-60514403924174537042013-01-04T07:57:00.001+11:002013-01-04T08:19:28.404+11:00Breathing Out<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQNKR1-5wIUAAjfWGaERDZASVkRALSmX9v6gGosEQOCRMBZJovMGOmqeHypSCIlVF5KA7xNi0pYiUYy6RchGIy3Dw0rb5gVomn3nWi6dgMpR45CJLn-i9ba3sw4QvsFqLuMt3/s1600/Sadieandlance+hows+the+serenity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQNKR1-5wIUAAjfWGaERDZASVkRALSmX9v6gGosEQOCRMBZJovMGOmqeHypSCIlVF5KA7xNi0pYiUYy6RchGIy3Dw0rb5gVomn3nWi6dgMpR45CJLn-i9ba3sw4QvsFqLuMt3/s640/Sadieandlance+hows+the+serenity.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beach House. How's the serenity?</i></td></tr>
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Since I was last here, we have moved house (into a smaller house with much less inside storage), finished childcare, celebrated Christmas and New Year and all the daily stuff in between. There's been no time for blogging; it's been a whacky, crazy-busy couple of months. </div>
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Returning home after a couple of weeks away with family for the Christmas/New Year period has been sweet relief. Sweet relief because I finally feel as though I have some head space to rest, relax and breath out. </div>
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Sweet relief because ten out of the eleven beach-house guests were knocked down with a violent bout of gastro and it's all over now. We may or may not (ahem) also have spread it to my in-laws who have also all gone down with it. Dirty potent little bug. </div>
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Sweet relief because I now get to finish the postponed unpacking and work out where the hell those last few boxes will be unpacked to. Goodness knows there's no room in the non-existent pantry, non-existent linen cupboard or non-existent wardrobes. </div>
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Within that diseased beach-house there was plenty of summer-time fun, oh and some bluebottle stings to boot. I'm sharing some of my highlights so that some day I can look back here and remember that we really did do more than vomit, run to the toilet and get stung by bluebottles this holiday...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLhLO2Yby2j1OBy9HRRJTXuL6qKx3fk0AeBuaxV80u938Kx2jKpRidfAnMclcFp_s1K1rx7TlJce4C4f_xDxer0pK6FtkfShOM8RXWSvL0iE1T4jZxKiuRTeBnnZo6GHj5ckj/s1600/Sadieandlance+Pas+backyard+golf+school+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLhLO2Yby2j1OBy9HRRJTXuL6qKx3fk0AeBuaxV80u938Kx2jKpRidfAnMclcFp_s1K1rx7TlJce4C4f_xDxer0pK6FtkfShOM8RXWSvL0iE1T4jZxKiuRTeBnnZo6GHj5ckj/s640/Sadieandlance+Pas+backyard+golf+school+.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pa's Backyard Golf School</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7rn9LpLKawW0hC3Sbda4-6t5nk_xMLs1wH-Rxbh-BKNuS2qKZnkhD9AVxTApg9-3Yyy2tkHzo1xdKVH5zF_xxvnvYNvbm1TytJNgH5_CwjpwQfD_0RHjT0yF5YKsr9eMp_CQ/s1600/Sadieandlance+backyard+golf+school.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7rn9LpLKawW0hC3Sbda4-6t5nk_xMLs1wH-Rxbh-BKNuS2qKZnkhD9AVxTApg9-3Yyy2tkHzo1xdKVH5zF_xxvnvYNvbm1TytJNgH5_CwjpwQfD_0RHjT0yF5YKsr9eMp_CQ/s640/Sadieandlance+backyard+golf+school.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The boys faired better this year</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd-V-D9IrLLSER1KzgXNC8isRkbxpjbIgFiFSXPkfmOIWMrL3xWqURdS2r4At28lQKnH4rqIBAW2_FnB2ftBvfF95f5xoJq1FHmgUIt12Wt3wbvwMEeFeAQQyDtv9V3kL13ai/s1600/Sadieandlance+slip+and+slide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd-V-D9IrLLSER1KzgXNC8isRkbxpjbIgFiFSXPkfmOIWMrL3xWqURdS2r4At28lQKnH4rqIBAW2_FnB2ftBvfF95f5xoJq1FHmgUIt12Wt3wbvwMEeFeAQQyDtv9V3kL13ai/s640/Sadieandlance+slip+and+slide.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Never travel on summer holidays without one of those cheapie slip n slides </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxnxFyPT_rBMvJXiM-vAja4pGAi9FRhL4yGLJ3NPzA-3E2px7l1rpem27NNVI3Z8HTbKtzl1L3DIscmN2JkCGqYDX22raQrphJeoc_pHMtpML2TNUPLUZinYqX9iU7tGrMJbS/s1600/Sadieandlance+full+of+cheek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxnxFyPT_rBMvJXiM-vAja4pGAi9FRhL4yGLJ3NPzA-3E2px7l1rpem27NNVI3Z8HTbKtzl1L3DIscmN2JkCGqYDX22raQrphJeoc_pHMtpML2TNUPLUZinYqX9iU7tGrMJbS/s640/Sadieandlance+full+of+cheek.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cheeky Chops...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY0Kn3OMvywNntcSp9ABZGHerGTJlLsYs70r7zk3BeK_eOO51liczZqvnUvTVXI9t22DgKhdHpJmzaK51kJP-3k9tkhnwsWVYGV8G6RVi-iw2nFVGqbXhUYXmyQW3S0cSo51F/s1600/Sadieandlance+Baby+on+the+move.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY0Kn3OMvywNntcSp9ABZGHerGTJlLsYs70r7zk3BeK_eOO51liczZqvnUvTVXI9t22DgKhdHpJmzaK51kJP-3k9tkhnwsWVYGV8G6RVi-iw2nFVGqbXhUYXmyQW3S0cSo51F/s640/Sadieandlance+Baby+on+the+move.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>... is now on the move, cuddles a dolly (nature NOT nurture) and gives (very sloppy) kisses</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrd9rSADGBdAgTtgJsvvKPXg7eO5n-39zjPTkoObeM0mOoX1E6-ft8aggepSw2BblhyphenhyphengpPhrNiw4d_KPkWm_c6wIZ9adaBKvAmta8uvjoFKjbsJh9g784Js1bD25a5f9Ed5JO/s1600/Sadieandlance+learn+to+clap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrd9rSADGBdAgTtgJsvvKPXg7eO5n-39zjPTkoObeM0mOoX1E6-ft8aggepSw2BblhyphenhyphengpPhrNiw4d_KPkWm_c6wIZ9adaBKvAmta8uvjoFKjbsJh9g784Js1bD25a5f9Ed5JO/s640/Sadieandlance+learn+to+clap.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>and very cute nephew tried to learn to clap</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WBzi-H9inR_13IvXdonre7Q4XgCKmPJsD_Qz54YyFHXYTSS9XmYYw-6FWwAwxyl-ZK35iltv_hDmSy7QKWXgFohWvBEUtVJADChJMgKxpKv64Q-XGMT3UubEd8L3HAUTlJxI/s1600/Sadienandlance+skateboarding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WBzi-H9inR_13IvXdonre7Q4XgCKmPJsD_Qz54YyFHXYTSS9XmYYw-6FWwAwxyl-ZK35iltv_hDmSy7QKWXgFohWvBEUtVJADChJMgKxpKv64Q-XGMT3UubEd8L3HAUTlJxI/s640/Sadienandlance+skateboarding.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>When it was too hot to be in the sun there was always "skateboarding"</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpU_R4nZM2CcCE5ibeXipRfOpr2LjytEFNbXfC0VPRXOVDSOq_eSeollUKzMJI1z_SBq7knS6YDL4VMHR6oav9LrzhM7v3Ve4RrSWnzGDOfGg0mrrg8RnNQLRvbkxUvcdrNo9/s1600/Sadieandlance+baby+skateboarding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpU_R4nZM2CcCE5ibeXipRfOpr2LjytEFNbXfC0VPRXOVDSOq_eSeollUKzMJI1z_SBq7knS6YDL4VMHR6oav9LrzhM7v3Ve4RrSWnzGDOfGg0mrrg8RnNQLRvbkxUvcdrNo9/s640/Sadieandlance+baby+skateboarding.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>How the babies roll...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IxlxTSJWCi1XDesesaiIMv15dFi40Ygl-frRM5b7R2cbrkyVfmOCvzHnvgkAt-5_F2FCEpTRHgp5AhuLgXa47Ozbh6w-Yrc2gNPNHaF6q1JDmVlRpVDEo7KOFEyPt7Tk7V52/s1600/sadieanldlance+skater+girlJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IxlxTSJWCi1XDesesaiIMv15dFi40Ygl-frRM5b7R2cbrkyVfmOCvzHnvgkAt-5_F2FCEpTRHgp5AhuLgXa47Ozbh6w-Yrc2gNPNHaF6q1JDmVlRpVDEo7KOFEyPt7Tk7V52/s640/sadieanldlance+skater+girlJPG.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>Skatergirl</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzirG9zpiUTs7Wo7yYOLvdYpXI5myWtEcJv6LUtElTshPBzv-8ZKYpEqDe_zSB0p55we8sUdKyUO69Y7u71DYACbwbIp_TKnqkiWAMeGZhrKxEW67RWcnXanjB-E6TmpMjb0LE/s1600/Sadieandlance+skater+boy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzirG9zpiUTs7Wo7yYOLvdYpXI5myWtEcJv6LUtElTshPBzv-8ZKYpEqDe_zSB0p55we8sUdKyUO69Y7u71DYACbwbIp_TKnqkiWAMeGZhrKxEW67RWcnXanjB-E6TmpMjb0LE/s640/Sadieandlance+skater+boy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Skaterboy</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e0yev2cQPp7Keiq8iDm190d77FyMe3qZ-7xhXcuTojnx0Acq-k3ZXiEgoIL6BkD3SQ9154UNrlEJDxmPVtm4E-PMPRfzpZGOR_JabDcMoFOl4NzQCZ6Rg1QVWR_6-0lrqpzB/s1600/Sadieandlance+wating+for+the+garbos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e0yev2cQPp7Keiq8iDm190d77FyMe3qZ-7xhXcuTojnx0Acq-k3ZXiEgoIL6BkD3SQ9154UNrlEJDxmPVtm4E-PMPRfzpZGOR_JabDcMoFOl4NzQCZ6Rg1QVWR_6-0lrqpzB/s640/Sadieandlance+wating+for+the+garbos.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just why are garbage trucks so exciting?</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP1-j3Puz640aFaNiKLteZIkfeKeHVv6Q41bvAWCp6klK-w8J4Te439GwCVGXY-t9ARhyphenhyphenQiu1bstWN8z4mIGagp-aE59VglaJXXq1MlT6WFT3srugozyFBDYIEyhvz3c2BHnB/s1600/Sadieandlance+ready+for+garbos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP1-j3Puz640aFaNiKLteZIkfeKeHVv6Q41bvAWCp6klK-w8J4Te439GwCVGXY-t9ARhyphenhyphenQiu1bstWN8z4mIGagp-aE59VglaJXXq1MlT6WFT3srugozyFBDYIEyhvz3c2BHnB/s640/Sadieandlance+ready+for+garbos.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTUxWl3-xpIw-dgeOjzLRyME4t3MYwBaCgcHMqZ68c8usx21qXMvxJG5cSQXjjXzuQWLGCmuUTYGUqyRERtGLVs1vjFB7UpLdht0cUuCihHlgqd4xiwqRfo-6FYvP4O3bpO7g/s1600/Sadieandlance+NYE+wonder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTUxWl3-xpIw-dgeOjzLRyME4t3MYwBaCgcHMqZ68c8usx21qXMvxJG5cSQXjjXzuQWLGCmuUTYGUqyRERtGLVs1vjFB7UpLdht0cUuCihHlgqd4xiwqRfo-6FYvP4O3bpO7g/s640/Sadieandlance+NYE+wonder.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New Years Eve fun with fire</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFv2IU8uH8u05DEAjv1Mhs3uWbRD1Lg8aRwhBIDIIrUn2rYN5wJ4SWho5GATG0_3ojxkqnh0Q8M-6Sypn5BupM7Z6z5U0ASUiX7f9CouDnn8ImXVzG6a9fj-Mp8eNKmMNobqt/s1600/Sadieandlance+NYE+glow+dance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFv2IU8uH8u05DEAjv1Mhs3uWbRD1Lg8aRwhBIDIIrUn2rYN5wJ4SWho5GATG0_3ojxkqnh0Q8M-6Sypn5BupM7Z6z5U0ASUiX7f9CouDnn8ImXVzG6a9fj-Mp8eNKmMNobqt/s640/Sadieandlance+NYE+glow+dance.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Glow stick dancing is way more fun than watching fireworks on the telly</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTWegv7jSJ5w2g7emkYtWCcC_dgmyM1scg9GWGvZr9CV1C9qQD_uqtAgkig2sv4Aug-xXF4L-jb3Bqp4acuWqjGBbm5ZGlKhhpdbwurB3Pc9lNImWthOV1TU62q8tnxlDkBiY/s1600/Sadieandlance+puppy+pal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTWegv7jSJ5w2g7emkYtWCcC_dgmyM1scg9GWGvZr9CV1C9qQD_uqtAgkig2sv4Aug-xXF4L-jb3Bqp4acuWqjGBbm5ZGlKhhpdbwurB3Pc9lNImWthOV1TU62q8tnxlDkBiY/s640/Sadieandlance+puppy+pal.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our very own, rather old Hairy McLarey</i></td></tr>
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SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-86845533563453101672012-10-31T21:02:00.000+11:002012-10-31T21:02:03.217+11:00Little Red Dress<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEzBPMNe6jc270iZxSj-1bViKEm-pzy9hMCQqmJ2D_SrP5jJUmw27gqQUEum_Plb6AD4Auq8yliNFsArib0AVb7V8muAlOn-_WZ-wVzLY4IRhxX0SKq6dHVt-BV6-zfk59C03/s1600/Sadieandlance+Little+Red+Dress+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEzBPMNe6jc270iZxSj-1bViKEm-pzy9hMCQqmJ2D_SrP5jJUmw27gqQUEum_Plb6AD4Auq8yliNFsArib0AVb7V8muAlOn-_WZ-wVzLY4IRhxX0SKq6dHVt-BV6-zfk59C03/s640/Sadieandlance+Little+Red+Dress+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't get much sewing time at the moment, mere snippets here and there. I'm combating that by tracing and cutting heaps of patterns in advance, pairing them up with fabric and loading up a basket with it all. That way when I have a rare snippet of time to sew I am ready to go. I figure it's more satisfying that way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUGTUaqcwrjR-mIap85UJ0uSFpE509AuAqgA4sF7YTk3ZlauTcdbFj4-VM46JKydVGuHg6FCh50z8bB5gTViIQbKB3bH9nJXQebF-QJeA2sIF0dxKvB59VnKJjR-c2kRRBHkc/s1600/Sadieandlance+Little+Red+Dress+Buttons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUGTUaqcwrjR-mIap85UJ0uSFpE509AuAqgA4sF7YTk3ZlauTcdbFj4-VM46JKydVGuHg6FCh50z8bB5gTViIQbKB3bH9nJXQebF-QJeA2sIF0dxKvB59VnKJjR-c2kRRBHkc/s640/Sadieandlance+Little+Red+Dress+Buttons.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course I got a bit over excited with my tracing and cutting plans and it has taken forever to trace and cut everything and get it to the basket. It took all my self control not to just start sewing. In the end I cut my tracing list short and just got cracking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgV3kUMn7RpwWS7jkyBzU1yv_Yr0uOLmqLQVZr8GySEPNrwMiri2p3b57HxT0OBaZ4lqXgyCz8lJWUqvL5Ni3YKqyZhtzOFDjAz1M4YgwHAPLyowGP26bJc1OfdjzeW8Gyj8G/s1600/Sadieandlance+Little+Red+Dress+Piping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgV3kUMn7RpwWS7jkyBzU1yv_Yr0uOLmqLQVZr8GySEPNrwMiri2p3b57HxT0OBaZ4lqXgyCz8lJWUqvL5Ni3YKqyZhtzOFDjAz1M4YgwHAPLyowGP26bJc1OfdjzeW8Gyj8G/s640/Sadieandlance+Little+Red+Dress+Piping.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Starting with this sweet little red dress. Not sure who it will be for yet, but there is a new list of little girls needing christmas presents and this will fit the bill for one of them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOj9RkkRx8UnuZqQ_FN0r1UulI0lkDF1fHZ5uMlPJ3L4Eo4gV5YLZXMHj65J0TmQ4gvKBS5MWEctfJyT0siWMs95WHZ1h13iQ_DQejRyb9DAdcdw-LndVwEp_0xTrjIZU2THz/s1600/Sadieandlance+Little+Red+Dress+and+Shed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOj9RkkRx8UnuZqQ_FN0r1UulI0lkDF1fHZ5uMlPJ3L4Eo4gV5YLZXMHj65J0TmQ4gvKBS5MWEctfJyT0siWMs95WHZ1h13iQ_DQejRyb9DAdcdw-LndVwEp_0xTrjIZU2THz/s640/Sadieandlance+Little+Red+Dress+and+Shed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pattern is the Little Deer Pinafore from Ottobre 2008/1. I was intending to just test the pattern with this red spot before using the "nice" fabric but I really like it. And look! It has piping. And perfect buttons; thank you enormous button stash.</div>
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Oh and here's one of my photography assistants/trip hazards: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXCc001_-uKSSHKGxEwacA4dEPdrMgZQbXNqxdEKyS_efGk4W4H_8vW6CWfBoEmufelYkU1WgHI3ZTzaRhrhyq4XcO3K8PzeZOyeC5m6zJ4OszjhJqtSj7jrw-Va5TwyNwBBP/s1600/Sadieandlance+Helpers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXCc001_-uKSSHKGxEwacA4dEPdrMgZQbXNqxdEKyS_efGk4W4H_8vW6CWfBoEmufelYkU1WgHI3ZTzaRhrhyq4XcO3K8PzeZOyeC5m6zJ4OszjhJqtSj7jrw-Va5TwyNwBBP/s640/Sadieandlance+Helpers.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-22068525281238502342012-10-23T09:00:00.002+11:002012-10-28T07:50:22.376+11:00Under The Pear Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtlmhnNAmHyAp2IbSKNzHapynHQrbvUg2JzJANwZJmlgfS-38P6igqZkRkMFcYtJf3R99nV73McnAx0DVUhyphenhyphenjqOCfqK3zyIvwZkv2Ypvj4OpKTOfRCDi-gKRxvrU9iYy26VjF/s1600/Sadieandlance+Under+The+Pear+Tree+ADJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtlmhnNAmHyAp2IbSKNzHapynHQrbvUg2JzJANwZJmlgfS-38P6igqZkRkMFcYtJf3R99nV73McnAx0DVUhyphenhyphenjqOCfqK3zyIvwZkv2Ypvj4OpKTOfRCDi-gKRxvrU9iYy26VjF/s640/Sadieandlance+Under+The+Pear+Tree+ADJ.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've got plenty of crafty things to post, but there are more important things afoot. We knew when we first rented our little 1950s museum house that it would eventually be knocked down to make way for 34 soul-less townhouses and apartments. The time has come.<br />
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Before we move I want to write more about the garden and how important it is to me but for now I am going to write about afternoon tea under the pear tree.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO0AwPkMC_-m9OMULN_O4Ez5CSJhGzTl3gwa9ltFo2vgRdXQ0DRWr4v5qz8dGPmPZM3Dxc8j6U6QEaTvnyGqU_9Xtim1wwnM3y4_2zB5NtbOahZCvSSEUqZ_kb4teEg4v-jyy/s1600/Sadieandlance+Under+the+Pear+Tree+Lanterns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO0AwPkMC_-m9OMULN_O4Ez5CSJhGzTl3gwa9ltFo2vgRdXQ0DRWr4v5qz8dGPmPZM3Dxc8j6U6QEaTvnyGqU_9Xtim1wwnM3y4_2zB5NtbOahZCvSSEUqZ_kb4teEg4v-jyy/s640/Sadieandlance+Under+the+Pear+Tree+Lanterns.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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About this time is the perfect time of year for doing pretty much anything (other than sun baking) under the pear tree. It's about 50 years old and enormous. So, when it finally bursts into bloom, after a cold winter, it provides the most glorious shade, perfect for sitting under. It's our favourite spot to go to when we're hanging out in the garden reading, eating, knitting, just sitting, drinking beer, whatever.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0eZyAxe0PyTuNo7_oMQHk8EWYZDKajSHfo7znEDnzu2qw68ENRuNgNg606rfDrXnolkyRz3f3iHaM4e8yVwI7UTM8jlMnzq5539keefJcFjZg8HwW0cemVIOtj8dAlL0rclF/s1600/Sadieandlance+Afternoon+tea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0eZyAxe0PyTuNo7_oMQHk8EWYZDKajSHfo7znEDnzu2qw68ENRuNgNg606rfDrXnolkyRz3f3iHaM4e8yVwI7UTM8jlMnzq5539keefJcFjZg8HwW0cemVIOtj8dAlL0rclF/s640/Sadieandlance+Afternoon+tea.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, I invited some of my lovely friends who share my appreciation for my beautiful pear tree and treated them to afternoon tea. A last little hoorah for 'my' beautiful pear tree.<br />
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Homemade Neenish Tarts ( a Sadie specialty), Blueberry Honey Cakes, Bourke Street Bakery Pork and Fennel Sausage Rolls (complete with homemade puff pastry - bit excited by that) and (accidentally) Burnt Caramel Custard Puddings. And my lovely friends added scones and mini quiches to the mix.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMqBasKm-tC1FT1U2l7ClqGtFZcDd_1DmyU21FNDsDpdfE3ymoLxjaiVbyEd2ii4C5FEEsCh028qPiur4f_OlJIWcxnOJxY-d5CanbaK56pwfu3QogZFnxjzy0qSzqrB0SpRP/s1600/Sadieandlance+Under+the+Pear+Tree+Abandoned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMqBasKm-tC1FT1U2l7ClqGtFZcDd_1DmyU21FNDsDpdfE3ymoLxjaiVbyEd2ii4C5FEEsCh028qPiur4f_OlJIWcxnOJxY-d5CanbaK56pwfu3QogZFnxjzy0qSzqrB0SpRP/s640/Sadieandlance+Under+the+Pear+Tree+Abandoned.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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After a couple of weeks of glorious spring weather, we were defeated by windchill and raindrops so we abandoned the pear tree and retreated inside to my very messy, cramped dining room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcqd8RBV6YFNa7_j3bJ4wK7aWaxynxnsUhrztT_LhDZNhOVZa9ZqZRuO2CKMB_BeLJ0d9EOi8kkorPEGuipRI5o6rnL1b61v2yZZAKuq6FMuf1EZ9Yz_7Bc4mrIOPoI0Ogo8Z/s1600/Sadieandlance+abandoned+afternoon+tea+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcqd8RBV6YFNa7_j3bJ4wK7aWaxynxnsUhrztT_LhDZNhOVZa9ZqZRuO2CKMB_BeLJ0d9EOi8kkorPEGuipRI5o6rnL1b61v2yZZAKuq6FMuf1EZ9Yz_7Bc4mrIOPoI0Ogo8Z/s640/Sadieandlance+abandoned+afternoon+tea+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We set up a sheltered workshop, hand sewing for G's kids' school fete. G is the Yoda of school fete crafting. We chatted. We ate the (accidentally) Burnt Caramel Custards. Accidental because I didn't mean to burn the caramel. Lucky I did though. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5T4Ou5cuSMU40Qizcyz86SvTIVxerM4vajXWokabPs4Sth081QdR2n6juF7vH9CEHTIsF7KNTrtht4oibTDNxWYvvnRukAPRrqbjzM9DZpAlG0PQKA6HYaL4L21JguKGACcd/s1600/Sadieandlance+Under+the+Pear+Tree+Burnt+Caramel+Custard+Puddings+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5T4Ou5cuSMU40Qizcyz86SvTIVxerM4vajXWokabPs4Sth081QdR2n6juF7vH9CEHTIsF7KNTrtht4oibTDNxWYvvnRukAPRrqbjzM9DZpAlG0PQKA6HYaL4L21JguKGACcd/s640/Sadieandlance+Under+the+Pear+Tree+Burnt+Caramel+Custard+Puddings+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All in all a very fitting last hoorah to a beautiful old tree, even if we only sat under it for fifteen minutes.<br />
<br />SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-76204450188083194342012-09-26T15:47:00.000+10:002012-09-26T15:47:21.980+10:00Why, hello there<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulBQA5xRhZGk3kGQw9v0emyJis39d8kx7L6uVtp8ne8mxPk8RfE0fIze0vzB67zr5YupgdflKWbryfBLBPxZq7S3qvpDVwuXv98DTT3IM3gLwnIdOjLn1uQNHe0oz1CupaJ0g/s1600/SadieandLance+back+to+blogging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulBQA5xRhZGk3kGQw9v0emyJis39d8kx7L6uVtp8ne8mxPk8RfE0fIze0vzB67zr5YupgdflKWbryfBLBPxZq7S3qvpDVwuXv98DTT3IM3gLwnIdOjLn1uQNHe0oz1CupaJ0g/s320/SadieandLance+back+to+blogging.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been thinking about this space a lot. For a while, I didn't miss it. At all. Now, though, I find I am. When I look back through my archives I am reminded why I started this space in the first place; as a way to track my progress and keep in touch with friends.<br />
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My little space has grown so much since the start seven years ago and I can see my craft skills - in knitting, sewing, crochet etc - have too. Heck even my HTML skills have. They have all grown because of this space and the community it exists in. I like that.<br />
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I like that I can see old favourite projects, evidence of my extreme attention deficient crafting ways, favourite things baked. I especially like that alongside all of that I can see how my Smurf is growing.<br />
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I also like that this space (and the ever expanding associated spaces) has introduced me to so many friends, many that I now choose to spend time with in "real" life. Well, in my offline life. I now live in the same city as one of my earliest blogging friends and we hang out sometimes. That's pretty cool in my book. She even still has a toy I made her many years ago.<br />
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So, with all that in mind and that there are adventures of another wee Smurf, a Smurfette in fact, to keep track of, I'm making my way back here. I'll be treating it as I always have, as my own personal reference. I won't be trying hard to impress anyone.<br />
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I'll just be having fun, hanging out and reminding myself of stuff I'm doing with craft (mostly) my reference point. Who knows, maybe I'll find some more friends along the way?<br />
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PS My comment system is completely borked. I need to fiddle and get rid of it. Apologies if you feel inclined to comment and it doesn't work.<br />
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<br />SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-41583288694698219282011-11-29T14:11:00.001+11:002011-11-29T21:40:15.678+11:00Giveaway! Kids Crafternoon Felting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mo07tALtuGmJ6_eZeE2cxfZ0PSioTM5cDh3Zm9IyJ0B-nprmSMhLGYdvwoZ8eoXRfUU2VU6mL5ETORbMQJZgwtA3GI9Mls2ntTx8ZiQmYw7AwISoF5dAIgmPTubgMBs0aRH2/s1600/IMG_3403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mo07tALtuGmJ6_eZeE2cxfZ0PSioTM5cDh3Zm9IyJ0B-nprmSMhLGYdvwoZ8eoXRfUU2VU6mL5ETORbMQJZgwtA3GI9Mls2ntTx8ZiQmYw7AwISoF5dAIgmPTubgMBs0aRH2/s640/IMG_3403.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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I have a few soap boxes. One of those is the pinkification of kids craft kits and anything crafty. Pretty, pink and purple boxes with fairies, flowers and butterflies. Never mind about the boys, some girls don't even like it. Kids craft books are often pinkification offenders too. Craft is not just for girls, nor lovers of pink. Which is why I think the <a href="http://whipup.net/2011/11/14/kids-crafternoon-blog-party/" target="_blank">Crafternoon Series</a> of kids craft books, edited by the lovely Kathreen of <a href="http://whipup.net/" target="_blank">WhipUp</a>, are great. </div>
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I should fess up and tell you that I have a project in the Felt version of the series. Mine is the robot (you can bend his arms and legs!) but, while I'm chuffed beyond belief to be included, I would still think this book was great regardless. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9d3ZPxnFe8_J6q4EF65uquyR-eb78h8wjJAUM7Cdm6SIHx9CpYh1-LWG0_9BD19BPwdlUEYc5vuDnqaNmUbo1UGKRFNCijGDhCtakIRZtB4dQ5x9NLEd_7VVUy7tTgz2EWD6/s1600/IMG_3406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9d3ZPxnFe8_J6q4EF65uquyR-eb78h8wjJAUM7Cdm6SIHx9CpYh1-LWG0_9BD19BPwdlUEYc5vuDnqaNmUbo1UGKRFNCijGDhCtakIRZtB4dQ5x9NLEd_7VVUy7tTgz2EWD6/s640/IMG_3406.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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The series of books cover, sewing, paper, beads and felt and provide an excellent range of projects, perfect for school aged kids. I also like that the projects are quite cool and sophisticated - not dumbed down just because the book is aimed at kids. </div>
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I especially love Zombie Key Chain monsters by Lisa from <a href="http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Red Thread</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUZm-UHhSUuKVn8xcXBs2BWXCLMgJYl0fe0X1d5E3ah26SZT9RNqFvMqP15au5b9_jygpvW65s1o85lEiMBfdzK5FNyCnjEbeFAPo1eU84NjLFmzEFi6HwU3xBrro0l6yXYexnQ/s1600/zombie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUZm-UHhSUuKVn8xcXBs2BWXCLMgJYl0fe0X1d5E3ah26SZT9RNqFvMqP15au5b9_jygpvW65s1o85lEiMBfdzK5FNyCnjEbeFAPo1eU84NjLFmzEFi6HwU3xBrro0l6yXYexnQ/s640/zombie.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
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<i>image from: <a href="http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Red Thread</a></i></div>
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The books are available at bookshops and online (<a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=kids+crafternoon" target="_blank">Booktopia</a> has them for 15% off at the moment). Or, if you would like to win a copy, leave a comment here telling me who you want the book for and you'll be in the draw. Make sure you leave a link to your blog or twitter account or an email address with your comment. I'll draw a random winner on Monday 5 December. </div>
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And here's some other contributors to the book (hint you can still win a copy of the book on the last couple of blogs):</div>
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NOV 14: <a href="http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/kids-crafternoon-books-giveaway.html" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">The Red Thread</a><br />
NOV 15: <a href="http://soozs.blogspot.com/2011/11/crafternoon.html" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Soosz</a><br />
NOV 16: <a href="http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/11/kids-crafternoon-giveaway.html" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">mmmcrafts</a><br />
NOV 17: <a href="http://pm-betweenthelines.blogspot.com/2011/11/kids-crafternoon-blog-tour-beading.html" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Between the Lines</a><br />
NOV 18: <a href="http://www.christinechitnis.com/" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Christine Chitnis</a><br />
NOV 19: <a href="http://chezbeeperbebe.blogspot.com/2011/11/kids-crafternoon-blog-party-and-lucky.html" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Chez Beeper Bebe</a><br />
NOV 20: <a href="http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=526" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">The Happy Zombie</a><br />
NOV 21: <a href="http://www.gomakeme.com/2011/11/kids-crafternoon-blog-party-and-your-chance-to-win-a-copy-of-each-book.html" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Go Make Me</a><br />
NOV 22: <a href="http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2011/11/kids-crafternoon-blog-party-felting.html" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Love in the Mommyhood</a><br />
NOV 23: <a href="http://jchandmade.typepad.com/jc_handmade/2011/11/kids-crafternoon-blog-party.html" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">JCasa Handmade</a><br />
NOV 24: <a href="http://picklebums.com/2011/11/24/fusible-beads-and-a-kids-crafternoon-give-away/" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Picklebums</a><br />
NOV 25: <a href="http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2011/11/giveaway-kids-crafternoon-beading.html" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Modern Parents Messy Kids</a><br />
NOV 26: <a href="http://simplekids.net/" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Simple Kids</a><br />
NOV 27: <a href="http://www.lilmagoolie.com/2011/11/27/giveaway-kids-crafternoon-books/" style="color: #a7858b; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">li'l magoolie</a></div>
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NOV 30: <a href="http://www.littleecofootprints.com/" style="color: #a7858b; text-decoration: none;">Little Eco Footprints</a><br />
DEC 1: Lisa Siebert on <a href="http://www.poppytalk.blogspot.com/" style="color: #a7858b; text-decoration: none;">Poppytalk</a></div>
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<i>Edited to add: apologies but this is open only to people with an Australian address. Check some of the other links above if you're overseas and want to win...or keep an eye on </i><a href="http://www.thetoysociety.blogspot.com/">www.thetoysociety.blogspot.com</a> <i>in the next day or so...)</i><br />
<br />SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-37641928253344861732011-11-16T09:00:00.000+11:002011-11-16T10:38:37.143+11:00Christmas Tree Bunting<br />
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<a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2009/11/tutorial-christmas-tree-bunting_3645.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2580/4118153297_c8af732d5d_m.jpg" /></a></div>
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It's creeping up on us and I know from looking at the stats that there's quite a few people out there ramping things up in readiness for Christmas. The <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2009/11/tutorial-christmas-tree-bunting_3645.html" target="_blank">Christmas Tree Bunting post</a> is the most popular post on this little blog and every year around this time it starts getting a good work out. </div>
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I'm chuffed, I quite like Christmas and I made the bunting on a whim a few years ago when I was starting to add new traditions, decorations and treats to our little family celebrations. It was also the year of our first <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2009/12/hots-and-not.html" target="_blank"> advent calendar</a>, which is now a much anticipated annual tradition. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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This year I plan to:</div>
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- Make some new <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2009/11/tutorial-christmas-tree-bunting_3645.html" target="_blank">bunting</a></div>
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- Making <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2011/01/um-merry-christmas-happy-new-year-etc.html" target="_blank">gingerbread houses</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50148980@N00/4228249870/" target="_blank">again</a>. Love this new tradition</div>
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- Making 2 new <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2009/12/hots-and-not.html" target="_blank">advent calendars</a> for the nephews</div>
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- Finishing most of my Christmas shopping early. Although I will still visit the shops just before Christmas as I usually forget someone or decide I need something extra. Sadistic as it sounds, I like the thrill of a visit to the shops in the last week before Christmas. </div>
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- Lots of baked treats - <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2009/11/whats-hot-and-whats-not.html" target="_blank">pudding</a>, cake, <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2009/12/hots-and-not_23.html" target="_blank">gingerbread biscuits</a>, <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2011/01/um-merry-christmas-happy-new-year-etc.html" target="_blank">mince pies</a>, neenish tarts, <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2011/01/um-merry-christmas-happy-new-year-etc.html" target="_blank">jam</a>, fudge and some new additions yet to be decided</div>
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- Making some gifts - softies and other things to play with</div>
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Let's see how I go with that list, huh. Got anything I should add to it?</div>
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<br /></div>SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-4653461964305027982011-11-14T22:47:00.001+11:002011-11-14T23:00:20.263+11:00Up The Duff<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadieandlance/6278015421/" title="19 weeks by SadieandLance, on Flickr"><img alt="19 weeks" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6097/6278015421_641e16a774.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
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Yep, up the duff. At the point of writing this I'm 22 weeks. <br />
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I have spent a bit of time looking over the posts I wrote when I was <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/search/label/Up%20the%20Duff" target="_blank">up the duff with The Smurf </a>and I've really enjoyed them. It's nice to look at those pictures and read those words and re-experience some of the feelings and thoughts and I don't want to miss that this time round.SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-55542058031568253472011-10-12T14:12:00.003+11:002011-10-12T14:12:37.228+11:00Oh Help! Oh No! It's a Gruffalo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, it's a cake! The Smurfs' cake. No, I didn't make it; an amazing, generous friend did. Every last little fondant character.<br />
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It's that time of year again. Last year it was a <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2010/09/little-merchandise-obsessed-cowboy.html">merchandise obsessed cowboy</a>. This year, a feast, in the gorgeous National Botanic Gardens (or the deep dark wood, depending on your imagination), with our favourite storybook character - The Gruffalo. </div>
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The invites were sent, rsvps collected and the food list discussed - scrambled snake, roasted fox, owl icecream and gruffalo crumble for the kids, of course. </div>
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Despite being organised, a last minute decision to finish some things of the night before, instead of the morning of the party. A decision that turned out to be wise without knowing.<br />
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Unfortunately, the Smurf was rushed to hospital via ambulance at 2.30am with a bad croup and asthma attack.<br />
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Thankfully with some steroids it resolved itself and we were back home by 5.30am. After only half an hour sleep more, the Smurf was up and at em with his cousins, in anticipation of the party.<br />
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Canberra turned on a spectacularly sunny day - albeit with a icy-cold wind (fun for the northern visitors who all whimpered every time the wind gusted).<br />
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We trudged up to the gardens armed with party supplies for 20 kids and many more adults (when will I learn?!).<br />
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I was prepared with a copy of The Gruffalo to read to the kids, a nature scavenger hunt, pinata, pin the poisonous wart on the Gruffalo's nose and a collection of equipment-less games (what's the time Mr Wolf etc) in case the kids were bored in the gardens (no play equipment, just magnificent beauty to behold).<br />
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I needn't have bothered. The kids were enamoured with the gardens. They ran, explored and climbed on the rock garden. If there was a Gruffalo to be found in those gardens, by golly they would have found it. We were also lucky enough to have the local old-bloke kangaroo quietly munching grass all day to the endless delight of the kids.<br />
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They ran back to the table every so often for food - which I was so prepared to photograph this year, but alas after my 2 1/2 hours sleep you'll just have to take my word for it when I say there was (very popular) mini sausages in a roll (roasted fox), teeny little dip cups with carrot and cheese sticks for dipping, fairy bread and zucchini slice (scrambled snake).<br />
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(The adults had chicken, walnut and mayo ciabatta rolls, ham, cheese and relish sandwiches, trash dip and a cheese platter).<br />
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After a long time playing, I decided I would try my luck getting the kids to sit on a picnic blanket and listen to me read The Gruffalo. ALL TWENTY KIDS SAT QUIETLY and listened. They loved the book.<br />
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We quickly segued into a failed pinata. Failed because someone forgot to tell the pinata assistant that the kids would have a token hit at the pinata with a stick before pulling the strings (that kind of pinata). And so some kids pulled the string straight away and out came the lollies - meaning it all lasted about 20 seconds. The kids didn't care, they got to scramble for loot (see above).<br />
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A quick game of pin the poisonous wart on the gruffalo's nose....<br />
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...and it was time for the amazing cake.<br />
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Hands off the cake newphew! And that's the smurf in the stripes in the corner of the photo above reminding everyone he is F.O.U.R. OK?</div>
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With some owl cupcakes (owl ice cream substitute) and fruit sticks). </div>
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No need for Gruffalo crumble though - there was an ACTUAL gruffalo on the cake! </div>
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Lots more playing before the lolly bags were handed out, everyone wandered down the hill and the party was over. </div>
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It was, if I am allowed to say, a brilliant party. The Smurf had a ball and held it together after a night of just 4 hours sleep. He had his kindy and Canberra friends, treasured family and precious cousins there. It was our first foray into inviting people outside of family and our own friends and I won't hesitate to do it again. </div>
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Speaking of memorable, the next day in front of all the family in our backyard, one of our hens revealed itself as a rooster. Cockadoodle-do!</div>
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Happy birthday my beautiful Smurf. Every day you make me smile in wonder at the amazing person you're growing up to be. We love you to the sun and back times infinity. </div>
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SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-44508714455949986172011-08-18T15:42:00.000+10:002011-08-18T15:42:34.028+10:00Homesewn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6054729745_5a1883a8f0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6054729745_5a1883a8f0.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
I made some undies! Yep, made my own undies.<br />
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Whenever I tell people they seem to think it's hugely amusing or gross. Whatever, I'm not the first to make my own. It was ridiculously easy too, instead of a pattern you cut up an old pair and trace a pattern from them. Easy! You can even use a (washed) old tshirt.<br />
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Next time I will sew the elastic on the inside, I think. I used a slightly heavy jersey, which makes for a nice comfy fit.<br />
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I followed the details <a href="http://www.amyalamode.com/blog/2009/07/13/brand-spankin-new/">here</a>.<br />
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What do you think about sewing your own undies? Hugely amusing? Gawd you're disgusting? Or I'm clicking on that link right now!SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-5888263587609198902011-06-10T22:42:00.002+10:002011-06-10T22:45:55.272+10:00Falafel – If you love them, this recipe will change your (falafel eating) life<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLGxN6rld9FrqC2lZu4JAww44FUC4_phZfHG6afN9YuEnidm6_ClFnHlPjEoFOJOQnTbEnsmtDynL0meMhoCADi5sDQfwZm3CS0RxK78aAExsFogFA7s7ZnoaurPEjkCO0AmZ/s1600/IMG_2164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLGxN6rld9FrqC2lZu4JAww44FUC4_phZfHG6afN9YuEnidm6_ClFnHlPjEoFOJOQnTbEnsmtDynL0meMhoCADi5sDQfwZm3CS0RxK78aAExsFogFA7s7ZnoaurPEjkCO0AmZ/s400/IMG_2164.jpg" width="297" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Bold statement I know, but let me explain. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span>Falafel are yummy. Having once been vegetarian for about 10 years, I feel qualified. I still favour falafel over a shawarma (lamb kebab), even though I am back to eating meat now. So, as a falafel lover, I have been making them for years but I could never get that delicious crisp outside with light fluffy insides – you know what I mean.<br />
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</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve tried all the same recipes you have. On all those websites, in all my (many) cookbooks and food magazines, from blogs and the tried and tested ones scribbled on paper. Most of them were fine, but none of them were perfect or close to authentic and not one of them used (what I now know to be) the proper method. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span>The main problem was that, without fail, they fall apart in the pan. So then of course I would add egg and rice flour to bind the mix – which in turn makes them hard, dry and yuck. Every.single.time.<br />
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Then last year after searching for some authentic recipes and chatting with a Lebanese friend, I found the answer. I didn’t believe it at first. Soaked, and not cooked, chickpeas. NEVER tinned. The not boiled bit was what threw me, but who am I to argue with hundreds (thousands?) of years of cooking falafel? (Incidentally I stupidly did try and defy those many generations of experience by using boiled peas on my first attempt at this method. GUARANTEED FAILURE, but by all means do feel free to try it out yourself.)<br />
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So, believe me (and the many, many middle-eastern families who’ve been doing it this way for generations) it works. You can thank me later for all the testing and practising I’ve done for you. Why didn’t I go down this path earlier?<br />
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Before I share the recipe I use, here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way through trial and error.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Soak your beans for a LONG time. At least 24 hours – or they will not hold together. Just put them in a bowl, cover with water and ignore them on the bench for a day or two. Sometimes I even leave them for two nights. But replace your water once or twice if you remember. </span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You can use just chickpeas or broad beans or a combination of both. You will need to shell the broad beans though (after they are soaked).</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You will need to scrape down the sides of your food processor when you blitz them. Probably a couple of times. Persist with it, if it’s not blitzed well it won’t cook well.</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Make a double batch and freeze half of the made up mix. Revelation I tell you! Works perfectly. Just defrost, roll into balls and fry. Falafel whenever you feel like it.</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You can buy dried pulses from the supermarket, but I prefer to get mine from the market. Buying in bulk is fine, they keep for ages. I also boil up a big batch (not for falafel, of course!) then freeze with a bit of the boiling water in small containers or ziplock bags. Cheaper and much yummier than tinned chickpeas and with less salt. Also, a good way to afford organic. </span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You can shallow pan fry the falafels in oil if you prefer not to deep fry them.</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re new to deep frying, you can use a small saucepan to deep fry in batches so that you don’t need to use as much oil. Just make sure your saucepan edge is high enough so the oil won’t overflow when you put your felafel in to fry. Fill the saucepan with oil about 5cm high and make sure you turn your felafels during cooking to brown all sides.</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Add some sesame seeds to the mix. </span></li>
</ul><div>And now the recipe. You will find most authentic falafel recipes are pretty much like this. Some use more garlic, some ask for baking powder instead of bicarb soda, whatever the slight tweaks, the soak - blitz with flavour -fry method remains the same.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6B7fnn5eb61NjQ4NzU5ZTgtNjVkNS00ZDAxLWIzMDEtZjEyNmM0MGM5Njc2&hl=en_US&authkey=CMzL_OYD">Download Recipe with tips here</a>.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">INGREDIENTS:</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup dried chickpeas (DON'T shortcut with tinned or boiled it will not work)</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup dried broad beans (as above cannot be stressed enough!)</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 small red onion finely chopped</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 garlic cloves, chopped</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">¼ cup chopped flat leaf parsley (can add or substitute with fresh coriander)</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp bicarb soda</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 1/2 tsp salt flakes (less if using table salt)</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp ground cumin</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp paprika</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Water (a couple of Tbsp)</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Oil </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">for frying</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>METHOD</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Soak the chickpeas and broad beans for at least 24 hours. Shell the broad beans when they are soft enough to pop out of the shells. Do NOT use tinned or boiled beans, they must be dried and soaked.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Drain the beans and rinse.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Place all ingredients, except the water and oil, in the food processor. Pulse the mixture until it is gritty, but fine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You will need to scrape the sides of your bowl a few times. Add the water to help the mixture along. You might need lots, you might need a little – it depends on the mixture. Give the mix one last blitz for good measure.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Heat deep fryer (or oil in the pan). Throw in a parsley leaf to test it. It should sizzle well, but not too vigorously. (If the oil isn’t hot enough your felafel will be oily, but if it’s too hot the outside will cook before the middle).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Roll balls (not too big 1 – 2 Tbsp of mix) of falafel mix and carefully drop into the hot oil. Fry until brown and crisp all over.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Drain on paper towels and serve hot.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6B7fnn5eb61NjQ4NzU5ZTgtNjVkNS00ZDAxLWIzMDEtZjEyNmM0MGM5Njc2&hl=en_US&authkey=CMzL_OYD">Download recipe with tips here. </a></span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div></div>SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-28871665493102200392011-05-08T23:35:00.000+10:002011-05-08T23:35:54.569+10:00On saddles and getting back in them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAQrWI5jzOaQSBfVtpH-IFc2SnWtce1G2CUBtzYe5GbGQ70LUHhBshnE6MVtUiJB2ggKjLuZtuH3ryzhctyERwKtDtKys8boIcsYs-PnOXIsLzh5DMvcEF5SD0-IoU1SXVlBJ/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAQrWI5jzOaQSBfVtpH-IFc2SnWtce1G2CUBtzYe5GbGQ70LUHhBshnE6MVtUiJB2ggKjLuZtuH3ryzhctyERwKtDtKys8boIcsYs-PnOXIsLzh5DMvcEF5SD0-IoU1SXVlBJ/s400/IMG_1932.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's not like I don't think about coming back to this space. And it's not like I'm not doing any crafty stuff. It's just that I've been away from this space for so long that I get intimidated by getting started back on posting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I'll keep it simple while I'm climbing back into the saddle. Simple, like this Asymmetrical Wrap top I made a few weeks ago. Genius pattern. Cut in 1 piece in 5 mins. Another 5 for adjusting and a maximum of 10 minutes zig-zag stitching around the edges because I couldn't be arsed to change the thread on the overlocker. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Made in a cheap wool acrylic blend to test the pattern. So good that I'm now busy assessing the nice stuff to make some more of these.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fix it closed with a brooch and it's my new fav top for wearing in autumn. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nice to see you again! I think I'll come back soon to tell you about How to Love Canberra and my beautiful "vintage" house.</div>SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-26452583039354526592011-02-12T19:29:00.003+11:002011-02-12T21:14:38.078+11:00For Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaokVMyAx3i7I5RJ8EI-u7XhgSu8lj6gi3MQzITNIdtRra3uboqfrZvA4BOEM5RLKti-gmP3n5I7t6MjbBLvSpn2arcEfStyfQTHyVoSmBl_R-EZFs5RvYG_wLiinDsiQJx8eo/s1600/iphone+164.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaokVMyAx3i7I5RJ8EI-u7XhgSu8lj6gi3MQzITNIdtRra3uboqfrZvA4BOEM5RLKti-gmP3n5I7t6MjbBLvSpn2arcEfStyfQTHyVoSmBl_R-EZFs5RvYG_wLiinDsiQJx8eo/s400/iphone+164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572735652347778178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was inspired to think about blogging again last night, by a meeting of like-minded local ladies of the Information Super Highway. It reminded me (not the ladies, but the desire to blog) that I had a little blouse fest recently - well if you can call sewing two blouses a fest.<br /><br />I knew I would need some light cotton tops for the hot Canberra summer, so I raided the stash for the cheapie cotton (to test some patterns) and set out. The first was the very easy <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=791">Made By Rae Spring Ruffle Top</a> - minus the ruffles for me thanks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf-OL-Tbl64YUS9O8vyntzFku7LNQM5kLTU15usciRWrJnvoJ7LRuDIqHpBtVrs5tAwlC9E-A1k8UDVDExaeIF0my8UQF5phcKnluEksmrRuNSdcpDBM_-T97SS8E0x8ZKYN4/s1600/iphone+166.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf-OL-Tbl64YUS9O8vyntzFku7LNQM5kLTU15usciRWrJnvoJ7LRuDIqHpBtVrs5tAwlC9E-A1k8UDVDExaeIF0my8UQF5phcKnluEksmrRuNSdcpDBM_-T97SS8E0x8ZKYN4/s400/iphone+166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572741115671326578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Super easy, minimal pieces to cut and a cinch to put together. I didn't quite have the width in my cheap IKEA fabric to allow for much gathering, but I think I prefer it this way. I have some voile cut and ready to make another one.<br /><br />If you're thinking about starting out sewing your own clothes, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=791">try the Made by Rae top</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwv_7_6s4MtZz3CDe4rdTO1kgNFKxsExuSju0oVTxVDgcrNlak1pd8_KfPOBn1i_pajQk3bh3Uc29ahu7tJqfdPsnMU0W75AG5Rd-odpdD1W7SGtivopovpB3k-pTmUsWtUHR/s1600/iphone+049.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwv_7_6s4MtZz3CDe4rdTO1kgNFKxsExuSju0oVTxVDgcrNlak1pd8_KfPOBn1i_pajQk3bh3Uc29ahu7tJqfdPsnMU0W75AG5Rd-odpdD1W7SGtivopovpB3k-pTmUsWtUHR/s400/iphone+049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572735655194493106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then I went on a wild, magical, mystery sewing adventure where I used three tops from my wardrobe to scramble a pattern together. It's not perfect, but I really like it - especially the pin tucks on the bust.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0a-k2c0x7hRREM02VVm_kjD0xjrxT288lASux_IFi0MPqk1jipnTZ-9xhTF9rycYWKyXGuOvfau3OphmGRNI9MVf8t715cNQwxvmvJ8iVYnwfuO_oYt3HiPR1G-3umeE3FlY/s1600/iphone+050.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0a-k2c0x7hRREM02VVm_kjD0xjrxT288lASux_IFi0MPqk1jipnTZ-9xhTF9rycYWKyXGuOvfau3OphmGRNI9MVf8t715cNQwxvmvJ8iVYnwfuO_oYt3HiPR1G-3umeE3FlY/s400/iphone+050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572735660744967634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The sleeve lines need adjusting and the neckline needs fixing and the addition of some facing (or the neck binding to be cut on the true bias) to stop the gapping, but for a wearable muslin I'm pretty happy and will be doing this one again.SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-83022437321944095132011-01-11T22:43:00.004+11:002011-01-17T22:01:53.903+11:00Um Merry Christmas, Happy New Year etcWhoops, nearly two months? You really should follow me on <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://twitter.com/sadieandlance">twitter</a>, I'm much more chatty over there lately.<br /><br />With a two month break I'm a bit full of bloggers block, so I'll sum up the fabulous Christmas break with some of my favourite photos.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoatCkM8WDGP_I7eI7ZBBPu5dSlB3hsrYAuMwirfSeaQIpTV-b1PmRWxpybSt_O-jVZInnOg2F1NvUWKpMszt-iQrWKcbfVczI4dVjgjYUvmdCgs4ryDJeGNSZ-GRoIrtN-9RM/s1600/iphone+233.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoatCkM8WDGP_I7eI7ZBBPu5dSlB3hsrYAuMwirfSeaQIpTV-b1PmRWxpybSt_O-jVZInnOg2F1NvUWKpMszt-iQrWKcbfVczI4dVjgjYUvmdCgs4ryDJeGNSZ-GRoIrtN-9RM/s400/iphone+233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563012603604496290" border="0" /></a><br />Special Santa shorts made with <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://mypapercrane.com/">My Paper Crane</a> fabric - which I LOVE.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAlWEzuM47tdYe-1J0f2J1vVJS_Rch3kJdRKS9bnQFW2vgT2IlHdjgZGWXzJLjihQBPV72Lj1QEc7IoPzKcDwA7CQJ4ajV0SGvQoGi8sgGICdF6nEL1TuSeiY0NykOWEHHsNS/s1600/iphone+155.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAlWEzuM47tdYe-1J0f2J1vVJS_Rch3kJdRKS9bnQFW2vgT2IlHdjgZGWXzJLjihQBPV72Lj1QEc7IoPzKcDwA7CQJ4ajV0SGvQoGi8sgGICdF6nEL1TuSeiY0NykOWEHHsNS/s400/iphone+155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560894724754850514" border="0" /></a><br />Beer and chips for Santa. Water and ahhh mushrooms for Rudolf (Nanna had no carrots in her fridge!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijI84vSIdNXRf36mEkxkEWPtGWODrs6_1Fs2-qykmYbbv1iiGLZ2p31SM4-WolCJHJ2kOjlVLZ2uUrhpmxpOKtV7CLzqhWGX9GNHEqyofySSLuq4xTPmzH5F8xf6Fh-0jUeni/s1600/iphone+132.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijI84vSIdNXRf36mEkxkEWPtGWODrs6_1Fs2-qykmYbbv1iiGLZ2p31SM4-WolCJHJ2kOjlVLZ2uUrhpmxpOKtV7CLzqhWGX9GNHEqyofySSLuq4xTPmzH5F8xf6Fh-0jUeni/s400/iphone+132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560894708783435362" border="0" /></a><br />Jars of homemade chutney and jam for important people.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAVtQMsgADkIUFmp5YdoJrGPICTyLEEJnFukxSGlq2tT7NWSsyJQlkqxbx34YTG9nPd6JXsMLGI98nn_94cdFQm94G_tLmwC9IzpTyJDiTQ4NSRw2RSVKN48Uyj0e7wZvLwG5/s1600/iphone+121.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAVtQMsgADkIUFmp5YdoJrGPICTyLEEJnFukxSGlq2tT7NWSsyJQlkqxbx34YTG9nPd6JXsMLGI98nn_94cdFQm94G_tLmwC9IzpTyJDiTQ4NSRw2RSVKN48Uyj0e7wZvLwG5/s400/iphone+121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563102881130532370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lots of Christmas baking -gingerbread biscuits for The Smurf's kindy friends.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizmpDq2f2sb7XuQL1P0TSQc0XcFDJWwXp5JfVx5xMu8KEvsCxAKCIFdqEBctNVHm5U3Bi4BjEnHiUInlMj3rugA4wyERIBM7y3zVI0fhmL3Brsn2NY5VgVuXBJPpIQ10tXPVP/s1600/iphone+124.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizmpDq2f2sb7XuQL1P0TSQc0XcFDJWwXp5JfVx5xMu8KEvsCxAKCIFdqEBctNVHm5U3Bi4BjEnHiUInlMj3rugA4wyERIBM7y3zVI0fhmL3Brsn2NY5VgVuXBJPpIQ10tXPVP/s400/iphone+124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563102885186814706" border="0" /></a><br />He carried his little red basket around the playground handing out biscuits like the pied piper, the trail of kids running behind him growing ever longer!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygjer-NMbmVJO_W95i_DmksbWMTJuwgDvK_K71PC-6_GvvcCtLRjAdgDVJ8RFzKSyKYMiQL8HQeE41EhvbwxtTRo5XvaD5Y4YAVWi_uqDHeqqRtds6-Wf7tv8ecE5PbH6b9Yu/s1600/iphone+055.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygjer-NMbmVJO_W95i_DmksbWMTJuwgDvK_K71PC-6_GvvcCtLRjAdgDVJ8RFzKSyKYMiQL8HQeE41EhvbwxtTRo5XvaD5Y4YAVWi_uqDHeqqRtds6-Wf7tv8ecE5PbH6b9Yu/s400/iphone+055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560894702849745346" border="0" /></a><br />Bakewell Tarts (recipe courtesy of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/71671273@N00/">Ellen's</a> family), also joined by Mince Pies, Salted Caramel Fudge, Belgian Chocolate Fudge, Mango Marshmallows, Christmas Cake and<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4i7Cogh9XDJmobvEThS9m0SmqlSiq13OGpyXtkyv3QXLwh6jd8YuAwckjeTss_neghPVgPd1wUZL21HuvUk89lDyX5-GuCU7s8SbXQuIORz_tWevnmgQdamybrNlPtODsHIv/s1600/iphone+239.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4i7Cogh9XDJmobvEThS9m0SmqlSiq13OGpyXtkyv3QXLwh6jd8YuAwckjeTss_neghPVgPd1wUZL21HuvUk89lDyX5-GuCU7s8SbXQuIORz_tWevnmgQdamybrNlPtODsHIv/s400/iphone+239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563012614132683506" border="0" /></a><br />two, gingerbread houses!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20rbqJeX0YsvNTr3PDcBbHPlMv4kD5T8RdModrgN8i9X9aqUn3LPmaZ_UC4IFs2oucUQGqo9MYGdGKtOhQ8pdbCvF4fA6BOnotjC8t0FbU1NAKrmTcwNarJsvbc8beC_xN-pc/s1600/iphone+286.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20rbqJeX0YsvNTr3PDcBbHPlMv4kD5T8RdModrgN8i9X9aqUn3LPmaZ_UC4IFs2oucUQGqo9MYGdGKtOhQ8pdbCvF4fA6BOnotjC8t0FbU1NAKrmTcwNarJsvbc8beC_xN-pc/s400/iphone+286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563105442409069602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovOOz14NiC7ZxzsCxy8-kOn0wS_UEMZVEpYkKuYlZHwe6towt1kuAGeNmILQjYnjRBiAGKLRE5fQPJ21WIQGeNDW_C5ti7azKhyzon27hJAtH40N4ET8ca7oNx3y0b4iNjTbJ/s1600/iphone+248.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovOOz14NiC7ZxzsCxy8-kOn0wS_UEMZVEpYkKuYlZHwe6towt1kuAGeNmILQjYnjRBiAGKLRE5fQPJ21WIQGeNDW_C5ti7azKhyzon27hJAtH40N4ET8ca7oNx3y0b4iNjTbJ/s400/iphone+248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563012624863663890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCwen2VJSIZsrsZXd1glvZKNP-U9VN77Y1VTP650cqYFhOEBwnu4TuUvNADMSpe3uyvib8JYP9gkl5L7QKwjMOv9oY5AKlTW-ooNFUQxV_cNJSih5vp6T8Rat7XPW7PTZNLP7/s1600/iphone+319.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCwen2VJSIZsrsZXd1glvZKNP-U9VN77Y1VTP650cqYFhOEBwnu4TuUvNADMSpe3uyvib8JYP9gkl5L7QKwjMOv9oY5AKlTW-ooNFUQxV_cNJSih5vp6T8Rat7XPW7PTZNLP7/s400/iphone+319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563105459271184946" border="0" /></a><br />Summer holiday fun!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajdkylLanBbZ0_pmpn7QshTt4RCoIZVOvQOQMG54btKjhLY5YvjYDFOpPvOXHvuoaOQmVovheDQUZCDoAqnkmgqrb6HwvWp5LPZSG8SV99PS18tCUxJxFRnj9ire9pi7gUrO4/s1600/iphone+347.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajdkylLanBbZ0_pmpn7QshTt4RCoIZVOvQOQMG54btKjhLY5YvjYDFOpPvOXHvuoaOQmVovheDQUZCDoAqnkmgqrb6HwvWp5LPZSG8SV99PS18tCUxJxFRnj9ire9pi7gUrO4/s400/iphone+347.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563105472706727074" border="0" /></a><br />Kid wrangling, the easy way.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyJNYQ3Pwk8SJJpabQ293-6RviZrztRi-3VqFRWPhV02GagDwFiM2ROan8ZE5gz92nHetJhCieIAzaeTkAl9EttZvQQ9udZIlPEWG6aJhks7SCDqng4TddAs0LxySx0C98dNa/s1600/iphone+327.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyJNYQ3Pwk8SJJpabQ293-6RviZrztRi-3VqFRWPhV02GagDwFiM2ROan8ZE5gz92nHetJhCieIAzaeTkAl9EttZvQQ9udZIlPEWG6aJhks7SCDqng4TddAs0LxySx0C98dNa/s400/iphone+327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563105467670427762" border="0" /></a><br />And a lovely dinner with a fabulous view.SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-63273493362636678262010-11-19T23:34:00.005+11:002013-05-17T21:55:03.051+10:00Get Your Garden On<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6xIYq2CePLMhJoaNsyA5VLDKFhBXo3pAHH7AP-3GgmFx4Vg7tO5Tt7uPg6LHFNjtlUHrM2ZMF4d37tAvRvMGMfh3waO0_XgDLVEw6msdcXlctaDs2pgHqK-4a0heaegdUZSp/s1600/iphone+023.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541242565411508578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6xIYq2CePLMhJoaNsyA5VLDKFhBXo3pAHH7AP-3GgmFx4Vg7tO5Tt7uPg6LHFNjtlUHrM2ZMF4d37tAvRvMGMfh3waO0_XgDLVEw6msdcXlctaDs2pgHqK-4a0heaegdUZSp/s400/iphone+023.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 299px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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It's high time I posted about the garden. I've been spending a lot of time out there, nurturing little green things and inspecting branches trying to work out what is growing. I've also been keeping a keen eye out for your garden related posts and feeling especially inspired by <a href="http://www.frillsinthehills.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">hers </a>and <a href="http://buttontreelane.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">hers</a>.<br />
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This house is a typical <a href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2010/07/oh-there-you-are.html" style="font-weight: bold;">old Canberra house</a>. It's on a very typical, decent, Canberra sized block. And, like many typical old Canberra houses, it has a well established garden. One that was once someone's absolute pride and joy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9W0mimY9f6K-bPpgo9IZUZaUJ_xRdMU3QCfoMdqS41GVaXGl-bZ1DB75EePOpiOe3AwIXC2iKyIlT26AVms_xytEZy-7Kh8SHe2j0bfn7auP_yMt6FfwWaD0rbRHh79ePvDq/s1600/iphone+026.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541242575488050498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9W0mimY9f6K-bPpgo9IZUZaUJ_xRdMU3QCfoMdqS41GVaXGl-bZ1DB75EePOpiOe3AwIXC2iKyIlT26AVms_xytEZy-7Kh8SHe2j0bfn7auP_yMt6FfwWaD0rbRHh79ePvDq/s400/iphone+026.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 299px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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You see there are established garden beds (enormous! multiple!) beautiful old trees, a number of self sown veggies, a huge array of beautiful flowers and endless little surprises.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5NEOTT57Vxl_AD3fyOleKS4N8Ucm84fNs9ZNmEKWJ-wPeiqha2xGcmHXl0feEt9z_9_OHxgaprvEryX9smsYN0qevr2LZ-sKHSm_-vO7NaU36l0r1Xb3-DJiorAInK8rj6Y_/s1600/iphone+029.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541242599564362466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5NEOTT57Vxl_AD3fyOleKS4N8Ucm84fNs9ZNmEKWJ-wPeiqha2xGcmHXl0feEt9z_9_OHxgaprvEryX9smsYN0qevr2LZ-sKHSm_-vO7NaU36l0r1Xb3-DJiorAInK8rj6Y_/s400/iphone+029.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 299px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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My interest in gardening has been going for quite some time and eagerly grows a little each year. So, it goes without saying that I am just a little bit excited and awfully honored to be able to take care of this beautiful place in the world for the time we live here.<br />
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The tragedy though, is that the house is now owned by developers and will be knocked down and the land cleared to make place for a bunch of souless townhouses. Good bye little 195os museum house. Good bye amazing garden. So, you see, I feel a duty to enjoy the garden and all it's beauty and endless surprises (like the asparagus patch!) while we live here.<br />
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We moved into the house in the middle of winter when the garden was bare - bar the weeds - and no surprises had revealed themselves yet. As spring approached the Smurf and I spent more and more time weeding and digging over the beds, and as I did the garden started to burst into action.<br />
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A pear tree! Apples! Peaches!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ89p_3Pibq-jfhU_8OPkZ38WzCH0fB1MV9MayYvg3hNFNGadnqswZqVqkY6jM-4wlPExOG8HXBqvt2fQmjIZCKMRdBUg4LO9ReIJqR1dJhhzLFVQqEdOPX0nDQis9qwBV7rWg/s1600/iphone+028.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541251682046511394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ89p_3Pibq-jfhU_8OPkZ38WzCH0fB1MV9MayYvg3hNFNGadnqswZqVqkY6jM-4wlPExOG8HXBqvt2fQmjIZCKMRdBUg4LO9ReIJqR1dJhhzLFVQqEdOPX0nDQis9qwBV7rWg/s400/iphone+028.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 299px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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The most amazing <a href="http://www.google.com.au/images?q=dogwood+tree&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=0nvmTOzlOs6DcMjrke4K&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=2&ved=0CDUQsAQwAQ&biw=1024&bih=553" style="font-weight: bold;">dogwood </a>tree - which I knew nothing about but soon learned after two lots of people stopped to photograph the tree on one day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHxFTGqiv8Gjs1p9NASnLoAWBJhbI8mnenQog9VJzYqzl7AmFBLC0ddl704gPN7MfnDHnqtPjHx1VMU3ZPF3-SQzyTAZkl58D8z9w0lRBsQ6X2IuQig5VuWEi0yoIrlLbb_Pj/s1600/iphone+471.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541251701537935090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHxFTGqiv8Gjs1p9NASnLoAWBJhbI8mnenQog9VJzYqzl7AmFBLC0ddl704gPN7MfnDHnqtPjHx1VMU3ZPF3-SQzyTAZkl58D8z9w0lRBsQ6X2IuQig5VuWEi0yoIrlLbb_Pj/s400/iphone+471.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 299px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcfpbeK5DloVO33J0CIFUveitnBGfFropzBwPn9pn7IwV60SWUJ1HeqA4TSI8sJpn7D3ZoKsj37Gk8t_Oh7lRHYxIX9uSxp5xjKMwRwgjH8R3sqWw-420FahnBwFdVuBtIte2/s1600/iphone+465.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541251694277790178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcfpbeK5DloVO33J0CIFUveitnBGfFropzBwPn9pn7IwV60SWUJ1HeqA4TSI8sJpn7D3ZoKsj37Gk8t_Oh7lRHYxIX9uSxp5xjKMwRwgjH8R3sqWw-420FahnBwFdVuBtIte2/s400/iphone+465.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 299px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com.au/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&biw=1024&bih=553&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=white+rhododendron&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=" style="font-weight: bold;">Rhododendron</a>, very, very showy camellias, gorgeous clouds of colourful <a href="http://www.google.com.au/images?q=azaleas&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=o3vmTIK9CoXCcb3ArZ0K&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=2&ved=0CDIQsAQwAQ&biw=1024&bih=553" style="font-weight: bold;">azaleas</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_R0nVRVnBrQLLVS_20vfyd-t60amcZo9zzrOeNzyxIG3wa0Btb9EByU0h1LGQ2b-nk4qmeTAE68qj5IuHBRjp7JGyIr_nXPUPJf5U-deaADuqnYlf7aoX6xcOUReYRFarZ8v/s1600/iphone+546.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541251689476965938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_R0nVRVnBrQLLVS_20vfyd-t60amcZo9zzrOeNzyxIG3wa0Btb9EByU0h1LGQ2b-nk4qmeTAE68qj5IuHBRjp7JGyIr_nXPUPJf5U-deaADuqnYlf7aoX6xcOUReYRFarZ8v/s400/iphone+546.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 400px; width: 299px;" /></a><br />
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All manner of blulbs popping up at different times - daffodils, jonquils, Iris, tulips, bearded iris, grape hyacinths. A fence full of jasmine all topped off with the most beautiful, fully-fragrent old roses. Oh and the flowering surprises go on - the hydrangers are getting bigger and I can see a few other flowers although I have no idea what they are yet.<br />
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I've always wanted a flower garden!<br />
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Every day I go out into the garden and watch the magic unfold before my eyes. I've got quite a number of edibles growing too - but I think I'll have to leave that for another post now. Allthough suffice to say, the patch is providing endless yumminess for dinners lunches and snacks.<br />
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Oh and did I mention we have chooks?SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-57654270677425321872010-11-07T22:01:00.003+11:002010-11-07T22:27:35.488+11:00New Dress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1KsmJ45fzqTBW63awYWRiWv1-XhdUOD3ayKQ8FJI0nBr2xnOlCETRxVEBRJQXEnn1WKUhilStbWKLy46F9m4oeKgeY9epOxQWcNzC3LJpG6UZb4XouN-gQW0YEe1FJGmAawn/s1600/iphone+078.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1KsmJ45fzqTBW63awYWRiWv1-XhdUOD3ayKQ8FJI0nBr2xnOlCETRxVEBRJQXEnn1WKUhilStbWKLy46F9m4oeKgeY9epOxQWcNzC3LJpG6UZb4XouN-gQW0YEe1FJGmAawn/s400/iphone+078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536762036603990370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2010/11/craft-weekend.html">craft weekend</a> I made three dresses. Two little baby ones for presents and one-for-me. Yep, a dress for me. It has lining and it's fitted and a little bit of trickiness and I made it and I couldn't be happier.<br /><br />I think it's a great example of how my sewing skills have come along. Don't get me wrong, I have a long way to go. But I look back on my sewing and there was a time I would have been afraid to attack even a simple dress like this, especially with lining.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeiabYrvRahOtKic7SBdnegaUjYaifE659drzsTaqtUaYFKPHHsn-TEvJlWNUKIEFRmSbZNWX9oeVZ_6rITsIaTih3_xSwBz04-3D_mO7LoJBcrZbMgOBWh2w5Qit5M4v2gVk/s1600/iphone+077.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeiabYrvRahOtKic7SBdnegaUjYaifE659drzsTaqtUaYFKPHHsn-TEvJlWNUKIEFRmSbZNWX9oeVZ_6rITsIaTih3_xSwBz04-3D_mO7LoJBcrZbMgOBWh2w5Qit5M4v2gVk/s400/iphone+077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536762041560424674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sadieandlance.blogspot.com/2010/11/craft-weekend.html">Simplicity pattern 3803</a>. The fabric is a cheap cotton I bought on sale at scragfight thinking that it wouldn't matter if the dress didn't work because the fabric was cheap. Only problem is, I really like this fabric now and wish I had more.<br /><br />I will definitely make this again and next time I'll cut one size bigger in the bust and also cut the arm holes a little higher.SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15317492.post-46774872849152460202010-11-01T23:01:00.004+11:002010-11-01T23:20:38.196+11:00Craft Weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dJB99jeXL8zy5q89HyV_t2ktihULLMJyNHGZZS24NyADvXHXTWDZd36nv9LNRsNEG2CLLunS-gqxc86jlSrYDoYZWQrk-hml3L9gAYCSLSfCmNkK9VXBN5yPT_FO3E2oZWSe/s1600/iphone+052.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dJB99jeXL8zy5q89HyV_t2ktihULLMJyNHGZZS24NyADvXHXTWDZd36nv9LNRsNEG2CLLunS-gqxc86jlSrYDoYZWQrk-hml3L9gAYCSLSfCmNkK9VXBN5yPT_FO3E2oZWSe/s400/iphone+052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534551505860047042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Turns out whenever I go to write a post about a craft retreat I always go to use the word indulgence. Full weekend of sewing, good friends, great food, a bit of booze and an inspiring ocean view. What's not indulgent about that?<br /><br />We headed to our usual spot, only this time coming from the nation's fair capital I had to go over the mountains. On a goat-track type tourist road. In the dark. With foxes and trees that hang down over the road. At least it gave me a good story to tell when I finally arrived with clenched teeth and white knuckles.<br /><br />I went with my usual basket full of priority projects, back up projects and I-should-have-a-million-spare-hours-to-finish-this projects. I surprised myself and finished 2 baby dresses, a pink tutu for the Smurf, Jammies for the Smurf and a semi lined summer dress for me <span style="font-size:78%;">(I may have stayed up until 2am on Saturday night to finish all that)</span>. Oh and a bit of knitting. Yippee.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKufQTWBVvt-6QVZlfpqdgzSfIRnqZADqOGHp1GSBQr4FnA9iZW08RpjVMdkh3xuaXQolhUvDFV3rtgf-hr-x8fZZM4wO24GwHNiXC_0eTWadRrKYtAh-4CxlXVHZ3Jc1Ew8B/s1600/iphone+081.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKufQTWBVvt-6QVZlfpqdgzSfIRnqZADqOGHp1GSBQr4FnA9iZW08RpjVMdkh3xuaXQolhUvDFV3rtgf-hr-x8fZZM4wO24GwHNiXC_0eTWadRrKYtAh-4CxlXVHZ3Jc1Ew8B/s400/iphone+081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534551512166735442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Smurf was totally taken with his new stuff. Put it on straight away.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1p-u2V8qm8XPfLL3A2c7fx-dz9G3ZWjC6CsHKIsJBZL9p7_A2yKqbpk2ZvjprCrmt8-fl7WkSTJrOvCcPhSVaI3TZVVoW9QrIrIBBB55O3JsMi94BGFalXlSM-KcXjPVGjrc/s1600/iphone+084.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1p-u2V8qm8XPfLL3A2c7fx-dz9G3ZWjC6CsHKIsJBZL9p7_A2yKqbpk2ZvjprCrmt8-fl7WkSTJrOvCcPhSVaI3TZVVoW9QrIrIBBB55O3JsMi94BGFalXlSM-KcXjPVGjrc/s400/iphone+084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534553321260147554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And then did some gardening in it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0zcfjFtjdMDWL9ZYQ9GVir0yL3VcsdZ4frl7t2FXnq4QP63vzs8quM7z65i9jX3gpeA8ipujzNUp4Zgid4QsyqqU1WF_iC0qCQYqyNZfBL6euxRoGrW6TYKyUkGFkCd0Vg_P/s1600/iphone+090.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0zcfjFtjdMDWL9ZYQ9GVir0yL3VcsdZ4frl7t2FXnq4QP63vzs8quM7z65i9jX3gpeA8ipujzNUp4Zgid4QsyqqU1WF_iC0qCQYqyNZfBL6euxRoGrW6TYKyUkGFkCd0Vg_P/s400/iphone+090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534553328634558802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'll do a separate post re the dress - need to take photos.<br /><br />Thanks <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuttifruiti">Bel</a>, <a href="http://snailblazer.blogspot.com/">Cass</a>, <a href="http://myartismyoutlet.blogspot.com/">Jade</a>, <a href="http://chaletgirl.wordpress.com/">Sheridan </a>and <a href="http://www.herheartmyhands.com/">Soph</a>, for another fab weekend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohff5z2bp1q0744fEYkf6Q7g3anIWOqSY7POEZSOmps8Z6bhmxgmRuvumhvKf1g41HItdZDy-VcHnFbRQGcJewXLZsYAbUVYNmv9WJSj0Ztss1EA98aH4iBcYxgrUr-JkVRDZ/s1600/iphone+056.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohff5z2bp1q0744fEYkf6Q7g3anIWOqSY7POEZSOmps8Z6bhmxgmRuvumhvKf1g41HItdZDy-VcHnFbRQGcJewXLZsYAbUVYNmv9WJSj0Ztss1EA98aH4iBcYxgrUr-JkVRDZ/s400/iphone+056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534551495274642018" border="0" /></a>SadieandLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04083216783467316109noreply@blogger.com0