Craft Talk

Awesome - found via Ashley Anna Brown.



By Leslie and the LYs, Leslie is an American cewebrity and gem sweater collector.

Ruby's Fleur Playmat

I've finally finished Ruby's Fleur Playmat - my third go. I'm definitely getting faster! This time I chose a base print with purple, teal and green and picked out some bolder prints in those shades for the petals. Of course I had to use a polka dot as well, gotta love polka dots!



And here it is with all of Ruby's current toys, waiting for her to wake up from her nap this morning and take in the splendor of her new playmat!



What's next? Well, a new C cushion in matching fabric, with her name on it, me thinks!

Zucchini Cake

A woman who works in our business brought a zucchini cake into the office a few weeks ago. Although I didn't try it at the time, I was assured by DB and my mum that it was truly delicious and must be baked. Krystle was kind enough to give me the recipe, and everyone was right, it is truly delicious. Too delicious to keep to myself!


Zucchini/Courgette Cake

Ingredients

500g zucchini, grated
200ml vegetable oil
375g sugar
3 eggs, beaten
300g plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarb soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
180g walnuts or pecans, chopped

Method

1. Mix together zucchini, oil, sugar and eggs. 2. Sift dry ingredients and add to zucchini mixture. 3. Stir in nuts. 4. Spoon into a greased and lined loaf tin, I usually get 2 or 3 cakes. 5. Bake in oven at 180 deg Celsius for 45 minutes. 6. Enjoy!

Birthday Wishes...

There have been two birthdays and a birth 'round these parts since I posted last. On the 10th we celebrated Nan's Birthday (My Mum), and then on the 17th, darling DB's. Ruby celebrated by posing for these glamour shots:





On the 16th, my brother and sister-in-law, along with their littles, Isabella and Zach, welcomed a new daughter, Amelia (Milly) Jane in Kelwona, Canada. What a treasure! We are very excited, and can't wait to visit the whole family in November, when they've returned to their temporary home in Wilmore, Kentucky USA. Yay! More on our trip another time.


And of course, last, but not least, my darling baby girl turns 7 months today! Hurrah! What a little person she is! Changing so rapidly it's hard to keep up. Smiling lots and generally being a darling. Love you Ruby!

Winter Rose

Dear friends of ours welcomed their second little one into the world on the 28th of June. Today, Ruby and I were lucky to have a visit with Winter Rose and her family. What a little stunner! Congratulations to Al, David & Oliver!


I made Winter a Fleur Playmat, this time in orange tones. It came out nice and bright for a little one born in cold weather!

After my first attempt, and trouble with the wadding, I cut this one a little bigger, but this time it was a little too big. The only conclusion I can come to is that I mis-cut the first one, perhaps not reading the pattern properly. I will be making one for Ruby next, so will follow carefully this time!!

6 Months

Ruby was 6 months a couple of weeks ago. Whoa. Time flies. She's starting to sit up now, grabbing at just about anything and becoming a good little eater (not interested in meat though, but I won't go into that debacle).


She was very spoilt by her grandparents and Aunty, receiving some lovely '6 Month Birthday' presents.

From Nan, this lovely book, Ruby Makes a Friend:


From Aunty Lyss, a lovely hoodie and some blocks, which have become favourite at playtime.



And from Poppy and Meme, this lovely customised bowl and plate set.


All in all, a very spoilt little munchkin.