Just a minute in May.

Making...



Stamps! As you've probably seen. And I finished my first piece of clothing in my dressmaking class. I'll put up some photos tomorrow when my internet is regular speed.

Watching...

Lots of T.V. shows, while knitting in bed. It's been good knitting in bed weather. My current favourites are Dawson's Creek (I'm up to the last season on DVD. Sad!) and Fringe, which I only started watching today. It's really good!

Buying...

Plane tickets. Maybe I'll see you in August?

Sending...



Lots and lots and lots of packages. I finally sent out my pay it forwards, some stamps and as always lots of swaps.

Writing..

Every day in May. I did it! WOOOOO!

Hope you all had a good May, I sure did. Very productive, eye opening, lots of hard work. And fun too!

For more "Just a minute", head over to August Street.

-Jemma

Flickr Favourites

Have you used the Multicolr Search Lab before? It's awesome!

1. maury.mccown
2. La Marga
3. smellyknee
4. Leo Reynolds

Hope you're having a good weekend!

-Jemma

I was going to tell you.....

That I had listed a new stamp in my little Etsy store. But Cam bought it already! Isn't she a nice bloggy friend?

-Jemma

Why yes, I am impulsive.

Jess sent me an email this morning and told me that she was going to be helping out Fii on the weekend of the Sydney Stitches and Craft show. My immediate response to that was to call my boss, get the Friday off, go online and book plane tickets to go too. I get jealous ok? And, do you believe that I got my return trip for $88, for everything. Thankyou Tiger Airwys!

So, I am putting out an open call now. If you need help at your stall on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday let me know. I'd love to volunteer to be your helper! You can have just one day or all 3. Whatever. Or, if you know someone that doesn't read this blog, but is needing a helper just direct them here or give them my email or something. I'm eager!

Does anyone who lives in Sydney want to meet up on Friday or Saturday night too? For coffee or dinner or something? Let me know, I'm very excited!!

-Jemma

My Creative Space.

Using my work room still. I haven't had much need for other creative spaces since I set that up. Other than the train obviously.

In this picture is some paper that I've been stamping to send out with my various parcels in the coming week. I think I have about 10? I like how the Amityville stamp looks. So everyone can expect a little note! Also pictured is some decorations for my birthday party which is not this Saturday, but the next. If you can't tell it's bunting! I'm very excited to hang it up. There's almost 9 metres. So it should look really good. And you'll be happy to know I'll be posting lots of pictures from my party. I have some good decorating ideas I think!

For more spaces head over to Kirst. She's getting around 50 every week now I think. Isn't she clever? For everyone that's come here today from over at Kootoyoo, make sure you come back over and play Recipe Monday okay? My Mr.Linky is so embarassed with himself next to Kirsty's.

One more thing. Do you know what's really annoying? Having to undo 150+ rows of knitting when you realise that you've been increasing on every 8th row, not every 6th and that's made one sleeve about 15cm longer than the other. D'oh!

-Jemma

Fat Quarters

There's not much I hate more than cutting fat quarters. My cutting mat is just a little too small, so it's a whole show of folding an working out quarters. Not the simple 20" by 18" cut it should be.
But on the plus side, if you're expecting mail from me. It should be coming soon!

-Jemma

Badskirt, Good Cat

Isn't he perfect? It looks just like him!
Thanks Amy, you're the best!

-Jemma

Recipe Monday

Apple Cakes

I made these beauties to bring along to work this morning for a team meeting. They've gone down a treat :)

Ingredients:

1 cup of plain flour
1 cup of self raising flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup butter, cut into chunks
1 egg, beaten
water as needed, probably no more than a tablespoon depending on the size of your egg
1 can pie apple
cinnamon to taste

Method:

In a large mixing bowl combine both flours and sugar. Rub butter into the flour and sugar until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Make sure there are no big lumps! Add the egg and mix thoroughly, if the dough comes together at this stage you don't need to add any water. If it's still crumbly add some water very slowly until it comes together in a ball. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
When the dough is ready very lightly flour your board and roll out to about 2mm thick and cut out circles. These can be any size that you want them really. I used a scotch glass for mine. Make sure that you cut out even numbers for the bases and the lids. Put your apples in a bowl and mash them roughly with the cinnamon. When all of your circles are ready place them on a oiled tray, you can put them close together because they don't spread. Spoon some apple into the centre of each circle. Make sure that it's not to much for the lid to cover. Brush water around the edge of the circles and put on the lids. Push down all around the edges to seal. Cook these at
180c for around 20 minutes, or until the pastry has gotten a little colour and hardened. Let them cool completely and ice them with your favourite icing. Yum!

I hope this made sense, I'm not really great at writing recipes. I'm also putting my pride aside and using a Mr.Linky, even though I'm not sure that anyone will be playing along! Happy recipe day everyone!

-Jemma

Eye Spy... My karaoke masterpiece

Brodie Dahl of the Distillers. My high school idol. And maybe still a little bit now!
I can sing along happily to any Distillers song. They're catchy!

Go over to Bug and Pop to see more secret shames.

-Jemma

Cue nervous laughter.

So, I opened a little Etsy store. At the moment it's just got some listings for different sized stamps. Striking while the iron is hot if you will! I'll just keep adding random things that I make from now on I think. Or nothing will come of it ever. Fun!

Amityville Boronia Etsy

-Jemma

Sat

Clutch Purse Edition

1.Willow Clutch in olive
2.Purple - Zipper Pouch with Clip (New style)
3.The Lily Clutch in Mist Floral
4.Delilah grey clutch bag wristlet

Have a good Saturday!

-Jemma

Why yes, that is a belted flannel I'm wearing.

Thanks for asking! I finished my tote from the Mike's book tonight. I really like it. But for some reason when I saw the picture in the book I thought that it was hand bag sized? Much bigger than this? I think I just imagined it. Regardless, I'm happy with how this turned out. I really love this fabric. So that probably helps!

Since the pattern for this bag is pretty much all rectangles I can see myself making another, supersized version of this later. I originally intended for it to be a knitting bag. But I don't think it'll fit much. Oh well.

Any exciting plans for the weekend?

-Jemma

My Creative Space

I've been feeling pretty icky this last week or so. Kind of like I'm about to get the flu, but never actually moving over from that first stage. Not nice.

At the moment I'm looking to get some inspiration back, so I'm making my self the Super-Cute tote from the Mike's book as a new wool bag for on the train. The pretty colours will hopefully brighten up my morning on the train while I'm going to work. Hey, it can't make it any duller!

Go over to Kirst to see more creative spaces!

-Jemma

P.S. Did you see the nice stuff that Amy said about me?

Today.

Migraine Barbie has Snapped!, originally uploaded by Migraine Chick.

Came home early from work with a migrane today. Damien picked up a shift at work tonight, so I'm home alone. Made some delicious carbohydrate packed pasta for dinner and now I'm going to bed to watch a whole series of T.V!

Wish me no more aches for the morning.

-Jemma

A very stressfull night.

DSC00583, originally uploaded by jljorna.

Last night I thought that Amity was lost. It's ok, she eventually just wandered home at about 9 o'clock. And I told her she was never ever going outside again. But not before I had some hysterics and 12 heart attacks. So, I'm feeling a little drained today. I'm just going to choose a winner of my little mini, mini, mini contest from Sunday.

Everyone had some good stories, so of course I couldn't choose. I've turned to my friend random.org for the answers. And the winner is... Flicketysplits! If you want to just email me your address to jljorna@gmail.com I'll send you a little present!

-Jemma

I now declare Mondays....

Recipe day! Nothing fancy, your old favourite, the new recipe you tried for dinner last night, or something that you've been wanting to try out. Any kind is OK!


I tried these Cinnamon rolls when I had my Easter brunch. They were great! I did all the hard work the night before and could just whack them in the oven in the morning so they'd be warm and fresh by the time everyone arrived. The perfect breakfast/brunch recipe!

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

DOUGH:
1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
7g active dry yeast
1/2 cup white sugar
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs

FILLING:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Add the butter and stir until melted; let cool until lukewarm.

2. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the milk mixture. Add the sugar, 3 cups of flour, salt and eggs; stir well to combine. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes.

3. Lightly oil a large mixing bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

4. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 10 x 14 inch rectangle. Lightly brush the far edge with water. In a small bowl combine the cinnamon and 3/4 cup brown sugar and sprinkle over the rectangles. Then sprinkle the raisins and chopped nuts over the dough. Roll up the dough into a log and seal the seam.

5. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces; place the pieces in a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to rise overnight.

6. The next morning, preheat oven to 190 degrees. Take the rolls out of the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

7. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden. Meanwhile, make your favourite kind of glaze. The easiest is just some runny icing with a little orange rind in it. Drizzle the glaze over the rolls and serve warm.

Yummy! I've only made these once, but next time I think I'll try using some dried apples and walnuts as the filling. That sounds good doesn't it? What's your recipe of the moment??

-Jemma

Camberwell Market and IKEA today.

Lots of pictures today, isn't that nice? I love picture heavy posts the most. Anyway, I met up with some Brown Owls girls today at the Camberwell market and had a nice little shop. I spent way too much money, but got a lot of good things. So it's all worth it in the grand scheme of things I think. So, I was very adventurous and decided to drive today. That way I could pop over to IKEA afterwards. Clever right? And I only had to do 3 U-Turns! Now, let's make with the pictures.
A nice old radio, some pretty tins and a whimsical vintage KFC Bucket



Did you know that I love coloured glass? I have intentions of having a coloured glass collection, but apparently I have some expensive taste where that's concerned.


IKEA had some awesome wallpaper today.




More wallpaper

I took this photo because it reminded me of Rebecca!

Do you remember these? I did them in primary school, you put the beads on a little peg board thing and then iron over them to make a little molded plastic thing. I've seen them made into some very cute pendants. I think the brand name is Perler Beads?
A really good tea cosie.


Some of my loot from the market and IKEA. The fabric on the left is to make a bag from the book, on the right is some excellent birdie fabric, a salt pig, some new canisters from the collection, some really cute IKEA animal fabric screaming to be appliqued, some wool for a pressie for my brother, some IKEA tea towels from embroidery and a cork board. Isn't just inspiring to see it all blank like that? Yes it is!

Another loot item. My mum said that this is what people used to wear in hospital when they were having babies. I said that it'd look totally cool over a white t-shirt and some skinny jeans.


Detail on the over shirt. It's really much prettier in real life.


Another shirt. This one's pajamas too. It's got some beautiful embroidery on it. I forgot to take a close up though!

Anyway, that was my busy, busy day. I was gone from 7.00 am until 2.00 pm. I think I'll be going to bed early tonight. Leave a comment and tell me what you did this weekend? I'll read them all and see which is the most interesting and then I'll send that person a little surprise present. Ok?! Fun.

- Jemma

Saturday Shopping List

Pincushion Edition

1. Pincushion Ring
2.Love Pincushion
3. Oh So Pretty Orchid Bird Pincushion
4.Little Pink Polkadot Gourd

What are we all doing this weekend? I'm going to the Camberwell Market again for a impromptu weekend Brown Owls meet. I think that I'll drive there and then head over to Ikea after that. I haven't been there for ages, so I'm looking forward to that!

-Jemma

Internet Shopping.

It's doing funny things to me. Making me forget that there are other ways to get things that I want. It's not all about googling the afternoon away and then never finding what you want, because if it was just $5 dollars less. Surely there's another site that's selling it for cheaper right?

Well, I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I was wanting a Wreck this Journal. I'd been looking and looking, umming and ahhing. Never going the whole way and plugging in my credit card details. Just not quite deciding 100%.

Today I went to the Dymocks Centre on Collins Street in Melbourne. I just didn't have anything else to do, thought that I could browse a few books. Get some inspiration. Maybe pick up a new classic. And lo, there it was sitting on the shelf. $17, a perfectly acceptable price, and even better on the inside than I imagined while starring at it vacantly through a monitor. So now I have one, and from where? A book store of course! Did you forget they existed too? Next thing you know I'll be buying my fabric from a store.

-Jemma

(I started mine already, having a chew on the front cover while waiting for the tram)

My Creative Space.

Last night I had a few of my girlfriends from high school over for roast dinner. It was very nice! I think we're going to make it a regular thing just to make sure we see each other often. Anyway. One of them brought me over some origami paper from last time she was in Japan, she remembered me saying how I wanted some ages ago. Isn't that nice? Now I have to think of a good project for it!

And, I started a Miss Allsorts yesterday too. You can see her instructions in the bottom right and a corner of her head in the bottom left. All that's left is sewing the two halves together, stuffing and hand sewing the gap. It'll be done in no time!

How's everyone's week been going?

-Jemma

Op Shopping

Today I'm home, sick from work. I've been feeling really run down, so I took the day and had a nice sleep in for a change. I was feeling a lot better this afternoon so I went to a few Op Shops that I don't normally get a chance to go to because they close too early for me to get there on a Saturday.

Here's the goods!



First row left to right:
1. What some people in my family would refer to as a "Cosby Sweater", what I like to call well fitting and comfy. And $3.
2. Box Jellyfish Plushie. Can you believe that I got this in an Op Shop and it had an etsy store tag on it? www.jellibat.etsy.com
3. Some pillow cases and fabrics. I got some very nice raw silky stuff, some tracky material and some cottony baby prints. I really love the pillow case with the hand drawn style kitty print.
4. A cute little sewing basket

Second row:
1. An awesome 70's table cloth
2. This is a doona cover, it seems like it was made to be used as panels. Aprons I think?
3. Back of the doona cover. Nice chocolaty brown that will be used for something good too.
4. I actually got this table cloth ages ago, but it was from the same store as the one above. I think they're cousins. Same size and shape and I think the same material.

Bought anything good recently?

-Jemma

I found something that I would love for my Birthday.

Too bad that they're solid gold. Literally.

Left: This is my favourite one, the key is 2.5" inches with a 16" chain. $420. Also available in 1.25" for $295

Right: One that I like too. Not nearly as much though. 2" with a 16" chain $375

I saw an ad for these Tiffany & Co key necklaces yesterday at a tram stop. Aren't they perfect? I was browsing this morning on their website and found one that I love, it's perfect and covers all the things I want. Pretty, jewelery, heirloom potential. But the one I really like is $420. Boo! I have the option of paying for some of it. But I think that's a little icky maybe? Or am I being silly?

I had a look on etsy to see if there were any that were similar that tickled my fancy. But all of the ones I saw had a whole bunch of other adornments, looked cheap by comparison, or I just didn't really like that much. I'm doomed. I can't think of anything. Damien is going to either
a) murder me or b) give me a bag or coal.



Do you know anywhere that sells jewelery similar to this? Let me know, ok! For know I can just look at the eye candy. Or maybe I can just go crazy and get a platinum diamond incrusted one. A bargain at only $4,940!

- Jemma

P.S. I realise I am going to hell for even complaining about something as silly as this in "THIS ECONOMY"

Would anybody like this?

This came as part of a swap the other day. As far as I can see it's a little kit for making your own wind chime. It looks like you could personalise it alot and it could be quite cute. The only thing is that I have no drill, or any desire to have a drill at the moment. And it seems like you'd need one. And if I did hang this inside, the cat's heads would probably explode with all of the dangly-ness. And if I hung it outside the chiming would probably keep me up all night.

In short, not my kind of thing. So if you'd like this, just leave a comment and who ever is first I'll email you for your address and pop it in the post this week!

-Jemma

Eye spy... what I am reading now.

So, did everyone have a good mother's day? Not being a mother myself. I had a day of servitude! I managed to get my mum's present done with plenty of time, which is always nice and I took over a big lasagna for family dinner so she didn't have to cook. My brother made some pizza's too. So there was plenty of carbs for all! I'm so full now...

This weeks Eye Spy theme is "what I am reading now". I decided that instead of singling out one book which would be nearly impossible for me that I'd just take some photos of my books. Just turn your head as needed and squint. All of the books I have are entertaining and interesting. Some are the shameful chick-lit, some are honest to goodness classics, some are leftovers from English classes in high school and some are just what they are.



Enjoy!

-Jemma

P.S. How nice a day was it?! I did 7 loads of washing, including hanging out and bringing in. Good day!


Thanks to Cindy for hosting and Monique for the theme!

New Crafty Books

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts, which has everything crafty from Albums to Wreaths. I haven't had a real chance to look through this one yet, but it looks like it has some really interesting things. Some strange things that I've never heard of too!

And, A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg. From the bits that I've scanned this one seems part novel and part recipe book. Should be a good read!

- Jemma

Currently Wanting

Read about it it here. It seems really awesome.

-Jemma

My Creative Space

Not much creating has been going on this week really. I've been feeling really tired and drained from all the very cold weather we've been having in Melbourne. So it's kind of taking it out of me. I'm hoping to get stacks done this weekend though. I still haven't really worn in the new space, so hopefully I'll be able to make some good stuff. I have been working on one secret project for the package I'm sending over to CurlyPops though!

Anyway, I've just been reading this new amazing book that I got on Monday. It's all handwritten and drawn because some of the content was originally published as a zine.

There's 3 chapters, the first covers making your own first aid from essential oils and fresh or dried herbs. Things like salves, oil infusions and tincturns. Which I have learned are a little liquid that your drip into your morning juice or water for internal health. There's a section for everything that ails you, headaches, insect bites and skin irritations. Chapter 2 is all about cleaners. Things like laundry detergent, floor cleaner, shampoo and making your own skin care products like cleanser and toner. The third chapter is some fantastic instructions on making your own garden, from soil condition to what things go well planted together.

Today I'm going to start ordering some things online to start making. Beeswax, catile soap and essential oils seem like a good start. I'll let you know how everything goes, and I'll probably do a review on the laundry detergent and skin care parts!

Kirst, I brought the book to BrownOwls last night to show you because I think it's right up your alley. But obviously you weren't there. I'll bring it next time we're at the same place!

Head over to Kootoyoo for more creative spaces, also you can probably learn alot from Raleigh Briggs website. Enjoy!

-Jemma

A question.

I realise that this is a totally first world and trivial question. But, it's my 21st Birthday in a about a month. And I can't for the life of me think what I should ask Damien to get me for a present.
He's been asking pretty much everyday what I want, so he can save and make arrangements if it's something a little unusual.

The thing is I'm already getting what I really wanted for my Birthday which is my new sewing machine. So I pretty much have everything! (Jokes) And, I want something that will be memorable kind of. So can everyone please tell me what they got for their 21st birthdays? Aside from giving me ideas, I think it'll be very interesting!

- Jemma

P.S. I'm also looking for a party dress. Store suggestions please!

Whatcha wearing Wednesday

I'm just gloating now.
I whipped this up on the train home last night. And I improvised the chain stitch to make it into a headband. The pattern I was working off was just to make individual flowers for whatevs. I'm so smart :)

Head over to Fii for more players (although she might still be resting from her big last week.)

-Jemma

Woo Hoo!

I think that I've finally gotten it. Maybe. Almost.

Once I realised that putting the hook into the 3rd (or whichever) chain from the hook was including the down ones. Not the across ones I stopped making strange, mishapen, warped pieces and now I have this nice little rectangle of eveness!

Next to tackle:

- Figure out how to hold my yarn. I change my holding position 3 times a second currently.

- Learn to read patterns and abreviations (They're jibberish at the moment)

- Have really good tension, which I think is mostly related to item one.

- Amigumuri!!

Also featured in the picture is my first purse frame creation. And I have to say that it was a whole lot easier than I was expecting. I really built it up in my mind. But after going over the instructions a few times. I was confident in cutting into my delicious Ink & Spindle Fabric. Very happy with how this turned out. Thanks Nicole!

And, has everyone been looking at Tinniegirls loot? She has some very nice things!

- Jemma

Just about ready to throw my Crochet hook down in defeat.

Image from here.

I just don't get it. Knitting I get, that's easy. Crochet on the other hand is infuriating me to the point of having a tantrum! I suppose that's not entirely true, I can do the granny square. But there's only so many blankets that one small house needs, you know? And I alread have 3 doonas and a bunch of other blankets.

All I want in life is to be able to crochet myself some adoreable beanies in every colour of the rainbow. I'm not asking for the world here!

So, I'm turning to you. Do you have any sure fire tips? Hints or tricks that you use when crocheting? I'm up for anything. Really.

-Jemma

Eye spy...my new favourite blog!

I read alot of blogs. And I'm always on the lookout for something new.

Make. Grow. Gather. has a nice assortment of recipes, craft, recommendations and awesome pictures. It's always very light and nice to read and I think it's very inspiring! So I think you should go have a look at its lovliness.

Thanks to Cindy for hosting and the theme for this week from the very clever Jhoanna.

- Jemma

Shopping List Saturday

As part of my Everyday in May I decided to start doing this shopping list Saturday. I see it all the time over at edward and lilly. And I really like it there. So I figured, why not?

Since I'm very cold at the moment, I'm featuring all wintery things.



These lovelies are:
1. Green Room Armwarmers/Fingerless gloves/Gauntlets/Whatever you want to call them
2. CHOOSE YOUR COLOR Veronique Cowl -VEGAN
3. Ear Flap Headband - Sapphire
4. Woodsy Brown Cowl

I am especially lusting after the Woodsy Brown Cowl. It looks so snug!!

What are you buying this weekend?

-Jemma

Everyday in May

There. I said it.
Now, watch as I promptly forget and only post 3 more times this month!


See you tomorrow (yeah right!)

-Jemma

Everyday in May as created by French Toast Girl via the lovely Loobylu

And the winner is....

random.org has spoken.

And he said that the winner is Miss Curlypops! In case you couldn't read my terrible print screen.

I'm going to have another giveaway soon. Either for my 21st birthday (June 8) or for my upcoming blogoversary (22 September) or maybe both! Just keep on looking.

Miss Curlypops, can you please send me you address when you have a minute? Thanks!

-Jemma