Tweaked

I got the tape and the drapery weight for the new and improved IKEA fly screen and it's looking pretty good.

I sewed the tape along the bottom

Threaded the weight through the bottom seam...

...and this is the result...

So far so good in keeping out the flies...and it appears the dogs are able to negotiate their way through it too, although I may have to lift it a couple of inches as they keep getting their paws caught on a couple of spots where I haven't cut it too straight. No problem though...looking good.

The IKEA solution....

Summer's just around the corner for us here in the Southern Hemisphere and with that comes the flies!

We've had a flyscreen in the past that was long strips of clear PVC, like you see in some shops, but unfortunately it was still letting in the darn critters, so I thought this might do the trick.

I took myself off to IKEA and spent $5.99 on a pair of LILL net curtains and $4.99 on a curtain rod.

Voila...instant fly screen that also looks pretty good.

I trimmed the bottom so it wouldn't drag too much on the deck and have also bought some tape and a few metres of drapery weight to sew along the bottom just to "toughen" it up a bit so it doesn't fly open in the lightest of breezes. I remember people putting coins in the bottom of their drapes to make sure they hang nicely, but you can buy the weight by the metre now. It's just lots of little weights inside a white cotton sausage...a very small sausage but it should do the trick nicely.

Job done!
Hello Summer, Goodbye flies

Sourdough Bread

I tried making my first ever loaf of sourdough bread and the result was OK...not brilliant, but OK

We love good, gutsy bread, so I thought it was time I tried making some
It was edible, but needed more salt and I'll use a tin to bake it in in future, not just let it spread on a tray in the oven

If you'd like the recipe...or at least some hint as to what I did, then you can read more here

 

Sunday afternoon tea

Time for a cuppa on the back deck...

I love afternoon tea so thought we'd indulge a little and bring out some of my Mum's old cups and saucers that she gave me years ago

There's nothing like a nice, fine cup to drink from....now all I have to do is put the kettle on and bring out the cupcakes...

From the "stash"

Over the past few months my desire to sew has been missing, but things have changed....and the over locker and sewing machine have been getting as bit of a workout of late

I've had these patterns in my collection for some time now and all, bar the Vogue, have been used before. The Simplicity pattern was purchased at an op-shop a couple of years back. I made a dress from it last Summer.

The Quick sew is a terrific, versatile pattern that I've used to make 4 polar fleece tops for the past couple of Winters. I also used it for a stretch cotton dress last Summer. The McCalls is one from the 80's or 90's I think. The little sleeveless top is a terrirfic design. I've made tops and a couple of dresses from it. Very versatile. In fact, whenever I look at patterns I always look for interesting tops rather than dresses because I can always make a top patern into a dress.

All of these fabrics have been in my "stash" for some time too.

This is a blue and cream spun rayon. It has a gorgeous weight and falls really nicely. Whenever I see spun rayon I've always tried to buy a couple of metres. I think it's one of my favourite fabrics to work with, apart from linen

This is a stretch fabric and while it looks very black and grey, it's actually a whole range of blues.

Another stretchy fabric....it's going to be a t-shirt dress I think...haven't made a final decision on it yet...but half the fun is deciding what pattern to choose and then seeing how it turns out. IF it turns out that is. I often have complete disasters that end up being put in a special "to fix later" bag.

Full time vs Part time

For the past couple of years I've been working part time and I've loved it.

I went down to three days a week after becoming just too tired and irritable. I work funny hours and thought the extra couple of days off would help. Boy, did they help! Just ask MONT. I got to sleep in, shop and potter about at my leisure...and I was a much nicer and happier person.

But from this week I'm back full-time again and possibly back to being irritable all over again

The girl who worked the other two days for me is also heading back to full-time employment and that left two days to fill, so I stepped into the breach. Again. My employer and I will reassess things again in the New Year to see how I'm "travelling".

What it also means though is that I need a couple of new things to wear to work because I've been relying on jeans and t-shirts and polar fleece tops through Winter. I need a few things to layer...to see me through the cool mornings until our heating/air-con kicks in at work...and now that Spring is here, I thought it was a good opportunity to get the over-locker and sewing machine out to give them a workout.

This doesn't help though.

I feel some new, colourful t-shirts and long tunic tops coming on.....

Bling

Sometimes, I just can't go past a bit of "bright and shiny"... and when it's combined with a nice shoe,  well.....SNAP!

Whenever I shop I'm mostly attracted to three things:

Grey. Pockets. Bling...and if all three are in one item

Heaven

I bought these a while back, possibly last year from Target would you believe.

Love 'em

Luscious cake

This is a lovely cake from Stacey Snacks...I've used her recipes before and they have NEVER disappointed

This is like a strawberry shortcake, but I didn't have strawberries it being Winter and all...so I used some jarred cherries I had...it was delish! Really delish!

I've posted the recipe over here 

Hope you like it, we sure did.