tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176738462012-01-26T17:50:13.941+11:00Welcome to the wonderful world of Jorth!Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.comBlogger6321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-4947037855314229822012-01-13T14:50:00.001+11:002012-01-13T14:59:54.847+11:00

The situation was dire, very dire indeed. The man had been holed up with his hostages for the past four hours, and so far there had been no sign of a breakthrough. Suddenly, there came a demand screamed hoarsely through the window. "Give me the Chief of the Police. I'll only talk to him!" The Chief, who had been huddled with his emergency situation team, straightened up and started to head

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-52130035047952170802012-01-11T15:16:00.000+11:002012-01-11T15:16:03.880+11:00

Jorth sat down at the kitchen table, and began to compile her weekly expenditure accounts. Previously, she had dutifully recorded all the money spent on groceries, tradesmen's payments etc in a little book with ruled columns that detailed her ins and outs, but with the advent of internet banking it seemed rather superfluous to be writing down the latest telephone bill. And somewhat depressing,

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-48095670723047742362012-01-10T19:53:00.000+11:002012-01-10T19:53:31.411+11:00

Jorth strapped on her helmet, adjusted her aviator glasses, double checked her bullet-proof and quick-un-pick-proof vest, then took a deep, deep breath and dived into the sewing bureau. Her colleagues stood nervously by, the leader never taking his eyes off the large stopwatch that he held in his hand. Silence filled the room, broken only by the steady tic tic tic of the watch. Nobody said

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-56013390855977817102012-01-09T13:16:00.001+11:002012-01-11T15:26:46.005+11:00

Hello, folks! I hope you all had a spiffy break over the Christmas period. I certainly did, and am facing the new year with a fistful of brand new resolutions, all of which I am most eager to keep. I'm already up to day 9, and it's been fairly smooth sailing so far, so let's hope that's a good omen, and that I can keep up the good work. This year I want to reduce, reuse, recycle. In many, many

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-61734853120885457802011-12-23T12:36:00.000+11:002011-12-23T12:36:28.302+11:00

Wheeeee! Can you believe there are only two more sleeps until the big guy in red comes along? Wherever you are, however you celebrate, the gang here at Jorth wish you the very best of the holiday season. May your celebrations be full of laughter, good food, excellent company and many, many blessings. Bald angels are optional!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-8901457790607037522011-12-21T13:54:00.000+11:002011-12-21T13:54:37.282+11:00

"Jorthy, Jorthy, Jorthy. Can you feel me shaking my head? Surely you should know better than to attempt a piece of knitting that requires more than a smidge of concentration when you have a gazillion other things buzzing around that noggin of yours, all clamouring for your attention. You were bound to make a mistake! To the frog pond, young lady, and rip it out and start again. And don't even

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-73433728633611520952011-12-19T10:46:00.000+11:002011-12-19T10:46:58.442+11:00

Looking for an elegent but simple Christmas dinner party solution? Then look no further, because we had just that very meal at chez Jorth on Saturday, and it went down a treat. Plates were licked clean, people swooned in escasty, bellies were clasped as slow, soft moans of culinary delight issued forth... well, maybe not, but the plates did all come back clean, and that's gotta count for

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-45010962584500666792011-12-16T11:56:00.000+11:002011-12-16T11:56:56.501+11:00

I'm just going to come out and say it - this meal is not a dieter's friend. It's full of cream, and carbs and cheese. But by gee, it sure does taste good! Just do as I do - serve with a big fat garden salad, and put the cream container in the recycling as soon as you can. Out of sight, out of mind! Zucchini Pasta 350g penne 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves of garlic, crushed Finely grated

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-46837487399648473662011-12-14T13:57:00.001+11:002011-12-19T09:54:08.775+11:00

I got cornered by the school Christmas fete commitee a while back. "Jorthy!" they cried. "Make something for our Christmas stall!" I agreed because (a) it's for a good cause and (b) I'm scared of them. Hee hee! So here I am sat today, beading away merrily. I haven't made jewellery in ages, and I'd forgotten how much fun it is. Now, I'm not one to keep the fun to myself, so I've decided as a

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-1279616722688747852011-12-13T14:05:00.000+11:002011-12-13T14:05:31.999+11:00

I am secretly a little bit in love with this skirt. Well, not so secretly now that I've told you, but it's pretty darn cool and even though I am about 28 years too old for it, I kinda want one for myself. It's got spots! And stripes! And gathers! And flowers! And an elasticised waistband (being an old fart, I'm all about the comfort)! And thanks to my awesome colour choices you could wear it

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-63104256781146813852011-12-12T13:27:00.000+11:002011-12-12T13:27:37.584+11:00

Helllooooo! Did you miss me? I'm sorry for disappearing for a week, but Venus Bay beckoned and I could not resist. We had such a marvellous beachy getaway - there were long walks along the shore, pippis burrowing back into the sand, amazing food, plenty of sand to cling to hair toes skin, knocking about with favourite friends, and great big gusts of fresh ocean air to blow away the cobwebs. Just

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-81984284341005353082011-12-02T12:51:00.001+11:002011-12-02T12:52:37.201+11:00

I knew this tart had gotten the seal of approval when I heard my daughter exclaim "It looks like pizza, but it tastes even better!" She then demanded that the leftovers go into her lunchbox for the next day. I think she liked it! Ingredients (makes two tarts): 2 sheets puff pastry, slightly thawed 4 tbsp sundried tomato paste 6 - 8 button mushrooms, sliced 1 zucchini, thinly sliced 1 red

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-39008510273453724132011-12-01T14:25:00.000+11:002011-12-01T14:25:20.982+11:00

"How are you my pet?" inquired the dressmakers's dummy of the dark pink dress sitting upon her. The dummy, you see, had begun to get a little worried about her. Mostly clothes were put upon her, left for a day or two and then hung up in the wardrobe, finished and blissfully happy about being able to claim their place sartorially. But this dress had been on her for a week or more now, and the

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-58914112657776314752011-11-30T11:00:00.000+11:002011-11-30T11:00:30.304+11:00

Yikes! Do you know what tomorrow is? It's the first of December, that's what! Which means that I had really better get a skedaddle on, and start sending all of my overseas Christmas cards before I miss the boat. Thankfully I have a most excellent card contact: Wendy June. She's an artist, illustrator and designer who makes some of the most awesome art I have ever laid eyes on. So this year

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-56957478608127459352011-11-29T12:04:00.001+11:002011-12-03T07:29:09.250+11:00

Last week I had a bit of a groan about how bad I was, spending my evenings wasting time on the internet. I must say I have much improved since enforcing my evening internet curfew: I've finished both the front and back of the Tyger's cardigan, and gotten lotsa lotsa sleep. Yay! Go me! But the internet is also a pretty darn awesome entity (try and keep me off it during daylight hours!). For

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-66766385757308732312011-11-28T12:21:00.000+11:002011-11-28T12:21:08.298+11:00

Er, it's a bit early, isn't it. I couldn't help it, though - I am helpless in the face of tinsel! Couple that with Ella Fitzgerald singing "Let It Snow!", and I am putty in the Christmas Season's hands. I love all of it: Getting down the box of ornaments from the very top shelf, the oohing and aahing (and occasional groaning) at the sight of forgotten decorations, the bad Christmas playlist

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-29861107834120181242011-11-25T13:33:00.000+11:002011-11-25T13:33:53.692+11:00

You can make this dish any time you like, using whatever roasting vegetables are in season, but I love making it now, when the tomatoes are really coming into their own. With their rich juices intermingling with the lemon and feta, you can practically taste that summer is here! Ingredients 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and roughly diced 250g jap pumpkin, peeled and roughly diced 1 zucchini,

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-1517527797703195092011-11-24T13:20:00.002+11:002011-11-24T13:35:21.278+11:00

I used to quite like dinner time. A lovely home cooked meal, the happy faces of my family beaming back at me, the conversation flowing as we each chatted about our days. But now I dread them. For I know that the Tyger will, at some stage, fix me with a piercing stare and ask "So Mum... did you get any knitting on my cardigan done today?" My only answer will be a head hung low in shame. But

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-32609274737813834232011-11-23T14:45:00.001+11:002011-11-23T19:36:51.678+11:00

I'd like you all to meet my dear friend Sabrina. Not only is she one gutsy broad, but she totally rules the clothes hanging in my wardrobe. Nobody messes with this mannequin! Nah, seriously, I often get asked about my dummy, so I thought I'd tell you a bit about her. She's pretty darn old - I'd say she was a 60's or 50's model. A friend of mine spotted her in a garage sale one day. She knew I

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-10654411438985922652011-11-22T13:38:00.000+11:002011-11-22T13:38:30.962+11:00

"Do you think it's a mid life crisis?" asked a red top plaintively. "Who blimming well knows" replied a red scarf glumly. "All I know is that once upon a time it was us red clothes that did it for her. But now we've been ditched for pink. PINK!" The red scarf was so aggrieved by this fact that he would have spat in disgust if he could. "At least it's quite a ballsy sort of pink" said a red

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-18240070441808320842011-11-21T16:52:00.001+11:002011-11-21T16:52:25.248+11:00

Ach! Who needs a tv when you have hands and a pen, eh? In other breaking news, I gave my first sewing class today. I was a wee bit nervous, but I think it went quite well! Even if I did have to do the tricky bits of overlocking for them. Actually, I don't blame them for handing those bits over to me - overlockers can be darn scary things. Especially if they decide to be tempremental halfway

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-88253159584353293152011-11-18T12:12:00.000+11:002011-11-18T12:12:53.902+11:00

What do both asparagus and broad beans have in common, besides being green and delicious? They both have super short availability, so don't wait to cook this! You could, conceivably, make this with frozen broad beans but I wouldn't bother, as they always taste of nothing to me. Fresh ones, however, sing with the flavours of spring. Now, don't you start getting all angry at me, shaking fists

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-61967852790233572572011-11-17T17:25:00.000+11:002011-11-17T17:25:12.985+11:00

Three freshly squeezed oranges + some icy pole molds + a few hours in the freezer = one very happy girl!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-79051974123348599822011-11-16T13:17:00.001+11:002011-11-16T13:20:18.936+11:00

"Well!" said the leader of the knitting circle with a flourish of her head of tightly permed grey hair. "Another winter has come to an end, so it's time to pack away your needles, and we'll see you ladies again once the dreaded summer has passed." "Really?", said Jorth in surprise. "But I'm just getting my knit on! Yes, I know I didn't have a great winter, what with waiting forever for balls

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-8135681716269030602011-11-15T13:21:00.000+11:002011-11-15T13:21:59.847+11:00

Hello! Just a quick post today to let you know that I'm writing for a new website called Mum's Business. It's an online community for mums, full of clever ideas on cooking, crafting and doing fun stuff with your kids. There's even tips on running your own small business and making a stylish home. I've got a feature article up at the moment on making a quilt full of memories for the Tyger. Hope

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-79722875332456020972011-11-14T14:23:00.000+11:002011-11-14T14:23:09.026+11:00

Well there are worse things than staring at the water on a Sunday. There are worse things than getting up at seven To climb onto your bike And go riding to Half Moon Bay Dodging big fat rain drops As you marvel at weddings After lying in the sand 30kms from the city On a Sundaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! (My sincerest apologies, Mr. Sondheim. I couldn't help myself!)

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-62734658056913369452011-11-11T11:28:00.000+11:002011-11-11T11:28:37.579+11:00

Marinated tofu is your friend. It sits there, quietly, in the fridge, just waiting for its chance to shine. And when you come home tired, and devoid of ideas for dinner, it will be there, ready to step in at a moments notice. In fact, if you listen carefully as you slump in front of the open fridge door, anxiously scanning the contents for possible dinner solutions, you may even hear it

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-92147235706772796222011-11-10T11:34:00.001+11:002011-11-10T11:35:02.763+11:00

There's a whole lot of dress twirling going on chez Jorth this week! Love, love, love this dress I've just made up for the Tyger. If you look really closely at the print, you can see some rather resigned looking rabbits and girls floating away with their balloons - hee hee! It was a fairly quick and easy dress to make up. What I like best about it is the binding finishing done on the inside

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-35875499558754057872011-11-09T12:27:00.000+11:002011-11-09T12:27:27.799+11:00

We planted our little balcony kitchen garden a few weeks ago. I can't get over how much everything has already grown! It's a veritable growing frenzy happening out there. We've got loads and loads of cherry tomatoes, plus basil, mint, parsley, sage, dill, thyme and oregano. In the past I've been known to get over-excited in the plant nursery, and declare that we can totally grow beans and

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-37007591745604536762011-11-08T11:16:00.000+11:002011-11-08T11:16:01.312+11:00

When I spied this box of strawberries at the local greengrocers then I knew it was my duty to make sure they found a good home! Although I must say that getting them home was the hard part. It was so hard to fend off the wandering hands that keep sneaking into the box, blatantly ignoring my prudish cry of "But they haven't been washed yet!" Still, I'm please to report that quite a few are

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-5001511884207324932011-11-07T11:23:00.001+11:002011-11-07T11:24:25.504+11:00

Let's see... spots? Check! Pockets? Check! (I do love a good pocket, particularly in a dress) Fabulously swirly skirt? Check! Happy Jorth? Check, check, check! My only quibble with this dress was the frustration I experienced whilst doing the skirt gathering. Now, this in no way reflects upon the pattern itself - the pattern is great, well drafted and you are guaranteed a good fit across

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-7854725941469433892011-11-04T13:03:00.000+11:002011-11-04T13:03:54.578+11:00

I've been thinking for a while now that I might turn Fridays into a blog recipe day. Whaddya all think? I love food - I love eating it, talking about it, reading about it... in fact the first section of the newsagency that I gravitate to is always the food mag part. It's only when I've had a really good peruse there that I wander over to the craft section to see if the new BurdaStyle is in! So I

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-23071168307403679342011-11-03T15:18:00.001+11:002011-11-03T16:17:47.276+11:00

The spotted dress sat upon the dressmakers dummy, feeling a lot better than she did the other day. Her raw edges were all overlocked, for a start. But there was still something bothering her. She quietly said "PSSST! Mannequin? Are you awake?" The dressmakers dummy came to with a start. "Yes, m'dear?" she queried sleepily. "There's something amiss with my gathers, I think", said the dress

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-64217956873077444882011-11-02T13:13:00.000+11:002011-11-02T13:13:57.644+11:00

Hey look! It's a cute dog! Isn't he the sweetest looking thing you've ever seen? I just want to pat that beautiful boy. And what do we have here? Why, it's a cat! Every blog needs more cat, so they say. Very impressive whiskers. And I don't even like cats, but this one is soooooo handsome I thought, hey, let's whack him up on the blog. Oh well, nothing else to see here, folks. You'd best be

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-91227558764065549982011-11-01T14:30:00.000+11:002011-11-01T14:30:06.889+11:00

Today is Melbourne Cup Day. Which means that it's a public holiday - hooray for the gee gees! Therefore there are two things you might find yourself doing today. One: You might be at the races, dressed in your finest, hoping your fascinator doesn't flutter off in the wind and casting an anxious eye at the grey clouds, praying that the downpour forecast doesn't occur, because flimsy chiffon gowns

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-6069210543028243832011-10-28T15:06:00.000+11:002011-10-28T15:06:39.737+11:00

"Well!" said the dress makers dummy with feeling. "I must say, it's very poor form for the overlocking thread to have just run out like that! And no more to be found in the thread drawer, either." "Tell me about it!" groaned the half finished dress. "I was hoping that she might wear me over the weekend if the weather held out, but it looks like I'm plum outta luck until she gets more thread.

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-65651579405263445932011-10-27T12:27:00.000+11:002011-10-27T12:27:07.273+11:00

Jorth was beginning to wonder if she should feel alarmed. The odd spot, she knew, was nothing to be worried about, but these were everywhere! Green fuzzy spots, blue spots, flaming red spots, wee little black spots... Thankfully thus far the spot epidemic was confined to her fabric stash, but Jorth knew it was only a matter of time before she too would be covered, absolutely enveloped in spots.

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-6313518804134592212011-10-25T17:01:00.000+11:002011-10-25T17:01:23.261+11:00

Jorth looked at the weather report. The forecast? Cloudy, scattered showers increasing during the day, top of 19. "YES!" she exclaimed, fist pumping the air. "It's a perfect, perfect day for my new sweater!" I really, really enjoyed knitting this. I always like knitting stripes - something about seeing another one done spurs me on to knit more, which results in a pretty quick knit. It would

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-13634949029620359282011-10-24T12:46:00.001+11:002011-10-24T19:43:55.083+11:00

The two knitting archaeologists jostled for space at the dusty window. Alf, being older and stouter, won as per usual so Bob had to content himself with peppering Alf with questions as he peered into the room. "C'mon Alf - what's she doing? Can it be true? Is she really seaming?" Alf let out a little whistle of surprise. "Can she be seaming? My boy, not only is she seaming, but she's seaming

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-79835626693974759002011-10-21T11:17:00.000+11:002011-10-21T11:17:15.307+11:00

I'd never actually made a skirt for the Tyger before. Pinafores, yes, but never a skirt. It seems silly to put a baby in a skirt when they are learning to crawl, as they just end up sort of crawling on the skirt instead of the ground, and before you know the skirt is off and your cute baby is hustling across the room, nappy-clad bottom exposed for all the world to see! Then when Tyger went to

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-7986574038600529422011-10-20T16:23:00.000+11:002011-10-20T16:23:48.849+11:00

So here it is: the one, the only neckline binding tutorial for knits! I must say, I actually much prefer this style of finishing a neckline. It's much easier than doing a bias strip when it comes to knits, in my opinion, and I like the look of this so much more. I hope you find the tutorial useful. Away we go! 1 - Stitch your shoulder seams together, and press the seams open. 2 - Take your

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-90659595685258012682011-10-19T14:08:00.000+11:002011-10-19T14:08:37.515+11:00

Today I have:  - Popped my ric rac cherry. I can't believe it took me this long to lose my ric rac virginity. Ric rac is fun! More ric rac I say!  - Cut out another t-shirt for the Tyger. Oh, that reminds me - leave a comment if you want me to do a neckband tutorial.  - Discovered that the guy I buy my bread from has Alphonsus as his middle name. The weird thing was I actually guessed Alfonso

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-46345970073179406732011-10-18T17:13:00.000+11:002011-10-18T17:13:12.415+11:00

I went to the local organic store today, and these were the only cauliflowers they had left. Aren't they freakishly cool looking? They're like alien cauliflowers. I'm actually quite excited to be eating these! Heirloom vegetables always make me wish for a massive veggie patch, complete with raspberry, asparagus and rhubarb beds, rather than a teeny balcony with a few herbs and tomatoes. Oh well

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-28731651660346696052011-10-17T11:52:00.000+11:002011-10-17T11:52:30.247+11:00

There are some days that will stay in my memory forever. The day I met the Galumph, for example. Or the day I gave birth to Grumbles - heck of a day, that one, but I'll treasure every memory forever. The day we moved into our very own home, and sat proudly on the steps thinking "Yes! It's ours!" Yes, those mighty fine days that bath us in sunshine every time we think of them. There's one more

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-72734549844472791392011-10-12T12:23:00.001+11:002011-10-12T22:15:57.223+11:00

Jorth sank down into her chair and read the news headlines with a feeling of total and utter relief. Finally, FINALLY, Australia had decided to pass a parliamentary bill to fix a price on carbon emissions. Yes, she admitted to herself, it wasn't the best plan in the world - in her opinion, there was still far too much kowtowing to big businesses and lobby groups, but it was something. It felt

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-50815730542252895122011-10-11T13:48:00.000+11:002011-10-11T13:48:40.501+11:00

I must say, old chaps, that I really like this t-shirt! Yes, it is a bit more work than a simple tee. It features sleeve cap gathers,shirring on the lower edge of the sleeves, plus the rolled hems but by jove I think it's worth it. Although I will be honest here: I wasn't so taken with the whole hand-sew-12-buttons-on thing. The first few buttons were ok. I was thinking to myself "Hey!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-42947262648829759892011-10-10T07:48:00.000+11:002011-10-10T07:48:06.190+11:00

Good morning everybody! Have you sauntered over to WhipUp yet? Well you should, because I have a nifty clutch tutorial up there as part of the guest blogging series. Hoorah! They are so quick and fun to make, and handy for when you want to fancy up an outfit. However, if you don't feel like making one of your own, then leave a comment because I am giving away the fabulous one in the picture

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-55320983708700774722011-10-05T10:36:00.001+11:002011-10-05T10:53:16.946+11:00

Somebody had way too much fun giggling about with a balloon whilst I took these pics. Bless! Project Details Pattern: 'Mandarine' linen pants #14 from Ottobre Design Magazine 2/2005 Fabric: 70cm lightweight denim (left over from the pinafore I made the other week) from The Fabric Store Notions: Topstitching thread and elastic for the pockets Good gad, have I gotten my money's worth out of

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-65626710929828994132011-10-03T13:22:00.000+11:002011-10-03T13:22:14.703+11:00

Remember when I had that terrible addiction to making Vogue 8184 dresses? Well, I think I'm completely cured - I wrote up a summer sewing list the other day, and there is not one version of that dress featured. Praise be! The bad new is that I've filled the Vogue 8184 hole by making 60 piggies softie dolls instead. Birthday invitation comes the Tyger's way? Make a softie doll! School fete coming

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-65229594871766798482011-09-29T13:34:00.000+10:002011-09-29T13:34:43.426+10:00

Whooooooosh! I cannot get over how quickly the school holidays are flying by. It's been a blur of playdates, catch ups, bike rides and mother-daughter crafting sessions. We are having an absolute blast! But the highlight so far has been spending a fantastic day with some friends at the Royal Melbourne Show. There were: animals to pet : chickens to cuddle : fairy floss to devour : tea and scones

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-10592957384978631832011-09-26T16:58:00.000+10:002011-09-26T16:58:16.261+10:00

School holidays means baking. Lots and lots of baking! And that is allllllright by me (surreptitiously wiping crumbs from mouth...)

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-27641667314773974132011-09-23T11:44:00.000+10:002011-09-23T11:44:07.465+10:00

Project Details Pattern: #10 Pinafore Dress from Ottobre Design Magazine 2/2005 Fabric: 80cm light weight denim Notions: Two buttons from stash, Gutermann topstitching thread Well, after all the kerfuffle and mistakes, I am glad to say that I am very, very happy with the finished product! And Grumbles loves it. In fact, she's wearing it right now, and I'm pretty sure that when I sprung

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-91037982008852496272011-09-21T14:41:00.000+10:002011-09-21T14:41:58.895+10:00

Ahhhhh! See, this is looking much better! I have rejigged, redrawn, recut. I have also restabbed myself with quite a few pins (I'm rather clumsy) but it's been worth it, for I can see an actual, real life sewing success on the horizon. Praise the sewing gods above! I was beginning to get a bit worried there for a moment.

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-48499303001139999052011-09-20T13:18:00.001+10:002011-09-20T13:32:50.707+10:00

Wrist Number One looked over disconsolately at Wrist Number Two and moaned "How much longer does she have to go on this cardigan? This yarn is killing me!" Wrist Number Two jiggled up and down in unhappy agreement. "Let me see... just a bit more of the body to do, then the sleeves. Thank heavens - I really don't know how much more of this yarn I can take. The darn thing has no give!" "And no

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-59810955809850909292011-09-16T11:04:00.001+10:002011-09-16T11:05:39.343+10:00

Today was meant to be a day of sewing glory. I was supposed to be uploading a post with gorgeous photos, all showing Grumbles happily gamboling through the city streets wearing her new denim pinafore. Once I had hit the Publish Post button I was going to retire to my blissfully comfortable bed of laurels, and wait for the raving comments to flood in. But alas! I have no such photos. Why, you

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-86654034105606330152011-09-15T12:12:00.000+10:002011-09-15T12:12:33.726+10:00

There are a few mainstays in my life: (1) whenever we decide to plan something - be it a wedding, a holiday, heck, even a supermarket trip - Galumph will suggest setting up a spreadsheet; (2) The Guardian - it's the first site I look at in the morning, and the last one I peep at before I hit the sack; (3) I will fall into a big tired heap around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and stagger through

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-61607308365271975542011-09-14T13:12:00.000+10:002011-09-14T13:12:25.707+10:00

In a remarkable show of self-restraint, I went to two fabric stores yesterday, and all I bought was some top-stitching thread. That stash-busting pledge of mine is coming along just nicely!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-55991647624459627872011-09-12T12:48:00.000+10:002011-09-12T12:48:05.470+10:00

Are you ready? Seatbelts on? Helmets tightened? Ok, the lucky randomly selected winners are: Darby, Tas and Omlair. Congrats, guys - if you could send me an email with your addresses then I can post your prizes out to you. Now I am going to step slowly but surely away from this computer and start cutting out a pinafore for Grumbles. That summer wardrobe of hers won't create itself!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-35663388118892968922011-09-09T11:45:00.004+10:002011-09-09T11:49:31.308+10:00

It is fine weather for ducks here today - earlier, it hailed so hard that the ground appeared to be covered in snow! The weekend promises more of the same, so why not stay inside, make a nice cup of tea, and knit up this free, wonderful scarf pattern I have created? It only takes one ball of Kidsilk Haze, and makes a perfect gift. And to celebrate the publishing of this pattern, I'm having

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-33651408610706537972011-09-08T13:25:00.001+10:002011-09-08T19:39:21.301+10:00

I am tempted - oh, so sorely tempted - to grade this pattern up to my size. Grumbles and I both adore it! It's warm yet funkily stylish. And the perfect red! Seriously, dresses do not come any better than this! I made the size 8, so she could wear it for the remainder of this winter, and hopefully for next, so it's roomy, but not in a bad way. The yarn used was Woolganic organic merino

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-761979670315850852011-09-06T12:55:00.000+10:002011-09-06T12:55:35.255+10:00

"Do you suppose it will happen today?", asked the back listlessly. "It's just that I don't want to get my hopes up, you see." "With any luck!" said the front cheerfully. "I'm sure she'll sit down immediately after lunch and start seaming us right away. We'll be a finished red wool dress for Grumbles in no time!" "That's what you said yesterday, and the day before", grizzled the collar. "Yet

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-8214009838684330572011-09-05T13:15:00.002+10:002011-09-05T13:31:04.488+10:00

"So", said Galumph, as they sat down to a dinner of steaming vegetable, chickpea and paneer curry with rice, "how was everybody's day?" "Pretty good!" said Grumbles, adding through a mouthful of rice " I did lots of monkey bars!" "Mine was pretty good, too" said Galumph. "Fixed some code, had a few meetings, solved that interface problem that had been bugging us. How was yours, honey?" "

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-23958326366602590752011-09-02T16:47:00.000+10:002011-09-02T16:47:43.591+10:00

What's that I see on the clothes horse? That's right - it's the new fabric, freshly laundered, ready to be made into Grumble's summer wardrobe! I am especially in love with the balloon print. Ach, if only it came in a colourway to suit me (light blue isn't really for me). Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there. Especially ours. We love ya,

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-53609788747098237492011-09-01T14:02:00.001+10:002011-09-01T14:07:53.757+10:00

I was delighted  - nay, enraptured! - to receive some Phildar knitting magazines in the mail the other day. I just adore how beautifully designed the patterns are. The children's patterns, in particular, never fail to warm the cockles of my heart. They are so fashion forward, yet age appropriate, and just as snazzy as any branded knit you can find at a fancy department store (cough cough Seed,

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-62731816782876375742011-08-31T19:37:00.000+10:002011-08-31T19:37:37.551+10:00

Books like this make me want to (a) own a cute dog who can do flip-flop tricks! (b) live in a perfect French village where there are striped awnings adorning every window, fruit stalls on the streets, and tiny cafes where it is de rigeur for ladies to wear a hat and a suit to dine; (c) have a bath. Man, do I miss having a bath in the house (I do take a shower every day. Sometimes two. Shhh!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-15706875305309118832011-08-30T13:10:00.003+10:002011-08-30T14:19:56.260+10:00

"I've figured it out!" announced Jorth happily to Galumph. "I have cracked the nut! Solved the dastardly problem! Sorted out the quandary! Used my grey matter to fathom, to discern, to comprehend a solution!" Galumph looked up from his book on Jørgen Jørgensen. "My darling wife", he said. "What on earth are you talking about?" Jorth gave him the kind of look that husbands all around the

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-39014746832423933602011-08-29T17:29:00.000+10:002011-08-29T17:29:34.801+10:00

Surely I am not alone here in thinking that this would have to be the cutest tape measure EVER!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-43312799418180145852011-08-26T13:11:00.000+10:002011-08-26T13:11:13.820+10:00

Jorth was rather pleased with herself, and rightly so. For she had just finished the knitting part of Grumble's red dress. The knitting of the collar had taken much longer than she thought it would. There had been an odd flaw in the yarn - one of the plys had unravelled. When Jorth discovered this she decided that it was no big deal, and that it would be hidden in the knitting, and had ribbed on.

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-72819893648725144172011-08-25T12:01:00.000+10:002011-08-25T12:01:02.447+10:00

I always say that autumn is my favourite season, but gee whiz, spring isn't too far behind! I'm meant to be working on my book today, but instead of being stuck in front of a computer screen I'd much rather be outside, lying under a blossom tree, enjoying the sun on my skin and feeling the wind tickle my toes. Still, these darn character studies won't write themselves, eh? (tears herself away

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-41628907653442774562011-08-24T13:10:00.000+10:002011-08-24T13:10:03.393+10:00

In her never ending search for healthy, filling, yet fun lunch box snacks, Jorth found herself once again perusing recipe sites on the internet. The edicts were few but essential: it had to be nut-free, easy to make and containing no exotic ingredients. And to be honest, Jorth was getting desperate. Although Grumbles wasn't a complainer by nature, she was beginning to heave rather large sighs

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-52716373647774535592011-08-22T12:36:00.000+10:002011-08-22T12:36:20.097+10:00

Really, it's the only way to travel! Bike paths traversed: Outer Circle Trail, Gardiners Creek Trail and Yarra Trail.

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-53739632313498465002011-08-19T11:30:00.000+10:002011-08-19T11:30:28.704+10:00

Q: What has two legs, two wheels and a big daft grin on her face? A: Me, on my family bike ride this Sunday! We had a family meeting last night, and it was laid down that nobody was allowed to be sick this weekend. Sniffs, snuffles, sneezes and any other ailments beginning with 'sn' are completely and utterly banned. It's going to be sunny and 19 C on Sunday, and I am determined to be cycling

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-49116408876149621372011-08-18T10:48:00.001+10:002011-08-18T10:49:33.982+10:00

Le dos, le devant et les deux manches sont fini! The back, the front and the two sleeves of Grumble's red wool dress are finished! Now all I have left to do is 46cm of ribbing for le col (the collar). What fun! We have fallen into a sweet gentle routine here each evening. After dinner, Galumph and Grumbles head off into the bedroom, and lie on the bed reading Harry Potter out loud. I sit on

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-6127487362013910752011-08-16T11:19:00.001+10:002011-08-16T11:20:17.313+10:00

I thought seriously of visiting the doctor today, for when I woke up this morning I discovered that my neck glands felt like they had grown to become the size of golf balls, my throat feels like it is on fire and my nose is dripping like a tap with a broken washer. But then I remembered that it would cost me $60 for the privilege of hearing that I've got a viral infection so the best thing I

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-86041851248611163752011-08-15T14:14:00.000+10:002011-08-15T14:14:06.536+10:00

Saturday found us rugged up to the nines (it gets cold up in the country, you know!) and driving up the highway to the fine and handsome town of Bendigo. The reason for our visit? To check out The White Wedding Dress exhibition that was being shown at the Bendigo Art Gallery. If you have any interest in social or textile history then get your behind up to Bendigo and check it out! The wedding

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-17166369105058919902011-08-12T10:52:00.000+10:002011-08-12T10:52:39.883+10:00

As you can see, doing a toile was a sterling idea! This is the best skirt I have ever made! Ok, ok, so I have a long history of skirt disasters, but the tide has turned, my friends. It's toileing for skirts from now on, now I know how successful the results will be. Things I like about this outfit: it's pink! and red! together! Just the very thought of my new pink top and skirt is

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-58884636740608157582011-08-10T13:28:00.001+10:002011-08-10T13:29:50.755+10:00

Jorth was in an extraordinarily indecisive mood. On the one hand she really wanted to immediately start cutting out her red fabric to make a skirt, using the Burda magazine pattern she had just traced. But on the other hand she always had trouble getting skirts to fit well, and there was an annoying little voice in her head that kept insisting she make a toile. Jorth knew that making a toile

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-67413543361027765372011-08-09T14:50:00.001+10:002011-08-09T14:51:30.176+10:00

Rolanda, in life, had been a colour trend forecaster, and a rather good one at that despite her brusque personality. In the afterlife, however, she was just another ghost. The thing that she missed most about being alive was not, as you may suppose, her family and friends. She was now free to pop on in and see how they were anytime she fancied (not that she often did - she found them even more

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-88654998147379148742011-08-08T14:02:00.000+10:002011-08-08T14:02:55.379+10:00

Come around to ours tonight - it's the Galumph's birthday, and we're having chocolate mousse for dessert! Well, you might - I've licked so many bowls and spoons making it that I am officially moussed-out. Urp. Goodness knows what the dentist is going to say when I rock up this afternoon with my manky chocolate mousse breath. And my too-much-rich-food tummy ache. Oh well - happy birthday

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-66789062667091700602011-08-05T12:55:00.000+10:002011-08-05T12:55:05.775+10:00

(In scary ghostly voice) Welcome, dear friends, to the House of Sickness. Come in, if you dare, and you shall see the Galumph, hiding away in the bedroom with a heat pack pressed to his head, nursing a vicious inner ear infection. Behold the agony on his face! In the lounge you shall find Grumbles, taking her third day off school this week, desolately coughing up more phlegm with her hacking

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-20335725978765785642011-08-03T13:52:00.004+10:002011-08-03T14:12:05.367+10:00

Wheeeeeee! Thanks for letting me have a little peep in your craniums about your sewing plans or not, as the case may be. So glad I'm not the only who sews on a whim. This year I am really going to try and Sew With A Plan (or SWAP, as they call it) but you can be assured when the right pattern or fabric comes along all my good intentions will be thrown out the window as I race to whip up something

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-22165892403378203052011-08-02T11:10:00.000+10:002011-08-02T11:10:00.436+10:00

I'm sitting here today, enjoying this marvellous sunshine. 20 C today! In August! And I'm feeling pretty good about my decision to quickly wrap up my winter sewing and make a start on my summer sewing. There's even a little voice in my head saying "Winter coat, schminter coat. Leave that till next year, sister!" But then I remembered the weather report I read in The Age yesterday that warned

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-83010246822661801302011-08-01T13:18:00.000+10:002011-08-01T13:18:04.505+10:00

We don't have a garden. Sob! We do have a balcony, but it's in a tricky spot - half the year it gets no sun at all, and drying clothes on it is a major challenge, and the other half of the year it gets too much, and what few pots we have been brave enough to put out invariably get fried in the relentless Australian summer heat. It's a bit sad, because I would really, really love a patch of

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-91339960380441105212011-07-28T14:53:00.001+10:002011-07-28T14:54:34.763+10:00

Standing at her window, Jorth squinted out, and beheld the tall, upright creature striding along. Although she was just a speck on the horizon, there was no mistaking who she was, just as there was no mistaking the scent of jasmine in the air, the sudden warmth from the sun that blazed down to warm bones after chilly mornings, and the green shoots of grass poking up fresh and young from the

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-60618965805694255682011-07-27T09:43:00.000+10:002011-07-27T09:43:34.618+10:00

Yesterday was full of so many good things: meeting up with a dear friend : the domed reading room : portraits of severe early settlers : a long walk home in the rain (I rather enjoy walking in the rain) : choc chips biscuits for afternoon tea But the best part was being gifted with this glorious pink scarf machine knitted for my birthday. Grumbles, you may be modelling it for the photo

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-29014678958717389392011-07-25T11:03:00.000+10:002011-07-25T11:03:13.729+10:00

Drumroll please! The winner of the Liberty Birthday Giveaway is (thanks to random.org)... Ruby Dawn! Come on down and get your prize... oh hang on a sec, this isn't the Price Is Right. Oh well, send me an address and I'll send your prize! Thanks to everybody who entered - that was fun!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-83447840171618740102011-07-22T11:12:00.000+10:002011-07-22T11:12:17.827+10:00

Jorth sat on the hard chair, and looked around her fearfully. Why had they brought her to this interrogation room? She hadn't done anything wrong, but she began to fart nervously all the same. Suddenly the door burst open and two navy clad people walked in. One was a large woman with a florid face and a bad blonde-dye-and-perm combo, and the other was a small thin man with an equally thin

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-24438594398618874852011-07-21T14:06:00.001+10:002011-07-21T14:06:39.945+10:00

I would like to be able to show you a picture of my finished striped jumper, but alas! The yarn store is still out of the black yarn I am using, and won't have any in for at least another month *bangs head on table at own ineptitude at figuring out yarn requirements* I have a sleeve cap to go! This is sooooooo frustrating! So what's a girl with plenty of knitting needles and patterns at hand to

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-91527362848760793112011-07-19T16:34:00.000+10:002011-07-19T16:34:12.139+10:00

Today has been filled with so many of my favourite things! And I'm told by a reliable souce (ahem, Grumbles) that there is still lemon meringue pie to come. Hooray! This day just gets better and better. PS Don't forget to enter the Liberty Fabric Birthday Giveaway.

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-67772898104494997452011-07-18T11:05:00.001+10:002011-07-18T11:16:11.352+10:00

Tomorrow is my birthday, which not only means that I'm another year older (34, yikes!) but also heralds the yearly Jorth Birthday Giveaway! But first things first: I'd like to introduce you to my birthday frock. Yes, it's yet another Vogue 8511. And yes, it's made up in Liberty wool/cotton from Tessuti Fabrics. I can't help myself - I love the pattern and love the fabric! It's so soft and

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com140tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-60702256236094410622011-07-15T16:42:00.000+10:002011-07-15T16:42:47.109+10:00

This meal has me seriously thinking about investing in a waffle maker! Hope you all have a great weekend, and don't forget to check back in on Monday - it's my birthday next week, which means it's also giveaway time!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-14439057102253664012011-07-13T17:06:00.000+10:002011-07-13T17:06:50.995+10:00

Which grosgrain ribbon goes best with this Liberty print? I'm leaning towards the pink myself (of course!) Speaking of which, thanks for all the recent dress love. The Simplicity 2406 has grown on me a lot - as you all so wisely said it would.

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-54282767595039019702011-07-12T08:34:00.001+10:002011-07-12T08:35:55.803+10:00

Is this, or is this not the pinkest dress you have ever seen? Well, it's gloomy here in Melbourne, so I figured it was my civic duty to inject a bright bolt of colour into the dull grey days. That and I just really, really like pink this winter! The fabric is a merino double knit from The Fabric Store. It's almost a ponti, but doesn't quite have as much stretch. I found this out the hard way

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-24093351391902647712011-07-11T17:03:00.000+10:002011-07-11T17:03:06.800+10:00

These may be the world's best cookies. Chocolatey. Coconutty. Chewy and dense. Yum! And this may be the world's worst cookie joke: Why did the cookie go to the doctor? Because he felt crummy - bwahahahahah! Recipe found here. And I'll be found hovering somewhere near the biscuit tin. If anybody needs me for more fantastic bad jokes etc

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-21120568073086000632011-07-07T15:55:00.001+10:002011-07-07T16:56:38.866+10:00

I'm really not sure if I like this dress or not. I think I like in theory, but not in practicality. For example, I like the sleeves with the elasticised edge, but I don't like their length. I like the gathering on the neckline, but I don't like how you need a lot more bust than I will ever possess to fill it out. I like the cute, sassy length, but it's certainly not keeping me warm. And I do

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-1331790540234819462011-07-06T16:06:00.000+10:002011-07-06T16:06:39.790+10:00

Name: Simplicity 2406 - Cynthia Rowley Collection Location: Previously stuffed into cupboard in disgust, now on dress form Appearance: Wrinkled (due to stuffing). And sack-like. Status: Incomplete. Major rejigging required. Do say: Nothing a belt won't fix! Don't say: I've met potato sacks with more shape! *Done somewhat in the style of the Guardian's brilliant daily fixture, Pass notes

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-40226127048483641412011-07-05T14:18:00.000+10:002011-07-05T14:18:12.612+10:00

We've been in our little home for a year and a half now, and we have done loads of improvements. There's been the double glazing, which helps keep heat in AND stops us hearing our irritating neighbours so much as they party hard into the wee hours. There's been the venetian blinds put in, and hand rails put on the stairs. Privacy and safety! But the one things I really really really wanted was

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-81991611538948668192011-07-04T16:24:00.000+10:002011-07-04T16:24:34.418+10:00

I think that if mermaids were ever tempted to wear a scarf this would be exactly the sort of style they would wear. Pattern coming soon!

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-32319498696756851852011-06-30T12:09:00.001+10:002011-06-30T12:10:44.485+10:00

I must say that I am a wee bit ashamed that this was two years in the making. Oh, the shame! I originally started it in 2009, hoping to get it done in time to wear on our European trip. This, of course, didn't happen. I'm slowly learning that knitting to a tight schedule is always guaranteed to end in knitting disaster. "Well, no worries" I thought to myself. "I'll just take it along with me.

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17673846.post-88292651798691202322011-06-29T17:22:00.001+10:002011-06-29T17:23:11.771+10:00

Wow - check out all the entries for the Seam Allowance Guide giveaway! Thanks everybody for entering - it's been a great way to meet some new blogs. Now without further ado, and with a little help from my friend the Random Number Generator I present the five winners: #23 - Amy, who said "Such a good idea - this has been on my wishlist since I first saw it. Thanks for the opportunity!" #10 -

Jorth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11263908192771903161noreply@blogger.com4