.A Sun Kissed Hat for the Mama.

Super thankful for your excitement about my new Sun Kissed Hat pattern.  It was very well received at Quilt Market too and I've noticed they are starting to pop up in stores now.  

So, you've seen the hat on a cute little girl, but I want to share with you that it is just as fitting on adults as well.  Unfortunately I am not a "hat person" - I'll wear one every now and then (mostly to set a good example to the kiddos!) but I just don't feel comfortable in hats.  I have made a couple for myself in hopes that I can become more sun conscious and feel comfortable in a hat though!

I do prefer wearing this hat rather than a regular bucket-style hat though.  The adjustable tabs at the back help to give it better shape and fit more snugly on my head.

 

If you've still got some Christmas presents to cross off the list, perhaps you can dig into your fabric stash and whip up a few hats?  They really are a quick and simple project...especially when you are making a few in a production line!

I'm short on words tonight...the kids are finally asleep and I'm itching to escape into the sewing room and finish sewing a gazillion pairs of shorts for kids and cousins Christmas gifts!


SUPPLIES:
Make It Perfect, Sun Kissed Hat pattern
Amy Butler, Lotus, Morning Glory in Linen
Amy Butler, Lotus, Wallflower in Cherry
Amy Butler, Soul Blossoms, Dancing Paisley in Limestone
Patty Young, Mezzanine, Clover Dot in Lime

.Thermomix Cooking - Lemon Bar Cookie Cups.

I'm not sure how to best describe these tasty little morsels, except for DELICIOUS!  In honour of my love for all things lemon, I couldn't pass this recipe by without having a try, and have converted it to the Thermomix while I was at it.  

Have you ever tried a lemon bar/slice with a soft, cakey base and tangy lemon curd filling?  These cookie cups are a take on the very popular slice - but with the ease of not having to cut the slice and making them very easy to serve and pop into your mouth!

I found the original recipe here (if you want to make them without using a Thermomix)...and the curd recipe was from here.

Lemon Bar Cookie Cups

For the lemon curd:
100g butter
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 2 lemons 
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
150g caster sugar

For the cookies: 
120g butter
110g sugar
180g icing sugar
100g canola oil
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
260g plain flour
85g wholemeal plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp bicarb soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar

To make lemon curd:
Place all ingredients into the TMX, chop on speed 7 for 5 seconds.
Insert butterfly, cook for 8 minutes on 80 degrees at speed 3.
Pour into jars, store in fridge.
Allow to cool before adding to cookies - mine was in the fridge overnight so not sure how warm curd would go?


To make cookies:
Place butter, sugar and icing sugar into the TMX, cream on speed 3 for 1 minute.
Add oil, egg and vanilla, beat on speed 4 for 20 seconds.
Add flours, salt, bicarb and cream of tartar, mix until just combined on speed 3 for 15-20 seconds.


Place 1 tablespoon of cookie mixture into greased mini muffin tin.
Bake in moderate oven for 8 minutes.
Remove from oven and make a deep indent into each cookie using the end of a wooden spoon or your finger.
Fill with about 1 teaspoon of lemon curd.
Put back into oven and cook for a further 4 minutes or until edges are starting to go a light golden brown.
Cool in tin for 10 minutes, then gently remove and place on a cooling rack.  Dust lightly with icing sugar before serving.


Makes 30.

.Giveaway winners.

Thanks to all who entered the giveaway celebrating my two new patterns, the Milkshake Skirt & Sun Kissed Hat!  I'm always grateful for your words of encouragement :)

Congratulations to the following lucky winners...

I've sent both of you lovely ladies and email and look forward to hearing from you :)

.AQM wrap up.

Another fun weekend away at Australian Quilt Market - I feel like I'm becoming an old hand at this now, this was my third time exhibiting at AQM and it's nice to be feeling familiar with it all.  

I shared a booth with other fellow Aussie pattern designers whose patterns are also distributed through Creative Abundance.

We each take a section of the booth and it's loads of fun having each other to chat and laugh with.  I'm in awe of how these women can stitch!!  I do love a little bit of stitchery, but the stuff they do is amazing, intricate, detailed and sooooo neat!!! 

Cinderberry Stitches

Rosalie Quinlan Designs

Holly Wolfe

Let me quickly show you a couple of Holly's designs up close...she is such a gorgeous girl with the most amazing style - now, these stitcheries I could probably accomplish!

Melly & Me

Ric Rac 

This was the first time I got to meet Jodie in "real life" - we got to be booth buddies and she kept me thoroughly entertained with her quick wit and fun sense of humour the whole weekend - Hi Jodie ;)  Oh, and her softies are to die for...I thought I was over softie making until I got a good look at her elephants.  If I make them, they will be going on the high shelf and NOT for the kids!

And here is my little Make It Perfect corner...

 

I was excited to have some of my very close friends right next door to our booth - made it easy to sneak away during quiet times to have a chat!  Here is my good friend Clare from Clares Place making her debut at AQM.  Clare designs gorgeous quilt and bag patterns and braved the weekend away with an 8 week old baby - what a super star!!

And of course, my lovely pal Saffron Craig!

Saffron had on display her latest range of fabric, Magical Lands in Pink & Red, which will be avaliable very soon.

I particularly love this print below - the squiggly flowers are awesome and a really striking combo of the two colours...

I didn't get a photo of the lovely Carly of Umbrella Prints - her sidekick Amy has recently given birth to twin girls so couldn't make it...they are about to release a stunning collection of fabric you can see below - I can't wait to get my hands on some!

A few other bits and pieces on display at AQM...Natalie of Cinderberry Stitches is releasing her first range of fabric, Woodland, and she made up some super cute Slumber Party Jammies and an Uptown Girl jacket using it!

A display of Amy Butler goodness...

And a lovely collection of sewn items using Prints Charming's new range of fabric...

And while it was fun to lots of chatting and meeting and greeting at AQM, it was most fun of all to hang out with my little sister-in-law and her fiance in the evenings.  The bridal shower was heaps of fun - Whitney's friends were such good sports and made me feel right at home :)

And now I'm back home again, its time to get focused on Christmas prep and get organised for our big trip away and look forward to a very special wedding in January - aren't they such a gorgeous couple?  Can't wait for their special day...

.TWO New Patterns for Market!.

I'm leaving for Quilt Market in 1 sleep and have a couple of new patterns ready to share! 

First up - let me introduce you to 

Sun Kissed Hat

Our skin needs protection from the harsh sun, and Sun Kissed Hats will cheerfully meet the challenge!

Sun Kissed Hats have a wide, floppy brim, ensuring excellent coverage and peace of mind.

With large, adjustable back tabs you will be guaranteed the perfect, snug fit and a handy opening to pull a ponytail through.

The reversible design of Sun Kissed Hats allows you to mix and match colours and patterns to suit any style this Summer!

Sun Kissed Hat are suitable for both boys and girls and are sized to fit infants through to adults.

My second new release pattern is a gorgeous little girl's skirt with lots of personality....

Milkshake Skirt

The Milkshake Skirt is a chic skirt with unlimited twirling capability.  

The deep box pleats allow you to play with fun colour combinations, giving the Milkshake Skirt loads of bounce and zest!

Featuring a flat-fronted, elastic-backed adjustable waistband, the Milkshake Skirt is both stylish and comfortable, ticking all the boxes!

I'm really excited about these two new editions to the Make It Perfect range.  They are just in time for some quick Summer sewing - I know my kids are in need of a few new hats (where do hats go anyway?  I'm sure they end up in the same place as those missing socks...) and I know that you will love the adjustable tabs at the back of the Sun Kissed Hats.  The great thing about the tabs is that you can tighten them to help the hat stay on securely - always helpful with kids!

I've had a lot of fun playing with different fabric combinations for the Milkshake Skirt also.  This skirt is really cute and be given a more classic look with the use of a plain fabric on the exterior panels (I've used a lightweight denim here) or you can go to town using two of your favourite printed fabrics for a little more pizazz!  (I'll share some other versions I've sewn of each of the patterns with you next week.) 

My talented friend Chelsea captured these gorgeous pictures for me (and was a legend for fitting me in between her busy wedding time schedule!) and the cute model is the daughter of a good friend of mine who I don't get to see nearly enough - thanks Liv and Nik!  Isn't she the sweetest??

You'll find more information about each of these patterns, Sun Kissed Hat and the Milkshake Skirt on the Make It Perfect website.  If you are looking for a place to purchase a copy of the pattern for yourself, take a look at our stockists or ask your favourite store to order one in for you. 

If you would like to win a copy of both of these patterns, leave a comment on this blog post.  Two lucky commenters will win themselves a copy of BOTH patterns!
(Please make sure you leave an email address with your comment.  Giveaway will close Tuesday 29th November and winner will be drawn at random).

.BOOK SHELF: Oliver + S Little Things to Sew by Liesl Gibson.

I promised I'd be back with my first review from the book shelf, and here it is!  

THE DETAILS

Title: Oliver + S Little Things to Sew

Author: Liesl Gibson

Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang

Format: Hardback

Number of Pages: 136

Blurb: "In Oliver + S Little Things to Sew, you'll find whimsical yet practical accessories for children, such as a hat, scarf, vest, tutu, art smock, backpack, messenger bag, and quilt - all designed with the same style and attention to detail for which Oliver + S's individual patterns are renowned.  As an added bonus, the book comes with two cardstock paper dolls that can be dressed with "clothing" cut from the book's jacket - a little something extra to keep young ones occupied as you stitch up new items for their wardrobes!"

Projects:
Mittens
Tutu
No-tie scarf
Messenger bag
Reversible bucket hat
Bias-trimmed apron
Bento box carrier
Play town
Penguin backpack
Art smock
Cozy winter hood
Messy kid bib
Juggling balls & drawstring bag
Tea party doll dress
Travel quilt
Red riding hood
Explorer vest
Bear carrier
Bear puppet bath mitt
Puppet theather

My thoughts:
Little Things to Sew book is really lovely and I was not at all disappointed with my purchase.  I like to try and judge a sewing book on the amount of projects I would actually make, if I had the time and about half of these projects get the tick.  There are full-sized pattern sheets in both the front and back cover of the book - always good not to have to do any photocopying or enlarging! 

For those who need a bit of extra guidance, you'll also find a comprehensive "Basic Techniques & Glossary" section at the end of the book.  

The instructions are clearly set out with accompanying diagrams.  Each project is also given a "difficulty" rating and a list of skills needed (gathering, sewing a buttonhole, bias binding, etc.) to complete the project are included.

Keep in mind that the projects in this book are for accessories for children - not the usual detailed clothing sewing patterns that Oliver + S usually produce.  A lot of the projects would make lovely, quick gifts for children.

I would say the projects in this book are more geared toward younger children, although most of the clothing projects go up to a size 8-10.

Overall, I am really happy with this book.  If you enjoy sewing for children I think you will find enough enjoyable projects in this book to make the purchase worthwhile!