Caramel Meringue Tartletts

We just made these yummy caramel meringue tartlets! We found the caramel tart recipe on food.com. My husband loves caramel but had to recently turn some caramel tarts down at work due to his lactose intolerance. It made him sad so I said why not make our own with some nuttelex? And here are the results, they taste as good as they look!

these dairy-free caramel tartlets were made with nuttelex

Remembrance Poppy, free pattern

My Thursday craft group is making poppies for the local RSL display for the 100th year anniversary of Gallipoli. This is the poppy I made, I made up the pattern and I'd like to share it here. I used a 4mm hook and 8 ply acrylic yarn in both black and red. We're handing in the poppies very soon so they can do up the display.

this poppy will go in a Remembrance display

In black
1. ch 4, sl st into 1st ch to form loop, ch 2, 11 dc into loop, sl st into 2nd ch, fasten off, change to red
In red
2. attach anywhere in the circle, ch 2, dc into same, (2 dc into next) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch
3. ch 2, 2 dc into same (3 dc into next) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch
4. ch 2, dc into same (2 dc into next) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch, fasten off and weave in ends

more remembrance poppies for the display

Doll's Red Floral Dress

This is the second thing I've made with my new sewing machine, after the Kaftan I posted about yesterday. I was inspired by a post I found on sewing doll's clothes. It was a bit tricky to make, and I was rather pleased how it came together. I used iron on Velcro to fasten the back. But now it is on it doesn't look like much. Maybe a red bow about the middle will make it look better?

Red Floral Strapless Dress for a doll

Doll's Palm Tree Kaftan

The first thing I made with my new sewing machine is this Palm Tree Kaftan for a doll. It just basically 2 squares with some edging. I cut the material just so the palm trees would be on the front. I think this is a piece of material my mother gave me, amongst many pieces she has given me. I've rediscovered just how much material I have in my stash and wonder how I will ever use it all! This kaftan doesn't take up much at all!

this Palm Tree Kaftan is perfect for a summer outfit!

My New Sewing Machine

I mentioned the other day how I suddenly have felt like making doll's clothes. Well when I went to start at the sewing machine, I found that my old Husqvarna had died! It is a 40 year old machine and maybe it needs servicing, but it is very old and very heavy, so I decided it was time to buy a new machine! I bought a Singer 3210 for $99 from Spotlight. Its just a simple machine and all I need for my purposes. I've already made some doll's clothes which I will post about soon, but so far so good! I just wish my eyes were better so I could thread the needle more easily!

a Singer Simple 3210 sewing machine

Australia Day Lamingtons

We just made some lamingtons, I believe they are an Australian dish, so what better way to celebrate Australia Day? My husband has the day off work as its a public holiday here in Australia, so we've been baking. We even had a special lunch of rissoles and salads. The recipe we used for the lamingtons was from taste.com.au Enjoy!

we made these lamingtons to celebrate Australia Day

Doll's Green Bikini

Happy Australia Day! In Australia we are celebrating Australia Day, and it's a public holiday! Its hot and summery here right now, so I am making string bikinis for my Barbie dolls, because I have nothing better to do! Here is the green bikini I made yesterday for the photo tutorial, modelled by another one of my Barbie dolls. Enjoy!

a string bikini is perfect for summer!

Barbie's String Bikini, free pattern

I'm not quite sure why the impulse to make Barbie doll clothes has overcome me, but it has, perhaps because I'm just that bored! I quickly whipped up this string bikini, made up of 4 triangles. It really was easy to do and didn't take long to make up.


the string bikini for a Barbie doll was easy to make

I used a 2mm hook, the smallest hook I can manage now, and some 4 ply cotton. The two triangles in the top are just one round, the bottom two triangles are two rounds. Then I simply joined them up and made chains to tie at the ends. Perfect for a summer dip!


a Barbie doll models the string bikini

Bikini Top
One Round Triangles (make two)
4 ch, sl st to form loop, 2 ch 2 dc into loop, 3 ch, 3 dc into loop, 3 ch, 3 dc into loop, 3 ch, sl st into 2nd ch to form one round triangle, sl st to next ch sp, 2 sl st, 20 ch, fasten off

make 2 one round triangles

Join 2 one round triangles to form top
30 ch, sl st into ch sp, sl st along to next ch sp, join to ch sp of 2nd triangle, sl st along to next ch sp, 30 ch, fasten off

join the 2 one round triangles with slip stitch like this

Bikini Bottom
Two Round Triangles (make two)
1. 4 ch, sl st to form loop, 2 ch 2 dc into loop, 3 ch, 3 dc into loop, 3 ch, 3 dc into loop, 3 ch, sl st into 2nd ch
2. 2 ch, dc into next st, dc into next st, 3 dc into ch sp, 3 ch, 3 dc into same ch sp, dc ea into next 3 st, 3 dc into next ch sp, 3 ch, 3 dc into same ch sp, dc ea into next 3 st, 3 dc into next ch sp, 3 ch, 3 dc into same ch sp, sl st into 2nd ch, sl st along to next ch sp, 2 sl st, 20 ch, fasten off

make 2 two round triangles

Join 2 two round triangles to form bottom
20 ch, sl st into ch sp, sl st along to next ch sp, 2 sl st, join to ch sp of 2nd triangle, 2 sl st, sl st along to next ch sp, 20 ch, fasten off

join the 2 two round triangles like this

Twelve Red and Green Coasters

I've made these 12 red and green coasters for my dinner party table, finishing them off while waiting for my son's vaccination appointment. I used a 4mm hook and 8 ply cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills, and I used the pattern I have used many times from crochet spot.

these twelve red and green coasters will look good on my party table

In some way I can understand the anxiety some people might have about getting their child immunised, but any anxiety I do have is not greater than him becoming very ill or worse from a preventable disease. The photocopied sheet of vaccination side effects the nurse handed me did not do much to lessen my concern. Right now he is sucking on a lollipop and watching Toy Story, he is still complaining about his arm hurting but I think he will be alright!

these crochet drink coasters were easy to make

Candle Jar Cosy

I made up this cosy to fit over the 95g jar of moccona coffee to use as a candle jar. It was fairly easy to make, if anyone would like the pattern please just let me know! I will put it up here as a free pattern. I used 4 ply cotton and a 3mm hook. It took about 30 to 40 minutes to make.

this candle cosy fits over a 95g coffee jar

Mesh Candle Cosies, free patterns

Like the candle cosies I posted about yesterday, these candle cosies are meant to stretch quite tightly over the small candle holder. The candles are the ones you can fit the little tea lights in and measure 4.5cm across at the base. I used a 3mm hook and 4 ply white cotton.  The terms I use are US, not UK.

the straight mesh candle cosy is on the left, the staggered mesh candle cosy is on the right

Straight Mesh Candle Cosy
gauge - 1st two rounds 4cm across the diameter
1. ch 4, sl st to form loop, ch 2, 11 dc into loop, sl st to 2nd ch
2. ch 2, dc into same, 2 dc into ea st to end, sl st to 2nd ch
3. ch 3 (sk 1 st, dc into next, ch 1) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch
4-9. ch 3 (dc into next dc, ch 1) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch
10. ch 2, (dc into ch sp, dc into next dc) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch

Staggered Mesh Candle Cosy
gauge - 1st two rounds 4cm across the diameter
1. ch 4. sl st to form loop, ch 2, 11 dc into loop, sl st to 2nd ch
2. ch 2, dc into same, 2 dc into ea st to end, sl st to 2nd ch
3. ch 3 (sk 1 st, dc into next, ch 1) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch
4-9. sl st into next ch sp, ch 3, (dc into next ch sp, ch 1) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch
10. ch 2, (dc into ch sp, dc into next dc) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch

Cluster Candle Cosies, free patterns

These candle cosies are meant to stretch quite tightly over the small candle holder. The candles are the ones you can fit the little tea lights in and measure 4.5cm across at the base. I used a 3mm hook and 4 ply white cotton.  The terms I use are US, not UK.

the small cluster candle cosy is on the left, the large cluster candle cosy is on the right

Large Cluster Candle Cosy
gauge - 1st two rounds 4cm across the diameter
1. ch 4, sl st to form loop, ch 2, 11 dc into loop, sl st to 2nd ch
2. ch 2, dc into same, 2 dc into ea st to end, sl st to 2nd ch
3. ch 2, dc into same, ch 1, 2 dc into same, sk 2 st, dc into next, (sk 2 st, 2 dc ch 1 2 dc, sk 2 st, dc into next) repeat to end, sl  st into 2nd ch
4 - 10. sl st to ch sp, ch 2, dc into same ch sp, ch 1, 2 dc into same ch sp, dc into next dc st (2 dc ch 1 2 dc into next ch sp, dc into next dc) repeat to end, sl st into 2nd ch

Small Cluster Candle Cosy
gauge - 1st two rounds 4cm across the diameter
1. ch 4. sl st to form loop, ch 2, 11 dc into loop, sl st to 2nd ch
2. ch 2, dc into same, 2 dc into ea st to end, sl st to 2nd ch
3. ch 3, dc into same (sk 2 st, dc ch 1 dc into next) repeat to end, sl st to 2nd ch
4 - 9. sl st into ch sp, ch 3 dc into same (dc ch 1 dc into next ch sp) repeat to end, sl st to 2nd ch
10. sl st into ch sp, ch 2, 2 dc into same ch sp (3 dc into next ch sp) repeat to end, sl st to 2nd ch

Small Candle Cosies

Here are four different candle cosies I've made up for the citronella candles I bought for my party table. I thought they might look nice with some crochet cosies! Each one is different and I'll make two the same for the eight that are going on my table. Two are called mesh cosies, and two are called cluster cosies, I've named them for the type of pattern they have. I will post the free patterns very soon. They stretch quite tightly over the candles, so they stay up. These are the little candles which will fit the little tea-light candles inside when the wax runs out.

four different candle cosies, patterns coming soon

I did do another one, a diamond patterned cosy, but it kept slipping down. It didn't stretch tightly enough up the candle to stay up. To get the diamond pattern (ch 4, sk 2, sc into next sc, next round, ch 4, sc into next ch sp etc) then a round of dc at the top. Well, this one didn't quite work out but I don't mind. You've got to have a few failures to go with all the successes.

this one didn't work out so well

Geisha Girl Golden Dewdrop

Here is a photo of the Geisha Girl Golden Dewdrops that we are allowing to flower. I first shared about this golden dewdrop plant in May 2013, we were considering removing it despite it being a very handsome plant. But we have kept this one pruned so it doesn't fruit and now Tom is older the chances of him eating the poisonous orange fruits is pretty slim, so we are keeping this one.


we've decided to keep the Geisha Girl golden dewdrop in our backyard

But twice now we've had to get a plumber out to clear our pipes for tree roots, although we haven't yet been here 2 years. The closest possible culprits are some similar looking plants, they might be golden dewdrops but a different variety to the Geisha Girl. These ones have thorns, and we had a lot of fun (not) pulling the two trees out.  Hopefully they will stop sending roots down into our plumbing, but we might have to poison them to kill them off properly.

Yellow Toy Sack

Inspired by my old machine coming out of the cupboard, I made this yellow toy sack for my son. Its just a sack with a drawstring. I made it up quickly, trimming the inside seam with my pinking shears which I thought were blunt but were pleased to find they still work on light material like this. For the drawstring, I used a recycled tie from my collection of ties and laces. When I gave it to him, Tom immediately filled it up with toys from his kitchen collection. He loves it!

this toy sack was quick and easy to make

A Small Icepack for Tom

During the holidays, my husband and I finally tackled the spare room and cleared it out, making a car load of donations to the local Salvation store of mostly Tom's baby clothes and some toys. I could finally get into my sewing materials again and took the opportunity to make up a small ice-pack for Tom. Its just a small pillow filled with rice. As a little kid, he is always bumping himself and complains quite a lot when it hurts! He prefers to have an ice pack on his sore, rather than a band-aid, so it will be handy to have another smaller one on hand for him to use. I was pleasantly surprised to find my old sewing machine still works, and I still remember how to get it to run! Its such a great machine! I still love it, I will have to think up some new projects to make with it now its out of the cupboard!

a small rice-filled pillow to use as an ice pack

New Year's Candle

It's come to that time of year again to reflect on the past year's goals and make new ones! Last year my goals were to simply get healthy and do some reading. Well I had an operation on my compressed ulnar nerve and it went ok although half of my left hand is still numb, but there is a slight increase in the strength of the hand so I can crochet. In 2014 I also joined a gym! But I didn't do any reading!

New Year's Candle

This year my goals are to keep going to the gym and get fit. I also need to keep busy, by doing crochet, gardening, baking and blogging about it. Keeping busy and active is good for my mind, sitting around doing nothing is very depressing. Getting out and about by the going to the gym and going to the weekly local craft group can only be a good thing.

Also, I thought I might make crochet cosies for these citronella candles I bought for a family dinner we have coming up. I'll post the free pattern soon. I'm also making some more drink coasters for the dinner table setting which can be for up to 14 people, I will post about that soon as well!