tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13860741447566699332024-03-06T05:49:27.293+11:00willow & moowillow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.comBlogger425125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-24286013480883529392013-05-06T16:32:00.000+10:002013-05-06T16:32:38.687+10:00Ready for the double wideAt work I received a Snuggie. <br />
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It was part of a new product launch. Sometimes we get promotional sorts of gifts. Anyway, owning a Snuggie makes me feel like I'm ready to move into a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_home" target="_blank">double-wide</a>. Perfect for chain smoking on the lounge while watching tv. <br />
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A West Elm catalogue in my mailbox at home today. Now that's more my style.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8713433430/" title="Untitled by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8713433430_f0dc644492_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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I bought these sweet pillows from there a few weeks ago. I keep telling Moo to stay off of them. Somehow she thinks the silk cushions are just for her.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8712349209/" title="Untitled by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8548/8712349209_6d03e82bcb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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I haven't been blogging much because it would be terribly boring. You know, stuff like I woke up at 5am to go walking or I went to boxing class. I've been working on my self improvement project. So far I've lost about this much weight<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8713434590/" title="Untitled by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8713434590_a497c76065_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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When my sister FINALLY came to visit us, I made her a shirt, so I have done a tiny bit of sewing. Next up is sewing for me because I desperately need tops.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8685552456/" title="mareena top in magic mushies by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="mareena top in magic mushies" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8685552456_569993a3e6_z.jpg" width="411" /></a></center>
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<br />willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-78915411733119057462013-02-03T13:01:00.000+11:002013-02-03T13:01:35.801+11:00Peace, love and happinessA friend of Mollie's had a birthday back in December. I made her a top. I really wanted to make an effort to make a gift because Moo's friend was moving up to Queensland.<br />
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I used an old favourite, the Farbenmix Antonia pattern. I didn't have enough of the pink daisy fabric for the whole top, so I used a matching green knit for the back. The sleeves and "ribbing" are a <a href="http://www.craftymamasfabrics.com.au/products/swafing-gala-rainbow-knit-50cm-x-160cm-pre-order" target="_blank">rainbow stripe knit</a> from Crafty Mamas (love those Gala stripe knits!). I also put a Love Bus embroidery on the front. I enlarged it, but I think I should have kept it the standard large size. Unfortunately you can't buy that embroidery design any more.<br />
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Front<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8289029303/" title="Love Bus Antonia Front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Love Bus Antonia Front" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8289029303_c287fb1a67_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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Back<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8289029447/" title="Love Bus Antonia Back by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Love Bus Antonia Back" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8289029447_cdc5d09c7a_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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(ignore those shadowy spots. there is something wrong with my little camera) willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-35059494345364321882013-01-30T20:02:00.000+11:002013-01-30T20:02:50.590+11:00Back to school prepI'm lucky in a way. My kids go to a Steiner school. Our school supplies the children with what they need. Yes, I do pay a stationery fee, but I don't mind that. It's easier than rushing around doing the shopping. We also have no uniform which some people think can be difficult, but since I grew up not having to wear a uniform to school, it just seems normal to me. This year I did have one requirement to fulfil. Mollie needed a new lunch bag. The bag i made her was <a href="http://willowandmoo.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/getting-ready.html" target="_blank">falling apart on the handle</a>. It lasted 4 years. Much better than a lot of store bought lunch bags. <br />
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Over on Crafty Mamas <a href="http://www.castley.net/datcat/" target="_blank">Dani</a> made a lunch bag using <a href="http://ayumills.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/tutorial-lunch-bag.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>, and I thought it would make a good one for Moo too. The only thing I did differently was to use some Insulbrite between the outer and lining, and I used webbing for the handles. I'm hoping the webbing will be really hard wearing. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8428095981/" title="mollie's new lunch bag by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="mollie's new lunch bag" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8428095981_da46d2f8aa_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-61454793422601898432013-01-29T11:47:00.000+11:002013-01-29T11:47:24.094+11:00Spreading the rainbow loveDecember and January have been filled with all the usual school holiday activities - lounging about the house, getting together with friends, a bit of swimming and a few outings. I had a few requests for rainbow skirts and figured since I wasn't working while the kids were on holidays that I'd do a few. I also had a couple of baby presents that were overdue.<br />
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In the end I ended up making 9 skirts, and it tested my patience. My friends have told me that I am not to make them any more as they don't want to listen to me whinge about them. I like making them, but the process is always so drawn out, and I never allow myself to work on my own projects when I have work to do for others. When I get to the end of the process and I have all these pretty skirts, I want to do it again....just not for a while. Don't tell my friends that I said that, ok?<br />
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One of the skirts<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8425675806/" title="Redondo Jan13 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Redondo Jan13" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/8425675806_7ff25afa40_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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The skirts are going all over Australia, and two are going to the UK! <br />
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I also made some leggings to go with a few of the skirt orders plus a pair for Miss Moo.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8424585867/" title="rainbow leggings by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="rainbow leggings" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8374/8424585867_1a2a3e3dd6_z.jpg" width="479" /></a></center>
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The two blankets that I made for gifts have been sent off. I was in such a rush to get them posted that I didn't take photos. The other four (excuse the creases they were sitting around folded up)....<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8425676298/" title="pink flower blanket 0113 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="pink flower blanket 0113" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8425676298_3929b035c4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8424585423/" title="yellow flower blanket 0113 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="yellow flower blanket 0113" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8424585423_628d1a9e49_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8424586767/" title="blue star blanket 0113 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="blue star blanket 0113" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8424586767_09550b5d57_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8424586503/" title="orange star blanket 0113 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="orange star blanket 0113" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8424586503_fc7bb5cb82_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-86341277655920562562013-01-04T20:53:00.000+11:002013-01-04T21:13:16.010+11:00Happy New Year and Yummy Food!So I'm hoping 2013 is going to be a good for the house of willow & moo. I'm also going to attempt to get back into the swing of blogging. Everything is a bit slow on the craft front here as I psych myself up to do a big batch of dyeing. After that I should get some time to sew whatever I want for me and the kids although I've just realised that I haven't blogged a t-shirt that I made as a birthday party present in December.<br />
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For me food and crafting are intertwined. Back in October my friend, <a href="http://bungalowbabble.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Cath</a>, picked me up to go to our craft weekend away. She told me about these organic strawberries that she bought on Old Nothern Road in Dural. All of my friends know that I like to eat organic food. She also said they were the best strawberries that she had ever tasted, so I had to investigate. Cath gave me the <a href="http://www.common2us.com/" target="_blank">website</a> off of the box, and that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Common 2 Us.<br />
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I discovered that I'd been driving by their farm for a while. I remember seeing the sign out front, but being sort of shy I wouldn't have just driven up the driveway to check it out. Borja, his lovely girlfriend - Soraya and other friends are trying to create a community organic garden which is essentially like the community support agriculture schemes in the US. <br />
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These photos were taken a few days before Christmas. We were at the farm today and everything had grown so much in the 2 weeks that we'd been away. <br />
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Will picking and eating some strawberries<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8293413810/" title="20121221_115608 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="20121221_115608" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8293413810_e997b2a1e7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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You can still get strawberries if you go to the farm and pick them yourself. The plants are at the end of fruiting, so a lot of the berries are small, but you can still find some delicious treasures amongst the plants as I did today!<br />
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I look at these zucchini plants in awe. Yes, I know they are supposed to be easy to grow, but remember I'm too lazy to manage a veggie garden.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8293410302/" title="20121221_115812 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="20121221_115812" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8293410302_12dd5de5e7_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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This week we got tomatoes off of these plants! I can't wait to taste them!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8292356061/" title="20121221_115845 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="20121221_115845" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8292356061_78196c0f06_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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There are several different varieties of tomatoes too. I'm hanging to eat some sliced with basil, bocconcini, and olive oil.<br />
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Here's Borja picking the lettuce for our veggie box. You can also see pumpkin vines behind him, capsicum and eggplant.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8292355397/" title="20121221_115930 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="20121221_115930" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8292355397_fb2812af14_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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I was really taken with the purple eggplant plants. The have these beautiful flowers and dark purple stems.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8293406652/" title="20121221_120019 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="20121221_120019" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8293406652_330cd2accb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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Will wanted to pick oranges. They make really good juice!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8293403052/" title="20121221_120955 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="20121221_120955" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8498/8293403052_c795071d3a_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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There is a small shop set up at the farm, so you can pop up there to buy things. More than likely if you want something that is grown on the farm, someone will go harvest it freshly for you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8293406016/" title="20121221_120457 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="20121221_120457" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/8293406016_e8e48ca6c3_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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I think my post sounds a bit like an advertisement, but it isn't. These guys are just doing something that I believe in, and I want to support them. They are always happy to have visitors if you want to have a look, 3 Wyoming Road, Dural. <br />
<br />willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-73162408739957569142012-12-20T22:50:00.000+11:002012-12-20T22:50:32.147+11:00Tees for meI went away with my craft group back in October. It was hard to slum it at Pearl Beach, but someone had to do it. I managed to sew 4 tops for me and some leggings and a hoodie for Will's ninja outfit. No photos of the ninja outfit. It's stealthy. No one seems to know where it is now that Halloween is over.<br />
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Me and Will in his pjs. The top is an Ottobre pattern, 02/07 #4 in black cotton/spandex (Stella) knit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8290088074/" title="Otto 0207 #4 in black by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Otto 0207 #4 in black" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8290088074_8782ceaf27_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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Then I made the Cinderella*Zwergen*Mode Mareena pattern in three different fabrics with different embellishments. <br />
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In Hilco knits, a print knit for the body and campante strips for the sleeves and binding.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8289029733/" title="Flowery print Mareena by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Flowery print Mareena" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8289029733_b8625b67b3_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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In black Stella knit with a silver glitter tree iron-on. Iron-on was cut out with my Silhouette cutter.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8289043833/" title="Silver tree Mareena by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Silver tree Mareena" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8289043833_9e740ba879_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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In charcoal marle stella with an Urban Threads embroidery<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8290089066/" title="Lovebirds Mareena by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Lovebirds Mareena" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8290089066_632caa6602_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-24150843694459853792012-11-07T12:54:00.000+11:002012-11-07T12:54:35.729+11:00Hello there! Still with me?It's been a bit of a roller coaster here in the house of willow & moo. Craft weekends, redundancy, death in the family, visit from family, and a new job. Lots of ups and downs which just didn't leave me with energy to blog. I have managed a bit of sewing and definitely plenty of baking.<br />
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Back in July I went down to Victoria to get together with my Crafty Mamas friends. I spent the weekend eating and sewing and eating some more. I sewed for the kids.<br />
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Farbenmix Unella Blomma shorts for Moo<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7649055768/" title="Unella Blooma shorts front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Unella Blooma shorts front" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7649055768_6fc315af40_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7649055960/" title="Unella Blooma shorts back by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Unella Blooma shorts back" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7262/7649055960_62ef7e1042_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Ottobre tops, skirt and shorts. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7764403276/" title="mollie balloon skirt front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="mollie balloon skirt front" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7764403276_fcbdd2a13b_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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<br />Farbenmix Roxy dresses and Ottobre tops and shorts<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7764402916/" title="Mollie bird Roxy by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Mollie bird Roxy" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8425/7764402916_c01908334b_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7764401166/" title="will rainbow top front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="will rainbow top front" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7764401166_d4bf16babd_z.jpg" width="429" /></a></center>
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Ottobre 301 t-shirt<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7764402208/" title="Will green and white stripe 301 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Will green and white stripe 301" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/7764402208_4c4e690793_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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Farbenmix Tess skirt<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7764402564/" title="Mollie Tess Skirt by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Mollie Tess Skirt" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7764402564_63b248869f_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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Now I have to get someone take photos of the t-shirts I made for myself on my recent weekend away.willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-56165505607387606352012-09-21T21:06:00.001+10:002012-09-21T21:09:04.886+10:00Ninjas aboundNinjas seem to be a popular theme for boys' birthday parties this year. Going along with that theme I've made another ninja top for Will's friend's birthday. My two have requested their own ninja tops, so expect to see those in the near future.<br />
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I've used the SCKL Imke pattern. Front, back and neckband are stella cotton/spandex knit. The sleeves are rainbow wave knit by JNY Designs acquired from <a href="http://www.craftymamas.com.au/" target="_blank">Crafty Mamas</a>, of course! Embroidery designs are from <a href="http://shop.emioli.de/ninja-academy-pi-66.html" target="_blank">Emi Oli.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8008747824/" title="Ninja Imke front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Ninja Imke front" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8454/8008747824_dbe2957a36_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8008747976/" title="Imke Ninja back by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Imke Ninja back" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8008747976_e3b6fdc159_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/8008740489/" title="Imke Ninja sleeve by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Imke Ninja sleeve" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8008740489_a34deb01c9_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>
willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-23158025708467737622012-08-20T19:00:00.000+10:002012-08-20T19:00:27.045+10:00Edible RainbowsBaking rainbows here in the house of willow & moo. We're getting ready for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/314615411968362/?ref=nf" target="_blank">Lorien School Fair</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7822110920/" title="rainbow shortbread by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="rainbow shortbread" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/7822110920_b7c7429505_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
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I've been sewing too. Just haven't been sharing. I'll sort that out soon.willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-83698876849430190102012-06-24T21:05:00.000+10:002012-06-24T21:05:26.940+10:00Marvelous Mareen topsMoo has a birthday party to attend tomorrow. It's a twin party, so I had to make something x2. I spent a lot of time musing over which pattern and fabric combination. It took me ages to settle, so today at 4:30pm I cut out the shirts. By 8:30 I was finished, and they were wrapped. That included me cooking and eating dinner!<br />
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I used the <a href="http://craftymamas.com.au/cinderella-zwergen-mode-quot-mareen-quot-shirt-dress.html" target="_blank">Mareen pattern by Cinderella*Zwergen*Mode. </a> It's a nice raglan top. <br />
I also used my neglected Silhouette cutter, so make some iron-on velours.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7431256330/" title="elephant love mareen by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="elephant love mareen" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7431256330_803f2e1cf7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7431256586/" title="birdie love mareen by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="birdie love mareen" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/7431256586_0a1dd6aa70_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center> <br />willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-5417441257650000592012-06-07T12:41:00.000+10:002012-06-07T13:10:27.758+10:00I'm off to SIT CanberraSorry. I don't tend to get all excited and scream about this sort of stuff. I think part of the reason is that big group events always make me apprehensive. It's the introvert thing. So why am I going? Well, my whole craft group is going and chief <a href="http://sewittogether.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sew It Together</a> (SIT) organiser superwoman, <a href="http://chaletgirl.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sheridan</a>, is in my craft group. So if I don't go, I'll miss out on all of the fun, and then have to hear about it at our next craft group....bus trip to Addicted to Fabric, Handmade shop and BISON (yup, I'm most excited about Bison). I swear Col will have my head if I come home with bowls. Must remember to hide ceramics purchase. Then a visit to Handmade Market which I've always wanted to visit. After which we'll spend the day crafting (i.e. talking and me fluffing about attempting to do hand sewing). I'm even going to attempt a beginners crochet workshop. I don't know that I hold much hope for me. I'm fairly unco.<br />
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Part of the SIT fun is the name badge swap before the event. We had to use the theme colours for this year which were red/white/blue. I made one for <a href="http://www.flowerflame.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a>.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7179944714/" title="SIT 2012 name tag by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="SIT 2012 name tag" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7072/7179944714_762b6de549_z.jpg" width="474" /></a></center><br />
In my usual haste I forgot to take a photo of it uncovered, but you can see it on <a href="http://www.flowerflame.com/2012/05/badge-made-for-me.html" target="_blank">Amy's blog</a>. <br />
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My name badge was made by<a href="http://www.sewtogether.com.au/our-blog.html" target="_blank"> Caroline of Sew Together</a>. Totally classic and simple design. I love it.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7161766111/" title="my SIT name badge by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="my SIT name badge" height="412" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7161766111_8632ff4ee4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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Each year <a href="http://snailblazer.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Cass</a> (also another craft group compatriot) organises a sample swap. This year I've made little zippered bags as I figure they are useful. Each bag is completely different than the next.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7161765883/" title="sample swap bags by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="sample swap bags" height="256" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7161765883_42b99f2804_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
I used some of my beloved Alexander Henry Calaveras fabric to make a bag. I hope someone else likes that fabric as much as I do.<br />
<br />
So now all I have to do is pack.willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-10609047526865534972012-05-26T23:08:00.000+10:002012-05-27T19:12:45.928+10:00Stealthy, sneaky Ninjas!Will has a friend's birthday party tomorrow. The invitation had ninjas, so going with that theme in mind I made this top for the birthday boy. Will helped me pick the embroideries, and he told me where to place them.<br />
<br />
Pattern is Ottobre 301 - best ever go-to-if-you-need-a-t-shirt pattern<br />
Fabrics are Stella cotton/spandex knit and JNY rainbow waves from Crafty Mamas.<br />
Embroidery is from <a href="http://shop.emioli.de/ninja-academy-pi-66.html" target="_blank">Emi Oli</a>.<br />
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<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7272895038/" title="ninja 301 front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="ninja 301 front" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7072/7272895038_cb0c9496f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7272895278/" title="ninja 301 back by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="ninja 301 back" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7272895278_f13b71e944_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-43157876900357050462012-05-09T18:19:00.000+10:002012-05-09T18:19:04.063+10:00And breath out...I've had so much going on that I haven't really had a chance to stop and take photographs. After my black binge I made two very colourful tops. One for me and one for Moo. Both the same. Obviously mine is just a teensy bit bigger.<br />
<br />
Pattern: Farbenmix Fano (a favourite)<br />
Fabrics: Stella in ocean, Stenzo peacock print knit<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7163343302/" title="peacock fano by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="peacock fano" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7163343302_47bfd6e355_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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I've also been the lucky recipient of some squishy goodness. I made some things for a friend and in return she went way overboard! She knit 3 pairs of socks and two shawlettes. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7163342852/" title="shawlette 1 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="shawlette 1" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/7163342852_885b043343_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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Mollie tried to take this one. I told her NO WAY!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7163342600/" title="shawlette 2 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="shawlette 2" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5159/7163342600_77bf98e49f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />Super socks!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7163342298/" title="socks by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="socks" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/7163342298_9719ae124a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />
And I've been madly embroidering and sewing for the May 15 <a href="http://www.gossamerdreams.com.au/" target="_blank">Gossamer Dreams</a> stocking. I'm doing a special collaboration with Lesley of <a href="http://www.cherubskiss.com/" target="_blank">Cherub's Kiss</a>. Here are some sneak peeks! <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7163343624/" title="devil close up by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="devil close up" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5199/7163343624_2d1394c910_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7163343480/" title="Milli front closeup by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Milli front closeup" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7163343480_473b3e3e22_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br /><br />
<br />willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-61990051619223078162012-04-28T19:55:00.001+10:002012-04-28T19:55:40.341+10:00Back in blackSo the Lucy dress was the beginning of me making a bunch of stuff in black. I've made 3 tops and a pair of leggings. All black.<br />
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I made the Pleated Pia top from Style Arc. I made this top as a wearable muslin. I was thinking of using this pattern for another fabric, but after making it, I'm still searching for the right pattern for my Hilco Fluturi fabric. Pia definitely fits me better than Lucy.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7120617809/" title="SA Pleated Pia in black by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="SA Pleated Pia in black" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/7120617809_ecb809ab1c_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br />
I also made an Ottobre 303 top in black merino rib knit. Love this top. Looks great with some of my lovely brooches. I would have worn one in the photo, but the photographer was impatient, and I feel lucky to even have these photos. I was feeling a bit frustrated with the photographer when this photo was taken.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6974536764/" title="Otto 303 merino rib knit by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Otto 303 merino rib knit" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/6974536764_e23dd079e7_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br />
Then I made another Mareena top in black. This time I used some embroideries from the Florafox set. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6974536414/" title="Florafox Mareena top by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Florafox Mareena top" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/6974536414_33b9ea5c9a_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br />
I've changed the overlocker threads back to white, so that's all for black now.willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-77077485980493104792012-04-23T21:27:00.000+10:002012-04-23T21:27:41.916+10:00Will's cake n stuffI made two cakes for Will's party because I was expecting 20+ people. I was worried that one cake wouldn't be enough. In usual Sara-fashion I decided to make a cake that I hadn't made before. I do this often. I go against the advice of not making something for the first time for a dinner party or party. I always see it as an opportunity to try something new. Now I did choose a recipe from a reputable author. I made the Deeply Dark Devil's Food Cake from The Cake Book by Tish Boyle. Tish is the creator of <a href="http://willowandmoo.blogspot.com.au/2009/04/chocolate-chip-biscuits.html" target="_blank">my favourite chocolate chip cookie</a> recipe.<br />
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I split the cakes and filled them with sliced strawberries and whipped cream. I then put a milk chocolate glaze on top and decorated with strawberries.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6923337706/" title="choc strawberry cake by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="choc strawberry cake" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5320/6923337706_7ed7183a0e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
Here it is on my new cake plate and dome. The cake dome was a total score at Target for $36 on sale. It's made by Libbey which is an American brand of everyday glassware.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6923337774/" title="cake stand by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="cake stand" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6923337774_e195fb587a_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br />
We really, really enjoyed this cake. A lot of the time I can be a bit "meh" about cake, but this was moist and delicious. The berries and cream filling was perfect.<br />
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The cake recipe<br />
<br />
The full recipe makes a relatively tall one-layer cake that can be sliced horizontally into two or three layers, while the half recipe makes a cake which can be used whole or sliced into two layers.<br />
<br />
>makes one 9-inch cake (23cm)<br />
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212g (1 3/4 cups) all purpose flour<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
3/4 tsp baking soda<br />
3/4 tsp salt<br />
156g (11 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened<br />
300g (1 1/2 cups) granulated sugar<br />
61g (2/3 cup) Dutch-processed cocoa powder<br />
2 large eggs<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
320ml (1 1/3 cups) warm water<br />
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1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 165C/325F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x3-inc springform pan. Dust the pan with flour (I just used a normal cake tin which I lined bottom and sides with baking paper)<br />
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2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl. Whisk until well blended, and set aside.<br />
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3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat the butter at medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add the sugar and beat at high speed until the mixture is pale and well blended, about 3 minutes. Add the cocoa powder and beat at medium speed for 1 minute, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract. At low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating it with the warm water in two additions. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix at low speed for 30 seconds. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.<br />
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4. Bake the cake for 45-55 minutes for the full recipe, 25-30 minutes for the half recipe, until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes.<br />
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5. Remove the side of the pan and invert the cake onto the rack. Remove the bottom of the pan and let the cake cool completely. <br />
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Store: at room temperature, wrapped in foil, for up to 5 days. <br />
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Now for something completely different....<br />
A baby blanket for a friend's recent arrival. Normally I would hand embroider the name, but I can't find my embroidery threads! <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6959576894/" title="baby blanket michael by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="baby blanket michael" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7251/6959576894_970572ecb4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>Blue and turquoise low water immersion dyed silk and flannel blanket. His older brother has one that is violet and turquoise, so I decided to go with blue/turquoise for baby Michael.<br />
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Now if I can manage to take photos of the three tops that I made myself last week, I can share those!<br />
<br />willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-18337878655718643412012-04-14T16:54:00.000+10:002012-04-14T16:54:55.440+10:00I love to bake, but...it hasn't been helpful on the weight loss front. I was going to get back on the wagon after Will's birthday party on Wednesday. I'm slowly getting there. I have another party tonight.<br />
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I thought I'd make a dress to wear to the party. I just ordered a few patterns from <a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/" target="_blank">Style Arc</a>. One of the patterns is the <a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=414&category_id=5&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39" target="_blank">Lucy Dress</a>. I ordered size 22 as I am closer to 22 than 24 which should be about right as I know a US22 is my RTW size now. I was lazy. I didn't measure the pattern and myself to check the fit. So I ended up with a dress that was just a tiny bit too snug around the hips and bum. <br />
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<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7075339279/" title="SA Lucy Dress back by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="SA Lucy Dress back" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7075339279_7382d2b837_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>Now it looks like have huge rolls of back fat. I don't. I'm not saying that I don't have padding because I do, just not the way it looks in that photo. I do have to say that when I stand in the mirror, it doesn't look that bad, so I'm not sure what I was doing in that photo. What happens all of the time is the excess fabric around the lower back. I think it's because the dress is clinging to my bum instead of hanging freely. <br />
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From the front<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7075339091/" title="SA Lucy Dress front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="SA Lucy Dress front" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7075339091_5f7f13efe8_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center>I know I said it's all my fault that the dress doesn't fit as well as I'd like, but I am wondering if the shoulders are a bit wide for me. The sleeves seem to be far out on my arm. One day I need to get out my book on fitting patterns. I'm so lazy. I just want to cut something out and have it fit with no work on my part. (yeah, yeah dream on!)<br />
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So here is one of the reasons for my slowed, i.e. non-existent, weight loss.<br />
<br />Chocolate Lime Tart.<br />
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I was going to make a simple lime tart from Donna Hay's Flavours cookbook for dessert on Easter Sunday. I've made this tart before and it's lovely. Well, on Sunday when I pulled my blind baked pastry out of the oven, it cracked along the crease about 1/4 way around. I stared at it with dismay. I couldn't pour a liquid filling into it to bake, it would just leak out. So Col and I had a quick brainstorm, and I decided to use white chocolate as Spakfilla.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6913719794/" title="white choc spakfilla by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="white choc spakfilla" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5341/6913719794_79aa433064_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
So while the white chocolate solved the problems with the crack, but then I wasn't sure if I could bake the filling. So my trusty Thermomix came to the rescue. I cooked the filling in it and then put it into the tart. After the tart had chilled. I made dark chocolate shards to put on the tart.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6913719906/" title="choc lime tart by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="choc lime tart" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/6913719906_42eb57e5c7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
The flavour combination was inspired by my favourite chocolate from Belle Fleur, <a href="http://www.bellefleur.com.au/our-chocolates.htm" target="_blank">Lime & Cointreau</a>. The chocolate has a dark chocolate ganache base upon which sits a lime/Cointreau cream. It's then enrobed in white chocolate. My final tart had a few issues. The filling didn't set as quickly as I'd like. It was firmer the next day, so I think that I either needed to cook it a couple more minutes or just let it sit overnight in the fridge. Also the layer of white chocolate on the bottom was too thick. In my haste, I dumped white chocolate callets into the pastry and melted them in the oven and spread them. It would have been better to melt the chocolate and then paint the pastry and fill the crack with the melted chocolate.<br />
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If I were to do it again, I would melt dark chocolate and brush a thin layer onto the pastry. Then I would fill it with lime filling and put white chocolate shards/curls on the top of the tart. And there will be another time because the flavours worked.<br />
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Here's the recipe for just the Lime Tart<br />
from Flavours by Donna Hay <br />
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1 quantity sweet shortcrust pastry<br />
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2 cups plain flour<br />
3 tablespoons caster sugar<br />
155g butter, chopped<br />
iced water<br />
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Basically I bung it all in my Thermomix, minus the water. Wizz it up until there are small butter pieces. Then I add enough iced water to get it to bind. You can do the same in a food processor obviously. Shape it into a disc, wrap it up and refrigerate for 30 minutes before rolling.<br />
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Lime Filling<br />
1 cup caster sugar<br />
4 eggs<br />
1 cup cream (cream with 35% fat content, I used pure cream, but I'm sure thickened would be fine)<br />
1 cup lime juice <br />
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Preheat the oven to 180-degC. Roll out the pastry to fit a 25cm removable-base tart tin. Prick a few holes in the pastry and line with non-stick baking paper. Fill with rice of baking weights and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the baking weights and paper and bake for a further 10 minutes. This process is called blind baking and will keep the tart shell crisp when filled with a wet filling. To make the lime filling, place the sugar, eggs, cream and lime juice in a bowl and mix to combine. Skim the top of the mixture to remove any bubbles or foam. (I have to mention that I like to use my kitchen torch to pop the bubbles. I saw them do it on Masterchef, and it works really well. More fun and easier than skimming in my opinion!). Pour into the tart shell and reduce the oven to 160-deg C and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the filling is just et. Refrigerate the tart until firm.<br />
<br />To serve, cut into wedges and serve with thick cream or ice cream.<br />
<br />note - You can swap the lime juice for lemon or blood orange juice.<br />
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Next up I'll share <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6923337706/" target="_blank">Will's birthday cake</a>. <br />willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-7626413612622819282012-04-09T20:29:00.000+10:002012-04-09T20:29:27.976+10:00Festival of Bunnies and ChocolateWe've been busy bunnies over the past few days.<br />
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On Friday we made <a href="http://achookwoman.blogspot.com.au/2010/03/hot-cross-buns.html" target="_blank">hot cross buns</a>, but we didn't use the traditional cross and went for our own designs. Mollie did hearts and smilies and "I love you" (which was really hard to read...it's the one that looks H is it). <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7052045189/" title="non HC buns by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="non HC buns" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5323/7052045189_62d775738f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
I made <a href="http://www.venganza.org/" target="_blank">flying spaghetti monsters</a>. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7052045447/" title="FSM bun by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="FSM bun" height="584" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7079/7052045447_f80f07e039_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
On Saturday Mollie had a birthday party in the morning then Will and Moo went to a chocolate workshop for kids at the Shangri-La Hotel. We joined up with <a href="http://snailblazer.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/happy-easter.html" target="_blank">Cass and her girls.</a><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6913719662/" title="making the eggs by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="making the eggs" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/6913719662_b18f05cd30_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6913720026/" title="decorating the eggs by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="decorating the eggs" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/6913720026_1646973030_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
After the workshop we met up with some friends who were staying in the city for the weekend. We had dinner together and went to the fireworks at Darling Harbour.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7059802627/" title="friends at fireworks by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="friends at fireworks" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/7059802627_1f127a5179_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6913719388/" title="fireworks by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="fireworks" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6913719388_4a3680a0d8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
Every Easter I set up a little display for the kids. I was debating about doing it this year, but Moo asked, so here it is.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6913719188/" title="Chocolate bunny scene by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Chocolate bunny scene" height="639" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5445/6913719188_8c38fbe927_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
I hope you've had a lovely Easter weekend.willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-30200900114165550752012-04-07T09:39:00.000+10:002012-04-07T09:39:32.636+10:00Red winsRed had the most votes although I have to admit that I also had a leaning towards to white with square detail and the swirly blue. Today I actually sat down and sewed that red button onto the bag. I felt it was necessary since I was venturing into the city this afternoon and didn't want to risk spilling the contents of my bag all over the street. It could happen. I'm totally unco!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7052045091/" title="bag w red button by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="bag w red button" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7052045091_d23367d63e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
Plus red goes with the new shoes.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6842665142/" title="Red Naot Sea top by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Red Naot Sea top" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6842665142_f618db398b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>Yup, I have a big foot.<br />
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And I love the detail on the side<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6988789277/" title="Red Naot Sea side 2 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Red Naot Sea side 2" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6988789277_a7fd533acd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-73778385536368056482012-04-01T17:32:00.001+10:002012-04-01T17:32:57.321+10:00Help me choose!<a href="http://littleboozle.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/this-week1st-october-2011.html" target="_blank">My beloved bag</a> needs a new button. Tas used a lovely vintage button, but from lots of wear, it broke. I use this bag every day. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7034126441/" title="beloved bag by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="beloved bag" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7034126441_d83fcd52eb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
Thankfully I won <a href="http://stitcharooney.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/200-button-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Helen's button giveaway</a> a few months back. A good look through those buttons gave me these options...<br />
BROWN<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6888032394/" title="brown button by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="brown button" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/6888032394_fd9b94deba_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
RED<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6888032572/" title="reddish button by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="reddish button" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6888032572_1c59962462_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
WHITE<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6888032740/" title="irridescent white by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="irridescent white" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/6888032740_aec763ac3d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
swirly BLUE<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6888032906/" title="shimmery blue by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="shimmery blue" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/6888032906_08cfe82f60_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
BLUE<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7034127137/" title="blue button by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="blue button" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7034127137_0e49180c38_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
OFF WHITE w/ square detail<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/7034127261/" title="off white square detail button by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="off white square detail button" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/7034127261_f51e5b55fe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
shimmery LIGHT PINK<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6888033284/" title="shimmery light pink button by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="shimmery light pink button" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/6888033284_47e89a960f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
mottled BROWN<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6888033426/" title="mottled brown button by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="mottled brown button" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6888033426_447de88e37_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
What would you choose? <br />
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<br />willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-85392966013223213342012-03-17T16:13:00.000+11:002012-03-17T16:13:15.533+11:00More Mareena tops for MeA few weeks back I made myself a couple of new tops. First I made Mareena in a size smaller than I've previously sewn. It's a floral Stenzo knit with Hilco campan stripey knit for the sleeves and neckline. It's a bright and cheerful top.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6988746675/" title="Floral Mareena by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Floral Mareena" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6988746675_d1e1b6450b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br /><br />
Not so bright is the long sleeve version with embroideries on gray marle Stella knit. On the back of the top I used the mushroom house from <a href="http://www.urbanthreads.com/product_details?product_id=7802" target="_blank">Urban Threads' Dark Fairytales</a> series. On the sleeve are the sweet <a href="http://www.huups.de/vorschau/zwergenpaar.htm" target="_blank">Gnomes in Love from Huups</a>.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6842623138/" title="Gray Mareena front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Gray Mareena front" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6842623138_59cefea5a4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6842623280/" title="Gray Mareena Sleeve by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Gray Mareena Sleeve" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6842623280_02890a82da_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6842623418/" title="Gray Mareena Back by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Gray Mareena Back" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6842623418_b6dcae0d49_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6842623542/" title="Mareena Mushie embroidery by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Mareena Mushie embroidery" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6842623542_6489de8810_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-44319071715047827522012-03-05T21:58:00.000+11:002012-03-05T21:58:33.448+11:00Yum, yum granolaThis is my third batch<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6955371919/" title="granola by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="granola" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6955371919_13c13abdd2_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><a href="http://www.food52.com/blog/2874_nekisia_davis_olive_oil_and_maple_granola" target="_blank">THIS granola</a> is super yummy. I'm warning you that if you make it, you will eat it.<br />
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I like it by itself, but I also like to make my "breakfast crumble" with it. I slice up some fruit, put some yogurt on top and then sprinkle the granola over it. <br />
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I have been sewing. Made myself a top. Wore it, and now it's in the wash, so no picture just yet.willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-89931529828668927132012-02-23T23:30:00.000+11:002012-02-23T23:34:09.002+11:00Xater x 2Pattern: Farbenmix Xater<br />
Fabrics: JNY, Hilco and Stenzo knits. Most came from <a href="http://www.craftymamas.com.au/" target="_blank">Crafty Mamas</a>. <br />
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One for Moo and one for Will. Moo's is the slim cut version, and Will's is the wider cut.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6776784264/" title="Milli Star Xater front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Milli Star Xater front" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6776784264_395115734b_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6922898647/" title="Milly Star Xater closeup by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Milly Star Xater closeup" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6922898647_713b7d4cb2_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6893984281/" title="Rainbow Xater 2 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Rainbow Xater 2" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6893984281_1db5fcc93c_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br />
Both love their tops. Will didn't want to put his in the laundry basket tonight, so it could be washed. Moo has worn hers two days in a row.willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-23579074340680162732012-02-19T17:04:00.000+11:002012-02-19T17:04:42.790+11:00A little bit brightYes, I know the top is bright. I love Stenzo's bright floral prints. This pattern is an old favourite. I've made it 4 times before and o<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/4586636938/" target="_blank">ne being my most favourite shirts ever</a>. Pattern is Ottobre Woman 02/08 #1, pin tuck top.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6868457043/" title="Otto pintuck top1 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Otto pintuck top1" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6868457043_08be88fdea_z.jpg" width="348" /></a></center><br />
I made the above top one size smaller than the other tops. It's interesting to see me in the first top I made. I know I still have a long way to go with losing weight (thanks asshole who gave me whooping cough and totally stuffed up my exercise routine), but I can see a difference. It's nice to see that!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/3199835791/" title="Otto t-shirt 02/08 #1 by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Otto t-shirt 02/08 #1" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3409/3199835791_cd9b81146a_z.jpg?zz=1" width="427" /></a></center>willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-15204561519005154542012-02-13T20:38:00.000+11:002012-02-13T20:38:21.416+11:00Sun Kissed HatWhen I saw this pattern, I knew I was going to buy it. The <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/3222375700/" target="_blank">last hat I made for myself</a> is quite sun safe, but it's big and a bit heavy on the head. I made one <a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Sun_Kissed_Hat.html" target="_blank">Sun Kissed Hat</a> for me and one for Mollie. Both are the same except Moo's is a size smaller than mine. Inner and Outer fabrics are Stenzo poplins.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6868456741/" title="Hat Front by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Hat Front" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6868456741_a2c2106fc4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6868456479/" title="Hat Back by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="Hat Back" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6868456479_45e9f5bc02_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
The only reason I didn't make Will one is that his <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/3979166769/" target="_blank">Lazy Day robot hat</a> still fits.willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386074144756669933.post-68770508441228153132012-02-01T22:01:00.000+11:002012-02-01T22:01:43.004+11:00Quick and easyMy friend, <a href="http://craftymamas.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Lisa</a>, made these <a href="http://shop.lilblueboo.com/product/diy-pdf-pattern-and-tutorial-the-perfect-short-sizes-6m-to-14-years" target="_blank">super cute shorts</a> for her daughter, so I though Mollie could use some too!<br />
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I made them using some Stenzo rose print knit and a Stella knit waistband.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6800443115/" title="LBB shorts by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="LBB shorts" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6800443115_99f884ae27_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarabean/6800443397/" title="LBB shorts back by willow & moo, on Flickr"><img alt="LBB shorts back" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6800443397_b1bc6fb7f7_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><br />These shorts are really easy and fast to put together. They'd make a good beginner project for sewing knit fabrics.<br />
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On a more serious note I have been diagnosed with whooping cough. More accurately my self diagnosis was confirmed with lab results even though my doctor was skeptical. Anyway, smarty pants me was right, but really I wish I wasn't. My doctor also thought my need for antiobiotics was borderline. Yet again, I don't think I agree with her choice, but now it's a moot point because if I started the antibiotics tomorrow, I would be past the 3 week mark. So right now I am trying to avoid people while I go about my life. <br />
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So when you wish me well and hope that I get better soon. I won't be better soon. Whooping cough is also known as the 100 day cough. Hopefully the hardcore whooping cough episodes will pass in a couple weeks, but I will be coughing for weeks. The only positive is that I feel okay when I'm not coughing, but let's just say waking up the middle of the night and coughing uncontrollably then gasping for air IS NOT FUN.willow and moohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03706747344614162944noreply@blogger.com4