It's my birthday (tomorrow)

It's my birthday tomorrow and I'll be on my way to Hong Kong, so my daughter-in-law (the World's Best Daughter-In-Law) made this delicious cake for me today. I know it only looks like a small cupcake but it's actually sitting on a dinner plate. And the top chocolate is chocolate-coated licorice from the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory - the most delicious choc-coated licorice I've ever tasted.

Another quilt for Emma

Emma moved from a cot into a single bed last year and I happily agreed to make a new quilt and matching pillowslip. However, it's taken 6 months to finish, probably because I kept being distracted by other things.


Emma obviously likes it.

Start with a piece of calico

I decided to participate in this year's holiday challenge for ACT Textile Arts. The only requirements were to make a journal cover, starting with a piece of calico (the calico didn't have to be visible at the end). I used calico, brown paper, copper metallic paint, machine embroidery thread - and beeswax.


And here's my completed journal cover. I'm quite pleased with it, although I've learned a lot about the construction process.


I painted the paper, scrunched it up (lots of fun and very good for relieving stress) and fused it to the calico. I then embroidered words onto it, using a font built into my sewing machine, and finally rubbed beeswax all over it. There is a magnetic catch to hold it closed.

It's summer and . . .

I've just finished this jumper for John. He was reluctant to pose in it - the current temperature is 26C - and is wearing shorts with it. However, I'm sure he'll appreciate it when the mercury plummets below zero.

I started making the jumper mid-winter but I'm either slow at knitting or don't watch enough television - I only knit while watching television. I don't do a lot of knitting and I don't see it as a particularly creative activity but I really missed it when I couldn't do it for a few years. I think, for me, knitting is chewing gum for the hands.