aussie day!

It is calling to me ... wanting me to own it!

My Ikea desk that is... seriously I know, I know this is the third post I've mentioned that damn desk but it is stalking me!

Seriously. I was not even looking for it and then came across this post on SFGirlByBay yesterday:

sigh...

And then I was searching for cute Aussie Day Entertaining Ideas and saw it even used as an outdoor food table. See Husband - this piece is versatile and I NEED it!  ;)

ooh I hope Ikea gets this item back in SOON!

So Australia Day is coming up and I am dreaming of the day we can have some friends over for a really cute backyard do - lamb and prawns on the barbie and pavlova for dessert. Followed by some garden games (I have a crush on garden games) and then a total Aussie movie like The Castle or Muriel's wedding or Croc Dundee (can you believe I have still NOT seen this!) but as we can't fit many people into our teeny tiny little flat I thought I'd show you the rest of these images from this cute Australia Day spread by Wedding Style Guide.

I like it cause it's not the typical green and gold aussie spin off (it's actually really cute) although It very much reminds me of a 4th of July event - I think it has to do with the stripes?! But still total inspiration for any of you US or UK girls who follow the blog too - or anyone else who has a blue, white and red flag. You just maybe couldn't wear that bikini ;)

Seriously so looking forward to Wednesday - we are heading to the beach with friends. What are you up to?

aussie aussie aussie..
and now you say...

engagement #6

The Guestbook.
I am so glad we decided to put a guest book together. Not only did it give our guests something fun to do during the party, but we got some really neat responses and they were so fun to sit down at breakfast the next morning and read together. I am planning to scrapbook them together in an album with our engagement photos and photos from the party.To set up it was as easy as hanging twine between two palm trees, supplying some pens (provided in jam jars of course), a vase full of pegs, a vase full of scrap booking paper which I cut into small squares and some instructions. We also used the string to display some of our favourites images from our engagement photo shoot.
The papers and photos looked so pretty all hanging up they were the last decorations to come down too!!Here are some of our favourites:

“Grandma and Grandpa (the original young lovers) are so happy to see you continuing on our family tradition. Lots of babies for God and country please
xxx love ooo”

“Make sure your couch is longer than 6ft so I can sleep on it”

"Still learning about wisdom... but so far this is what I know.. don't stop talking :)"
"Dear Ktbear & Morgan hmm a word of wisdom what can I say? be grateful for every act of kindness. Remember to say thank you"
“Katie I love you and Morgan love ebonie”
From my parents:

for the sweet tooth

"...Brown paper packages tied up with strings. These are a few of my favourite things..."

Inspired by the many amazing lolly buffets out their in blogland I have decided to have one as part of the dessert menu at my 21st and I'm so excited to put it together :) It's been fun collecting different style and size vases - although I am still looking for one in this shape (I'm pretty sure I have seen some in Freedom or Adairs)...

image by paperpony.

When hanging out with Niki the other evening we also got to dig into her amazingly fun and huge stamping and ink collection (the word huge here is a HUGE understatement!!) to decorate the lolly bags. Each bag has a cute stamp on it (my favourites are the chairs and the dandelions) and a sweet quote:

"Dreams come a SIZE TOO BIG so we can grow into them".
"Every Day holds the probability of a Miracle"
"Sometimes to create unexpected ideas you need to look in unexpected places".
"When Nothing is sure, everything is possible" - margaret drabble.
"It's the little things that make life BIG".
"Those who reach touch the stars".
"Take time to enjoy the simple things in life".
and my favourite..
"Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favourite things.."

I found the bags at spotlight for around $8 for a pack of 25, which I thought was a great price. They are even lined with a waxy paper (as they are for cake).

...If your wanting to try this yourself I also found these (in pink) and these similar bags on Esty by Nicepackage (she has some really cute stuff)...

To close each bag after filling I am going to leave a vase full of my colourful scrapbook-paper pegs, which I think finish them off nicely and I might use them in somewhere in the decor too - any ideas?

I can't wait to see it all come together. And yes, I will be posting pictures :)

one.

picture from here.

Today my blog is one.
And I so almost missed this important date. Here I was browsing through the old archives of random blogs and wondering just the exact date I started mine. A quick check and I realised it was exactly one whole year ago today.
Wow. Kinda freaky.
And just how did that whole year go by so quickly!?
(I think I'm getting a mini grasp on exactly how mum's feel when they say this about their children!)

Blogging to me has brought so many highlights that I never could have possibly dreamed up!
This year I..

- I have been inspired by the crafty and sewing projects of so many amazing craft blogs.

- I realised there are people out there as Morgan says 'just like you!' - those crafty little designing homebodies :)

- I got my sewing machine out more than ever before and re-discovered my love for sewing and giving handmade gifts.

- I have run to the letter box for something exciting more times than I can count.

- I have brought more things online this past year than all the past years put together.

- My material and craft stash has gone from 'modest' to 'well established' (and then some).

- I have driven my boy crazy with my 'blog talk'. Thanks for putting up with my ramblings love :)

- I realised how fun sewing vintage style aprons can be and I made a few.

- I have been involved in apron swaps and received two lovely little numbers to wear in the kitchen :)

- I have tried new recipes found through blogs.

- I have been blessed by the kindness of strangers when this cute apron from Beth arrived in my letter box for no other reason, other than my swap partner decided not to send me anything and Beth decided to fill in because she's sweet like that.

- I was blessed enough to have been involved in a bloggity baby shower! wow wow wow.

- I realised how much more amazing it is to give, than to recieve.

- I met some incredible women. Women who inspire me with their faith, with their outlook on life, with their devotion to their families, women who are in essence my role models, who have gone through seasons of life before me and who I know I can turn to for advice. Women who I have laughed with and prayed for and cried for and who I know would do the same for me. Women who are so strong and beautiful. You girls know who you are - one day I hope I have give each of you a hug :)

- I have had the privilege of being involved in some 'email conversations' and getting to know some of those lovely ladies spoken of above better... And how I cherish and love each email (and comment) that comes in.

- I have received some lovely e-cards that have brought tears to my eyes... Thank you!

- I have been able to share a blog with some amazingly talented women.

- My faith has been strengthened especially through the writing of this lady and this one and this one (and about a dozen others).

- My eyes (and debit card) have been opened to the world of Etsy. nuff said ;) oh and Amy Butler and Alexander Henry and and...

- I have been inspired by amazing photography found throughout blog world and finally took the plunge into getting myself a good camera.

- I actually photographed a wedding!

- I have enjoyed being tagged and tagging back.

- I entered my twenty's. And have been able to document a year in my life and have recorded many things that would of faded from my memory with the passing of time.

- I have signed in almost everyday to read up on the life of strangers for fear that I would miss something terribly exciting.

- I have realised I am not going to stop any time soon ;)

And now I would like to say thank you to you gorgeous girls out there with a giveaway :D cause I know how much you all love giveaways!
So I had this idea of organising this great giveaway for months now, but that year really did creep up on me and I kinda have no idea what I will be giving away. Sounds kinda crazy huh - a giveaway without anything to giveaway. But I have decided I kind of like the idea of finding out who the winner will be and then 'stalking' their blog (in the nicest possible way) and being able to send something slightly more personal that will hopefully be something the winner will adore.

Oh and speaking of 'stalking' if you have been over to my page and never said hi, please do leave a comment I'd love to meet you :D!

So to enter? Simply leave a comment in the comment section and tell me one of your 'blog highlights' or post about it and let me know when you do. The winner will be randomly drawn by Morgan (because I don't have a cute kid to draw the prize, just a cute boyfriend :) .. so stay tuned for that post, I have some ideas. The winner will be drawn Saturday 8 Nov.

Love Kt x

tell her she's dreaming!

So i woke up the other morning and my first thought was wow THAT was an awesome dream..can't I just go back to sleep again? I'm not usually one that remembers my dreams but this was just such a fun dream...

morgan was a fashion designer and sewed me the most amazing dresses and clothes! And he was absolutely amazing at sewing (and oh so neat!) and would just whip something up for me as I asked! (I have these mental images of me in a dress as he's pinning away fitting it to me) but everything about him was still.. well just him. He was also opening up a shop with all his designer pieces and would just give me clothes for free! The only problem in the dream came when we were planning our wedding and i desperately wanted to surprise him with my dress, but also wanted him to design it (because of course he was the best around) and I couldn't make up my mind what to do! every girls dream right?? i have absolutely no idea where any part of that dream came from, but it was nice none-the-less :D

and speaking of Morgan (one of my favourite topics, i know..) he started a new job last Thursday as a laborer at a place that makes granite, installs kitchens and other random stuff, such as building this 5 storey house on the property. It's not exactly what he wants to do (as it doesn't involve music) but i'm all like.."think of that body!"" are you thinking of that body? ""I'm thinking of THAT body..." even Gran Jen congratulated him on his new job in his birthday card and commented that he'd have the body of a Greek God in no time! she's a funny one that Gran Jen (i'll post up some pictures of the present she made morgan soon)! I'm also thinking of all the thing's he'll learn that will be beneficial to when we own our own home.. installing kitchens, building things...etc and all the money it will save!

Happy Monday everyone hoping you all have a great week whatever you do!

btw - the print above is entitled 'dreaming' - house paint and tears on table cloth by artist Jamal Vrno. I can't find much information on his work but heres some of his work here and or you can look him up on flickr or google him, i think they are amazing.

messy business..

so I’ve been meaning to post this for some time now, but I’ve been so busy holidaying away! but now that it’s back to work and routine time (urgghk!).. here is my latest finished craft project. My second sock animal - a stripey elephant! (or as my brother used to say.. elfadent, which are also close friends to the dolphadents!) These cute little creatures are from the book sock and glove (see previous posts)

I liked the name Eleanor or Ella, mum liked Ellie and Morgan..well he insisted on calling her Elton! So i told him i'd make him another blue elephant whom he could call elton..a boy one! but really, it didn't matter what i said this elephant will always be known to morgan as elton the pink elephant..
So here is eleanor/elton and chops (the lamb) all wrapped up ready to give to precious little Keara. Whom we visited and had some cuddles and bath times with last week. Still waiting for morgan and Lar to email me through those photos..

as part of the pressie, I also made some baby bibs. These were made out of tea towels.
my mum first discovered these when she was given 2 as a present when she had me. she thought this was such a great idea.. apparently normal bibs didn't 'do it' for me.. and i still got just as much food (or dribble, apparently i was also a chronic dribbler) all over my clothes, even if I was wearing one of my pretty little bibs! she has since made a number of these for new little babies that have come along and i decided it was my turn. ( i also came across something similiar on a Martha Stewart page)

they are so simple to make too. basically you just fold a third of the bib to the back and cut out a semi cirle (mine was 6.5" across and 2" deep at the centre point) i also used a bread and butter plate as a semi circle guide. then sew ribbing (I made mine 11.5"x3.5") by pining it in quarters around the neck hole, as you would to a jumper neckline(using a slightly zig zagged stitch). and your done!! there also quite cheap, but make beautiful hand made gifts and we continued to wear ours well into our toddler years.

here's a photo of me in my 'tea-towel' bib in 1989:



i was obviously chuffed about it...or possibly whatever it is i was eating and getting everywhere!

after christmas...

so the Christmas season is finally over and i just want to say Merry Christmas to everyone out there in the blogging world (and whom ever reads this post!) Thankyou for all your crafty ideas and inspirations on your beautiful blogs! i was inspired this year to make gifts, try my hand at making shortbread and gingerbread men and this made my Christmas so much more enjoyable!

I also thought i'd post up this yummy recipe for left over Christmas Turkey..because i think it's a great idea AND so i didn't want to loose the recipe!! :)


Turkey Lettuce Wraps:

• 160g bean vermicelli noodles (also called Rice Vermicelli..the long skinny noodles)
  
• 40g snow-pea sprouts, trimmed
• 3 green onions, finely sliced (aka shallots)
• 1 carrot, grated
• 200g shredded leftover turkey
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
• ½ teaspoon fish sauce
• butter-lettuce leaves, washed
  
  1.Place noodles in a large heatproof owl and cover with boiling water. Stand for 5 minutes then drain. Rinse under cold water. Drain well. Return to bowl and roughly chop with scissors.
  2. Add snow-pea sprouts, onion, carrot, turkey and coriander. In separate bowl, combine juice and sauces, then toss through turkey mixture.
  3. Place piles of mixture onto lettuce leaves for guests to roll up and eat

This has quickly become a favourite recipe and quick healthy lunch. I also tried the same mixture with lettuce, extra sweet chilli sauce and mayonnaise in a tortilla wrap - it was also scrummy!

now it seems i've taken to eating many meals in little lettuce bundles, including Mum's chicken stir fry with cashews and vermicelli noodles. it's nice to think i'm being healthy and theres something so simplistic and fun about eating with your fingers, placing together your meal as you eat! :)

This morning I also sat myself down with our pile of Christmas cards and some scissors. This is another of my 'After Christmas Ideas' as the cut-up pretty pictures on the front of the cards make great little gift tags for Christmas presents the next year..and can save on another Christmas expense. This is also a great idea for recycling those amazing hand made cards that just too amazing to throw away.


In other news I would just like to say Happy Birthday to my Grandma who's birthday was yesterday, New Years Day. I spent alot of time with my grandma growing up 'helping her' with meals on wheels, sitting impatiently at her side as she sewed yet another dolls and barbie clothes, pjamas or dresses for me, all the while wearing my 'Grandma spoils me hat', boy i loved that hat! and who could forget the christmas decoration craft, made out of old christmas cards cut into triangler shapes, bended and glued together in a sphere shape! she was also crafty with her own children, making cardboard stencils of cars and sewing cute clothes for all 6 of them!

Happy Birthday BUMA - i love you!!