Friday Archive

Sorry folks - another (dreary) comic from the archive.

I don't think I was the only one out there who felt that law school was more like a sausage factory.

University in general. When did we stop having "a go" on the job and insist that everyone had to have a degree? (though I am immensely grateful for the modern and sophistocated medical and engineering education systems)

Once upon a time, lawyers were grubby little apprentices just like butchers or blacksmiths. Not a noble calling at all.

I wish VTAC forms had a check box for "blacksmith". At least by the time I was 25 I'd have paid off my cottage and had a new set of shoes for the Clydesdale - rather than a rusted out Nissan Bluebird and an exorbitant HECS debt.

Wordless Wednesday

From here.

Fishy Fish... still a work in progress

I had a brain wave about these guys that originally were supposed to be a cushion cover...

Such fiddly little bits that are only machine stitched on - no match for cats, dogs, kiddlies or a washing machine for that matter.

















Why not instead a wall hanging - and a good excuse to use some of my kimono fabric scraps which are wasting away in the cupboard?






















And quite frankly I'm sick of having to move it every time I want to use my sewing machine (its home for the past year has been draped over the machine cover as it is the only place I can keep it flat without the cats nesting on it).

I finally finished the top stitching and blocked it together with some like minded panels. It still needs at the very least a larger piece above - something tonally similar to the linen - but with a bit of a pattern perhaps?






















I'm not convinced that this is its final incarnation (and definitely not its final destination). I have only tacked it all together and not even straightened or finished the sides - but at least it's no longer sitting on the machine.























The eagle eyed will also spot my Mirabella softie WIP. I feel Claire's pain.

Souper Sunday

Seems like things are going a bit haywire in my neck of the woods. Very sick kiddies in hospitals, very sick MIL in hospitals, crazy viruses left, right and centre and general Major Familial upheaval.

I'm sure the chaos fever will break soon and give us all a moments pause to take stock.

In the meantime ... things to do with stock (I promise that pun was not planned...)


Roasted Sweet Potato and Nutmeg Soup

1 very large sweet potato (1 kg approx)
25 grams butter or oil
1 large brown onion, chopped finely
2 sticks of celery, chopped finely
1+ litre of vegetable stock
200ml coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg (or to taste - freshly grated always seems more pungent)
Salt and Pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.

Place whole unskinned sweet potato on a tray or roasting pan and roast in oven for an hour or until cooked (ie. can be pierced with a skewer through the thickest part easily). It will dribble and ooze so you might want to use foil or a baking sheet underneath. Cool slightly.

















Melt butter in a large saucepan and add onion and celery. Saute over medium heat until onion is translucent (caramelise a little if you like). Add stock and slowly bring to boil. Meanwhile peel cooled sweet potato and chop roughly (skin ought to just slip off - and discard any woody or stringy bits, darkish bits are OK though). Add to stock. Simmer for a little while till everything is soft and mushy. Remove from heat, cool slightly and process with a blender till smooth.

Add coconut milk and nutmeg, heating gently (Do not boil). Season to taste.

Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with toasted shredded coconut and chopped chives if you so desire!

(adapted from a Vogue Entertaining recipe I believe from so many years ago I cannot be sure)


Post "Post Script" - although a favourite recipe, I'm afraid it tragically fell into the "you wish" category today - laziness opting instead for re-heated Thai takeaway. But I assure you it is super soup... mtc (more to come)

Friday Archive

More from the ol' notebook

Including obligatory Diesel Sweeties phase...
















Happy Birthday to Bronald and Pauly!

Mine!

It arrived almost a week ago - thanks Liz - It's perfect!

Just took me a while to get a decent photo... (I photoshopped out the cat hair)

'twas the cornerstone of my "Sex and the City" outfit last weekend, coupled with my new metallic boots (which incidentally co-ordinated nicely with the curtains at The Sun Theater).

Thanks also (again) to Ms Bollywood for organising an awesome night out and dragging us all over to Yarraville.

And from the post film discussion, I think my husband has proved he is more girly than me... I've never been so proud (except for the time he called me from Vegas and gushed about the Jimmy Choo shoes).

Friday Archive

I stumbled upon an old notebook I'd forgotten about whilst cleaning up last week.

The few drawings in it were from a particularly melancholy patch where I struggled to get out of bed let alone draw.

Previously I've experimented with naive art as a release from intensive technical drawing periods and the quest to translate actual onto the page.

When I was the most depressed, drawing became my nemesis because I lacked the drive, attention span or the nimbleness to complete anything "realistic". Allowing myself the freedom to work with simple geometry and a basic palette, slowly coaxed my brain and hand to work together without any expectations.

Intellectualisation aside, it was just plain fun. The simple joy of unpretentious newsagent colour pencils and paper.

As far as aromatherapy is concerned, the smell of a box of pencils always fills me with a sense of serene excitement. It is possibly my favourite smell (closely followed by toast and puppy tang).

It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but this style of drawing still really appeals to me. Its simplicity belies the depth of emotion behind it.

So be prepared to suffer more over the coming weeks!

Wordless Wednesday

I did play Shula's game (v. cool) - but managed to delete the links so only have the mosaic. Interesting indeed. But poor Christian's head got cut orf.

Warm Fuzzy

A little project that I've had on the back burner for a while (no pun intended). Finished and appreciated...

















I'm not sure why I've decided to make the ugliest part of our lounge room a feature - but perhaps it's a vain attempt at deflection?

I made my own corded binding (properly this time). I now understand why there are special sewing machine feet to do this. Trying to hide the stitch line on the bind is really tricky. I even used a single sided zipper foot to get as close as possible but the seam is still not close enough when turned right side out.

Oh well, it is going to get covered in cat hair and pup-crust soon enough so I should just bite my tongue (but before I do, if the dog does destroy it, I think the gingham would look better cut on the bias)

















Though I hardly expect you to form an opinion as to the cushion's aesthetic value - as these are quite possibly the worst photos I've ever taken. That's the catch with seeking constant improvement - it demands constant diligence. I hereby hang up my perfectionist mantle and give you "barely adequate". I can live without the ulcers for now.


Inspired by this wee guy. Apologies but I have no idea where this photo is from. I assume by the kawaii perfection of the shot it's from a Japanese craft tome.