WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?

My mum is the eldest of 6, which means that I have 4 lovely aunties and one awesome uncle. They are all pretty clever in their own ways, and they are pretty funny too. When the whole family gets together in England or Oz for Christmas and weddings we have a blast. My favourite times are the dinner table discussions and tea towel whipping sessions amidst the banter in the kitchen as we do the dishes and tidy up. 

My one clever duck Aunty Sarah has a heart of gold. She lives in lovely Warnham, West Sussex with hubby Paul and black lab Louis. Our little family loved walking through the fields, relaxing at the local pub and soaking up English life during our unforgettable holiday in July with Sarah, Paul and Louis and the rest of our crazy clan. 

Sarah sends me photos of the changing colours of the leaves, the afternoon sun on the trees and the beautiful cobwebs on the washing line. I send her silly pictures of George. Not a fair trade really but I am happy with my end of the bargain. 

She also sends me lovely photos of the awesome chairs that she is re-upholstering. Now there's an impressive and useful making method if ever I saw one! I'm not sure if I'll be able to put an order in for a Sarah Rees upholstered chair of my own given the distance between us, but I sure would love one!

Sarah did the top chair for my Granny a few years ago and is currently working on the chair in the second and third pics for my Aunty and Uncle.

In Sarah's words here's what she's making:

1. What are you making? 

I'm reupholstering a chair.

2. What is about making that thing that you particularly enjoy?

I enjoy doing all kinds of different types of furniture as they all vary slightly and require slightly different techniques. So I am learning all the time which is always enjoyable and satisfying. 

3. How do you make that thing?

I make it with lots of help from others who come to our club. Traditionally you start with hessian, ties with cord and build up layers of horsehair, more hessian, more hair, wadding, calico, poly wadding and then top cover. Hard work on the hands! 

4. What will you make next?

Next I think is probably another similar chair but who knows! 

5. What would you be doing if you weren't making that thing?  

If I am not doing this I am at work or walking the dog usually! 

If you have any questions for Sarah please fire away!

Happy making!

x J 

WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?

I don't know if I'm going to be able to write this blog post in one go without going and getting a snack, my mouth is watering so bad after inserting all of those photos. I've already had dinner and dessert but I'm sure I could fit all of those meals in my belly if they suddenly appeared infront of me. 

Oh they look so good!

They are the mouth watering creations of the amazing Elise Knowles. Mum to Rafferty, wife to Gareth, sister, daughter, friend and lover of fresh and fine dining.

When Elise sent me the below answers to my five questions my mind was officially blown. I had so many questions but mainly I was in awe of her disciplined approach to food and her commitment to healthy living and eating, for herself and for her family. 

In Elise's words here's what she's making:

1. What are you making?

I'm really into paleo food at the moment and love experimenting with different types of flours that don't contain any grains. 

One of my favourites that I'm currently using is tapioca flour. Tapioca flour comes from the root of the cassava plant, it adds structure to gluten free baking so it's perfect for paleo cooking. It also helps give things a chewy and/or crisp texture, especially in things like cookies and cakes.

I'm also incorporating the 5 and 2 program into my life at the moment so I'm enjoying planning my fast day low calorie dinners. I like to experiment with alternatives to rice and pasta, like zucchini noodles, konjac pasta, kelp noodles & cauliflower rice.

I like to fast all day and consume my 500 calories in the evening, keeping my food consumption to about 350 calories so I can allow a glass of wine if required!  

2. What is it about making that particular thing that you enjoy?

It's very enjoyable for me to spend my downtime researching new recipes and ways to prepare food for myself and my family. 

I've always been a very healthy eater however after having my son 18 months ago I found I slacked off in the food department and needed something new to inspire me. I'd heard a lot about paleo and the caveman way of eating so I thought I'd try and incorporate some paleo cooking into my life. 

I love the feeling I get when I spend time researching and planning what I'm going to make. It's nice to reconnect to a passion or hobby. 

3. How do you make it?

I've been lucky that for the last five weeks I've been borrowing my friends thermomix, so I've been able to use it as a food processor and whip up meals or baked goods pretty quickly. It's very convenient being able to put a curry or a soup on and know that it'll cook away perfect before alarming to advise you it's ready! 

Before this I used a simple food processor for blending ingredients for sauces and baked goods, and I'm always using my trustee vegetable spiralizer to aid in my addiction to zucchini noodles. 

4. What will you make next?

Now that I'm incorporating the 5 and 2 program into my life I'm concentrating a lot more on discovering low calorie meals (particularly dinners) that aren't boring or repetitive. 

I'm also enjoying putting a healthier spin on everyday recipes and finding natural alternatives to processed sugars and flours, so I'll be spending a bit more time concentrating on that.

5. What would you be doing if you weren't making that thing? 

If I wasn't spending time experimenting with paleo and low calorie cooking I'd probably be bored and missing out on rediscovering the joys of cooking. 

It's as simple as that!

Isn't she amazing!? 

If she wasn't busy making these amazing meals she would also be keeping a watchful eye on adventurous Rafferty sharing his lunch with his best furry mates! That boy has a heart of gold, gorgeous golden locks and a wardrobe to die for! 

If you have any questions for Elise please fire away here or on Facebook.

Ok bye, I'm off to get that snack before bed!

x J

WEEKLY STILLS

1. Baby birds eye view

2. Bird watching in the garden

3. The boys on the 18th

4. Monday mangroves

5. Sun setting on our city 

6. Cowrie cove afternoon glow

7. The boys with the tide out 

8. I love our land from the air

9. Looking up and contemplating life after  a funeral for a friend 

10. Sweet treats

11. My brain was a sponge soaking up creative juices at an arts workshop

12. Sun set down Salvado

13. Lemons at Subi markets 

14. Straws at Subi markets

15. A butterfly at Bunnings

xxx J 

41/52

The last week of those golden locks. Come Wednesday there will be a ceremonial snipping of this curly mullet. I've held your Dad back from the scissors for this long, but this week is the week, the week of your first birthday.

Where has that year gone!?

What a wonderful year it has been my love, and what a lot of hair you have grown! 

All I can say is good luck to your Dad with those scissors and please sit still for him! 

Linking up with Jodi's lovely 52 Project.

WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?

Things are starting to warm up in the Pilbara. I thought I'd share Bree's beautiful winter woolies so that I can pretend that it's not so hot! 

She's a pretty clever cookie with some impressive skills for a beginner crocheter!

Bree is a past Pilbara potter, a green thumb gardener and an inspiring nature lover and appreciator of all things wholesome and hearty.

In Bree's words here's what she's making:

1. Dr Who scarf for my husband. 

This was my first ever crochet project made with 100% sheep's wool. I probably started it about 8 times. I enjoyed learning something new and noticed my skill level, accuracy and speed improving by the metre. Ended up being 3.5m long. It is all one stitch, double crochet which made it simpler for a first timer. Next I made a continuous Granny Square baby blanket. I'd probably be reading if I wasn't busy crocheting.

2. I've always wanted to make a Granny Square blanket and I thought the continuous style would be easier for a beginner. I used 5mm crochet hook with 8 ply 100% wool yarn. I loved working with the colourful bright wool. I found this to be much easier than I thought it would be and completed it in a few days. This will be a gift for a friend who is expecting their first baby. That is the best part, being able to give someone a hand made gift that is beautiful and useful. My next project was a beret for my daughter.

3 When I was working on my first project, I watched many videos on youtube to learn of different techniques and ideas for future projects. My daughter walked passed when the beret video was on and asked me to make that for her. I actually thought it would be too hard for me, it looked complicated but after two false starts it was really simple and I made it within 3 hours. I really enjoyed this project, it was instant gratification and it looks fancy. My daughter loves it. 

My next project will be using up the left over wool from the Dr Who scarf.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x17lugL31H0

4. My current project is a traditional Granny Square (maybe blanket, not sure yet) using up the left over wool.

Bree added me to this awesome group on Facebook called Creative Crochet Crew, it's so awesome to see the updates everyday and get inspired by what people are making.

I haven't quite got the hang of crochet but have been doing a bit of knitting lately. It's such a nice meditative process and the handmade item at the end is just a bonus. 

Happy making!

WEEKLY STILLS

The colourful things that keep us going.

One of the toughest weeks we've faced.

Jotting down my thoughts with no rhyme or reason.

Sunsets and swim time and chillaxing with my mum and our mates.

Making and thinking and feeling fortunate.

Supporting and grieving and questioning and letting go. 

1. Mum's golden curls watching the baby with the bin

2. Sunset down the street 

3. George flying high

5. Birds flying high by the moon

6 & 7. The 5000 poppies project

8. Fuzzy Grandma and baby in the garden glow

9. Baby monkey looking at me

10. Wayne's colourful wardrobe

11. Petal confetti 

12. Sunrise down the street 

Wishing a happy week ahead to my family and friends xxx

40/52

George in the afternoon sun with a pear punnet on his head.

My lovely little clown.

xxx

Linking up with Jodi's 52 Project. Only 12 weeks to go my golly!