A waiting game

I'm so ready for Spring - it starts tomorrow! As you might have guessed, this photo is at least a year old.

A package arrived today

I've been eying off hokey's wallets for a while and finally decided to buy one! Having lived in Upstate New York where squirrels roam free, I have a soft spot for the creatures so this was the one for me... plus I got a free brooch! Check out the etsy shop for more.

>> My favourite link today was Sewing 101 - a basic overview on how to sew from ReadyMade.

On my desk

After a horrible stint at the dentist (which I won't dwell on), I popped into an op shop today to search for bargain treasures. Maybe I should join in on thrifted Tuesday? Here's what I bought:

"The Celestine Prophecy" book ~ $3
A paisley orange apron ~ $3
A piece of yellow stripey material ~ $2

So the material is now on my desk, ready to be used for sewing practice. I might try making a tote bag, or headband, or something else... hmm...

>> Lovely op shop story from CurlyPops this week everyone should read :)

An optimistic changeover

I was (preemptively) packing away my knitted scarves today and came across my warm weather ones! They're so pretty, although completely non-functional for neck warming. Anyway, I can't wait to start wearing them!

>> If you keep all your wintery clothes in an old suitcase (like mittens, scarves, beanies... even fold up umbrellas), then it's easy to find everything when the season changes. I use the same bag for hats, sarongs and sunnies, then make the switch twice a year. It's not an exact science, but a reasonable way to keep organised I think.

A lot of matches

1. schweizerhof, 2. oldmelbournehotel, 3. hotelcalifornia, 4. dialadisc, 5. thecannery, 6. sitmarcruises, 7. gucci, 8. thebroncobar, 9. kellys

>> I've started photographing my matchbox collection, lots more to come...

A lot has happened

Just one of many moments from my weekend...

A thoughtful present

One of my birthday presents - cupcakes! Very appropriate since I was born in the year of the pig. Too cute to eat, but that didn't stop me.

A birthday

So facebook is wishing birthday happiness these days... it was a nice surprise, but also feels a bit like big brother (in the always being watched sense). I'm conflicted, and older!

On my desk

On my desk today was the rest of this red wool - I'm trying to crochet as many granny squares as I can out of it, obviously still going... haven't decided how I'll use them all. Any ideas?

>> In other news, this is my 101st post, and it's my birthday (well, as of midnight), and I'm not going to work tomorrow! All good things.

An amazing cup of tea

I went for breakfast at The Green Grocer a few weeks ago and this cup of tea was like nothing I'd ever seen in my life - it started as little green balls, then they blossomed as the water was poured on. It's all about savouring the little things. Especially tea.

A case for all my sewing things

Since my collection of sewing bits & pieces keeps growing - you know, threads, needles, pins, thimbles, hooks, and objects I'm yet to figure out a purpose for - I decided to find a vessel for them. I found this pink floral case on the clearance table at Spotlight, marked down to $20... but it scanned at $10! Thrifty, huh?

An excellent vegan dinner option

Rice paper rolls are so fresh and easy, I should make them more often. To do it yourself, you'll need:
~ 12 sheets of round rice paper
~ 100g vermicelli rice noodles
~ 1/2 a red capsicum, thinly sliced
~ 1/2 a cucumber, thinly sliced
~ 1 small carrot, thinly sliced
~ Vietnamese mint (optional, mostly because I can't always find it)
~ 1 lemon

Then here's what you do:
1. Soak the noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes, or until soft
2. Drain the noodles then squeeze over the lemon juice
2. In a separate bowl, pour in hot water and soak the rice paper sheets one at a time
3. After soaking, place the sheet on a plate then fill with some noodles, sliced vegies and mint (if you have it), then fold into a parcel
4. Repeat with remaining rice paper sheets
5. Serve with peanut dipping sauce!

>> I tend to make the sauce before the rolls. You'll need 1 tbsp peanut oil, 1 clove garlic (minced), 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter and 3 tbsp hoisin sauce. Heat the oil in a small saucepan and fry garlic for a minute, then add tomato paste. Add water, peanut butter and hoisin sauce, and keep stirring while it simmers. I let it go for about 3 minutes then turn off the heat and set aside while I make the rolls.

A productive afternoon

I was in a hardware store today (for boring housey things) and came across a small pack of magnets. The idea sparked that I could turn them into something pretty for the fridge, so I cut up the back of an old Little Golden book and ta-daaa! This is the result.

A wordle creation

I had fun making this on Wordle! It was automatically compiled from my recent posts, but you can specify the words too... hours of entertainment.

A collection of matchboxes

Possibly my favourite possessions - a matchbox collection handed down to me from a lady who worked as an airline hostess for many years. She used to travel the world, picking up matchboxes from hotels and restaurants along the way as a souveneir. There must be at least 50... I just can't decide what to do with them, they're too cool.

On my desk

I've been busy hemming & patching up old jeans, plus a spot of hand sewing too! One top had a button missing for at least a year - I can't believe it took me this long to fix it, really wasn't too difficult (I'm feeling quite accomplished now though).

> On my desk theme as always thanks to Kootoyoo

A wonder machine

My new toy is a breadmaking machine "on loan" for a few weeks while the owner is away. It's halfway through cooking the second loaf, and I've only had it for two days! The recipe is way too easy... not sure it even counts as a recipe. You need:
~ 480ml water
~ 600g packet breadmix (I used Laucke)
~ 1.5 tsp yeast
~ a bread machine!

Instructions:
~ Put in the water, then breadmix, then yeast... all without stirring
~ Press start button

It takes 3.5 hours from start to finish, so I put it on before bed and it's ready in the morning. So cheap and easy! It keeps well wrapped in a teatowel.

A square

A crocheted granny square for your viewing pleasure. Lots more coming...

Just a minute... in August

Here is round #2 of the 'Just a minute...' roundup, thanks to August Street. Basically it's my past few weeks in a nutshell.

Reading... "The Mole People: Life in the Tunnels Beneath New York City" by Jennifer Toth. It's about the thousands of homeless people who have setup communities in disused subway tunnels, up to eighteen floors below ground.

Watching... a lot of DVDs at the moment, but highlight by far has been The Dark Knight, which I saw at IMAX last week.

Listening... to Black Mountain's album "In The Future". Particularly good winter music, although not necessarily for everyone.

Eating... mainly mushy foods, like soup and risotto. My boyfriend just had his wisdom teeth out a few days ago and is desperately craving toast, poor thing. Bought "Vegan with a Vengeance" (a recipe book, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz) today too, so will be trying out some of those soon.

Knitting... less than last month. Have moved on to crochet, especially granny squares!

Learning... a bit more about web stuff, like editing websites and using Google analytics. I'm a nerd.

A laneway

I heart Fitzroy and it's multitude of laneways.

>> I got the hang of crocheting granny squares, but for this project they're all going to be the same colour so perhaps more interesting when I've joined a few together. Will post a photo when it becomes photo-worthy.

A tigress

I should probably start a street art tag since I keep posting these photos. Discovered tonight on St Georges Road... she's a new favourite.

A red square

This one is pretty dodgy but I had to put my leftover red wool to good use, and learn how to make granny squares, thus 'two birds, one stone'. As a vegetarian, I obviously do not condone stoning birds. Is there another saying that means the same thing?

Two photos, one click.

Two prints, one stamp.

Two needles, one thread.

...not quite as simple, huh.

On my desk

I'm not going to lie - there is nothing on my desk today. On my couch, however, there is me, Juno and chocolate biscuits. While I indulge in these last few weeks of winter (wishful thinking?), I'll be crocheting. Starting tonight... but later.

>> Other people will have much more creative happenings on their desks I'm sure.

A rear view

I know this shot has been done over and over, but here's my Brunswick Street version. I just saw Batman and thought a dark night photo was appropriate. It was awesome, by the way.

A list of happy things

Tagged again! This time by August Street. So here it is - 6 things that make me happy:

1. Sunday breakfast, especially if it involves poached eggs, mushrooms, spinach & hollandaise sauce, mmm...
2. Holiday photos, so I can daydream between actual adventures
3. My ipod and my Macbook (don't make me choose)
4. Making things myself, like knitted winter warmers
5. Music (listening, watching and learning)
6. Summertime, sunshine, being warm and wearing dresses!

>> I won't be tagging others this time, mostly because I'm super tired (busy, busy week), but I'll be sure to pick up the camera again over the next few days :)

A zine

Picked up my copy of the latest Mixtape zine at the Sisters' Market on Saturday! It's a good read (and a good market).

A map I made (to be continued)

View Larger Map

Check out my Google map of Melbourne Shops & Markets! I know I've mentioned this before, but today I spent some time updating website links and opening hours... plus I intend to add more as I find them. Let me know if you have any suggestions for places I've missed, or might not know about!

A bowl of winter goodness

Tonight was perfect for stewed rhubarb! We had it with ice-cream, but yoghurt, porridge, muesli or crumble all work well too. To make your own, make sure you have:
~ 1 bunch of rhuburb (6-8 sticks)
~ 1/4 cup water
~ 2 tablespoons sugar (or honey)

Then all it takes is:
1. Wash & trim dodgy ends off rhubarb, then chop into 1cm lengths.
2. Put water, rhubarb and sugar in a small saucepan & bring to the boil.
3. Simmer gently for 10 minutes (or until rhubarb has separated).
4. When suitably mushy, serve! It keeps well in the fridge for a few days too, if you can resist eating it all. Pfft, good luck.