tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33072746328683791322024-03-15T00:05:52.784+11:00flowerpressA little about art, design, fabric, printing, vintage, thrift, textiles, cooking, knitting, gardening, sewing, nature, family, life.
See my work at www.flowerpress.bigcartel.comflowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.comBlogger813125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-25133699634906650742022-10-11T13:43:00.003+11:002022-10-11T13:44:27.578+11:00Cauliflower Pickles<div style="text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprrSfxXi5Yes_YcwDE9CpEqYGDcbVqYpejbuaCjxnlnrrPgMCTxA9QjYSd1YiWOhMLCFikzZ-moXHWLgR6PGFlqv45a7mNLUefhFVonr4pXAXqS6lxgEGN1pZ12tLJJMym8_tug35DL7ZnkJTGeqD9dfXuaQ2m4ARyBmZtGmIUIR39G4vocLwMJe2/s4032/cauliflower%20pickle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprrSfxXi5Yes_YcwDE9CpEqYGDcbVqYpejbuaCjxnlnrrPgMCTxA9QjYSd1YiWOhMLCFikzZ-moXHWLgR6PGFlqv45a7mNLUefhFVonr4pXAXqS6lxgEGN1pZ12tLJJMym8_tug35DL7ZnkJTGeqD9dfXuaQ2m4ARyBmZtGmIUIR39G4vocLwMJe2/w480-h640/cauliflower%20pickle.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here is my recipe for that old classic, Cauliflower Pickles, I particularly love these matched with cheese, and on sandwiches and toasties. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I started with my mother in law's recipe, but realised quickly I hadn't written it down correctly, so researched a few others to come up with this hybrid. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">They came out beautifully so I'm archiving it here for the next time I want to make them. (Which, with the way they are being devoured, will be quite soon!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I use my MagiMix to slice the onions quickly and tearlessly! The cauliflower is easily crumbled into small florets. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">My preference is for Apple Cider Vinegar, which is more mellow than straight White Pickling Vinegar, but either will do and I like the addition of some Malt Vinegar which I saw on one recipe so I've included it here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;">My sterilising method is jars and lids submerged in a large stock pot of water, bring it to the boil and boil for twenty minutes. Jar pickles while hot. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div><p><b style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px;">Cauliflower Pickles</b></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Ingredients</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">2 cauliflowers cut up small into florets</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">3 onions chopped</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">water</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">1/2 cup salt</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">4 cups vinegar (3 cups apple cider or white, one of malt)</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">2 cups sugar</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">spice paste</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">2 tsp turmeric</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">2 tsp curry powder</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">1 tsp mustard powder</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">1 tsp cayenne pepper</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">1/3 cup cornflour</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">1/2 cup water</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><u>Method</u></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><u><br /></u></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Add cauliflower and onions to large pot. Cover with water and 1/2 cup salt and leave overnight.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Next day rinse the cauliflower and return to pot.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Add vinegar and sugar, mix through and bring to a simmer.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Simmer 15-20 mins till onion is transparent and veggies almost cooked.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mix spices with cornflour. Add water and blend.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Add to vegie mixture and cook for 5 mins or until thickened.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Spoon into sterilised jars.</p>flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-47473279703468040432018-01-31T17:10:00.001+11:002018-01-31T17:16:01.159+11:00Simple Seedy Crackers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/39287924414/in/photostream" title="Seed Crackers"><img alt="Seed Crackers" height="550" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4659/39287924414_3a4b594fa6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/25127198107/in/photostream" title="Seed crackers"><img alt="Seed crackers" height="550" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4659/25127198107_c9f40f6d72_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/39099674395/in/photostream" title="Seed crackers"><img alt="Seed crackers" height="550" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4752/39099674395_9384d26dfc_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/26125206028/in/photostream" title="Seed crackers"><img alt="Seed crackers" height="550" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4751/26125206028_20456ee3df_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />
I can't believe how simple and quick these crackers are.<br />
<br />
And they are delicious.<br />
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Even better when I found this recipe I had all the ingredients in my pantry, courtesy my <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2016/09/make-your-own-granola.html">home made granola ingredient store</a>.<br />
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The good news too is they have no extra oil added or flour or sugar, so they are really and healthy and a good choice for those with allergies and intolerances such as flour, nuts or soy.<br />
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<b>Recipe</b><br />
<br />
1/2 cup chia seeds<br />
1/2 cup sesame seeds<br />
1/2 cup pepitas<br />
1/2 cup sunflower seeds<br />
1 Tbsp flax/linseed<br />
1 Tbsp poppy seeds<br />
1 cup water<br />
1 clove garlic<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
<br />
Mix dry ingredients (including garlic) together in a bowl and then add water.<br />
Stir and then leave to sit for two minutes while the chia seeds absorb the water.<br />
This will bind the mixture.<br />
<br />
Transfer mixture to baking sheets lined with non stick baking paper.<br />
<br />
Thin out to 1/4 inch or thinner even thickness and then score with pizza cutter or knife into cracker shapes.<br />
<br />
Cook at 160 degrees Celcius for 30 minutes. Take them out and flip them over to cook the bottoms, about ten minutes, until they're crisp and golden.<br />
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So simple, so delicious. I'm going to experiment more with these and try some flavourings, I read somewhere about including japanese kelp flakes, and we have sushi seasoning packs which would be delicious in these, or perhaps some chilli flakes, paprika, italian herbs... the possibilities are endless. I might add a bit more garlic on my next try too.<br />
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I've adapted my version of the recipe from this one <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2012/01/31/endurance-crackers/">here</a>: by adding some other seeds I had on hand.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-86442176855387652622016-11-30T16:43:00.001+11:002016-11-30T16:43:56.529+11:00candle making<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/30960401180/in/dateposted-public/" title="#candlemaking"><img alt="#candlemaking" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5465/30960401180_8cc29c815e_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/31213638931/in/dateposted-public/" title="#candlemaking"><img alt="#candlemaking" height="550" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5781/31213638931_1712891dcd_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/30978587932/in/photostream" title="Soy wax"><img alt="Soy wax" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5519/30978587932_a2e41d0c09_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/14690844@N05/31214428351/" title="My creation"><img alt="My creation" height="550" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5626/31214428351_27cd57e92b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/31213548491/in/photostream" title="#candlemaking"><img alt="#candlemaking" height="550" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5578/31213548491_2cb93a7d56_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/31293298876/in/dateposted-public/" title="#candlemaking"><img alt="#candlemaking" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5642/31293298876_0392f755e9_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/30960798710/in/dateposted-public/" title="#candlemaking"><img alt="#candlemaking" height="550" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5836/30960798710_2139145ca1_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/31214463081/in/dateposted-public/" title="#candlemaking"><img alt="#candlemaking" height="550" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5324/31214463081_dae9d1c921_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/31292862316/in/dateposted-public/" title="#candlemaking"><img alt="#candlemaking" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5750/31292862316_d2654e3d26_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/31185418722/in/dateposted-public/" title="#candlemaking"><img alt="#candlemaking" height="550" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5582/31185418722_ec3fd5f78b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
A while ago I got an email from Tim at <a href="https://craftycandlesupplies.com.au/">Crafty Candle Supplies</a> asking if I wanted to have a play with their products. As a craft tragic and candle lover the answer was a big yes!<br />
<br />
Candlemaking has been on my craft wish list for a while but its one of those things that seem a bit tricky, a specialised craft with specialised equipment so I've never got round to it.<br />
<br />
I've just poured my second set of candles though and the good news is its so easy, especially with a kit. I managed to melt up some wax, use two different fragrances and some colour and I poured five little vessels in under an hour.<br />
<br />
It helped that Crafty have simple <a href="https://craftycandlesupplies.com.au/how_to_make_soy_candles_the_ultimate_beginners_guide/">candle guides on their website</a>, but really, this is a craft you can enjoy with no previous experience. And the highest temperature the wax gets to is 80 degrees celsius which is cooler than boiling water.<br />
<br />
I was sent a small selection of specialised candle vessels - mason jar, hammered copper tin, and some amber glass lidded jars. I also bought some vintage tea cups at the op shop, I've seen these used for candles before. Its a nice new life for these and the slight chips or staining aren't as important and often hidden by wax. In fact the op shop is a perfect place to find unique and original candle holders, just make sure they are heat proof and sealed.<br />
<br />
I also used some flowerpress ceramics which are fully glazed inside and out, I want to give these as gifts and I love the idea that after the candle burns you can rinse out the pot and use it for other things, a gift that gives twice!<br />
<br />
Making your own candles is great for gift giving, perfect for this time of year, and the wax is set within 24 hours so you don't have to plan too far ahead.<br />
<br />
I have my eye on some of Crafty Candle sets for Christmas. I love the way its a one stop shop and the wooden boxes are great for presentation and storage. I used the lid to set up the wax containers as it didn't matter if I got wax on it. The wax is pretty easy clean though and washes off in hot water.<br />
<br />
The only hard part is choosing from the fragrances... I do love a smelly candle!<br />
<br />
Luckily on my last candle making try I realised that I could melt all the wax in one go but add fragrances individually, as long as I wrote down the measurements of each pot so I knew how much to decant and add scent to. And also I needed to rinse the scented wax from the pouring jug before adding more.<br />
<br />
My other advice is to check the flash point for fragrances before you start so you have that information in hand. This refers to the perfect temperature to add fragrance to the hot wax and varies for different scents.<br />
<br />
I wrote out my notes on the whole process so I wasn't looking it up online during the making, you could easily print it out also. Different containers take different wicks and these are easily attached using wick stickums, a double sided tape that fits onto the wick base perfectly.<br />
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On my second try I coloured some wax. The colour block I used was so pretty and as you can see a small piece added to the melting wax gave my teacup a beautiful pink colour, which matched the pattern perfectly!<br />
<br />
All in all I found candlemaking a simple and rewarding craft I'm going to enjoy experimenting more!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-73436669379908008812016-10-20T12:27:00.002+11:002016-10-20T12:27:36.485+11:00little vases<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/30258606762/in/dateposted-public/" title="little vase"><img alt="little vase" height="550" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5730/30258606762_2d6ba42968_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/30141838180/in/photostream" title="Pots"><img alt="Pots" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8130/30141838180_805383e12c_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29746805694/in/photostream" title="little vase B4"><img alt="little vase B4" height="550" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8579/29746805694_b8ab696efc_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/30375319505/in/photostream/" title="batch two"><img alt="batch two" height="550" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5575/30375319505_d1d4db69e6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29128732634/in/photostream" title="Glaze testing"><img alt="Glaze testing" height="550" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8107/29128732634_5e1e8e893e_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/30322426312/in/photostream" title="Pots"><img alt="Pots" height="550" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8410/30322426312_7ebb0ca231_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/30402632366/in/photostream" title="honeysuckle"><img alt="honeysuckle" height="550" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5603/30402632366_008f0236ff_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
My journey in ceramics of the last few years has come to an exciting point this week, I've started adding my little vases to my Etsy shop. I didn't want to sell any ceramics until they were perfect in my eyes and something I wanted to share with the world.<br />
<br />
To see my vases and buy one of your own you can go to the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FlowerPress?ref=si_shop&section_id=20141642" target="_blank">ceramics section</a> of my Flowerpress Etsy Shop.<br />
<br />
For those of you who follow my craft wanderings you will know that its been a while now since my <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/ceramics-classes.html" target="_blank">first steps in this craft</a> (how funny are those lumpy first pots!). I've been practicing and learning this skill since 2013, an itch I'd been wanting to scratch for ages.<br />
<br />
The impetus was a blog story about a working ceramicist. I loved watching the process of her work and as my crafting has always been about making beautiful pieces to live with everyday, the idea of crafting my own ceramic pieces just seemed like a wonderful thing to work towards.<br />
<br />
And it is, I love it!<br />
<br />
What I didn't know when I started that process was that ceramics has a hugely steep learning curve. Much of it is complex and can only be learnt slowly by trial and failure. I went into it at a sprint, only to learn it is a marathon.<br />
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I like that too. I like the idea that the skills are hard won, my appreciation of ceramic work has grown so much as I explore all the processes involved.<br />
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Throwing on a wheel is hard. I'm often reminded of the idea that 10,000 hours of practice brings mastery in a skill. I'm slowly whittling away at that number, and enjoying it more as my skills increase.<br />
<br />
It feels good to have earned a modest skill at throwing pots. It feels hard won.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-76100462402976951932016-09-13T11:50:00.003+10:002017-03-16T10:42:34.331+11:00make your own granola<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29561611221/in/dateposted-public/" title="granola"><img alt="granola" height="550" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8098/29561611221_424da21dcc_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29561625121/in/dateposted-public/" title="granola"><img alt="granola" height="550" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8747/29561625121_c4eb644b06_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29609494976/in/photostream" title="orchard mix"><img alt="orchard mix" height="550" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8013/29609494976_fa60275944_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29643296335/in/photostream" title="almonds"><img alt="almonds" height="550" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8437/29643296335_9a44192bf0_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29018889443/in/photostream" title="nuts granola"><img alt="nuts granola" height="550" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8191/29018889443_d647b06602_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29608084516/in/dateposted-public/" title="granola"><img alt="granola" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7484/29608084516_f7af1121fb_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29016954354/in/dateposted-public/" title="granola"><img alt="granola" height="550" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8046/29016954354_388006edc2_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29352470920/in/dateposted-public/" title="granola"><img alt="granola" height="550" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8292/29352470920_2584035432_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/29561575691/in/dateposted-public/" title="granola"><img alt="granola" height="550" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8455/29561575691_c29e5bee9b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
This winter we all switched to oats for breakfast and we haven't looked back. We eat it as oatmeal or muesli with honey, brown sugar, fruit or yoghurt on top.<br />
<br />
Oats are delicious and they're a superfood so I feel healthy and virtuous eating them. And its made me extra happy to see the boys head off to school with a healthy filling breakfast. I like that they are good for Mr F's cholesterol too.<br />
<br />
Check out this link which explains the many different ways <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=54" target="_blank">oats are fabulous for you.</a><br />
<br />
I like my oats granola-ed too. If you make your own you can fill the granola with other healthy stuff you love.<br />
<br />
When I made my first batch on a whim I just used what I could find in the pantry, I had some leftover cashews and currants and slivered almonds, sultanas, coconut and sesame seeds and we always have maple syrup and brown sugar for cooking and pancakes.<br />
<br />
You can't always rely on pantry staples though and this is my current quick, cheap, low fuss method. Buying the additions as mixed bags of nuts and seeds and fruits makes it quick and easy, they sit in the cupboard until I make another batch and its cheaper to get a good variety. Much cheaper than store bought granola too.<br />
<br />
I've added a list below to give you some other ideas for ingredients. You could use as many or as few as you liked. The best thing about homemade granola is tailoring it to your own tastes, you can lower the sugar content, omit the salt, make it nutfree and add or leave out anything you want. This version is high in additions. If there are too many for you just add more oats.<br />
<br />
<b>Home Made Granola</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>Ingredients</b><br />
<br />
5 cups traditional oats (don't use instant)<br />
1/3 cup maple syrup<br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
1/4 cup vegetable oil<br />
2 egg whites (optional, for crispiness)<br />
1tsp vanilla extract<br />
1tsp salt<br />
<br />
2 tablespoons sesame seeds<br />
1 pack Paleo mix or similar<br />
1 pack Orchard mix or similar or see the list of additions below, I like pecans, goji berries and apricots.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Method</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius fan forced.<br />
<br />
Measure oats into a large bowl. Add oil, maple syrup and brown sugar. Add egg whites and salt and vanilla extract.<br />
<br />
Mix to coat.<br />
<br />
Lay out oat mix on baking trays. Use a couple so that you don't have to make the oats too deep and they all get cooked.<br />
<br />
Cook for 15 minutes on 180 degrees.<br />
<br />
Check at ten minutes so it doesn't get burned.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile some of the nuts in the premixed packs I buy aren't peeled or chopped. I soak the skins off the almonds (cover with boiling water for five minutes or until the skins just rub off). And then I chop them all into smaller pieces. You can sliver your almonds too if you have the patience!<br />
<br />
I use the premixed paleo and orchard mixes because they give me a really good range of additions without buying them all individually. I like the variety and its simple. Alternatively, and if you are going to make this regularly, buy the things you like in bulk and mix them yourself. My mixes have walnuts and cranberries, pepitas and coconut amongst other things, you can see them in the pics above.<br />
<br />
Turn oven down to 160 degrees Celcius.<br />
<br />
Add the mixed nuts and seeds and fruit and stir through. Cook 8 minutes.<br />
<br />
I cook the oats first and then mix in the additions later once I've lowered the heat. Its easy to burn the sultanas and other fruit and while I like mine cooked they can cook too much. If you don't like your fruit cooked add it to the crunchy oats at the end. Or add the nuts earlier and hold back the fruit.<br />
<br />
Make it how you like it!<br />
<br />
Take out and turn and cook another 10 minutes. Keep going till its like you like it, but be careful not to burn it.<br />
<br />
The added oil and egg whites help to make the crunch so if you don't like it crunchy omit them. I've made a batch without oil too and its fine if you want to be healthier. Similarly lower the sugar content or swap the syrup and brown sugar out for honey or another sweetener.<br />
<br />
<b>Granola Additions</b><br />
<br />
As I've said, the best thing about homemade Granola is tailoring it to your own tastes. To me the goji berries are especially nice toasted, they turn into little soft crunchy versions of themselves. I've always avoided them as a health fad, but they're delicious! I also like nuts like cashews and walnuts in my granola for their nutty crunch, and I cut up dried apricots for the burst of sweetness they spread through each mouthful.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Here's a list of other things you could put in.<br />
<br />
Grain - Spelt, Barley, Wheat, Oats<br />
<br />
Oils - Vegetable, peanut, grape seed, olive.<br />
<br />
Egg whites - for crunchiness. Optional.<br />
<br />
Seeds - pepitas, sesame seeds, linseed, pumpkin seeds.<br />
<br />
Dried fruit - currants, sulatanas, dried banana, apricot, dates, pineapple, pawpaw, cranberries, blueberries, apple, dessicated or flaked coconut, dried figs or dates, goji berries.<br />
<br />
Sweetness - maple syrup, honey, brown sugar<br />
<br />
Nuts - almonds, cashews, pecans, hazelnuts, macadamias, walnuts, pistachios<br />
<br />
Flakes - wheat, wheatgerm, bran, quinoa<br />
<br />
vanilla extract, cinnamon<br />
<br />flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-16485286733288322862016-07-20T12:43:00.003+10:002016-07-22T18:41:57.280+10:00tasmania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28294897355/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8799/28294897355_8f11b04b3b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28190424162/in/photostream" title="Spiky bridge"><img alt="Spiky bridge" height="550" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8690/28190424162_e7090efec5_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/27805622684/in/photostream" title="city park, Launceston"><img alt="city park, Launceston" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8435/27805622684_39f6193ddb_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28242349756/in/photostream" title="port arthur"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28389298466/in/photostream" title="wombat"><img alt="wombat" height="393" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8889/28389298466_8cfcc14ea9_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28191850982/in/photostream" title="Dove Lake Cradle Mountain"><img alt="Dove Lake Cradle Mountain" height="550" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8796/28191850982_f1410d3bef_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28140008520/in/photostream" title="Dove lake"><img alt="Dove lake" height="550" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8696/28140008520_ef502d5ff3_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28389448666/in/photostream" title="Seahorse"><img alt="Seahorse" height="550" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8265/28389448666_321cb0249e_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28173579322/in/photostream" title="karoola church"><img alt="karoola church" height="393" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7680/28173579322_818a7d0bb4_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28172787052/in/photostream" title="hobart harbour from the mona ferry"><img alt="hobart harbour from the mona ferry" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7625/28172787052_cc1f42d435_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28140066440/in/photostream" title="MONA"><img alt="MONA" height="550" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8875/28140066440_6af60e1f08_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28172794882/in/photostream" title="mount wellington in the fog"><img alt="mount wellington in the fog" height="550" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7688/28172794882_7f41a7709e_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28216652401/in/photostream" title="beware Tassie devils"><img alt="beware Tassie devils" height="550" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7593/28216652401_83402f05f6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28421872815/in/photostream" title="flinders bay, tasmania"><img alt="flinders bay, tasmania" height="393" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8706/28421872815_8031933acd_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/28242349756/in/photostream" title="port arthur"><img alt="port arthur" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7305/28242349756_3aef16cfa9_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/27806873523/in/photostream" title="Doo Town, Tasmania"><img alt="Doo Town, Tasmania" height="550" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8579/27806873523_7984d48a6d_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/27806969843/in/photostream" title="Launceston airport"><img alt="Launceston airport" height="550" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8435/27806969843_60bbb9a963_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
At the end of June our beautiful girl set off for to see the world on her big Gap Year trip. It was exciting but just a little nerve wracking watching her go. She and her friends have been planning this trip for ever though and I'm so proud of them for saving up and doing it!<br />
<br />
She's off for five months around Asia and Europe. We'll miss her but already its fun sharing her travels vicariously through stories and photos.<br />
<br />
Luckily, as a distraction, we'd booked a week in Tasmania for the school holidays and on Monday last week my three boys and I packed our own bags and headed for the airport!<br />
<br />
None of us has been to Tassie before and I planned our itinerary to see as much as we could in the six days which meant lots of driving round the place at the start of the week.<br />
<br />
We landed in Hobart on Monday, staying right on Constitution Dock.<br />
<br />
A big icebreaker ship, the Aurora Australis sits right at the Dock. This is the ship that transports people and supplies to Antarctica, and there's something very romantic about having a bright orange icebreaker parked outside your hotel! On our walk around the area we filled up on local scallops and chips then visited the replica of Mawson's Hut.<br />
<br />
It was raining when we arrived and a planned trip up Mount Wellington was thwarted by ice on the road. Hobart sits below this cloud capped mountain with a huge river harbour flowing down the middle. Its a beautiful city.<br />
<br />
The next morning we woke to more rain but managed to beat the clouds by heading north and east towards the coast. By the time we reached Spiky Beach and Spiky Bridge blue skies had opened up, and we were blessed by great weather from then on through the week.<br />
<br />
We headed back in from the coast and arrived in Launceston that afternoon. The city is sited on a big hill overlooking a wetland river, the grand Tamar. Tasmania is an island of majestic lakes and rivers, huge rocky crags and rolling green hills. Its really beautiful and perfect for a roadtrip in that the distances between places are relatively close.<br />
<br />
Day three we visited Cradle Mountain. The two plus hour drive from Launceston is jaw dropping and passes through some beautiful green country overlooked by craggy mountain ranges. At Cradle Mountain we did a two hour bush walk around Dove Lake, time to take in this most beautiful landscape.<br />
<br />
Back in Launceston we had enough just enough energy for a gourmet burger from Burger Junkie food truck. Highly recommended.<br />
<br />
Day four we drove the Tamar Valley up as far as Bass Strait. At Beauty Point we did a guided tour at Seahorse World and held some seahorses in our hand. It was great. On the drive back down south was one of the highlights of the trip for me - visiting a valley where my ancestors lived in the 1800s.<br />
<br />
How amazing to find the beautiful weatherboard church and stand beside my great great great aunties' Margaret and Alice's graves. They came out with their mother and sister, my great great grandmother from Ireland in 1848, to be reunited with their father, transported eight years earlier.<br />
<br />
They went on to become respected pioneers in this idyllic rural valley... but more of that another time, I think it deserves its own post.<br />
<br />
Back in Hobart we made another attempt at the peak of Mount Wellington. This time the road was open but the top was fogged in! Next time I come to Tasmania, and there will be a next time, I hope to see the view from up here. I bet its spectacular!<br />
<br />
Day five was our trip to MONA. For readers who don't know about MONA it is the celebrated private gallery of Old and New Art on the banks of the Derwent, a great drawcard for the city and something everyone had recommended to us. If you get a chance, do go. It was the gallery space that really amazed me. Carved from rock the galleries take you down into the centre of a hill into the most magical reality. I need some more time here next visit too. It is a testament to its popularity that we ran into neighbours of ours on the MONA ferry and friends from Sydney who'd flown down for a weekend in the first gallery!<br />
<br />
Day six, the day we left, we headed south to Port Arthur. On the way we dropped in to Unzoo and saw them feed the Tassie Devils, and Spotted Quolls. We patted kangaroos and fed Green Rosellas and walked down to the water to look across to Flinders Bay the site of the now disappeared Flinders Bay Probation Station where my ancestor Richard Clancy spent his sentence cutting wood.<br />
<br />
Port Arthur is a major site of Tasmania's Penal program, but also the site of a modern day massacre which changed the course of Australian gun laws. It is a deeply resonant site, but to me the positive spirits have the stronger voice.<br />
<br />
After Port Arthur we headed for the airport, tired but happy, dropping on Doo Town and its blowhole on the way. We flew out of Hobart late arriving home tired but happy, to the familiar lights of Sydney.<br />
<br />
We loved Tasmania, it was great to go somewhere where we didn't know what to expect, to a most beautiful natural landscapes, this island with the purest air in the world and new and interesting birds and animals is a great family adventure, and we will definitely be going back, there is still so much to see.<br />
<br />
<br />flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-35851608327948023882016-05-24T10:09:00.001+10:002016-05-24T10:18:47.953+10:00clay journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/26421360420/in/photostream" title="kiln opening this morning - for..."><img alt="kiln opening this morning - for..." height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1534/26421360420_b6b3b40e04_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/27135419031/in/photostream" title="leafprint"><img alt="leafprint" height="550" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7177/27135419031_3530350175_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/26581625303/in/photostream" title="kiln load"><img alt="kiln load" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/26581625303_744a4c1bd9_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/27090790252/in/photostream" title="leaf plate"><img alt="leaf plate" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7610/27090790252_bef2c03bef_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/26597903084/in/dateposted-public/" title="Ditsy floral"><img alt="Ditsy floral" height="550" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7332/26597903084_cf4e622c95_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/27107872082/in/dateposted-public/" title="handles"><img alt="handles" height="550" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7123/27107872082_1683c176bf_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/26694376425/in/photostream" title="the feather bowl #feather #ceramics"><img alt="the feather bowl #feather #ceramics" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1695/26694376425_0b7b7f946a_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/26599153403/in/dateposted-public/" title="blue pots"><img alt="blue pots" height="550" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7475/26599153403_26d31a23fc_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/26090207283/in/photostream" title="Lots of pots, still turning these..."><img alt="Lots of pots, still turning these..." height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1493/26090207283_f49bba1e74_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/26667520516/in/photostream" title="I'm hoping for a bit of..."><img alt="I'm hoping for a bit of..." height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1636/26667520516_3da4c27a13_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/27153191976/in/photostream" title="moonstarcup"><img alt="mooncup" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/27153191976_dd8e6751e9_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
My blog voice is rusty.<br />
<br />
I have been back to this space many times, trying to craft a post, to get the machinery moving again. But the longer you stop the harder it is to start again.<br />
<br />
So please accept this photo heavy post about the part of my creative life that is getting the most attention and taking the most of my time - Ceramics.<br />
<br />
I want to document this part of the journey before I travel on further. You can see how I ended up here by using the #clay tag which I've added to all my ceramics posts.<br />
<br />
Its all about clay at the moment, which you will know if you follow my instagram @flowerpress, or definitely if you've seen my new clay themed account @flowerpressclay!<br />
<br />
There is something about the meditation of throwing in particular, the slow journey to improve at this very difficult skill that is consuming all my creative brain.<br />
<br />
And it can't be rushed, so I'm learning patience along with my practice.<br />
<br />
After a few weekends at the wheel I have a big batch of thrown pots now sitting waiting for decoration and to be fired. But this post records some of the pots I've made so far this year, before I rush off to that next batch.<br />
<br />
As you can see I've tackled handles, and found them not quite as scary as I thought. There's something wonderful about the shapes they make and the magic of their strength.<br />
<br />
I've also experimented with different styles of decoration too, wax resist, mishima, crackle glaze, underglaze and pooling glaze.<br />
<br />
I promise another blogging in the not too distant future.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-18972075317364102452016-03-01T17:50:00.003+11:002016-03-01T17:50:58.395+11:00home made dips - baba ganoush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/24766245634/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1472/24766245634_d955114847_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/24601266219/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1523/24601266219_260c7cb9c6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/25370666016/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1604/25370666016_400aa1d6d8_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/25101114520/in/dateposted-public/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1719/25101114520_a3996580e8_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/25372084946/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1669/25372084946_20923dabd3_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/25101211760/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1504/25101211760_b5734c61fb_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/24766262614/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1694/24766262614_0a54b7432d_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/25028698179/in/dateposted-public/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1609/25028698179_bc49cacf14_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
Around here we love dips, we have lots of favourites which we eat with crudites, crackers and corn chips. We spread them on toast and sandwiches and add them to meals.<br />
<br />
So the small store bought tubs don't last long and when we're entertaining they go even quicker.<br />
<br />
All of which led me to experiment with making my own. And as I've found its quick, easy and cheap. I've been really delighted with how fast and unfussy they are to make so I thought I'd share.<br />
<br />
I'm starting with the one I've been making most, and where the recipe I've been using seems pretty failsafe. I must have made it ten times in the last six months.<br />
<br />
Baba ganoush is smoky eggplant in a tahini base with a squeeze of lemon to give it zing and a slight garlic tang. This is one of those home made dips that is better made than bought. And its lightning fast when you're up to speed.<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">Baba Ganoush</span></b><br />
<br />
Ingredients<br />
1 medium to large eggplant<br />
1/4 cup tahini (abt 1 and half dessert spoons)<br />
juice of 1/2 lemon (just less than 1/4 cup)<br />
One garlic clove crushed or fine sliced<br />
<br />
Method<br />
Cook eggplant over a flame till skin burns and goes black. I have a gas burner and I sit the eggplant on the hotplate, over the naked flame, turning it until all the skin is blackened. When grilling like this I've learnt not to use half measures. A really blackenend burnt skin makes it much easier to peel and gives a better flavour.<br />
<br />
It can be messy on the hotplate as the juices run out but its easily cleaned.<br />
<br />
For those of you without gas ranges, I had a look online, and it seems cutting the eggplant in half and grilling (broiling) it in the oven is the way to go. Place the eggplant on a baking tray with skin side up and cook till blackened.<br />
<br />
Leave it to sit until cool and then peel off the skin. If you've really blackened it it should come away easily. I cut away the stringy bit from the stem down about an inch and discard that too.<br />
<br />
Once you have your eggplant flesh add it to the food processor and give it a quick blitz, then add tahini, lemon and garlic and process. It doesn't take too long and I like to leave a bit of texture.<br />
<br />
You could tweak the lemon or tahini at this stage depending on taste.<br />
<br />
Turn out into a bowl and eat, or chill it a bit first. Yum!<br />
<br />
The garlic and other flavours develop over time.<br />
<br />
Lucky for me my eggplants have started bearing these beautiful purple fruits so I will be able to trial home grown homemade baba ganoush. And as you know that's the sort of thing that makes me very happy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-75726388177472365222016-01-20T15:36:00.001+11:002016-01-20T15:43:39.272+11:002015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/24408081681/in/photostream/" title="2015 part 1"><img alt="2015 part 1" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1689/24408081681_72eb9880a4_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/24382282232/in/photostream/" title="2015 - part 2"><img alt="2015 - part 2" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1637/24382282232_805f085994_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/14690844@N05/23862523834/" title="2015 - part 3"><img alt="2015 - part 3" height="550" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1504/23862523834_d6ce781040_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
Each year around this time I write a post about the year just passed. I like to do a round up of all the creative work I've done during the year because I'm usually surprised at how many projects I managed to squeeze in. For someone who always feels like nothing get finished its a very satisfying to see what I have achieved.<br />
<br />
I'm thinking that this year will be the opposite though...<br />
<br />
Its been a strange time in many ways, a big and hard year where my creative energies were redirected into different areas.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/my-dad_20.html" target="_blank">My Dad died</a>. That has been a huge and devastating loss and coloured my whole year.<br />
<br />
Also this year my beautiful daughter sat her HSC which was stressful for her, but also for the family. Its a tough year for kids and a lot of my time went to helping her through it.<br />
<br />
In 2014 we began the process of renovating, the builders did the bulk of the construction work in the last three months of that year. Last year was all about finishing the last bits, ceilings, rendering, electrics and painting. Mr F and I did all the painting work ourselves. What a trek! We also organised all the trades, and were blessed with lovely people all round.<br />
<br />
On top of that I spent more time in my other role as financial manager of our family business. Phew, I'm exhausted just thinking about 2015!<br />
<br />
So something had to give and it seems to have been the creative stuff.<br />
<br />
I did do little things along the way, mostly motivated by courses I signed myself up for when I was feeling deprived or workshops I taught myself! I find courses and workshops a great way to kickstart creativity. Each time I forced myself to make a little flame ignited which got me back to a making mindset.<br />
<br />
One big creative project I am proud of this year is reclaiming my garden. A lot of hours of work have transformed it from a devastated and compacted building site to a beautiful leafy retreat again, with a productive garden down the side and a new garden potting shed. I love it.<br />
<br />
And most excitingly I have my own kiln and started selling small ceramics almost accidentally from my instagram account.<br />
<br />
But more of that later. I see doing these mosaics that there is quite a lot of undocumented making. A broken camera, a full computer and those time constraints have conspired to keep me from updating my makings as I go along.<br />
<br />
Another post I do religiously each year is a wishlist post, where I talk about what I hope to do in the next year. This year I'm planning some serious crafting. I need it in my life and with some major projects out the way I have some breathing room to start. I can't wait. Come back soon and see what I'm planning!<br />
<br />
*<br />
<br />
My other annual roundups: <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/2014.html" target="_blank">2014</a>, <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/2013.html" target="_blank">2013</a>, <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/2012.html" target="_blank">2012</a>, <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/2011.html" target="_blank">2011</a>, <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/2010.html" target="_blank">2010</a>, <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2010/01/2009.html" target="_blank">2009</a> and <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/2008.html" target="_blank">2008</a>.)flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-80935835684336596952015-12-13T14:26:00.000+11:002016-12-13T19:24:53.083+11:00bread and butter pickles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23342433689/in/dateposted-public/" title="image"><img alt="image" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5670/23342433689_3cae5e5da6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23602408082/in/dateposted-public/" title="Close up pickles"><img alt="Close up pickles" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/725/23602408082_4b079b75da_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23080850734/in/photostream" title="Bowl"><img alt="Bowl" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5777/23080850734_f02ba7b17b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23084342763/in/dateposted-public/" title="image"><img alt="image" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/614/23084342763_f71e15be4d_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><img alt="FullSizeRender.jpg" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/666/23682905396_13d0af0216_z.jpg" width="550" /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23626437711/in/dateposted-public/" title="Pickles"><img alt="Pickles" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5696/23626437711_5aa7238bfb_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23708954795/in/photostream" title="IMG_5009.JPG"><img alt="IMG_5009.JPG" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5795/23708954795_b349f90324_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23628202691/in/photostream" title="Cheese and"><img alt="Cheese and" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/642/23628202691_b8abaa4422_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23628305551/in/dateposted-public/" title="image"><img alt="image" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5685/23628305551_523305c3a2_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
I love how seasonal produce changes the menu from month to month. This month its all about home grown cucumbers and tomatoes and the other night I made a pasta sauce with one and a salad with the other. It is so satisfying to make an entire dinner with garden pickings and it was really delicious.<br />
<br />
Around here we've been having those cucumber salads every other night. I just peel the cucumbers, take some of the seeds out, chop roughly and then cover them with a thai style lime dressing, or a squeeze of lemon, and grind of salt and a splash of olive oil (my go-to salad dressing).<br />
<br />
Sometimes though with a glut of fresh produce its hard to keep up and its good to find other ways to use your excess bounty.<br />
<br />
Another way to use cucumbers is this simple preserved pickle that I made for the first time last year. I made lots of jars but we went through them quite quickly, eating them on our sandwiches and having it with cheese platters until it was all gone. Luckily this is delicious, and quick and simple to make. I made my first batch the other day and hope to get another in before Xmas.<br />
<br />
Here's how I do it.<br />
<br />
<b>Bread and Butter Pickles</b><br />
<br />
7 lebanese cucumbers ends removed thinly sliced<br />
2 onions brown or spanish thinly sliced<br />
11/2 tbsp salt<br />
<br />
1 tbsp mustard seeds<br />
1 tbsp coriander seeds<br />
1 tsp turmeric<br />
2 cups apple cider vinegar<br />
1 cup caster sugar<br />
<br />
I use my MagiMix to slice the cucumbers quickly, but you could use any method. I sliced them and two onions, one brown one spanish for colour. I put the whole lot in a bowl and sprinkled them the mixture with a tablespoon and a half of salt. Then I covered it with my handy beeswax kitchen cover and put them in the fridge overnight. Took me abt ten minutes for this stage.<br />
<br />
The next day is bottling day so put the cucumber onion mix in the colander to drain, squeezing down on it occasionally to get the liquid out.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile put a large pot on the stove and add the apple cider vinegar, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, turmeric and sugar. Heat until all the sugar dissolves.<br />
<br />
One the mixture is clear add the cucumber mix to the pot and bring it to a simmer.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile get your jars ready. I like to put mine through the dishwasher to sterilise them or put them covered by water in a big pot which I boil for a minimum ten minutes.<br />
<br />
Fill the jars with cucumber pickle mix and put the lids on tight. I choose jars with metal lids that have the sealing clickable lids. I then put them in a big pot submerged in hot water and boil for 20 minutes. A lot of the recipes don't call for this but I can't fit all my jars in the fridge and I like to know they will keep. When you take the jars out that clickable seal on top should be down. It should release with a pop when you open your pickles.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-68744066651442688952015-11-27T12:52:00.001+11:002015-11-27T12:52:09.519+11:00kiln<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22919389482/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5656/22919389482_a7d4511054_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22708493093/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5830/22708493093_33734594c1_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23227074192/in/photostream/" title="throw"><img alt="throw" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/740/23227074192_1d56b56aeb_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22707052984/in/photostream/" title="kilnpack"><img alt="kilnpack" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5636/22707052984_456a97dd37_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/23253015421/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5790/23253015421_2967f123e7_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22707048774/in/dateposted/" title="garden pots"><img alt="garden pots" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5732/22707048774_44ee0a1178_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22708270543/in/photostream/" title="bullseye"><img alt="bullseye" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/724/22708270543_f8c63357c9_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22967500129/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5715/22967500129_24ab699c45_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22209576290/in/photostream/" title="Monday therapy #clay #coilpot #pinestreet"><img alt="Monday therapy #clay #coilpot #pinestreet" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/684/22209576290_9f9d1ae4ff_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
Last year I had a rush of blood to the head (a bit like that other <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/clay.html" target="_blank">time</a>) and I bought a pottery kiln!<br />
<br />
If you've been following my clay adventures you will know that I fell hard for this new craft a couple of years ago <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/ceramics-classes.html" target="_blank">when I took my first class</a> and I've been trying to learn more ever since. (So funny to look back at those first pots, perhaps I have improved lol!).<br />
<br />
The kiln wasn't expensive but what I didn't realise at the time was that I didn't have the right power to run it and it wasn't going to be as simple as plugging it in.<br />
<br />
I hit a steep learning curve, wasn't sure how to fix it and then our renovation came along all the clay gear was packed away while they dug a big hole in our back yard.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to this year and the moment I've been dreaming of finally came the other day. My kiln was wired in and I can finally fire my own work.<br />
<br />
I'm very much a beginner, and there is so much to learn. But its really nice to have control over my own little experiments. I love that.<br />
<br />
On the first day I plugged my little kiln in to its shiny new powerpoint, put some not so precious pots on the shelf and base of the kiln to do a bisque fire and turned it on.<br />
<br />
I was hoping to fire to 1060c. Things started well, it turned on quite happily and the temperature climbed steadily for a few hourse. But then to my disappointment it stalled at 1000c and wouldn't budge. After a couple of hours I turned it off, disappointed but hopeful it had done enough to bisque fire the work.<br />
<br />
Then disaster! Turns out the temperature gauge was faulty. The kiln had actually gone way past 1000c - high enough even to melt clay! The next morning I opened the kiln to devastation. All the earthenware pieces had melted into a glassy kind of substance and stuck like cement to the fragile firebrick floor and shelf of my precious, long awaited kiln.<br />
<br />
You can imagine my feelings, but long story short, it was fixed. Turned out it wasn't too bad and with some advice and help from a few generous and knowledgeable people the kiln was fixed. Phew!<br />
<br />
I now use pyrometric cones to keep an eye on the temperature which I look at with my new fashionable kiln sunglasses. In future I'm hoping to have a controller attached which will mean I won't have to manually turn up the heat every hour and the new temperature gauge might show the right temperature.<br />
<br />
I've managed three successful bisque fires and one glaze load now. I've taken pots through from raw clay to finished piece, all in my own space. That blue bowl with the leaves was handbuilt, bisque fired, glazed and then fired again here. There's something really wonderful about making something from scratch. It makes me so happy.<br />
<br />
I've set up my pottery wheel in the new garden shed and put a workbench in there too.<br />
<br />
Combined with the handbuilding course I've been doing with Cath Fogarty from <a href="http://chinaclay.myshopify.com/pages/contact-us" target="_blank">ChinaClay</a> I am reinspired, out of my creative rut and looking forward to lots of potting and playing next year.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-16740736681118036912015-11-12T16:01:00.002+11:002015-11-12T16:07:59.391+11:008 years!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/learn-to-sew-simple-baby-quilt.html" target="_blank"><img alt="quilt tute" height="393" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6799558456_a76e77d377_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/foam-block-printing-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><img alt="block" height="365" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7458538464_5b050955ac_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><span id="goog_279770551"></span><span id="goog_279770552"></span><a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2010/04/pincushion-swap.html" target="_blank"><img alt="pincushion swap" height="613" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2703/4502385232_7bfc4beff5_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/learn-to-sew-pillowcase-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><img alt="pillowcase tutorial" height="550" src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6163/6151884014_3f2ff90552_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/stencil-screenprinting-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><img alt="stencil print" height="393" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8111085803_396b8b0bdb_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/rose-cuttings.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Rose cuttings 2" height="393" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2788/4165128030_ba8da250ee_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/drawstring-bag-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><img alt="marble bags" height="550" src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6103/6305464644_fe23f1655e_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/paper-pots.html" target="_blank"><img alt="paper pots continued" height="393" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5136/5578086963_75ae470ecc_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
Yesterday was my 8 year blogaversary! Can you believe it? I can't. <br />
<br />
Eight years ago I wrote my first posts. I remember it was a sunny Sunday afternoon in November, and I sent them off into the world wondering if anyone would ever read them! <br />
<br />
Since then my Flower Press business and blog, both of which I started on a whim, have become a big part of my life.<br />
<br />
A huge defining part.<br />
<br />
The online world was very different eight years ago, its changed a lot in that time. Nowadays everyone is a part of it, we are all on instagram, everyone is microblogging. Its great, I love it! People understand immediately when I say I'm a blogger, those blank looks are gone. Lots of us have little handmade businesses, people are making their own all over the place! Being creative is much more common.<br />
<br />
It wasn't like that back then, we were pioneers in many ways looking to find other makers online and so happy when we found this likeminded community. I miss those lovely early days a little, when the craft blogging community was like a small secret society, sharing and inspiring each other in our creative pursuits. Secret crafters! Those other bloggers shaped my life, my work, my art. If you are reading this, and you were one of that gang back then, thank you a million times my friends. If you are still blogging, and there are less of us these days, then your blog is probably over there on the right and I'm still reading it.<br />
<br />
Thank you too to all the lovelies that have come along in the meantime. You are constantly making me think and grow. I make my own soap, jam, pickles, sew my own clothes, grow my own vegies, make my own pots, print my own fabric, buy art, cook food, watch shows, raise my kids, live my life inspired by you!<br />
<br />
I've had so many amazing opportunites come my way through my blog and shop, I've had the most amazing emails turn up in my inbox every year of its life. Thank you thank you thank you for reading and responding!<br />
<br />
Connecting online is fun and rewarding in a million ways. I was shy to put myself out there at first. I didn't tell anyone in my real world about my blog for a while and then when I slowly did I only got positive feedback, and now my real and virtual communities understand, support and cheer on my creative life. That's such a gift.<br />
<br />
My Flower Press Etsy shop turns eight years old in a few of days too. I'm going to celebrate!! I'm going to get my act together and have a sale. I've been a bit distracted this year, I haven't looked after the poor old shop, it has its own life though and looking today I see my recorded sales are up to 970! Time to go for the thousand I think! <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading, Susie xxxx<br />
<br />
p.s. The images above link to some of my most popular posts, just click on them to go there. Many of the tutorials have been viewed thousands of times, and I love to think of all the makers out there making, inspired and guided by my words!flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-23835954821501971852015-10-23T13:11:00.001+11:002015-10-23T22:28:58.230+11:00backyard bird count<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22408292821/in/album-72157650133333795/" title="A blue crane fishing out the..."><img alt="A blue crane fishing out the..." height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5756/22408292821_f21f83ec01_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22384221382/in/dateposted/" title="bulbul bath day #spyingfromthedeck. #flowerpressgarden #flowerpressbirds"><img alt="bulbul bath day #spyingfromthedeck. #flowerpressgarden #flowerpressbirds" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5721/22384221382_47b90e4a41_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/21776273643/in/dateposted/" title="this beautiful spotted #pardalote has been..."><img alt="this beautiful spotted #pardalote has been..." height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/701/21776273643_d7a8ab34a3_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/14690844@N05/22398273735" title="Version 2"><img alt="Version 2" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/769/22398273735_318ce3ae33_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/7842381094/in/album-72157631398242404/" title="sing"><img alt="sing" height="393" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7842381094_27a4e38a86_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16798969489/in/album-72157631398242404/" title="turtledoves"><img alt="turtledoves" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7627/16798969489_a678138901_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22209274100/in/dateposted/" title="I've been photo stalking the birds..."><img alt="I've been photo stalking the birds..." height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/720/22209274100_252024588b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22210403499/in/dateposted/" title="Came across this beautiful heron, a..."><img alt="Came across this beautiful heron, a..." height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/773/22210403499_5392a1ee22_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22210646209/in/album-72157650133333795/" title="Visiting today, an Eastern Great Egret..."><img alt="Visiting today, an Eastern Great Egret..." height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/696/22210646209_5f061379de_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />
Since moving to this street many years ago I've delighted in the open Greenway and canal that run behind us, bringing a huge range of birds into our garden and giving us a bush outlook. <br />
<br />
So I was delighted to find the <a href="http://aussiebirdcount.org.au/" target="_blank">Backyard Bird Count</a> which is running now - a nationwide public survey of birds in Australia. I'm looking forward to adding my observations to the count and sharing the range of birds who call this part of the world home.<br />
<br />
I've downloaded <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aussie-bird-count/id917024019?ls=1&mt=8" target="_blank">the app</a> and plan to do some surveys over the next couple of days, to record our local bird life. It takes just 20 minutes to do a survey, and you can do as many as you want. I think it will be a nice way to slow down, a chance to do something while doing nothing, a sort of mindful meditation.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping some of our more exotic visitors plan to drop in so I can record what a truly healthy bird population lives here in the Inner West, so close to the CBD.<br />
<br />
There is a page on the website too about <a href="http://aussiebirdcount.org.au/gardening/" target="_blank">bird friendly gardening</a>, for hints to make your space even more welcoming. <br />
<br />
Here are some photos of favourite locals who live in my neighbourhood.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-10164665030752606752015-10-07T15:07:00.000+11:002015-10-14T10:49:52.338+11:00the little things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/21821993570/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_0164"><img alt="IMG_0164" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/576/21821993570_8d05acd40f_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/21388990473/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_0194"><img alt="IMG_0194" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/677/21388990473_88d53a1be6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22019993591/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_0193"><img alt="IMG_0193" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5769/22019993591_73e8ddf528_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/21997909682/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_0142"><img alt="IMG_0142" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5634/21997909682_15e491a3c4_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/21822303078/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_0192"><img alt="IMG_0192" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/679/21822303078_71b3a4da69_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22020012261/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_0124"><img alt="IMG_0124" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/728/22020012261_018607875c_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/22020016131/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_0122"><img alt="IMG_0122" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/662/22020016131_77777cae96_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/21389022893/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_0107"><img alt="IMG_0107" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5813/21389022893_623915b5e1_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the view from the bed in the holiday house in Bundeena we stayed in last week. Above all the backyard fences the trees stretched into the distance and the birds flew between them the whole time we were there. It was very peaceful.<br />
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We didn't stay long. Our girl starts her HSC exams on Monday and we didn't want to upset her study routine so we only snatched a tiny holiday away, within sight of the city spires over the water in the distance.<br />
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Its always so good to get away, to breathe some different air, to come together as our little family over boardgames, swims, walks and food. To talk, to play, to laugh.<br />
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And it was pure bliss to be among the wildflowers at this exact time of year as they burst into beautiful flower. It reminded me of the wonderful holiday we had this time of year in the Blue Mountains <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/blue-mountains.html" target="_blank">five years ago</a> when all our walks were garlanded with beautiful native blooms. (How I love being able to look back quickly through this blog and find those photos and be transported to that time.)<br />
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These are taken on the most beautiful bushwalk which leads to this surprise waterfall called Deer Pool in the Royal National Park. My camera stopped working 50 metres in, can you believe its broken again - I nearly cried, but I managed to use my phone and J's camera to take some photos.<br />
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It's been a funny scratchy year this one. I haven't quite found my creative rhythm, or any sort of rhythm really, and here we are in October!<br />
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On the day we took this walk we learnt our friend had lost her battle with cancer. An especially heartbreaking battle for someone so young. <br />
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This morning I went to her funeral. It was so sad but it was also a celebration in many ways, a celebration of her life and courage. She never gave up her fight, and never let the disease change who she was. She was brave and courageous to the very end. And she and her husband were simply awe inspiring in their support and love for each other.<br />
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It reminded me, like everyone there I'm sure, of how lucky we are to have this life. How lucky to have these people. I resolved again to stop worrying the bad things, the scratchy things and to keep focussing on the good and beautiful things. The little things like wildflowers in spring. And making, which I have been neglecting, but which I need more of in my life.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-898192456240319732015-09-04T15:48:00.002+10:002015-09-05T13:38:35.831+10:00plant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/21100873465/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5690/21100873465_7337fb0278_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20114417780/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="383" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/394/20114417780_e96bb9029c_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20478253524/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/731/20478253524_69a2a1a2a5_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20940915959/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/579/20940915959_03b4c54d0b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20478249264/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5836/20478249264_9c4619ce3b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20505044374/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/681/20505044374_cc48486bc0_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20939602200/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/660/20939602200_cbb5bf7f22_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20940199518/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="393" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5833/20940199518_7cf6bf3bca_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
Spring is here at last!! I always love spring but this year I've been looking forward to it's arrival more than usual. This year I get to plant for the long term, after missing out on gardening last spring during our building work, and losing a lot of plants and landscaping in the process.<br />
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I can't wait to remake my garden with new plants and a new layout. Gardening is my meditation and my exercise. It's a creative outlet for me and a part of my plan for a more natural and healthy life - growing and cooking my own food organically and preserving the excess, while composting our green and food waste and making a cooler, healthier environment for our house and a home and food source for local creatures<br />
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And I love doing it.<br />
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To celebrate I have shouted myself a whole heap of perennial flowering plants and seeds. And impatient to start I actually ordered a lot of the plants as bare root perennials way back in July.<br />
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You might not have gardened this way before but its worth thinking about. Many of the online nurseries I buy from are busiest in winter and spring. This is the perfect time to be putting most plants in. It gives them time to establish a root system before the stresses of hot summer days.<br />
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Also I love flowering perennials but they are are impossible to find at local nurseries. It makes me really happy that they are increasingly available to buy online. There are some great online resources for every type of plant now. I found a great <a href="http://stores.ebay.com.au/oakbankplants">Ebay seller</a> this year and have ordered from a couple of established nurseries as well. A great resource for finding these is the <a href="http://www.nurseriesonline.com.au/">Nurseries Online website</a>.<br />
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I've also splurged on seeds, which are a much cheaper way of building up a garden. You need more patience, and some of the plants you want aren't easy to find or grow from seed, but for vegetable gardening there is no better way.<br />
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The change in season means each day more and more of my little bare plants are sending up new shoots and leaves. New spring plantings of seeds are emerging and my winter crops are hitting their stride. I can't wait to share more photos of the garden as it matures. <br />
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If you're interested to see pictures of the flowering plants I'm growing see my pinterest <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/flowerpress/plants/">Plants</a> board. And for an idea of what I'm after, a wild and thriving grass and flower garden, I love the <a href="http://trollesgarden.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Trolles garden</a> in Sweden or check out my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/flowerpress/garden/" target="_blank">Garden board on Pinterest</a>.<br />
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For my own records I've made a list of this year's new plants below. From past experience I know that not all of these will be happy in my garden. Some will die, some will sulk, but then others will thrive and grow and take over!<br />
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A gardener learns from their mistakes and triumphs and I have a few of both to teach me. Also plants don't live forever and if they die it just means space for new ones!<br />
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<b>Perennials</b><br />
Geum "Pink Frills'<br />
Veronicastrum 'Pink Glow'<br />
Geum 'Flames of Passion'<br />
Persicaria 'Red Dragon'<br />
Artemesia Rosenschleier<br />
Aster 'Lady in Black'<br />
Eupatorium Gateway<br />
Achillea 'Salmon Beauty'<br />
Miscanthus Gold Bar<br />
Tulbaghia Violacea White (Society Garlic)<br />
Filipendula Ulmaria Flore Pleno<br />
Filipendula Rubra Magnifica<br />
Canna 'Henry Cohn'<br />
Sanguisorba 'Oakbank Red'<br />
Potentilla 'Ron McBeath'<br />
Phygelius 'Raspberry Swirl'<br />
Physalis alkekengi<br />
Anemone Japonica white<br />
Anemone Japonice pink<br />
Bergenia cordifolia<br />
Cosmos atrosanguineus (Chocolate Cosmos)<br />
Eryngium alpinum (Sea Holly)<br />
Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'<br />
Limonium perezii (Statice)<br />
Punica granatum nana (dwarf pomegranate)<br />
Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing'<br />
Astilbe simplicifolia 'Sprite'<br />
Helenium 'Rubinzwerg'<br />
Phlomis samia<br />
Astrantia 'Buckland'<br />
Francoa sonchifolia 'Dr Tom Smith'<br />
Geranium x monacense 'Muldoon'<br />
Leucanthemum x superbum 'Shaggy Gem' (Shasta Daisy)<br />
Helleborus x hybridus 'Duke of Burgundy'<br />
Pelargonium sidoides <br />
Penstemon digitalis 'Husker's Red'<br />
Geranium 'Stephanie'<br />
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<b>Climbers</b><br />
Actinidia kolomikta<br />
Hydrangea petiolaris<br />
Clematis Tangutica<br />
Cobaea Scandens<br />
Trachelospermum jasminoides<br />
Parthenocissus tricuspidata<br />
Pandorea Pandorana<br />
Mandevilla<br />
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And this is what I'm growing from seed and seedling:<br />
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<b>Vegies and Herbs</b><br />
Rainbow chard, Spinach, Spring onions, Garland serrate leaf (salad leaf plant), Rocket, <br />
Tatsoi, Radish Black Spanish, Radish Watermelon, Pak Choi, Lebanese cucumbers, Cucamelon, Purple Climbing Beans, Scarlet Runner Beans, Spaghetti Squash, Bull's Blood Beetroot, Broad Beans, Parsley, Artichokes, Snow Peas, Kale, Tomatoes, Strawberries, Lemon Thyme, Dill, Garlic.<br />
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<b>Flowers</b><br />
Black Ball cornflowers, Achillea Cerise Queen, Zinnia, Echinacea purpurea, Sunflowers.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-21390536048375011182015-08-25T09:48:00.004+10:002015-08-25T12:27:29.914+10:00what to eat - winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20839045795/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/728/20839045795_4421caec65_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20126455874/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5699/20126455874_c8e18d7a7b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20739751682/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5647/20739751682_e3250be0ce_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20532207549/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/618/20532207549_1c819d8742_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20096368764/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5821/20096368764_42a7f90abc_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19112810254/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/19112810254_9c6b7b0a53_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20739747872/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5795/20739747872_e61c2c525d_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20745998725/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5739/20745998725_467b0d9a4b_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20128121053/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5643/20128121053_ee181ce4d6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
I love food and I love cooking... sometimes.<br />
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I have bursts when I am inspired when I search for new recipes and new flavours, and I love the whole process of chopping, stirring, cooking.<br />
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But I also have times when cooking everyday for five people is a chore. And that's when Mr Flowerpress and I just cook old favourites, quick tried and true meals.<br />
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I find that half the battle in those times is deciding what to make.<br />
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This little post is a catchup for me as much as you, keeping track of all the good stuff we've been eating this winter. A reminder of all the new and interesting food we've cooked, those recipes I need to remember and cook again!<br />
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Like most people I search for warm, filling comfort food in cold weather. This winter has been no different, soups, casseroles and pies have featured. <br />
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I have had a craving for fennel, such a winter vegetable and it seems to feature at the greengrocers much more these days, especially in my Italian neighbourhood. One night I was inspired to make a chicken and fennel pie, inspired by a favourite Karen Martini recipe for Chicken and Mushroom pie. Not everyone around here likes mushrooms but they all like fennel. It was a winner and I made it for guests who came a week or so later. I might write up my recipe here one day as I actually took some photos of the method the second time round. And its simple. That plaited top is actually quick to make but looks so pretty.<br />
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Another new recipe <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/20153/pea+feta+and+mint+fritters">Pea and Feta fritters</a> is a simple, quick family filler. I made this again last night with Colcannon, <a href="http://www.juliegoodwin.com.au/recipe-colcannon-mash.html">a cabbage and mash recipe</a>. They made a really quick and filling vegetarian meal.<br />
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A great vegie dish I make often is my old favourite Minestrone. Miss A asked for this in the week she was doing her trial exams which made me happy. The recipe is really simple. I will blog it sometime. I made it with this amazing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loAGmUj4VL8" target="_blank">cheese bread</a> from a video I found online. Mmm, that went quickly!<br />
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Speaking of vegie recipes, have you cooked any Ottolenghi recipes. I tried his <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/cauliflower-cake-51254830" target="_blank">Cauliflower Cake</a>. That's it at the top of the page. Isn't it beautiful. It was delicious, vegetarian, quite unique, and very popular with the troops.<br />
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My sister gave me a Luke Nguyen book for my birthday last year. I love Luke's food and the recipes are delicious so I've made a couple more than once - the <a href="https://cooked.com.au/Luke-Nguyen/Hardie-Grant-Books/The-Food-of-Vietnam/Saltwater-people/Lemongrass-chilli-chicken-recipe" target="_blank">Chicken and Lemongrass</a> (SO delicious and easy) and these <a href="http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/chargrilled-hmong-black-pig-skewers-sesame-salt-thit-lon-nuong-muoi-vung" target="_blank">Chargrilled Pork Skewers</a> (yum!).<br />
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My brother is a great cook. He made some delicious gyoza type dumplings for me a few months ago. I tried to replicate them one night and had them with delicious Kewpie Japanese dressing (from Coles in the Asian section). Deeelicious. I've got it written down somewhere. Really simple but effective. Must share that.<br />
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The other thing I've been cooking are homemade dips. We love dips around here but with three teenagers they go pretty fast. Homemade is quick, cheap and so easy. I'm slowly building my repertoire. Homemade hummous and baba ganouj are delicious and easy. Another blog post due on those.<br />
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Apologies for my underwhelming food photography. I mostly cook at night and am way too hungry to style anything and I know it looks pretty unappetising in the low light. But you get the idea.<br />
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Out of the house I've had a few memorable meals. We've really enjoyed eating at Jasmin1 in Leichhardt, fantastic Lebanese food, the best I've had, the famous dumplings at New Shanghai and a new place Luyu and YumYum in Newtown (where I tried the caviar dumplings) and recently we discovered Afghan takeaway from Bamiyan in Five Dock. What a fabulous cuisine (and the Afghans make dumplings too!) I'd never tried it before. Must go back and taste test again!<br />
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I'd love to hear what you've been cooking. I hope I've inspired you to try one of these recipes. And don't forget to look in my <a href="http://www.flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/p/recipes-and-food.html" target="_blank">Recipes</a> section for my own recipes and others I like to cook.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-78710140522302197052015-08-18T17:44:00.002+10:002015-08-19T16:54:48.189+10:00homemade orange spray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20675298691/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/768/20675298691_e2acf0b997_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20659385822/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/656/20659385822_79baf5ee6c_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20620621296/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/758/20620621296_77289981bb_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20680037231/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5748/20680037231_9d8194d39a_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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I'm a big fan of natural cleaning in my home. I think homes like gardens are safer, healthier and nicer places without chemicals.<br />
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So I always buy 'eco' cleaners which have more natural ingredients and are gentler on the environment. In some areas though I've experimented with making my own so I know exactly what is going into the product and to save money. I've been surprised at how simple the recipes for natural cleaners are.<br />
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Previously I've made bathroom <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/my-creative-space-cold-process-soap.html" target="_blank">soap</a> and <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/homemade-eco-laundry-detergent.html" target="_blank">clothes detergent</a>. The clothes detergent is a standout, we haven't gone back since we started making our own. If you haven't tried it do! A batch gives us nine or so bottles and saves us hundreds of dollars a year. Our clothes are just as clean (or even cleaner actually since our old washing machine blew up this year and we invested in a new front loader!). And its quick to do.<br />
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I've always hated manufactured smells too, which is one of the nice things about homemade cleaners, you can use natural scents or leave them unscented.<br />
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Similarly <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/my-creative-space-cold-process-soap.html" target="_blank">home made soap</a> is a luxury, and one I must get round to making again. It also makes a lovely gift.<br />
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In the kitchen I often use bicarb of soda in place of commercial cleaners. It can be awkward and messy in some situations though, like on vertical surfaces, and I like to use a spray cleaner then. The 'eco' one I've used for years is Orange Power, which is made from orange oil. It smells nice, its natural, and works as well as chemical versions.<br />
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A while ago though I read about making your own Orange Spray and I filed it away in my mental filing cabinet (that one with all the jumbled folders and papers falling out of every drawer!) and its been on my mind for a while as a 'must try' project.<br />
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Fast forward to the other day when we were on orange duty for the boys' soccer game. I came home with a large container of orange peels. A light bulb went on, at last I was ready to make some spray. You might have seen my post on instagram. Here's the method I used in case you want to make it too.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Orange Spray Method</span></b><br />
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Take a large jar or container (I used this big jar left over from bulk buy kalamata olives. It holds about two litres worth of liquid.)<br />
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My oranges half filled the container which I then covered with white vinegar, about one litre's worth.<br />
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But first I washed my peels and removed the left over orange flesh.<br />
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From what I read you can either fill the jar in one go like I did or add orange, lemon or mandarin peels as you have them till the jar is full. Keep the jar on the kitchen bench or pantry and fill it as you go. They don't seem to rot or go off, I suppose the vinegar preserves them.<br />
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When the jar is full put it aside for two weeks at least to absorb the citrus oils. You know its working when the liquid changes colour to orange.<br />
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Then strain out your peels and pith, put your orange spray into a recycled spray bottle and away you go! Smells delicious and works well.<br />
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p.s. Yes that's a mandarin, no oranges in the house today!!flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-44462164409394399952015-08-12T11:54:00.004+10:002015-08-13T16:13:06.829+10:00rebuilding the garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20371037661/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="412.5" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/393/20371037661_ea3a777261_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/14690844@N05/20288085048/" title="side"><img alt="side" height="275" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/562/20288085048_b7ba11d4a2_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19740053181/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/524/19740053181_69c881ffa8_k.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20450137216/in/dateposted/" title="My creation"><img alt="My creation" height="275" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/20450137216_e92c540b6e_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20476511601/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/516/20476511601_74f5ae0fef_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/14690844@N05/19881001063/" title="My creation"><img alt="My creation" height="275" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/469/19881001063_3bfe6a637c_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19679737894/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="383" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/546/19679737894_dac506e65e_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20276204416/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="383" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/325/20276204416_c10e0468d7_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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So back in September last year we started <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/decked-reno-part-1.html" target="_blank">renovating our house</a>, adding a room and deck on the back and enlarging our kitchen and dining rooms. We are still finishing the downstairs room but the bigger kitchen, the lovely open deck among the trees and the longer dining area have all been fantastic changes to our little house. <br />
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The one casualty <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/renovation.html" target="_blank">as predicted</a> from all this change was our garden. The extensions began with a great big hole in the ground made by a big yellow excavator which then trampled that clay soil up and down the side, over the top of <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/the-side.html" target="_blank">my pretty little side garden</a>. <br />
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We managed to protect all our trees, and we saved some plants by digging them up and putting them in pots. But everything else suffered through the digging and building, had piles of sand and gravel and clay plonked on top of them, bricks and lime and cement mixers emptied on to them and were compacted by machinery and a portaloo.<br />
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The garden was a battleground by the end of our renovation. <br />
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But then we had a landscaper friend come in earlier this year and restore order and install our new layout. Crushed granite steps, pavers and garden beds were put in and last of all turf was laid. This was most exciting as we'd been away and returned to instant lawn!<br />
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Here are the bones of our new garden. So neat! I can't wait to mess it up a bit!<br />
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A few weeks ago I went online and ordered some perennial plants mail order. They arrived last week and all have been tucked into the garden beds. They came bare root, which means they were winter dormant, but little shoots are coming up every day.<br />
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I've designated the side garden as the vegie patch and I have little seedlings growing in makeshift beds and pots. Its such a relief to have plants already in as spring arrives.<br />
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I'm going to write another post about the planting but wanted to share the landscaping with you and the dramatic before and after pics first.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-54002582553593242212015-07-31T15:33:00.000+10:002015-07-31T15:40:21.103+10:00midwinter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19740087751/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/19740087751_daa23429fb_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19112854104/in/datetaken/" title=" "><img alt=" " height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/421/19112854104_11dbd0f466_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19547390420/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/389/19547390420_e93b14c106_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19728172702/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/362/19728172702_96c3f95243_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20132859505/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/313/20132859505_2af912e678_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><script charset="utf-8"></script><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/20132846475/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/299/20132846475_ae53955726_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19944819150/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/322/19944819150_e75fcda9b9_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19946150669/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="550" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/323/19946150669_f76fbeb03a_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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It's midwinter here in Sydney and its been cold, in fact one of the coldest winters in years. But then its never THAT cold in Sydney! We did go out west in the holidays and see some minus temps and ice skate though.<br />
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I love this time of year when the air is crisp but the days are getting longer. I don't mind the cold but I do miss the daylight hours. I'm much happier when we get past the shortest day and we're heading towards spring. <br />
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I'm sure the plants sit up and take notice. Spring heralds start flowering. My daphne is out, I saw a magnolia in flower just yesterday and the jasmine is budding up. The last few days there has been a real feeling in the air that warmer times are coming!<br />
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The most exciting thing this spring is that I have my garden back. Last year's building work really trampled a lot of the garden <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/renovation.html" target="_blank">as predicted</a>. And changes to our house mean the whole layout of our outdoor space has changed.<br />
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These past few weeks though have seen the new garden emerging from the rubble, to the point where I have spent the last couple of days putting new bare root perennials into empty beds! I'm dreaming of how they'll look when they grow, and back to my daily garden walks watching seedlings emerge and shoots appear.<br />
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But more of that in another, overdue, garden post!<br />
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This post is more a check-in, to say I'm still here, I'm still blogging so please come back and visit me soon. I've been a bit tongue tied, which happens when you don't blog for a while, you get out of the rhythm. But I have some new creative pursuits, an update on our reno and other stuff to share.<br />
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Thank you to all those lovely, lovely people who sent messages or left comments here or on instagram about <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/my-dad_20.html" target="_blank">my Dad</a>. Those messages mean so much to me.<br />
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Talk soon.<br />
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p.s. want to take that pesky new Flickr watermark off your photos, just remove the code between a and href in the html which says data-flickr-embed="true".flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-24255483571812714042015-07-20T16:22:00.004+10:002015-07-21T09:59:25.844+10:00My Dad<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19821614576/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="413" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/560/19821614576_40269519d6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19659811618/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="387" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/334/19659811618_62f13884af_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19660177130/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="489" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/364/19660177130_21d584eb06_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19849000415/in/photostream" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="369" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/561/19849000415_e13519c5ee_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/19842006172/in/photostream" title="Dad"><img alt="Dad" height="275" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/19842006172_874f2c21f2_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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I lost my beloved Dad eight weeks ago. On the 25th of May he died peacefully and suddenly in his sleep after a drawn out battle in hospital. Just when we thought he was getting better, we lost him.<br />
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I've been wanting to come back to blog since then but I need to mark his passing here before I do... though I'm not sure I have the words... how do you honour a life in just one post?<br />
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Those of you who have lost a parent or close family member will know the unfillable hole they leave. It seems impossible that he isn't still here with us. I think about him all the time and every little thing reminds me of him. Which is lovely, but bittersweet.<br />
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I was lucky that I got to spend time with Dad before he died. I got time to tell him how much I loved him. That has helped. One thing I talked to him about was how he had passed on to me his love of making, and what a precious gift that has been.<br />
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We are similar my Dad and I, we love making things. My earliest memories are of Dad building furniture for our house in Canberra, making a tree house for us and building a barbecue pit in the garden, planting petunias and making a fireplace!<br />
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Dad loved to make, he loved to garden, he loved art and sculpture, he painted, he cooked, he bottled jam, he fished, he loved travel and nature, wine and food, he loved words and politics, he loved family and history and restaurants, he loved stories and laughing... and he loved us.<br />
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We held a Memorial for Dad the week after he died. We held it in a most beautiful hall, set among the trees in Bangalow, northern NSW. All his friends and family came together to celebrate his life and lots of wonderful people stood up and gave beautiful, funny, sad speeches. We showed hundreds of slides taken from all our family albums, and played his favourite music. He would have loved it.<br />
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The speeches were about his wonderful life, his sense of humour, his career achievements, his making and his generosity. My Dad loved knowledge, and he loved making things from scratch. I'm so much like him in that way and so this blog is a record of that legacy. Thanks Dad.<br />
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You can read more about my Dad <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/man-of-letters-an-allround-political-tragic-20150603-ghfim6.html" target="_blank">in this obituary in the Sydney Morning Herald</a> written by his old mate Mungo MacCallum.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-54104363375665192152015-04-27T12:11:00.002+10:002015-04-27T12:13:42.680+10:00april showers<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17281202332" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7662/17281202332_86e20cc2a6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17281482122" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="550" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8827/17281482122_0b023089ae_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17095615400" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="383" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8717/17095615400_8070b79591_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16599891683" title="DSC_0191 by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="lichen" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7651/16599891683_3b6a7d0f6a_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16662945893" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="383" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7672/16662945893_1aeba9d2aa_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17194143316" title="DSC_0197 by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0197" height="383" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7653/17194143316_0e08525c33_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17283013175" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="383" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8692/17283013175_15867e91b1_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17282989335" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="550" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8708/17282989335_b921733b54_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17075582877" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7680/17075582877_ac634d1821_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17281179852" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="550" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8692/17281179852_92d1951055_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17282941991" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="383" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7694/17282941991_6beb5db928_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17095419668" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="550" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8728/17095419668_f3e315e5fb_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/17097003599" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="550" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8721/17097003599_47ccbcdc20_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16663225893" title="stormy weather by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="stormy weather" height="688" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7683/16663225893_58c98be846_c.jpg" width="550" /></a><br />
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For the last week Sydney has been in the grip of crazy wet and windy weather which extends up and down the coast for miles. Its left damage and destruction in its wake, though we were lucky to be spared any damage here. p.s. I started writing this post before Saturday's crazytown hailstorm which blew up out of the most beautiful sunny autumn day. Its been wild!<br />
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Its also made me feel even more blessed that on our getaway to Jervis Bay we lucked such lovely autumn weather. Somehow we slotted our week in between a wet Easter and the following drenching windy two day storm and afternoon hailstorm.<br />
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In contrast on our time away It was warm enough to swim and we only had one wet and windy day.<br />
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Its a tradition to spend time at our favourite little 70s decor beach house each year, and a tradition to post my photos from our time down south here on the blog. Here are some previous trips to our magic beach. <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2010/04/magic-beach.html" target="_blank">here,</a> <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/banksias.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/exhale.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/away.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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It is also one of the lovely things about having older kids, making these family traditions which live in their imaginations. They love this place and it is layered with memories for them and for their father and I, who can remember walking this bush track with a double stroller!<br />
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Luckily my camera was fixed just in time to take it along. This place is so photogenic it would literally be torture for me without it!flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-50922114753215674102015-04-08T16:29:00.001+10:002015-04-08T16:29:38.411+10:00the clayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16453732023" title="the clayer by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="the clayer" height="550" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8786/16453732023_3c39c761aa_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16457369101" title="looking through old sketchbooks tracing images... by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="looking through old sketchbooks tracing images..." height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/16457369101_d2dd5ca1f8_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16433102376" title="homework for #theclayer course #dianafayt #mishima by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="homework" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/16433102376_d2e7b43c91_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16886087718" title="the clayer by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="the clayer" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7695/16886087718_071ba96be4_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16458164062" title="handbuilding fun! #slab #pinch #coil #clay #ceramics by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="handbuilding fun! #slab #pinch #coil #clay #ceramics" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/16458164062_9424283d04_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16886090988" title="the clayer by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="the clayer" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7692/16886090988_676bdf5b71_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16866476197" title="the clayer by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="the clayer" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7616/16866476197_66abbc9448_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16886647238" title="tiles by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="tiles" height="550" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8706/16886647238_56e0c0b638_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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I'm often surprised looking back through my photos to see the little bits of making I've managed to sneak in to a busy period even when it feels like I get no time to create. Often its only when I make my year end mosaics I realise how much I've managed to cram into the year. <br />
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My blog is a nice record for those days when it feels like I've got nothing done, it helps me see that somehow I always manage to squeeze a little bit in!<br />
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The last few months have been no exception. <br />
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In February an online course I'd booked into on a whim last year suddenly came around. I'd signed up to an online Clay decorating course called The Clayer, with the lovely and inspiring <a href="http://www.dianafayt.com/" target="_blank">Diana Fayt</a>, something I'd been wanting to do for a while.<br />
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But then I wasn't feeling even slightly prepared when it came due!!<br />
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Luckily the fact that my pottery wheel was stored away for the renovation didn't matter as Diana's projects all used handbuilding. This is something I hadn't done much of in my short ceramics career, so it was good to start with her detailled videos to guide me.<br />
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Decoration though is something I've experimented with and it was nice to have Diana's weekly inspiration videos to fuel my making with Mishima, painting and sgraffito.<br />
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Due to my basic lack of time I decided I would concentrate on small tiles rather than the footed platters Diana used. That way I could get a few ideas on clay quickly. Her idea of tracing designs from sketchbooks proved a great way to rediscover and play with sketches from over the years.<br />
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About now I am really feeling the lack of a kiln and I'm hoping this year is the one I finally get to play with my own. I haven't had a chance to fire these pieces or do the painting techniques that need bisque fired pieces.<br />
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And I didn't get round yet to her ideas about stamping clay designs, something I'm really looking forward to that because it will combine two of my favourite crafts - ceramics and hand carved stamps!<br />
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Please excuse the ipad and iphone photos. My poor little camera is finally at the Camera Doctor. I've been missing it a lot .flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-78359450128193546772015-03-13T14:43:00.003+11:002015-03-13T14:43:49.244+11:00decked - reno part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16604912179" title="renovation by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="renovation" height="736" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7614/16604912179_3280b0ffcc_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16773495846" title="renovation progress by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="renovation progress" height="1100" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7629/16773495846_857a443956_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16593514068" title="IMG_0970 by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0970" height="736" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/16593514068_908583793d_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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I've been promising renovation pics for a while now. I was waiting for those perfectly styled 'after' shots, but who am I kidding! Heaven knows when that will ever happen, we actually have quite a lot of stuff still to do, so I'm giving you a progress post instead.<br />
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I love seeing other people's before and after renovations, so I hope you enjoy them too.<br />
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This montage of progress shots show how the back view of the house has changed, dramatically, over the course of the renovation from our initial daggy cement porch and metal stairs through to the new wooden deck and lovely blue gum stairs.<br />
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Most of the building happened last year, which explains why I've been less active as a blogger and maker than usual. Having builders in the house when you work at home is a big thing. Luckily our builders were lovely and they managed to partition off our kitchen and leave our dishwasher working for the whole time. So we were pretty lucky.<br />
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Below stairs is the part that still needs most work. Those downstairs doors were a fortuitous Ebay find for less than $200! And while they aren't actually installed yet - just propped in place so we can dream about how they will look when its finished - it won't be long.<br />
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Upstairs the deck is painted and oiled. That took us about four weekends of 8 hour days but its very satisfying to see the final product. I've bought some inexpensive furniture for the deck and we are spending lots of time out there now. Its great for catching a cool breeze on these hot muggy days and lovely to eat dinner in the outdoors.<br />
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During the day the birds and butterflies float around this space as I hoped they would and if you follow my instagram you will see that a baby dove even slept there for a day!<br />
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We are loving the extra space in our tiny kitchen too, which was doubled in size. It was tiny and its a luxury to have more room. We also have more dining room too and now it opens through bifolds to the deck.<br />
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More photos to come as more gets finished!flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-21085204195297854612015-02-25T16:34:00.001+11:002015-02-26T09:20:16.870+11:00frankie's blankie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16017460444" title="Frankie's blankie by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="Frankie's blankie" height="550" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8593/16017460444_d430f61a67_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16638751792" title="image by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="383" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/16638751792_f5d2b137c6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16019882833" title="image by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="383" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/16019882833_a00932209a_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16452362870" title="image by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="383" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/16452362870_1d0107f6fe_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16452995168" title="My creation by susie stubbs, on Flickr"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16454301739" title="IMG_1103 by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/16454301739_e4514edc4f_z.jpg" width="550" height="550" alt="IMG_1103"></a></div><br />
Baby Frankie arrived late last year. He is a much loved little brother for Poppy. <br />
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Poppy was the first baby I made <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/my-creative-space-poppys-quilt.html">a quilt</a> for and its still one of my favourites so I'm very happy to hear that baby Frankie is using it in turn. But everyone needs a little blankie action of their own, so when I knew we were going to finally catch up with Mr Frankie, who doesn't live nearby, I wanted to make him something special.<br />
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It is inspired by the summer wrap I made <a href="http://flowerpress.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/zoes-wrap.html" target="_blank">little Zoe</a> back here.<br />
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Adapting it for a different season, summer in to autumn, I decided to make a two sided blanket, one side cotton and the other flannel. I wanted a lightweight throw that was easy to drag around, good for car seat or stroller, or big enough to make another layer in the cot. Something soft and cuddly.<br />
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I decided to border it with bias binding because I'm in love with patterned bias. Encouraged by my last successful foray into the dark arts of bias sewing I bought a bright stripy yellow fabric to marry the two prints, my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/87009449/triangle-twist-design-quilting-cotton-fq?ref=shop_home_active_3">Triangle Twist</a> design fabric and a soft blue flannel with delicate dark blue pinspot. I like the way the colours and geometrics are a little more boyish.<br />
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Once you get your mind around the cutting and directioning of Bias binding its really not that difficult. I took some photos this time to remind myself of the process, in particular the folding that gives your strips their diagonal cut. I've reproduced it below in case it might help (and so I don't have to look it up again next time I try this!)<br />
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The sewing is tricksy but I figure practice makes perfect and I'm going to keep sewing it till I'm really confident.<br />
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There's nothing like starting a new body off with some handmade loving, and its a tradition I really love. Best of all I got the most beautiful photo the other day of Frankie, who is very cute, lying on his blankie so I know its going to be well loved :-)<br />
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It was nice to have an excuse to do some making, I've been feeling stretched at the moment, spare time has gone to endless painting of the new bits of house, helping our HSC student, putting the garden to rights and the other endless list of jobs we have around here to finish off our reno. I'm not complaining though I promise, we are loving the extra space and its great being part of the making of our house, in some small way!<br />
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p.s. When the good camera is better I'd like to rephotograph it and put up a tutorial so I have it on the blog, but for now here is how you get the fabric to cut on the bias:<br />
trim the fabric square by lining up the selvages;<br />
open it out into one piece; fold the top across to meet the bottom diagonally;<br />
then fold in the other side along that fold, turning until it is all wound up in a rectangle;<br />
cut the end off your 'package' of fabric and then cut your strips the correct width for your bias maker, mine was 1/2 inch double fold so I cut 15/16ths of an inch widths;<br />
finally make sure you choose two pieces that are cut the same way (hint, they aren't all the same!) and then flip them and pin them like this, overlapping the pointy edges by the margin you are going to sew.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="My creation" height="916" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/16452995168_0b2ebbfe84_z.jpg" width="550" /></div>flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307274632868379132.post-91697631392803051772015-02-10T11:10:00.001+11:002015-02-10T11:12:13.955+11:00holiday pics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16128865249" title="xmas 2014 by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="xmas 2014" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7524/16128865249_f309308661_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16289102366" title="xmas 2014 by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="xmas 2014" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/16289102366_390edfc4d4_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/15692636334" title="xmas 2014 by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="xmas 2014" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/15692636334_3d0b7df158_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16025094189" title="in his happy place #fishing #brunswickheads by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="in his happy place #fishing #brunswickheads" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/16025094189_2e470ffa6f_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16025374557" title="loved this vista the other day... by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="loved this vista the other day..." height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/16025374557_e6975caf7c_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16023682758" title="Got the whole gang today! #beachwalkswimcoffee by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img alt="Got the whole gang today! #beachwalkswimcoffee" height="550" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/16023682758_563beb0acc_z.jpg" width="550" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/15718774443" title="camp 2015 by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/15718774443_1062682307_z.jpg" width="550" height="550" alt="camp 2015"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16312761526" title="camp 2015 by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7546/16312761526_aa64eeaa41_z.jpg" width="550" height="550" alt="camp 2015"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerpress/16272850269" title="love you mercurial mysterious sea by susie stubbs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/16272850269_131c88a155_z.jpg" width="550" height="550" alt="love you mercurial mysterious sea"></a></a></div><br />
Before I get back to my year I wanted to post some of my favourite photos from our holidays. Very late I know but I always like to record this time on my blog, so please indulge me :-)<br />
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Time away with family and friends, lots of both, is part of our annual recharge. Its exhausting taking the Christmas show on the road, but once the wrapping paper settles, I'm never sorry we did it. And returning and repacking for camping is a chore. We're used to it now though and find the camping is when we really relax. Lots of swimming and beaching, walks and drinks and late nights around the gas lanterns are just what the doctor ordered. <br />
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And after all that home always looks pretty good. It was most exciting this year because we got to come home to our completed renovation without the builders who had transformed our house over four months.<br />
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We are still settling in and there has been a lot of painting but I hope to share some of it soon.flowerpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512097103022836377noreply@blogger.com0