OPAM (One Project A Month)...September 2010!!!

Can't believe how quickly September has come and gone this year...with 2 more projects for OPAM completed...how I have loved this little challenge...

I can honestly say I have never finished so many projects before in this amount of time!!!

Thank you so much to Peg and Kris for hosting this!!!

First off I started with this gorgeous fabric sent to me by my dear blogging friend Simone

together with these fabrics...

and stitchery...

made into a Sewing Companion...
this wonderful little companion was a project by Fiona from my local Needlework Group!!!

I had these little velvet baubles and I couldn't resist using them on the spine!!!

I love to add extras if I can to any projects...

As Coco Chanel once famously said...(as you walk out the room take one thing off)...Less Is More

Less is More is a 19th century proverbial phrase. It is first found in print in Andrea del Sarto, 1855, a poem by Robert Browning

I'm a bit the other way...as you walk out the room add something else...More Is More ha ha!!!

Amidst all this Mr Armchair putting together my new sewing table purchased at The Craft and Quilt Fair...

I think I'll do a separate post on this another time...

the inside...

The blue felt is a start to another project from my Group...a little pincushion!!!

And here it is all done Yay!!!

If I can I like to sign and date all my work...

And I can't seem to get enough of the Elm Creek novels lately...
have just finished The Quilter's Kitchen by Jennifer Chiaverini...
I wouldn't mind getting into the kitchen with Anna and cooking up some meals for those Quilters!!!

Next I'm ready to start The Lost Quilter and have ordered The Quilter's Holiday!!!

Dress rehearsals are in full swing for Cabaret...

(put on by our local Amateur Theatre Group, The Bay Theatre Players)

will post some pics up next post...

and I'm starting to believe there really is such a place as The Kit Kat Club...

complete with Sally Bowles!!!

What good is sitting alone in your room

Come hear the music play

Life is a Cabaret old chum

Come to the Cabaret...

Lyrics by Fred Ebb

~Cook Up With Vicki No 8~

Another cook up with Vicki has just happened...this time all sorts of things kept happening...

especially the pics which are not too clear...rather blurry but hey...it all tasted good...

And that's the main thing...right!!!

The menu from the latest edition of Donna Hay magazine...August/September 2010...

We had...
Spiced Lamb Cutlets with Carrot and Sesame Salad
Polenta Crusted Potatoes
Asparagus with Almond Butter
Raspberry Trifle
and while I was on a roll I made a Chocolate Ganache Tart...

Beautiful tender cutlets...

Polenta Crusted Potatoes...

Almonds toasting...

My newest Gluten Free find...Sweet Shortcrust Pastry from The Pastry Pantry ...

I sprinkled cocoa onto the pastry...

Chocolate all set...

Madeira Cake made with gluten free flour...

Cake rounds into bottom of dessert dish...

Berries atop...I used raspberries and black cherries...

Another round of cake on top...

Pour on custard...add whipped cream and toasted almonds and I'm in Trifle Heaven!!!

(Blurry) Spiced Lamb Cutlets with Carrot and Sesame Salad...

Mr Armchair's contribution when he saw it was a cook up dinner!!!

And here's Cheers across cyberspace to Vicki and Hubby!!!

Anyone who would like to join us it's easy...

Just cook something up from the latest Donna Hay mag and blog it!!!

Now I'm off to rehearsals all weekend for Cabaret!!!

Bon Appetit and Happy Stitching!!!

Shattered 9 Patch...New Project and Lunch with Theodora Cleave!!!

Wow was all that I could say when I saw these quilts...

especially the ones above and below...made by Debbie at my Needlework Group...

Called the Shattered 9 Patch and done in Japanese fabrics!!!

Simply stunning!!!

And lucky us...Debbie is going to be running a workshop on this quilt...

what a good test that will be for Nina (my new machine)!!!

same quilt using different fabrics!!!

More quilts using totally different fabrics!!!

They are just beautiful...good job girls!!!

A new little project for us by Fiona which I'm keen to do...
I haven't done many felt projects but do so enjoy them!!!

And one can never have enough pin cushions right...I find them addictive, just like bags!!!

And on the same day I met up with Barb of Theodora Cleave...new to town here

Both being gluten free we headed off to North Street Cafe and Bar which specializes in the most delicious gluten free food...
Here's Barb's choice...an Asparagus Bruschetta...

Home made beef sausages...crispy roast potato and a salad for me...
Can't get much better than that...lunch after sewing and planning new projects!!!

And a surprise gift from Barb...these gorgeous buttons!!!
Thank you so much Barb...

if you're interested to see more of what Barb has been up to visit her blog over here...

The weather here is absolutely beautiful...took a beach walk yesterday...

now I'm just waiting for Summer and more Salty Blue Days!!!

My Needlework Group!!!

Now that TAFE has finished I've started to get back into my Needlework Group, run by Fiona...

Regularly there are new projects that we can choose to do...one of these is a Sampler and Cushion with a painted button...

I'm going to do do this cushion and sampler using the 2 fabrics above...

together with some Vintage Linen...

A must do is this gorgeous Sewing Companion made by Fiona...

and this cute beehive felt pin cushion...

A stitching journal by Sylvia

and the cushion up close...

We also have a show and tell...this delightful christening gown made by one of the very talented ladies!!!

As always with groups there is food!!! Here is a cheeseplate forming part of morning tea...

along with this Gluten Free Carrot Cake with Honey Cream Frosting...
the recipe can be found on my other blog My Dolce Vita over here

Petite Meringues...

When we arrive at the Hall everything is set up for us...including an iron...cutting mat...

and this brand new sewing machine from Steph's (my local patchwork shop) obtained earlier this year due to a grant!!!
I've tested out my new machine (see post below)...it sews like a dream, but still learning all about it!!!

I'm going to be a bit quiet on the blog scene these next few days...I'm babysitting the 2 little Grandchildren...this should be fun!!!

Happy Sewing...Dzintra♥x