Fille de journee

Or 'Girls Day Out'....fun to have a french title though :-)

We (me, my sis and my great friend) had a lovely afternoon/evening out at the Melbourne French Film Festival, on the weekend.

It was something we had been looking forward to for quite a few weeks, and it definitely did not disappoint (but really...child-free, good company, good food, lovely films and a choc top all to myself..what's not to like? :-P)

And the old Palace Cinema in Balwyn has a lovely charm, and gorgeous chandeliers in the foyer..so sparkly...

We saw both 'Delicacy' and 'Romantics Anonymous' and loved both of them for their quirky characters and sweet storylines.

Here's just a taste of 'Romantics Anonymous'..



I love them, and I think even my hubby would find them just a little bit funny, so I can't wait to see them again, with him, when they are released on DVD.

How about you? Any favourite french films? Or films in general?

xxxx

Creative Space : Autumn Inspiration

I love how, with the cooler months, it just feels right to be making with wool and other yarn, especially when I'm all cosy in the evenings, and I finally get a chance to sit still for a few moments.

Inspired by the autumn colours of nature and of the latest fashion palate (oranges, reds, teals, yellows..love, LOVE, love it!), it was time to get making on a new scarf..

A simple moss stitch, in a lovely and cheerful red. A nice, easy project to get my fingers used to knitting again.

I've been enjoying knitting this so much, that I splurged out and bought this book..

I may have been aiming a little high though, as I really am just a novice knitter. But there are some gorgeous patterns in here, that I may have to just jump in and give one a go.

But what to choose...the Martine (a slip-stitch bordered hoodie), the Viola (a short-sleeved cardigan) or the Ondine (appliqued skirt)...and so many more...hmmm, will have to have a think about it.

Playing along with this week's Creative Spacers.

xxx

Just like Mum used to make..

The ever yummy, super scrumptious and maybe not-too-bad for you (I mean, it has vegetables in it, surely that has to help :-P)....

Sour Cream Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

 You will need :
1 cup Wholemeal Self-Raising Flour
1 cup Plain Flour
1 tsp Bi-Carb of Soda.
2 tsp Cinnamon
2 tsp Nutmeg
1 cup Raw Sugar
1 cup Vegetable or Sunflower Oil
4 Eggs
1/2 cup Sour Cream
3 cups grated Carrot

Then you :
* Preheat oven to 180
* Sift flours, soda, cinnamon and nutmeg into a large bowl.
* Add sugar and oil and mix well.
* Put eggs and sour cream into a separate bowl and beat well.
* Add to the flour mixture and mix until smooth.
* Add carrot and mix well.
* Pour into a greased cake tin (my preference is for a high round cake but you can divide between two loaf pans - up to you!)
* Place on centre rack of oven and cook for approx 45 minutes (checking regularly after 30 minute mark or slightly earlier if using two loaf tins)
* When cooked, stand a few minutes then turn onto a wire rack to cool.
* Top with cream cheese frosting (recipe below)

Cream Cheese Frosting

120g packet Cream Cheese
60g Butter, softened
2 tsp grated Lemon Rind
2 cups Pure Icing Sugar

* Beat cheese, butter and lemon until smooth.
* Gradually beat in sifted icing sugar.

Yum!!

Linking up with this week's Make : Grow : Thrift.

xxx

The Bar Stool Debacle

So this is how the story goes...

I fell in love with these stools
I pinned these stools to my 'home decor' pin board (of course :-P)
I finally, FINALLY committed and bought 3
I travelled the 40 minutes to pick them up
I got them home
I unravelled, unwrapped and generally unpacked them (required assembly - base & seats)
First blip - 2 out of 3 of the bases were faulty
Second blip - I had been given two dining chair seats instead of bar stool seats
Third blip - the measurements on the website were a little off (making the room between the bench and stool very, VERY squishy)
One friendly but disappointed phone call to the shop
Another 1 1/2 hour round trip to drop them off and receive refund today
Now back to searching for another 'perfect for me' bar stool or three
Sigh....

On a more positive note I've had a little blogging break, but am now back to it, so I shall have something to share very soon.

I hope you have a debacle free week!

xxx

Creative Space : Critters & Crochet

Making up a couple of super cute boys urban hoodies in this funky little critter design. My sis, Dan, bought this fabric with Levi in mind, and it's just so adorable, that I just had to make him a little hoodie from it.
Not sure who the other hoodie is for (it's a size 2 also)....it might end up in the shop.

Aren't these critters just the spunkiest? 

And after seeing a few bloggers (particularly here and here) get creative with their crochet hooks and knitting needles, making the most sweetest little softies/amigurumis, I just had to pull my hook out and start on something cute, and this owl made the cut.

I really want to give the Dangercrafts pattern of 'Penelope the empathetic monster' a go, but I'm a little hesitant as I've never knitted the three needle technique - should I be nervous? Or is it not too hard to pick up?

Linking up with the lovely creative people over here.

xxx

Make : Grow : Thrift - Homemade Basil Pesto

With all this rain, then sunshine, then rain again, our basil plants have been kept very happy.

So happy, that it really was time to pick some leaves and make something with them, and as our family loves a bit of basil pesto, I thought, why not give it a go?

Here's how I did it (and it's really very easy!) :

Ingredients :
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed down
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
3 cloves of garlic, minced
Salt & pepper to taste

1 - Pop the basil leaves and pine nuts into a food processor, and pulse a few times, until combined

2 - Add minced garlic, and pulse a few times, again.
3 - Slowly add olive oil, pulsing between additions (remember to swipe the sides down regularly)
4 - Once olive oil is all in, add parmesan cheese and again, pulse 2-3 times to combine.
5 - Add salt and pepper and stir through.

And you're done...

Now it's all ready to be served up with a bit of grilled fish tonight, and maybe used through a pasta tomorrow. And all that garlic-ky goodness has to be good for my cold, right?

Joining in with Make : Grow : Thrift

xxx

Pin It? Make It! : Felt Bird Cushion

Ok, first up I have two apologies to make...

1 - I'm two days late - so sorry - have had a bout of nasty headcold-itus and am now a bit behind with all sorts of things
and
2 - For some reason, the past two link ups haven't shown up the participant's links, so I'm sorry about that. I'm not sure why, but I'm trying something new this week, so hopefully this will become an issue of the past.

Ok, now that I've got that off my chest...this week's Pinterest project...

Item available to purchase from Sukanart

Now this talented Etsy Seller Sukanart, makes these adorable bird (and other designs) felt cushion covers, which I have pinned a couple of times...

They are all gorgeous, but I thought, why not try making one myself...so I did!

Loving these shades of greens and teals..

And in it's final home...our bedroom...

And now that I have made one, I must say that Sukanart sells these at a bargain price, for all the time that would go into making them (or maybe I'm just a really slow embroider/sewer, which I think is part of it, but the other part is - there is a lot of stitching to be done for just one of these cushions!) and they would be worth every cent.

But thank you, Sukanart, for the inspiration!

How about you? Any Pinterest inspired makings happening out your way?

xx