Removing old layers to see what matters now...

Life is meant to be lived, and as you edge closer to the winter years that truth becomes far more valuable than in younger seasons. You know, it can be quite confronting to ponder the long time passed, and the much shorter time ahead. I'm definitely not thinking negatively (or morbidly) about this truth, but rather taking notice of it in order to wisely choose how I use the days God continues to gift me from now on. 

And that's why I've been absent from blogging for a couple of weeks. I found other things to do, things that were not only productive, but joyous and fun. Even the regular domestic tasks of my simple life took on new delight, and I woke up excited to go about my chores and put things in order around home. There's also been fresh creativity in my days, and truly, this quite surprised me. 

I took my own advice about 'walking the room' again in April, and discovered what I had suspected for a while. 

My style has changed from the overabundance of pretty things around the home (most of which I made and designed) to being considerate of what my husband and I genuinely like. I think simplifying can do that, perhaps? The past few years my personal decluttering of things that have no value, or take up time or space unnecessarily, has helped me look at all aspects of the life I have chosen to value and pursue...and when those layers are lifted away, its much easier to see what is left in a new light. 

Taking away from the 'scenery' within our walls meant that I am able to consider and plan what I can make or build or re-purpose, to create a home atmosphere that really reflects who we are in our little home on a quarter acre, not just me.

It's also easier when some things are stripped away to recognise what offers satisfaction, enthusiasm, and purpose, for both my husband and myself. Much of what is displayed around home is there because I designed and made it over the past fifteen years of creating my business, Elefantz Designs, but it's quite a mismatch now if I'm honest because there's a variety of style changes which follow my growth as a designer, and it simply never was a reflection of my husband's rustic Australian country style. So...I'm removing items I'd not considered previously, and giving prominence to the artwork and colours which hubby and I both like. Naturally, some areas are more me than him - the kitchen and laundry for example! But that's okay, a homemaker makes a home for herself and her husband, so it is natural to bring some of him and some of her into the home, right alongside the 'we'. 

Over the past few weeks I've really enjoyed using up smaller fabric pieces and making reversible jar covers for my homemade jam...but over time this spread into many jars in my pantry. 

Not every jar has a cover because I like them scattered around, bringing a very homely look to the kitchen. I also made some for Blossom but 3yo Charlie absconded with them, insisting they were hats for his dinosaurs and the girl's dolls. Ha ha!! 

After about fourteen fabric covers, I made one with a crochet edge...

...and then progressed to an embroidered cover, which I absolutely love and shall be making more of. I'm thinking of cows, ducks, birds, and little garden scenes. I  may even use some of the stitcheries from HERE or those I've included in this year's free Joy in the Ordinary BOM. 

But this little bee pattern was a purchase I made on Etsy last week. I was looking for different jar cover patterns and bought this one - however, I did not realise it was only a pattern for the bee. Still, I do love how the designer has displayed it on linen with a lace edge in the photo. 

The jar cover pattern I have been using came from Olesya on Youtube, who shares THIS wonderful tutorial! If you fast forward to around 16 minutes you can watch it (be sure to turn on the subtitles)...but I never fast forward as I am inspired by her homemaking and enjoy every minute of her videos from Belarus. 

I completed the first crochet rug of the year and look forward to using it if winter arrives, as that is always a surprise in the tropics, and have begun a second rug in much earthier colours. 

After months of contemplating how to use some kookaburra fabric Annabel sent me for Christmas, I decided it would be perfect for the French Press we use for de-caff coffees on the weekend. 

I love kookaburras, have done so all my life. Our front door has a stained glass kookaburra, and there's a hand painted canvas of a kookaburra just inside our front entrance. When they visit in the garden I am enthralled! Last week I had three 'laughing' in the Poinciana tree, and then another sitting on the edge of a potted rose. 

They seem to frequent our home mostly in autumn and winter so I expect to see them often over the next few months. Never heard a kookaburra? Well, have a listen and you'll understand why we say they laugh...

I have definitely been keeping my hands busy. Here's a few more occupations I have applied myself to this month...

(first cross-stitch project in more than a decade!)

(protein balls for hubby's lunch box)

(the garden out back, focusing on herbs, flowers and greens)

(garlic rolls using Olesya's recipe here)

I have also completed the final Dresden block for Blossom's 30th birthday quilt and will be sewing them all together with white borders this week. 

I wrote an April to-do list at the beginning of the month, and as I wrote about back then, I included some self-care to-dos as well...hence the sewing! I have been so happy making time to sew things for home, try new recipes, and grow new things in the garden. 

But there are other to-dos that pertain to home-maintenance, correspondence, sorting our cupboards and drawers, deep cleaning under large appliances such as the washing machine and fridges, and emptying the pantry so I can go over all the shelves with pine oil to deter bugs (it really works). Then I will begin some new things like making salve from the calendula flowers I grew last year, making candles for the first time, and painting a very old bookcase. 

I have finished two books so far this month - one of Mrs White's homemaking volumes, and the first of the Rose series by Roger Lea MacBride (these are stories from the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter, Rose) which I enjoyed immensely. In fact I am taking it over to Blossom's today as she'd like to read it herself, and later to her girls. 

Now here's a good tip if you have old musty books. I bought this first book of the Rose series very cheaply off eBay and it really smelled bad, the kind of musty dusty smell that causes you to sneeze a lot with every page. I remembered something from our homeschool days and decided to give it a try. Put a small saucer of bi-carb soda with a few drops of essential oil (I used eucalyptus) in a plastic container with the book. Place the lid on and leave the book for 3-4 days. After that time the smell should be gone - and for this book, it was. :-)

I read recently - "If I do not take care of myself now, I won't be able to in the future' - and it has given me much to consider. Once again, with the winter season of my years coming quickly, I need to nourish the body, mind and spirit in ways that will help me in the journey ahead. Just yesterday I learned that I have hearing loss, and in one specific aspect it's quite substantial in both ears, so this just increased my awareness of looking after myself better than I have in the past. 

However, God is Sovereign over all my life, and the most important thing I can do for my future years (God willing I have them) is to draw even closer to Him, to study His word deeper than I already do, and to pay attention to that still small voice which no hearing loss can silence. If I do this, then the rest will fall into place because He is my Father who loves me, and Who daily refines my thoughts, desires, character and beliefs. If you are wanting to take better care of yourself, seek the Lord first, and He will show you how. 

Till next time,

hugs

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April theme, and block 4 of Joy in the Ordinary...

 

Hello April!

Well, we are a quarter of the way through the year, and do you think (like me) that it's rolling along at a rather brisk pace? Having pondered this same idea for the past few years, I have decided to intentionally s..l..o..w.. things at home the best I am able, in order to enjoy the gentle rhythms and tasks and relationships and events, of my very ordinary life.

Rushing to finish one thing in order to do the next seems to just add mental, and perhaps physical, stress much of the time. Yes, we do have tasks to complete around home, at work, or in the garden, each day, but wouldn't it be far more conducive to good mental health if we slowed a bit and actually enjoyed the process, and were consciously present right in that moment. 

Some would call a homemakers life 'mundane' or 'boring' - yet those ordinary things which make up the normal rhythm of our day to day lives can be anything but boring. The work we put in to our homes is essential for creating our own little sanctuary, an escape from the outside world, and a haven of rest for those who live within our walls or cross our threshold to visit. 

You may remember that our dishwasher broke down on Christmas Day last year. We arranged to have it fixed a month later...and since then I have only used it twice. For all my life (before we moved here in late 2018) I had always done the dishes by hand, and for the first few months in this home I continued with that habit. But then I began to use the dishwasher, and a new habit was formed. 

Through my life, when standing at the sink washing dishes, hands covered in suds, I would be looking out of a window as I went about my task, and those were some of the most insightful times with God. It was a prayerful time and slowed my mind, and that came about with the slow rhythm of washing and rinsing each dish, each cup, each bowl, and the other bits and pieces I'd cooked with to make a meal. Repetitive tasks do not require much mental stimulation, as we do them by instinct, formed over many years, so our mind is freed to rest (or worry, which I choose not to do) and that allows us to ponder, pray, listen, and breathe. 

So even though the dishwasher is fixed, I choose not to use it, but just run a cycle once a month to keep it in working order. I am relishing the morning, noon and evening visits to my kitchen sink, where I bask in the simple pleasure of slowing, praying, and listening to the Lord - along with the birds who sing and chatter not far from the window. 

In block 4 I've captured a little scene of cooking utensils and measuring cups, because I wanted to celebrate ordinary things in an ordinary kitchen - for those ordinary things help us create wonderful meals and treats, don't they?!

Use the link below to download the free pattern

DOWNLOAD Block 4 of Joy in the Ordinary BOM

If you have missed any previous patterns in this year's free Block of the Month, go HERE

APRIL theme...

Last month the theme was simplifying. How did you go with that? Personally I have simplified many aspects of life here on our quarter acre, but also in my mind and daily practices. Spending a whole month exploring a theme has been wonderful and I find myself carrying them forward into the next month as well.

This month the theme is a little different, but I felt so impressed in my heart to do this that I put my hands up and said "Okay, Lord". 

Do you have a to-do list? I have two at the moment. They sit on my desk and as I complete one of my to-dos I draw a line through it, and enjoy the feeling of satisfaction for a task completed. 

Ha ha!! Actually, sometimes I do not feel a lovely sense of satisfaction, but annoyance at myself for not getting to it sooner. I do like to get things done as time allows, and don't procrastinate very often, but I often find myself imagining I have more time than I really do. 

Being that I have recently decided not to rush through tasks, or cram a lot into my days anymore, it may seem counter-productive to shine a light on a to-do list - however, working my way through it s..l..o..w..l..y.. will bring a great deal of pleasure as results gradually reveal themselves.

I was thinking about the various areas of a woman's life, and the many ways we can create something from nothing, so I'm going to start this month's theme with that aspect in mind. You see, there's a to-do list of general things that need to be done...but what about a list of things we'd like to do if we had the time, enthusiasm, and means? Having something lovely, creative, worthwhile, energising or helpful on a personal to-do list can actually awaken the mind, stir the senses, and add excitement and more joy to an ordinary day. 

Here's a few areas I have written down which might spark something in your heart to follow through on...

* Self Care - is there something in your self-care which you've neglecting? A home-pedicure, or an afternoon nap perhaps? 

* Garden - is there a place in your garden that you often think "such and such would be lovely there" or "I'd love to set up a little space where I can sit and enjoy the beauty of nature around me"?

* Letter writing - have you lost touch with the art of writing a letter to loved ones and friends? Do you enjoy receiving letters? Just one letter can be a new door opening...

* Room makeover - Have you seen how people can makeover a room using what they already have? Or can you be creative and make some simple furnishings from your fabric or craft stash to brighten or rejuvenate the space?

* Reading - is there a book, or a few, dusty and waiting? Can you take a quiet time each day and simply read a chapter? 

* Catch up with a friend - pack a little afternoon tea picnic and invite a friend to meet you at the park, botanical gardens, seashore, local duck pond? I am sure you'll both relax and wonder why you've not done it before. 

* Finish a UFO - yes, some people have a lot of UFOs in their sewing room, or within their knitting or crochet baskets. Choose just one. And do a little each day...even 15 minutes adds up over a month. 

And one more thing - Walking the Room

You can read all about this habit of mine over HERE in a post I wrote at the beginning of Covid in 2020.  I usually do this every year, but this year I have not! So for me, this is a big "do the to-do" plan for this week, along with working on a most important UFO - Blossom's 30th birthday quilt which is due by May 26th. 

I would dearly LOVE to hear your thoughts on what I've shared in this post...I read and re-read many of your comments because you give me food for thought, ideas, gratitude, and a friendly smile over this virtual kitchen table we share at Elefantz.

God bless and may His immense love fill your hearts to overflowing in the week ahead. Always remember, you are precious in His sight, created with His touch, and made to enjoy the beauty and wonder of His incredible Creation. Girl, you are lovely. xxx

Hugs

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Our family favourites recipe book - part 1...

 

It's been interesting this March, putting the focus on simplicity, and realising it can be found in many areas of life - in the practical, the emotional, and even the spiritual. 

In previous posts this month, I've written about a few areas of simplifying, some fairly obvious, others not quite so. In applying the decision to simplify as many aspects of life as I can, taking note of the day to day changes, and observing the fruit coming forth, a deep sense of confidence, joy and peace has begun to settle on my heart. Honest, it's quite simply, lovely. 

I have been promising to share our family recipe book for ages, and whilst sorting through more than thirty years of notes and files, I had to take lots of breaks as it became a larger project than I had first imagined. When I chose "simplicity" as the theme for March, it hadn't yet occurred to me that this was how I needed to put together a recipe book, but as the weeks have passed, it suddenly seemed common sense to choose the recipes we enjoy a lot, the ones I have never stopped making regularly, the simple family fare my children and husband ask for time and again, the meals and treats my girls request the recipe for so they can carry on the tradition of old family favourites with their own children. 

So, in simplifying my stack of old recipes for the girls, I was able to move forward with the plan to share them with you too. 

Another aspect of simplicity with this project, was to break it up into sections, and share them one at a time. Today you'll receive Part 1 - Sweeties...

Use the link below to download Part One in A4 or Letter files...

DOWNLOAD Family Favourites Part One in A4 format

DOWNLOAD Family Favourites Part One in Letter format

As this is part 1, I also decided to write about the inspiration I have for cooking, and it should be no surprise to you that it all began with Nana and Pop. 

You may not want to download this first recipe file, but perhaps you'd like to know a bit more about those precious grandparents who raised me, so I'll share that story here for you...

From the age of three I was blessed to be raised with an abundance of love and laughter in the tiny

home of my Nana, Phyllis May, and my Pop, Eric John.

Nana was born in 1911, a few years before the Great War. She married at eighteen and within four years

had three small children to raise, right in the midst of the Great Depression. Her younger sister died a

few years later so Nana took on the care of her sibling’s two children for a season as well.

By the time World War 2 began she was well equipped by previous experience to feed the family on

whatever was available. She had learned all the tricks of using up what was already on hand, mending,

repurposing anything and everything, re‐using (tea bags especially), bartering, growing some basics in

her tiny yard, preserving, doing without, substituting ingredients, and watching every penny.

I remember her telling me how during the Depression, she and her sister would save pink or red tissue

paper to re‐use as makeup. They’d dab a tiny piece with water and use it rub on their cheeks for rouge,

and on their lips for lipstick. Growing up with Nana, I never saw her leave the house without applying

an inexpensive red or vivid pink lipstick and clipping on a pair of earrings, and when she told me about

this experience from the war years, I understood why. They are small things by today’s standard, but

after doing without through a Depression and a war, it gave her much pleasure to ‘do herself up’ a little

throughout the remainder of her life.

My nan was a very basic cook, but everything she made was delicious and the taste of her food still

lingers in my memory. In fact, I find it fascinating that even today I can close my eyes and smell the

simple but yummy meals she lovingly prepared for Pop and I.

I remember with delight the breakfast conversations with her and Pop, when he’d praise her for the

simple meal and how blessed he was to have her as his wife, and how he’d encourage me to be just like

her. At the time I thought that task impossible, and later in life wished I’d paid more attention to ‘what’

she did, instead of only being awed by who she was – but Nana glowed with soft love, her vivid blue

eyes twinkled, and her loud house‐shaking laugh (which I inherited, along with her eyes) drew attention

wherever she went, especially mine. I simply adored my Nana and Pop, and never in life have I known

two people such as they, who were able to be content with so very little, and yet offer it all to a small

granddaughter like me.

We always ate leftovers for breakfast, never was a bowl of cereal seen on our humble table. If there

were no leftovers, Pop would roll up his sleeves and take over by peeling potatoes, chopping them into

chips, and frying them in a shallow pan with the fat from last Sunday’s roast. Served with slices of bread

and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, they were a real treat! Pop couldn’t cook anything else, and I doubt

Nana would have let him if he wanted to, but she knew there were no better chips to be had than those

cooked by her dear little husband.

Lunch was usually bread with whatever was available. In those days lamb was cheap so it was often

leftover roast lamb and her homemade pickles, but it might also be soup and dumplings during winter.

Nana grew a choko vine (chayote) over the back fence, and it was quite a prolific producer so she made

use of it in many ways – seasonal jars of pickle relish, pan fried in butter, crumbed and fried, or chopped

with apples and cinnamon to fill an apple pie. I was 23 when Nana passed away, and treasured the last

jars of choko pickle Pop gave me after the funeral. Every spoonful on a sandwich over the following

months was seasoned with my salty tears, and a crushing pain in my heart...right beside the memory of

her great loving hugs.

I was not a good cook when I first married and began a family, as Nana had not ‘taught’ me to cook, but

gradually, sitting quietly for a time and remembering all I could over many years, the simple recipes

came back and I’d tweak them until they tasted ‘almost’ the same…after all, how could I ever make

anything taste as wonderful as she did?

My children and grandchildren love what I make them, and so I suppose that’s the way of generations

as time goes by. The wonderful meals we remember as a child from our mother’s or grandmother’s

kitchens may be recipes we struggle to replicate today, yet our own children and grandchildren are

right now creating their own memories of our kitchens and our meals – and so the traditions go on.

I have come to believe that food is a lifelong memory, so let us not view it through the eyes of friend or

foe with regards to various diets or programs, but let us rejoice in the way it unites young and old

across a table, and how it lingers on in our minds many years after a cherished cook has folded her

apron one last time.

I'll sign off for today, but will be back at the end of the week. I'm re-reading all the gospels right now, and as with this time each year, I am once more brought to my knees by what our precious Saviour did to save us. There will never be words enough to express how His sacrifice changed my life...is still changing my life. 

If you have drifted from the Lord, and don't know quite how to rebuild a relationship with Him, read the gospels, dear one. Just quietly walk through them and follow the journey of Jesus once more...He will meet you in those pages, and change your life. He does that. I'm here today because He did that for me. 

Love and hugs

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Gentle homemaking, the mind, and little pies...

 

Considering the soon farewell of another month, my thoughts have drifted to how things have been simplified around home, in my mind, and around the garden, through these days of March. At first, I focused on these past weeks, full of family, garden and medical needs that seemed to take up large portions of each week, but then I considered the lovely peace and calm which has come to be the normal daily atmosphere of home no matter what a day holds.  I am learning that the more I can let go of, in order to simplify my life - things, emotions, dreams, plans and unforgiveness for example - the more peace and calm and JOY is filling my life.

As I reflected on these things it occurred to me that more than dropping away things or plans, the most beneficial path to simplifying has been changing the way I think, feel, and how I see my life as a homemaker. 

Having a heart which chooses to be at home, experiencing joy in the care I am able to give our humble abode, a feeling of satisfaction borne from the fruit of my labours, filling my heart with gratitude for all the small things - for there are far more of those than big things in life - these are evidences of a simple life being lived well...and yet, I don't think I have looked at it from that perspective before. 

In my homemaker heart it's clear that there's a sweet and gentle rest offered by living this way, and as I grow older, I find more of the gentle domestic life is what I desire most, for it draws me back to what I knew as a toddler, child and teenager growing up with Nana. 

Experiences of the past, the ones we remember most vividly, are the ones I believe to have had the greatest impact on our lives as we age. In the midst of wonderful memories, there may be difficult ones as well, and I admit to having both. However with the passing of years, the easier it has become to let go of the ones which serve me no good, for those memories cannot be changed, and if I did give them power again they could harm my otherwise healthy mind. So I choose to release myself from their grip, and instead, gather all the wonderful memories built around Nana and Pop, who cared for me with selfless love, and taught me to love God.

I've not heard of mental simplicity, but it's the only way I can describe to you what has had the greatest impact on me recently. When I sought the Lord over the areas of my life to simplify, one that surprised me was a particular situation from thirty years ago which every so often comes to mind and continues to upset me, and even cause me to feel anger. In a moment, He disassembled the tower of self-pity and self-righteousness I had built in my mind, and left every stone shattered...ladies, talk about simplifying, this was a burden gone, done and dusted, slate wiped clean, chains unshackled, in a moment. I am free, and it is so very life-changing to forgive, and to be forgiven. Simply.

If you have been burdened with the past, let me pray for you...

Heavenly Father,  this is but a short and simple prayer, because You are not complicated, and do not bury your children in long and wrenching psychological tortures. You are a kind and compassionate Father, Who, at the right time, leads us from darkness into Light, and  today I am asking You to do this for anyone reading this who needs to be set free from the shackles and burdens of the past. Lord, in Your deliverance, shine Light on the best things for them to remember, stir up the good experiences and memories, bringing them to the surface, and in doing so, please bury forever the harmful ones. Guide those who need to forgive, impart wisdom to those who have held a grudge or misunderstood an incident so they can repent and let it go. Simplify their lives, Lord, and simplify their minds, that they may look with  JOY at the days yet before them, given as a gift by Your perfect grace. In the precious name of our Saviour Jesus, Amen. 

Here's the steps and recipe to make those lovely little pies my grandchildren and son in law gobble up with glee!

I have these lovely little pie tins which were purchased for a couple of dollars at the local op-shop, and they make the perfect size pies for children, lunches, or picnics.

The base is a little disc which is removable, making it easy to lift the baked pies from the tin. 

Whatever size your pie tins are, you will need to cut a circle for the base that is about 1/2 to 3/4 inch larger than the tin. Try making a circle with scrap fabric or tissue paper first, to work out the correct size, and then look for a plate or dish which has the same dimensions. 

I use puff pastry sheets from the freezer section of the supermarket. Using a circular plate the right size, I cut the bases and press them into the greased pie holes. Then I fill the cases with an egg, bacon and cheese mixture.

The FILLING -

Grill or bake rashers of bacon to remove a lot of the fat. Once cooked, chop them into small pieces. When cool, scatter them across the bottom of the pie cases. 

Make a mix of 6 eggs, 1/2 cup of cream, some salt and pepper. Pour this into eight small pie cases. Scatter some grated cheese over the top. Cut circles of puff pastry 1/2 inch wider than the top of the pie cases and place on top. Press the sides of the base and top together.

Make roses and leaves from the excess pieces of puff pastry. Cut your rose strips first - they only need to be about one inch wide, and 4 inches long. Then cut the leaves from the remaining odd shaped scraps of pastry. 

For the roses, just roll the 4 inch strip of pastry (not too tight), and then using your fingers, turn some of the rolls down to form a flower. 

Place them on top of your pies, pressing very gently to attach them. Now make a egg wash (just beat a whole egg until the yolk and white combine...it only takes about ten seconds), and then using a pastry brush, paint the top of the pies with it. 

Bake in an oven of 200C (400F) for about 20 minutes, depending on your oven. The pies will puff right up and be golden brown when done. 

You could make the same pies with any filling of your choice, but my tribe do not want me to change anything! ;-)

Now I must sign off as I need to see my optometrist again today, do some grocery shopping, and find a decent dish drainer for the kitchen sink as my old one has lately been the cause of a few broken cups and glasses due to a section breaking away. I knew this time was coming but had put if off, but then a favourite mug broke earlier in the week and it can't be replaced. The dish draining rack can! 

God BLESS you dear ones, and may the March days still ahead of us be days of joyful simplicity in the ways that matter most. 

Love

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Making a simple envelope style pouch....

 

I've previously shown the slow stitched fabric pouches which have brought me joy to make over the past month, and as you have requested, today I'll show you how to make your own. 

These pouches can be made any size you want, you just need two squares of fabric the same size, some thin fusible wadding 1/2" smaller than your squares, and a long length of 1" wide fabric for the tie. 

For three of my pouches I used two different fabrics, but for the green linen check pouch I used the same fabric. Use what you like, experiment a little, and just have some fun. 

What I loved most about the process of making my pouches was not having to hurry, being able to pick it up and put it down at leisure, usually slow stitching quilted lines in the evenings for little while at a time. 

I have previously made two pouches from 10" squares, one from a 12 inch square, and for this tutorial I made one from an 8" square. 

So as I said, choose your square size and cut yourself two pieces of fabric, and one piece of thin fusible wadding, 1/2" smaller than your squares. You'll also need a 1" wide length of fabric, twice as long as your square - so if you have a 12" square, cut a 24" long length of fabric for the tie.

(the photos aren't as good as I'd hoped, due to using my phone and not my camera)

Use a bias maker to turn the 1" wide fabric into bias. You don't need to cut your fabric diagonally because we're not going to use it as bias, but as a the wrapping tie. 

Once made, fold the bias in half and sew the halves together. Tie a tight knot at each end of the tie. 

Fuse the thin wadding to the wrong side of one of your squares (best to choose the fabric which will feature as the outside of your pouch)...

With right sides facing, pin the fabrics together. Sew around the four sides of the square with a 1/4" seam, leaving a 3" opening along one side. 

Turn right side out through the opening. Press the opening down before ladder stitching it closed. 

I took the next lot of photos before I quilted the square, as it was easier to get as many 'step' photos as I could at the time. 

Press in three corners of the square, envelope style.

NOTE: another lovely thing about these pouches is that they are reversible, so choose your lining fabric carefully too.

Now, before we stitch the folds together, it's time to quilt the square. I just do small stitches in straight lines, fairly close together - this effect makes me very happy. No idea why, but it does!

Now sew the tie to the top (open) flap...but sew it 1/3 of the way along the length. You need one end of the tie to be twice as long as the other (for wrapping around at the end).

Then sew the two folded sides together with a ladder stitch to complete your pouch. :-)

I hope you make one (or more)...they have come in very handy in my house. Two are cases for my reading glasses (one at home and one in my handbag); one holds my crochet hooks; and this smaller one which I made for the tutorial holds nail clippers, small scissors, a nail file and a hanky, for my handbag.

As well as little pouches, this past week I've also been working on more Dresden blocks for Blossom's 30th birthday quilt (due in May)...

...completing the repair and extension of Rafaella's damaged crochet blanket...

...a return to working on my own crochet blanket (first one I have made for myself)...

...baking a new sourdough banana bread recipe, which is now the family's favourite...

...and back to baking sour dough bread again, thanks to Elly who did a video on baking with sour dough in the hot and humid areas of the country.

Tomorrow I'm choosing to have a nice slow day at home, pottering around in the sewing room, listening to an audio book, and enjoying fresh herbal teas with greens from the garden. I've had a very busy few days deep cleaning the kitchen appliances, sorting the linen cupboard, organising my home apothecary supplies, weeding, and planting herbs...as well as the usual homemaking rhythms that bring me joy.

I'll have the pie photos and steps on Thursday for you, and hopefully the recipe book (part 1) on Friday or Saturday. 

God bless you dear ones, and may the remainder of your week be blessed in every way. 

hugs

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