Real life week...

Wow - I think I've just caught my breath again after that intensive 5-day tutorial!

How did you enjoy it?

What technique along the way did you find the most beneficial to you and your sewing?

I'd really *love* to hear more feedback from those who participated as it will help me plan future blog events for 2015,  so leave your comment below this post or below one of the 5-day tutorial posts. Thank you in advance! 

I'd love to show some things that were going on behind the scenes this past week. 

To be honest, I felt a bit like a duck some days, calm and in control above the water, and paddling for dear life underneath. Not in a bad way, mind you, but in a very productive way. In fact, I was paddling with Mr E as we made some decisions for our future.

The biggest decision was to sell our motorbike. If you're a long time reader you will know that we've have some wonderful long trips away on our bike. I even learned to pack only what was absolutely necessary and could fit inside a grocery bag - even for a 5 day ride!  There was an immense sense of freedom letting go of the daily trappings of life at home and heading off into the countryside behind my husband, the wind pushing against us and every sense heightened. This past year we've tended to ride mostly at night as we both love the cool dark evenings out on the road when life just seems quieter.

But it was time to let go of our bike (affectionately known as Camel)  and last night we said our goodbyes before the new owner rode it out of our driveway and into his future.

Mr E prayed over the gentleman and the bike before we waved farewell and we're sure he will have the time of his life, just as we did.

Princess Sophie spent the last few days lamenting the sudden absence of her nemesis, Mr Metallic Starling (you can see him here), and was far more 'needy' of attention than usual. It's not like her to eyeball the camera lens, but she seemed intent on being a star in my outdoor pics this week...

The next day she went searching for new fun and decided to hunt tiny lizards under the palm tree. I think she's missing Bob-the-dog since he left home to live with Blossom...

Our sugar-free / grain-free lifestyle has become second nature now and the daily routine of proteins, salad, fresh vegetable juice, fruits and coconut yoghurt seems effortless.  We rarely go to the supermarket nowadays, but shop twice a week at the local organic grocer. I've lost 3 kilograms in 6 weeks without trying, and my migraines have reduced by 80%.

We do have some gluten free oats in my homemade granola as it's Mr E's favourite breakfast.

Here was a fresh batch made on Wednesday when Blossom visited, as well as a gluten/grain/sugar-free apple & sultana loaf...

There was a blood moon this week, but I missed it that night. Very early the next morning I managed to catch a quick photo as it set under the palm trees...

The next morning I was up even earlier to get a photo of the moon higher in the sky. So beautiful, so big, so far away...

And you know, sometimes you just want to spoil yourself, don't you?

So I did.

I now have a few pieces of some Anni Downs fabric, and one day I'll make the panel up into a small quilt for the couch. It's such a happy print...and happy is  nice...

I was interviewed recently by Debbie Henry from Craftsy and if you'd like to read it you can do so HERE. You'll see some of my friends in the article too! It was all about Block of the Months and has rather an Aussie flavour. ;-)

Before I sign off let me invite you to visit THIS blog page because I've just launched my Stitchery Club and you're all invited!

 Enjoy your weekend!

hugs

One quilt finished!

I decided at the start of this week that I'd focus my attention on finishing a number of my projects - both 'work' and 'play'.

You saw my project folder on Tuesday, and the progress I'd made with piecing and quilting the Shabby Roses Churn Dash quilt yesterday, so today I'm still 'on a roll' and can show you my completed version  of Chrissy's (from Sew Lux and via Clover & Violet) Mini Medallion quilt!

Chrissy's design still has two more pieced borders yet to come in October and November which will need larger quantities of fabric for the piecing and strip borders, but I had chosen to make mine using only my favourite fabric scraps - and guess what? I've run out!

So rather than cutting into new yardage I decided to stop where I was and finish it up as a table runner or small wall quilt - still haven't decided...

What do you think?

 I did have to use yardage for binding, but it was worth it because I love having the whole quilt enclosed in turquoise...

I spent all of Tuesday night machine quilting, and Wednesday morning sewing down the binding...

 I knew I was in trouble with finding enough fabric scraps when I ran out of pink and white spot in the snowball border, so I improvised with a piece of plain white homespun...

That might bother some people, but I'm not fussed at all.  In fact, the project becomes a little more personal I think.

If I use it on the table I will need to go tablecloth shopping again...but that would be fun!

Now that I feel accomplished with two finished projects this week, I can soldier on and finish the hand quilted circles on my Shabby Roses Churn Dash quilt!

The machine quilting is done, and I've sewn the binding around the edge, so 17 circles to hand quilt, then complete stitching the binding to the back and I can show you how it's turned out...

Though sewing has taken a big chunk of time the past few days I've not forgotten to stay on track with healthy food for Mr E and me...

*apple cinnamon banana loaf*

(grain free, sugar free)

 So far this month I have lost over 2 kilos (about 5 pounds) on this 'lifelong' detox from grains, sugar and refined foods.

It's been incredibly easy, satisfying to the taste buds, and has kicked our sugar addiction out of the ball park. We also quit salt on Monday and it was way easier that I imagined it could be!

We walk every day for about 45 minutes and drink plenty of water too.

I'm not counting calories, just eating good food when I'm hungry, and discovering that I'm satisfied with much less on my plate.

This book is great for ideas and motivation...

Just a little encouragement if you're considering this path...

Righto, back to quilting!

hugs

 

Pretty storage!

When I was down in Melbourne for "Let's Get Stitched" in March, one of the other tutors (and roomate!)  was my sweet, sweet friend Vikki Collumbine of Sew Useful Designs.

We have this adoration-of-each-others-designs  'thing' happening, always have actually. She's a talent and a half to be sure, and always good for eye candy projects. She wanted to make mine, and I definitely wanted to make hers!

I fell in love with the project she shared with the ladies on the Sunday.

This is Vikki's original,  "My Sweet PDFs", which she designed to store all your printed pdf patterns. Isn't it adorable!?

That cover captured my heart and when I eventually carved out a bit of 'self sewing' time a couple of months ago I stitched up her cover design and framed it in pretty Tilda roses and spotty fabrics. I didn't make the pdf storage folder like Vikki's design, though. 

I had a different purpose in mind....

You see, I usually have around 4 to 6 new Elefantz designs on the go at any one time, and I decided to use Vikki's cover design on a large folder for storing my projects that have been stitched but are still waiting to be made into something.

Inside the cover I've made a nice big pocket that fits A4 pattern sheets...

...and the folder itself holds quite a few velcro sealed plastic pouches that I fill with the completed stitchery, threads, and pattern sheets for safe keeping until I'm ready to sew them into a larger project, or just until I write the pattern...

 

Pretty cool, yeh?!

I'm sharing this to encourage you to look outside the box with designs you like but think you may never make because they look like they take a little more skill than you have.

Vikki is amazing with little trims and edgings and extras - but I'm not - and she loves what I've done with her gorgeous cover design, so win win all around. Thanks Vikki-love!

You can see all the photos of her original project HERE on her blog. Like I said, she is incredible.

And on to something else incredible!

Remember months ago when I made my pear placemats? 

Well ever since I have been searching for a 'just right' tablecoth to no avail.

Until last week when a Goldilocks moment happened upon me...

I don't know why, but delicious food tastes even more delicious with matching placemats *and* tablecloth!

Quinoa Salad with haloumi, pine nuts and grated beetroot...

Organic grapes fresh from the Atherton Tablelands just a few hours north of us...

 

Now that I have a full tummy and a sweet folder to store my completed stitcheries in I think I should finish piecing a quilt and empty one of those plastic folders...ready for another new design. 

Have a brilliant Tuesday!

hugs

Wendy comes to detox...

My buddy Wendy came to town yesterday so I invited her to hang out with me for a detox day!

Her son's flight wasn't arriving till 10pm, so we had about 11 hours together, and we made every one count!

I had three DVDs lined up for her to watch while we stitched...

...and she was inspired by every one so she took them home to show her husband and son. 

Between each documentary I gave her a sample of some of the foods I use in my perpetual detox lifestyle.

She was amazed that the Carrot Coconut Loaf was free of all grains, sugar, and sweeteners and told me she's making it herself today...

She loved the constant supply of detox tea, water and freshly made vegetable juices...

She was blown away by the  simplicity and taste of the roast vegetable salad at lunchtime...

...as well as the protein ball we had for dessert!

Throughout the afternoon we drank more fresh veggie juice, dandelion tea and water while we discussed the documentaries and stitched. Wendy looks happy, doesn't she?!

We had the best 'almost-a-sleepover' ever!

Both of us weren't very hungry for the rest of the day so easily satisfied with just an organic apple, but before she had to leave for the airport we did make room for some yummy coconut chia pudding with strawberries and passionfruit...

Wendy is dusting off her own juicer today and now I have my buddy to share recipes and ideas with!

I've had some requests to share where I'm getting my detox program from, so I'll answer that today.

I'm not following any program or book or diet.

Nutrition is something I have studied for 15 years, and whilst I have tried to live and eat using that knowledge it was always a struggle to 'carry' the family along with me as they didn't want to give up refined white products or sugar laden drinks and treats...so I'd rise to the challenge for a few months then give up feeling beaten.

The difference this time is that it's only Mr E and I at home, he is on board with me now (yay!!), and I'm 55...it's amazing how age and the desire to LIVE with renewed vigour, health, energy and adventure can tip you right out of the naughty food bowl and into the fresh and non-toxic salad bowl!

As I've shared before, eating healthy has always been the norm for me, but I also added a whole lot of unhealthy to my body, and even ate way too much of the healthy stuff! Over indulging  in healthy OR unhealthy food will add many kilos.

The key is to listen to your body.

Too often we eat everything on the plate because we don't want to waste it, but isn't it better to waste the excess into the trash than waste it into your one and only precious body??

I'm so excited to have broken that shackle from my mind!

Weight is falling off.

I've discovered that my body really doesn't like much red meat, but it LOVES fish and vegetables. It copes with a little chicken. It loves water. It loves dandelion tea. It loves apples. It loves salad. It adores freshly juiced veggies.

And guess what?

NO MIGRAINES.

That's the bonus of all bonuses for me.

So what else lives in my kitchen these days?

Coconut Milk yoghurt is incredible, and I'm going to have a shot at making some myself...

Mr E loves cereal with yoghurt for breakfast so I've made gluten free granola with flaxseeds, goji berries, pepitas and other nutrition packed ingredients...

We both love real butter, but it's rock hard because we live in the tropics and it always has to be stored in the fridge, so I was buying a spreadable butter and not bothering to read the label. Wow - it was full of chemicals I'd never heard of!

So I bought pure organic butter made from grass fed cow's milk, and I mixed it with cold pressed olive oil. It's delicious, spreads wonderfully, and is free from nasties. Win win.

We keep a large supply of in-season organic fruits...

...and apart from all the fresh veggies we use in juices and salads, I also roast a batch every couple of days. These make a heartier salad for days when we're a bit hungrier than usual (normally after an adventure or long walks)...

Mashed potato used to be one of my comfort foods, but I've changed to mashed sweet potato and pumpkin. I don't add any butter or milk - just the veg alone and it is delicious!

The other day I made my first jar of sugar-free strawberry jam.

All it took was a punnet of strawberries, 3 teaspoons chia seeds, 1 tablespoon of water, and 1 teaspoon of raw honey...yum.

These are some pantry essentials that we go through a lot of...

 ...and when I want a little snack, I have some Kale Krunch!

It's just dehydrated kale leaves with cashews and nutritional yeast to bind the leaves together.

A book I found at the library has a recipe for making my own so I'll get the dehydrator out of storage this weekend and have a go...

So there you have it, a little peek at my perpetual detox menu!

I call it perpetual because every day in this 21stC world we are bombarded with toxins, so eliminating them from our bodies is crucial and an ongoing process.

One thing I heard this week that really inspired me, and shocked me, was that 50 years ago households spent three times more of their income on groceries than they do now.

The introduction of things like cable tv, mobile phones, internet, fast foods, expensive shopping habits and sports cost, hair and nail treatments, bigger home and cars...well, it seems the grocery bill is the first one most people choose to reduce.

Isn't that sad?

Cable, gel nails, and a big house just won't extend your life or recharge your body.

You have one body. A God given beautiful thing.

Put the best you can into it.

hugs