Show & Tell - in fabric and food!

Thank you to everyone who has sent me links and photos for Show and Tell! You inspire me with every one of your stitched projects! :-)

Let's start with Carla Louise today. She has made a pretty mug rug from one of my 2009 free designs....

You can find this design HERE.

Celia has been busy stitching the verse blocks from Give Thanks...

Check out Celia's blog - she makes quite a range of beautiful projects!

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Pepe is an Italian blogger who has published the measurements for my Give Thanks BOM in Italian for those in Italy who are not familiar with English measurement.

Isn't she wonderful!? Thank you Pepe! :-)

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Now to some Show & Tell of a different kind.

This week in Home Ec the students in Grade 10 had a term assessment. They were divided into small groups and had to make a 2-course meal with an International theme.

It was SO hot in the Home Ec block that day and we had all the ovens and cooktops going, no air con and no ceiling fans...but the students were fantastic! They had to decorate their tables to blend in with the nationality of their menus. We had Thai, Russian, Spanish, Mexican and Greek...and all very yummy meals indeed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I *love* being a teacher's aide. :-)

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The group with the Russian menu made the most delectable treats for dessert - Pryaniki. Oh my, they are divine! The next day at home I made them myself.

They are a type of stuffed gingerbread, soft and chewy and you can't stop at one! 

Once the spiced dough mix is made you roll out little balls and stuff it with thick jam. I used a jar of New Zealand Boysenberry jam that was to die for...

 

Bake for just 10 minutes and try hard not to eat them immediately or you'll burn your lips! (Don't ask how I know that...)

 

I made the mistake of offering one to Blossom when she came home from school and ever since the pile has gotten smaller and smaller. She's hooked. So am I. :-)

You can find the recipe HERE.

Fortunately I baked a Coconut Jam Slice for the boys to feast on. Fair's fair. ;-)

It's a favourite recipe from the Commonsense Cookbook. In fact, this is the first thing I learned to cook in Home Ec when I was a mere 11 years old! 

I wonder if you used this book at school too?

Have a lovely weekend!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

The end of a term!

Today marked the end of Term 2 for our school year and now we begin a 4-week mid year break. It also heralded the end of Blossom's only year at school, and her return to home education - although we're not sure yet what direction that will take. For now we'll just relax and enjoy the holidays!

The last two days saw the entire school involved in the Sports Carnival and Blossom made sure she competed in a number of events to support her team, Chad, before she left. She ran the 200, 800, and 1500 metre races, and the Principal even thanked her for her efforts over the loudspeaker. We're so proud of her! She is leaving the school well thought of by the staff, and has even been asked to return next term as a teacher's aide for grade 8/9 maths classes a few times a week.

Now, while I'm declaring my pride in Blossom, I can also share that same pride in our 17yo son who completed his Certificate 3 in IT Studies yesterday!! \o/ This was quite an accomplishment at just 17, but he has worked very hard to do it - it took him just 8 months to complete a 2 year course. Well done, Slicer!!

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My heart is also bursting with delight at the girls in my Home Ec sewing class who have finished their quilts!!

Here is Charlene's - a present for her nephew....

 ...and Hannah's chenille quilt that is so soft she wraps it around her every chance she gets!

Taylor made a very pretty applique quilt, and used button tying to secure the layers...

Kayla's nephew was born just hours before I took this photo of the quilt she has almost finished making for him. It's lovely soft flannel, and all the letters have been appliqued on...

And Alison has made herself a cover for her saddle-cloth using applique and stitchery!

Well done girls!!! I have enjoyed being a part of your classes this term more than you know! :-)

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I've finished the new BOM that I will be sharing with you from July 1st, and tomorrow I'll share some photos as well as tell you what materials you'll need to make it. I hope you like it as much as I do!

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My finger has taken a turn for the worst again. The only relief for me is to stay off the keyboard...and that's not easy. Never mind, I'm being good most of the time, so perhaps slow and steady will see a recovery in time?

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The June Denim Challenge?! How are you going? Have you been checking the bloggers listed on my sidebar who have signed up for the challenge?

Look at Linda's slippers!!!

...and Stephanie's table runner....

...and Teresa's lunch bag!

Aren't they all so clever!! I am very inspired....must get back to my denim. I'm thinking of making THIS clutch using denim and perhaps some lace. 

What are you making today?

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Grade 12 Home Ec, a present, something new, and that health thing...

I showed you the projects our Grade 11 girls are working on earlier this week, so tonight I'm sharing what is keeping the fingers of our Grade 12 Home Ec girls busy...

A pieced quilt top with scattered chenille pieces, so lovely and soft...

A faux leather jacket (I so admire people who make clothing!)...

A sweet embroidered pillow (this student has never embroidered before)...

An appliqued baby blanket in soft white flannel...

A bean bag with appliqued panels...

And a polar fleece rug with a special name appliqued across the front!

The girls are all learning these stitches for the first time, and as they only get a few hours per week in class they are doing wonderfully!

Along the way each student writes a journal...

...and together at the end of the term the journal and project will be graded. 

They are such lovely girls, and our teacher, Jodie, is wonderful! I have really enjoyed this term. :-)

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Today we Gum Tree girls all received our swap doilies in the mail so finally I discovered who my swap partner was! (remember my darling Blossom wouldn't tell us?)

Darling Dawn made this doily for me, and she embellished the yoyos with tea stained flowers and beads, AND she used gorgeous 'Rouenneries' fabrics - I feel very spoiled indeed!

I sent my doily to sweet Vikki, who loved the ruffled edging.

We are all VERY happy Gum Nuts tonight with our swap pressies in our hands - it's a very special thing to own something so beautiful made with hands that love you. Being a Gum Tree Designer is pretty awesome when you have friends like these. I love you girls! :-)

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Today I finished a new Christmas design, a wallhanging with something extra....

....a label on the back for everyone around the Christmas table to sign.

You can add a new one every year and imagine the heirloom this will be 20 Christmasses from now?

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Before I go I have to show you the fabric I bought for Blossom. She has had a dream to visit Italy since she was a toddler, and when I saw this fabric I decided to get it for her. I'm going to make her a 'dream' pillow and add a verse from an Italian-themed film she loves, just as a reminder to hold on to her dreams. 

Thank you everyone for your concern about my health - how truly kind-hearted each of you are. {{{hugs}}}

We're not sure what the problem is yet, but I am being tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Barmah Forest Virus, and Ross River Fever Virus, amongst a few other things.

(For those overseas - Barmah Forest Virus and Ross River Fever Virus are both mosquito borne viruses unique to the far north tropical area of Queensland, Australia)

My fingers, wrists and ankles are pretty swollen and quite painful at the moment, so although slow hand stitching is good for the mobility of my fingers, I cannot do anything that requires weight bearing or pressure.

I appreciate those prayers.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx