To Sew or Not To Sew, that is the question...

2014, my my my, you have been a busy year so far! At the end of 2013 I was so excited for what this year had install for us and so, I'm yet to be disappointed. We've been kept busy with friend's baby showers, concerts in the rain, the arrival of friend's babies, parties for amazing parents and a wedding just around the corner!

I'm yet to hold a stall at the Narrabri Markets this year simply because I've had another social engagement on that same day the markets are on. It's given me a well deserved break from Bernie (the trusty Bernina) and some time to consider where to take my sewing skill next... do I start making clothes or keep with the homewares with a touch of baby goodies? Right now though, I'm happy just to be making small bits and pieces here and there as presents for friends and a couple of custom orders too.

Hubby and I have been kept busy in the garden over the past couple of weeks. We had a huge (and very much needed) down pour of rain last week which has left our garden looking lush and begging for veggies to be planted into the empty patches.

I'm looking forward to the cooler weather at the moment which is nearly unheard of for me because I'm such a frog but the thought of wood heaters and red wine is quietly making me very happy. xx

* feeling the chill factor *

Perfect sewing weather don't you think! While the fire is cranking in the loungeroom, crummy day time tv blaring, facebook signed in all day, fabric being sewn on the old faithful bernina ~ I love weekends! Especially when they consist of all of the above.

Hubby has been super busy the last couple of weeks work and has had one of his painting buddies helping to get through the work since last Monday so while the boys have a well earned fishing break on the weekend, I immerse myself into my fabric and a couple of glasses of wine in the afternoon to keep the creative juices flowing. Below are some orders that I have completed over the past couple of weekends:

Below was the view from sewing room on Saturday ~ gorgeous day!

I've also started branding my packaging with my new logo designed by Emma Troy Graphic Design



I hope you all have a lovely week and keep warm! x

:: Life Is Good! ::

Last night, I sat down and took stock of how much life has changed over the past 24 months. Not that life was bad before but things are definitely looking a lot brighter. I think I'm gaining a greater appreciation for the smaller and simpler things in life. My hubby's work is going really well and he loves working in the garden. He's just finished building himself a greenhouse for his bonsais so they make it through the cooler months. Our vegie patch is going great guns and the garden is looking amazing!

Miss Mollee Designs is still going having it's ups and downs where I lack inspiration and time but there are more and more times where I am able to immerse myself in my sewing nook and jsut create! At the moment I have some bunting being made, I have another order for some rainbow bunting and I am starting to take on more custom orders such as cushions and more iPad cases. I have sooooo much fabric that I need to get through before I buy anymore but I just can't help myself sometimes! Where do you draw the line? : )

So work life has improved a tonne also, I started my new job at Landmark at the end of Oct 2012 and I'm loving it, 6 months down the track and I'm still learning new things everyday. It's a relaxed office where the boys talk about the weather, crops, cattle prices and how much rain (when we eventually get some!) we've all had. I'm really enjoying the 'rural' atmosphere and can see myself buying my first pair of RM's (shocking I know!) within the next 12 months!

So below is a collection of my life in pictures from the last couple of months and what I've been up to.

Health kick!

Besties <3

All the rage!

Easter Lunch with friends & family - beautiful day

Fun day at Day On The Green in Armidale with more friends!

Narrabri Races with another Bestie!

Relaxing...

New Miss Mollee Designs products!

Working with delish fabrics

Loving text & chevron right now!

Loving my day job : )

Love my new car (Rav4), spesh when it has my favourite crop in the back of it!

Visited Coffs Harbour for another Bestie's baby's christening

Things are starting to cool down

Can't wait for September to catch up with old and long time friends

Miss Mollee Designs is in business!

www.facebook.com/missmolleedesigns

You Tart!

My sister has been home for the weekend so I felt the need for some good homecooking! This afternoon we have made a batch of Lemon Merangue Tarts... these are so delicious and was given the recipe from one of the girls at work who is a wonder in the kitchen so I knew I couldn't go wrong with these little yummies!

I've also accomplished making a bunting and and iPad case and sold 4 x wine totes! So looks like Miss Mollee is almost back in full steam! The Narrabri Markets are on in 3 weeks time and I hope to make there to actually hold a stall! I don't care if I don't even sell anything, I think it's a nice social outting for morning mingling with the other crafty stall holders and catching up with the locals.

Anyhoo! I better get back to my tarts as they're upto the 'cooking merangue' part and don't want them to burn!!! Ciao!

:: Dust Collectors ::

I heart dust collectors... there, I said it! I love having beautiful things around me that remind me of certain times and stories, and basically just some awesome homely eye candy. Don't get me wrong, I love flicking through the pages of Country Style and seeing these gorgeous homesteads where every item is unique but yet they seem to bein a certain position spot and very pristine. If my dust collectors happen to harbour a touch of dust then... well... maybe I should dust but I think it shows a well respected item that you love to have on display. Below is my latest 'dust collector'... only $20 from an antiques shop in Guyra NSW that my mum and I stopped at whilst on our way to Armidale to visit some school friends.

This will sit proudly in my sewing area, or... on my buffet as you first walk into the cottage saying 'Look at my beautiful old sewing machine' even if my guests have no interest in sewing... I will tell them anyway!

So, Miss Mollee Designs is slowly but surely coming back to life. Over the last 3 days I have received three packages which all held gorgeous fabrics that I can't wait to start getting in to. Bring on the weekend! I just don't seem to have the motivation of an afternoon at the moment after work but I'm trying to be harsher on myself and force me to get cracking on things I love! Sewing! And drinking wine... with chocolate... and chips... Oh dam! There goes the New Years Resolution! Oh well, I'll try and be good!

So, 2012... let's see what you may bring for us this time round! 2011 was definitely the 'Year of Change' for us! I started my own crafty Facebook business - Miss Mollee Designs, started working fulltime again after doing a bit of casual work, quit my job and moved back to the farm, affectionly known as 'Mollee', moved into the old school house cottage, made the school house into a home and had Christmas at home with my family. All with the amazing support  of my husband and the uncondiontal love from our two dogs (who are more like our children than anything else).

This year I am throwing myself into my new job and at the same time searching for inspiration for my real passion - sewing and being creative. I'm also excited about the prospects of our own veggie garden, embracing the gorgeous surrounds of our humble abode and simply loving each day.

So come on 2012, show me the best year of my life yet to be lived!

Cupcakes & Slippers!

So I've finished up work which is soooo fantastic. I miss everyone but I feel so good! I haven't felt this happy in such a long time. I didn't realise how much work was bringing me down. We have now been able to focus on our Painting business which Dan is loving and I'm loving supporting him. So I've started let my creative side get the better of me - yay! I've made 1 x crotchered slipper - that's right, just one! hehe! And I'm half way through the second one.

I've also been baking up a storm in the kitchen with these delicious Passionfruit Cupcakes. These are so super easy to make and scrumtious! I love the new cupcake tin & papers I bought from Ikea last week - it makes them look even! The icing however is meant to be a little messy so I just slap it on them.

So that's pretty much what I've been upto! I'm really keen to get back onto my sewing machine and start whipping up some pieces - might go and buy some retro patterns...