Kloth & Bolt

In Bloom

2009-11-12T03:15:00.000-08:00

Our garden is coming into full bloom and I am loving how mature our plants have become and how nice it is to have flowers mixed in with the veggies and plants.-kb

Melbourne Cup Horses

2009-11-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

My mothers group has an annual party for the Melbourne Cup. I hosted this year, most of the afternoon was spent in the pool as it was 35 and steamy! Highlight of the day...adorable horse pastries made by one of the other moms. Such a great idea, puff pastry cut out as horses topped with sprinkles and some powdered sugar. Adorable! -kb

Spring cleaning for a cause?

2009-10-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

I've been doing some serious spring cleaning...kids clothes, my clothes, cupboards etc. all getting a good clear out. Donations being made, items listed on ebay and packages of hand-me-downs sent to family. Am planning to treat myself to one of these adorable and very eco-friendly cups with my ebay earnings...the house will be tidier, the environment will be less filled with my coffee cups and I'll be none the happier.-kb

on my night stand

2009-10-20T13:49:00.001-07:00

Quilt 7

2009-10-16T02:05:00.000-07:00

This project is coming along very well...I've started on part two. Not much posting going on here, just focusing on all of the projects I have unfinished...-kb

Spring Flowers

2009-09-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

These little lovelies arrived in the mail the other day...Emerson made. Her site is super quirky and her style is uncompromisingly beautiful. -kb

Princess and the pea goes to work...

2009-09-17T04:54:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist making something for myself with some of the amazing Heather Ross fabric I bought from Corrie. I am not so into novelty prints, so this was certainly a departure for me. After making this simple skirt I thought I could maybe get away with wearing it to work. Paired with a Banana Republic knit and Michael Kores Shoes defiantly work worthy. Scout will soon be sporting a matching dress. I know super geeky, but I don't care!

Last week Singapore was a disaster. Not only did I get the flu while there, Mark and the kids also had the flu back here in Sydney. I was not only sick, but worried sick about the three of them. Thank goodness their lovely nanny pampered them like crazy by Friday I was home and we were all feeling fantastic. Shopping in Singapore however was very very short. A few bits and peices but the good shopping fun will have to wait until next time.

Ok...yes I know I should try to comb my hair prior to photos in the future! -kb

Singapore

2009-09-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

Next week I have 72 hours in Singapore, 10 hours of of which I think I can squeeze in shopping! I have a few favs (Muji, Banana Republic) I want to visit, but was also hoping to go to some fabric/crafty shops. Recommendations? -kb

hex

2009-09-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

I've started on a quilt for my in-laws...for Christmas...yes Christmas. Part of my plan is to have a section with hexagons. I am so loving this project. I have been very inspired by Sophie, with her helping hints at Craftroom I think this will be a success. Stay tuned for many more hexagon projects and hopefully a lovely new quilt by Christmas! -kb

Dear J.Crew

2009-08-30T05:18:00.000-07:00

Dear J.Crew,

I miss you. I really really miss you.

I know that this overseas move of mine has meant that we've spent less and less time together. Not a day goes by that you are not with me (jeans, tees, socks, flip flops, adorable navy jacket with the grey silk lining found on sale last year...) If you could find it in your heart to move to Australia, I promise I will be a frequent and loyal customer. I will introduce you to all of my friends and family in Sydney, they will love you. You have yet to my little daughter, Scouty, when she is big enough to fit your size 2's I am sure her love affair with you will also begin.

If you are not willing to move, could we reach a compromise, like affordable shipping to Australia?

With all of my love, your most loyal customer (seriously you and I both know I loved you even before you were cool).

-kb

Ray in Paris

2009-08-25T04:40:00.000-07:00

Ray in Paris....it's like a dream come true. Now all I need is a very good excuse to fly to Paris in two weeks for this concert. -kb

More from the weekend....

2009-08-24T00:13:00.000-07:00

A few more purchases from the weekend. Tee from Spout for Luca. Love the brown, hides all little boy messes and is a bit of an homage to all of the little inch worms Luca and I have squished in the pursuit of organic broccoli. 15 fantastic squares from Cloth, I've got grand plans to turn these into a blanket/quilt for our couch. -kb

Stiches

2009-08-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I squeezed in a quick trip to the Stitches and Craft Show. I wasn't sure what to expect. Overall I think level four, the incubator section was my fav. I also enjoyed the craft bars where I learned a bit of embroidery....I think I have a new addiction. Here is the little tape I made, very wonky in a few parts, but for my first attempt I am pretty pleased. This will be quickly making it's way to one of Luca's tee's. Will share some of my other purchases over the next few days. At this point I am drowning in projects...some started, some not. -kb

pikelets

2009-08-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

My latest obsession...pikelets. Super yummy breakfast treat. Prior to living in Australia I had never had these...they are quickly becoming a Sunday Morning staple.

Recipe (modified from Donna Hay)

2 C self raising flour

1/3 - 1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

30g melted butter

1 C milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix flour and sugar. Add eggs, butter, milk and vanilla. Mix until combined. Heat a non-stick pan over low heat. Scoop just less than 1/4 C for the large size or a generous spoonful for small size and cook on low for 4 min or until bubble appear, flip and cook another 2-4 min.

Serve with butter, cream, jam, nutella, berries or plain.

My tips - play with the heat on your pan a bit, I sometimes cook them on a medium low setting. If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, pikelets keep well for a few days.

Enjoy! -kb

20 down...80 to go

2009-08-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

I have continued the crochet, am now working on a granny square blanket. I estimate I will need 100 squares to make a blanket big enough to snuggle under. Love this project at night or on the weekends, totally portable and easy! -kb

more craft room love

2009-08-02T03:54:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night I picked up some lovely left overs from the clean outs of both Corrie and Belinda! I am thinking of a few little skirts for Scout and maybe a little dress for me with one of these patterns. Best of all, has inspired me to do a clean out of my own...will be bringing some goodies to share next month. -kb

WIP

2009-07-27T01:09:00.000-07:00

I am using these for a very scrappy project and loving the result. I think it will take me a few more months to finish so far so good! -kb

harvest

2009-07-26T00:54:00.000-07:00

We are slowly becoming urban farmers. This weekend we picked our first broccoli and I couldn't be happier! Broccoli is my favorite veggie and Luca actually eats it (minor miracle for a 2 1/2 year old so I hear). Has been fantastic to have something in the garden growing in winter as well. Completely organic (pesticide care of Birkenstock (I hand picked off the grubs and squashed them with my garden shoes)) we haven't eaten it yet, saving it all for a big family dinner on Tuesday night.

Our lemons are doing fantastic, the passion fruit vine is dripping with fruit that I am hoping will be ready next weekend. Now on to more adventurous ideas...chickens. Any tips you can share? I've convinced my husband, now I've got all the logistics to figure out like coop, breed etc. Ideas? -kb

*Oh and this is my first post from our new I-MAC. Yes we did the big switch. Thanks for the feedback!

Coco Avant Chanel

2009-07-10T04:18:00.000-07:00

Saw this film last night...lovely. -kb

a picture of you taking a picture of me

2009-07-08T21:55:00.001-07:00

My little photographer…taking a picture of me taking a picture of him on his Lego Camera (built by daddy) I think a kid proof digital camera may be in our future…-kb

lovely necklace

2009-07-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

I am often reading blogs when I come across adorable items that I add to my wish list...very rarely do I actually love something so much I go through the motions to buy online. Usually I am deterred by the shipping costs to Australia. When I saw this necklace by the very talented Jess, I splurged. They arrived in the post this week and I love them (them...yes, I had to get the matching earrings too). -kb

*our computer officially died over the weekend...now the big question do we covert to MAC???

A month of Sundays...

2009-06-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

It took a month of Sundays, sitting in front of the TV when the kids were in bed to sew the binding on my Lotta quilt...it was so worth it! I love this quilt. Front is 4 large pieces of Lotta Jansdotter linen I purchased in Tokyo, back is a pale blue pinstriped cotton and the binding is a mocha brown cotton from Lincraft. I did free motion quilting randomly around the outer edge of many (but not all) of the blue and brown bobbles on the Lotta fabric. This created a very cool circled quilting effect on the striped fabric on the back. This is one of the largest quilts I've made, just about Queen size, perfect for full body coverage while lying on the couch. Originally I planned to put this quilt in our guest house to match some pillows I made last year...however I am so in love I might have to keep it in the living room through the winter to properly wear it in!
Pictures are not that great, but due to the size was very hard to figure out how to photograph this one, it has been quilted properly all those waves were just impossilbe to resovle on the floor. Suggestions, how should I be taking these types of photos? -kb

Hong Kong Fabric Agent?

2009-06-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

Hi! I've been crazy busy, however have a few completed projects to show off this week...finally! In the mean time I am looking for a good fabric/textile agent in Hong Kong? Can anyone recommend someone? Send me details at klothandbolt@gmail.com? Thanks! -kb

Craft Room

2009-05-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

I am so loving the Craft Room. Wednesday night I arrived with two projects both that I had heaps of questions on. The ladies were full of advice and ideas. I learned how to finish my crochet with a scalloped edge and unfortunately had to unravel a very long knitting project. I've found a solution to the knitting and I couldn't be happier with the crochet. I am so impressed with the knowledge and the skills of these ladies, I have a feeling my sewing and knitting are going to improve immensely if I can continue to sponge off this amazing group! Next up I think I am going to get some advice from this lady on how to make hexagons...I just can't stop thinking about them...she was hand stitching them all through Wednesday night...-kb

Scout's Baptism

2009-05-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

Scout was baptised on Sunday. Following the service we held a big party at our house. Last week I spent ages sewing her dress. Silk with a lace trim, puffed sleeves, fully lined...reminder a 4 month old has tiny arms, most of the lace and the arm holes were sewing on by hand as was the lining. The silk raveled like crazy to be honest it was a bit of a nightmare, if it weren't for sheer determination I think I would have have thrown it out just after I cut the fabric! All of that being said, I love the dress it came out perfect.

So many friends and family joined us, one of the best parties we've ever had. The house was full of white flowers, we had pink cupcakes and triangle sandwiches...and Scout wore her dress the entire day, after all of that work I wasn't about to take it off! -kb