A Spoonful of Sugar

Book Review: Stash Happy Felt

2012-01-27T21:04:00.002+08:00

We have just returned from a fabulous family holiday to Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China which is why things have been a bit quiet around here lately! We have returned refreshed with plenty of ideas and inspiration. We have a few Valentines inspired projects that we will be sharing over the next week.

With many local book stores closing, more and more people are now purchasing their books online. I don't know about you, but I am hesitant about buying craft books that I haven't been able to flick through or seen reviewed. I like to make sure that there is enough in the book to interest me or teach me a new skill, and a number of projects that I would be inspired to make.With that in mind, we are going to post regular book reviews here to keep you up to date with the latest publications relating to sewing, craft and baking. Thanks to the lovely folk at Capricorn Link, we have a number of new releases to share with you over the next few weeks. Please note that we are not paid to write the reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book.

Stash Happy Felt by Amanda Carestio

I really enjoyed reading Stash Happy Felt as felt is such a great medium to work with and is perfect for many projects as it does not fray. Stash Happy Felt features 30 fun felt projects for felt and fabric lovers. Many of the designs would make great gift ideas, and the projects are made from a combination of ready made felt - acrylic and wool; thick industrial felt; adhesive felt; felted sweaters; and wool rovings that are needle felted. The book has a handy Basics section that introduces you to working with felt with helpful tips and tricks. It also includes instructions on how to felt your own sweaters, which makes for an eco-friendly project.

The projects are many and varied. They range in complexity, with most being suitable for the beginner through to intermediate crafters. A number of projects would be suitable for an older child to make with some assistance/supervision. Some projects are entirely hand sewn and others require the use of a sewing machine. Templates are included in the book but most require the templates to be enlarged by 200 - 400%.

The projects are designed by a number of contributors and they are all beautifully styled and photographed, and include a number of helpful step by step photos and diagrams.The projects include a sewing machine cosy, wine tote, baby booties, coasters, and a bookmark, and many more.

My favourite projects from the book include:

Woodland Bear, designed by Savannah Carroll

Mushroom Terrarium, designed by Lisa Jordan

Cutie Crown, designed by Cynthia Shaffer

Overall, if you enjoy making small gift items out of felt, then you will no doubt find some modern and colourful projects in the book to interest and inspire.

Details:
Publisher: Lark Crafts
Publication Date: October 2011
ISBN: 9781600599255
Format: Paperback

In Australia, Stash Happy Felt is available online from Booktopia and Can Do Books.

Have you discovered any great craft/sewing books lately?

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How to Make a Pencil Case

2012-01-14T19:30:00.000+08:00

With the new school year nearly upon us in Australia, I am making up a few easy zippered patchwork pencil cases. This is a great scrap buster project. The little zippered pouches can be used for all manner of things. Mine was sized to fit approx 6 pens; or a small pack of tissues; or a small notebook and pen; or a few cosmetics.

How to Make a Pencil Case

Project Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate

Time Required: 1 hour

Finished project measures: 3 1/2 x 6 3/4 inches (9 x 17 cm)

Materials:

Linen measuring 7" x 2 3/4"
Fabric 1 measuring 7" x 1 3/4"
Fabric 2 measuring 7" x 2"
Fabric 3 measuring 7" x 2 1/4"
Fabric 4 measuring 7" x 7 1/4 (lining)
Flannel measuring 7" x 7 1/4" (batting)
zipper measuring at least 7"
Ribbon/tape measuring 3"

Note: Please read all instructions before commencing the project. Careful and accurate cutting and sewing are essential to ensure success with this project. A seam allowance of 1/4in is included throughout.

1. To assemble the exterior of the pencil case, stitch the linen strip, to Fabrics 1, 2 and 3 (as shown in photograph). Press the seams open. Topstitch 1/8 " on both sides of each seam.

2. Position the lining on top of the flannel rectangle. Pin the layers together, and quilt together through both layers in straight lines approx 1/2 " apart.

3. Position your lining facing up on your work surface. Position your zipper so that it is face up with the zipper pull on the right side and the edge of the zipper is aligned with the long edge of the lining. Position the patchwork rectangle so that the right side is facing down, and the linen strip is on the right hand side. Pin in place. Using your sewing machine and the zipper foot, stitch in place through all layers. Refer to photo.

4. Align the other long edge of the patchwork pencil case exterior, with the other side of the zipper and pin in place so that the right sides are facing. Take the other edge of the lining, fold under the zipper, and pin this to the other edge of the zipper. Refer to the photo for placement, and stitch in place. It will appear that you have two separate channels, but once it is sewn in place and turned out the right way it will look like a pencil case!

5. Open the zipper and turn the pencil case so that the lining is on the outside and it is tubular in shape. With a pin, mark the midpoint of each side. Position the zipper so that it is in the centre of each side, and pin in place. (Refer to photo). Fold the piece of ribbon/tape in half, and position it in the middle of the pouch (linen end). Stitch along each side. Then zigzag or overlock/serge to secure. Trim ends of zipper, Turn right side out and press.

There you have it, a useful little pencil case or pouch to pop in your handbag.

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January Sponsor Spotlight

2012-01-14T15:48:00.003+08:00

We would like to warmly welcome our new sponsors for January.

Antipodean Love

Antipodean Love is an exciting concept store of gorgeous handmade Australiana and Kiwiana gifts. Kate has sourced some fabulous Australian and New Zealand designers and has assembled a lovely collection of products which would make the perfect gift for family and friends overseas. There are gifts for babies and children, homewares, stationery, jewellery and much more. With flat rate shipping, and free gift wrapping, Antipodean Love is the perfect place to shop.

Dinky-Dye Kangaroo Print

Stitching Cow

Whether your interest is patchwork and quilting, appliqué, or hand embroidery, you will find an extensive range of inspirational e-patterns and paper patterns available at Stitching Cow. All patterns are exclusive to the Stitching Cow website. Lenna also shares a terrific range of helpful tutorials and free patterns. If you love to create with fabric and thread, check out Stitching Cow.

Heirloom Ornaments

Ethos Design

Ethos Design is a Townsville based interior design company specialising in interior design for real people and real homes. They offer, an online interior design service which gives you all the inspiration, instructions and shopping lists you need to create your dream home. This is an interior design firm for those who want a beautiful home, but don’t think they should have to pay designer prices for it. It’s for those people that already have some great pieces and just need a hand putting it all together. Ethos Design provide decorating services for clients anywhere in Australia. You can also find more inspiration over on Anna's blog.

Ethos Design

You can find all of our wonderful sponsors' buttons over in our side bar. We are grateful for their support and would be pleased if you checked out their lovely stores.

Vinyl Lettering

2012-01-13T16:08:00.001+08:00

I am trying to start this year with a more organised approach to life. I have bought all the school supplies and covered all the school books. It was an easier process this year as I will only have one teen left at school. The other one will be starting his engineering degree (I'm a very proud Mum!)

My word for 2012 is Update - i.e. modernize and refresh. I want to update my eating and exercise habits, update our home, and update my goals. With this in mind, I wanted to organise a few things to update my workstation at the day job to make it more personalised. We have to supply our own tea/coffee, so some vinyl lettering was in order.

I used the Cricut and the Tie the Knot Cartridge, to cut a Monogram for my coffee mug.

I used From the Kitchen Cartridge to cut a label for a tea cannister.

Next, I hope to find some prints to decorate the workstation. I found some lovely free printables over at The Handmade Home. - love the camper vans.

For another vinyl project, check out our Moustache Glasses.

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Tea and Cookies

2012-01-10T16:18:00.000+08:00

One of my favourite stores is Ikea - I always manage to find something that I can't live without. What I love is that most of their products are really practical, well priced, and help with maintaining a tidy and organised home. January is always the month that I focus on getting organised.

This morning, Sarah and I took a field trip to Ikea and my favourite purchase was a Krus Jar with Lid. Sized at 24 x 19 x 7 cm, it comes with two transparent dividers and is the perfect place to store tea bags. As the container is clear with a clear lid, it is easy to see the contents.These containers, with their dividers, would have made perfect boxes to present and gift home-made cookies at Christmastime time - oh well, at least I will know where to look for cookie storage next Christmas!

The perfect accompaniment to tea, are Maple and Cinnamon Moustache Cookies. Sarah received a set of Fred Munchstache Cookie cutters for her birthday, and made up a batch of maple and cinnamon cookies. The cookie cutters come in a set of 5 moustache styles - one side of the cookie cutter cuts, and the other imprints the design. They were delicious and had us laughing as of course we had to pose with the moustaches before we ate them!

Maple and Cinnamon Cookies

Ingredients:
115 g (4 oz) butter, softened
1/3 cup caster sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 3/4 cup plain flour
1 1/4 cup self raising flour
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 egg lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 180 deg C (350 deg F). Combine the maple syrup and egg. In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar with electric beaters until light and creamy. Fold the cinnamon and both flours through the butter mixture, alternating with the combined maple syrup and egg mixture. Stir until just combined.

Transfer the mixture to a floured surface and knead lightly. Roll into a disc, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Remove the dough from the fridge and roll out between two sheets of baking paper.

Cut out the moustaches, imprint the design, and place on lined baking trays, allowing room for spreading. Transfer to the fridge and chill for 15 minutes. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, until golden.

* This is not a sponsored post. We are recommending these products because we love them.

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Dust Cover

2012-01-09T15:49:00.001+08:00

It is that time of the year, when I have an urge to get organised around our home. Now that the busy Christmas season is behind us, I am gradually going through each room and cleaning, organising, and finding items to be donated/thrown out. It feels really good to have everything in its place.

One of the projects I came across today was a dust cover that I made to keep Sarah's First Holy Communion Dress free of dust while it is being stored. It was this dust cover which was later reworked to include a side zipper and a closed bottom to become the Monogrammed Clothing Cover in the book Fabric by Fabric One Yard Wonders.

Sarah's dress has been stored this way for several years now (I should have ironed it again before the photos - oops!). I am planning on making some more dust covers to store some of her cute dancing costumes that she wore for dancing concerts when she was small - all the precious outfits I can't bare to throw away. I will also make a few for some of my winter jackets that always seem to collect dust on the shoulders when they are hanging in the walk in robe.

If you would like to make your own dust covers to protect some of your out of season clothes or kids clothing/costumes, here are the instructions:

Dust Cover:

Measures: 21 inches x 29 inches (53 x 74 cm)

* If you want to leave off the monogram, just follow steps 3 and 4.

Materials:

· 1 yard printed cotton

· 6 inch square of white cotton homespun fabric

· scrap of contrasting fabric for monogram

· 20 inches of wide ric rac trim

· co-ordinating thread

· appliqué film (e.g. vliesofix)

· 5 inch square lightweight fusible interfacing

Supplies:

· serger/overlocker

· rotary cutter and cutting mat

· compass and pencil

· card

· spray on starch

· water soluble pen

· pencil

· computer and printer

· pins

· scissors

· dinner plate

Method:

1. Using your computer and printer, print out a monogram letter that is approximately 3 x 4 inches in size. (I used Notebook font, size 600). Cut out the letter. Trace the wrong side of the letter onto the back of appliqué film (i.e. paper side). Cut around the letter leaving approx ½ inch clearance. Press the appliqué film onto the wrong side of a piece of contrasting fabric. Cut around the letter. Peel off the paper.

2. Using your compass, draw a circle that is 5 inches in diameter onto the card. Cut out the circle template. Trace the circle onto the back of the white fabric. Cut out the white fabric circle leaving ½ inch seam allowance. Iron a 5 inch circle of fusible interfacing on the back of the white fabric. Position the monogram on the centre of the white fabric circle and iron in place. Using the sewing machine, stitch around the monogram using a buttonhole stitch. Moisten the edges of the white circle with spray on starch. Place it wrong side up on the ironing board. Place the card circle template on top, and then press the seam allowances over the edge of the card so that they are ironed under. Pin the ric rac trim around the circumference of the circle.

3. From the yard of fabric, cut two rectangles that measure 22 inches x 32 inches. Use a dinner plate to round the top two corners on each piece. Centre the monogram, 5 inches down from the centre top and stitch in place using a scant seam allowance so that the white circle and ric rac trim are sewn in place.

4. Overlock the sides and top of each fabric piece. Pin right sides together. Sew from the bottom on one side around to the top and back down the other side, leaving a 2 inch gap in the centre top (for the hanger the fit through). Clip curves and press seam allowances open. On the bottom edge, fold up one inch and press. Fold up another inch and press. Stitch around hem. Press.

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Jam Recipe

2012-01-08T13:01:00.000+08:00

I usually make jam the traditional way but have been keen to try out jam making in the breadmaker. My breadmaker machine is an older style Breville Baker's oven (approx 15 years old), and from my research it looks like most breadmakers these days have a jam setting.

The recipe is easy:

400g chopped/diced fruit of your choice
1 - 1 1/3 cups of sugar, depending on the pectin level of the fruit
1 3/4 tablespoons Jam Setta *

*Jam Setta is a jam setting mixture which contains the ingredient pectin which is usually naturally occurring in fresh fruit. It is the pectin in fruit which when cooked produces a gel. The addition of Jam Setta to bread making jam ensures a thicker setting action. It is available in supermarkets.

Follow the instructions on your breadmaker manual. On mine, there is a Jam Mode that is selected on the control panel, and then the breadmaker firstly heated the ingredients for 15 minutes, and then the jam was heated and mixed for approx 50 minutes. When cooked, pour the hot jam into hot sterilised jars and seal immediately. The jam thickens upon cooling and storage.

I used nectarines to produce a delicious Nectarine Jam - one of my favourites. At this time of year in Australia, nectarines are plentiful and cheap. It will mean we can have the taste of summer later in the year. You can find my other recipe for nectarine jam made the traditional way here.

Overall, I found the jam making to be quicker, easier and a less messy process in the breadmaker. I didn't have to stand by the stove, stirring the pot regularly, and testing the mixture to see if it had reached the "gel" stage. However, the recipe only yielded two small jars, a much smaller quantity than I usually make. It would be great if you only wanted to make up small batches at a time.

I made up some fabric tags to label the jam (refer to our Scrap Buster Gift Tags).

What is your favourite type of jam to make? Which method do you prefer?

Edit: I bought the polka dotted jar lids from Lark last year - they are no longer in stock.

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Flourless Chocolate Cake

2012-01-07T15:07:00.000+08:00

Yesterday we celebrated Sarah's 15th birthday. We took a group of her friends out to our favourite local restaurant, and then we returned home for a special dessert that Sarah had made - Flourless Chocolate Cakes.

The Flourless Chocolate Cakes were delicious - with their crackly top, and their rich and fudgy centre. The cakes are made from an aerated chocolate custard, and the whipped egg whites give them a light texture. They sink after baking, as they do not have any flour to stabilise the mixture. They were especially nice served with creamy vanilla ice cream and chocolates. They got the thumbs up from Sarah's friends. I hope that Sarah will make them again soon.

Recipe:

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
115 g (4 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
3 large eggs, separated at room temperature
1/4 cup sugar

Makes 10 cupcake sized cakes

Preheat oven to 135 degrees C (275 deg F). Line muffin tins with baking cakes. Melt butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl that is placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until combined, then remove the bowl from the the heat and let it cool slightly. Whisk in egg yolks.

With electric mixer, whisk egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until peaks are stiff and glossy. Fold one quarter of the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture, and then add the remaining whites.

Divide batter among the baking cases, filling each 3/4 full. Bake until the cupcakes are just set in the centre, about 22 - 25 minutes. Keep at room temperature until ready to serve. The centres will sink as they cool.

They taste great with vanilla ice-cream.

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A Spoonful of Sugar Updates

2012-01-05T15:13:00.000+08:00

Newsletter
We are excited to announce that we will be launching a monthly newsletter in 2012 which will contain a summary of our more popular posts during the month, as well as some newsletter only projects, recipes, reviews and inspiration! To subscribe, follow the link below or click on the link at the top of our sidebar.

Subscribe to our newsletter

The first newsletter will go out to subscribers in early February. We hope you enjoy some extra sugar in your inbox!

Owl Pillow

Advertising
We currently have a couple of advertising spaces still available on our sidebar, so if you want to grow your crafty business in 2012, now is the time to consider advertising! We can send extra traffic your way.

Why Advertise with A Spoonful of Sugar?
We are visited by a large and growing group of wonderful and loyal readers who share our love of all things creative. In December 2011 we had 112 977 page views and 65, 238 unique visitors; we have over 4300 subscribers with google feedburner; and are building a strong following on Facebook and Twitter. We have lots of exciting things planned for 2012!

For more details and to see our current rates, check out our advertising page.

Product Reviews
We love learning about new products and supplies that would be of interest to A Spoonful of Sugar readers, including books, sewing and craft supplies/equipment, baking supplies/equipment, and other home décor/lifestyle items. Requests for product reviews can be sent via email to

aspoonfullofsugargirls@gmail.com

or via post

A Spoonful of Sugar

PO Box 608

Hillarys WA 6923

AUSTRALIA

Moustache Cupcakes

Butterfly Quilt

2012-01-04T22:05:00.001+08:00

The Butterfly Quilt has now been completed, thanks to some quilting time over the Christmas break. I love the idea of scrap quilts - using all those treasured scraps and turning them into a useful quilt. However, in reality, I found that using such a varied and bright colour scheme didn't sit well with my tendencies to make everything neat and uniform. Nevertheless, I am pleased to have the quilt completed and the bright colours look great against the black background. It will be well used in our home theatre which is where the teens hang out with their friends, watching movies, and playing XBox etc. I am hoping that the black and bright colour scheme will prove to be a practical choice. I love the use of text prints in the butterfly blocks.

You can read more about the progress made on this quilt - here, here, and here.

I made 144 butterfly blocks which measured 4 1/2 inches square (unfinished) and 4 inches square when joined together. This made it a good size for a lap quilt.

The Butterfly Quilt is my first finish of 2012!

What is your favourite type/style of quilt - a scrap quilt, an improv design, traditional etc? I think I prefer quilts that are more simple and understated (they fit better with our décor). Can't wait to start planning my next quilt.

If scrap quilts are your style, you may wish to join the 2012 Sew Scraps Along over at Pleasant Home.
If you need some encouragement to finish those PIP's (Projects in Progress), check out PIP's over at Loft Creations.

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Welcome 2012!

2012-01-01T15:09:00.001+08:00

Sarah and I would love to wish you and your families all the the very best for 2012! We hope that this year is full of good times with family and friends, and leaves you plenty of time for creative pursuits.

Sarah has baked up a batch of coconut cupcakes to start the New Year off with some sweetness.

Coconut Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shredded coconut

45 g (1.5 oz) almond meal

1 cup sugar

1 1/8 cups plain flour

1/2 tablespoon baking powder

1/3 cup butter

1 teaspoon coconut essence

2 eggs

1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon coconut milk

Frosting:

2 cups icing sugar

2-4 tablespoons hot water

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon coconut essence

white pearls for decorations

Makes 18

1. Preheat oven to 180 deg C (350 F). Line muffin tins with paper liners. Sift together flour and baking powder; stir in coconut and almond meal.

2. With electic mixer on medium/high speed, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add essence and then eggs, one at a time, and beat until incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of cocount milk, beating until just combined.

3. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through until golden and cake tester comes out clean, for 20 -22 minutes. Turn onto wire rack to cool completely.

4. Frosting: combine butter, sugar and cocunut essence , and whisk in hot water until it is has reached the desired consisentcy. Spread on cool cakes and decorate with pearls.

If you would like to make some cupcake flags, click on the link below to access the pdf file. Print them out on a sheet of white card, and then use a 2 inch scallop or circle punch to cut them out. Tape a toothpick to the back using a piece of masking tape.

Happy New Year Cupcake Flags

Best wishes for 2012! We hope you will continue to stop by our space here for lots of projects, tutorials, recipes,and inspiration!

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Happy New Year

2011-12-30T14:16:00.000+08:00

We are planning a quiet New Year this year. I think a lovely dinner, some champagne, and a family movie will be a great way to see in 2012!

For those of you planning something with a bit more Zing, there has been plenty of New Year's inspiration over at Pinterest.

Here are some of our favourite New Years projects (perhaps we will have more energy next year)!

New Year Cookies from Sweet Sugar Belle

Countdown Party Theme from Hostess with the Mostess

Free Printable from The 36th Avenue

New Years Banner from A Field Journal

New Years Resolution Poster from Idea Obscura

What are your plans for the New Year?

Tim Tam Cake

2011-12-30T13:54:00.000+08:00

It was Mr Sugar's birthday on Boxing Day, and Sarah made him a Tim Tam Cake. He loves chocolate and Tim Tam's are one of his favourite biscuits. For those of you unfamiliar with the delicious Arnotts Biscuit, a Tim Tam is composed of two layers of chocolate malted biscuit, separated by a light chocolate cream filling, and coated in a thin layer of textured chocolate. Yumm....

Sarah found a fabulous recipe for Tim Tam Cake over at Raspberri Cupcakes. The cake looks like a giant Tim Tam and consists of two layers of light chocolate sponge, sandwiched together with a chocolate buttercream, and covered with chocolate ganache. It was cake that ticked all the boxes!

Needless to say, the cake didn't last long, and it was the perfect birthday treat!

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2011 in Review: A Heartfelt Thank You

2011-12-28T22:12:00.001+08:00

We wanted to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has stopped by during the year, who has left us a lovely comment, who has linked to us, and who has sent us photos of projects they have made after being inspired by our tutorials. It all really means so much to us. Our readers are the best:)

Covered Noodle Box

We especially wanted to thank the following fantastic bloggers who were our top 10 referrers for 2011. We would be thrilled if you dropped over to visit them - they all have amazing blogs and will provide you with loads of inspiration.

1. Pink Penguin
2. Quiltsalot
3. Spun Sugar Quilts
4. Jenny of Elefantz
5. Red Pepper Quilts
6. Criar com Tecidos
7. Happy Cottage Quilter
8. Aunties Quaints Quilts
9. Bloom
10. Cha de Baunilha

Thanks so much for linking to us! We really do appreciate everyone who links to us on their blogs.

Moustache Glasses

We also wanted to thank our wonderful sponsors who have advertised with us and sponsored our giveaways during the year. We really value their support which helps to cover some of the costs associated with our blog, and provides us with materials for our projects.

Here is a list of our awesome sponsors for 2011. We would love it if you clicked on their advertising buttons in our side bar and checked out their stores. You will be amazed at the wonderful range of products they stock - and they would love your support.

Nuffnang
Ribbons Galore
Ladybug Quilts
Janellybelly Bags and Things
Mimmis
This and That From Japan
Kimono Reincarnate
Crafty Japan
Incomparable Buttons
Violette Field Threads
Whimsy Couture
Tittle and Tat
Bright Star Kids
The Haby Goddess
Juf Juul
Daisy Quilts
Marmalade Fabrics
Skye Reve Fabrics
Cute Tape
Accuquilt
Penguin Australia

Applique Pincushion

If you would like to advertise in January, now is the time to reserve your spot! We have a few spaces still available. Rates are really affordable at $30 per month/$75 for three months. Our readership has rapidly grown over the past few months - we had 107427 page views in November 2011 and have 4276 subscribers with google feedburner, and we are now on facebook and twitter. You can find out more details about our advertising here or you can email us at aspoonfullofsugargirls@gmail.com.

Thanks again lovely readers - you really inspire us to keep creating and baking. Best wishes for a fantastic and creative 2012!

Muslin Baby Wrap

2011 in Review: Top 10 Posts

2011-12-28T17:23:00.000+08:00

It is hard to believe that there is only a few days of 2011 left before we welcome the new year. Sarah and I started this blog nearly 4 years ago and we are so proud of how it has developed over that time. I think 2011 has been our best year to date - we have really enjoyed sharing lots of tutorials, projects, recipes, and giveaways with you. We continue to be delighted with the wonderful comments and support that you give back to us.

In case you missed them, our top 10 posts of 2011 in order to popularity are:

1. Tutorial: Gathered Round Basket

2. Winter Warmers

3. Fabric Gift Pouch

4. Pattern Weights

5. Homemade Christmas Ornaments

6. Homemade Japanese Washi Tape

7. Tutorial: For the Closet or Wardrobe

8. Mini Gift Bag

9. Red and Aqua Take 4

10. Red and Aqua

It was fun to check on google analytics to see which posts were most popular in terms of traffic this year.

If you have any suggestions for what you would like to see here in 2012, please leave us a note in the comments.

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Summer Reading List

2011-12-28T10:41:00.002+08:00

Thanks so much to everyone for leaving your recommendations for best reads of 2011. I have compiled everyone's suggestions into a list that I will take with me to the library - I can see I will have to make plenty of time for reading over the summer break!

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I have compiled the list below for others looking for good reads this summer!

Fiction – General and Contemporary

The Help, Kathryn Stockett

Keeping Faith, Jodi Picoult

Prodigal Summer, Barbara Kingsolver

Winter Garden, Kristin Hannah

My Sisters Keeper, Jodi Picoult

Isabel Allende

Last Night in Twisted River, John Irving

Room, Emma Donoghue

I married you for Happiness, Lily Tuck

Partitions, Amit Majmudar

The Imperfectionists, Tom Rachman

The history of love by Nicole Krauss

Left neglected, Lisa Genova

Still Alice, Lisa Genova

Little Bee, Chris Cleave

Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese

Liz Bryski

Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen

The Dressmaker, Posie Grapham-Evans

The Life of Pi, Yann Martel

The Year of the Flood, Margaret Atwood

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, M Shaffer and A Barrows

Alphabet Sisters, Monica McInerney

Historical

Sarah's Key, Tatiana de Rosnay

Madonna’s of Leningrad, Debra Dean

The Sweetest Thing, Elizabeth Musser

The Swan House, Elizabeth Musser

Shanghai Girls, Lisa See

Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel

Romance

Her Mother's Hope, Francine Rivers

Her Daughter's Dream, Francine Rivers

Fantasy

The Crystal Realm – Krytors Return, C J Ballantyne

The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern

Crime/Mystery/Thriller

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest, Stieg Larsson

Bel Canto, Ann Patchett

American Assassin, Vince Flynn

Sister, Rosamunde Lupton

State of Wonder, Ann Patchett

State Fair, Earlene Fowler

Gothic

The Distant Hours, Kate Morton

The Forgotten garden, Kat Morton

Young Adult

The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

The Declaration, Gemma Malley

Twilight, Stephanie Meyer

The World as We Know it, Jospeh Monninger

The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Carrie Ryan

When You Reach Me, Rebecca Stead

The Pipers Son, Melina Marchetta

Biography

Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson

The Invisible Wall. Harry Bernstein

The Happiest Refugee, Ahn Doh

Be Home Before Dark, Roland Rocchiccioli

Non Fiction

America Aflame, How the Civil War Created a Nation by David Goldfield
The greater journey by David Mccullough
Emperor of all Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
House of prayer no. 2 by Mark Richard

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Summer Reading

2011-12-26T20:22:00.002+08:00

I used to be a voracious reader and it was not uncommon for me to read 3-5 books each week. I was on a first name basis with all the staff at my local library. Since starting this blog, I have found that I now read at my computer - lots of blogs and e-magazines; and my love of absorbing myself in a good book has been all but forgotten.

I am now on 6 weeks leave from work and plan to read a lot over the summer break. I have a stack of books from the library to get me started and some book vouchers that I received for Christmas ready to spend. I would love some book suggestions for my summer reading so that I have some new authors to look for.

I have only read a handful of books this year - the most memorable were
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Room by Emma Donoghue;
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See.

What were your best reads of 2011? I will compile everyone's suggestions into a list in case you are looking for some recommendations for your summer reading (or winter reading for those of you in the northern hemisphere!).

Happy Reading!

'Twas the Night before Christmas....

2011-12-24T20:05:00.002+08:00

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The carols are playing, the presents are wrapped, the food is prepared, and the table is set. We are all eagerly anticipating Christmas tomorrow. After a busy week - we are looking forward to a week at home with family to celebrate another wonderful Christmas.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families, peace, joy and happiness this Christmas. We really appreciate you visiting A Spoonful of Sugar during the year, giving us so much support and leaving such wonderful comments and emails. Thank you for following our sewing, baking, quilting, and crafting journey. We look forward to sharing more with you in 2012 - we have loads of projects, tutorials, and ideas planned.

Hope your Christmas is Merry and Bright and filled, with family, friends, and laughter. Believe in the Magic...

Gingerbread House

2011-12-21T21:02:00.001+08:00

One of our Christmas traditions is to make and decorate a Gingerbread house each year. When we lived in Texas, Sarah and I went along to the elementary school each Christmas and assisted my son's class in making gingerbread houses out of Graham Crackers. So much fun and something the kids really loved to do. The houses don't have to be perfect - as long as they are covered in lots of sweet treats.

This year as time is in short supply, we purchased a kit from Ikea. The gingerbread smells delicious. Sarah assembled and decorated the house this morning before she went to work. It has now been wrapped in cellophane and will form part of our table setting.

Next year we hope to have more time to make our house from scratch. I have been inspired by all the wonderful creations I have been seeing over on Pinterest. There are small gingerbread houses for propping on mugs, classic gingerbread houses with beautiful piped details, gingerbread boxes for something different, and even a house made of sugar cubes.

Here are some of our favourites:

You can check out more ideas on our Pinterest page.

Are you making a gingerbread house this year?

Winner: Fabric By Fabric One Yard Wonders

2011-12-21T11:12:00.000+08:00

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway, sponsored by Storey Publishing, for the opportunity to win a copy of Fabric by Fabric One Yard Wonders.

Congratulations to Shannon from The Toolson Family who is our winner. I have sent you an email.

Check out the other stops on the blog tour to see more lovely projects from the book and for other opportunities to enter. The book is also available from The Book Depository (free worldwide shipping ) for $31.49AUD.

12/12/2011 Becka's Project Journal

12/13/2011 Craft Buds

12/14/2011 Patch Work Duck Designs

12/15/2011 A Spoonful of Sugar

12/15/2011 Nifty Kidstuff

12/15/2011 Becka's Project Journal

12/16/2011 Nom Nom Nom Nom

12/16/2011 Quaint and Quirky

12/17/2011 ikatbag

12/17/2011 Two Brown Birds

12/18/2011 Sharon Sews

12/19/2011 LBG Studio

12/19/2011 Carolina Fair Designs

12/19/2011 Under Construction

12/20/2011 Little Blue Cottage

12/21/2011 Craftzine

12/21/2011 Neuroses Galore

12/21/2011 Emily Steffen

12/22/2011 Jenna Lou Loves You

12/23/2011 Spincushion

12/27/2011 One Inch World

12/28/2011 Sew Sew Etc.

January ‘12 Lu Lu Carter

January ’12 Fiberosity

January ’12 Zuhause

January ’12 Obsessively Stitching

Christmas Table: Christmas Place Cards

2011-12-19T19:18:00.001+08:00

Our Christmas Table is slowly coming together after I completed the Place Cards yesterday. Photo Christmas Place Cards are a fun idea.

I sneakily found some toddler photos of all the guests (mostly from my own albums) and a few from my Mum's photo collection. I scanned all the photos and then cropped the faces so that the images were approx 1 3/4 inches square. I converted them all to black and white, and printed them out on a sheet of photo paper.

Using a 1 1/2 inch circle punch, I cut out all the faces. I mounted them on 1 3/4 inch circle of white card stock; and then mounted them on red and aqua tags. ( free svg file )

Using some patterned scrap booking paper and white card, and brads, they were quick to assemble. Blue for girls and Red for boys.

Wasn't I cute?

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Christmas Table

2011-12-18T13:11:00.001+08:00

With only a week to go until Christmas, my thoughts are turning towards finalising the menu and working out my Christmas Table Setting. We will have 12 people to celebrate with this Christmas, representing three generations.

Here is what our table looked like last year with our Red, White, and Polka Dot theme:

I am working this week and time is in short supply, so I am looking for simple but elegant ideas to go with our theme of Red, Aqua, and White. I have put together an inspiration board over at Pinterest for my Christmas Table.

Here are some of my favourite ideas:

Better Homes and Gardens

Hostess with the Mostess

How are you going with your Christmas plans? If you have any Table Setting ideas you would like to share, please leave a link in the comments.

You can follow us on Pinterest over here.

Handmade With Love Tutorial Contest - Pink Chalk Studio

2011-12-18T11:44:00.001+08:00

Pink Chalk Studio have been running a Handmade with Love Tutorial Contest over on their blog.

I am very excited to see that my Winter Warmers (Lavender Scented Wheat Packs) are a finalist in the Gifts for Friends Category. You can find my tutorial for the Winter Warmers here. There are also some great tutorials in the gifts for Little Ones and the Deck the Hall Categories.

If you are after some last minute inspiration for a handmade holiday - pop over to check out the finalists and cast your vote. Voting runs through to Wednesday December 21 when the winners will be announced.

Thanks Pink Chalk Studio!

For your daily sugar fix you can subscribe or you can follow us on facebook, twitter, and google plus

Fabric By Fabric One Yard Wonders

2011-12-16T08:01:00.002+08:00

If you are looking for a last minute gift idea for a crafty or sewing friend, you can't go past Fabric by Fabric One Yard Wonders, the sequel to the highly popular One Yard Wonders, by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins (published by Storey Publishing). This edition contains a fabulous collection of 101 sewing projects using a variety of fabric types, all requiring just one yard (approx 1 metre) of fabric. Perfect for the special fabric in your stash.

I am thrilled to have a project included in the book - Monogrammed Clothing Cover - which is the perfect way to protect a special outfit. I love the Tufted Tweets fabric that the authors sent me for the project.

Storey Publishing have generously offered a copy of the book to give away to one lucky reader. You have to have a US Delivery address to be eligible. Please leave a comment on this post to enter. Entries close on Tuesday Dec 20 at 6.00 pm WST. The winner will be drawn randomly and notified by email.

Check out the other stops on the blog tour to see more lovely projects from the book and for other opportunities to enter. The book is available from The Book Depository (free worldwide shipping ) for $31.49AUD.

12/12/2011 Becka's Project Journal

12/13/2011 Craft Buds

12/14/2011 Patch Work Duck Designs

12/15/2011 A Spoonful of Sugar

12/15/2011 Nifty Kidstuff

12/15/2011 Becka's Project Journal

12/16/2011 Nom Nom Nom Nom

12/16/2011 Quaint and Quirky

12/17/2011 ikatbag

12/17/2011 Two Brown Birds

12/18/2011 Sharon Sews

12/19/2011 LBG Studio

12/19/2011 Carolina Fair Designs

12/19/2011 Under Construction

12/20/2011 Little Blue Cottage

12/21/2011 Craftzine

12/21/2011 Neuroses Galore

12/21/2011 Emily Steffen

12/22/2011 Jenna Lou Loves You

12/23/2011 Spincushion

12/27/2011 One Inch World

12/28/2011 Sew Sew Etc.

January ‘12 Lu Lu Carter

January ’12 Fiberosity

January ’12 Zuhause

January ’12 Obsessively Stiching

For your daily sugar fix you can subscribe or you can follow us on facebook, twitter, and google plus

Winner of Bright Star Kids Giveaway

2011-12-16T07:57:00.000+08:00

Thanks to everyone who entered our Bright Star Kids Giveaway.

Congratulations to Mad Crafty Mama - you have won a $40 gift voucher to spend at the Bright Star Kids store. Have fun selecting some labels for your little ones! I have sent you an email.

Stay tuned, we have another giveaway that we will be announcing shortly.