Book review: Thermo Chef Natura "I've been ThermoStruck" by Kim McCosker

My copy of the Thermo Chef Natura: I've been Thermostruck book arrived this week, and I am pretty excited with it!
No, I don't have a Thermo Chef, but I do have a Thermomix that I thrash to death and a Bellini Kitchen Machine. The recipes in this new book are happily "do-able" for other Thermo kitchen machines.

Why do I love this book? If you have are familiar with any of the 4 Ingredients Cook books ( I think I have them all..surprised?!!) you will know they focus on quick, easy to prepare, family friendly meals. And  Thermo Chef Natura  Thermostruck is no different. The author Kim McCosker has created fabulous recipes that work so well with the Thermo style of cooking and preparation. If your focus is on healthy foods you can prepare quicker- this book is for you!

“I’ve been Thermostruck” has over 125 recipes ranging from the creamiest of porridges, risottos and ice creams. Breads and doughs, soups and sauces, desserts – interestingly including a sub-chapter called ‘Amazing Icings’ (and that they are!) - and introducing a chapter for the ThermoBambino."
( from  http://www.4ingredients.com.au/shop/thermostuck-complete-thermo-cookbook)





Some recipes I can't wait to take for a spin? Lady Coconut, Choc-Toffee Truffles, Energy Bars, Sesame and Honey bars, Yummy Chickpea and Lime salad, Lamb with date and Pistachio Salsa, Whole orange cake ( that'll be a winner for the cricket team tomorrow!) .

It really is a great little book and focuses on using ingredients that most of us probably already have kicking around ( all right, I have a pretty intense pantry but truly, it's a ripper book).

You can find  yummy sample recipes and interact with the author here on their FB pagehttps://www.facebook.com/4ingredientspage  (tell them Crafty Mamas sent you!)

This is not a paid sponsor post, so my opinion is my own ;)

Happy Cooking and Crafting

~Lisa~

New Farbenmix Baby Collection Vol II

So so cute!

 I've been having fun with this gorgeous new Farbenmix pattern

. Zwergenverpachung Vol 2.

 Sizes 50/56-86/92cm.

You can grab a copy from Crafty Mamas Fabrics here!

This is the Shirt pattern, in Size 92. My little model is a Size 1 Aus.

Designed for knit fabrics.

 The shirt is quick and easy to sew up, the mixed sleeves add a little fun, or you can keep solid. It has an easy to sew shoulder opening. 

Perfect for little people! 

Blogtoberfest Day 22: A tip for sewing with stripes

It just occurred to me that this may help some of our newby sewists.....when you are cutting out items that you want the stripes to be placed exactly the same....

Like these sleeve pieces, or say the legs of pants., or front and back of a top- cut your first piece out....

Insert a couple of pins to keep your fabric aligned and stop it from moving around on you, then use the piece you just cut ( this one has seam allowance added) as your pattern piece, place it on top of your fabric..aligning the stripes so that you get a cool camo thing happening...

..can you see it in there? Now cut your second pattern piece out.....

And you get perfectly aligned stripes.

And I am heading back to my sewing! 

~Lisa~

Blogtoberfest Day 19th Cookbooks

I know, I have missed a lot of days!!! But if good intentions count for anything- I am here blogging ever day. I often has blog posts going through my head, but never get the chance to get in here and get them down!

In our house, I am known as the Book Queen. Cookbooks, craft books, sewing books, knitting books, non fiction, fiction ( S King!), Doomsday Prepper books., vintage books, DIY books, quite an eclectic range.
I  have books on every topic from SAS Survival skills, to making your own lace,  hosting a garden party for aristocrats, to Chopper Reed, to teaching primary children mathematics...you get the idea? Any time I go near an op shop, the husband pales with fear. But as I keep saying- I am NOT a hoarder. You can easily walk around my piles of stuff- and there in lies the definition of a Non- Hoarder!!

 Recently I found quite a large pine book shelf at the opshop, it now resides in my kitchen along with quite a few more bookshelves. The poor suffering husband is always grumbling about my "books" so I find I need to purge a few every now and then to keep him happy!! ( oh but I hate the purging process!).

The trouble with having so many books ( as is the same with sewing patterns) you tend to forget what you have, and not get the maximum enjoyment from them. So I have decided to start grabbing out a cookbook each week- and cooking from it for the week. Duh, simple....who would have thought? This process will also help me decide if I really really need to be hanging onto a book or not !

Without further ado, this weeks cooking title is...

" Bill's Basics" by Bill Granger.

This book was a gift to me, by my lovely friend Sara of Willow and Moo. It is glorious, and I think I have only ever used it once. Shame on me.  That's all changing this week!

How yum does this look??? Off to do my shopping list!

Blogtoberfest Day 14: Lovely Layers Give away!

# Winners anonunced for this Give-away!!

1.

Toni hill said...

I would love to win this pattern so i can make it for my mum who is finding it hard to get clothes that are comfy ans fit well after breast cancer

2. yvy @ mistyeiz said...
ooooo.....love to win one of these simply because of the various options it gives you and you can let loose your imagination. :)

3. Kelley said...
I love the range of options and that gorgeous draped hem. I have a ton of knit fabrics in my stash and would dearly love to turn them into something that would be both comfortable to wear and flattering.

Congrats guys! Please drop me an email so I can email back your Lovely Layers pattern.

For those missed out, look for my next Give-away! You can also grab your own copy of the Lovely Layers patterns here. 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have missed a few days of blogging...please forgive me? Life, work and family are all consuming at the moment!

Have you seen my Lovely Layers pattern??  Grab your pdf instantly here!


The paper version is available in store here.

Designed for knit fabrics, ( with a min of 20% stretch), The Lovely Layers top is a beautiful design, with many variations!
Semi-fitted on top, it gently undulates through to a graceful A -Line shape and asymmetrical hems. The two lengths can be worn layered together or alone.

With a choice of 4 sleeve lengths ( ¾, elbow, short and cap) and 3 necklines ( crew, scoop, v-neck, ) the necklines may also be worn reversed. Also a hooded option.

The Lovely Layers top is a perfect transeasonal addition to your wardrobe.
It can be layered in cooler months by making two in differing lengths and sleeves, or it is perfect for warmer months alone.  Depending in the fabric you use, your Lovely Layers top can look elf-like, sporty, bohemian, gothic,  ....the sky is the limit!

Here is the lovely Suzie modelling her Lovely Layers in full length... (thanks Suz!)

GIVE-AWAY!

I have 3 pdf version of my Lovely Layers pattern to give-away!
Simply leave me a comment below, as to why you need a copy of my Lovely Layers pattern!
I will draw 3 winners on Friday Oct 19th.

Good Luck!

Lisa ;)

Blogtoberfest Day 8: Lilofant Tee Give-away!

WINNER ANNOUNCED!!

Thankyou everyone who entered my Give-away and for your lovely comments!
We have a winner...

Trina said...

This top is gorgeous!! I would love a size 4 for my son :) Thanks for the giveaway!!

10:12 AM   

 Congrats Trina, please drop me an email with your postal address so I can make and send you Size 4!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


There is a very small part of the Crafty Mamas Shop that from time to time has my hand made items for sale. Why would a busy shop owner make items to sell? Because I love making kids clothes- and my own children have overflowing cupboards! 

Boys (or girls) long sleeve tee to Give-away!! Sizes 1-4

This super cute Lilofant fabric is from Sweden, via the Crafty Mamas Shop (long gone though). And the beautiful red and white stripe is from Swafing in Gemany - yep is available at Crafty Mamas!

If you would like to win one of these adorable tops in sizes 1-4, please leave me a comment as to the size you need , I will draw a winner on FRI 12th! I will then make your top Sat and post out Monday!

I can send worldwide!

Did you know we now have a sister store? 

Slowly I am having a tidy up and moving all our Euro fabrics and supplies to 

Crafty Mamas Fabrics (CMF if you will!).

Check it out!

~Lisa~

Blogtoberfest Day 7: Thinking about FUNKY pants

Have you tried the Crafty Mamas "FUNKY pants"  pattern? A very groovy kids pant/capri,/shorts pattern.
My kids love it, and all other kids seem to too!  Grab an instant pdf here....

I love it in velour knit, stripes, tie dye, plains, patchwork.....it lends itself to some fabulous combos and piecing projects! Suze from NZ made an awesome Rainbow pair here....

Suz

I have a  Rainbow pair on the cutting table for Lil, so thought I'd share a bit of inspiration with you..
Please note; none of these below are Funky Pants, but it gives you some great ideas for piecing etc. But please don't copy, that's not cool.

Dragonmummasenvy

 

 

Etsy seller Hipstarrdesigns

The Hemptent

Melanies Emporium

There...did that add a little colour to your day?

~Lisa ~

Blogtoberfest Day 6: Wet Saturday Sewing

Somehow I missed Day 5?? Oh  well. That's a bit like me, I guess!!

Here's a few items I whipped up today! The Coverpro gave me grief though. I finally unpacked my second overlocker, so have been using- so nice not having to rethread as often! Highly recommended- grab a spare one if you find one on sale.

Some Lil Boo Blue Perfect Short. Made in gorgeous Farbenmix knits from Crafty Mamas Fabrics !

 GINI Stripes.

Stripey FUNKY pants for Lil. !  Fabric from la Stash.( FUNKY is a CM design and available HERE).

Groovy ZEN patchy pants for me! Fabric from la Stash. (ZEN is a CM pattern, grab it HERE).

A super cute Tshirt for Lil, self drafted off another tee. Fabrics all from CM: Liandlo Granny Square knit, Stella in Ecology and Pastel Pink).

Be Still my Heart....

A sweet little project for Lil. The top is drafted from her favourite tee. The heart is a double applique, very crudely applied, just the way I like it. I think it adds an adorable shabby look to a super comfy tee.
After each wash they curl up nicely.

Tip:  Wondertape is your best friend when doing these kind of thing!

Day 4 Blogtoberfest - Summer Tops to sew for ME!

Welcome to those participating in Blogtoberfest and new to my Blog!

We had a stinker of a day here yesterday, very hot for Spring, and it got me thinking about Summer Sewing! Here's a few of my fave patterns and tutes I'll be making up post haste!

From my own pattern range:

Crafty Mamas CHERISH Dress and Tunic. I need more of these. ( GIVEAWAY at end of post!)

(grab a pdf instantly here..or over at the CM shop and it is also in paper format).

The Tee shirt is a staple around here. My fave one at the moment?

Jocole Easy Cap sleeve ladies tee...

 I know there are a lot of tee shirt patterns out there,( but in my opinion) , there are only a few really good fitting  tee shirt patterns. This is one of them. The designer is right on the mark.
 If you prefer a less fitted bottom thid tee shirt can be used with the Jocole Mix & Match series, so you may like to try the Radiant A-Line bottom with it for a change.

You will find a huge amount of knits over at CM for your tees. From cotton lycra knits to 100% cotton jerseys...we have the best range in Australia.

Ottobre Design Woman 2/2007 is a fave Summer issue too...

And a couple of free tutes I am keen to try...

from Land of Nod 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hooded Tunic by One Golden Apple via Sew Mama Sew

That should keep you ( and me!) busy a little while!

CHERISH Giveaway!

I have 2 of my CHERISH pdf patterns to Gvie-away..the first two to comment!

Day 3 of Blogtoberfest!

Hey.....................................................I have opened another online store!!!

 

Crafty Mamas Fabrics

Why???

Our current store over at Crafty Mamas is TOO big!!

and it is getting harder and harder to find stuff.

So I have split them up. 

(bare with me while it all gets sorted).

Our newly registered Crafty Mamas Fabrics will be home to all our Euro sewing supplies, as well as offering instant PDF delivery ( sweet!).

It is dead easy to navigate ( go have a play!)

Just use the little jigger on the right to drop down what you need!

 

...and the Shopping cart is so quick and user friendly. 

You will need to register there or simply check out as a Guest. 

Don't panic, our current CM shop is staying put, and will feature a lot more locally sourced fabrics.

Thankyou for your patience while I shuffle stock around!

~Lisa~

Blogtoberfest Day 1 and 2!

How did it get to Oct 2nd??? I thought it was the 1st today?!!! ARGH!!!!!

Ok, so I was packing orders all day yesterday and somehow lost track of the date- I'll do two posts today...can I do that? Why not ;)

This month I am challenging myself to blog every day with Blogtoberfest and hopefully get a bit more sewing happening round here. Today's project? Recreating a long sleeve tee for Lil from her most favourite one. I'll be back later to show and tell that one.

Some designs I love, I just wish they'd do plus sizes!!( The lack of decent plus size clothes is another reason I started pattern designing. ) Anyhoo,  some things I'm drooling over at the moment ( as is my 12 year old which leads me to believe, I may have never really grown up- but I look upon that as a bonus!).

Free People Leggings

Free People Cord patchy flares baby!

 

 

 

 

Free People Boots!

 

 

 

 

Free People vest..squeee!