Storage....does it make you get excited too?

No I didn't get this shed but I dream about it often. I am in love with the American barn. Put in some colonial windows along the length and make at least one door double swings and I'm in heaven........
OK I'm awake now, back to reality......mmmm over sized and ornate chandeliers as lighting.......oops sorry I keep slipping back,
I fit some more drawers into my studio/shed that I purchased from the Op(Thrift) shop today and have 9 new drawers made me giddy with excitement. I wonder if any one else reacts this way to new storage space?
I know I am probably completely bonkers but I don't dream of new houses, I dream of new sheds. Big sheds!

I have been making space for a new cutting table so I can bang out a few hundred bags. I finally finished at 10pm and of course had to blog about my excitement. Jobs done. Cutting table slotted in. Big sleep now. Orders to post tomorrow then cut cut cut cut cut cut cut...... you get the picture.

Cheers and good night:)

Melanie

Read more...

Good question

In my last post I was asked "What do you make?"
I make "real" green bags. Grocery bags that can be thrown in your compost, reused as rags or weed mat as opposed to landfill being the only option. I also make bags out of materials that were brand new or used that were destined for landfill such as banners, yacht sails and fabrics.
Basically I make Tote bags. My blog a good look into how an unmotivated(lazy), uneducated but totally convinced she can do it married mum of 4 can or cant do this at home.
Alas, I got sidetracked along the way and became a reseller of various wares and my other goal of using discarded wood to make bag handles has been delayed due to lack of work space for the machinery required.
I also make froofy frilly crafty stuff for The homestead which is more of a hobby.
Due to lack of space, cash flow, family distractions in my workspace and the slow acquisition of all of the machinery, I was making more money reselling than any of my creative endeavours.
My business is evolving after the struggle to begin and has found a way to function with all of the above distractions. Space and safety is my biggest issue. My woodworking equipment is unsafe to leave out with children around and is too heavy and cumbersome to drag out on a regular basis. Once I forgot to put it away and although it was undercover the rain blew in so far and hard I lost a drop saw,mouse sander, and an orbital sander all in one hit. These are small cheap replaceable items so I was annoyed but relieved that I learned not to set up my big woodwork gear in that spot.
Anyhow I am rambling.
The shop buttons to the left are inactive at present and there is a little note above them saying this but it is very faded and may be overlooked.
With all of that said.
I actually do have stock now FINALLY and am in the process of listing:) Hence the website I am working on and the constantly rearranging blog.
Thanks for asking that question.
It is now 7:12am. Time to wake the sleepy heads for school!
Cheers
Melanie

Read more...

Coming soon!

I started this at lunch time and before I knew it school was out and I had lost 3 hours. Completely immersed and totally lost in the world of website stuff. So far to go, but started at last:)

Read more...

Custard Cupcakes

Ingredients

4oz butter
1/4 cup of caster sugar
1/4 cup of custard powder
2 eggs beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup of low fat milk
2 cups self raising flour

Chuck everything in a bowl and mix
spoon into patty pans
cook in a moderately hot (about 180ºC or less if fan forced) oven 10 to 15 minutes
Top with favourite frosting

This recipe is a more crispy flaky texture. Melt in your mouth. Modify it yourself and let me know how you have improved it.

Read more...

Saturday was...

a day of reflection as I walked around the grounds of The Old Cheese factory on my break

and a moment of pondering as I realized dreams coming to fruition

and rewards for hard work completed.

mmmmm new yarn for a new scarf. Yes, its time to think about all of the cool new scarves I can wear this coming winter.

Have a fab weekend!
Melanie

Read more...