Have Hook, Can Crotchet

This post has the potential to be a bit long and rambling so apologies in advance to those readers who have short attention spans!

Exhibit A

I've been playing around with a new centrepiece for our Dining Room table. That would be Exhibit A. It is full of things that make me smile: the candle holder was a gift from a favourite pupil as were the poppies; the dish is a souvenir from MoMA and a magical Christmas in New York with a friend who has since passed away. They are all on a d'oyley which was stitched by my Mum and edged by my Nin. It was part of Mum's Glory Box and is one of a set of 3. Mum gave it to me when I moved out of home. I keep walking past it and straightening and touching cause it has given me great joy.

Exhibit B. Image: Rachael Zelensky

Now, please examine Exhibit B which is the inspiration for Exhibit A. I was having a peek at la maison sur la colline which is a soothing, tasteful place to visit and I was very taken with Rachael's post. She helpfully let me know where to buy the chocolate d'oyleys and also the jug which you will note is present in Exhibits A and B. Thanks Rach, very happy with the shopping and the new centrepiece. Could you work on something to gussy up the bathroom next, please?

Exhibit C

Now, may I draw your attention to Exhibit C which is a table runner that I inherited from my Nin. Embroidery is something I've always loved to do and when the Aunties were tidying up Nin's crafting, they put this aside for me to finish and keep. I finished it not so long ago and it is now ready to be edged and this is the point of this post. I can crotchet a chunky woolen blanket without too many dramas but the fine Perle Cotton sort of work that is needed for this treasure is completely beyond my skill level. So, kind bloggy folk. If this is your forte and you are happy to take on a new project, please let me know. I'd really like to try Exhibit A on a completed Exhibit C. I await your reply with bated breath and the theme from Law & Order running through my head!

Spot the Difference

You may have noticed that our blog has had a face lift. Our friend, Rachael, from the Boutique Markets has had a little play with our photos and layout and look what she has made. Rachael paints and sews AND she is good with computers. Quite a clever chicken and what a lovely surprise to click on the blog and see the changes.

What do you think of the new look? We'd love your feedback and are grateful for the comments we've already received. I was already toying with the idea of changing to a white background but, I really like the polka dots on the side.

Tonight I cooked a family favourite and thought I would share it with you. I apologise in advance to the Master Chef devotees who read our blog. I have not obeyed any of George's advice on the correct way to cook a risotto. Never the less, this recipe always seems to work, is really easy and only involves washing up one saucepan and it tastes great. I would acknowledge the source but it has been lost over time and the best I can do is tell you that it came from a book of Toddler recipes.

Mr Button would like to be acknowledged as the food stylist and photographer for this shot. It is a latent talent which has emerged in the void left by Master Chef. I think his style is a little reminiscent of Trevor's but I applaud the moulding and stacking techniques he has employed!

RISOTTO

1 tblspn olive oil

1 clove garlic

1 small onion

1 stick of celery

1 large tomato

2 mushrooms

1 tblspn chopped mint

1 tblspn parsley

1 cup of Arborio rice

3 cups of stock

EXTRA VEGIES TO ADD: carrot, pumpkin, zucchini, squash,corn, peas

METHOD

GRATE/FINELY DICE vegetables and any extra vegetables you want to add

HEAT pan and oil

COOK diced onion and garlic

ADD vegetables and COOK for 1 minute

ADD rice and STIR to coat with pan juices

ADD stock

Bring to BOIL and SIMMER for 30 minutes

ADD more stock if risotto is too dry or rice needs to cook for longer

I like to add extra vegies and make a double serve. It is great as a side dish/warm salad but we usually sprinkle some diced chicken on top and all members of the Button family devour it with glee.

Straight to the Precious Things Cupboard

Howdy, Strangers. I've been absent a bit this week due to school holiday merriment. We've been up to our armpits in playdough, duplo and little people (of the Fisher Price variety). In my spare time I've also had a bit of catch up sewing to get on with so I've had to spell the blog for a few days.

Thanks for your enquiries regarding Mr Button's recovery. Both families are well and enjoying the Autumn weather. Your kind words have been appreciated. We've also appreciated some super posts by our blogging friends who've made us feel loved and honoured. Thanks to Rachael from Boutique Markets, Micky from Handmadies and Liesa from Handmade Heaven. Pop over and see what these lovely ladies have to say. It is gratifying to know that you like what we do.

Tonight's title is a very bad take on a classic line from the iconic film, The Castle. In the Kerrigan's home, anything of note went straight to the poolroom. We Buttons do not have a poolroom, but, we do have a Precious Things Cupboard. Said cupboard is a silky oak sideboard on which reside a number of beautiful things which are precious for all sorts of reasons. The oil lamp my Dad used to do his homework by, figurines given to us to celebrate our babies' births and candles in bowls I've found in odd places and lots of other treasures. It often is home to a beautiful drawing, a playdough sculpture or an intricate lego construction. We have a very fluid definition of precious and at the moment, it is also the home of my new cordless mouse!

Now, I am sure that the wonder of a cordless mouse is not a new thing for many of you but it is a thing of wonder and rare beauty to me. I cannot believe how much easier this natty little gadget has made my life. It would seem I have made a reasonable amount of fuss about this new addition to our home, as during a quick tidy up, my 51/2 year old button decided the most fitting place for this little critter was right on top of the Precious Things Cupboard. Looks right at home, doesn't he?

Thought for Thursday

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

This is one of those quotes that I like to have around the place because it helps me to focus and reminds me of the power in our thoughts. Ten years ago, my life was quite different. I was happy, well loved and successful but it was not full of the bliss that I now experience everyday. It is good to remember that life is ever changing - so dream big!

I believe that Rachael and Leasl from the Boutique Markets exemplify this quote beautifully. Less than two years ago they established a small boutique market in Brisbane's north. They had a vision to create a unique, boutique market, shopping experience and carefully collected retailers who supported this vision and whose wares enhanced the exclusive atmosphere and creative vibe of their dream. When the market outgrew it's original venue, these girls took a brave step and the final Designers Emporium market was put to bed in February this year. They maintained interest in the market and continued to build their following through their ever changing blog as they hunted for a new, improved location to match the markets they imagined. Wow! Did they ever succeed. The relaunched Boutique Markets will debut this Sunday at Portside, Hamilton and we are delighted to be part of the crazy, creative crew of retailers that you will find in this gorgeous location. The markets run from 8am to 1pm and the venue is perfect for a lazy stroll through the markets and a yummy, Sunday brunch.

We'd love you to come and visit. We are looking forward to catching up with old friends from the Designers Emporium and meeting lots of new ones, too! We have recently sourced a new supplier for our tees and are excited to be able to offer a neat, puff sleeve, fitted, girls tee as well as our standard tee. We think our designs look cuter than ever on these tees and we'd love to hear what you think.

A big thanks to Liesa from The Handmade Expo because our followers now number in the twenties! We feel very loved!

Have you heard the news?

Well, after a long wait, it is now official, the Designers Emporium is about to be reborn as the Boutique Markets at Portside Wharf in Hamilton, Brisbane.  The markets will be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month and will run from 8am-1pm.  Rachael and Leasl pride themselves on gathering the best local talent in art, craft and design.  They carefull vet all applications and maintain a high level of quality control to ensure a unique and pleasurable shopping experience.  Click here to visit the new website and here to visit the blog which is a plethora of information and featured artists.  The markets will relaunch on June 14, so mark the date on your calendar and start saving your pennies!  

Before I forget, tomorrow is the closing date for our tshirt giveaway.  To enter, you needed to leave a comment and let us know what designs you want to see on your little men.  If you post about the giveaway on your blog, let us know and you will receive two entries.  Competition closes at midnight tomorrow, Saturday, and I'll let you know the winner on Monday.  While you are posting a comment, join our button swap, we all love presents, don't we?

Hello, Hello, Hello!

Well, I can't believe it has been almost two months since my last post. So many things have been happening- some exciting, some life changing and some have been a bit like biblical plagues. Like all of us, I usually do a pretty fair job of juggling family, home, friends, work, creating and all the things that crowd our days. I have to admit that over the past few weeks I had to drop something and unfortunately, the ball I dropped was the blog!

As they say, a journey begins with one small step. Tonight's post is my first step. This week I'll fill you in on the adventures of Cute as Buttons over the past few weeks and I hope to entice you to keep coming back with some lovely winter recipes. Somewhere in there I'll show you some of the new designs and products that have been keeping us busy.

Tonight's image is another one of Taryn Newland's. Her serene nature comes through in the way she photographs things and working with her is a dream. Our friend, Rachael Zelensky cropped some of the shots that Taryn took for us and we were amazed at the way the photos changed under her artist's eye and hand. Rachael is part of the Designers Emporium duo and at the moment she is keeping a secret from us. We keep visiting the Designers Emporium blog and hoping she'll let something slip! I've decided I'll also visit her other blog and see if something pops out when she is busy blogging over there.

I'm off to cuddle a sick boy in my bed. No, not my husband! He has been relegated to the single bed at the other end of the house so I can keep my darling 5 year old close and hopefully, we'll all manage a better nights sleep! I just have to fight for my spot in the bed amongst all the bears, dogs and aliens which are his essential sleeping companions. Beautiful boy!