The Blue Ducks cookbook with a chocolate and beetroot brownie

The house is quite, everyone's returned to school, uni and work today. I'm back to work too, I'll be packing Ribbons Galore orders today.

But just before I get back into work, just wanted to share a little story.

My gorgeous 17 year old, who had a lovely few days in Byron Bay with friends last week, went to the Three Blue Ducks for lunch and, knowing how I love a photo of good food, sent me a beautiful image of her lunch. It looked so delicious, it made me want to jump in the car and drive to Byron to have lunch!! (see below, pork, crackling, apple… I was dissecting the photo when she sent it through)

Ribbons Galore in Australian Homespun magazine

Ribbons Galore had a little appearance in the August 2014 edition of Australian Homespun magazine. The window shopping theme in this edition was "village road show".

The featured ribbon is the 'street view' ribbon which is perfect for using on projects for little boys. It can be seen centre left... on the right page.

The magazine is now available online (from www.zinio.com) and in newsagencies, supermarkets and craft shops around Australia. Print copies should be available in Europe and North America in two to three weeks time.

Cheers

Fiona

 

free double passes to the Better Homes and Gardens Live Sydney show

Better Homes and Gardens LIVE is coming to Sydney!

Sydney Showground

Friday 20 September – Sunday 22 September 2013

A Great Day Out For The Entire Family.

Australia’s favourite home magazine and television show is coming to life at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, from 20 – 22 September 2013 for Better Homes and Gardens LIVE.

Whether you are a renovator, foodie, DIY or craft lover, gardening or interiors addict, Better Homes and Gardens LIVE is the only place to go for all the latest products, advice and tips for your home.  Get inspired with live demonstrations and workshops from your favourite Better Homes and Gardens experts and shop for the latest gadgets and technology from more than 350 exhibitors at our one-stop home and garden product showcase.

Better Cooking

Fast Ed and Karen Martini will demonstrate their favourite recipes as well as some exciting new creations at the Better Cooking stage.

Better Decorating and DIY

Rob Palmer will power up his toolkit at the Better Decorating and DIY stage and will inspire men and women to create great projects from the TV show at home whilst Tara Dennis will work her design magic on projects that tap into the latest trends in colour and interior design.

Better Craft & Skills Workshop & Make and Take Workshop

The Better Homes and Gardens magazine editors will be showcasing how to create amazing craft projects at the interactive Make and Take Workshop. And at the Better Craft & Skills workshop, discover the overwhelming satisfaction of creating something with your hands. 

Better Gardening and Pets

Dr Harry will share his incredible knowledge to help all pet owners and pet lovers to look after the furry, feathered or scaly member of the family at the Better Gardening and Pets stage.

Whether you are already a green thumb or a gardening novice, Australia’s eminent garden and landscaping gurus Graham Ross and Jason Hodges will be creating Australia’s most sought after gardens, whilst offering ample practical advice.

Plenty of Activities for the Kids!  Looking for things to do with the kids during the school holidays? Crafty kids will feel right at home at Better Homes and Gardens LIVE!  They’ll be spoilt for choice with face painting, balloon sculpting and sand art on offer.  And the little ones will love the petting zoo, getting hands-on with their favourite farmyard animals.

Make yourself at home at Better Homes and Gardens LIVE this September.

Visitor and Ticket Information

Venue:  Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park                       

When:  9am – 5pm, Friday 20 – Sunday 22 September, 2013

Who:  Johanna Griggs and the Better Homes and Gardens team: Tara Dennis, Fast Ed Halmagyi, Karen Martini, Dr Harry Cooper, Jason Hodges, Rob Palmer and Graham Ross.

Ticket Prices:

Buy Earlybird Tickets Online and Save at www.bhglive.com.au

Full priced tickets can be bought at the door of the event every day.

Standard Early Bird Ticket:  $15 (save $5 off the door price)

Standard Ticket on the Door:  $20

Concession Early Bird Ticket:  $10 (save $5 off the door price)        

Concession Ticket on the Door:  $15

 

Now, here's some exciting news..... 

I have 20 FREE double pass tickets to give away to the Sydney Better Homes and Gardens LIVE show. If you would like a double pass (that's two tickets) to this event, please send me an email (you can find the "email me" link in the top right column right here on this page). EDITED: ALL THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN GIVEN AWAY. THANKS FOR VISITING MY BLOG, AND I HOPE EVERYONE WHO RECEIVED TICKETS ENJOYS THE SHOW.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers

Fiona

free tickets to better homes and gardens live in sydney

 Discover all you need for your ideal home

at Better Homes and Gardens LIVE

14^th to 16^th September 2012 at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park

www.bhglive.com.au 

Here are the top ten reasons why you can’t afford to miss Better Homes and Gardens LIVE:

1. Shop gadgets, accessories, tools, gifts and home wares from 350+ hot brands.
2. Watch the experts in action with some essential DIY and renovation projects.
3. Supercharge your imagination with inspiration and new ideas from celebrity experts.
4. Don’t miss the very latest releases from leading brands and specialist retailers.
5. Join all your favourite Better Homes and Gardens experts for a packed schedule of live workshops and demonstrations.
6. Explore a whole new way to decorate for style and comfort in the Home Zone.
7. Give your taste buds a treat with delicious free samples and recipe ideas in the Food Zone.
8. Discover green fingers you never knew you had in the Gardening & Pet Zone.
9. Enjoy colourful displays and stock up on fabric, wool, paper and essential accessories in the Craft Zone.
10.  Make it a day to remember with a celebrity encounter – Tara Dennis, Rob Palmer, Fast Ed, Dr Harry, Jason Hodges, Graham Ross and Johanna Griggs will all be there.          

 With 100s of products & 1000s of ideas for renovators, foodies, DIY and craft lovers, gardening and interiors addicts, Better Homes and Gardens  LIVE is the ultimate home & garden destination.

Tickets on sale now!  Visit www.bhglive.com.au to buy tickets now & save.

BUT... I have 20 FREE double pass tickets to give away to the Better Homes and Gardens LIVE show. If you would like a double pass (that's two tickets) to this event, please send me an email.

ETA: All tickets have now been given away. Thank you to everyone who emailed me and left a comment here on the blog for tickets. I hope you all have a wonderful time at the show.

Cheers

Fiona

Better Homes and Gardens LIVE Melbourne ticket giveaway

The BHG LIVE show is coming to Melbourne! It's on 24-26 February 2012 at the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton.

The three day event will host four stages, with live demonstrations from the Better Homes and Gardens TV experts, plus there'll be over 300 companies exhibiting at the event. You can read all about the show on the Better Homes and Gardens LIVE website.

To my Melbourne readers, start planning your day, cause I have 10 double passes (a total of 20 complimentary tickets) each valued at $40.00 to give away.

If you live in Melbourne or will be in Melbourne town on the weekend of the show and would like a couple of tickets, please send me an email.

Enjoy the show :)

Cheers

Fiona

 

 

ribbons galore in better homes and gardens magazine

I returned from our January holiday to find a couple of my handmade key rings in the Better Homes and Gardens magazine (the Australian February 2012 edition).

About six months ago I was asked to make several key rings in a few different summery colour ways. It was great to open up the magazine and see which key rings were chosen {the birdy ribbon is one of my favourites}.

All the cotton webbing and key fob hardware are available at Ribbons Galore. They are a very easy project to make.

Handmade ribbon key rings are also available in the handmade section on the Ribbons Galore website. 

Cheers

Fiona x

 

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Ribbons Galore in Australian Homespun magazine

Ribbons Galore newsletter

I have just finished a new newsletter for Ribbons Galore.

You can download the Ribbons Galore newsletter or, view it online here:

Open publication - Free publishing

I loved putting this newsletter together after learning how to use Adobe InDesign recently. It has been a goal to mine to produce a little newsletter for Ribbons Galore, and here it is.

Hope you enjoy seeing all the new ribbons added to Ribbons Galore recently.

Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers

Fiona

homespun magazine

Ribbons Galore had some ribbons featured in the Window Shopping pages of the latest Homespun Magazine (July 2011). The whole section featured products with cute reindeer designs, many of them being of the Rudolf variety, for a Christmas in July special.

 
The ribbons featured are the very cute Ruldolf the Red Nosed Reindeer ribbons.

 

They are beautiful quality ribbons, perfect for all your Christmas sewing (even in July). I made a little carry bag/gift bag with the pink Rudolf ribbon last Christmas.

Cheers

Fiona

welcome 2011

Happy New Year!

We've just returned from a short break in the Hunter Valley which was very relaxing. Now our thoughts are turning to back to school and work over the next couple of weeks... where have the holidays have gone? This afternoon I've raised the hems on a couple of new school uniform dresses and ironed on name labels onto several new uniform pieces. We have one excited 12 year heading off to high school very soon. Covering the text books is one of the next jobs on our list.

As I organise our new uniforms, I've also been sorting out the old ones, the uniforms that have been worn (and filled my laundry) for the past decade. Most have paint stains on them, a sign, I hope, of a little creativity that has been enjoyed by my two gorgeous girls at some time over the last 10 years...

I have some exciting Ribbons Galore news which I really should have shared at the end of 2010 (but due to circumstances beyond my control, last year didn't end as I planned).

Earlier last year I was contacted by the lovely Toni Coward of Make It Perfect. She was interested in using some ribbons for her new project, a new book called "Make it Perfect". A couple of weeks ago I finally bought the book while I was in th city at Kinokuniya (I also bought the latest Cotton Time, I just couldn't resist!). Toni's book is gorgeous. The projects are fun, bright and happy with a mixture of projects/clothes for kids and adults. The patterns are full sized (no need to enlarge) and multi sized.

Here's a couple of pictures of the book...

 

My first project will be an apron from the book. Just trying to pick the right fabric.

Ribbons Galore was also featured in Donna Hay magazine (Dec 2010/Jan 2011 edition).

 

This time of year is normally a time for relaxation, with many families enjoying the school holidays. Unfortunately this is not the case for many, many people across Australia at the moment, not such a happy new year for everyone.

Toni Coward and her sister Carli are co-ordinating fund raising auctions/raffles for those affected by the Queensland floods. I'll be joining in the fund raising effort with a raffle for some Ribbons Galore ribbons. I'll be posting more details in the next couple of days. In the meantime, please visit Toni's blog to read more about this fund raising effort and current auctions. 

Cheers

Fiona

australian homesewn update

It seems the magazine is now available.

Ro has just emailed me to say she's spotted AUSTRALIAN HOMESEWN in the newsagency in the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney today. It arrived this morning apparently. Thanks for your email Ro.

Cheers

Fiona x