baker's delight

My lemonade scones are 'famous'...or so I thought, until I started sharing the recipe. Now add 'in' to 'famous'. For some reason they only work for me, but my obviously mis-measured instructions to friends (which I have passed on at many a bridal or baby shower...I shudder to think how many!) leave them with a pile of goop that no amount of King Island cream and raspberry jam can save. I'd like to imagine them being served to their other friends on these Whitney Smith cake stands, as they coo 'oh my, where did you get the recipe for these darlings?'

However, no scone of mine is worthy of these homespun-on-a-studio-pottery-wheel creations.

To my dear friend Crystal, my most recent 'victim' and the baking queen of my life...I'm dreadfully sorry, love!

I wish I'd thought of that!

I hate to even bring up my uni days...not the most favourite 4 years of my life (crying over assignments, humiliating lecturers, carrying A2 sheets of pasteboard on the bus), but I do remember a particular textiles project where I sewed the outlines of palm fronds and poetic words onto a Bonds tee shirt (yes, i know, how did they let me graduate?). The lecturer rightly hated it and I had to do it again, i think I've blocked the final result from my memory, but I'd like to think that at the last moment I came up with the brilliant Idea of handstitching vintage wallpapers instead, like London's Claire Cole. Why didn't I take a cermaic tea cup and hand stitch that too, rendering it too beautiful and too full of little holes to drink from? When you have a 'why didn't I think of that?" moment, just accept that some people are talented freaks of nature and we should just marvel at the beauty they create instead of being jealous! 

have you met miss jones?

Today is "Things You Wouldn't Actually Use But Need to Buy Anyway" Day. You're probably aware that more and more people are suffering from this disease, a compulsion to want things so beautiful and delicate they can only be looked at on a shelf, even though they resemble every day objects, like cups and vases and bags, you wouldn't dare pour your Twinings into them. You are not alone. If you are suffering from addiction, you can visit Miss Jones today for a harmless fix of very reasonably priced ceramic objects to calm your nerves. Visit www.haveyoumetmissjones.com.au

the weird and wonderful world of design

Ceramic ornaments, particularly of the forest animal variety are an obsession for me that dates back to the days when I had a shelf in my bedroom at the age of seven dedicated especially to white porcelain-skinned creatures. Since everything I can remember from that shelf is now broken, it's time to start collecting again. The choice between a bouncing bunny rabbit or a young fawn captured mid-pounce is easier when all their parts are mixed together for a double-dose of adorability. Visit the strange and beautiful world of Runny Bunny here. Prices are from $6! Shipping is $7 when you buy 2!