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.June Cool Shops! Vegie Smugglers.

I know that you are going to LOVE this week’s Cool Shop – Vegie Smugglers…
 
 
 
Wendy Blume is the extremely talented author of Vegie Smugglers – a self-published cookbook aimed toward busy families who still want to eat a healthy, balanced diet.  Like most Aussie Mums, Wendy found it a daily struggle in the kitchen trying to come up with healthy meals that would satisfy her two fussy eaters.  Out of her desperation – and I’m sure after hearing many other Mothers complaining about the same problem – Vegie Smugglers was born.

Not only did Wendy come up with 60 + delicious recipes to feed your family, she was also  responsible for the photography and graphic design of this beautifully presented book.  What a clever Mum!  Vegie Smugglers is bright and colourful, filled with gorgeous mouth-watering photographs – in this case, self-published does not mean tacky.  The book is top quality.  

I own a heap of cookbooks, but for the majority of them there are only a handful of recipes that I might actually cook.  When I first received a copy of Vegie Smugglers I flicked through it and gave pretty much every recipe the “thumbs up” – not just for me, but I also thought that I could coax my children into trying most of them too.  (In our house, the “trying” part is always the hardest, once they’ve had a taste usually they like it!)

Vegie Smugglers is broken up into convenient sections from quick dinner fixes to freezable meals to sweet treats.  

The introduction of the book includes handy information about the nutritional components of vegetables (see picture below) and essential kitchen tools and skills.

 
I love the thoughtful details that Wendy has incorporated into her book – a “Rate It” and “Comments” section for you to jot down your thoughts or perhaps variations for next time.  She also includes a “For the Adults” variation for each recipe – a simple extra addition to make the meal a little more special for the adults you are feeding.  I have friends who cook two dinners a night – one for the kids and one for the parents, a waste of time and energy to me, so it’s good to have recipes on hand that will please everyone.

 In short, this book gets the big tick of approval from me!  We have tried a few recipes so far (although none of them have been photographed because I never seem to have time to pull out the camera during that busy evening meal time!) and they have all been delicious.  Next up, I’m looking foward to trying the Beetroot Tzatziki – it looks delicious and I have some fresh beetroot waiting to be used up.  Vegie Smugglers retails at $24.95 and can be purchased here.  (Word on the street is that Vegie Smugglers 2 is in the making – go Wendy!)

Wendy is genrously giving one lucky Make It Perfect reader a chance to win a free copy of Vegie Smugglers!  Simply “like” Vegie Smugglers on Facebook and leave a comment on this post.  
(Winner will be randomly chosen on Sunday 12th June.)

 
Important Vegie Smugglers Links:
June 7, 2011
Other

.May Cool Shops! Bloom.

(Click here to go to Giveaway Day blog post)
 
One of the things I love about my Cool Shops, is that I get to discover a whole heap of new shops that I’m not sure I would have otherwise found out about.  I was especially excited when I was contacted by Kerrie from Bloom…

 

Bloom fabrics is different from your usual fabric shops.  At Bloom, their aim is to bring you beautiful, top quality fabrics which are aimed at apparel sewing from around the world.  As I delve deeper into the world of clothing sewing, I realise that although quilting cottons are lovely and offer a lot of great designs, there is a limit to what you can sew with them in terms of clothing.  Bloom fabrics offers a wonderful range of fabrics to suit all of your clothing sewing needs.

 

 
When I’m being offered fabric or other crafty material for my Cool Shops review, I always like to make sure that I get something I am actually going to use.  No point it sitting on the shelf and gathering dust.  If I am really organised, I’ll even manage to sew something up, which wasn’t the case this time, but I’ll be sure to show and tell as soon as I’ve got something share!  I’m really looking forward to cutting into these fabrics and have great plans for both of them.  
The Black Organic Jersey Knit is destined to become a comfy, stretchy skirt for winter.  I’m wanting to make a whole heap of these with different variations that are easy to wear with tights or stockings and my boots.  The lovely Mid-Grey Hilco Velour is going to become a pair of track pants.  Seriously, my kids have way too many clothes…time for more sewing for myself!!  Both of these fabrics are of superior quality.  I especially love the thickness of the velour and know that I’ll get a lot of wear out of the track pants.
 

 

 
Bloom proudly stocks a large range of certified organic fabrics in both Australian-Made Combed Cotton Jersey:
and Printed Woven Cottons:
 
 

I love the selection of gorgeous Stenzo Pinwhale Corduroy and can see some cute little girl dresses, little boy pants and perhaps a lovely jacket for Mum out of these:

 

If you’re looking for great Knits, you’ll find a range of different types such as jerseys, velours and viscose:

You’ll also find a great selection of Seersucker fabrics, Farbenmix ribbons and trims, Japanese Sewing Magazines and Ottobre Magazines in store.

You won’t want to miss Bloom’s great Make It Perfect offer – for the next month, Bloom is giving Make It Perfect readers a massive 20% off all products!!  Now is the time to stock up for all of that winter sewing!
(Offer valid from 25th May-24th June, use code “perfect7” during checkout.)

Important Bloom Links:
Retail store – “Gathering”
8 Panmure St, Newstead, VIC 3462
May 24, 2011
Other

.May Cool Shops! Traplet.

 

Today I am happy to introduce you to a lovely sewing magazine bought to you by Traplet Publications

Traplet is a UK-based company that published a great range of magazines, including four crafting magazines – Sewing World, British Patchwork and Quilter, Craft Stamper and Beads and Beyond.
I wasn’t familiar with the Sewing World magazine, so was looking forward to receiving a few copies in the mail to review.

The magazine did not disappoint.  Sewing World is a monthly sewing magazine full of fantastic sewing patterns and lots of sewing-related info to read. 

Not only does Sewing World include easy, step-by-step sewing patterns they are also jam packed full of lots of information, tips and tricks to help you become a more confident sewer.
Articles such as sewing the right style to suit your body type:

Instructional sections teaching you different techniques such as how to sew sleeves into a garment:

If you are interested in crafts other than sewing, you might like to take a look at some of the other great crafting magazines brought to you by Traplet.
Craft Stamper:

 British Patchwork & Quilting:

Beads & Beyond:

Traplet is offering a 3 month trial subscription to Sewing World for the discounted price of 10.99 Pounds (approx AUD$17).
To redeem this great offer, simply call the Traplet Customer Order Line and quote the code MIPSW11.
Australia – 02) 9520 0933
UK – 44 1684 588599
(Offer runs from 17th May – 30th June).

If you would like to keep up to date about regular offers and discounts, you can also sign up for the Traplet email newsletter at the top of their homepage.

Important Traplet Links:
May 17, 2011
Other

.May Cool Shops! Sweet Birdie Blue.

Hello to our newest Cool Shop, Sweet Birdie Blue!
Sweet Birdie Blue is a bright and cheerful store full of funky, 1970’s-inspired handmade clothing and accessories.  If you’re into retro, you’ll love everything at Sweet Birdie Blue.  
The lovely Trace sent us one of her 1970s Rainbow Ponchos for review.  It is super soft and warm and bright enough to cheer up cloudy winter days!

 

At Sweet Birdie Blue you’ll find a eclectic range of unique clothing for your little girl.  
The My Deer Dress features vintage patchwork, tie dyed tops, a bit of crochet and some applique.

The Sweet Birdie Blue Custom Photo Keepsake Dress gives you the option of having any photograph printed onto the skirt of this cute peasant-style dress.

 

Here’s another cute poncho…Bubba 1970s:

Trace creates some beautiful crocheted jewellery also, such as this Roses and Butterfly Necklace:

 The Blue Bayou Headband:

And the very pretty Springtime in the Daisy Field Necklace:

Make It Perfect readers can save 10% on all orders from Sweet Birdie Blue’s Etsy store with free postage within Australia!
(10% off ends 16th June.  Use discount code “makeitperfect”.  Free postage excludes crochet ponchos and blankets.)

Important Sweet Birdie Blue Links
May 17, 2011
Other

.May Cool Shops! Two Little Aussie Birds.

 
Welcome to our newest Cool Shop! – Two Little Aussie Birds…
Two Little Aussie Birds is a lovely online sewing pattern shop based in Canberra, Australia.  Owned by Crystal, she is always on the lookout for new patterns and offers them at great prices in one convenient location.
I was smitten by the range of embroidery patterns by Penguin & Fish and have been having fun with “F” Fox and “L” Lion.

 It’s actually been a long time since I sat down and tried my hand at a bit of embroidery and found it very relaxing.  I’m not sure what Mr Fox is going to end up on – either in the hoop as a bit of wall art or perhaps on a bag, t-shirt or skirt for a special little fox-loving girl I know.

Two Little Aussie Birds stocks a large range of sewing patterns from both Australian and overseas designers.
Melly & Me:

 Make It Perfect:

 Penguin & Fish:

 The Janelle Wind Collection:

Now is the time to stock up on some of your favourite patterns – Two Little Aussie Birds is offering 10% off storewide for the month of May!
(Offer ends 31st May, use code “PERFECT” during checkout.)

Thanks Crystal – just in time for some winter sewing!

Important Two Little Aussie Birds Links:
Blog  
May 3, 2011