My hands tend to be dry most of the year round, but moreso during winter.  In the past I have just used whatever cream I happen to use on my son, but he is currently using cream that is not appropriate to use, so this year I’ve had particular issue finding a cream that was ingredient friendly for me to use around my very allergic son, but still very moisturising without being nothing but mineral oil.

Unfortunately for me, most hand creams that I like have nut or other ingredients that are just prohibitive.  So finding a natural based product that I didn’t have to make myself (which is still on the cards going forward) has been pretty much impossible.  So I’ve had to compromise just what I’m willing to use.  I have found two creams that will be good for winter use.  One is a moisturiser, and the other is more of a barrier cream to prevent moisture loss.

Firstly is a hand cream by Lanolips.  It’s a medical grade lanolin based product that’s made right here in Australia.  I’ve been using it for 4 days now, and I really do like it.  I use less than a pea sized amount to give my hands a nice moisturise.  It has a lovely rose baby powder scent that reminds me of my Grandmother, which makes me smile each time I use it.  It also contains Keratin which is good for your nails.  I don’t find it greasy, and it has made a significan difference in less than a week to the condition of my hands. (Bought at Myer for $22.95 – 150g)

The next cream is more of a barrier cream, to prevent moisture loss, rather than a moisturiser.  It’s the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream. You only need a very small amount to cover your entire hand, and would be good to use after a moisturise if you’re going to be exposing your hands to extreme cold or constant air conditioning.  I got the fragrance free, so I don’t know what the normal one smells like.  This cream takes longer to soak in to your hands, but would be ideal to put on before donning dishwashing gloves and sticking your hands into the hot water. (Bought at Priceline $7.95 – 56g)

I’m still on the lookout for a good cuticle oil that is safe to use, and am waiting to hear back from the Lanolips people about the contents of their 101 ointment.

But my hands are coming back to their more supple selves slowly but surely, and my nails are starting to regrow.  I’m looking forward to soon painting up and showing off my hands!

(all products were purchased by me for personal use)

Last week I bought myself some new makeup for my ‘every day’ makeup.

Priceline was having a 3 for 2 sale, so I picked me up some lovely Covergirl products.

First was some base. I didn’t want uber heavy daytime makeup, and thought that the name of the foundation was exactly what I wanted it to be. “Clean”. Something fresh, light but with good coverage. I got the Creamy Natural, which is the 2nd to lightest shade. RRP is $15.50

First impression: I LOVE the fragrance this has. Very herbal, almost aromatherapeutic! Easy glide on with a damp sponge, I think it would be good with a good foundation brush too. Can be layered for more coverage too. The rest of my makeup goes on very easily over the top of it too. It does require a bit of a finish though, so a good translucent powder would be a good idea.. So far the staying power is excellent. I’ve worn it to a dance class and not felt like it needed touching up at all afterwards. I do think, however, that getting the pressed powder for any emergency touch up needs might be a good idea for those days that are uber hot, or you feel smudging may happen.

Next some lovely lip colour. I didn’t want another gloss, as I’m not really a fan of heavily pigmented glosses, and I didn’t want a lipstick that would need refreshing every couple of hours. So I got the Outlast lip stain in Bit of Blossom. This is a lovely ‘just been kissed’ pink/berry colour. RRP is $17.95.

First impression: The first application I did I tried to put WAY too much on. It’s not meant to be an opaque cover, so when I figured that out, I liked it much better. The texta like application is great as it gives you control over lip contour, but unless your lips are in great condition, it can look streaky. I do still put a gloss over the top of this, just because my lips are a little dry naturally, and I like to wear a balm or gloss all of the time. I do love the colour, and only wish that their red was not so orangey.

And finally some new, non-shimmery eye shadow. My ‘base pink’ from Napoleon is just too darn shimmery for me to wear everyday and be comfortable. I also can’t wear brown shadows as they tend to go orange on me if I get too warm. So lovely neutral pink based colours were in order. I got the 4 Kit Eyeshadow in Berries & Cream. RRP is $13.95.

First impression: This is not my first covergirl eyeshadow experience. They are good wearing eyeshadows with lovely colours. I have found these shades are ideal for me, for both day and night wear. I’m also pretty sure that this colourway is a standard, so I don’t have to worry too much about not being able to get it in the future (disappointment at limited edition colours is something I don’t enjoy at all!).

All in all I’m VERY happy with my latest makeup purchase! I’ve even worn makeup almost every day since I bought them too!

I’m on a bit of an apron spree at the moment.  I have material to use, and it may not be suitable for a bag or clothing, so an apron is perfect!

I picked up this pattern at a closeout sale of a local quilting store at a bargain price so thought I’d give it a whirl.

It’s $9 US at full price (plus shipping), which doesn’t make it a cheap pattern to start off with.

The cutting instructions are pretty good, and actual paper pattern is minimal, which is fantastic, but a rotary cutter, mat and ruler are essential.  The instructions for construction are definitely written for quilters, however, and not garment makers.  There were some parts of the instructions that I had to re-read a few times to understand what needed to happen.

Things that I liked about this pattern:-

• Simple construction for the most part
• Lined
• Adjustable without ’sizing’

Things I didn’t like, or would do differently:-

• Pocket isn’t lined
• The pockets are too deep
• The facings would have worked better if they were sewn in as part of the seam, rather than as an addition

I did, this time, line the pocket.  I can see how you could embellish this apron to suit any use, or change the pockets etc.  I will make it again, that’s for sure, but I will make the following changes next time I do it.

• Line the pockets (like I did this time)
• Make the pockets as 2 seperate pockets slightly out from the centre instead of a single one in the centre
• Sew the facings into the seam
• Widen the sides to come further around the body, and possibly shape out and round it at the bottom, rather than square
• Sew the facings into the seam

All in all, not a bad pattern.  Although it is a basic shape, the instructions are not written for beginners, or specifically for garment makers.  Quilters will not have any problems with the instructions.  I do think, however, for such a basic pattern, it’s a bit over priced, especially with the current exchange rate.

I saw Angels & Demons last night.  Do NOT read on if you don’t want to know…

I love this book.  I totally prefer it over The da Vinci Code for so many reasons.  I think the story is better, even more ‘believable’.

However, I think the movie was far enough removed from the book to suck.

They wrote out several characters:-

1. Max Kholer
2. the BBC reporters

They changed several characters:-

1. Leonardo Vettra was “Sylvio” and not Vittoria’s adopted father
2. Olivetti was not in the Swiss Guard, but some “Vatican Police” force
3. Rocher is now “Richter” and not in Swiss Guard uniform
4. Moriati is now “Strauss” and a bit of an a-hole
5. Some lower level ‘cardinal’ (I don’t know what the purple ones are) is now there picking up some slack from the lack of Max and the movement of “Richter”
6. The camerlengo is no longer Italian, OR the actual son of the Pope and a Nun “maria”, but is only adopted.

MAJOR story points that have changed.

1. There is a full research team involved with the LHC, rather than just Leonardo and Vittoria, leads to not as hard to figure out that info could leak out
2. Vittoria is onhand and actually finds the body, rather than the whole Max Kholer story.  Which also rules out future parts of the story
3. Langdon never goes to CERN in the cool jet or sees any of the awesome that is there.
4. “Sylvio” is not branded with the Illuminati ambigram, NOR is there the “Illuminati diamond” ambigram.. I can’t tell you how much this pissed me off
5. The “Hassassin” is not a culturally born killer, nor a sexual deviot.  He’s just a ‘hired gun’ .. SO not as much fun.  He also doesn’t get killed by falling off a high balcony.. because… VITTORIA DOESN’T GET KIDNAPPED!!!  GUH.
6. Langdon doesn’t go up in the helicopter.  And you see the camerlengo parachuting.  WRONG WRONG WRONG .. the camerlengo appearing on top of the vatican is supposed to be seen as a miracle.  When Langdon shows up in the chapel, it’s meant to start to ‘undo’ the camerlengo’s story.
7. No Max = no camcorder, so they replaced it with surveyance equipment that is monitored by “Richter” .. not too bad.. for a patch up
8. This is the one that probably upsets me most.  There is no love story.  Langdon and Vittoria are supposed to get all hot and steamy for each other due to being thrown into a stressful situation together.. No end of movie sex.  Suckage.

There are more ‘little’ things.  But these are the big ones that just rattled my chains last night.

Completely unimpressed with how they chopped this movie up.  At least da Vinci Code was watchable after the book.

IMO, if you love the book, don’t bother.

Well, it’s the Moonshine Designs Cafe Latte bag.  I originally got the pattern from the Handmade magazine, which came with a DVD of Monica Poole herself.  Monica has since released the Cafe Latte as a pattern, and I think it’s a great bag to make for a gift!

It calls for a product called “Fast 2 Fuse” which is a double sided fusable stiffening/interfacing product.  Now, at the best of times it’s not easy to get, and when you can, you’re looking at an outlay of around $30 per yard (90ish centimetres).  Floriani, however, make “Stitch N Shape” which is a similar product, albeit only 15″ wide (vs F2F’s 28″), you’re looking at spending less than half for one length of the bag… AND it’s the perfect width for the Cafe Latte!

Unfortunately, the pattern calls to make the handles from the F2F as well.  But there is another alternative!  Having used the Floriani product myself, I didn’t want to cut into a 2nd length for handles, when I could make another bag from it.  So what did I do?  I used The Vilene Pellon H640, of course!  It’s a medium weight single sided iron on synthetic ‘fleece’.

I doubled the width required, and with my straps pressed with 1/4 marks, I placed it dotty side facing up, and then folded the ends in, and brought the raw edges together in the centre of the pellon and ironed so it fused.  I then olded it in half lengthwise to hide the raw edges, then stitched 1/4″ from each edge and then down the centre.  This gave my handles enough strength to ‘match’ the bag, but is still soft and paddy (which I prefer in my handles).

I also added an extra pocket on the inside, and bag feet (available from Tall Poppy Craft).  Inside is also a Pellon’ed case for my bag base (when it arrives).

Basically, means I can buy a cheaper product (which is still fabulous) and get my bag!  I usually have a stash of H640 (I enjoy making bags) so that’s no issue there either.  The Vilene Pellon is available through most fabric places, including Spotlight and quilting specialty stores.