Tie me a bow

Lawyers don't wear bow ties. They wear suits and short skirts and robes and wigs and things... or so 90s television tells me. And they're so busy in the court room by day and sleeping under mountains of paperwork at their mahogany desks by night, that surely they don't have time for regular crafternooning.

However, one Brisbane lady - a lawyer-to-be, but a busy bee nonetheless - is super fond of slotting in some craft time whenever a gap amongst the serious stuff appears. Yenzo makes fancily versatile bow ties, for the collar, as a necklace and even as a hair bow. And she's made so many of late that we've got three to give away, huzzah! Simply email your name/address to winstuff{at}seammagazine{dot}com to be in the draw. But remember - first in, best dressed! Yenzo also stitches up the cutest handmade critters - scroll through her blog to ooh and aah at them all. We like the french monster and forest creatures.

Hope you all have a swell (and un-sweltering) weekend ahead of you!

Tastebud Tuesday: Pecan Pie French Toast

Photo credit: Always With Butter

The humble pecan pie is a favourite in my family. Whipped up for birthdays and christmases, it's the first 'sweet' that springs to mind when that special day's menu is being planned. So I was delighted to stumble upon this recipe for Pecan Pie French Toast on favourite food blog, Always With Butter. Any recipe that takes a classic dessert and turns it into a breakfast option gets my vote. These tiramisu pancakes are another fav of the sort. But careful, both recipes are highly decadent!

Filling

1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups pecans, chopped
2 eggs, beaten

Toast

8 slices of french bread
3 eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp sugar
Icing sugar to dust

Method

1. Filling - In a large saucepan over med/high heat, combine butter, sugar and syrup. Bring to the boil. Stir frequently at a boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in pecans and vanilla. Let cool completely. Stir in the eggs. Return to heat and let boil for 2-5 minutes until thickened. Let cool.

2. Toast - Heat a skillet, coated with butter or spray to medi/high. Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, salt and sugar. Soak each slice of bread for 30 seconds. Cook each side until golden brown, 2-4 minutes.

3. Spread the filling evenly on 4 of the bread slices. Top with the other slice of bread. Place on a baking tray and bake for 10-12 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. Let cool slightly and serve with a dust of icing sugar.

So this is the new year

Illustration: Sandra Suy

I've never really done new year's resolutions before, or if I have I probably didn't stick to them long enough to complete/remember/succeed at them. But I figure, why not start now! A new year is always a good excuse to kick into gear all those extra-curriculars you've been dreaming of starting. Here's our little list so far...

1. The usual - Exercise more! Workloads and busy lifestyles often get in the way of this regular yearly commitment, but we kicked off this morning with a brisk walk that left us huffing and puffing in the current Brisbane heat wave. And this week is definitely a good week for starting new things, with dance classes at Queensland Ballet recommencing this evening. I'm popping my pink slippers on again for the first time in 7 years in hope of better posture, a stronger core and some twirling fun.

2. The artistic - Fashion illustration is something I've always wanted to learn, but there never seems to be a class for it. Luckily some arty fashion-y ladies over at The Stitchery Collective have started up clothed life drawing classes to practice and improve your sketchabilities. The classes are running every Tuesday night this month.

3. The crafty - more crafternoons! Last year I had planned to make LOTS of stuff. This never eventuated. This year, however, will be full of sewing, knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching. I'll hopefully even get so confident with my regular crafting that I'll take my projects out in public to Piece Together's Stitch n' Bitch evenings. The first one is on January 19th at 7.30pm.

4. The literary - read more! I have an ever-growing enormous amount of beautifully written, interesting books in my house (the piles practically spilling out the windows), but I never seem to be able to read them as a fast as new amazing books come out. So this year I plan to always have one (maybe two) books on the go. The soon-to-be-read pile on my nightstand currently contains Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Vagabond by Colette, Colette's biography, and The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.

Hope you're all having a swell new year!

Happy holidays!

Photo credit: Able and Game

Well it's that time of year again - time to wake up wayyy too early, unwrap gifts, eat chocolate for breakfast and too much of mum's cooking for lunch, followed by a snooze and a dip in the pool, and maybe some gingerbread house for dinner. It's also time for the Seam Team to take a break for a few days and spend some time with the people we've been too busy for all year.

But before we rush off to the seaside town we call home, we'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and say thank you for all your support this year. Thank you to all the creative folk who appeared in and helped out with issue one and thanks to our advertisers and the 30+ stockists who took on our little mag. We hope you have the most swelegant silly season possible and we'll see you again all sparkly and refreshed very soon.

Happy holidays!

Hello, Twenty Twelve.

Photo credit: Lola's Room

Planning on making a new years resolution? Well, you might want to consider getting your hands on one of these babies to keep you in toe! We’ve compiled a little collection of cute and clever calendars to get you through the new year...

Anne Nicholson and The Whittler - Vintage nature is revived through this stunning illustrated calendar offering twelve unique months of flight inspired bliss. These beauties are a limited edition and all natural, printed on recycled card stock and using wax based inks - perfect for the eco-warrior!

Catherine Campbell - This Melbourne based artist brings us a wonderfully illustrated calendar featuring a series of stylish and intricate portraits. It's fashion illustration meets Alice in Wonderland, a mystical realm of beautiful gardens and little creatures dressed in stylish threads. A must have for twenty-twelve...

Emily Ann Designs - If your new year is looking a little uneventful, we've got the perfect calendar for you! You'll be taking up twelve new hobbies this year as a different art is celebrated each month. With some neat drawings by Miss Emily Ann herself, and complete with a little description, you'll be inspired to get busy!

Lola's Room - This pretty pastel gem celebrates beautiful photography allowing you to breeze through the months enjoying candy shops and vintage wallpaper. The mini calendar contains thirteen images all taken by Brighton based photographer, Cassia Beck, and is sure to bring you a picture perfect new year!

Saisir le jour!