Follow my blog with Bloglovin
As most of you know, Google Friend Connect is shutting down. Therefore, please follow me via Bloglovin if you wish to keep reading my blog posts. Alternatively you can find me on Facebook or Pinterest, just click the buttons on the right hand side.
Thanks for following me!
Life from my point of view as a Stay at Home Mum. Sharing recipes, play ideas, frugal fashion and a bit of crafting too!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Treasures from the Past
Most of my readers in Christchurch will know that earthquake repairs are continuing on houses here, more than two years after the major earthquake. I have been very lucky as my house was fixed before we moved into it, but others have to move out for weeks or months at a time whilst repairs are being undertaken.
My Dad had to clear out his house in preparation for repairs being done, and so it was a good time to do some spring cleaning! Out came the dusty boxes and bags to be sorted through. He gave me a few things from my teenage years that were still in my family home, as well as some bags that he thought I might be interested in.
Here is one of the bags...
At first glance, I thought it was just some old cross stitch books.
But then I started going through the contents.
This bag holds many memories. My mother's cross stitch patterns, completed items, half stitched kits, aida and other goodies. All at least 17 years old, forgotten in the back of a wardrobe until now.
These items hold a lot of significance for me. When I was eleven I had hip surgery, and my mother was in the Canterbury Embroiderers Guild. To pass the time while I was in bed recovering, she taught me cross stitch. I started off with little things, and quickly progressed to bags, pincushions and cross stitch designs. We would both stay up late at night, stitching and talking. It really did help me through my surgeries as I had something to focus on and I ended up with some completed projects that are on display in my house today.
Look at this beautiful work- finished and then forgotten. My mum had some amazing designs and was a beautiful needle worker.
This sampler was started by me at age twelve. What an amazing thing to find it again, and now I can finish it!
I love chickens, so I was pretty excited to find this pattern in the bag.
There were even kits started by my mother, such as this one of a cat on a front porch.
I now have a beautiful collection of items to finish, as well as some new patterns to stitch and even some more threads and linen to use. I cannot wait to show my mother these forgotten items- she does not cross stitch as much as she used to but I am sure she will love going down memory lane with me. This discovery has inspired me to rediscover the art of cross stitch this winter, and I might even get to finally finish my sons' birth samplers!
Linking up with Show and Tell and Real Family Fun.
My Dad had to clear out his house in preparation for repairs being done, and so it was a good time to do some spring cleaning! Out came the dusty boxes and bags to be sorted through. He gave me a few things from my teenage years that were still in my family home, as well as some bags that he thought I might be interested in.
Here is one of the bags...
At first glance, I thought it was just some old cross stitch books.
But then I started going through the contents.
This bag holds many memories. My mother's cross stitch patterns, completed items, half stitched kits, aida and other goodies. All at least 17 years old, forgotten in the back of a wardrobe until now.
These items hold a lot of significance for me. When I was eleven I had hip surgery, and my mother was in the Canterbury Embroiderers Guild. To pass the time while I was in bed recovering, she taught me cross stitch. I started off with little things, and quickly progressed to bags, pincushions and cross stitch designs. We would both stay up late at night, stitching and talking. It really did help me through my surgeries as I had something to focus on and I ended up with some completed projects that are on display in my house today.
Look at this beautiful work- finished and then forgotten. My mum had some amazing designs and was a beautiful needle worker.
This sampler was started by me at age twelve. What an amazing thing to find it again, and now I can finish it!
I love chickens, so I was pretty excited to find this pattern in the bag.
There were even kits started by my mother, such as this one of a cat on a front porch.
I now have a beautiful collection of items to finish, as well as some new patterns to stitch and even some more threads and linen to use. I cannot wait to show my mother these forgotten items- she does not cross stitch as much as she used to but I am sure she will love going down memory lane with me. This discovery has inspired me to rediscover the art of cross stitch this winter, and I might even get to finally finish my sons' birth samplers!
Linking up with Show and Tell and Real Family Fun.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Baby giraffe card
I love using the old Fox and Friends stamp set that I have, especially on baby cards. The theme of the Frosted Designs Challenge this week is Polka Dots, so I worked in with that idea to create a baby card for a gorgeous new arrival!
The brown background was just free cut by myself to look like the land, and the tree was also free cut. The tree base was actually a candle from a birthday stamp set, and the grass was from a Dinosaur stamp set.
I used a cloud background with polka dots, the giraffe has polka dots, and the green tree is embossed with polka dots. The ribbon also has very small white polka dots on it, so I think this challenge really was up my alley.
Supplies used:
Creative Memories: Its A Boy Embossed Cardstock, Its A Boy Paper Stack Pack, Brown cardstock, Yellow cardstock, Foam Squares, White cardstock.
Stampin' Up: Fox and Friends stamp set, Create A Cupcake stamp set, Dinoroar stamp set, Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set, Calyspo Coral Ink, Island Indigo cardstock, ink and Ruffled Ribbon, Garden Green Ink, Early Espresso Ink, Modern Label Punch, Mini Glue Dots.
The brown background was just free cut by myself to look like the land, and the tree was also free cut. The tree base was actually a candle from a birthday stamp set, and the grass was from a Dinosaur stamp set.
I used a cloud background with polka dots, the giraffe has polka dots, and the green tree is embossed with polka dots. The ribbon also has very small white polka dots on it, so I think this challenge really was up my alley.
Supplies used:
Creative Memories: Its A Boy Embossed Cardstock, Its A Boy Paper Stack Pack, Brown cardstock, Yellow cardstock, Foam Squares, White cardstock.
Stampin' Up: Fox and Friends stamp set, Create A Cupcake stamp set, Dinoroar stamp set, Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set, Calyspo Coral Ink, Island Indigo cardstock, ink and Ruffled Ribbon, Garden Green Ink, Early Espresso Ink, Modern Label Punch, Mini Glue Dots.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Butterfly Cakes
I know a few people who claim to dislike sponge- but when it is slathered in cream and jam and presented prettily it can make all the difference. These butterfly cakes are fun to make with the kids, and fun to eat as well! I even have a tip up my sleeve to ensure that your sponge remains light and fluffy.
You will need:
Sponge:
3 eggs
1/2 cup castor sugar
1/4 cup boiling water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup self raising flour
1 tbsp cornflour
1 tbsp melted butter
To decorate:
lightly whipped cream
strawberry or raspberry jam
icing sugar, to dust
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Line a12 hole muffin tray. I find using pretty cupcake cases makes these butterfly cakes look wonderful when presented, but you can serve them without wrappers if you prefer, making sure you grease the muffin tray well.
Place eggs and sugar in a bowl and beat on high speed until the mixture is thick and creamy and the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
Gradually add the water and vanilla whilst beating on low speed, then beat on high speed for another five minutes.
Sift the self raising flour and cornflour together and gently fold into the egg and sugar mix, about 1/4 of the mix at a time.
Pour the melted butter down the side of the bowl and mix in gently but thoroughly.
Pour the mixture into the prepared muffin tins and immediately place in the preheated oven. Bake the sponges for about 12 minutes, they are golden brown and spring back when pressed.
Remove the tray from the oven (here comes the sponge secret!) and gently drop on the floor or the kitchen bench to release the steam inside. This keeps the sponge light and fluffy.
Leave the sponges in the tray for 2 minutes then turn out on a rack to cool.
To put together the butterfly cakes, cut a cone shape from the top of each cupcake. Fill the hole with whipped cream. Cut the scopped cone shape in half and place on top of the cream to form wings. Top with a small amount of jam and dust with icing sugar just before serving.
Linking up to Real Family Fun!
You will need:
Sponge:
3 eggs
1/2 cup castor sugar
1/4 cup boiling water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup self raising flour
1 tbsp cornflour
1 tbsp melted butter
To decorate:
lightly whipped cream
strawberry or raspberry jam
icing sugar, to dust
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Line a12 hole muffin tray. I find using pretty cupcake cases makes these butterfly cakes look wonderful when presented, but you can serve them without wrappers if you prefer, making sure you grease the muffin tray well.
Place eggs and sugar in a bowl and beat on high speed until the mixture is thick and creamy and the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
Gradually add the water and vanilla whilst beating on low speed, then beat on high speed for another five minutes.
Sift the self raising flour and cornflour together and gently fold into the egg and sugar mix, about 1/4 of the mix at a time.
Pour the melted butter down the side of the bowl and mix in gently but thoroughly.
Pour the mixture into the prepared muffin tins and immediately place in the preheated oven. Bake the sponges for about 12 minutes, they are golden brown and spring back when pressed.
Remove the tray from the oven (here comes the sponge secret!) and gently drop on the floor or the kitchen bench to release the steam inside. This keeps the sponge light and fluffy.
Leave the sponges in the tray for 2 minutes then turn out on a rack to cool.
To put together the butterfly cakes, cut a cone shape from the top of each cupcake. Fill the hole with whipped cream. Cut the scopped cone shape in half and place on top of the cream to form wings. Top with a small amount of jam and dust with icing sugar just before serving.
Linking up to Real Family Fun!
A Birthday Roar
My son is still obsessed with dinosaurs- what little boy isn't? I made this card for a special boy having a birthday soon.
The layout was inspired from the Seize The Birthday sketch:
Sorry about the lighting, we are expecting snow in a few hours here, so it is very gloomy at the moment!
I used some really old Creative Memories paper scraps from 2007, as well as a button that has been sitting in my stash for a couple of years. I am loving baker's twine at the moment, so that had to make an appearance and luckily I found some green twine in my pencil case.
The blue and green combination are the birthday boy's two favourite colours, so I am excited to see his face when he gets the card!
Supplies used:
Creative Memories: Celebrate Paper Kit, Corner Rounder, Green and White cardstock, Tape Runner, Foam Squares, Black pen.
Stampin' Up: Dinoroar stamp set, Lucky Limeade ink and twine, Bashful Blue Stampin' Write Marker, Basic Black Ink, Blender Pen.
Buttons Galore: Haberdashery Buttons- Classic Green.
The layout was inspired from the Seize The Birthday sketch:
I also jumped over to the Use It Tuesday site for some inspiration, and their theme of "Masculine" was perfect.
Here is what I came up with!
Sorry about the lighting, we are expecting snow in a few hours here, so it is very gloomy at the moment!
I used some really old Creative Memories paper scraps from 2007, as well as a button that has been sitting in my stash for a couple of years. I am loving baker's twine at the moment, so that had to make an appearance and luckily I found some green twine in my pencil case.
The blue and green combination are the birthday boy's two favourite colours, so I am excited to see his face when he gets the card!
Supplies used:
Creative Memories: Celebrate Paper Kit, Corner Rounder, Green and White cardstock, Tape Runner, Foam Squares, Black pen.
Stampin' Up: Dinoroar stamp set, Lucky Limeade ink and twine, Bashful Blue Stampin' Write Marker, Basic Black Ink, Blender Pen.
Buttons Galore: Haberdashery Buttons- Classic Green.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Go Fish!
It has been a few weeks since I have had time to play along at CASology, but I couldn't resist this week's cue word.
I printed the sentiment off on my computer in a font that I thought looked bubbly, and punched it out then inked the edges. I slipped it behind the border and had a simple fish card in less than 15 minutes!
The pun made me smile- I hope this card makes someone else smile too! Usually I steer clear of pun sayings, but this time I think it goes perfectly with my fishes.
Supplies used:
Stampin' Up: Whisper White cardstock, Pool Party cardstock and ink, Fish Frenzy roller stamp, Curly Label punch, sponges, Mini Glue Dots.
Gifted: Ribbon
Font for sentiment: Carnation
I pulled out my fish roller stamp and created this card using some ribbon that I had given to me, which I think looks like a fishing net.
I printed the sentiment off on my computer in a font that I thought looked bubbly, and punched it out then inked the edges. I slipped it behind the border and had a simple fish card in less than 15 minutes!
The pun made me smile- I hope this card makes someone else smile too! Usually I steer clear of pun sayings, but this time I think it goes perfectly with my fishes.
Supplies used:
Stampin' Up: Whisper White cardstock, Pool Party cardstock and ink, Fish Frenzy roller stamp, Curly Label punch, sponges, Mini Glue Dots.
Gifted: Ribbon
Font for sentiment: Carnation
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
B.M.W.B- Winter Must-Do List
Brrr, the wintery weather is truly upon us, with snow forecast for the end of the week. Today was spent rugged up indoors building cushion mountains and Duplo towers.
I thought I would share our winter must-do list with you. It is a list of some fun things that we can do this winter to keep children entertained and parents sane.
Feel free to print and use this for your own children!
Some of the things mentioned on this list have specific links, which I have included below:
Family Fondue Night: Based on the Gingerbread Family Fondue Night at Shaken Together.
Snow Painting: From the Kid Activity For Snow Days page on Really Quite Lucky.
Paper Cup Snowmen: Making snowmen from Playing House.
Linking up with Miriam :)
I thought I would share our winter must-do list with you. It is a list of some fun things that we can do this winter to keep children entertained and parents sane.
Feel free to print and use this for your own children!
Some of the things mentioned on this list have specific links, which I have included below:
Family Fondue Night: Based on the Gingerbread Family Fondue Night at Shaken Together.
Snow Painting: From the Kid Activity For Snow Days page on Really Quite Lucky.
Paper Cup Snowmen: Making snowmen from Playing House.
Linking up with Miriam :)
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
It's Party Time! A Giveaway
I cannot believe it has been nearly a year since I had my sweet baby boy. I am in full on party planning mode and have gotten some great ideas already, which I will be sharing with you soon.
I am one of those people who loves everything to coordinate and so when I saw Stuck On You's Party range, I was extremely excited. Look at how pretty it all is!
I love all the themes, and there are specific girl and boy themes as well as colour themes for those of you who just need a colour for things such as Baby Showers, Engagement Parties or just because!
Luckily, I have a $25 voucher to give away to one lucky reader. Entry is open worldwide and the winner will be able to choose anything from the Stuck On You website.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
I am one of those people who loves everything to coordinate and so when I saw Stuck On You's Party range, I was extremely excited. Look at how pretty it all is!
I love all the themes, and there are specific girl and boy themes as well as colour themes for those of you who just need a colour for things such as Baby Showers, Engagement Parties or just because!
Luckily, I have a $25 voucher to give away to one lucky reader. Entry is open worldwide and the winner will be able to choose anything from the Stuck On You website.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Favourite Food Bloggers
As I wrap up Chocolate Week (albeit slightly belatedly due to a hospital stay), I would like to feature some of my wonderful blogging friends who happen to be awesome cooks. Let's face it, if something has chocolate in it, it is most likely to be a crowd pleaser!
First up is the lovely Ange, who shares the best chocolate brownie recipe she has ever had.
Next up is the beautiful Laura, who shares her recipe for Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes.
Be sure to check out these wonderful ladies who have provided me with some cooking inspiration over the years.
If you can't get enough of chocolate, here are some of my tried and true chocolate posts from my blogging time:
Peanut Butter Brownie
Tan Fingers
Indulgent Chocolate Fudge Brownie
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
Thank you so much for joining me with Chocolate Week!
Monday, June 10, 2013
B.M.W.B- Edible Chocolate Play-Doh
My three year old is obsessed with chocolate, just like his Mum! He makes up songs about chocolate, and we all know how he loves to bake- and everything should have chocolate in it, according to him.
I wanted to make an edible Play-Doh for him to create some masterpieces, but a lot of the recipes either had too much salt or weren't made for eating. I combined a couple of recipes and came up with a mouldable, edible Play-Doh that is perfect for any budding chef.
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
3 Tbs cocoa powder
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/4 cup butter OR margarine at room temperature
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla (or other flavoring)
1/2 cup all purpose flour for kneading
dishes, cupcake liners, cookie cutters etc for playtime
This makes about 1 1/2 cups of Play-Doh so feel free to double or triple the ingredients as needed.
Mix the icing sugar, cocoa powder, and powdered milk in a medium bowl and set aside.
Then combine the corn syrup, butter, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat on low speed until creamy and well combined.
Once your wet mix is ready, you can add the powdered mix in about one third at a time. It should look like thick chocolate icing before you start to knead it.
Knead the dough on a well floured surface.
Now you can play! Break out the cookie cutters, cupcake liners, and other supplies. Play with it in any way you would regular play dough and even eat a bit as you do.
It is advised not to eat the whole amount, but it is comforting to know that if your child eats one of their creations, they will be fine. I may have sneaked some myself to try....
It is advised not to eat the whole amount, but it is comforting to know that if your child eats one of their creations, they will be fine. I may have sneaked some myself to try....
This will keep for up to a week in the fridge, just make sure to label it.
Linking up with Miriam at Becoming the Mama I Want To Be!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Family comes first
Chocolate Week was so much fun- but unfortunately I had to cut it short as my youngest son ended up in hospital for five days. Even though this was a scary time, it was actually nice to have a break from the social media, daily stresses and the busyness of everyday life and focus on what was really important.
My son is finally on the mend and happy at home, and I am glad to be back in my own house.
My giveaway winner for the Choclate Recipe book is.... Larissa! Congratulations, I will be in touch.
I am taking the rest of the week off to catch up on sleep and focus on getting my son back to 100%, but I will be back on Monday with the other two Chocolate Week posts I had planned.
My son is finally on the mend and happy at home, and I am glad to be back in my own house.
My giveaway winner for the Choclate Recipe book is.... Larissa! Congratulations, I will be in touch.
I am taking the rest of the week off to catch up on sleep and focus on getting my son back to 100%, but I will be back on Monday with the other two Chocolate Week posts I had planned.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
