In The Kitchen......

Most of my free time will be spent in the kitchen over the two weeks. Some of my recipes are going to feature in a cookbook to be published in a few months time, and I need to perfect them and get them ready for styling and photographing. It is very exciting - although I am not professionally trained, I have had a love of cooking and baking (and eating) for many years!

Here is a sneak peak at my Baby Lime Syrup Cakes (These ones were photographed by me a few weeks ago). I can't wait to see what the stylist does to all my recipes.







Baby Lime Syrup Cakes

Ingredients:

125 g unsalted butter, softened
175 g caster sugar
175 g self raising flour, sifted
2 eggs
Zest of one lime
Pinch of salt
100ml milk

Syrup:

100ml lime juice (juice from 1-2 limes)
100g icing sugar
Few drops of coconut essence

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 12 hole muffin tin and line each hole with two strips of paper to assist in gently lifting the cakes out when cooked.
Cream together butter and sugar. Add the eggs and lime zest and beat well. Gently fold in the flour and salt, and then the milk.
Spoon mixture into the muffin tins and cook for 25 minutes.
While the cakes are cooking prepare the syrup by adding the icing sugar, lime juice, and coconut essence and heating gently on the stovetop until the sugar is dissolved.
When the baby lime cakes are cooked, place the tin on a wire rack and prick them all over with a cake tester. Pour the syrup evenly over the cakes and allow to cool slightly. 
When the cakes have cooled slightly and most of the syrup has been absorbed, gently loosen each cake with a knife and then gently remove from the tin using the paper strips.
The cakes can be decorated with a dollop of lime cream cheese frosting and some lime zest.


My husband went to a conference last week and gave me his conference satchel. I liked its size and messenger bag style and decided it would be perfect when I am doing home visits with my clients. So I transferred it from this……..

……..to this!!

We were  tagged by  the lovely Jen of Happy Stash for the 6 random facts meme (you have to check out her funny story about her applique related injury!). Here goes:

1. I am allergic to cats and dogs
2. My two children, my Mother, my sister, my brother, and myself were all born on the 6th of a month
3. I have lived in 4 countries, 6 cities, and more than 11 houses/apartments since getting married in 1990.
4. I am 5th generation Australian
5. I am a middle child
6. I love writing lists…

I won’t tag any one in particular but feel free to play along if you would like!

Posted by Lisa

Sweet Smelling Soap

During the school holidays, I made some soap after seeing the ones made by Day to Day. It was a simple recipe and smells really nice. After making it, I let it harden for a few days. Today I wrapped it up with tissue and some ribbon. I finished it off with a sticker I made. This is what they look like:

I would also like to thank Christy for giving my Mum and I an award this week. Check out the notice board pins she has made today!

Posted by Sarah

Things That Make Me Smile.....

I returned to work this week, the kids returned to school, and my husband returned from a business trip! It is always a struggle getting back into a routine after a relaxing break, especially with the cold mornings we have been having lately! My spirits have been lifted this week by……

1. Happy mail from Liz at Broderie. I recently discovered Liz’s blog and left a comment. She then emailed me to say that as I had left the 100th comment on her blog, she wanted to send us a package of goodies! Sarah and I were delighted to receive lots of lovely supplies including: cross stitch kit; cross stitch books; patterns; floss; buttons; and adorable covered tape measures (might need to start a collection of these!!).

As many of you Victorians no doubt know, Liz until recently was behind the Broderie section of Amitie. Prior to that she managed Bustle and Bows for 10 years. You must check out her wonderful blog!!

2. We recently won a giveaway over at The Royal Sisters, and won a pattern to make our very own “Sally Sleeps A-lot” softie. She is a recumbent princess dreaming of her prince! Real life sisters, Michelle and Belinda , have joined forces in the Royal Sisters and make the most adorable dolls. Go and check them out!

3. To cheer myself up at work, I decided that my government issue work diary needed a makeover. I spent the last day of my holidays whipping up this diary cover.

Hope you all find things to smile about this week.......

Posted by Lisa

Covered Tape Measure Tutorial

I had a number of lovely comments about the Covered Tape Measure that I made for Carla as part of Linda's Pincushion Swap. So I have whipped up a couple more and made a tutorial for those that are interested! They are quick and easy, and a great way to use up those little scraps!

You can find the Tutorial here! I have also added a link in the side bar.
EDIT: The cardboard template is removed after you have pressed the top and bottom pieces.

EDIT: Have just added some new photos for a Flower Tape Measure here.

You can embellish your covered tape measure by adding embroidered details, yo yo's, buttons, appliques etc. If you make any, I would love to see them!



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Great Mail Day

Sarah and I had the best mail day ever yesterday when we received a lovely package from Rachael of Rachael Rabbit as part of the Cupcake and Tea Swap. Rachael knows that Sarah and I love to bake and are cupcake aficionado’s so made us the perfect apron with a gorgeous cupcake appliquéd on the pocket for embellishment! It is made in the softest pastel colours with a gorgeous cupcake print – just beautiful (it has been quite wintry here today so was tricky getting photos that do it justice!). She also sent some sweet cupcake flannel (which I already have some great ideas for), some chamomile tea, and a lovely moo card which is now proudly displayed in our sewing studio! Thanks so much Rachael for your generosity.

I have always been a hand quilter but am now finding that I am constrained by time (just ask Sarah who has been patiently waiting for her quilt for the past 18 months!). I decided I need to bite the bullet and learn how to free motion quilt. I have been practicing (on my new Fab U Motion) and wanted a quick project to test my new found skills. I whipped up this little quilted box that is the perfect size to store some fat quarters in (don't look too closely at the quilting!). I think I will whip up some more so that I can get some extra practice in before I tackle a quilt top that has been a UFO for the past 5 years….

Thanks for all the lovely comments on the last post. For those of you that asked, I spotted a covered retractable tape measure in a Japanese craft magazine. I am planning on putting together a tutorial on how I made it - it is fun little project - so pop back in a few days!

Sarah and I also received a lovely award from Meri of  Agulhas da Meri   a few days ago! Thanks Meri.

Posted by Lisa

Swaps and More

Sarah and I have been having fun with swaps over the past few weeks. Our lovely swap partner, Carla, has received our pincushions now so we are able to post some pictures. As we are a team, Sarah and I both made a pincushion for Carla. 

This is the one Sarah made…..

……and I made this little hedgehog (although I think it looks more like a mouse without a tail!), a matching tape measure cover, and needlebook.

Our cupcake swap package has been mailed off so we will post pics when it has been received. We have also signed up for the Childrens Sewing Kit Swap and are busily putting together a kit for our partner.

Sarah and I decoupaged some clipboards after seeing these. I was thrilled to find Mod Podge at Riot. 

I have been busy labeling everything in sight in our sewing room using my sticker machine. I have never been so organized!

If you are looking for inspiration for Christmas or other gift occasions, check out the compilation of great ideas at 30 Handmade Days.

Posted By Lisa

Funky Craft and More Baking

This week I have made some funky CD mobiles. They look really effective!

This is how I  made them: I first placed a CD top side up. Then placed some monofilament thread (or fishing line would work just as well) down the middle and put some glue on the CD. Then lay another CD on top with the writing facing inwards. Continue this until it is a length you are happy with. I strung them up from the light fitting in my room.

I have also made these delicous cupcakes with butter cream frosting and marshmallow flowers.

Posted By Sarah

Holiday Sewing

The school holidays have got off to a great start with lots of sleeping in, movies, and catching up with friends. Sarah and I have also had some time to enjoy our new creative space.

I have made myself a denim apron, embellished with some simple stitchery, out of this book.

I made myself a pair of PJ’s out of some fabric I bought from here.

I made up a crochet hook roll using Amy Butler Midwest Modern for my Mum to store her extensive collection of hooks!

I have been working on some items for my cupcake swap this week but can’t give much away yet! My pincushion swap was mailed a week ago and I will post photos as soon as my partner has received it.

Posted by Lisa

Brownies and Blondies

This week I have been doing some baking. My slices turned out really well so I thought I would share the recipes.

Choc-Caramel Brownies

Makes 12-20

175g butter, chopped
200g dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 ⅔ cup plain flour
200g jersey caramels, chopped 

Grease 20 × 30cm lamington tin; line base and two long sides with baking paper. Melt butter and chocolate in a heat proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir in sugar, eggs, sifted flour and jersey caramels: mix well. Spread mixture into prepared tin. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes or until firm to touch. Leave to cool. To serve, cut into rectangles and serve warm or cold.

Blondies

Makes 12-20

125g butter
100g white chocolate, chopped
1 cup self raising flour
½ cup plain flour
½ cup caster sugar
¼ brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Grease 19 × 29cm rectangular tin; base and two long sides with baking paper. Place butter and chocolate in a saucepan; Stir over low heat until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Sift flours and sugars in a large bowl. Stir in chocolate mixture and eggs: mix well. Spread mixture into prepared tin. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes or until skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool. Cut into squares.

In my Blondies I added some m'n'm baking bits for a change.

Both of these slices are really quick, easy and yummy recipes.

My source was: Australian House and Garden Magazine June 2002

Posted by Sarah

Changing Rooms....

The room, previously known as our guest room, has been transformed from this…….



To this! It is complete with lots of lovely storage (thanks to DH for his Ikea assembly!)




Room to display some treasured vintage patterns





A work station for me ……





………..And one for Sarah! (Her first project is going to be to make a sewing machine cover for my old machine).




The rest of the supplies are stashed away in the walk in robe so I have no excuse now for not keeping it looking organized!

I decoupaged some luggage tags made of thick card to label my baskets. I still need to label all my magazine holders and plastic crates/tubs that are stored in the cupboard and robe.

I finished off these flannel PJ’s for Sarah.

Posted by Lisa

Some Great Tutorials

Thank you to everyone for their get well wishes – I am pleased to say that the whole family is now fighting fit once again! School holidays start this weekend so we are pleased to be over our flu/colds.

I had a trip to Ikea this morning and stocked up on a storage unit and some bits and pieces for our new Sewing Studio. Hopefully I will get it all sorted out over the weekend and will be able to share some pics with you next week. I am looking forward to having my sewing supplies all in the one room and not having to shift everything whenever the room is needed as a guest room.

I am constantly inspired by all the great tutorials out there in blog land. I tried my hand at a few this week.

I made Creative Little Daisy’s Keychain





And greetingarts Sticky notes Books. 

I have bookmarked a few others for Sarah and I to do over the school holiday period.

Grace Violets Decoupage Notebook 

Day to Day's  Soap making

I have also been busy making some PJ’s for Sarah. I made this pair out of Prints Charming fabric that I bought at Hot Possum. It is lovely fabric to work with – very soft!

I have nearly completed a pair of winter flannel PJ’s for Sarah that I will show next time.

Posted by Lisa