Mouth Watering Macaroons

I have made up a batch of the most amazing Chocolate Macaroons, filled with a chocolate ganache. The only problem was that they were all eaten within 24 hours! Next time I will make up double the quantity so there is some left to take to school in my lunchbox. I used Nigella Lawson's recipe from "How to be a Domestic Goddess". You can find the recipe here.

For Technology and Enterprise at school this term, we had to build and race our own Billy Carts. Yesterday my Dad came to school to help my team put together our Billy Cart. We made it out of items we found during a recent kerbside bulk rubbish collection in our neighbourhood. We had fun racing them today at school.

Posted By Sarah

It is Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas....

... with the arrival of a wonderful package from the talented Terri from Purple and Paisley as part of our Christmas in July Swap. Terri very generously sent double of everything as Sarah and I had participated as pair. You should have seen our faces when we saw all the gorgeous packages - all tied up with strips of Christmas fabric.

First up were the matching Christmas stockings with embroidered details. These will take pride of place on our mantle piece this Christmas.

A hand stencilled and coffee dyed little pillow and tree ornament.

A crocheted tea cup in cushion and little pouch, complete with panda bear button(Sarah's favourite animal)

Felt Christmas Tree kits complete with felt baubles and decorations so that Sarah and I can enjoy some crafty time together

Cookbook with yummy Cookie recipes and some Christmas Recipe cards for all the treats we will deliver this Christmas.

Terri sent us a lovely letter explaining each item. Thanks again Terri for your thoughtfulness and care that you have put into each of these wonderful items. We really treasure them:)

Posted by Lisa and Sarah

His PJ's for Her! (plus swap package)

Has anyone noticed that Men's clothing is substantially cheaper than Women's? It doesn't seem equitable to me, especially as their clothing uses up more fabric!  It inspired me to remake some Men's PJ's that I bought from the local discount variety store - Big W - to fit me. Men's PJ' are often in boring colours and stripes but with the addition of some colourful fabric and trim, I have jazzed them up quite a bit:)

Here is what I did:

• Firstly, the PJ’s had their arms and leg lengths trimmed to fit, and a contrasting polka dot fabric band was attached, with ricrac.
• The Pants were too high waisted for my liking so I cut off the existing band plus a couple of inches to reposition the waist. A colourful drawstring was inserted in the casing, in addition to the elastic,
• to ensure a good fit.
• The buttons have been replaced with fabric covered buttons to match the polka dot bands on the sleeves and legs.
• The collar has been given a ricrac trim.
• Finally a star appliqué has been applied to the pocket.

All in all it was a fun remodel. It is freezing here at the moment so I am yet to try them out - my flannel PJ's are my preferred option.

Sarah and I recently participated in a Christmas in July swap that was beautifully organised by the super talented Linda and Stephanie! We were most excited to have Barbara from So Many Ideas, So Little Time as our partner. Here is some of what we sent her -

Posted by Lisa

Our Week!

Sorry that it has been a bit quiet over here at "A Spoonful of Sugar". Due to a computer malfunction on DS's computer we had to re-load  a lot of software and updates again which used up most of our monthly broadband allowance - we are on strict internet rations for the next two weeks so I apologise for not answering emails and leaving comments! 

Sarah and I are having a run of good luck lately. We recently won a giveaway over at Lucky Frog and Rumi sent us this very clever and practical reusable gift bag - it is such a brilliant idea! She also popped in some cupcakes and sprinkles fabric for us (she knows us too well)- thanks again Rumi! 

We are having some cold and wet weather here over the past weeks. I have been running up some lavender and wheat bags for gifts. 

Over the weekend, I made up a batch of apple and custard cupcakes - they got the seal of approval from the family so will be making more of these. They have a delicious custard filling in the centre of the cake - yummm. You can find the recipe at Sugar Fish. Thanks Ruth!

Posted by Lisa

Wild about Penguins

We received this sweet penguin brooch from Hayley at REread. If you aren't familiar with this talented blogger you should head over to have a look at her blog and her etsy store. She turns tales into art by creating handmade brooches  from salvaged children’s books. Each piece in unique and individual - it is repurposing at its best! The Penguin brooch is beautifully made and was sent in a sweet envelope that had been made from a vintage book.  Hayley at  REread generously gives away a brooch each week. Thanks so much Hayley - we were delighted to win your penguin.

I have been doing lots of baking during the school holidays. One of my favourite recipes is baking these chocolate chip muffins -

Choc Chip Muffins

2 1/2 cups self raising flour

90 g butter, chopped

1 cup caster sugar

1 1/4 cups milk

1 egg, beaten lightly

1 cup choc chips

Preheat oven to 180 deg C. Put baking cases in muffin pan. Place flour in bowl and rub in butter. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, and choc chips until just combined. Divide mixture among baking cases. Bake for approx 20 minutes. 

Makes 12

Posted by Sarah

Cupcake Gifts

As you know, Sarah and I love anything cupcake related. I was inspired when I bought a stack of these pretty Robert Gordon baking cases from Spotlight to make some cupcakes of the ineditible variety. I made the little "cupcakes" to use as a baby shower decoration - they were fun and quick to assemble. I think they would also make sweet little gifts to tuck into a gift basket for a Mum-to-Be. 

If you want to make some, here's what you need:

Materials:
White face cloth
Paper Baking Cases
Comforter/dummy
Ribbon
Ric rac trim

Fold the face cloth into a strip that is slightly wider that the height of the baking case. Roll it up tightly and insert it into the baking case. Position a length of ric rac around the baking case and secure it with a piece of double sided tape. Position the comforter in the top of the “cupcake” and decorate it with a ribbon. 

You could also make these by rolling up little singlets or onesies. If you want to make it suitable for another occasion, you could pop in a wash cloth and use a bath bead or small guest soap as the cherry on top. 

Posted by Lisa

Pretty Little Presents

Today has got off to a fantastic start! Firstly Sarah and I treated ourselves to our very first professional manicares thanks to a gift voucher I was given through a loyalty program. We felt very pampered and we then arrived home to find two packages at the front door.

First up, an advance copy of Pretty Little Presents had arrived from Lark Books. I submitted my projects back in June last year so it was exciting to finally see them in print. They have been beautifully styled. The book has some lovely projects - including some by other talented Aussie ladies - Belinda from Tuttifruiti and Marina from Wink Designs.

Not sure if I am supposed to be showing you what is inside but I am sure a quick peak won't hurt! I have four projects featured included:

Notebook Cover

Travel Wallet

Lingerie Portfolio 

and Jewellery Roll

I made up lots of these Jewellery Roll's last year for gifts. I prefer to fold rather than roll them though:)

The other exciting package waiting for me was a Slow Cooker (that I got through FlyBuys- it only took me 4 years of shopping at Coles to qualify)! I can't wait to cook some slow roasted lamb shanks with creamy mash - perfect for our wintery weather.

Posted by Lisa

Quick Gift Bags

Sarah and I are always baking and love to give our home baked goodies to friends. Here is a quick method for a  gift bag - perfect for holding a stack of cookies or muffins. (We usually place the cookies in a clear cellophane bag first).

Ikea stock a range of double sided gift wrap which is perfect for this project! If you are after a more durable gift bag - scrap booking paper would make a more professional result.

Find a box that is the size you want for the gift bag. Tissue boxes work well. Cut the paper as if you were wrapping the box. Wrap the paper around the circumference of the box and secure with double sided tape. Ensure you get a crisp edge on each of the four sides of the box. 

Fold down the paper at the bottom of the box and secure with tape. Remove the tissue box. 

With the front of the gift bag facing you, push the sides inwards and fold.

Fold down the top opening of the bag and punch two holes in the top of the bag. When the gift bag has been filled, thread some ribbon through the holes, and tie to secure.

I have finished sewing my quilt top together and now need to add the borders. I am loving how it is shaping up!

We are coming up to 150 posts this month - so stay tuned - we have an exciting giveaway planned!

Posted by Lisa

Snippets

According to Wikepedia, a Snippet is a small piece of something. Here are a few Snippets from my week....

Crafting

I have been working on a few projects for a magazine. Here is a peak at one of the projects..

Shopping

I couldn't pass up with lovely Kokka print from Hot Possum

Entertaining

I made up a versatile cream cheese and herb filling which was piped onto cucumbers and mini toasts to make two different savouries. 

Quitlting

I have been working on my String Quilt - 32 blocks done, 16 to go!!

School holidays start next week and I have a week off from my day job. Looking forward to sleep in's, family time, and lots of crafting.

Posted by Lisa