Friday 31 December 2010

Reflections and Happy New Year

Goodbye 2010, hello 2011.  Before we roll over to 2011, here are a few reflections according to Stripey one of our cats.

  Make time to enjoy the sunshine, it might be raining tomorrow.

  A good bath can solve a lot of problems.

 Hard work has its rewards.

Families are everything.

If you are going to take a break, make sure you have a good magazine near by to read while you sip your cup of tea/coffee.

When it all gets a bit much, go to bed and contemplate the wall.  This too shall pass.
 

Get out in the fresh air and smell those roses.

Never underestimate the power of touch.


Here's looking forward to whatever 2011 brings.


HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.

Anne  xx

Thursday 30 December 2010

Doodle bird

A few days ago I was doodling in my sketch book which I use for ideas for card illustrations and stamps.  This little bird evolved and I decided to turn it into a stamp which I've called my Doodle Bird stamp.
 
Sketch book doodles.

Doodle Bird stamp and images.
A slightly cleaner Doodle Bird.
My thanks to Chantal of Chantal Vincent Art (see the button on my sidebar), for inspiring me to have a shot at making my own stamps.  I am happy to say that my technique for carving stamps is improving.

By the way, check out Chantal's blog for a gorgeous free twitter hummingbird design for your blog.  You are so generous Chantal.

Happy creating everyone,

Anne  xx

Wednesday 29 December 2010

White hydrangeas and agapanthus


I love this combination of white flowers from my garden, hydrangeas and agapanthus.  White is so serene.



Linking up with Faded Charm  for White Wednesday.

Anne xx



Op-portunities

Today I had to visit the nurse to get a fresh dressing on my thumb, which fortunately is healing really well.  Hopefully steri strips and bandage will be coming off in a week.  While I was out and about, I had a few other bits and pieces to do, return books to the library, post some letters and return a DVD.  Guess what happens to be right next door to the DVD store?   An op. shop.  :)  Of course I just had to go in and have a peek and look what I came home with for $7.00.

The lamp was $2.00 and although it needs some work, I think it was a steal.  A good vacuum and clean and it will look lovely.  The enamel container will be used as a pot plant holder and the two photo frames will be painted off white.  The photo frame with the funiture pictures is for Miss G. as she is decorating her room in a French theme and I/she thinks this will suit that theme.
 The little silver pieces and cut glass pieces will be put away until I find the perfect place/decorating idea for them.  I might use them to hold candles.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

What was your last bargain?  I love hearing bargain hunting stories.

Anne xx

Tuesday 28 December 2010

Christmas biscuits

Hello everyone, I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and have enjoyed getting together with family and friends.  I wanted to share with you a recipe for Christmas Biscuits I came across a few years ago, the same biscuits I was making when I chopped the end of my thumb.  Fortunately Miss G. was on hand to take over so we were still able to enjoy them on Christmas Day.


Christmas Biscuits/Cookies
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes about 50 - 60 biscuits

Ingredients:
100g macadamia nuts (almonds would work too if macadamias are too expensive)
125g dried apricots
180g white chocolate
250g unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
2 eggs
2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 cup of craisins
2 1/2 cups rolled oats

1.  Preheat oven to 180C.  Line baking trays with baking paper.  Using a large sharp knife, roughly chop macadamia nuts and put in a mixing bowl.  Roughly cut apricots with scissors and add to nuts.  Roughly chop chocolate (under no circumstances allow your fingers or thumb to make contact with a very large, very sharp kitchen knife), and add to nut and apricot mixture.
2.  Chop butter into small pieces and put in a large mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric beater until soft and creamy.  Add brown and caster sugars and beat until the mixture has increased in volume and the sugar has dissolved.  Add vanilla essence and eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition.
3.  Sift flour and bicarbonate of soda and add to the creamed butter and sugar mixture.  Add prepared nut, fruit and chocolate mixture, craisins and rolled oats and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is well combined.  
4.  For each biscuit measure about two teaspoons of the mixture and press into a round shape.  Mixture will be sticky.  Allow for biscuits to spread on trays.  Bake for 10 - 12 minutes.  Remove cookies from the ray and stand on a wire rack until completely cold.  Enjoy.

Anne xx

Friday 24 December 2010

Sticking out like a sore thumb

Christmas is an exciting time for many people.  The anticipation of family time, good food, perhaps a gift or two under the tree, the decorations etc.  I did mention good food didn't I?  I was in the middle of making some yummy Christmas biscuits (I'll share the recipe after Christmas), when the top of my left thumb decided to make contact with the big kitchen knife while I was chopping chocolate into pieces.  Fantastic timing wouldn't you agree?  :)   The day before Christmas.   Fortunately Miss G. was home and was able to get me a face washer to press against my thumb in an attempt to stop the profuse bleeing.   The pain was, well, rather bad. *@##*@***!!!
 
Fortunately my neighbour was home and was able to drive me to the G.P. and have the nurse look at it for me.  No stitches were required, phew, although I have some pretty impressive bandaging to stop any further bleeding and perhaps to remind me to ask for help in the kitchen.  Although I think the throbbing will be all the reminder I need.  Washing the dishes can be done one handed, but it's perhaps not the most thorough dish washing  I've ever done. :)


I still managed to get most things done before our Christmas visitor arrived.  My apron was still on when I took this photo and as you can see, I can still type.  :)

Sweet Christmas Eve dreaming everyone,

Anne  xx

Wednesday 22 December 2010

Merry Christmas


Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas filled with fun, friendship, joy, peace and love.

Anne  xx

Tuesday 21 December 2010

Sunday 19 December 2010

I haven't finished

Well I thought I was all finished with making pretty decorations for Christmas.  Apparently not.  When that creative urge strikes, you've just got go with it.


 
This little round decoration was originally destined for the tree (what was I thinking), but it was just too big so now it sits behind these little birds.  I made the decoration by sewing two circles of white felt together and stuffing with poly filler.  (Looks like a little mini cushion).  I cut some lengths of silver sparkly ric rac and hot glued them to the doily (op. shop for $1.00).  I then either sewed or hot glued a selection of silver, gold and white buttons on to the doily which was then hand sewn on to the white felt mini cushion.  A little more Christmas cheer in the corner of the lounge room can't hurt.

And how do you like my little blogging buddy.  He came and sat next to me and put his paw out so he was touching my leg.  This is just one of the reasons why I love cats.

Have a lovely day everyone and to all the wonderful people in the U.K. who are coping with white stuff from the sky, stay safe and warm.

Anne  xx

Saturday 18 December 2010

Chantal's Eiffel tower stamp

Chantal of Chantal Vincent Art very kindly gave me her lovely hand carved stamp of the Eiffel tower.  Thank you so much Chantal for your generosity, I received it safe and sound on Thursday.

I thought you would like to know Chantal that it has been used already by Miss G.  She has made birthday cards for the birthday twins using the Eiffel tower stamp as they were on a school French trip together last year.  She thought it would add a nice touch to her cards and it has.


The stamp is exquisitely made Chantal, just beautiful.  Thank you so much.

Anne  xx

Christmas owls

While out doing my last bit of Christmas shopping during the week, I saw some little owls sitting in a bowl in one of the shops I went into.  They weren't for Christmas decorations but they inspired me to make something similar to put on our tree.
They're a little bit quirky, but that's what I love.

Anne

Friday 17 December 2010

The craftiness of Miss G.

It seems that school holidays is bringing out the craftiness in Miss G.  She is going to a birthday party tomorrow night for two friends who just happen to be twin sisters.  Miss G. decided to wanted to add a little something extra to their gifts and this is what she made. 

Quirky keyrings with her friends' first name initials.  I don't know where this daughter of mine comes up with these ideas?  Well I do actually.  :)  Lucky she has her mum's craft supplies to raid.

This photo was taken with the flash so it's a bit washed out.

I wonder what Miss G. will come up with next in her crafty journey?

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Anne  xx

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Button covered tootsie holders - full reveal

Miss G. has worked hard the last few days to finish sewing buttons on her shoes.  Here are some photos of the finished product.
These photos were taken by Miss G., very artisitic I think.  We went shopping at the big shopping centre near us this morning (my shopping is finished) and she was given some very interesting looks from people when they saw what was on her feet.  Oh to be a teenager again.  The freedom of expression.  :)

Anne xx

Tuesday 14 December 2010

Christmas decorations

The Christmas tree and assorted lights, tinsel and ornaments went up last night.



This bauble was made by Miss C. in kindergarten.  Isn't it gorgeous?  It's been hanging on our tree for 15 years now.  It's amazing what a little girl can do with a white ceramic bauble, paint and glitter glue.


This is my favourite ornament.  Please excuse my reflection in the bauble, I didn't think about that when I was taking the photo.  Ooops!


I hope everyone is happy and healthy,

Anne  xx



Monday 13 December 2010

Button covered tootsie holder

What happens when Miss G. buys a $6.00 pair of shoes from K-mart?
What happens when Miss G. raids her mother's button collection?
You get THIS!!!!
When these shoe are completed, they will be covered in buttons.  Awesome!!!  Seems I'm not the only one with creative urges in this house.  Full shoe reveal coming soon.

Anne  xx

Sunday 12 December 2010

Creative frenzy


What's a girl to do when she's fresh back from a mini break?  It's Saturday night, she needs to tackle the laundry, the housework, the cooking etc.  She goes into a creative frenzy instead and makes things for pleasure and Christmas presents.


The kilt pin brooch is destined for a niece as are the pair of black and silver earrings.  I had a bit of a sore neck after working at this for several hours last night, but I sure did have fun.

Hope everyone is well, happy and calm.

Anne  xx

Saturday 11 December 2010

Beach break

Beach air stills smells good, the sound of waves relaxing and sand is still gritty and manages to get in your sandwiches, scratch your sunglasses and get incredibly hot in the sun.  Miss G. and I had a lovely few days at the beach and although the weather wasn't particularly kind, we were able to spend 4 hours one day relaxing on the sand.  

 Two pairs of feet in the sunshine.  I fear something is terribly wrong with the horizon.
Isn't nice to know that 17 year old daughters aren't too old to make a sand castle.
Yours truly sheltering from the wind and the sun.  My fair freckly skin can't take too much sun and sunscreen is a must for me in the middle of the day.
 Miss G. is into taking interesting photos.  I didn't know she took this shot of me reading behind her great mountains of sand.
 Looking north up the bay.
Looking towards Rye pier.

One day was raining with thunderstorms so we opted to stay indoors and read books and watch DVD's.  We also managed to go thrift shopping and Miss G. found 4 photo frames she is going to redecorate for her bedroom.  We also found time for a gelato.  Miss G. sensibly chose chocolate while I thought I would try something different, pistachio.  It was horrible and tasted like fake almond flavouring.  Next time I'll play it safe too.

I made a discovery while we were away, sleeping bags and me do not get along.  I was borrowing Miss C.'s sleeping bag and I couldn't move around properly as it is quite a narrow bag.  Can you picture me in the middle of the night all trussed up and suddenly having a hot flush?  There I was trying desperately to find the zip on the side to open up the bag and cool off.  I couldn't move my arms properly, the zip had moved under me and of course it was dark so I couldn't begin to see what was going on.  It must have been a funny sight.

Well back to reality now and the pre-Christmas preparations.

Anne  xx