What I've Been Reading…

Hi! Welcome back :) I have been fighting a lurgy lately, and haven't felt particularly crafty. But I have been devouring some gorgeous books. This is what I have been reading lately…

I love a good interior design book and Bright Bazaar hits the mark.  Written by Will Taylor and full of gorgeous ideas, photos and tips for embracing colour for "make-you-smile" style.  

Learn to Sew! by Tessa Evelegh is every beginner sewer's dream (mind you I've been a beginner sewer for about 11 years :)).  The amazing projects in this book are so refreshing for a beginner sewer, it also has great instructions.  

If I Stay by Gayle Forman has received a lot of hype recently due to a movie of the same name that is being released later this month in Australia.  I am a sucker for sad  teenager novels….maybe it reminds me of all those angst teenage years. :)

I am not ashamed to admit I have a little penchant for teapots.  I sometimes find them in the most funny places, but most I have collected from my travels.  Here are some of my favourites….

 Is there a little collector in you?  My mum collects scenic wear from all over Australia and I also collect obscure tins..remind me to show you one day ;)


Kimberlee xx:)xx

What I've Been Loving…

Hi!  Over the last couple of months I have been absolutely loving What Delilah Did and the book 'Storyland Cross Stitch' by Sophie Simpson.  I first borrowed this book through my library and I quickly bought my own copy!  It is such a gorgeous book with beautiful drawings, patterns and photos it really makes my imagination run wild!  I have always been a fan mythical beasts and trust me this book is full of them!

I am so in love with this book I really want to make everything within it's pages.  Do you have a favourite craft book that you just can't get enough of?

Happy Days!
Kimberlee xx:)xx

Lately...

Hello!  Lately I have been getting into journaling.  I don't know why I haven't picked it up before now, as I am a geeky stationery lover.  Stationery and I go wayyy back.  So when I saw a cute journal in Big W with gorgeous paper inserts for only $15, I just had to have it!  I am in no way an artist but the main thing I like about having my journal is popping in bits and pieces of inspiration.  My journal is by La De Dah and just quietly it is my new obsession!  Clippings and scraps of materials, different textures, colours and my ramblings fill my pages.    Do you journal?  What do you like to fill yours with?

Have you heard about Hundreds and Thousands Magazine?  It is an Australian handmade zine that supports all things handmade.  I recently purchased their second edition from their online store and I'm in love!    The zine is such a thoughtful collection of stories, craft ideas, baking and inspirations!  

I just had to make my own fabric tape from the magazine.  It was such a simple fun craft to do on a Saturday night in front of the television watching a movie.  Cut strips of your fabric making sure it is wide enough for your double sided tape.  Peel off one side of your double sided tape and smooth onto the back of your fabric, making sure to smooth out those bubbles!  Trim each side of the fabric strip in line with the double sided tape.  Done…just cut your tape to size and peel off the backing.  I love, love this idea.   Have you ever made fabric tape?

Kimberlee xx:)xx

Beading and Baking

Hello!  Over the last couple of weeks I have been collecting coloured workable clay that can be baked in the oven to harden such as Fimo and Sculpey.

I wanted to test both of them to see how they were in ease of use, colour retainment and outcome.  With my clay I only attempted making beads which required a bit of kneading, some rolling in the palms, making a hole with a skewer and baking.  It was that easy.  I found the Fimo a little harder to kneed but the finish was great, no finger print marks and it was smooth.  While the Sculpey was easier to kneed but because it was so soft I found I left little finger prints in the clay.  Both clays were baked at the Fimo instructions (Sculpey had no instructions on the packaging) 110 degrees Celsius for 30 mins.  I loved the outcome, the colours were retained after baking and the beads were hard and set.  This would also be a great activity to get the kids involved.  The websites both offer some cool ideas on what else you can do with the clay such as jewelry, homewares and figurines.   I ended up making a necklace with some of my beads and will probably use the rest as decorations for presents etc.

This week I also made a variation on the Raspberry Blissmas cake I made for Mother's Day a month or so back.   It was my sister's birthday in the first week of June and I made her a Cherry Blissmas cake, involving a chocolate sponge and cherry/cream/marshmallow centre.  Yum, I definitely think this cake is very versatile and can be made with other berries.

I also baked some raspberry friands this week and thought I would share my favourite recipe by Margaret Fulton.

• 175g butter
• grated rind of 1 orange
• 1 cup ground almonds
• 1 2/3 cup sifted icing sugar
• 1/3 cup & 1 tbs of plain flour
• 5 egg whites
• 200g fresh or frozen raspberries

Preheat oven to 230 degrees Celsius.  Grease friand or cupcake moulds with butter.  Put the butter in a small saucepan and cook gently until the butter is pale gold - set aside.  Place the ground almonds in a bowl with the orange rind, icing sugar and flour - mix well until combined.  Add egg whites and pour in butter carefully holding back browned solids.  Mix well.  Bake for 5 minutes, reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees Celsius and bake for a further 12-15 minutes  Turn off oven and leave in oven for 5 minutes.  Remove and turn out onto cooling rack.

I always forget how tasty and easy these little delights are.  They are such a pleasure to make :)

How has your week been?

Kimberlee xx:)xx

Creative outlets

Hi! These past couple of weeks I have been extremely grateful for creative outlets.  How nice to get together with a like-minded person and talk craft, inspirations and ideas.  My major creative outlet has always been my mum.  Mum is a keen crafter,  with many a skill up her sleeve (folk art, sewing, patch working to name a few).   She is the 'go-to' for my sewing mishaps or design disasters! 
And for the past 8 months another outlet has been work!  I work with a wonderful lady who is absolutely crafty and talented.  All that comes out of our mouths is craft, food, and craft!  Her wonderful talent definitely runs in the family because her daughter is the lovely Moose & Bird.  Denise has spent a few lunch hours being very patient and teaching me how to knit.  At first I felt like I was learning to tie my shoelaces for the first time.  Being used to one hook when crocheting to multitasking two needles was hard!  But I fumbled through and learnt the basic knit stitch.  Now I am challenged to try purl.
Another creative outlet I am grateful for is Brisstyle.  Brisstyle is an association which brings together artists and crafters through markets, workshops and events which is of course in Brisbane!  I checked out the Brisstyle Indie Markets back in May, and through my visit and on instagram have connected with some ultra talented people. 

My bookspirations these last couple of weeks have been...

I have been doing a cross stitch from the Storyland Cross Stitch, the book contains gorgeous patterns to follow.  The pattern I chose was the Jackalope.

Do you have any books/mags that get your creative ideas flowing?


Kimberlee xx:)xx

Spreading some love..

Hello! I love a good chocolate slice and this recipe has been pleasing my family for over 20 years!  The recipe comes from an Australian Women's Weekly book call The Big Book of Beautiful Biscuits.  This recipe is such an institution that everyone in my family makes this recipe..my mum, sister, brother and now even my 13 year old niece bakes it.  I can admit that sometimes I have stuffed up the recipe…like the time when I  was about 14 I added a cup of cocoa instead of 1 tablespoon.   But it is foolproof!  So here it is…

Chocolate Fudge Bars 

• 1 cup of plain flour
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of coconut
• 1 tablespoon of cocoa
• 185g (6oz) butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate icing

• 1 cup of icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa
• 30g (1oz) butter
• 11/2 tablespoons of hot water
• coconut

Sift dry ingredients into bowl, add melted butter and vanilla, mix well.  Press mixture over base of greased 28cm x 18cm (11in x 7in) lamington  tin.  Bake in a moderate oven for 20 minutes.  Cool in tin.  When cold, ice with Chocolate Icing, sprinkle with coconut.  Cut into bars when icing has set.

Chocolate icing: Sift icing sugar and cocoa in small bowl, add melted butter and water, mix until icing is smooth and glossy.

I even hunted out my own copy of this book at an op-shop, it's such a treasure to own.  

Chocolatey…fudgey days to you!

Kimberlee xx:)xx

Lots of things…

Hello!  What a busy month!   It has been a month since I last posted anything.  Well, lets jump into it! 

Recently my family and I visited Brisbane's GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) and checked out Cai Guo-Qiang's exhibit Falling Back To Earth.  It totally blew my mind.  I just hope my pictures do it some justice but if you ever get the chance to see his work, do it you won't be disappointed.

Also this last month I got my first sale on my etsy store.  I was excited to get a custom order that was to be a present for someone else.  It is nice to have someone like what you do and actually want to pay you for it!

I love to crochet but I have admit my skills are limited.  I wanted to challenge myself to create anything other than a granny square!  After admiring many mandala rugs on pinterest I found some great inspiration, and found the perfect pattern.  But unfortunately the pattern did not work for me, so I am making do with the start from the pattern for around the first 3 rounds and then making up my own!  So far it's looking good..will keep you updated!    

Maria George!  You get me every time with your gorgeous collars and embellishments.  I just couldn't resist this cute lace collar which I got from Spotlight for only $6.50AUD.  Sewing it onto a cheap t-shirt I got from Target, I have ended up with a one of a kind shirt for only $14.00AUD.  I get a giddy when something I picture in minds eye actually turns out ok! :) 

Mother's Day.  We love a celebration in my family.  Any chance we get we love to get together and share a meal.  My sister and I took on the role of cooks this year (even though she is a mum herself) and let our mum take it easy for once.  This is how my family celebrated the day for mums….

 Mussels in spicy Thai broth

Thai prawn curry

Strawberry blissmas cake 

Mine was actually a Raspberry blissmas cake as I could not find any strawberry's in store at this time of year.  I also made my sponge as the recipe states you can use a store bought one.  My recipe for a Never fail sponge cake by one of my favourite CWA ladies Merle Parrish is here.

All the recipes were tried and tested and absolutely devoured by my family!  We will be definitely making them again.

Food, craft, art and sewing some of my favourite things!  I hope you have had a divine month and I promise it won't be so long between posts next time!

Kimberlee xx:)xx