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

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

Easter is in the air

Hello!  Welcome to my blog!  These past two weeks I have been…

Thinking about more repurposing ideas.   I found these cuties at an Op-shop, they were only 50c.  I have taken the old clip on the back off and will hot glue gun some stud bars in place.  Volia!  Cute, retro studs for me!

Yum, I have been wanting to make these Caramel Kisses for ages!  This is the second batch I have made in two weeks and they have been a huge hit!  If you cannot buy Arnott's Butternut Snap Cookies, look for cookies that have a buttery coconut base.  I found my recipe here.  Enjoy :)

Easter is in the air….well in Australia it has been since we packed away the christmas decorations!  I found these ultra cute easter decorations at my local Woolworths grocery store.   Easter has been slowly gaining a decorating following that it never has had before.   Bunnies, chocolate, thankfulness and family what's not to celebrate!

Have a glorious week,

Kimberlee xx:)xx

Lionel & Bertie in the clouds with carrot cake?

Hello!  Thank you once again for joining me on this adventure!  This past week I have been…

I had heaps of fun making these cloud cushions for my bed from the Liberty Book of Simple Sewing.  I am a beginner sewer and this project was well within my means and so quick to finish!   I love this book it has so many cute projects, and it also has given me heaps of inspiration in looking for Liberty & Liberty inspired prints!

In the words of Marjorie Dawes from Little Britain …'I loooove the cake!' I made this yummy carrot cake on Sunday.  I found the recipe here.  And frankly it's a winner!  What's not to love…cinnamon, golden syrup, carrots, vanilla bean paste & cream cheese icing.


Have a great week & happy days to you..

Kimberlee xx:)xx