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

Stitching heaven…

Hello!  This week I have been loving looking through 'Crafty Creatures' by Jane Bull and getting some amazing inspiration through her beautiful pages.  I decided to partake in her stitch-a-doodle and have loved the outcome!

 My hearts are a little wonky but I think it adds a cute touch.  I would love to make some more perhaps as presents or a trio down the wall.


Hope you have a great week!
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

thrifting is grand

Welcome!
Thrifting is one of my favourite things to do on a spare day.  I love hitting the op and charity shops, finding treasures and thinking of ways to repurpose items.  I feel like every time I do visit one of these shops I at least leave with one or two knick-knacks with me.  Below are some of my favourite finds and I think they describe a bit of my eclectic taste.  :)

When my nephews saw the cloud pillows I had made for my bed, they wanted me to make some for their beds.  They picked their own material and were keen to help with the stuffing.  When I saw them laying with their pillows on the couch I knew those pillows would be used to an inch of their lives!  

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