Happy birthday to you...

It's my brothers birthday today so the kids and I are busy making and decorating a cake to take out for dinner for him. We are using Jamie Oliver's easy chocolate cake recipe from his website, the recipe is below. Thanks to Jamie I have a reliable and tasty cake that is always a hit with the family. We are going to decorate it like a poker chip as my brother is an avid poker player. I'll post some pics of the finished cake when it's finished.

Happy birthday Andrew!!!!!


Jamie Oliver’s Easy Chocolate Cake
(adapted from Jamie Oliver)

200 grams butter (I used salted butter)
200 grams sugar (I reduced to 175 grams)
200 grams flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons cocoa powder, dissolved in a little hot water to form a smooth paste

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease a 9-inch square tin.

Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, 6 to 7 minutes, on medium-high speed. Sift in flour and baking powder and fold with a spatula until just mixed. Stir in eggs and vanilla and then cocoa paste.

Transfer cake batter into tin and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let cake cool in tin on a rack. Slice into squares and serve.

TIP
If top of cake looks like it will get burnt, cover the top with a piece of aluminium foil and continue baking until the cake is done.

Little girl (or boy) apron

 A simple little apron that I put together to add to a raffle we did to raise money at my son's kindy.  My daughter who modelled it, didn't want to let it go!  I am keen to make a few of these for my stall and hope that they are a hit.  Not sure what price I should ask for them though.  That's my problem, I never want to charge too much as I hate going to markets where homemade craft items are overpriced.  I have the template I used to make this if anyone wants it please let me know.

Long time, no see

There has been somewhat of a hiatus since I last posted on my blog as I have been busy with life and things I like to do have taken a back seat.  Over the past few months though I have rediscovered my love of reading and have been borrowing books from the library and enjoying a few new authors.  I will do some reviews on the books that I have read in the coming weeks so that others can get an idea of what there is to choose from.

I have started getting back in to the craft mode and have ventured back into Spotlight and Lincraft and spent a few dollars in anticipation of my annual Easter craft making for the kids.  This year though I am considering having a few items for sale at my market stall in April and my friend Cassie and I have been brainstorming and trialling a few ideas.  More of that later as well.

I am going to upload a few photos of various projects I have completed since last posting on the blog and would love to hear what others think of them.

Well, until I have more time I'll leave you with some pics to look over.

Dear Jane

Well thanks to my friend Vicki, I have finally started my DJ quilt blocks after months of admiring pieces of fabric!
I have now finished three blocks (and a half which I will be redoing!) all using the freezer paper in front method. I will post a few pics and will now try to add them as I go to try and keep track.
A6 Uncle Homer

Fwd: Don't be too shocked... I've started!

Well after several weeks of procrastination and avoidance I've finally bitten the bullet and I am starting. Don't look too closely at my first piece, I am kinda happy even though it's far from perfect! It is a lesson I'm learning as I go along and experiment. I am not following an exact plan or layout just a colour pallet in general of tea stained plain and gold / red / brown patterns I'm playing around with. I want to do the whole quilt but will see where I get to!  It's square a4 I'm doing first and don't ask me why that is I just started with that one!!!!  Two hours to do a third of one square!!!!  Full steam ahead now.  

Melissa

Another day another apron

Scarf for Thomas

The kids wanted me to make a scarf for them so I have unpacked the needles and duted off my fingers and got to work on a simple scarf for each of them. I've finished the first one and he loves it!!!