Saturday, July 16, 2011

Making Creations for Making Spaces













Opportunities can't be passed up when they come complete with perfect timing and a guiding light, can they?

And so presents the big shining opportunity....MAKING SPACES....an initiative of a very special friend of mine to create a platform for fabulous creative types to sell their wares! Located in Parramatta, NSW, this is a great opportunity (there's that word again) to purchase unique, original hand made goodies.

Check out the details at the following site:

http://makingspacesmarketplace.blogspot.com/

AND SO! I had to give way to the fear in my tummy and just let go and create....not thinking too much in step of what it SHOULD be, and I must say...I am quite happy with what I have come up with.....who would have thought that there would be so much colour in my week this week.

Make sure you take the time to check out this fabulous store, open Wed-Sun every week. There will also be a rotation of designers over these days, so stock remains fresh, fun and exciting (and to keep you coming back for more)! They are located at Greenway Arcade, Shop 17, 222 Church st, Parramatta.

The initial range of gift tags and cards have been made specifically for Making Spaces Marketplace...further opportunity to purchase these beautiful items plus more will be made online via madeit.com.au very soon.

Stay tuned for more...In a few weeks my childrens wall art will also feature at the Making Spaces Market...Beautiful mounted images with fabulous colour and designs.


Nicole x

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Scrapbooking Tip: Punchie Ideas

My new scallop edge circle punch arrived in the post the other day. Never the less, I have been punching to my hearts content using lots of stiff card to make tags and cupcake toppers! It got me thinking of other ways the Punchies can be used. So I went to trusty google and found these tips!

Scrapbooking Tip: Punchie Ideas

The excess punchies will be listed on craftumi shortly, so look out for them!

Nicole x

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Feeling a bit Martha Stewart+






Yesterday I think I made the yummiest chocolate cupcakes I have ever made. On a whim I decided to 'destress' in my favourite fashion in the kitchen - with no eggs in the cupboard, I went to my trusty google to search for an egg free recipe and this is what we came up with!








Ever so moist egg-free chocolate cupcakes.









  • Cupcakes:




  • 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour




  • 1 c. sugar




  • 1/4 c. baking cocoa




  • 1 tsp. baking soda




  • 1/2 tsp. salt




  • 1 c. water




  • 1/3 c. vegetable oil




  • 1 Tbs. white vinegar




  • 1 tsp. vanilla




  • Icing:




  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened




  • 3 tablespoons milk or soymilk




  • 1 teaspoon vanilla




  • 3 cups confectioners’ sugar




  • food coloring (optional)




How to make it


















· For cupcakes: Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix well. Fill paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full with batter. Bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan. Makes 12.





· For icing: In a bowl, beat together the butter, milk/soymilk and vanilla until smooth (about 3 minutes). Add in confectioners sugar; beat very well until smooth, adding more if necessary to achieve desired consistency. Add in food coloring (if desired) and mix well. ---





They were so super easy.... with the icing I substituted the milk for Orange juice and some orange peel so we had a jaffa cake, my husband went bananas for it!





Next I made a potato and leek soup. This is a recipe that has been in my family for years and it brings back warm memories of crisp Sunday afternoons, the open fire and Potato and Leek soup. My mum wasn't the best cook, but this is certainly one of the best potato and leek soups I have ever devoured!





1/2 Tbs Olive Oil





1-2 Leeks





4 rashers of Bacon





1L campbells chicken stock





1-2 cups water





4-5 large potatoes





1/2-1 cup cream





pepper/nutmeg





Sweat leeks with bacon in oil (low heat 5-10 mins). Add water and stock (bring to boil). Add potatoes. Simmer for an hour or so. Cool mixture. Puree in blender or food processor. Return to gentle heat, flavour with pepper and nutmeg, stir thru cream...served sprinkled with chives - chopped.