Living my dream

An outside the box way to use some embossing folders

Who loves cupcakes? ME! Who loves Spellbinders? ME! So what happens when we put them together? Let’s take a look shall we?!

I’m sure some of you will have seen this before, but it’s not that ‘common’ so I thought it would be fun to share.

And yes, you’re guessing right. I DID put some fondant icing through my diecutting machine.

Here’s how I did it….

Step 1:

Choose the colour you would like your cupcake topping to be and add to white fondant to create your colour.

Step 2:

Roll your icing between two sheets of grease proof paper to your required topping thickness.

Step 3:

Cover your chosen embossing folder with cornflour. I’m not sure if the product I’m using has the same name all around the world, but it is a very fine flour. Make sure once you’ve coated the folder, you then shake it all off.

Step 4:

Now place your fondant icing onto the folder, and cut the overhang off.

Step 5:

Close the folder, and put through your die cutting machine.

Step 6: Gently pull the folder apart so you get your beautifully embossed icing. Now cut into circles to put on top of your cupcake. If you don’t have anything that quite fits, look around for cups or similar to use.

Step 7:

Grab your cupcake and layer with some butter icing (if you have some, add some edible glue to the top of the icing to help stick your top on without having to ‘squish’ it too much). Add your cupcake topping.

Step 8:

Eat and enjoy!

Spellbinders Product you can use:

Spellbinders Grand Calibur® Machine

ANY Spellbinders embossing folder – I used EL-010 Paisley

You could also use any others that you like. I also tried  EL-009 Flora which was gorgeous as well.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my take on using Spellbinders M-Bossabilities. They sure are fun and can add so much interest to any project you want to tackle.

T

Please note: “Spellbinders does not endorse the use of dies on food products.”

A share of something valuable I learnt on the web today

Some days I love the computer and internet the and incredible, fantastic, weird, wonderful world it opens up. Some days not so. There is so much bitterness, hatred and bullying that goes on as well.

But today is a GOOD day. I saw something that Sue shared on FB and took a look. It was a mothers advice on what to tell your daughter before she becomes a teenager.

I read it, finding myself nodding the whole way through. Grinning and laughing at some of her comments. And realising that I needed to save it, and share it myself. So I am.

If you've got daughters (even older ones) then I'd highly recommend a read of this blog post by Desiree of The 36th Avenue.

My girl is just 8 but those 8 years have gone quickly and I imagine we'll very quickly be knocking at the door of 13 years old. Hopefully with great articles like this, it'll help me through!

The tree crew came back today

And I decided to go down and watch and take a couple of pictures.

What an amazing job they do!!!

At this point, the guy up the tree is getting his chainsaw back, while the guys down the bottom are tying off the next branch that is about to get chopped off.

Finishing tying everything off, then it's time to cut and 'timber'.

A huge branch gets lowered to the ground. The boys and I tried to count the rings on one of the first pieces that got cut down and it was over 40 years old. That's not even the tree itself. Just a branch.

Once they are all gone, we'll have quite a big gap in the pohutakawas to see the city through.

So why are we cutting down these magnifient trees? A number of reasons....

• They are really old and Pines only have a certain lifespan. They are dying and could cause problems if they fall the wrong way.
• As above, but especially so if there was a big storm that came and tore them out. It would destabilise the bank and potentially put a neighbours house at risk.
• To allow the amazing pohutukawas we have to grow naturally.

An added bonus is that we will have a better view to the sea/city. But not enough of one to just chop them down for the sake of it.

I just loved popping down to see what the crew were up to today. I'd love to be up in the trees swinging around. How much fun would that be? Hmmmmm, perhaps not. I seem to remember getting quite scared being so high up in the trees at Tree Adventures. LOL!

Forgot a cupcake

Forgot to show you this cupcake from yesterday

I used fondant icing and a mold I have from House on the Hill.

I first found out about House on the hill from Bakerella. She had used the same mold I eventually chose to create cupcake toppers.

I initially tried the mold out on sugar cookies, but as you can see, I've dared the cupcakes...

It's such a pretty mold, and soooo easy to do.

Today I've made a cake for some special people that need cheering up. Will show photos later with a wee tutorial.

Have a great day!

SPCA Cupcake day

Well, when I found out Andy's work was taking part, I just couldn't not participate and Sarah helped too.

We spent alot of yesterday getting supplies, baking cupcakes, then decorating them.

I made mine. Sarah made hers.

At the end of the day Sarah told me it was the best day she'd had all week. Is that a good thing? Just all week? LOL.

But I agree. We had a wonderful day together baking, chatting, learning. She taught me all about edible glue as she made several gorgeous cats and dogs....

Isn't she clever!!!!!!

Here's a look at all of Sarah's cupcakes.

She made them with the SPCA in mind. There are cats and dogs, an SPCA sign and even some crosses (to show the cats and dogs where to go if they are hurt!).

She made a plan before she started, then coloured separate pieces of fondant to get all the right colours. Then made all her pieces to go on top of the cupcakes.

So very very proud of her!

Here's a look at what I made....

Can you guess where I got the idea? Pinterest?! LOL.

I just wanted to try something new. I got a few things wrong, but in general it worked out pretty well.

It's called a Toffee Crunch cupcake with caramel icing. It was the first time I used my candy thermometer. But gosh, it was good to have that!

There were several steps involved to put it all together, but pretty simple really.

We had some cupcakes left over at the end of the day so packed them up into little boxes and gave them to a couple of neighbours. One who took Matt to the rugby on Sat. How cool was that?! And one who looked after our chooks while we were away a few weeks ago. The second neighbour rang to say thanks and asked where I got the fancy cupcakes from. She couldn't believe I made them. Grin.

I also made some others but they'll be appearing on the Spellbinders blog shortly, so you'll just have to be patient to see them.

Did you participate today? Hope you made lots of money! The SPCA is a great organisation that can always do with a helping hand!

Later.

 

A big Thank you

Just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who took part in our Scrapfest by the Sea pre birthday birthday celebrations this weekend.

We are now at less than a year to go! How exciting is that?! And if this weekend is anything to go by it's going to be a blast!

From all the layouts and tags that were made, to the crazy pink chickens, elves and Tim Cluckz who were racing around doing goodness only knows what?!

I had a ball with you all and can't wait to meet those in person who I haven't met yet, next year.

Thanks again for making my days brighter for the last few days.

Of course we will continue to bring you fun and interesting things over the next (less than) a year. So do stay in touch on the facebook page. And anytime, feel free to email myself or Lyn if you have any questions.

Sunday Shake up

Most of us tend to do the same thing the same way. You know, when you put your shoes on, I bet you always put the same one on first. Without even realising.

Well this week, I dare you to change that.

If you always put on your left shoe first, do the right. Eeeeeeek. If you put on your top before your trousers, put your trousers on first. If you brush your teeth after your shower, try before. Pick one or two things that seem to have become a pattern in your life and shake it up. Change it around.

Let's try something new. Shake up our days and see what happens.

Dare ya.

Some baking

Thought I'd share some photos and receipes that have taken my fancy of late...

First up Peanut Butter Secrets (I talked about these on FB recently). YUMMO!

These are AMAZING biscuits. Bascially like a chocolate chip cookie with peanut butter. Now I didn't have any reeces cups to put in the middle of the cookie batter, so I just chopped up some chocolate and added that. They are GOR . GE . OUS!

Next up is a cake I made for the kids to take to their cousins...

I saw the idea on Pinterest and decided I had to give it a go. Then since I haven't baked a cake in what feels like forever, I decided to make one for my kids and their cousins.

It's a very simple 'white cake' receipe. You can find it here.

I've made it several times now and it always gets comments.

And this time I made it tri-colour. I was wondering how it would turn out and Von just sent me a picture....

And finally another amazing recipe. Skinny Chocolate Chip buttermilk scones.

Again, very yummy! It talks about how they can be eaten for breakfast without guilt. I'm not so sure. Grin. But they are REALLY yummy and easy to make!

(my own instagram photo)

Tomorrow I'm going to spend some time making cupcakes for Andy's work who is doing the SPCA cupcake fundraiser. And I'm going to try something new. It involves fondant icing and the cuttlebug. Wish me luck.

I hope you have a chance to do some 'fun' baking too.

 

How to: A simple 'thank you' card - challenge 1 Scrapfest by the sea

We are currently holding a 'pre birthday birthday' on our Scrapfest by the Sea Facebook page. We would love it if you joined us! (If you're not already a member, just request an invite and we'll make you part of the family quick smart!)

The reason we're having our pre birthday birthday is that in just one year, we'll all be at Scrapfest! Yes, in just one year! So Lyn and I thought we just have to celebrate and what better way than to do fun things?

Challenge one is to create a project using this sketch (to find out more, visit us on Facebook, there is a great prize to be won!):
And I decided I couldn't not give it a go myself and created this cute and simple 'thank you' card.

It was pretty easy to put together, so I decided to make a little 'how to' video. Check it out below:

 

Lyn and I hope to see you around our facebook page for lots of fun and games over the weekend.

Have a fabulous day!

Scrapfest by the sea pre birthday birthday celebrations

We continue with our Pre birthday birthday celebrations over on the Scrapfest by the sea FB page today. YAY!!!!! But in the meantime, I'm asking you to keep tomorrow night free. From 7.30pm - 9pm we'll be having a 'live' game on our FB page. Be prepared for something fun! Oh and more prizes....

One year to go....

How life changes - questions about weight gain

I always thought I became overweight when I had the twins.

Then last night I was looking through some old photos....

This is Sarah and I at her first birthday party.

I don't look too overweight, maybe an extra chin or so, but that's about it.

And at her second party....

Possibly a little bigger? But it could just be the photo angle.

It made me start to query my thoughts on when I started to put on weight and why.

I came up with a couple of alternative thoughts....

1. I started to take scrapbooking more seriously. Instead of getting out and about for a walk in the evenings I'd sit at my desk creating layouts. When the kids went down for a nap, I'd sit and scrap.

2. I had Dan. Instead of walking everywhere with the kids (i.e. to the library, playgroups etc) we would go in the car. I only had a double buggy, and couldn't take 3 children in it.

3. Both happened at roughly the same time.

So I was sitting around more, doing less exercise.

Which is good to know. But what about the food? I seem to be eating 'crap' food now and am unable to stop. I'm exercising regularly (at least 3 times a week for bootcamp), but just can't seem to stop the junk entering my mouth.

I've heard alot of people talk about 'fat people' making comments such as 'they're lazy' or 'just stop eating'. Unfortunately it's just not that easy. Believe me, I've tried!

After loosing a ton of weight a couple of years ago, I put it back on over the last two years (yes, it took all of two years to put it back on - so why didn't I notice and do something about it? The short answer is I did notice, the long one, is that it's all part of the whole issue).

So when we were getting ready to go away to the Gold Coast I had the normal 'pre travel jitters' that I get when I'm overweight. Ugh, I don't want to be in photos. How am I going to put on togs at the water parks? What clothes am I going to wear? Nothing fits! Somehow you get through don't you?

But the travel, and the old photo's have made me realise the reason I became overweight wasn't what I thought it was. And so it changes how I handle it. It might be something I can address differently and so more effectively.

Let's hope so.

How to decorate your cupcakes with multiple coloured icing

 

Dancing in the rain

Two nights ago, just as the kids were getting ready for their showers, it started to pour with rain. It absolutely bucketed down!

And it was just as I realised the chooks were still out.

I so didn't want to go in the rain, so I asked the boys, how about some nudy rudy time running in the rain and putting the chooks away?

Yes! Yay! Whoohooo were heard all the way down the garden as my two boys delighted in the pouring rain.

I watched them after they finished putting the chickens away dancing on the trampoline. Bouncing high and just enjoying the moment. It was really beautiful.

Yesterday I was chatting to my lovely neighbour and she commented on how wonderful it was to see the boys running around in the nude in the rain. How it was one of those precious moments of childhood that are lost as you grow up. That a lot of Mum's wouldn't have let their children do that.

It was such a lovely comment to receive.

I didn't think to take photos. It was too overcast, dark and grey. But my boys sure are a wonderful treat!

And whether it's rain from the sky or water in a water park. Water features alot in their 'fun' things to do.....

So much happening in NZ for us scrapbookers

Today I spent the day with the lovely ladies at Scotties Crafts. They are preparing for the Sanzi Craft Tools weekend with the amazing team from Spellbinders and Sanzi.

It looks like a fabulous weekend. 4 classes, make n takes and a goodie bag worth minimum $175 for $275.

I am lucky to be involved in helping out. I can't wait. Especially after what I saw today. Bring it on! I hope to see you there!

But that's not all that's going on in NZ THIS year.

Louise has her Indulgance retreat coming up shortly. I believe September 7th? Janine Koczwara is coming over from Aussie and I get to meet her for the first time afterwards and I can't wait!

Prima is coming 'down under' again. Who is hosting this year? What dates do we have?

I'll be down in the South teaching for Artfull Crafts at their weekend retreat in Mid September (14th and 15th). Can't wait!!!!! For more details click here. I'll also get to meet Lowri McNabb for the first time. A big plus for me. I totally rate her scrapbooking and creativity. Amazing artist!!!!

Plus Nic and Lucy's Spring Escape is coming up mid October. Nic and Lucy have been putting on their Taupo escapes for a number of years now and they're always a huge success. I believe they have Paula Cheney coming 'down under' this year who is now working with Tim Holtz. What an incredible opportunity to learn from a top notch tutor!

So what else is coming up? What have I missed? I'd love to know of other retreats going on around NZ this year.

Let me know!