Wall Art

I bought this IKEA fabric ages ago with this project in mind.

I was de-cluttering my magazine collection.
I have Real-living since its inception in 2007!
I have always kept them for their good ideas....but never seem to have looked at them since.
So, Im going through them and tearing out the ideas I like and making a sort of design folder.
Pinterest in hard copy if you like!
Because hours spent on Pinterest are just not enough!!
When I saw this I knew I should get on with it and give it a go.

Off to the local discount art supplier for a canvas.
I bought a 91.4cm square one, $35. ( really 91.4!!!! couldn't possibly make it 1m??)

I ironed the fabric.
Already had my own staple gun.
The rest is history.



Hall way BEFORE


AFTER

Laundry Powder

Ive been thinking about making my own laundry powder for a while now.
Being down to the last few scoops of commercial powder was just the push I needed.
I bought all the supplies from my local Foodland supermarket.

There are hundreds of recipes out there.
I settled on the one on the Borax container!
1 bar velvet soap 4pk 500g $3.03 - 1 bar 0.75c
1 cup washing soda 1kg $3.15 - 1 cup 0.78c
1 cup borax 500g $3.99 - 1 cup $1.99
Total $3.52 for 600g
1 tbs per load = 0.11c

I grated the soap on a fine greater.
Really easy, I thought this was going to be areal chore.

Mixed it all together and gecided to run it all through the food processor to get a finer crumb.

looks like real washing powder!

I been using it for 3 weeks now and am really happy.
Smells great, I really love the lemon smell of the velvet soap.
Id also like to make my own dishwasher powder and liquid hand soap.

Caramel Swirl Blondies.

This post should come with a warning: do not even bother reading if you are at all health conscious or watching your weight.

Caramel Swirl Blondies
recipe from recipes+ magazine september 2011
150g butter
150g white choccolate
1tsp vanilla
1cup caster sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup plain flour
1/2 cup SR flour
380g can Top 'n' Fill caramel

Oven 160C
Line a 20x30cm slice pan with baking paper.
Place butter and chocolate in a heat proof bowl over a pan of simmering water, stir until smooth. (I actually zapped mine in the microwave)
Stir in vanilla, sugar, egg and flours.
Spoon into slice pan and level top.
Drop small spoonfuls of caramel on top of mixture.(I only used half the tin)
Swirl with a butter knife.
Bake 35 min (mine needed 40 min)
Cool in pan.
Slice to serve.

Prettiest purple

Im in a bit of a Blogging Funk!
Not really got anything to say.
Nothing much to share.
Just plodding along.
Same old thing.

But, Master J hid my iPad from me on Tuesday night.
On purpose.
I didnt think he was that smart!
Normally I would read some blogs or surf Pinterest in the evening, but I had a headache, so I went to bed early with a book.

So Wednesday comes along.
Drop 2 kids off at school.
One home with me.
"Im just going to check my emails"

The iPad was not in its usual spot.
I knew Master J had used it last because he was making a video of this Lego figures.
Searched his room.
Nothing.

Searched all the usual hiding spots in the office (My Mate regularly hides it from Me too, says its the denegration of society and families!!)
Whatever!!!!!
Send My Mate a text asking where he hid the iPad.
He said, "He hadnt seen it"

Well this sent me into a searching frenzy!
I turned the place upside down.
I was like an addict looking for money for my next hit.
It was embarrassing!!
Im hooked.

Anyway.....it was'nt until 9pm when Master J returned from Cub Scouts, that he burst into laughter and told me where it was.
He thought he was quite hilarious!!
Me.....not so much!!
It was funny, and perhaps he is smarter than he looks??

It is my time waster.
But I really enjoy it too.
So many ideas, just wish I could get them all out of my head and into reality.
I am a bit of a dreamer, not so much a do-er(is that a word?)

Im dreaming of a farm.
A more simple life, with fresh air, veggie patch, chickens and an orchard.
I watched 20 episodes of Gourmet Farmer!
That might have something to do with it!!

Enough rambling, I did make something today.
This pretty purple top is going to a special little girl this Sunday, for her Birthday.

A little ray of sunshine......

Im usually a red girl....

But these were calling my name yesterday!

Hot Weather

Its really hot in Adelaide right now.
I know its summer and all, but too hot for the kids to play outside is no good for me!!
Over about 30C and everyone wants to hang with me inside in the airconditioned comfort.
So this heat called for Lemonade Spiders, just like I used to have as a kid.
Pour cold lemonade over a scoop of vanilla icecream.
Hit the jackpot with the kids!!

Summer Holidays

A few photos of our holiday along the East coast of Australia. Bondi Beach, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.