DIY Lily Pond Cake - Fondant Frogs and Lily Pads

I made this cake for my niece a few years ago and it was one of the best DIY cakes I've had the pleasure of decorating... I simply used a store bought cake (cheating I know!) and made my own ganache filling to improve the taste and to support the structure of the cake and it was enjoyed by all in attendance.

I started this cake by forming the lilac flower that features on top, the rest of the theme simply evolved from there.

Instead of colouring the fondant I hand made sea blue fondant and then hand painted the various colours broad brush strokes across the cake and fondant covered board.... the frogs, flowers and lily pads are all fondant though I did use acrylic tear drop shaped beads to enhance the wings on the dragonflies.

The gold flecks were created using a damp pastry brush and edible powered gold leaf....

This is a cute design for a range of ages and birthday themes from princess parties to fancy dress and beyond!.

xx



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Thrifty Saturdays - Vintage Tin and Peg Tidy

I hope everyone had a lovely week! Just a few little vintage buys to share with you today...

This is one of my favourite little tins purchased for $2 at trash and treasure a while ago - love the pattern

This peg tidy was a handy little find at a local opp shop for $3... I will probably use it for pegs but was also thinking it would be great as a washing powder or kitchen canister...

Couldn't say no to this little mug... it has a lustre like glaze all over and the winged handle is super cute... it makes a lovely little bud vase and was all of $2 at Kew Salvo's.

Happy Thrifting

xx

Tissue Pom Pom Present Topper

I love present wrapping but sometimes, especially when the gift is large or an awkward shape I get a bit lazy and decide less is more!. Thankfully a few tissue pom poms and bakers twine can serve as a fuss free partially wrapped offering, that will still look like effort has been made without wasting yards of paper.

I recently used this method for our friends wedding present... we decided to give them a John Perceval framed Screenprint and their cat adopted the pom poms as toys, which was very cute to see!.

xx

Sheepskin The New Throw Rug

I am loving everything about sheepskin chair layering and with the colder months settling in I'm looking forward to draping my favourite chairs with cosy sheepskin rugs boasting Scandinavian cool while staying cosy and warm.

here are some Pinterest examples that caught my eye...

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xx

Antique Find - Lionel Lindsay Morning Glory!

My husband and I like to collect the odd piece of Australian art every now and then and I have always loved the work of Lionel Lindsay, partly because he depicts romantic scenes of India, around the time my grandparents were young adults, having returned from front line service with the British Army in WW1 starting their families and because his work is simply beautiful.

This wood engraving entitled 'Morning Glory' needs a bit of restoration but is signed and part of an edition of only 100.

 My parents have his "Palaces, Benares" of particular significance as my maternal Grandfather was from Varanasi 

Image - Australian Prints and Print Making

this is another fave wood engraving by Lionel Lindsay - love the Spanish doll

Lionel Lindsay also has a number of breathtaking watercolours this one entitled Udaipur

xx

Enjoy your weekend

Kidspot Top 100 Bloggers of 2013

I started this week with a huge smile on my dial when the amazing Kidspot team announced their Voices of 2013 top 100 bloggers of which I managed to make it into the creative and home category - yay, yay, yay so excited, tickled pink and absolutely chuffed!. 

A big thank you goes out to entire kidspot team particularly the judges Pip Lincoln, Maxabella and Alex Brooks and I look forward to all the fun ahead!.

To check out the other blogs on the list click here 

On a random note I had to include this pic taken at my home last week. I love an Ugg boot as much as the next person but a cowhide boot hmmm.... would you go there???

xx Tina

A Very Merry 1st Birthday - Candy Buffet Cuteness!!

A few weeks ago my good friends celebrated their twins first birthday and it was an event to remember inclusive of a jumping castle, fabulous catering and a gorgeous candy buffet... I had to take a few pics to share!.

Love the tic tock tea cup biscuits and cake pop cones - very cute!

This cute as pie cubby house was installed over a few days and required a cement slab base to fix in place! 

The twins birthday head bands lovingly made by their Mum!

xx

Simple Stamped Gift Tag Inspiration

I love receiving hand made bits and pieces and in return I like to make effort to hand make things for friends and family. Here is a very simple stamped gift tag idea that could double as a keepsake for your loved ones.

To create this look I used a scolloped cardboard decal purchased at my local art and craft store, you can create your own using a circle punch. I then stamped away using a combination of upper and lower case letters to create a quirky look.

Simple!

xx

Cookies And Cream - Simple Ice Cream Sandwiches

My little nephew's nut and seed allergy continually encourages us to get baking and creating safe alternatives for family events... a few weeks ago my sister hosted a bbq and I decided I'd make my own ice cream sandwiches using store bought ice cream and home made Oreo like, chocolate biscuits.

I used an Amy Atlas recipe and followed this fab. tutorial posted by smitten kitchen.

You could certainly make your own ice cream as well, I simply used a store bought "nephew safe" variety but if you are lactose intolerant, limiting your sugar or just prefer the taste of lovely home made ice cream, I definitely recommend making your own.

Full Recipe and method - here

To make your biscuits

2 2/3 cups (335 grams) all-purpose flour

2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup (75 grams) extra dark or Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks or 285 grams) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon table salt
2 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C. Sift Flour and cocoa together and set aside then cream butter, sugar and salt together until fluffy then add the yolks and vanilla and mix till combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and gradually add the flour bit by bit until combined.

once your dough is mixed roll out to 4-5mm thick between two sheets of baking paper and place in the freezer for 5 mins... once slightly frozen you can cut out your shapes and place on a lined baking tray... then use a folk to piece holes though the centre.

Bake for 15- 18 minutes depending on your oven and the thickness of the biscuits... when cooked they should stay firm when tapped in the centre.

while your biscuits are baking soften your ice cream and place in a lined slice pan then set in the freezer until it freezes and your biscuits are have cooled.

Then cut the ice cream into shapes equal to your biscuits, sandwich and freeze till they are to be served. 

Enjoy!!

xx