Upcycling to help "get up"

I found this foot stool at my favourite local op shop.  Just what I had been looking for to help my little girl climb up into her big bed.

Sew Pretty have some gorgeous Dr Suess FQs which I have had my eye on for sometime.  Little K adores Dr Suess and so my first efforts at upcycling were born....

She is chuffed!  And now that we have redesigned her room, we are on the hunt for the perfect head board.  The quilt hanging in her room is a source of inspiration for me.  It was a first bday gift from Aunty 'Ree of Midget Magic.  The groovy knitted blanket was a gift for K at her birth by her Nanitex.

Maeve Magazine - A Classy Online Mag you will Love, Love, Love!!

My cousin is writing for this fantastic, Melbourne based online magazine.  Great reading for Mums, crafters, food lovers and people passionate about the arts, all that is pretty and fond memories.

I love their vintage look and their appreciation for intelligent readers.  Check them out here and on Facebook!!

Check out my Aunty rocking the Ducati - she and other fabulous Mum's can be seen in the "Fabulous Mums with Style"  feature.

Jasmine Norrie her daughter is a fledgling freelance writer to watch out for!  Way to go my cousin x

Baker's and Baking Delight!

What a delightful weekend we have had!

We packed up a delicious home baked picnic, inspired by recipes from my favourite recipe books, and drove down to Ohope this morning to support "Daddy" and his friends in the Ohope Half Marathon. IT WAS WET, WET, WET!  Nevertheless the bacon and egg pie, sausage rolls, cinni rolls and muffins were all enjoyed from the back of a car while we waited for prize giving.

"Daddy" won a enduro hoodie - perfect to warm up in.  He ran very well too, just seconds from breaking the 90 minute mark.

At home I checked my stats on my blog to find that people had been to visit me from Megan's Mousehouse.  Curious to find out why I checked her blog and what do you know - I won a prize too!   Yippeee!
Such a lovely treat after a big night of little sleep with a little girl teething her two year old molars, temps and possible ear infections and sore throat!!!

Thanks Megan for running your Baker's Delight Give Away.  Click here to find out how Baker's Delight are supporting Starship Hospital.

Had hoped to practice my photography and take some perfect picnic shots.  Alas, the rain stopped that. So just the shot above of some of the homemade goodies.

Here are the recipe books inspiring mine and K's kitchen adventures at the moment.

Ripe Recipes - from Auckland's Ripe Delicatessen Cafe owner Angela Redfern.  Devine recipes set out seasonally.  Great for those pursuing the seasonal culinery delights for the first time.  We are enjoying nourishing dinner dishes from this book.  If you have visited this cafe I would love to hear about it!

Rachel's Favourite Food at Home - Rachel Allen is a wonderful Irish woman.  I particularly love her simplicity and her hosting of Market Kitchen.  My "Mummy's Real Tomato Sauce" seen above was made from this book.  So simple and a much healthier alternative to shop bought.

Destitute Gourmet Everyday Smart Food for the Family - Sophie Gray, the Destitute Gourmet promotes seasonal food shopping and great meals on a budget.  My pastry for the pie and cinni rolls came from  this book.

Ladies, a plate - traditional home baking compiled by Alexa Johnston.  Takes me right back to my childhood and what it means to be Kiwi.  Our picnic's sausage rolls and bacon and egg pie recipe came from this eclectic collection.

Hope you have a happy week full of yummy food x

My Creative Space - retro, garden and camo cake!

Well I have been in awe of many creative bloggers this year.  Intrigued to by their "Creative Space" posts. So this week I am being brave and entering the connected creative space world!!

In amongst my menagerie of creative moments and projects I enjoy cake making and creating.  Here are a few of my cake creations.

A camo wedding cake for a paintball themed wedding- with 75 cupcakes!  The wedding theme was beautifully and delicately woven into  the day.  The most remarkable bridal party bouquets of flowers surrounding a paintball gun I have or will ever see!

My daughter's first birthday cake creation for the theme of a "Garden" - her most favourite place.  This one was a collaborative effort between my sister and I.  She made the glorious butterfly biscuits.  As K is a mid winter baby I dressed the table with a spring time vintage theme to brighten and lighten the season.

 

My nephew's second birthday cake - for his real birthday.  His favourite insect.  His Mum made him a police car for his party the following day.  It was magnificent.

A retro caravan for the most amazing and dear friend ever.  This one was quite a challenge to give, as she is the queen of the most delicious birthday cakes ever and the cake itself was not as grand as the icing!


I am already looking forward to the next creative cake opportunity...yum x