Craft room

I took a few days off work to celebrate my birthday and to relax before sports, school, family and life in general kick in. So what did I do over this time....well where do I start

I shifted the boy out of his space upstairs into my sisters spare room(looks good to) and I moved into his empty space and created what I call craft heaven. My inlaws had a door left over from their old house which I converted into a table and used concrete blocks that my dad had lying around into desk legs. There is also a low standing wooden cabinet that I have yet to find room for.

When I look back at the space I used to use it makes me wonder how I ever managed in such a confined area AND NOW that I have layed all my things out - wow how did i ever accumulate so much ...yikes.

I've moved things around slightly since this photo was taken but it gives you and idea of what I now enjoy.

I have placed everything that I use most in front of me and things I use less frequently in a shelving unit or in plastic drawers. I can now visual see all of my supplies and if I didn't buy another thing for the next couple of years I'd still have heaps.

I may also do some stock taking and put some unopened items on Trademe so i put this money towards more supplies in the form of tools or technology.

I would also like to mention that this couldn't have been done without my loving, supportive and long suffering husband who really does endulge my every whim - within reason...lol.

Blog list amendment

Following the paper trail (youtube) = Follow the paper trail (blog). There is a blog called following the paper trail which belongs to someone completely different but just has cool. I'm following both - you be the judge

Baking Challenge 7 - Banana, Boysenberry, choc chip muffins

Not sure if I can class this as a "new" recipe, but I did try something new by adding boysenberries to a favourite banana cake recipe a good friend gave me. I must say they are really yum, Al really liked it too and said it was something that his late father would enjoy eating as it has just the right amount of each and didn't need any special icing on the top.

Urban Legend - Neiman Marcus Cookies

I really don't care that the story about the lady and her daughter getting ripped off by Neiman Marcus and that it has been DEBUNKED as being a mere urban legend, lengend smegend... The recipe is waay too goood not to try.

Everyone who has tasted them says it's good. I thought it a bit weird to blend the rolled oats into a fine powder(semi fine) but i'm telling you this is the best thing ever. I've added choc chips, white choc chips, walnuts and hope to get a bit more adventureous over the holidays

For example:
Dried fruit - apricots, apples
Nuts - pecan, almonds, brazil
Shredded coconut
Chocolate - mini mm's, different flavoured chocolates

Feel free to add any combo's you think may work or you just simply like

Maybe this is a start of "test kitchen" challenge

Christmas Challenge 2

I know I've left my run a bit late - almost non existent but here is my second installment. I've made these for a few special people and hope to deliver them tomorrow. I got my sister to save these jars for me all year and they have come in very handy.

Christmas Jar Recipe
1. A clean empty Maconna coffee jar or something similar
2. Ribbon
3. Christmas themed paper, or anything you want; really
4. A few choice embellishments AND
5. Something yummy to put inside - favourites choc's in this instance
Note: the lid was a bit boring so I carefully removed the plastic seal and put some christmas sprinkles inside and then put the seal back on

Christmas Newsletter

Still not done, too many distractions...

* Christmas Workshop at Carolann's
* Aiko my baby niece who is too cute to resist
* Working more hours
* My vege garden
* Scrapbooking
* Christmas shopping - only two pressies to go...woo hoo!!!!
* Baking yummy treats
* Organising the family
* Facebooking, Blogging, Emailing
and much much more....

Christmas Challenge 1

Well I did say I would make an attempt to do at least one christmas thing each week and finally did this. Again this was something a friend used to do for her market and I couldn't remember exactly what her's looked like so I let my fingers do the walking around google - images.

I hope my version does hers justice.

Note: I didn't have any eye balls and use some silver bling I had lying around in my extensive scrapbooking stash.