PaisleyJade

Crochet Mobile Phone Cover

2010-02-09T14:39:00.001+13:00

I really really loved my phone sock - but then it got all old and my mum needed to borrow it as her new Christmas present phone kept getting scratched.

While sitting in the car yesterday while Symon took the kids into the library, I decided to do something I've never done before... crochet without a pattern or instructions!

I made a cover for my phone - and I really, really like it.

Mum's already ordered one for herself... anyone want and old stinky phone sock?

I heart colour...

2010-02-08T19:27:00.002+13:00

halflatte

weheartit

boopsie.daisy

i am mommy

Pink Sherbet Photography

... but I'm not too sure about all that food colouring?

Stringin in the Rain...

2010-02-07T09:25:00.001+13:00

Last year I discovered the coolest guy who crochets, Howie Woo (see my post here).

That's correct, I said guy who crochets.

Ever since stumbling across his blog, I have been laughing my head off at his ingenius creations, creative photos and video clips featuring his crochet beauties.

His most recent post stood out because one of his creations was called "Kristy" after me - how cool is that! I also loved it because of my secret desire to do some yarnbombing of my own one day.

Keep up the awesome work Howie - you are making crochet so cool!!! ;)

Peace...

2010-02-06T09:02:00.005+13:00

Just last week my husband and I stood next to the bed of a lady who was moments away from death.

We had never met her before, she was old and we were young. I don't even know if she could see us... but we could tell she knew we were there.

As pastors you experience many different things, often going into situations that you never would normally. And at times it can be very challenging, especially in the matter of life and death.

We both felt honoured to be by this lady's side, honoured to be able to read her scriptures of hope from the Bible and pray with her. We felt God's peace and presence fill her room.

Later that night this dear lady passed away. I felt so sad, yet a deep peace filled my heart.

While my normal day can seem to be filled with the trivial and mundane things, situations like this make me realise I was standing next to someone about to enter the doorway to eternity... and everything else in life paled in comparison to this moment.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Favourite Things Friday...

2010-02-05T16:14:00.002+13:00

Every week has it's ups and downs - but no matter what your week has been like, there is always something to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for & loving:

Homemade marshmallow...

Just the coolest shoes, like, ever...

Giant homemade waterslides...

This guy and his crazy 'thumbs up' pose...

Packages arriving in the mail - my Mixtape Magazine!!

The new and improved Flannelgraph website!! If you had a link to this on your blog previously, make sure you have the new address to the new site so that you catch the latest reviews (and feel free to use the little link button on my sidebar as well)...

Tin can candle...

2010-02-04T20:33:00.004+13:00

Look at what my clever guy made - a tin can candle!

It all started when a beautiful candle his parents gave me that was sitting on my window sill started morphing into strange shapes (looking alot like Jabba the Hutt) thanks to the sun.

I mentioned to him a couple of times that I was sad about my candle getting wrecked and then suddenly one day I found him stirring something in a pot on the stove. That is not a normal thing to see in our house (a guy standing at the stove). He sheepishly told me that it was my special candle.

To cut a long story short, after much drama (including two nasty cuts from the tin can, trouble actually getting the candle out of the tin can, his son tipping some of the wax onto the lawn etc) my lovely guy presented me with this really cool candle - he even took the time to decorate it.

True love is making your wife candles (but not surfboard wax).

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-03T19:21:00.000+13:00

Pink bunting...

2010-02-02T19:27:00.000+13:00

Three of the four kids went back to school today after a very long 8 week holiday!! I must confess that I was ready for them to go and for some order to return to our household.

It almost seemed weird having the house so quiet (thankfully Miss 2 has an addiction to quietly doing puzzles in her room at the moment) and after I had done a few things that needed to be done I snuck off to the sewing machine and got cracking on making more bunting.

Miss 2 (who will become Miss 3 in less that two weeks) is rather excited about these 'flag things' mummy is making for her birthday.

Here are some other cool bunting creations... A Pretty Cool Life, Back Home Again, & Bizzyheid.

Bike hogger...

2010-02-01T11:46:00.000+13:00

Apparently their little trip together to the local BMX track was to help Master 10 gain confidence on his new bike.

Apparently someone just couldn't resist hogging the bike once again.

Look what I found on the camera when they returned... hmmmmm.

Chocolate Caramel Slice

2010-01-30T17:21:00.001+13:00

This would have to be one of my favourite café slices... but for some strange reason I've never actually tried to make it myself. I found this great recipe the other day - and after giving it a go was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out.

Chocolate Caramel Slice (makes 24)

Base

1½ cups flour

½ tsp baking powder

½ cup brown sugar

125g butter, melted

Filling

395g can sweetened condensed milk

2 tbsp golden syrup

1 tbsp butter

Topping

200g cooking chocolate, broken into pieces

50g butter

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease the base and sides of a 27cm x 18cm slice tin.

Prepare the base. Combine flour, baking powder, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Stir in melted butter. Press the mixture into tin. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes.

While the base is cooking, prepare the filling. Combine the condensed milk, golden syrup and butter in a small sauce pin. Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly, until boiling. Continue to cook for 5 minutes. Stir constantly. Spread the filling mixture over the base, then return to oven for a further 10 minutes. Place on a rack to cool.

Prepare the topping. Melt chocolate following packet instructions, stir in butter. Stir while the chocolate and butter melt. Spread chocolate over filling. Chill until chocolate is set, then cut into bars or squares using a warm knife.

Favourite things Friday - Family version

2010-01-29T21:26:00.001+13:00

I'm totally loving these things at the moment...

The secret stash of pistachio nuts in my bag...

That someone was thoughtful and brought home a little chocolate rose yesterday (and then ate half of it)...

That same someone tried to teach my boys how to put spagetti up their noses to pull out of their mouths last week (maybe I don't love this thing that much)...

Kids getting creative with paints (and me not freaking out about the mess)...

More beach trips (even though it's been rather overcast)...

The many uses for boxes...

Fabric bunting update...

2010-01-28T16:10:00.000+13:00

From the sounds of it, quite a few people have never heard of fabric bunting before (mentioned in my recent 'makings' post), so here is a sneak peak at some of the finished bunting.

It's super quick and easy to make and a great way to use up scrap fabric and recycle items rather than buying plastic deocrations for gatherings/parties etc. I can totally imagine a garden or room full of white or light pink buting (recycled sheets?) for a beautiful outdoor function.

I think I got a bit too carried away cutting out triangles with the pinking shears though... so much so that there may be bunting in the shop soon!

I'm off to iron my bunting with my hair straightener...

My candy arrived!!!

2010-01-27T13:38:00.005+13:00

Woohooo - was I excited when my much awaited package full of candy arrived from Canada today!!!

Awhile back I joned in on The Great Candy Exchange which was the ingenius idea of Gail from Delightfylly Diva-ish. I was paired up with the lovely Carmen from {FRESH}photo in Canada (do check out her amazing photos - she is one very clever girl).

Hubby knew what was in the box and promptly selected a couple of things for himself to sneak off with... and after a few tastes the box has been hidden away from any nosey kids until a more opportune time to sample it's delecacies!

Along with the sweets was a lovely card from Carmen and a beautiful drawing from her daughter.

Thank you so much Carmen and also Gail for organising such a yummy idea.

Makings...

2010-01-26T20:44:00.000+13:00

Putting together some fabric bunting for a certain Miss 2's up coming birthday...

And have finally finished stitching together more felt donuts for the shop...

Hopefully will have the fabric bunting finished to show you soon (inspired by this).

Growing up...

2010-01-25T14:24:00.004+13:00

Sometimes it just hits you (and old photo's help) how much they have grown...

Beach traditions...

2010-01-24T15:34:00.001+13:00

With each different beach we visit, there are often different traditions...

Like collecting little books to read imaginary stories from (mangrove seeds)...

Swimming with Daddy (and practically drowning him whenever possible)...

Jumping off the bridge (first time ever for the boys this year). Of course someone always has to show off a bit...

Finding special treasures on the sand...

Collecting and eating fresh cockles (sea water clams). My favourite way to eat them is steamed on a piece of white buttered bread with a good splashing of vinegar.

What beach traditions do you have?

Shortbread Buttons

2010-01-23T13:03:00.000+13:00

I couldn't resist trying these Shortbread Buttons out - how cute are they?

These are the genius idea of Nikole Herriot from forty-sixth at grace. There is even a very cool hand-drawn printable recipe too for you to print and glue into your own recipe book!

I can't stop thinking of the perfect occasion for such cute button biscuits... a tea party with your nana, a crafters afternoon tea, perfect for a pretty girly birthday party or even coloured black or brown for a boys pirate party... the ideas are endless.

Thanks Nikole for the cutest idea!

Granny Square Blanket - finished!!

2010-01-22T09:50:00.000+13:00

Finally my Giant Granny Square blanket is finished (aka the fruit salad blanket).

It's been sitting around waiting for some edging, and after finding this edging on Attic24, I got it sorted (thanks Lucy).

Just as well it's finished to keep me warm in the middle of our SUMMER here in New Zealand.

Things I'm loving Thursday...

2010-01-21T13:53:00.006+13:00

Here are a few things I am loving at the moment...

These things that my darling bought for me while on our trip away...

My two special boys and two darling girls...

The new deck (and the many happy times ahead to be spent on it)...

Another lovely gift from him. Go here to read my reviews of her other books on Flannelgraph.

The fact that Miss 2 had the courage to sit nicely for the dental nurse yesterday despite being rather scared after previous medical fears (I think the cool glasses they gave her to wear helped!).

And the fact that the giant granny square blanket is actually finished! (will post about it soon)...

What are you loving??

Happy Birthday Barney Baloo...

2010-01-20T12:04:00.002+13:00

Today is Barney Baloo's birthday... and while we normally don't make a big fuss on our pet's birthdays (because we have about 100 of them if you include the sea monkeys) I decided that Barney needed a little special pressy for his birthday this year... one of the reasons being that he is now a big 5 year old (which I think in cat years means he is in his mid thirties) and also because he is a big fluffy and hairy pain!

Big fluffy cat = big fluffy cat hairs everywhere.

Ever since we renovated our bedroom (with my special secret hideaway bench-seat) this big fluffy cat has decided that his favourite place to sleep is right on the black fabric of the bench seat cushion.

Every morning when I pull the curtains back I either find a fluffy mass sleeping on my favourite seat or a big pile of cat fur intermingled with flea eggs and other night-exploration matter.

Well, thanks to my ingenious birthday gift - "the matching everything else paisley cat bed ", I can now learn to love Barney once again. And I think he likes it too.

Happy Birthday Barney Baloo... I do love you, even if you look like you don't love me in this photo...

See Barney's birthday last year here.

Blueberry muffins

2010-01-19T17:36:00.003+13:00

I love blueberry muffins... and this recipe is awesome (from "the muffin book")!

They are especially nice when eaten alongside a cup of Merito Espresso coffee (ahhh... just remembering my best day ever for a moment here).

Blueberry Muffins

2 cups self-rising flour

½ cup caster sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

¼ cup butter, melted

1 tablespoon grate orange zest

¾ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas Mark 5). Grease twelve standard muffin cups or line them with baking paper cases.

In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour. Stir through the sugar. Make a well in the centre.

In another bowl, stir together the egg, milk and butter. Add all at once to the flour mixture along with the orange zest and blueberries. Stir until just moistened (the mixture should be lumpy).

Spoon batter into prepared pans, filling them two-thirds full. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Mmmmmmm!

The revenge of the hairdressers...

2010-01-18T21:24:00.004+13:00

He used to be a hairdresser you know... not that you can tell. He didn't quite get to the cutting part so is only really skilled when it comes to sweeping up hair off the floor, washing hair and putting in a blue rinse (oh, and fetching me a cuppa and a biscuit when I call for one).

But I am sure he tormented a few little kiddies in his early hairdressing apprenticeship days... and if he did, today was payback day!

Behold, the revenge of the hairdressers...

Door stop

2010-01-16T15:48:00.004+13:00

We have a couple of internal doors that are continually being slammed by the wind at our place. After being inspired by a few 'door stops' I saw in shops while on our trip away, I had a little go at making my own.

Here is my first design trial... a triangle shape filled with rice (sand would probably be better). It sort of reminds me of a deformed pear.

So far so good... no slammed doors, but lots of 'door stop' cuddling going on.

Back to reality...

2010-01-15T20:19:00.000+13:00

After having the coolest time away we are back in the land of reality... reality being 5 full-on kids on holiday (one of the boys had a friend stay) while we are in the middle of building a deck and toilet training. My heart has also been burdened for the people of Haiti.

As I sit on the half finished deck, children yelling at each other and a pink potty full of wees, I can't help but let my thoughts drift back to our time away... so in keeping with "Flashback Friday" tradition, let us flashback to a couple of days ago...

The Best Days Ever...

2010-01-14T21:13:00.011+13:00

Last night hubby and I arrived home from the best two days we've had in years! My awesome parents offered to have our 4 kids for two days while we went away together to Auckland (NZ).

Now I know to some of you a trip to Auckland doesn't sound that exciting, but we felt like two little kids from the country as we explored all the shops on Queen Street, sampled different types of coffee, cuisine and bought ourselves little treats. We gazed at old buildings and hung out in the Auckland library (which has free internet access I might add) and even got a secret peak at the revamped Auckland Town Hall.

We had no time limits, no demands... no one needing their bottom wiped or a snack to be made or the need to stop at every park that we passed. It was just us two together again - and we were actually able to hold hands and finish whole conversations with each other. It felt just like it was when we first met... and I once again realized why it is so important that we take time out as a couple to keep our friendship and love alive. We continually kept saying to each other, "This is the best day ever", and not because of what we were doing, but because we were together, just us (and probably also because we watch too much Spongebob).

My highlights of our trip would have to include discovering a little shop filled with Russian Dolls (and guess who bought me one!), exploring the tunnels at North Head, getting lost in the biggest and coolest bookstore ever, seeing my first 3D movie, buying rubber Ninja stars in a freaky shop filled with knives and numb-chucks, finding out that my husband is actually "Birdman", tasting one of my yummiest coffee's ever at ME (owned by my niece's fiancé... who is a top Barista in Auckland and roasting his own delicious Merito Espresso coffee). If you are ever in central Auckland you just have get a coffee from ME - it's here. I also had my first Ristretto and Vienna coffees too (I'm a little obsessed with coffee I know).

Thanks so much to my sis-in-law Shelley for letting us stay at your place! And we did miss our kids while we were gone... although another few days away wouldn't have gone amiss...

Here are a few photo's from our adventure...