Sew Weekly - Red

I just managed to get my post up in time for the red challenge on Sew Weekly last week.  If you would like to check out more details on the skirt I made then pop on over here.

I have been a bit slack on the blogging and commenting front lately.  I got hit with a bug and have been a bit sick and have been finding it hard to get my motivation back.  This sketchy posting may continue for a little while while I try and get my mojo back.

My Place & Yours

I have been meaning to take part in my place and yours for so long now but I always forget to post something.  This week the theme was on the wall and I knew I already had some pictures I could share for this theme.

This is the wall collage that I put together in the kitchen of our new house.  There was a big blank wall and as soon as I saw it at our inspection I knew I wanted to do a collage there.

The letters I made myself with some scrapbooking paper, paint and paper mache letters from Spotlight.  The clock and the Mr & Mrs Lane sign were both wedding presents.  I bought the birds from Target and the hoop prints from Typo.  The pot holders I was lucky enough to win in a giveaway that Casey did a little while ago.  They were the perfect colours to add into our collage.  Now hopefully I will get my act together and keep posting as a part of this meme cause it is lots of fun.  If you want to join in head over here.

Nurse Graduation Cake

Today was my friend's last day at work.  She recently finished studying nursing and has gotten a graduate position which she starts next week.  To celebrate we had a little party at work and I made the cake.  Unfortunately, she was horribly sick today so she only ended up coming in for an hour but she absolutely loved her cake.  I'm glad I was able to make her last day a little bit special.  Here are some pics....

This cake is far from perfect but I am pretty happy with how it turned out.  It's only the second time I have attempted a fondant covered cake.  Last time it was a lot cooler so the fondant was easier to work with.  Summer is not the best time to work with fondant on the Gold Coast.  But I am still happy with how the cake turned out and I know the more I practice the more I will improve.  

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake

Last night my parents, my aunty and my cousins came round for dinner and to see our new house.  Late in the afternoon I decided it might be nice to make a cake so I quickly whipped up this Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake.  The recipe cake from an old women's weekly cookbook called Cakes & Slices.  This cake was delicious!!! If you are a fan of peanut butter I highly recommend giving this recipe a try.  Just cut small slices because it is quite rich.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake by Womens Weekly

Cake
125g dark chocolate chopped
125g unsalted butter
2 tsp vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups castor sugar
4 eggs, separated
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup self raising flour
3/4 cup plain flour
1 cup milk

Icing
90g butter
90g packaged cream cheese
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
2 tbs honey

Melt chocolate over hot water and cool to room temperature.

Cream butter, sugar and essence in a small bowl until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg yolks one at a time then beat in chocolate and peanut butter.

Transfer mixture to a large bowl.  Stir in half the sifted flours followed by half the milk.  Stir in remaining flour and milk.

Beat egg whites in small bowl until soft peaks form, fold half into mixture, then fold in remaining.  Pour into a prepared pan.

Bake in a moderate slow oven for 1 1/2 hours.  Stand for 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack.

For icing cream butter and cream cheese in small bowl until light and fluffy.  Beat in half the sifted icing sugar and half the combined peanut butter and honey.  Beat in remaining icing sugar and peanut butter mixture.  Spread on cooled cake.

Enjoy xo

I'm Popular

Ha ha what a lame post title. I hate thinking up posts titles.  But I digress.  I am super duper excited because my winter sailor pants post on Sew Weekly is on of the top 5 most popular posts from the last week.

If you haven't had a chance to read my post yet then pop over here to check them out.  Don't forget to check out everyone else's creations too because there are some amazing ones on there.

January Reading List

So this year I am reattempting my goal of reading 52 books from last year.  Last year I only made it to 40 books.  This month I have only read 3 books which is a pretty slow start to the year.  I am hoping I will beat that amount next month. But for now here is my reading list from January.

Saving Rachel was a book that was only 99c on Borders when I was buying ebooks for my new reader.  I grabbed it because of the price and I'm so glad I did because I loved the book. It's a super quick read and it sucks you in straight away.  It is a thriller/mystery type book and I must say the twist at the end is worth the read.

Seriously, I'm Kidding was the first book I bought for my new ereader after Christmas.  It is the most random book I have ever read and it is hilarious.  It is literally just random little thoughts and stories that Ellen has decided to share.  I love Ellen! Anyone who loves her tv show has got to read this book because it is hilarious.

Minxy Vintage was a Christmas present from my mum and dad.  I have read this from cover to cover multiple times and it is so inspiring.  It makes me want to cut up and customise all my clothes and shop for vintage at the same time.  Everyone needs to own this book!!!

So I am hoping in February to step it up to 4 books for the month.  Fingers crossed I can reach that goal.

Sew Weekly - Down Under

This week's theme on Sew Weekly was to sew something appropriate for the opposite season to what you are facing at the moment.  Obviously, for me that meant sewing a winter garment.  I decided to make a pair of sailor pants that I have been wanting to make for ages.

To read my full post about these pants pop on over here. And make sure you check out what everyone else has made. There are some very brave ladies in the US making bathing suits who have even dared to model them outside....in the snow!!!