Mistletoe and Twine

2012!!!! Hello

2012-01-18T18:46:00.000-08:00

Wow where has time gone............I know it has been a VERY long time since I updated my blog but this is the year to get back on track.......

Lots and lots of goals in place this year and hopefully all going well a 'Night of Christmas' at my house again.....or at least a stall at the local Whangarei Artisans fair closer to Christmas, and yes I have already started stitching in preparation for this!.
Last year saw me having a stall at our local Hospice House Tours which I did extremely well at and so did hospice - the weather shone and it was a brilliant weekend - there were alot of stalls where I was at Apotu Rd North of Whangarei and it looked very much like the pictures you see in English magazines of country fetes with lots of buntings, fantastic art work and crowds of people!
So off to my stitching I go........will be updating this blog frequently and maybe an odd photo or two of my creations along the way ........

Macaroons - the new cupcakes!

2010-05-28T00:01:00.001-07:00

Rumour has it that macarons / macaroons are hitting the world by storm - out with the old (cupcakes) and in with the new! My Mum made some this week and they were really yummy will have to try and snap some photos of the next batch (pistachio and white chocolate)before they all get eaten. I have made some in the past and definetly think they are addictive both to make and eat mine I filled with a white chocolate and fresh raspberry ganache.

But till actual photos of our homemade ones are taken I thought I would put some photos of some in French shops just to tease the taste buds...(love how everything is clearly priced so you know exactly how many you can afford before even entering the store).

Macaroons for as far as the eye can see - Yummy!!! At 7 macaroons for 12 Euro in Paris I think I would still have to sample just to see how good they actually are.

Definetly think a tower of macaroons has potential..............a change from a croquembouche.

Hope this has got your mouth watering as mine is!!!!

SPCA CUPCAKE DAY 30 August 2010

2010-05-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

I was just looking at Kiwicakes blog and there it was a reminder to register for SPCA cupcake day....so.......don't be idle sign up now for a really great cause....I'm sure that if everyone raises just a little it will make a huge difference to all those animlas that so need our help.

Our latest car project - still along way to go!

2010-04-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

We brought ourselves a project car from the States last year (sight unseen) after selling our completley done up 68 Chev. I have wanted a mustang for so long now so was fantastic when hubby agreed to us getting one....a long way till it is completed but here are a few along the way photos of where we are at with it.... 1970 Mustang Fastback...Stev ehas rebuilt the engine and trans and painted the engine bay. Body work is nearly all completed but alot of fiddly things to complete. The green car in the picture is something what it will look like when completed although it won't be that colour....

2010-04-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Well I went to the library to try and find some inspiration. Got out a couple of books so hopefully the needle and thread will be picked up again this week.
Have decided to label anything I make 'TWINE'. Think I will have to order some business cards with this name on just to add to the cute factor for anything I make. Thinking along the lines of covered quirky buttons, funky fabric badges, hairclips, woodland dolls , rustic jewellery, cat something-or-rathers and vintage findings. I so love the idea of reusing cool fabrics and trims which is so very in Vogue at the moment. Luckily I have quite a collection of fabric waiting for inspiration to hit. There is a cool shop in Mt Eden Auckland called 'Salvage' which I simply adore.... if you get a chance go and have a look she has cool retro items and very cool window displays.

A long time ago......

2010-04-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Yes well 'Along time ago.....indeed since I last updated this blog. I can't make excuses except to say I have been too lazy and forgetful to even update it and it really did take some time to recover form our last 'Night of Christmas' so much so that Sasha and I have decided to do it every other year to save us from burnout. Thought I would load a few photos of an Easter cake Scott, Lachlan and myself decorated in about 40 mins one afternoon. All three of us had a fantastic time trying to make bunnies - you do have to use your imagination to see them but they are supposed to be Easter bunnies....

I think the real bonus came when we had to eat the left over eggs, even Hubby managed to make an appearance in the kitchen when he realised food was on offer. I also made a batch of Easter cookies, some made it to my workplace raffle, others to friends and family and some we simply just had to eat. Didn't remember to take a photo when they were finished with eyes but you get the idea.....

Also about the same weekend I made my niece who lives in Aucland a belated 21st cake, she was in Thailand on holiday when it was her birthday and she missed out so this is the cake I made her. She thought it was awesome.

Christmas Time Mistletoe and WINE!!

2009-11-17T19:46:00.001-08:00

Okay really getting excited!!!! So many stores have Christmas decorations in them now although I am 'not' getting the WOW factor I usually get when I see all the displays in the stores(come on Whangarei spice it up a bit!!!).....I guess its up to Sasha and I to add that WOW this year!!! Still making truffles although have been VERY inspired by a site called 'Bakerella' definetly feel the need to make cake pops for my evening now as well - as hers are simply the best!!!
Have finished stitching the hundreds of sequins and beads onto my silk Christmas trees - yippee - think I deserve a VERY BIG glass of wine after all that stitching (so prefer to Bake than stitch).
Tonights mission is.......making some fairy trees that I have drawn up, hopefully they will turn out as cool as my drawing!!!! HHHmmmmmm you just never know.
Also tonight is to decorate around some 5 inch round tins I brought from Kiwicakes and to finish the evening (with another wine as well) will be covering pegs - weird I know but if you want to see what I have done you simply need to turn up on the night - 4th December at 14 King St..........

CONTAINERS TO FILL......

2009-11-15T22:54:00.000-08:00

Well not long now till 'night of Christmas' I am so looking forward to meeting everyone and catching up with friends on the 4th December. Had a clear out of my storage cupboard to see all the boxes etc; I have bought during the year to put food goodies in - boy o boy have I got alot

to do!!!

Spent this last weekend almond icing my Christmas cakes and rolling lots and lots of truffles.......brandy and prune with dark chocolate and lemon and lime with white chocolate.

Also I made a sugar snap biscuit cookie tree as per photo below. This was to be displayed at one of the houses taking part in the Whangarei Hospice house tours. The glass covered dish it was in was from our local and very awesome shop 'the French Hen' in the Civic Arcade. I also put some detailed edible snowflakes and snowmen around the base that you can't see in the photo these were from Kiwicakes - cake decorating supplies based here in Whangarei.

Well must go and stitch. I have finished making the 'monsta marble bags' and I am now stitching sequin studded silk Christmas trees......K.

Ho Ho Ho - The Christmas Countdown is ON!!!!!

2009-11-08T21:24:00.000-08:00

Must say I'm getting not just a wee bit excited but a WHOLE LOT EXCITED!!! I simply just love the lead up to Christmas. I walked into a shop the other day and they were playing Christmas Carols - so cool!!!! although I think the staff may already be sick of hearing Jingle Bell Rock.......

Anyway back to our 'Night of Christmas'!!! My darling friend Sasha has put a bomb under me with nightly phone calls, to do lists and showing of each others latest crafty editions for our night....(may I say Sasha is putting me to shame!).

Anyway the photo shows a couple of things I have been making for our night.(oops sorry about the sideways angel!) I have completed making the felt Christmas puddings, the mushies (mushrooms/toadstools), and cupcake decs.

However still to complete on my 'to do' list THIS WEEK is......................(won't even look at next weeks list!!!)

Reindeer noses, reindeer swag, monsta marble bags, large angel, decorate my preserve jars and cookie in a jar jars, almond ice my cakes, make 3 batches of truffles, bag up the invitation cookies, paint the tree stands my hubby is making, paint the icing images for ontop of the Christmas cakes, snowman applique, and six bird decorations........and hopefully find some time for sleep!!! Well must go now and stitch as time is of the essence.........................K.

2009-10-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, got to admidt I have the crafting HUMP! That is I have so so many ideas that keep going around in my mind but very little gets created.
I want to make reindeer swags, quilted funky hearts, labels and tags, stamp ribbon for gift wrapping, runners for the table, christmas Stockings, silk embroidered trees and the list goes on and on.........but where do I start??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will have to have a get together with Sasha I think this weekend to get that create 'thing' happening........she certainly is managing to get sorted for our 'Night of Christmas'. Sasha makes absolutely gorgeous things and nothing has a stitch out of place!!!.........Sasha has had two shared exhibitions at Tuatara here in Whangarei - a quirky out-there shop. My favourite things she has made of late has to be the Monster pins......have put my order in for Christmas........so heres hoping!
Anyway will sit down and try to create.............till then........ ho ho ho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Giant Cupcake Tin!!!

2009-09-27T00:17:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a family holiday in Taupo and my Mum surprised me with a Nordicware Giant Cupcake tin (thanks Mum!!) to add to my business tins for Whangarei Cake Tin Hire....

Couldn't wait to make it so amongst cooking a roast dinner, trying some new sweet recipes for our evening and making a double batch of white chocolate apricot slice I made and decorated this - it literally only took 15 minutes to decorate. The irises are from my garden. Will definetly make another one but with white icing and lots of silver.....would look really cool on top of one of my acrylic cupcake stands I hire out for weddings. Only limited by your imagination!!!

INVITATIONS TO A 'NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS'

2009-09-27T00:13:00.000-07:00

A Night of Christmas 14 King Street kensington 5pm onwards 'Merry Everything'

Wow! September and I'm already being asked for invitations for our evening.......these cookies were alot of fun to make. Sasha and I thought it was a great idea to keep the invitiations simple so this is what we came up with.......... they looked alot sweeter in real life - photo doesn't really do them justice......

TEE HEE PEG ANGELS ARE FINISHED!!!

2009-09-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! This has been a while coming - I have finally finished my peg angels! Maybe something to do with the realisation that its not far till Christmas and do I have alot of stuff to make and create before then. At least last night I planned a few of the foodie things I will make for my Night of Chistmas - thanks to a friend prompting me!!!

Next stitching item I think will be my toadstool cushion and Christmas bugs which I have been dying to make. The weather is supposed to be yuck this weekend so its perfect to have a play with our 'Night of Christmas' invitation cookies and get the boys in the kitchen trying out one or two of the Nordic tins I bought to hire out.

Above is a picture of a couple of my peg angels. They have papier mache bodies, hand painted faces and wee charms sewn onto their waists....

Still no peg angels!!

2009-08-24T00:48:00.000-07:00

Currently STILL trying to complete my peg angels. Have been making monsta marble bags as well - will get some more made so I can get them up on this blog.

Whangarei cake tin hire is now up and running - http://www.hirecaketins.co.nz/ bit of a headache trying to understand all the computer side of it but yippee have quite surprised myself!

Spent the weekend making 60 cupcakes for a friend of a friends 40th thought I'd load a photo just to prove I have been doing something!!!! Love the new perspex cupcake stands I bought in from the Uk to hire think they look really cool!!! Hopefully by the end of the week I will have something CRAFTY to show ........

2009-07-13T02:18:00.000-07:00

Well still working on those peg dolls, very armless at the moment, seem to be giving me the hump over the arms but will make extra effort to complete by end of the weekend.

So Exciting Sasha and I have set the date for 'A NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS'
A night of totally Christmas, music, gifts, food, friends, trees laden - well you get the picture......

The date is Friday the 4th December - the first Friday in December......

Keep posted to my blog in the upcoming months if you want a sneak preview of some of the handmade cuties we will have......(some will be kept under wraps though so you have to come and see....)

Next exciting thing!!!!! I'm going to try and run my own little business in little ole Whangarei called the "WHANGAREI CAKE TIN HIRE'
There's no one doing this now as the little lolly shop we had in town hiring out cakes tins has now closed. So I will be hiring out shaped pans, Bundt/Nordic pans, childrens party tins, novelty pans, cupcake stands, etc etc........ so life will be rather hectic until my mind gets around all the computer side of things to get this established. luckily I have a friend whos full of helpful tips and ideas since she already has Kiwicakes.

So keep posted for next weeks update.......
Kat

Loving these in the Garden at the moment!!!

2009-06-27T00:36:00.001-07:00

Okay so its neither crafty nor a cake but there are some very cool flowers out at the moment, thought I'd share a couple of my favourites (I just love snowdrops, My mums flowered so much better than mine so took a photo of hers).

Will hopefully have a couple of peg ladies to share with you next time as they still need to be made decent.(ie they're lacking skirts!)I will have to think of a cool name for them though as they are turning out kinda cool.

Having heaps of ideas wizzing around in my mind for a 'night of Christmas' will have to make a list so that I actually achieve them.

SO MUCH INSPIRATION SO LITTLE TIME!!!!!!!

Seeya for now

Kat

My Little Birdhouse and tHE Cat!!!

2009-06-20T00:36:00.000-07:00

Love the fabric on this little birdhouse I made. I made these for my 'night of Christmas' last year and I only have two left but this is still my favourite - I lovingly call them 'my little rejects' but seriously I don't really mind as I still think of them as kinda cute.

The cat was made from a recycled tweed jacket I picked up at the local Hospice shop (a fantastic little place to shop for retro fabrics and other bargains)and from some other fabric I had lying around. This year I think nearly everything I make will have wings of some description............

Off to make some papier mache peg angels now, will sit infront of a nice warm fire doing this as its rather cold BBrrrrrrrrr!!!

Hubbys Car

2009-06-13T23:17:00.000-07:00

OK couldn't resist playing so thought I'd try loading up a photo of my husbands 1968 Chev Impala.......I promise the next pictures will be of a cake or something crafty!!!!!!!

Finally did it!

2009-06-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

After much deliberation and stuffing around (and nagging from a certain friend) I have finally made my own blog!!! Yippee!!

Hopefully I will update this at least twice a week and learn how to put my photos up of cakes and crafts I have been making.
My current favourite cake book author is Peggy Porschen with her fabulous cakes I have yet to try making her roses but others reckon its simple so will let you know how I get on. I copied off one of her cakes for my Mums birthday and generally it turned out pretty cool.
Trying to make a cute bear for my Mums friend down in Wellington at the moment if it turns out okay will post a photo next week.....

So that's all for now.

Kat