Paint Project #2 - Handprinting!

Stealing an idea I saw at the BHG Live show over the weekend, Fern and I had muchos fun this morning painting her handprints onto some mini-canvases I picked up at the $2 shop earlier this week. 

Here's Fern contemplating the task ahead:

... and LOVING her hand being painted up:

I don't have any pics of the actual hand being printed... Im sure that you can appreciate that complete parental supervision was required at this point and that meant the camera had to be put safely away!! I chose 3 shades of red/ pink but unfortunately the first canvas got a little smushed in Fern's enthusiasm to press her hand to the canvas. She was an old hand by the third canvas though and was disappointed when it was all over! I then let her outside with the clean paintbrush and a bowl of water to 'paint' with -- tee hee.

The finished product? See for yourself:

Cute, non? Have a great weekend x

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Friday Favourites - Lovely Lemon

Another big weekend of events for me so today I am all inspired by Lemon which is the theme of Saturdays Dessert Table.  I am putting together a yummy table of treats for the Working Mums Masterclass that I blogged about earlier in the week here.

On Sunday it is event number two - the Stillbirth Foundation Australia's 5th Birthday Lunch.  At this event I am putting together a candy table which will be loads of fun for the guests.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and I look forward to showing you some pictures next week.

Dooby Design Group

Save the Date for Cupcakes

Martha Stewart

Hello Naomi

The Sweetest Ocassion

Scissors Paper Cake

Ruby Ju via Amy Atlas

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photo of the day : tiny hand

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Our Home!

A before and after of the outside of our home! 

This was taken in October 2007.

And below is October 2010!

New: door, roof, siding, and shutters. 

I don't know if others can tell a big difference or if it's just me knowing that in real life view it looks 20x better but I'm really loving it! I want to tackle those concrete steps and iron railing this Spring with a fresh coat of paint! Oh, and a new light fixture!


It's been three years since we bought our first home, three years since we became 'homeowners'! I'm proud of how far we have come and how much we have achieved. I'm so thankful and happy when I come home everyday to comfort. It may not be a big house or a new house, but it's everything we need. At least for now :) 

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Things I learned this week including that I'm happiest when I'm being creative

Happy Friyay!

As I write this I am looking out my hotel window at the sweep that is Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Queensland. Am I on holidays again, you ask? No I am not.

I am sporting a media pass and covering the V8 Supercars race for my work. Oh, the glamour.

As I race about (pun!) dodging grid girls (fun!), I had ample time to reflect on what I learned during the week that was...

1. A friend asked me on Monday, "Besides your family, what makes you happiest?" and without hesitation I responded that time stands still for me when I'm writing, making and generally being creative. Wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, I would much rather be making something.

2. A 'flimsy' is a quilt top before the batting and backing have been added (thank you Sue at Charlotte's Cottage!)

3. Whenever you see a large group of idle teenagers, one will be plucking away at a guitar. It's best to vacate before they launch into a rendition of Stairway to Heaven because, believe me, it will happen and it will not be pretty.

4. Geocaching is a high-tech version of a scavenger hunt using GPS. There are hunts already preset that you can download here -  it really adds that extra something to a bushwalk. Check out the fabulous Geocache bag and goodies that Emily made over at her fabulous Saltwater Kids site.

5. I knew this already, but bloggers really do seem to be the nicest bunch of people on the planet. What is it about blogging that brings out the best in people? The delicious comments I received on the mermaid party post made the party even better. Generous, warm, inviting and supportive... I don't think the critics know what they're talking about!!

How about you? Did you learn anything new to share this week?

[Image by Kristine May]

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First Award!

Woohoo my first award! I received the "Sweetest Award" from amylouwho. Thanks Amy!

Rules for Happy 101 award:

√ post who gave you this award.

√ state ten things you like.

√ give this award to 10 other bloggers

and notify them with a comment.

My Ten Likes (at the moment!):

~4 days until my baby niece arrives

~My new Scentsy "Central Park" scent

~Hub's new work hours

~H&M opening at our mall today

~Dog sitting a golden retriever this weekend

~My clean house

~The leaves turning colors

~The Holidays approaching

~4 days until my baby niece arrives (yes, again)

~Blogging

And, I'm giving this award to:  

Kaley, Lori, Kathy, Ashley, Mandee, Jessi, Lisa, Laura, Allie, Jenn, Liz

I'm aware that's 11. But it's my first award and I feel extra giving ;)

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Acorn & Will Giveaway

Back in August I featured the adorable Acorn & Will, an online store selling accessories including bird and animal brooches, floral earrings, bird hair slides, and cute vintage homeware like the array of pastel hued jugs and the prettiest of floral cushions. Not forgetting, of course, the delightful new vintage Christmas range with retro kitsch cupcake toppers, vintage holly print coasters and paper honeycomb trees.

I'm so pleased to announce a giveaway of £35 worth of store credit for Acorn & Will, and it's open to readers worldwide!

To enter, please visit Acorn & Will and then leave a comment below this post letting me know what you would spend your store credit on. The giveaway ends on Thursday, October 28th 2010 at 10pm (GMT) and I will randomly select and announce a winner on Friday, October 29th.

To increase your chances of winning this fabulous prize, you can gain one additional entry for doing each of the following:

• tweeting about this giveaway
• blogging about it
• following/subscribing to the Torie Jayne blog

For the first two, please leave a comment below with the link to your tweet or blog post.

This giveaway is open to readers worldwide.

Good luck and have a sweet day!

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