Jikana Damaru: 12/18/10

A change of plan?

I wonder... I wonder if it would be okay with everyone if instead of using random.org to generate a winner for the Gorgeous Giveaway, we just very unrandomly choose Jane at My Pear Tree House. Jane is a long-time follower of Maxabella loves... and a fun, generous supporter of many of our blogs. And, oh my, she's going through a really, really tough time right now.

Please let me know via comment if you are okay to forfeit your entry and send all the prizes to Jane. If I get a enough comments saying 'yes' then that is what we will do. We'll send her a care package full of all these lovely handmade presents from all of us in the blogging community.

Thank you Posie Patchwork, Scissors Paper Rock, Mira Narnie, Ivy Designs and Loved for being open to this idea.

Please let us know.

It's Snowing!

How amazing and interesting is it when a storm starts brewing. For a split second you feel and hear the calmness all around you and a sense of eeriness takes over your body and your surroundings. Then the wind changes and picks up and the leaves start blowing in circles, Slowly on the ground first and then they lift and make colourful magic in the air. You then smell that fresh crisp smell of raindrops hitting the grass and hear the pitter patter on the rooftops. It then hits harder and louder with big hard drops pounding their way onto the road and the trees until BOOM the first crack of thunder takes over the sky. Its so exciting. The way the lightning lights up the sky and puts on a show for all to see. The delicate strikes and the beautiful sheets creating a light show that can only be dreamed of. The loud claps and the deep rumbles of the thunder as it responds to the lightning create a performance far beyond imagination. And then if you are really lucky. CLAP...BANG...TING...the first signs of hail...and on Wednesday afternoon (My birthday) as I was mesmerised by the beautiful storm that was showing off for me the hail came hard and fast. I have not seen a hail storm like this in about 15 years. The balls were big and hard! Luckily Rob had come home early and had showed me the sky and explained how the cold air was moving in on the hot air and creating a cold front which showed in the sky where there was darkness with lighter streaks through the sky.,..confused...yep so was I but he was so excited watching it all happen and brew and was desperate for me to understand. Im getting there! So we had put both cars in and got the puppies inside! The hail was so amazing I was squealing like a little kid! It was so loud it was scaring me a little but the scare just added to the feeling of excitement and inside my heart was pounding from adrenaline. Got to love Queensland and our summer storms.

It snowed on my 25th birthday ;) What a day!

x S.K.K x

shadow shot

a place where I enjoyed a long lunch recently.....it was a perfect Summer's day, blue sky & sunshine.

join in with your shadow shot

here:

A quick catch up

So many words, so many thoughts, so many stories. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here is whats been happening in my world over the last few weeks!

Christmas Dinners with family

~ Fresh Oysters and Oyster Kilpatricks ~

Visits and special time with family

~ My Robert and his grandfather Robert ~

Tree viewing - Santa visiting and letter writing with the kids

Girl Times

~ Sushi lunches - Pedicures - Ballet concert rehearsals with Miss 8 ~

Weeks in Noosa

Busy Busy Busy but a lot of fun!

School Holidays are go go go but I couldn't imagine spending my time any differently!

x S.K.K x

Winter Woodland candy cones

Winter woodland candy cones

You will need:
Cone wrapper
Double sided tape
Polka dot cellophane
Ribbon

Equipment
Tim Holtz Non Stick Micro-Serrated Multicutter

Shape~Mates Circles
Shape~Mates Carriage

Instructions

Open cone print template (see image below) and print it out.
Cut around cone wrapper and along lines to give 3 wrappers. (I use the shape mates large circle and cutter to cut out my circles.
Roll one of the wrappers into a cone shape and, using double sided tape, fix in place.
Place a second piece of tape inside the cone along one side and peel off backing.
Cut out cellophane (use the "cellophane pattern" below as a stencil to cut out your cellophane - note each straight line is 24cm long).
Roll cellophane into a cone shape and place inside cone wrapper. Press against the tape to fix in place.
Fill with candy.
Tie ribbon around the top.

Last year I made candy cones for Halloween & Christmas. This year I custom designed some for a friend of mine to give out as wedding favours. Four of us spent several hours putting together over 100 of them to be filled with sugared almonds. So, this Christmas I have designed them around my winter woodland theme and filled them with hand-made nut shaped chocolates with creamy maple centres.

Have a sweet day!