Jikana Damaru

Blog This Challenge

I couldn't resist the the current challenge over at BLOG THIS - it is to find five wish list items for my next birthday! So sticking with the handmade theme (well for some of it) these are my yummy choices..... now I just have to hope and pray someone in the family reads this....

1. Has to be this necklace from Lovestamp -

2. This Gorgeous Handbag from Rejenerate that was pointed out to me on the Made it forums although the listing is now closed :( but there are a few other nice one's there.

3. An all expense paid trip to Port Douglas and staying at Coconut Grove because a friend has just got back from North QLD and reminded me how damm cold it is here at the moment.

4. Some awesome boots - perhaps these Christian Louboutin boots $1,295 are a little out of my price range and a little impractical with a 2 year old but a cool and comfortable pair would be nice.

5. Gucci Sunglasses - who doesn't want these...

BOY! that was fun... now back to reality. Oh Yeah !! I have started to fill my Esty shop this week Yay and last days for the subscribing comp!!

~ 8 Weeks Until Completion ~

Well the countdown has begun as we are now 8 weeks out from our completion date.

The feature wall in the entry has been painted and while it still has another coat to go I am happy with what I have chosen. The colour is Toffee Fingers and you can sort of get the idea from the picture below.

Bathroom tiling is now complete and ready for fixtures and fittings.

Carpet however still needs to be chosen and it is not an easy choice!!

My mum says that maybe we haven't seen the correct one yet as it will jump out and say "yes" to us when we find it! Let's hope it jumps soon as I can only visit so many carpet shops and take their samples back and forth! Certainly glad though that this is my only problem.

Vintage pastels

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you a vintage pastel colour palette, with these gorgeous pics. Check back soon for some more of the most inspirational photographers on Flickr.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites (clockwise from top left):

The vintage thread spools in notions IV by ohmykozy
The gorgeous colours on these vintage looking cars in Figaro Boots by NWT 2005
The beautiful tableware in the Dresser by Snowdrops in Spring
The array of colours in Pretty Vintage Seam Binding by Only a Paper Moon

Have a great day! x

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by the sweet Oh, French!, so I have to list 10 things about myself and tag 10 other bloggers with the award. Here are my 10!

I am a Marilyn Monroe fan.

I have been sewing things since I was a little kid!

Diet coke is my drink of choice!

I am trying to get everything in my kitchen colour coordinated.

I wear these a lot! They are so comfy.

This is my first purchase from Cath Kidston, a tray I bought over 10 years ago, and is still my favorite print of hers.

I love candy! (if you hadn't guessed already)

I love bows on everything.

I love finding new and vintage trims.

I relax by gardening.

Over to the sweet bloggers:

French Charming - adorable finds and pics.
Mimi Charmante - I love her Treasures post!
A little bit vintage - for inspiring craft projects
Alluring Interiors - for, you guessed, alluring interior photos
Among the hedgerows - for the softest, romantic photos
Bella Dreams - she has the prettiest of homes
Bluebird Notes - for beautiful photographs and more
City of Dionne - for the best illustrations, among other great things
Daisy Pink Cupcake - for beautiful inspiration and ideas
In Bug's Drawers - for great stories and pics

Please check out there adorable blogs. Have a great weekend x

~ Let the Party Continue ~

Another weekend of parties for us! August is a big month for my family so we continue our celebrations this weekend with my nephew who turns 13 and my niece who turns 3 plus the re-celebration of my sisters birthday last week and Sienna's 5th birthday last week! I have had enough cake to last me a good month or two!

Hope your weekend is filled with lots of surprises as well!

ooohh.. look what I got in the mail

Thank you to the lovely Beckie from One Wise Owl for a very special package I got in the mail this week. I was one of the lucky winners in her Facebook competition and scored this very pretty coin purse and cute owl brooch. Her products are made using vintage, recycled, or reclaimed fabrics and range from bags, to purses, toys, beautiful cards and papercraft. Check out her lovely store here and if you love her stuff as much as I do why not become a fan on her facebook page too. Hope you have a great weekend!

Blackberry marshmallows

Blackberry Marshmallows (makes about 500g)

Ingredients
455g (16 ounces) granulated sugar
1 tbsp liquid glucose (light corn syrup)
340ml (11.5 fluid ounces) water
9 sheets of gelatine
2 large egg whites
2 tsp vanilla extract
vegetable oil for greasing tin
125g (4.5 ounces) fresh blackberries, blended
1 tbsp sieved Icing sugar for dusting (powdered sugar)
1 tbsp sieved Cornflower for dusting (cornstarch)

Cooking instructions

Lightly oil a shallow baking tray, dust with icing sugar and cornflower.
Soak the gelatine in 140ml cold water.
Place the granulated sugar, glucose syrup and the remainder of the water in a heavy-based saucepan. Bring to the boil and continue cooking for about 12-15 mins until the temperature reaches 127 deg C (260 deg F) on a candy thermometer.
Add the soaked gelatine and water carefully to the pan of syrup when it is up to temperature.
Pour the syrup into a metal jug.
Beat the egg whites until stiff.
Continue to beat the egg whites with an electric whisk while pouring hot syrup from the jug. The mixture will become thick and shiny.
Add the vanilla extract and continue whisking for about 10 mins.
Add the blackberries and continue whisking until the mixture is stiff enough to hold its own shape.
Spoon mixture into tray and leave to set in fridge for at least an hour.
Dust work surface with icing sugar and cornflower and turn out marshmallow, cut into squares (easiest with cheese wire) and lightly roll in icing sugar & cornflower, leave to dry on a wire rack.
Store the marshmallows in an airtight container.

Packaging

You will need:
Cone wrapper
Double sided tape
Cellophane
Ribbon

Print cone wrapper (double click the "blackberry cone wrapper" below, which will open up in a separate window ready to print).
Cut around cone wrapper and along dotted lines.
Roll wrapper into a cone shape and, using tape, fix in shape.
Place a second piece of tape inside cone along one side and peel off backing.
Cut out cellophane (double click the "cellophane pattern" below, which will open up in a separate window ready to print. Note each straight line is 24cm long).
Roll cellophane into cone, place inside cone wrapper and fix in place.
Fill with candy.
Tie ribbon around the top.