what was your first????

Source: society6.com via Micah on Pinterest

During a great catch up with friends, discussion swayed from one hilarious topic to another....

and then....just like that.  silence fell.

I'd asked a question that broke all the little conversations going around the table.   How was I to know it was going to have such a profound effect....So what was it that I asked??

What was your first music single that you bought? Or was gifted?

Ohhhh it has us all thinking back many many years....for some, it was a cass-single, others of the younger variety, remembered their first CD Single and later their first full CD album.    They joy of saving that money, heading down the music store, and then rushing home to hit repeat on the CD player to hear it over, and over, and over.

So, to break the ice, I admitted my purchases first.

My first CD single was "Where do you go" by No Mercy and it came in the little cardboard pocket.   It cost $9.50.

My first Cassette was Tina Arena followed very closely by Micheal Bolton (oh yes, Michael Bolton! The shame!)

Others shared their purchases and it included....Roachford, Michael Jackson, Daryll Braithwaite (yes, the horses song!), Madonna and REM.

So....what was your first music purchase....single, album, vinyl?

Do you remember that moment?

xx

my creative space {another one saved}

On a recent trip to the Country to visit the folks, I chanced the opportunity to go to a fav thrift store, and struck it lucky with this delightful little timber side table.  

I could not resist.  And for the stellar price of a tenner....my little DIY gene was in full swing.

This little table, once a few peices of timber  I would say has been hand-crafted.  It also looks as though it's been painted several times.  Bright orange being one such choice long ago...

So, yes, with those curves it was just crying out for more than just plain paint.  I armed myself with some lovely delux gift wrap, mod podge and a brush and got to it. 

I painted the majority of the table in grey, which is the same paint I used to paint the bottom of these chairs.  I left the top, and the draw and the bottom shelf plain as I wanted to cover them in the gift wrap.

I added the gift wrap to the top and the drawer using mod podge as both a glue and a top coat. I didn't have enough paper to cover the bottom shelf, so instead used a little yellow paint that I had coincidentally bought some time ago, and it matched perfectly. 

And here she is....in all her newly updated DIY glory!
A new drawer knob from provincial living, and it was all done!

I love how it has turned out.  Yellow and grew are just a match made in colour heaven.  I'm also glad I just painted the bottom shelf plain yellow as I think more paper would have been a bit too much. I

 couldn't resist doing a little styling with my newest (old) saved bit of furniture.  

And for much much more inspirational projects click this way...

xx

sour cherry cake

I know I know....where have I been?  A bit absent...I admit!  Unfortunately, why is it, when life gets a little busier it's the blogging that suffers.  But I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, and by way of redeeming myself, here is a little sweetener! This cake was made to take to a dear friends lunch.  She cooked an amazing slow cooked lamb shoulder (oh my!) and this was our dessert.  We both have a penchant for the sour taste of lemons, and with the morello cherries, this cake is great if you enjoy your sweets not too sweet.

Here is what you need....

720g jar morello pitted cherries (although I think my jar was 690g)
125g butter
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind (I added more!)
165g (¾ cup) caster sugar
2 eggs
150g (1 cup) self-raising flour
75g (½ cup) plain flour
½ cup sour cream
60ml (¼ cup) milk

How to make it -

1. Grease a 20cm baba* or ring pan, sprinkle with flour, shake out excess flour.
2. Drain cherries well then place on absorbent paper to drain further. Combine butter, rind and sugar in a small bowl, beat with electric mixer until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beat until combined. Transfer mixture to large bowl, stir in sifted flours and combined sour cream and milk.
4. Spread half of mixture into prepared pan, scatter cherries evenly over top and carefully spread remaining mixture over cherries.
5. Bake at 160°C for about 1 hour 10 minutes or until cooked. Stand for 10 minutes before turning onto wire rack to cool. If desired, dust cold cake with sifted icing sugar.

Serves 8.

Recipe hint: For a smooth exterior on cakes, chill tin before greasing. Butter or margarine will form a more even coating and adhere better.

* Mine was a little bigger, but I used it anyway...it just meant that it was a little flatter...but you could easily use a normal cake tin...just check the cake regularly as mine only took about 40 minutes.

I'll be blog hopping soon to see what been happening in your world.

How do you manage blogging when life gets busy?  Is it one of the first things that goes to the bottom of the priority list?


xx

Wordless Wednesday (Colour POP holiday wrap up)

linking up here...

I'm grateful for....{bicycles}

Hey, it's that time of the week....time to be stand still and be grateful.  Bron's back too.  Whoo hoo!  Bron, we missed you, but I think we all had a bit of fun with the touring gratefuls too.

So today I'm grateful for...

1.  Bicycles -   My kids love them, I love them, and there is just something special about watching your kids ride around, feeling the air hit their face and be free.

2. Crafting in numbers -  well, it's no surprise I love to craft, but crafting in a group, or even with just one other crafty soul just makes it even the more enjoyable.  I ventured out to a little crafty get together this week with my special tailored bag in tow and its fabulous to be surrounding by so many other crafty types.

3. Breakfast out -  It's not often we go out for breakfast...but the other morning I was particularly feeling like some poached eggs and instead of making them at home...the kids and I went off to a local cafe (kid friendly recommended) and enjoyed kiddy pancakes and eggs florentine for me!  It felt super luxurious...

Please join in the fun!
xx

my creative space {a portable solution}

I would consider myself an opportunistic person.  I seem to find a way of multi-tasking,  and prepare for an opportunity to sneak in some "me time" when the chance arises. I'm the one who brings a book to the doctors waiting room, and loves to do a spot of craft whilst out and about.

Which brings me to my dilemma.  The portable craft!

You see, since blogging and my keen interest to learn more crafts, I tag along to a few crafty groups, and I'm always taking a craft along with me when we hit the road for day trips or travelling back to the country to visit family.  But the day of cramming a craft in my hand bag came to a dramatic realisation when the other day.....I packed a craft in a plastic bag.  Oh the Horror!

So when I spotted this little beauty-case at a country thrift store for the bargin price of 50 cents, I snapped it up, with a purpose in mind.

I lined the lid, sewing on some cute little pockets.  A felt strip for keeping pins and needles handy.  A ribbon to tie up my measuring tape and a handy little slip for a pen or marker.

I covered a small yoghurt container in matching fabric just using craft spray glue, and found bits and pieces like a little rectangle wicker basket for storing handy bits and bobs.

I filled it with various goodies....scissors, threads, tape, pins, fabric, notebook, clips, buttons, pen, fabric marker and more.

This Blue Crafty Bag, is now ready for portable craft adventures. 

And for even more craft adventures please visit this amazing place! 

xx

How to survive IKEA

Ok, so from the title it's pretty obvious that yes, infact I did manage to get to IKEA. And whilst this girl is a pretty esteemed and experience shopper, for some reason IKEA has me quaking in my boots (perhaps could be that claustraphobic fear!!)

I think I can count on one hand how many times I've actually been to IKEA and the very first time, was unplanned, an accident and reminescent of that episode of Kath and Kim.  I got lost, I got overwhelmed, I didn't follow the arrows, I didn't buy a thing (although I loved heaps)...I was just, not prepared.

So, I'm no expert, but here are my tips if you plan a trip to IKEA...

1. Research - get your catalogue, go online and make a list of what you want.  IKEA website have an online shopping list that you can add items too and when you print it, it will tell you where you need to find them in the self-serve warehouse...so no stressing out if you can't find it in the showroom!

2. Go when it's quiet - I took advice from a lovely blogger that mentioned Mondays are very quiet at IKEA.  Hubby was reluctant to come with me, so he knocked off work a little bit earlier for to me to make the trip alone.  I took out the car seats, emptied the boot and laid the seats down flat already.  It was bliss....me and the five other shoppers were able to breeze about the place with ease!  

3. Get yourself ready - I wore sneakers, a bag I could fling across my body filled with water, pen, paper, my shopping list, measuring tape, a snack and phone (for taking pictures of course!).  Also, measurements of any required space in your home you need to fill with IKEA goods.  No good getting home and spending hours (or days!) putting together the EXPIDET, only to find that it's 5cm too big! 

4. Take your time - Stand back and look at how they set things up.  Even if it is just a $9 lamp.  It will be no good to you if it's not going to work in your space at home.  Sit in the chairs or the sofa, even if it is just to look at that $25 picture frame on the opposite wall.  You'll soon realise if you love it, or need it.

5.  Use the staff - can't find something. ASK.  Can't lift something? ASK.

6. It's not all about the big stuff - Sometimes you'll love the item that cost the least the most....IKEA offer some great quirky items, and seriously silly prices!

and have fun
xx