Merry days to you

It's time to take a bloggy break
Christmas is fast approaching
The hubby is off from work
And the kids will officially be in holiday mode by the end of the day
We have lots planned, but also some much needed relaxing
An exciting project is underway
{that I'll share very soon}
We'll go places, but enjoy the comforts of home
Family and friends will be in abundance

To all those that visit this blog...
A Merry Christmas to you, your family and those you love and cherish...wishing a peaceful, joyful and wonderful holiday season.


See you all in 2013

xx

the important things.....

The floors not mopped, the shelves are still dusty.
I'll use the long life milk in the cupboard tomorrow
And hope the washing basket is not too full
With so much to do and so little time
Today was not the day of chores and boring
A mask was made to accompany his handmade creation for tomorrows exhibition
A birthday pressie was made* and delivered
We caught up with dear friends and exchanged homemade gifts
Some last minute baking for a special guest tomorrow
And what's Christmas preparations without a bit of brown paper and twine.

Oh Christmas is here!


How are you managing the lead up?  Do you let the boring jobs slide?  Oh...and last chance to enter my Christmas Giveaway....Ends tonight!

*more on this one later

jam session....

This week, I got together with my bestie for a jam making session.  We both wanted to make a variety of jams to give as gifts at Christmas time and decided that the joy of making should be shared.

So we chose some jam recipes* and headed off to the local fruit market, nonna trolley in tow.  We scoured around and found our produce, and made some variations due to some fruits that weren't available and others that were just too good of a bargin to leave behind.   The imperfect fruit was pefect!

At home we donned aprons, cut, chopped measured and stired.  The aroma's were heavenly as the fruit were transformed into bubbling masses and then thick sticky jams.

Carefully poured into awaiting empty jars, and then later adorned with a snip of fabric and a touch of Christmas trim, these handmade jams are ready. 

Joining in with the ever inspiring crew found here.

*Jams we made were;  spiced pumpkin and orange jam, strawberry jam, mango and apple jam.  I made the red onion chutney a few weeks back.  We also made peanut butter.  Anyone for a p & j sambo? Well, you know the peanut butter is a hit when your children eat it straight from the jar!! 

Also, if you like, please enter my handmade Christmas giveaway! 

Christmas Giveaway

As I continue on my homemade Christmas Journey, a thought occurred, possibly in the wee hours of the night, when most creativity strikes....a little handmade giveaway.  I've not done a giveaway for so long, which means it must be time, and what better time than the season of giving.  So to say thanks for for spending time here on this special little place of mine, I'm offering one person a package of my handmade goodies.  Some things I've been making for ages, some just now...but all I love to make and fill my need to express my creativity in all sorts of ways.

The Christmas Giveaway Package will include

:: 1   An Oh So Handy Key Fob - in true MiraNarnie style, my favourite yellow and grey fabric on black webbing.
:: 2   Set of 4 napkins made with light weight cotton, with rolled edge.
:: 3   Clay bead necklace strung on leather strap in gorgeous hues perfect for summer!
:: 4   Pin cushion - a cute double sided fabric pin cushion filled with poly fill and adorned with ribbon and buttons.
:: 5   Boy's Movie Quote Print (A4 size) - Don't forget the boys in your life...for those that love the movies, this will provide loads of fun!
:: 6   Six Christmas tags decorated with Christmas washi tape and red twine - all your need to do is write on them and pop on a gift! 

You could keep them all for yourself or this little package might help tick a few last minute gifts off your list!

Ok, so how to enter?  I was going to make it a random draw, but apparently that doesn't comply with our States Gaming Requirements. So it has to be a game of skill.  These are the T's & C's of this here giveaway.

Please, make sure you are a follower of this here blog and comment answering the following question:

              Tell me why you need or would like this Handmade Christmas Package?

The Giveaway will be open from 8.30am (EDST) on Wednesday 5th December and close on Tuesday 11th December at 12 midnight (EDST).  The prize winner will be judged by my darling husband whom I will read out only your answers so he wont know who said what! This is a game of skill and the most interesting/entertaining comment will win.  The giveaway is open to all Australian Residents, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday 12th of December and contacted by email or via your blog, so be sure to make sure I can contact you.   Decision is final, and one winner will win all of the above and package will posted directly to the winner.

Good luck

xx

*** Competition now CLOSED!  winner was Em from Tea cup too  - Congrats Em xx

just in time...

I thought I had been rather organised this year in the lead up to Christmas.  I have decided to give many handmade gifts and use the flexibility of online shopping for those that I want to buy for.   I managed to snap up a Melbourne Zoo for a family pass for friends,   two magazine subscriptions from MagShop (it's the gift that gives all year!!).  I also thought this coffee machine would make a great gift and it was delivered the next day.  My good friend Blurb speedily made and sent me gorgeous personalised diaries with pictures of the kids throughout the year.  It's a good feeling knowing I could avoid the shopping centres this year.

But the one item that I thought I had oodles of time for was the advent calendar.  I realised I had about 48 hours till countdown began!  I did find myself with some time, however it was so hot there was no venturing out to any craft store near or far.  So we used what we had at home searching for inspiration high and low.  My darling daughter loves to paint and draw and the collection when I pick her up from Kinder over the course of the year has resulted in a large draw full just of her artwork.

So with a few careful selections, a cut, snip, glue, print, staple and improvisation we made our own advent calendar.  I bit of jute twine strung up with some picture frame hooks and some quick tassels made with crepe paper and it has a whimsy Christmassy vibe.    A secret activity hidden behind each one, and I am feeling ready for the festivities.

Now is Santa is listening or reading...I did on my travels spot this gorgeous set of Orla Kiely tins from Lark! I do hope I've been good!

Have got your advent calendar ready?

getting our craft on {my creative space}

Crafty-ness seems to comes in waves in this house.  It's full steam ahead...all systems go...five hundred and seventy three projects going on OR there is nothing.  At the moments it's the former.  I've got motivation, assistance, piles of fabric and craft boxes oozing with goodness that are constantly being turned into something!  Not to mention some invitations to some lovely craft markets over the next few months.  It's the most loveliest form of flattery...them ringing you asking if you will exhibit at their market!

I'm attempting a handmade approach to Christmas presents this year, so am hopefully giving myself plenty of time to get things in place.  So this week has seen us already embark on Christmas Craft for the kids....some fabric covered baubles (see copious amounts of modge podge!).   I've started making napkins for teacher gifts and my friend and I have booked in a jam making session in the next few weeks.

I am hoping to make myself a few items as well and even get some tutorials posted here on the blog.  Am I in over my head?  who knows...but like always..crafty-ness has to be close to crazy-ness!

Are you planning to make Christmas gifts?
When it rains creativity at yours, does it pour? 

Well it's pouring with creativity at this lovely spot! 

xx

Christmas Turkey

Ok....so I've been asked by so many how my Christmas Turkey turned out, and when they heard it was a success asked for the recipe - so easiest solution is to post it on my blog i thought (and this way I know where my recipe is come December!)  I'm totally bummed that I didn't take a picture of my accomplishment, but you'll just have to believe me that all 4.5 kilo's of my Christmas Turkey was moist, succulent, tasty and cooked to perfection....

You do need to start this turkey the day before as it needs to soak in a brine for 24 hours.  Don't be alarmed.  All up you spend about 30 minutes getting things prepared, but brining is so essential!

So bookmark this for next Christmas - you can never be too organised!

Ingredients:

Brine:
8 litres water
250g sea salt
200g sugar
6 bay leaves
1 tbsp whole peppercorns
4 tbsp maple syrup
4 tbsp honey
1 orange, quartered
2 onions, peeled and quartered

Turkey and Gravy:
4.5-5 kilo turkey
125g softened butter
salt and ground pepper
1 cup of white wine
1 cup of chicken stock, plus a little extra for gravy
1 tbsp cornflour


1.  Make the Brine
Place all the brine ingredients in a large stockpot.  Store to dissolve. Add, turkey and refrigerate for 24 hours.  My turkey was not quite defrosted when I placed it in the brine, so I actually left the pot in a cool spot covered with cling film and a tea-towel.  A couple of hours before roasting remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry with kitchen towel.  Allow turkey to come to room temperature before proceeding.

2. Prepare the turkey
Pre-heat oven to 180 (160 with fan)
Place turkey on wire rack in baking dish and rub all over with softened butter.  Season well with salt and pepper.  Pour wine and stock into dish and cover turkey with aluminum foil (use heaps if you have to!)

3. Roast turkey for 2 hours, basting frequently.  Remove foil and cook uncovered for another 30-45 minutes until golden brown.  Continue to baste with the liquid adding more if required.  Test the turkey by piercing thigh with metal skewer.  If the juices run clear, turkey is cooked.  Remove from the oven and allow to rest, covered whilst you make the gravy (or to pour yourself a glass of vino).

4. Gravy
pour juices from the pan into a small saucepan (you can skim off any fat if there is any).  Add some stock and some cornflour until thick.

5.  All that is left to do, is carve up your turkey and enjoy!!!

(image)

whilst I was away.....

Oh it's good to be back!  wow - 2011...what will the year hold??

I hope that your festive season was Merry and New Year kicked off with a sh-bang....

....So whilst I wasn't blogging...here's a little wrap up of what went on!

1. was in charge of cooking Christmas dinner and managed to cook a 4.5 kilo turkey and this great glazed ham. 
2. started restoring these thrifted chairs. 
3. made a fabric hopscotch for the kids
4. booked in some stalls at this market
5. made some kid-friendly sewing kits
6. enjoyed lazy days in the back yard with the kids eating ice-cream on mini cones!
7. my little girl toilet trained herself - no kidding.  I put the undies on, pointed to the potty and she never missed a beat!
8. Enjoyed time with family and friends
9. went cherry picking with the kids
10. re-decorated my son's room
11. marveled at some lovely handmade gifts i received xx

I'll blog a bit more about some of the projects I've been working on in the next few weeks!

My favourite memory of the holidays has to be my son waking up on Christmas morning.  We went up to County Vic to stay with family and be with our young neices.  My son woke early and asked if he could sneak into the lounge room to see if Santa had come.  He took one look under the tree, put his arm up in a little fist and quietly but emphatically went "yeeeeessss".

Looking forward to seeing what you all have been up to and getting on with sharing some other projects I've install for this year! 

The merriest of Christmas....

To YOU!! 

As Mira Narnie blog takes a little bloggy holiday - I'm sending you all lots of festive cheer in my last post for the year... to say that blogging has been a blast is a complete understatement.  I blogged for most of the year and was completely overwhelmed at the blogging community I find myself in.  I started half-heartedly thinking it really wasn't for me - that i wouldn't get enjoyment out of it - oh how i was wrong! 

It's been a pleasure to visit so many wonderful blogs, to have lovely folks come visit and leave gorgeous comments that brighten my day.  I finally found a creative outlet, somewhere to share ideas, to gain them, to read about others' points of view, to get inspiration, hopefully to inspire, make new friends and a love for all things crafty and handmade. 

I'm looking forward to having a nice break with my loved ones.... enjoying summer days, gelato and playing with the kids. 

May the Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter! 

I look forward to seeing you all on the flip side - 2011!  wow!  

xx

spiced Christmas cookies

I promised a few posts back that I would share a great spiced Christmas cookie recipe that I have adapted from an English cookbook....

We made another batch yesterday morning -  and just as I was about to bake them, I realised that the sugar packet was on the bench - unopened!! Oh dear!  Roll all that mixture back up and somehow I incorporated the sugar and started again!  Oh well, the kids got the use the cookie cutters AGAIN!

Here's what you'll need;

350g plain flour
2 tsp mixed spice (or use a tsp cinnamon and a tsp of nutmeg)
1/2 tsp bi-carb soda
100g butter, softened
175g light or brown sugar
1 egg
4 tbs maple syryp

1. sift flour, spices and soda into a bowl.  rub in the butter until mixture in like breadcrumbs, then stir in the sugar (don't forget the sugar!!!)
2. Add the egg, syrup and mix all together to make the dough.
3.  Roll out on a floured surface until 1cm thick.
4. cut out using cookie cutters and place on a baking tray and refrigerate for 1 hour
5. bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown - allow to cool then transfer onto a wire rack.

Biscuits will keep for 5 days in an air tight container!!  Perfect to make if you'll be having visitors streaming in in the next few days!

Getting into the Christmas Spirit here....

I purchased some plain t-shirts a while ago, and decided now would be a great time to create something unique and festive. 

My daughter loves her "new one" as she calls it and these ones have been posted to my two nieces in Country Victoria, so they can enjoy wearing them in the lead up to Christmas!

Not many sleeps to go now!!!  Hope you are getting into the spirit!!!

Shop Update.....

It's been a while since I paid my little shop some attention.  I've taken a little break from my Etsy shop, but I still love to spend time nuturing my Made It Shop (and doing some shopping there too!)...

So...if you have a spare few minutes and you still need some Christmas pressies, or stocking fillers do pop over to Made It.  I love admiring so many crafty folk we have in Aus!  I'll show you some great purchases I've made soon.

My store can be found here - I have added some new items, as well as reducing some of my others!

pictures; 
oh so handy key fob
flower power dress
hair accessory pack
blue summer time dress