Friday, July 30, 2010

A Family Favourite - Sour Cream Carrot Cake


My mum used to make this cake when I was a kid, and it is so yummy. Especially with the 'cheesecake' icing. So quite a while ago, I copied this recipe from my mum's collection, and over the last couple of weeks, have made it a couple of times for my family, which they are loving :-)

Thought I'd share the goodness here too...

Sour Cream Carrot Cake

1 cup wholemeal SR flour
1 cup white plain flour
1 tsp Bicarb of Soda
2 tsp Cinnamon
2 tsp Nutmeg
1 cup white or raw sugar
1 cup vegetable or sunflower oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup Sour Cream
3 cups grated Carrot (about 4 carrots)

Sift flours, soda, cinnamon and nutmeg into large bowl.
Add sugar and oil, mix well.
Put eggs and sour cream into separate bowl, beat well.
Add to flour mixture, mix until smooth.
Add carrot, mix well.
Pour into 2 greased and lined loaf tins. (I usually make one big round cake instead, just needs to cook a little longer)
Bake at 180, centre of oven.
When cooked, stand a few minutes, turn onto wire rack to cool.
Top with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Icing

60g packet Cream Cheese
30g Butter
1 tsp grated Lemon Rind
1 1/2 cups Icing Sugar

Mix cheese, butter, lemon until smooth.
Gradually beat in sifted icing sugar.

xx

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Little Boy Dress Ups

Another fun week at kinder for Jude - he had two dress up days - yep..two!

Tuesday he went as Peter Pan...


And then on Wednesday he went as Carol from the movie/book "Where The Wild Things Are". Danielle rustled up this costume over a couple of days, made from scratch - isn't it crazy cool? Jude loves it!

Such a cutie :-)

xx

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Cupcake Cuteness


So I didn't make it to the Craft & Quilt Fair on Friday but this was the reason why - Alannah's Cupcake Party which was held on Saturday.

Ambitiously, I decided to sew a little apron for each little girl attending (10 including Alannah) and then went ahead and designed a not-so-simple apron to reproduce...stupid maybe, but it all looked very cute :-P

Here are a few photos of the event taken by my lovely talented sister DQ :



So this is what I'd been working on pretty much all last week, ignoring housework, cooking and other usual responsibilities..he he...fun!

And I want to send a huge 'thank you' to my sis Dan, Reeze, Kate & Paula for all your help last week and on the day - you guys are the best! xx

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair


Starts today. I'm heading in tomorrow - anyone else going?

xx

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Friday, July 16, 2010

Before & After - Kitchen Reno

So most of you who have been following my blog for the past couple of years, will know that we have been undertaking some major renovating, including an extension and rebuild on the existing cottage. We are still working away finishing off lots of little bits, and I hope to have more 'before & after' shots to share in the near future!

But the kitchen is pretty much finished now, so here is the before shot...


And the after shots....this first one is taken from the same spot as the 'before' photo..



My new friend, the dishwasher, is now installed, and really the only things left to do are properly install the kickboards and one more coat of paint on the bi-fold window frames.

And I picked up this funky tea towel from Yardage Design on etsy for the photos, and because who doesn't just love a new design-y tea towel every now and then...love it!


Yay! a finished room!

Thanks to DQ for taking some photos for me :-) (the last one is mine though :-P).

Oh, and a few notes...my kitchen is not always this tidy..he he....and it was styled up by me and Dan for these photos. I will make an effort to keep it this neat and lovely looking, but knowing my family, the benches wont remain this clutter-free for very long :-P

xx

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A Work In Progress

Just a little something for the kitchen..

It's All In The Technique



Jude perfecting his bowling style... ain't he cute :-P

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Crochet Beanie Bands - Made to Order

After some very positive feedback about my crochet beanie bands, I am putting them out there for an item that you can now purchase.

I've come up with a few more designs, and will be making each beanie band to order.

Three Layer Flower...


with optional beaded detail....


a leafy vine...
Two layered flower with leaves...optional two coloured flower


And my original beanie band in action...


Headbands are $25 each. But buy 2 or more and get a 10% discount.

If you are interested, email me at kell.ingram78@gmail.com for discussion of designs & colours.

As for the girls crochet flower band, I am just working out some kinks, to make them adjustable, and then they will also be up for ordering. Will post about them another day.

xx

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Ebay De-stash

Just in case anyone is interested in some scrapbooking bargains, I have some kits, stamps and Cuttlebug embossing folders listed over at ebay...




Find me over here.

x

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Hang on...where did that hour disappear to??

Ok..I'm in trouble..I've found this website that allows you to create your own interior styling mood boards - yay! fun!

It's called Olioboard - it's free and fantastic and fun! Why not join up and play along?

Here are a couple of boards that I made up this morning...



But I could very easily spend A WHOLE LOT OF TIME there...it's very addictive, and fun...did I mention fun?

xx

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Friday, July 2, 2010

Jamie Oliver - You Rock!

I followed one of Jamie Oliver's bread recipes the other day and it was amazingly yummy..

Sweet Red Onion & Garlic Bread, taken from his book "Jamie's Kitchen".

Here's some shots...


So perfect for a cold wintery day

x