Quick Fix - High Round Neck to V Neck

I love my David Bowie tee...even though it's white (not a colour I wear often!) and has a high neck.

Now, I can't do much about the colour, and I wouldn't even try as it would destroy the design BUT I can fix that neckline to one that works for me.

Here's what I did...

Folded and flattened it, then pinned it where I wanted to cut, so the fabric wouldn't move around too much...

Cut it..

Pinned the neckline hem/edge thingy...

Then ran it under the sewing machine...

And ta-da..a v neck tee that I feel comfy in, with a design that I love.

Joining in with the creative people over here, this week.

xxx

Chocolate Decadence - A Baking Challenge

A few months ago I picked up a copy of the Good Taste 'Chocolate' Edition magazine, as the front cover cake just looked amazing, and I really wanted to give it a go.

The only thing was - it is such a decadent, sweet, chocolate-y cake (Oh Dad, you would just hate this cake ;-) he he) that I really needed an event or reason to make it.

Cue to my hubby's parents 45th wedding anniversary lunch today - a perfect occasion for this kind of cake.
Time to take up the challenge!

After making the base (a standard choc biscuit & butter crumb base), it was time to make the caramel...

I burnt my first batch - rookie mistake. So I had to make another batch. Fortunately, take two turned out lovely and was mixed through with salted peanuts and put in the fridge to set for 3 hours...

A thin layer of chocolate ganache was then spread over the caramel mix, then the white chocolate cheesecake layer was added and allowed to set in the fridge for another 4 hours (note : not a cake to make if you are limited in time - lots of setting time required!)
Then add a thicker layer of dark chocolate ganache and allow to set for an hour...

Then it was time for the meringue..

Piped on in little raindrop like mounds (yes, mine need some work but it was 7 o'clock in the morning, and I had to work, so rushed through this as best I could for a first attempt :-P)

Then a quick squirt with the kitchen blowtorch (my new toy in the kitchen...fun, fun!) to caramelise the meringue, and it's done...

And once cut into, it reveals layers of creamy goodness and gooey caramel...

Mmm......a sweet tooth's heaven...

Have you tried any new recipes lately?

xxx

A Day of Mazes

A couple of weeks ago, we caught up with one of my oldest friends and her family while they visited from South Australia.

We spent a lovely, albeit a little wet, day down at Ashcombe Maze in Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula. The kids loved the mazes as well as the gnome & fairy hunt and the adults loved watching the kids have a ball together.

Here are a few snaps of the gardens with an occasional family member thrown in, just for fun...

Back soon with something crafty!

xx