Friday 30 August 2013

Weekend Project - Mouse Pad Making!


Whilst sitting at my computer, mouse in hand, trying to think of my next project, my eyes gazed down to my tatty old rubber mouse pad. Perfect. 

Ive been looking for a quick and simple project to use up my scrap fabric. A mouse pad will be perfect. 

Here's what I did:

Materials: 
scrap fabric
Piece of felt
Pins
Iron
Sewing machine

Step 1: Gather the scraps you wish to use. These can be either co-ordinating, random or just a single piece. 



Step 2: Cut your piece of felt to the desired size and shape of your mouse pad- who says they have to be squares? Why not try a heart or flower shape? 

Step 3: Pin the scraps together (patterns facing inside) and sew leaving minimal seem. 



Step 4: Unfold and iron piece flat. 

Step 5: Lay the right side down on felt. Sew around the edges leaving a gap of about 3cm. 

Step 6: Cut excess fabric off. 

Step 7: Turn in the right way and iron flat again. 

Step 8: Zig zag stitch around the outside of your mat, making sure to fold in the open edge. 




Step 8 Ta Da!!!! Your very own hand made mouse pad!!! 

Completely easy and would make a cool gift for Father's Day, Mother's Day, or a gift around the office!! 

Why not make one this weekend! 


Tuesday 27 August 2013

In the Kitchen: Mocha Slice

 
 
 
 
I'm back from my little blogging holiday, and I'm now busting with heaps of inspiration and loads of ideas for new little weekend projects! There's going to be some exciting times ahead!!
 
So I thought my first post back would be something yummy to celebrate! And as I cant give you an actual piece of my Mocha slice, (mainly because I have already eaten most of it...) I thought I would share the recipe with you. It's a totally yummy little cakey slice that has been a family favourite for a while now.
 
I'm not sure where the recipe came from originally, but it has evolved over the years, and I must say, I think this was the best it has ever turned out! So here's the recipe if you'd like to try it for yourself.
 
Ingredients:
125g butter
1/2 cup milk chocolate melts
3-4 heaped teaspoons of instant coffee
1/2 cup sugar (I use a combination of caster sugar and brown sugar)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
3/4 cup plain flour
3/4 cup self raising flour
1/2 cup of chopped nuts ( I used almonds)
your choice of topping  - ie icing sugar, icing etc
 
What to do:
 - melt butter and chocolate together
- add vanilla, coffee and sugar and stir until combined
- add egg and nuts
- add flours and stir until well combined. If mixture is a little stiff add a splash of milk
- pour into baking dish and bake for around 20 mins on 180deg or until the mixture has cooked through.
- cool before decorating with either a sprinkling of icing sugar, coffee or chocolate icing, melted chocolate.......
 
And that's it! Yummo! Don't eat it all at once!