Success!!!

Well I must admit I am very excited to have my Etsy store up and running! I know I've mentioned it before in previous posts, but it really was a big step for me. I get so panicky over policies and pricing and stuff. BUT....all has paid off as I had my very first sale last night! Whoo-hoooo!

And this is the cute little email Etsy sent me to congratulate me on my first sale!

 

Now that I am officially "in business", I have spent all morning adding more items to the store! Come check it out www.etsy.com/shop/houseofnicnax 

Birthday time!!

Happy Birthday to my little bub!! One already! This year has gone so fast!!

So my cake turned out really brilliantly...haha...well in the end it did.......

I kinda had a few issues with the first attempt of the cake. It rose up beautifully....nice and round and high...that was until I turned it out onto the cooling rack - that's when disaster struck and it fell into about 5 different pieces! As you can imagine my heart sunk! I had to start again! I even got up early, wrote myself a list, had the cake in the oven by 8.30 am. I thought I was on top of things..... Then I couldn't do anything until my hubby got back from the shop with more eggs. So what else to do? Well get creative with my disaster of course!! I turned it into cake balls!

 

So I just rolled the cake into balls - hoping like crazy that they would stay together. Then I coated them in pink icing and rolled them into pink and white coconut!

 

They were a big hit at the party! No body would ever have been any wiser except for my clever boys showing everyone the photos of my disaster - they thought it was hilarious!

 

 



So once the cake was made onto the rest of the party preparations! Putting up the bunting, and the rest of the food. Making party food is always heaps of fun - the fairy bread, popcorn, fruit kebabs - YUM. I always like to have fruit on offer. It really does surprise you that the fruit plate is generally one of the first to be eaten! I was working in a kindy last year, and made a point of always having a plate of fruit at class parties. Watermelon, strawberries and grapes are always popular!

And due to such hot day yesterday, we had some bottles of water as well as soft drink and fruit juice.

In the end our little girls party was great. Even with the heat, the disaster cake and the stress of party planning, we had a really fun day!

Happy Birthday Bub!

Happy Australia Day!!

My what a busy weekend we are having!!!

Saturday was of course Australia Day. So happy Australia Day to all my fellow Aussies!

It's funny how celebrating our fantastic country is done in so many different ways. For some it's the beach, others it's beer, it's the heat, the fake tattoo's, the BBQ's, tacky merchandise, blow-up swimming pools and fireworks.

In the past few years it has become a tradition of ours to go to the local fireworks. Last year I didn't go - due to having a 3 day old baby!- but hubby and the kids did. So back into this year!
We did do it a bit differently this time though.

We decided not to go to the big celebrations at the park. Instead we tried to avoid the crowds so we went to one of the local shopping centre car parks. We set up our spot - along with some other families, and watched the show from there!

 

It really is a lovely thing that this one time of year people really do think of our great country and show how proud we are to be a part of it!

 



Positive Thinking

So about half way through last year I learnt a really great thing about myself. I realised that I can do anything!! I believe it's from the power of positive thinking!

The moment I had this realisation was after making my 7yr old his Avengers Birthday cake. (See my post "Happy Birthday" from August 2012.) This was quite a challenge as I used Fondant for the first time and I really wasn't sure how I wanted the cake to look. But the cake turned out awesome!

After that I thought - if I put my mind to something I really do think I can do it! Unfortunately my big swollen head was soon deflated in October when my son turned 5 and decided he wanted a "Trashy's" garbage truck cake - no that didn't surprise me that this little character of mine wanted a garbage truck for his cake! SIMPLE I though - but no that was a huge FAIL!!!! Notice there is no post about his birthday cake!!

But following my new motto, I transformed his failed truck into a "trash pack" monster. Yes quite a transformation - but it worked and it made me feel better!

Since then I have had quite a few little accomplishments. I keep telling myself that I CAN do it.

So this brings me too my latest challenge. My bub is turning 1! I really want to do her an owl cake. I've researched a few ideas on the net. I had a bit of that fondant from October left in the pantry so I thought I would try to do an owl. I had to zap it in the microwave first to soften it - but in my defence it was still quite crumbly and dry (with hard chunks)

What do you think??
The consensus in our house was that it looks like a bear. Hmmm.

So this morning I went down to the shop - got myself some more fondant and have tried again. This is attempt number 2.

 

 

I'm quite pleased with these little babies. See I CAN do it!! Yay!!!

 

Now I just have to work out the rest of what the cake will look like! - I have until the party Sunday - so not too much pressure!!

Etsy Store Now Open!!!!!

I DID IT!!!!!!

Im quite excited. I have finally opened my Etsy store.

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HouseofNicnax

• Handmade Owl Door Stop
  

  HouseofNicnax
  $15.00 AUD
  favourite
• 
  Handmade Owl Door Stop
  HouseofNicnax
  $15.00 AUD
   
• 
•  
• I opened the shop way back last March, but never listed any items. Now I've taken the leap and listed some of my door stop owls. Come over and have a look, and let me know what you think!

Blogger Awards!!!

So I'm pretty new to this whole blogging thing. Sure I've written quite a few posts, but until recently I have never really promoted it, or worried too much about getting my blog "out there".

As I don't have many followers, the comments that I have been getting have been really nice and it is lovely to know that people actually read and value something I have written.

So when I received a comment from http://catseatdogs.com/ saying that they had nominated me for both the following blogger awards it really made my day! (huge thanks http://catseatdogs.com/ )

        

These awards are a great way to show a bit of blog love and appreciation.

There are some rules for this nomination, they are as follows:

1. Display the logos of the awards on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State seven things about yourself.
4. Nominate fifteen other bloggers for this award and link to them.
5. Notify these bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirement.

So here's seven things about me:

1. I am a mum to 3 great kids. My boys are 7 and 5 and our little girl is almost 1
2. I am married to my high school sweet heart
3. My favourite flowers are sunflowers, gerberas and frangipanis
4. My first proper job was working in a bakery. I was there for 7 years!
5. I got chicken pox for the first time at the age of 20
6. I HATE washing dishes (therefore I LOVE my dishwasher!)
7. I like winter much more than summer, but like spring and autumn equally.

Now for my nominations......Hmmmm...tough job........

1. www.real-street.blogspot.com.au  - This is such a pretty and very well colour-co-ordinated blog! Jasmine was one of my best friends in primary school, and through the wonders of this little thing called the "Internet" we were able to catch up again and keep in contact all these (not too many!!!) years later!

2. www.katgurl72-kylie.blogspot.com.au Kylie is a fellow Owl lover! I have been following her on instagram for a while now, and I only recently discovered her lovely blog. (which is now one of my favs)

3. http://24cottonwoodlane.blogspot.com.au/  This is a great little blog with some really awesome little crafty projects

4. http://emhawker.blogspot.com.au/ This is quirky little blog! Love it!

5. http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com.au/  This is a blog all about being kind to the earth and living a simple life.

6. http://www.soulemama.com/ This is the first blog that I ever started following. Full of inspiration for a natural and handmade life.

7. http://asprinkleofthis.blogspot.com.au/ This blog has some awesome charts for getting organised (I need all the help I can get!)

8. http://sewlittlefabric.blogspot.com.au/ This blog has some great craft projects and tutorials

9. http://polkadotpretties.com/ my excitement for finally having a baby girl is heightened by this really pretty and girly blog !

10 www.meetmeatikes.com.au How can I not nominate Pip? Definately a major inspiration to my blogging

11. http://weshare-creativity.blogspot.com.au/ A celebration of all crafty blogs.

12. http://littledottybird.blogspot.com.au/ another little creative blog! Love the owls on the banner too!!

13. http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com.au/ I really do love orange too.......

14. http://www.lovelywren.com/blog/ Another little blog filled with beautiful crafty inspiration

15. http://eatsewlove.blogspot.com.au/ 3 things I love to do too. Eat, sew and love! I've found this blog helpful since purchasing my Bellini.

Well theres my top 15 - in no particular order. Check them out because they are all really good blogs.

So I think I have fullfilled my part of my nomination - but now I just have to notify these worthy recipients.

Happy blog reading friends!!!

Nature play

I have always been a big believer that a fantastic childhood is made up of imagination, make believe, getting outside and getting dirty. Thinking back to my childhood the things I remember doing and having fun with was playing outside - talking to our ducks and chickens, riding my bike, playing Barbie Dolls and creating clothes for them with scrap material.

I doubt many people would remember back and only think of that time they sat in front of the telly.... or playing that computer game..... I mean, sure we have some of those memories, but the best ones are the ones that we created ourselves.

Now dont get me wrong - we have a TV and we watch it. But over the school holidays with the tempation of TV, Ipad and Mobile phones (we don't own gaming consoles) I want to make a real effort for us to be involved in Nature Play.

At the beging of the holidays we wrote a list together of all the low cost activities we would like to do. These included - visiting friends, the beach, the park, sleep overs, movie days, cooking......

Then whilst visiting a friend she told me about this cool little "passport". It has been produced by the Department of Sport and Recreation. ( You can find more details here: www.natureplaywa.org.au )

 

The whole idea of this passport is to get your kids out and about in nature, to start exploring, use science and create things.

So far my kids have LOVED it. I have printed out each "mission" and we are working our way through it. Even a visit to Grandma and Pop-pops house helped to complete a mission. Together they went for a scavenger hunt on the foreshore. These are some of the treasures they found

And this morning before it started to heat up too much we went for a walk to the park. We did a bit of bird spotting and duck feeding!

We also have flowers from our garden in our "flower press" ( made of telephone books). This brought back memories for me as I use to do that all the time, and we have some grass heads growing on the window sill.

So much fun with nature!! What shall we do next?

Pay It Forward!

I've recently become a little bit addicted to online groups, forums and communities. Not really a problem I guess, apart from the fact I end up spending much more time than I would really like to on the computer!

 

One of the best communities I've become a part of is Pay It Forward. I've joined 2 local PIF groups through Facebook. The groups are made up of locals who have items they no longer need but are to good to throw away. Instead you list the items on the page. There is a few rules which you MUST follow, or you will be banned from the sites! All items must be for free, and if they interest you, you ask to be 'considered'. The PIF-er will choose someone randomly. If you are chosen you must pick the item up ASAP. There are limits to how much you are allowed to ask for and recieve. They also ask that if you have recieved an item then look around your house and find something to Pay Forward. That way the circle of giving continues!

 

Some people are very generous in the items they give away. It is such a lovely thing that people are willing to help each other out - and trust that the person recieving is not going to just turn around and sell the goods.

I've seen people offering movie tickets, massages, books, toys, furniture, clothes, electrical items and so much more!

 

Today I chosen for some books. I've actually wanted both these books for a little while now, so the fact that I was chosen for them was awesome! 

 

 

I have 4 bags full of items sitting in my front room that are waiting for people to pick up that I have "PIFed".

The whole "Pay It Forward" idea is kind of like a big op-shop on line - but for free items. But no need to worry, it will never replace op shops and thrift stores! I still donate and shop through them too!

 

Now I'm off to have a little read of my new books!

Really Easy Orange Cake!

Yes I am playing with my new Bellini again!!

Heres a really easy recipe that I've adjusted that I found on the "Bellini Addicts" facebook page. (It can easily be changed to do without a Bellini)

 

Easy Orange Cake!

 

1 whole orange cut into quarters (or blended if not using a food processor)

180g butter

3 eggs

80g sugar (orignial recipe said 200g - but you really dont need that much)

300g Self raising flour (I use 200g white, 100g wholemeal)

 

Preheat oven to 180deg

Cream the orange and butter together ( to be paste-like) Bellini mix 7sec, speed 8

Add the remaining ingredients and mix until its a cake batter - Bellini 20sec, speed 4

 

Spoon into patty pans, cook 20 mins on 180 deg.

 

 



Today's little project

Todays Project - updating the wall art in my bedroom!

Its something that has been driving me crazy for ages now. The old pictures up in my room have been there for nearly 10 years now, from when we first built our house - as you can imagine I'm a bit sick of them now!!

So down they came, and on to making some new ones!

I just covered some canvas's with some material that I picked up cheap a while ago. I actually really liked this fabric and was waiting for the perfect project to come up to use it - and this was it!

I couldn't find my staple gun - so Hot Glue it had to be.

 

So there is just one slight problem now - they don't match the blue wall! So although I can cross off "replace bedroom pictures" off my "to do" list, now I have to add - paint bedroom wall!! 

My new toy.... The Bellini!!

Yes I have a new toy!!!

Its the Bellini Intelli Kitchen Master!

Its actually my Christmas / Early Birthday present!

I've just used it for the first time and it was awesome!!!

I decided to do Banana Custard as my hubby bought it for me and thats his favourite.

 

So "what is it?" I hear you say.

 

Well its kinda like a Thermomix (if you know about them) - but a lot less expensive (and probably does a lot less stuff)

I wont compare it to a Thermomix though, as I don't really know much about them.

 

My Bellini is an all-in-one food prep / cooker thing. It doesnt cook everything but you can steam veg / cook rice / cook custard (see photo above) etc. You just add the ingredients and it does it for you!

 

I am actually the worst and I mean WORST custard maker in the world. I've been making custard for about 10 years or so now, and I can never get it right. So without thinking I chose to make custard in the bellini. I was a bit scared as it is an unfamiliar machine, but I thought custard shouls be easy enough....well......it actually was. It was really easy.

I had a mini freak out towards the end as i could hear it sloshing and I thought it was just going to be liquid....but it wasnt! it worked!!! SO proud of myself (and the machine).

 

So all I had to do was pour it out, top with banana and coconut and leave in the fridge for desert!

 

Hope it tastes ok!!

Getting organised!

Happy New year everyone!!!

Have you set some goals for the year? I have.

There is quite a few.... there always is and they are always gone by about the 5th Jan!!

Not this year!!

My first resolution is to really make an effort!


So heres what I plan for this year.....

1. Make an effort! Set goals and try to stick to them!

2. Organisation - I think this is definately a big one! This year I am becoming a Stay at Home Mum, and I know how tempting that couch (or the laptop or the iphone) can be in wasting time!! I also have a huge to-do list for during the week while the kids are at school.
My house also needs organising. Filing paper work, re-organising the cupboard, etc etc..
So organisation will be the key!

3. Get Healthier - Ok, so this one pops up every year - get fit - get healthy..... it never happens... so if I say health-ier it might be a bit more realistic. Hopefully.

So here i go.....

I've started. Today Ive pureed some home grown tomatoes, onion and garlic. This is then going in the freezer for future use. Being pureed to pretty much Liquid means I will be able to hide it in food for my fussy family!

 



I have also started to clear my sewing table of all those unfinished projets. Library bags, there is about 20 of these. Im doing them for the January market. But they were all unfinished. Now they are done. In a nice pile ready to go. ( also available on my facebook page www.facebook.com/houseofnicnax )

And taggy blankets. I had 2 of these that I started ages ago. I had them all pinned just needed to sew. So now they are done!  Another job finished!

And lastly a softie babushka doll. Just a simple printed panel that I cut out out, sewed and stuffed. But now thats finished too. Might do a few more of these for my next stall.

 

 

Definately starting to feel good! finishing off stuff, organising.... now just got to finish  off the junk food in the house, then I can get healthy......