Spring Has Sprung

Spring arrived a week ago,

with a lovely burst of warm days,

then another blast of cold, windy days

We planted these Ornamental Pear tree's back in 2007

They now stand nice and tall seperating the vegie patch from the rest of our yard.

This summer they will provide lovely shade over our grassed area,

very important for our long, hot, dry summers.

Hope New Season To You!

Jacqueline. 

A Letter To The Tooth Fairy

Last week we had a wobbly tooth pop out.

This 8 year old boy has been waiting ages.

We put the tooth in a Tooth fairy Envelope,

then he wrote a note for the tooth fairy,

which included a very important question.

I did not know, as I had never spoken to the Tooth fairy,

but I could not wait till morning to find out,

so I asked Twitter and Facebook friends what thier little's believe the

Tooth fairy does with her stash of tiny teeth.

It seems Tooth Fairy's in different parts of the world

use them for different projects, here's a few...

*she gives them to the new babies

*she turns them into fairy dust

*she uses them for bricks to built tiny castles

*she uses them for rocks in fairy gardens

 *each collected tooth becomes a new star

And one mums little man thought she was the Tooth Fairy,

but just could not understand how she got to all those houses every night!

In the morning she had left a reply! In teeny tiny fairy writing.

I like the idea of all the Tooth Fairy's 

having a sing song around the piano at the end of their shift.

I picture them in a saloon - sort of like the old wild west days,

some playing poker and some just hanging out at the bar. 

And, as usual, this boy had to have the last say, he has written thanks.

The Tooth Fairy left $3 (all in 10c for this big front tooth)

We've never had a note from the Tooth Fairy before,

but I expect we will have more in the future.

{This boy also leaves homework for Santa to do}

What does your Tooth fairy do with the teeth?

Has she ever left a note?

Have a great day

Jacqueline

The Retreat Woodend

Have you heard about

The Retreat Woodend ?

I have, and it sounds like a lovely spot

to relax and do some stitching, chatting, eating and sipping.

Abbe from Copperpatch has done a fab job

creating this wonderful property.

I met Abbe a few years ago.

Our family took a drive
to visit Daylesford Organics,

we met up with Abbe and Bianca at

Kate and Brens farm.

Anyway, Abbe is giving you the chance to win
a weekend at the retreat with your friends or family!
To see all the details
read this post
But the giveaway does close today,
only a few hours to go, so hop to it.

I can't wait to try
http://www.theretreatwoodend.com.au/
for myself!

All the best for your new business venture Abbe!

Jacqueline.

Home Grown Apples

About 3 years ago, we planted a little apple tree out the front,

and started to train it as an espallier to save space.

Our little tree is a miniture Pink Lady.

The first year it produced fruit,

but, the little apples all dropped to the ground.

Last season, more fruit came,

we covered it up to protect it from the birds

Everyone waited patiently for the fruit to grow...

then turn red ...

Finally in April they were ready to harvest - all 19 of them.

And they were the nicest apples anyone had ever tasted!

Do you harvest any fruit from your garden?

I think we need more apple tree's.

Have a great week

Jacqueline.

Give and Take Swap



My swap package arrives at ZippyZippy HQ



A while ago I signed up with lots of other people to participate

in a swap organised by

Ange over at Yes Dear.

The Give and Take Swap.

It was a nice spin on a swap,

I did not have to make anything for my swap partner.

Instead, I had to purchase handmade from other sellers

to pass on to my swap partner.

Here's the goodies I recieved from Anna at Tillytom

Bird Brooch from Otekah

Chocolates from Mildura Chocolate Co.

Paper goodness from 3 Girls and a Goat

Magnets from Iszle

Hair Clips from Tillytom

Thanks Anna - it's a perfect package of goodies.

And this is what I sent out to my partner,

 Alison at Sophie and Jack

I purchased from Brenda at Red Stitch Designs.

Brenda wraps her goodies so beautifully

A cute house cushion inside

I have purchased from Brenda before, 

 love the fabrics she uses and the quality of her work is outstanding,

I also sent a brooch from local creator Tina Fitzgerald.

Some cards from Tracy Edgar Photografie

And here they are bundled up, ready to head off to my recipient,

Alison from Sophie and Jack

A BIG THANKS to Ange for organising the swap!

Have a great day

Jacqueline

Cake Pops : How To

Earlier in the month 2 of our boy's had birthday's,

so I made some Cake Pops for the party's.

I posted some picture's of them on Facebook and Twitter,

and was asked how I did them, so thought I would do a "How To"

You need 1 cake mix (which comes ready made with icing)

and some lollipop sticks.

I bought my sticks from Spotlight.

First, bake the cake, and let it cool completely.

Then break the cake up and place in a mixing bowl,

add the icing and mix with the cake, (I usually use about 3/4 of the icing) 

I do this with the Kitchen Aid.

Once it is combined, roll the mixture into balls,

then place the sticks into them.

Next I put them in the freezer on some baking paper,

to make them really firm up and nice and cold

(I don't freeze them)

Melt a block of chocolate to a runny consistency.

I then take them out of the freezer about 10 at a time.

Place the cake pop into the chocolate, and use a spoon to cover the Cake Pop.

Make sure you cover the end of the stick as this will help to keep it in place.

Give the cake pop a little twizzle to get rid of the excess chocolate

{I usually use Cadbury, but when I ice my hedgehog,

I melt a block with 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil,

it gives the chocolate a runnier consistency, but still sets firm.

I will try this next time I make Cake Pops}

Then I lightly sprinkle 100's and 1000's over the cake pop

Because the Cake Pop is cold, the chocolate will set very quickly.

Next I place them in a Styrofoam block and place them in the fridge,

until they are set, then in an airtight container until you are ready to use them.

This makes a lot, enough for 2 party's plus lots of extras.

They are probably more like a truffle texture, rather than cake though.

Enjoy - They are Yummy

and most importantly

they get a big thumbs up from the party participants!

Have a great day

Jacqueline

Jellybean Childrens Market Horsham

Last weekend we were very lucky to have

Jellybean Childrens Market come to Horsham.

It was a great opportunity for all the clever crafty people working away at home,

often selling their wares from behind a computer screen,

to get out in the public and show off their wares.

Here's my little shop, my one and only pic I took for myself, silly me

These creations are from Rebekah at

Lullabies & Ladybirds

And little basket of goodies is also from Rebekah

Simply Irresistable Gifts from Warracknabeal

 

Simply Irresistable Gifts from Warracknabeal

Beautiful colours from Luv Lil B

And lots more from Luv Lil B

Perfect little gifts from Creations By Tamkat

Leah from Down Lovers Lane was my lovely neighbour

Leah's stand

Hats from Tizzie Bits By Jackie

Lots and lots of hair accessories from
Tizzie Bits By Jackie

Some really unique creations from Beth at

Macbeth

Beth's colourful stand

Lots of beautiful Fabrics used by Yvonne and Sue at

Maggie & Jack

And stunning clothing by Maggie and Jack too

More beautiful fabrics from Johanna at 

Joeyjellybean

And more stunning fabrics and creations from Erin at

Apple and Crumble

Other clever creatives were

 Little Patootie 

Luv Da Bubba

Love mi creations

Baby Dimple Designs

there were many more too :)

A big thankyou to Johanna for bringing the market to Horsham,

Thanks to all the wonderful people that came out to shop,

and thanks to all the lovely friendly stall holders for supporting the market.

Have a happy Tuesday

Jacqueline.