read all about it

 

I've been told by people who know

 a lot more than me I need a newsletter.

 

Do you read newsletters?

What do you expect or like in a newsletter?

 

Personally I don't like newsletters that come

to me with the pictures all blocked out

and a whole lot of blank and you have

to follow another link to see what they have to say.

Who has time for that?

 

I have no idea what I would give you in a

newsletter yet to be honest.

 

Maybe I'll just add a pretty picture and say hi.

Maybe I'll offer a discount to subscribers

to my big cartel shop.

Maybe I'll forget that I'm meant to send newsletters!

 

There is a sign up thingie over there on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mars bars slice

 

If you have a spare few minutes this

Mars Bar slice is really easy to make and

if you package some nicely it would make a great gift!

 

Chop 4 x 55g Mars Bars and melt with 90g butter on stove top.

Mix in 3 cups of Rice Bubbles.

Spread into 19cm x 29cm pan and pop into fridge

while you do the topping.

For the topping just melt a 220g block of chocolate

and spread it over the base.

Chill.

It's Christmas so chill.

Slice into small pieces as it is very rich.

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Please drive safely.

 

under the christmas tree

 

This is the last week of Under The Christmas Tree

which is probably just as well as besides me

there were no link ups for last week.

Thank goodness I had some things to add

otherwise it would have been very embarrassing!

 

Did you know it can be an old post you link up?

Did you know it can be a recipe or even a menu?

Did you know it can just be a Christmas photo?

 

Link up anything Christmassy,

 come on you know you want to.

on my bucket list

 

Not long to go now people!

As with everyone else I have been very busy,

mainly working at the paying job but

trying to squeeze a bit of craft in too.

 

On my list for this week is to make a few of my buckets.

They are great to give as gifts filled with treats.

These are so easy to make I thought I'd link

back to my old tutorial in case you have time to make some too.

 

Bucket tutorial here.

 

Enjoy the rest of your week , I hope you're having fun!

 

under the christmas tree

 

Not long to go now!

 

What have you been planning, making, cooking or decorating?

 

Add your link below and show us any

Christmassy things you have going on.

 

Link back here so your friends can be inspired too!

morning tea with

This morning I am having a cuppa and chat with Jennifer Sheehy from
EvieAndLei Designs.

 

Jennifer is based in Kiama N.S.W. where she makes

the loveliest clothing dividers I have ever seen.

 

 

How did your business  begin for you Jennifer?

I was looking for something with an under the sea theme for

my grandson's bedroom and when I couldn't find something

just right I decided to make my own.

 

How do you go about designing your dividers?

I spend a lot of time researching the latest trends and sourcing digital papers.

 

And then?

I design the templates and then put them through my Silhouette Cameo.

 

Excuse my ignorance but what is a Silhouette Cameo?

A Silhouette Cameo is just like a home printer but instead of just printing

it uses a small blade to cut fabric, paper, cardstock and vinyl up

to 12" wide and ten feet long.

 

Where do you source your dividers?

Here in Australia.

 

So these gorgeous dividers are just for home wardrobes?

Well yes they can be but my business has been growing

due to the demand from stores and markets where clothing

is sold and the sellers are wanting something to make their

business stand out.

 

Can their logos be added?

Yes I can custom make your dividers.

 

Where do you sell Jennifer?

I have a facebook page  EvieAndLei Designs and a lovely store ~

 Little Missy and Moo

in Shellharbour stock them as well.

 

Thank you so much for having a chat with me this

morning Jennifer I really love what you do.

 

 

Would you like to have a chat with me?

 

Do you have a friend that might like to have a cuppa with

me to chat about their craft?

 

Have a look at my other posts here where I have had ladies over

for morning tea and see if you would like to join me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

under the christmas tree

 

Ho there and welcome back!

 

What have you been making , planning,

cooking or decorating for Christmas?

 

Would you like to pop it Under the Christmas Tree?

 

Make sure you link it back here so your friends

can visit some other new blogs for inspiration!

 

my instagram week

Although I don't always have time to do a full blog post

most days I pop a photo on Instagram.

 

Instagram has grown into a friendly community

where most are encouraging and helpful.

There is no drama with leaving a comment

for others ~ you can just like someone's photo

if you wish or not.

 

It can often be a behind the scenes look at your

favourite creator's  design process

or see their home , their pets or family life.

 

This week I posted the pretty fabrics I was working with.

 

I shared some lovely fresh cherries,

 

I showed off my solar Christmas lights,

 

  a lot of us put our bats out for Phillip Hughes

#putoutyourbats

 

and I posted a few photos around my town.

#riverina

 

 

 Of course there was some more craft thrown in.

 

My photos are all taken on my little Galaxy phone

and it's not even a flash one.

I don't use fancy filters and I don't take photos

of the meals I'm having.

I'm sorry I just don't understand why people

need to show us everything they are eating.

#shootmeitsfood

 

So if you only have a dodgy little phone that takes

basic photos and very little time for much else

come and join me on Istagram it really is so much fun!

 

 

under the christmas tree

 

Hello again!

 

What have you been making for Christmas?

Some new decorations?

Gifts?

Decorations?

Any new recipes?

 

Share it on your blog and link it back here

so we can all see!

 

 

Copy this little button and tell your friends.

 

these are a few of my favourite pins ~ rudolph

 

Are you a Rudolph fan?

 

Here are just a few Rudolph crafts from my pinterest boards.

There are lots more on my Christmas board.

 

7 Rudolph treats from The Celebration Shoppe.

Rudolph the Glitter Reindeer from A Night Owl Blog.

Patterned Reindeer Prints from Capturing Joy.

 

 

 

 

A Little Golden Book just because.

 

See you on Sunday for Under The Christmas Tree!

 

under the christmas tree

 

Welcome back to another week of

under the Christmas tree.

 

What have you been making, planning, sewing,

crafting , cooking or painting?

 

Pop it under the Christmas tree and show us all!

Link back here and grab a button ,

be inspired to make something great for Christmas.

 

 

 

ribbon chain tutorial

 

Ribbon chains are just like the old fashioned

paper chains but made with ribbon.

These are so easy to make and the kids can help too. 

 

 

Grab some ribbon in at least two colours but of

course you can have as many colours as you like.

 

 

Cut them with pinking shears so

they don't fray, to the same length.

Then just loop them and secure them by stapling them.

 

Hang them on your tree

or drape them around the room.

 

The easiest but prettiest decorations ever!

 

I think I'll pop these Under the Christmas Tree

on Sunday , will you be joining in?

under the christmas tree

 

What have you been making, planning or decorating?

Add your Christmassy goodies here

we'd all love some inspiration!

these are a few of my favourite pins ~ free handbag patterns

 

We all love free and we all love handbags....

win win !!!

 

Here are the links to just three free handbag tutorials

but I have lots more on my bag lady board on pinterest.

 

Free girl's purse pattern ~ Fynes Designs.

Pleated tote ~ The Long Thread.

Messenger Bag ~ Mommy by Day Crafter by Night.

 

 

 

While I have you here don't forget

Under the Christmas Tree is up and running.

If you don't have anything to pop under the tree

this week the new one will be up on Sunday

I hope you can join in.

 

Seeya soon!

under the christmas tree

 

Have you made anything to go

Under the Christmas Tree yet?

 

We would love to see it!

Add your link and show us your decorations,

gifts or recipes.

It doesn't even need to be from this year anything

you have made for a previous Christmas is great too!

 

Take this cute button and tell others you are playing.

 

 

 

under the Christmas Tree is back!

 

Under the Christmas Tree is back!

 

Last year I started a linky thing for all Christmassy things

that you have prepared for the festive season.

 

Bloggers from all over linked up their recipes, homemade gifts

decorations and menus.

 

We were all so inspired and impressed at the creativity

that I thought it would be a shame not to do it again.

 

Have a look here and see what happened

one week last year.

 

It's easy to join in just link up whatever you

 have planned for Christmas.

It can be anything ~ show us your Christmas lights, your tree,

something you have made or a recipe

you are planning to use.

We also loved seeing the decorations!

 

This year the linky will go up each Sunday

and I would be so happy if you joined in

especially as it will only go for seven weeks, eeeek!

 

Will you be joining us?

 

 

Copy and paste this cute little button into

your sidebar and link it back here to

let your friends know you're playing.

 

 

 

 

these are a few of my favourite pins ~ zipper tutorials

Are you scared of zippers?
No need to be really as I have some great tutorials here for you to take the fear out of using the dreaded many teeth monsters.
All of these and more can be found on my sewing board on pinterest.

Left ~ Melly Sews.

Top right ~ A Home in College Hill.

Bottom right ~ Skip to my Lou.

 

What else would you like rounded up from my pins?

Buttonholes? Quilt binding? Christmassy stuff?

Let me know and I'll see what I can do.

 

gone potty.

I love to garden almost as much as I love to craft.
No not the heavy , sweaty gardening just the pretty stuff.
I've been looking for nice pots for ages to replace the daggy terracotta and forest green plastic pots.
If they are decent looking they either weigh a ton or are way too expensive.
I needed a few to replace my sad looking pots on our back verandah and I decided to go with the plastic toy tubs that you can pick up very cheaply from the bargain stores.
It was easy to drill holes in the bottom of them and I added a bit of gravel to help with the drainage and then I just popped my geraniums in there with some new potting mix.

 

In the last two Summers the only thing that survived

on minimal watering were the geraniums so

I think I'll just stick with them.

 

This is what they looked like before.

The poor things must have been so embarrassed !

 

Now this is the cheery sight I see!

Aaaah much better.

these are a few of my favourite pins ~ wreaths

 

It's no secret I love pinterest.

It's also no secret I love Christmas.

My Christmas pinterest board is bulging with

more ideas than I can ever hope to attempt.

 

Here are some gorgeous wreath ideas that are

not only very easy but beautiful as well.

 

Top left ~ Beautiful Life Made Easy.

Top right ~ Mine!

Bottom left ~ Embellished Bayou.

Bottom right ~ Little Red Window.

 

Check out my Christmas board on pinterest for

lots more wreaths and decorating ideas.

 

 

 

creative challenge no 2

 

Here we go with the second Creative Challenge!

This time we had over 60 players sign up so

here's hoping we have a lot of them link up

to show you their creativity!

 

If you are wondering what all this is about ~

bloggers sign up and then I send them a random

colour and picture.

It is up to them then to use these clues to create something

using any medium they wish.

 

The next challenge won't be until February so I

hope you'll join in then!

 

 

I buy craft stuff because......

Do I really need a reason?

Opshops , garage sales or Spotlight I head straight

for the craft stuff.

Somehow I have ended up with beads.

Lots of beads.

I have never done beading in my life.

 

In an effort to use up some crafty things I painted some

branches pink, as you do, then I threaded beads onto fuse wire

 

attached them to the branches and stuck them in the garden.

Of course I also chose the windiest most overcast

day to try and get a decent photo of them.

 

 

This is the real reason I buy craft stuff ~

because then I can make stuff that just makes me happy.

 

Do you buy things just because?

Are you a hoarder?

Do you have more than you can ever use?

 

 

burp cloth tutorial

My nieces have been having babies

so I thought I'd like to make them something

very quick and easy and decided on burp cloths.

I really don't like the name burp cloths and I'm sure

when my nieces get these they won't call them that either

I'm thinking chuckers or chux but anyway I digress.

 

First of all I prewashed some fat quarters and some new white towels.

Then I cut the length of a fat quarter (about 22") 

and the width of about 10 inches.

The same measurements were used for the towelling back.

 

I used Dickies towels for the backing although you can

buy towelling at Spotlight it's nice to support

Australian manufactures.

 

 

With right sides facing stitch around the two

pieces making sure you leave a gap for turning.

Trim corners and turn right side out.

Give it all a good press.

 

 

Top stitch all around about 1/2 inch from the edges

closing the turning gap as you go.

 

That's it!

So very, very simple but such useful gifts.

 

 

You'll have a pretty stack in no time.

 

 

 

these are a few of my favourite pins ~ halloween

We're not big on Halloween in Australia

although it is growing on us.

 

My kids have never done anything Halloweeny

but I have to admit I love all the creepy decorations

that I see coming out especially in my Pinterest feed.

 

So here is a small roundup of my favourites.

There are thousands and thousands of ideas out there

these are just a few.

 

I think I may need to go to America in October one year.

 

Dancing Lawn Ghosts.

Glittered Pumkins.

How to Spookify your toilet.

 

BOO!

 

 

easy apple slice recipe

 

Hi there!

It is a really beautiful day here today and I hope

it's nice wherever you are too.

 

We have a thing at work where we take

turns bringing in morning tea on a Monday.

 

It's my turn this week and of course I forgot.

So I don't turn up empty handed I threw together

one of my faithful old recipes ~

Easy Apple Slice.

 

Mix together

1 pkt of vanilla cake mix. (no name brands are fine)

1/2 cup coconut

125g melted butter.

Press into a lined slice tin and bake at 180c about 15 minutes.

Let it cool.

 

When cool open up a tin of pie apples.

Spread apples over cooled base and sprinkle over a bit of sugar.

Take a tub of low fat sour cream and spread it over the apples.

Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon over the sour cream.

Pop it back in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

Let it go cold before slicing.

 

So simple but so delicious!

another creative challenge sign up

 

For those who missed seeing about the first

Creative Challenge

we are going to have another before

we all get crazy, busy at Christmas, hooray!

 

How the challenge works ~

you must email me at clarescraftroom@hotmail.com

This part is very important as I need to have your email

address to send your clues to.

 

When I receive your email I will then send you a random

picture and a random colour.

Use these as inspiration to design something.

It can be anything and you can use whatever

medium you like eg. fabric, glue, paint, beads, anything at all!

 

Get a blog post ready showing the pictures I sent you

and your finished design.

When the linkie thingy goes up here add your link

and visit the other challengers to see what they have done.

 

Feel free to take this picture to put on your blog and invite

as many friends as you like.

 

As I don't want this running too close to Christmas

I will close off sign ups this Sunday 21st September.

You will all receive a return email from me by Tuesday 22nd September.

You will need to have made your item and prepared

a blog post to be linked to by October 19th.

Have a look at the first challengers items here.

 

Please keep in mind this is not a competition it

is just a fun way to get crafty and meet some new bloggers.

 

What do you think?

Are you in?

 

email me at clarescraftroom@hotmail.com

want some ho ho with your yo yo?

 

I've been yo yoing.

These are so quick and easy to make and

because I don't need the sewing machine for them

I can hang out with everyone else and still make stuff.

 

I'm still not sure what colours to do this Christmas

but these red and white yo yos will be added to gift cards or...

 

 

I could just make them into a Christmas Tree!