Saturday 21 July 2012

What have I been up to?

Not a lot as I have been stupidly tired this week.  I have been doing very little crafting (partially because the cats keep breaking out and I  have to go and capture them again) and the little crafting I have been doing has had its ups and downs.  I have been working on some beads for my new collection (hush hush, not telling you what it is yet) and on a new pendant made from paper.  This is a totally new idea that has kept me awake recently.  I think I have cracked it now with the help of some videos on Youtube  I have made my first one and I have a few more lined up for finishing.  I haven't got a photo of the other ones but I can share my first trial pendant.  Let me know what you think and what colours you'd like to see them in.


I have been making some beads too but they take time Mod Podging and varnishing them.  For some reason they just keep  being sticky.  But with a little help from my friends I have been able to work out what was causing that and hopefully I can finish those lovelies off in the next few days.  I also have a few orders from Funki Blue outstanding so I will have to work hard next week to get all things finished and delivered.  Still, it is doing things I love so I'm not complaining.

Monday 16 July 2012

Home-Sweet-Home

Apart from being a busy, home educating mum, and "pretend farmer" with lots of animals to look after I like to be creative  making jewellery and other pretty things for  "Astrid's Garden"  and  "Astrid's Jewel Garden" As well as that,  I also enjoy doing some painting from time to time.  To be quite honest, I LOVE painting and I really don't do it so much  as I get very grumpy if I have to stop to deal with everyday stuff.  These are three paintings that are in my living room at the moment. The two top ones are hung up but the bottom one normally just sits on a shelf as it is quite small (I hung it op for the photo as my shelf is rather cluttered)





  These paintings were done about four years ago. The top one is my youngest daughter in pensive mode and the other two are of  my youngest boy when he was a baby. I have painted more recently but they have been miniature ones called ACEO.  But more about those another time.

Saturday 14 July 2012

What's for dinner?


Ok, today I am sharing what is in my oven. A couple of trays of delicious stuffed peppers. I love making this recipe as it makes a lovely dinner and any left overs are great for a packed lunch or a picnic. The only problem is that there aren't often left-overs!  I serve it with a nice big salad.  If you want to stretch it a bit serve it with crusty rolls.


The recipe (serves 6).

3 medium bell peppers
125g almonds (grated or chopped)
125g cheese (grated)
100g couscous or bulgur wheat
225g chopped tomatoes
8 tbs red wine
2 cloves of garlic (crushed)
salt and pepper to taste
bread crumbs and grated cheese for topping

Heat oven to 190 C/375 F gas mark 5

Cut peppers through the middle and remove the seeds. Put them in a slightly greased dish.
To make the stuffing put the nuts,cheese, couscous,tomatoes, garlic and wine  in a bowl and mix it up.  Add salt and pepper to taste. (If you don't want to use wine replace it with stock or apple juice)
Spoon the filling into the peppers and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and top with grated cheese.
Bake for 30-40 minutes , uncovered until  the peppers are tender and the topping golden brown

Friday 13 July 2012

Friday Fantastic

Lately I have spend too much time searching for beads. Not on the internet, but in my craftroom.  I kept most of my beads in zip lock bags in a huge glass jar.  I thought they would be easy to see but I ended up throwing the beads on the table every time.  Finally I had had enough and I decided to go and see if the local pound shop had some plastic boxes.  I had real fun sorting through all the beads and  put them all   in the boxes. The result has been great, I can find everything easily now and it is very easy to spot where I need more beads of specific colours. So off to get some more beads! 






Tardy Thursday Treasury

I meant to post this treasury yesterday but things got a bit hectic plus I have a few poorly peoples at home.  So I hope you don't mind that it is a bit late.  I thought the theme would be appropriate though.  


Comfort

'Comfort' by astridsgardenshop

All things comforting for when you are a little bit under the weather.


Midnight Starry Night Purple...
$40.00

Large Scented Soy Candle Jar...
$9.00

Red Felted Slippers "Wi...
$90.00

Honey Spiced Rich Homemade C...
$5.00

Very Indulgent Face Oil
$9.95

Summer Sale - Lavender Field...
$2.00

Get Well, Blank Cross Stitch...
$3.50

Country House traditional lo...
$125.00

The Inquisitive Rabbit - Cre...
$12.00

Quilts - Tiptoe through the ...
$75.00

Embroidered Rooster Cushion
$12.00

Star Wars Keep Calm and Carr...
$6.00

knit mug hug mug warmer cup ...
$10.00

knitted neckwarmer.Cabled Sc...
$29.00

Handcrafted Greetings Card -...
$2.25

Hot water bottle cover
$12.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Monday 9 July 2012

Home-Sweet-Home

Today I want to share one of my older treasured possessions.  It is a money box in the shape of an apple.


It is one if the few items that has survived a move from the Netherlands to Wales and 27 years of family life (that can be a little tough on things, can't it?)  My Opa (granddad) gave it to me when I was about 10, as "Een appeltje voor de dorst".  It means an apple for when you're thirsty and it is the Dutch equivalent for "putting something away for a rainy day".  As Opa hasn't been around for more than 25 years it is very precious to me.  Let's hope it manages to stay around to be his wise reminder to save up for anything you want in life!  Apart from the fact that it actually looks quite nice!


Sunday 8 July 2012

Sunday Randomness

Just thought I would make your mouth water by showing you our super delicious dessert.  It was (yes was, you didn't think it would last that long did you?) a raspberry "tiramisu", delicately spiced with cardamon,aniseed star,saffron,cumin and cloves and a dash of rose water.  One of the benefits of having a live-in chef!



Saturday 7 July 2012

What is in your.....?

What is in your handbag.


 This is what is in mine today: 
  • Frontline flea treatment for the cat and dog beasts
  • Two new catnip mice to keep them in their drug of choice
  • My phone  ( A Samsung, for once charged!)
  • Make-up  remover from Boots
  • Tesco vouchers
  • A camera lens pen
  • A lipstick (no7) and face powder (Rimmel)
  • A friend's holiday DVD (with beautiful scenery from Patagonia)
  • A fortune cookie (That my son made off with while doing this blog) and menu from Ling di Long (where I went with my hubby for a lovely meal last week)
  • My purse
  • My prize possession, my Kindle.  Never without something to read!
So, what's in your bag?  Do you have some odd items in yours? Why not share in your blog and leave a link with your comment here, that way we can all be nosy and get more views too!

Thursday 5 July 2012

Thursday Treasury

Just some of the wonderful items made by the Craftyfolk Team on Etsy.  I chose the theme "Dreams" as we all do that from time to time.  What do you dream about?  At the moment I am dreaming about sitting in the sun in my garden and maybe do some painting...It's summer so it should be possible but the weather here has been horrendous.  Let's dream on!  Look forward to hear about your dreams.

Monday 2 July 2012

Home-Sweet-Home

Would you like a coffee?  I can offer a cup in style now. 
 Look what I found last Saturday at the local  market.


Six tiny little espresso cups!  
They have a very unusual finish that almost looks like leopard skin but the cups all have different colours. 



  I really look forward to having this coffee!

Sunday 1 July 2012

Sunday Randomness

I had rather a rubbish week at being creative.  I had to take my son to the doctors on Monday and it was a nightmare, we were waiting there for nearly two hours. When I came home I had a banging headache that didn't leave me 'till Thursday. On Fridays I grannysit and being creative is hard as Gran needs frequent help with her laptop (she is 91 and frequently loses her cursor, but still, she is using a laptop! )
On Saturday morning I realised the food thieves had been again and I needed to go and get provisions. On top of that I had a major distraction!  Well have a look, wouldn't you be distracted?




Yes it's a Chihuahua. No, there are no diamante bows,hairclips, burberry coats or carrycases.  She has legs, she walks. She chases cats and squeeky balls. She sleeps in a basket and is not allowed on the chairs.  Basically she is a DOG, albeit a tiny one.  Just to make it clear she isn't a pampered excuse for a dog, her name is..... BEAST.  Or Beastie.   Excuse me I have to go and throw a ball now.