Christmas Tablescape

Santa is almost here..........................

Each year we have a Christmas at our home for my mum.   We get to celebrate as a family every year this way.  It would never work out on Christmas Day.   It works so well that we think we really have celebrated  on Christmas day.  We have to remind ourselves that we still have to celebrate elsewhere a week later.

I was inspired by a table setting at Beech tree photography for my table this year. I really like the idea of little gift boxes for each guest.   I placed a cinnamon orange candle melt in each of the gift boxes for the ladies and a chocolate for the males.  I also purchased a cinnamon orange jar candle for the middle of the table. The candles smelled beautiful.   I purchased the candles from a lovely lady called Karen at Ladybird Candlelites.

I will share my table with  

  Open House Party                 at   No Minalmist Here 

  Shabbilicious Friday               at  Shabby Art Boutique 

  Feathered Nest Friday at        at  French Country Cottage.

Have a really good Christmas.   We shall be spending our Christmas Day at my husband's parent's place.

Kelly

Always that one box that leans!

Candle Melt inside box

Discovery

I thought I would share what I have discovered this year that has made my life experience better and why.

First of all I must say that we have had our caravan for a little over twelve months and it is probably the best family investment ever.  I have discovered that there is more in your own backyard  if you just get out and discover it.  We have made the most of our caravan this year and travelled to a few country Victorian (Australia) destinations that we haven't been to for a few years.

We have often said that we need to be tourists in our own town as we don't get out often enough to visit what is ours.

If you have ever wanted to buy a caravan or go camping then do it for the one of the best family experiences ever. 

The above photo was taken at Castlemaine (Victoria).   A very enjoyable weekend away.   Nothing like a  leaf fight. 


Kelly

Christmas Again- Advent Calendar.

I can't believe it is nearly Christmas again.  I haven't posted for such a long time. I spend more time on my Facebook Page.   I really liked  a tree that I saw on the site Houzz. The tree was decorated with photos and I really liked that idea. I thought that I would make an Advent Calendar and decorate it with photos.   I decided in the end to settle on the advent calendar being part of the Christmas tree.

There are 24 photos (each numbered) and each of us  (two adults and two children)  think of 4 activities each and slot the activity in behind the photo.  The activities are a surprise and aren't revealed until the day.  The kids love thinking of the activities.   Tonight our activity is funny photo portraits.   The idea of the activity is to be something we can all do as a family.

I will be sharing my advent calendar with

 Savvy Southern Style      Wow Us Wednesdays
 A Delightsome Life         Home and Garden Thursday
No Minimalist Here          Open House Party Thursday
 Shabby Art Boutique       Shabbilicious Friday
 French Country Cottage   Feathered Nest Friday


Have a nice week.

I hope to add some more to my blog  this month.





Kelly

Bake Until Your Tart is content!!

Good afternoon,

I have put a little spin on my blog name on this post. I spend more time on my Facebook Page than I do here.  The day is dull and overcast.....  I made a strawberry tart on the weekend.  Those that know me ..... know that I am not one for cooking.   I do however enjoy taking photos of food...............

In order to take photos of food one must cook something!!  So, who knows, this might open up a whole new world for me.  I might actually enjoy cooking. I must say that I did enjoy bringing  this dessert together.  I had to make a card for my friends birthday and I needed some more food photos. I also have to surprise my family by making something that they enjoy!!!

I made the strawberry tart, took a photo of it and made a card for my friend.  The kids enjoyed the dessert, but they did mention that the pastry needed some more TLC!!  

So Now that I have made this, I have no excuse not  to make some more.

I found the basic tart shell recipe here .   

I am linking to Stonegable  On the Menu Monday

Wish me luck

Have a great week.

Kelly

My Friend's Card

Ready to Eat

Colours

Bag and flowers for Karen

I have always found that strong colours lift my mood.   A good friend of mine turned 50 last week.   I purchased a gift voucher from a place where there are hot springs.   (I always find that it is something you never buy for yourself)  On the front of the bag I have used the following quote:

'Don't walk in front of me,

I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me,

I may not lead,

Just walk beside me and be my friend.   

Albert Camus.

I also bought a yellow candle  (jasmine scent)   to place inside the bag.  The card was made using one of the photos I took.  

The bluey/green paper is by Cosmo Cricket (Tea for Two)  The roses on the bag and tag I picked up from the local craft store.

It's a good time to be in here updating my blog........  My daughter is in the kitchen inventing recipes.  I love the fact that she wants to create and invent, but told her that she can only do this on a friday.   It looks like cupcakes with jellybeans tonight. I think that she has also made cupcakes and put chocolate in the middle. This chocolate, hopefully should be a nice melting surprise in the middle.  (Here's hoping)

I am linking to Stonegables Tutorial Tips and Tidbits.   There is also a wonderful giveaway on her blog.   I am spending most of my time at my Facebook Page . 

Have a great weekend.   

Kelly

Card for Karen. I decided on a different photo that I initially intended to use

Voucher and Candle

Everything from a different perspective

Photo that I was originally going to use

A New Lens

I received my camera last year as a present. I have had so much fun taking photos. About two weeks ago I bought a new lens. (Nikon 50 mm 1.8)   It was an early birthday present. I wasn't expecting to buy it on the day.  Thanks family!!!  I have recently started a facebook page and I I have liked several pages. (As I do) There are so many talented people out there. One page I liked was Helene Dujardin Photography.  I discovered that she had publised a book called Plate to Pixel. I really liked her style of Food Photography and excitedly purchased her book online. I was expecting to receive it mid June. It actually arrived at the beginning of this week. I couldn't wait to start reading. One of the things that she emphasizes  is to practice, practice, practice.  Well I don't have any trouble doing that!!  However I do have to have the nice food to practice on. Hubby made Lasagne Sunday, so I set about practising. What I do best!   I had no idea that I would have such a liking for food photography. I only realised that I like capturing food when I first received my camera and I was trying to look for things to practice on.  One thing about food , is that it is a willing particapant. I then discovered the What Katie Ate (I have linked her Facebook page)  and her amazing photograpy.  So here I am trying to learn the art of food photography. Trying to make the food look scrumptious.  I know I have a long way to go , but the journey is fun.

Thanks for  getting this far.

Kelly

Ps.  The Lasagne was really yummy.  Hubby always makes a yummy Lasagne

Shadowbox

Good Morning to all,

 I am here to show you my daughter's shadowbox frame. I have had this frame for a couple of years and had another layout in it. I was never completely happy with it.  I had always wanted to keep the ballet shoes , leotard etc....   The previous layout I did had the ballet shoes and skirt behind the photo.  Awhile ago I saw a shadowbox here on Pinterest  with the photo behind  and the ballet shoes in front and I knew then , that this is how I had to do mine. The skirt is behind the photo, but the ballet shoes are what I really wanted to feature.  The photo was taken with an old camera of mine and therefore very grainy.  (However I do love the photo)

The words on the photo Read  'I think', 'I feel', 'I Can', 'I Am'   'Madeleine' 

I have linked up to Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage  Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense , Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique , Say G'day Saturday at Natasha In Oz and Make it Great Monday at Cabin Fevered Gem

I am now on facebook. I have tried to put the button on my sidebar without success. If anyone can tell me how they have done it, it would be a great help. If you want to find me on facebook, I have included a link here. "Craft Until Your Art's Content" and you can find me that way. In the mean time I will try and figure out how to link up with facebook.

Have a great week

Kelly

It's May Already

It's May Already....

The year is passing by very quickly.  Sorry I have not posted for a while. I have presently lost the passion for craft and cards.  I probably should change the name of my blog. 'Craft Until Your Art's Content' , but I am hoping that passion will return. I also really like the name of the blog, and the play on words.  I do, however still love taking photos.  I will try and visit the blog more often and try to re-ignite the passion for craft.  So I hope to return with more photos, family adventures and date nights.  In the meantime I will stop and smell the Coffee? Roses? Chocolate?  -  This time  Cupcakes.  We enjoyed an afternoon tea of Cupcakes on Sunday

The recipe for White Chocolate Mud Cupcakes can be found  here. We didn't use any food colouring for the White Chocolate Ganache. We topped with strawberries and Pomegranates.  They were really yummy, and hoping to make more very soon. 

I will try and visit the blogs that I usually catch up with  during the week. 

Have a great week. (Hope Mother's day is wonderful for you. If celebrating in your part of the world)

Kelly

TEN ON TEN

Hi Everyone,

What a lovely long weekend we just spent up at Harrietville Caravan Park. Harrietville is situated at the bottom of the mountains. The Caravan Park was lovely. We were fortunate to be situated right on the Ovens River within the caravan park.  The park was beautiful and the surroundings were beautiful.   I am joining Rebekah at  a bit of Sunshine. Rebekah hosts a linky party named Ten on Ten. Every month on the tenth she asks that we take 10 photos and share them on her blog. The photos are taken throughout the course of the day.    The family and I were away camping on the 10th. See the photos below that represent our 10 photos for the day.  

Have a great week

Kelly 

P.s We will definately head back to this Caravan Park.

Breakfast 9.00 am

Nature 10.00 am

Nature 10.00 am

Nature 10.00 am

11.00 am Drive up in the hills. Near Mt Hotham

12.00 Lunch at Omeo

1.00 pm Spotted skydiver on our way back to Caravan Park

2.00 pm  Sign as we enter Harrietville

3.00 pm River that ran behind our camping spot

4.00 pm  Time to enjoy wine, grapes and a read of Country Style Magazine

5.00 pm.  Our dog Shadow keeps guard by the biscuits.

6.00 pm Fly fishing in the river.

February Date Night

Hi All,

We actually had our February Date Night in February.  (A Good Start)   As I have previously advised the date night was inspired by  Shannon's Find Joy in The Journey Blog.   I am so glad I found the idea on Pinterest. This date was a surprise for Hubs. The actual date involved setting up a restaurant atmosphere in our home the kids cooked, and waited on the table for us.  We decided to go ahead with the plans on a Saturday when hubs was working.   When he set off for work I told him not to buy anything for dinner.  (Hubby usually cooks on the weekend. He knew something was going on)

Plan is set into action.  Ben prepared Salmon Fillets. (Mostly prepared and cooked by himself)  I helped Madeleine prepare Chicken, Leek and Mushroom pie.  (Inspiration came from the latest Masterchef book) Hubby arrived home.  (He was ushered to the study and ordered not to come in the kitchen)  Hubby sat down at the computer and saw the Salmon Fillet recipe on the computer. Ooops! He now knew what he was having for entree.   Not long after, Ben yells out "Mum I am about to prepare the Lemon Meringue" . Oh well,  there goes the sweet surprise. The kids were then popping in to dad and asking for his advice. (What what wrong with mum's advice????)  

I told hubby to go and change his shirt ready for dinner and to wait until I had changed.  He changed but didn't wait for me.  The idea was for hubby and I to walk out together and be seated at the table.  (He didn't know the table had been set for two)   We had a fabulous meal.  The kids served our meal, poured our wine  and cleared our table.  The kids had as much fun as we did. If you are wondering, the kids did get to eat. They ate on a dining table in another room.

Can't wait for the next date.   Our dates won't all be with the kids!!!   

I am linking with up with A Bowl Full of Lemons and A little Bit of Sunshine's Dinner at Eight  The Dinner at Eight Linky is about Date Nights at home after the kids have gone to bed.  My kids are a bit older , but it is good to share ideas, anyway.

Check out further photos below.

Preparing the Salmon

Salmon Entree

Pie Cooking

Pie Cooking

Preparing Lemons

Meringue almost complete

The table

Lemons