Wristlet GIVEAWAY!

I made this Oh Fransson wristlet two days ago.

(click to view clearer image)

I was so excited to try out the pattern and was even more excited to use that adorable pink Minny Muu Japanese fabric. You may wonder why on earth did I have to purchase the pattern when in fact, I very well know how to sew up a wristlet. The answer is simply this...


I so wanted to know the secret to those neat zipper ends. Yes, I was willing to spend $10 just to find that out. Happily, I learned much more than just that. It is always good to acquire new techniques, isn't it? Having said that, the expense was well worth it.

The wristlet I made is a large one with round, darted corners (the opening being 9", height about 5" and the widest part about 10 1/2"). It turned out bigger than I had imagined. Sadly, because of its size, it is not something I would normally use....and so....

I thought of giving this wristlet away! It is not without sewing imperfections but yeah, it is kinda cute.

To be in the running to win, all you need to do is leave a comment in this post. Don't forget to include your name and email address so I can contact you in case you win. Competition ends on Friday, 7th of August, 11:59 pm, Australian Eastern Standard Time. Lucky winner to be determined by random number generator and announced on Saturday, the 8th. Competition extended till 11:59pm, Sunday, 9th of August, to allow more participants on the weekend. Winner to be announced the following day, Monday.

Please spread the word. The more entries, the better!

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED. WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.

Of Cakes and Piñatas

I love making birthday cakes for my children. Although I am a really terrible cake decorator, I am a fairly good baker...and so I am assuming the great taste overshadows the not so great appearance! For my daughter Missy's birthday yesterday (28th), I made something clean and simple using a tried and tested moist chocolate cake recipe with white mountain frosting.

(The inside view...after being served...)

Missy didn't really have a party, but after getting the idea from a magazine, she decided she wanted a piñata. She patiently worked on it herself for a few days prior to her birthday. (I helped out only a little bit...just to make sure it would turn out nice and sturdy.) And then yesterday, filled with lollies and some packs of chips, we hung the piñata from the basketball ring in our backyard. My two nieces came after school to join in some quick fun!

Now that Missy's 12, giving her a toy seemed no longer an option. My husband and I gave her a lovely Billabong wrist watch which we luckily found on sale. She loved it!

Before I head on to bed, here's the chocolate cake and frosting recipes. You might want to try them out. These are easy and guaranteed to please!

CHOCOLATE CAKE

1. Prepare two 9" round baking pans. Grease and line bottoms.

2. In a large bowl, combine:

2 1/2 cups plain flour

3 cups white sugar

1 1/2 cups cocoa powder

2 tsps baking soda

2 tsps baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk

3/4 cup corn oil

1 tbsp vanilla extract

3. Beat at medium speed for about 3 minutes, then at high speed for another 2 minutes.

4. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Blend well.

5. Pour onto prepared pans, dividing mixture equally between pans. Bake at preheated 180 degree C oven for 45 to 50 minutes. Remove pans from oven and cool a little bit before inverting onto cake racks. Cool cakes completely.

WHITE MOUNTAIN FROSTING

2 egg whites, unbeaten

1 1/2 cups white sugar

5 tbsps cold water

1/8 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Over a double boiler, beat all ingredients (except vanilla extract) until mixture holds a peak (about 7 minutes). Remove from heat. Add vanilla extract, then beat until cool and thick enough to spread.

Spread frosting in between two cakes layers, on top and sides. Decorate as desired.

How long has it been?

I don't even have a decent excuse. Except for the two weeks recently that I was overseas (where I had very little internet access), I had been nothing else but just too lazy to blog. I am still as lazy as can be but I am back today just to let you know that I am still alive!

I have not done anything crafty lately, so unfortunately, there is no new stuff to share. I did pick up a few things during my trip which I am happy to show you.

Pretty handmade bag...not that I need it...but nevertheless, had the impulse to buy.

Absolutely gorgeous pouches/wristlets...the top one has two zippered compartments, perfect for mobile phone and accessories. The bottom one comes with a mirror inside.

Overflowing with cuteness Japanese stuff... from left to right: pencil sharpener, rolling eraser, flat head pins, and my favourite, an auto-rewind tape measure.

There was just too much nice things to buy so I am mighty proud of how I was able to resist the temptation!

That's about it for now...I promise I won't be away for too long. My daughter's birthday is coming up and I am definitely planning to create something for her. But first, I have to get out of this weary disposition. That hectic holiday with my family took all the energy out of me! Cross your fingers!