Christmas Baking.

Hello everyone,

Had a busy weekend. Christmas is crazy time of year. Baking, knitting and just living between Christmas parties. Mr.C wanted cupcakes for his work, so being a lovely housewife delivered. 18 cupcake double chocolate with chocolate buttercream icing. Then not to leave anyone out I made gluten free cupcake as well. Red Velvet mix with royal icing topped with sliver balls.

The berries where made by rolling three little balls, then using little scissors made a cross. Giving them character, and not to look like rolled red fondant. Then using flower & leaves mixer on the berries to make them have a shinny look to standout a little more.

Yes I know they aren't "holly" shaped leaves, but are rose leaves. But I was running on 3 hours of sleep and they look fine. The leaves where made from green fondant, cut out by a rose leave shape cutter, then pressed into a veiner. Once the leaves where all cut out and shaped, I then painted them with a little of the same green watered down. To make the veins standout more, and to give a retro finish.

The Gluten Free minis where iced using Pure Icing sugar mixed with egg whites only and vanilla essence. I love using this icing. TIP: using eye whites instead of water, gives the end result a silk look. And it is always good to flavor the icing as it tastes a little odd by itself.

On another note...
I was reading through my grandmothers recipe trying to find her traditional English Trifle Recipe. No Luck, :( 

But I did find a Christmas cake from my great grandmother from Warracknabeal Victoria. What a find. Look at the lovely handwriting. Along with the cake, I found Grandma's ANZAC biscuits, wedding fruit cake and pav recipe. And not to mention the secret self base quiche.


Rachel    

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Knitting for Christmas

Hello everyone,
I have been knitting like crazy! I think it is the nesting coming out in me. I have about three projects going at the same time. Mr.C. is going crazy with all the wool around the house. A tidy up is all its needs. I have 2 baby jumpers on the go. One a wrap jacket with buttons on the side. Using Nanny P sewing stills to sew on the buttons, as I can't sew anything. And the other jumper/pullover is colourful pattern good for both a girl or a boy.

But what about Christmas...ahh presents.

So I have decided to knit my family KK a scarf. Yes, a funny thing to be thinking about when it is a hot Australian summer at 37 C. I thought I have all this beautiful wool, that cost me a pretty penny. And I always love getting homemade gifts and giving them. So hopefully they will like it.

The pattern is from http://monika-freepatterns.blogspot.com.au/2006/09/his-scarf-cashmere-one.html 

I was knitting away last night just following the pattern as you do and then out of nowhere this lovely weave pattern appeared. A easy to follow pattern just remember to remember which row you are up to as this weave effect looks terrible if the squares aren't the same size. Just a tip. 

Anyway must go, knitting to be done before Christmas. By the way Merry Christmas.

♥♥ Rachel

Retaining your independence during retirement

Retirement doesn’t mean losing your independence but can actually enhance it in some situations. Those that have always wished to fulfil a number of dreams and goals now have all the time in the world to do so. There is no longer a need to work every waking hour, you can instead spend a number of leisurely days partaking in a range of exciting and action-packed activities.

You may however, quite simply wish to relax. If this is the case, a retirement apartment may be exactly what you are looking for. This housing allows you to maintain your own independence whilst still having help and support close-by should you need it.

This help may come in the shape of a carer (an individual who can help you with day-to-day chores) but doesn’t necessarily equate to round the clock care. You can rely on them as much or as little as you need in a later living apartment – an ideal balance.

A new beginning

A number of retirement apartments understand that getting older the beginning of a new era. In order to enjoy this time, it’s worth giving your finances some consideration.

In order to release a little collateral, it is important to plan ahead. An equity release calculator will allow you to calculate exactly how much you have to play with in terms of funds tied up in your property and choosing to unlock this could be a hugely beneficial.

How much you release will usually depend on a few factors, such as the value of your property and the rate of your current pensionable income. Entering your details into an online system will allow you to instantly reveal how much money you have available.

Once you have worked out your finances, you can concentrate on the finer things in life! You may wish to embark on a sightseeing tour, a golfing holiday or alternatively, see a certain artist in an action-packed concert. All the things you never had the time to do prior to retirement become possible with more time, and a little money, available.

Welcome Lucille to the family.

Hello everyone, 
We have new addition to the family. Lucille my new letterpress. My 8"x5" Adana letterpress all the way from France. It makes Lou Lou look like a toy. But both in working condition and old wireless printers. Mr.C. is slowly going lose his shed, as I still really want a C&P. 

Funny thing happened... In all the pictures of Lucille you don't see any rollers on the press. Yeap that's right. In my big clean up of the study, I must have thrown them out never to be seen again. So you could imagine my stress out when I had to do this job. Ahh! Mr.C my hero, my rock, my everything suggested that we "paint the ink on". Thanks darling, for that lightbulb moment. We can just hand roll the ink on with a brayer.

Plate supplied by the lovely people at http://www.the-distillery.com.au/ 

Then the fun started. Printing like a little team Mr.C and I and we got done 80 invites over two days. But what about drying? As you can probably tell Mr.C and I aren't masters of letterpress just really keen. We have 80 invites looking at us, saying we need to be mailed out. Ok, I may have had a Macgyver moment. And put them in over on a low heat for 20 min. DONE! 

Due to the wedding on being for a while out of repeat I don't want t post the finish invite. But there were smiles. 

♥ Rachel  

Great gift ideas!

Great gift ideas

Coming up with great gift ideas can be hard, particularly when we find ourselves having to buy presents all year round.  Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s, Christmas or any other occasion, we constantly need to keep inspired to make sure every present is special and fully appreciated.  Sometimes, we leave it till the last minute to buy gifts and often fall short, getting something obvious or uninspired.  The first trick is to leave plenty of time in advance, so you can come up with some ideas, or make the necessary arrangements if it requires planning.  Here are a few gift suggestions that should go down well whatever the occasion:

Holiday

Most people enjoy going on holiday, especially if they live in a country with a particularly miserable climate.  This would require quite a bit of planning in advance, particularly if the receiver is in full-time work – you would have to secretly make arrangements for time off with their supervisor.  Alternatively, you could opt for a short weekend holiday and not travel too far.  Budget airlines offer some great prices for flights to European cities close by. If you have a credit card which allows you to save air miles you could always use those if not why not complete a credit card application online.  You could also opt for an all-inclusive weekend package that includes travel and accommodation, making it easier on your part.  Try to choose a destination that you know your partner will enjoy – if they’re fond of culture, look at some of Europe’s cosmopolitan capitals, or if they prefer sandy beaches, maybe consider one of the mainly seaside resorts around the Mediterranean.

Experience

Falling roughly into the same category as a holiday, the idea of ‘experience’ gifts is to give your loved one memories that last a life time.  Depending on what your partner likes (and can stomach), you could look into high-energy adrenalin-pumping activities as these tend to be unforgettable.  Depending on where you are, or how far you are prepared to travel, suggestions would include Bungee jumping, abseiling, surfing or rock climbing amongst many others.  However, it’s worth being sure that your loved one will take part as you could be out of pocket for nothing!

Mix-tape/Record

Mix-tapes have always made good presents, but have perhaps decreased in popularity over the years.  A recent surge in vinyl as a fashionable format means that record ‘mix-tapes’ can now be manufactured.  Some pressing plants offer deals on one-off vinyl pressings, meaning you can customize your present down to the last detail.  Make sure your loved one has a turntable though as it won’t be playable without one!

A guide to garden furniture

Once upon a time, outdoor furniture meant little more than a few deck chairs and a weather-beaten table. However, as interior design moves into the great outdoors, a vast and impressive array of outdoor furniture is currently being produced to match the needs of the modern homeowner.

Garden tables

For those of you wishing to dine Al Fresco this summer whilst dodging the hefty price tag, the service charge and the table reservations, why not look into garden tables and chairs? Outdoor tables are designed to comfortably accommodate anywhere from four to eight guests, and come in a multitude of sizes and styles to suit every garden. From robust and weatherproof nylon-based tables, to elegant glass surfaces, you’ll find the perfect table for your needs. Garden tables are a must for anyone looking to make the most of out of their outdoor space.

Corner furniture

If you have a large garden and really want to show it off you could try a corner arrangement. With luxury seating for up to five people and interchangeable blocks that can be arranged to the shape of your garden, these are fully waterproof and offer a stylish and ultra modern way to relax, eat dinner or drink a few cocktails.

Swings

Having been notably popular in Victorian England, garden swing seats are making a comeback. Available in a variety of styles and sizes, they are a great way to idle away the summer afternoons with a friend whilst enjoying a few light refreshments and a drink or two. Many are available in traditional Victorian style with intertwined metal patterns and grates, or you could opt for something a little more modern with stylish matte black metal and a matching black parasol.

Deckchairs

The classic British deckchair is a staple of any modern garden. Often more at home on the beach, these wonderful recliners are appearing more and more in gardens across the U.K. Deckchairs are available in a variety of designs ranging from the vintage classic style of wooden and striped cloth, to brushed chrome with padded

seating for maximum comfort. You’re sure to find something that looks great in your garden and provides you with the perfect place to relax and soak up some sun. Don’t forget, if you’re planning a trip somewhere nice, you can fold your deckchair up, stick it in your car and take it along with you.

check out deals from littlewoods

International blogging

Hello darlings,
I was looking on one of my fav blogs and people http://www.susannahbean.com/ and came across this.. Yeap that's me. I just love her style 60's, 70's and a little indie. Just love it. So I am adopting this style with of course some rockabilly. I have brought up big off ebay shirt dress, mod dress and more to show you guys. Also trying new ways to wear make up. And above all HAIR.

screen grab from http://www.susannahbean.com/

stay tuned..

♥ Rachel

Busy weekend

Hello,
As you are probably aware by now my life is filled with craft and hobbies. So when it comes to weekend I am always filling my spare time with sometime to do with crocheting, letterpress etc. Well this weekend was filled with cakes and nail art. Over the last month I have noticed pinterest.com has taken off. And one of the main areas is nails art. Not to miss out on this fad, I had a go. Not perfect be still ok. I have to tidy up my cuticles as they look terrible. I used a clear nail polish and http://www.sallyhansen.com white nail pen.

http://www.sallyhansen.com white nail pen.

I was looking on ebay and found these lace stickers that you can pop on your nail. I thought I would give this ago. Also I tried the taping off my nail to make a straight edge. Fail. But it was worth a try.

♥ Rachel

Vertical Garden

Hi everyone,

At the moment we are reno our bathroom. To anyone that has done a bathroom, why didn't tell me that it is so painful?!?!?! I am in the hunt for DIY tutorials on how to make an inside / indoor vertical garden easy and simple. Yes this is what I'll be doing over easter. I want to create a fern garden in our bathroom. Pretty cool I thought. But the practical side of things is quite hard. As where does the water go raises a problem. I am in the planning stage and have drawn one idea mainly to get it out of my head and onto paper so I can sleep to night.

Source image: renovationplanning.blogspot.com.au

♥ Rachel

Little Lou Lou

There has been some development on the letterpress side of things. I have my 1st print run. I thought yeap why not just have a go? All smiles for a about 1hr.

This is nice the roller go over the ink plate then over the plate. And make a print. Now what? Me being a perfectionist, had to now work out how to get an impression. You would think this was easy? NOOOOOOOO. It has taken me 1 month to find an impression. I have no photos as yet as I'm not totally happy with the result. But I will never give up. I tried the knobs on the back. Did some googling and no that's not the done thing to do. Don't touch them. It's all to do with type height boxes or plates and the packing on the tyumen (the plate that the paper goes on).

I have some new paper coming this week so I can't wait to try it out. It's coming from America I hope it is worth the wait.

Other news... My Letterpress 8' x 5' Adana that I ordered from os is coming in 10 days. It's like the stork bringing a gift. I'll have to make room.

♥ Rachel

Green Outfit

St.Patrick's was a while ago but I thought I would post my outfit for the day. As you can see you can still dress for St.Pat's with class. My Bettie Page dress turned heads as my curves moved across Fed Square. I love St. Pat's it is great time to have a drink and a laugh with friends. The party animal is sleeping, so the evening was spent at Meat & Wine South Bank. I did still get my Guinness of course.

Dress: Betty Page - $120

Shoes: Target - $12

Glasses: D&G

Car: Found at Fed Square Melbourne

Happy St.Patrick's Day

♥ Rachel

Playing with my Press

Hi,

I needed some help with my letterpress as I was swimming in circles creating paper piles on my kitchen table of less then impressive impressions. So I made contact with an old master letterpress printer Mr. B Wright. Sometimes you can find him printing away in the letterpress print shop at Bundoora Park. It is a great setup there. Type cases as below. Three beautiful machines all working. One C&P & two windmills. I just love it there!!

Mr B Wright kept saying to me that Letterpress printing is dying out. Ahhhh! No its not, so many people out there are wanting to learn the art of letterpress. But I have find this little gem. So I took little lou lou down to the shop and Mr B Wright had a go. It was really funny a master of letterpress using my little press after seeing him using a windmill at full force. So he got Lou lou working after applying A LOT of WD40. He said "the old girl was dry". The plate I made the type height wasn't right. I needed a lot of packing. Also he worked out the tyumen paper thickness. JOY!

My paper is coming from Holyoke paper YEAH. So I will be having fun over Easter printing away. I brought business cards and blank folded cards. That will be my Easter.

♥ Rachel

Crochet homework DONE

Good morning everyone,

I thought I would share with you my latest crochet homework that I brought to class last night. Yes I got a lot on owww arrr's from the class. Thanks to http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/ pattern 'wool eater' you can download this pattern for free. And it's a great pattern to do in front of the tv. I was watching the movie 300 at the time so my eye were fixed on something else so there was a lot of pull outs. hehe.

Doing the maths on this patch I now have to do 8 more patchs. Not so bad. They are quit big measuring 15cm x 15cm. However, I am going to place a border around all the patches of the below below to combine all the patches, along with a scallop edge or something cool like that. I'll have to google edge patterns. Another thing to pop on the today list.

Colour Palette

Download pattern here. http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/wool-eater-instructions/

And check out here cool colour combos.

♥ Rachel

Outfit

Hi, I am into retro fashion have been for a while. I brought this dress off ebay for only $15. It is 100% polyester. I didn't know how to wash or look after 100% polyester, so I did the test. Chucked it in the washer and see how it when. This is usually how I do my washing. If it doesn't survive the journey oh well, nothing really lost. IT SURVIVED! OH JOY! So I now have a wardrobe of new 100% polyester dress stay tuned to see more.

♥ Rachel

Outfit

Dress: eBay - $15

Belt: Forever 21 - $5

Headband: ICE - $2

OVER IT

Hi,
I have taken on board to much at the moment. Feeling that my little world going out of control. And things (meaning housework) isn't being done. This is not me. I like the idea of having a clean and tidy house. But it's just not in the timeline to start and finish and small job like mopping the floors etc. So I have come up with a spread sheet the I will try to follow for the next two weeks.
Click here if you want this pdf to work off, or make you own

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Homework. JOKE

My homework over the last week has been below. Not much at all. I did download a new pattern from Two Girls Patterns. Little sailer booties. No Im not... It was our homeowrk that we were to make shoes. So I went for the minture kind.

Future festival went off. I had never been to a festival before. The youth just having a good time was outstanding. And to be apart of this was great, but I felt old. Oh well. Still had a great time.

What I have done so far of my crcohet homework FUTURE FESTIVAL MELBOURNE Source Photo: http://instagr.am/ georgiepb FUTURE FESTIVAL MELBOURNE Source Photo: http://instagr.am/ georgiepb FUTURE FESTIVAL MELBOURNE Source Photo: http://instagr.am/ georgiepb

Crochet Class

Yes another hobby starting up... Crochet.
I have been going to class at my local spotlight for two weeks now. Learning the terms and how to hold the work. I didn't mean to do this class it just fell in my line of thought. As the baby boom around me made me think, who crochets and knits anymore?

I have been knitting for 2 years now. And wondering what was this one needle craft. As I said been going for 2 lessons. and find that I am picking it up pretty easily. But when i comes to reading pattern. No hope. I have to break it up section by section line by line. Second class the teacher puts a pattern in front of us. OH joy. Next week we are doing granny squares.

My Little Letterpress Lou Lou

Lou Lou came in the post late Feb. This little package. Ok so I didn't know what 5' x 3' inches looked like. I only worked in mm being a Graphic Designer. Anyway, Lou Lou came out of the box, placed on the bench. Looked at it for 30min and said to myself so what do I need to make a print. Paper, plates, ink and know how.

I have none of them.

Hello

Hi and thanks for popping by. I am one for etiquette, so please let me introduce myself Mrs Rachel Cavill. I am quite proud to be Mrs C. As it shows someone in this world loves me and wantsto share their life with me and my journey in life. It is funny I mention myjourney, as Mr C continues to tell me that I should write a book about all the thing I do in my life ‘The crafty life ofa modern housewife’.

Well here is my blog. My life isvery on the go, however when asked at a party or hair appointment “So what haveyou been doing, lately” the reply is “nothing much”. Lie, all lies.

♥ Rachel