My blog has been somewhat quiet lately due to some freelance design work that landed quite happily on my lap. And who can refuse a request from your Mum to help with branding her Gallery Gourmet products? A scrumptuous range of Australian Christmas fare including handmade puddings, chocolate and fig panforte (my favourite!) and rich fruit cake oozing with the juiciest dried fruits and nuts, topped with the headiest brandy and liquors. Gallery Gourmet also has a Chartcuterie range of Australian grown double smoked legs of ham. Delicious! They're based out of Queensland and feel free to visit their website for more info

We commissioned well-known Australian artist Jenny Mulder to paint a series of whimsical scenarios to use on the labels, website and other printed material (not everything is complete yet). I have fallen in love with Jenny's quirky style. She creates with seemingly simplistic brush strokes at first glance and very colourful, elegant and romantic imagery too, perfect for the Gallery Gourmet range. It honestly inspires me to break open the acrylics and go wild on a canvas. I might just leave that to the experts!

As promised, here's a delicious recipe to make Orange Blossom Cakes featuring orange, almond and craisin cake. Dress your cupcakes with cake wrappers available as a download from my Go Make Me shop. Recipe to follow. Yum!

Gorgeous burlap placemats tutorial from BK Kids Craft Projects blog. They're super easy using freezer paper, some fabric inks and a few other items that you would have around the home. My daughter would definitely love to give this a try (maybe me too!)

Here's a super easy and delicious recipe to make with maximum flavour. Lemon curd or butter is an all time favourite, reminiscent of school fairs, recipes my Gran used to make, and a good old-fashioned essential ingredient. Great to have in the refrigerator especially on toast, in a sponge or just when you're hanging out for something to tantalise the taste-buds. I love the curd in these tiny wafer thin tartlet shells with a wee pile of meringue atop

I'm in the process of making 150 little bite-sized desserts for a function next week. I have cheated though, with purchasing a commercial quantity of pastry shells from Skycrest in Sydney. A mere 4 cm wide, they are ever so cute. I've included in the recipe the directions for baking from scratch. There goes the diet!

 

Hot off the computer, a new printable from Go Make Me! Mum and lil' Owl are up for a snuggle with wings that rotate to hug or hide a favourite toy. Able to stand upright with a wee log stand and fold flat for posting. Perfect for a 'Woodlands' themed party or even if you just like owls and scrap booking. Included in the pdf: 3d card, envelope, gift tags, favors, thank you cards, wrapping or scrap booking paper and the cutest cupcake wrappers

Above shows the base repeat pattern used throughout the pdf templates. What a hoot! PS: I'll be posting the cupcake recipe soon