Rifle Paper Co

Rifle Paper Co

15 Dec 2010

I love stationery and all things paper. I still write letters to friends and I send out postcards and Christmas cards as well. Thankfully I still have a few friends who share my interest as there's nothing like finding a letter in the mailbox. It sure beats an email.

I first learnt about Rifle Paper Co a few years ago when I saw some of Anna Bond's beautiful wedding invitations on a wedding blog. Rifle Paper Co opened an online shop selling cards and personalised stationery just over a year ago. Those of you who know me well, know I'm a dog nut, so I was already won over when I saw the dog logo.

Thanks to the strong Australian dollar the personalised stationery and postage is finally affordable, so about 2 months ago I decided to order this pretty design. This is what I found when I opened the box.

The notes are really sweet and I can't wait to write my first note!

It's been a busy week with lots of Christmas festivities and way too much eating, so I'm going to have an early night tonight.

Bye for now,

Jillian

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Raspberry Butter Cake

Raspberry Butter Cake

13 Dec 2010

A few months ago I started looking for some vintage homewares for props. I particularly wanted some old cooling racks, knives and a wooden handled wire sieve. Those things are either really hard to track down or ridiculously expensive to find in Sydney. (I'm still trying to source some of these items btw).

I finally found the perfect wire cooling rack online, but it was part of a set and when the set was broken down piece by piece the wire cooling rack was way too expensive. I threw caution to the wind and bought most of the set figuring the pieces were at the most decorative and hopefully functional as well.

The parcel arrived and I eagerly opened it. There was no warning on the site that the tins showed signs of rust so I was disappointed to find all the bakeware was substantially rusted and the star shaped tin was the most affected of the lot.  It was so pretty I thought I'd try baking something in it, just to see if it was still functional. I found a recipe for a raspberry pound cake in an old Donna Hay magazine and gave it a try.

It was a disaster. The mixture rose too high and when I tried to turn the cake out, one edge of the cake remained firmly attached to the pan. That cake went straight into the bin. I adapted an old Gretta Anna butter cake recipe and tried again. This time I oiled the tin like a crepe pan and left it for a week before using it again. I greased and regreased every corner of the tin and floured it as well as lining the base with non-stick paper. This time the cake turned out perfectly.

My experience has put me off buying any more vintage wares on the internet for the moment. Has anyone else been a bit disappointed with their internet purchases?

I hope you all had lovely weekends. Guess what I did? I bought some more Christmas presents! I'll be dropping back briefly on Wednesday as I have some mince pies to make for my last day at work for 2010 and no other night in which to get them done.

Until then,

Jillian

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Christmas shopping or the day I became my mother

Christmas shopping or the day I became my mother

10 Dec 2010

Do you ever have those moments, when the words come out of your mouth and you know you sound just like your mother? Scary, isn't it? Well I discovered another trait I share with my mother - present hoarding. My mother always bought gifts in advance; she'd hide them away in the cupboard in the hallway which was a little like the Bermuda Triangle. Many gifts went into that cupboard, never to be seen again.

I've been stashing away little gifts since I went on holidays this year. I put them all carefully into a large brown paper carry bag and promptly forgot about them. Mid week I went hunting for a small gift to give to a workmate and uncovered my secret stash. There are items from La Galerie Vegetale, Merci and Herriot Grace I'd completely forgotten about, in addition to new items from Mr and Mrs White and PPD Design I've just bought. I've been buying Christmas gifts for my friends completely oblivious to the fact I'd already bought something for them!

So what to do with my extra gifts? Well I could keep them for myself but that would be greedy. Instead I think I'll buy a large clear plastic box and store them in there so next year I'll be able to dip into my lucky dip box whenever a birthday comes around.

And as all posts are better with photos, I've attached a rare example of the craft goddess within. This year's Christmas gifts are being wrapped in humble brown paper tied up with string. I decided to make my own gift tags which you see below whilst some gifts have newspaper pompoms attached for decoration. They look quite good if I say so myself and when I get the chance I'll post some photos of the final product.



This my last weekend at home before I drive home for Christmas and with a round of Christmas bbq's and lunches to attend this coming week I'll be chained to the kitchen for most of the weekend.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you all again on Monday,

Bye for now,

Jillian

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The Finders Keepers

The Finders Keepers

8 Dec 2010

Saturday was a pretty dreary day in Sydney. I didn't mind though because I was safe and sound indoors at Carriageworks at the Finders Keepers. I wasn't the only one who thought it was a good way to spend a rainy day - the place was packed.

In keeping with the paper theme, paper crafts abounded from a colourful paper installation, origami paper cranes and bright paper pom poms hanging from the rafters.

I bumped into Alischa from Bespoke Press who I met at the Autumn Markets  a few months ago. There were lots of new stall holders at the Finders Keepers and I discovered some new paper favourites.



I fell in love with the beautifully crafted cheeseboards from Bickertonsmith. I didn't have enough arms or cash on me on Saturday but I have plans to buy one for my home.

As soon as I saw the goods in Mr and Mrs. White's shop, I was pretty sure I'd be buying something. I came home with one of their wooden crosses to give to a friend for Christmas. I do have a habit of keeping things though, so we shall see is she ever receives it!

I ran upstairs to get an overview of the building and the very large crowd in attendance.

How amazing is the light in Carriageworks and how gorgeous is this girl from Frankie magazine?

Pom pom making classes were being held on Saturday and here are some of the pom poms on display.

I stayed until the first band of the day, Fergus Brown, came on. I couldn't help myself and had to take a classic band shot to end my day at the Finders Keepers.

Many thanks to Sarah from the Finders Keepers for inviting me along on Saturday.

Bye for now,

Jillian

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Cranberry Shortbread Stars

Cranberry Shortbread Stars

6 Dec 2010

I had such a busy weekend, so busy in fact I didn't get time to do any baking. The cookie jar is empty! Actually I have one of these shortbreads stars in the bikkie tin but that will be empty in an hour or so.

I made these cookies last weekend. I made a half batch of dough using this recipe but left out the nuts and added 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to the mixture. Martha Stewart has a very similar recipe, which you'll find here.

I rolled the mixture about 75 mm thick then cut out the star shapes before baking. It's a very soft mixture so the cookies spread a little when baked. I took the cookies into work last Tuesday and there were none left when I returned Wednesday.

There were howls of protests when one of the part time girls came into work and found no-one had saved her a cookie. I guess that means I'll have to make another batch before I go on holidays next Friday.

Got to go, lots of things to do.

Jillian

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Sydney Finders Keepers

Sydney Finders Keepers

3 Dec 2010

Have you heard about the Sydney Finders Keepers? The markets will be open tonight and again on Saturday at Carriageworks.



I took a few photos at the last Finders Keepers and I'll be back again tomorrow morning doing my thing. I'm also hoping to complete my Christmas shopping. If you happen to see me there, please come on over and say 'hello'. You won't be able to miss me - I'll be the little one with all the cameras!

Have a great weekend,

Jillian

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