eclectic critters: May 2012

25th may, 2011

Orange & Coconut Cake Recipe

just thought I would share this recipe with you today, as cooking is another of my creative passions!

Ingredients: 125 grams butter, three quarters cup sugar, 2 eggs, 2 cups self raising flour, half cup coconut, two thirds cup orange juice, grated rind of one orange, pinch of salt

Method: cream butter, sugar and orange rind, add egg yolks and beat well. fold in flour sifted with pinch of salt alternating with orange juice and coconut. lastly fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. bake in a moderate over 50-60 minutes. allow to stand in tin 10 minutes before turning out.

Icing: 2 cups sifted icing sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, quarter cup orange juice. Rub butter into icing sugar, grate 1 teaspoon orange and lemon rind, soaked in orange juice for 10 minutes, drain off liquid add juice slowly and beat well until mixture is creamy.

I suggest under-cooking cake slightly, for a moist finish. Guarantee it won't last the day! Enjoy

25th may, 2011

Meet Milly

normally I work in brown hues, thought I would experiment with and upcycle a cream linen blend with a 1960's green abstract cotton in my collection.

with the oversized print, each doll is a unique one-off keepsake.

18th may, 2012

Little Miss Red

This week felt inclined to work on Little Miss Red. In the making, slight variation on the Kitty Doll

Final product, thinking I may have to crotchet her a scarf?

9th may, 2012

Shop 4 Kids - Photo-shoot

Shop 4 Kids Winter Edition 2012, kindly included my Kitty Doll in a photo-shoot aptly named 'Where the Wild Things Are'

Many more goodies available @ www.eclecticcritters.com.au

4th May, 2012

Softie Kits Tutorial

Inclusive in each kit is:- Hand-printed Motif, Cotton Backing, Felt, Bubble Trim, Ric Rac, Ribbon, Embroidery Yarn, Hydro-allergenic Toy Fill and Assembly Instructions.

Once front and back pieces of softie have been cut out along chalk line, pin into position trimmings on back section of softie and machine stitch in place. I have also included satin ribbon if you wish to add a loop at the very top of the softie, this provides a handle to be carried by. Any suggestions are optional.

If you wish to add any decorative stitching onto the front of Motif using embroidery yarn provided, do so prior to stitching front and back together. This is an opportunity to be creative and add your own personal touch to each toy.

Once all trimmings are complete, pin right sides together and machine stitch around pattern (allowing 1cm seam allowance), leaving opening where marked. I suggest stitching twice this seam for extra durability.

Turn through to right side, carefully iron around trimmings and using toy fill, stuff softie prior to adding felt trim at front (such as a flower or bow). Again I have left this to the individual to create a trim using the felt provided. Finished Height approximately 18cm.

Once toy is filled, closed the opening using a whip stitch. Enjoy!