Friday, October 30

And yet more ...........

Girly goodness.

A very patient mumma has been waiting for these - thank you Samantha.



Tweet, Tweet in blue - which I just love and the gorgeous Tilbrook Fairies, both in the new size 1.



And then the nappy to match the mushroom pinnie from the Gossamer Dreams stocking in October.





And yes there is still more girly girly nappies just waiting for finishing for a fabulous mumma. And then watch out for the boy explosion! And keep an eye peeled on Sunday for a sneek peek at Novembers Gossamer Dreams Goodies.

Thursday, October 29

Girly Explosion

Seems there is a girly explosion of semi customs and customs. Lots of frills, ruffles and super girly naps.

Firstly a 1st birthday set for a gorgeous little girl and her wonderfully mama. Butterflies have special meaning to this family. It's a reversible denim/butterfly print pinnie, with a frill and reverse applique minky butterfly - hand stitched in varigated thread.



And of course you can't have a pinnie without a matching ruffler can you, so the nappy has been made to match. Too cute!!!



Then a special custom set from the CK store that was auctioned during the hunt. Hand dyed AIO with hand embroidery and applique.



The little tshirt and nappy front - hand dyed in shades of green and turquoise to represent grass and sky - appliqued with minky flowers.



And the back - rainbow minky applique with clouds and sun.

And quite a few more either in the post or going in the next few days, more pics up tomorrow :)

Wednesday, October 28

Daring Bakers October - Macaroons

Okay so I'm late sigh! Just one of those weeks, plus the first batch of macaroons got eaten before I even had a chance to photograph them lol!!

The 2009 October Daring Bakers’ challenge was brought to us by Ami S. She chose macarons from Claudia Fleming’s The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern as the challenge recipe.

Full details of this can be found here

Thank you to Ami for the challenge, as I've been wanting to try macaroons for awhile. Anyways I didn't have that much success with the above mentioned recipe and it seems I wasn't alone, perhaps it's just the way for some of us.

So I turned to a couple of favourite bloggers - namely Tartlette and Audax

I went with Tartlette's recipe from Dessert Magazine.

100g of egg whites - I used fresh home grown chook eggs - thanks Robyn - and I aged them for a day . It hasn't been particularly hot thank goodness, so I just placed them in a glass bowl - no plastic for egg whites!!! and then left them overnight in my microwave. If it's super hot I wouldn't be doing that, but would age them in the fridge for a couple of days, covered and away from strong smells.
50g of granulated sugar - aka caster sugar
110g of almond flour - we call in almond meal here, but I ground my own, from fresh whole blanched almonds - with not that spectacular results, they were still a bit gritty but I quite liked that.
200g of powdered sugar - I used pure icing sugar.

So basically beat the egg whites to a soft foam, add the caster sugar and beat to a nice thick and glossy meringue.



Take the whole almonds, process down a little, then add the icing sugar and process till fine -you should sift the result, but you know me lol! Always short of time.



Fold the almond mix through the egg whites till combined, try to be a little gentle.



Now you can add colouring but liquid will affect your macaroon so I'm told. So I used gel colours. The first time, I added it after the egg white was foamy - but the heat from the over takes alot of the colour out. So the second time I used twice as much and added it to the almond/sugar mix - but it didn't give me a good finish to the colour, a bit streaky. Will see how next time goes if I add to the egg whites again. Plus it was a bit too pink, the first time I made green ones, to go with the rose pink buttercream, but they were too pale, but I definitely went overboard with the colour this time lol!!



Now pipe into 1 to 1 1/2 inch dobs on a baking paper lined tray that you have stacked onto another tray of the same size. And I left them to dry for up to an hour, not quite the hour today and they weren't as good as the ones I made the other day. I think the batter was just a smidge too stiff, perhaps a couple more folds would have done it.

Bake at 150 deg C for about 10 - 12 minutes.



Take out of the oven, cool slightly and remove from the paper - remember moisture is their enemy. I found if they didn't want to come off cleanly, they needed a tad more time in the oven.

Sandwich together with your choice of filling. The first lot I did with buttercream as I already had it made. But this batch I've made a delightful white chocolate frosting from my most favourite cupcake blog - Cupcake Bakeshop and smooshed some frozen thawed raspberries through it as well. I love the flavour of this filling, but it's a bit soft to sandwich macaroons together I think. They wanted to slip and slide, so they had a short sojorn in the fridge. Plus what do I do with the masses of left over frosting. Doh! I should have halved the recipe.

I really enjoyed making these and I think at the end of the day if you find a recipe that works for you stick with it



(finished macaroons with gold sprinkles from Cake about Town - added before they were baked but after drying)

And yes friends, the macaroon shells are both gluten and dairy free!!!!! And yes I'll put dark chocolate ganache in the centre!!!

Thursday, October 22

Pre-orders are away

All posted bar one, which will go over the weekend :)



Size 2's.




Size 1's.

Don't forget to enter the photo shoot - if you are in Brisbane you just need to send a piccie of bub's smiley face, doesn't matter what they are wearing. Get those entries in - I know there are lots of gorgeous bubbas all around Australia.

Wednesday, October 21

Cherub's Kiss Photo Shoot

The Cherub's Kiss Family is looking for some cloth bottomed bubs for an upcoming photoshoot. The photographs will be used to promote Cherub's Kiss Products both on the web and in print as the need arises. The babies need to be happy, good natured, of course adorable and will need to be happy to go to someone other than their Mamas. Mums and bubs need to be available for a couple of hours and be flexible with dates and times - shoot date and place to be confirmed, but it will definitely be Northside of Brisbane. You and your baby, will be paid in Cherubs Kiss Nappies but please note these nappies will be chosen by myself and will be used in the photoshoot. I need at least two newborns (under 6 weeks) and then a variety in sizes/ages/sexes from 3 months of age to 2. I know there will be lots of gorgeous bubs to choose from so please don't be upset if your bubba isn't chosen this time.

If you are not in Brisbane don't despair as I need to update my gallery so I am looking for pictures of babies wearing Cherub's Kiss Products. All those who send in their pics will go into the draw for a Cherub's Kiss Nappy.

Now the technical data!! Please read carefully

1. Photos to be sent to lesleyfletcher at cherubskiss dot com with Cherub's Kiss Photo Shoot in the subject.
2. Photos to be no larger than 100kb
3. All photos sent in will go into the draw for a free nappy so long as you are happy for the photos to be used on the website (please note not all photos may necessarily be used)
4. You will be contacted if your photos are used for permission
5. Please ensure that you own the right for the photos - ie if you've had professional photos taken you may not be able to use these.
6. Please send separate entries for the draw and the photo shoot. In the email clearly state which one your are entering, or if you are entering both.
7. Please include your name and contact details, and bubs name, sex, age and weight/size.
8. Entries close Friday the 13th November at 9pm Queensland time.

Monday, October 19

Breast Cancer Fundraiser

Well thank you to the lovely ladies that bought raffle tickets from The Cloth Nappy Shop - we raised $150 with the raffle with 100% of the proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research.

Missed out on the raffle and you'd like to help out. Pop along to WAHP and Cloth Community Breast Cancer Fundraiser here and bid on some beautiful goodies.

My contribution is a Deluxe Needle Roll made from the Wired Up Designs Pattern The Knit and Go Girl Knitting Set - all the details are here

And of course here is the finished product.





Sunday, October 18

Reusable Nappy Week - Sewing Workshop

Well Reusable Nappy Week is done and dusted for another year. It was an amazingly busy week this week, with lots of events here in Brisbane. All of those involved and well and truly exhausted but in a good way.

I had a lovely though flat out busy day teaching 15 lovely ladies and their gorgeous bubbas how to sew an AI2 from the soon to be released Pookey Pockets Pattern from The Cloth Nappy Shop.

A huge thank you to Jill and Tracy from Fairy Fabrics for arranging the hall and the kits - more kits are available from their store. The patterns are available from The Cloth Nappy Shop.

Thank you to Bek for allowing us to use her pattern. Thank you to Celena and Jade who watched countless little bubbas and made cups of tea and coffee.

I think everyone had a fabulous time.

If anyone is wanting to learn to sew nappies you can contact Bek at the Cloth Nappy Shop or Jill at Fairy Fabrics to register your interest.

A reminder to everyone that Bek also has available a snap press and overlocker hire service for those making their own nappies, ring to book a time to suit.

And some piccies of the wonderful ladies involved.




Just a reminder too that you can go into the draw for a Custom Slot from me - 2 nappies your choice by popping into the Cloth Nappy Shop in the next week to put your name down.

Wednesday, October 14

Cloth Nappy Shop

Well I am off to the Cloth Nappy Shop tomorrow for the RNW get together. So I thought I'd post some piccies for those not able to attend.



These two nappies will be up for grabs, one a lucky door prize and the other part of a raffle to raise funds for Breast Cancer - you can check out more items raising funds here from 4pm 19th October. The blue one is from the new divine range of minkys from Fairy Fabrics the orange/yellow one is a hand dyed cotton outer AIO.

I'll also have a custom slot on offer, just pop into the Cloth Nappy Shop tomorrow and pop your name down, the name will be randomly drawn by a little person. You will be able to choose 2 custom nappies, totally your choice, price will be dependant on what you would like and I'll post them out free to the winner, with some extra goodies.

And just a little something extra I've been working on isn't it divine?





More of these to come soon :) I'm sorta addicted to making the ruffles, now just to think of something just as stunning for the boys :)

We also have Gossamer Dreams stocking tomorrow night - we have 3 guest wahms, so be sure to pop along and see what's on offer. I have some nappies and girly clothing, simply ran out of enough time to do any more, but the leftovers will be stocked in the store late next week.

The pre-orders from 1st October are starting to trickle out, just check your account services on the CK site to see if yours has been shipped.

Now due to RNW and family committments the items from Gossamer Dreams will not be posted out until Monday. I am sorry for the delay but I only have so many hours in the day.

Sunday, October 11

Some gardening




Well our garden is very sadly neglected, never enough hours in the day - but I'm taking a stand and moving things along myself.

Anyways here are some very very sad pictures of the strip in our driveway that was really blah to say the least. The ground I must say is hard as rock sigh! So I am very sore today and we only did a tiny portion. HOping that the Man of the HOuse can dig up the rest and just leave the planting up to me. The cherubs and I were filthy by the end of it, and it was suppose to relax me, but didn't quite work that way lol!!

Oh and I'm going with a purple and white theme.

Facebook Pre-orders

are all finished. Still have some piccies to take.




Justine - size 2 - bamboo velour topped boosters





Brooke - Size 0 - so weeny and cute.




Ann - size 2 - unisex and minky





Esther - size 2 - the new Tinkerbelle and Lavender Slushies.



Natalie - one hand dyed in blue, red and green and a tattoo tiger - both size 2



Nadine - the new size 1 - one hand dyed, and one cotton outer print.

If you were thinking of coming to the Sewing workshop on Saturday - please apply asap places are just about full :)

Thursday, October 8

Reusable Nappy Week - Brisbane

You can check out all the events here

But the Cherub's Kiss family will be at The Cloth Nappy Shop on Thursday the 15th October from 10am.

We'll be joined by the gorgeous Mel from Beetlebums and we'll be doing a special raffle to raise funds for Breast Cancer. Of course you'll need to pop into the shop to purchase a ticket in this awesome raffle.

I'll be giving away some Cherub's Kiss nappies and I'll also have a couple of custom slots up for grabs, but of course you'll need to come and say hello and have some yummy cupcakes and Gluten/Dairy free brownies baked by yours truly.

We'd love to see you there!

Wednesday, October 7

Are you in Brisbane!!

Do you want to learn how to sew up a nappy?

Well here you go - details of the Cloth Nappy Sewing Workshop for Reusable Nappy Week - I'd love to see you - and yes cupcakes on offer as well.

Brisbane Nappy Making Class for Reusable Nappy Week

This class is being taught by Lesley from Cherubs Kiss using the soon to be released Pookey Pocket's pattern from The cloth Nappy Shop.

17th October 2009
9am till 12 noon

St Williams Church Hall
Dawson Parade,
Grovely.

Off street parking available.

Cost - $25 includes basic materials.

Need to bring - white polyester thread and your sewing machine, plus a bottle of water, and some snacks.

No mobile children please due to workplace health and safety, please contact us to discuss this if concerned.

Contact - fairyfabrics@fairyfabrics.com.au

Tuesday, October 6

Not for the faint hearted ..............



for one awesome mumma!!! This lovely mumma sent these fabrics up to make some nappies for her little man. All black inners even the bamboo :)



Custom order for Abbie

Friday, October 2

Just a couple of things

All those that had combined orders last night have been emailed, with revised totals.

Regards the lotteries, as the lotteries on Congo Cart are fully automated I can not remove your name or move it to another lottery. The owner of Congo Cart can, but we had so many enter the wrong lottery, that I can't ask him to do that everytime someone enters the wrong one.

Please read carefully before entering. If you have entered the New Customer Lottery and you aren't a new customer, the lottery will be relisted.

I'm away for the weekend, so any queries will need to be sent to angel@cherubskiss.com - please note that emails may not be answered as quickly over the weekend as during the week, please be patient, as Angel has a family to care for as well.

Hope you had fun at the stocking.

Thursday, October 1

Okay that's it ..................

My back has had enough, so what is there is there and that's it.

Nappies will stock sometime after dinner. Will depend on my little ones and bedtime.

I've also put up 3 lotteries. 2 for anyone including existing customers and 1 for new customers only.

PLEASE only enter one lottery to be fair to all, and only enter the NEW CUSTOMER stocking if you've NEVER purchased anything from me at all.



And how cute did the Tweet Tweet set turn out :) I've also got this divine fabric in blue, so watch out for some more tweet tweet sets.

LOTTERY - It appears that quite a few people have entered both lotteries, so I've disabled one. There will only be the normal lottery and the New Customer lottery up - this is to be fair to all. Sorry that I've had to do this.

Some

Pictures up now on the store of the preorders, size 1's are coming as I finish them. Only photos are up of the fabrics, as I'm still working on the finished nappies, will see how many I get done today, my snapper has been absent from the team this week.







I've also just popped a couple of lottery slots up. Pre-order as per the others, but no fighting to get one.