Lavender Cuddle Bag Sale!

I am trying to sell the end of my Cuddle Bag range and have marked them all down from $15 to only $10ea! These gorgeous Cuddle Bags are made with cotton and corduroy fabrics and filled with Australian grown wheat and lavender. They can be used as heat packs that are heated in the microwave or cold packs that are kept in the freezer.

Cuddle Bags easily mould to the contour of your body and are perfect to cuddle up on the lounge with, use while traveling or take to bed to keep your tootsies warm! As they are filled with lavender they are an excellent sleep companion and may assist in settling young children and relaxing adults!

Directions: Due to the variety or microwaves out there, heating is recommended in 10 second increments to ensure the wheat does not overheat and burn (not a pleasant smell at all!) Cuddle Bags measure approximately 25cm x 20cm.

Postage: Postage fee is for 650g cuddle bag/s to be sent in a 3KG Australia Post satchel. Combined postage for up to FIVE Cuddle Bags at an additional charge of 50 cents per bag to cover listing fees. Pick up is available from Carrum Downs Victoria on request.

Visit my madeit store to see all my items currently listed for sale HERE

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'All About Me' Activity Sheet

I've been looking for a good 'All About Me' activity sheet for my daughter to fill in every now and then to file away for memories. After searching the internet high and low I thought I may as well just create my own! Please feel free to download the 2 pages and use them for your own children! You can download them by clicking the images which will take you to my document library. 

Sale Items Now In Store!

Head over to the Ernie & Bird Madeit Store to view all the latest items on sale!

MOPS Craft Lesson - Cookies in a Jar

This week at MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) our craft session was creating Cookies in a Jar! The jars are full of the dry ingredients required to make a batch of 24 biscuits and all you need to do is add some butter, an egg and vanilla essence! Simply layer the required ingredients (pretty much straight from your pantry staples) and add a bit of ribbon and a label for decoration. And "ta-da!" you have a gift beautifully packaged in a jar and ready to give! Enjoy!

Tutorial instructions are available HERE

Family Favourite: Potato & Bacon Soup

This soup is ideal for when you have an empty fridge and pantry and desperately need to do a shop but can't be bothered! All you really need are a few potatoes and a little bit of bacon and you've got a delicious soup that the whole family will love! It's a warm, hearty, nutritious and really yummy winter soup!

Ingredients

4 bacon rashes, diced
30g butter
3 medium onions, diced
2Tbs plain flour
1L (4 cups) water
4 vegetable stock cubes
4 medium potatoes, chopped
2 egg yolks
300g carton of sour cream
Parsley to garnish

Notes

The number of vegetable stock depends on the amount required  per 250ml of water. My cubes in the pantry are 1 cube for every 250ml.

Method

• Cook bacon and onion in a large saucepan until lightly browned.
• Add butter and onions cooking over low heat for about 5 minutes.
• Add flour, stir over medium heat for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat, gradually add water, stock cubes and potatoes and bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are cooked.
• Combine egg yolks and sour cream then gradually stir through and reheat without boiling.
• Serve in your favourite soup bowl with some chopped parsley to garnish.

MOPS Craft Lesson - Glass Tile Pendants

This week at MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) I organised a craft session creating our very own glass tile pendants. The ladies loved the fact they could make something for themselves and wear! I already has loads of digital artwork from my Ernie & Bird jewellery collection at FaithHopeLove the girls could choose from. This is such an easy craft to make at home, and with a few simple supplies, you can be as creative as you want! I've also included links to my suppliers in the tutorial to help you get on your way. Enjoy!

Tutorial instructions are available HERE.

Family Favourite: Crepes

Crepes are something I've always enjoyed eating and have also always thought they were too hard to make at home. But I was SO wrong! I've been making my family crepes for awhile now and we all find them easier to eat than pancakes and you don't feel as sick and bloated after an indulgent Sunday breakfast! I've tried a few recipes but have modified a couple to create my own. I hope you get a chance to whip some up!

Ingredients

2 cups of plain flour

2 1/4 cups milk

1/2 castor sugar

4 eggs

1tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp vegetable oil

Pinch of salt

Spray oil for pan

Notes

Recipe makes approx. 12 crepes. Castor sugar is optional whether wanting sweet or savoury crepes. The batter should have the consistency of pouring cream so if it's a little thick add some more milk.  

Method

• Mix eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla essence, salt and oil well. I use a blender to ensure there are no lumps in my batter but a whisk would also do the job.
• Heat frying pan and spray lightly. Reduce heat if pan appears to be burning the batter. I LOVE to use a handy little frying pan I got from Ikea for $8.00 (Bargain!) It makes a 20cm diameter crepe.
• Pour 1/3 cup of batter into the frying pan and pick the pan up and roll the batter around the edges a few times (similar to how you would an omelette).
• Once you see the majority of the batter has cooked through one side (and the edges start to curl up around the crepe) flip it over for about 30 seconds just to lightly brown the other side then serve.
• Serve with your choice of icing sugar, maple syrup, sugar & lemon or with some delicious bacon! 

MOPS Craft Lesson - Conversation Wheels

Our most recent MOPS (Mother's of Pre-Schoolers) meeting focused on 'growing a purposeful family' and how important talking to one another is so the creative team came up with the idea of  making conversation wheels for the fortnightly craft session! The task was as simple as cutting out a cardboard circle with arrow and featuring conversation topics to be selected and glued onto the wheel. The questions were all 'family friendly' and designed to be discussed at the dinner table between siblings and parents to encourage speaking openly about a variety of topics and themes. The mum's all LOVED the concept and had a blast making their own wheels to suit their family.

Tutorial instructions are available HERE

MOPS Craft Lesson - Face Washer Bunnies

Yesterday my local MOPS (Mother's of Pre-Schoolers) group celebrated Easter for our final meeting of Term One. As a member of the creative team, we came up with the idea of teaching the ladies 'How to Make Face Washer Bunnies'. Everyone had fun being creative and decorating their own little bunny rabbits to give as gifts to loved ones next weekend. They are super easy to make and a great craft activity for children (chocolate eggs are an optional extra!)

Tutorial instructions are available HERE

Family Favourite: French Toast

We normally have a hot yummy breakfast on Saturday mornings before my hubby goes off to work for the day as we are lucky enough not to have Saturday sport yet (plus Sundays are always a rush to get to church on time!). French toast is definitely a family favourite and enjoyed by everyone! Here's my best recipe to date... 

Ingredients

4 eggs
2/3 milk
1/3 cup plain flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
6-8 slices of white bread
Butter for pan

Method

• Mix eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla essence, salt and cinnamon well. I use a blender to ensure there are no lumps in my batter but a whisk would also do the job.
• Heat frying pan and add butter to melt. Reduce heat if pan appears to be burning butter. 
• Dip a slice of bread into the batter and allow to soak for around 30 seconds a side. Place in the pan and cook each side until golden brown.
• Serve with your choice of  icing sugar, maple syrup, sugar & lemon or with some delicious bacon! 

Lavender Cuddle Bags

Thank you to madeit.com.au for featuring Ernie and Bird on their website's homepage today as part of their 'The Hungry Caterpillar' showcase! 

Ernie and Bird Lavender Cuddle Bags are made with cotton and corduroy fabrics and filled with Australian grown wheat and lavender. Ernie & Bird Cuddle Bags can be used as heat packs that are heated in the microwave or cold packs that are kept in the freezer.

Cuddle Bags easily mould to the contour of your body and are perfect to cuddle up on the lounge with, use while traveling or take to bed to keep your tootsies warm! As they are filled with lavender they are an excellent sleep companion and may assist in settling young children and relaxing adults! 

Due to the variety or microwaves out there, heating is recommended in 10 second increments to ensure the wheat does not overheat and burn (not a pleasant smell at all!) Cuddle Bags measure approximately 25cm x 20cm. Lavender Cuddle Bags are $15ea and can be purchased online

Faith Hope Love Jewellery Collection

Did you know Ernie & Bird has its very own jewellery line called Faith Hope Love? I have been making jewellery on the side for a couple of years now but it always gets lost in my sewing projects! You can view my little collection at www.madeit.com.au/faithhopelove 

Family Favourite: Chicken Croquettes

Thinking of ways to use that left over BBQ chicken in the fridge? Last night was really hot in Melbourne so we grabbed one for dinner to enjoy with some salad and a little under half was left over. One of my favourite meals growing up was mum's chicken croquettes so I decided to Google a recipe this afternoon and give them a go (could have just called mum but sometimes the internet is far quicker!) So here is the recipe I created which is slightly modified from the original... they were super easy and a massive hit with my 3yo and hubby. 

Ingredients

300g cooked chicken (finely diced)

60g butter

80g plain flour

400ml chicken stock

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 cup of mayonaise

Salt & pepper

2 eggs, whisked

Plain flour, for covering croquettes

Vegetable oil for frying

Method

• Melt the butter, then add the flour and mix thoroughly. Add the stock bit by bit and stir well using a wisk to avoid any lumps. When all the stock is added leave to simmer for a further 5 minutes.
• Add seasoning, nutmeg and a mayonaise. Stir well and then add the chicken.
• Pour onto a flat dish and leave to cool for a shot while. I used some baking paper under an oven tray. 
• Make croquette shapes (about 8-10) and pass through bowls with some flour, whisked eggs and then the breadcrumbs. You may find they don't hold their shape 100% but once chilled they are easy to re-work and look perfect for frying.
• Chill in the fridge for around an hour, if you have time.
• Heat about 2-3cm of oil in a frying pan (or fryer). Fry croquettes in hot oil rotating for 5 minutes or until light brown. (Handle croquettes carefully so crust is not punctured). Drain on paper towels.
• Serve hot or cold with vegetables or salad. We enjoyed ours with a simple Caesar Salad.

MOPS Craft Lesson - Name Pendants

Our first creative session of the year was to make name pendants for all the mums participating in 2013. Trying to stay within the 'Plunge' theme, we decided to make up these adorable personalised necklaces that mum's could feature their own name plus their children's names on! It was a huge success and all the mums seemed to enjoy letting their creative juices flow and come up with some beautiful designs they can wear!

Tutorial instructions are available HERE

MOPS Craft & Creative Team

I have been going to my local Mothers of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) group for the past 12 months and was asked to join the Craft & Creative team for 2013. We meet once a fortnight and basically my new role is to come up with a craft/creative activity for around 20-25 women to do while enjoying a couple of hours without the kids (they have wonderful carers who watch them - we don't just leave them at home!)

So this year's theme is all about 'taking the Plunge into life' and loving as if our life depended on it! Our first mission was to come up with a 'Plunge' themed tablecloth for the craft table. Considering the table measures 3.5m x 3.5m I thought it would be easier to decorate a smaller tablecloth and use it as a centerpiece rather than make a monstrosity of a tablecloth (and try and throw more hours at it than I have to spare!). 

As I really enjoy sewing, I thought I'd applique the theme onto a basic white 1.8m x 1.8m tablecloth. Obviously I didn't have a template that large to work with so I had to sketch the logo onto A3 sheets of paper to use as my guide. Here's the finished product laid across my bed and I'm pretty please with the end result! The water droplets are a metallic fabric that was testing to aplique but I like the 'bubble' effect.

Handmade Cooperative: Handmade 4 Kids

Have you visited the Handmade Cooperative blog yet? It is a fantastic place to see beautiful ranges of handmade items being made by its members! I'm a member and love being a part of this fun and inspiring online community.

The creators of the Handmade Cooperative - Australian Handmade 4 Kids are here to open the door to the awesome, creative world of Australian handcrafted items for your children!

Written by crafters for shoppers, we bring you a weekly post of the latest products out in the handcraft market place, as offered by dedicated artisans. An intriguing central theme tells an interesting story each week and help you to put together a look for your child; be it their clothes, accessories, rooms, and more!

We would love for you to join us and follow along! Oh and we would love to hear from you if you have an idea of what you would like to see. For more information on how to join the Handmade Cooperative click on the Contact Us tab. Thanks for stopping by!!