Today I choose JOY...

Let Me Tell You All About 'Fairy Bread'...

What is Fairy bread?

Fairy bread is white bread that has been buttered and sprinkled with 'Hundreds and Thousands' then cut into triangles to serve.

What are 'Hundreds and Thousands'?

Hundreds and thousands are sprinkles that are very small balls made from coloured sugar, in blue, green, pink, green, yellow, orange and white.

Where did Fairy Bread Originate from?  

Fairy bread is an age old tradition 'down under' both in Australia and New Zealand and is relatively unknown in other parts of the world.

No one is really sure who invented the Fairy Bread idea, but there has been reference to it as early as 1929 as an Australian childrens party food.

Another theory is it was inspired from Robert Louis Stevenson's poem of the same name 'Fairy Bread', from 'The Child's Garden Of Verse' dated 1885.

The truth is - no one really knows 'Fairy Breads' origins.

When do you eat Fairy Bread?

Fairy bread is a treat for special occasions and is a firm favourite for children's birthday parties. 

(Both with the children and the adults!)

What's the latest fairy bread trend?

That would be to cut the fairy bread into shapes using cookie cutters as a guide to cut out the bread shape rather than serving the traditional four triangles.  

Emilee Rose is very happy with her fairy bread picnic...which is another treat activity for some fairy fun!

 'What is not to love about Fairy Bread?'.

#fairybread

The Cutest Reindeer Gift Labels EVER!

Aren't these just the cutest Christmas gift labels ever?

They are super simple to make.

And a great pre-christmas activity to do with the kids!

 You will need:

Blank labels from the dollar store.

Peanuts in the shell.

A black and red marker pen.

Craft glue.

 Put the labels on the table.

 Using craft glue - glue one peanut to each label.

 Mark two eyes using the black marker pen.

 Then add a nose using the red marker pen.

 Draw ears and antlers onto the label beside the peanut.

In ten minutes you will have created 

'The cutest Reindeer Gift Labels EVER!'

#christmas #crafts #labels #reindeer

Flower Photos

Photographs to print, and frame...

 Think Christmas giving...

 Seriously - who doesn't love flowers...

In pink....  

 Black and white...

 or white

A free frame and gift idea...

 Simply save as to your computer

and print on photographic paper.
(For personal use and gifting only)

Here's the black and white rose photograph framed with an 'On a wire' hanger.
Find out how to do this DIY HERE.

Step By Step Seascape Pallet Painting Tutorial...

Today's blog post is photographically big!

It was the only way to show 'step by step'

 how to create a DIY Seascape Pallet Painting.

I'm hoping to bring out your inner artist!

These paintings are fab to gift or keep.

You can hang them outdoors on your porch or by your pool.

So grab your coffee or tea and bikkies....

here is how to do it:

 Dismantle a small pallet.
(Ella cat thought she would help out!)

You will need four pieces of pallet wood.

 The size of this is:
36cm x 75cm
(that's about 14 inches by 30 inches to you folk in the USA)
Cut two small pieces to use as a backer, 
nail to hold the wood panels in place.

 On top of the two backers nail a large staple into each.
 (to add wire later, to use as a hanger.)
Then paint the front of your pallet boards a neutral or white colour.


You will need a flat edge square brush.
A finer tip brush.
Water.
A plate for a palette.
And artists acrylic paints.
(colours used are listed at the bottom of this post.)
Sealer.

 Paint a strip of sky at the top of the pallet canvas.
Then below it, a horizon line.

Water the paint down to get a gradual layering effect. 

 Next add a wave line...
Drag the brush from left to right on its sharp edge.
This leaves gaps of white undercoat exposed.

 Then use white paint and dab on the waves.
Blend the blue into the white.
Add a sharp white edge using dabbing for the foam of the wave.

 Add some darker blues and contrasts using the edge of the brush....

 Now add a sand line to the beach.

I haven't totally cleaned the blue off the brush,
and the orange and white paint is not mixed, 
as I want the mixing to happen on the board.

You can see here by not cleaning the brush properly 

some of the aqua colour washes through.

The brush is now washed, 
and the bottom layer of the beach is painted white.
Then drag a little aqua through the white.
I can see my horizon line is super wonky.
So I straightened it up.

Blend the orange layer into the white layer to soften it.

 In the front corner there will be a few grasses...
So paint a few darker lines and shade with a little blue.

 Use a fine brush for painting the grasses.

 Using quick upward paint strokes for the grass lines.
Use several colours.
Don't try to be perfect - 
the wood is rough so the lines will be imperfect!

 Using the bigger square brush, add the clouds to the sky...
Use watered down white paint,
and a spiral or circular brush stroke.

 Layer bright white thicker paint on the outer cloud edges.
Add some blues...
Have fun!

Leave to dry.
Then Seal with clear non yellowing outdoor sealer.
Attach a wire hanger to the back staples and hang.

The acrylic paints I used used were:
Cerulean blue for the sky.
French Ultramarine for the horizon.
Phthalo Turquoise for the sea.
Jaune Brilliant for the sand.
Burnt sienna for the grasses.
White for the Sea Foam, Clouds and mixing.
Phthalo Turquoise and Burnt Sienna mixed makes a darker brown for the grasses.

My mixing palette is an old plate.  


I hope that I have DIY'd Seascape inspired ya all!