Jaffa Cream Chocolates....❥

Tempt your taste buds with these delicious Ganache chocolates.

Easy to make.

The perfect quick gift

or 

just a 'Why Not' treat.

To Make:

Melt over a low heat in a pot:

 225 gram packet of dark chocolate (or melts)

1/3 cup cream

and the juice of 1 fresh orange.

Leave to sit in pot til firm.

you want the mixture to hold it's shape when swirled.

Place in piping bag 

with a Wilton 2D nozzle.

And pipe swirls onto baking paper lined tray or directly into mini cases as I have done.

Place a plain roasted almond on top.  '

Or a sliver of orange rind.

That's it.

Leave in fridge until firm and serve.

These are best kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

To eat: Pop in mouth and enjoy that buttery chocolate sensation.

You'll find a printable recipe HERE

You might like to also visit:

My store at Fine Art America

❥ A New Planter & Orchid...❥

I found the sweetest aqua blue ceramic planter at Mitre 10.

It was only $9.99 with the saucer.

And the best thing about it is the pot actually has a hole for drainage.

I don't know how many cute little pots I have fallen in love with to find there is no drainage hole in them.

So I was very happy with this cutie.  And did I mention its Aqua?

Oh that's right I did.    

:)

And then just as fate would have it...

on my last visit to New World Supermarket, in the plant section there was the most BEAUTIFUL Pink lavender toned phalaenopsis Orchid.

Phalaenopsis orchids are my FAVOURITE.

Especially the larger flowered variety. 

But these do come in a variety of mini forms and colours.

They are now a favourite because I worked out how 'not to' kill them.

My white orchid bowl has three plants in it, and with no would of a lie, it has one month of the year when NOT flowering.

Find out all about the phalaenopsis HERE

and how to plant a bigger bowl.

A phalaenopsis Orchid is also called a Moth orchid because the flowers resemble moths.

And this one is going to live in my new pretty aqua blue pot.

I used a quality orchid potting mix and added some more slow release fertilizer.

Beautiful!

Now it's been potted , it will be moved to the indoors.

#growingorchids #phalaenopsis #flowers #potplants

You might like to also visit:
My store at  Fine Art America & Redbubble  :)

❥ Why Not Add Lace?

I seem to be adding embellishments to all sorts of things in my home decor at the moment.

And when I saw this cute little pot for $2 at The Warehouse,

I thought I could make it a little bit more me by adding some lace.

If you have not used modpodge friends then DO try it.

It is so good for gluing and sealing and just has a myriad of craft and diy uses.

For this quick DIY embellishment project

all I needed was: A ceramic container, lace, scissors and some Modpodge.

 The best lace to use is a cotton type.

 If the lace you use has a raw edge, 
use an iron to press it under.

 I'm gluing the lace around the grey edge as this container has a flaw on the white edge.

Glue the lace trim on to the container using the Modpodge.

 Set aside to dry.

Paint a thick layer of Modpodge over the lace. 
 This seals and starches it.

Now it's a pretty hold all for jewellery in my guest bedroom.

You might like to also visit:

My store at Fine Art America & Redbubble :)

#diy #lace #embellishments #style

Cute Heart Winter Handwarmers...❥

These wee gems are great for keeping the hands warm in Winter.

I made these for my Grandchildren and their mum to help keep their fingers toasty while watching soccer games from the sideline.

All you need is:

Some white beans

Felt

Pencil

Cotton

A heart template  

Scissors 

 Sewing machine

Cut out the heart template.

 Use this one or a any heart template from the web.

Place on the felt and draw around the outline with the pencil onto the felt.

Cut 2 hearts per hand warmer.


 Stitch in an overlock type stitch with a sewing machine around the heart leaving an opening.

You'll need a bag of white beans to fill the hearts.

Place beans in a small plastic bag and snip corner.

Place snipped corner into the heart and 3/4 fill will beans.

Stitch up the opening using the sewing machine.

To heat:

Place a small cup of water in microwave.

Place heart beside it on the turntable.

Heart for 23 seconds.

(my microwave is 1100w power)

Place into your pocket.

#felt #craft #handwarmers #diy #sewing

You might like to also visit:

My store at Fine Art America   :)

DIY Secret Book Storage....❥

How cool is this?

Old books turned into secret storage.

It's actually quite easy to make - here's how...

You will need:

A strong cardboard box with or without a lid. (mine has a lid)

6 old books (or as many books to hide front and sides of the box)

A strong glue or a glue gun (I ended up using the glue gun)

Scissors

Step One:  Dismantle enough books to cover the front of the box with the spines.


Step Two:  Use a cover page to cut to the shape of the row of books for the front of the box.

Glue the spines onto this.
Try to maintain the curvature of the book spine.


Step Three: Glue this front piece to the box.

Step Four: Glue the last two books to each side of the box.


Place it high up on a shelf.
You now have a very funky 'set of old books' that actually has secret storage behind it.


#DIY #oldbooks #secretstorage

You might like to also visit:

My store at Fine Art America & Redbubble   :)

'The Art Of Balance' painting is now available at America Fine Art.

The title and the feather balancing on the birds head relates to how we balance the many facets of our lives.

The bird is a contemporary interpretation of the New Zealand native TUI bird. 

(original painting sold)

Available here:  https://fineartamerica.com/featured/art-of-balance-tracey-lee-cassin.html

#newzealandartist #contemporary #bird #art #painting #abstract #impressionist #tui #birdart #newzealandbirdart

Homemade Silver Jewelry Cleaner...❥

Well you know I have seen this cleaner diy on zillions of blogs and on Pinterest....

And I have for years thought...must try it.

Then the day came that I had a lot of silver that was tarnished and unwearable,

so I thought - well here's a good time to see if this raved about homemade cleaner actually works.

And guess what?

It sure does!

I have saved myself quite a few dollars by not taking the jewelry to the jewelers.

And the homemade cleaner has basic pantry ingredients in it too.

So here's how it rolled.....

 

Take one lot of tarnished black silver earrings and brooches...

Place them in a metal baking pan that has been lined with foil  (shiny side UP)

Pre mix - 1 cup of boiling water, 1 tablespoon of salt and  1 1/2 Tablespoons Baking Soda

Stir until dissolved and pour over the jewelry in the pan.

Pour over this 1/2 cup white vinegar.

It will froth up!
Next move the jewelry around a bit and the leave it sitting for 15 minutes.

A couple of pieces were really black, so I used a little brush to brush the black off.

Rinse under warm water and pat dry with a paper towel.

You now will have super shiny silver with no tarnishing.

Here's a before and a after photo of these leaf earrings.
I really could not believe how good this worked.

I'll definitely be using this homemade cleaner again!
It even cleaned up the fucshia earrings which are silver on copper.
I am so happy that I will now be able to wear these pieces again.

#homemade #tips # jewelry #cleaning

You might like to also visit:

My store at Fine Art America & Redbubble   :)