Butterfly fabric...

Oh my!

I have found the most gorgeous French looking butterfly fabric!

The craziest thing is I was actually shopping for some fabric 
to make a new summer skirt...

and then I saw it...

AND I just had to HAVE it!

Sweet Butterflies...

 With the word butterfly... in different languages...

 I purchased 4 metres 

with absolutely no idea what I was to do with it.

Madness I know..
But that is what crazy crafters do!

This stool could do with a little makeover...

And I do need a new table runner...emmm...

So a sewing and reupholstering we will go!

 The little stool was first...

This darling piano stool belonged to my mother in law...

She used it as her dressing table stool.  

It's well and truly 'antique'!

 First I had to pull out a million staples and nails 

to get the original and second fabric covers off...

 Wasn't that old type of wadding revolting stuff!

On went new wadding...

 and the gorgeous butterfly fabric...

Arabella is checking my workwomanship!

Mia Bella Garden cats are big on quality control!

 Add a few more new staples...

Did I mention I am forever grateful to whomever invented the staple gun!

Staple gun = best invention EVER!

 And this is the end result...

 After this do-up, I sewed a lovely table runner to match....

Check out tomorrows post for the end result...

Until then, have a fabulously 'HAPPY' day.

Decadent Chocolate Mousse...

Super rich and decadent is the only way to describe this mousse...

It was so delicious, but next time I would serve  in a different way.

To counteract the richness, 

I would layer the mousse alternately in a tall parfait glass 

with fresh strawberries and raspberries.

Top with a dollop of whipped cream,

 and grated chocolate.

Or if you want to get super fancy for a special occasion:

Make a chocolate crafted topper.

Oh my, my mind is in overdrive!

What a fab idea for a Christmas dessert,

top with a Christmas-themed topper made from white or dark chocolate!

Photo via Pinterest

 A tree would look fabulous!

Here's a free outline...

From http://printable-cards.s3.amazonaws.com/free-christmas-tree-template.jpg

Or how about an angel, a bell, a star or snowflake....

From http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/images/xmasshapes.gif

All you have to do to is print the image, 

place under wax paper, 

melt chocolate and pipe the outline, 

solid fill with chocolate (like colouring in!), 

or do squiggly lines to fill for a filigree look.

Oh my!  I have completely gone off track here!

Back to that delicious chocolate mousse.

Here's the recipe:

Combine in a pot... 

227 grams chopped dark chocolate (60% cacao)

5 Tablespoons water

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder.

Stir over hot water until melted.

Set aside.

In another bowl whisk 2 egg yolks with 1/2 tablespoon caster sugar until pale and add to the chocolate mixture. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

Whip the two egg whites with 1/2 Tablespoon caster sugar until soft peaks form.

Use a spatula to fold the whites into the chocolate mixture.

Then whip one cup heavy cream until thick, 

Fold into chocolate mixture with spatula...

Spoon into individual serving dishes.

Or as suggested:  layer between layers of fresh or stewed fruit.

Refrigerate until firm - at least 2 hours.

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Lillies and French Country...

Fabulous white Belladonna lilies with orange toned throats...

Photographed in the morning sunlight...

The sunlight shows the gorgeous colours 

of soft lemon coloured buds...

Lilies and shabby chic...

or do you call it French country style?

There is nothing like the addition of fresh flowers to any vignette...

Just adds something special I think.

Patterns on metal vase...

and a white stick heart...

Metal flower with a delicate pearl centre on a simple corked bottle...

My heart jumps with pure shabby delight!

What joy beautiful things can bring to your day!

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