I Quit Sugar . . . . Wanna be!

This should be my mantra . . . . . .  

 Sourced from: laurenconrad.com

I eat WAY to much sugar!

So, just recently I brought the I QUIT SUGAR book by Sarah Wilson. I am still breast feeding so wasn't to keen to go the full hog + the idea of cutting out sugar all together scared the hell out of me.  I have slowly come around to the idea of making a few of the recipes and well, just cutting down on my  sugar intake. {and surprising enough, I haven't eaten anywhere near the amount of chocolate that I normally would and am not even craving it.}

So this morning I have been baking {well freezing} up a storm. Next time around I need to tweek here and there to suit my taste.

These are the Chocolate Nut Butter Cups.

I made some with Almond Spread centres and some with frozen raspberries. They were super yummy, but next time I will put in less of the cacao. 

This is the Raspberry Ripple. 

Im not sure if I did something wrong, but it was very buttery and next time I will use a little less butter as I found it a bit over powering.  The Raspberry and choc part is awesome!  

  

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You can find both recipes here.  {Don't laugh at my poor Raspberry Ripple when you see the amazing photo on there!} There is also a link to the Fudgy Protein Bites which I have also made and I think are my favourite yet!! 

Tash :) 

{How to} A.R.C.H.I.E wall art.

Here is how I made the ARCHIE wall art.

I used Paper Mache letters from Masters

 

Paint the back, sides and the edges of the front.

I use scrap book paper. - Tip if you pick them from the same 'design line' all the colours will match.

Gather all your tools.

Trace around your letter, remember to turn you paper and letter upside down.

 Cut out (I like to cut a few mm in from the line so that some of the paint shows on the edge)

 Put glue on both the letter and paper. Stick together. Repeat for each letter.

Voila!

DIY NURSERY - End Result

I hope you enjoy. . .

Change table/drawers. - Nappies/wipes etc are kept in the top draw out of sight.

You are my sunshine picture created by me.
Toys from Archies Aunties. Crochet duck from Crochet bambini 

Jar were an oppy find! . . .LOVE THEM!
Other wooden toys gifts, oppy finds. Baby book from Kikki-k

Moose from Ikea. {but I got mine from an oppy for a 10th of the price. Shhhh}

Handmade wooden toys in top right from Wooden It Be Lovely. Great quality and awesome prices!

'Bus Scroll" print from Archies Aunty.
You can buy both the print and the rabbit night light from Rudy and the dodo

A.R.C.H.I.E wall art. Made by me. {See how HERE}

Soft toy dog {Present from Grandma and Grandad}, Chair and Curtains -Ikea.
I got the chair 2nd hand and I added a personal touch to the curtains. You can see how HERE
Little bike - Oppy find. Cushion from Typo.

Horse - {Minus ears opps, yet to add}  Do you remember this wooden box?
Archies clever Grandad made it into a horse, Grandma painted it and I covered the lid and made the bridal oh and I am the one that is yet to make the ears! {shhhh don't tell Grandma and Grandad!}
The little houses are from Five Little Monkeys. {A long time ago}

Scrapbook - Boy Cot Set by Mamas and Papas.

Matching Rattle Soft Toy 

  Rocco Monkey was a gift from Archies cousins.

Tash :)

The Wee Man is now 4 months old!. . .

I can't believe it!!

What a crazy 4 months it has been, that I wouldn't change for anything, bar maybe a day here or there, Why?

1. I have had moments when I wish that it was still just me. {Mean I know, only for the ease of it really, ie when it is late in the evening all I want is chocolate and I can't just jump in the car and go get some. (did I mention my husband works away?)}

2. Oh and the days that I wish I could sleep ALL day!

3. and feeding myself . . . is it to much to ask for a HOT cup of tea or dinner on time!

I have adjusted now to all of this ^ and he is only going to be little for such a small amount of time so I am treasuring it. He is the best baby that I could have asked for. {Does this mean I am in for it next time?} He has the nicest nature, is a cruiser and always has a smile!

Here are a few of my favourite pics from the last 4 months.

How to applique leaves onto your curtains.

Here is the process of appliqueing the curtains. 

{If I had of thought at the time how long it was going to take me to sew around all the appliqued leaves I probably wouldn't have done so many, but I do LOVE them, so it was well worth it.}

I started with a set of Ikea Eivor Curtains;

STEP 1:
Make a template of the leaves you want to applique.

I used baking paper and a fine tipped marker and traced around the leaves on the fabric.

Once you have traced around them, cut them out.

STEP 2: 

Choose your fabric.

I don't remember the name of this fabric, but I got it from Spotlight. I also used a red spots and red flower fabric for the berries/flowers.

STEP 3:
Iron Visa-Fix to your fabric.

{Visa-Fix some might ask . . . . .  . .You know the stuff that melts and sticks two fabrics together before you sew, sort of like hemming tape, but you can get it off the roll. ie in larger pieces.} 

For those of you that have not used it, you get it fabric stores, in my case, the dress fabrics section of Spotlight and it has a backing paper. You iron it your fabric on the paper side and leave the paper attached.

This is the Visa-Fix ironed on.

STEP 4:
Trace leaves onto fabric.

Use your template to trace leaves onto backing paper on fabric {remember to place your template on UP SIDE DOWN! so that when you cut it out the fabric will be the same as the leaf on the curtains}

STEP 5:
Cut your leaves out of the fabric.

Now you should have a bunch of leaves of varying sizes and colours {depending on your chosen fabric}.

STEP 6:

Iron leaves into place on fabric.

Remove the backing paper and place down on your fabric in desired position. Turn iron onto heat setting for the fabric and iron straight onto leaves.

STEP 7:

Sew around leaves and berries/flowers.

You can be as creative as you want with your sewing, I used a number 2 zig-zag around the outside and used a straight stitch so sew in vain's. 

AND HERE THEY ARE:

If anyone ever makes any I would love to see them!!!

Tash :o)