"The Craft Group" plus...

Today my culinary skills are soaring to new heights. And I am gracious enough to share my secrets with you. This recipe takes cake making to a whole new level. 2 ingredients. That's right. Just 2 ingredients. And today I am here to share the recipe with you: Cola Cake Ingredients: 1 packet cake mix               1 can of Coke Method: Mix and bake There you are. That is it. I am good at a few things and one of them is taking something short and simple and making it long and wordy. So here is my tutorial on making a cola cake! STEP 1: Buy a can of coke and a chocolate cake mix. STEP 2: Assemble on the bench everything you will need. The 2 ingredients, a bowl and a spatula, some spray oil and a baking tray. If I need to make a cake for a crowd or to take on a picnic, I often bake in a pyrex dish like this. It is easy to transport and I just cut and serve from the dish.  Classy I know. (I took that idea from my...

Watch this space! I am going to give you a glorious step by step demo of how to make this cake using a can of Coca Cola. Yes, you heard (read) it right! I'll get to it as soon as I have a spare moment. (which is not now, sorry!)

There are not many things I love about winter. (I say the same thing at the start of every winter.) Today I tried to be positive and reminded myself that I do like wearing scarves and I also love soup. I guess I also like having candles on in the house in the evenings and..... um.... no, there is nothing else I like. Anyway, back to the soup issue. Pumpkin Soup is the easiest soup to make, and cheap too. The only problem everyone hates is cutting up the whole pumpkin. But... this need never be a problem again! I always put the whole pumpkin, yes the whole thing, on it's own, in the microwave. 10 minutes on high. I let it cool and then peel & cut it up. It's like cutting butter! (It's especially easy when Mr Husband cuts it up... well, someone had to be on hand to take the photo. I can't cut pumpkin and take photos at the same time, can I?!) I recently did a pumpkin even bigger than this one. I zapped it for 10 minutes and then gave it an ...

Bev has been at it again. She showed me these bags and one was placed inside the other. Here is her big monster one. You have to focus first on the Sharpie Permanent marker to understand how big the bag is. This is the perfect size for taking that quilting project with you somewhere. Then out of the big bag, came this quilted bag. Also very large and a perfect fit for cutting mats and quilting rulers. Then out of that bag came these two cuties for all those sewing tools you don't want to loose at the bottom of a big bag! Every quilter needs a big quilted bag for carrying around the tools of the trade. This one is by Lin J. It is the perfect size for her cutting mat. Very inspiring Bev and Lin. Bags are fun. There is always a bag or two being made in my craft nook.

Scrapbooking doesn't have to be all girly and pretty. It can be boyish and gorgeous. (Maybe I shouldn't use that word. I always say "hello gorgeous" when I see a particular little boy. The other week, hands on hips, he said "can you please NOT call me that word!" Oops point taken young man!) Here is a gorg  very handsome page by Judy K preserving memories of her very photogenic grandsons. Nice textures Judy. You could also make a page like this, go to a local print shop and ask them for a colour photocopy of it and keep it in an album that way if you didn't want the bulk. The photocopier would have to be big enough to do A3. But I do like the use of different materials. 

This outfit for a little girl is so cute! The red lady beetles are another creation by Nadia.  She put one on the top of a crocheted beanie. Some on the edge of a scarf. ... and more lady beetles on the edge of a poncho. Do you call them "Lady beetles" or "Lady birds"? Either way, they are gorgeous Nadia... and we are very excited about your news too!

At The Craft Group, I am always pesting people to make 10 inch squares for charity! Now and then someone passes me a square and I am collecting them to eventually put together a full rug. Bev G has found some time where her idle hands can be put to good use for warming up humanity. Whenever she goes travelling in the car with her husband, out comes the knitting needles. Did Bev pass me a few squares? No... a whole rug! It is made perfectly according to the size requirements of the organisation collecting them. Someone in the world will LOVE this rug Bev. Good on you!!!!! Check out "Wrap with Love Inc." by clicking here . Click  on  "Patterns" to see the exact dimensions they recommend. Go on, aim for just one 10" knitted or crocheted square this winter. You might find it therapeutic and make more! You can pass them on to me, or contact the organisation through their website to find a local collector.

For Nadia, playing with crochet is like playing with modelling clay or with artist paints. Look what she created! Here's a bit of Disney for your day.  Very cute!

I have a serious soft spot for a cute tea cosie! I have never actually made one.  Oh, I did make a felted coffee plunger warmer but that doesn't count. These ones are made by Cheryl after she learnt how to crochet flowers. So Sweet... So super sweet! I think the fact that I am actually cold right now as I sit and write this  is what's making them so extra appealing.

Here you are Mums... The things you might say in 24 hours reduced into 2 minutes and 55 seconds. It's been around on the internet for a while but I thought it was fun for Mother's Day. The video is not great quality but there are captions so you can know what she is singing. (Make sure you click on the cross in the corner of the ad when it pops up to get rid of it!) HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

Here are some crocheted flowers to inspire you. This term at The Craft Group we are doing more crocheting. Winter is great for woollen projects to keep fingers busy and warm in the evenings. Click on the subject "Crocheting" in the list of topics on the right hand side of the blog to see what inspirations we have featured.

Be ready to be amazed. These 4 teenagers from Perth have a passion for shooting basketball hoops.  From VERY long distances! They call themselves "How Ridiculous". They also have a passion for promoting awareness of the charity "Compassion". See what they can do. Do you sponsor a child or aid project overseas? Click here to find out more.

Why do I love being involved in The Craft Group? I love seeing women achieve something. That something could be... * learning a new skill * making new friends * finishing something off they started ages ago * having a much needed break in a busy week * understanding God better * Getting to know Jesus... by hearing others share about Him * taking on a project and being completely satisfied at the end by seeing a job well done...  even if it takes 2 years. And this last point leads me on to introduce to you Maxine's first quilt. With kids in the creche to have loads of fun with Pam, Maxine started from scratch and learnt all the tricks of the trade from Elaine. (Well maybe not ALL the tricks of the trade, that would take an eternity.) She started with a fully hand pieced and hand quilted sampler quilt. Well done Maxine! I hope you enjoy your first winter with your pretty quilt!

Elly makes these absolutely stunning gift boxes. She then teachers other people to make them. This picture perfect box is by Rita. Don't you just love the packaging of a gift?  The pretty colours, the ribbons and 'bling',  the moment when the secret held within is revealed. Don't you just love the classy undoing of a simple ribbon  without the battle with miles of sticky tape and ripped paper. Then.... the moment of revelation. The gift. (Please Ooohhh and Ahhhhhh! at this point!) Who needs a gift inside when the packaging is so gorgeous! Elly & Rita make these boxes from scratch. Very clever and very precise!