Lisa's cake, Autumn and a bit of bling..

Hi girls, if you read my previous post you'll know that I was going to make Lisa's 18th birthday cake. Just scroll down if you want to see my inspiration photos.

About half way through I was beginning to regret my decision as I had to make 3 round cakes, which were sliced in half and sandwiched together with a chocolate fudge icing and then all 3 iced together to make a tower. I then cut out the whole thing into a dome shape and cut out a centre hole to insert tinkerbell (which was wrapped in cling wrap).  Phew.. just thinking about it is making me tired again. Oh well, I had to finish what I started and here is my finished version....

Her skirt was all made from a sugar paste that you can buy premade from the supermarket and it's just like using plasticine! 

I even used it to make the flowers which was a first for me as normally I would use a different sugar paste so the flowers hold there shape better. I have to say though it turned out better than I expected and either way it was going to do!

I will post pics of her party once I get them from my nephew as he took all the photos and his camera was taken by mistake, so once he gets it back I can post some for you. All I can say is I had a lot of fun dressing up and alot of people got right into it too!!

Well, we are well and truly into Autumn here in Aussie land. It's gets pretty cold at night now (especially where I live) and we have been using the fireplace for a couple of weeks now. Nearly all the leaves have fallen from the trees...

and thank goodness for that as I don't think I can take Fred's whinging about how messy it all looks for much longer!! lol! Personally I don't mind all the leaves on the ground.. it's just part of the season but he likes the yard to look neat.

 Before I go thought I'd show you what I found a couple of weeks ago... I think it will look great in my hallway once it's up... which may take a while as it didn't have any connecting parts, so Fred will have to conjure something up!

Ok have to go... hope you've all been well, take care, Maryann

where the bloody hell ar'ya?..and ballerina and bows cushions..

Ok, I'll be honest..maybe I shouldn't.. but I think I will.

I've been avoiding.. my blog...leaving comments..cleaning my house...the gardening. I've been feeling pretty 'blah' lately.. if you know what I mean. (now she decides to feel blah, say my new followers!) I seem to have lost my mojo for everything these last few weeks.. and I don't know why. But I think I am on the mend now so thank goodness for that!

I did manage to make these cushions for the most wonderful and very patient  lady named Linda from the USA. She described what she wanted and here they are....

The ends of the bows were gathered up a little to give a swag effect.

and here are some smaller cushions to compliment the larger one..

as you can see she loves ballerina's...and yes.. they are for her. I can't believe they are going all the way to the USA to grace her bedroom and as you can see she just adores pink!!

At the moment I am trying to organise Lisa's 18th birthday party which is on the 30th. She is having a country & western theme. She has the cutest little cowgirl outfit.. and as for me I was going to be Calamity Jane, but it just wasn't me.. I looked like I was in my pj's! So we decided in the end that I would dress up as a 'madam'!!!!!!

My dress is purple and black with a matching feathery thingy as a shawl,(forget what it's called) black lace gloves and a feather in my hair! Yep, I sure must have been crazy at the time, and am tempted to ring up and cancel the outfit but Lisa reckons I look 'awesome'.... and...and... all her friends' parents dress up.... so I HAVE to.... even if I am going to look like a slut. Yes, don't worry I'll post some pics and degrade myself.

Anyhoo... believe it or not she wants a tinkerbell cake.. something along the lines of this...

In a previous life (or so it feels that way) I used to make cakes as a hobby and even took out 2nd prize at an Easter Show once.. but that was about 14 yrs ago so I'm not sure if I've still 'got it'.

Ok.. I think I'll go now.. atleast you all know I'm still alive and kicking.

take care, Maryann

giveaway winner..!

Firstly I want to thank all of you who entered my giveaway and for all your lovely comments. I want to say a big hello to all my new followers ! If I had a magic wand I would send out one of these quilts to each and every one of you.. but unfortunately I only have one to giveaway.

I decided to draw this the old fashioned way and let Lisa pick out the lucky number from a bowl.

And the winner is...

.... the number didn't come out very clear but it says no. 250....

which in other words means that the winner is....



ELIZABETH  from Home is where the Heart is !!!!!!

Congratulations Elizabeth, if you would like to contact me with your details I can ship this out to you!
bye for now girls and take care, Maryann...

 just on a side note... I'm sure you've all heard about the devastation in Japan. My heart truly goes out to all those affected. Life is so precious but can be so easily taken away. So many sad things are happening in the world right now...  and we also had an unexpected loss in the family a couple of weeks ago. I for one am truly appreciating everything good in my life right now, my family, my friends, my home, my garden, my blog and even the sun shining on my face to name a few. Life is too short to take anything forgranted.  M.xxx

pink and green depression glass

Well today's Pink Saturday couldn't suit me better as it's a pink and green theme to celebrate St. Patrick's day! One thing I love collecting is pink and green depression glass and I just love the combination of both these colours!

I have a built in glass cabinet at the end of my kitchen cabinets and this is where I display them.

I find the pink glass is harder to find than green so I get really excited when I come across a piece.

I love the delicate pattern on the pink plate in the background.

While we're on the pink theme, here is a set of dessert bowls and a divided dish called Miss America. I found these at Vinnies.

and I just had to show you a pretty painting and mosaic tiled 'plate' all in pink with green tiles by non other than Gail McCormack -her link can be found on my side bar. 

Today I'm joining Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday.. thanks Beverly!

AND don't forget to enter my giveaway if this is your first time here... just 2 days to go! Good luck to everyone.. winner will be drawn either by Random.com or the old fashioned way..i.e. drawn out of a hat!

take care, Maryann

pink serviettes for pink saturday...

I purchased these serviettes from an antique/vintage store a while ago now but the minute I saw them I knew I just had to have them. 

They are bordered in pink with the daintiest pink roses!

I have them on display on my tea trolley.

I had also painted up a cane basket in which I keep some mags, flowers that I'm not using and some frames waiting to find a spot.

and yes, my last photo is of my fireplace AGAIN..... I went to house warehouse and came across these birds which I thought would look perfect! I think I'm getting close to how I want it.. haha!

Just can't help myself! Ok girls, have a great week end.. I'm linking up with Beverly at How sweet the sound for Pink Saturday....take care, Maryann

fireplace look #2

If there is one thing I am forever changing is how I decorate the top of my pot belly fireplace! You may have read about my first look here, which really isn't my first look, it's only the first one I blogged about!
Anyhooooow.........today it's looking like this....

I brought in a huge cherub statue I had in the garden, a rose topiary, some old books, and faux ivy pots...

My firescreen used to originally have all scrolly bits at the top just like that one you can see on the right hand side there, but James accidentally knocked it over and they broke off! I still love this firescreen so I wasn't going to get rid of it.

So I placed a whole heap of vintage doilies over the top to cover the broken bits and at the same time display some of my doilies.

But ofcourse during the 'shooting' of these pics for this post I decided to go out in the garden again to see what else I can come up with! this was all when I should have been washing the floor..sshhh

Mmm, this brass teapot with broken handle will do and yes, this vintage watering can might do the trick too!

Side view as you come out of my bathroom.

Well this is what it looks like now... BUT I just remembered those vintage trophys I bought the other day.. I'm sure they would look good too.. Ok better go and try it out!

take care girls! Maryann  ps. don't forget to enter my giveaway if you haven't already!

Today I'm linking up with Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday