Carrot & Nut Muffins

Hi, It's only 15 degrees in Melbourne today. Good day to do some baking and have the oven going.
I'm on that low carbohydrate kick again. While out shopping with my little Sister on Wednesday we picked up Dr Atkins, Cook Book.
Did you know the difference between Flour and Soy Flour in carbohydrates. Well I was blown away.
Normal flour is 70.4 gm per 100gm and Soy Flour is 32.8 gm per 100gm.
That's a Hugh difference when watching your carb. intake.
Anyway here is a recipe for
Carrot & Nut Muffins, I made these muffins this afternoon and they are absolutely delicious.
1 cup Soy Flour
1 cup finely ground Almonds
1 1/2 cups granular sugar substitute (do not use Equal or aspartame; they loose their sweetness when heated)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 medium carrot, coarsely grated
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Heat oven-moderate oven 180 degrees
Grease 12 muffin pan
In a large bowl whisk together all the dry ingredients.
In a medium bowl, combine vegetable oil, eggs, carrot, and vanilla extract.
Pour the carrot mixture into muffin pans and bake for 20-25 minutes until they're golden brown, and a cake tester inserted in to the centres of the muffins comes out clean.
Cool on wire rack.
These tender muffins can be made ahead and frozen, though nothing beats a freshly baked batch.
Have fun baking.
Hugs,
Anna

This and that

Here is a small design I've painted this week. I seem to be so busy with every one's happenings and not much me time.

I'm on the convention committee for the SFDAV. We are only a small committee with a Hugh workload and I also have a workshop of my own to prepare pieces for. Lucky we still have seven weeks to go.

I've also been busy, being a sticky beak and curious person that I am, checking out other blogspots. Oh, so many talented, generous ladies around. I would like to mention Vicki from Tozz's corner who is offering a very cute On my Heart, BOM design and Jenny from Elefantz who is offering a very pretty Shabby Roses, BOM design. One day I do intend to make all of these blocks up and sew wonderful quilts. I'd also like to mention my dear friend Kerryanne who is flat on her back, but still able to help me out with my blogging issues and other great friendly advice. Hugs, Anna

Fun Friday

Hello blogging buddies,
Fun Friday-That's what my five year old niece has on Friday afternoon when her prep class has been well behaved all week. Sounds good doesn't it! Well, I've been well behaved all week and actually designed and painted a new piece.


Hm, still not sure what to call this design. Any ideas, drop me a line:

I've also been making some scissor holders, lavender bags, and bits.Oh, What can I say, I don't like sitting in idle. Second to top gear all the way for me.

Its going to be a very Fun Friday before the day finishes. My guys, a couple of mates and I are off to see the Crusty Demons tonight. The build up and excitement started around Christmas time when the tickets were purchased.

Hugs, Anna

Latest creation

Here is my latest creation. Phew, just finished on time. This cot quilt is for a close family friend. Melissa and Mark are due to have their baby any day now.

Here is a picture of my personalised label on the back. My very clever, generous, friend Cherrie made this label for me. Since showing off my quilt to a few friends, they have also put in orders for personalised labels. You should drop by and see Cherrie if you require something special.

While I had a couple of nephews over on the school holidays we were having a crafty day and I whipped up this little teddy. Don't laugh, I know he is a bit out of proportion, but for my first hand made teddy, I think he's cute.

Happy Mother's day to you all great Mum's out there and a special hug to Kerryanne who is recuperating from her operation last Saturday.

Preparing for a workshop

While I'm prepping boards for the workshop coming up, I took a photo like all good bloggers do. Here is my work in progress.I belong to an artist group called True Blue Decorative Artists. They are having a round Robbin workshop with five different Chroma teachers including myself on 17th May.

Each teacher will teach a divider page for a recipe book using different Techniques, Paints and Mediums.

Each teacher has also designed a front cover for the recipe book, that the participants will get a copy of to choose which cover they would like to paint for their recipe book.

This is my design for the front cover.

I've also had some time to finally finish this pretty pen and wash piece for my laundry.

This is the lovely Kerryanne's design. I have changed the colours to suit my decor.

Do you find it harder on cold winter days to achieve as much as you would like?

I much prefer day light savings and warm, balmy evenings to get more painting and sewing done.

Hugs, Anna

Mothers day breakfast

Oh, what a miserable day here in Melbourne. However my day started with my Mum arriving at 8am for Breakfast. My sister and her family arrived soon after and we sat down to fresh fruit, muffins and pancakes.I forgot to mention in my last post that the lace background for "Mums Garden" sign was given to me by the lovely Cherrie. We sometimes get together and have a sewing, swap and chat day.
Hugs, Anna

Early Mother's Day

We are having an early Mother's day with my Mum. She has come from Eden for a quick weekend stopover and is arriving around 8am for breakfast before the long drive home tomorrow. I quickly whipped up this design for her this afternoon along with a new dressing gown to keep her warm and cosy this winter.

Hugs, Anna

Grannie's buttons and bits

While checking out what everyone else is up to, I noticed Kris has a post about Vintage stitching stuff.So I got out my camera and Grannies collection of buttons that I inherited. I just love all the bits and pieces that were in this collection. I had to ask some older friends what some of these are.

Notice the suspender thingys, there are some old buttons of a railway uniform and some very old Australian Military Force buttons that belong to Great, Great Grandad. I also have this very old (1886) linen covered book called Encyclopedia of Needlework by Therese de Dillmont that used to be Grannies. I feel very privileged to be the owner of these things now.

There is a very interesting history on DMC cottons and how the company was formed.

Here is a close up of a couple of pages. This book has everything from plain sewing stitches to very fine embroidery. I'm happy to share any of the information with you.
Hugs, Anna

Easter Break

We had a lovely break over the long weekend. We spent a couple of days with friends at Kilmore and while there we went to visit the neighbours over the back hill that have a wildlife sanctuary.

They have had a lot of fire victims at the U-Beaut Wildlife Rescue Centre after Black Saturday. At one stage they had over 30 patients that needed 24 hour care. Lisa, Dean and all the volunteers did a fantastic job and most patients have been released in new areas or sent onto places like Healesville Sanctuary.

This poor Koala had a burnt nose and paws and had to be wrapped in bandages for weeks. As you can see, he is looking much happier now.

This little Joey is around 15 months old(his back feet were badly burnt in the fires) and is still waiting for his back nails to grow. He may not be able to protect himself without these back nails if released back into the wild.

Onto another subject: Recently while looking at Gail and Tony McCormack blogspot I realized they had a store at the Mornington Racecourse market and I thought I'd go along and find some bargains as well as meet Gail and Tony. I didn't really find any bargains, however there are some great stalls there and heaps of arty, crafty, talented people at this market including the lovely couple.

Hugs, Anna

Fresh Studio

While we are on school holidays and I don't teach classes, I decided to Freshen up my studio with a new lick of paint. Oh wow, how good it feels.

Now, if I could just have some cleaning fairies come over while I'm sleeping tonight and the paint is drying to sort out the mess , I'd be one happy little vegemite.

Hm, where to start, I need all those brushes, I need those bits of wood that I'll paint on one day and I definitely need all those paints and mediums.

Any ideas on where to start mostly appreciated. When my studio is all sorted, I've got some ideas brewing for new designs.

I hope you all have a very HAPPY and Safe EASTER, BUONA PASQUA.

Hugs Anna