Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tracy's Latest Trinkets!

I have a few more tinkets which I have not yet added to my shop. I find it fun to use blogger to showcase my new creations before I put them on Etsy. This is so much easier as I don't have to worry about thinking up descriptions and measuring everything! Yes, a bit lazy I know, but at least maybe it might get people hanging out for me to put them in my shop - wishful thinking?

So anyway, here is a bracelet made with some lovely beads purchased on Etsy (I don't think I will ever shop anywhere else for supplies - I'm hooked!) I liked the beads so much that I wanted to do something simple with them to show them off.
This next bracelet was also made with some new beads - yummy glass pearls in in pink and gold.


I am hoping to get them listed fairly shortly, maybe even this evening if I'm feeling particularly motivated!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Mama's Magic

The Etsybloggers feature for the month of October is Mama's Magic.


Mama's Magic has 2 Etsy shops: bfbeads where she sells her awesome range of baby friendly beads. Such as this necklace

Which she says will keep baby happy whilst at the breast. It is made from one continuous length of cord and has no clasp. Unlike normal jewellery, it will not break as easily because it has no 'weak links' such as clasps and findings. Baby can happily pull and play with it whilst in your arms. It is also made with an adjustable bead, so that it can be lengthened and shortened as you feel like it.

In her bfbeads shop she also sells these cute reminder bracelets. Which help to remind mum which boob she last used to feed little bub. They come in a range of colours and are made with memory wire - which means they are nearly impossible to break and really easy to change arms, meaning that they meet the principles of their design exactly!

Aside from bfbeads, Mama's Magic also had a second Etsy shop, Mama's Magic Studio, where she focuses on a range of fraternal earrings as well as a couple of other trinkets.

I love these Dragonfly danglers, which I can imagine hanging in a window on a sunny day.

I also think that these fraternal earrings are so cute and different. Who wants matching earrrings anyway?! I really really love these "Hey Diddle Diddle" earrings.



Mama's Magic also had an awesome blog, which focuses a lot on her beautiful family. I particularly liked her recent post, where a picture says a thousand words! Mama's Magic, is most definately a proud SAHM like she says she is. Make sure you check out her blog where there's heapps of other items worth reading. Trust me, I spent quite a while there finding out all about her.

Monday, October 20, 2008

New Stuff!!!!!

Just a quick post to show off the new stuff I've just added to my Etsy shop.

First, some pretty earrings, made with filigree leaves and pale blue czech glass beads. I named them Raindrops Within the Leaves.I have also added my Brass Dragonfly earrings, which I particularly like. I really love the beads, which I bought from another Etsy seller, ZoeandBruno. I was really happy when I found them, because they are an Australian shop, and I love it when I find quality supplies close to home.

Hope you enjoy :) If you do, check out TracyLacy Trinkets where you can see my other creations that I have to offer.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Six Things......

Whilst I have never heard of this concept - probably due to the fact that I am totally unfamiliar with the world of blogging - apparently there is such thing as tagging other bloggers. This was brought to my attention by Indidi, a fellow blogger, Etsian, Tasmanian, and DUST Team member.

So, this is what we have to do according to the rules........

- Link to the person who tagged you
- Mention the rules
- Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself
- Tag six other bloggers by linking to them
- Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged

And on to my six things,

1. I am the eldest born of 7 kids - 5 of which are my half brothers and sisters, the youngest being 21 years younger than me.
2. I went to a total of 9 schools whilst growing up - I moved schools 10 times but went to the same school twice
3. I won our local bonnie baby competition 2 years in a row when I was a baby (I'm sure my cuteness would have won it again for me the next year, but babies in the competition had to be 2 and under)
4. I have worked in a butcher shop for the last 6 1/2 years - and yes I am beginning to get a bit sick of people asking me if I enjoy handling meat (that's a bit rude isn't it?!)
5. I have two middle names and I often have trouble fitting my full name on forms I have to fill in - it also annoys me when forms only have one space for a middle intitial.
6. I can eat a whole packet of TimTams if I use them as a straw with my coffee/tea - make me eat them without a hot drink and I will probably only have one - just don't like them that much.

I have passed on the tagging challenge to some fellow Etsybloggers - just in case some of them need an excuse to post on their blog:
mycouturecreations
Witchetty
Myaphrodite
TOTE-N-TOTS
jennerosity
knittingdragonflies

Happy Homemaking

Yesterday I had the greatest day at home. We had our first really hot day that I didn't have to work so I spent it outside. I went great guns in the garden - the front of our house is looking very pretty with pink and purple azaleas. I have also planted some nice petunas which will flower soon, I have gotten rid of all the weeds so the front garden is looking very pretty.

Out the back I have planted a lemon tree, some strawberries (which I'm very excited about because I can tell they are going to give me an excellent harvest) and some parsley.

So I have been a busy girl - only problem is that I seem to be coming more distracted away from Etsy everyday.

On a good Etsy note, I got a treasury today, I was lucky enough to bring up the Treasury West page about 2 minutes before it opened - very lucky, so here is a screen shot of my chocolaty goodness:I think I am having a particularly chocolatey theme going on here - Chocolate Caramel Slice yesterday and a chocolate treasury today.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

It's Blog Carnival Time Again.....

And I've decided to share a yummy recipie with you all. Mmmmmm, it's making my mouth water as I think about telling you what's in it!

Chocolate, Caramel & Peanut Slice

Melted butter, to grease
190g (1 1/4 cups) self-raising flour
70g (1/3, firmly packed) brown sugar
120g butter, melted

Caramel Filling

1 x 395g can sweetened condensed milk
70g (1/3 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
60g butter

Chocolate & peanut topping

150g (1 cup) unsalted raosting peanuts
300g good-quality dark cooking chocolate, coarsely chopped
80ml (1/3 cup) thickened cream

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Brush a 13 x 30cm loaf pan with melted butterto lightly grease. Line the base and 2 opposite sides with non-stick baking paper, allowing the sides to overhang.
2. To make the biscuit base, combine the flour and sugar in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter and stir till just combined. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly over the base. Bake for 20min or until just golden.
3. Meanwhile, to make the caramel filling, combine the condensed milk, sugar and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spooon, for 8 minutes or until the caramel thickens (do not let the mixture boil).
4. Pour the hot caramel over the biscuit base. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the caramel begins to bubble. Set aside for 1 hour to cool slightly.
5. To make the chocolate and peanut topping, sprinkle the caramel evenly with peanuts. Place the chocolate and thickened cream in a medium saucepan over a low heat and stir with a metal spoon until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture evenly over the peanuts and use a round blade knife to smooth the surface.
6. Place in the fridge for 1-2 hours to set. Cut into 16 pieces to serve.

You can omit the peanuts if you don't like them or are allergic - I have made this without them and it was just as yummy.

I also usually double the mix and make a bigger batch because we are greedy and love this so much - 16 small pieces is just not enough! (Plus the fact that I don't have the right sized tin to make the smaller batch)

This is the best ever caramel slice I have ever tasted and I have made it atleast a dozen times - it works out great every time - In fact, I think I have just decided what I am going to do tomorrow morning - mmmmmmmm

Monday, October 6, 2008

October Already

I can't believe that it's October already. I'm loving it because it means summer is coming, the days are getting longer and daylight savings started on Sunday.

Some exciting newsis that I have been featured on the DUST team blog - http://dustteam.com/blog/ - it's great being part of such a groovy team, I only wish I had a bit more time to get more involved.

I have also been lucky getting some treasuries over the last week or so. My latest is in Treasury West, which seems much easier to get into - I suppose it has a lot to do with the fact that it is not as well known.

I have also made a few more things, which are patiently waiting for me to get around to listing them. Here is a sneak preview,





I am hoping to get these listed fairly soon, I have others to go up as well. Whilst I seem to have had no time to make anything, I have been getting heaps of ideas and have got plenty of tings that I want to make. I am currently waiting on a package in the mail which has got some wire and other stuff in it that I am really looking forward to getting into.

In home news, things with the dogs are coming along nicely, they are pretty much best friends now and have been spending the day together and sleeping outside at night time together too.

On a final note, the job scene might be looking up for me. I had an interview the other week and I'm waiting to hear back about it. It is an excellent job and exactly what I would like to do, so, fingers crossed!

Till next time....