S is for...Sweet

One of the things that I first came up with for Baby Starfish's party was a letter S covered in buttons... but every place I looked for letters, the letters were too small for what I was looking for. Hmm. What to do. Put on creative cap and use my own imagination of course!

I started with some sheets of corrugated cardboard (the ones I used came in the packaging for the boy's new doona covers - win-win, recycling and I get to make decor with it) and PVA glue. After gluing the sheets together, I free handed a letter 'S' and then started cutting through the layers with a craft knife. That was about when the Hubs came in and offered to cut it out on the bench saw. Now before you say "why didn't you think of that first, Sheree?", I have a confession to make... The bench saw scares me (well, with something that fiddly, anyway!). So like a sensible girl, I said yes. Really. Who wouldn't.
I then covered each surface with card stock in Kaisercraft CD150 island.

1. First I covered the front and back sides, cutting the card stock a bit bigger than the corrugate.

2.Then I put little snips in the edges to let it bend and glue down like so.

3. After that came the sides, since they would be visible at the end and I wanted them to be smooth... I could have done it the other way around in hind-sight (sides first, then front/back). I didn't get any photos of that except just before I attached them - you'll have to use your imagination.

Next up was the buttons. I looked through my stash. Barely enough there to make a dent in the whole "cover the front" concept, so I made a trip to Spotlight (I think Joann's is probably the US equivalent, or there abouts) and sourced a big bag of craft buttons and a few cards of pretty decorative ones.

All that was left was to arrange them. I sat the letter S on a big blank canvas so that if any little wayward button decided to break ranks it was easy to retrieve, and then using my lampshade glue I sat in front of the TV and glue, glue, glued my little heart out for about a hour. Yep. An hour. But I can be pretty slow and pedantic, so I'm sure other's could probably do it in less time. Et Voila!

One letter S perfect for Baby Starfish's first birthday bash, and then to be relegated to bedroom decor. Woo hoo!

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Playing with Buttons

Want a little peek at something that's had me a little preoccupied? 

Take a guess at what I'm up to... then check back tomorrow to see the beginning!

Baked Pear Custard

I've been a little bit absent lately, haven't I? Or perhaps that should be a LOT. I still can't believe that I basically missed Autumn! Not for lack of making things - although the opportunities for such has been pretty limited - I'm making the most of the little snatches of time that I have.  I thought I would share the baked pear custard with you that I have been making with all the lush, juicy pears that have been around (the ones that didn't get eaten, that is!) for dessert. I don't tend to make desserts all the time, but I do like to treat my boys a couple of times a week.

With the change in the seasons kicking in strongly this week, I thought it high time to make something a little fitting with the change. This dessert is great because you can eat it hot or cold - and both are equally lovely. It's so simple and quick to whip up it makes you wonder why you don't make it more often (this is the second time I've made it).

Baked Pear Custard

Print Recipe                   

2 pears, thinly sliced
1/3 cup caster sugar
2 tsp custard powder
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 cups of either milk or So Nice, heated

Arrange pear over the base of lightly greased ramekin dishes or  baking dish.

Combine sugar and custard powder, then whisk in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add hot milk to egg mixture.

3. Pour egg mixture over pears. Bake in a slow oven, 150 degrees C, for one hour or until set.

Enjoy!

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