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Some inspiration for cute gifts

I finally made it to Australia after almost two days of traveling. Delayed flights and uncomfortable aeroplane seats made me long for something creative to take my mind off things. These are a few gorgeous finds that will make perfect gifts when you don't have time to make them yourself.

Small Softcover Sketchbook by Prairie Peasant

These are simply adorable and will make the perfect gift for an arty friend. I love the linen thread and soft colours! Think I should get one of these to use as a journal for my Australian adventure.

Mini Monkey Flap Hat by citefuzz

My three little cousins had dinner with us last night and these little monkey hats would make adorable presents for them. They are made from organic cotton and are sure to keep those little ears warm!

Julia Ring With Cream Ivory Vintage Rose by Just Peachy

I don't know if you've noticed, but I have a tiny obsession with roses... I just love them! I even named my blog after them. This pretty ring caught my eye and I am SO ordering one!

Old Town Original Signed Fine Art Photograph by Alicia Block

This pretty picture caught my eye and would make a beautiful gift for any girl with a love of vintage things. I have the perfect spot for it in my room. It's enough to get me on a bicycle!

These are a few ideas for gifts when you don't have time to make them yourself. I love looking for inspiring and pretty things to get my creative juices flowing.

I went to Darling Harbour today, absolutely beautiful! And I found the cutest pair of ankle boots on a SALE! yay!

Cherio

Cleaning fun at Aleph

A few of us spent the day cleaning the new Aleph warehouse. Aleph is a non-profit organization that teaches disadvantaged children to surf, know God and love Him whole-heartedly. It is the vision of my great friend, Rehgert, who has such a passion for serving others. They also run a surf shop and prayer meetings from the warehouse. The weather was freezing that day, so that explains the tracksuits and boots.

My brother, Pieter, and our friend, Brent, had the task of cleaning the chairs.

See what happens when you send a skater to do a cleaner's job...

I'm very excited to see things up and running. I know the kids are going to love it! I also saw an old wooden table there that I can't wait to restore! yay!

Need to start packing though, I'm going to Australia tomorrow. Hope I find some crafty stuff there!

Cherio

My first crochet beaded bracelet

I've just finished my first crochet beaded bracelet! So proud of my little creation. I found the pattern on futuregirl and it was really easy to follow. I'm making another one as a gift for my great friend, Jana. Do hope I finish in time to give it to her.

The best cupcakes in the world

I had an insane craving for cupcakes last night. I dug out my stash of yummy recipes and found a tiny paper coated in egg and icing sugar. The recipe for the best cupcakes in the world.

Fairy cupcakes with twirled white-chocolate icing:

Preparation time is about 15 minutes and cooking time is 12 minutes. This is an easy gift to make if you only have a short amount of time and some spare chocolate.

Ingredients:

125g self-raising flour

125 g caster sugar

125g butter, softened

2 eggs

30ml milk

For the yummy icing:

100g white chocolate

60ml cream

125g butter, softened

500g icing sugar, sifted

2ml vanilla extract

a drop of red food colouring for pink icing

Preheat your oven to 170˚C. Using a food processor, blend all the cake ingredients, except the milk, until smooth. Add the milk until a dropping consistency is achieved. Spoon into 12 cupcake cups. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, then leave to cool. To make the icing, melt together the chocolate and cream. Cream the butter, icing sugar, chocolate mixture and vanilla until light and fluffy. Mix in a few drops of the colouring. Pipe the icing on to the cooled cupcakes and decorate with chocolate hearts, if you like.

I really struggled not to eat the icing sugar while I was waiting for the cupcakes to cool down. I love this recipe though, it gives perfect little fairy cakes every time. This is a very easy gift to make and will most certainly be a hit with any person who has a sweet tooth. Put them in a pretty little box and tie it up with some raffia or ribbon.

Easy as pie! Or should I say cake?

My absolute favourite gift - homemade bath salts

This must be one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to make a fabulous gift in almost no time. I've been trying my hand at these and really love seeing the smells and colours mix to create the perfect bath time treat.

I like using organic ingredients wherever I can. I've found that they are soft on the skin and leave me bathing with a clean conscience. Most commercially made bath salts are full of chemicals that destroy the environment and your skin. Organic is a bit more expensive, but definitely worth the cost!

These are a few of my favourite recipes:

Soft Citrus Twist:

1/2 Cup Baking Soda

1/4 Cup Epsom Salts

1/4 Teaspoon Orange Fragrance oil

1/4 Teaspoon Tangerine or Lemon Fragrance oil

Blend all ingredients in a blender until a fine powder

Summer Garden:

1 Cup Epsom Salts

1 Tablespoon Baking Soda

3 Drops Bergamot Fragrance oil

3 Drops Rose Geranium Fragrance oil

3 Drops Lavender Fragrance oil

2 Drops Frankincense Fragrance oil

Mix thoroughly

Cool Breeze:

1 Cup Epsom Salts

1 Cup Baking Soda

4 Drops Blue Organic Food Coloring

3 Drops Jasmine Fragrance oil

4 Drops Vanilla Fragrance oil

2 Tablespoons Glycerin

Mix ingredients and ensure that the oils are equally distributed

Relax a while:

1 Cup Instant Powdered Skim Milk

1 Tablespoon Powdered Orris Root

3/4 Cup Dead Sea Salt

10 Drops Jasmine Fragrance oil

7 Drops Ylang Ylang Fragrance oil

5 Drops Bergamot Fragrance oil

Mix ingredients thoroughly

Wild Earth:

1/2 Cup Epsom Salts

1 Cup Baking Soda

1/2 Cup Rock Salt

1/2 Tablespoon Vitamin E oil

2 Teaspoons Almond oil

20 Drops Patchouli Fragrance oil

15 Drops Cypress Fragrance oil

The fun thing about making your own bath salts is that you can customize them and create your own recipes. For a longer lasting aroma, spread the salt on a large paper and let it settle down for a day or two before you place it in a jar. Package your lovely salts in pretty glass jars and seal them tight. I always round mine off with a ribbon, cute label and a sprig of lavender on top. I also like adding some lavender or mint leaves inside the jar for decoration. Sprinkle a few spoons into the bath and relax a bit.

I sure need to...

I am so inspired...Buttercup bags! yay!

I promised myself I was only going to post tomorrow, but I just couldn't help it. I found this pretty pattern for a buttercup bag on Made By Rae. Will try and make one as soon as I can! This will really make a great gift. Now all I need is the perfect fat quarter and some patience.

Can't wait to try it!