Hi Thursday, you're very welcome!

This week!
Has it been as hectic for you as it has been for me?!

Here we go:

A very happy Thursday to you!

Cuteness

I would very much love to own these cute post its from Kikki K's new Cirkus Collection. Actually, I would like to own that whole collection. It's just as cute as a button!

Tunnel Art

I like art.
I like art a lot.
I like to look at other peoples and I like to create my own.
I admire anyone who can take something from their mind and recreate it as a real, physical object.
(I don't want to sound like a twat who thinks they know all about this subject because I certainly do not. This is just my opinion.)
I think that there are very wide boundaries on what is considered art and I think that some people need to realise that just because they don't find it beautiful to look at, it's still art. Though, in saying that, I do think that some people need to take a step back and reconsider what they're putting out into the world.
BUT! I digress!
I was on my way home from work the other night, walking through the Central tunnel and I saw a group of people standing around.
Usually everyone is in a hurry to get home in the evening and so I thought that whatever these people were looking at had to be worth a geeze for myself.
So I stopped and saw a guy selling some artworks that he'd done.
They. Were. Fantastic.
I thought to myself 'I love these. I can't walk away. I never buy art. I'm going to buy one.'
He had other versions of the same girl but this one really caught my eye. I love that it almost looks like graffiti.

Unfortunately he doesn't have a website or anything and all I know is that his name is Luca and he paints and draws excellent pictures.
Yay to her, she's fantastic!

P.D.T.

Already?
It's already Thursday?!
Where did the rest of the week go (not that I'm complaining!)?
Here it is, Portrait Day Thursday!

(I've been such a slacker this week - way too much work to do!)

Needless to say, Monday was a bad day...
I'm well over that now - it's almost weekend! Yahooooo!

Portrait Thursday!

So, it's Thursday!
Portrait day!
Here are my faves:

This one is from May the 4th hehe

Hope you have a fab weekend!

Pretty Headbands

Picture from here

Now, I'm not sure if I could ever pull off wearing one of these gorgeous, handmade headbands from Princess Lasertron but I still enjoy looking at them very much.
Perhaps if I bought one for a friend who could pull off such wonderful things, I could just enjoy it on her head?
Either way, they're lovely!

Homemade Baked Beans - Success!

Okay so I didn't realise that these were going to turn out so deliciously amazing.

Therefore, there are very few photos.

Shane and I saw a recipe for spiced baked beans and baked eggs and were interested to try it.

But ever since I came across 2 separate packets of bad eggs, all I can think about when it comes to eggs is that terrible smell. Yuck. Turned me off eggs altogether unfortunately...

Bypassing the eggs was a good idea I think - it turns out that my baked beans were absolutely perfect on English muffins!

Mmmm yum! Perfect Sunday brunch!

So! To make these yummy baked beans (Baked? No. Simmered? Yes.) for 2 people as a main (it would do probably 4 people as an accompaniment) I used the following:

1 tin cannellini beans

1 tin chopped tomatoes

About a tablespoon of sweet paprika (add more (in my case) or less to taste)

Some herbs, I used dry ones: parsley & basil

1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons of tomato paste

A splodge of tomato sauce

and I used a couple of herb/spice blends that we had here at home, one was a Perri perri grinder and the other was a 'hot & spicy herb mix'

1/2 cup water

Salt and pepper

Basically I simmered the tomatoes and everything else apart from the beans and water.

I let it go for about 5 mins and then added the rinsed (in cold water) beans.

Let it simmer for 5 mins again and added the water.

Then I simmered it for a further 25 minutes to let the sauce reduce and get all delicious!

Thats about it! Of course, you should taste it as you go and add more of whatever, to your taste.

They were nice and spicy what with all the chili and pepper hehe. Obviously don't add it if you don't like heat.

I'll definitely be making these again!

Next time I think I'll add some Harissa to it as well.

Button Boxes

It's about time I posted this!

They're the bits and pieces that I made for Art Exchange.

I love the button boxes and plan to make one for myself on a much bigger scale.

The cards were made with my new stamps!

They're fun to use and such a good end product.

This weekend I am working on a softie for my Mum for Mothers Day!

It's my first one ever and I'm excited! I think it's going to work out nicely.

Which is even more exciting because I am just making it as I go with no pattern...

Wish me luck!!