The Plush Life

Some of you mightn't know, but I don't just take photos or bake.

I have a crazy obsession with crafting.

I design and hand sew little plush friends like the owlet above,

I also just started knitting and I paint, scrapbook, collage and am constantly looking for new crafts.

If I see something crafty, I'm automatically thinking about how I could do it myself

(and then before you know it, I'm ducking out to the shops to get supplies)

I've thought about selling my little friends,

but so far they just live with my friends and family.

I love designing new ones justto suit a particular person or occaison

(I even made my sister a white blood cell to round up all of her crazy ones when she was in hospital) 

I posted a couple a longggggg time ago, 

so as you can imagine, now I have quite the collection!

...

But, aside from my plush filled crafting room, I've been packing my bags!

I'm about to head over to Louisiana, USA - with camera in tow of course!

and with a new fish eye/wide angle lens!!

So I won't be blogging for the next two or so weeks, but when I get back I'm sure I'll have lots to share!

So tell me,

Do you have a special hobby (or obsession)?

or are you craft crazy like me?!

Anyone with any new crafting ideas is welcome to share, I'm all ears!! 

VISIT OUR NEW BLOG, SOUTHERN IN-LAW!

Blogger Confessions Part 1

I'm one of these people who just like to know stuff.

Random stuff, facts, figures, pointless information - I'm just a bit of a sponge!

I love getting to know more about other bloggers,

so I thought maybe you might like to know a little more about me!

I love breakfast so much and have so many ideas for breakfasts that I plan them days ahead. This means it can be Monday afternoon and I'm already anxiously awaiting the arrival of Thursday's breakfast.

I love to bake/cook things people would never think of making. Soft pretzels, you bet! English muffins, why not? 

I used to be scared of baking with yeast because I thought I wouldn't activate it properly and my creation would be a big, flat, fail! Now, yeast and I have become good friends - though I still think it smells like old people.

I freeze just about everything that could possibly be frozen - my freezer is piled with muffins, breads, pretzel dough, cookie dough, fruit (especially banana), pesto, cheese - you name it! I've actually considered buying a standalone freezer just so I can bake more.

I eat spinach like it's my job. I can not for the life of me understand how people eat measly plain lettuce salads - for me its go big or go home! That said, I don't think I could ever drink a green monster, the whole concept grosses me out!

I'm turning into the muffin woman. I think I've baked a batch of muffins at least once a week for the last month or two. I love super dense bran muffins and I've been experimenting with flavours - pumpkin, blueberry, banana, zucchini, carrot, apple, lemon etcetc.

Speaking of pumpkin, I'd never tried it in a sweet food until I made pumpkin muffins. Now I'm hooked and looking for pumpkin recipes left, right and centre. Pumpkin muffins with peanut butter are to. die. for.

I really like William Shatner and I'm not certain why, I guess because he's a genius? But please, lets just ignore his star trek days.

Speaking of Star Trek, I severly dislike science fiction. This may be because my parents reaaaaaaaaaally love it and I've had to endure boring shows like Star Gate and every other show with Star in the title. 

I get really excited over new food finds. Yesterday, I found date spread and it probably made my day. Date and Peanut Butter sandwiches? HELL YEAH!

Nowwwwww,

I think that's enough confessions for one day.

But who knows, I may do another one - what do you think?

But I want to know

What's something the blog world doesn't know about you!

106.

why hello lovelies,

it's sweet saturday AGAIN! :) 

this is fast becoming one of my favourite days of the week,

especially as it requires some amount of research

you know :P

I've got lots to tell you, but i'll leave that to the end of the post, 

because you're probably impatient like me and wondering what is inside that bright orange www.boxoftreats.com.au

I know I was, 

I'd just finished my first english trial HSC paper when I got my hands on this happy looking box.

When I get boxes that say things like "chocolate" or "treats" it means one thing.

open

them

quick!

So I peeled back the lid to find....

A note! To me! 

evidence that the box of treats was mine

Eric, I don't think it needs to be said that I'd enjoy them

I was in a post exam state of brain deadness. 

But I was quickly revived..

You can't tell me that doesn't look like one big collection of fun

Bright colours

Sugar

Sugar

Sugar

This box of treats instantly brightened my day,
I was a kid in a candy store

Literally, my own candy store

There were boxes of....

Colourful Jelly Beans!

Peanut M&M's!

Cadbury Dairy Milk!

Fruity Frogs!

Cadbury Favourites!

And Chupa Chups!

I think Box of Treats need to change their name to box of sunshine or happiness or rainbows 

because I forgot about my super draining exam in 3 seconds flat

I LOVE their concept. I'm a big fan of personalised gifts and Box of Treats lets you pick EXACTLY what goes into your (or a lucky friend/family member's) box!

and you can also pick from pre-made boxes

and add your own little note like the one in my box!

You can even pick a MEGA TREAT BOX

which would be perfect for a friend who might have a massive obsession with one particular candy

And the best thing of all? 

Their prices are shockingly realistic! 

I'm talking 4 Pack Treat boxes that start at $14.95! 

So as soon as you finish reading this post (and say Hi, hopefully)

head on over to Box of Treats and have a look at their website

they even have a gallery of all that sugary goodness

Yes, 

Like I said above I'm in the middle of my Trial HSC Exams

Fear not, there not as evil as they sound! 

They do, however, have a tendency to turn my brain into mush.

That's why I've been a little quiet on the blogging front

but don't worry, i'm keeping sane! 

and as soon as exams are over its STRAIGHT back into photography mode

and hopefully I'll have a bunch of super interesting posts for you! 

I've been keeping sane by...

1. Your Comments!  

Okay, blogging confession, I might have been blogging for a little while now - But I still get super excited with every comment. I reallyreallyreally appreciate them! So don't think your words are wasted on deaf ears!

2. Enforcing a mandatory choc o'clock

Yep, that's right.. 2 o'clock means break time! 

I don't always have chocolate though - but I always have to make sure I take breaks during the day,

chocolate just helps to keep me from falling asleep :P
 

3. Cooking! 

I love being in the kitchen. Some mother's may get frustrated at their kids and wish they'd do their own cooking, but I think my mum wishes I'd get out of her darn kitchen :P 

I've been making awesome lunches and dinners and trying new foods to give my brain a break from the monotony. 

4. Getting out of the house! 

I can never get my day started if I don't get out of the house. It can be as simple as going to the post office to check for any mail, but it always seems to make my day a little bit more productive.

5. The promise of next thursday

Next thursday, I'll have no more exams and it will be my birthday!

Yes, I'm finally turning eighteen. 

I wasn't looking forward to turning 18, but I'm starting to realise the opportunities that being a legal adult brings 

and I'm excited! 

Hopefully some of these opportunities will involve my blog! 

fingers crossed.

So now I want to know some things, 

What's your favourite kind of candy? 

and How do you keep sane?

Kristy received the Box of Treats courtesy of Eric at www.boxoftreats.com.au
If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com 

063.

Forget coffee beans! I'll have jelly beans any day. 

The lovely people from Jelly Belly Australia were kind enough to send me some of their jelly beans.

I had 49 different flavours in front of me plus some of their Sour Jelly beans - That's 59 Flavours all up.

So I gathered my un-official taste testers. 

Jelly beans are fun, 

Their shape is fun and their size

and they always remind me of parties I had when I was little. 

The 59 different flavours also made it a whole lot of fun,

as we scrambled to find the flavour we were looking for.

Sometimes the root beer jelly bean we thought we had turned out to be cappucino.

or the green apple was actually jalapeno. 

It almost turns the whole experience into a lucky dip. 

And you can make jelly bellys more fun by using the recipes

With 49 original flavours plus 10 sour flavours,

there's something to please everybody

from little kids to grandparents.

My favourite flavour is definitely licorice,

much to my boyfriends disgust :P

I'm a bigggg licorice fan, so a licorice jelly bean = <3

I also really liked the sour flavours, 

they were packed with flavour like the original jelly bellys

but I did think they were lacking a little bit of that sour punch. 

But that's probably just because I'm a big sour candy fan.

My taste testers and I really enjoyed the Jelly Belly Jelly beans 

and have given them a 9.5/10 rating!

Only because the sour ones weren't as sour as we'd like.

And now, 

I have a pretty jar of jelly beans displayed on my kitchen counter.

Cute and delicious!

Jelly Belly products are available from a whole variety of stores - 

To find where you can get Jelly Belly products near you click here!

See their official flavour guide here!

And you can also buy in bulk right here in either assorted flavours or single flavours!

Remember people, I like licorice! :P 

Now I want to know something -  

What's you favourite jelly bean flavour?

Kristy was sent Jelly Belly products courtesy of Jelly Belly Australia.

If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com 

Edit: I have a new favourite... ROOT BEER :D

057.

 

 Today I spent the morning at the Sydney Royal Easter Show's Showbag Launch, 

And so did the kids from The Children's Hospital at Westmead and from Royal Far West 

as well as a whole bunch of mums, dads, grandparents and people from the media.

 

The morning started with a petting zoo for the kids, who were the SRES's official show bag testers.

There were chickens, ducks, calves, lambs, calves, a pony and even a donkey. 

  

 

the event then moved inside where Michael Collins, General manager of the easter show 

revealed the predictions for the top 10 showbags of 2010 

What are the predictions for the top 10 showbags of 2010, I hear you ask?

NUMBER ONE: Dora The Explorer Showbag -  

Complete with backpack, handbag, slippers, cooler bag, sipper cup, belt, hair ties and a head band

-$22.00

NUMBER TWO: Barbie Fab Life Showbag -

Which comes with a barbie: backpack, umbrella, cap, watch, headband, pouch, tumbler, bracelet and window stickers -$20.00

NUMBER THREE: Buzz Lightyear Showbag -

A buzz backpack filled with inflatable wings, a glider plane, glow stickers, bubble stickers, a play back and a protecter torch

- $25.00

NUMBER FOUR: Nova DIY Show bag -

Which comes with a lanyard, air freshener, sticker sheet, wrist wrap, carmex click stick, video ezy voucher, AMF and M9 laser skirmish voucher, biggest loser berry yoghurt bar and a choice of either a backpack or a satchel and a choice of two items - a cooler bag, thongs, towel, mp3 speakers

- $18.00

NUMBER FIVE: Dare Showbag -

Complete with a dare backpack or duffle pack, an ice back to keep the two iced coffees cold as well as a choice of two of the following - scarf, speakers, tshirt or cooler bag

- $17.50

 

NUMBER SIX: Socceroos Showbag -

Which has a soccer ball, sports bag, towel, flag, drink bottle and wrist bands 

- $20.00

 

NUMBER SEVEN: Sesame Beginnings Showbag -

This bag comes with a change bag, first year wall chart, bucket hat, feeding set, bath book, rattle and sipper cup

- $20.00

 

NUMBER EIGHT: Freddo Showbag -

Full of freddos (milk, milk top, crunchie, strawberry, peppermint) a stationary set as well as the choice of a; Freddo sipper, tumbler, money tin or library bag. 

- $5.00

 

NUMBER NINE: Coca Cola Backpack Showbag -

A coca cola backpack filled with, a yoyo, trucker cap, gridiron ball, frisbee, mini radio as well as a diet coke and regular coke

- $25.00

 

and last but not leasstttt....

 

NUMBER TEN: Bertie Beetle Black Triple Deal -

The classic bertie beetle showbag on steriods - This showbag is actually three showbags in one; filled with bertie beetles, lollipops, tattoos, kit kats, smarties, redskins, milko sticks, a postcard, stencil set and a bertie beetle egg cup. 

- $6.00

 

 

time to breaaaathhhheeeee.....

and that wasn't even all of them

 

 

Michael Collin's challenge to 2010's showgoers? To unleash their inner superhero. 

Of the 302 showbags unveiled at the launch 1/3 are under $10.00, 

Meaning our wallets won't have to leave empty. 

There are the old classics such as Bertie Beetle and the new favourites like LA ink and the Backyardigans. 

There are definitely showbags for people of all ages - and I definitely have my eye on the Darrell Lea Bags

 

 from the M&M's super bag 

 

the stars of some of the show bags even paid a visit

 

 as well as the TMNT and Carebears there was Batman, Freddo and My Little Pony,

the characters played with the kids while they ran around excitedly choosing their showbags.

 

 

from what I saw, the "Showbag testers"were estatic - some overwhelmed by their sheer number of showbags, 

Looking at their mum's and dad's like "can I really have this?!"

the Easter show is just 5 weeks away 

and by buying your tickets online you can save heaps - 15% on family tickets. 

so have a look at the Easter Show Website 

where you can find information on everything that's going to be happening

as well as information and pictures of ALL 302 showbags 

 

 

Thankyou to Kate for inviting me to the Showbag Launch - It was a pleasure attending the event.

If you'd like me to attend one of your events and blog about it, email me at ksayerphotography@gmail.com

 

I want to know your favourite easter show experience! Comment and tell me all about it :D