More stamping

I love my CurlyPops stamp so much, that I just couldn't resist adding to the collection.

So I popped on over to Jemma's Etsy Shop and bought myself this lovely Hand Made stamp.

Now I'm stamping everything in sight twice!

Recipe Monday

I've been following Jemma's Recipe Monday posts over at Amityville Boronia for the last few weeks so I thought I'd join in today.

I saw this recipe for Pumpkin Risotto on Masterchef Friday night so I thought I'd try it. This is my version using the ingredients that I already had in the fridge and the pantry - their version used Goats Cheese and Fresh Parmesan.

My version serves 2-3 people

Ingredients:
2 cups raw pumpkin - grated or chopped into small pieces
1.5 cups arborio rice
500mL chicken stock
1 small brown onion - chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
butter
olive oil

Method:
Place the pumpkin into a small saucepan with one teaspoon of butter and a couple of tablespoons of water. Place a lid on the saucepan and steam on a low heat until cooked.

Place the chicken stock in a saucepan and heat until simmering.

In a large saucepan, place a tablespoon of butter and a good splash of olive oil and heat.
Add the garlic and onion and saute until the onion is translucent.
Add the rice and coat in the butter / oil mix.
Add ladles of chicken stock one at a time and wait until absorbed by the rice.
If you run out of chicken stock, and the rice still isn't cooked through, you can substitute a few ladles of boiling water.

The pumpkin and the rice should be ready at approximately the same time. Mash the pumpkin and add to the risotto and stir through.

If you have fresh parmesan, grate a few tablespoons and stir them through. I only had the powdered version which really doesn't do justice to such a lovely dish.

EAT!

Irresistable...

On the premise that I was buying a birthday pressie for a friends daughter, I just couldn't resist this beautiful Tinniegirl collage.

But of course I'm keeping it for myself instead....

You can pick one up for yourself right here!


PS - If you need a customised stamp, Jemma has opened up an etsy shop.

Saturday

Stampin' it up in the sunshine...

Thanks Jemma!

And the joy never stops

Unless your the poor postman who has to deliver parcels to my house.....



Picture this if you will..... I'm lying in bed fast asleep (even though it's already sometime after 9 AM and I really should be out of bed).



There's a loud knock at the door.



I wake up and think that maybe someone is knocking on the door, but maybe I'm just dreaming.

There's another loud knock, so I yell out - "WHO IS IT?"

No answer, so I get out of bed, stagger to the door and open it.....

I'm wearing pink flannelette pyjamas with printed green frogs wearing crowns, I have crazy bed hair, sleepy eyes, and possibly drool....

.....and I'm greeted by my postman

I'm squinting because the daylight is so bright. He smiles at me and hands over a huge parcel. I apologise for still being in my pyjamas... what else could I say, as I embarrassingly slink back inside and close the door?

I won this amazing box of goodies from Jemma's 100th post giveaway over at Amityville Boronia. Every single piece inside the box was separately wrapped so it was like 20 pressies in 1!

Did you notice that one of the parcels is clearly marked OPEN ME LAST?

There's a craft book, vintage patterns, vintage fabrics, buttons, trims, my favourite chocolate,

some beautiful quilted coasters, embroidery floss, and embroidered doiley....

But, the mystery of the OPEN ME LAST parcel and the piece de resistance, is this amazing handcarved CurlyPops stamp!

It completely matches the font that I use on my header and my business cards. I'll be stamping everything in sight.... don't stand still for too long if you happen to come over!

Thanks so much Jemma!

Pay It Forward Update - Updated

Thanks so much to the six lovely bloggers who signed up for my Pay It Forward:

Amity Ville Boronia
Prue - Citrus Daisy
Dee - Dee in Da Light
Sharon Y - Roman Young
Jan - Sewjourn
Michelle - The Super Monkey Blog

When you have a chance can you please email me your postal addresses so that I know where to send your suprise parcels sometime in the next 365 days! My email - mscurlypops (at) gmail (dot) com

If anyone else would like to sign up for a Pay It Forward, there's another one right here and right here too: and another one here