Monday, February 07, 2011

A Room Of Her Own....Finally




































 Remember some time ago I told you that I was going to turn my spare room into my little art studio? Well, after much procrastination (remember I am the Queen of Procrastination) - da daaaaaaa! I give you my little dreaming and creating space - yay! I am so happy!

I still would like to take the queen size bed out of here so there is room for another work table and an easel - but I can live with it for the time being, until said bed finds a new home...

Abby updated her bedroom, so I quickly jumped on her shelves which look simply perfect in my little room - Georgia outgrew the cube shelving, so I cleaned all of her crap stuff out of it and organised my 'bits and pieces' into their own little cubes - cute huh?

I have told you before I love collecting old silver and china, so that has been put to good use housing all of my stuff.  It's so great to be able to see everything at a glance - I just know it will inspire me to create!

I love this sandalwood insence I got in Bali. I'm quite sensitive to smells, and only like a couple of insences, but this one is lovely and doesn't irritate my nose.  I also love the glow of candles - makes everything shiny and magical, don't you think?

I feel so organised and inspired...now if only I can find time in between keeping house, being taxi-driver to teenagers (a full-time job in itself!) and going to yoga I might be able to whip up a few masterpieces - ha!

Ooh, I have to share this delighfully delicious Banana Bread recipe with you - I tell you, it is so scrumptious! And a cinch to bake - it's actually more like the consistency of a moist cake - I promise you will love it...I enjoyed mine with a cup of tea in my magical space - Bliss!










Best Banana Bread

1 cup self raising flour
1 1/4 cups almond meal
1 tsp bicarb soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
120g butter
2 eggs
3 orver-ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup golden syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and beat until well combined.
2. Mix flour, cinnamon, bicarb soda and almond meal into a bowl and set aside.
3. Add golden syrup and vanilla extract to mashed banana and mix lightly.
4. Add half of the flour mixture and half of the banana mixture to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
5. Add remaining flour and banana and mix until well combined.
6. Pour mixture into a well greased and lined loaf tin.
7. Bake at 160 C for approximately 45 - 50 minutes.

I have to tell you I only used 2 bananas (I didn't have my reading glasses - hee hee) and it turned out beautifully.  I also didn't grease my tin, just lined it with baking paper and I also added 1 tsp baking powder as it has a tendency to sink in the middle, not that that bothers me in the least...I tell you, this bread is so yummy - let me know if you try it. 

(I am a glass half full kind of a gal, whereas my dear husband tends to be somewhat the opposite...anyway, last night he was trying to fix our smoke alarms (which kept beeping the night before, keeping us awake) He came into my little studio at the top of the stairs, and started complaining and carrying on - I swiftly told him he and his negative energy had to leave as this was happy place - hee hee...)

I hope you all have a wonderfully creative week xxx

12 comments:

  1. How lovely and wonderful for you!!! I just adore your little space...it looks so you! Colorful and vibrant...full of life (and tea and cakes:)!!

    I set out to do the exact same thing WEEKS ago and I just can't stay put! I have ended up buying containers that I tote with me wherever I feel like "creating" at the time!...right now the kitchen table is the "hot spot!" (before the kitchen table was the family room floor in front of the fireplace:)....I am so envious of a private room full of creative energy!!

    Enjoy! ...PS..I have that white owl too! I used it for a Halloween decoration:)

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  2. I love your new creative space....lucky you! I am thinking I may have to make this yummy bread! Thanks for sharing and happy week. xoxo

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  3. HOORAY!! Tina..I am so super thrilled for you and your new MAGICAL space..what a beautiful job you have done...oh my I love it all..the cream and yellow chair..the silver( I collect it too)..all the treasures and books..YAY!! Spectacular!! thans for sharing your special creative space!! OH yum..this recipe and cake looks divine..i STILL remember the "hummingbird" cake you made last year...it always stuck in my mind...you are brilliant!! Yay..congrats on your new space...create and enjoy!
    Cheers my kindred!!
    Victoria~

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  4. Dear Tina,
    I am so very delighted for you!!! Having a private space of your own is so liberating. A place to create, to dream, to just be ... is so soothing on the soul and mind. I love how you have so quickly blessed your nook with your essence! :))) I find too, that my little space is so differently decorated that the rest of our home. My office is my nest within our nest, so to speak. I look forward to many more future post from this side of you! :))

    O happy day to you, my faraway friend! :)))

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  5. I sneaked into your workspace while I was on my lunchbreak but didn't have time to leave a message then. I was so impressed though that I had to come back for a second look!! I have a spare bedroom I'd like to turn into a studio but the bed takes up ALL the space... Where will guests stay if I get rid of the bed? Dilemmas....

    So, tell me... Is it always going to be this tidy or was that just for our benefit?

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  6. I LOVE your new creative space!! How magical to have such a beautiful place to create in.....have fun!!

    I will also have to try this bread recipe....I love love love banana bread! I'll let ya know how it turns out.

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  7. I am LOVING your new art space!!!! Hurray for you. So cozy and inviting. Plus there's treats to eat. ;) How funny - I referenced chocolate chip banana bread in my latest post. I think everyone loves banana bread!!!! :) Enjoy making beautiful things in your lovely space. :) Theresa

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  8. Oh yea! Good for you! It is just how I would have imagined your place would be, fun, full of wonderful bits and bobs, colorful and adorable. It is a piece of art all in itself! I cannot tell you the difference having my own creative area made in my life. Even if you never make another art project again you still have your piece of mind, solace space. Enjoy! Oh and I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I love your "mermaid" post. I too spent all my growing up years in the pool. What a magical time.

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  9. I can just imagine all the wonderful things you will create whilst surrounded by so many pretty things! (By the way, I love the bed's headboard)
    Hugs and wishes for many happy days in your new space XO

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  10. Your new art studio is very beautiful! I wish you lots of magic creations! Have fun and thank you for you comment sunshine faery! :)

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  11. It looks very much like your fairy godmother has been waving her wand! Lucky you!

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