Meet The Blogger: Emily Jane

Today I've got a interview for you from the lovely Emily from Emily Jane Blog

To give you some background info, Emily had a blog called Crafty Girl* and recently moved to her new blog called Emily Jane to focus on fashion and craft.

1. What inspired you to start your original blog, CraftyGirl?

I was in 6th Grade, my last year of Primary School and I was being homeschooled. My mum had a blog, and I really liked the idea of it. She suggested I start a blog to practice my writing skills. I was just learning all about basic crafts at the time, so I decided to call it CraftyGirl*. At first it was password protected, but I eventually made it public.

2. Where did the name Emily Jane come from?

I wanted a new blog, with a new name that wasn't attached to anything specific. That way I could post about whatever I wanted. I though for months and months, and mum suggested I call it "Emily Jane", because that is my first and middle name.

3. What is your main inspiration for what you wear and share on Emily Jane?

I find most of my inspiration online, or out and about. I try to come up with my own ideas, and think of new post ideas no one has done before! 

4. You are a young blogger like me, what are your dreams and aspirations for your blog as you get older?

I hope to inspire other people to be themselves. So many people try so hard to act or dress like someone else, but I think everyone is beautiful, and everyone should stay true to themselves and who they are, always acting and dressing how they like, and not worrying what anyone else thinks!

5. What clothing brand would you love to collaborate with?

Right now I am working with the brand "The Lost Girls", and I really love it! They're all so nice and I love their clothes. I am not sure what brand I want to work with in future, I will probably just take the opportunity as it comes!

6. If you could design a clothing piece for your favourite brand, what would it be like?

I would design a vintage inspired dress made from floral fabrics. It would have lace trims and a petticoat.

I took this answer and have designed this dress for Emily........

7. Where can my blog readers find you other than your blog?

You can follow me on Instagram, my username is @emilyjaneblog. You can also like my Facebook page and follow me on twitter.

Thank you so much for letting me interview you Emily, please go and follow her blog

Blog Post Dividers

Making post dividers are really easy. I mean really easy. If you have some photoshop/picmonkey (or any over vector drawing application) you can easily make your own post divider, between each post.


To make the image, work out the width of your post area (entire blog px - sidebars px) by 50 px. If my blog post area width is 845px this would be my measurements.

Once you are finished upload it to picasa or any photo hosting service and copy URL address to your clipboard.

Then paste it into this code

.post{
margin 0 0 40px 0;
width: 90%;
background: url(YOUR IMAGE URL HERE)
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-postion: bottom center;
margin:.5em 0 1.5em;
padding-bottom:3.5em;
}

Then paste it into your Custom CSS area in advanced blogger template settings.

Hope you find this easy and will be getting creating very soon. I'm planning on adding one to my blog soon. xx Harri

Marble Cake

There is something about the colours in marble cake that makes me instantly happy. A few years ago, my friend and I made this cake. I was looking through my iPhoto Library and found the photos. I went into my recipe box and there the recipe was, sitting there waiting to be used. So I thought it would be nice to share the recipe with you. The photos aren't the best (lots of mess around), as we went good photographers at that point.

Marble Cake. Makes 1. Recipe from Edmond's cookbook.

Cake

115 g butter

1 cup caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence 

2 eggs

2 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup milk

2 tbsp cocoa

2 tbsp boiling water

1/4 tsp red food colouring 

Butter Icing

115g butter

2 cup icing sugar

1 tbsp milk

2 tbsp lemon juice

1.2 tsp Vanilla essence

Method

Soften the butter and bring eggs to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350˙F and line a 8 in / 20 cm round tin with baking paper.

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla till light and fluffy. Beat the eggs with a fork and add them a little at a time. Sift flour and baking powder. Add sifted ingredients to the mixture in there lots alternately with the milk. 

Divide mixture into three portions. Sift cocas powder and pour on the boiling water, stirring till you have a lump-free paste. Add this to one portion of mixture and colour the third part red/pink.

Now drop spoonfuls of the three mixtures into the prepared tin. Lastly draw a knife or fork firmly through the mixture to create marbled streaks.

Bake the cake for about 60 minutes, rotating the tin after 30 minutes. The cake is cooked when the top is golden or a skewer comes out clean. Decorate with butter icing (see below) and shaved chocolate.

Butter Icing Recipe

Make the butter icing by creaming the butter, icing sugar and vanilla in a food processor. In a bowl mix milk and lemon juice then add desired amount to icing. Spread onto cake.

I hope you try this recipe out sometime, it's always very fun to make. xx Harri

Blog Post Tips

Today I've put together tips for writing up blog posts of different types. Note: these tips are not about taking photos, but using the photos with specific text for different types. I've included tips for photos, fonts. Craft post, recipe posts, fashion posts all within one little blog post

Filling entire width with photos - One thing that really annoys me (yes!! fussy me) when I read a blog is the size of the photos. When you write your post and insert the photos, make sure they are original size / X Large (Blogger). This when it is hard to get the whole image in. To always make your photos the right size, go to Template > Customize > adjust widths. Subtract the sidebar width from the entire blog width. This will be the width of your blog post area. For example my entire blog width is 1235 and my sidebar is 390. My blog post area is 845 but I always just have my photos as 800px wide. If you have two sidebars, subtract both widths from entire blog length. Use photoshop or any over editing program to do this. 

Purposeful photos - Don't use photos for no reason. If you have a photo of your cat, but your post is about how to make chocolate cake, it's not really going to work (unless its your cat eating the chocolate cake) Writing on photos is also very cool, and can easily explain something without tonnes of text. You can also use photos for sub headings within blog posts, like my titles throughout this post and other tutorial  posts that I have written.

Naming & labelling - if you haven't already noticed. If you roll over a image lightly you may see the name of the image. Always label your photos to something like "intro_blogpost". Seeing "IMG6578" is not necessary and is easy to fix, in your computers file folders. It's all very helpful if you loose photos, to have a folder for all your different categories, and more folders for each posts. It's a bit like labelling clothing for school!!

My top tip for fonts is don't use too many of them. Of course you have to have a font, but keep it the same and simple throughout the blog. Three fonts I use in my blog are one for my sidebar text/category index, titles (this includes comment, page and post header) and one for the body of my blog posts. Always try and keep these fonts simple and bold looking (as in, easy to read) but writing on photos can be a bit more fun and add some style to you blog. I also use some of my handwriting in my sidebar and header. Size is important no one really wants to squint to read your blog one moment (or any moment) and then see gigantic block writing, if you want to have changes for sub headings and important notes, use bold, italic and underline. Italics is very good when you need to copyright a certain post or part of a post
People can find outfit posts very boring. You have a photo (or two) of yourself in a dress (this can be very interesting, don't get me wrong) but when the text of the post is "I like this dress because its nice" and "I wore this dress today out to lunch" it can be a bit boring. I like to try and tell me readers more. Maybe you could tell them about how/where you found the wall you are standing in front of, or what crazy thing happened while you were there. Give your readers something interesting to read about with the photo.
Don't be fooled by the last sections tips, recipe posts do not need step by step photos. In a recipe book, you don't see photos of them cracking the eggs and you really don't want to be juggling the camera while trying to separate eggs, you could end up with lots of mess to clean ip. Having a nice photo of the finished result at the beginning and end and a photo of the main ingredient is a good balance. For example, if you are using chocolate chips for your cookies, maybe you could have the chocolate Chips spilling out of the bag. Also include a little intro about the recipe. Maybe you found the recipe in your Nana's old cookbook or in an old box in the attic. Plus always state the recipes name, the cookbook/website and the chef before you type the recipe.

If you classify your blog as a DIY blog (I classify my blog as a sweet crafty lifestyle blog)  people do expect you to do some crafts. You don't want to turn up at your favourite craft blog and find the latest news on the royal baby for example (Happy Birthday, prince). It doesn't matter, if you have a spare weekend when you have time to do and take photos of many crafts. You don't have to pretend that you did the craft the day that you share it. My favourite Crafts that I read, are the ones with step my step instructions, followed by clear photos in between. Photos need to be clear, and always have the caption/ text underneath the image (don't know why, it just doesn't seem right to be above the image). "Supplies needed" photos are good too, I like handwriting on my supplies list and labelling everything. But list it below as well as images don't always load, if someone is using an older browser.

Note: All of these tips are my opinion and may not be what you believe is right. These tips have been complied by what I have found out and discovered as a blogger and blog reader

I hope these tips help you, if you have any more questions just email me and I'll be happy to try and help you out. xx Harri.

Pom Poms

Everyone loves pom poms (especially cats) and they are really easy to make, with no special equipment. The top two pom poms were made with one color, then another color on top, and then another. The other one was made using multicolored wool, but you make them the same both types.

All you need is wool, scissors and cardboard discs. We just cut them out using cardboard. The bigger the disc, the bigger the pom pom.

Start by tying the two discs together with the wool, and then continue going around and around the discs, till you have gone around at least 3 times (for a more poof, go around even more)

If you are really confused, you might get the idea from the picture above. It hopefully should look like a giant donut. The next bit is quite confusing. You have to cut between the two cardboard circles. Like below. Make sure you hold the pom pom together so it doesn't fall apart.

Then get a piece of wool between the discs and tie tight. Then remove the two discs and there, your pom pom should puff right up like so.

I hope you enjoyed (and could follow) this DiY of mine. I would love to see your results! Have a great day xx Harri

In the breeze

I hope everyone is having a great day. I haven't done an outfit post for ages, so I quickly snapped these shots on our way out from lunch at a winery. I loved the wall apart from when I leaned against it, I got all this white dust on my back. Yesterday we went luging and into Arrowtown, this old historical town, Just google "ArrowTown, NZ" in images and you will get a feel for it.

Outfit Details

Dress | Huffer   Shoes | Converse

I've also been doing lots of blog planning. I've got tons of new ideas that should keep this blog updated for over a month, I'm also going to share my blog post planning tips xx Harri

 

Salmon Crudo

Salmon crudo is one of our families favourite lunch time meals. We enjoy it will pomegranates and herbs. And its so easy.

Ingredients

1/4 cup Pomegranate seeds
1 fillet of raw Salmon
2 limes
1/2 cup micro herbs

Slice the salmon thinly and place on plate. Add pomegranate seeds, micro herbs and lime juice. Season with pepper and eat with a side of bread.

It is actually that simple, I probably didn't even need to write it up for you xx Harri

Hello from Queenstown

You might be wondering what I'm doing, well my family and I are in the ski town of Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand for a week. We don't ski but we are here for the fun and tourist activities

I've got some DIY and recipes lined up for this week and every few days i'll share some more photos. If you want to keep more updated, follow me on instagram

Instagram @cupcakecrafty or #hashtag me #cupcakecrafty

 

Chalkboard Storage Jars

Today I've got a craft to share with you. It's really easy, and they definitely come in handy. I was experimenting with some chalkboard paint I found, and I painted some jars. Now my jar can be used for anything (and chalkboards look cool!!) and be labelled. I love labelling jars with stickers, tags and labels (I might share some of my original labels one day). 

All you need is some chalkboard paint (I use Resene Chalkboard), a paintbrush and a old (or new) jar.

All you need to do is paint the chalkboard paint on. I made a strip, but you could put some masking tape around and paint right around in a really nice round circle. I went for a more rustic look.

There you go. The possibilities of what to do with it is endless (!!). Have a great day xx Harri

Wintertime Favourites

So we are right in the middle of winter right now, and some bright pinks and reds definitely cheer me up. I'm not the one to wear heavy makeup, but I like a lipstick and perfume.

Right now I'm loving my new SAX Cosmetics lipgloss in Coral ($12.95) and my ZA pink lipstick (gift). My nails are wearing either O.P.I Red is my Fortune Cookie and my Dior Nirvana. And for just a fun perfume, I bought Taylor Swift's new Wonderstruck Perfume in rollerball.

I hope you enjoy coloring up your beauty this winter (if you live down here). xx Harri

Printable Gift Bags

Gift Bags full of sweet treats are always the best. Birthday party goodie bags, filled with lolllies, necklaces, toys and all sorts of little trinkets. Everybody loves goodie bags (a very good reason to go to a party) and now you can make your own. I've made a template for little gift bags and they are all customized with my art. If you have been here a while, you might remember this post, where I shared with you my original print of "Little Scribbles".

This time, I have added two other prints of mine. My pastel geometric print and my digital floral print. I've also included the link to "Little Scribbles" as it is one of my favourites. You can download them in either file type; Portable Network Graphic (PNG) or Portable Document Format (PDF)

"Pastel Geometry"

PNG | PDF

"Little Scribbles"

PNG | PDF

"Floral"

PNG | PDF

To assemble just cut out and fold on the dotted lines and try and flatten. If you flatten them right, it will form a small triangle in the sides and will fold like any flat paper bag, that you buy from the store. Leave a note in the comments if you need help.

I hope you like these! If you use them, share a pic with me on Instagram (@cupcakecrafty) or hashtag #cupcakecrafty
xx Harri

Please do not share this printable, use for profit in any way, or claim as your own. All artwork is © copyright Cupcake Crafty, 2013. If you'd like to share on your blog, please only link to this post, not to the download link.

Harri's July Wishlist

Wishlist Links: 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5

It's my birthday next month (10th) and I'm getting pretty excited. This is a peek into my wishlist - I need a new journal and I recently got these stamps and these pretty stamp pads would be perfect with them.

Have a great day xx Harri

Lots of Art

I've been doing a lot of drawing and sketching lately. I'm really enjoying it, as I spend a lot of time blogging and drawing on my iPad. I've done a geometric print and some pretty dresses.

Have you noticed some changes around here. I have a little header with a manilla folder style category list. Click on them to view some of my categorized archive posts. Obviously it will grow over time but if you are a new reader, you should go and have a nosey around the archives. I got the idea from Elsie and Emma from A Beautiful Mess. I've been very addicted to their blog (and photo editing app) and found their archives very helpful, actually being able to look through posts at a glance. xx Harri

Little Lemon Cakes

Yesterday my two friends came over and we make cupcakes. We actually had about 12 cupcakes, but we aren't the best meringue pipers. I was the worse. But Gemma actually managed to do one perfectly (right at the end, I might add). But I won't show you my rocky, dangerous mountains of meringue!! Nestled inside these little cupcakes, are little cavities of lemon curd!! Hidden, a little secret suprise for the lucky eater. At the end, we took photos of Gemma's amazingly piped mountain, for each others blogs. My other friend Hayley doesn't have one yet. I'll let you know when she does. The photo above is actually on her t shirt, not fabric. But I wouldn't mind if it was!!

So now you have heard about my day, do you want to move on to the recipe.....

Little Lemon Cakes. Makes 12 (regular size). Recipe from Julie Le Clerc, Little Cafe Cakes

Ingredients

1 and a ½ cups self raising flour

¾ cup caster sugar

150g salted butter, softened

3 eggs, lightly beaten

4 tblsp milk

juice and zest of 2 lemons

lemon curd (below)

meringue (below)

1 Preheat oven to 175C. Prepare 12 paper cases.

2 Place first six ingredients into a bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. Spoon mixture to ¾ fill cases. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 120C.

3 Once cold enough to handle, cut out a large cavity from the top of each cupcake and discard. Fill cavity with lemon curd. Pipe small mounds of meringue on top of lemon curd. Bake for 10 minutes further to set meringue.

Lemon Curd (we cheated, and brought our lemon curd. But this recipe is good as well)

75g salted butter

½ cup sugar

Juice and zest of two lemons

2 eggs, beaten

1 Place butter, sugar, lemon juice and zest into a double boiler. Stir over heat until sugar has dissolved. Whisk warm mixture into beaten eggs and return to double boiler. Cook over a low heat until mixture thickens to coat the back of a spoon.

Meringue

2 egg whites

½ cup caster sugar

1. Whisk egg whites until stiff. Add 1 tablespoonful of the sugar and whisk until
incorporated. Whisk in remaining sugar until mixture is glossy.

Makes 12

We also sometimes just make the lemon cakes and add creme frache (hope that is the spelling) icing on top. Just as delicious but for a more fun process do the meringue.

My Inspiration Wall

So this is my latest addition to my room. I've always collected pretty cards, drawings, ribbon, letters, cut outs, stickers and other random (and possibly useless) stuff. 

So I got some trusty blu-tack and started arranging all my "rubbish" on my empty wall in my room. We moved house about a year ago now, and I haven't gotten round to decorating my plain wall after having wall decals on my wall previously. 

If you want to do this I suggest you collect some stuff and then place your favourite in the centre. Try and fit everything around it and build outwards.

When I moved house, I threw heaps of my stuff out!! So I plan to keep and build on from the centre of my wall. Have a great day xx Harri

July Journalling Challenge

Well as many of you know (Instagram followers!!!), I am participating in Emily Jane's Journalling Challenge in July. But I am running a bit late, as I have been busy with end of term school work and I didn't get a chance to do them until Friday. But now I can share with you Days 1 - 5. I'm going to post each one daily now on Instagram but I will share my favourites on here with you! Follow me on Instagram to keep updated

For day 1, All About me. I stuck a photo of me (and Gemma) and wrote lots of crazy out of order sentences on the other side about me. 

For day 2: Dreams and goals. I stuck a big piece of pink paper on the page and added lots of clouds, filled with dreams and goals. I have some left over clouds for anything else I think of. Does anyone know why clouds and dreams and goals go together? I'm a bit stumped!

Day 3 is my favourite one so far. I found some polka dot paper (you know me and polka dots) and printed a polaroid style print of some cameras. (thanks polaroin.com). I stuck a piece of paper with writing on it below, with a sticker of a camera from my new Kikki-k sticker book. I love taking photos and editing them, but I love hundreds of other things too.

Day 4 was harder. I have so many favourite memories, but getting my cat was one very special memory. The previous month, my cat got run over and though we weren't replacing her, I still loved this one. Gemma is a very big part of our household today. The bottom photo is of her wearing a scarf that I french knitted for her. She actually likes wearing it (!!).

I think I have shared this quote before on here, but I really love it. I got my cupcake wrapping paper out (who knows where it came from) and added the quote in lines on angles. I like how this one came out.

So that's my july journalling from Days 1 - 5. I'll post on here weekly with my favourites, but do visit me on Instagram to see them all.

And now I am officially on school holidays (for 3 weeks!!), so I'm going to try and post heaps as I have heaps of crafts and recipes and other stuff to share with you. Harri xx