enter our little 'design a recipe' competition!

Big thanks to everyone who has voted for La Isla Blogita in the Dorset Cereals Little Blog Competition! There's a few more days until the voting is reset for February and I have got major work to do to get anywhere near the present leader (almost 100 votes - wow!). I remain ever optimistic... Little Blog Competition nominees have been invited to host their own competition, giving their readers/subscribers a chance to win some yummy prizes - yahoo! So here's what you need to do:

1. Design a new recipe tweak an old one, or come up with a tasty way to include one of the two new chocolate products from Dorset Cereals (pictured) in a snack, meal or dish.

2. Take a photograph of your invention.

3. Email the recipe and photograph(s) to heidi@heidiadnum.com within the next month (by 22 March 2010).

The winner will be the person judged to have the best recipe and will receive three packs of each of the granolas in a jute bag with a Dorset Cereals bowl. Runners up will also be rewarded with boxes of chocolate granola, too. 

For inspiration I've included a picture of the chocolate ANZAC biscuits I made using the chocolate macadamia granola to kick off the competition. Can't wait to hear from you!

Rob from Dorset Cereals will judge the competition. Your photo(s) and recipe will be posted on here, and I'll also send them to Rob to select the winner. Your email address will not be posted on here or forwarded to anyone. The name of the winner and runners up will also be announced on here in March. Dorset Cereals are developing a Facebook page and may include the winners submitted photo, recipe and name on there. The winner and runners up will be asked for their mailing address, which will be forwarded to Rob who will post the prizes. Open to UK residents, only, I'm afraid. Photos: Dorset Cereals; Heidi Adnum.

cards for a cure

Hallmark UK's 'Cards for a Cure' Mother's Day photography competition is open until 27 February. Submit your 'Picture of Motherhood' to win £1,000 of photographic equipment, your photograph featured on a card, and a special treat for the Mum in your photograph. Part of 'Cards for a Cure' includes a £250,000 donation from Hallmark to breast cancer charities.

Photo: Heidi Adnum

portraits of food

View the entire collection here. The pear also featured in a fruity Etsy treasury!

kidsXpress

Sydney-based charity kidsXpress offers therapy programmes for children aged 4-14 who have faced challenges, loss and trauma. Operating since 2006, a recent addition to their arts programme is photography and the exhibition launched this week at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. KidsXpress aims to expand their service beyond Sydney and welcome volunteers and charitable donations.

'When someone hurts my feelings I feel like this', Ethan, 11:

Photo: Ethan, kidsXpress at ABC News Australia

coming soon...

This is the aftermath of a project I've been working on, coming soon to an Etsy near you...

Photo: Heidi Adnum

photo framing ideas #1 mother of pearl

Inspired by one of my gorgeous clients' collection of metallic and pearl frames, I bring you number one in a series of photo framing ideas: the (pale) mother of pearl frame. Pearl can act as a subtle, neutral mount, so it's perfect for smaller prints and quick easy gifts. Black-and-white images really suit pale pearl frames, as do soft, delicately coloured images. See the example below of baby Archie in B&W and then in soft-colour, framed in The White Company's 6x4" version, priced at £35 (the upper end of the market) for superb quality - well made, black velvet backing, non-tarnish silver plate, and each comes with its own gift box. Zara Home and John Lewis' 6x4" versions are more simple and more affordable at around £10. 

The White Company, Zara Home, John Lewis. Photos: Heidi Adnum.

roma london

The Children's Society is exhibiting a collection of photographs by ten Roma women, Manuela Zanotti and Jacob Garner from 11-19 February at the Art Pavilion, Mile End Park, London, E3 4QY. 

Photo: DifferentCulturePhotos.blogspot.com

that cook book again :)

On the topic of birthdays, I notice Thomas was sporting the Birthday Cake Cook Book number eight racetrack this weekend - joy! Big thanks to Sonia for these photos of the two terrific cakes she made for Gabrielle's third birthday this past weekend - Dolly Varden with her marshmallow skirt and a modern take on number three; cupcakes with marshmallow frangipannis. Also to Amanda for taking the time to send this article containing a sort-of tribute (I don't know who would mock the duck?) to the book by an 80s crusader, all the way from OZ. The Cake Mistress shares some lovely pictures of her childhood birthday cakes from the book here and posts instructions for the ballerina here and the butterfly here. 

Article: Newcastle Herald (tickets to Josh Earl vs The Australian Women's Weekly Birthday Cake Book here). Thanks Sonia for the photos!

little blog awards: nomination

Hooray! What a lovely way to start the weekend. Thanks team, I'm very grateful :) I'd love it if you could take a minute and vote for La Isla Blogita in the Dorset Cereals Little Blog Awards. Votes will be counted at the end of February and everyone who votes is entered into the draw to win a case of goodies. Wow - some blogs have already got over 50 votes. Can that be beaten? 

To vote, click here!

clothkits

Big thanks to Carla for giving us the Clothkits tip. Founded in 1968, Clothkits has been around for a while, but for anyone who isn't aware of them... The pattern is printed directly onto the quality fabric, which comes to you in a neat little pack containing everything else you'll need (thread, zips, buttons, instructions etc) except the  sewing machine, scissors and tape measure. You don't have to be a whizz with the sewing machine to whip up the garments, either. What a great idea for your own little ones or for special gifts! Carla's working on some really lovely things for Sophie. I'm looking forward to giving it a try - loaning Elfa's sewing machine as long as I make something for Amelie! We'll have to get some pretty pictures of Amelie and Sophie in their new threads...

Photo: Clothkits

stories and fables for kids who like sitting at tables

Kiddies will love comic Patrick Monahan's (previously Paul O'Grady's audience warm-up) story telling show at the Royal Albert Hall. Two performances during half-term, both next Friday 19 Feb., noon or 3pm. £6.50 per ticket and lunch is available for purchase.

Photo: RAH

parisian love

Google's Superbowl ad is thanks to swissmiss.

happy monday

Photo: tomaste, Flickr.

ten gift ideas for your gal

Ten more things to keep in mind for birthdays and special occasions in 2010, again, just in time for Valentine's Day, this time for your gal...
Ballroom dancing lessons at the Kensington Dance Studio (pictured).
A travel guide to somewhere she's always dreamed of visiting.
Something pretty from Anastasia Jamin at Etsy.
A romantic dinner at La Gavroche.
Relaxing treatments at Glow Urban Spa.
A subscription to her favourite magazine.
Her favourite tea at Jing Tea.

A hand-made Macbook cover from fernfiddlehear at Etsy.
A gift certificate for one of the UK's best cookery schools.
Frame a special photo for her, or a gift certificate for a photo shoot!

Photo: Heidi Adnum