The QT Hotel Sydney has a number of surprises for guests to enjoy and one of my favourites during a recent stay was the Espresso Martini Kit. It completely fit with the vibe of the hotel and because I am the kind of person that loves a ready made cocktail kit, I replicated the recipe at home. Strong, tasty and sweet enough to have you heading out of the hotel room and straight to Sydney’s restaurants and bars for a night on the town.

Ingredients:

Ice

50ml Belvedere Vodka

50ml Cafe Patron XO Tequila

2 teaspoons white sugar

1 shot (espresso size) of Nespresso Roma 8

Method:

Fill cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka, tequila, sugar and Nespresso shot.

Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Pour into martini glasses and enjoy.

Cocktail Friday, Made | Comments 1

The gorgeous tones of copper and gold are always favourites of mine and creating a somewhat ombre effect with these tonal colours works beautifully for wedding table centrepieces.

What You’ll Need:

- Spray paint in your choice of colours (Note: The White Knight “Squirts” range provided a much more metallic finish, whereas the Plasti-kote Projekt Paint was a matte metallic.

- As many jars as you need, clean and dry with labels soaked off.

In a well ventilated area, place your jars on a drop sheet or newspaper. We alternated with gold bases and copper bases which means some jars have to be facing upwards while others need to be facing down for the first spraying.

Using your spray can, shake it for a minute (as per the directions on the can) and then start spraying. Stay about 20 centimetres away from the jars in order to keep the paint from becoming too thick and dripping (several thin coats are always better than one thick one).

Leave your jars to dry for an hour or two. Apply a second coat if needed.

Turn the jars over and take your second colour and spray. (Despite our best efforts  we did get some dripping of the gold paint – which we covered with another light spray of the gold after the copper had dried).

Fill your jars with autumn leaves, twigs, berries, or as we did, with copper toned chrysanthemums and magnolia leaves.

Images and project by Ms Polka Dot

DIY Tutorials, Made | Comments 0

Garlands are so diverse, we see them featured in so many beautiful weddings in hundreds of different ways. Enter, the felt garland! I love the pops of colour that Ruth from Felt Foxes brings to her garlands, they’re both contemporary and whimsical at the same time! If you don’t have time to make your own Ruth can whip up a custom creation for you, or you can purchase the felt balls separately to get all creative with your bad self!

Ruth has provided some great advice, and shared her creative journey with us today.

What was your path to crafting handmade items?

I’ve always had a love of handmade, largely influenced by my mum. Ever since I can remember I’ve been making/creating things. I think it’s great that handmade is so big right now. Nothing beats a beautiful handmade item that is unique and made just for you.

Where do you find inspiration?

Mostly when I’m going about my everyday life. Keep your eyes open!

What is the most common question you are asked by couples?

I get lots of questions about customising my designs to match particular colour trends. I love working with couples to create exactly what they want.

What is your favourite colour palette?

Lots and lots of white with pops of colour.

Do you have a favourite style of wedding (rustic, vintage, modern, classic etc)?

My favourite wedding style would be similar to what we had for our own day. A relaxed beachy style with a retro/travel vibe. It was very us.

Share with us your top Etsy store pick!

The Party Garland is our most popular pick. Lots of couples are looking for something bright and fun particularly to decorate photobooths or their candy bar and this is it! It can be used after the event too so the party never has to end.

What is your DIY advice for couples?

If you love it, make it! DIY is a fun and cost effective way to add some personality to your big day. Get your partner involved too. They secretly love it!

What is the one tool you can’t do without?

Pinterest. I wish it was around when I was planning my wedding!! So much inspiration and it’s an easy way to organise and share your ideas.

How happy are these colours!? And I particularly love the black and brown string garland, what a fabulously different take for a classic, modern affair. Thanks so much to Ruth for spending time with us today, and if you’d like to see what other lovelies she has on offer, or to contact her for a bespoke item, head to her Etsy store!

About Ruth: Ruth is a Brisbane based designer with a passion for creating handmade wares that are both colourful and fun. She married the love of her life in a small coastal wedding complete with a tuk-tuk! They currently live in sunny Brisbane with their 3 year old son, and baby to be.

DIY- The Professionals, Made | Comments 0

Wishes Script    is a whimsical and beautiful script that is so totally feminine and frilly. It comes with lots of flourishes and frames, ribbons, hearts, flowers, ornaments as shown above. Perfect for an invitation to a baby shower for a little girl, or a bridal shower for a friend who loves the most feminine of celebrations with  a dessert table and a spectacular flower encrusted cake.

Wishes Script  is available from My Fonts.

Made, Tuesday Type | Comments 0

1. Mineral foundation from CosmicBathandBeauty  2. Mineral eye shadows from MadAboutMaeve  3. Mineral makeup blush from pinkblossomcosmetics  4. Mineral makeup foundation from borneminerals  5. Long lasting lip stains from HennaKing  6. Tinted moisturiser from GreenBeautyCosmetics

Etsy Roundup, Made | Comments 0