Capture Craft – Page 2 – Amanda Viviers

Posted on January 4, 2014January 4, 2014 by Amanda Viviers — 1 Comment

Make beautiful things

The last two nights my husband has been on nightshift so I have had plenty of time to myself.

A bit of crochet, a bit of reading, a bit of Downton Abbey, okay a lot of Downton Abbey!

One of my dear friends is about to give birth to a little baby girl, so I made some little bits for her.

The funny thing about creativity is it is so satisfying. I know its a gift for someone else, but I feel like I’m the one that has been given the gift. As the little precious things begin to appear out of a ball of wool, my heart sighs.

Crochet may not be your thing.

In fact I would pretty much guarentee it.

But what is your thing?

What is it that you were designed to make?

I believe everyone feels the most satisfied when they are producing what they were designed to make.

You all have a make button.

Some days we just need to find that button and then keep practising and get better at it.

Do you like to draw?

Then draw.

Get great at it.

Do you like to cook?

Then bake.

Get brilliant at hospitality.

Do you like to write?

Then write and keep on writing.

Find your make button.

We all have one.

#inspire14

Posted on November 17, 2013November 18, 2013 by Amanda Viviers — Leave a comment

Christmas Chocolate Bombe

Photo and Part recipe from Jamie Oliver

Every Christmas I have made this Chocolate Christmas Bombe.

It is so good and so much fun to make.

1 litre good-quality vanilla ice cream

1 kg panettone

3 heaped tablespoons raspberry jam

25 g shelled pistachios

75 g tinned sour cherries, drained

40 g glacé glacé fruit, thinly sliced

200 g good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), bashed up or white chocolate (I prefer white)

Get your ice cream out of the freezer so it can soften a little while you get things ready. Line a 2 litre pudding bowl with 3 layers of cling wrap. Use a serrated knife to slice four 2cm thick rounds off of your panettone then cut them in half. You’ll have some panettone left over, so keep this for another time. Arrange six of the slices in a single layer around the bowl and push them down if they overlap. Drizzle some Rum around the sponge so it soaks in (if you want it to have a alcoholic touch, I don’t because of the kids), then use the back of a spoon to smear the jam over the sponge.

Add half of the ice cream to the bowl and use the spoon to spread it around in a thick layer. Sprinkle in the pistachios, cherries and glacé fruit. Add the rest of the ice cream. Spread it out, working quickly so the ice cream doesn’t completely melt. Put the rest of the panettone slices on top of the ice cream, then cover the bowl tightly with cling film. Press a plate down on top to press everything down, then freeze overnight, or longer.

When you’re ready to serve it, put the bashed-up chocolate in a bowl and get that over a pan of simmering water on a really low heat. Leave the chocolate to melt while you unwrap your amazing winter bombe and carefully turn it onto a beautiful serving dish. Add a few gratings of orange zest to the chocolate and when it’s nicely melted, pour it over the top so it oozes down the sides and looks delicious. Decorate with christmassy love. I put a jaffa lolly and two mint leaves on top.

For the more visual amongst you…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8irhIODEp-k

Many more of my favourite christmas recipes can be found in my Christmas E-book Capture: 30 merry days

Posted on November 17, 2013November 17, 2013 by Amanda Viviers — Leave a comment

Clean Caramel Popcorn

Every Christmas I love to make homemade gifts but every year it is getting a little tougher to bake for people with their food allergies.

I have one particular dear friend, who is obsessed with mince pies who is gluten, sugar and wheat free this Christmas.

It takes the fun out of the Christmas naughtiness.

So I went experimenting and exploring and found a recipe just for her. (And your friend who has the same problems)

Clean Caramel Popcorn

No sugar
No wheat
No gluten

The recipe is in my latest ebook called ‘Capture: 30 merry days’ a creative guide to Christmas kindness.

Buy from here today.

Posted on November 9, 2013November 9, 2013 by Amanda Viviers — 1 Comment

Sugar Free Muesli Printable

After the birth of my first born son Maximus, re-discovering my pre-mummy figure has been a battle.

For a few months this last year, I went sugar free. There are many figure conscious people who struggle at Christmas time.

This jar of Muesli will be a hit I promise. It is so good. This is going to be one of my home made presents this year.

The recipe for my Muesli this year is found in my e-book that is about to go on sale here on this website this week. The e-book is full of 30 ideas to help you have a simple and stress free Christmas this year. Little ideas and lots of links to websites and resources to help you go home made, thought full and creative this Christmas.

Here is the printable for those making some home made gifts for Christmas this year.

sugar free muesli

Capture 30 merry days, a guide to christmas kindness is available for download in one weeks time.

Posted on November 7, 2013December 17, 2014 by Amanda Viviers — Leave a comment

my mistletoes

Last Christmas I released a Christmas E-book full of homemade ideas.

Capture: 30 merry days ‘a creative guide to christmas kindness’

We all get a little stuck when it comes to affordable and unique Christmas presents for the people in our worlds.

I hope to shed some light on the meaning of Christmas and in a creative, fun way, give you ideas and ways you can be more creative and kind this Christmas.

Each day of the new book has a different recipe, instructions or directions on how to make a home made gift for someone this Christmas.

The tag says

‘For your mistletoes…’

In preparation for the launch of the book, here is the printable for free:

for your mistletoes