Everyone loves a Give Away #1

** Update to say comments are closed and I will be drawing a winner as soon as Lily has her afternoon nap! **

I have just finished putting together a package for a fellow blogger whose work I really appreciate and who has been a big influence for me in the past month or so – she has made me feel all inspired again. And as I was putting it together I thought, you know who I also really appreciate? It’s the people who come and visit my blog, and who sometimes leave kind and supportive comments and the people who send me nice emails and the people who just visit and read what I have to rave on about at any given time. Well, that means YOU. So thank you. I really appreciate what this blog has given me over the years, so I thought I would have a series of give aways as a very small token of my enormous gratitude. I’m starting small so as not to set the bar too high; this week I am giving away a bundle of fabric and trim – bits of Japanese prints, novelty reproduction pieces and a nice piece of Kaffe Fassett as well as a copy of the book I illustrated for Klutz.

All you need to do to play is leave a comment between now and this Friday 12 noon Australian EST after which I will use the very funky random number generator to pick a recipient. Rather than just saying “pick me!”, please leave me a link to your favourite internet recipe. (Mine is Princess Meg’s Birthday Celebration Cookies, from Loobylu c. 1999. Yours doesn’t have to so gratuitously self-referential if you don’t want it to be!). Feel free to use tinyurl if the link is enormous.

Please make sure you include your email address in the comment information so I can email the lucky winner for a postage address.

10 days lying around in bed got me all sentimental about the important things in my life, and there’s no getting away from the fact that this blog is one of those things. xx

353 Responses to “Everyone loves a Give Away #1”

  1. Rose says:

    I really love this recipe via Smitten Kitchen: Alex’s chicken and mushroom marsala.

    http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/03/alexs-chicken-and-mushroom-marsala/

  2. Melissa W says:

    I adore this foodie website and my favourite recipe of all is this one – http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2008/06/pistachio_gelato.php

  3. Concha says:

    Definitely these dark toblerone chocolate cookies:

    http://www.waitrose.com/recipe/Giant_Toblerone_Cookies.aspx

    I’m a huge fan of your blog and having a blog myself, I understand waht you wrote about visitors. Hurray for pretty blogs!

  4. Steph says:

    I have to say that Amanda’s WHO Bread wins for me hands down.
    http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2008/03/who-bread-goes.html

    It’s so nice still warm, it smells like hot cross buns and with just a bit of margarine on top mmmmmm.

  5. Rebecca says:

    O my goodness i purchased the set you illustrated for my nieces birthday the other month…i didn’t realise..well done it’s gorgeous!

    Anyway i love Gails fudgy wudgy cookies…immmm
    http://geegeedomdivas.blogspot.com/2007/02/yummy-cookies-kids-will-love-to-help.html

    She made us a batch once-yummo!

  6. Helen says:

    I love this recipe because it is quick, easy and requires no kneading AND is wholewheat:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/dining/082mrex.html?ref=dining

    x Helen

  7. sarah says:

    ok, so this is the most recent recipe I’ve found online + baked w/success – apple spice cupcakes w/caramel frosting. Took them to a dinner party on Sunday evening + got many a compliment. yum.

    http://thefinal310.blogspot.com/2007/11/apple-spice-cupcakes-with-caramel.html

    how rude of me to not even say hello first. whoopsies! so, Hello + thank you!

  8. Jenny says:

    Besides a fun giveaway, you have also created a treasure trove of favorite recipes! I can’t wait to try some of these, but where to begin?
    Here’s my favorite recipe, given to me by a college roommate from her mom.
    http://pomly.livejournal.com/17295.html
    I’ve made it countless times and it’s always so good. Enjoy!

  9. Love that Klutz book you did — I bought six of them earlier this year for my daughters to give as gifts at the many birthday parties they’re invited to. Now our store is sold out of them, and I’ll be elated to get another copy!

  10. Emmaline says:

    I read your entry, thought about which recipe to post and by the time I’d returned you’d practically gathered a recipe book! Like many others, i’m a long term reader, grateful for the inspirational blog and unable to resist the possibility of peeking at such a pretty package as you’ve compiled…
    Here’s a thoroughly trustable, emphatically brilliant recipe, that chances are you already know:
    Stephanie Alexander’s Lemon Tart, copied at the following blog:
    http://ourredhouse.blogspot.com/2007/07/lemon-tart.html
    (note the red house blog is a stranger to me; i just searched for a recipe i know oh so well!)

  11. sara says:

    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/the-chewy-recipe/index.html

    (best chocolate chip cookies and they stay soft and chewy for days)

  12. Jhoanna says:

    Must admit that when it comes to cooking actual meals I pretty much suck (and hubby will vouch for that too!). But I do love baking and making desserts. I love, love ichigo daifuku and am planning to make a whole batch of these using this excellent tutorial: http://www.instructables.com/id/Ichigo-Daifuku-Japanese-Sweet-bean-and-Strawberr/

    Glad to hear that you are feeling much better :-)

  13. Allison says:

    I’m a longtime Loobylu fan, it would be wonderful to win a token from you.

    I’ve used this recipe for poached eggs over rice & greens quite a bit –

    http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/poached-eggs-over-rice-recipe.html

    Not exactly a festive sweet treat (I go back to my childhood cookbook – or Nigella – for most of those) but a hearty vegetarian meal.

  14. kristen says:

    I do love the Pioneer Woman and Elise of Simply Recipes, but here’s what I am craving right now:
    My Chicken Corn Chowder
    http://www.thisclassicallife.com/weblog/index.php/archives/185

  15. Alison says:

    :o
    i haven’t cooked in so long. D: college = no time
    my favorite (and not often looked at) is banana muffins! :D great for brown ones that no one wants to eat.
    http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Muffins-II/Detail.aspx

  16. MICHELLE LORIE DEPIETTO says:

    HI CLAIRE, THIS IS A RECIPE THAT I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY. IT LOOKS SO DELICIOUS AND IS HEALTHY. IF YOU GET TO MAKE IT BEFORE ME, LET ME KNOW HOW IT IS! :0)

    http://EatBetterAmerica.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?Id=46146

    HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND! MICHELLE

  17. Fioleta says:

    Your give away looks very generous.

    I get most of my recipes from http://www.recipezaar.com/, since I can search by ingredients. My favourite at the moment (they change every few months) is Cornmeal Blender Waffles – I usually add slices of banana to the mix after blending.

  18. theresa says:

    Now that I finally made a trip to the post office and posted a wee package to Australia today; I feel I can comment and leave my two cents for ya.
    This recipe and the book it came from has saved my life!
    It’s a big hit with everyone and the cupcakes are so tasty no one misses the dairy at all!!! I make a batch and stick them in the freezer (without frosting) and whenever I need to bring my kiddo a treat at a friend’s dairy filled birthday party, I can easily defrost a couple and make a quick frosting and off we go!

    VEGAN CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

    http://www.chow.com/recipes/10794

    So sorry to hear you missed your trip to Japan and have been so ill—what a bummer! Wishing you a wonderful trip in your future soon!

  19. Line says:

    Hi!

    I expect lots of other people have said this sort of thing :) I’m a long-time reader (think I remember you posting that recipe for cookies in 1999). I don’t usually comment but I’ve always loved reading your blog.

    This is my favourite Jamie Oliver recipe:

    http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fis
    h-recipes/chargrilled-tuna-with-oregano-oil-and-be

    Hope you feel beter soon,

    Line

  20. Michelle says:

    Wow, I have been reading for over 5 years and this is my first ever post! Was sad when you had a break last year but am so happy you are back!

    My favourite online recipe has to be Portugese Tarts:

    http://tinyurl.com/5cmdbe

    :)

  21. Tammy says:

    Anything by Bill Granger is divine. His book Everyday is the best.

    http://www.bills.com.au/recipes/

  22. Janet says:

    I’ve been a long time lurker and reader of your wonderful blog.

    Glad your feeling better

    I’ve been slowly going down all your comments for this post and checking out everyone’s favourite recipes its been so much fun.

    This recipe is from another blog I lurk on…lol…these potato skins are so yummy my teenagers love these.

    http://anewchelseamorning.blogspot.com/2007/01/party-potato-skins.html

    Take care of yourself
    Janet

  23. Marcia says:

    Dear Claire, here’s my contribution: scallion pancakes from Jen’s foodblog Use Real Butter. Her step-by-step pictures are fantastic, the recipe is very easy to make and the flaky pancakes are really delicious!

    Get well soon, Claire. Take your time to heal, Japan will always be there for when you’re ready to go. :)

  24. Jo says:

    Wow look at all your comments! great idea though now i have hundreds of recipe links to check out & i love a good recipe. you have inspired me to start my own blog & what i really need is a simple recipe to make it as pretty as yours LOL.
    Try these coffee choc friands YUM

    http://www.chefstoolbox.com.au/recipes.aspx?recRec=34

  25. Kieran says:

    Heavenly Hash – You know you love it too!

    http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Heavenly-Hash/Detail.aspx

  26. Rosie says:

    Hiya! I’m another lurker. I love reading craft blogs & it has inspired me to get going on a few projects.
    Having little girls there are so many pretty things to make for them!
    I didn’t know you had done illustrations for a Klutz book. I love them! I have the pretty purses one put away for a rainy day. I’d just love to win your giveaway!
    Here is a gorgeous cupcake recipe.
    http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/1217/pretty+cupcakes

    Take care!

  27. Lou says:

    I am submitting a Shaker recipe ‘Canary Salad’. I just love this salad, it is a little bit different, definately colourful, tastes great, and no birds are harmed in the making. http://www.wickedlocal.com/bolton/archive/x1078260035

  28. chantal says:

    With a glut of courgettes you can’t beat this recipe, I originally found it on a self sufficiency blog but this is the same recipe:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/bluecourgettesoup_1948.shtml

    Add all ingredients bar the cream and freeze bucket loads to get you through the dark months.

    Thanks too for all the inspiration you continue to give. You may remember I emailed you post my m/c after you gave birth to Amelia and you sent a lovely reply? Your blog enabled me to cope with babies at such a sad time. Well now i have 4, yes 4 boys. All born within 40 months and ending up with identical twins. I feel I’ve taken a journey that I didnt expect and has been really tough, but your blog has been a kind of parallel journey which i really appreciate. Glad you are on the mend. Sorry to blurt. :-)

  29. Natalie says:

    This is one of our all time favorites-the lemon really does enhance everything:
    http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/meat-recipes/roast-chicken-with-lemon-and-rosemary-ro

    So glad you are feeling better-your blog is a great inspiration!

  30. Rathicca says:

    The pear and ginger cake from page 153 of Marie Claire Fresh is both delicious AND completely idiotproof. You can get it here: http://books.google.com.au/books?id=A_pY7UrsdzEC

    (Actually everything I’ve tried from this book has turned out great.)

  31. Mary says:

    This isn’t much of a recipe, but it’s so easy and fun with kids that I thought I’d pass it along.

    Make your own butter!

    http://www.cookuk.co.uk/children/butter.htm

    Love your blog! And I love giveaways. Tee hee!

  32. Elise says:

    These are the cookies of my childhood. So crispy and delicious, I want one right now.

    http://funkyanddelightful.blogspot.com/2008/05/women-who-arent-mothers-day.html

  33. Sarah says:

    http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/

    This is a great cake and a fun website if you have never been there

  34. millie says:

    Everyone in my family loves this chocolate cake recipe from Pioneer Woman.

    YUM!

    http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/

  35. kslaughter says:

    Here are a couple of my favorite soups: the first is for those of us up here having a beautiful autumn and the second is for y’all down there having a lovely, (I hope) springtime ; ).

    http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/recipedetail.cfm?objectid=4236CCB2-EA96-45FB-AD7965B57DF0F145

    http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/recipedetail.cfm?objectid=65E5D19B-1D63-452A-8062BF95B3475F3A

    Thanks for your generous giveaway~~all the best to you!

  36. Laura says:

    What could be better than cupcakes? NOTHING!

    From another one of my favorite blogs, the most delicious vanilla vanilla cupcakes ever:

    http://twofatals.com/?p=157

    ENJOY!

  37. bea says:

    (sorry if this is a double-post – last try got unexpected error page)

    anyway, thanks for your writing and sharing

    best internet recipe:
    http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2008/01/chocolatecovere.html

    matzo crack – caramelised, crunchy, chocolate smothered…delicious!

  38. Lovely you! Thanks for all of your years of blogging and for coming back after your extended break. ;)

    Here’s my favorite + easy homemade tomato soup recipe:

    http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/tomato-soup?autonomy_kw=tomato%20soup&rsc=rf_result3

    Tip: I add basil and I substitute olive oil for 2/3 of the butter.

  39. Michelle says:

    I love canninng apple pie filling. All those potential pies lined up in the pantry make me happy.

    http://kathi-mygarden.blogspot.com/2007/10/making-apple-pie-filling-to-can.html

  40. LollyChops says:

    I love love love a good giveaway like this! Thanks with hugs on the side!

  41. sew funky says:

    http://alimento-nz.blogspot.com/2006/09/aimees-birthday-cake-2.html has to be my favourite easy to make chocolate cake! It’s on my recipe blog, which sadly needs updating!

  42. jennie lynn says:

    right now I’m going to say that my favorite internet recipe is the one I’m most excited to try next, and that is the deep, dark salted caramel sauce from the Smitten Kitchen: http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/10/paris-a-deep-dark-salted-butter-caramel-sauce/

    and you’re right – everyone does love a give away!

  43. Angie says:

    this is one of those recipes for using all the excess tomatoes I seem to grow each year! Great for a curry night or when you need a good chilli kick.

    http://www.abc.net.au/tv/cookandchef/txt/s1871232.htm

  44. moomins for president says:

    THis one is a take on the NY Cheesecake.
    this recipe is interesting because there are rather scientific cheesecake questions and explanations in the comments.
    My little tip would be to add heaps more lemon zest and a little orange zest too. Also substitute a bit of the cream cheese for sour cream and even add in a little cooked potato for a more Eastern Euro vibe. Plus vanilla. Add lots of vanilla essence.

    http://www.cookingforengineers.com/recipe/89/Cheesecake-Plain-New-York-Style

  45. Juddie says:

    Hi Loobylu!
    I just adore fresh green beans, so here is a simple and delicious bean recipe with very few ingredients:

    http://asmartmouth.com/2008/10/19/peppery-green-beans-with-sage-and-parmigiano-reggiano/

    Thanks for organising the givaway!

  46. Anary says:

    I love the site organization..the choice of colors are great…keep up the good job.
    My favorite treat and recipe..BRIGADEIRO…yummy
    http://www.maria-brazil.org/brigadeiros.htm