Feb
2011

The Joy of Being Crafty

categories: Crafty, Sewing
The Joy of Being Crafty

The joy of a new crafty project. I cannot describe the feeling I get when I buy some bits & pieces to make something new. The potential success. The new skills. The end result. The oooing & ahing that will (hopefully) occur. This is what I plan will happen with these little bits that I picked up from Hobbycraft on Friday evening.

The Joy of Being CraftyThe Easter embroidery kit is for an Easter card that I plan to sew for my Granny. She’ll love it & keep it for ever! The other bits are for some jewellery that I plan to make. I’m not quite sure what yet, but I bought some bits to make earrings & I know how to make fasteners from the wire for bracelets & necklaces so sky’s the limit with these. The blue button isn’t for anything specific, but I just couldn’t resist it! I have a button addiction. (More on that in future posts!)

So you will have to check back in a few weeks to see how I’m getting on. Pics will definitely follow!


Jan
2011

Friday Cake Day

categories: Food & Drink

It was my turn to bring cakes in for our weekly cake day. Instead of buying of them, I thought I’d use my new Dualit handmixer & take advantage of the opportunity to try out some new recipes.

I had made cupcakes before, but I wanted to practice my icing techniques too. I received a lovely vintage icing kit from my OH’s mum for Christmas so I wanted to see how that worked too. 

Friday Cake Day CupcakeThe result was amazing. Someone even said that they looked professional and asked whether I had bought them from a shop! A lovely compliment. Cupcakes aren’t difficult to make & with a good icing bag or kit, some sprinkles & colourful cases, anyone can make professional looking cakes.

I also tried making a Victoria Sponge for the first time. The first attempt was a disaster, despite following the recipe to the letter. The reason: The oven was WAY too hot. It resulted in a lovely golden outside and a raw inside! Not what I was looking for. So for the second attempt, I used my trusty oven thermometer. The result was perfection. Some nice jam & freshly whipped cream later did in fact result in (Mary Berry’s) Perfect Victoria Sponge.

Definitely a perfect way to end the working week!