Baking cakes June 14, 2010

When we were small we always knew when a Sunday afternoon visit to Auntie Sarah’s was scheduled. We would arrive home from church and Mum would whip up a world class Victoria sponge before we knew what was happening. As wonderful as Auntie Sarah was the sponge cake was definitely the highlight of the visit! My mothers cake and bread making ability is well documented and talked about – her wholemeal bread is second to none and as for her Christmas cakes…well they’re just another story entirely! What is less talked about is her complete lack of talent for any other kind of cooking. The suggestion of Mum cooking dinner results in a flurry of volunteers to pay for take away.

Anyway, this weekend I decided to make a Victoria sponge for my long suffering boyfriend and his brother. In fact, I made lots of Victoria sponges…not because I was especially fond of them but because I couldn’t get it right. Who would have thought it could be so difficult to get a recipe with 4 ingredients right? By Sunday morning I was distraught…I had called Mum for advice, we established that my ingredients were in fact at room temperature, I was using unsalted butter and the right kind of flour. The eggs were organic and free range. I had to call in local re-enforcements. Enter Caroline!

Between us we finally established that I was using the wrong attachment on my food mixer and we finally got it right. I sliced some fresh strawberries and layered whipped cream over it all. Tom was charged with holding our creation on his lap and keeping it safe while I drove us to Camden where the cake was very happily received.

Another successful mission in the kitchen I think! Here’s a rather rubbish picture. I really must start using my camera and not my iPhone.

To Kill A Mocking Bird June 11, 2010

I must be the only person in the world who reached the age of 28 and hadn’t read this book. As soon as I’d finished I wanted to start again.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect – a classic of course but would I enjoy it because I knew it was a classic or because I had become consumed by it as I have been with other favourite books.

I was consumed…I had very quickly fallen in love with the inimitable Scout and can’t think of a character who had managed to worm her way so effectively into my affections. I loved her outlook on life and her ability to simplify the most complex issues through simple childhood naivety. When my journey with her was over I was genuinely lonesome for our friendship that had ended.

Atticus is also a fantastic character and rightly deserves his place as a moral standard for so many people around the world.

2010 is the 50th anniversary of the publication of the book and rather disappointingly Harper Lee has declined every invitation to speak about the book with a hearty “Hell no!”

Making a mess June 11, 2010

I’ve been a very naughty blogger…well at the very least I’ve been very remiss about updating. I’ve worked on lots of little projects over the last few weeks. I made some pretty place settings for my partners mum and some gift tags for my mum to use as well as lots of mothers day cards. I had intended to take lots of pictures but didn’t! I’ll behave better in future!

I did take a picture of the mess I made. The fun part about crafting is making the mess and watching my neat freak partners reaction to it. I don’t get quite so excited about cleaning it up though!

a craft bomb hit!

Decopatch March 26, 2010

I said I’d post the Decopatch projects that I completed this week and so here they are!

Its a really easy technique. There are specialist papers, glues and brushes available but to get started archive glue and any paper will do.

Decopatch paper is available and the benefit is that the colors and prints don’t run when the glue is applied. I found lots of different prints and accessories on the Artyfect website. They’re a bit more expensive than some of the other Decopatch suppliers out there but they seem to have more stock and really reliable deliveries.

I’m still learning but practice makes perfect etc etc etc.

Made Marion (www.mademarian.net) posted some time back about Mod Podge jam jar lids which I think I’m going to try with Decopatch.

Craft and stitch show March 26, 2010

Last weekend after returning to rainy London from a fantastic few days at the Cheltenham Festival I had settled upon a quite Saturday at home sorting my life out. There was laundry to be done, groceries to be picked up and cleaning to be endured. I took off to do our grocery shop and as I got in the car I got a message from Sunita – another crafty friend to say that she was at the Craft and Stitch Show at Olympia and I should really get myself around there quick smart.

So I did. My word….it was a crafters paradise! I picked up some treats that had been on my shopping list for ages. I finally invested in a really pretty Martha Stewart border punch. There is a great range available at the www.thecraftbarn.co.uk.  I also picked up lots of embellishments and card for card making. I am particularly excited about my Decopatch purchases though. I had done this in the past with normal paper and archive glue but I got some  special gloss Decopatch glue and special Decopatch paper. I’ll post the results soon.

I rambled around the show for a few hours looking for ideas and spending waaaay too much money! My adventure was spoiled by a very concerned boyfriend who wondered what had happened to me between our house and the supermarket. Needless to say that he was a little taken aback when I told him that I’d taken a small (4 hour)  detour and I’d be home presently. The grocery shopping had to wait another day!

Mothers day March 12, 2010

What better excuse to make some pretty cards than Mothers day. I spent last Saturday making some girlie cards for all my mothers. I must be the only person who needs 6 mothers day cards Making them for my mum, my adopted nana, my sisters in law, my boyfriends mother and his sister is a great excuse to spend an afternoon making a mess.

Here are the fruits of my labour (apologies for the poor light)

Baking mad March 12, 2010

I started this blog post months ago and never quite got around to finishing it. At the time I had just found this great website and although I hadn’t actually made any of the recipes I was super excited about getting started.

Since then I’ve had an opportunity to make some yummy cakes. The most successful was a birthday cake I made for my friend Des when I invited him and his wife (my wonderful friend Pany) for dinner to celebrate. It was a chocolate chocolate chocolate cake which went down a treat. It was the first cake I’d ever made and while it wasn’t quite perfect it was a very valiant attempt for a first time.

I’ve also made the rocky road or refrigerator cake (depending on where you’re from) which went down a treat with Toms nephews. I added some of those chocolate coated honeycomb bits that can be found in M&S and the result was very tasty indeed!

This weekend I’ve planned lots of baking. I’m making a Victoria Sponge for Tom and his brother James. I’m  also going to make some brownies with pistachios as a mid-week treat for my work colleagues. There’s a really nice idea for a chocolate and meringue fondue so I’m going to practice that this weekend and if I get it right I’ll bring it along to a BBQ next week.

I’ve added the website to my links – go and explore!

Unknitting projects March 12, 2010

Last year while we were wrapped up warm in Cornwall I knit these mittens. They were a perfect design for me – I’ve got long gangly fingers so I liked that I could make the finger bits as long as I needed them to be.

It was a big challenge for me. It was the first project I’ve done where cabling was required and its amazing that such a simple technique can produce such a lovely result. I was delighted with the end product.

I never actually wore them though because cute as they may be mittens are just downright impractical. I can’t use my iPod, turn pages or get my travel card from my handbag! So, one night this week I was feeling especially brave and decided to “unknit” my mittens and turn them into fingerless gloves instead. I’ve finished one and I like the result even better than before. I’ll post an image of the result soon

Learning to sew March 12, 2010

I’ve been a really busy bunny for the last few weeks. My wonderful friend Caroline gave me the Cath Kidston Sew book and the decision was made – I must buy a sewing machine. The decision wasn’t particularly well throught through considering that I never learned to sew despite my mum being a master at the craft!

I bought a very basic machine – always best to go middle of the range when you don’t know what you’re doing. In hindsight I probably should have gone to John Lewis and asked for a lesson before buying a machine. You can register for demonstrations and lessons free of charge if you’re looking to buy a machine and its a great way for those less cavalier than me to make a decision!

I got my machine home and realise that actually I had no idea how to set it up, thread it or use it. My boyfriend was on hand to help me set the machine up. He somehow knew how to thread the machine. I thought it best not to ask how he had picked up such a skill – i figured there was no good answer to the question.

So I have been sewing away. Its easier than you’d expect once you get the basics right. Here are two little projects that I’ve just finished. Both are patterns that came with the Cath Kidston book. Its a great book and full of lovely projects. My only criticism would be that some of the instructions aren’t as step by step as I needed. I think a basic skill is required but its always fun to learn on the job!

Its a crafty disaster February 1, 2010

So its been a while since I posted but this is for many reasons. Laziness is definitely up there – I’m struggling to find inspiration or energy to sit down and make things. The most I’ve done since Christmas has been to make some yummy soups and curries.

However, I have a better excuse for not actually crafting….my knitting bag was a casualty of seriously over weight luggage at Shannon Airport on my return to the UK after Christmas. My dad had to gingerly leave the airport with a very flowery knitting bag with ribbons and needles sticking out. For an ex-army macho man this was a serious hit to his street cred. In fact, I don’t think he has entirely forgiven me.

Its all good though. I’m promised that my knitting bag will be despatched to London with my sister when she comes in two weeks time. When it does finally arrive I shall post pictures of some very pretty swatches I crocheted over Christmas.

Happy new year!