Christmas Cake Two

Well the fruit had time to soak in the brandy and then it was time to make the cakes. Here they are now.

The mixture prior to cooking 

In the oven note cover the top of each cake and double line tins stops edges becoming scorched and dried out as the cake takes four and a half hours to cook in the bigger tins.

 The finished cakes ready to feed with brandy until just before Christmas when they'll be covered in marzipan and iced.

Smaller cakes take less time to cook but they make great little gifts and I always get requests for small cakes.

These cakes will then be wrapped in grease proof paper and feed weekly with brandy to give them the right Christmas boozy taste. Keep them in tins not plastic boxes to ensure freshness . 

Christmas Cake

Well I have got my fruit soaking in brandy ready to make my Christmas cakes. Apparently is smells divine, sadly I cannot smell it myself as an accident when I was very young robbed me of my sense of smell. And before you ask, I have a great sense of taste and its very good  so I can detect the smallest trace of mint or garlic.

Here is the fruit I have selected for my cake. It includes cherries, mixed peel,  apricots, sultanas and raisins . No currants as I hate the gritty little things but if you like use them. Any recipe can be adapted to any fruit you like so you could include dates, prunes or even dried mango, apple or pear.
 

I will show each stage of the cake making and provide the recipe if anyone requests it I cab guarantee perfect results each time. 

Holiday shots

Just got back from holiday in Italy had a great time but now have to get back to all the jobs, sewing crafting scrapbooking etc. Watch out for future posts, but here are a few photos to run with for now.

Mount Vesuvius 

Bags for Fun

Since I'm going off on hols shortly I decided I needed a bag for a few bits and pieces to take down to the beach and on days out. I thought about buying something well perhaps i should go for something waterproof or something with lots of compartments etc etc.  However, whilst I was out getting some supplies for another project I saw some lovely blue spotted material plus some cream and blue floral coordinating fabric and I thought .... why not make a bag?

So fabric was purchased and here's what I made. I'm very please with the outcome I know its not waterproof and probably therefore not as practical as it could be but I like it. I love the colour and the combination of fabrics.

I have attached the handles with a large box stitch well down the length of the bag to ensure the bag can carry a fair amount of weight. The handles are also long so the bag can be slung over the shoulder

The bag is padded to ensure safe transport of  i pad, cameras  and phones

Yummy coordinated lining

Wreaths of delight

My friend Stella came round the other day armed with one of her projects. She always has great ideas as she is very creative. They usually involve sewing which I love but am nowhere as good as she is at doing them. This time, however,no sewing was involved.

She had seen a YouTube video on line by Lealu a fabulous designer, (see her site on  http://www.lealu.co.uk/index.html) for some shabby chic garlands . Stella thought it would be a good idea to translate this technique into masking some garlands. 

All you need is a wreath base, hessian, scented soap hearts, rose buds, ribbon. lace, sacking, string,  and fabric scraps. Plus lots and lots of patience and nibble fingers. The end result I think is worth it though. What do you think?

Pink pink and more pink

I'm a bit late doing this post but I thought Id share with you my daughters birthday cake I made. I was rather pleased with the end result, what do you think?

Each year I try to make her something a bit different this year I went for all things pink...well except for some blue flowers and white and yellow centered daisies. My friend said it had a 'Magic Roundabout' feel about it, not sure. 

My daughter definitely liked it she said it was a wonderful surprise and having just got back from a week in Barcelona I think I can take that as a win. 

Felting Fish and stuff

I have been doing a lot of stitching felting and general sewing of late and sadly scraping has gone a bit on the back burner. Now I have lots to do, hopefully I should get some done on Wednesday. However, I have made some interesting bits and pieces. Here are just a few. 

I have also made my daughter a fab summer dress and some aprons