Birthdays, Bargains and a Ta-Dah!

No, not my Birthday yet I'm afraid.

My Mum's. I made her some yummy (albeit abit GIANT) butterfly cakes.

Didn't you just used to love these as a kid? I don't have enough butterfly cakes in my life I've decided.

I must change that.

I had a play around with some gift wrapping ideas too, here I've used brown paper, garden twine and ...

wallpaper border!

I used a paper punch to cut circles out of the wallpaper and mounted them on scalloped discs (also cut with a paper punch) to make coordinating gift tags.

Not bad huh?! What do you think?

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Today I have had a (very) rare Charlie free day.

I popped into town and some how ended up in a Charity shop (!?!?) ;-)

Where I found this pretty vintage dress. It was initially RATHER LARGE even for me.

So I did the good old inside outy, pin me uppy trick then whizzed it through the sewing machine.

Hay Presto! It fits!

I Love it.

Finally for my Ta-Dah!

I did finish my hexie cushion that I mentioned last time.

It ended up being half the size of the original plan.

Put plans are made to be broken.

Thanks for being here.

Lots of Love

Katie

xxx

Cake anyone?

Happy Saturday ladies!

I hope you all have lots of lovely things planned.

I am still catching up with my "Christmas Chaos" posts.

It was such a busy time, that I didn't have much chance to post or get over to your blogs.

But I can assure you lots had been going on.

Here are a few little creations that have been rustled up in my kitchen lately.

The Christmas Gingerbread House!

This was the first time I had attempted a Gingerbread house from scratch.

I had been planning it for a little while and collecting little sweeties that I thought suitable.

I had a nosy around Pinterest to get some ideas, then sat down to draw up the pattern.

I used graph paper (I've never been a great measurer!) which made life much easier.

I first drew the piece for the front/back wall, the gable end where simple enough after that.

The roof proved most tricky, but I got there in the end.

After the important components were done (and I realised I had a fair bit of excess Gingerbread dough!) I faffed about with a chimney and dog house!

There was still plenty of dough left for multiple gingerbread men and angels too. :-)

After all the pieces where baked (and Charlie was tucked up in bed!!!) I got to constructing the house.

I used royal icing to stick it all together then added the sweeties.

The Snow dog and Snowman were Joe's creations. He spent ages carving a carrot nose out of a Dolly mixture!

I got through a kilo of icing sugar that day, I thought I'd make a huge batch and do the Christmas cake (which I will share with you soon) at the same time. Don't tell my Dentist please!

Below, a Birthday cake made for my Sister.

She loves pink, so I added a fair splodge of gel colouring to the cake batter.

Once baked it was VERY pink indeed, I wanted it to be a bit of a surprise so I whipped up a chocolate fudge icing as a disguise, then added a whole giant tube of pink smarties to the top.

You can't have too much Pink.

And lastly today, some cupcakes I made for a Birthday tea for Charlie we had with friends.

I must share Charlie's Birthday cake and the Christmas cake with you soon.

... Must hunt out the pictures ...

Have a great day and thanks for reading.

Love Katie

xxx

Better late than never ... Christmas swaps

I know I know...

Were well into January and I'm only now posting about Christmas.

I have been meaning to share these swap goodies with you.

Like I said ... better late than never.

Firstly, A little Christmas swap with my friend Lynda...

From Lynda:

Goodies Include: Lovely books and magazines, socks, sweet treats, sticky notes, some Cath Kidston goodies, a Hope and Greenwood advent calendar, an awesome Christmassy tea towel, some lovely stitched gifts made by Lynda and lots of bath treats.

All of which were wrapped beautifully in Christmas papers.

(I know, spoilt rotten again, aren't I!?)

This is what I sent to Lynda:

 I made: a little hexie stocking, some felt star decorations, reindeer cake toppers, a toadstool sewing set (scissor fob, needle case and pin cushion), some Christmas spice sugar scrub and a beaded heart decoration.

I also sent: some Yankee candles, a birdy scarf, diary, magazines, mug, labels and tape, Christmas socks, napkins, sweeties, a knitting pattern and ladybird book.

I really enjoyed this swap with Lynda, shes so kind and sweet.

Stocking Swap

Before Christmas I entered a Stocking swap hosted by The Undomesticated Scientist.

This was another great swap. I was paired up with Lisa Wiggins. At the moment, Lisa doesn't have a blog for me to link too (but I'm going to work on that!).

Lisa really is so talented, she makes the most beautiful things, you all really deserve to see the goodies she creates.

This is what I received from Lisa:

She made me: The most wonderful personalised stocking, a cute owl, an awesome card, bath bombs and soap, a russian doll key ring, a brooch, a tree decoration, a drawstring bag and pencil case (in this great Russian doll fabric!) and some homemade brownies and fudges!!!! The best I've ever tasted in fact.

I have asked Lisa to write us a little post with here recipes, so watch this space.

(Like I said, she's very talented isn't she!? And she had been very busy too, making all these wonderful goodies. I am so lucky!) 

I also received: a personalised tree decoration, some Yankee candles and votive, gingerbread men, mulled wine spices, fabrics and buttons, some Cath Kidston and a chocolate orange!

I'm sorry the fudge and brownies did not survive long enough to make it to the photo shoot!

But luckily for you, I did manage to take this picture (before they got scoffed!)

I sent Lisa:

A crocheted stocking, pig, owl and robin tree decoration (all made by me).

Some nuts and chocolates, candles, glitter pens, a Cath Kidston makeup purse, button soaps, an owl hand warmer, handmade card, a dried fruit hanging decoration and some crafting goodies.

I was so disorganised before sending this swap, that I forgot to take a picture.

Thank you Lisa very much for taking this photo and sending it to me!

last but by no means least...

The Advent Swap

This wonderful swap was hosted by Lynda at Hookin with Laalaa.

(unfortunately I can't link to Lynda at this time)

As you may know, this swap included 24 little presents (one for each day of Advent) and one larger present to be opened on Christmas morning).

I had intended to add pictures of the goodies to Flickr. I think I managed to do the first few days, before finding myself "snowed under" with Christmas preparations.

So instead I thought I would do a quick round-up.

I was paired up with the wonderful Judith. Judith is also not a blogger, but with out this swap we never would have met and I'm so glad I have. She also makes the most wonderful things.

To Judith:

I shan't list all the goodies I sent and received, we would be here all week!

I thought I would just give you a little detail about the handmade items I sent.

These Included: Some star decorated (like the ones I sent Lynda), A heart garland and beaded heart decoration, handmade reindeer cake toppers in a handmade envelope and a crocheted lavendar owl.

Whilst thinking about how I would number the parcels (and rummaging about in my "fit to burst" craftroom) I came across some tiny envelopes with matching cards. Just what I needed! I stamped numbers 1 - 25 on the mini envelopes and stamped a different Chrsitmassy image on the inside of each little card and coloured them in. These really remind me of a picture advent calendar we had as kids, I was so pleased with them.

From Judith:

Lucky Lucky me.

Each day I opened a parcel, I was just blown away by Judith's generosity and talent.

Amongst the items I received was:

A magazine, painted dolly pegs, drawer liners, a tea towel, yarns, soap, bath products, candles, diary, a mug.

I also was lucky enough to receive a hand knitted washcloth (by Judith), some of her lovely cross stitch, a wonderful handmade card and (perhaps my favourite thing ever!) a hook roll, made by Judith to hold all my crochet hooks.

All in all, three wonderful swaps. I can't thank Lynda, Lisa and Judith enough for their kindness.

Thank you for reading and well done if you made it to the end!!!

Happy new year.

Love Katie

xxxx

Hedgerow Harvest ... Tastes of Autumn

Hello Ladies.

Lots of pictures today, so I'll keep my waffling brief...

Recent Hedgerow Harvests

(two trips down the lane)

Blackberries (destine for Bramble jelly)

and

Rosehips (soon to be Rosehip Jelly)

Blackberries for "Bramble and Apple Jamming"

Beautiful beginnings, Bramble Jelly.

Smooth and Glossy, Bramble Jelly.

"Chuck it all in", Rosehip Jelly

Plenty of jars, in "jewel like" colours.

... What does one do with 14 jars of jam?!?!

Homemade Bakewell.

Dainty Jam Tarts.

And Gingerbread.

Gingerbread?!?!? I hear you cry!

Yes, Gingerbread was on the cards, but alas no Golden syrup!

That's when that cupboard FULL of Rosehip Jelly comes in handy!

Worked well. Tasted yummy.

And last but not least ...

Did you notice my teaspoons?

Charity shop of course.

Blooming cute.

Thanks for being here.

Lots of Love

Katie

xxx

Milly-Molly-Mandy's Things to Make and Do

I promised in an earlier post to tell you more about a new book of mine.

Milly-Molly-Mandy's Things to Make and Do.

First of all... It looks cute doesn't it?!?

It was the cute front cover that had drawn me in.

If you ever come across a copy, do pick it up and have a flick through the lovely pages full of cute illustrations and wonderful ideas for things to make and do!

Among others you will find things to make and do ... outdoors, in the kitchen, in the spring, summer, autumn and winter. Plus games for sunny and rainy days too.

Being the greedy guts I am. I went straight for the "in the kitchen" pages,

where I found simple recipes for coconut ice and "no-cook fudge".

They were so simple that I thought I had to try them out for myself.

The coconut ice was delicious and even won over my sceptical husband!

The fudge however was nice, but very very sweet (not a problem for me of course)!

Next time i think I'll try the Sugar Mice recipe! Yum yum.

All in all a very sweet book. Perfect for little girls (and big ones too!!)

Thanks for reading.

Love Katie

xxx

Simple Sewing

This week I've been enjoyed spending the evenings with needle and thread, happily stitching away.

Now although I have and know how to work a sewing machine, I don't find it relaxing like I do hand sewing.

So all sewing this week had been by hand, and numerous needle pricks and sore thumbs later this is the outcome.

A little CK purse using the kit from "Stitch", it's now the home for loose embroidery threads in one of my many sewing boxes.

Isn't my little Beatrix Potter pin cushion sweet? She was a Charity shop bargain, there is a flap that opens on the front to reveal the needle holder, with Beatrix storybook pictures on each page! Cute!

I've been meaning to whip up some drawstring bags for some of Charlie's small toys. I made both of these bags from one old pillowslip. I used the Chicken embroidery off a tea towel which I loved, that my dog ripped a hole in and an appliqued panel for the other from old cotton scraps.

Thanks for dropping in, I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Put your feet up and enjoy some Oat and Raisin cookies with me.

Love Katie xxx

Baking mad...

Just lately I've spent an awful lot of time in the kitchen.

I've made Regal carrot cake for the Jubilee celebrations,

Queen of Puddings using a National Trust recipe,

Chocolate cake for my Sister's 21st birthday,

Vanilla cookies for the Jubilee picnic

and I made attempted a Lego brick cake for my Brother's 26th birthday!

Phew ... 

.... all are long gone now!

I little reminder about the Jar of Love swap, there is still plenty of time to enter.

The more the merrier!

Have a lovely weekend,

Love Katie 

xxx

Queen of Tarts

A couple of years ago, my Husband brought me this book, that accompanied the Great British Bake-off series on BBC.

I really love it and have tried alot of the recipes like, Jumbles and lots of other biccies , Carrot Cake, Treacle Tart, Cupcakes and now ...

Bakewell tart.

I had never made them before (although I've always been good at eating them!) purely because I thought it would be too difficult. How wrong I was!

With the help of my good friend "ready to roll" pastry, this was a breeze and really scrummy too.

(if I do say so myself!)

Happy Monday all!

Love Katie xx

A Little Lemon

Sometime ago I told you about a friendship cake that was passed on to us.

Well a short while later we received a second one. (That must mean I have at least two friends! hehe)

I loved making the friendship cake and watching it happily bubble away on my windowsill but I didn't want to pass on a second cake, so I kept it all to myself!

The first time around I made the cake with apples, sultanas and spice.

This time I made one batch of Strawberry and white chocolate muffins (with yummy homemade jam). Then the rest went into lemon muffins and a little lemon cake.

I had my little helper ready to do some serious mixing (and spatula licking)

Share the love and share the cake, that's my motto.

Love Katie xxx

Buzz the bubbling mess ....

Never owned a Buzz? Well you should!

Buzz is a friendship cake a good friend passed on to me. You receive a little tub of what I suppose is a yeasty starter mix and a set of instructions. You "nurture" and feed Buzz for 10 days. Once he's fully grown you split him into 5 little baby Buzz and pass them onto your friends with a set of instructions.

Unfortunately I do not have a photo of my baked Buzz to show you, because frankly ... I ate the lot!

But here is a lovely link where you can get the recipe needed to start your own!

Friendship cake link

Have fun and spend the love!

Love Katie xxx

P.S I'd love to see pictures, if you do birth a Buzz! 

... He was right all along ...

On Friday I did a little baking, ready for the party on Saturday. When I told my Husband I would be baking that day, his reply was ... "so there'll be kitchen carnage tomorrow?".

Of course, I did not react well to this comment. I insisted I'm a very tidy cook and never leave a mess.

I decided to try out my new piping nozzles on the cupcakes, but Alas! I had no piping bags so had to improvise and make my own.

This was the result of said decision .....

Oops...

Love Katie xxx

Too many eggs ... ?

Is it possible to have too many eggs? Personally, I think not!

Lucky for me, there's a chocolate factory in a nearby town.

Said chocolate factory has a factory shop.

Said shop has.... lots of chocolate! (really?!)

Yes! and it's cheap as chips.

I am having a get together on Saturday, with a bit of an Easter theme, that means lots of  cakes decorated with lots of eggs!

(Did you notice my cheeky little teacup, peeping around the corner? That brings me onto my next topic....)

Too many buttons?

I had a little bit of a Charity shop crawl on Saturday.

I bagged myself a HUGE bag of buttons, as well as teacups, picture frames and this pretty tapestry mat. 

I also saw a lovely jigsaw puzzle of an antique map of Britain. I bought it of course. I thought it would look great framed. That means I will  my husband will have to assemble it first, all 1250 pieces of it!

What this space... 

I'll leave you with this garland I made. I mentioned it in my last post. Im not sure about it to be honest. 

In my head it looked fab, once I'd actually made it, not so fab. It's on trial, I'll keep looking at it for a week, then I'll decide it's fate. It may be taken down and pulled to bits yet.

Happy Monday to you all.

Hope your having a great day.

Love Katie xxx

Sorry it's been a while ...

I'm sorry it's been soooooo long since I last posted.

My computer died on me weeks and weeks ago, but thankfully now we're back to normal.

My friend, Amanda came to visit yesterday. She brought with her this Daffodil crochet pattern. We spent all day fiddling with crochet hooks, trying to make sense of the pattern whilst the kiddies made lots of noise and mess!

Anyway, last night I sat down and had a proper go at it and here it is! I didn't get as far as doing the stem, but it looked pretty straight forward.

I'm pretty chuffed with the end result. Let me know what you think, Amanda! xx

When we were kids we used to have such lovely birthday cakes. I have made it an aim this year to try to bake cakes for family birthdays. Mum had a carrot cake and so did my Husband, Joe. My parents and sister, Suzie made me a lovely coffee cake for my birthday and here's Dad's cake... A lemon chiffon cake with lemon icing. Yum Yum.

I'm glad to be back and can't wait to catch up on every ones goings on..

Love Katie xx