Tuesday 18 December 2012

Melted snowman biscuits

How to make melted snowman Christmas biscuits...

1. Make some Christmas biscuits...I'm a fan of the following recipe as it takes me back to my childhood and plus they are really easy to make thanks to the step by step picture guide!

2. Once the biscuits have cooled make some icing - I chose to make mine with icing sugar and water but you could opt for royal icing if you preferred . I made mine quite thick so it makes a even layer with the right amount of running off the edge.

3. The fun of these is that the icing doesn't have to be perfect, running over the side adds to the melted effect. Make sure the biscuits are on grease proof paper as it will make them easy to remove once the icing has set. 

4. The next step is to add the marshmallow heads. For this arrange the marshmallows on some grease proof paper and pop in the mircowave. The need no more than 5 seconds (depending on watts) as you want them to be firm on the outside but not running everywhere. Watch them closely they rise slightly and this is when you want to stop! 
5. While the icing is still sticky attach the melted marshmallow in one corner and squash down gently allowing the marshmallow to spread out.  

6. Allow the marshmallow and icing to set and then it's the fun part - decorating! You can be as creative as you want. I used shop bought icing pens to decorate mind and opted for festive red and green. 

7. Adding faces, bow ties or scarfs and some stick arms and buttons really brings them alive and makes them their own individual characters! 
8. Final  step - plate up and enjoy!

I sold mine at work in aid of charity and I am pleased to say there was none left at the end of the day...defiantly enjoyed!!









Monday 17 December 2012

Inked Christmas Cards

Getting creative this year I've made my own hand drawn cards. Here's some more of my designs...the stocking is my favourite especially once personalised.









Vintage finds...

Today is about packing up Vintage cups, saucers, plates and tea pots.
My mum had a coffee morning earlier this year raising an impressive £904.89 for Claire House children's hospice. With the event now out of the way and the house taking shape for Christmas they are being stored away safely until they are needed again.
I am planning on moving into a new home come the New Year and I have bagsied some precious finds to take with me. Some mix and match pieces should go down a treat!

Denby Posies


Duchess Bramble Rose


Myott Staffordshire England


Queen Anne Bone China

Friday 14 December 2012

Candy Cane Cakepops

These simple Christmas delights are easy peasy to make and are a fun edition to the traditional food offering at Christmas.

How to make candy cane cake pops

1. Make a plain sponge cake and let cool OR if you are like me and can't face the idea of making a cake to then blitz it into crumbs you can always cheat and buy one.
2. Blitz the cake into a bread crumb texture
3. Melt milk chocolate (I do this in a bowl over a pan of boiling water)
4. Remove the chocolate from the heat and mix the cake and chocolate together until all the cake is covered and has absorbed the chocolate
5. Then divide the mixture into small balls
6. Set them on grease proof paper so they are easy to remove once set
7. Before they set poke mini candy canes into the centre of the balls
8. Put aside in the fridge to set for approx 1h
9. Once the cakes are cooled remove from the fridge - you should be able to hold the candy cane with the cake ball still in place.
10. Melt some more chocolate white this time (creating the effect of snowballs)
11. Once melted dip the candy cake ball into the chocolate giving an even white coating all over
12. Allow the excess to drip off so not to create a chocolate puddle!
13. Before the chocolate sets dip or sprinkle with a topping of your choice.
14. Set aside on grease proof paper to set.
15. Once this has been done for all balls pop in the fridge again to have a final set.
16. Finally - eat and enjoy!!

I took my Candy Cane Cakepops to my work Christmas fuddle. Lots of smiles all round and lots of money made for charity too!!

Monday 10 December 2012

Felt Snowman

A winters afternoon being creative and moments later there are some frosty felt snowmen. Super cute and easy to make, these felt friends are going to be perfect winter warmers as card gifts this year.

Frosty the Snowman made by @GlitteredPink

Sunday 9 December 2012

Jazzy Felt Gingerbread Men

Earlier this year I set about making some felt gingerbread men to give as gifts this Christmas (Don't mind me I'm a Gingerbread man) . To jazz these up a little (and partly because I have run out of red ribbon) these gingerbread men look ready to P A R T Y!!

Felt Gingerbread Men made by @GlitteredPink

Saturday 8 December 2012

Felt Reindeer - hands off he's mine!

I am a massive fan of making things from felt, and getting a head start this Christmas I was searching for new characters to make and create. Browsing the web I came across http://gnathalie2.wordpress.com/category/attempted-sewing/ the super cute blog with a fab reindeer felt template. 

Felt reindeer made by @GlitteredPink
This template was more complex than my normal 2 piece but I thought I would give it a go....I love love love this felt reindeer and I think he is too nice to part with so will be taking pride of place on my tree instead.