Hand Stitched Hearts

This week I have been putting some finishing touches to some hand stitched hearts, adding personal messages, embroidery and embellishment details.  Buttons, bows, ribbons, sequins, beads and jewels...I love them all!
A perfect past time for while snuggled up on these cold winter nights.

Snow snow snow!

The whole country has been talking about the snow...well I'm no different. I love it, especially when it is fresh. I was worried at the weekend that I wouldn't make it home but thanks to good old public transport and lifted rail restrictions I made it home and back with no bother at all!

Best part of it all...seeing my mum and my old lab Pacha who has been poorly but best of all, being able to play in the garden and make a cute snowman! 
Can you ever be too old to make a snowman?? I certainly hope not!!!

1 hour later Snowman 2013 and Snowdog where born...

Snowman and Snowdog

Snowman and Snowdog get a make over

Snowman 2013

Snowdog 2013

Pacha - the most amazing dog in the world!! Check out those paws...such a lady!

Felt Rose Pattern and Tutorial

Happy New Year!!

This year has got off to a bang, time is speeding by and sooo much has happened already...where did 2012 go?! 
There's lots that I would like to reflect on from 2012 as it was such an amazing year with some truly unforgettable moments but today is about looking forward, staying positive and ticking through that long list of New Year's resolutions....starting with Felt Flowers. 

Felt Flowers by @GlitteredPink

When looking online for a guide to how to make felt flowers I struggled to fine a pattern/ tutorial which was easy to follow and FREE! After a good hour on Pinterest, several websites/blogs and a couple of YouTube videos later I've done it... I hope this helps!! 

My guide to making Felt Rose Flowers - Pattern and Tutorial. Felt or paper they both work!

Felt Flowers by @GlitteredPink

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!!

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

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!!