Today I felt like baking :)

Today I had a whole morning to myself which does not happen often so I baked :)

First on the agenda a batch of sweet Paté brisé adapted from a french recipe I have had for years.

While that was in the fridge resting. I started the first batch of double chocolate & chocolate chip muffins followed by a batch of carrot and banana muffins for my kids lunch boxes this week.

For some reason I then had the idea to turn them into cupcake trees which i had been contemplating trying to create for some time. SO this prompted me to make a batch of butter cream icing divide it up and colour it pink, yellow and orange. Fantastic! I used my new powder colours which I bought from V a fantastic Chocolatier in Dubai who taught me chocolate basics.

Then I made a from scratch creme pattisserie and added the juice of 1/2 an orange which made it taste divine.

Once cooled and thickened I spread it in the cooked paté brisé pastry case and sliced the strawberries for the top. My son Toby and I made the star pattern on top  together (My sons were both home from school by this time!)

I iced the muffins this evening and made the cupcake bouquets. It was actually surprisingly easy. I found that putting the cupcakes in the fridge first made them more secure when attached. In the spaces between the cupcakes to hide the styofoam ball it is all stuck into I used shreaded tissue paper from my sons craft supplies (luckily we had a full and varied stock just for this type of emergency :)  and pushed it in the gaps. I used a colour which i thought worked best with the icing.

 

I hope you like them

HollyG x

Layer Cakes - Quilting Class

I have always wanted to try quilting. So I signed myself and my Mother-in-Law up for a basic layer cake quilting course. This blog will follow our progress:

 

Pre Course Work:

 

• Cut your fabric into 6.5 inch Squares using a cutting board and rotary cutter. (Ours were  already cut up as they came as part of the course fees.)
• I am making a 6 x 6 square quilt & so I need 36 Squares.
• My Mother-in-Law is making a 5 X 8 rectangular quilt & so she is using 40 Squares.
• Arrange them until you are happy with the layout.

TIP1: Take a photo of the layouts as you do them. They look different on screen and when you go back and chooser the one you like you can be sure to be able to quicky re-create the earlier design.

 

TIP2: Use an old sheet or piece of fabric 36 inches  by 36 inches and pin your fabric squares to it in the arrangement you want.

 

TIP 3: Label your squares I used little red sticker you can buy at the stationary store.

 

A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6

B1-B2-B3-B4-B5-B6
C1-C2-C3-C4-C5-C6
D1-D2-D3-D4-D5-D6
E1-E2-E3-E4-E5-E6
F1-F2-F3-F4-F5-F6

 

1)                                                                              2)

3)

First Day of the Course - Sewing them together...

• Starting from the top right hand square
• Place A6 on A5 Right sides together and then in the same manner
• B6 on B5
• C6 on C5
• D6 on D5
• E6 on E5
• F6 on F5

 Now with your sewing machine....

• Now sew on the right hand edge a 1/4 inch seam. Do not cut the thread before sewing the right-hand edge of B6 and B5 in the same manner. They will be connected by the thread. Continue untill all six are completed.
•  At this stage they resemle bunting. A long string of cotton with square flags on it. :)
•  Open them up along the seam.
• Make sure they are all in the right place - the thread can get twisted!
• and iron them flat ensuring that the seams are flat.(You can iron them to one side or open them out - it's up to you)
• Next place A4 on A3 Right sides together and then in the same manner
• B4 on B3
• C4 on C3
• D4 on D3
• E4 on E3
• F4 on F3
• Repeat the "Now with your sewing machine" stage.

• Next place A2 on A1 Right sides together and then in the same manner
• B2 on B1
• C2 on C1
• D2 on D1
• E2 on E1
• F2 on F1
• Repeat the "Now with your sewing machine" stage.

Now you will have 3 strips of 2x6 squares.



Next Step

• Starting from the top right hand side again
• Place A6 and A5 on top of  A3 and A4 Right sides together and then in the same manner
• B6/B5 on B3/B4
• C6/C5 on C3/C4
• D6/D5 on D3/D4
• E6/E5 on E3/E4
• F6/F5 on F3/F4

 Now with your sewing machine....

• Now sew on the right hand edge a 1/4 inch seam. Do not cut the thread before sewing the right-hand edge of B6 and B5 in the same manner. They will be connected by the thread. Continue untill all six are completed.
•  At this stage you will have sewn 2 rows together and so when opened out you will have 4x6 squares :)
•  Open them up along the seam.
• Make sure they are all in the right place
• and iron them flat ensuring that the seams are flat.(You can iron them to one side or open them out - it's up to you)

to be continued...

Holly G.

This blog is dedicated to my passion for all things crafty. I love baking, sewing, chocolate making, cake decorating and anything at all creative.

Married for 13 years I have 2 lovely boys aged 7 & 2

I intend to upload my own projects, recipes, and tutorials as well as advertise my small business selling edible arrangements, cakes, chocolates and other exquisite homemade items.

I hope you like my site and return often xxx

Holly G.