Sunday 20 November 2011

christmas cat & card

Couldn't resist posting this pic of my cat Tom 
(as he jumped into shot while capturing my new creation on camera)! 
I printed the type onto ivory card and then added the glitter and bow. 






handmade christmas cards

I'ts been a while since my last post - work has that nasty habit of taking over! 
Anyway, I have decided to make my family christmas cards 
(with the intention of actually finishing them - this year!) 
I was inspired by some lovely examples of handmade cards that I found online
'homemade gifts made easy'. 



I used designer paper, which I cut into the various bauble shapes. I then applied a little glitter with PVA to parts of the bauble to make it look a bit more festive. Although I usually buy my cards pre-cut, I printed the messages onto ivory linen card using an ink jet printer, then cut and folded them to size. I used double sided tape to attach the ribbon and a hot glue gun to attach the bow and diamante. 




Monday 15 August 2011

thomas the tank engine - 1st birthday cake

my first post for a short while -  and my first attempt at a thomas the tank engine birthday cake for my nephews.
i chose a coconut cake with coconut flavoured butter cream. i usually always stick to my tried and tested chocolate or carrot cake recipe but thought i'd use this opportunity to try something new. i covered the cake with light blue fondant icing, which i also used to make the cake topper and decorations.
the cake topper took the best part of the day - as the face was tricky to get right. i took my inspiration for my cake from pictures of existing celebration cakes from the internet. i also found an excellent tutorial for making the fondant thomas cake topper on you tube.

i didnt ice the cake board as i had officially lost the will to live after spending all day on it (as much as enjoyed it - i'd had enough). Plus i didn't think it needed it as it may detract attention away from the cake - well that's my excuse anyway and i'm sticking to it!
i did intend on taking step by step pics but with my hands covered in icing sugar and fondant colouring paste i didn't want to wreck my new camera - however my husband took a few of the cake topper for me, although a little out of focus - sorry!


i will put some ribbon around the edge of the board later before I deliver it.



i used sugar paste cutters for the flowers and hand cut the trees, grass, tunnel and track. I used a pizza cutter and knife to hand cut the other features and edible glue to attach them.

Sunday 24 July 2011

happy birthday

It's my friends birthday in a couple of weeks, so I thought it was a great excuse to experiment with my new sugar and spice designer paper. I like the colour scheme, but as my 6 year old niece and husband pointed out - it looks like a ship! I was hoping to achieve a topsy turvy cake.  

I thought maybe adding another tier? Also not keen on the flame either - any suggestions? 

Thursday 21 July 2011

cupcake shoulder bag

As it was my nieces 6th birthday today it was a great excuse to design and make a new shoulder bag.  I made the cupcake on the front of the bag into a pocket and included a press stud.


Tuesday 19 July 2011

abstract flowers

left blank for any occasion

bags of fun


With a little extra time on my hands I decided to make a quick fabric handbag.
I chose corduroy for the outer bag and polycotton for the lining. I also added a lined adjustable handle and patch pocket. I think the fastening tab and button finishes the bag off nicely and adds more security (with the user in mind.)
I machine stitched the bag, including the button hole.

Thursday 30 June 2011

new home

My latest creation-  patterned cardstock, textured paper and hand designed wooden buttons.


Tuesday 28 June 2011

lots of love...

I love using buttons, threads and other bits and bobs from around the house.  For this design I've used a piece of tape measure (that I kept from a Christmas cracker), felt, a button, patterned card stock and hand embroidered handmade paper.



Monday 27 June 2011

it's a boy greetings card

My latest creation using patterned cardstock, felt and mini pegs.