Feeling Blue?
This very pale, icy duck egg blue is my latest obsession. I really can’t get enough, I’ve packed all my pink away, banished to the bedroom because I am in love with blue. I think it happened when I moved into my new flat, as a victorian period property pale blue seemed so much more fitting and refreshing. This is a little snap shot of my crafting basket – I am eagerly preparing for Christmas and decorating the flat for autumn.
I am currently making some festive wool pom poms with the wool I got from the very lovely and super unique, Loop on Cross Street, Islington. I am not too sure what to do with them yet, I have a few ideas but I think I’ll squirrel them away until something is finished.
I am also acquiring an healthy obsession with these gorgeous East of India ribbons, Not on The High Street have the most wonderful selection of lovely stuff and I am slowly becoming bankrupt buying everything up. I am in a bit of a creative frenzy at the moment I just want to make everything, spend all day crafting but I have to work. I enjoy what I do but I long to take some time off and just make things, feel inspired and re-connect a little. So feeling blue? A little. I am sure the prospect of Christmas decorations, pumpkin carving and Present and Correct will keep me chipper until the Christmas break.
The Make Lounge Cupcakes
Last night I went to a cupcake decorating course at The Make Lounge in Islington and here are the fruits of my labour. It was a lot of fun and I learnt a fair amount about cakes and the different ways you can decorate them. I learned about the joys of marzipan and how best use it, the best way to color ripple butter cream and how to fall in love with cake glitter.
I went for an Ice blue and lemon lime colour-way to be different I managed to resist the pink for once. I think they came out quite nicely, however I would love to practice more so I improve my piping and come up with new ideas. Please note my new milk glass urn in the picture, I snapped up this beauty for a mere £4 at a Hoxton street market – joy!
Enough about the cake and more about The Make Lounge. Anyone near London or visiting you should certainly book yourself on a course, it’s so much fun and there’s such a good atmosphere. The course options are endless with sewing, cushion making, candle making, rubber stamp carving and so much more the list goes no and on. It’s a been a crafty hectic week so far….. I’ve really enjoyed it!
Strawberry Sandwich?
Saturday morning’s American style fluffy pancakes left me with a handful of left-over strawberries and to be resourceful I created my take on the classic victoria sponge. I used fresh cream not buttercream and real strawberries over jam – personally I prefer the fresh version, it’s so sweet, yummy and perfect with a cup of tea.
This cake reminds me of being a child when my mum used to make this exact cake but layer it 3-4 sponges high, filled with lashing of cream and strawberries – makes mine feel quite modest. The higher the better really, perhaps when the weather warms I’ll make a sky high strawberry slice? When strawberries are back in season – it’s now time to use some more seasonal fruit.
I am pretty excited by the week ahead, yes I’ve got to work, but mid-week I am off to the Make Lounge to a cupcake decorating evening course. I am attending with Holly, so hopefully we’ll have lots of fun. If anyone is a crafter in the UK and hasn’t heard of the Make Lounge in London, have a peek they offer some great courses. I’ll be sue to let everyone know how it goes – hopefully I’ll come out a pro piper and dab-hand decorator?!
Matcha Flag Cupcakes
So it seems Sunday really is turning into my baking day, I am strangely addicted to baking and perfecting of late. These latest cupcakes are Matcha, that very strange, bright green ground tea powder that is said to work wonders for you. It’s super rich in anti-oxidants and perks you up a treat, which is just what we all need on these very chilly October days. I am a green tea addict so Matcha makes for the perfect cake, not to mention the novelty factor of chowing down on bright, lush green sponge – grassy.
The colour of the cupcakes really inspired me to create some new cake decorations, as nothing in my baking cupboard matched the green brief. I’ve seen some text flags in cupcakes on other blogs and they are a favourite of Amy Atlas, but with the Japanese feel to Matcha this oriental paper seemed more fitting. The flags themselves are so simple to make all you need is paper and cocktail sticks – and a dab of glue.
It’s been a very relaxing weekend here in Highbury, there’s been lots of cycling, eating steak at Garufa, watching Strictly Come Dancing and listening to my new music lovelies (Mumford and Sons, Hockey and Sky Larkin). Currently hatching craft plans for Christmas – I can’t wait! I will be posting up some of these recipes soon, just working out a place to locate them on the blog.
