What is Pinterest? Pinterest is an online pin board of ideas and inspiration. If you, like me, have a stash of pages torn from magazines in a corner of your house somewhere (they *ahem* might even be categorised and alphabetised) then this is the 21st Century format. It’s based on the age old premise that a picture tells a thousand words. And it’s a gift to those of you lucky enough to have a tablet, where images play a very … [Read more...]
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Biscuits with fondant icing ribbons
I spent a couple of hours with a big blob of sugar paste last week so that I can bring you these biscuits. So, first you will need a batch of your favourite biscuits. I tried an all butter recipe, but I wasn't all that impressed and tend to favour the biscuit recipe in The Biscuiteers book. Who wouldn't? Anyhow, make your biscuits and cut out circles, then bake and leave to cool. Once cool, then pipe a line of white royal icing around the … [Read more...]
Pink Pillowcase dresses
I have been meaning to make pillowcase dresses since I saw them on Red Ted's blog, but our last minute holiday this week provided the ideal opportunity. I have been collecting random pillowcases from charity shops in advance of doing this because I have every intention of making some more, once I've cracked it, to send to Sew Scrumptious for her dress appeal. The steps really are surprisingly simple: to give you an idea, I made these in an … [Read more...]
Pumpkin cake: a tutorial
If you are having a Pumpkin-themed party, as we do every October half-term, then you will be in need of a centrepiece. Step forth my guide to creating a marvellous Pumpkin cake. It was a big hit last year. Firstly, of course, you need to make your cake. I opted for three layers of cake, made with recipes I use regularly, but it would be just as easy to use a cake mix, or indeed shop-bought. The layers are for the height, as a 'classic' pumpkin … [Read more...]
How to fill a large wall space
I briefly mentioned the dining room when talking about our resident seagull a few days ago. Keith inhabits one wall of the room, which has changed quite a lot in the past few months: the alcove shelving has been built, the walls have been painted (Farrow and Ball Chinese Blue in case you are curious) and I was given a beautiful French Dresser in February for our fifth wedding anniversary, which traditionally is represented by a gift in … [Read more...]
Cork popping: Make Your Own Nativity
I can't remember when I started saving Champagne corks. In our last house we had a lovely big hand-blown glass bowl, bought on the very first holiday that DH and I ever took together, that sat on a table, filled with champagne corks, all of which had a significance. They all bore the date and event at which they were consumed, and I loved adding to them, or plucking one from the bowl, reading the information and remembering the happy event they … [Read more...]
Smashing Pumpkins: a tutorial!
It's the night before our Annual 'Pumpkin Party'. I say 'Annual' but the first one was only last year, so I don't know whether it can be annual yet. I say Pumpkin Party, but the theme is much less visible than last year's affair, mainly because I was a bit slow to get my act together this year. In fact I have a massive list of things that need doing, making and buying before 2.30pm tomorrow, when a small but distinguished group of two- and … [Read more...]
