Happy Halloween Cakes

Well, as the nights get longer and it gets colder outside, I find myself wanting to do more things indoors like sewing and baking.

Today, because it's Halloween, I have made these scrummy cupcakes. The sponge is banana sponge which my favourite at the moment. I follow a VERY simple recipe which you can find here I love it because there are only a few ingredients  and it is all cooked in one pot so is quick and mess free...almost!

I made up some icing with butter and icing sugar and added some green colouring. I got the cases and the ghost decoration from the pound shop and I thought they were rather cute and a bargain at £1.

 

I can't wait to sample them this evening but in the meantime I'm off to sort out my costume...

 

VVx

 

 

Well hello new sewing machine...

So here is my new friend...yes it's a 21st century sewing machine and don't get me wrong, I am the biggest advocate of all things 'old' and 'vintage' but my 1960s machine just didn't make it I'm afraid. The poor old thing kept jamming and I found that sewing was becoming more frustrating than relaxing so I decided that I would have to give in a join the world of the modern sewing machine.

 

My husband ordered this model for me; it's a Toyota (recommended to me by my sewing teacher) so hopefully it should last a good while, although the model I originally wanted was an ECO15a. My model, as you can see for the picture below, is the Jeans model...not that I'm planning on making any jeans but you never know, and was sent to me because they had run out of the more basic version. Who am I to argue if they want to send me a better machine for a cheaper price!

 

 

This week I experimented with making so Christmas bunting with the intention of giving it to my mum for her birthday in November. I saw a similar thing in a craft magazine so I thought I'd give it a go.

 

What do you think? 

 

 

 

And here is a close up. I made stocking shapes and triangle (tree) shapes. I then sewed on some buttons and attached it all to the red ribbon. The stockings were left open as I thought it would be a lovely idea to pop a little pressie into each one.

 

 

This could also be adapted to become advent calendar. You could even sew or stitch on numbers 1-24 and put a present in for each day. How lovely would that be!? 

 

 

 

VVx

Lots more upcycling

I've been busy recently sourcing and painting some new bits and pieces. Here is my latest project. It's a sewing table which was originally dark brown. I painted it in Annie Sloan's Paloma paint, which has a lovely lilac tone to it.



 

 

 

And here is the inside. I covered the little shelf with some good quality, thick paper and then added my own sewing bits to trial it out. Very cute, I think you'll agree. 

 

 

This is a table I found at my local house clearance. I gave it several licks of Annie Sloan Paris Grey paint and wax and created this beauty. All it needs now is a new owner. If you're interested in any of these pieces then contact me for a quote, I promise you my prices are very reasonable! 

 

 

I have been thoroughly engrossed in sewing and even have a brand new sewing machine so watch this space for more piccies of my latest creations.

 

 

VVx

Retro Tea Trolley

 

I have had a few projects on the go recently and have just sold my first piece!

 

It's often difficult to part with the furniture as I tend to buy pieces that I love myself. But, I have little choice as we are at risk of becoming over-run by it all!

 

Here is a beautiful tea trolley that I upcycled. I painted it in Annie Sloan's Paris Grey chalk paint and then waxed with clear Annie Sloan wax. I thought it would look lovely in the kitchen, to use for dinner parties; imagine what this would look like laden with yummy desserts...

 

 

 

However, this beauty was once a rather ugly duckling. Just take a look at this...

 

 

 

So, onwards and upwards to my next project which is a quirky little sewing box/table: watch this space for its amazing transformation.

 

 

VVx

 

The sewing bug

It seems I haven't posted in a while. That's because I've been sewing, sewing and sewing.

I've always thought that I should enjoy baking more, don't get me wrong I do enjoy it but don't seem to have the patience with preparing something for hours only to then scoff it down in two seconds flat.

You see, that's the difference with sewing. You spend hours measuring, cutting and sewing and then at the end you have something that can be kept for ever. I can keep saying, 'Wow, I made that,' and look at my creations with pride for as long as I like.

I thought I'd share some of my recent creations with you.

The beast...the very old beast!

Bunting made from fabric quarters and an old bed cover

 

Check out the zig zag stitch!

 

A cute little dress made for my friend's three and a half year old.

 Just love this patterned fabric.

 

And this one for my other friend's daughter. It's called a pillow case dress as traditionally they are made from a pillowcase, funnily enough! For this I used some old bed covers and cut small arm holes, added elastic to the top and some bias binding to form the edging and straps.

Very cute, I think you would agree!

 

 

I am also happy to make bunting and these dresses to order. Just let me know if you are interested.

 

 

VVx