Life Lately

Like many others, I've had a rather hectic few weeks and Bea and I are fair exhausted! Here are a few snaps of life in my world lately.

Walks with Bea always take priority, so we've been to visit Thomas the swan...

And took time to notice the small things...

I tried a Graze box and was really impressed! The entire service is friendly and well organised, and I've tried some yummy new foods in an attempt to boost my energy levels and stay well through the winter months...

...Erm, except then I remembered I hadn't had a mince pie in two years, so I made a little exception. (What? It has fruit in it!)

My legs turned yellow! I've been loving coloured tights with warn knits lately.

I've been very busy making custom button orders, special buttons for friends, and new designs ready for a new year. Very excited.

I've also been making Christmas presents (can't show you yet!) but have found a little time for some other quick projects too. A tree decoration for Beatrix...

And this... thing...

I got Trevor the horse ready for Christmas in my other job...

I found these flashbacks in a charity shop...

And THIS turned up in my life! Isn't it beautiful?! It's huge!

I'm very much looking forward to finishing work for Christmas and curling up with this...

And this...

Are you ready for Christmas yet?

5 Last Minute Handmade Christmas Present Ideas

If you're like me and are still feverishly working away at making your Christmas presents, you may be in need of a few last minute ideas. I've had a fish around in my blog archives and produced five, none of which should take you any more than an hour to make. Phew!

1. A Felt Owl Keyring/Trolley Buddy

2. A Fimo Clay Teapot Necklace

3. A Fabric Clutch Bag (How-to courtesy of The Making Spot)

4. Use fabric to make letter paper

5. ...And finally, why not gather washi tape, stickers and other embellishments together with a sketch book and give someone the gift of their own smash book? My mum has asked for this for Christmas as she keeps trying to steal my smashing supplies! You could even decorate the smash book to make it even more special. 

Lots of luck! I'm declaring this Thursday's Creatives Unite a two hour Christmas special to help with all the making, wrapping and decorating which may still need to be done!

Have a crafty Monday,

Gingerbread Cake

Here's a philosophical question for your Tuesday: 'What is Gingerbread?' Mention gingerbread to me and an image of a gingerbread man in his gingerbread house springs to mind. Said gingerbread man running away as fast as he can, being pursued by all manner of hungry beings. 

But gingerbread can also be... well, cake! Do you have a different name for this? I call both versions gingerbread, and think they are equally Christmassy. There's just something so festive about the flavour of ginger. 

The following recipe works particularly well if frozen - perfect if you want to get ahead on your festive baking, or just like to have something tasty in store in case your great aunt Agatha should drop round for tea. Or Christmas, in which case, you have my full sympathy. 

You will need:

4 oz butter

2 oz sugar

2 tbsp golden syrup

2 eggs, beaten

8 oz self raising flour

2 -3 level tsp ground ginger

Heat the oven to 160C. Grease a loaf tin and line the bottom with greaseproof paper. Cream together the butter, sugar and syrup, then gradually beat in the eggs.

Sift together the flour and ginger, then fold into the creamed mixture. Pour into the tin and bake in the oven for 1 1/4 hours, until golden and springy to the touch.

If you want to take the festive spirit further you could add icing to the top of your cake and decorate with pieces of crystalised ginger. 

It seems that my work colleagues' diets have slipped somewhat now we're on the home straight to Christmas, and I've finally been given permission to take in baked produce (but only on a Thursday when two determined colleagues aren't in!) so I have no doubt I'll be knocking up a batch of gingerbread to take them instead of Christmas cards this year. I love taking a naughty slice with me in my lunchbox!






PS: I'd just like to say a whopping thank you for all your lovely comments, tweets, Facebook likes and emails since I opened my Etsy shop last Thursday. The encouragement, feedback, sharing and support has been fantastic, and made me even more excited about this new project. Thank you! x