Red velvet yumminess...

Did I tell you about my list? No? Well I shall save that for another post. So on this 'list' was to attempt to make Red velvet cupcakes. I know I have made cupcakes before and some of you might remember that I went on a cupcake decorating course a few year ago. But all my previous baking has been based on the 3 egg rule. You know you take 3 eggs and weigh them, what ever the weight this is how much butter, flour and sugar you need. 

This recipe however came from Nigella's website and to be truthful the ingredients scared me a little. 

I've never used cider vinegar in cakes before or buttermilk for that matter. But I thought Nigella can't be wrong ( I love Nigella she's my favourite TV chef). I loved the deep red colour of the batter once I'd added half a ton (not really) of the red food paste. They smelt devine whilst they were cooking and I managed to get a modest 28 cupcakes out of the mixture. 

I made cream cheese frosting for the tops, again Nigella's recipe and it is the nicest one I have tried to date. Then I grated some chocolate on the top of the frosting. I took some to work and sent some over to Mr.B's parents, the rest were consumed by us with many a cup of tea.

I'm glad I took the plunge and tried out this recipe the cake was deliciously chocolatly and moist and light. This photos not great but they really were red, given it was a more demure maroon colour rather than the rich crimson of the raw batter but it was good enough for me and my testers who all said they were yummy!

So Red velvet cupcakes = tick! 

Spring has sprung

Hasn't it??? I do hope so. It was warm enough at the weekend for us to be able to get the garden sorted, the flower beds filled, our new garden furniture varnished and my veg planters started. We're doing potatoes, carrots, parsnips, peas, red onions, tomatoes and peppers this year. I'm hoping for a warm spring and summer so that we'll be able to get a decent crop. There's nothing more satisfying than eating veg you planted yourself. I'd love to say I grew these daffs and tulips but alas no, they were an Easter gift from C's Mam (instead of a chocolate egg - my choice). I did however find a couple of hours to make these 'spring' inspired cupcakes. They were scrummy!!!

Cupcakes & books

Cant believe I forgot to show this post :( I think it was because I posted some photos on my FB page and thought no more about it. I know 'How dare I'!!!

These lovely pair were another order from the fabulous Clare *waves* and I have to say that the cupcake is most definitely my favourite motif to date. Gorgeous sunny yellow front and candy pink back. And another of the book motif, this time petrol blue front and sage green/grey back.

Couldn't resist showing some close ups.....

.....pretty button detail on the cupcake, looks good enough to eat right?

Here is the close up of the book, lovely hues of greys against the petrol blue.

When I first thought about cutting up the lovely samples of leather, I felt sick to my stomach. One mistake and its ruined. Now I'm itching to get my hands on some more leather so that I can have a go at some ipad covers and a netbook cover for myself.I'm thinking monogram 'B' for obvious reasons.....

If you are interested in having a kindle/iphone/ipad cover made, please do get in touch.....you can have what ever you like as a motif on the front you just need to ask :)

Zesty

Perfect for a sunny day, this gorgeous lemon slice fabric is cut up and ready to be sewn into a clutch bag for a special order. There has been a lot of cutting and chopping yesterday and today, which means I have lots to sew at the weekend. We have a garage to empty too that we have been putting off until we have no choice other than to just get on with it now :( My veggies are now big enough to transfer into bigger trays and if time allows I might even make a batch of cupcakes :)

*sneaks in quietly*

(Wonder if anyone notices I'm here?)

I'm back, well I've been back since Monday but various things have kept me away from my blog. Madrid was wonderful, I always feel at home in places with a warmer climate and I'm so much more relaxed when the sun is shining. I will write a proper post about what we did later in the week.

I thought that when I returned from holiday so would my creative mojo......I waited and waited and waited.....but nothing! So I have filled the week with other 'jobs' that needed doing in the hope it would come back on its own. Boring bits out of the way were the holiday washing and the mountain of ironing that has been gradually building up for the last month, generally just pottering about in the house. Fun 'jobs' today were making these delicious cupcakes (my new found hobby) and doing a stock take of bags and making sure my website is up to date.

Tomorrow I'm travelling up North for a short break to help my Mam choose a dress for my Nephew's wedding which is in a couple of weeks. And the cupcakes are travelling with me. Looking forward to some family time with my Mam and Step Dad Ian. As always the time will go over too quick.

Cupcakes

Just thought I'd do a quick post and show you one of the birthday cupcakes I made on Saturday. Sorry its not a group shot, we were in a hurry and I didn't have time and they were all scoffed :D

Just in time for the Summer

This is Florentine and she is also now available from my website. She can be worn full length across the body or as a shoulder bag at the shortest. I am now the proud owner of a Betty Bag. Lovely spacious bag to (shove) put all my daily essentials and more. Well I did think it was about time that I carried one of my own creations, its pretty shameful that I haven't up until now.

I'm even taking her with me to Madrid next week, 5 days in beautiful Madrid. We will also be going to see Red Bull XFighters at Las Ventas again, really looking forward to that. Not only will it be 1 year since C proposed it will be a chance for us to spend quality time together. This year has been pretty manic, the time has gone over so quick because everyday has been filled with a multitude of tasks.

I have been busy this weekend making a bag for an order, some purses for a trade order I'm sending out this week and some very pink birthday cupcakes for C's Aunties birthday. *Note to self: must buy other colourings than pink.* They were vanilla with pink frosting and pale pink and white flowers and butterflies......Oh yes and a heap load of edible glitter!!!!

Cupcake Course

I've been bursting to tell you what I had been up to early on Saturday morning but things just kept getting in the way. Anyway I am here now.....

(the venue : The Grange)

Quite some time ago, you may remember me telling you that C bought me a Groupon Voucher for my birthday, half a days cupcake making/decorating course with Strawberry Cupcakes. Since I had only just made my second batch of cupcakes ever, I couldn't wait to go and learn some skills.


I arrived just before 9am (start time) and joined the other course members for a cup of tea (how lovely), once everyone was accounted for we were introduced to the very lovely Jeaniene and Emma (nope it wasn't me helping) and had a brief induction. We were then lead into what I was going to say the 'training room' but it was a lovely bright and airy room with lovely windows that looked out onto The Grange entrance so it was more cheery than just a training room.

(end result)

Jeaniene took the main part of the class with Emma helping and they were the most entertaining teachers. Very relaxed atmosphere where you felt you could really have a go and not be too bothered about getting it wrong.

(a better view of the sugar flowers)

Firstly we made the cupcake mixture, piped it into our lovely coloured cases and these were then ushered off to the oven for baking (*tip : remember what colour cases you have). Then out came the sugar paste and dyes. I have to say I cant remember the last time I had so much fun, I love learning new skills, especially when they are artistic ones. We dived right in with butterflies and sugar roses.....

(unfortunately they have all been eaten)

I think it was at this point (I cant remember as I was having way to much fun) we stopped for a break, another cuppa AND one of the delicious cupcakes that had been made by Jeaniene. I picked a toffee one and I tell you what I could have eaten a dozen!!! We then went on to learn how to mix and pipe butter cream frosting and as you can see from the photos (yes these are the ones that I actually made with my hands) we even made stripey frosting! The cupcakes were ready and cooled and we decorated them with our sugared fancies.

I have to say that I never thought they would turn out this good, I really surprised myself and had a ball doing it. C said I was beaming with pride when I returned home with a dozen cupcakes and even he was impressed with my new found skills.

If you do live in the Nottinghamshire area and fancy having a great time and learning how to decorate your own cupcakes you can find all the details here on Strawberry Cupcakes Website. If you cant stretch to the full price of the course then keep your eyes peeled on the coupons websites to get a great deal. Please bare in mind that Jeaniene provides you with all the ingredients and the utensils and is a great teacher to boot, so well worth it for a treat. Go on get nagging your other half to buy it as a gift!

Verdict: Brilliant opportunity to learn how to decorate cupcakes with a friendly and talented tutor, no need to bring anything just yourself, leave brimming with pride and a dozen cupcakes!!! What a fantastic day out!!!

I think I might just have to have another....

....lemon cupcake :D I had planned on posting a giveaway today but the days events prevented me from taking any photo's while the light was good. So keep those eyes peeled for tomorrow there are lots of prizes up for grabs. Oooh and it will be my first giveaway of 2011!

I have a Mam who has fallen in the snow and broken her wrist and chipped her shoulder bone, a poorly cat who has not eaten for 3 days who is now on antibiotics, the bank accidentally lost £500 that I deposited into my bank last week (this is all sorted now thank goodness!!), C has been feeling wobbly again (not good).....and I am feeling pretty exhausted.

These are my very first attempt at some homemade cupcakes (shocking I know) they are zesty lemon cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting and they are d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!! Super easy recipe and take 25 minutes in the oven. Can you tell that I received some silicone cup cake moulds and a food processor for Christmas? I took some into work to let my colleagues taste test them.....verdict : Yummy! Best go and grab one before C eats them all.

**Big, big Hugs to my Mama, wish I was there to hug you properly (and I could have drawn some flowers on your cast to make it look pretty). xx**

Birthday revisted

The gorgeous and vibrant bag and shoes that Chris bought me (All chosen by himself, he has impeccable taste)...

Beautiful sparkly open back dress, which I wore to my birthday surprise meal.....

My birthday cupcakes which came from Glasgow were so yummy, the icing is to die for :D

One single candle, not 30, at my request....

Yummy!!!

And on Tuesday it was Chris's birthday (yes 4 days between us, some say 2 Capricorns are a bad match, I say we both just know each others faults and traits VERY well) he had a Top Gear Cake with the Stig on it.