Look what I've just found...

... A fabulous blog all about sweet treats!  Bakerella makes some yummy looking things and has a new (ish) book out too which I just have to have.  Now.  If not sooner! :0) 

Go and check it out.

Easter Cupcakes and More

Having been inspired by all the cupcake pics being posted on other blogs/forums I decided I'd make some for Easter Sunday, as we were having all the family round  for a bbq, and here they are.  My very first ones too - previously all I've done are bog standard buns!  I bought a new icing set from Lakeland on Thursday to do the tops with and I'm really pleased with them.  They taste good too! :0)

I also made some egg shaped biscuits, using a vanilla sable recipe, and left them plain so that the kids could decorate them themselves.  I'm not sure who had more fun, the big kids or the little ones!

Look how pleased Adam looks with his biscuit!

Kieran busy decorating a biscuit:

 Look at the concentration on Lexie's face!

A rare pic of Mia with one of her biscuits:

And lastly, Karen showing off her handiwork:

We'd hidden loads of chocolate eggs in the house and garden and the kids had fun finding them - and eating them , of course!  Even Emily got some to take home (I bet her Dad eats them though).

It was a lovely afternoon even though the sun deserted us, although I think it was all a bit much for the chef! :0D

Spotlight On: Curious Cat Creative

I've been really interested to find out more about CJ's crafting.  I must admit to knowing absolutely nothing about working with leather and had no idea that such gorgeous work could be produced with it.  CJ makes the most beautiful jewellery and accessories and I've loved looking at them all!  Here are a few piccies to whet your appetite:

This is a really pretty flower bookmark, red leather with a sparkly Swarovski centre - you know I love my sparkles!  Next up is a brooch which is equally as beautiful:

This next piece was made as a commission using the customer's own sketch and I think it's wonderful.  What a lovely present!

More flowers, but this time as a posy.  How stunning is that!

And last, but by no means least, this gorgeous notebook cover.  Wouldn't mind one of these myself. :0)

If you're as interested as I was to find out how it's done, check out CJ's website here where she shows you stage by stage.  You can also follow her Blog to keep up to date with what she's working on or visit her Facebook page.  I will certainly be doing just that as I can't wait to see what's next!

Spotlight on: DizzyKitten

DizzyKitten aka Kayleigh has a real talent for turning lumps of coloured polymer clay into stunning works of art!  Whether it be in the form of jewellery:

art:

or something a little more practical:

Kayleigh's work is truly amazing!

I think this is one of my favourite pieces:

I love everything about it.  The colours, the shapes, everything!

 

You can see more pictures on Kayleigh's blog, Facebook page, or flickr photostream.  Check them out, I promise you you won't be disappointed!

Something New...

I recently joined another craft forum, Craft Pimp, and have signed up for a blog ring with a few of the others.  I've never participated in one before so I'm not sure exactly how it works and I hope I can do justice to the other people involved.  I'm off to research the first name on the list now so that I can do a blog about her later. TTFN

Bead Embroidery Day

Demonstration day at work today.  Bead embroidered cabs this time, by request:

The first one is a plain, polymer clay cab that I made ages ago, the second is a new polymer clay face cab that I made the other day.  They went down really well. :0)

I also showed them my flower necklaces and got requests to make up some kits so they could have a go.  We don't sell any of the beads I've used in them in the shop so I can't really demonstrate it unless I can offer kits.  I'll see my boss about doing some on Monday.  Hopefully he'll agree.

I was hoping to be able to take my new book with me as it's all about bead embroidery but it still hasn't arrived yet. :0(

This week I am going to try and find time to make some more polymer clay pieces for work aswell as some more flower necklaces to put in my online shop.  Is it just me, or does this year seem to be flying by?  Ah well, it just means the Retreat will come round that much more quickly.  Only 7 weeks to go now! :0D