Torie Jayne

Hello Sweets!

2013-05-20T09:00:00.000+01:00

Hello sweets! I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday.

It seems like ages since I properly checked in on all of you. I have been so busy of late working on my book that is due to be published at the beginning of 2014, helping my little sister out with her wedding preparations and a whole heap of projects that annoyingly I can't tell you about, yet!

I still have a ton of bits left to do on my book and some final preparations for my little sisters wedding amongst other things, so I apologise in advance if I am late on replying to your emails and comments. But know that I appreciate you all and I will endeavour to get back to you as soon as I can, hopefully with lots of exciting news!

In the meantime I will be sharing how I made my nephew Samuel's wigwam, floor quilt and deckchair slings. A few yummy recipes, a couple of crafty projects and a whole heap of pretty organizing ideas.

Have a sweet day!

Pretty Seaside Bunting

2013-05-19T12:00:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I showed you how easy it is to make your own fabric bunting, have you been inspired to make your own?
How about the above selection of 100% cotton pretty fabrics from Michael Miller Fabrics "Out to Sea" collection in the morning coral colour palette by Sarah Jane. Available from Eclectic maker in fat quarters (i.e. approx. 50cm by 55cm)or a continuos length (112/114 cm wide).

I just adore the pirate girls, sea mermaids playing, nautical maps,wheels and narwhales!

Have a sweet day!

Fabric Bunting - How to

2013-05-18T12:00:00.000+01:00

I had some left over fabric from Samuel's floor quilt so I decided to make some matching bunting that I could hang from the wigwam.

If you have a sewing machine and even the most basic sewing skills, you can make pretty bunting like this!
Here's how...

Fabric bunting Tools and Materials

Fabric, woven
Bias binding
Water soluble pen
Sewing Cotton
Sewing Machine
Scissors
Iron and ironing board

Fabric bunting, How-to step by step

Start by printing out the bunting pattern and cut out. I like to trace the shape on to a thick piece of cardboard making it easier to draw round.

Place pattern piece on to your fabric and trace round edges with a water soluble pen. Cut out leaving a 1cm seam allowance on the long sides of the triangle pieces.
Lay your two triangle shapes right sides together
Sew along the two long sides of the triangle shapes, (you can do this in one go by pivoting the needle at the end of the first line, see pic below)

Trim off any excess fabric near the tip of the triangle
Turn your fabric right side out, and use a pointed tool to push into the very tip of the fabric (I used a chop stick).

Continue sewing as many triangles as you need, then iron them nice and flat.
Trim off any excess threads, and the tiny points of fabric sticking up.
Pin triangles into the bias binding leaving a “tail” of bias tape your desired length at each end.
Start by sewing along bias tape, sewing closed the fold of the bias tape.
Continue sewing along the bias tape, sewing the triangles in place.

Have a sweet day!

Vanilla Fudge

2013-05-17T12:00:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was my nephew Samuel's 3rd birthday, I decided to go hand-made with his gift and made him a fabric wigwam with a floor quilt, matching cushion and bunting! The perfect place for him to indulge in a little home made vanilla fudge...

Vanilla fudge (makes 24 pieces)

Ingredients

115g unsalted butter
450g demerara sugar
150ml milk
397g condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla essence

Cooking instructions

Line a 20cm (8") square pan with baking parchment
Place the butter, sugar, milk and condensed milk in a heavy based jug
Stir using a wooden spoon over low heat until sugar has dissolved
Now turn up heat to medium and bring mixture to a boil, stirring continuosly so mixture does not stick to bottom of pan
Place candy thermometer in jug and continue stirring until mixture heats to "soft ball", 240 deg F
Remove from heat
Using an electric whisk or food mixer, beat mixture for about ten minutes
Add vanilla essence and beat mixture for about ten minutes until it loses its gloss
Pour mixture into prepared pan
Leave to set for a few hours
Cut into small squares
Store in airtight container in fridge

Tips...
You must use a candy thermometer as making fudge is an exact science
You can use a heavy based saucepan if you do not have a jug
Remember the mixture gets very hot, so please take care

I packaged mine up in a red and white stripe candy bag to match his wigwam accessories

The birthday boy and his little bro eating the fudge!

Have a sweet day!

Pin it forward UK

2013-05-16T12:00:00.000+01:00

Pinterest is officially launching in the UK this month and to celebrate they have created the Pinterest Pin it forward UK campaign to promote the UK pinning community. I was delighted to be invited to take part and it’s about time I gushed about the brilliant Pinterest again...

Back in June 2010 it was Pinterest, my new love!
"It is a great new site that lets you collect, and showcase collections of, your favorite inspirational pics in a beautifully visual way. You simply add the "pin it" bookmarklet to your browser's toolbar and anytime you find a great image you click "pin it" and it will add it to your board. There is also an upload feature for your own images. This is one stylish site for creating inspirational mood boards."

I am still very much in love with it today and now its become my go to site when I am researching for inspiration and ideas from crafts and baking to interiors and gardening! Oh the hours I have happily lost to Pinterest!
I also love the new Secret board option, which has been perfect for my little sister and I to plan her wedding, whilst at the same time making sure guests can’t see what she has in mind.

The lovely peeps at Pinterest asked me to share my favourite board with you, I have chosen my Guest Bedroom Ideas board because I love how it shows my thinking behind the finished board, an intimate look into how I formulate my ideas, from choosing the colour palette to selecting fabrics and furniture and finally the finished design!

If your on Pinterest I'd love to hear what your favorite boards are? or want to give it a go yourself? All you have to do is sign up here!

Now it’s time to pin it forward. Let me introduce you to, Helen Powell of Design Hunter, so be sure to check out her chosen board tomorrow!

Have a sweet day!

No 43 - Kitchen Clips

2013-05-15T15:00:00.000+01:00

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 43 - Opt for pretty coloured kitchen sealing clips that can be stored in a glass jar for practical kitchen eye candy!

Betty flip jars

Have a sweet day!

No 42 - Mini Cake Cases

2013-05-14T12:00:00.000+01:00

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 42 - I have been storing my cupcake cases in spagetti jars for a couple of years now, but they were starting to get really full, so I decided to take out the mini ones and place them in a smaller jar, now all the little ones are together...

My spagetti jar cupcake cases storage from 2011

Have a sweet day!

No 41 - Twist Ties

2013-05-13T09:00:00.000+01:00

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 41 - Go for pretty coloured twist ties, that way you can keep them to hand in glass jars and they look cute displayed on a shelf...

Mint and pink twist ties, great to close up bags of handmade products, homemade goodies, baked items or to add a final touch to a special gift!

Have a sweet day!

Girls' Night In: Craft, Cakes and Cocktails by Hannah Read-Baldrey

2013-05-11T14:40:00.000+01:00

This week I'm reviewing Girls' Night In: Craft, Cakes and Cocktails by Hannah Read-Baldrey, published by Quadrille Publishing with photography by ©Tiffany Mumford & Verity Welstead. Hannah is a successful props and fashion stylist whose work has appeared in leading international publications such as Vogue, Elle, Red and Cath Kidston magazine. I chose to review this book as I loved Hannah's co authored book, Everything Alice! Last month I attended the launch party of Girls' Night In at Hannah's super stylish home where we drank cool cocktails and ate the most amazing dishes, my favourite being the baked brie barrel with honey and caramelised nuts. I was so in awe of her fabulous tile splashback...

Girls' Night In: Craft, Cakes and Cocktails, Hannah's first solo book is a super stylish, enchanting collection of unique craft projects, tasty treats, delicious cocktails, hilarious party games and simple pampering instructions for hair, nails and make-up.

The book starts with advice hints and tips on party preparation including crafty tutorials to help you make your own invitations and decorations to help you set the scene. The book is then split into three main chapters, starting with Craft Projects. Here you will find a fabulous selection of girly treasures to be made over a good natter, a glass of something nice and a cake or two. From pretty bow knickers, floral felt fascinators to a super stylish bunting necklace all of which are beautifully photographed and styled with accompanying easy to follow clear instructions and photographed instructions, including templates where necessary.

The second chapter Boudoir Beauty is full of a whole range of wonderful treats for pampering you and your friends. Starting with how to master the effortless chic french plait, create a modern wrap beehive and create a vintage roll. There are homemade spa treatments like the relaxing avocado and banana face mask and lavender salt hand scrub. Make up ideas devised with the help of Hannah's close friend and celebrity make up artist Fiona Fletcher and beautiful nail designs created by rising star Lucy Pearson.

In the third chapter Savvy Savouries, Sweet Treats & cocktails Hannah shares a varied selection of great party food recipes from a rustic pizza with crunchy colesaw, movie night savoury popcorn to the fabulous looking peaches and cream ruffle cake. A whole host of cocktail recipes including a fabulous Sweet Shop collection that includes a rhubarb and custard, cookies and cream and a popcorn marini!

Girls' Night In: Craft, Cakes and Cocktails is a super practical book brimming with stunning ideas. At a recommended price of £16.99, I think this book is a must for those who want to delight their guests with easy yet delectable food and drinks, as well as giving each of them the opportunity to create beautiful and quirky craft makes that they can take home and treasure!

Some of my favourite ideas:

Pom poms

Bunting Necklace

Party Preparations

Mojito Punch

Floral Felt Fascinator

To see more of Hannah's fabulously stylish work check out her blog Couture Craft!

Please note that my opinions are my own and I am not paid for these reviews (apart from receiving a free book, of course!).

Have a sweet day!

Spirt of Summer Fair Tickets giveaway

2013-05-10T11:53:00.000+01:00

Yipee! I have another great giveaway for you. Two pairs of tickets to the Spirit of Summer Fair...

"Discover a hand-picked collection of boutiques presenting interiors and fashion accessories you simply won’t find on the high street and enjoy a wonderful day out with friends. This stylish event presents a beautiful collection of interior accessories, selected with a focus on style, design and quality and the latest in boutique summer fashion accessories, as well as summer gifts and gourmet food and wine. Gain invaluable inspiration from our interior and garden experts and take part in our interactive summer living workshops including master chocolatier Paul.A,Young who will be wowing the crowds with his summer water ganaches, and gourmet food inspiration from top chefs at the Blueprint Café and Lima restaurants. New to the fair are five new summer stylish room features created by Osborne & Little, Sanderson Home, Clifton Nurseries, Wawa and India Jane."

OPENING TIMES:

Wednesday 15th May 10am - 6pm Thursday 16th May 10am - 6pm Friday 17th May 10am - 6pm Saturday 18th May 10am - 6pm

VENUE:

Grand Hall, Olympia Exhibition Centre, London, W14 8UX

On the Door Ticket Prices

Adult: £18.00 Child: £9.00

"Be sure to visit the Summer Lifestyle Workshop to partake in interactive workshops from floral decorations to champagne tasting. The popular Interior and Garden Theatre returns with inspiring talks and expert advice on stylish living with specialists guiding visitors through the key trends."

To enter, just leave a comment below this post letting me know what you would make a bee line for at the Spirit of Summer fair. Are you looking for interior inspiration, fancy joining in an interactive workshop, updating your look with some fashion accessories, tasting gourmet food or being inspired at the Garden theatre?

The giveaway ends on Sunday, May 11th 2013 at 10pm (BST) and I will randomly select and announce the two winner on Monday, May 12th 2013. Who will receive two tickets each to be used on their day of choice.

To increase your chances of winning this fabulous prize, you can gain one additional entry for doing each of the following:

tweeting about this giveaway
blogging about it
follow Torie Jayne via bloglovin
follow Torie Jayne on Twitter
"Like" Torie Jayne on Facebook

For the first two, please leave a comment below with the link to your tweet or blog post.

This giveaway is open to UK readers only.

Good luck and have a sweet day!

The Garden Living Room

2013-05-09T12:30:00.000+01:00

I have been pinning a lot of garden and flower pictures to my Pinterest boards over the past week as I might need to design a new garden soon! Wink Wink, more on that soon!

Which reminded me that I had not posted about the "Living Room"...

"The Living Room" was one of my favorite gardens at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show a few years ago. An extension of living space for the 21st century. Incredibly chic with all white flowers, stainless steel fireplace, vertical wall fountains and chandelier. It reminds me of the boutique hotels in LA and Miami. I just love the idea of a big chandelier hanging in the garden!

Have a sweet day!

What colour did you paint your guest room?

2013-05-08T12:00:00.000+01:00

What colour did you paint your guest room?

We painted our guest room in Crown matt emulsion, beige white.

A much needed improvement on the old purple walls...

To see all the before and after photos of our guest room check out my Facebook Page photo album Guest room - A Transformation

Have a sweet day!

What colour did you paint your garden shed?

2013-05-07T12:00:00.000+01:00

"What colour did you paint your garden shed?"

We painted our shed in Cuprinol Garden Shades colour Silver Birch.

"Cuprinol Garden Shades has been specially developed to colour and protect sheds, fences and other garden wood. Its special pigments ensure a rich colour and allow the natural texture of the woodgrain to shine through"

Which really transformed it...

You can read all about my garden shed here, and for all the before and after photos of my garden check out my Facebook Page photo album My Garden - A Transformation

Have a sweet day!

What colour did you paint your Craft Room?

2013-05-06T12:00:00.000+01:00

What colour did you paint your craft room?

We painted our craft room in Johnstone's, Covaplus Vinyl Matt , colour no S 0510-B50G
"Johnstone's Covaplus Vinyl Matt emulsion is formulated for interior use on walls and ceilings. It provides a durable finish that is resistant to fading and yellowing.Covaplus is Ecolabel approved. Along with virtually zero VOC's it offers a lower impact to the environment."

A much needed improvement on the old purple walls...

To see all the before and after photos of my craft room check out my Facebook Page photo album Craft Room - A Transformation

Have a sweet day!

What colour did you paint your bathroom?

2013-05-05T12:00:00.000+01:00

What colour did you paint your bathroom?

We painted our bathroom in Crown Kitchen & Bathroom Mid Sheen® colour Pure brilliant white.

"Steam proof, super tough and stain resistant mid sheen emulsion. Added Mouldguard® prevents the build up of mould so your walls stay fresher for longer. Grease marks can be wiped away. For use on walls, ceilings, wood & metal. Breatheasy® 99% solvent free."

A much needed improvement on the painted yellow and wallpapered walls...

To see all the before and after photos of our bathroom check out my Facebook Page photo album My Bathroom - A Transformation

Have a sweet day!

What colour did you paint your Master Bedroom?

2013-05-04T12:00:00.001+01:00

What colour did you paint your Master Bedroom?

We painted our master bedroom in Johnstone's, Covaplus Vinyl Matt , colour no S 1010-B10G
"Johnstone's Covaplus Vinyl Matt emulsion is formulated for interior use on walls and ceilings. It provides a durable finish that is resistant to fading and yellowing.Covaplus is Ecolabel approved. Along with virtually zero VOC's it offers a lower impact to the environment."

A much needed improvement on the old tatty wallpaper...

To see all the before and after photos of our master bedroom check out my Facebook Page photo album Master Bedroom - A Transformation

Have a sweet day!

What colour did you paint your Cloakroom?

2013-05-03T12:00:00.001+01:00

What colour did you paint your cloakroom?

We painted our walls in Crown Kitchen & Bathroom Mid Sheen® colour Pure brilliant white.

"Steam proof, super tough and stain resistant mid sheen emulsion. Added Mouldguard® prevents the build up of mould so your walls stay fresher for longer. Grease marks can be wiped away. For use on walls, ceilings, wood & metal. Breatheasy® 99% solvent free."

A much needed improvement on the floor to ceiling tiles...

To see all the before and after photos of our cloakroom check out my Facebook Page photo album My Cloakroom - A Transformation

Have a sweet day!

What colour did you paint your dining room?

2013-05-02T12:00:00.001+01:00

What colour did you paint your dining room?

We painted our dining room in Crown matt emulsion, beige white.

A much needed improvement on the old blue walls...

To see all the before and after photos of our dining room check out my Facebook Page photo album Dining room - A Transformation

Have a sweet day!

What colour did you paint your Living room?

2013-05-01T12:00:00.000+01:00

What colour did you paint your living room?

We painted our living room in Crown matt emulsion, Antique cream.

A much needed improvement on the old blue walls...

To see all the before and after photos of our living room check out my Facebook Page photo album Living room - A Transformation

Have a sweet day!

Powdery pastel kitchen

2013-04-30T12:00:00.001+01:00

Source 1, 2, 3

I love the use of powdery pastels in Møbel Pøbel's renovated kitchen, they bring such a lovely fresh sense of spring and summer romance... The perfect place to make the gorgeous looking rose and yogurt biscuits!

Have a sweet day!

What colour did you paint your kitchen?

2013-04-29T12:00:00.002+01:00

"What colour did you paint your kitchen?"

We painted two walls in Crown Kitchen & Bathroom Mid Sheen® colour Oxygen. The remaining two walls we painted in Crown Kitchen & Bathroom Mid Sheen® colour Pure brilliant white.

"Steam proof, super tough and stain resistant mid sheen emulsion. Added Mouldguard® prevents the build up of mould so your walls stay fresher for longer. Grease marks can be wiped away. For use on walls, ceilings, wood & metal. Breatheasy® 99% solvent free."

A much needed improvement on the old white walls...

To see all the before and after photos of our kitchen check out my Facebook Page photo album My Kitchen - A Transformation

Have a sweet day!

Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake

2013-04-28T14:20:00.000+01:00

This week I'm reviewing Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake, from illustrated lifestyle publishers Ryland Peters & Small and CICO Books. Selina Lake is a freelance interior & lifestyle stylist based in London, and has featured in many magazines and catalogues. Selina is also the author of 'Romantic Style' and best selling 'Homespun Style', both shot with photographer, Debi Treloar. I chose to review this her latest book as I adore pastels and I love Selina's style!

Pretty Pastel Style, decorating interiors with pastel shades is about decorating with pastels in a new modern way. Featuring inspiring homes from around the world, illustrating the fresh direction these subtle colours are taking, from rooms painted top to bottom in layers of muted tones to understated spaces, where soft pastel hues can be found in everything from vintage china to a state of the art oven.

The book is split into three main chapters, starting with how to combine the "Elements" of modern pastels, vintage pastels, handmade pastels and simple pastels. In this chapter Selina shows us how modern pops of neon invigorates pastels, layers of chalky hues give depth and how saturated shades mixed with pastels give a sophisticated feel.

The second chapter "Details" Selina covers colour palettes and patterns and shows us how pastels don't need to be girlie or frivolous but can be pale and interesting and superbly versatile, whether you introduce them in bold blocks or simply dotted around for splashes of pretty, witty colour. How furniture and lighting are basic ingredients of any room but as well as being practical they can also be pastel-pretty with a simple coat of paint. How to incorporate pastel fabric from cheerful ginghams, faded chintz or retro repeats and whimsical ways to display flowers. In display and decoration Selina shares ways to display ceramics, sketches and how moving collections around can quickly give your room a new feel.

In the third chapter "Spaces" Selina reveals how pastel shades can be used to bring today's modern interiors to life in spaces for cooking and eating, living and relaxing, sleeping and bathing, children's spaces, creative workspaces and outdoor living! From a chic modern kitchen that has been softened with easy, breezy pretty pastels to living rooms with dusky, cheeky and muted pastel tones that add personality. To softened pretty pastels that create a perfect soothing atmosphere in the bedroom and mellow hues that bring playfulness to the functional space of a bathroom.

Pretty Pastel Style, decorating interiors with pastel shades by Selina Lake is a gorgeous hardback book full of lovely unique, inspiring decorating ideas. At a recommended price of £19.99, I think this hardback book is a great buy as the modern use of pastels in textures, patterns and styles in each room is just so inspirational and is full of beautiful photographs!

Some of my favourite shots:

Display and Decoration

Creative Workspaces

Display and Decoration

Nicky Grace cushions

Craft materials in a creative corner

Please note that my opinions are my own and I am not paid for these reviews (apart from receiving a free book, of course!).

Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake is published by Ryland Peters & Small and is available from www.rylandpeters.com

Have a sweet day!

Featured in Prima Spring Makes

2013-04-26T12:00:00.000+01:00

Back in January the queen of styling Selina Lake and the beautiful interiors and still life photographer Sussie Bell came to my house to shoot my craft room.I can't tell you how excited I was and had such a lovely morning chatting all things craft, interior and pretty pastels with the lovely ladies! I then had an interview over the phone with the sweet Melodie at Prima Magazine which resulted in a six page spread in Prima Spring Makes, available now...

"Prima Spring Makes is packed with stunning creatives covering all skill levels, featuring a huge variety of crafts from crochet to card-making and projects for your home. It is fantastic value, at only £3.99 and has over 100 ideas for things to do, all beautifully presented."

Thank you Selina, Sussie and Melodie!

Have a sweet day!

Tea? Free downloadable prints

2013-04-25T12:00:00.001+01:00

On Saturday I shared my Cake? postcard free downloads and today I am sharing with you some Tea? artwork you could use to adorn your kitchen or my DIY tea tray!
Feel free to print them out for yourselves...

Have a sweet day!

Tray Prints

2013-04-24T12:00:00.001+01:00

I designed a few prints for the centre of my picture frame serving tray I made for 91 magazine, in the end I chose a grey and white diamond print and used the multicolour diamond print for my plate. Feel free to download the prints to use in your own craft projects...

Have a sweet day!

Gluten free apple frangipane tart

2013-04-23T12:00:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I share with you the tray I made for 91 magazine, so today I am sharing with you the Gluten free apple frangipane tart that I served on my new tray...

Gluten free apple frangipane tart (makes 1 tart)

Ingredients

200g gluten-free shortcrust pastry
Gluten free plain flour for dusting
Olive oil for greasing
85g (3oz) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, beaten
75g (2 1/2 oz) caster sugar
100g (3 1/2 oz) ground almonds
Grated zest of one lemon
1 tbsp Ameretto
600g fresh apples
3 tbsp caster sugar
Sieved icing sugar to decorate

Cooking instructions

Preheat oven to 180C (160c fan) / 355F
Lighly grease the pie tin
Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 8mm thick
Lightly press the pastry into the tin, (I use the end of a teaspoon to get a neat fluted edge) and trim.
Lightly prick the base of the tart
Line pastry with greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans
Cook in the oven for 10 minutes
Remove paper and beans.
Lightly brush the tart with some of the beaten egg.
Return to the oven for a further five minutes
Cream the butter and sugar using a food mixer fitted with a paddle
Gradually mix in the ground almonds, beaten eggs, lemon zest and Amaretto till well blended
Spoon frangipane mix into baked tart
Keeping the skin on, chop the apples into quarters. Chop out the core of each quarter and then slice the apple quarters thinly
Start layering the apple slices onto the tart until the entire top is covered
Dust the top of the tart with the 3 tbsp caster sugar
Bake for about 30-35 mins until the tips of the apple slices have become slightly singed and the frangipane has risen and cooked through.
Leave in tin on a wire rack to completely cool
Lightly dust with icing sugar

Have a sweet day!

Craft Feature in 91 magazine

2013-04-22T15:30:00.000+01:00

Issue 6 of 91 magazine is out today! an online magazine for the vintage style and craft lover. Featuring Homes, Style, Vintage, Shopping and Crafts.

"91 Magazine was launched in October 2011, and is a quarterly online magazine, published by interiors and lifestyle brand, Patchwork Harmony.

Collated by a range of fantastic creative people, it features news, style tips, shopping ideas, interiors, features on craft and vintage style and proudly supports small businesses, designers and crafts people."

The Spring/Summer 2013 issue is packed full of lots of great content like the Vintage guide to Bath, the beautiful home of photographer and blogger Natasha of Candy Pop, a yummy sounding hazelenut blackberry torte and a fabulous interview with style Queen Selina Lake, to name a few.

So I am delighted to tell you I have a craft feature in this fabulous edition, a DIY tea tray made from an old picture frame I picked up in a charity shop for a couple of pounds...

You can check out the new edition here!

Have a sweet day!

Exterior Ideas

2013-04-21T12:00:00.000+01:00

After

Before

I love a good before and after photo, so when I discovered Back to Front Exterior Design I couldn't stop looking at all the before and after photos. I was so inspired and amazed at the transformations they had done, like the one above of a 1960’s house with a rather harsh frontage and bland exterior that they added a new traditional gabled front with a feature leaded porch too. Transforming the old tarmac front to be gravelled and lawned.

I also love the way they transformed a classic 1960’s British property in a lovely quiet cul de sac with great bone structure but very brown and uninspiring into a light, bright and fresh faced family home, carefully extended to fulfill modern family living with a classic contemporary facade.

After

Front door detail, After

Before

I was so inspired by the amazing exterior transformations that I stared a new Pinterest board exterior Ideas!

Have a sweet day!

Cake? Free downloadable prints

2013-04-20T12:00:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I did a Get the Look post on my baking corner. So today I wanted to share with you some pretty artwork you could use to adorn your kitchen with! Feel free to print them out for yourselves...

Have a sweet day!

Get the look... Baking Corner

2013-04-19T12:00:00.000+01:00

Get the look!

1. This flexible silicone mini palette knife is perfect for spreading and smoothing icing, cream and butter icing onto your cakes and cupcakes nice and easy and comes in a range of pretty pastel colours including green, yellow and pink.
2.Don’t hide your spices in a jumble of messy jars. Put them in these cute Betty Flip jars and they’ll look great on the shelf. Made with a stainless steel clasp and a ceramic lid in the colours of our Betty baking range: mint, buttercup and petal.
3.A whisk with a Bombay Duck twist! The Whisk up a Treat Cupcake whisk comes in a handy gift box and is topped with a delicious looking handle that will encourage your efforts to bake perfect cupcakes and looks pretty hanging up in your kitchen.
4.Keep all your spices neat, tidy and easy to reach with this line up oak spice rack. Designed exclusively by London-based designers Morph as a home for our tiny Flip jars, this rack gives you a nice snug fit for your spices, nuts, seeds, or anything in a small jar. It comes with blank card slips so you can write your own labels and tuck them in the metal frame in front of each jar
5.Use the fun Fridge pink 10 x 15cm magnetic photo frame to keep photos of friends and family close at hand even while you're cooking. It is part of the rubber-edged Fridge range, available in seven colours and two sizes
6.Pack of 3 Small Magnetic Hooks, perfect for attaching to any metal surface in the bathroom or kitchen.
7.A set of three coloured cupcake cookie cutters in pretty pastels that are great for cookies, biscuits, pastry and icings.
8.Fresh today strawberry cake retro fridge magnet is an easy way to add some pretty to any metal surface in your kitchen.
9.In a pale shade of blue, this cooking spoon will add a splash of colour to your kitchen. As this ingenious spoon is made from silicone it is totally non stick and non scratch, so you can use it with any cookware without scratching the bottom of your pans.
10.In a stunning shade of blue, this spatula is the perfect tool for your kitchen. The silicone material of this spatula is perfect for cooking with as it is totally non stick and non scratch, so you can cook without worrying about scratching the bottom of your pans. This spatula has a wire core which gives it added strength and stability, for added durability and control when cooking your favourite meals.
11.Pretty pastel pink Keep Calm and Eat cake fridge magnet

Classic chocolate layer cake with polka dots 5x7 Art Print mini plaque

"Celebrate Everyday! Our golden triple layer cake, with rich chocolate frosting and super edible looking golden cake texture. With cheery candy colored polka dots.

A high quality print mounted to a 5x7 wooden plaque. signed, dated and ready to hang."

Have a sweet day!

Love Lane Vintage

2013-04-18T13:00:00.000+01:00

Love Lane Vintage's stand at Selina Lake's fair and launch of Pretty Pastel Style was beautifully styled and full of gorgeous treasures.

"Love Lane Vintage was started in 2007 by Lucy Haywood, the business started life as a vintage china and prop hire business and grew over a few years into offering styling to compliment the hire services. Having collected antiques and old & beautiful things for years it felt like the perfect time to open our first shop.... The Love Lane shop was opened above a friends shop and quickly moved into its own premises, here we sold beautiful old pieces of furniture, antique dresses and piles of vintage china, after having my second baby I decided to close the shop and sell from an old barn in Sussex. Love Lane Vintage launched their first fair 4 years ago called Village Vintage and then a monthly event the Sussex Countey Brocante. This is a great way to bring together like minded ladies who need a beautiful space to sell everymonth. We use the fair as our pop up shop to sell our range of hand made linen dresses & smocks alongside our lovingly sourced antiques and furniture. I teamed up with my sister in 2012 and we now offer beautiful country flowers alongside our business.
Our barn opens up through the summer months and is by appointment, you can find more information on our Facebook page Love Lane Vintage"

Love Lane Vintage's next event is this Saturday...

Now I am looking forward to Selina Lake's Handmade and Vintage Summer Fete on Saturday 29th June....

Have a sweet day!

Anna Wiscombe

2013-04-15T12:00:00.000+01:00

I loved Anna Wiscombe's adorable decorative wooden treasures at Selina Lake's Pretty Pastel Fair and book Launch event. I especially was drawn to the cute "Little bird" handcrafted oak wall hanging with little carved markings in a lovely colour combination of mint and peach, as seen in the photo above.

"Anna Wiscombe, originally from the countryside of Dorset, now lives and works in London but still draws her inspiration from the natural environment that surrounded her while growing up!
Using birds, animals and leaves in her designs, she produces a collection of decorative and functional wooden products that are full of intricate details and have their own special character.

Her love of nature and the shapes found within it are given a contemporary edge by using bright colours and stylised forms whilst always complimenting the natural beauty of the wood.
All of Anna’s work is lovingly handmade, by her, from start to finish. Whilst pieces are replicated, no two will ever be the same, making each one an individual character for you to enjoy!"

Have a sweet day!

Peach Blossom

2013-04-14T16:25:00.000+01:00

A few weeks back I went to the fabulous book launch and fair of Selina Lake's new book Pretty Pastel Style. After a very busy hectic few weeks I finally have been able to sit down and enjoy both Selina's book and looking at all the lovely stall holders that featured at the event. So over the next few days I will be sharing with you my favourite finds at the fair and of course reviewing Pretty Pastel Style.

First up is Peach Blossom, who love pretty parties!
They had a desire to find pretty and stylish party decorations and accessories, so they began hunting around for products that would add sparkle to special occasions. Well they succeeded and have filled their shop with creative and stylish products that will inspire you for your next celebration and there is free delivery on all orders delivered in the UK.

I of course was loving the paper tissue balls, striped straws and the individual cupcake stands are adorable...

Now I am looking forward to Selina Lake's Handmade and Vintage Summer Fete on Saturday 29th June....

Have a sweet day!

My New Bathroom Blind

2013-04-12T14:00:00.000+01:00

I was recently asked if I would like to review a blind from Luxaflex®, my first thoughts were I probably don't need any more window coverings having recently updated most of mine. But I'll have a little look at what they do...

"Luxaflex® was started more than 60 years ago, in 1946 when Joe Hunter and Henry Sonnenberg established a new business; the ‘Hunter Douglas Machinery Corporation’, to develop a new casting and production process for lightweight aluminum. Within just a few years their collaboration led to the invention of a product that would forever change the market for window coverings: aluminum Venetian Blinds.
The blinds were introduced into Europe in 1951 under the name Luxaflex®, and quickly captured the hearts of many of Europeans due to their exceptional functionality and design. Luxaflex® continued its history of development and innovation into the 21st Century, and became the recognised European market leader. Consistently adding new product lines, and winning many awards for ground breaking inventions such as Duette® Shades, Silhouette® Shades and Facette® Shades.

Today, Luxaflex® Window Styling offers the most comprehensive portfolio of custom made window covering solutions including: indoor blinds, insect screens, and outdoor screens and awnings, to beautifully complement any personal style, interior design, and type of window. Furthermore, Luxaflex® offers the widest array of innovative lifting systems for easy operation and enhanced child safety. From cordless and retractable manual operating systems, to cord tensioners, wand controls and motorised operating systems."

I was bowled over by the gorgeous array of hand made blinds and stylish window coverings they had from vertical blinds to wooden shutters and all in a dizzying array of fabric and colours. Well my little look turned into a long look, but when I saw the Mardin Delight fabric roller blind it was love at first sight and I instantly thought it would be perfect in my bathroom. I sent Luxaflex my window measurements and within a few days my new blind had arrived and I couldn't wait to put it up!

I love the way it diffuses the light and adds charm and interest to my bathroom window...

A perfect edition to my romantic, vintage styling..

Luxaflex® discreet pulley

Have a sweet day!

No 40 - Measuring Spoons

2013-04-11T16:00:00.000+01:00

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 40 - Keep your measuring spoons easy to hand by hanging them from hooks on the back of your kitchen cupboard doors using the damage-Free clear hanging hooks from Command. My millilitre duck egg blue measures are from Woolworths South Africa, the stainless steel measuring spoon set is from Kitchen Craft.

When I am baking I just open the end cupboard door and easily find the exact spoon I need...

Have a sweet day!

No 39 - Baking Sieves

2013-04-11T12:00:00.000+01:00

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 39 - Keep your baking sieves easy to hand by hanging them from hooks on the back of your kitchen cupboard doors using the damage-Free clear hanging hooks from Command. My large pink sieve I use for flour, Medium blue one for Icing sugar and my mini mint one for dusting Icing sugar, all bought from Wilkinson.

Here they are on the back of my baking cupboard door

Have a sweet day!

No 38 - Magnetic Hooks

2013-04-10T18:50:00.000+01:00

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 38 - Magnetic hooks are a great way to add extra storage space in the kitchen.
I have three small magnetic hooks on the side of my boiler that hold pretty pastel cupcake shaped cookie cutters, "Whisk up a treat" cupcake whisk from Bombay Duck and a Sweetly Does it mini icing knife.

Here they are on the side of my boiler...
the duck egg blue and teal magnetic frames at the top are from Habitat, the pretty pictures inside are from Everyday is a Holiday
My three business cards and a Cake? postcard from Paperchase are held by cute cake and cherry magnets my elder sister gave me as a gift.

Have a sweet day!

No 37 - Kitchen Utensils

2013-04-10T13:45:00.000+01:00

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 37 - Keep your kitchen utensils easy to hand by hanging them from hooks on the wall. I have bought kitchen utensils in shades of duck egg blue to match the duck egg blue coloured wall opposite, so it becomes a pretty feature.
My chrome wall hooks are from Ikea. Hanging on the hooks in shades of duck egg blue are scissors, spatula, brush, large whisk and grater from Wilkinson. Measuring cups from Woolworths South Africa , small whisk from Nigella Lawson and Candy thermometer from Tala.

Here they are in my baking corner hanging below one of my cake prints from Everyday is a Holiday.

Have a sweet day!

No 36 - Flour

2013-04-09T12:00:00.000+01:00

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 36 - Keep your baking flours in large labelled stoneware storage jars. I store mine in pretty pastel Nigella Lawson three litre stoneware storage jars with glass lids that can be used in an upright or tilted position. I love how easy they are to pour or scoop from. To print off your own labels like mine, check out my Baking cupboard labels post where you can download the labels for free!

Here they are in my baking cupboard

Have a sweet day!

No 35 - Cake Toppings

2013-04-08T12:35:00.000+01:00

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 35 - Keep your favourite cupcake decorations easy to hand and create eye candy for your walls by storing cake decorations in spice jars that can be hung on the wall using a spice rack. I store my decorations in pretty pastel cute ceramic-lidded tiny flip jars from Jamie Oliver. I have hung them on the wall using the line up oak spice rack designed exclusively by London-based designers Morph as a home for Jamie Oliver's tiny Flip jars. It comes with blank card slips so you can write your own labels and tuck them in the metal frame in front of each jar.

Here they are in my baking corner

Have a sweet day!

Peach custard cupcakes

2013-04-07T10:00:00.000+01:00

To go in my lined neon pink pretty white broderie anglaise cupcake wrappers that the lovely peeps at Just Bake sent me along with cupcake decorations. I made custard filled cupcakes with sliced peaches on top. I went for a simple cream frosting and decorated them with white chocolate glittery flowers and leaves, glittery white chocolate egg and sprinkled them with white chocolate strands so they would look like nests. I baked all my cupcakes in white foil cupcake cases from Just Bake.

Here's how...

Start by making the custard...

Ingredients

1 tbsp Custard powder
1 tbsp caster sugar
125ml milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking instructions

Place the custard powder, sugar, milk and vanilla extract in a small saucepan and blend together
Heat on a medium heat, stirring continuously until mixture boils and thickens.
Pour into a bowl, cover surface with cling film and leave to cool

Gluten-free Peach & custard cupcakes (makes 12 large cupcakes)

Ingredients

2 large eggs
110g gluten-free self raising flour
90g unsalted butter, softened
110g caster sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
30g custard powder
2 tbsp milk
2 large peaches,thinly sliced

Cooking instructions

Heat oven to 160C fan assisted
Line baking tray with cases
In a food mixer, beat the eggs, flour, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, custard powder and milk till mixture lightens to a pale colour
Divide half the batter between the cases
Top with custard
Divide the remaining batter between the cases, so the custard is covered
Top with sliced peaches
Bake for about 30-35 mins until cakes bounce back when lightly pressed
Place on rack to cool

To decorate (for 12 large cupcake sized cakes) Ingredients

250ml double cream
2 tbsp icing sugar, sifted
Glittered Chocolate egg disc
White chocolate strands
Glittered white chocolate flowers

Instructions

Place the cream and icing sugar in a bowl and whisk till light and fluffy
Fill piping bag fitted with a star nozzle
Pipe a swirl of cream icing on top of the cakes and sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles
Place glitter eggs disc inside
Adorn nest with chocolate flower and leaves

Have a sweet day!

Cadbury's Creme Egg cupcakes

2013-04-05T12:00:00.000+01:00

As I was saying yesterday, the lovely peeps at Just Bake sent me some pretty white broderie anglaise cupcake wrappers and cupcake decorations for Easter. So to fit in with my Neon and pastel colour palette I lined them in neon yellow, green and pink paper. I wanted my cupcake flavours to match the colour of the wrappers, to go with the neon yellow lined wrappers I decided to make chocolate cupcakes with a mini Cadbury's creme egg hidden inside. After some research, the best advice I found was to freeze the eggs first so they wouldn't completely melt inside. To match the gooey chocolate cupcakes I went for a cream cheese and marshmallow frosting and decorated them with white chocolate bunnies on a disc of green sparkles. I baked all my cupcakes in white foil cupcake cases from Just Bake.

Here's how...

Gluten-free Cadbury's Creme Egg cupcakes (makes 12 large cupcakes)

Ingredients

60g dark chocolate chips
160ml water
2 large eggs
100g gluten-free self raising flour
90g unsalted butter, softened
220g Brown sugar
40g ground almonds
2 tbsp cocoa powder
12 frozen mini creme eggs

Cooking instructions

Heat oven to 150C fan assisted
Line baking tray with cases
Place water and chopped chocolate in to a small saucepan, stir over a low heat until smooth, set to one side
In a food mixer, beat the butter, sugar and eggs till light and fluffy
Stir in the sifted flour, cocoa powder, ground almonds and chocolate mixture
Divide half the batter between the cases
Place one frozen cream egg into the batter filled cases
Divide the rest of the batter between the cases, so you cover the eggs
Bake for about 25-30 mins until cakes bounce back when lightly pressed
Place on rack to cool

To decorate (for 12 large cupcake sized cakes) Ingredients

1 jar of marshmallow Fluff, 213g
200g cream cheese, room temperature
White chocolate bunny disc
White chocolate strands

Instructions

Place the marshamallow fluff and cream cheese in a bowl and whisk till light and fluffy
Fill piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle
Pipe a swirl of icing on top of the cakes and sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles
Place chocolate bunny disc inside

Have a sweet day!

Key Lime Cupcakes

2013-04-04T12:00:00.000+01:00

The lovely peeps at Just Bake sent me some pretty white broderie anglaise cupcake wrappers and cupcake decorations for Easter. So to fit in with my Neon and pastel colour palette I lined them in neon yellow, green and pink paper. I wanted my cupcake flavours to match the colour of the wrappers, to go with the neon green lined wrappers I made zesty lime cupcakes with a lime curd filling. To match the zesty cupcakes I went for a mascapone and cream frosting and decorated them with white chocolate glittery flowers and leaves, glittery white chocolate egg and sprinkled them with white chocolate strands so they would look like nests.

Here's how...

Gluten-free key lime cupcakes (makes 12 large cupcakes)

Ingredients

3 large eggs
175g gluten-free self raising flour
175g unsalted butter, softened
175g goldencaster sugar
Grated zest of two limes
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp milk

Cooking instructions

Heat oven to 190C fan assisted
Line baking tray with cases
In a food mixer, beat the butter and sugar till light and fluffy
Slowly beat the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mix till just combined
Whisk in sifted flour, lime zest, baking powder and milk until fluffy
Divide the batter between the cases
Bake for about 15-20 mins until cakes bounce back when lightly pressed
Place on rack to cool

Whilst the cakes are baking, make the lime curd...

Ingredients

25g butter
100g golden caster sugar
2 medium eggs , beaten
Juice of 4 limes

Cooking instructions

Place the butter, sugar, eggs and lime juice in a medium saucepan
Heat on a low heat, stirring continuously until thickened.
Pour into a bowl and leave to cool

To decorate (for 12 large cupcake sized cakes) Ingredients

250ml double cream
220g mascarpone cheese, room temperature
2 tbsp icing sugar, sifted
Glittered Chocolate egg disc
White chocolate strands
Glittered white chocolate flowers and leaves

Instructions

Place the cream, mascarpone cheese and icing sugar in a bowl and whisk till light and fluffy
Place bowl in fridge for 1-2 hours
Using an apple corer ~ Gently push the corer into the center of your cupcake, rotate the corer slightly and pull the corer out of the cupcake. Push the small cake round out of the corer and repeat this process with all the cupcakes.
Or use a cupcake corer as per instructions.(they all differ slightly)
Be sure not to go all the way down to the bottom of the cupcake, otherwise this can cause your filling to seep through the case.
Fill piping bag fitted with a star nozzle
Put lime curd into the hole in each cake and replace the cake pieces
Pipe a swirl of mascapone icing on top of the cakes and sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles
Place glitter eggs disc inside
Adorn nest with chocolate flower and leaves

Have a sweet day!

Edible Neon Glitter

2013-04-03T09:00:00.000+01:00

I love a bit of sparkle on my cakes and sweet treats and use EdAble art glitters as they meet the FSA standards. For my Easter decorations I used Disco Neon Way Too Pink, Disco Neon Flamingo and Disco Neon Yellow which are available from the EdAble Art Glitters and Powders Facebook page.

Have a sweet day!

Neon decorated wooden letters

2013-04-02T12:00:00.000+01:00

I bought some "Happy Easter" MDF letters at the Make it & Knit it craft show. I decided to decorate the letters in the same prints that I used for my Neon bird houses. Here's how...

Neon decorated wooden letters
Tools and Materials

Neon pink acrylic paint
Neon yellow acrylic paint
PVA glue or Modge podge
Grey And white geo printed paper
Peach and white geo printed paper
Scissors
Sharp pencil

Neon decorated wooden letters, How-to step by step

Start by tracing round the letters on to your printed paper and cut out. Then carefully paint the outside edges of the letters with neon paint and leave to dry. Apply a thin layer of glue on to the MDF letters and adhere cut out printed letters to them, leave to dry. Paint a thin layer of modge podge over the printed papered MDF letters, leave to dry.

I love my decorated wooden letters that I have decided to place the "Happy" word in my craft room!

Have a sweet day!

My Neon & Pastel Easter Table

2013-04-01T13:00:00.000+01:00

Pastel and neon paper chain garland tutorial

I hope you all has a lovely Easter and as promised yesterday, here are the photos of my Easter table...

Neon and pastel bird houses tutorial

Turkish delight mini doughnut nests

Neon and pastel bird houses tutorial

Turkish delight mini doughnut nests

Mini pina colada doughnut nests

Pretty neon egg cups tutorial

I will be back tomorrow with recipes and show you what was hidden inside my Easter cupcakes!

Have a sweet day!

Happy Easter!

2013-03-31T12:40:00.000+01:00

Wishing you all a "Happy Easter"!

I will be back next week with more photos, all the details and recipes...

Have a sweet day!

Pretty neon egg cups

2013-03-30T12:00:00.002Z

As part of my Easter table settings I wanted to add some pretty neon egg cups, so I made my own. Here's how...

Pretty neon egg cups
Tools and Materials

Neon pink acrylic paint
Neon yellow acrylic paint
Plasti-kote super satin paint in white
Thin washi tape in pale pink
Thin washi tape in neon green
Neon pink satin ribbon

Pretty neon egg cups, How-to step by step

Carefully paint the inside with neon paint and leave to dry. Place Egg cup upside down and following the instructions on the spray paint, carefully spray the wooden egg cup until you have an even coat of paint and the original colour of the egg cup is no longer visible. Leave to dry. Wrap washi tape round top of egg cups in stripes. Paint a thin layer of modge podge over the washi tape, leave to dry. Tie ribbon round egg cup and secure with a bow.

Have a sweet day!

Gluten free mini chocolate nests

2013-03-29T12:00:00.000Z

Rather than giving decorated egg boxes of the same sweet treats I made a selection of four gluten free sweet treats all of which look like little nests to fill my egg boxes with. Yesterday I shared you my mini pina colada doughnuts, turkish delight mini doughnut nests and earlier today my white chocolate rocky road nests. So last but not least are the chocolate cornflake nests...

Mini chocolate nests (makes 24 mini size cupcakes)
Ingredients

100g milk chocolate chips
50g gluten free cornflakes, lightly crushed
50g raisins
Edible pink glitter
Pink sprinkles
Jelly bean eggs

Method

Line mini cupcake baking tray with mini cupcake cases
Melt chocolate in microwave on low power for about 1-2 minutes (the exact amount of time needed will depend on the type of chocolate being used so remove and stir the chocolate every so often to ensure it heats evenly)
Once the chocolate is melted, remove from microwave and gradually pour into bowl of crushed cornflakes and raisins
Stir chocolate, cornflakes and raisins until the dried ingredients are completely covered in chocolate
Spoon mixture into cases and make a hole in the center
Sprinkle with pink sprinkles
Fill hole with jelly eggs and sprinkle with edible pink glitter, leave to set

Have a sweet day!

White chocolate rocky road nests

2013-03-29T09:00:00.000Z

I have been meaning to make rocky road for a while now, so I decided Easter would be a perfect time! I went for white chocolate and made them into mini nests, more sweet treats for my egg boxes...

Mini white chocolate rocky road nests (makes 24 mini size cupcakes)
Ingredients

100g white chocolate chips
50g gluten free digestive biscuits, crushed into small pieces
50g mini marshmallows
25g desiccated coconut
Edible neon yellow glitter
Pink sprinkles
Jelly bean eggs

Method

Line mini cupcake baking tray with mini cupcake cases
Melt chocolate in microwave on low power for about 1-2 minutes (the exact amount of time needed will depend on the type of chocolate being used so remove and stir the chocolate every so often to ensure it heats evenly)
Once the chocolate is melted, remove from microwave and gradually pour into bowl of crushed biscuits, marshmallows and coconut
Stir mixture until the dried ingredients are completely covered in chocolate
Lightly stir in pink sprinkles
Spoon mixture into cases and make a hole in the center
Sprinkle with desiccated coconut
Fill hole with jelly eggs and sprinkle with edible pink glitter, leave to set

Have a sweet day!

Mini Pina Colada doughnut nests

2013-03-28T23:00:00.000Z

To go with my Turkish Delight mini nests I also made some mini Pina Colada inspired doughnut nests, a pineapple doughnut with a pineapple glaze sprinkled in desiccated coconut. I plan to package them up in my decorated egg boxes.

Gluten free Pina Colada doughnuts (makes 24 mini doughnuts)

Ingredients

110g (1 cup) gluten free flour
1 tsp xantham gum
115g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons buttermilk
Non-stick cooking spray
4 slices of pineapple finely chopped

What you will need

Mini doughnut pan

Cooking instructions

Preheat oven to 160 deg C, fan assisted (370 deg F)
Lightly spray doughnut pan with non-stick cooking spray
In a bowl beat the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla essence and oil together until you get a foamy mixture
In a separate bowl, add the sieved dry ingredients to the sugar and mix
Gradually pour foamy mixture into dry ingredients and stir until mixture is combined
Stir in chopped pineapple, till well combined
Pour mixture into greased doughnut pan until each cavity is 3/4 full (I prefer to use a piping bag to fill each cup more evenly and cleanly)
Bake in preheated oven for 10-15 mins or until doughnut springs back when lightly pressed
Turn out onto baking rack and leave to cool

Pineapple Glaze
Ingredients

60g (1/2 cup) icing sugar (confectioners sugar)
1 tablespoon of pineapple juice

Cooking instructions

In a bowl add the sieved icing sugar to the pineapple juice
Whisk all of the ingredients together until you have a smooth paste
Pour into a small, shallow bowl

Decorating the mini doughnuts
What you will need

24 mini doughnuts
Pineapple glaze
Desiccated coconut
Mini jelly bean eggs
Edible neon yellow glitter

Decorating instructions

Dip doughnut into pineapple glaze, shake off any excess
Sprinkle coconut onto icing
Place three eggs in centre
Sprinkle with glitter
Leave to set

Have a sweet day!

Turkish Delight mini doughnut nests

2013-03-28T15:05:00.000Z

I have made these turkish delight inspired pink rose flavoured doughnuts many times as my Dad loves turkish delight! So for Easter I decided to make them into nests by dipping them in crumbled flakes and adding jelly eggs. I used a mini doughnut pan and a tiny doughnut pan, so I have some mini ones for my Easter table and some tiny ones that I will package up in my decorated egg boxes.

Gluten free turkish delight doughnuts (makes 24 mini doughnuts)

Ingredients

110g (1 cup) gluten free flour
1 tsp xantham gum
115g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon rose essence
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons buttermilk
Non-stick cooking spray
Pink food colouring

What you will need

Mini doughnut pan

Cooking instructions

Preheat oven to 160 deg C, fan assisted (370 deg F)
Lightly spray doughnut pan with non-stick cooking spray
In a bowl beat the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla essence and oil together until you get a foamy mixture
In a separate bowl, add the sieved dry ingredients to the sugar and mix
Gradually pour foamy mixture into dry ingredients and stir until mixture is combined
Stir rose essence and pink food colouring in to mixture, till you have an even colour
Pour mixture into greased doughnut pan until each cavity is 3/4 full (I prefer to use a piping bag to fill each cup more evenly and cleanly)
Bake in preheated oven for 10-15 mins or until doughnut springs back when lightly pressed
Turn out onto baking rack and leave to cool

Dark chocolate icing
Ingredients

150g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

Cooking instructions

In a microwavable bowl, melt dark chocolate in microwave on a low heat, stirring every minute so chocolate does not burn

Decorating the mini doughnuts
What you will need

24 mini doughnuts
Melted dark chocolate
2 Flakes crumbled
Mini jelly bean eggs
Edible neon pink glitter

Decorating instructions

Dip doughnut into chocolate, shake off any excess
Dip into crumbled flakes
Place three eggs in centre
Sprinkle with glitter
Leave to set

Have a sweet day!

Copper bunny jar

2013-03-26T12:00:00.000Z

I love the bunny jars I made for Easter last year and after Easter I repurposed them into storage jars for my craft room. So I just had to make more for this Easter, starting with the cute little grooming bunny that I spray painted copper and decorated the jar with neon washi tape...

Bunny jars for Easter
Tools and Materials

Schleich Rabbit grooming
Recycled glass jar, label removed and cleaned
Fast dry enamel spray paint in copper from Plasti-Kote
Super glue
Washi tape

Bunny jars for Easter, How-to step by step

Start by carefully gluing the rabbit to the jar lid and leave to dry. Place lid on a platform you don't need (I used an old glass pot I did not need anymore). Following the instructions on the spray paint, carefully spray the glued rabbit and lid until you have an even coat of paint and the original colour of both the rabbit and lid are no longer visible. Leave to dry. Carefully adhere strips of washi tape to jar in a stripe pattern. Fill with Easter treats.

Have a sweet day!

More neon & pastel birdhouses with free print

2013-03-26T09:00:00.000Z

Last week I showed you three of my Neon & pastel birdhouses and how to make them. After much searching around and not finding a print for the other three houses I decided to design my own. Feel free to download it and use it for your own craft projects like these bird houses, just remember that if you are using it on the bird houses you will need to print it using a laser printer so you can use PVA glue/mod podge on the top, if it is inkjet printed the print will dissapear and smudge when adding PVA glue or mod podge to the top layer!

Have a sweet day!

Decorated egg boxes

2013-03-25T16:55:00.000Z

Hello sweets! I have been very busy over the past few days trying to get myself ready for Easter. Gluing and spraying bunnies for this years bunny jars, melting pounds of chocolate into lollipops, eggs and carrots etc. Painting and decorating egg cups and dressing my bunnies!
So I am just dropping in to share with you my decorated Easter egg boxes that I shall fill with mini chocolate nests, chocolate eggs and mini cupcakes.

Egg boxes £3.87 for 20 from Chickengear
Washi tape from Superlovely
Neon ribbon from Paperchase
Easter Labels free to download from Friday's post

Have a sweet day!

Free Easter Labels

2013-03-22T12:00:00.001Z

I have been working on some labels for my egg boxes and some tags to add to my Easter gifts...

Please feel free to download them and use them on your own Easter gifts!

Have a sweet day!

The Country Living Spring Fair

2013-03-21T12:00:00.000Z

Yesterday I went to The Country Living Spring Fair,it may have been cold and dreary outside but Spring was definitely in the air inside the fair! Alongside the lovely stands of beautiful treasures what really caught my eye was the inspirational Easter table setting...

I loved the rustic vintage charm of it...

the Country inspired garden...

and the tree hung with Easter eggs and pretty little glass votives full of Spring blooms...

Have a sweet day!

Featured in Somerset Life

2013-03-21T00:12:00.000Z

Today I am delighted to share with you the lovely feature on me in US magazine, Somerset Living, Winter 2013 issue...

Have a sweet day!

Tate & Lyle sugars tasting house

2013-03-20T08:00:00.000Z

Yesterday I went to the Tate and Lyle sugars tasting house, press preview...

"Coinciding with the launch of their 'taste experience' range of golden and brown sugars, Tate and Lyle are giving Londoners the rare opportunity to visit their Tasting House in Soho - just be sure you don't have a dentist appointment booked for the next day. Visitors will enter a Hansel and Gretel-esque house, where there will be edible furnishings, fluffy macaroon banisters, cupcake fairy lights, carpets made from cake and windowsills built from fudge alone. With eight different tasting rooms, there will be over 100 different types of edible art that are all based around the new range of sugars."

The Soho based cake hotel was created by a team of 14 cake makers that spent over 2,000 hours baking, 900 hours decorating and used more than 600 kilos of Taste Experience sugar. Inspired by regions around the world, the eight new and distinctly different fair trade sugars showcase the diversity of flavour and texture available exclusively from cane sugar.

Upon arriving I got to taste all the sugars from the lightest golden caster sugar to the dark Muscovado all with subtle flavour differences, texture and appearance, my favourite being the Golden syrup sugar!

The sugar tasting was housed in the British Inspired room, that had the most fantastic edible vase full of sugar flowers...

Cake stands full of sugary sweet treats...

Then I headed upstairs past the rows and rows of coloured macarons, tasting a couple along the way!...

To my favourite tasting room, the Mediterranean inspired bedroom, that had the prettiest edible cushions on the bed...

Meringue draped chandeliers...

A rainbow rug made from 1,081 meringues...

and a bath filled with caramel-coated popcorn...

Window sills adorned with glittered frilled cupcakes...

and decadent pearly ones...

I can't wait to try out the new Tate and Lyle sugars in my Easter baking!

For a chance to win an overnight stay in the Tate and Lyle Sugars Tasting House in London with a friend.

Why not enter the prize draw, simply tweet a message to @welovebaking, saying why you want to stay at the cake hotel and include the hashtag ‘#cakehotel’.

The competition opened at 9am on Tuesday 19th March and entries close at midday on Wednesday 20 March 2013 and one winner will be selected at random. The winner will be notified via Twitter, Good luck!

Have a sweet day!

Neon & Pastel bird houses

2013-03-18T16:10:00.000Z

Today I am sharing with you my neon & pastel bird houses I have started making for my Easter Table...

Easter Bird houses
Materials

Six wooden craft birdhouses
White undercoat paint
Neon yellow paint
Printed paper, (I used Kimono series 3 from Pleased to Meet)
Rolls of Japanese washi tape from Superlovely
PVA glue

Equipment

Paint brush
Craft knife
Glue spreader

Easter Bird houses, how to

Paint house roof with white paint, and leave to dry. Paint base, perch and underside of roof and edges in neon yellow paint and leave to dry.
Starting on the outside edge of the roof, carefully stick lines of masking tape to roof. Trim off any excess.

Carefully make a pattern for the front and back of the house. Trace the pattern on to printed paper and carefully cut out. Stick a ring sticker where perch hole needs to be and cut out centre. Apply pva glue to front of house and place printed paper cut out piece on to front of house, carefully smooth down paper. Repeat with back of house. (I used a ruler to get into the point at tip of roof).

Using a craft knife carefully cut out hole in centre of house.
Make a pattern for the sides of the house and cut out in printed paper. Apply pva glue to side of house and place printed paper cut out piece on to side of house, carefully smooth down paper.(I used a ruler to get under the roof) Repeat with other side.
Coat house with PVA glue in sections and leave to dry - this ensures that they do not stick to the surface you are drying them on.

Have a sweet day!

Featured in C'est Dit!

2013-03-17T13:05:00.000Z

Today I wanted to share with you the lovely little feature in French magazine C'est Dit of my bunny jars...

Have a sweet day!

Lombok £250 giveaway winner!

2013-03-17T12:00:00.000Z

My contest ended yesterday and I just picked a winner using random.org and I am delighted to announce the winner of the Lombok £250 giveaway is...

Oh sow gawjess, who is loving the Moorish iron windlights from Lombok .

Congratulations Oh sow gawjess, you will receive a £250 store credit to Lombok.

Thank you to all of you sweets that entered, to my loyal followers and new friends.

Have a sweet day!

Making the switch to Bloglovin

2013-03-16T12:30:00.000Z

"Earlier this week Google announced it was to withdraw its Google Reader service due to declining interest in the RSS content aggregator.

The Keep Google Reader Running petition on Change.org generated more than 400,000 page views since Wednesday.
At least eight related petitions have been started on the site since Wednesday, several of which also have thousands of signatures.
“People were clearly shocked and dismayed about Google’s decision, and they came to Change.org to make their voices heard.” said Charlotte Hill, a spokesperson for the website.
Google made the announcement in its company blog, saying: "There are two simple reasons for this: usage of Google Reader has declined, and as a company we are pouring all of our energy into fewer products,"

Looking for a new way to follow and keep updated on your favourite blogs?

Well, let me introduce you to something called Bloglovin'.

"We created bloglovin´ so you wouldn’t have to visit un-updated blogs, open ten windows in your browser, or forget your favorite blogs' web-addresses. With bloglovin´, we wanted to make your blog-reading fun and easy.

Sounds sweet! How does it work?
Just add all the blogs you want to follow, and then you’ll get notified every time one of your favorite blogs has written a new blog post."

Bloglovin' have made an exceptionally great little tool on their site, allowing anyone who has joined up to sync their GFC blogs with Bloglovin' in one easy step.

Follow the instructions to import your followers to Bloglovin' HERE
Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE

Have a sweet day!

Neon glittered eggs

2013-03-15T17:00:00.000Z

For this year's Easter tree, that I am in the process of making, I need some new eggs to hang on it. So I have started glittering plastic eggs in this years colour palette of grey, peach, copper, coral, bright green, neon pink and neon yellow.

Glitter eggs
Tools and Materials

Hanging plastic eggs
Gold egg hangers
Neon Glitter
PVA glue
Neon paint
Neon pink bakers twine
Small paint brush

Glitter eggs, How-to step by step

Start by carefully removing the plastic stopper from the plastic eggs. Then brush PVA glue on to top of eggs. Sprinkle coloured glitter onto glued area of eggs. Tap gently to remove any excess glitter, and leave to dry. Push egg hangers into hole at top of eggs and thread bakers twine thread through loop in egg hanger, and knot to secure. Brush PVA glue onto rest of eggs and spoon glitter onto eggs, covering entire surface. Tap gently to remove any excess glitter, hang and leave to dry.

Have a sweet day!

Sweet Magazine

2013-03-14T12:00:00.000Z

I am loving the brand new Sweet magazine brought to us by the publishers of the popular crafty Mollie Makes magazine. With the strap line Sweet! Cakes, Bakes and Pretty Makes magazine.

"Projects, ideas and inspiration for any cake maker or baker who wants to create beautiful cakes. Make cakes so beautiful they could hit the catwalk, cakes that taste as good as they look and easy craft projects to accessorize your cakes and kitchen!"

In the second issue there are beautiful dream cakes and pretty Spring sweet treats to make like berry tartlets, the prettiest pink éclairs the cutest cake pops and a good helping of chocolate in time for Easter…
Along side the lovely recipes there are interviews and recipes from the creative kitchens of Lilli Vanilli, Mich Turner, Edd Kimber, Annie Bell, and The Biscuiteers. With some fabulous inspiration to make the kitchen the heart and soul of your home including décor ideas like the lovely crochet tea cosy and shopping ideas to make it your favourite place.
My perfect kind of magazine!

So I was thrilled to have my bunny jars included in the second issue...

Tutorial found here

Have a sweet day!

Pastel & Neon paper chain garland

2013-03-13T14:25:00.000Z

I love paper garlands so for Easter I have started to make a pretty pastel and neon one using a lace paper punch to fit in with my colour palette...

Easter decoration: Pretty paper chain garland

Tools and Materials

Pastel paper
Neon paper
Double sided sticky tape
Simplicity paper punch - Daisy strip

How-to, step by step

Simply cut strips of paper using the paper punch. Carefully place a piece of double-sided tape on one end of the rectangular strip of paper and form a loop by curling the other end under. Adhere the other end to the taped end. Get another rectangular strip, place a piece of tape on one end, insert the end through the first loop and join the ends of the second loop together. Repeat above steps for as many rectangular strips needed to form the length of garland you require, alternating the colours of the strips you use.

Have a sweet day!

Torie Jayne Etsy shop now open!

2013-03-12T12:40:00.000Z

I have often been asked if I would sell any of my crafts and after politely declining for the past few years I have finally decided that keeping all my seasonal crafts neatly stored in boxes is no good for them and no good for me! So after weeks of work designing my packaging and listing all the items, I am so pleased to announce my Etsy shop is now open! I will send the items anywhere in the world and am happy to combine shipping so you get the best postage price possible.

I will of course continue to show you all my crafts here on Torie Jayne with tutorials on how to make them and as always where I get everything from. But rather than putting them away after the Season is over, I will be selling them on my Etsy shop along with some pretty craft supplies.

Please take a look around and I would love to get your thoughts on my new shop!

Thank you sweets x

Have a sweet day!

Easter Inspiration 2013 part 2

2013-03-11T15:00:00.000Z

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!
I don't know if I am coming or going at the moment as I have a list as long as my arm of things I have to do! But it would seem I am nearing completion on a lot of things so I can get back to what I love! Crafting for Easter...

I promise to be back this week with an exciting announcement and lots and lots of new Easter crafting ideas, but until then I must dash!

Have a sweet day!

Everything goes with Ice cream by Koralee Teichroeb

2013-03-09T16:00:00.000Z

Everything goes with Ice cream is the fabulous new book by my friend Koralee Teichroeb, creator of the very popular and truly gorgeous blog Bluebird Notes.

"Baking and creating has always been a part of Koralee Teichroeb's life. Many childhood hours spent in her Grandma's kitchen is where it all began. She can usually be found in the kitchen with her camera; her creative side has now discovered the joys of photography. Koralee's baking and photographs have been found in the pages of Where Women Cook, where she fills her column "Joy Making Days" with yummy treats and ideas to share with those you love. Koralee's photographs, paired with her little bits of daily wisdom, can be found on her creative blog Bluebird Notes, where she shows us that it is the little things in life that really matter. Koralee lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada with her husband, three girls, and a son-in-law who all eagerly taste test her creations."

"There are 176 pages of simple, yummy ingeniously designed and memorable recipes, Red Velvet Ice Cream being one, that promise to please everyone who is very special to you!"

The book is split into eight chapters starting with Scratch, here you will find recipes for a vanilla bean, strawberry, peach, chocolate and candy cane ice creams amongst others. There are also fab tutorials on making a tea cup pin cushion, tea cup planter and tea cup candles. Koralee also shares how to make your own sprinkles in any colour you desire!

Next up is Festive where Koralee welcomes blue skies and sunshiny festive days with blissfully delightful treats like the fabluous hot pink coloured Blueberry bombe seen on the front cover. Tutorials on making pom pom garlands, heartfelt button covers and sweet treat recipes for meringue heart cookies and Coconut ice. Then it is time to put on an extra sweater and get cozy with festive Autumn treats like Pumpkin ice cream sandwich cookies, candy apples and make knitted bowl covers. To brighten up the shortest and coldest days of the year with merry treats Koralee and friends share the prettiest peppermint bark recipes, cutest marshmallow snowmen on sticks and cranberry pistachio ice cream chateaus.

From there we move to Rich, a chapter on full-bodied flavour with yummy goodness. Recipes include a "Cup of Joe" ice cream cake, mint ice cream minis, Mom's rich marshmallow fudge and decadent cream cookie pie. There are the prettiest tutorials on making hot cocoa giveaway jars, cupcake garlands and frilled aprons.

In Ripe Koralee and friends celebrate the heavenly indulgences and sweetness of freshly picked fruits with recipes for a red raspberry sorbet, strawberry curd, rhubarb strawberry crisp and a lemon blueberry ice cream pie. This chapter also has some great tutorials on making beaded spoons and strawberry pin cushions.

Handheld is for perfectly sized treats to hold in your hands to eat; no spoon required. Here you will find recipes for peanut butter bar ice cream sandwiches on sticks, strawberry shortcakes on a stick and red bean ice cream bars. In this chapter you will also find my Eton mess ice cream cone recipe with a tutorial on making pretty cone wrappers...

In Simple Koralee and her daughters share fast and easy but oh so pretty recipes that will have everyone thinking you have been slaving over them for hours like the amazing looking Neapolitan ice cream cake, ice cream pizza, S'more bar milkshakes, and mini ice cream cups.

Next up is Adorn which is a chapter full of great ideas on ways to adorn and decorate your Ice Cream treats from sugared flowers to dipped fruit.

Last but not least is A Cozy Goodnight, for all things snugly & delightfully comfy. Here you will find tutorials on embellishing your own pillowcases and a yummy sounding marshmallow vanilla milkshake recipe.

"Everything Goes with Ice Cream is filled with cute ideas, a fun layout, and fabulous photography to make you as happy as you are on a summer day with your grammy's fresh peach ice cream pops covered in orange frosting sprinkles!"

Available for pre-order in the UK here

Available for pre-order in the US here

A big thank you to the sweet Koralee for inviting me to be part of her gorgeous book, I feel so blessed and honoured, "happy dance" hugs and kisses my friend xx

Have a sweet day!

Featured in Bolig DrØm

2013-03-08T12:35:00.000Z

Yesterday I was telling you about all the lovely press coverage I have had of late, so today I wanted to share with you Bolig DrØm (Dream Living) a Norweigian magazine that featured my Woodland gingerbread house in their special Christmas issue. Here's what my Woodland gingerbread house I made for a friends woodland themed babyshower looked like from the front...

Recipe and how to can be found here

Have a sweet day!

My house featured in N.E.E.T magazine

2013-03-07T12:00:00.000Z

I am so appreciative of all the press coverage I have got of late, it is such a joy to see my home, crafty endeavours and sweet treats on the pages of magazines and of course Koralee's gorgeous new book "Everything goes with Ice Cream". So today I am sharing with you the lovely feature N.E.E.T. magazine did on my home.

"N.E.E.T. began in December 2005 as a quarterly, online publication, laid out in a magazine format - as a showcase for grassroots creativity. N.E.E.T. is the first of its kind - online, free and packed with everyone from a crafter creating from their kitchen table, to a fashion design graduate straight out of college, to a team of people doing it for the love of it. N.E.E.T. Magazine is the brainchild of Stephanie J. Everything in the magazine is handpicked, designed and organised by her, the editor. N.E.E.T. Magazine is an eco-friendly, grassroots style bible for the digital age."

Have a sweet day!

My Linen Cupboard

2013-03-06T12:00:00.000Z

On Monday I showed you all my organization tips for my linen cupboard. So today I am sharing what it looks like now and how it looked before...

I painted the slatted shelves in duck egg blue and added a Trofast shelving unit from Ikea that I spray painted duck egg blue to keep all our spare toiletries in. I used Skubb boxes from Ikea to store our bed linens and towels in and wallpapered wooden boxes to keep my metres of fabric and holiday dining china in. Now we have a super organized linen cupboard that is not only practical but looks cute too!

Crystal glass handles

Vintage tablecloth, hand stitched crystal cushion, linen and lace tablecloths from H&M

GreenGate gingham cushion and polka dot bedspread

It used to have one ugly looking blue door with no surround so we replaced the door with two louvre doors and added architrave.

Have a sweet day!

No 34 - Linen boxes

2013-03-04T18:00:00.000Z

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 34 - Add a touch of pretty to these fabric boxes from Ikea by simply ironing on a decorative length of polka dot ribbon from Jane Means to the handles using iron-on adhesive tape.

Skubb boxes, Caramel and white spotty ribbon, Iron-on adhesive tape

I labelled my linen boxes with old fashioned luggage labels in blue from Jane Means and my label maker.

Have a sweet day!

No 33 - Vinyl Labels

2013-03-04T16:00:00.000Z

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 33 - Vinyl Lettering allows you to easily produce a quick, durable and professional looking job with the minimum of effort. I ordered a bunch of them in various colours for the plastic drawers in my linen cupboard and downstairs cloakroom cupboard from Dawson Signs.
"All our lettering is supplied in word form, and comes complete on its own carrier tape for really quick easy application"

Trofast frame and storage boxes

Have a sweet day!

No 32 - Book Plates

2013-03-04T14:00:00.000Z

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 32 - Adhesive metal bookplates are an elegant way to label and identify binders, storage boxes, or pockets. They require no hardware to apply and work beautifully on the wallpapered storage boxes. I labelled the card inside my book plate labels using my label maker

Wallpapered storage boxes

Have a sweet day!

No 31 - Wallpapered boxes

2013-03-04T12:00:00.002Z

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 31 - Make wooden boxes pretty and stylish by covering them in wallpaper. To see my tutorial on how to do it, head over to the Laura Ashley blog where my tutorial was featured last Friday.

Isodore Smoke Floral Wallpaper, Prant Box

Have a sweet day!

79 Ideas Pretty Rustic Easter

2013-03-03T12:00:00.000Z

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you these gorgeous Easter photos from 79 Ideas. I love the rustic colour palette and the pretty details like the ribbon wrapped flowers and the single white feather. To see more of Radostina's lovely photography check out her gorgeous blog 79 Ideas.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites:

The pretty table setting in Easter table decoration set 2
The bunch of flowers in Easter table decoration set 2
The rustic basket with speckled eggs in Easter table decoration set 1
The beautiful table setting with speckled eggs in Easter table decoration set 1

Have a sweet day!

Lombok £250 Giveaway

2013-03-02T14:05:00.000Z

Slatted day bed with cream cushion

Yipee! I have another great giveaway for you. A £250 gift voucher to spend on anything you like at Lombok, open to UK readers only. So come on peeps, tell me what you would spend it on.

Lombok is renowned for stylish Eastern inspired furniture, lighting and accessories. Over ten years ago the founder of Lombok wanted to bring the beauty of eastern inspired furniture to the UK. Named after the idyllic island of Lombok, today there are two showrooms that encompass different styles of uniquely designed furniture, lighting and accessories, all hand made from natural materials.
By using recycled and natural materials wherever possible, Lombok furniture is naturally stylish and comfortable, with a reassuring lived-in feel. The ever expanding range that encompasses different styles and finishes, includes an upholstered collection of furniture and a wealth of accessories including lighting, mirrors, candles, textiles and lots of wonderful storage items, all of which are wonderfully showcased on the website with expandable photography and detailed product information.

On my wish list is the...

Mandara Blanket Chest
"Finished in distressed off-white with a contrasting brass catch, this storage chest is part of the exquisite Mandara range of bedroom furniture"

Irma Silver Jewellery Box
"An impressive jewellery box from our limited edition 'Romance' range of accessories for the home"

Drop Floor Lamp
"Taking up very little floor space, this curvaceous lamp would suit almost any room in the home"

Hari Design Candle Pot
"This terracotta candle pot has been hand painted in a soft shade of harbour grey and then carefully stencilled with a Hari design before glazing."

To enter, please visit Lombok and then leave a comment below this post letting me know what you would spend your store credit on. The giveaway ends on Saturday, March 16th 2013 at 10pm (BST) and I will randomly select and announce a winner on Sunday, March 17th 2013.

To increase your chances of winning this fabulous prize, you can gain one additional entry for doing each of the following:

tweeting about this giveaway
blogging about it
follow Torie Jayne via Google Friend Connect
follow Torie Jayne on Twitter
"Like" Torie Jayne on Facebook

For the first two, please leave a comment below with the link to your tweet or blog post.

This giveaway is open to UK readers only.

Good luck and have a sweet day!

Easter Bunnies

2013-03-01T12:00:00.002Z

Ceramic bunnies from Pottery Barn

I love bunnies at Easter and have several ceramic and porcelain ones I use to decorate my home, I have been sharing them over on my Facebook page this week and had lots of questions about where to find them. So today I wanted to share all the lovely Easter Bunnies I have found here in the UK ...

Ceramic bunny egg cup, Rabbit ring dish, Ceramic Easter bunnies, Ceramic bunny egg holder, Rabbit jug

and in the US...

Ceramic tiny taper holders, Cake stand with leaves and bunny, Ceramic bunny object, Easter bunny egg holder, Bunny spoon, Pink cake stand with rabbit dome

Have a sweet day!

Mulberry Muse

2013-02-28T12:00:00.000Z

This week on "Wonderful World of Etsy" I wanted to show you Mulberry Muse.

"Mulberry Muse, purveyor of the finest, unique, vintage, romantic, whimsical designer stationery. Mannequins, Peacocks, Deer, Birds, Bunny Rabbits, Jane Austen, and the charming Marie Antoinette coyly inviting you in for afternoon tea.

Mulberry Muse products are designed and illustrated by Wendy Paula Patterson and printed in house using the giclee process onto beautiful premium 100% thick cotton rag papers with archival inks."

I am loving the bunny art for Easter!

Have a sweet day!

My handmade acrylic wall shelf boxes

2013-02-27T12:00:00.000Z

Earlier this week I showed you my inspiration shelf, well since then I have been busy making a bunch of them as great storage for my craft room and more...

I found a great sheet acrylic supplier Sheet Plastics, who can cut your pieces to size and if clear acrylic is not your thing, they also have a host of other colours including a great selection of neons. I attached the acrylic shelf to the wall using the Command™ Picture & Mirror Hanging Strips, which as well as leaving no marks on the wall also enable me to take the shelf on and off the wall as much as I like due to the velcro like technology.

Here's how I did it:

Acrylic box

You will need:

Tensol 12 50ML ( Tensol 12 is a single component cement which hardens due to solvent evaporation to produce a clear bond in cast/Xt acrylic acrylic Sheet.The product is quickly and easily used direct from the bottle.)
3 sheets of 5mm thick acrylic cut to 260mm x 50mm
2 sheets of 5mm thick acrylic cut to 55mm x 50mm

Start by carefully peeling off the protective film
Add a very thin line of tensol along the top of one of the long edges of the side pieces

Carefully place in position and hold for a few seconds, leave to dry
Repeat with the other side piece
Turn box so it sitting on its end.
Add a very thin line of tensol along the top edges
Carefully place end piece in position and hold for a few seconds, leave to dry
Repeat with other end piece

Have a sweet day!

Easter 2013 Inspiration

2013-02-26T12:00:00.000Z

This Easter I have decided to go for a pastel and neon colour palette with hints of metallic copper! Over the next few weeks I will be sharing with you all my makes and sweet bakes from handmade paper honeycomb eggs to pretty chocolate bunnies, so stay tuned for a bright fresh fun filled Easter!

Bunny dessert stands from Pottery Barn, Washi tape from Superlovely

Here is what my previous Easters have looked like...

Have a sweet day!

No 30 - Inspiration Shelf

2013-02-25T19:00:00.000Z

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 30 - When I start a new craft project I gather up my glitter, paint, ribbon and washi tape etc in my chosen colour palette and leave them out for the duration of my project. However they always get in the way when they are piled up on the corner of my desk and inevitably I often knock them on to the floor. So I bought some acrylic sheets cut to size and made a little shelf that I could store them on, but still be inspired by looking at them. I attached the acrylic shelf to the wall using the Command™ Picture & Mirror Hanging Strips, which as well as leaving no marks on the wall also enable me to take the shelf on and off the wall as much as I like due to the velcro like technology. I will share how you can make your own made to measure acrylic shelf later this week...

Getting ready for Easter 2013...

Have a sweet day!

No 29 - Sewing Pins

2013-02-25T17:00:00.000Z

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 29 - Store your sewing pins in a pretty little pin tin from Cath Kidston

Have a sweet day!

No 28 - Paper Punches

2013-02-25T13:35:00.000Z

101 ways to get pretty organized

No 28 - Store your paper punches in a sturdy tin, so they are all together and easy to find. I keep all my paper punches from Tonic studios in some Ikea tin boxes, that have a handy handle on the front so I can easily slide them out from under my trolley...

Have a sweet day!

Alice M. Wingerden's Pretty Easter

2013-02-24T12:00:00.000Z

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you these pretty Easter photos from Alice M. Wingerden. To see more of Alice's pretty work check out her blog Thoughts from Alice that is full of her wonderful photographs!

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites:

The pretty bird cake stand in Easter Egg Display
The delicate crockery in Vintage Easter Basket
The beautiful glittered eggs in Pastel Eggs
The delightful speckled eggs in Easter Egg Display

Have a sweet day!

Diary Date - Make it & Knit & Stitch 2013

2013-02-23T16:00:00.000Z

With the Spring season fast approaching, there are plenty of wonderful events going on around the country to inspire and delight so first up in my diary is Make it 2013, based in Southern England. "Make it" is one of the leading consumer exhibitions in the UK for craft companies looking to meet and sell to thousands of paper crafters, card makers and home hobby crafters. Running alongside the established Make it papercraft exhibition for the first time is Knit & Stitch it 2013. Showcasing all aspects of needle, stitch and wool craft, the event promises to be a sure fire hit with needle crafters who have long been awaiting such an event.

So I am busy working away on this years Easter colour palette and theme so I can pick up lots of crafting supplies when I visit next month. I will of course be covering the event here on Torie Jayne and hope to introduce you to lots of new great craft suppliers.

"Make it 2013 - the exhibition for card and paper crafters 1-3 March 2013, FIVE, Farnborough

Opening times: Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd 10am - 5pm and Sunday 3rd 10am - 4pm (Disabled access from 9.30am each morning) Parking is FREE
Make it is one of the biggest and most popular paper crafting events in the South of England, attracting the most celebrated companies in the craft world and thousands of enthusiastic visitors each year. Make it 2013 brings you the best in paper and card craft from over a hundred companies and this year runs alongside Knit & Stitch it 2013, the new stitch craft event for southern needle crafters.

Indulge in three fun-filled Make it it shopping days and enjoy the best that the craft industry has to offer. Choose from thousands of fabulous craft materials and supplies, see some of your favourite exhibitors and enjoy the special show offers and discounts.

Watch a free stand demo, sit in on a free make 'n' take or take part in one of the exhibitor workshops and really get to grips with a new technique."

Two tone rolls of washi tape from Superlovely

Coloured eyelets from Mei Flower

Victoria Glitters kit from Glitter Magic

"Knit & Stitch it 2013 – the NEW exhibition for all Needle Crafters and Stitchers 1-3 March 2013, FIVE, Farnborough
Opening times: Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd 10am - 5pm and Sunday 3rd 10am - 4pm (Disabled access from 9.30am each morning) Parking is FREE

Knit & Stitch it 2013 running for the first time alongside Make it has been introduced in direct response to visitor demand. Southern needle crafters can at last enjoy a dedicated exhibition showcasing all aspects of needlecraft, stitch craft and wool craft, all under one roof in Farnborough next March.

Come and indulge in three fun-filled Knit & Stitch shopping days and enjoy the best that the needlecraft industry has to offer. Choose from thousands of fabulous materials, kits and supplies, see many of your favourite exhibitors and enjoy the special show offers and discounts.

Watch a free stand demo, sit in on a make ‘n’ take or take part in one of the exhibitor workshops and really get to grips with a new technique."

Artistic kettle dyed yarns from Debonnaire

Have a sweet day!

No sew Oil cloth curtains

2013-02-22T12:00:00.000Z

I first made oilcloth curtains for our kitchen french doors as we wanted to conserve energy and give ourselves some privacy. I also wanted them to be wipe clean so oilcloth seemed the perfect option. I made one in a stone/white spot but I didn't want to stitch the curtains as I thought they would look neater and slicker if there was no visible stitching. So I used iron on no sew tape. When it came to covering up the open shelves in our hallway room I opted for oil cloth curtains again, this time in a floral spot print. I thought I could get away with just one but in the end I decided two would give better coverage and look neater. It also gave me the perfect oppurtunity to show you how I did it...

Oil cloth curtains
Tools and materials

Oil cloth ( I used English rose taupe)
HeatnBond Ultra Tape Roll Fusible tape acts as an adhesive between two pieces of fabric, and it is activated with heat.
*Make sure you buy a strong hold tape with a backing paper.
Silver eyelets

Start by measuring the window/door/cupboard for the desired width and length of the curtains. For the finished curtain width, measure from one end of the curtain track to the other. The overall fabric width will be the final curtain width multiplied by 2. Add 17cm plus to the curtain length to allow for hemming. (11cm for the top hem, 6cm for the bottom hem)
Cut out the fabric.

Oil cloth curtains, How-to step by step

Place material wrong side up and using an iron on low heat bond the tape to the outside edge along the length of the curtains.(until you are sure the tape has melted)
Carefully peel off the backing tape.
Fold hem over and press with your fingers.

Using an an iron on low heat with a clean tea towel between your oilcloth and the iron, bond the hem down along the length of the curtain.(until you are sure the tape has melted)
*Be careful not to move the fabric around too much until the adhesive is dry and secure.
For the top of the curtain iron on a piece of tape along the top edge and another row just below where the 11cm fold will be.
Remove backing tape and add a strip to the outside edge of both sides of the top hem as photo above.
Remove backing tape.
Using an an iron on low heat with a clean tea towel between your oilcloth and the iron, bond the hem down along the top of the curtain.(until you are sure the tape has melted)
Repeat as above to make the 6cm deep bottom hem.

Now you are ready to create the holes that will house your eyelets.
Each curtain has an even number of eyelets regularly spaced across the width. The spaces between the edges of the first/last eyelet and the edge of the curtain are half of that of subsequent eyelets.
On the top of your curtain, measure 4.5 cm down from the top of the border and draw a small dot with your pen to mark the position of the eyelets.
Most eyelets come closed with a small hole at the top, which you can prize open with a pair of scissors. One half of the eyelet has prongs on the inside and the other has a ridge.
Place the ridged half of your eyelet on top of your border so that the dot is right in the centre.
Draw around the inside of your eyelets.
Make a small fold in the fabric so that you can make your first snip and then cut around the circles.

Place the larger, ridged half of the eyelet underneath your new hole and snap the smaller, pronged half on top. Repeat this till all your eyelets are in place.
Your brand new curtains are now complete and ready to be hung.

Have a sweet day!

Mel Stringer's lil shop

2013-02-21T12:00:00.000Z

This week on "Wonderful World of Etsy" I wanted to show you the gorgeous illustrations and paper crafts from Mel Stringer's lil shop, run by Mel Stringer a Freelance Illustrator and Visual Artist from Brisbane, Australia who regularily illustrates for the beautiful Frankie magazine. I just adore her cute camera paperworks that double as gift boxes/party favors/paperclip and pushpin holders etc because their 'lid' can come off easily. To see more of Mel's darling work check out her blog Mel Stringer.

Have a sweet day!

Urbanara

2013-02-20T12:55:00.000Z

Today on shops i love I wanted to share with you Urbanara. A online homewares brand who’s ethos is to provide high-quality lovely statement items for the home with striking textures and style, without the sky-high price tag. The range is incredibly varied and includes linen and fine cotton bedding, beautifully quilted bedspreads, luxury blankets and throws, stylish table linen, delicately handcrafted porcelain and soaps hand made with love.

"URBANARA is changing the face of retail by taking things back to basics. With a focus on quality and design, we source modern, high-quality homewares and accessories from around the world, direct from the people who make them. Our product scouts regularly scour the globe far and wide to find exciting new products. We always work with strong, experienced suppliers and produce in small batches to minimise stock. By cutting out all the additional margins that traditional retailers add on we can offer you high-quality products at their real price, delivered direct to your doorstep."

At the end of last year Urbanara kindly asked me if I would like to review one of there products. I chose the beautiful Arolla bedspread. The 100% cotton white Arolla features a sweet intricate floral embroidery motif, completed with soft, scalloped edging. I adore it and it is perfect for my guest room...

Have a sweet day!