sweet sunday

This week over on Stamps & Smiles see's a sketch challenge here. This inspired me to get the cute sweetie stamp out from Stampinbella. I've kept the colour scheme quite simple, but I think quite effective. I'm getting back into crafting, although I still haven't managed to scrapbook anything yet. I'm sure it will come back eventually. This week has very much been up & down for me but I suppose I should expect that.
My tube read this week has been the fantastic Changing Grooms. An absolute romp of a debut novel by Sasha Wagstaff. If you like Fiona Walker /Veronica Henry then you will love this.... a fab holiday read.
hope everyone has had a good weekend. I caught up with some friends today that I haven't seen for a while, it was lovely to see everyone and I'm slowly integrating myself back out into the social world!...hugs Tx

cupcake school...........

Last night I ventured out to North London to the very crafty "The Make Lounge" to attend Cupcake school!...... I found this class on the great I Y Cupcakes blog sometime ago and was talking about it at work. Later that week my team left a goody bag on my desk with a voucher in it for the class.

The Make Lounge is between Highbury & Islington and Angel station. The biggest challenge was getting there during the worst storm ever in London which went on forever, Oxford Street at 5.30 resembled a river!with huge disruption to the tube network due to flooding.

The class that was run by Michelle from The Lavender bakery was fab and I quite happily whiled away a couple of hours icing & decorating cupcakes. Even an "experienced" cupcaker like me learnt lots! and the lounge had lots of yummy things to look at. Highly recommended for a fun & girly night out.

An added bonus to the night was that I sat opposite Anne who writes the I Y cupcakes blog who was lovely.

From this:~

So my cupcakes started 'naked' which I then iced with buttercream. The next lesson was making the piping bags!... picture a scene reminiscent to the generation game!... fortunately I have mastered this art over the years. Royal icing was then coloured to our required colours and we were let loose on the cupcakes!

To This:~

YYYYYYYYYY

Here are some pics from the make Lounge...check out all these scrummy fabribs... Amy Butler to dribble over!

and then cottons and books to devour...............check out the website for some great courses and craft events.

Cupcake Finds....

Yesterday I nipped to the local market to pick up some supplies, whilst bimbling about I popped into TKMaxx, and stumbled upon these cute tins...each tin contains a cook book to compliment the tin and a little extra.The 'home baking' tin contains pale blue measuring spoons, 'brownie' contains a spatula and the 'cupcake' tin holds 100 "cupcake" decorated cupcake cases... I Y that the tins have embossed descriptions on the top & sides. I'm soo liking these!

I also picked up the little glass cake stand for 50p from the charity shop. So this morning I threw together some lemon muffins to try it out!... mmm very yummy

The Lady is back....

Today is American Independence Day...... for all my American blog friends, have a fab day! I've themed my card for this weeks challenge over at Stamps & Smiles ~ The Fresh Batch accordingly! ....

Today also sees the opening of the Statue of Liberty's crown.. so welcome back Lady Liberty.

I have been very fortunate to view New York from this platform prior to 9/11 and the views are stunning & spectacular. New York is without a doubt my favorite city and I am sure the celebrations there today will be great....hope everyone has a fun filled weekend. YYYYY

Last Night I ran away to the Circus!.............

and it truly was the greatest show on earth!.... I joined 80,000 people at
the fantabulous Wembley Stadium to watch Take That.
I really wasn't sure what to expect and was a bit un-phased about going, but the Boy's pulled out all the stops and put on a spectacular event unlike any other concert that I or Wembley have ever seen.
The magic started when clowns appeared in the middle of the audience blowing bubbles and riding on a cart covered with balloons to a circular stage. As more mime artists appeared along with more balloons, the atmosphere became even more electric as Gary, Mark, Howard, & Jason appeared from amongst the balloons,Wembley went wild.... launching into Greatest Day... a fitting start to an amazing show.
Opening set then lead into Hello, Could it Be Magic (where Gary slotted into Robbie's shoes very well!)...this then went into Pray where the boys showed they hadn't lost there sexy dance moves. A Million Love Songs followed with breathtaking saxophone accompaniment, next up the final song in the segment Back for Good. As they stood centre stage, shoots of water suddenly appeared encapsulating them in a fountain. It looked stunning.The best was yet to come as they adorned circus ring master style jackets, up through the stage appeared a huge elephant which the boys rode to the main stage heavily disguised as a 'big top'.
Second set started off with The Garden,Shine and Up All Night, accompanied by a cast of 50 circus performers & dancers flying on trapezes, & human
ferris wheels, leading into Wooden Boat & How Did it Come to This. At this point the boys left Gary who took to the Piano and sang a medley of Love ain't Here / Babe straight into The Circus whilst a tight rope walker performed over the crowd. Howard then sang What is Love which was haunting and breathtaking....where as they sang the boys went from ringmasters to clowns (including face painting) A change of tempo enthused which could only mean one thing,.... Do What You Like/It Only Takes a Minute/ Take That & Party... with the boys riding unicycles and Gary on a child's bike & stabilisers. More acrobats followed as the boys sung Said It All.........which launched into Never Forget accompanied by a tap dancing soldier and a marching toy band ( you needed to see it to believe it!)... audience participation reminiscent to Queen at the Live Aid gig, complete with hands raised in the air.(some of you may be too young to know what I'm talking about!) Patience followed which lead into a spectacular finale of Relight My Fire, complete with original diva Loleatta Holloway, giant inflatable ringmaster (with creepy holographic face) fire lit hula hoopers, and giant fire flames lighting the night sky.
The boys then came back to an Encore of Hold Up A Light... accompanied by the cast of dancers & performers including the elephant.......and just when you think it's all over .... Rule the World complete with firework finish over the top of Wembley Stadium.
This show was a shear masterpiece of theatrics, special effects, and amazing vocals from the boys, all credit to the performers and crew of 238.
If it wasn't already SOLD OUT...I would be going back for more...........

Top Gear Drag Race....

I Y Top Gear, second week into the new series of Top Gear and they stage the most amazing Drag Race..... the Bugatti Veyron 'v's the Maclaren F1.... a petrol heads dream.
... it will take something to top this for the rest of the series....

Yummy books to eat....

whilst walking past Claridges on my way to Liberty's Thursday evening... i was stopped in my tracks by this display of wedding cakes... they are of course by the fabulous Peggy Porschen. I was given her first book as a gift a few years ago and she inspired me to make cookies & cupcakes as well as cakes. Even if you are not a baker her books are a coffee table treat and I defy anyone not to have a go once you have seen her truly girly confections!....fortunately her latest book Cake Chic has hit work today, which has also now found it's way onto my desk!... I must say i was not disappointed!.... As most of you know I am a real bookworm, and honestly get anxiety attacks if I don't have a book to read!... I have recently read a fantastic book called 50 ways to find a lover this has had me laughing out loud on the train. I have now lent said book to my train buddy, I did not warn her that it will make her laugh out loud, she too has nearly combusted on the Central Line!... the second book that I must share with you all is I heart New York.. started this morning and i'm 100 pages in by the time I got home tonight!.. a must for anyone who loves NY!... both books heavily feature blogging so a must for anyone who blogs!

Candy kitchen cont...

The Candy Kitchen post so inspired me yesterday that I pulled together this card, using Mimi's Bake Shop stamp.

I've also discovered another challenge site called "The Fresh Batch" that i Y lots!..and I've used their sketch design on my card.

I received notification yesterday that I won the challenge prize over on Cute Card Thursday for my Harry's 4th Birthday Card... so i have a box of goodies on it's way!.....how fab!

Last night I watched the final episode of this season's CSI New York and was gripped what a fantastic cliff hanger... i had previously blubbed through Robin Hood, so an emotional TV night all round!....and in between that the Lions beaten in the last minute at the Rugby!

Candy Kitchen

A friend emailed me this link with the heading..." I saw this and thought of you!".... she is so right, how cute is this kitchen scene! Y... I have a few of featured items in the picture and I have just made a cupboard cover like in the picture with cupcake fabric!...once I have finished the curtains I will reveal!...... Y Cath Kidston launched her sale on thursday so I have been perusing online at a few things whilst at my desk and then heading onto the sales floor to have a look!... i Y my job!.. I have picked up some more stocking-filler bargains this week at work. I also picked up Nigella's Feast for £3.50.

Whilst Food shopping today I picked up this new magazine, called sew. I've flicked through it and for a beginner like me it's fab! some real funky things to make.... also check out this little cupcake skirt .. How cute!

Also found a new scrapbook paper range launched in US this week..how scrummy is this... YYYY

Cupcakes & Cocktails

Some weeks ago I made the decision to get myself out and about a bit in London after work and proceeded to book a few treats. Tonight I had my first indulgence!....I had Cupcakes & Cocktails at Liberty's. I love Liberty's, the building is a real treat in itself....(check out it's history here. )

I wasn't sure what to expect, especially going on my own, but it was lovely... i had my own little table and it was like 'afternoon tea' without the sandwiches but lots of cupcakes!....

Liberty's are holding cupcake & cocktail evenings once a month with a different theme. Tonight's theme was "Calm your inner sense of being"...(featuring Liberty Rose Martini)..it was lovely and relaxing. The Martini's were, White Rose Tea, Tanqueray No. 10 Gin, and Red Berry juice.... they were very yummy and free flowing!... The non-alcoholic version was as equally yummy. As well as the cocktails, there was a choice of raspberry, coffee & walnut, chocolate or vanilla cupcakes and cream pastries! This was also accompanied by a selection of 5 different white rose & green teas to try from Lahloo. The 5 to try tonight were; Amber Oolong, Rose White Leaf, Mr Aoki Green Tea, Jade Oolong, Wazuka Sencha
Overall I would thoroughly recommend it, (good value for money, where else in London can you get cupcakes, cocktails, tea & a beauty goodie bag for £15!..) my Goodie bag was a lovely surprise, it contains a cosmetic bag with a holiday size cleanser/toner & moisturiser from a new company called Revive...along with a sample of Lahloo teas... I've enjoyed it so much I may go back next month!

Sometimes it's the little things......

that make the difference....My grandad had a writing bureau with a roll top and a treasure trove of draws. As a child this bureau housed hours of pleasure. I loved all the little compartments and the emporium of fountain pens & things that it contained. This bureau has now been left to me, and although it's not an antique it's very kitsch and holds wonderful memories. Last night I had to collect mu bureau from my grandads's house, fortunately my friend has a little van so we collected it together.
I travel to work daily with my friend, this commute takes us back 25 years to when we used to walk to school together daily. There are days when I don't think the conversation has changed at all!... there is very little in each others lives that we are not aware of, she is one of the few people that completely 'gets ' me!... she also knows that I would rather walk over 'hot coals' than ask for help!
I have a paved front garden / drive, recently said garden has given "spring watch" competition in it's wildlife & weed contribution. I have been very embarrassed of it, my lovely friend Justine last night on dropping off my bureau then proceeded to weed my garden.
The pleasure that i got this morning on leaving the house and walking through my weed free drive was immense. So thankyou hunny.....

sew sweet...

Today is my gorgeous godson's 4th Birthday...so Happy Birthday Harry.

Life has been up & down over the last week. Thursday saw the launch of our 'summer' sale at work. When you work in one of the world's best & biggest department store's this is a hectic time. People started q'ing outside at 4.30am... you can imagine the rest, especially when some items are reduced by 75%. The handbag hall & shoe emporium were two of the busiest areas. I managed to pick up a few bargains to put away for birthday & christmas presents!... it makes it all a little sweeter when you get discount on top!

The weekend saw the celebration of Fathers Day. This was a tough day for me, I popped over the cemetery with some roses cut from my gramps's garden.

Last week whilst dropping off another bag at the charity shop. i stumbled on this book, it's a first edition from 1937!...not many pics, but a great bookshelf book, also picked up a few patterns and some threads for the sum of £1.50. I have recently followed the fab Mary Portas on Queen of the Charity shops. I have laughed out loud at her frustration with the 'old girl's ' in the shop!... the average age of my team is 62 so I had every empathy for her trying to "manage change" loved the D Day ~ Donate don't dump philosophy....all businesses should do it!.

I have over the last couple of weeks read some fab books on the train.... the first being A Vintage Affair a beautiful book, that will make you want to find your nearest vintage shop! and then Love the One Your With ... what would you do if "The One" walks back in your life? I could not put this down...

Cupcake Challenge

This weeks see's a lovely challenge over at taylored expressions cupcake challenge...I've had a couple of cards to make this weekend and i've attempted a couple of challenges. Life has thrown me a few curve balls of late and my confidence is at an all time low and i haven't really felt like crafting. This challenge has inspired me to be adventurous with the design!

Card Recipe:

Y papers ~ doodlebug (taylored expressions)

Y Stamps ~ Hanglar & Stanglar

Y Sentiment ~ taylored expressions

Y Ribbon ~ stash

Cute Card Challenge ~ Tag

This weeks challenge over at Cute card Thursday was tags!.... i had a card to make today for my Godson ~ Harry who turns 4 on Tuesday, so I decided to use this challenge. as you know I've started to scrap again after my ups & downs and really enjoyed this.... so thanks ladies.

card recipe:

Y papers ~ daisy bucket & stampin-up

Y ribbon from stash!

Y stamp ~ hanglar & stanglar

along with this card I also made a card for my friends 60th...can you tell that I like these papers!

cupcakes, & afternoon tea..........

this week one of my ladies that works for me reached the grand 'old' age of 65!...she is an absolute gem, so I made some cupcakes & mini fruit cakes for the office for a little afternoon tea. I takes a lot to surprise her as she doesn't miss a thing at work and is usually 1st with any news!... but I did pull it off accompanied by her couple of her friends, she had a lovely time.

thanks & friends..........

i had a couple of thankyou gifts to give to two of my closest friends this week, to accompany them I made a couple of cards!.... I've used two stamps from magnolia which I picked as my friend Justine loves Dogs! and Karen loves hearts!.... they have been amazing over the last couple of months, between them I have over 50 years of friendship of which I am thankful for everyday. We have lived and shared each others lives for so long I can't imagine my life without either of them. I am very lucky to have them as friends.

cupcake tower

In-between my excitement of spending time with David Beckham, and battling the tube strike, I have had a wedding cake to make for a friend of a friend this week. The wedding cake consisted of a two tier chocolate sponge cake accompanied by 100 cupcakes.

As you probably realise little of this can be made in advance! Fortunately I suffer with insomnia so I have been able to do much of this at very odd hours of the day!

The cupcakes were decorated with iced roses & blossom and the cake decorated with iced roses all sprinkled with a little glitter! (edible of course)... for those that saw the recent kirsty homemade series will know what i'm talking about! To accent the cake stand red roses with glitter were cut & placed in cupcake cases.

I delivered & set up the cake this afternoon in glorious sunshine, as always having a complete confidence crisis when driving away that they like it! today I was accompanied by a friend who thought I was completely nuts.

a real chore of a day.....

London has been gripped by a tube strike this week...for what is deemed as a 48hr strike actually lasts near to 3days.... the tube ceased at 7pm on Tuesday night and commences again at 7pm on Thursday night.... what this actually means is that 'normal service is unlikely to resume until Friday. This throws many challenges to those of us that commute daily...added to this challenge was the necessity to be at work for 7am today..... the reason being this! The majority of my day was spent in the company of the very yummy David Beckham who was absolutely lovely, incredibly polite & friendly, and really humble. On top of that he is beautiful to look at. A real chore of a day!

once upon a time............

how happy am I ....look what i picked up at the weekend, 12 enid blyton hardbacks for £5. Bargain!... they have now joined the 6 that I had. I know that they are not 'PC' but they bring back lovely nostalgic memories.... and how fab is the wrapping paper.. £1 from M&S.

I loved my EB books as a child and one of my regrets was that I didn't keep them.... fortunately whilst clearing out at gramps I found a box of hidden treasure...and in amongst my school books were some of my EB books...

sneak peak.........

I need to say that work has been my salvation over the last 2 months, because of the speed and diversity of my job it doesn't give me too much time to think. As highlighted on my other blog.... recipes of london life the store is celebrating it's 100th birthday. There has been numerous events taking place, a recent highlight has been an event in mens underwear which obviously makes by job a real struggle!... this week see's an event for armani presented by the following:

somedays my job is a real chore!....

a thoughtful gift...

On friday a lady that works for me left a gift on my desk. That gift was a small Rose bush called Remember Me. My Gramps loved his Rose bushes and now I have one to remember him by...I was extremely touched and quite emotional. My team that work for me have been fantastic over the last couple of months, I've made this little thankyou card.

card recipe:

Y Stamp ~ magnolia

Y Papers ~ stampin-up

Y Sentiment stamp ~ stampin-up

Vintage Finds...

Time spent over recent weeks has been clearing my nan & gramps house, this house was my home from the age of 15 until 20 and I can't remember a day or weekend during my childhood that I wasn't there. I have some wonderful memories of my life there, which helps with the whole grieving process.

Obviously I have had lots of bits & bobs to drop off at charity shops and the local hospital day care centre's jumbles! I have been lucky enough on my travels to pick up some goodies myself!... charity shops are seeing a real boost at the moment with the current economic climate along with boot-sales ( i think Kirstie has also helped... although my friend is a little disappointed that she has given her 'skip diving' secret away!) I'm not a huge fan of boot sales as the one that is near me is too big, however if you want to check out what is near you.. log on here there is a small annual fee but great for the boot fans! I always loved a jumble!..my grandparents were scout leaders, so have fond memories of spending weekends being in a scout hut sifting through jumble!.. my finds this week has been the flea market finds & cath kidston books for £1 each and this great typewriter and hardback enid blyton books .... all from the local salvation army shop for the bargain price of £8.50!

Cupcake card!

I've made a card!!...this is the first thing that i have 'crafted' since March.... the lovely ladies over on the Cupcake Craft Challenge set a challenge of Fairies this week, and I was inspired!... so out came my little fairy with cupcake stamp!

Card Recipe:

Y papers from Imaginisce ~ Tied up with string

Y Fairy stamp & sentiment @ papermania

Y Bling from Teresa's bling mountain!

check out their blog here.

Cupcakes!

Today I had some time off from work and ironically spent it in London!... I had the opportunity to go to the Clarins friends & family charity sell-off at their head office in Cavendish Place. I was able to pick up some stocking fillers!

As the weather was so glorious I bimbled around Carnaby Street and stumbled upon this place ... All the Fun of the Fair what a lovely place... I was like a child in a sweet shop...a real treat and somewhere that i will be returning!...check out these cupcakes ..how cute! also in the same place was a very wacky cupcake shop called Candy Cakes which was fun and a huge draw for the japanese tourists....

both of these shops can be found here. Kingly Court.

socks or scarf ?

My friends have often likened me to Nigella (east end version!) however recently Kirstie has been added into the mix. (not for property buying alas but for her Homemade series!)I am a bit of a maker, i think it was a childhood in the brownies & guides!...and spending the majority of my time at my grandparents.

Nan was the Baker and Gramps was the Maker. He taught me to knit at a very young age, along with needlepoint and rug making. Gramps taught himself to knit during the war and continued well into his 80's. I don't knit often now and when the needles come out I know that I am really stressed. I have in recent weeks knitted a bag! It is currently sitting on my table awaiting "finishing-off" my least favourite part of knitting and something Gramps & I always passed over to nan....

In my quest to seek out things to occupy my time I have stumbled on this... I don't have much confidence so once I've plucked up the courage to walk in the door I'm taking myself off to this fab looking shop for knitting & gossip!... I picked up the knitting journal recently for £2 in a charity shop...what a bargain! I have been exploring other cupcake & crafting opportunities in London so watch this space....