Ice Over It...

Many people have asked me about making the perfect icing for all sorts of different cakes, so I figured I would put my top tips on here for them and anyone else so that you can access them whenever you want!
To start with, every body needs a good butter cream recipe as a basis for their icing repertoire, and here's mine...

Butter Cream

Short of mixing icing sugar with water, Butter cream is definitely the simplest and also the most versatile icing and works great on all types of cakes - fairy cakes, victoria sponge, chocolate cake, and fruit cake to name a few.  But my main reason for using it is to decorate...it's great for piping and creating different designs on your cakes

To make yours, all you will need is:

150g Unsalted Butter (Softened)

300g Icing Sugar

5 tbsp Milk (at room temperature)
3tsp Vanilla Extract

Step 1.

Using a wooden spoon, beat your butter in a mixing bowl until soft.  Add the Icing sugar a small amount at a time mixing well as you go.

Step 2.
Add in the milk and beat well till you get a smooth slightly fluffy consistency.  (Use more/less milk dependant on how thick you need your butter cream for different reasons)  Add the vanilla extract and mix well.  To brighten up your cake, add a few drops of food colouring.

Step 3.
To make your icing look really nice, invest in a good piping set with a good collection of nozzles to make your cakes look extra professional.

Here are some of the cakes I have decorated with my trusty Butter Cream icing...

Let me know what you think and how you get on, an be sure to keep an eye out for all my other icing tips and recipes!!

x ♥ x

What a Result...

As many of you may know,  the Twee and Cakes Book all started as part of my Final Major Project for  my degree at university.  This morning (well last night) at exactly 8 minutes past midnight I received my final grade...and am very pleased to say that all my hard work has finally paid off and I've earned myself a rather agreeable 2:1.

This is the final collection of work I handed in, all branding the Twee and Cakes logo, including the finished book, and a portfolio of my favourite images.

This little sneak-peek shows the introduction page to my bunting making activity...one of my favourite pages in the book...it's bright and colourful and the photography is just beautiful.

I am still desperately trying to get the book published, and am hoping that soon enough, someone will love the look of the book, see that there's a huge gap in the market for something as unique as this, and want to make 1000's of them...until then...here's a sneaky look at some of the images that didn't make it into the book (Well, I don't want to give too much away do I?!)...

Let me know what you think, If you're a keen crafter like I am...maybe this is the type of craft book that's missing from your bookshelf!!

P.S. Make sure you're keeping an eye out on Tatty Tulip's blog...as she will be doing a review of the book shortly, and will be able to give you a real (unbiased) idea of what she thinks of the book.

x ♥ x

My old trusted friend - Judy...

Judys AffordableVintage Fair is coming to London this Saturday and I am beyond excitement at the moment.  I discovered this little paradise of all things vintage, twee and a whole load of kitsch when I was living in Southampton, and was so pleased to find out that they do fairs right across the UK. So wherever you are in our little country, there is sure to be a fair near you!

Judys has been running for a little over 7 years now and it makes a good worth while trip where you are bound to find some real bargains.  Whether you're looking for a quirky new outfit, an intriguing piece of home decor, or just a bit of something different to accessorise yourself...then Judys is the place to go!

 

Judy also loves her music festivals, travelling through various festivals across the country bringing affordable vintage to music lovers nation wide.  A list of all festivals she will be bringing her fair to can be found here

To find out more, and for more information on when and where your nearest Judys fair will be held then take a look at the Judys Affordable Vintage Fair website which can be found here.

Go along, and I can guarantee you will be addicted in no time, just as I was.

If you know of any other great value places to find some real one of a kind, amazing finds at low low low prices, then please do let me know! I'm always open to suggestions.

x ♥ x

*All Images copywrite of Judys Affordable Vintage Fair* 

Getting Nostalgic...

So, checking the weather for this weekend, and the outlook is bleak... I have just the thing to cheer you up and maybe bring back some memories of childhood...

Whilst having my clear out this week, I came across an old birthday present from a good friend of mine...'Balloon Flowers'...a kit containing tons of shaping balloons, a pump, and instructions.

My sister and I decided to have some fun, although after quite some time attempting the flowers and getting nowhere, we had a look online for some tutorials...and this is what we finished up with...

These are the better few of our attempts...but I'd say for first timers, we did pretty well!

Click on the links to find out how to make your own...

... Heart

... Poodle

... and a rather questionable looking Elephant

We had some great fun creating these, and it gave us the chance, in all our growing up, to feel like kids again!!

I am now looking forward to making some more this weekend with my Sam - I know he'll enjoy himself just as much as we did.  

Why don't you give it a go, for something different to do this wet weekend.  For your balloon modelling kit, the best place I have found is Here.

Enjoy!

x ♥ x

They're on their way...

I have ordered in the finished books this afternoon... so to all of you that have requested a copy, it will be on it's way to you very soon!  Hope you're as excited as I am!

x ♥ x

IT'S HERE...

At last, the prototype of my book has arrived and I am very excited!

Contact me at tweeandcakes@hotmail.co.uk to order your copy now!!!

x ♥ x

I am eagerly awaiting it's arrival...

I have ordered the test print, and it should be being dispatched this afternoon! So I will be eagerly awaiting its arrival on Monday. Can't wait to finally see my book in print!!! Dont forget to get in touch for your copy and for any further information!

x ♥ x

The new Advert

I have the advertisment poster ready... Hope you're all getting as excited as I am :) x

Dont forget, the more people that order a copy, the cheaper I can get it for you! Message or email me at tweeandcakes@hotmail.co.uk for more information, and for your copy!!!

x ♥ x