Not so 'little' ladybug..

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, smart, quirky and totally unique Ladybug!

Birthday cake - a 'strawberries and cream' baked cheesecake as requested by the lady herself...

Sugar and spice...

Last week I did my first real 'making' since the move, and it felt soooooooo good to be back behind my desk! The office/workroom is all unpacked and apart from a minor re plastering job and a lick of paint, is all set up and ready to go.

Want to see what I made? Go on then....!

I hosted a baby shower for a friend, and as part of her gift, made her this pair of baby shoes and matching burp cloths.

I also made her a baby bouquet of vests and socks - I haven't made one of these for ages!

I had lots of fun preparing for the baby shower too, making cupcakes: 

 and decorations..

(I loved these. Was very tempted to leave them up, but my girls nabbed them all for their rooms!)

The very observant amongst you may have noticed a sneak peek of the blanket that I'm making for the baby too. It's still not finished, and the baby is due next Monday. I'll give you a closer look next time.. xx

Butterflies, daisies and a generous helping of glitter!

On Sunday, we celebrated Miss Chatterbox's sixth birthday.

I decided to make a cupcake tower instead of a Birthday Cake, the first time I had tried something like this.

I was really pleased with the results, and more importantly..

so was Miss Chatterbox!

Mmmmmm!

This book:

recently jumped into my trolley during a supermarket trip and now I am slowly working my way through it. Not so handy when you're trying to lose 2 1/2 stone by the end of the year (1 1/2 down already - Yay!) Fortunately, I have more than a few willing volunteers here to help me out!

Our absolute favourite recipe so far has to be the 'Dutch Apple cake' (though it's not like REAL Dutch apple cake you understand.....!!) It has been made at least three times already and I tried it last week with blackcurrants in the bottom instead of apple. Still very delicious, but a bit too soggy!!

Banana bread was good too (went too quickly to photograph!)

Snickerdoodles are next on the list.....

Lazy Days

Not a lot of anything went on here this weekend. Daddy Long Legs and the Engineer were away at a 'Father and Son' Scout camp, which left me and the girlies home together. It was so different in a house full of females. Much quieter and much more laid back! We watched movies, went into town for coffee (me!) and cake and continued the weekend baking theme over from last week! Yes - MORE cake!



The girls wanted to make a Father's Day cake (though Pickle was convinced it was a Farmer's Day cake...) and so with a little help, they came up with this! Ok, Ok, it's pink - but what else can you expect from three girls under 8??

I managed to do a little crochet outside, but not much more.

I'm feeling a little guilty at all the half finished projects that are around at the moment. I'm having a really hard time completing anything this year, but find it very easy to be distracted by starting something new. I'm really going to try to work my way through the line of spotty bags on my shelf containing all my WIP's before I cast on or cut out anything more. I'll try... but I can't promise!

Cake, and lots of it!

I seem to have spent the whole weekend baking and eating cake!

I know there are worse ways to pass the time, but I need to think of better ones too or my waist and wardrobe won't forgive me!

Saturday was scones, freshly baked, with jam and cream

Today was an afternoon spent out in the sun with friends, eating cake - sponge with fresh strawberries and whipped cream - and drinking tea while the children played. It's not often our weekends are so quiet, but it was a lovely relaxed time.

Wish we could have more (but maybe less cake next time!)