Saturday 16 February 2013

Candy Buffet


My daughter's 18th birthday surprise - A candy buffet.  We love these and because my daughter doesn't eat chocolate but loves sweets it was the ideal surprise. (Please ignore my white walls, we are in the middle of decorating the dining room but unfortunately had a little setback with our eldest son taken into hospital - he is out now in time for the party which was brilliant.)


The pennants were made using the Cricut Sophisticated cartridge for the letters and the Sizzix pennant extra large 12 inch die.  


My daughter's cake made by the wonderful Louise from Louise's Cakes of Workington in Cumbria - this lady is brilliant and has a great website showcasing all of her wonderful creations which is definitely worth a visit.  Everything on this cake is fabulous, we just want to keep it for life and not eat it.


Thorntons Vanilla Fudge and Chocolate covered vanilla fudge, shortbread icing filled biscuits and Rachael made Tom and Jerry cakes as it has been half term and she was filling in some time.


Flying Saucers, marshmallows, vimto bonbons, raspberry bonbons, sour bottles, sweet necklaces and watches, strawberry cables.  All of the sweets were purchased from Humbugs, a little old fashioned sweet shop in Whitehaven owned by a friend, another place that is a must if you are out and about in our little town.


Sherbert filled test tubes, candy shrimps, alphabet letters, jelly hearts and white chocolate/strawberry pyramids with a selection of chupa chup lollies and Flumps marshmallows sticks.


The whole table looked fantastic, our daughter wasn't sure what we were upto but when she came in it was more than she had hoped for which was lovely to hear.


The shortbread was decorated with royal icing and then sprinkled with edible glitter or decorated with her initial.  They taste lovely.  The scoops I found on Amazon for the bargain price of £1.50 plus postage for four different sized scoops.


Second hand shops are a must when looking for glasses and vases of differing sizes and not wanting to pay too much.  This one is huge and cost £4.00 and is holding 350 flying saucers which we all love.


The small and large round jars with lids were off ebay for £9.95 including postage for five large and five small and hold 300g in the small and 400g in the large.


The love hearts were also from Amazon at £7.50 including postage for 100 small packs and fitted great into this square vase. in fact I probably could have filled it twice.



Handmade chocolate lollies using Candy Melts in white chocolate, milk chocolate and strawberry chocolate in three lots of Wilton moulds, the ones used for Fairytale, Animals and Birthday then wrapped in cellophane finished off with a neat grosgrain bow.



Favour boxes made using Sizzix french frie Box from the extra large die range then decorated with Stampin' Up stamp and punch outs.


A close-up of the knight and dragon on the cake.


Cake stands make great display pieces for lollipops if you don't have time to make lollipop trees.


I typed all of the names of the sweets onto the computer and printed them off, trimmed them and stuck them onto each of the vases/glassware with a topper so that everything co-ordinated.


I have often looked at these displays and would have loved to have just ordered one but the cheapest we could find was £250.00, a lot of money but they do everything, which would have been an easy option but you wouldn't have the sheer pleasure on the look on everyone's face when they saw this display knowing that you personally did all the work.  Without the cake the whole display cost me £60.00.  That includes the jars, test tubes, vases, sweets, lollies (I already had the moulds) and scoops.  That is one big difference and if you ever get the chance to do it, have a go, you will need about one month to get all the bits and pieces together so it can be done in a short time as well.

Saturday 2 February 2013

Quilt Basket Tutorial

I would like to share with you the way I did the baskets for the table runner.

This picture shows the different parts of the basket and where they need to be stitched together.


The first line of stitching is the 2 1/2 inch square to the small triangles. Press after each seam is stitched.  Always using a 1/4" seam allowance.


Stitch the triangles to the right side of the square, press again. Once pressed straighten the edges so that the next piece you stitch will be straight.




Stitch the large triangle to the long edge and press.


When you get to this stage, straighten the edges and your squares should measure 4 1/2" and press again if you think it needs it.


Stitch on the next row of triangles that make the basket handle and press.


Stitch the last row of triangles to the right side and press.


Piece together the long row with triangle to the left side and press.


Stitch on the other long piece with triangle and press.


Stitch the last triangle to the bottom edge.  Press all seams again and then place on your cutting mat.  Each basket should measure 61/2" square, if it is not quite straight then use your trimmer and ruler to square up each basket.

I used the mini iron on heat setting two with the small iron tip to press all seams.  You will also find that each seam will find it's own place to lie flat.  I left the iron on heat all the time so that I could do each one immediately rather than have to wait for the heating up time.  I have a table set up with my sewing machine, small ironing board with the clover mini-iron on and a small cutting mat, this way I could do all that needed to be done without having to move around too much.  It does speed the process up, these baskets have taken a day to complete.  If you do intend to make some basket pieces, make one complete one first then you have one to follow, knowing your fabric pieces are in the right place.

Autumn Baskets

After making one basket and taking all day to do it.  I decided there was a much easier way, I will share photos of the way I did it but for now here are the eight baskets that have been completed so far.


They look brilliant altogether, one is on its side, didn't see that, but they have borders to go around and the binding, hoping to finish this on Monday with my quilting friend.