Baking

I love baking as much as I love sewing, and April & May are busy busy cake months for me this year.  Two of my best friends are getting married (not to each other!) just a month apart, and I was so honoured when they asked me to make their wedding cakes.

I have been brushing up on my skills, double checking my favourite recipes, practicing my piping and generally making sure everything will run smoothly and be perfect.

So far this week I have made 24 vanilla cupcakes (and was very good and gave away all but 6!), some chocolate cupcakes for my husband Tim to take to work on his birthday and a proper birthday cake for Tim.  Tomorrow I’m making a birthday cake for my lovely Nanny’s 80th, and I suppose Noah needs a cake for his first birthday on Monday!

Then next week I start baking for the first wedding cake!

I thought I’d share a few pictures of some of my previous cakes :)

 

Jen xx

My top 5…

Sewing resources for beginners!

Almost 3yrs ago I had the idea that I wanted to be able to sew. I’d recently taught myself to crochet, then knit, all via Youtube videos.  Naturally when I decided to learn to sew the internet was the first place I looked for advice!  I bought a cheap Brother sewing machine, some fabric to practice with and googled 'how to use a sewing machine’!  Apart from the occasional go at school I was completely clueless.  I read through the manual several times but it was no good, I am a visual learner when it comes to crafts.

As I clicked on various links I started trying things out on some practice fabric and over the next few days I progressed to following tutorials.  It really is best to jump straight in and learn as you go – don’t just assume something will be too difficult!  On my online travels I have come across so many useful pages – some have since gone but I’ve decided to share the following 5 pages.  Even now that I have some sewing experience I still look up how to do things when I’m stuck and these pages still help me now!

1. http://sewing.craftgossip.com/

The ultimate tutorial collection!  There is a search facility so if you know what you want to make you can search for a tutorial to guide you through it, or you can just browse through the huge list of posts.  There is a great mixture of technical how-tos and whole projects.  Each post links to the blog that the tutorial can be found on, and I take no responsibility for the hours you are bound to spend reading the websites you come across!  The blog is updated daily so there is always something new to inspire you.

2. Which? Beginners Guide to Using a Sewing Machine

Brilliant list of essential sewing kit, how to choose the right needle and thread, guide to choosing and buying patterns, and very importantly – tips on how to sew a straight line!  All explained very clearly and simply.

3. Craftster – ‘Sewing in General’ Forum

The perfect place to ask advice!

4. Allfreesewing.com – Basics & Tutorials

Lots of different articles about basic sewing skills – different types of seam, how to gather fabric, how to attach bias tape, making your own patterns etc.  Lots of other projects on this site too.

5. Burda Style – Projects & Tips for Beginners

I love this website! The page I have linked to has lots of information, especially if sewing your own clothes is something you are interested in.  The ‘learning’ tab at the top of the page links to loads of great tutorials, use the ‘projects’ tab as inspiration and to see what other people are making, and the ‘patterns’ tab will bring up thousands of sewing patterns.  There is the option to search for free patterns which is always nice!

As well as those specific sites, Google and YouTube are always on hand if you need more guidance.

Jen xx

I’m Back!

Ok so I disappeared almost a year and a half ago (where did that time go?!) but I’m back now, sewing machine dusted off and everything!

Back in October 2010 I posted a scan photo of baby number 3.  On 9th April 2011 Noah Lorin Winkley finally made his appearance, weighing 8lb 10oz.

I can’t believe it is his 1st birthday so soon, he is a very cute but active baby – crawling just before he was 5 months old, then climbing, and is now trying to walk :) That teeny little peaceful Noah is turning into a very funny little boy:

Dylan and Daisy are doing brilliantly, very helpful most of the time!  Between the three of them and the various school runs and baby groups I rarely get a moment to myself but I’ve decided that needs to change and I need to start making things again!

Over the past couple of days I’ve sorted out my Facebook page, changed things around on the blog and actually made some make up bags (it’s a miracle!).  I have so many ideas, now just need to put them into action!

My Folksy shop is closed at the moment but I hope to reopen it very soon.  For now, if you would like to buy anything you see on my Facebook page please just leave a comment under the photo and I will be in touch!

Jen x

Tasty Tuesday: Recipe Round-up

Every Tuesday I want to post about the recipes I’ve tried during the previous week.  I would love it if you could leave a comment pointing me in the right direction of more tasty treats – I’m always on the look out for lovely things to make to keep our meal plans interesting!

This week will be a selection of things I’ve made over the past couple of months, I must remember to keep the camera handy as I’m cooking.

First up is Cheese Pinwheel Rolls from The Hungry Mouse.  I made up some pizza dough in the breadmaker and the kids and I had great fun turning the dough into ‘cheese worms’ by covering the rolled out dough in all sorts of cheese (amazing what perfectly good little bits you find at the back of the fridge!) and then rolling them up.  Daisy wasn’t impressed that we had to then slice up the cheese worm (‘Mummy you are deading my best friend!!’), but soon changed her mind once the rolls were out of the oven & she’d had a bite!  We ate them with home made lentil & bacon soup for a really cheap but amazing dinner.  They were eaten before I had a chance to take a picture!

Next is the gorgeous Baked Apple Donuts from Home Cooking Rocks!.  I made these one night when Tim was out with friends, the kids were fast asleep and I ended up eating 4 before anyone else even saw them!  Very addictive, it’s impossible to eat just one, especially when they are still warm from the oven.  The recipe was easy-peasy and the mixture was made and in the oven within minutes.

Not the best picture but it was night time :)

Making me hungry just writing this…

This next one sounded a bit too good to be true, but I just had to give it a go to find out, Microwave Potato Chips from Food Gal.  That’s right, crisps from the microwave.  The ingredients are simple – potatoes, olive oil, salt.  The cooking was a bit of a faff, especially as I couldn’t make loads at once.  Lots of checking & turning!  But the end result was so worth it!  I don’t really like crisps generally, but these were just amazing.  Not something I’d attempt to make for the whole family unless I had a lot of time to kill, but I’ve made them a couple of times as a sneaky late-night snack since.  Just as good every time.

I hope you go ahead and try something I’ve featured here, if you do please let me know!  Tonight’s dinner is an easy one, as requested by the kids (who keep seeing the advert on tv!) – Puff pastry pizza & salad.  Trusty breadmaker might make some garlic bread to go with it yum yum…

Next week I’ll be a bit more organised!

Jen xx

It’s been a while…

I admit I’m not exactly good at keeping my blog up to date, although I like to think I’ve had a good excuse lately.  I’ve been making something a bit special:

This little monkey is currently known as ‘little blob’ & is due to make an appearance around the 2nd April 2011.  This is one thing I’ve made that wont be going in my shop ;)   So I spent all Summer being sick 24/7, which meant I just couldn’t get on and make pretty things (I don’t think they would be as pretty, or sell very well, covered in vomit…)  Now I’m feeling so much better, except the tiredness.  Why did no one remind me of the tiredness?!  Dylan started school in September, and I now seem to spend my life walking back and forth dropping him off & picking him up.  To go from practically no exercise to walking at least 4 miles a day has been a bit of a shock to the system!

I have been cooking like mad since I got over the morning sickness though and intend to share some recipes on here from now on.  My breadmaker & I are best friends once again, and it’s been churning out all sorts of amazing things.  Even better since I bought one of these from Lakeland, to bake proper baguettes:

I also treated myself to a new loaf tin, and some of those loaf tin liners – so much easier, and much less hassle to wash the tin after!  So far I’ve used it to make a Weetabix cake, and an Apple, raisin & cinnamon cake mmmmm…

Sales are going well on my Folksy shop, mainly due to the huge success of the recently launched Craft Carousel.  If you are a fellow Folksy seller please go and check it out, it’s a great way to get your Christmas shopping started & have some free advertising at the same time!  With almost 140 sales in under 2 weeks it is definitely proving to be a massive hit.  Thanks have to go to Maryann from One Stop Pamper Shop and Sarah from Silver Birch Crafts for all their hard work setting it up and ensuring everything is swapped over asap!

I need to get a move on and make more stock in the lead up to Christmas – I did promise myself I’d start much earlier in the year, but it always seemed so far away before!  My poor shop is looking a little bare and neglected at the moment :(

If there is something in there that you would prefer in a different size/colour/fabric etc then please just let me know as I will happily do what you want as a custom order.  You can email me at jentwinkle412 AT gmail DOT com, or send me a message via Folksy.

Jen xx

Folksy Friday - Flowers

Seeing as it seems Summer is well and truly over, I thought this week I’d give you all a reminder of the pretty flowers that Spring & Summer bring.  It’s taken me ages to find these as there are so many gorgeous floral items on Folksy, I hope you like what I narrowed it down to.  As usual just click on the pictures to go to the listing on Folksy:

    

    

    

      

So pretty!

Jen xx

The winner is…

So this evening I wrote out all the names and folded them teeny weeny…

My husband picked out two names, the first one, and the winner of the large buttercup bag, is…

Congratulations legs21!

The second one, and winner of the little green & pink pouch/clutch/thingymajig is…

Congratulations The Crystal Lady!

I wish I could give something to everyone that entered :(  I loved doing the giveaway though and I’m sure it wont be too long until the next one!

Legs21 & The Crystal Lady, please email me at jentwinkle412 AT gmail DOT com with your addresses and I’ll get the prizes posted to you asap!

Jen xxxx

Giveaway Update!

Seeing as I’ve had a pretty overwhelming response to my quest for 100 fans (total stands at 202 now!) I’ve decided to be extra nice and add a little something as a 2nd prize :)

Hope you all like it!  It’s a gathered version of the pleated pouches in my Folksy shop, decorated with a fabric flower with a vintage button centre.

For a chance to win this or the main prize…

… just see how to enter in the post below!

2 names will be picked out on Monday at 9pm, the first will win the black bag and the second will win the new prize!

Jen xx

Wow!

I said a couple of days ago that when I reached 100 fans on Facebook I’d do a giveaway.  At that point I had 75 fans.  I didn’t really expect to get to 100 quite so quickly, but as I write this I’m up to 175 :D

Thank you to all my new fans!

So let’s get down to this giveaway business…

I thought long and hard about what I wanted to make, and decided on something I haven’t sold before. I spent today making it, and was so eager to show you all I had to take some pictures this evening so please excuse how bad they are!  I’ve used a beautiful upholstery weight fabric, and some of my favourite buttons so I really hope you like it…

Looks like a normal buttercup bag right?

It is.

Except this one is BIG!  It’s 14.5 inches at it’s widest point and 9.5 inches tall – you can fit a serious amount of stuff in here!

See how desperate I was to show you?  I forgot to rub the chalk lines off before taking pictures ooops!  It has 3 pockets on the inside – one is 3in wide, then there is a pen pocket, followed by a 3.5in one.  Perfect for keeping your phone handy!

I’ve decorated it with a mixture of vintage & new buttons, a mixture of white, cream, black, gold, beige & grey.  It also closes with a magnetic snap.

Once again I apologise for the photos, if the weather is nice I’ll take some better ones tomorrow, these really don’t do it justice.

Ok, so how can you win this bag?  It’s easy peasy – just leave me a comment at the end of this post telling me which is your favourite item in my Folksy shop!  That’s it!

www.jentwinkle.folksy.com

This giveaway will run up until 9pm on Monday 20th September when I’ll put all the names in a hat and get my lovely husband to pick out the winning one.

Any questions, please let me know :)

Jen xxxx

ETA: Forgot to say the giveaway is open to you wherever you are – I’ll happily post the prize internationally :)

Etsy shop now open…

I opened an account with Etsy last September, so I figured it was about time I actually started listing there!

I’ve got a few bits on there now, and will be putting the rest on over the next couple of days, plus some new stuff I hope to finish today.

Please head over there, have a peek at Jentwinkle on Etsy and let me know what you think :)

Jen xx

Giveaway coming soon…

I’ve wanted to do a giveaway for a long time and since the kids are back to school/preschool I can finally get on and make something to actually give away!

As soon as my Facebook fan page reaches 100 fans I will reveal what I’m going to give – hopefully you’ll like it!

So please head over to Jentwinkle on Facebook, hit ‘like’, and tell your friends :)

Watch this space…

Jen xx

I’m still here…

I am so bad at updating my blog, I know I know!  I’ve been working on making something a bit special though, which I can’t share with you all yet as it’s not quite finished!  Hopefully I can show you in the next couple of weeks.

I am still sewing, and yesterday added these cute little zippy pouches to my shop:

I hope to list a new crayon roll today, made with some gorgeous aeroplane fabric & red gingham.  I have a whole notebook full of ideas to work through so watch out for some more products coming soon!  This week I plan on making a few of my ‘alternative’ gingerbread men that were so popular on my stall last Christmas – I hope my shop customers love them just as much (they usually have little ribbon loops on their head for hanging on the tree – it seems I only took a picture of the one I forgot to put the ribbon on!):

I really must get a move on with Christmas stock and presents – why does time seem to go so quickly in the run up to December?!

Dylan started school last Thursday and is absolutely loving it, he’s grown up so much even since then.  When his class is called to go in each morning he runs up the steps shouting ‘see ya later Mum!’ and is always the first one in – most of the other children are clinging to their parents but Dylan seems to have so much confidence – I am very proud of him.  He also had his first swimming lesson yesterday afternoon, he did so well and yet again his confidence shone through as he listened to what he was being asked to do and got on with it with an adorable look of sheer concentration on his face!

Daisy started back at preschool yesterday, she has been out of nappies for the past few weeks but I was worried that she wouldn’t ask to go for a wee at school.  I was so happy when I picked her up and she was wearing the same trousers!!  Apparently she had asked to go with no problems – another proud Mummy moment!  When I collected her she handed me some pictures she’d drawn, saying proudly ‘look Mummy, I drew the London Eye for you!’ – it was so lovely, a big green circle with a smiley face next to it.  We went on the London Eye last week and clearly she loved it!  She will be three on Thursday, the time seems to have gone in the blink of an eye :’( Daisy has asked for a scooter like Dylan’s for her birthday, fingers crossed it gets here in time!  I will be spending tomorrow making her cake, she’s requested a pink & sparkly one!

I should really get back to some housework and sewing now, I promise I wont leave it so long next time!  I have a lot of plans for what to include on my blog, but these will take some time – please check back to see what I’ve been up to :)

Jen xxxx

Folksy Friday: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star…

I missed last week as it was my birthday on Sunday so took the weekend off :)

I’ve only managed to list one thing this week, this patchwork cushion, which is pretty awesome even if I do say so myself!

This week’s theme is Twinkle, twinkle, little star – thanks to the lovely Haptree for the suggestion!

 

 

 

Some gorgeous starry things to be found on Folksy!  Just click on the pictures to go to the item listing :)

Will do a proper update sometime this weekend, I promise!

Jen xxxx