Rainbow Cake

Unfortunately I haven't had much time to make cards recently but last weekend my brother asked me to make him a birthday cake. His friend was already making him a chocolate cake so I decided to go for something a bit different with a rainbow cake. Each layer was flavoured with different fresh fruit then coloured with concentrated die and cooked seperately (red = strawberry, orange = orange, yellow = lemon, green = kiwi, blue = blueberry, purple = grape).



The recipe was a based on the following links:

http://countryheartandhome.blogspot.com/2010/05/rainbow-cake-week-19.html
http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2010/04/mothers-day-garden-party.html
http://countryheartandhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/most-devine-cupcake-frosting-ever.html

50th Birthday Survival Kit

My boss was 50 last month and we couldn't decide what to get him at work. I've seen these survival kits before so thought it would be the perfect funny present! It didn't cost very much together and went down really well (luckily he has a good sense of humour).



Here's what was included along with the reasons why:

• 50 pennies – contribution to retirement fund


• glasses - for when your eyesight goes


• duct tape - instant face lift


• incontinence pads – incase of any accidents


• memory mints – for those senior moments


• blue pills – for increased sex drive


• red tablets – to encourage hair regrowth


• lollipops - for when life sucks


• starburst candy - for an extra burst of energy


• paperclips - to hold things together


• mls of oil - to keep your joints lubricated


• marbles - spares for when you lose your own


• asprin - for those extra aches and pains


• notepad – to write things down before you forget


• first aid kit – for when you fall down


• baby food – to help you adjust to softer foods


• rubber bands - to give you your flexibility back


• batteries – for your hearing aid and pacemaker


• matchsticks – to help keep your eyes open

Secret Santa Swap

I know this is a bit late as Christmas was well over a month ago but we arranged a Secret Santa over on Crafty Place. Unfortunately it didn't quite go to plan and although I sent a present, I didn't receive one, so I was a bit disappointed. The lovely Melissa came to the rescue as we were in a three-way swap. She sent me all the goodies below, which was such a lovely and unexpected suprise to receive.



The best thing of all though was this absolutely stunning notebook which was included in the package. It's completely handmade by Melissa with a Bind It All and has loads of beautiful details. It really is special so I daren't use it and have currently propped it up on my craft shelves for inspiration...

Valentine's Gifts...

I'm ashamed to say that I didn't actually make my boyfriend a Valentine's card. Instead I made him a gecko friendship bracelet (he has two Leopard Geckos). I haven't made one of these for years and this one was particularly difficult with 19 strings! Lots of hours and two attempts later I finally had something to be pround of and he loved it.



Martin actually hand-made this card off his own back and I was really touched. He's fascinated when I craft and sometimes watches me so he's obviously been learning. Bless him, he had to cut all the decoupage out by hand as couldn't figure out the Craft Robo...

Cards Received For My Birthday

I was inundated with lots of gorgeous cards on my birthday from my lovley friends over on MSE. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of them and show off all their amazing creations...

Top row: Dragonllew, Rainmac, Hassy
Bottom row: TomsMum, Gemm



Top row: Marg, OAP, Jowri
Bottom row: Paddster, TiredMom, Bunbun



Top row: Flourgirl, Choccy, Mad-Frog
Bottom row: ArtyDoll, Wanna-b-rich, ScattyJan

Crafty Cardmakers GDT Card

I was really pleased to be asked to be a guest designer over at Crafty Cardmakers. The challenge I was given is to create something using a photo of Love Hearts as inspiration. Seeing as I've been given a Craft Robo as an early birthday present, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to have a play! Here's what I came with (everything has been cut out on the Robo)...





Pop over to Crafty Cardmakers here to enter the challenge and be in for the chance of winning a £10 gift voucher for Joanna Sheen's online shop.

Jackpot Bag Charm

The super talented CraftyJuJu has recently been producing lots of stunning handmade jewellery. Last week she put a gorgeous jackpot themed bag charm for sale but it sold before I got a look in! She kindly offered to make another one for me though and when I got home today it had arrived beautifully packaged. Thank you soo much Julie! Check out her Facebook Fan Page here.

Poinsettia Stamped Candles

It was Martin's Mum's birthday yesterday and she absolutely loves candles and her favourite flowers are poinsettias. I decided to put together this arrangement after seeing this fab tutorial here for stamping on to candles. The candles/dish came from Tiger and the paper flowers from Hobby House. I've finished off with Anita's gold butterfly dimension stickers.

Little Musings Canvas

A little while ago I came across the blog of a really talented lady SJ. She does fantastic drawings called Little Musings, so I emailed her with a few photos of me and Martin and asked if she could paint a canvas for me to give him for Valentine's Day. This is the result and I absolutelty love it! The detail on his knecklace is amazing - I can't wait to give it to Martin and see what he thinks...



This is the photo which it's based on:

Customised Photo Baubles

I found this pack of plastic photo baubles for £6.99 in Boots and brought them to make a keepsake Christmas present to give to my Granny. I've used four photos of me, my brother and Mum in black and white then decorated with sequins and glitter. I think they look great but was disappointed to see that my Granny has only put up a small fibre optic tree this year...

Jingle Beans

I've finally finished all 40 tubes of Jingle Beans, complete with the added touch of mini bells. I've made them to give to all my family, friends and colleagues along with a handmade card. This a sample of two of them showing the front and back of the tags. Martin's contribution was to fill the tubes and eat the beans lol. I got the idea from here - her blog is fantastic and has loads of great ideas so definitely check it out.

Origami Trinket Box

My aunt absolutely loved the blue iris folded card I made for her birthday and now has it framed in her hall. It's nice to know all that your effort is appreciated, so I've made this origami box for her for Christmas (she's been hinting she'd like a trinket box in the colours of her bedroom). I've used my new bargain double sided cardstock from Costco then finished with a ribbon.