New Look!

How do you like the new look blog? Princess Crafts finally has a proper official logo, YAY!!

Let me know how you like it :)

Baking is good for the soul...

...and so is cake!

I love to bake just as much as I like to eat cake. Unfortunately eating cake doesn't do my waistline many favours, so now I generally stick to baking for occasions when it can be shared out. This weekend I shall be baking an early birthday cake for my Hubby as we are having an early celebration on Sunday.

Here are a few photos of cakes I've baked recently:

 Cherry cupcakes with buttercream icing

 Lemon curd cupcakes with lemon frosting

 Vanilla cupcakes with pink vanilla frosting

 Car cake with buttercream icing

 Lavender cupcakes with lavender frosting

 Mince pies (I know, technically not a cake but it's still baking!)

 Pineapple and coconut cakes

Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting

 Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting

 Christmas cake with royal icing

 3 tier cake, fruit, chocolate sandwich and red velvet wit fondant icing

Fruit cake with fondant icing

Ooh, now I really want cake...

Lovely Sewing Goodness

After literally months of saying 'I wish I had an iPhone' I eventually upgraded my three year old (and kinda dinosaur-ish) handset and got myself a brand spanking new iPhone in glorious shiny black chic-ness!!

And, no decent iPhone should be without a decent cover to protect it from all the nasties life has the throw at it (keys in the bottom of your bag, getting dropped, getting scuffed etc). So, I headed over to Sew You and asked the lovely Abi to make me one and this is what I got!!!

 A super cute and totally girlie pink cupcake phone case! Handmade especially for ME!!

 I has a cute pink button and matching elastic to stop the phone coming out...

AND a cute wee pocket on the back, the perfect size for a train ticket or an emergency fiver (oo that's a good idea!)

If you want one, pop over to Sew You Handmade's brand spanking new uber cute and wonderful website and get in quick as she is a busy lady!! She makes all sorts of gorgeous goodies in some FABulous fabrics!

Now, if I had an iPad, I would get a matching case...

Loo Roll: Over the top or underneath?

A new little project has been added to the WIP in the form of a small embroidery (my first) using a pattern purchased on Etsy. I was super thrilled when  I saw this pattern ages ago and purchased it immediately!!

I've traced the pattern onto the material and it is all ready to be popped into an embroidery hoop ready to go!

Now, I don't know about you, but in my house, there is a right way (over the top)  and a wrong way (underneath) to hang to toilet roll, so his cute little sewing project will make it clear to everyone which way is the right way! I am very particular about the loo roll and so this was right up my street!

If you would like to buy this pattern and have a go yourself, pop over to Wild Olive at Esty. This lovely lady has some uber cute patterns for all occasions!

Which way do you like your loo roll?

Teaching Myself to Crochet

A couple of weekends ago, I saw a crafty mag that I haven't noticed before and so decided to splurge on it (£7.99!!) and have a go at learning to crochet.

 The mag comes with two crochet hooks and 8 balls of wool to get you started (that's why I didn't mind spending the £7.99 on it). I thought this would be a good starting point because I don't know if I will a) like crocheting or b) be any good at it. And after my attempt at knitting, I decided to go with the cheap and cheerful to begin with.

I haven't got round to starting yet, but my plan for this week it to have a go and see how I get on with it. The instructions are a bit confusing but I'm sure once I've done a few stitches I'll be alright. And if not, I shall ask my Nan-in-Law when she comes for dinner next weekend!

Hurrah!!

I FINALLY found a frame for my cross stitched 'Home Sweet Home'!!!

This has been a bit of a task - finding a NICE square frame that was the right size, colour and style. But, now I have found one, phew! It is all framed and ready to hang on the wall as soon as Hubby looks out the hammer and nails (I am not 'allowed' to hang pictured by myself, can't think why...)

So here it is, and I must say I'm rather pleased with it!!

 

I even put one of my labels on the back. And I know it sounds silly to put 'Handmade by Kerry' on the back of something that I made for myself but here are two very good reasons why I should:
1) They are pretty labels (at least I think so)
2) IF it lasts the test of time, my grandchildren will see it was stitched by Granny : )

The photos are a bit shoddy due to it being dark, but you get the picture (pardon the pun!). Once it is hung and in situ, I shall post another piccie. Can't tell you how glad I am to have this out of my Work In Progress box!!

Poor January, nobody likes you

Nobody likes January do they?

January is a funny month - Christmas is over and we are all fat and broke and we have nothing to look forward to now. It is still the middle of winter and it's cold, wet, snowy and dark. Plus the next bank holiday seems AGES away...

Usually I dislike January, but this year I have noticed a few things that are making it a bit easier to deal with this particular month:

1. Today I noticed that the days are getting longer, a sure sign that Spring is on its way and we will soon enjoy longer daylight hours. 
2. I have also noticed that all the American TV programmes I like to watch are starting new series this month! This will definately alliveiate the 'January blues'.
3. And, this January is also a celebratory month at I will be helping to celebrate a 30th wedding anniversary (a fantastic milestone in life) and a 1st birthday which is probably one of the most special birthdays to have. 

This leads me to invite you to share what you LIKE about January. Leave a comment and let's celebrate all the good things that January has to offer!!!

Computer Says No

To those of you wondering where I have been in recent weeks, I am still here! I have enjoyed a quiet lull since Christmas and have given myself a rest from the crafting adventure.

I was just getting geared up for some posts about Christmas makes when my laptop popped its cloggs. So until I get a new one or get the data off the old one, I'm afraid my little show and tell posts will have to wait...

Back soon with something interesting for you all!!

The year that was my 2010

I don't normally write about myself on this blog as it was always intended to be about Princess Crafts, but having sat down and thought about what 2010 was like, I felt I wanted to share it, so here goes!

In 2010, I:

• Was unemployed for 9 months
• Eventually fond a job and quite like it
• Lost a dear friend and miss her every day
• Celebrated my second wedding anniversary
• Attended two of my best friends’ weddings
• Celebrated the birth of two friends’ babies
• Got in touch with my creative side and set up Princess Crafts
• Lost my lovely cat Lucy who lived to the ripe old age of 20
• Adopted two cute white cats called Bubble and Squeak
• Finally upgraded to an iPhone
• Had a lovely holiday in the Highlands with my Hubby and Papa
• Finally learned some Italian
• Baked lots of cakes
• Ate lots of cakes
• Took loads of photos
• Celebrated my inlaws’ 30th wedding anniversary
• Celebrated my sister’s engagement
• Had a lot of job interviews
• Discovered I really like writing my blog
• Went to the cinema as much as possible
• Discovered I like sewing more than I thought I would
• Realised I knitting is not my thing
• Saw Love Never Dies and LOVED it
• Was treated to a box at the Royal Opera House to see Cinderella
• Enjoyed some great BBQs in our finished garden
• Bought a new car
• Joined Weight Watchers and have lost 23lbs so far
• Went on two hen nights which were the best fun ever
• Visited my best friend’s new flat which was a great weekend
• Saw Whitney Houston at the O2 and she was AWFUL
• Went on a free trip to Rimini for the weekend and realised I speak Italian quite well
• Took a flower arranging course and really enjoyed it
• Had afternoon tea with by best friends at a posh hotel
• Hosted afternoon tea at my house and ate a lot of cake
• Went to Calais on a booze cruise
• Had a free spa weekend in Wales
• Helped my sister choose her wedding dress
• Attended my first baby shower
• Saw Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and loved it
• Had to buy a new fridge freezer
• Went to see Disney on Ice and felt like a kid again
• Saw Sally Morgan, Psychic to the Stars and was quite impressed
• Went to my first craft fair with Princess Crafts and want to do another one
• Spent New Year with my Hubby, Mum and Dad and welcomed 2011 whilst drinking a Cosmopolitan