Felty inspirations

Last year, when Mr PC and I went home to Scotland (it's my 'home' as in where I belong/come from - long story) we went to Hopetoun House for a look round. I actually considered is as a venue for our wedding and although it is absolutely stunning, it was also absolutely out of our budget! Anyway, I digress.

We visited this lovely house on the outskirts of Queensferry and I 'oohed' and 'aahed' at pretty much everything from the gorgeous chairs to the curtains and wall hangings. In one of the bedrooms there was a beautiful four poster bed with newly refitted curtains and a matching bedspread. I was so amazed at the pattern and the fact that it was all hand cut and sewn, I couldn't stop looking at it! I was even more impressed that is was made from recycled linens!

 

It's actually quite simple felt appliqué but it really caught my eye and I've been mulling it over ever since. Mr PC promised to devise me a pattern from the pictures and I've been thinking of sewing a table runner or some placemats. 

It will be a challenge especially as I'm rubbish with scissors and cutting neatly (I must have missed that day at school), but it might be worth the effort if I can replicate this for my own home.

Have you been anywhere recently that has inspired you?

Facebook selling

Today I have launched a new way for people to buy straight from my Facebook page!

This new photo album has photos of items which are available only on my Facebook page. All you need to do is leave a comment on the photo of the item you would like to purchase and then I will contact you with more details!

More items to be added soon so keep an eye out for something handmade and unique!

You can also make purchases from my Etsy shop and if you use promo code 15OFF you'll get 15% off until Friday 1st July!!

Handmade rocks!

Hello and welcome to another Monday! The weather where I am is glorious and just so hot, I hope you're getting great summery weather today too!

We had a great time at the Vintage and Handmade Market in Chelmsford this weekend. It was a bit quieter than usual but we met some lovely people and I even got a few bespoke orders which is great news! Here are a few pics from my stall, I laid it out a bit different and I think it worked well.

PS. If you see anything you like, leave me a comment and I'll let you know if it's still available!

Friday Suppers: Something with apples

Do you struggle to get your 5 a day? Well, do not fret, Princess Crafts has come to the rescue!

This is a great way to get some of your 5 a day... Apple and Cinnamon Squares!

I decided to make this part of the Friday Suppers series as it is great for a Friday treat and technically can count as a pudding. If Friday is Cake Day in your office,  then take these in and you'll have loads of new friends instantly!

This recipe is one that my mum has had for years and we always used to make it when I was a kid. The smell alone is enough to make you swoon...! It is dead easy to make and requires no previous baking experience.

You will see from the pics that there are only 4 squares left, well the recipe makes about 9 generous sized squares but these are so moreish that they barely make it out of the baking tin and into the storage tin, they generally fall straight into my tummy...

Anyway, on with the recipe!

You will need:
1 cup plain flour
1 cup sugar
2tsp baking powder
2 eggs
2tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
3 apples, peeled and sliced

8x8inch tin, greased and floured

To make:
1. Sift dry ingredients and mix well.
2. Add the eggs, vanilla and butter and mix thoroughly.
3. Add the chopped nuts and apples and mix well with a spoon. If you use an electric mixer at this point you'll mush up the apples and nuts.
4. Put the mixture into the tin and spread out to make sure it's even. Don't worry if the mixture feels a bit thick, it's meant to be.
5. Bake at 180 degrees for about 45 minutes.
6. Once cooked, let them cool in the tin before using a plactic knife/spatula to cut into squares. Don't use a metal knife otherwise you'll scratch up your tin!

Best served with a giant mug of your favourite hot drink and try not to eat them all at once!!

PS. Please let me know what you think of these if you try them!

WIP: Organising a food and craft market

People everywhere are making and selling their beautiful handmade wares, and some of them, like me are very keen on promoting handmade crafts as much as possible. So with this in mind, I have decided to try my hand at organising a craft market of my own!

At the moment the aim is to start a regular Food and Craft Market in Braintree which will showcase local crafters, artisans and food producers. This is something that our area is lacking at the moment but there are so many local people with beautiful creations ready to be found! I decided to organise it myself and have a go at creating a really exciting event for all the family.

So this is an appeal to all crafters and foodies, please get in touch if you would be interested in having a stall at this new market, the more the merrier and the more varied the stalls, the better!!

More details coming soon!

Source

Havering Handmade in pictures

On Saturday, I was at my second Havering Handmade and although it was a quiet day for us all, we had a good time and I met some lovely new crafty peeps.

I thought I'd share some pics of my stall, as each time I set it up it looks different. If you see anything that takes your fancy just get in touch and I'll let you know if I still have it in stock!!

Friday Suppers: Lamb steaks and vegetable cous cous

Here we are again, another Friday is upon us and the weekend is a few hours away!!

For this week's Friday Supper, we're having lamb leg steaks and vegetable cous cous.

This recipe serves 2.
You will need:

For the lamb
2 lamb leg steaks, seasoned
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed
Olive oil

For the cous cous
3 handfuls of cous cous
1 onion
1 pepper
Handful of mushrooms
Olive oil
Knob of butter

1) In a shallow dish, mix the lemon juice and zest with the garlic and olive oil. Place the lamb into the marinade and leave for 30 mins-1 hour. Make sure the meat is well covered, this allows the it to soak up the flavours.

Marinade ready and waiting

Lamb in the marinade for 30-60 mins

2) While the lamb is marinading, chop the vegetables for the cous cous and lightly fry them in some oil. Once cooked, put to one side so you're ready to assemble the cous cous later. 

Cook the veggies

Set aside once cooked

3) Once the lamb has marinaded, heat up the BBQ or a griddle pan (a frying pan will also do) so it's nice and hot. Then place the lamb in and watch it sizzle!

4) Keep an eye on the lamb as it cooks, and turn it every few minutes so it browns evenly.

5) As the lamb cooks, put a small saucepan on to heat and pop in the cous cous. Stir and allow it to heat up a little bit, then add the butter and keep stirring.

Stir the cous cous in the hot pan

6) Add just enough boiling water to cover the cous cous and let it boil off, about 1-2 mins. Keep stirring so it doesn't stick together. The water MUST be boiling before you put it in otherwise your cous cous will go soggy!

Let the water boil off

7) Don't forget to check how the lamb is doing! Cook it to your taste, Mr PC and I prefer it medium/rare but you can have it well done if you want.

8) Once the water has boiled off and the cous cous is plumped up, add the vegetables you cooked earlier along with some olive oil. Stir together and keep on a medium heat. Then put the pan lid on and allow the cous cous to steam in the pan while you sort the lamb out and fetch some plates.

Stir in the veg

Put lid on and allow to steam

9) Once the lamb is ready serve it alongside the cous cous and hey presto, a yummy dinner!

Grub's up!