Eggsciting Easter

Actually, this post contains nothing about Easter or eggs .  I have been making some nice spring-like rhubarb and custard cupcakes though.  The recipe was from my favourite Love Bakery cupcake book (but I did change the frosting a bit to make it more custardy – I love, love, love custard). They were delicious, even if I do say so myself:

On the beading front, I’ve still not finished my red crystal and pearl bracelet – I need a gold coloured magnetic clasp for it and don’t have one, so will pick one up at Bead & Banter at The Bead Shop Edinburgh next week.  I went to my first Bead & Banter earlier this month with Lesley, Sigrid & Mary, and muchos fun it was too.  I didn’;t buy much when I was there, as I’m trying to be good, but a huge square green stone, green fire polished rounds and dark silver size 15 seedies managed to fall into my basket somehow.

I have an idea in my head of how I want the finished piece to look – so far it’s all coming together quite nicely, but will have to play it by ear a bit I suppose.  I’m also using up some stash, as the delicas have sat around unused for about 18 months to 2 years.

I’ve actually progressed a bit from this photo, so will post an update with my next post.

Hope you all had a fab easter.

Lisa xoxo

Tea & (cup)cakes

We went through to Edinburgh for the afternoon on Saturday, as we were going to grab a burger  plus rum & coke ice cream float at 99 Hanover Street for a late lunch.  We got a fab deal on Groupon and the burgers were superb (I got a Godfather & Stu had a Moroccan) and, although I was expecting the place to be more restauranty than pubby, I’d definitely go back again.

We decided to go for a cuppa (and comfort break!) not long after we first arrived and happened upon Eteaket in Frederick Street.  I had never heard of it before, and have to admit I’m not the world’s greatest tea lover (I know realise that’s probably because I chuck a bag in a cup and leave it until it’s so stewed I need to add a little milk {not a milk lover either}, but really really enjoyed the tea here.  In fact, before we left, we bought a tea strainer and 2 tubs of tea – if you’re ever in Edinburgh, you should drop in and peruse their tea menu.

I’ve been hankering after a large star piping nozzle for ages and didn’t ever seem to get around to getting one, so nipped into Lakeland and got these.  This set is great value at £11.99.  I bought disposable bags for mine, as they’re just so much easier to use the deal with than the washable type.

In honour of Saturday, I decided to make afternoon tea for Sunday dinner.  Got my adored Love Bakery cupcake book out and opted for the Peruvian Bear Cupcakes (named after everyone’s favourite behatted and duffle-coated bear).  They’re basically a chocolate cupcake filled with bitter marmalade and topped with chocolate buttercream.

I didn’t actually feel like one of these on Sunday (I’m not the greatest chocolate cake fan, so really have to be in the mood for it), but tried one when I got home tonight (purely in the interests of quality control, of course {plus I had no dinner last night, so been a bit peckish today).  Was very nice – not too chocolately, perhaps because it was made with cocoa, not chocolate.

Last night we went to see Peter Kay on the Tour that Doesn’t Tour Tour at the SECC.  Was fantastic, he was definitely on top form.  SECC car park was up to its usual shambolic standards as well – took us over an hour to get out of the damn thing!  Didn’t waste a great night though.

Will be back with some beady stuff in the next couple of days.

Lisa xoxo

You’ve got Mail

I finished the chain mail bracelet I was working on last week. I’m actually really pleased with the result, as I’ve only done one piece of mail before and that was a few years ago at a beginners class.

Although it looks complicated, the pattern was remarkably simple to follow and, compared to seed bead stuff, it made up quite quickly as well.  I used aluminium rings, as I was too chicken to spend the money on silver ones in case I struggled to get the pattern right.  would certainly like to redo it in a more substantial metal.

Almost finished the pearl and rivoli bracelet – a few rows and the clasp to add, although I will need to get my hands on a clasp, so might need to wait until next Bead & Banter if I’m not ordering anything online before then.

Already thinking about what my next project will be – one idea involves me drawing up my own pattern – something I’ve never done before – I usually either follow a pattern or make things up as I go along.  I have a feeling this will involve a lot of ripping back and tantrums to get it right, so will probably do something else at the same time that doesn’t need as much concentration.

Also want to do some polymer clay stuff, as apart from one pendant, it’s been a while since I’ve done anything in this media.  I’ve been looking at people’s work on  The Polyclay Forum – some great work there.

Only a few weeks to go until the Bead Retreat – I am really looking forward to it, but disappointed on of my beady buddies can’t make it any more.  A couple of weeks after that, I’m off to London for a couple of days, so it’s all systems go :D.

Lisa xoxo

Shop til you drop

I have to admit to going a bit mad in the last week and ended up buying 8 dresses, all from Peacocks.  To be honest it’s one of those shops I’ve always ignored (thinking it was a bit dull) , then the Pearl Lowe spring collection came out and I fell in love. the price is amazing (£40 each)and the frocks are really pretty (and flattering).  This range was closely followed by the Peacocks by Design range – there are some beauties here too.

These are the Pearl Lowe ones I got:

I’m not 100% sure about the cream floral one in the middle (will need to ask Stu’s opinion), so it may go back.  Love the rest of them.

I also got 3 from their Peacocks by Design range – these were all between £35 & £38@

Still waiting for the middle one to arrive, but the other 2 are really pretty.  One of my friends is planning to have afternoon tea at Prestonfield House for her hen do and I reckon the one on the right (with a little shrug or cardi, as it will be autumn) will be perfect for this.

Also need to get a pair of black sandals for walking around in on holiday etc – I always prefer wedges as sometimes pavements are cobbly or uneven.  Think I’m opting for these ones from Clarks – got a similar pair in nude patent last year and they are fab – really, really comfortable yet nice enough to wear with a frock in the evenings.

Much as I love my fancy high heeled shoes, there are occasions where you just need something comfortable yet stylish (for example, walking around the Old Town in Edinburgh).

I’m a sucker for wide leg trousers and for the first time in years, Marks & Spencer have got theirs right – they’re lovely and wide at the bottom yet not too shapeless around the bum.  I got some in black and white.

Let me know what your style must-haves are this spring/summer.

Will be back with some makes soon.

Lisa xoxo

Spring into a new week

Spring has finally sprung here in not so sunny Scotland.  Have been busy on a few things this week; I’m quite enjoying working on a few things at the same time – means I can do whatever I’m in the mood for.  All are works in progress with the exception of the card.

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, so I made this card for my gorgeous Mum.

I kept it simple, mainly because my family tend to like simple cards.  Papers are Invest, Season and  Steel from BasicGrey’s Infuse range.  Dies are Sizzix Designer Bookplates and Flower with Vine & Leaves.  Word is stamped on with clear letter stamps.  Edges inked with a Cat’s Eye Chalk Ink Pad in soft olive.

I’ve also been working on this bracelet to compliment the Vineyard necklace I have from Laura McCabe’s book, Creating Crystal Jewelery with Swaovski.

I’ve used Swarovski Crystallized Elements rivolis in  Siam, Swarovski pearls in almond, with Miyuki delicas and seed beads in gold, bronze and red.

Next up is an attempt at chain mail.

This is from Chained by Rebeca Mojica.  I used aluminium jump rings.  Would love to try this in silver, gold or some other nice metal, but aluminium’s cheap and I am very inexperienced when it comes to chain mail.  The only thing I’ve made before was a Byzantine bracelet.

Finally I have a polymer clay pod pendant.  I’m a bit disappointed in this one – it’s fatter than I intended and I’m not sure the surface effect has worked.  Also you can’t really see the under colour through the holes.  It’s the first time I’ve done a hollow bead though, so hopefully it wall all be part of the learning process.

I will be back with more soon.

Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

Pieces of Polymer

When I was making a birthday card and wrapping a present earlier, I came across these polymer clay beads I made  and threw in a bag.  Might make it a mission to actually do something with them – any suggestions much appreciated (even if it’s just chucking em in the bin!).

Firstly I have this set of drum beads in muted browns and blues and lilacs:

And some shiny rounds in blended “anodised” colours from turquoise to pink:

some red, green and gold rounds:

Finally, some “turquoise” nuggets:

Thanks for looking (and for your ideas).   Will be back soon with some more piccies to show.

Lisa xoxo