My poor little neglected blog!

I am so busy trying to play catch up that its almost the end of the month and Im still thinking its the beginning!! EEK I have projects due tomorrow and this coming week so please bear with me as I start posting our very first celebratory meal planner. I will be posting it in sections each day with a big post at the end of the week with how the whole thing came together....ie tomorrow may be the starter and the goody bags, the 2nd of Feb may be the main meal and invitations etc.....well, you get the idea anyway and I promise it will all pull together for you to make your own 'dinner party' a huge success! :)

I have been making lots of goodies lately including bubblegum lipbalm, chocolate lipbalm, lots of candles and brooches etc - my little empire is coming along nicely!! MWahahahah!!

Beatrix Potter Demo Day @ CraftyNook Durham

The lovely Susan from Crafty Nook in Durham marketplace is having a demo day using the Crafters Companion products on Saturday between 1 and 3pm. Please pop by to see the brand new Appley Dappley range of stamps etc :)

All day workshop - 5th March @ The Scrapbook Shop Durham!

I am starting to do a monthly workshop at The Scrapbook Shop which is from 10am until 4pm, all day including lunch (sandwiches, salads and cupcakes).

You will complete at least 5 layouts/projects and we have unlimited use of facilities including cutting machines, punches, paints etc. The day will be mainly technique based and you will learn how to use a variety of mediums showing how to make your own embellishments etc...

£25 per person and maxium 12 spaces so prebooking is required.

First workshop is the 5th of March and spaces can be booked via The Scrapbook Shop website - although i dont think kathryn has added the button yet but if you phone you will be able to book now :)

Crazy Busy!!

Lately when I'm in the kitchen....
if I'm not in an apron, I'm in a mask and goggles...

if I'm not baking, I'm making a concoction of some sorts...

if its not a recipe I'm writing, its a cosmetic product information file...

the joys of EU rules and regulations...on all counts!

Heres a little sneak of what I am busy making - there is so much to do as there are whole ranges of products from lipbalms to face masks, hair care to foot scrubs, cold press soaps to fizzing bath salts and everything inbetween all made by my own fair hands.

I have taken the plunge and I am setting up my own business, it is taking a lot of time, a lot of certification, paperwork and hoop jumping but nothing ventured nothing gained!

Banana Frog Project of the Day.

Today was my turn, well the 21st of each month is now my day actually to upload a project of the day to the Banana Frog typepad blog :) I uploaded 3 projects using one stamp showing different ways you could use it - click through to the blog to see step by step pics!

The stamp set is actually in the sale for £5.50 and is one of the most go to stamp sets I use! Swirls and Butterflies....I made a valentine card (the heart is one half of the butterfly), cupcake toppers and 3D flowers - all with one stamp (and using that fabulous technique when you were little of spending hours colouring in so that no two colours were together) Simple ways to spend hours colouring in and keeping the kids quiet! LOL

Walnut layer cake!

I know you are waiting until the first of the month for me to do a whole meal planner etc but I couldnt help but share this for now :) I made this yesterday afternoon with and its gorgeous - next time though I think I would do my own version of frosting (see link down the site to divine frosting) as this one was a little bit bland....

FROSTED WALNUT LAYER CAKE

Mary Berry recipe from Mary Berrys Ultimate Cake Book

Cuts into 12 generous wedges

225g/8oz soft margarine

225g/8oz caster sugar

4 eggs

225g/8oz self-raising flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

100g/4oz walnuts, finely chopped

For the frosting:

2 egg whites

350g/12oz caster sugar

4 tablespoons water

14 teaspoon cream of tartar

To decorate:

walnut halves

Pre-heat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas 3. Lightly grease and line the base of three 20cm/8in sandwich tins with greased greaseproof paper.

Measure all the ingredients for the cake into a large bowl and beat them together until they are thoroughly blended. Divide equally between the tins and level the surfaces. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 25- 30 minutes, until the cakes are golden and springy to the touch. Turn out and leave to cool on a wire rack.

For the frosting: measure all the ingredients into a bowl over a pan of hot water and whisk, using an electric or rotary whisk, for 10-12 minutes, until thick. Sandwich the cake layers together with a little of the frosting, then use the remainder to cover the top and sides of the cake, swirling the icing to form soft peaks. Decorate with the walnut halves.

Enjoy xx

oops...

Thank you to a lovely reader who asked if I had picked a winner for the 29th of Dec draw for the resolutions for the new year comp! EEK - I hadnt!! I forgot all about it - sorry!

I have just randomly drawn a name from the hat and the winner is....

Simplyfairies

Congratulations, please email me your address to debbie(at)countryheartandhome.com and i will get a pressie out to you :)

I will do a major giveaway once I hit 800 followers - I use to love making up those parcels to send out! :)

Hugs
Debbie
x