I am officially addicted.

I am officially addicted to Stampin Up products.  I have some amazingly gorgeous items that I have collected over the past few months, including stamps, inks, papers and embellishments. 
If you are interested in checking out what is available, see the link on the left.  The amazing Carole will be happy to help with orders, enquiries or questions.

Now, having collected all this amazing stuff I have to actually use it.  I am addicted to all things pretty, whether I might use them or not is questionable, I have material, but I dont sew, I have wool, but I cant Knit or Crochet.   This year I am determined to learn to crochet and to sew and have accepted the kind offer from 2 of my friends to teach me.  Lets see how much patience they have LOL.  I hope to share pictures of my progress very soon.

Heres a  little picture of my latest delivery of wall...

I think I am going to need another room, as my rather small craft room is cram packed with stuff right now, and its almost impossible to move in there, if I am honest it is already impossible.  Add to that a sewing machine and a stack of wool, and it doesnt get any easier .....

Comb, not just for gleaming your locks.

Thought I would share this layout again, as I love it so much.  Lisa's class from Gogo Getaway.  So sad this is now an end of an era.  

Using paint and a comb.  Black and white photo, picked out areas to paint with colour.

And you thought this would be a craft blog why?

And you thought this would be a craft blog why?  LOL.   Of course, it is first and foremost a craft blog, with a little bit of everything else thrown in.

I am laying here, leg elevated after Vascular ablation, Hematoma on back of leg killing me.  So leg elevated, massaging affected area in much pain, wondering why, with all my good intentions, I havent kept this blog up to date.

Once again, I am left wondering how to bring people to my blog, and encourage them to stay for a second look,  I am sure if I had more visitors I would in fact make more of an effort, and feel less like talking to myself.  So do I Beg, Steal, Borrow or Bribe visitors.  Bribe, well let me start there,  Cake? Chocolate?
Oooh blog candy.....whatabout a giveaway?   Interested?   Pop back  soon to see what I have collaborated, to give away free to one lucky visitor.

In the meantime, I leave you with a quick little recipe to satisfy a sweet tooth, children or the Dog . I leave it to you.

This is a well known, anyone can do cupcake recipe, with a secret weapon to ensure they really are the best ever.

Vanilla Cupcakes.

200 grms soft butter
200 grms caster sugar
4 medium eggs
200 grms self raising flour
1 vanilla pod or teaspoon of vanilla extract.
2 x 12 muffin tins lined with paper cases.
Piping bag with large plain nozzle (10)

Sugar syrup:- 75 grms sugar, 5 tablespoons water, place in saucepan bring to boil, then lower to simmer until sugar is dissolved.  Allow to cool then add either 1/2 seeds from one vanilla pod or teaspoon of vanilla extract.

I am a great lover of the quick and easy, so you can of course if you prefer do the whole creaming of the sugar and butter method if you prefer, or if like me, you like the quick and easy option, the instructions are short and sweet.

Split the vanilla pod lengthways, remove seeds.
Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix until well combined.
Next Pipe the mixture into the cases (alternatively 2 teaspoons in each case)
bake for 18/20 minutes. or until golden brown and the sponge springs back to the touch

Allow to cool for 10 minutes prick the tops with a tooth pick, then brush the cakes over with the cooled vanilla syrup soaking each one.  Remove from tin when completely cooled.

For cream cheese topping,
200 grms full fat cream cheese at room temperature
100 grms of soft butter
600 grms Icing sugar.

Slowly mix together until light and fluffy.  Then pipe, dollop, or spread over the cupcakes.

These were made for a cake sale at my daughters school in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.



Enjoy!

shoes.

Found this lovely little template some

time ago, I love it so much, its so versatile, made here for halloween, but similarly would be great for christmas or party favours.

Add caption

3d Paper craft shoe.  This is so simple yet effective, see below for step by step instructions.



Carefully cut around the template.





Print out template and attach to chosen cardstock with removable tape runner.

Score along perferated lines on both templates.





Fold along all score lines.

Begin glueing the shoe template together leaving the front top flaps open at this stage. 

Glue insert (liner) into shoe.

Glue shoe front together and decorate in your own style .

I hope you will enjoy making and sharing your own shoes on the Craft Cupboard Blog, or leave a message here with a link to your own blog, and I will visit to take a look.



Christmas...............

Full steam ahead for the christmas season now which I love, Cakes are in process being fed brandy on a regular basis.  I am looking forward to a baking day, with my good friend, playing carols, drinking mulled wine, and the warm fuzzy feeling you get when the smell from the oven purmeates the air.  I love christmas.  Cant wait until December when I can put up the tree and decorations.

I have started on my present shopping, a little later than usual.  And so far so good.   I guess I should start thinking about cards!

And speaking of decorations, I have had this mad idea that I would like a post box, yep a real royal mail red one..having done some research, I have to admit, that the price tag is just a step too far LOL.  I have now commissioned a replica, which I am hoping will come to fruition, I will keep you updated on its progress. (disaster or not)

I will post some of my favourites recipes over the coming weeks,  which I hope you may like to try.

This week I am working on a birthday cake for my niece, rainbow sponge, which I admit is a nightmare LOL.  Made one, and said I wouldnt do another, but here I am in the same situation stresses over doing something I have had no training in and just winging it.....   Photos to follow on completion.

Following blogs.....

http://lovin-ink.blogspot.co.uk.  Just found this lovely blog, please pop on over and take a look, with the chance of winning a little blog candy? Why not!



I am still trying to break into the world of blogs, such a mine field for me.   I am starting to realise that I must update my blog much more often.

I know some people use it as a way of therapy, or as a diary, or just to share their crafts etc.  I am always so busy doing nothing I completely forget, perhaps I should try a knotted handkerchief
To remind me LOL. ..

Followers.

Look at my sad little followers list LOL   I really havent got to grips with this blogging lark.  How do you attract more visitors?.  I think it might encourage me to keep it up to date if I knew people were interested.

Hey Ho.  for what its worth and just in case you do happen to by stopping by,  please pop over to the cupboard trilogy challenge blog.  Still plenty of time to enter this months challenge.

http://thecupboardtrilogychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/