Everything Changes Part 4

Hey
 
This is the last post in my mini series of pieces that I am re-loving and up-cycling. I've been very busy lately with applications and interviews so it has taken a little longer than I expected. So this project started on a warm sunny day in October and was finished on a busy day in November.
 
I didn't have a picture when I first started my mini series but I was going to paint this telephone table that my mum bought me home from where she works as a project for me to do over the summer while I was job hunting (it was done a little later than was expecting).

As with all my projects I started by sugar soap washing the table, and as it was warm and sunny I was able to paint it that day after lunch.
 
Once it was dry, I taped off the areas of the table that I didn't want to get paint on - I only wanted the legs and bottom shelf painted. The draw knob was also going to be painted.

 
Again as I love blue (I going to end up with a blue house), I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Greek Blue. I'm still getting use to how chalk paint works, so the bottom shelf isn't as smooth as some people may be able to achieve but it doesn't affect is function.

I will say that the paint is easy to get off if you get small splashes where you don't want it - just get a damp cloth and give it scrub.

Almost a month later, when I finally got round to waxing it to project the wood and paint, I would again Annie Sloan clear wax. I just used a cloth to apply the wax and to buff it afterwards. The cloth doesn't need to be anything special mine was made from some clean old PJ's cut up. The wax can also be applied with a brush.

At the moment my telephone table is living in my bedroom. My sister has informed me is that I need to decorate it to make the seasons and to show off pretty shoes (or shiny ponies as my sister has taken to calling her favourites) on the bottom shelf.

My sister at the moment is working on dip dying a chair so make sure to pop over to her blog FiveMinuteStyle to check out the results once she has posted it.

xxx

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Hey

I know that it is only the start of November but I have already baked my Christmas cakes. Apparently Christmas cakes should be baked before Bonfire Night so that the flavours have time to develop and if you are using alcohol to feed the cake up.

I've had a couple of cake orders so I have 4 cakes in 3 different sizes to make.

I used a recipe that my mum has always used (modified from a BBC Food recipe as we couldn't find the original). Soak the mixed fruit, cherries, nuts and lemon zest over night in the alcohol/juice. We used a mixture of brandy and rum. Cointreau could also be used with orange zest instead depending on what flavours you like. Make sure that you don't use any metal bowls or spoons when using alcohol as it will cause a bad reaction and spoil the cake.

  
Mix together the rest of the ingredients - flour, sugar, mixed spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, eggs and we always add a tablespoon of black treacle. Make sure that the mixture is pale and silky before adding in the soaked fruit mixture. Combine thoroughly before pouring into cake tin that is double lined with grease proof paper.

Wrap brown paper around the tin so that it is just higher than the top and use string to tie it up. Bake at 150 degrees for at least 3 and half hours for an 8" round cake. Once cooked allow to cool in the tin. This can be done when cooled or while still slightly warm. Use a cocktail stick and prick holes all over the cake.

Then drizzle a couple of dessertspoons of whatever you used to soak the fruits. Feeding the cake like this is done once a week. I'm alternating between brandy and rum.

Wrap the cakes in grease proof paper and a clean tea towel until ready to feed again or marzipan and ice.

xxx

Spooky

Hey

As Halloween has fallen on a Thursday, it's my turn to cook, so that can only mean one thing - Halloween Treats!!!

I used the Halloween cake inspiration from Hobbycraft for my chocolate dessert.

I used a selection of mine and my sister's Halloween cookie cutters to make some theme biscuits too! I used the tombstone cutter to make tombstones for my cake.

Happy Halloween!!!

 



xxx

Autumn Leaves

Hey

I've been busy playing photographer this weekend for my sister. Four outfits in one day, with three based around one dress. For the background of one of the outfits we took a walk to a lane that runs pass our old school which is always covered in leaves. I guess one of the perks of take photos for my sister is that from time to time she needs to practise as she is completing a photographic course. So I got to play model for a bit. I wouldn't say that I am one to follow the trends but I do like my checks.

xxx

My Favourite Things

Hey

Finally found Pumkpin to try in Fall Recipes

Favourite Boots - Reheeled and Ready to Rock

Apple Picking Last Weekend

xxx

Pour Some Sugar on Me

Hey

Last night was the final of Bake Off and it's slightly strange to see if so sunny, especially as the weather has been so wet recently. So to celebrate and to try and stay in a summery mood, I've had a day of baking especially as I haven't had time for a lot of it recently with job interviews.

xxx

Red Apple Falls

Hey

While shopping I came across this new topping. It contains cinnamon apple pieces, raisins and chocolate pieces. I didn't really have a plan for it but I love cinnamon and apple especially at this time of year.

After looking through some cupcake books, I decided on trying the topping on top of apple and cinnamon muffins (of course). The cupcake cases used were some British Bake off ones that I found in TKMaxx.

 I doubled up the recipe as it only makes 6, not a lot in my eyes. So the first step is to mix wholemeal flour, plain flour, cinnamon and baking powder in a bowl.

Then stir in the sugar and chopped apple/s ( I used 1 large cooking apple as that was what was available although the recipe says 2 small eating apples).

Once this is done, mix together melted butter, beaten egg and milk, before adding this to the dry ingredients and stirring until just combined.

Then carefully divide the mixture between the cupcake cases.

I topped half of my muffins with the cinnamon apple topping and then top the rest with the recipe topping. Crush brown sugar cubes and mix with cinnamon before sprinkling over the tops of the cupcakes. They then need to cook in the oven preheated to 200oC for 20-25 minutes.

And the finished product....

I think I prefer the cinnamon sugar topping to be honest. The raisins seemed to catch slightly while cooking. I may try using this topping actually within a muffin next time.

xxx

Always Look On The Bright Side of Life

Hey

This past weekend, I went to visit a friend who's moved for a job and we ventured into London to see a show as a belated birthday present. The weather was kind on Saturday especially as it was horrible on the Friday. It was an early start as we went to get tickets first thing from Leicester Square, but it was surprising how much we actually fitted in one day. Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Borough Market, Shakespeare's Globe, Spamalot, Portobello Road and then dinner just off Oxford Street.

Lovely spot to perch to have cake as part of lunch

Stumbled upon the Shard from Borough Market

One day I'll see something here

So Funny!

Spamalot has been on my must see list for awhile, and I wasn't disappointed. We had seats in the second row of the stalls and didn't have anyone sitting in front. I would appear that this show goes off scripts at times which is hilarious especially as the actors struggled to keep straight faces at times. I loved the addition of the rap section from black and white as a name of group of knights. I would definitely recommend the show especially if you are a fan of Monty Python.

xxx

My Favourite Things

Hey

Lovely way to utilise a sunny October Sunday

Sunday Breakfast French Style

Autumnal Spiced Apple Pie

Pink Matter

Hey

October is month that is used for Stoptober, but it is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. This whole month is about pink and there is lots of fund raising and raising awareness going on.

Breast Cancer Campaign has it's Wear It Pink day on 25th. Everyone can get involved not matter where you are, school, work or on the streets, wear pink and show your support.

Cancer Research UK has a fund raising pack that can be registered that also provides ideas of events that can be organised and participated in.

Against Breast Cancer has joined force with Lorraine and have launched their Bin Your Bra campaign. Take the pink promise and take your bra down to your local House of Fraser to drop it one of the bins. Stores that are participating can be found through the website but you can also send them in. The bras get recycled and sent to Africa for the women there and Against Breast Cancer get £1000 for each kilo donated.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer wants every women to know how to check for the signs so have a free TLC guide which you can either text to get or register online for.

For the 17th year Asda has launched it's Tickled Pink campaign. Throughout stores various items are turned pink and small amounts of the price are donated to 2 charities - Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Campaign. The stores also have various fund raising activities for customers to get involved with.

Do your part this month.

xxx

My Favourite Things

Hey


Lovely way to spend a Sunday with Mum
& Sister

Some Birthday Presents supporting Breast Cancer 

Pinkies Pink for Pink Fridays!

 

Song that is stuck in my head
  

Autumn Changes

Hey

It's the start of October, which should be the start of hot drinks and cosy jumpers but it is still surprisingly warm and sunny where I am. I can't wait until it really starts to cool down so that the boots and jumpers can properly come out.

Welcome to Autumn everyone!

xxx

My Favourite Things



Hey

Chocolate Cupcakes!

Baking for Friends



Finished Storage Chest

 

 xxx

Everything Changes Part 3

Hey

I finally got my hands on some Annie Sloan chalk paint, so I was able to get on with my chest.

Before

I started by cleaning with a brush and then sugar soap on the outside.

Once it was clean, I used a brush on wax to protect the majority of the box. I started by testing the colour on the bottom of the box as this would be the area that would be lease visible.

Once the wax had been brushed on, I left it for 10 minutes before buffering it off with a cloth. Buffering this whole box is definitely a good work out for the arms, as the more effort you put in, the shinier the look of the box.

When it came to the painting, I again started on the bottom of the box. I used masking tape to protect the waxed areas next to the areas I was planning on painting. It was the first time I had used chalk paint so it was bit of a learning experience. I had to put quite a lot of paint on my brush and in some areas had to stipple to cover (this may have been due to the fact the bottom of the box was rough in areas).

I then used Annie Sloan wax on top, although it was a bit of an experiment as I could find any instructions on how to use the wax in relation to the paint (i.e. how long to wait to waxing and buffering). I ended up put on 2 layers of wax (well my definition of 2) and then left it a couple of hours before buffering to bring up a bit of a shine.

To clean the hinges and front lock, I taped off the surrounding area before spreading some WD40 either straight onto the area or on to a cloth and then applied. I allowed it to soak in for a for minutes before rubbing with the cloth to clean the area. I didn't know how much I expected it to clean up - the areas are now smooth or although colour wise there isn't much difference. I decided it leave the hinges and lock as they are once cleaning - I though painting them in a black paint would make those areas seem too new.

After

I plan to line the inside of the box but I'm not quite sure how. At the moment I thinking of covering card to line the side and bottom so that I can easy take out and clean.

xxx