Cam City WI Craft Swap

Last month I took part in my first ever craft swap. It was arranged by the lovely Michaela of Miss Chaelaboo and was open to members of our WI group.

Our January meeting was all about tea. We had a talk from the ladies at Kandula Tea about the tea business, how it is produced and the different varieties. Then we got to sample lots of different teas. My favourites were Moroccan Mint and Earl Grey. 

Tying in with this meeting, the theme for the craft swap was tea. We were given a list of our swap partner’s likes and dislikes, but it was a tricky topic and I found it difficult to come up with ideas. Knowing that we wouldn't be swapping until March, I spent most of the time thinking about what to do.

Finally, with a week to go, I had a light bulb moment and knew exactly what I was going to make - a brooch. I like brooches because they can be pinned to bags and scarves as well as worn on jackets and other things. I sketched a rough design and got to work with some fabric and felt. Using some embroidery thread and a 1.75mm hook, I crocheted some edging and stitched on to the circular brooch to finish it off.

By the time the March WI meeting rolled around, I’d been so wrapped up in making the teacup brooch that I’d completely forgotten that I would be receiving something in return! Excitement built as I was presented with a cute little a polka dot box. My craft swap partner Katie had made me an adorable cross stitch teacup necklace. Isn’t it wonderful!  

I really enjoyed taking part and seeing how other people had been creative with the tea theme. As you might expect, there were a lot of stunning tea cosies being handed around! The swap made me realise just how many amazingly crafty ladies we have in our WI.

Have you taken part in a craft swap? Are there any you would recommend? I’d love to hear from you.

March

Well another month has passed, and boy was it a cold one. As you can see, there was plenty of tea and tasty cake to keep me going. 

From top: snowy Cambridge, lime pie, tea and a cupcake, working on my WI craft swap project (more on that coming soon), a Mother's Day Mexican feast, crochet, amazing maple pecan cake and polish doughnut from Afternoon Tease's pop up cake shop - part of Eat Cambridge, my chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate icing, the kitchen at the wonderful Ickworth House.

Of course we had Easter last month too. I made hot cross muffins and Mr Makes baked an absolutely amazing four layer chocolate cake, smothered in mouthwatering ganache and topped with a cheeky Milkybar cow. Who knew Milkybar cows lay eggs? What baking and making did you get up over Easter?

Fondant Fancie Hat

Since learning how to knit last year I've knitted several scarves. So I've been feeling ready to take on a more advanced knitting project. As I receive so many lovely comments about my pink 'fondant fancie' hat (see it here) I thought it would be a nice challenge to see if I could make my own.

I set about searching Ravelry for a pattern and lots of lovely projects popped up. I decided on this 'Snappy Hat' pattern. I used Sirdar Big Softie yarn in a striking shade of purple. The pattern suggests 6.5mm needles but as I was using super chunky yarn I used 5 double pointed 8mm needles and a 6mm cable needle.

I made the medium size and I found the pattern was really easy to follow. I’d say it took me about 5 maybe 6 hours to complete, but I am still a rather slow knitter.

Of course, I couldn't consider it finished until I’d added a giant pom pom to the top!

February

I can't believe another month has flashed by! Although its been a little quiet here on the blog, I got up to a fair bit of making and baking during February.

Bake-wise there were mini red velvet cupcakes, american pancakes, heart shaped meringues, and some delicious vanilla macarons made using a fab recipe by Claireabellemakes. I dived in and purchased a set of double pointed needles and cable needle to attempt to recreate my 'fondant fancie' hat (more details soon). My mum and I had a very creative craft session making some of the flowers in 100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet - my mum is now hooked and has since bought herself a copy of the book!

I climbed to the top of the tower of Great St. Mary's Church for a pretty awesome view of Market Square, and Mr Makes surprised me with tickets to see Everything Everything at Cambridge Junction. In summary, a pretty good month! What have you been up to lately?

From top: mini red velvet cupcakes, crochet lichen for the Botanic Gardens crochet project, pancakes, Everything Everything ticket, Cambridge market from above, knitting myself a new hat, Valentine's Day meringues, flowers, vanilla macarons.

Glitzy Coffee Cupcakes

I’ve discovered edible glitter (how the heck did it take me so long?) and I want to sprinkle it on everything, but perhaps putting it on my chilli con carne was a step too far… Anyhoo, these sparkly beauties provide the perfect hit of coffee and glitz. So why not give them a whirl?

Glitzy Coffee Cupcakes (makes 24 - 28 mini cupcakes)

75g unsalted butter, softened

100g caster sugar

1 large egg

3 tbsp soured cream

2 tsp instant coffee, dissolved in a teeny tiny amount of boiling water and cooled

110g self raising flour 

For the icing:

100g unsalted butter, softened

2 tsp instant coffee, dissolved in a teeny tiny amount of boiling water and cooled

225g icing sugar

To decorate:

100g walnuts, chopped

50g dark chocolate, grated

Gold edible glitter

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan).    
2. Mix the butter and sugar until creamy and light. Beat in the egg, followed by half of the flour.
3. Stir in the soured cream and coffee, then the remaining flour.
4. Distribute the mixture into mini cupcake cases, filling each two thirds full, and bake for 12-15 minutes in the middle of the oven.
5. To make the icing, mix half of the icing sugar with the butter until fully incorporated. Stir in the coffee, then add the remaining icing sugar and beat until smooth. If it is a little stiff, add a little splash of milk to loosen it slightly and it will become easier to work with.

6. Pipe or spread onto the cooled cupcakes (I prefer to pipe with a plain nozzle so that the icing is distributed evenly on top).
7. Put the walnuts and grated chocolate in separate bowls. Dip half of the cupcakes in each, making sure the icing is well coated with either chocolate or walnuts.
8. Now for the fairy dust moment – sprinkle with glitter and Ta Da! Glitzy Coffee Cupcakes!

January

Well January seemed rather long, didn't it? My month involved a lot of coffee cake, but I'm finally happy with the recipe, so watch out for it in the not to distant future. January was when the snow came. I'm afraid I don't have any pretty photos to share as my interaction with the snow was limited to shuffling to and from the bus stop everyday. 

In other news, I made my very first dress! It's not perfect, and I have definitely learned lots for next time, but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. January also saw the start of the University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens crochet project. A lovely Saturday morning was spent practising leaves and drinking tea with fellow Cam City WI members.

Of course, there was another thing that really brightened up the month and that was the return of the Great British Bake Off for Comic Relief - how funny was Claudia Winkleman and her lemon meringue antics!? 

From top: King's College Chapel on a chilly New Year's Day walk around Cambridge, coffee and walnut cupcakes, view from the office window - snow covered bicycle, more coffee and walnut cake, wearing my homemade dress, crochet leaves, cowl knitting, apple and current scones, and yet more coffee cupcakes!

Super Scary Crochet

My mum got me Super Scary Crochet by Nicki Trench for my Birthday last year. It is awesome! I really enjoyed making the ones I've done so far! The book has patterns for so many hilarious characters, from 'Walter the Werewolf' and 'Bernard Bigfoot', to 'Dr Death' and 'Natty the Batty'.

Above you can see Baby Jane and Blanche from the film 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane'. I made these for a colleague of mine to give to someone for Christmas (I hope they liked them!). I made the characters before I'd seen the film, and now that I have seen it I understand why they both look quite deranged and why Baby Jane is holding a rat!

Next up is 'Colin the Cannibal Cockerel'. Apparently, Colin is a lovely cockerel... until there's a full moon. Finally we have Mr Pumpkin Head, a great guy to have around at Halloween.