How to do baking...with Billy

I have a wonderful old Children's Baking Book which was bought for me as a 7 year old (ahem...yes a few years ago now). I still use it for making some of my small cakes. As the weather was too bad for everyone to get here last weekend I decided that I would bake some small cakes rather than 1 large one for my Hb's birthday.

As you can see it has been very well used. I just love this retro cover.

Inside it has very cute 1968 instructions and illustrations. I love the way it tells you to remember to sweep any crumbs from the floor when you tidy away! Very Brownie Guide ;0)

There are lots useful recipes and my most used recipe is for the small iced cakes. I know I probably remember it but I just love getting out my childhood baking book as I have fond memories of cake making many years ago.

So I made up the recipe for the small iced cakes with Billy checking that I had added all the right ingredients.

I spooned the mixture into their cases and then popped them in the oven to cook.

Billy checked that they were cooking by peering through the oven door. There is nothing like having someone checking up on you is there?







I had not been able to get to the shop to buy some fondant icing due to the snow so I decided that instead of making a plaque I would make a little snowy scene. I "made" a tiered cake stand by putting one on my cups upside down and standing a second small plate on top. I made some more of my fab chocolate "buttons" which caused a stir a Christmas. Would you like to see the end result.....

Yes I know the birthday plaque is pink but again it was the only one I had in the house. Needs must. You can see the cup underneath supporting the the top "tier". It was all a bit Heath Robinson but it went down really well.

These little snow people I have had for years when the children were young and the snowy post box I bought this year to put on the chocolate yule log. Now all this time we wondered what Billy would think about the end result...

Well he sat himself up at the dining room table all ready for the food to be served and gave me a purr that he approved. We even used the Christmas candle again and if you looked outside there was a good reason why..

Yes, lots of the white stuff. It really was a winter wonderland. Brrrr....

My challenge card today is this cutie. My vintage baking book inspired me to make a card with a vintage feel to it. I think this feels circa 1960s with all the gingham ribbon and swirls.

Don't you just love this gorgeous stamp? It is one from the Wild Rose Studio called Bella Sleeping. It is one of my new "treats" and I had not inked it up before. I coloured it with my Promarkers.The backing papers are Nitwit plus a download by Sheryl's designs. The die cut is the fab new bow from Memory Box. I have used my Spellbinder floral ovals to frame the image and the sentiment. All the bling extras were winnings from the lovely Tracy of Dies to Die For, including those sweet charms. I used a rather different pink/grey/yellow colour combo and I was pleased the way it came together. Just a little update with my cards; do you remember my recent tea pot card...well is was one of the cards featured in the "Fabulous Friday Selection" on the new Tiddly Ink Stamp Challenge post today ;0) I am wearing a new badge in my sidebar with pride. Thanks Tiddly Inks.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Papertake Weekly Tie up your lose ends
Inky Chicks #2 Bingo Ribbon, sentiment, flower
Bearly Mine Tick, tack, tock I am using the line;Lots of embellies, stamped image, ribbon, the colour pink
Penny Black and More Love is in the air
Crafty Ribbons Love/Romance
My Mum's Craft Shop  anything goes
Bunny Zoe's Crafts anything goes
Emma's Cards Animals #12
A+T Emerald Faeries Celebration #39
Paper Shelter anything goes #96
I Love Promarkers  anything goes #152
Divas By Design fairy tales My Fairy tale is Disney's Dumbo
Whimsy Stamps Fancy edges #55
Crafty Catz cute as a button #167
Jelly Park Challenges button up
Winter Wonderland It takes 2 I hope this counts, there are 2 elephants here, Bella and her Mummy!

The snow is finally clearing away today and now we are forecast some rainy weather. Spring certainly seems a long way off at the moment. I so miss being out in my studio in the garden; the blinds are down and there is no one at home. I have a couple of card commissions I plan to work on at the weekend and on Sunday we are seeing our daughter and SIL and my parents as they missed my Hb's party last Sunday. I hope you enjoy your weekend whether you are taking it easy or have some plans made.

Thanks as always for your visits and the kind comments you take the time to leave me. Roll on Spring!

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x