Hufflepuff Badger Birthday Cake!

Every year I love taking on the challenge of baking my own Birthday cake! Every year I learn something new about decorating cakes, normally related to their structural integrity!! I really had narrowed my cake this year down to a few simple options, but I couldn't choose between them. This led to my husband brain storminig with me and erm... a brand new slightly more complex idea took shape.

I'm a big Harry Potter fan, and a proud Hufflepuff. Obviously the animal associated with Hufflepuff is the adorable badger, and when I saw this image I just knew I had to make it out of cake!

The cake itself is Whisk Kid's chocolate cake, as it stays moist, but it's also quite firm for carving into shape. I stacked it with chocolate buttercream, added the back foot, tail and ears shaped from fondant, and crumb-coated the cake. The fur is created with royal icing which I'd coloured in various shades of grey, and applied using flat teaspoon handles - it created the fur texture quite nicely! I made the eyes and nose out of fondant, and piped the mouth on. I gave him a scarf in Hufflepuff colours, and a wee Hufflepuff badge - complete with mini badger! He tasted good...

Crochet Poppy - Remembrance Sunday

I've been meaning to crochet myself a poppy for years, and after a bit of fiddling I found a pattern I liked. The black wool is a generic DK, the red is Stylecraft DK Lipstick, and the green is Wendy Four Ply Courtelle, all from my stash. The flower is made using the "Remembering You" pattern, as seen on the top row. The leaf is made using the first half of this Bleeding Hearts Leaf pattern. I stitched a safety pin on the back and it's good to go!

Fluffy Cowl and Mittens

I was in Wilkos before Christmas, and found this amazingly soft, fluffy and brightly coloured wool by Yarnfair. I fell in love and a ball fell into my basket!

I began by making myself a cowl, based on this pattern by Delia Creates. Based on, because I adjusted the number of stitches in my foundation chain and the number of rows to suit my personal taste. Also, I began the cowl with half double foundation crochet, rather than working into a chain. And I got slightly distracted and realised afterwards the cowl isn't actually in hdc, because I managed to add an extra yo and pull through in the middle of every stitch, which is why the "knit look" is less effective - at least I made my mistake consistently!

I loved this wool so much that when I finished the cowl I immediately started on a pair of fingerless gloves too. I used the same pattern, just a smaller starting chain, and left a gap for a thumb hole. I ran out of wool partly through the second one, so I had to buy more (such a shame!)

I received a black leather jacket with bulky silver zips for Christmas, and I have enjoyed the contrast of wearing that jacket with these soft, bright feminine accessories. I also discovered a brooch I had previously made matched the colour scheme perfectly, and I love that it is an extra accessory for either the mitts or the cowl :)

Tried and Tested Tip Number 9 [Crochet Butterflies]

I think when you first get into crochet, there are certain projects which you feel you should try. A granny square, a flower, a butterfly and a heart were mine. Admittedly, I still haven't crocheted a heart, and yet have created my own patterns for toys. Who said I did things in an orderly manner?!

Anyway, it can take a while to find the right pattern for you, especially when there are so very many options out there. But for me, this butterfly pattern is perfection.

It's easy.

It's beautiful.

It's elegant enough for a lady's badge.

But cute enough for a child's toy.

And it offers options for different colour combinations and antennae.

What more could you want?!

As you can see, it's also quite addictive! This would be a great pattern to try with different wools, and also great for various accessories and decorations.

 Check out the pattern here, with thanks to Tangled Happy for sharing it a while ago!

Star Trek Badge

I love doing custom projects! This was for a friend's recent 21st Birthday...

Star Trek badge, made with felt, handstitched and with a brooch back. It's quite chunky and tactile, and makes a nice little statement about yourself ;)

Like what you see? Want something similar but not quite the same? Get in touch!

Shop: Felt Flowers - Round the Garden

The Round the Garden badges are probably the most unique design within my Felt Flower range, providing a slightly quirkier look.

Felt Flower Badge - Round the Garden Blue
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!

 Felt Flower Badge - Round the Garden Lilac
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!

As always, don't let your dreams be limited by what you see - would you like your own twist on one of my designs, or a specific colour scheme? Just let me know :)

Shop: Felt Flowers - Simply Glitter

Hello! I have quite a few different designs (and so many colour options!) within my Felt Flower Badge range. These, Simply Glitter, are perfect for bringing an extra bit of sparkle to your day!

Felt Flower Badge - Simply Glitter Baby Pink
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!

Felt Flower Badge - Simply Glitter Pale Green
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!


Seen something you like? Leave a comment here, head over to Facebook, or drop me an email (in my profile)! Thanks for reading :)

Shop: Felt Flowers - Simply Beautiful

If you're a fan on Facebook (and if not, why not?!) then you may have noticed the launch of my new shop yesterday. It's starting small, but I have so many ideas, so hopefully it will grow over the year!

Over the next week or so, I am going to feature each of the products I currently have, and will continue to feature each new product as it arrives! First up? Felt Flower Badges - specifically my Simply Beautiful design.

Felt Flower Badge - Simply Beautiful Lilac
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!

Felt Flower Badge - Simply Beautiful Blue
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!

Seen something you like? Leave a comment here, head over to Facebook, or drop me an email (in my profile)! Thanks for reading :)