With all the recent posts on the facebook page and feedback from the Christmas Fair today, I thought I’d share the chocolate scone recipe with you all.  It’s an old recipe that I’ve adapted, so apologies for the imperial measurements!

8oz plain flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
2 oz butter
1/4 pt milk (approx. to mix)
1oz sugar
2oz chocolate chips

1. Sieve all dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.
2. Add butter and rub into breadcrumbs.
3. Add chocolate chips.
4. Add milk slowly to form a soft dough.
5. roll out dough on a floured surface to approx. 1 inch think and cut into desired shape with a cutter.
6. Place on a floured baking sheet and bake in a hot oven (200 – 220 in an electric oven) for around 10 minutes.

I always brush mine with milk before baking, but that’s a personal choice. The time to bake will depend on your oven, mine take about 9 – 10 minutes on 200 as it’s a fan oven. Just keep checking on them.

They are delicious eaten slightly warm as the chocolate chips melt!

Happy baking
x

With Christmas, comes the inevitable Christmas Fairs. This year I will be running a stall at the FOWV (Friends of Walmersley Village) Christmas Fair.

I Have been trying to fit in some making for the fair in the last few weeks, so my stock for sale will include some Christmas craft bags, 3 small rainbow bears and some baking – Christmas mince parcels and lots of chocolate scones!

If you’re in the area on Saturday December 7th, come along to The Valley from 1:30 to enjoy the festivities. There will be plenty of stalls, games, refreshments, Santa in his grotto and Christmas Cheer! Only £2 per family.

Hope to see you there for a mulled wine and a mince pie!
x

Today I’m off for a jolly trip into Manchester for a spot of lunch and a catch up with some former work colleagues. This is my ‘Christmas do’ and I’m out to enjoy myself!

I’m hoping to have some time to wander about the city first as I’d like to see the Christmas decorations and soak up the atmosphere in the European markets in Albert Square. Having said that I think I could end up being blown into the shops and the only soaking will be of my coat and boots! Typical how the weather decides to change on my one planned day out. I’d much rather be inside making my own Christmas cards and putting finishing touches to some presents on a day like this.

But I’m wrapped up and having run a few errands, find myself sat on a warm dry tram, feeling all excited about the Christmas spirit. Let’s see what the day will bring……..

Well I missed Stir-it up Sunday as I was drowning under a sea of baby clothes and toys from the loft!  (Don’t ask) But on Monday, I managed to actually make my Christmas Cake!  Hoorah!

It’s a pretty simple recipe, basically 8oz (or 225g if you’re into metric) of flour, sugar, each of the fruit (sultanas, raisins, currants and cherries), and butter,  4 eggs,  1 tsp mixed spice, pinch salt, 4 oz flaked almonds and 2 tbsp brandy.

I was surprisingly organised this time and the kitchen didn’t resemble a warzone for a change!

Back to the recipe.  I creamed the butter and sugar, then added the eggs (slowly) then the flour, spice and salt (slowly) and then the brandy.  Once all combined in went all the fruit and nuts (slowly).  Then all the mix went into the lined cake tin.

Making sure to add a dip in the middle as I didn’t want a cake that looks like mount versuvius!  Not this time!!

In it went for three and a half hours on 150 degrees.  The house smelt fabulous and I got to lick out the bowl!  (There is a reason I made this while little one was at school -I am mean when it comes to Christmas cake mix).

I haven’t a photo of the finished cake as it was too dark to take one, sorry!  But now it’s time to start feeding it with the brandy – I reckon twice a week until Christmas aught to be about right, what do you think?

Well it’s back to the card orders now and thoughts of Christmas mincepies!

Happy Baking!
x

The draw has been made and the lucky winner of Santa, with sack and teddy is……….

Ticket number 42, belonging to Carla M from HSB in Manchester.

Congratulations Carla and I hope you enjoy your prize.

Thank you to everyone that bought a ticket.  The total raised was £170.  This is all going towards the Barry Project 150 for Christie’s.

Thank you
x

It’s the Bolton School Old Girls’ Christmas Market tomorrow!  I shall have my stall set out stocked full of Christmas Tree decorations, gifts and gift tags.  Plus come and see my friend Jill with her lovely hairbands and slides.

I’ll also be selling raffle tickets for Santa and making the draw.

Recently, I was asked if I could make a couple of large stockings with names on.

This was quite a daunting task initially as I usually stick to small items, but I thought, why not and decided to have a go. I adapted the tiny stocking pattern, using super chunky yarn and 6mm needles, and then scaling up the number of stitches. My first attempt was far too big and took forever! So I scaled things down a bit. Then I decided it would be nice if the stocking had a turnover at the top, which would be ideal for adding the childs name. This meant increasing the length of the ‘leg’ still further. I finally added a crochet hanging loop and embroidered the names – a first for me doing lowercase letters!

I was asked to make them in black with names in silver.

I’m going to add these to my Christmas range, however, they will be made to order and I will not carry any stock. They will be £15 each and made to your own colour specification. I’d love to know what you think of them. Please leave me a comment on here or on the facebook page.

Happy Crafting
x

With less than a week to go to the Christmas Market, I’ve been pulling together my stall and making lots of lists!

On Saturday I did a quick mock up of the stall, without going too mad! I didn’t get tall the stock out of bags or but the Christmas tree up, but I’m quite pleased with the range and stock levels that will be available.

The majority of the stock available will be knitted gifts and decorations, however, I may have a few sneaky cards under the table if you want any.

It’s back to the to-do list now – labels and raffle notice!

Hope to see you Saturday
x

There’s only 1 week left now to buy a ticket in aid of the Christie to win my knitted Father Christmas.

I’ll be taking him to the Christmas Market at Bolton School next Saturday and will be making the final draw there.

So come along and buy a ticket for such a worthy cause.

Happy crafting
x

This Christmas season I have decided to stick with my loose themes of hearts and flowers, by making use of my fabulous new Sizzix Tim Holtz die. I absolutely adore the poinsettia. The die itself is really robust and it cuts beautifully.

Poinsettia Gift Tags

Poinsettia Cracker Cards

I have so far concentrated on cutting card and paper, but I’d like to try some other mediums, perhaps making some felt brooches and tree decorations.

I hope to have a little bit of time to play with some felt and other fabrics to see how they get on! It would be a nice change to get out needle and thread! Hmmmmmm, maybe I could add some of the lovely beads and buttons I’ve bought on my travels……..

Happy crafting
x