My Cake Addiction: Cake by Post with Baker Days

If you are not already familiar with my relationship with cake, let me enlighten you. I love cake. Like a lot. Baking it, buying it, eating it, whenever or why ever. there is no occasion that need not be celebrated with cake. Now that we have that straight, I shall tell you that when I was asked to try out a cake via post (like through my letter box) I wasn't too sure I could get on board with that concept. Firstly, how in the heck does a cake survive being posted?

Little Mince Pie Cakes with Sally Akins

Welcome to the first post of #CraftyChristmas with Sally Akins. What better way to start than with some delicious Christmas baking. I am sure you will be whipping these little gems up in no time. Perfect with a cuppa whilst you are catching up with the latest #CraftyChristmas link ups.

Mince pies are one of my favourite Christmas foods, but I have very warm hands and I can't tell you how many times I have had to throw away a batch of pastry. So I really love these little Mince Pie Cakes. They're incredibly quick and easy to make, and have all the flavour of mince pies without the hassle of making shortcrust.

Little Mince Pie Cakes with Sally Akins

10 Things to Make With Your Foraged Blackberries

When we lived back in Cambridge, we were really lucky to have a long driveway with a blackberry bush along the whole length. We also had sloe berries and three types of apple tree on our property! As you can imagine, I didn't need much more of an excuse to bake apple and blackberry cakes, muffins, crumbles and flapjacks around this time of year. Although we told our friends and neighbours to help themselves, we were not short of blackberries so I would try and freeze them for future bakes. 

It's around now that people head out to find blackberries (now I haven't got them literally on my doorstep, this means me too!) so I thought I would gather a few recipes from around the bloggosphere and suggest 10 things you could make with the blackberries you manage to forage. 

Desserts Through the Decades

As you all know, I'm a big fan of cake. Most cake. In fact desserts in general. I will rarely say no to something sweet and I love whipping up batches of cupcakes and the odd cheesecake or banoffee pie. 

When I spotted this infographic, created by BookaTable.co.uk, I thought it would be a fab opportunity to get nattering with you on the blog about your favourite desserts. It gives a run down of popular desserts through the decades from the 1910's to the 2010's!

Wedding Cakes and An Overwhelmed Worker B

To say that I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed recently would perhaps be an understatement. With the start of my freelance virtual PA work, making framed Lego letters on a commission basis, working behind the scenes on the blog and of course Mummy duties, there has been little time for just me. Every hour (except the sleeping ones) has been spent working or ticking another thing off of my own list which is ever growing.

This however is not a whiny post! I love it.

I don't often have time to myself but I embrace the feeling of being overwhelmed. I can manage that emotion because although I'm doing a lot, I enjoy doing it. I'm ultimately a happier person. I hate being bored.

Here's a little look of what we have been up to this week.

A sneaky peek of my guest post project!

Oaty Banana Muffins

Today, we whipped up yummy oaty banana muffins with some bananas that were otherwise going in the bin.

Here is the recipe we used inspired by Baby B's favourite breakfast; porridge with bananas and honey!

• 230g of plain flour
• 50g of porridge oats
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 115g of caster sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp of vanilla essence
• 6 tablespoons of oil
• 250 ml of milk
• 2 medium eggs
• 3 tablespoons of clear honey
• 2 large mashed up bananas

Baking is For Life, Not Just For Christmas

Just before Christmas, I mentioned to Hubby B, that as a keen baker, I'd like to invest in a new mixing vessel. Namely a deeper narrower ceramic jug with a handle. At the time, my main bowl was a huge pretty mixing bowl that held huge batches but I was becoming tired of the clean up after baking as it was so wide, the mix would whizz everywhere. We agreed that I could hunt for one after Christmas as I was after something very specific size and colour wise.

After doing all of my Christmas based baking, I was putting away my big mixing bowl and I accidentally dropped it on our ceramic floor. I was not pleased. It was a very useful size for other things (such as proving pizza dough) and I was massively disappointed that I no longer had it. Although, silver lining, at least I'd completed my baking first.

The Cupcake Inspiration Station

Are you planning on a bit of baking this weekend to mark National Cupcake Week? Having already shared a basic recipe, I thought maybe I could provide a bit more inspiration on the flavours and decoration front.

Chocolate chip vanilla cupcake with white chocolate icing, cherry sauce,  sprinkles and cherries.

The Perfect Basic Cupcake Recipe

Hopefully, you have been inspired by some of the cupcakes this week over here at Crafting a Daydream. Why not make plans to bake this weekend?! I'm not really sure there is a perfect cupcake recipe. Just the one that works for each person. We all have a different way and different equipment i.e. pans and ovens. When I first started baking, I refused to use anything other than a wooden spoon and was far too nervous to venture away from the good old fashioned 'creaming method'. Now, I'm an 'all in one' and get the electric hand whisk on it kinda gal.

I have adjusted my recipe quantities as I have gone along and I believe I have found the one for me. Why not give it a go and adjust it till its right for you?

Peach Mojito Cupcakes by Courtney Whitmore

As part of joining in with National Cupcake Week here on Mrs Crafty B, I decided to have a look for inspiration on the web, world wide! I found some amazing looking cupcakes that seemed perfect to whip up in this lovely weather that seems to have returned.

I'm thrilled that Courtney Whitmore was happy for me to share these here! So here they are…Peach Mojito Cupcakes!

Retro Oven Cupcake Box by Claudine Hellmuth

It's not just about the cupcake itself. For the occasions when it needs to be packaged, nothing short of fabulous will do. Next up for Cupcake Week, we have the very talented Claudine.

I'm Claudine Hellmuth, a full-time illustrator who loves to design whimsical boxes and packaging for cupcakes and sweet treats!

Meet the Maker Meets Cupcake Week: Nancy of Nancy's Teashop

I couldn't imagine a better share during cupcake week than these beauties! Cupcakes in cups. Perfect. 

National Cupcake Week 2014

This week on Crafting a Daydream, we are going cupcake crazy. The 15th - 21st September is National Cupcake Week and I thought what better way to get involved than with a cupcake theme.

Meet the Maker: Ria of Ria's Rosy Lee Tearoom

For the last few months I have had to prioritise things quite rigidly and the Meet the Maker feature has taken a bit of a back seat. As I am starting to re-focus back on the blog, I thought it was about time the makers got their spot back on a Tuesday and I couldn't resist these extremely delicious looking cakes by Ria of Ria's Rosy Lee Tearoom to get us back into the swing of things!

So lets kick of with a drink! Tea or coffee? 
Tea obviously. Green tea most days. Black Russian Caravan/Rose Tea or herbal when fancy takes me. Never with milk or sugar, preferably loose leaf not bags unless I'm in an emergency situation - i.e. retail outlet/hotels that only has bags

Can we interest you in a biscuit or do you prefer a bit of cake? 
Happy with both, but 9 times out of 10 would pick a cake. I prefer traditional cakes that aren't too fussy. Sometimes cakes are overly decorated so there's hardly any cake involved. Some icings can be too sweet as well. I have to be careful as have a dairy free diet but sometimes I'll be naughty and indulge depsite the consequences, especially with French patissiere and always with Lauderee macarons!

So, tell us a bit about yourself and the item you are sharing.
I'm Ria and I live and work in Wellingborough, Northants. I run Ria's Rosy Lee Tearoom. Previousy I worked in childcare and healthcare, but I am now submerged in the vintage life and baking.

I am sharing a Ria's Rose cake, it is my signature bake. It is rose flavoured and shaped. I developed it when rose became the theme setting up the tearoom as not only is rose in the title, I have a rose based house tea, rose lemonade, and a lot of rose crockery, so I thought I need a cake to complete it. It took 2 attempts at experimenting to perfect it as I wanted to ensure you could taste the rose without it being overwhelming. I also add some pink colouring to warm it up and make it more lifelike, but again have to ensure the taste of the colouring doesn't affect the rose flavour. Most customers say it tastes like turkish delight. I have a special cake mould which makes a batch of 12 individual roses - I don't hand sculpt them like some people think. To finish them off I dust them with icing sugar so it looks like a rose with morning dew on it! They have become very popular with many people now ordering them for occassions rather than the usual celebration cake - they fit nicely into party/favour bags/boxes.

They look and sound AMAZING. How long have you been baking?
I've always enjoyed baking since I was a little girl, when I could stir but was never allowed to touch the eggs! It grew with me as my mother and Grandparents taught me, and as everyone knew I enjoyed baking I inherited my Gran's recipe books which I still use today - there are many family secrets in there which I've been entrusted to protect. It also gives me an edge as no-one else locally will have the recipes for things like Anzacs and Tottenham Traybake. I now keep up to date watching programmes, reading books and magazines, and doing a bit of research online. I do like taking tea and Afternoon Tea as well, so visit other tearooms in my travels which means I can see what others are doing for inspiration.

...and do you dabble in any other crafts?
I have also liked needlecraft and hand embroidery but they've both fallen by the wayside recently whilst I establish the tearoom. I'd also like to make clothes but would need to learn how to use a sewing machine first!

So when did you start Ria's Rosy Lee Tearoom and why?
I opened Ria's Rosy Lee Tearoom in July 2013, but actually started planning it and locating premises/stock in January 2013. In the local area there are a lot of coffee shops, and as I tea drinker I was fed up of having no variety and being presented with a teabag in scalding hot water. A lot of other people I noticed was saying the same thing, so when the opportunity came up last year, combined with the fact I was unhappy in my previous career, I decided rather than keep on moaning about it, I'd do something about it. It also gives me the opportunity to provide for dietary needs. As I follow a dairy free diet it was limiting going to other venues, so I make sure I can cater for dairy and gluten free all the time, and diabetic on request.

What inspires and motivates you?
I'm inspired by everything -nature, music, books, television. I'm also looking at different media forms, and scanning the wider picture for ideas for cakes and themes for the tearoom. That is where things like Scottish month, Spring in Bloom, and Pumpkin month originated from. I'm motivated when I get positive feedback and see happy customers, especially those who come in quite upset and down, but when they leave say how much better they feel. It also an honour when I have hosted special events or provided occassion cakes, being involved in someones special day, and seeing how you have contributed to that makes it worthwhile.

Any crafting heroes?
Saint Mary of Berry of course! Her recipes are foolproof and have never let me down. I grew up with Delia Smith who again I do rely on. More modern day inspirations are Nigella Lawson, Nigel Slater, and Rachel Khoo. And of course, mum and grandmother's as they were ones to originally teach me

Any big plans for the rest of 2014?
Other than world domination? Ha ha! Continuing to build on customer base and push myself to try more complicated recipes and decorations. I'd like to hold more events at the tearoom so am listing ideas for that at the moment. I have also recently become a member of Wellingborough Chamber of Commerce, so am looking forward to getting involved with that, and advocating local, independant retail in the town.

So can we join you in your virtual world?
You can indeed, I have most of social media covered.
Website: www.riasrosylee.com
Twitter: @riasrosylee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rias-Rosy-Lee/524488187617506
E-mail: riarosy@outlook.com 
I am also on TripAdvisor, and write monthly online articles for the local paper the Northants Telegraph. It goes live in the What's On section, under the Food and Drink heading.

Finally, some quick fire questions just for fun..

Favourite colour?
Pink!

The best season?
Spring.

Your favourite food? 

No one thing immediately comes to mind, but definitey prefer sweet over savoury. 

The best day of the week? 

Sunday.

What is the best word? 

Individual - it's what I get called alot, along with unique. 

Favourite place? 

Paris.

Your biggest achievement? 

Opening the tearoom!

It has been an absolute joy finding out all about Ria and Ria's Rosy Lee Tearoom. Such a lovely idea and makes a change to the regular coffee shop. Who doesn't love a proper cup of tea!? I wish I could visit and if any readers are nearby, why not pop in? I'm thinking one of these cakes might go down very well with a lovely cup of leaf tea. I wonder it they travel well in the post.....mmmmm

Mrs Crafty B

The Week That Was: Filled With Happy Moments

Just lately, everything seems to be about our looming relocation. As Hubby is watching something I'm not that interested in, Baby B is sound asleep and Littlest B is crawling about like a crazy on the floor instead of sleeping, I thought I would log on and tell you about some other cool stuff that went on this week, inspired by the fabulous Hannah over at Make, Do and Push.

At the start of the week, Baby B had his last day at preschool for the summer term. As a thank you to all of the preschool staff, we decorated this cookie jar with some cermaic paints and baked some cookies. We recieved a lovely 'thank you' card and one of the staff asked for the recipe so I'm thinking that these went down quite well.

Although I don't want to mention 'the move' here in this post, we are still doing odd jobs through the week. On Tuesday, Baby B helped me clear out a few of the Crafty Bs boxes and decided to sit in the shade in the garden with his "BEST friend" Little Cat Tess and play with some stamps, brushes, pens, paper and scissors. He was happily entertained for a good 40 mins doing his 'paper work'. It was a really relaxed start to the week and Baby B's behaviour was golden. He has been so good and very grown up this week!

Wednesday was a really long day. After three years of hard work, my 'little' sister graduated. We traveled up to Nottingham (with both boys) to see her in her gown and get some pics and then followed on to Mansfield where we celebrated with the rest of our family. She graduated from the same Uni as I did and did the same course. I couldn't resist this shot for old times sake! 

Afterwards, we got to give her the card I had made with a few wise words courtesy of Dr.Suess and after celebrations, we made the long journey home with the boys ready for bed. They were so good all day and both slept the whole way home and were put into bed without any problems. Amazing. I love weeks like this one where you feel like you are winning on all fronts. 

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go"

On Friday evening, for the first time in a VERY long time, I 'popped' to the pub. I enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine in the sunshine with some lovely ladies and came home late. It DID result in me being a bit...you know...but having been resigned to the odd glass here and there for a good few years, I'm a bit out of the 'more than two' practice so this was to be expected. It took my mind off of things so this was all good. 

On Saturday we managed to replace our car. Someone drove into the back of ours quite recently and wrote it off, so this was a big tick off the list and a huge weight off our shoulders. Phew. 

Today has been spent mostly pottering about, doing odd jobs and making happy memories with my boys. We have enjoyed special moments of just being together at home together which these days, seem few and far between. I've also been doing a bit of up-cycling!

So apparently my weeks are indeed filled with more than housework, mealtimes and moving stresses so I really don't have any complaints. Well, if we are being picky, I didn't eat any cake...

Mrs Crafty B

Cambourne Craft Fair

The sun was shining, stall holders were displaying their wonderful goods, the bouncy castle was inflated, the cakes were out and the kettle was on as the lovely lot from Cambourne and the surrounding areas came through the doors at Cambourne Craft fair last weekend. 

Whilst grown ups, mums, dads, grandparents and carers enjoyed a bacon roll and a hot drink, the little ones had a turn on the bouncy castle and enjoyed a recovery cup of fruit squash. Then there was cake! Cupcakes from the Crafty B's cafe (Cherry Chocolate, Lemon & White Chocolate and Very Vanilla) or a vegan selection from the lovely C.A.K.E stall (amazing). 

Crafty B's moved over to squeeze in the Wildlife Trust (stupid wind) who came and made pipe cleaner dragonflies with the children and Crafty B's teamed up with the Re-Imagine Centre in the lobby to run pay as you go craft workshops using recycled materials. We decorated pots and planted flowers, made flower brooches, cards and gift tags.

Once through into the main hall, children had the opportunity to partake in a bumble bee hunt around the stalls to win cake, see the balloon man and make some beaded jewellery and ladies (or men!) had the chance to visit a nail bar as well as browsing the 35 stalls filled with children's books, art, handmade jewellery, aprons, jams, cards, children clothes & accessories, fancy dress, bunting, glasswork and more. There was a huge selection of suitable gifts for Mothers Day and I dare say that there will be some happy mums receiving handmade cards and presents this weekend purchased or made at the Crafty B's Craft Fair. 

Next up on the list of Crafty B's events is the Mini Makers Easter Craft workshops at Cambourne Church. They will take place on the Monday and Tuesday of both weeks in the holiday, 10am till 2pm. Visit the events page on Facebook , the calendar on the website or email mrscraftyb@gmail.com to book your place or for more info. 

If you came to the fair last weekend, head on over the the Crafty B's Facebook page and tell us if you enjoyed your day. Did you get anything nice? 

Look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Mrs Crafty B

p.s. Did you spot Baby B in the pictures?

A Crafty 2013 in Summary

Well, the festive season is almost over and most of us have returned to work and our daily routines. For us here in the B household, that is on Monday 6th so our family festivities will continue through till then with lots more snuggling on the sofa, watching telly, playing with new toys, scoffing our way through the copious amounts of chocolates and biscuits left over from Christmas and avoiding taking down the Christmas tree!

As I look at my blank 2014 calendar with a list of things to fill in just 4 days into the year, I have a feeling there will be lots of things to report on in the next 365 days and a lot more projects to put in my craft bag, but not before taking a quick look back over 2013. 

I started the year with intentions of exploring paper crafts with my new (Christmas 2012) Sizzix machine and taking a look at needle felting. Just before the new year, I found out that I was expecting a new addition to the family. Having suffered a miscarriage in 2012, I fell into a nervous 'don't do ANYTHING' trap not made easier by ridiculously horrible pregnancy sickness. The 9 months of sickness saw me not able to concentrate on much else other than childminding two days a week and looking after my first born. I couldn't even face crocheting! This was bad!! So crafting and blogging took a back seat and I once again found myself in a constant crafty daydream. This led to my new project, Crafty B's. 

Baby B number 2 arrived in September and amidst the arrival of a new baby, a 21st birthday, a 30th birthday, a craft fair and a Christmas crafting workshop, a little bit of crafting activity resumed but I was left with very little or no time for blogging or socially networking.

So here's a summary of 2013. January saw the start of 'Meet the Maker' where my readers could meet the person behind one handmade item which was the focus of the post. (Email mrscraftyb@gmail.com to take part in 2014). In February my blog was one year old :-D and this was followed by a bit of Easter crafting with decoupage eggs, cross stitching and hanging eggs that the children made. I also featured my crocheted chicks which serve as cosies for small chocolate eggs (I'm now taking commissions on these. Again, email mrscraftyb@gmail.com). Then there was a cupcake decorating party, a so far failed attempt at an online shop and crochet tutorials, the start of a crocheted ripple blanket (STILL unfinished), we met Mr Bumble, I took a few commissions on infinity scarfs and I hosted Summer Sharing. I made a wedding gift, cheated on a 60th Birthday cake, won business cards (thanks Deeper Insight), took over the organising of a craft fair, held a Crafty B's workshop and got creative with paper pom poms. There was a bit more undocumented crafting here and there and I had a baby (who sort of just appeared by the way) whilst my blog was taken over and then I took a nice break for Christmas and spent uninterrupted time with my best boys! 

I can safely say that 2013 was jam packed but I know that there is loads more to come in 2014. I will continue with childminding in April but only part-time because I will be starting to slowly but surely turn Crafty B's into something bigger and better. I cannot wait.

I guess my first job is to check out my unfinished craft projects! 

I hope you all had a fab Christmas, saw the New Year in with excitement and are ready for 2014!

Mrs Crafty B

'Quick' Sugar Paste Flowers

During my time spent away from blogging recently, I had a few crafty things to do that I didn't get a chance to share. One of these things was revisiting my love for sugarcraft. 

My mother in law's 60th birthday saw me wanting to make a special cake but not having the drive to bake AND decorate one so I did a little bit of cheating. I made a visit to a supermarket where I located a large iced fruit cake. I was able to push my posy pick into the centre and I spent a few hours over a couple of weeks building up some sugar roses. 

The posy looked a bit sparce to me but my limited time away from Baby B meant I just had to do what I could. As my own worse critic I have to admit they are not my best work (the heat at the time of making them made these very difficult...) I also removed the ribbon from the cake and decorated around the bottom with some sugar paste flowers made with a mould.   

I have included a few random photos of the process for you to have a nose at, but I didn't really get any brill pics of the finished cake! Silly me. 

 

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No Bake Cookies

Baking day on Summer Sharing with a twist, no baking! 

I love exploring creativity all around us, especially throughout the home. As we dive into summer, today my creative journey brings me over to Crafting a Daydream with Mrs. Crafty B.

Finding ways to engage our children can be a challenge. What to do when they are hot, bored, and looking for a sweet treat.
No need to turn on the oven on these hot summer days. Below is a fun recipe that you can make with your children.

Summer Snack No Bake Balls

½ C Powdered Milk
½ C Uncooked Oatmeal
¼ C Graham Crackers-crushed, about 2
1C Peanut Butter
1Tsp Vanilla
½ C Coconut
½ C Raisins
¼ C Honey Chocolate Chips

Mix all ingredients together (except chips)

Roll into balls using a teaspoon or cookie scoop, insert a chip or two in the centre of each ball. Chill.

Depending on their age, let them measure, stir, roll and count the rows of balls. You can vary this recipe according to your likings. You can use dried cranberries, sunflower seeds etc. At the last minute, I decided to throw in a handful of Rice Krispies cereal. The formula is very forgiving.

If it becomes a favourite, write the recipe down, perhaps even take a picture of your child making it, and use it as part of a Home Journal to give to your child when they are grown.

Diane Long
http://creativedestinations.blogspot.com

Mr Bumble Makes Chocolate Crispie Cakes

At the beginning of the week, Baby B and I made some more chocolate crispie cakes following my doing it with my minded children last week.

That crafty Mr Bumble just had to get in on the action.

Chocolate crispie cakes are great to make with little ones aren't they. No measuring,  no baking, they (note THEY) love the mess and we all love the results.

Here's how

- Baby B broke up lots of chocolate into the bowl. We used 200g of milk chocolate less the bit he just HAD to eat. 

- Mummy B popped the chocolate into the microwave to melt and mixed in 2 teaspoons of golden syrup. 

- The syrup is optional but it helps them to stick together and makes them slightly softer to eat. This is the ideal point to add all of your other optional extras...let your creativity flow! Marshmallow? Raisins? Biscuit bits? Dried apricot? 

- Baby B mixed up the cooled chocolate, adding handfuls (or bits of handfuls) of rice cereal from the bowl Mummy B provided him with. 

- Once the mixture was completely chocolate covered, Baby B spooned it into some cases. 

Here's Mr Bumble again trying to get involved. 

- Leave to set and enjoy!

These couldn't be simpler and they make a great base for more decoration. Maybe icing pens or more sweeties?! Baby B likes to eat one with strawberries, the fruit of the moment. Mmmmm. We are going to make white chocolate ones next methinks maybe with some dried raspberries.

Happy crispie cake making. 

Mrs Crafty B