Getting crafty in the kitchen

Its mid week again and I've been revising hard so took a break to make some truffles yum yum.

For the truffle mixture I used:

100g dark chocolate (85% coco)

100g Greek yogurt plus 2 tbsp added to the mixture in the processor

5g butter 

50ml baileys (used the coffee one as that was the miniature I had in the cupboard)

I broke up the chocolate into little squares and placed them in my food processor.  Blitzed it until I had a fine, sugar like texture.  Whilst this was whizzing around I put the butter, 100g yogurt and baileys in a saucepan and gently simmered until the yogurt had blended with the butter and baileys, by stirring it.  

Once the chocolate was at the right consistency I added the liquid mixture slowly whilst still whizzing the chocolate.  The ingredients should bind quite quickly I then added the 2 tbsp of yogurt and blended again.  Then poured the mixture into in a bowl to cool, once cooled I placed the in the fridge, covering the bowl in cling film.  Chilled for 4 hours.

After 4 hours I used a metal tea measure which I heated on the hob to scope out balls of mixture. I then rounded these in the palm of my hands and then placed them in either coco powder, roasted ground almonds or roasted coconut shavings, making sure the whole of the truffle is covered.

Here they are:

As it's a friends birthday today I've wrapped a few for her. 

Have a feeling that a few if these will be making their way into Christmas stockings this year.

It's beginning to smell like Christmas (orange & cranberries)

Its Monday again!!!!  Not been up to much this weekend trying to force myself to do study but ending up cleaning the house. Oops.

Today's tasks have been sending the last few Christmas themed parcels out to my hubby and the weekly/bi-weekly shop and revision. Nearly went over the weight allowance this time, good job I checked it on the kitchen scales first. Phew!!

Trying my hand out at a few kitchen oriented crafts starting with some cranberry and orange infused gin.  According to the blog I used, blog.rachelcotterill.com , it should be ready for Christmas, hoping to take a bottle down to my mums when I visit her in December.   

I used orange peel (from speed peeling an orange) rather than slices as per the blog but don't think this will made a huge difference to the taste. Like Rachel I'm going to add my sugar later if needed. 

Can't wait to taste it.

Brrr it's cold outside

Had a busy week so far. My dad and step mum came up to see me at the weekend. Then I headed south to Edinburgh to see my best friend Emma.  It was lovely spending time with my family and friends, but so tired now.  

Came home to a gale and 5c temperatures, brrr a little chilly, perfect time to stay in and craft.  Leaving the cards alone for a bit and dragged out the patchwork.  Haven't looked at my quilt for a few years now. Found out the fabric I used has been discontinued, sad times :-( , this did mean I had to go to the fabric shop to pick more, result :-).

The lady in Verronics was very helpful and also complimented me on my work so far. Chuffed doesn't even cover it as it's my first attempt at a quilt.  Making progress slowly, determined not to make the same mistake twice and leave it too long.  Here's a little sneak peak at my work in progress.

Can't wait to get it finished and put it on my bed. Back to work now.

Going bonkers over buttons

Today I decided to take my revision into the craft room to stop my procrastination.     What a bad idea that was!!!

After an hours revision I decided to take a break with some crafting.  A few hours later I had two beautiful canvases but no further study done, oops.

Have had a few plain canvases laying round waiting to be played with. So today was the day that happened.  Seen a few ideas on Pinterest so decided to give it a ago. 

Think I'll be doing this again.

Monday all wrapped up

Busy Monday today. 

Rushing around to make sure I reached the post office in time and making my dinner from scratch.

Had my husbands Christmas bits for a while now, but as he's away for Christmas this year I wanted to make it extra special. I decided to have a go at creating my own wrapping paper.  As an obsessed Pinterest pinner, I always see these lovely ideas for wrapping so gave it a go myself.

With some brown paper wrapping paper, stamping up ornament stamps and embossing powders I created this lovely Christmas effect. Had some embellishments and ribbon in my crafty stash which finished them off nicely.

Also been busy in the kitchen making Swiss chard and blue cheese quiche and a  scrumptious fruit tart.

Off to eat these delights for my dinner yum yum. 

Terrible Two's

Today is my niece Phoebe's second birthday.  Not sure where the time has gone.  Certainly starting to feel like an old aunt now. 

I hope she is spoilt rotten today and enjoys her party. Can't wait to see her and my other niece Evie over Christmas. Not sure if I'm prepared for how much they've changed considering that last time I saw them would be over a year.

On to the crafting:

I decided to make a special card for Phoebe. I have used a 5x5 card, turquoise card stock from expressions, red and silver embossing powder and stamps from Bo Bunny and Kanban Crafts.

I think the less is more approach has worked well here.

Right off to do a bit of study and cutting out parts for my friend's wedding invitations (have learned from my own to get things prepped first), then fireworks this evening.  I really do love this time of year.

Ring Pillow

April is fast approaching and there is always some last minute crafts I can do. Had this fabric left over for another wedding project so decided to put it to good use.

I cut 2 squares out of lining, satin and wadding. 4 flowers out of the same materials. 15-20 cm ribbon to tie the rings to the flowers.

I'm so proud of the finished pillow.