Squiffy Fruitcake

My auntie said I looked 'squiffy' the other day. I wasn't sure what she meant, but I was fairly certain it was true because that word sounds exactly how I feel most of the time. When I looked it up I discovered that it means to be tipsy or slightly drunk. So yes, if not actually squiffy, I do look squiffy most of the time.

ANYWAY... 

I've been at the Christmas making and managed some fruitcakes. I know, I know... bleh! But cross my heart, homemade fruitcake is pretty dang scrummy. And these fruitcakes are perfect for me because they are totally squiffy too!

I've had a number of requests for the recipe. Just jumble it up as you see fit. Want to add pecans instead of almonds? Go ahead! Just keep it quite heavy on the boozed dried fruit. This made enough for 6 small loaves (extra large muffin size) and two shallow loaves.

Ok, here's what I used:

1 cup dried cherries (seriously, these are delicious)
1 cup dark seeded raisins
1 cup dried currants
1 cup candied peel
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup chopped pitted prunes
1 cup brandy
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup slivered almonds
3 cups flour
1/2 cup  butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
MORE BRANDY!!!!

In a huge bowl mix all of the dried fruit with the brandy. To be honest, it's A LOT of fruit and I used more brandy than what the recipe calls for. Cover and let that fruit get tipsy overnight and soak up the booze.

Mix the nuts with 1/2 cup of flower, then toss with the dried drunken fruit.

Beat the butter and granulated sugar. Beat in brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat in vanilla.

Sift the dry ingredients together. Add to butter/sugar/egg batter and mix.

Combine everything together. It's a lot and it will probably be a sticky mess. Yum!

Grease your baking tins or use parchment (I like the parchment method!) and fill with the batter. Like I said above, I used x-lrg muffin tins and two loaf pans (filling about 1/2 way). I like smaller cakes because they bake and set more quickly. FYI this batter doesn't rise very much. Also, I used a wet spatula to sort of smooth the tops... because I'm a picky bugger ;)

Set oven to 300. Place a shallow pan of water on the lowest rack. Loosely cover prepared pans with tinfoil and bake on the middle rack. Bake for 1 hour then then check on those bad boys. A toothpick/skewer should come out clean. My small ones took an hour, the larger ones about an hour and a half. It really depends on what pans you're using. I'm soooo helpful, I know.

When done, remove the cakes from their pans, and brush with brandy. Dip some cheesecloth in brandy and wrap the cakes with it. I store them in a large Tupperware container, removing once in a while to brush with extra booze.

You'll want to let these sit for quite a while before they are good and settled. I've made mine about a month in advance. And while I've avoided those horrific glace cherries and candied fruit... if that's your thang, feel free to include it in your own version.

Enjoy!

Bottle Brush Trees and the Power of Glitter

It's been a rough week.

Really rough.

Somehow, a shiny glistening forest of white and pink appeared on my work table.

I love them. They are pretty and serene... and there are a lot of them!

But what's the use in pretty glittery things when all seems bleak?

I think, perhaps, now is when shining is most important.

A glimmer of hope. A smidge of beauty. A spark of something sweet.

My dear friends, strive to be glittery. We're tiny, but we can catch the light and reflect it back out onto the world. It's a small thing, but small things are oh, so important.

Let us do what glitter does best, be tenacious and hold fast! Shine!

You know as well as I, once you spill a little glitter, you'll never ever be rid of it.

Keep sparkling, my sweeties and don't underestimate the power of your twinkle.

I love you dearly.





Retro Bottle Brush Tree Set - Dyeable
I used vintage spools but...
2 Inch Wooden Spools
Medium Spools
1/2 Inch Pale Pink Paper Roses*
Real red rose buds
Laces and other embellishments from Shabby Is Chic Boutique
Vintage buttons
Mirrored stars from the $1 store
GLITTAHHH!

The return of the cheeky snowballs

They're back!

I started making cheeky snowballs almost 10 years ago (what the?!). Last year I took a break from them. This year they are back in all their full glittery glory!

I gotta say, I'm really happy with this bunch. I spent a little extra time on them, adding eyebrows, and the glitter on them is really pretty.

I've made quite a big batch of these and I'm not sure if I'll manage a second batch before Christmas. There has been a lot of pre-season interest in them this year so you might want to snag one quickly if you have your heart set on getting them.

I have two listings set up for these. 

To purchase a single snowball $25

To purchase a set of two $45

I've got loads of stuff on the go at the moment and I can't wait to show it all off!

Have a great week, my lovely. Remember, I adore you.

A Timeless Grandfather Clock

This month for gslcuts.com I've created a 'timeless clock' with Gypsy Soul's Grandfather Clock.

I've used a pretty floral scrapbook paper to cover my clock. Just one sheet will do the trick. The little drawer at the bottom, and interior of the clock, have been lined with a page from an old, discarded book.

The top section of the clock does not contain a time piece (although you certainly could add one), instead being home to a nest of little eggs.

The top has been decorated with moss, flowers, an acorn and some wee mushrooms.

Inside, a butterfly garden, with moss, paper roses and pretty flying things.

This particular clock measures 11" tall. It's a nice with a goodly amount of space to play with inside for creating a little scene or diorama.

If you're interested in making your own, I have a video of the construction of this piece HERE.

And here is your supply list:

Grandfather Clock 11 Inch
(psst, there is also a smaller 1:12 scale version)

Sheet moss
Floral scrapbook paper
Paper Roses
Plastic Eggs
Flat back pearls
Twig Vine Garland
Red Mushrooms on Wires
English Fairy Garden Collage Sheet
Mini Floral Dresden Borders - Antique Gold
Narrow Gold Fleur Dresden Borders*

Pronged Metal Handles*

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

It's Halloween! Wheee! I'm rather excited. It feels like there's an extra bit of magic in the air.

I didn't decorate the house this year, but I did managed an altar on top of the mantle. It's the one thing I make certain happens.

Besides looking lovey and festive, it serves as a place to put offerings to the spirits and gods we honor. There are plenty of libations this year, nice chocolate, pretty flowers and more bits and bobs. The candles were dancing like crazy when I lit them... I hope it means that those visiting from the other side of the veil are just as excited as I am.

As usual I'll be dolled up as a witch today... but this year I'm representing the light and sparkly variety. They seem to take a back seat every year and that's a shame... because glitter.

It may not look like it in this pic but I am DOUSED in glitter here. Absolutely covered in the stuff! If you need to find me over the next few days, just follow the trail of sparkles.

Happy Halloween my pretties. I love you dearly.

The long lost uncle and a tiny travel journal

This past week a long lost uncle from Australia came for a visit.

My uncle is my father's brother. I do not have a relationship with my father. I haven't seen him since I was about 16, and we had a single email exchange about 13 years ago. Until last year, I hadn't seen my uncle in about 35 years.

We reconnected on the internet through an ancestry message board. One connection led to another and he soon discovered that he had many old faraway friends. It was enough to prompt a visit from halfway around the world.

Our first visit lasted about two days. It took place in a house crowded with people, me run ragged taking care of cooking and cleaning and hostessing. It really wasn't much of a visit at all. More of an introduction.

He decided on a return, this time determined to have a proper visit. A full week with a practical stranger.

It's a very weird situation. I very nearly had a panic attack before his arrival. It's frightening... and exciting at the same time.

But it was great. We joked, and laughed and touched on some difficult topics. We discovered things we have in common. We even managed some 'firsts' like jack-o-lantern carving!

To send him on his way I made a tiny album/diary filled with the inside jokes, the misadventures and memories of our shared visit.

I won't share it all, most of it is rather silly anecdotes, but I will share this memory with you...

Together, goofing around in an old school photo booth, in a cafe, after a terribly anti-climatic visit to a lighthouse and looking at a disappointing dead salmon on the beach.

It sort of sums up the whole experience really.

Surreal, weird... but a lot of fun.

Starry Lacy Princess of Power Crown

A pretty something for Shabby is Chic Boutique today.

I've made a crown. Because A) I loves me a good crown and B) how could I NOT make a crown with that Gold Embroidered Tulle Lace? 

To create the crown, I began by making a base with a length of cotton fabric. I folded a long strip in half so that it was double thickness, then sewed it together to provide some stability, and prevent puckering. Then the ends were sewn together to make something that resembled an ugly headband.

Layers of lace were applied on top of that, then 'grungy' paint splashed on to sort of blend the different lace colours together.

I added Rows of Pearls Flatback Trim, 4mm flatback pearl trim-white and the Silver Wrap Filagree piece and star after staining the fabric.

To stiffen the peaks, I've applied gel medium. There are products available specifically for stiffening fabric, and they probably ARE more effective, but I wanted to use what was already on hand.

This will be a grand crown for lounging and lazing (especially on Mondays when crowns are needed most of all).

Gold Embroidered Tulle Lace

Rows of Pearls Flatback Trim
Embroidered White Rose Lace
4mm flatback pearl trim-white
Silver Wrap Filagree

Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars