Thursday, November 17, 2016

Sweet Little Peg Fairies

*gasps!* How cute is this years batch of peg fairies?! I made these ones with embellishments and trims from Shabby is Chic Boutique.


I'm so smitten with them. This Folded Tulle Trim is absolutely perfect for the little skirts. The little flatback pearly embellishments are also from Shabby is Chic Boutique. I didn't include them here, but these Silver Fairy Wand Charms would be a super cute addition!


I just love their floofy hair made from real wool roving.


In all different colours.


They're such happy little things.


With their acorn caps and their butterfly wings.


I hope you'll make some too!


And spread a little sweetness to those around you.


Love you this much!

xoxo

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Shabby Chic Ornaments

Holiday making is in full swing. Yay! I'm hoping that all the glitter, and glue, and pretty Christmas pictures, kick my spirit in the pants so that I'm cheery as all heck this year. 


Last year was exhausting and I think aged me about 10 years. This year I want to enjoy myself. There are rumours of snow for this Monday, fingers crossed it comes and I'll be the holly jolliest mo' fo' you ever did see!


Until then, I'll settle for fake snow and glitter... which isn't so bad. This shabby set of ornaments is covered in the stuff.


They are made with laser cut wooden frames (last years post-christmas clearance, bought for pennies, hells yes!). I prepped the frames with blue paint then slopped those suckers with glue, white acrylic paint, glitter and faux snow. Add fake berries, burlap, snips of lace and tulle, vintage buttons and ta dahhh!

These lovelies are already on their way to their new home (hiya Ms Amy Love!), but if you'd like some Pixie Hill magic to arrive on your doorstep, skip over to my facebook page and enter my holiday giveaway.

Love you more! 
xoxo

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Naughty or Nice Facebook Giveaway

I'm having a holiday giveaway ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE



I'm not entirely sure what the prize will be... but it's going to make one lucky winner very happy ;)

To enter, simply hop over to my facebook page and let me know if you're on the naughty or nice list. Share and like too, thank-you-very-much.

REPEAT: DO NOT ENTER HERE. Please enter HERE

Good luck!

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!



Friday, November 11, 2016

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.

Bottle Brush Trees and the Power of Glitter - Nichola Battilana

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

Bottle Brush Trees and the Power of Glitter - Nichola Battilana

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.

Bottle Brush Trees and the Power of Glitter - Nichola Battilana

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.

Bottle Brush Trees and the Power of Glitter - Nichola Battilana

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.

Bottle Brush Trees and the Power of Glitter - Nichola Battilana

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!

Monday, November 07, 2016

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. 




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.

Friday, November 04, 2016

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*