Blogiversary!

Hi! Happy New Year's Eve!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas. :)

Today is my blogiversary!

In my last post, I asked if anyone had questions for me, here are the questions I received:

Jenna said: I just want to know who taught you to paint? Did you learn on your own or did you take classes?

Great question, Jenna! I have a lovely friend from my Church who has taught me to paint. I started when I was nine and did it for a few years before having a break. Then, I started again this time last year. We get on really well and have a laugh and a paint. :)

Here's a few of my paintings:

Anonymous said: I was wondering what camera you use, and if you had any tips for photography? Thanks!

I have two cameras, but mainly use a Canon Powershot G10. My other (backup) camera is a Canon Powershot SX100 IS. I really enjoy using the G10, which is basically an SLR but with a smaller processor. I am not sure if you can get different lenses for it, though! It gives you much more control over how the photos come out, and is very good. The only downside is that it doesn't have much zoom. My backup camera (I sound so posh, don't I?!!) has a massive 10x zoom, so I use that if I need zoom. It is a great camera for starting out with, if you seriously want to get good at photography!

Tips for photography? Practise, practise, practise! Try different angles, fiddle around in manual mode, check the instructions book for neat tricks, just get out there and shoot! Another thing, for anything small, always turn the macro mode on! 

Another Anonymous said: Happy Blogiversary! Why did you decide, or what inspired you, to start a blog?

Long story short, I had been following other blogs for a while and felt that it would be good to give something back, and contribute to the blog world. Then, on December 31st 2009 (While trying to stay up for the New Year!) I finally started this little blog. :) I am a super-organized person, and have sorted out my tutorials into categories:

Card-making

DIY

Food

Quick Crafts

Sewing

:)

I'll be back soon (hopefully) with some more cakes and fabric to show you, as well as a Crafty Review of 2010!

Blogiversary and Snow!

Hi again!

Just thought I'd pop in and say hi.

It's my blogiversary in a few weeks!

Remember my first tutorial?

It seems so long ago. :)

So, as many blogs do for their blogiversaries, I wondered if you had questions you would like to ask me?

They could be craft-related, or simply about me.

Comment below and I will pick some questions to answer!

:)

We've been enjoying a bit of snow here.

I haven't taken any photos of the snow this year, but here's some photos from last year.

No post is complete without photos!

Can you see Mr.Tumnus and Lucy? :)

I might even find a giveaway in the next few weeks... and there might be a another cake tutorial coming soon, but we will have to see! There should be some sewing soon as well.

Bye!

:)

Cake Tutorial!

I've felt a bit bad for neglecting my blog lately, and was wondering what I could put up.

Then I remembered that when I made a cake for my brother's birthday, I did step by step photos.

So here's a cake tutorial for you!

Cut the top crust off of your cake and roughly level it. Then, turn it over. (Thanks Al for this tip!)

Sieve some icing sugar and roll out your marzipan. Don't turn it over, just turn it round. Remember to put a bit of icing sugar on your rolling pin.

Use your rolling pin to transfer the marzipan onto your cake.

Trim the edges and brush off any excess icing sugar.

Do the same with your icing.

Now, have some fun with decorating with icing!

I started off by making a cross to make it look like a present cake.

I cut this bit to fold over to make into a bow.

Cinch it in the middle and cut a little strip to go over the top to make it into a realistic bow.

Add some tails.

I then cut some more strips and some circles. I used different icing tips etc, to make the circles.

Now you have a finished cake!

Yum. :)

Bags

Recently, I've made two more bags.

This one is sewn with a matching lining.

The bright yellow makes me happy. :)

This bag is made very similar to how I make grocery bag holders. (here, here and here)

The only change is that I didn't put a drawstring at the bottom but just sewed it up.

Bags are satisfying and moderately easy to sew.

Go on, give it a go!

I will be back with some tutorials soon, I just need to make the crafts!

:)