Quick post as sooooo busy!!

This is a very quick hi there and hello. I have been busy since about 7.15am doing what I love best, creating and baking here at craft and cook central!!! I have been making the last cakes, bites and nibbles, including marshmallow snowballs and some yummy oatmeal biscuits, plus labelling all my lemon curd. I have baskets everywhere for putting in the car in a little while - with the weather so cold they will keep very well over night!!

Will check in and let you know how tomorrow goes.xx

My guest blog post!

Just thought I would re-post my guest spot on the lovely http://teresacrafts.blogspot.co.uk just in case you didn't see it.xx

My Very Own Tags of Christmas

Guest blog post by Louise Houghton

Ramblings of a non-blonde blonde. Much more fun than dust busting!

I was inspired by the god of grunge himself, Tim Holtz, quite early into my crafting obsession,sorry, hobby and I love giving the old and shabby look to a lot of the things I create.

I have recently posted on my Facebook page all the journals and note books I have made for people; here you will see the range of techniques I use to give that vintage look along with other ideas of texture plus embellishments - let me know what you think by posting a comment. You can also find me on Twitter at @cardscakesbakes.

I am busy making and creating for the Christmas Craft Event in December I will be taking part in, eeeek - very excited already and here are some of My Very Own Tags of Christmas that will be on my table.

Tags of Christmas made from post cards and luggage tags using anything from Tunnocks teacake wrappers, Tim Holtz bingo stamp and die cuts from My Minds Eye, Echo Park and home made candy cane toppers

I am very excited to be already getting ready for the festive season. Preparations begin in earnest as soon as I get my copy of Country Living for inspiration and ideas! Some of you will have seen my Christmas Countdown banner I have made for my two boys, and December 1st cannot come quick enough for us to be able to pin it up on the mantle!

I'm back - just about!!

Hi!! Sorry for the absence but I have had my mum staying with me for the last few days so not much time for blogging. Whilst here she bought me a very fine new oil cloth cover for my kitchen table, retro kitsch to the max!

I am getting very excited about the coming festive season as we have got most of the boys' presents organised and we get the tree on Saturday. Eeeeek! 

I have been busy doing things in the kitchen, though. I am really getting into prep, making sure my freezer and Christmas cupboard are getting stocked with yummy things!

As you can see, the Gluhwein has already been started on, put in the mincemeat mix for my pies! The Amaretti biscuits I only bought because they are red and white and the basis of most of my Christmas decs are these colours.

Don't normally fall for stuff like this but couldn't resist the Christmas kitchen roll!

Over the last week or so I have managed to make another 10 jars of lemon curd, a pound and a bit or mincemeat ready for the mince pies, the cranberry and orange relish, two lots of savoury pastry to put in the freezer, a lovely bacon-wrapped sausage "cake" and today a very tasty pork, pistachio and cranberry pie ready for Boxing Day tea. Oh, and this is the first hamper of the season I have made and delivered.

Spiced fruit loaf, 2-cheese biscuits, fallen apple chutney, lemon curd and a mini Christmas pudding, made, fed with booze and ready for that final steam on Christmas day!

Well, hope to be back in a few days to let you know how I am getting on for the Saddleworth Creative Network Christmas Craft Festival. 

It is just a week on Saturday until the big day so her is just another reminder of the details.




  Hope to see you there on December 9.xx

Comments, hmmmm!

Comments are showing, just not any previous ones in the side bar so phew! 

Hope to see some shortly!x

Still no comments!!!

If any of you are stopping by after me being guest blogger on Teresa Crafts blog, then  I can only apologise for the comments gadget not working. 

I would love to be getting some comments from people, especially today. If you are on Twitter, then maybe you can tweet about my blog instead. I would really appreciate it sooo much!!! or visit my Facebook page at Cards, Cakes and Bakes.

Thanks.xx

Crafting and Christmas!

Well, today I have been feeding the Christmas cakes and puddings and they are already smelling delicious! 

I have been getting a few more things started and finished ready for the Christmas Craft Festival I have previously mentioned I will be taking part in on December 9.

Here is one of my covered diaries and a small hanging decoration I just added the ribbon to.

A6 sized diary and selling for £3.50.

Apologies for the sewing machine and lamp in the background!

 That is all just for now but hope more of you will be stopping by at Creating and Baking in the future! xx

Missing comments!

Very miffed as all my comments have disappeared, just as I might be a guest blogger on somebody elses blog. Very unhappy and cannot seem to reload the gadget. Harumph!!