Cupcake Ferris Wheel!

How much do I want a cupcake ferris wheel??... the answer is... a lot! I'm not sure how many times my cupcake ferris wheel would actually make it out of the cupboard, but that is entirely besides the point... on second thoughts, I'd probably have it permanently positioned on the kitchen worktop so I could have a constant supply cupcakey treats!

Cupcake Ferris Wheel - $299
From Knob Creek Metal Arts

A cupcake ferris wheel would be lovely for parties: it's so colourful and fun. It would be a good reason to bake cupcakes that's for sure! Plus, the company that makes these delights can make them in different colours and can be completely customised - I'd obviously go for a polka dot version! What colours/pattern would you decorate yours with?

Judy's Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair - Leeds

I went along to another vintage fashion fair this week, this time it was Judy's Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair. It was held in the lovely Corn Exchange building which was a lovely backdrop for the event. While there were less stalls than the Fashion Fair I visited last week, there was a great deal more homeware, kitchenware and accessories which was lovely. There were a few polka dot dresses that grabbed my attention but in the end I left empty-handed.

I was sorely tempted by these gorgeous ceramic cake stands... they were beautiful and a bargain too ranging from £12-18. A reasonable price for something so pretty!

Tape measure brooches and scrabble rings

The Marvellous Tea Dance Co catered with some amazing looking cupcakes! Check out the lemon meringue cupcakes!

Vintage buttons

Vintage fashion magazines

I've always wanted a fancy gold mirror in my house and I had my eye on this little beaut! There's also a little sneaky shot of my foot in my floral high-tops there too! :)

Painting - Strawberry Layer Cake With Polka Dots!

I've been getting that creative vibe once again! I havn't been inspired to get my paints out for over a year now, and I suddenly got the urge to start painting again this morning. So, I went on the bus into Leeds city centre on this sunny Sunday morning to buy myself some new canvasses and dug my paints and brushes out of the spare room. I always try to create pieces of art that express a snippet of me and things that I love, so I have combined polka dots and scrummy cake for this little painting!

This painting is now for sale in my Etsy Shop All About Abbie. I also do commissioned pieces of art, whether it be painting or sketches, so if you want a little bit of art by my fair hand, don't hesitate to "request a custom item" in my Etsy Shop!

I have rediscovered my love for painting. The only down side is that I now have two full days of uni lined up... when really I'd love to stay at home, play some music, and spend my day with a brush in my hand painting pretty polka dotted things!

My humble "artists studio" aka... a cardboard box in my spare room... it's all glam in my house! I am a poor student after all, trying to make a few pennies to be able to afford the pretty things in life!

Let Them Eat Cake!

I've been a busy little bee again! I've had my sketchbook out and I've been doodling. This time the drawing features the quote "Let Them Eat Cake" and cupcakes, strawberries, stars, teapots, tea, sprinkles, hearts, polka dots and bunting! If you like it, or know someone who is passionate about baking cakes, then you can buy it from my Etsy shop.

I love Oliver Bonas - kitchenware

I'm currently staying in London with my sister and I have discovered the joys of Oliver Bonas... there are so many lovely things I want for my kitchen! They have such a lovely range of the good old kitchenware basics and the quirky, cute and beautiful that I really just can't help myself! Here are a few of my favourite items from the website:

Polka dot milk pan - I'm pretty sure that a hot chocolate prepared in this delightful pan would taste far better than one prepared in an ordinary pan...

Spatula Chopping Board - I love silicone spatulas, they are so much better than wooden spoons, virtually indestructible and colourful!

Cupcake cases set - every self respecting cupcake would want to be adorned with one of these lovely cupcake cases!

Regency cake stand - The perfect stand to serve my next batch of coconut and cherry cupcakes on I think.

The Leeds affordable Vintage Fashion Fair

Leeds Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair - 6th December 2009 - Leeds uni SU

To get into the festive spirit of things I thought I would do a spot of shopping. So me, my boyfriend and my housemate toodled along to the Affordable Fashion Fair in Leeds uni SU. There were so many bargains to be had, and it really was affordable! I was half expecting to find things really overpriced and not really my style, but I left with two polka dot dresses; one for a fiver and one for a tenner, some vintage keys to make into earrings and a christmas present or two! not bad I'd say!
We also made a short stop at the tea and cake stand. I had a cup of hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows and a slab of strawberry jam and cream cake complete with edible glitter: pure indulgance! there was also a variety of teas and mulled wine, cupcakes and treats, all beautiful and gorgeous looking! They were courtesy of 'The Marvelous Tea Dance Co' (who I recommend you check out... they are amazing: http://www.themarvellousteadancecompany.co.uk/home.php)

They are sponsored by possibly my favourite shop in the whole of Leeds: Rose & Co. I am a great lover of their beatuiful apothocary-style boutique and their amazing dresses in the downstairs of their shop. (the must also be checked out! http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/Leedsshop.html

These are my two main purchases: the blue 40's style polka dot dress only cost me £5! and the light blue polka dot dress was a brilliant £10! They make wonderful additions to my already sizable polka dot dress collection!

The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful!

I bought two beautiful new glass cake stands in the sale, only £4 for each tier! So I thought it only right that I bake some new cupcakes to adorn my new cake stand! The first batch I made were Peanut Butter Cupcakes with peanut butter icing:


INGREDIENTS

55g butter
225g soft light brown sugar
115g crunchy peanut butter
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
225g plain white flour
2tsp baking powder
100ml milk

(frosting)

100g full-fat soft cream cheese
50g peanut butter
25g butter
225g icing sugar

I have also made some Chocolate Orange Cupcakes:

85g butter, softened
85g caster sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
85g self-raising white flour
50g chocolate chips
grated rind and juice of 1 small orange

(Topping)

1 orange
55g caster sugar
15g toasted flaked almonds

However.... something went profoundly wrong somewhere in the baking process... and they sunk... a lot! I think I was probably daydreaming whilst mixing the ingredients and didnt measure them out properly. The one good thing is that they tasted amazing, zesty and sweet, but they were very tricky to eat as they were about 0.5 millimetres thick. Hehe... I think I might have to try them out again tomorrow.

getting creative with a needle and thread!

This is the first little blog post I have done about the bits and bobs I have been making for my Etsy shop, and I think it is about time too! I have been taking a different route slightly... and have gone away from painting and drawing and have decided to have a go at creating a few bits with my trusty needle and thread. Neither of the bits are completely finished but they are my starting point. I thought I would share them with all you lovely people through my blog. Please let me know what you think, I would welcome your comments and feedback.

The polka dot, bows and buttons purse

I'm planning on recycling a few old tops and t-shirts to make a few more pieces to sell in my Etsy shop (follow the link on the right to check out some of my pieces that I'm selling). I've drawn up a few ideas and hopefully I can make a start on them tonight

flowers purse

Also, one quick thing... I really want one of these for my baking! Every good batch of cupcakes deserves to sit beautifully on a polka dot cake stand!

polka dot cake stand