The lego brick cake

My eldest son Lucas turned 8 two fridays ago and as he is a massive fan of the Lego Wii games I thought I would make him a gold Lego brick cake.



It was some mean feat! I had to make 3 square cakes and four muffins (for the studs). As I only had one square cake tin this took some time.



14 eggs, 775g flour, 775g butter, 775 g sugar, the grated rind of 3 lemons and two lots of butter cream later. Ta da -



I added some fondant icing.....



.......and found this amazing gold spray.





He was well chuffed so think it was worth all the effort. this is a beast of a cake and think I may have put on a few pounds eating it!




He had three friends for a sleepover on his birthday and think they were impressed by the cake, look -



Lucas is the one coughing all over the cake!



Hotdogs for tea in home made rolls -



I am so glad I don't have to do all that again until September for Isaac. Phew!

B xxx

Oh what a lucky girl I am!

Ok so this week i'm gonna share some of the fantastic presents I received for my bday. I was so lucky to get so many lovely things.

Its very hard to choose but I think this is my fav, a giant button pincushion. Belinda said she'd been looking for that perfect gift and then she saw this.

My older brother Leon (the artist also known as LAKart) gave me this canvas plus another. I am commissioning him to do a pop arty family portrait. You know like one big square, split in to four, a drawing of each of us, one in each corner painted in four different colours..... I will share that with you when its finished. Just need to decide on colours. Am thinking Teal and Olive green to go with my plans for the dining room.

I also received 3 bags! Which is fab as you can never have to many. I'm sure when I told Dan he saw secretly rolling his eyes and thinking "more bags!" This ones from Lozzie my sister in law. (technically shes my other halves sister). I love it!

These oh so cute measuring spoons are from Pippa and Linds. Think some one may have been reading my blog. I have stacking measuring cup in the same design. They clubbed together and got me lots of lovely bits and bobs. Thanks girls, love them all x

Oh and the dress! I have been eyeing this up for months for my mums wedding. I just kept thinking i can't or rather I shouldn't. In the end I didn't have to as Dan and the boys got me it. Now all I need are some shoes.

My Inlaws (or outlaws as my friend likes to call hers) got me two books that have been on my wishlist for a while. The first is called Hand Job which isn't as rude as it sounds. its a book on hand type. Which is basically hand drawn lettering/font Remember bubble writng and doodling on school books?

The other is Print and Pattern by Bowie Style(check out the blog) which is a must have for any one who likes pattern. I could sit and look at it for hours! I know they will give me so much inspiration over the coming months and years.

Last week I made this for Emma and Chris's beautiful new baby daughter Florence. They are moving soon and Emma said they are thinking of basing her room decoration on my embroidery. Matching bunting may be?

This week I have been making a few gifts for a friend, wont say who in case she is reading. Well they are in the post so will have to share what I made her next week as don't want to spoil the surprise. Shhhh! "

I don't think I have mentioned that I got a bread maker for Christmas. It is fabulous, I don't buy bread any more and I know whats in it. This book was another bday pressie, yesterday I made blueberry cake. Today as I type I have some onion and garlic bread on the go. Thinking I might start a recipe sharing post every Monday. Might call it Monday Manger or Monday Munchies. What d'ya think?

Lastly this was breakfast!! Yes I had the cheddar's (two packets) too!!

See ya next week,

B xxx

My big lunch Birthday!

Sorry for not posting last week but I was busy organising a Big Lunch.

If you haven't heard of it, its a nationwide yearly event that is held on the first Sunday in June. The aim of the day is to get communities together and may be meet new people and make new friendships by encouraging street parties, picnic etc. Sounds nice doesn't it? Well when I read about it I thought what a great idea and as it just happened to fall on my Birthday I just had to arrange one.

So I asked at work (The Plough Inn, Littlethorpe - which is a lovely old village pub that serves excellent food well worth a visit if your in the area) if I could do it there. Then I set about organising who would bring what buffet food wise and everyone brought a small amount of meat for the bbq.

I also bagged a bouncy castle to keep the kids entertained, which it did very well. I'm only on there to look after my friends 2 year old - honest! I didn't do a head count but there were at least 80 people, loads of food (which was all eaten) and the weather was good. What more can you ask. Also had a little whip round for some local lads that are collecting for a skate park to be built in the village and that made just under £35. Everyone that attended has said what a fantastic time they had.

I had such a lovely birthday and received some excellent gifts, which I plan to share with you next time.

B xxx

P.s. Also did some camping in Matlock and went to see the monster trucks in the half term.

I am so chuffed with how the photos of the monster jam came out, not bad for a pretty bog standard digital camera hey? Will share more later. I bet your looking forward to that aren't you?!

What! No! Really?

Yes it is true my little boy Lucas turned 7 today. I still can't believe it and it has gone by so fast. There were some hard times and at times these seemed to out weigh the good. It was so worth it!

I am so proud of the boy that he is and looking forward to seeing the man he will become. He lights up the room with his smile, he has so much energy (constantly going 100 mph! Well until it comes to homework that is.), is so kind (would hate to hurt anyones feelings), sensative (which is both good and bad, trust me I know) and just a complete star.

Happy Birthday Lucas!

B x

This evening we will be mostly making up his new Lego sets - yay!

Oh and I will be back tomorrow, the last 2 weeks have been a bit hectic!

Also forgot to tell you Lucas got an outstanding school report. I even had a little blub (cos I was so proud!), I seem to cry at almost anything these days - even got a little choked writing this.

For me, a Fair, Five, Fun, Food and Flashdance!

Last week was dominated by the letter F!! Here is the blanket I am making FOR ME, its not very often I make something for myself. I bought lots of this Rowan cotton rope a few weeks ago as it was reduced from £4.49 per 50g ball to just 99p. I just had to buy some - 18 balls to be precise. Most of those will be used for this project.

I love the wave stitch and the rainbow of colours and can't wait to finish it so I can start using it.

This is how my stall looked on Saturday at the Mothers Day craft FAIR I did. I was opposite the entrance which was fab as everyone saw me first. I had a really good day and met some lovely people.

Lucas was FIVE last week, I can't believe it. Where did the time go?  I am so proud of him. He has just been with Dan to spend his £45 birthday money and come back with a set of Ben 10 figures, and a tranformer for himself and a Thomas train for his little bro Isaac. It was all his own idea he said this morning I want to buy Isaac a Thomas train so he doesn't cry. I nearly cried! 

FUN - Three birthday parties including Lucas's and a Gymnastics Party. How much fun do those foam chips look? I really, really wanted to have a go - I had to keep reminding myself I am a grown up.

FUN - Ten pin bowling

Not so much FUN - Isaac has just let go of his balloon, he insisted he didn't need it tying around his wrist.

FOOD - Mountains of party food, birthday cake and a Pizza hut.

Oh and I won two tickets for FLASHDANCE and a preshow meal. I'm not much of a Theatre goer and have only been to one show before. Saying that Dan and I really enjoyed it and will definitely go and see another show soon. 

B x