cupcake commissions ...............

As well as planning for the "Hen Party" afternoon tea I have had two new commissions for cupcakes. The first a Christening and the second a Baby Shower. I baked the Christening Cupcakes on Saturday and delivered them on Sunday morning in good time for the party.

I always feel apprehensive when baking for special occasions as I want everything to be perfect.

mixing my sponge

first batch looking OK ..........

first ever baby hands and feet  (might need a little more practice)

hope they look scrummy  ............

I'm pleased with the duck egg blue butter cream .............

ready for delivery .............

The Christening was a great success - feedback was good and all my cakes disappeared in record time.

I'm looking forward to making some little pink and blue feet for the baby shower and experimenting with some other new decorations, the sponge will stay the same as I think it works well  and I am happy with my butter cream and fondant icing.

talk soon x

afternoon tea with lovely vintage teacups ..........

I have always adored pretty teacups, and I like nothing better than preparing afternoon tea. I love baking Victoria sandwich cakes, lemon drizzle cake, piping and decorating cupcakes, dainty scones, and whisking up light and chewy meringues.

I have quite a collection of china teacups, all sourced from local charity shops, car boot sales, a few are from antique shops - but not many.

some of my collection  .............

one of my favourites ............

this one is quite old ...............

I love the shape of this tea cup ............

so pretty ................

A few weeks ago my friend Barbara gave me some lovely teacups to add to my collection. They belonged to her mother in law. The style was different from the vintage style  I usually collect, they are quite retro I would think they are from the 60s or 70s - very cool I love them.

I am currently on the hunt for some new additions as I am making afternoon tea for one of Kate's hen party celebrations. The festivities start with a tea party but I think we might also use the teacups for champagne! 

Then we have a craft workshop which Kate and Harriet (chief bridesmaid ) have arranged with a local artist, who is coming to teach us how to make a tapestry brooch and a necklace using ceramic beads and vintage fabric. This is then to be followed by cocktails and dinner.

Thinking about the hen party which is planned for mid September (in fact the weekend before I go on holiday to Turkey ) makes me realise just how soon Kate's wedding is, October 20th is the big day.

Kate seems to be in control and everything is falling into place. I am travelling to London next week for Kate's wedding dress fitting - I can't wait to see Kate in her wedding dress, it sounds amazing.

I haven't even started to look for my outfit, as I am still on my diet and don't want to buy anything just yet. My plan is to buy something when I return from holiday but as that's the 1st October it doesn't give me a great deal of time!

I am confident it will work out well as I have found my other wedding outfits quite easily, I'm sure not many mother's have needed three wedding outfits within a sixteen month time frame. Having three beautiful daughters can be a costly affair.

Back to teacups, I managed to find three lovely white china teacups and saucers with matching side plates and a cake plate all for £3 today - what a lovely bargain.

off for a cup of tea, talk soon x