Vanilla Extract

You just have to love it when things go as planned. I had this thought when I realised vanilla pods only came in two pod packets for heaps, that my cheap home-made gifts weren't going to be Cheap.

 Lucky I do not rest until I have find another option. Along came vanilla masters they were really helpful and vanilla for extract was really reasonable.

So many beans, I am no bean pod expert, but from previous pods these were really full.

Vodka, need I say more.

This is just after I have filled the bottles, I ended up topping them with a sugar syrup. 

In the cupboard for the long wait, two whole months.

A shake up once a day, the colour is really starting to darken.

Finished Kitty Cake

Here he is, in his garden ready to play or to be eaten.

I am sure Ella loved him in her secret 2 year old way.

You wouldn't know it, after countless times that I moved him, when I went to move him on the cake his front leg fell off. 

It was fun to make and I may possibly make another one (but not soon).

He ended up with no two front paws, one ear, one eye. Ella kept saying lollie, lollie, it was very cute.

The big Blowing out of the 2 candles, I wish I only had a few candles to blow out next year.

The tree animals were a small hit, Poor Ella was woken from her sleep. Overall a great day with my little nieces, If only they lived closer, I would love to see more often.

Lemon Extract

I have been busy this week, I have made so many things and I am not sure where I found the time. 

Arthur Holmes is a great website, where you can buy just one bottle or a whole lot. The prices are good and the service is great. I had a bottle that was broken and they sent a replacement.

The recipe was found on the net and away I went. I only made two bottles of lemon as I am waiting for my Vanilla Pods to arrive, as the main extract I wanted to make is Vanilla.

I just love the look of this naked lemon.

You have to let them infuse for at least a week, but I had a sneak taste today. It has a slight lemon flavour at the moment, but I can still taste the vodka. (early morning drinking)

Here Kitty,Kitty

Okay so little scruff is ready, I love him and his scruffy looking tail and his white front paws. 

I wanted him to be multi coloured as not every cat can be perfect white or cute.

I have a little secret about his head, the first position kept falling off. So his collar is serving a purpose. As well as the toothpicks it is holding the head in place.

It is funny how he looks happy. Well I guess he was made with love. 

I should have waited to do tail and made it not so patchy. Anyway next up the cat which I will be making him a garden to play in.

Debbie Brown's Kitten

Okay, Debbie Brown is awesome. In the new mag Cakes and Sugar Craft, is this adorable kitten cake. I thought about my niece. She is turning 2 this week. Then I spoke with my brother and sister in law and what do you know Ella loves Cats. Puurrfect......

It is so cute inside is a cake with 3 little kittens playing.

My little guy, yes it is a boy.  I could have done a cute pink or white cat, but because my little girl is all colours, and I didn't have enough white fondant I went for the mottle colour.

I wasn't sure if I could pull this off, but so far so good.

I tired to give him a torn ear as Toms normally get into fights. I just need to add whiskers.

This morning I started the body, I can't wait to come home tonight and do his legs and put him all together.

I haven't decided what cake I am putting him on, Debbie has hers on a cushion it looks amazing. I will be adding photos of finished product by the weekend.

Everything

I have been baking and sewing and hand stitching and reading a storm. I miss reading, I love to read but find it hard to read and knit at the same time. Which I haven't knitted for a long time.

So I have brought a wooden tree, and some felt.

I have made tree animals in pairs mostly.

I still have a few more to do.

I also attached little finger slots so they can be puppets, first ones not very adult friendly. (good for pinky fingers)

The parrot I just love, I made four and gave the other two to a work friend for his grand-daughter.

I am going to put Velcro on the backs of the animals etc... and on the tree so they stick it.

I just think this is too cute. Chubby Owl. Oh this is a present for my little niece Ella, I made Leaves in different colours so she could learn about the seasons. I still have to decide if I paint the tree or not. Also I will be making flowers and butterflies.

Practice and Practice

This is not my work, but it is a talented lady that was in my class her name is Jin. This was her first attempt at stencilling. 

Mine didn't turn out so I will have to practice before I show you any.

But you do get to see Mr Bear I made a few weeks ago on top of my cake.

He is too cute, I think anyway.

For a dear friend

I went to a baby shower on the weekend and it was awesome, because I got to see a dear friend who is having her first baby, I also was lucky to see another friend from school who is having her first baby and another work mate form Melbourne, who has two adorable kids. All three of these ladies I have not seen for a really long time.

So I made cupcakes, the request was butterflies. The first batch of butterflies didn't turn out as I wanted them to, so I quickly made a new batch. Also and a baby bear.

Purple butterflies.

Cupcakes were chocolate velvet and a raspberry butter cream.