Beaded Necklace

Today I made this necklace. I used cut up straws, thick wooden beads from Hobbycraft and some other bits and pieces I had in my art room. I just love the brightness and colours, though I think it will have to be matched with something quite simple as it is quite a bold piece. For the string itself I used fishing wire which is very strong and perfect to use for beads.

And of course Harrison had to be on the scene for the photographs! I feel a little neglectful to our lovely doggies at the moment; I have only blogged about the cat. Oh well I'm sure they'll appear here soon enough.

Stay tuned......

Melissa Shoes

Some of the most beautiful shoes i've seen in a long time !

Vivienne Westwood for Topshop

'Melissa' shoes.

No Strings Attached

I love watching films. I would like to say I have good taste in films, though admittedly I do love a good Romantic comedy.

No Strings Attached really did it for me. It has some really hilarious and witty dialogue which makes a change for most other Rom-com's. Natlie Portman and Ashton Kutcher play their roles perfectly. It's nice to see Natalie in somthing less serious and she looks beautifull in every scene! Admittedly the trailer does cheapen the film a little, but I highly reccommend this, especially if you are already a rom-com fan, as it adds a uique twist to the stereotypical Romantic Comedy.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients :

• Butter for greasing
• 300g broken plain chocolate
• 225g caster sugar
• 180ml boiling water
• 225g salted butter, cut into cubes
• 6 free-range eggs, separated
• 1tsp instant coffee powder
• 1tbsp vanilla extract

To top the cake:

Raspberries, strawberries and redcurrants or blueberries and blackberries

(I used raspberries in my version)

200ml of crème fraiche

Method :

Preheat the oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan, gas mark 4).

1. Grease and line the base of a solid-bottomed 23cm (9inch) round cake tin (a springform is best).
   In a large food processor, pulse the chocolate and sugar until fine. Add the boiling water, butter, egg yolks, coffee powder and vanilla extract.
2. In a glass bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff and then fold them into the chocolate mixture.
3. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin and bake in the hot oven for about 45-55 mins. The top will be cracked like a desert fault line.
4. After you take the cake out of the oven, it will collapse into itself quite a bit. This is OK - it's not meant to be a proud cool cake, it's meant to be slightly rough around the edges and the crème fraiche and berries will hide any dips and cracks.
5. Let the cake cool, then put it in the fridge for a few hours. When you are ready to serve, remove from the tin, smother the top in crème fraiche, then raspberries, strawberries and redcurrants (or blueberries, blackcurrants and blackberries). You can also grate some more chocolate on top or dust some icing sugar.

This recipe is taken from episode 6 of The Delicious Miss Dahl on BBC2. 

Enjoy :)

Katy Perry Concert

Cannot wait to see Katy Perry again this month! I went in April to Birmingham with my boyfriend Scott, and she was completely and utterly wonderful. I don’t like to idolise people generally, but boy do I love her.

I'm going to see her in Liverpool with friends on the 18th and with my mum on the 31st October.

Here are some of her beautiful outfits she wore.

(Pictures from Google)

Ruthin Craft Centre

I was fortunate enough along with a handful of students across North Wales to have my A level artwork displayed in Ruthin Craft Centre as part of the Students work showing.

My work was based on clutter, and the effect of not recycling and our earth.

I used clutter of all kinds including bottle tops, plastic toys, monopoly cards, yoghurt pots and other discarded plastics to create my Final piece for the exam.

I think it looked very bright and interesting and I was so chuffed to have it it the window.

Ruthin Craft Centre

Harrison

This is my beautiful cat of many names! He originated as Harry, then Harrison, The Son, Sonny and Harry Plopper (from the Simpsons movie) We got him last year from cats protection in Wrexham and he has fell right into place in our family.

He particularly likes my Cath Kidston dressing gown!