Cupcakes and Cushions

I was up early on Saturday morning baking lemon fairy cakes for my dear little Hamish and his Mummy. I love the smell of freshly baked cakes. It was lovely to be pottering in my lovely little flat listening to radio 4 and looking forward to them arriving. Of course the cakes had to have candles for the Birthday boy.

We had a lovely day together, starting with a picnic lunch in the my living room, then a trip accross the road and through the gates into Kew Gardens. Hamish dropped straight to sleep as soon as he was in his push chair so Catherine and I took full advantage and headed for the lovely gift shop first as we knew we wouldn't stand much chance of a look once he was awake. Hamish likes shops as long as they contain toys, or unless it's John Lewis, which is somewhere he loves to go to with his Nanna! We both started a bit of Christmas shopping which made us both feel quite virtuous! Once outside again Hamish woke up again and had lots of fun running around, looking at the geese and ducks by the lake and helping Catherine and I to collect some beautiful leaves. We've both been inspired by this months Country Living so I now have leaves being pressed between pages of books at home and will be doing something creative with them in the coming weeks.

Yesterday I had a very relaxing day. The weather was so miserable it was a day to be inside. So I took myself into Richmond to the cinema to see Stardust. What a great film. I guess it is really aimed at children, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I returned home late afternoon, put on the lamps, made myself a hot chocolate and got out the sewing machine. I've started work on some new pieces and I'm going in a slightly new direction with my work. More details to follow but the general idea is that I'm going to be creating more 'one off' special pieces rather than working like a production line and selling a set range of items. Having given it a lot of thought, I'm not factory and don't want to compete with the likes of Laura Ashley. I've decided that I find it boring to create simple designs that I can replicate and make numerous amounts of. Even keeping it simple, it's difficult to compete on price with the high street chains, especially when selling at craft fairs.

I'm excited by this new direction and hope that it will allow me to be much more creative. In the next couple of weeks I'll be adding new pieces to both the little shop and my etsy shop so keep a look out for announcements. Obviously I'll also be testing these new items at the Christmas fairs in Bath and Bradford-on-Avon in December.

I hope the sun is shining on your Monday as it is on mine here in London. xx

Comments

[kari and kijsa]

Your blog is truly one of beauty and inspiration....thanks for making us smile!

blessings, kari and kijsa

[joanna]

Lovely looking cupcakes, I used to have blue plates just like that they are lovely. I would be very happy pottering in the kitchne listening to radio 4 too. I was interested to see Jane at snapedragons garden dipped leaves in bees wax to preserve the colour and such lovely colour they are.

[Rosemary]

I love that you call them fairy cakes. That is so cute. I can almost smell them.
Your whole post is fab today.
Rosemary

[tea time and roses]

Hi Fiona.... Thank you so much for your visit and sweet comment to the blog. The cupcakes look delicious, and I know they were very much enjoyed. I just love collecting Autumn leaves, and I also love Country Living Magazine. I will have to get their current issue and take a look at the ideas for the leaves... Most of mine are kept in a beautiful leaf collecting book I found at the bookstore at a really fantastic price! The cushion is beautiful...lovely work as always. You have a marvelous rest of the week...

Smiles...

Beverly

[Sue]

Hi Fiona

Lovely post full of lovely piccies of yummy things!

It looks as if there'll be quite a following at Bath. Won't be long now. I'm really looking forward to saying hello!

Sue x

[French Knots]

Baking is such a lovely, homely thing to do. Those fairy cakes look good with the buttons on! Can't wait to see more of the floral creation.

[deb]

What pretty pictures (and I love your blog header.) Those cupcakes look (and sound) yummy!

[carolyn]

Love that fabric, the ric rac and buttons, great combination.

[Michele]

Hi Nonnie
Firstly... just how do you get your cakes to look so perfect??? I always manage to burn mine or they just don't rise!
I love the look of the fabric in your photos... very tantalising..!
Look forward to seeing you at the Bath fair and all your beautiful goods.
Michelex

[Nicky Fraser]

Those cupcakes and crafts look delicious! I totally agree, mass production would be such a bore x

[Nicky Fraser]

Those cupcakes and crafts look delicious! I totally agree, mass production would be such a bore x

[Wild Rose]

Hi Fiona,

Fairy cakes with chocolate buttons ~ delicious! I've been catching up on your posts and I think that the view from your sofa is lovely ~ so warm and cosy.

The fabrics you are working with are beautiful. Will we see the end result?

Marie x

[snapdragon]

Hiya - I think that there are many of us crafters out in cyberspace who can't face the idea of setting up a self imposed sweatshop in our own living rooms!
I look forward to seeing your new designs,
J
x

[tracy x]

cakes and floral fabric - perfect x
looking forward to seeing your new things
very impressed that you have started Christmas shopping - i intend to do all mine via Etsy this year.
tracy x

[Isobel]

Hi dear Nonnie,

It's so good to read that you are having great times. I miss so much baking and pottering in my little home that yesterday we had a bit of redecorating in our bathroom. hehehe.
I am still hoping I can make the Bath fair. I will keep my fingers crossed. :)
Many kisses and take care. x

[Gemma]

Glad to see that Stardust was good. I was on the fence but will deffo go and see it now.

Bath Christmas fair? Which one? When? G and I are talking of going to one there.

[kim]

Those cakes look delicious! Sounds like you had a good weekend. So looking forward to seeing what you make, love the glimpses you've given us.
Kim x
PS I thought Robert de Niro was great too!

[Tracy]

Hello! My first visit here. So many delights and wonders here...I look forward to coming back! Happy Day :o)