Mini Cheesecakes

I made these using my basic cheesecake recipe from this post but I divided the mixture between 12 muffin cases and reduced the cooking time to 20 minutes.

The topping is simply double cream whipped up with half a punnet of raspberries. You could add some icing sugar if you wanted a sweeter topping.

Lemon cupcakes

I don't usually bake in imperial measures, but this is a variation on a cupcake recipe a friend gave me.

In a large bowl measure out 3oz margarine or butter, 8.5oz plain flour, 10 oz caster sugar, 1 rounded tbsp baking powder and mix until you have something which looks like sand!

In a jug mix 240ml milk, 1 teaspoon lemon extract (or some lemon juice) and 2 large eggs (or 3 small ones!) and pour gradually into the sandy mixture, mixing it in as you go. Mix until the batter is smooth.

The batter will be very runny, so pour it into a jug.

Fill cupcake cases about 3/4 full and bake for 15-20 minutes at 180 degrees until springy.

I've decorated mine with lemon buttercream icing, a little lemon jelly sweet and a sprinkle of caster sugar.

I'm so super-duper absolutely smashingly pleased with my new apron!

It all began when I borrowed this book from the library. I borrow alot of craft books from the library; it's like porn for hopeless craft addicts!!

But I actually decided I really, really wanted an apron like this. It's really a tabard, but tabard is a very uncute, non-sexy sort of word isn't it?

I had this cupcake fabric which I bought from ebay on a whim. What could be cuter than a cupcake apron to colour co-ordinate with my pink kitchen? I had to wait two whole days for some bias binding to arrive by snail mail - because I was too busy / idle to go to the haberdashery.

But - ta-dah! Here it is. I'm so happy, it's my current favourite thing. I really want to bake a cake, but it's nearly time for the school run.

I always wear stilettoes in the kitchen you know... ;)

Applique name bag; handmade Thursday

As a child I used to love having things with my name on.

This is for a little girl called Ella, a surprise gift to say thank you.

More handmade Thursdays at www.whitelilygreen.blogspot.com.

Handmade Thursday - a summer skirt for me

I started this skirt about 2 weeks ago, but only finished it this morning because my sewing machine had to be evicted from the dining room while the extension was built. (Lovely extension now finished - see background!!)

The cotton fabric is from Ikea - it's about £6 for 3m in the children's furnishing section.

The skirt is made from 4 A-line panels, and the stripes were really helpful when trying to sew straight.

There is a zip at the back.

There are some pleats at the top, which weren't planned. It would appear I am thinner than I thought!!

Actually I think it was because I discovered my overlocking function, and this meant I didn't need such a generous seam allowance.

Get me, I sound almost technical! Just 6 months ago when I received my machine for Christmas it took me nearly 2 hours to thread the needle!

More handmade Thursdays at White Lily Green.

It's not all great...

Today I made a cake. It was flat in the middle and crispy at the edges.
This is my blog for showing off, for pretending I am perfect.

Well nobody's perfect all of the time.

At least it tastes okay!

1st birthday card; handmade Thursday

Okay, I know it's Friday, but it's the birthday boy's special day today so I couldn't post a pic of his card yesterday!

Haven't made many cards lately; the 1 is hand cut from patterned paper, and the name is hand stamped.

More handmade Thursdays at White Lily Green.