Ashley Thomas for David Mason Design

ashley thomas

I'm so excited to launch my new collection with David Mason Design at the end of this month.
Which will be available at some exclusive retailers across the country.
The collection will accessorise your home beautifully with a unique, whimsical look. My signature style co-ordinates colourful mix and match patterns, with the ethos of making a house a home.
The range includes baking, afternoon tea, textiles and giftware, featuring vintage inspired florals, making your kitchen uniquely special. Stay tuned for more info coming soon. 

Shop online at maisonhome.co.uk



Queen’s Birthday Cake

ashley thomas


This cake is a really fun way to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday on 21st April and is the perfect excuse to throw a garden party. It’s a sticky and nutty carrot cake base, one of my favourite English summer cakes with a classic Vanilla cream cheese frosting. With Great British berries to make the union jack flag.


You’ll need…

For the Cake…
8oz self raising flour
5oz muscovado sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 carrot
2 bananas
2 large eggs
150ml sunflower oil
2oz walnut pieces

For the topping…
2oz butter
4oz icing sugar
6oz soft cheese
Blueberries and Raspberries to decorate 

To make...
Sift the flour, sugar and baking powder into a large mixing bowl
Grate the carrot into the bowl and mix thoroughly
Mash the bananas and beat into the mixture
Beat the eggs and add to the bowl along with sunflower oil, mix together really well until smooth
Smash up the walnut pieces in a bowl and stir in well
Line a rectangular cake tin (18x25cm) with baking paper. Pour the mixture in and level the surface
Pre-heat the oven to 180oC
Bake for around 25 mins or until golden brown.
Leave to cool, meanwhile make the topping


Warm the butter in a microwave for 30seconds until half melted
Sift in the icing sugar and add the soft cheese, mix together until smooth
Leave in the fridge to chill for 15 mins
Once cooled spread icing over the cake and decorate with blueberries and raspberries to resemble the union jack flag.


All products photographed are from my exclusive collection for Debenhams.
Browse the collection online here.
Red contrasting printed double apron glove, £14
Set of three red printed teatowels, £14

Picnic Collection

ashley thomas
My Picnic collection at Debenhams has now launched. This years collection is better than ever with the edition of the cutest picnic hampers, baskets and even a cool bag to compliment the range.
As all my collections for Debenhams the range is only available in their stores whilst stocks last, we are already working on next years designs so grab these before they are sold out!

Start your collection online...

Set of 4 Melamine Dinner Plates, £18
Set of 4 Melamine Side Plate, £16
Melamine Cake Stand, £20

Set of 4 picnic tumblers, £10
Set of 4 Ditsy Highball Glasses, £16
 
Ditsy print lidded picnic basket, £25
Two person heart shaped picnic hamper, £70

Ditsy print picnic backpack, £40
Ditsy cool bag, £25
Ditsy Lunch tote, £12.50
 
 Shop the full collection exclusively at Debenhams

Easter Egg Cupcakes

ashley thomas
These Easter cupcakes are so much fun to make, and they are so so easy even the kids can join in too. They look really impressive and you really can't go wrong even if you are a beginner baker.


You'll need...
4oz butter
4oz caster sugar
2 free range eggs
1tsp vanilla extract
4oz self-raising flour
1tbsp milk
12 paper cases

For the icing...
5oz butter
10oz icing sugar
1 tbsp milk
vanilla extract
icing bag and large nozzle
100g plain chocolate bar
1 x bag of mini eggs (or 2 bags if you want to scoff them whilst you bake!)


To make...
Chop the butter into cubes and put into a large mixing bowl.
Add the sugar and mix well until combined.
Beat the eggs and add slowly to the mixture, mixing in as you go.
Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
Fold in the flour slowly and add the milk to make the mixture a good consistency for dropping into the paper cases.
Take the paper cases and add to a 12 hole muffin tray. Spoon in the mixture equally into the cases. They should be around ¾ full.
Bake for 15mins or until golden brown (mine went a bit too golden! Never mind they still taste great)
Once baked allow to cool completely, if you are impatient like me put them in the fridge and make your icing.


Add the butter to a small mixing bowl and microwave for 30seconds.
Sift in half the icing sugar and mix together well. Add the vanilla extract and sift in the other half of the icing and then the milk to loosen it up. Mix together really well until smooth and creamy.
Turn your piping bag inside out, whilst holding the end and spoon in the icing mixture.
Twist the end and squeeze onto the top of the cooled cupcakes.
Chopped the chocolate into flakey pieces.
Add three mini eggs to the centre of the icing and decorate with the chocolate flakes.
Ta da!


Kitchen textiles exclusively from Debenhams

Set of 3 Bunny Tea Towels, £14
Bunny Apron, £15

Chocolate & Guinness Cake

ashley thomas


This cake is perfect to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this week (17th March).
It's a gorgeously sticky, rich and totally delicious cake which reflects the look of a freshly pulled pint of Guinness with it's dark body and fluffy creamy topping. Give it a go with the recipe below it will be very popular with friends and family!

You'll need...
For the cake...
250ml Guinness                  
250g Unsalted Butter (cubed) 
75g Cocoa Powder 
300g Caster Sugar
100g Soft brown sugar 

1 x 142ml sour cream 
1 tbs bourbon vanilla extract 
2 medium eggs 

275g plain flour 
2 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 

For the topping...

300g Cream cheese
150g icing sugar
125ml whipping cream 


To make...
Preheat the oven to 180c 
Butter the sides and bottom of a 23cm springform tin then line the base with baking parchment. 
Firstly, place the butter and Guinness into a saucepan and melt the butter into the Guinness gently over a low heat until the all butter has melted. Combine the caster, soft brown sugar and cocoa powder into a bowl (no need to sift the cocoa), then whisk these into the Guinness and butter mixture in the pan. While this mixture is cooling, place the sour cream, eggs and vanilla essence into a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Now add the the Guinness mixture to the sour cream mix and whip gently until incorporated. Sift the flour and bicarbonate of soda into the bowl and beat until all ingredients are combined. Pour into the prepared springform tin and bake in the centre of the preheated oven. Bake for 45 to 60 mins. The cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean when put into the centre of the cake, cool in the tin until cold (it may crack a little and sink slightly in the middle but this is fine).
For the topping, whisk the cream cheese and then sift in the icing sugar a little at a time, add the cream and whisk gently until mixture is fluffy. Frost the cake with this mixture until it resembles a lovely pint of Irish goodness.




Cake stand exclusively from my collection at Debenhams

Country Living Fair, London

ashley thomas
 I'm off to the Country Living fair in London's Islington next week, 
come and visit my little pop up shop on stand: MF26

Come and browse my range of handmade cushions, limited edition tea towels, British made notebooks & cards, unique sewing kits and conversational embroidery hoops. All made in England.

For discounted tickets use my unique code: EX16S34 
and you will receive £1 off the advanced ticket price. 

To book, please visit - www.countrylivingfair.com


New Stockist: Flossy Teacake

ashley thomas

Flossy Teacake is a mixed media designer maker based in Tideswell, Derbyshire.
Her super sweet old fashioned shop is also a studio and hosts community classes!

Pop into the flossy teacake shop and you can see her unique pieces being made, other British Designer Makers work (like mine) for sale and also a range of Haberdashery for your own projects including fabric, buttons, ribbons and much more.

They also host regular workshops and a monthly Make and Cake session where you can learn a new technique or bring your own project along.

Sneak Peek: Mother's Day Giveaway!

ashley thomas

Join us over on the Debenhams Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages on Monday for our Mother's Day giveaway. You can win a personalised pinny from my new Spring 16 collection. 
Head to the Debenhams social media pages and tell us three words that sum up your mum, follow with our competition hashtag #MumsTheWord and tag me in it @ashleythomasdesign for your chance to win a gorgeous personalised pinny. We only have 8 to giveaway over the day so be quick and good luck!


Sneak Preview: Spring/Summer 2016 for Debenhams

ashley thomas
Last month I went to London for the Debenhams Spring/Summer 2016 Press Show.
There are two Press shows a year and they are always a spectacular event, showcasing all the new product launches in the months ahead. It's an invite only sort of affair and as it's a really exclusive preview of what will be available in Debenhams in the Spring. 
Prestigious journalist's, magazine editors and Bloggers are amongst the select few invited to attend. 
I love attending these events as I get to talk directly to all the writers of the glossy magazines and prominent Bloggers about my upcoming collection. It always feels like a celebration of hard work from the me and the Debs team. After months of researching, drawing, designing, altering, formatting, sourcing, sampling and finalising. The products are finally ready to be revealed to the outside world. It's a daunting yet exciting time. Here's a sneak preview for you all of the press show, I'll be posting more close up snaps soon. But for now this is a little teaser.

   


New Stock: Great British Shop

ashley thomas
The Great British Shop is one of my lovely stockists, they have lots of new goodies of mine in store just in time for Christmas. It is situated in The Old High Street, at the heart of the Creative Quarter in Folkestone, Kent. The business was started in August 2013. They had long been aware that the vast majority of product available generally for sale through the UK was sourced from abroad. The decision was made to see if the growing number of small and medium size makers left in the UK could be bought together to produce a collection of individual and sometimes unique pieces that would inspire and delight a discerning audience.


Visit them...

17 The Old High St
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 1RL

Open studio Weekend

ashley thomas
Here's some snaps from our open studio weekend. It was such an amazing weekend. We are all overwhelmed by the amount of visitors we had. Thanks to all the people who came along, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. And thank you for supporting local creative businesses like us at The Harley Studios.






New Stockist: Lancashire

ashley thomas
Dream of Garstang is set is historic market town Garstang near Preston in Lancashire. They are a contemporary lifestyle shop full of wonderful gift ideas, ladies fashion products and unique homeware. You can now find my products in there too!



Visit them at...

Dream-of-Garstang

10 High Street, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 1FA

Exclusive Event: Open Studios

ashley thomas
Next weekend is our exclusive Open studios & Christmas Market at the Harley Gallery.
It's an exclusive opportunity to come and have a look around my design studio, talk to me directly about my work and products, as well as an once a year opportunity to buy directly from me and other designer makers who work at the Harley Gallery Studios.
There will be 70 art and food stalls and Paint-a-Pot workshops as well.
So come and start your Christmas shopping in style!
Opening times

Friday 27 November, 10am to 5pm

Saturday 28 November, 10am to 5pm

Sunday 29 November, 10am to 4pm


For more information, visit www.harleygallery.co.uk

New stockist: Lyme Regis

ashley thomas
A Touch of Vintage is a wonderful little shop in Lyme Regis. Situated on the pretty Georgian Broad Street. It's packed to the brim with beautiful gifts and designer products. From hand bags to toiletries, homeware and unusual cards. And now you can find my cushion kits and greeting cards there too.


Visit their friendly shop...
51 Broad St, Lyme Regis, DT7 3QF

New Stockist: Leeds

ashley thomas
I have a new stockist in Leeds! Ideas Unlimited are a gift shop in Horsforth, Leeds.
They now stock my greeting cards and notebooks.
 
Visit them at... 
85C Town St, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5BP

New Stockist: West Sussex

ashley thomas
Charlwood designs is a family run business who specialise in designing, supplying and installing quality made kitchens and bedrooms. Their showroom also houses some hand picked greeting cards, gifts and kitchen accessories. You can now found my cards there too.

Visit them at ...
136 South Road, Hayward Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4LT
or online at charlwood-designs.co.uk
 

Country Spot Collection

ashley thomas


My latest range to launch is the Country Spot Collection. A range of beautiful Earthenware dinnerware, each piece has a hand painted all over spot pattern in a soft duck egg hue. All the ceramic products are dishwasher safe too which makes life easier! Here's a sneak peek into my sketchbook above and below is a photo of the collection in a table setting.
Start your collection now from only £3.50
Exclusive to Debenhams
 www.debenhams.com