DIY Gingerbread House Tags

Christmas wrapping ideas
These gingerbread house inspired gift tags are a cute way to add a special touch to your presents this year. They are a little time consuming but and worth the effort.
They are really easy to do and if your not very creative yourself then just follow my tag designs and you'll be really pleased with the result.


You'll need...

Brown kraft card
White marker pen
String or wool
A needle
Scissors

To make...
  1. Cut the kraft paper into small rectangles approx 6 x 8cm
  2. Cut the tops of the rectangles diagonally to form a pointed top.
  3. Take your marker pen and doodle a gingerbread house, start with the outside and work inwards. The more detail the better. Feel free to follow my tag designs as a guide.
  4. Let it dry and then taking the needle and string, pierce the top and thread through some string.
  5. Cut at desired length and attach to your pressies.

How to: make a tissue pom pom

Christmas wrapping ideas



How to make your own Tissue Pom Pom

These tissue pom poms are perfect for decorating presents and also look great in a table setting on top of napkins to make your Christmas table really have the wow factor.

1. First decide what size you’d like your pom pom to be.
The pom pom will be slightly smaller than the width of the strips you cut.

2. Cut four strips the width you’d like your pom pom
(about 35-40cm long).

3. Next take an edge and fold it over approx 1-2cm.

4. Repeat the folds, back and forwards into a concertina, ending up with a thin strip of folded paper.

5. Take some string and tie around the middle of your strip, tie a double knot one side and then the other.

Cut the excess string, leaving a long piece to tie around presents or for easy hanging etc.

6. Cut the edges into a semi circle, either side of the strip. The corners should be rounded.

7. Starting with one edge, fan out one side. Start with the first layers and separate each of the four layers, bringing them toward the string in the middle. Do this carefully so not to tear the paper.

8. Repeat the other side, separate the layers bringing them outwards to form the pom pom.

9. Shape the pom pom filling the gaps and carefully twist the middle sections to hide the ribbon in the centre.








Top Ten Christmas Gifts

Christmas
Christmas is only a month away!! That came around quickly. Here's my top ten Christmas Gift's from my Debenhams Collection to help with some ideas for under £25.

 
Handwash gift set £15

 
Bird house candle £15

 
Glass sign £12

 
Travel Mug £10

 
Strawberry Jar £6
Fill with Sweets to add a personal touch
 
Russian Doll Dishes £20

 
Tea for Two set £22.50

 
Biscuit Tin £16
Fill with wrapped Biscuits to add a special touch


 
Mixing Bowl £18
Fill with baking ingredients and a recipe


Swallow Feature Wall

DIY


I've just finished my swallow feature wall in my house, I'm really pleased with the result and it was easy peasey to do. Here's how to do it in your home.

You'll need... 

  • Patterned papers, I've used my own signature patterns from my new card collection of course. But you could use vintage wallpaper, thick gift wrap or any patterned paper (the thicker the better)
  • Scissors
  • A pencil
  • Swallow template
  • A camera
  • PVA glue or wallpaper paste
  • Medium sized paint brush
  • An old tea towel

How to...

1. Save the swallow image below and print it (make sure you set the scale to fit an A4 page)

2. Cut out around the line, this is now your template.

3. Gather your collected patterned papers and using the swallow template draw around it on the back of the paper.

4. Cut out your swallow and repeat until you have your required amount of swallows.

5. Lay out your swallows on the floor to get the composition right and take a photo as a guide.

6. Make sure you choosen wall is free from dirt and dust, then take your first swallow.
Paint the back of the swallow with glue or wallpaper paste and position it on the wall.

7. Rub with an old tea towel to help smooth it out

8. Use your photograph as a guide to help position the swallows in the right place.


Tea Towel Collection

ashley thomas

Newly added to my website are these wonderfully useful tea towels. For an extra helping hand in the kitchen, keeping the smoke alarm quiet or simply drying up.

Part of a collection of six limited edition designs, my quirky tea towels are digitally printed and handmade in the UK on 100% Cotton.

They come gift wrapped in a cello bag and card wrap.

And they are machine washable at 40 degrees.

Click here for the full collection

Exclusive Event: Oxford Street 21st November

Debenhams
I have some exciting news! Next week I'll be in London celebrating the start of the Christmas season.
Come and see me at on 21st November at the Debenhams Oxford Street store on the 4th floor, from 5pm. I'll be hand painting, some limited edition, handmade Christmas Decorations. These will be pesonalised and given away on a first come first serve basis.
And also I'll be showing you some ideas to re-vamp your gift wrap, with a pom pom making workshop. A beautiful and easy way to add a handmade touch to your presents this year!



Christmas Open studios

studio

I'm opening my studio to the public for the first time ever!
Come along to the The Christmas Art and Food Market and Harley Open Studios
This is a fantastic opportunity for the general public to have an insight into my workspace and also start your Christmas shopping early and buy directly from me.

This year, the event will take place on:
Preview afternoon: Friday 28th November, 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 29th November, 10am - 5pm
Sunday 30th November, 10am - 4pm

The Christmas Art and Food Market and Harley Open Studios is free entry, we also provide free parking.  As ever, we advise that this is a very busy event. Please arrive early and wear suitable footwear - the car park can become very busy, and muddy, over the weekend. 

 We hope you can join us for an exclusive weekend of seriously special Christmas shopping on the Welbeck Estate. For more info and directions Click Here




New Cushion Kits

news
Newly added to my website!
 
Make your very own cushion with my new cushion kits. Everything you need to hand make your own animal cushion in one little box. These easy to make kit includes, printed fabric, stuffing & instructions on how to make it yourself. My kits add a handmade touch to your home and creates a real talking point to boast to all your friends, you can proudly say… I made it myself!
 
Each animal has it's own character waiting for you to bring it to life, this is Lola she loves jumping into puddles and picnics in the park. She doesn’t like squirrels.

 
  
Molly is a curious cow, she loves to eat dandelions and doesn’t like hedgehogs.


Meet them all over on my website www.ashleythomasdesign.co.uk
Which is your favourite?

Macaroons

Bake along

For the shells...
100g caster sugar
100g ground almonds
2 medium egg whites
Food colouring gel, any colour

For the filling...
150g unsalted butter, softened
75g icing sugar
A few drops of vanilla extract
To make...
Sieve the sugar and almonds into a large mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites and salt until they form soft peaks.
If you are making coloured macaroons, add your food colouring gel until you are happy with the colour. Whisk until the egg whites are very thick.
You should be able to hold the bowl upside down without the mixture falling out.
Gently stir in the sugar and almond mix. The mixture will lose some air and become quite loose again.

On some baking paper draw 10 circles as a guide for shape.
Then spoon on the macaron mixture into the middle of the circles. 
The mixture will spread so bare this in mind.
Preheat the oven to 140°C
Gently tap the baking tray to help the macaron mixture settle.
Bake the macarons in the preheated for 15 minutes.
The macarons are cooked when they feel firm and haven risen slightly.
Leave to cool on a wire rack whilst you make the filling.
Beat the butter until it is fluffy, then gradually beat in the icing sugar and vanilla extract.
Sandwich the macaroons together with the filling.

Baklava

Bake along

You'll need...
125g butter, melted
200g walnuts
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 packet filo pastry
100g caster sugar
100ml water
6 tablespoons Greek honey
1 piece of lemon peel

To make...
Turn the oven to 180oC. Grease a small baking dish.
Chop the nuts and mix with cinnamon. Put to one side.
Unroll filo pastry. Cut the pastry to fit the baking dish.
Take two sheets of filo and put into the dish, butter the top. Add another two sheets, repeat until you have 8 sheets layered. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top of the pastry.
Then start layering, layer two sheets of filo, butter, nuts until you reach the top of your dish.
The top layer should be thicker (8 sheets)
Using a sharp knife, cut into diamond shapes all the way to the bottom of the dish.
Bake for about 40 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp.

Boil sugar and water until sugar is dissolved. Add honey and lemon peel. Simmer for 15 minutes then remove from heat and allow to cool. Remove lemon peel.

Remove the baklava from oven and spoon over the sauce.






Cinnamon Sugared Doughnuts

baking
This doughnut recipe is easier than you'd think, best served fresh. This makes 16 yummy doughnuts.


You'll need...
450g plain flour
2 tsp fast action yeast
25g butter, cubed
75g caster sugar
2 ggs, beaten
6 tbsp milk, room temperture
6 tbsp water, room temperture
vegetable oil
Jam, any flavour

For the sugar coating...
100g caster sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

To make...
Put the flour into a mixing bowl and stir in the yeast.
Rub in the butter with your fingertips, until it looks like breadcrumbs.
Pour in the milk, water and eggs and mix into a dough
Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 mins
Return to the bowl and cover with oiled clingfilm.
Leave for an hour and a half in a warm room.
The dough should double in size.

Knead the dough once more for a minute and divide into 16 pieces.
Roll into balls and place on a greased and floured baking tray.
Flatten each ball and add a teaspoon of jam to the centre.
Gather the edges over the jam and pinch together to seal.
Cover with your clingfilm and leave to rise again.

Heat 2cm of oil in a large wok or deep frying pan to a medium heat.
Fry a few doughnuts at a time, turning them once, for 5 mins or until golden brown.
Lift out with a slotted spoon and leave to cool.

Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl and turn each doughnut in the mixture, until well coated.


"Time for Tea" notebook, £7.50
Folklore, handpainted plate, £6.50
Set of cake tins, £22



Sneak Peak into my studio

ashley thomas
Have a sneak peak into my studio over on the Harley Gallery blog feature. I will be opening my doors to the public on Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November 2014. Come and have a look at my workspace and start your Christmas shopping and buy my products from me directly.

Ashley Thomas has recently joined the community of artists and craftspeople based at the Harley Studios, built in Welbeck Abbey’s historic Victorian kitchen garden, Pineapple Pits and Tan Gallop.
A successful surface pattern designer, Ashley told us why she made the move from her design studio at home to a Harley Studio on Welbeck Estate.
 I graduated in 2007 from Staffordshire Uni with a first class honours degree in Surface Pattern Design. In 2008 I launched my own brand of home accessories working from a design studio that I set up in my spare room. Over the past seven years things have gone from strength to strength and my work is now available in interior boutiques, gift shops and galleries in the UK, Paris and Tokyo.
 I’ve always loved visiting The Harley Gallery, it’s such a beautiful and inspiring place. I have taken part in the Christmas Market in recent years and my work has proved very popular with the visitors. It’s a dream come true to now have a studio here and I’m really excited about opening my studio doors to the public for the first time ever in November for the Harley Open Studios event.

I have a range of handmade cushions, notebooks, fine china mugs, quirky tea towels, unique cards and limited edition art-prints and wallpaper, all printed and made in England. My inspiration for my work can come from the smallest detail, such as the pattern on a vintage plate or watching the busy little birds in my garden. I aim to produce designs that are fun, curious and make people smile.
I’ve had a lot of commercial interest in my work from prestigious companies including Laura Ashley, Mamas and Papas and Hallmark Cards. My latest collaboration with Debenhams has showcased my work onto high streets across the country.
The Harley Studios open twice a year, offering visitors the chance to explore the diverse work spaces of artists and craftspeople. The next Open Studios will be held on Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November 2014 during the Christmas Art and Food Market and Harley Open Studios.

Tunisian Briks

Bake along


These little savoury pasties are quite tricky to fold but once you get the hang of it they are great fun to make. Nice for lunch or picnics. Fantastic served with minty yoghurt and tomato salsa.

You'll need...

For the filling...
A tin of tuna in spring water, drained
(Or for a veggie alternative use 100g crumbed feta cheese)
100g frozen chopped spinach, thawed
5 spring onions, sliced
3tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
3tbsp fresh mint, chopped
2 carrots, grated
115g cooked rice,
1 egg, beaten
lemon zest

12 sheets of filo pastry
3tbsp olive oil
2 tsp sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to 190oC
Mix together all the ingredients for the filling and season to taste
Take one sheet of filo pastry flat brush with oil and then lay another ontop.
Cut lengthways to make to strips
Spoon the filing on the end of one strip
Fold a bottom corner of pastry over the filing to the other side, then turn over the opposite way, continue to fold over down the length of the strip to make a triangular pasty.
Seal the end with a little oil, repeat with the second strip
Repeat this process (this recipe makes 12)
Place or a baking tray, brush with oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds
Bake for 15-20 mins

New Notebooks

ashley thomas
I'm really excited to launch my new notebooks over on my website today. 
My magnificent little notebooks feature a selection of my illustrations. 
Each notebook is A5 in size and has a sturdy card cover.
They contain 60 plain, white pages. A wonderful, blank canvas for all your thoughts and scribbles!
Here is one of my favourite designs...


View the full collection here!

Swiss Wild Strawberry & Walnut Cake

Bake along
This week on The British Bake Off the contestants are making European cakes. I've made a classic Swiss Wild Strawberry & Walnut Cake. This super light sponge is a little tricky to make, the mixture needs lots of air and best made with an electric whisk. My first attempt ended up more like a pancake as I didn't whisk it enough! Traditionally made with wild strawberries, but of course they are out of season now so I've just used shop brought ones and some wild strawberry leaves and flowers from my garden.


You'll need...
3 large eggs, separated
100g caster sugar
75g self-raising flour
50g chopped walnuts

For the filling...
300ml whipping cream
300g strawberries

To make...
Pre-heat the oven to 180oC
Grease a 20cm cake tin and line the bottom with baking paper
Put the egg whites into a mixing bowl and whisk with an electric whisk until stiff and forms peaks when you remove the whisk. Slowly add the sugar whisking as you go.
Then add each egg yolk one by one, again whisking as you go.
Whisk well for a few minutes and then slowly sift in the flour, stirring with a knife as you sift each section. Stir in the walnuts and turn into the cake tin.

Bake for 40mins until well risen and golden brown. 
Leave to cool for 5 mins and turn out onto a wire rack.

Once completely cool, cut into two sections horizontally. Whip up your cream until it is stiff. Add dollop to top of the first section and spread out until covered, then add some sliced strawberries. Add the top section, spoon on your left over whipped cream into the centre and decorate with strawberries, dust with icing sugar before serving.



Similar Cake Stand £22.50, Debenhams.com
Twit Twoo Wallpaper £95, ashleythomas.com
Country Cake slice £12, Debenhams.com

Bird House Candles

Ashley Thomas at home
I'm really excited to announce the launch of my new bird house candles as part of my collection for Debenhams Autumn/Winter. Four beautifully scented candles housed in a little bird house box.
So cute I might explode! Get your now for £15 each whilst stocks last at www.debenhams.com



Buttermilk Pie

Bake along
Simply classic America pie, fantastic for pie beginners as this recipe is really easy to make.
Best served with ice cream or fresh fruit.

You'll need...
For the pastry…
125g/4oz plain flour
55g butter, cubed
2-3 tablespoons of cold water

For the filling…
110g butter, softened
150g sugar
5 eggs
240ml buttermilk
1teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons plain flour
1 lemon, juice and zest



To make…
First make the pastry, put the flour in a mixing bowl and add the butter. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until you have a mixture that resembles coarse breadcrumbs with no large lumps of butter remaining. Using a knife, stir in just enough of the cold water to bind the dough together. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill for 10-15 minutes before using.

Roll out the dough on a floured glass worktop saver until around 5mm thick.
Using the dough line a 20cm pie dish. Trim the edges and prick the base lightly with a fork, chill for 30mins

Preheat the oven to 230oC
Mix the butter and sugar together until creamy, beat in the eggs one at a time.
Add all the other ingredients and pour into the chilled pastry
Bake for 10mins then turn the oven down to 190oC and bake for a further 35mins


Scalloped Pie Dish, £16
Folklore Dessert Plate, £6.50
Strawberry Clip Jar, £6
Cake slice, £12

New Debenhams Catalogue

Ashley Thomas at home
Here's a Sneak Preview of my Autumn/Winter collection in the new Debenhams collection. This season we are loving dusty blue hues, with bright floral accents and it's all about layering cosy accessories. With drawings of farmyard scenes and characters. Autumn is all about wrapping up warm, embracing the fresh air and getting your boots muddy.