Mojitio Fairy Cakes

 

The Great British Bake off is back on the telly! I'll be doing a bake along with the show as I did last year and attempt to make something each week in the same category. I'll be posting photos of what I've made and the recipe too so you can try it at home too. This week the category was miniture cakes, so I've made mojitio fairy cakes inspired by my favourite cocktail.

You'll need...

Cupcake cases
100g Softened butter
100g caster sugar
100g self raising flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon baking powder

For the icing...

200g icing sugar
1 tablespoon white rum
Juice of 1 lime
Fresh Mint leaves

To make...

Pre-heat the oven to 180oC
Place twelve cupcake cases into a muffin tray
Put all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix until smooth
Spoon the mixture into the cases and fill 3/4 full
Bake for 15-20mins until they have risen and are golden brown (do not open the oven early as they will sink in the middle)
Leave to cool on a wire rack for 10 mins
Meanwhile make your icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and gradually add the rum and lime juice until you have a smooth, fairly stiff icing.
Spoon over the top of your cakes and decorate with mint leaves

Seak peek...Sketchbook Pages

Here's an exclusive sneaky peek into my sketchbook for Debenhams A/W14. The new collection features farmyard scenes, vintage style prints and handpainted garden birds Some products have now launched online which I've featured below. There will be lots more to come, the full range will be in the shops by the end of August so stay tuned...






For every tea lover, this gorgeous tea for two set is made from fine china. Including a teapot and two cups, which stack together, in gorgeous retro inspired floral bird prints. 
Tea for two, £24

These two mugs come presented in a really gorgeous gift box. Featuring my farmyard scenes, one with a row of curious cows and the other features my puddle ducks.

One of my favourite products are these set of four stacking mugs, which come in a dotty gift box.
The design features the best in show of my farmyard animals.
Set of four stacking mugs, £22.50


This last one is a little random but my cat Rex was trying to get my attention whilst taking these photos. He was casually sketching all over my drawings and sitting on my sketchbook trying to get himself photographed! He's one of a kind that boy!

New Headquarters!

I have a new headquarters! I'm now officially part the Harley Gallery Foundation Studios, based on a beautiful and historic Welbeck estate.

There are lots of interesting things to distract me here such as an award winning farm shop full of yummy local produce, Welbeck Abbey brewery, the Dukeries Garden Centre, The delicious lime house cafe and lots more. There is also a prestigious art gallery on the estate, the wonderful Harley gallery

I'm now part of the diverse community of Harley foundation studios which is occupied by lots of creatives such as a Picture Conservator, Sculptors, Jewellers, Ceramicists, Furniture Makers and now me! You can see info on everyone here. Very exciting stuff!




It's Pimms O'clock

Bring on the heat wave, what a perfect way to celebrate the sunshine with the classic Pimms.
I  have a new range of floral, hi-ball glasses available in Debenhams at the moment, which are perfect for Pimms on the lawn with pretty handpainted summer florals. Get yours now and try this recipe at home...

Classic Pimms Recipe
3 parts lemonade to one part Pimm's,
1/2 an orange,
1/2 a lemon,
4 slices of cucumber,
6 strawberries,
And few sprigs of mint

Pour the Pimm's into a large jug with some ice, slice the fruit and add all the ingredients to the jug.
Top with lemonade, lightly stir and serve. This recipe is also really nice with ginger beer instead of lemonade.



Exclusive to Debenhams for a limited time only!
Item No.3340069017

Cards sent direct

For all those last minute monkeys, my cards can now be sent directly to the recipient when you shop online at Not on the high street.com Click here to see my products online.
Simply type your message into the "Your message" box when you place your order, your message will then be handwritten inside the card and the envelope will be sealed and sent directly to the receiver (enter their details as the delivery address).

Easy peasy lemon squeezey!

Shop online now, this service is exclusive to Not on the high street.com currently

Christmas in July

I've just returned from the Debenhams Christmas Press launch! I know it's very, very early to even mention the word Christmas, but all the magazines work 3-4 months ahead so it's common practice to start Christmas in July. I was hand-painting decorations for most of the day to promote my Xmas collection for Debenhams which will be in the shops in October/November. 
My little hand-painted decorations were so popular that I'm going to be making more for my online shop in time for Christmas, so stay tuned for more info...







London Visit

I've just returned from a weekend away in London town. Here are some highlights from my trip.... 
   
The historic Thames, beautiful even on a drizzly day....

 Tracey Emin at Tate Modern....

 Lunch was Mexican street food, which was delicious and a there was a wonderful chalk board to doodle on too....

We stayed near Monument, where the great fire of London started in 1666...

  
Picasso at Tate Modern ....

I'm obsessed with the architecture in London,
and love the mix of old and new buildings, so wonderful.

There is just so much to see and do in London, I need to arrange another weekend soon to explore more!

Open Studios

I have some very exciting news! I've got the keys to my new studio, I've moving to the beautiful Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire! 

The Studios stretch along into the ‘Tan Gallop’ which borders the Victorian kitchen garden. The Tan Gallop Studios were built on the site of the 5th Duke of Portland’s covered training gallop. This was used in the winter months to train racehorses; the gallop was heated and the ground was covered with oak chippings, which made it more comfortable for the horses’ hooves.

You can come and see my new studio space and meet my new neighbours at the Welbeck open weekend. This weekend 14-15th June 2014

For more info please visit www.harleygallery.co.uk