Xmas Cake-athon Part 2

And with over two months prep may I present my completed Xmas cake...

Recipe and design taken from the Pink Whisk

Xmas Cake-athon

(Picture heavy)
For the first time this year I decided to make a Xmas cake courtesy of the recipe from The Pink Whisk.

The making process started over 2 months ago with the soaking of the fruit.

Then there was a lot of tin preparing before the cake could make it into the oven.



The cake cooked up beautifully...

...and having had to trim bits up to make it flat, it seems to taste ok too.

The next steps were to marzipan...

...and royal ice it (the icing only got stuck to the surface once and when I last checked it had a lovely smooth finish with no cracks).

And now its firming up for 24 hours before the final decoration.  It's a surprisingly time consuming process but seems to be worth it so far.

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

Apologies for the cheesy (and probably somewhat overused title) for this blog, but I have finally managed to decorate for Xmas although I have a feeling more sparkly stuff is needed.  I am very pleased with my tree this year.

I love Xmas and I bought this tree and started collecting the decorations at least ten years ago.  I buy a couple more decorations each year.  They're themed (mostly) -trees, stars, snowmen, santas, angels and reindeer.  I'm aiming to totally cover the tree.  Some are cheap, some are glass, some are foreign - its a real mix of things.  Unfortunately one needed a little repair this year and one has its paint chipping off, but they've both made it to the tree.  Will be watching out in the sales for a couple more decs.

Friday Night Sew In Results

Very pleased with what was achieved last night, although because they're presents much can't be shown or said yet. I managed several more rows on the stole for my mum - although the chabces of this being ready for Xmas is slim. I sewed together a cryptic gift for my sister, which made it into the post first class today so should appear under the tree.  And, after being somewhat shocked by the large quantity of scraps I have accumulated  in a short time,I whizzed up a little useful gift (abstract glimpses below as the recipient may read this).

Hope everyone else had a successful Friday Night too.

Perfect Timing - 2nd FNSI of December

To coincide perfectly with my having time to craft again ( and lots of craft planned) Heidi is hosting another Friday Night Sew In on 16 Dec.  Its a great way of getting come sewing done and then sharing your efforts with loads of other bloggers.

If you're interested in signing up visit Heidi's sign up page. I already have and have a essential, quick finish, Xmas present lined up (could make sharing the fruits of my efforts on Saturday morning a bit tricky!)

And on that note I'm off to do some more work on a knitted Xmas present, there's nothing like being all last minute!