Christmas Baking - Part 2

So after a few weeks of attempting to feed my Xmas cakes with brandy (they were fussy eaters!) I have finally got to the decorating stage.  I had forgotten quite how much time should be dedicated to this to allow for drying out.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

And finally they were popped in boxes as we're not eating them both ourselves.

I found these boxes in a local cake shop and think they're perfect for gifting.

Sunday Progress

A fair amount of progress to report this weekend.

Firstly a finish...

My magic loop socks are off the needles and on my feet.  The magic loop technique took a little getting used to but I'll definitely use it again, I didn't miss juggling multiple dpns.

Next, I've started binding the table runners...

I found the binding fabric in my stash, I was going to use plain black fabric but in reality it looked a bit harsh.  I'm glad I had a large enough piece of the spotty fabric, I still have enough of it for its original project too.

I've re-started my next sewing UFO; not a huge amount done but it's got me back in the groove.

And finally there's the Xmas things...

Enough said about that at the moment! (Although it does seem to be going a little better)

Not quick, not easy!

As I have finally finished one of my knitting UFOs I decided to move onto the next item on the list ... the cryptically named Xmas things.   I have made these before and I remembered them as a relatively quick and easy project.

WRONG!

After two hours work last night this is what I had to show for it...

A wonky beaded cast on and one row of knitting.  The cast on required the use of the thumb method which I haven't used a lot but am usually ok with, apart from last night! Add to that not checking number of beads and yarn colours before starting and a huge knotted join in the green yarn and I'd have to say last night was not a fun knitting night.

I'm sure things will improve. At least I've decided to be realistic and aim to finish these things for Xmas 2018!

Sunday Progress

Between work busyness and it being the time of year for social events galore I didn't expect to have much to report this weekend, but a spurt of activity on Friday has helped this post.

I've basted and quilted the two table runners, nothing fancy just diagonal lines on the random one and horizontal lines on the other.

The second photo is more representative of the backing fabric, just a random piece I bought in a bundle a few years ago.  I may regret not quilting more heavily as I've used both heat resistant wadding and a layer of normal wadding as recommended somewhere.  Hopefully I'll get the chance to put the binding on this week.

I also have just 14 rows left of the sock foot before the toe, that's got to be doable this week!

Christmas Shopping

I know it's the time of year for buying things for other people, but I've found one or two crafty items falling into my shopping trolley...

A Lewis and Irene Fabulous Forties in Small Things at Christmas...

West Yorkshire Spinners signature Christmas yarn and a coordinating ball.

I do have a plan for using these, but I've had a reality check and decided they'll be finished for next Christmas!

And just in case anyone is concerned I have managed some non-crafty Xmas shopping.

Beautiful distraction

I can't remember why but I decided to treat myself to the Millefiori Quilts book without knowing much about it except it's all English paper piecing (EPP) and the front cover quilt is stunning.

The book is lovely just to look through. There's an interesting section on the author at the front and it's in French and English.

Now I own the book I also know that the shapes are small

On average the sides seem to be no longer than an inch.

There are pages of instructions for each of the quilts which require hundreds, or even thousands of shapes.

And finally it's not only the front cover quilt which is stunning, all of them are in my opinion.

I also know I want to make at least one of them, can't decide which one, and I need to get my brave pants on.  Luckily this should suit my crafting style in that a quilt will take years to complete!

This book is definitely distracting me from what I should be doing and I'm still only at the browsing and deciding stage.

Christmas Baking

The fruit for our Christmas cakes has been soaking for several weeks and there was no need to put the central heating on during the day (we have a range cooker which runs our central heating, it rises to above the temperature I needed to bake at when the heating is on and can't easily be lowered) so today seemed the ideal day to bake the cakes.

I had decided to bake two cakes as we're visiting over Xmas, in future I won't try and mix both cakes at the same time!

All these eggs went into the mixture.

The completed mixture ready to be split between two tins. A slight delay was caused by needing to find the base of a tin and then fiddling round lining the tin. 

All worth it though...

These two are sitting on the kitchen side cooling prior to being given their first brandy feed.  Decorating is planned for the Thursday before Xmas.

The recipe I use is Ruth Clemens' from The Pink Whisk which can be found HERE

And just in case anyone is wondering I haven't finished the sock, although I have turned the heel.