DNA Scarf

I knitted my Mum (a retired A-level biology teacher) this DNA scarf using the "Rosalind" pattern  by @alicebell. It was part of her Christmas present last year.

My Urban Allotment

I enjoy growing a small amount of food each summer. I've done tomatoes, spring onions, lettuce and herbs for several years, but this year also have corgettes, potatoes, beet root, and did have som peas (thanks to a Riverford Buy to grow box). I don't have much space though, just a small border, and some pots in an area just bigger than a driveway (really not enough for the Riverford box), so this site Urban Allotment looks like it might be great for me. Thinking about buying a cherry tree to grow in a pot.

Custard Tarts

Tried to make Cantonese Egg Custard tarts from this recipe. I used pre-rolled puff pastry, and regular milk not evaporated. Wasn't a complete success, although tasted good. Think the filling needed to be deeper. Will try again sometime.

Jupiter Cake

I have to try to make this Jupiter Cake. It is so awesome.

Castle Cake (Take 2)

Here's version 2 of the castle cake (this time in purple by request).

And some intermediate steps. Here's all the bits ready for construction. I broke my own rule and did my own cake mix (instead of a box mix, which is more reliable for structural cakes). The squares indeed came out a bit flat and heavy. 

Lots of buttercream frosting with lots of red and blue food colouring in it. 

Add the chocolate coated icecream cones. I used a ganache recipe to make the chocolate coating (chocolate and cream melted together). 

And once more - the finished result. My daughter helped with the final decorations. 

Easter Bunnies

I made these Easter bunnies for my kids.

I used this pattern found via Ravelry, but I didn't like the eyes, so I decided to copy the face from these bunnies (thanks Google). Also I made the head and body in one piece, which mean doing the pattern for the body upside down.

I like how they turned out, and my son liked them so much he wanted one for each hand (they're just about toddler hand sized), so I ended up making a third one for my daughter. Each takes me about two nights of making (which TV watching).

Castle Cake (Take 1)

This is a castle cake I made 2 years ago for my daughter's 4th birthday.

It's a square chocolate cake, with swiss roll towers, and icecream cone roofs. The door is chocolate fingers, the windows are chocolate buttons and it's sprinkled with chocolate stars.

I based the design on pictures of cakes shared here: http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/castle-cake.html

Also today I found this pinterest page of castle cakes with some idea (but very professional looking): http://pinterest.com/lovingly/castle-cakes/

My task for today is to repeat this cake - only in purple. I'm going to try to do better with the icing (OK by cheating and buying ready made frosting - I just can't get homemade icing to stay on cakes!).