Halloween Biscuits {for beginners}

Hello world!

I made my very first halloween biscuits!

I am a beginner in the cake decoration area, but I really enjoyed decorating these biscuits and creating the different colours I needed :)

I must do it again and practice{ahem...perhaps, I should bake them again when it actually is Halloween....}

I was expecting terrible results on the icing, I could already see myself covered in orange icing trying to make a pumpkin out of a round(ish) biscuit!

I didn't have any cutters but that didn't discourage me!!I took a knife and started making a mess cutting bats, pumpkins and ghosts......that's why I ended up with a whole family of crooked bats...

After everything was done, I was told that I could have draw the bat on a piece of paper, put it on the biscuit and THEN started cutting -- I think it would have spared me a lot of  "#$%&!" during the process.

I am proud of the final result :) It was the first time but the icing was good, the biscuits were delicious and they looked like ghosts, pumpkin and bats right? That was the goal! :)

Below you can find the printable recipe - Click on the image and print it out:

::FEW TIPS:: {Thank you Paola for your help!}:

- Before decorating the whole biscuit, make the borders with the icing using a toothstick - this way the icing won't slip down the biscuit when you cover the remaining part;
- In order to make the black icing look really black add some cocoa powder and then, when the icing is brownish, add the black colour (you might need to add a tea spoon of water here, in case it gets too thick);
- Sieve the sugar before adding the water : this way you won't create lumps or bubbles (as you can see, I didn't do that on the orange icing for the pumkins..*sigh*)

Don't hesitate to give it a try and Have Fun!

Until next time,
Daniela

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Cheap&Creative Fall decor

Well Well, I can start feeling that Fall is arriving here in sourthern Spain too! Days are still sunny and we are wearing short slevees but evenings are getting chilly and I already spotted few people selling roasted chestnuts {which I simply love!!}

I like all seasons, some more than others, but fall colours are simply stunning don't you think?  This is the reason why I have added a small fall decoration in my house with the leaves and pinecones I found nearby my house!

This is my creation:

You can easily create your own decoration with no money at all! Simply grab golden leaves and add some old candles on a plate :) {I use those candles for Christmas decorations too!!}

I really like the outcome and I didn't spend one single cent!



Check out some other decorations I liked while I was browsing the web:

Clock wise:

1. Fall jars decoration via Pinterest;
2. Table center piece with candles via Pinterest;
3. candles and small pumpkins via Pinterest;
4.Table decor for a nice fall lunch/dinner via Pinterest;


Have you already made your fall decorations? What did you use?

Happy Fall season!

Until next time,
Daniela

Shopping bag tutorial

Few weeks ago I have mentioned on Pretty Elements facebook page that I have sewed a shopping bag for a good cause :) The cause is a cat shelter in my area: Spanish Stray cats. They are organising a small stall and all the money they make will help the gorgeous cats and kittens that are currently staying in their premises.

I have completed my bag (but I have other ideas in mind for this project) and will share with you the tutorial: it's very easy and you can have a personalised shopping bag :)

::STEP 1::

Cut the fabric of your choice {make sure to add 1-2 inches at the original size you want you bag to be} - I've cut mine 45 x 55 cm.

::STEP 2::

I wanted to add a lining with a different fabric - if you want to add a lining too, measures are the same.

::STEP 3::

Sew the edges of both fabric like two sacks: both have to be sewed inside out (only the red and white sack will  be turned out).

::STEP 4::

Since we ladies always carry loads of stuff with us, it would be good to make a pocket ;)

Cut a piece of fabric in hexagonal shape and pin the edges:

::Step 5::

Sew it on the external fabric:

I have also sewed a string of the fabric I used as lining :)

::STEP 6::

Now, you can sew the two sacks together:

::STEP 7::

Handle time!

I've made a medium handle since my bag is quite big ;)

Pin it on each side of the bag:

and sew it:

and you are done:

I sincerely hope that Spanish Stray cats manages to sell my bag: it would make me very happy! If you want to make a donation do not hesitate to visit their facebook page :)

Until next time,

Daniela