Thursday 31 May 2012

Jubilee Bunting Evening

In preparation for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee we held a Jubilee bunting making evening at our new venue in Insole Court. Our new venue allows all crafters to be sat around a central table so they can join in together and take a sneaky peak at everyone else's work! The craft involved using paper bunting templates and a mixture of fabrics, felt and buttons to create their own unique garland ready for the weekends celebrations.
Crafters at Insole Court
The Results...









Some great designs and personal touches.And here are some photos of the bunting in the crafter's houses...
 Sarah from The Cakehouse's bunting
 Sarah Manfield's Bunting
Hazel's Bunting

Our next event will be Thursday June 28th 6.45-9.15pm at Insole Court. If you would like to book a ticket please contact Becca @ craftycakescardiff@gmail.com

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Jubilee Apron

I've created a Jubilee inspired apron as part of my apron range. The 50s style half apron is double sided, blue on one side, red on the other. With contrasting pockets on each side and a contrasting waist band. Perfect for preparing for a jubilee party... glamorous hostess! 


Aprons are £25 and are made to order so to ensure you get yours before the Jubilee weekend please order before Wednesday 30th May. Contact Becca craftycakescardiff@gmail.com

Sunday 20 May 2012

Jubilee Bunting Craft Evening

Fancy having a go at making your very own jubilee bunting in preparation for your Jubilee celebrations? Come along to our next craft evening held at Insole Court, Llandaff on Thursday 31st May. 6.45-9.30pm where we will be making bunting, pin cushions and jubilee broaches. 
All materials are included along with soft drinks & cakes and you can bring your own wine. Our previous events have been extremely popular so book in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Take a look in our gallery for photos from previous events to get you in the mood.
 Jubilee bunting

Jubilee pin cushions
 Jubilee broaches
To reserve your ticket please email us at craftycakescardiff@gmail.com and you can pay for your ticket via Paypal by paying us at our email address.



Friday 18 May 2012

Taste Summer

As we near the Queen's diamond Jubilee we are preparing to take part in the Taste Summer fayre which will be held at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay over the Jubilee weekend. Our stall will be there on Tuesday 5th June with lots of lovely crafted items for sale including bunting, aprons, gifts & accessories. The day will be filled with crafts, food and entertainment. We hope to see you there! 


Friday 11 May 2012

Cafe International Bunting Making

I was asked by Cafe International of Penarth to hold a craft evening at their weekly gathering. Not knowing what to expect, I went armed with bunting making materials, to make Jubilee themed bunting.
The cafe is a place where internationals meet new friends, share in free English lessons and a place to share all things international. It is a place where international students, aupairs, workers, travellers can meet new friends every Thursday evening in Penarth from 8pm onwards. 
On thursday there were internationals from Romania, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Holland and many more. The bunting evening introduced them to the Queen's jubilee celebrations that will be taking place in June, and some truly international bunting was produced.
Danish & British Bunting
Red, white & blue, I love you!
Jubilee Bunting
Welsh Jubilee Bunting!

The craft evening at the Cafe was really enjoyable and I met some lovely people there. It was also great practice for the kids bunting making afternoon on Saturday 19th May at Bethany Baptist 2-5pm. 

Tuesday 8 May 2012

May Wedding

I was asked by a friend of a friend to help out at their wedding which took place on May bank holiday weekend. It was set in the beautiful location of Treowen House, Monmouthshire.


"A Noble Mansion. It occupies a commanding situation from whence are surveyed some of the most interesting scenes in Monmouthshire   ...   A correspondent dignity pervades the whole of the interior. A staircase two yards wide, of 72 steps, with balustrades, the newels on the quarterspaces two feet round, the whole in solid oak, which still remains perfect, stands unrivalled in the Kingdom."
Antiquarian Charles Heath's glowing description, written in 1787, of the Grade I listed Treowen, Monmouthshire's most unusual historic house, remains as true today as when it was written. Panelled rooms, magnificent staircases, delightful gardens, breathtaking views, private woodland walks and a lofty position at the far end of a half mile long drive in one of the most beautiful corners of Wales offer atmosphere, privacy and a very different adventure holiday for the discerning visitor.
A step back into the 17th century in one of the finest unspoilt mansions in South Wales, four miles from the historic market town of Monmouth. It has been a family home from the very start and in the 17th century, a catholic and royalist one - the priest's hole on the first landing bears evidence to the dangers of its recusant past.
The present owners, the Wheelock family, lived and farmed here until 1993. Despite the imposing architecture, Treowen's halls and galleries have rung to the boisterous sounds of playing children over the centuries. But be reminded Treowen is an utterly unspoilt architectural masterpiece. It is a robust and beautiful example of another age. 
Taken from www.treowen.co.uk

I was asked by Eve to create her wedding bouquet, and having never done any flower arranging before I was slightly apprehensive, and nervous as to whether she would like it! In keeping with their country hunter theme I used ivy, and a mixture of orange, purple, green and white wild flowers. Mixed in were clusters of orange and pale yellow buttons to add an extra twist. It turned out better than I had expected and looked beautiful with Eve's gorgeous dress.



 The evening menu consisted of a banquet of cheese, biscuits, bread, wine, olives, houmous and home made chutneys which were made at Eve's hen weekend. The table looked gorgeous once i had laid it and was really in keeping with the style of the house.

Although completely exhausted after my weekend of wedding planning & organising, I wouldn't say no if asked again!

Bunting Mad!

We're getting geared up for the Queen's diamond jubilee by going bunting mad! We want you to send us pictures of bunting in your homes for our Jubilee bunting feature. Pictures can be sent to craftycakescardiff@gmail.com
Here's some that have already been sent in to us...
Rosali Bunting made by Crafty Cakes in Emma's daughter Lilly's room.
 Jubilee Bunting made by Crafty Cakes in my living room.
 Country Floral/Gingham/Stripe Bunting made by Crafty Cakes in Kirsty's house.
Jubilee bunting made by Crafty Cakes in Emma Jane's Cupcake Kitchen window.
Cath Kidston/Tanya Whelan bunting made by Crafty Cakes in my living room. Gone for a more summery look after the Jubilee! 

Get hanging your bunting and send in those pictures! 

Monday 7 May 2012

Bunting Tutorial

I've been asked for some tips on how to make bunting for an article so thought I might as well write a blog about it! You can take a look at all the bunting which I have previously made in our shop
 Draw yourself a triangular template in the size that you wish the bunting to be. Remember that when you sew on your machine you will need to sew approx 5-10mm in from the edge so make the template slightly larger. Draw around your template on to your fabric and cut out. You will need 2 triangles for each flag.
 Sew the flags together with right sides facing and trim to the stitched line.
 Turn the flags inside out using a pencil or point to push the end out.
 Using a hot iron, press the flags to create neat seams.
 Using bias binding, pin the flags at equal spaces, sandwiching the flags between the binding.
 Using the edge of the machine foot as a guide, follow the edge of the binding through the machine, enclosing the raw edge of the flag inside the binding. Trim ends and your bunting is complete!