♡Christmas Competition♡

I Love Christmas, I love the build up the most. This is my first Christmas in my own home with MrP and I get full rein of making our home look like santas grotto! My actual theme is going to be a Nordic-esk red & white look. But I am positive that will sway in every other direction. I have made a wreath and some baubles so far to challenge the M&S ones I actually wanted. Next up is Salt dough letters to make a NOEL letters decoration for the tree. I again saw some M&S ones but want to see if I can make my own first, I shall take pictures along the way and if it works I shall of course blog it! (They seem to have sold out of the Noel letters so mine better be good!) 

So it's less than six days now until I am allowed to decorate the house, listen to Christmas music non-stop and start to watch my Christmas movie collection. There will be new traditions starting of course, as I have a partner in crime and he will have things he does at Christmas. So far I have discovered that his one contribution is that I am adding The Muppets Christmas Carol to the film collection. I have never seen it, but it appears to be a major part of everybody else's holiday season! So I shall embrace those muppety characters with all my heart and if it gets me, I will allow it in. The next is that I have never had a a real Christmas tree (Apart from the time I stayed in an apartment in New York for Christmas & New Years but I don't want to brag about that as it was only a small tree anyway). So we will be going on a little tree buying adventure, I might need to price the competition up first though as I don't want to find out I could have had a cheaper tree! Luckily we live in an area where lots of people sell them which is lovely. There are also lots of local Christmas events, my heart just swells thinking about being part of a community that holds so many events and festivals and especially at Christmas. There is a light turn on and I am very excited. There are also lots of craft fairs which I will love to browse through. I like to look out for something 'different' to add to my art collection. 

I have made most of my presents so far this year and also bought thriftily. I have wrapped quite a few and they look devine if I do say so myself, just a shame the ribbon bows are most likely to get crushed in transit. Ahh well, might pop a polite note in asking to re-poof them! 


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There's just been an absolute poor down outside, it was quite refreshing actually not heard rain for a while. I think I would prefer a rainy winter this year or just a blue sky frosty one. I am terrified of it getting so cold it snows and becomes icy, I fall every year without fail - two years ago I fell on sneaky black ice and did a 360 and smashed my hip off the floor. Luckily I was just a bit bruised but I hate to think what could have happened and certainly makes me think more about the elderly now. I currently have a broken arm (if you haven't heard) and it has and is a long process that involves a big mental strain and a lot of other problems that have come with it, be it a physical one or a mental one. I currently have what we call the invisible illness. Besides the obvious arm in a sling look I sport when I go out. There are things I laugh about when I am with people, that make me cry when I am alone but things are getting better. I know that because when I have flash backs, I know things arn't that bad. I am off til at least January 1st then I will be looking at whether I am capable to go back to work, the thought of that becomes more terrifying by the week. I joke that I left work on 30th July 2011 and walked back in in 2012 - my life has changed forever but at least I get Christmas off. 


I don't want to be frightened, I'm only 29 and on 7th January it's my birthday. I can't start the next decade of my life an unconfident scardy cat, that would be rubbish. I've not had a drink since then or a cigarette. I stopped everything. I'm vegetarian too. Any ideas what I should do for my birthday? I truly feel I have left a chapter of my life behind and am starting a new one. I don't know if it's for the better or not. There are fleeting moments where I want to go out, get drunk, smoke a pack of cigarettes whilst talking so much I could enter the book of records for words per minute. But then I wouldn't be able to do all the things I am doing at the moment. The two just don't go together. I can see certain friends are confused by me now,  but if all they wanted was the performing monkey they will have to learn to love this side of me as well. I am the same but just not quite as manic. Although MrP would probably beg to differ. Anyway onto lighter notes.....

CHRISTMAS COMPETITION!

Recommend my website www.classicbecca.co.uk & my Classic Becca Facebook page to your friends (Twitter, Facebook etc) and leave a comment here with 3 things you LOVE about Christmas and be in with a chance of winning a Christmas present from Classic Becca. A wonderful surprise all wrapped up for Christmas day. No peaking! I'll maybe let you open it on Christmas Eve... But only if you're good. The winner will be chosen at random with random.org & a runner up will be chosen by me & will be my 3 favourite words. 
Competition open internationally.

Winner Prize - A secret Christmas present & special Christmas joy

Runner Up Prize - A mystery Christmas item

So get spreading the joy until December 12th 2011 and YOU could win a surprise. I hope you agree, there really aren't enough surprises left in life. 

Christmas love & hugs.

CBX

Tutorial: Decoupaging Your Christmas Bauble

Hello crafters, Christmas lovers, readers of my blog


'Decoupage (or découpage) is the art of decorating an object by gluing coloured paper cutouts onto your object in combination with special paint effects, gold leaf and so on'

I am here to tell you that you need to get crafty with your tired old baubles! Get your Christmas box/suitcase/trunk out and have a good sort out. Throw away the bits of fluff and broken tinsel and find all the bits and pieces that you think can be made into something else and pop them in a separate box for other craft projects. Find all the baubles that should be thrown away and find the things I will list, head for your kitchen table and make the old into the new. For free (or very cheap!)

Old baubles

Tissue paper

Newspaper

Paints (acrylic/poster/emulsion)

Paint brushes

Ribbon

PVA Glue
Strips of patterned paper
Glitter glue

I bought four baubles from a charity 
shop at 25p each.

I held the bauble for most of it but 
to make sure it was done neatly and 
you don't get covered I used a skewer 
through the hole and you can also 
then stick the skewer in a plant whilst 
they dry!

Get your tissue paper and tear it into 
little squares. Don't cut it as it will 
leave lines.

Decoupage your bauble by painting PVA 

glue and sticking your tissue paper 

all over the bauble and painting 

the PVA all over the top. I usually water 

my PVA down a little to give it a little 

more fluidity. Then let it dry and it 

should look something like this.

Get yourself some strips of a repetitive
design from anywhere you like, this is
from some wrapping paper.

PVA around the bauble and stick a
patterned strip around and PVA
over so it is all completely stuck down.

When dry get your glitter glue and get it
on the red bits thick and shiny!! Wait
until they are dry and hang them on your
Christmas tree.

Add some red ribbon and there you have your completed bauble. I made some different ones too, pretty pink roses. These ones were made by decoupaging with newspaper, then painting white when dry. Once that layer is dry, decoupage some pretty tissue paper and add a pink ribbon. You can buy those ones in my shop.

Available to buy on Folksy

Available to buy on Folksy

I hope you have enjoyed this bauble decoupaging tutorial. As always comments are welcomed. If there are any Christmas crafts you would like to see just drop me a comment about the sort of thing you like to be able to make and I shall give it a go for you! 

Happy Decoupaging.

CB X

Christmas Wreath - The Thrifty Option

I have spent a few days looking for a wreath I could buy, I have never had one before and as this is the first year in my own home & living with my partner, I decided I would like one for my door. After looking at various shop bought ones, I came across one in Marks & Spencers that I quite liked & that was in the 'affordable' range but still expensive at £15. I was flicking through my Ideal Homes magazine - that's right I am becoming 'that' person - and there was a comparison of expensive to cheap options from different shops and it hit me, I should try and make a wreath the thrifty way. So I went about finding bits & pieces to make my own & it turned out pretty well, infact I love it. I decided to take pictures along the way so you can too make it if you want to add some Christmas wreath love in your home to. So here we go. My first craft tutorial.

£15 Wreath Vs Becca's £5 Wreath

Some things you will need to make this wreath; Scissors, wire cutters, round nose pliers (you can get away with just scissors as long as they aren't your best ones!) Also a glue gun can come in very handy to secure up a few of the decorations.

Some tartan ribbon or any thick ribbon you have, be creative & choose something that will fit in with your choice of colour theme for Christmas. I am using wired ribbon here and you will need 2 Metres for the full effect, but you can get away with using enough for a bow and then using string to hang it. I found both these ribbons for around a pound. One is from The Works & the other from eBay.

Some gold wire, or florist wire..infact any wire! As long as it is no less than the 6mm wire as it won't hold your decorations in place. Some festive rope (not sure what it's actually called...) I already had the wire but you can buy from all good craft stores & florists for around a £1. The rope was from Fred Aldous and is a metre.

Get yourself some decorations that you would use on a table, I have one table decoration (£1 Poundland) and a decoration for a candle (£1 Poundland) Buy what ever you think looks nice. Here I am using one to take apart and one as the central display 

Take apart the candle surround so you can use the various pieces in the new wreath. They should all pull out quite easily, but if not do take care when pulling them out.

This is my wreath from Poundland. Take off all of the bit's of tat from the front & then turn it over so you have a clear frame. Now you have your blank canvas we will start to decorate the wreath.

After you have removed all the original features, attach the table decoration to the middle bottom of the wreath by poking the wire through the branches and wrapping the wire round until it is fixed. Try it at different angles and see what looks most asthetically pleasing before attaching.

 Part One: Wrap wire around both ends of the rope whilst leaving a length of wire to wrap around the wreath. Start on the left hand side behind the decoration you have placed and wind the wire round, then wrap the rope round the wreath. Wrap the wire round the right hand side of the wreath to attach at the end. Part two: I have also attached the apple, pine cone and some extra berries from the candle decoration that I took apart with wire and the glue gun.

Get your ribbon and fold in half and cut so you have two one metre strips, then tie yourself a bow & straighten it out.

Put the second strip of ribbon underneath and tie a knot and direct it upwards making sure the knot in the middle is neat.

Then cut the top of the ribbon strips so they are neat & cut the lower ribbon by cutting out triangles.

Tie the ribbon to the top of the wreath and tie a little bow in the top of the ribbon & hang from your door or where ever you want to display it.

I think it is quite effective & shouts Christmas!

Look out for more wreaths and Christmas decorations soon! I want to make a crafted felt/material wreath next. I hope these can be displayed all year round as I am very attached to them as a wall hanging! :)

I hope your Christmas planning is in full swing, mine certainly is. I have to say it is only because I am off sick with a broken arm, I don't normally have time like this available. So don't feel pressured, just do things that make you happy and when you have time to. make it fun, and part of the celebrations. I am always a fan of the build up....I get quite sad when the day arrives as it's nearly all over.

Merry Christmas & see you soon.

CB X

P.S. Please do contact me with any questions you may have, I am always here to help! :)

Nature in Green - Mixed Media Art

Now the present has been opened & hung, I am able to share my latest art work with you that was a gift to my friends for their wedding.

                                     

Unfortunately the pictures are not very high quality because I was still using my old iPhone camera at the time, hopefully I can ask the Bride to take another for me of it hung up. It looks a lot better in person (I think!).

I had such a lovely time creating it for them, I just hope the happy couple like it just as much as I do.

It was a beautiful wedding and I am so happy for them both, I shed a tear or ten at the church which was beautiful but not as beautiful as the bride. 

♡ Congratulations Mike & Helena! ♡

CB X

All artwork is copyrighted by Rebecca Martin

My First From Scratch Cupcakes

CB X 

Baking Cupcakes

Today I had my first attempt at baking cupcakes, I have discovered I can make them without the tin. I have been stressing out over that and I am now going to end up with a million muffin tins! I will be able to start a catering company by the time they all bloody arrive! It started with me asking MrP to get me one off Amazon and for some reason he was unable to do it, so I decided to get one myself then MrP thought his order had gone through, half an hour after that Mum texts me and tells me that shes got me one, so now I've got at least two en route. The one I ordered is pink & silicone though! It will match my scales, they are Typhoon ones - they're amazing. My friend bought me them years ago & now they are finally in my own home. I have some gorgeous salad plates I need to bring over from home soon too, as they are the finishing touch to my new Craft Brunches & tea and cake mornings I have started at my place. MrD bought me those too it's like he knew one day I would have a great use for them. They are called salad plates. But are clearly more suited for cake. They are bright colours & each one has a fashionable lady in London/Milan/Paris/NewYork they come in their own case too. Beautiful. I will show you them as soon as they hit Chorltonia. Before you see the evidence of my kitchen dabblings today can I just answer this question:  Can you bake cupcakes without a muffin tin? Answer: YES! Yes you can, you just have to double up your muffin cases. I was very upset yesterday when I thought I was unable to make cupcakes due to my lack of tin, so if I can prevent even one lady having the same disappointment as me, my work here will be be done ♡

Toffee cupcakes - I don't have the recipe to these cupcakes as I cheated on my first attempt with those ones from a box (Asda's own) I wanted to play it safe so I could see the process without too much damage. But I will definitely show you my next batch which will be being made for Tuesdays Baby Brunch, my friends with babies are coming around. I shan't explain my event naming process to you, as I suspect you are quite clever. After all you're reading this aren't you? I have a colour of icing I want to do, and have been wanting to do for such a long time I simply cannot wait! 


Anyway I must dash, it's late & I need my beauty sleep ♡


Cupcake Dreams CB X 

♡

My GherkinGate™ Lunch

(Story below - Warning Contains Swearing)

Ingredients:

Serves 2-3 people

Romaine Lettuce - Thinly shredded

Cos Lettuce (Delivered in my Abel & Cole veg box) - Chopped

5-6 Sundried Tomatoes - Thinly sliced

1 Gherkin - Thinly sliced

1 Avocado - Scooped out & sliced

1/2 Cucumber - Sliced & halfed

2 Spring Onions (or called salad onions in some places) - Sliced in circles

2 Soft Boiled Eggs - I boiled mine for 4 minutes & rested for 30 seconds before peeling

Salt & pepper

Garlic & Herb Dressing - Shop bought, mine is an Asda one

Pop it all in a bowl, lettuce first then Cucumber, spring onions, sprinkle the sundried tomatoes on, then place the avocado over the top. Slice the gherkins and sprinkle over. Serve up into a bowls & put the peeled egg on top, sprinkle with salt & pepper and then cut open and let the yummy yolk run through the salad. Drizzle with salad dressing. 

Enjoy!

Love CB X 

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GherkinGate™ Story

I decided to make a salad for lunch & I was trying to open a large jar of Gherkins, but I couldn't get it open because I have a broken arm & I can't use to much force, because if I did my arm might fall apart. So as one does when they are not of sound mind I shouted "Fuck you Gherkins!! Fuck you!!" Then went off to the living room & sulked whilst being mean to my boyfriend online. I then went back to the kitchen because it was gone 3pm & my hunger had reached a new level, ran the gherkins under hot water like a form of torcher before trying to release the lid again, but nothing. So I stepped the heat up, steam began to rise, the moment becoming more intense. I put my hand on the hot lid, gripped it with all my right handed mite & turned it...POP! Finally juicy Gherkin goodness. Then whilst chewing on a good bit of gherkin I thought ooh that's what I'll put on my lettuce sitting lonely in a bowl, and so GherkinGate salad was born. It was very tasty, but make sure you've got a nice warm surrounding before eating it. It's comforting but you may need to team it with a good brew! 

♡ RECIPE ♡

Becca's Easy Apple & Blackberry Crumble

Feeds 4-5 People 

Ingredients:

The filling:

3-4 Bramley Apples

1 Punnet of Blackberries

4 Teaspoons of Caster Sugar

2-3 Teaspoons of Cinnamon

Lemon Juice (1/4 of a lemon or a few splashes of lemon juice from a bottle)

The Topping:

A Cup of Porridge Oats OR Muesli 

1/2 a Cup of Plain Flour

4 Teaspoons of Caster Sugar

6 Cubes of Unsalted Butter 

What to do:

• Preheat the oven to gas mark 6 or 200℃
• Peel & chop the apples into small chunks, leaving out the core. Then layer into the dish.
• Squeeze or splosh some lemon juice over so the apples don't discolour & take in a little flavour.
• Put the blackberries over the apple, making sure there are some all over the dish.
• Sprinkle 4 teaspoons of caster sugar over, then the cinnamon. Use your own judgement as to whether it is too much or too little & adapt.

• Then for the crumble, grab a nice bowl and pour in the oats, flour, sugar & spoon it all together. 
• Cut two sticks of butter (I used unsalted but it doesn't really matter) and cut them into 6 cubes.
• Add the butter cubes one by one & rub them into the mixture until you have a nice buttery crumble mix.

• Sprinkle the mixture all over the juicy apple & blackberry layers and pop in the oven & cook for 40-45 minutes. Check your makings at about 30 minutes. 

You can also make this up & leave it for a few hours. For those times when preparation is essential. ie. When you have visitors. 


I made this for my parents today, who visited. They loved it. When it's ready, leave to cool slightly for 5 minutes & then make or buy some really good quality custard and pour lashing of it over the crumble & enjoy. It's a perfect way to warm up, now there is a definitive chill* in the air. Curl up on the sofa & tuck in. 

Love CB X

*For people living in the places that have sun, it's nice then too! Oh and congrats on all your sun. 

♡

Sweet Potato Veggie Chilli

Becca's Semi-Made-Up-As-We-Go Recipe

Serves 2-3 People

Ingredients:

2 Sweet Potatoes

1 Red Pepper

1 Green Pepper 

1/2 a Large Onion

Handful of Vine Tomatoes (4-5)

Tin of Chopped Tomatoes 

1 Tsp Cumin

1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

1 Tsp Mild Chilli

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1 Tsp Coriander Leaf (Dried)

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

2 Cloves of Garlic

Milk

Tortilla Chips (My personal choice of tortilla chip was Jalapeno flavour) OR Rice & Sour Cream 

     What To Do:

• Turn the oven on to Gas Mark 6 or 200℃ 
• Peel the sweet potatoes and chop into bite size pieces 
• Put the sweet potato into a roasting tin/dish and sprinkle with a pinch of cumin, cayenne, mild chilli & cinnamon. Then pour over a glug of olive oil and some salt & pepper & toss the sweet potato until cover in the spices
• Slice and dice the onion and Chop the peppers into bite size pieces. Then chop the garlic
• Pour a glug of of olive oil into a deep pan and put the onion, peppers and garlic in and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Put the sweet potato into the oven & cook for approx. 40 minutes
• Add the rest of the spices (Cumin, Cayenne, Mild Chilli, Cinnamon & Coriander Leaf) and stir in then cook for another 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes
• Quarter the vine tomatoes and put them in the pan and cook for 2 minutes the add the tin of tomatoes & 1/2 tin of water
• Leave on the hob cooking for around 25 minutes 
• Taste & add a slosh of milk to cool the spice down if needed
• Check the potatoes with a skewer or fork, if soft in the middle take out of the oven
• Turn off the heat on the pan and add the sweet potatoes & allow to cool slightly

Putting the dish together:

Grab a bowl of your choosing, put a few ladles of chilli in your bowl and add some tortilla chips & a big dollop of sour cream. EAT. 

Enjoy! 

CB X

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

An amazing speech by Steve Jobs. So many points to take on board for life. Life is about death, about doing the things we want to without fear of what others may say, of living YOUR dream. Stay hungry & stay foolish. To be creative, a genius, an innovator, to have courage, to want to change the world. In your way. Watch, listen & take what you need from it. Always do what the tummy bubbles tell you. 


Be brave.


Be different.


Be you.




CB X