Pineapple Upside Down Cake

We have developed a slight obsession lately with pineapple upside down cake.

It started when I wanted to make a nice cake to take to a friends for dinner back in January. I thought it would be nice to have something fruit based that was a bit retro. My mind immediately went to upside down cakes and pineapple flavour was my first choice. I followed the recipe found over at Smitten Kitten - which is a fantastic food blog - the only catch was we didn't have any dark rum so I used alcoholic Ginger Wine instead!

It turned out a huge success and I have been making this pineapple with ginger wine cake every other week ever since. And tonight, when I have had a long cold day at work amongst objects and dust, a slice of warm cake with cream really brings me back to life.

Mmmmm......
xx

Tutorial: Covering a Container with Odd Sized Paper

This is a very simple and quick project for you today. I find it very useful to keep containers to store all my bits and bobs in, but it is always nice to decorate them and make them a bit more fun. One of my birthday presents was wrapped in a gorgeous orange paper which I couldn't resist keeping. I also picked up a really nice size container from work (which originally held coffee). The problem was that the paper I had was too tall for the container and did not wrap all the way round. Even if I cut the paper the pattern would not match up along the join. Hmm...What was to be done?

Well, I have a solution for any one out there with the same problem.

YOU WILL NEED:

• Container
• Paper of your choosing
• Ruler
• Scissors or a guillotine
• Glue (PVA or a decoupage glue)
• Brush

METHOD:

1. The first thing to do is measure the height of your container.

2. You then need to cut your paper to this measurement so that you should have a strip that wraps part way round the container.

3. Using the left over bit of paper measure out and cut another strip of paper at the same height. You should end up with 2 bits (or possibly more) of paper that are the right height for the container but the pattern does not match up probably when wrapped around.

4. Take your guillotine or scissors and start cutting strips of the paper. You can keep them all the same width if you want a uniformed look but I went for different widths and mixed it up a bit.

5. You should end up with a pile of strips of paper.

6. Next, start sticking your paper to your container. Using the brush paint on some glue and pick strips of paper at random. Once you have covered the entire container leave the glue to dry.

7. To help seal everything in apply a coat of glue over the top of the paper. If you are using PVA it would probably be worth while watering it down a little bit to help give you a nice even coat.

And your container is covered and ready to be used, even though your original paper was not the right size. Mine is all ready to keep my scraps of ribbon in. A very useful little tip I think.
xx

Lots of Love for Bouf

Ahhhh! I have found a great new site that has SO much stuff that I want to buy!!

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6

This is the perfect thing for your Monday evening - internet shopping! You have to check it out - head over to www.bouf.com - but why, oh why, did I not find you before my birthday?
xx

New Item Friday

I only have one item for you today but it a beauty!

I believe this glass vase dates from the 1970s. From the little I know about how these vases are made, I believe the pattern around the main body is unique for each vase. It is a stunning piece and so colourful.

For any in the Bristol area I will be at Ashton Gate Stadium at the Bristol Flea market this Sunday. I have chosen a particularly lovely selection of items for this Sunday so please come and visit us.
xx

Retro Kettles

Our kettle broke. My lovely retro kettle that I got at a bargain price. I'm very sad.

But this means I can go electrical appliance shopping!!! (Can you tell I'm a little too excited about this) I love looking for the perfect appliances for my home. I hunt the Internet looking for the perfect economy rating and style that fits within my budget.  I have to say, kettle designers are really starting to come up with some fantastic options out there, and I thought I would share my top choices with you.

LEFT SIDE: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4

RIGHT SIDE: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 

I feel any of these would blend into a retro styled home seamlessly, and a lot of them come in a range of different colours, but which to choose? This is the part I am not so good at - making a decision....

....Can I have a different one for each season??
xx

Restoration: 18th Century Table

I completed this restoration project last year but haven't had a chance to tell you about it. This table posed a bit of a challenge for me. The table top had suffered some severe water damage which had almost completely removed the gilded surface. The sides of the table had also become heavily chipped and scratched.

When approaching the treatment of this table I had to look at the tables construction, which was wood covered in a layer of gesso and the top gilded. I also had to bare in mind that the client only had a limited budget and needed the item ready in a short amount of time, as they were giving it to a friend.

After much consideration I chose to retouch the damaged areas to blend them in to the surface so that they did not stand out. This way would take less time than regilding the surface, the appearance of the table would look better and all treatment would be reversible if the new owner ever wanted to have the full treatment carried out.

Firstly the whole table needed cleaning. Whenever I have a new item to clean I always carry out cleaning test on the surface. For these particular surfaces distilled water was effective at removing any dirt but did not remove any of the paint layer. From these tests I concluded using rabbit skin glue and water colour paints to retouch the surface. They are both soluble in hot water, so if the treatment needed to be reversed, water could be used without removing any original paint. I started by sealing the areas of exposed gesso using rabbit skin glue. I then retouched the gesso areas using water colour paints mixed with more rabbit skin glue. When I retouch I try to paint the area with a neutral colour that blends into the background, this way your eye is not drawn to the retouched area but on close inspection you see it is not the original surface.

Thankfully I managed to complete the treatment in the given amount of time and I think the final result has a subtle effect, which is exactly right. The owner was pleased so it was a good job all round.

When retouching anything historical it is always good ethics to apply the '6 foot 6 inch' rule. From 6 feet away the object looks complete and undamaged, from 6 inches away you can see which areas are original and which have been retouched.
xx

Tutorial: Crochet Tea Cosy

Today's tutorial actually comes from a great book that I got for Christmas.

Granny Chic by Tif Fussell and Rachelle Blondel not only has fantastic inspirational images but wonderful projects for you to try at home. There are a couple that definitely caught my eye straight away and I thought (rather over ambitiously) that the Crochet Tea Cosy on page 92 should be my first project......this was probably not the best idea, as you will see later.

YOU WILL NEED:

• Yarn in various shades
• 4mm crochet hook

METHOD:
This is only a brief method, just to give you an idea. For the full method I would recommend buying the book - it  really is rather lovely!

1. Chain 82 stitches using a 4mm crochet needle. I attached my chain at the end to create a loop but I'm not sure if this is right!
2. You then want to work you way along the chain creating 3 treble crochet clusters, leaving 2 chains in between each cluster.
3. You want to continue building up lines of treble crochet clusters along the chain but you need to leave a gap at opposite ends of the loop for your spout and handle to fit into. You should end up with about 11 rows.
4. At this point you need to close the holes you have created for the spout and handle and start decreasing the size of your loop. 
5. I may have got this bit wrong but I think you decrease by creating single treble clusters and double treble clusters (does that make sense?!) one after the other, and when you do the row above these, you can skip the gap in between them (basically treating them as a 3 treble cluster).
6. You keep going decreasing the clusters and you should eventually reach the middle and all you need to do is tie off the loop.
7. Neaten any loose threads.
8. Finish off with a nice pom pom on the top.

You may ask what my attempt looks like.....I'll show you, but promise not to laugh....

I made a couple of mistakes. First of all I only had a 5mm crochet needle. I am also not the best crochet-er, I can do a granny square but I think maybe this was a bit beyond me. I also improvised slightly towards the end when things weren't looking quite right. But I think it looks charming for a first attempt.....it could always be a hat?

Good luck with yours and let me know how you get on.
xx

We Love Raw Food!

Happy Monday!
Let me tell you about out Valentine meal. Here in Frome we have a little shop in the centre of the main cobbled streets that acts as a Pop-up Shop premises. It is great. We are constantly getting different types of products and events going on in there and the people at lovechef have been at the premises the entire valentine week for a special raw food week. On Thursday they had a special valentine meal which, being curious and experimental foodies, we couldn't resist going to.

The food was amazing! We started with a cucumber and pear noodle soup (the recipe for which you can actually find on their website HERE), then a lovely pate with beetroot crisps, a palette cleanser of marinated Sharron fruit with a little pickled garnish, a main of raw food lasagna and to finish an amazing chocolate mousse. However, the dish that really blew me away was the lasagna. Thin layers of cucumber, sun dried tomatoes, pesto and a white sauce containing cashew butter. It was simple but the flavours were so intense. I could have eaten seconds and thirds, but then there would have been no room for my chocolate mousse....

Right, next to find a raw food cook book.....
xx

New Item Friday

I am too full! I had an amazing Valentine meal last night with the hubby (I will have to tell you all about it on Monday!), but the combination of too much food and half a bottle of champagne means my body is suffering a little bit (my head is also a bit fuzzy). However, I think I know what would remedy my ailments and it has influenced my items for today.

Head over to the shop HERE

Surely, a slice of cake that is light and fluffy, giving me some much needed sugar, and a strong cup of coffee to warm me up, could fix any problem I had!

I have work this weekend with the National Trust, and have so much to do in the shop, that I anticipate I won't get much rest. I think I might have to indulge myself this Friday evening lounging in front of the tele with the cake and coffee described above. Can I claim its on Doctors orders??

Have a lovely weekend everyone.
xx

Pancake Day

I confess, we haven't had any pancakes!!!

I am ashamed and horrified at myself. The fact I have pancakes most weekends does not matter, it is pancake day and pancakes should be eaten. And if I was making them today these are the items I would want to accessorise my cooking.

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5

The reason for our lack of pancakes? When I returned home from work today I found my hubby had brought home a stray cat. The poor little thing had almost been run over (rescued my the hubby in a heroic act) only 8 months old, dirty, smelly and starving. We cleaned it up gave it some water and food and took it to the vets. It was left with the vets to recover and they will now try and find the owners or re-house it. It was very strange to have a little life so dependent on us. It meant we spent most of the evening giving it lots of attention, knocking on neighbours doors and ringing animal rescue people. I think we will have to treat ourselves to pancakes tomorrow for our good deed.
xx

Valentine Card Ideas

I couldn't resist giving you some inspiration for your valentine cards this year. I always think it is nice to make a card but alot of the cards below you can buy.

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5

I seem to be on a 'funny sentiments' theme for this years valentine, rather than full on crafting projects. I think this adds a nice graphic and sophisticated touch to your cards but still has lots of meaning and love attached. Plus, some of them are just funny, and laughter is a key ingredient to a successful life together.

Which one will I choose.....well that would spoil the surprise, but I can tell you this, we are going out for a rather unusual Valentines dinner on the 14th. We are going to a Raw Food Restaurant!
xx

New Item Friday

I am very late with my new items today, but I have a nice mix of materials for you - metal, glass and ceramic.

Head over to the shop HERE

I have had one of those days were everything seems to get away from me. I had a surprise visit from the parents in the morning - which was lovely as they brought doughnuts! - and then got distracted preparing items for a car boot on Sunday. We seem to have accumulated a lot of stuff that neither myself or the hubby want or need, so off to the car boot we head (at a scarily early hour!). With all my prep today hopefully I will be able to have a nice relaxing day tomorrow with the hubby - a lie in, banana pancakes for breakfast and maybe a late lunch at a cafe somewhere!?

Enjoy your weekend.
xx

Tutorial: Breakfast/Brunch Bagels

This is the simplest tutorial I think I will ever give but, oh my, it is good! This is the perfect thing to treat the other half on a certain romantic day/weekends that are coming are way.

Its a Sunday morning, the alarm clock did not wake you, you woke naturally to a soft light flooding in through the closed curtains. There is a slight nip in the air where winter is still clinging on, refusing to let Spring pass. You start with coffee. Dark and thick and filling the room with its intoxicating sent. Your stomach grumbles over the extended period without food and you now its time - cinnamon bagels, bacon and maple syrup.

YOU WILL NEED (to serve 2):

• 2 Cinnamon bagels (you could use regular but the cinnamon adds a lovely element)
• About half a packet of streaky bacon rashers
• 1 egg
• Maple syrup
• Frying pan
• Bowl

METHOD:

1. Get the largest pan you can find and heat it on the hob. Place the bacon in once the pan is fully hot and allow the bacon to start sizzling. No oil is needed.
2. Whilst the bacon is cooking cut your bagels in half and crack one egg into a bowl (big enough to dip the bagels in).
3. Beat the egg with a fork until well combined.
4. Once the bacon is cooked but is not too crispy - there should still be some bacon fat in the pan - move the bacon to one side of the pan making room to add your bagels but still cooking the bacon.
5. Dip both sides of you bagels in the egg and place in the pan to cook. You want to try and soak up all the egg evenly between the bagel slices so you may want to soak them for a little while but not too long.
6. Once the bagels are browned on once side turn them over.
7. Once the bagels have browned and the bacon looks crispy pile everything on to a plate and drizzle over some maple syrup.

I can not think of anything more perfect on a Sunday morning than bitter coffee, salty bacon, filling bagels and sweet syrup - Perfect!
xx

Your chance to buy the Chinese Girl Portrait!

Vladimir Tretchikoff's paintings have become synonym with style of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Any decent retro home normally has a piece of Tretchikoff in it somewhere, normally a reproduction printed on a tea towel or mug (or is that just me?!).

Image sourced from the bbc.co.uk/news

Well if you fancy the genuine article then you may be in luck, on the 20th March Bonhams will be selling an original Chinese Girl Portrait as part of their South African Art sale. The contrast between the gold gown and the blue complexion have made this particular piece one of Tretchikoff's most popular paintings. But with the portrait estimated to reach up to £500,000 you might need to raid those savings for the ultimate luxury in retro home decor! Check out the full BBC article HERE.
xx

Website Spring Clean and Birthday Offer

Hello!
Today is a very exciting day as the website as had a lovely spring clean! You must head over their now to check it out - click HERE - but before you do you might want to keep reading....

It is a year ago today that Springy Beard become official, before this date I was just playing at putting a few thing on-line and painting a chair here or there. It was on this date a year ago that I came back from my travels in Japan full of passion and energy to make this business a success. This past year has been a bit of a whirl - we have moved house, gotten married, and really pushed the business (and every ones limits!). All this work has meant that this year the business has broken even. You may think that sounds like a negative, but it is not! Breaking even in your first full year of business is a great thing and should be celebrated.

So in honour of all my loyal readers and all my previous customers I have a small token of my affection

Head over to the SHOP to claim you discount until 28.02.13

Thank you to everyone for supporting me through this year. I have learnt a lot, and come to realise that my dream goal of owning my own vintage shop is probably further away than I originally hoped for. It does not mean that I will stop pushing for it (I am very stubborn after all and usually seem to get what I want if I work hard enough - or nag the hubby until he gets it for me!), but I have realised that my priorities at the moment are slightly different. My current dream is to buy a house and I feel this needs to take president over the next year. I hope that you will all help along to achieve this and lets hope that this time next year running a Vintage shop, all of my own, will be back at the top of the list.

In the mean-time lets continue to enjoy every retro find, craft project and inspiring site together!
Love to all
xx

New Item Friday

I have gone for a linear theme for the new items today.

Visit the shop HERE

I also have some very exciting news - come Monday we will have a lovely new website for you! Myself and the hubby have been working hard to make everything look more professional - the blog will also be following suite soon. I feel like the business is getting a lovely spring clean!

I will also be having something very special for all my loyal readers out there, so visit me again on Monday....
Have a good weekend everyone.
xx