Christmas Wreath

This week my internet connection has been quite unpredictable and very annoying.  One moment it's ok and the next it's dropped out again so it's been hard to get much done. :( Fingers crossed it will last while I do this post!

With Christmas fast approaching there's lots to do - this week I made the wreath for my front door...

I hunted around my garden for different plant cuttings to use and wove them around a base I made a few years ago.  I also used some wire to secure the pieces (it's been very windy here recently so I didn't want everything to fall off!) and finished it with a red bow.

It might not be the neatest wreath around but it was a fun (if prickly!) project :)

Pick of the Week

Pretty porcelain decorations for Christmas...



Buy this set of 5 ornaments from LaNiqueHOME on Etsy.

Ginger

I felt like drawing a guinea pig today... so painted this little ACEO :)

This original pencil and watercolour painting of Ginger the Guinea Pig is available to buy from my Etsy shop.

Parsnip, Carrot and Broccoli Quiche

I thought I would do something different today and share a recipe for a quiche we made last week.  It's a parsnip, carrot and broccoli quiche - we were using up some left over vegetables but you could try other vegetables or meat in the quiche too.

Make 8oz short pastry...
200g/ 8oz plain flour
pinch salt
50g / 2oz lard
50g/ 2oz margarine
about 30ml / 2 tbsp cold water

Mix the flour and salt then rub in the fat.  Using a knife to cut and stir, mix in the water to form a stiff paste.  Turn onto a floured board and roll out.  Line a 9 inch dish with the pastry.

For the filling...
Carrot, parsnip, broccoli
2 eggs
125ml/ 1/4pt milk
salt and pepper
cheese

Thinly slice the parsnip and carrot and cut up the broccoli into small pieces.  Boil the vegetables for a couple of minutes to partly cook them.

Place the vegetables in the pastry case.  Beat the eggs and milk, season and pour over the vegetables.  Cover with grated cheese.

Bake in a oven 190C/ 375F/ Gas mark 5 until set and golden brown - about 40 minutes.

More printable Christmas gift boxes

Although this set of gift boxes matches my Christmas Baubles Scrapbooking Papers (SP011) and Collage Sheet (CS004) I think the patterns on the boxes would be great for any occassion, all year round.

There are 5 designs to choose from - if you purchase the printable gift boxes you will receive 2 designs.

To make the box above Christmassy I used the gift tag and bauble from the coordinating collage sheet and added a silver snowflake for a bit of sparkle!

These printable gift boxes are available to buy and make yourself from my shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/87741006/printable-gift-box-christmas-baubles-2