My latest infatuation...

I used to have these all the time when I was little (which probably explains why I was such a porker...ahem!) but I'd forgotten all about them until they popped into my head quite randomly the other day! I just *love* their little faces, the delicate colours and the way they ever-so-slightly shimmer, and of course, they taste DELISH! Anyhoo, all this got me thinking about trying to make some of my own...has anyone ever tried it? The recipe seems virtually idiot-proof (famous last words...) and nothing would make me happier than a big glass jar full of beautiful little sugar mice! *sigh*

I think I may have a bash at making some later in the year for Christmas presents as not only are they are somewhat on the pricey side to buy from the shops, I think there's something very satisfying about giving homemade gifts, made with love, rather than some bog-standard, mass-produced tat. However, if you fancy having a go in the meantime then here's the standard recipe courtesy of Google! Let me know how you get on!

You will need: 1 egg

450g of icing sugar

Food colouring (optional)

Flavouring (optional)

String for the tail

• Separate the white of the egg from the yolk - you don't need the yolk for this recipe so put it away and use it later in a cake!
• Beat the white until frothy - don't let it get stiff
• Sieve the icing sugar into the egg white - you might not need all of the 450grams as egg sizes vary, so be careful not to add too much!
• You are looking for a stiff mixture when the egg white and icing sugar mix up together - but not dry and powdery
• If you wish add a few drops of food colouring as you mix. Do be careful - food colouring is quite strong and you will only need a little. Then knead the mixture into a firm paste and divide and you should get around 12 mouse size pieces
• Make a mouse, either by hand or by using a mould. Remember to add a tail and to push it in and squeeze the icing around it so it won't fall off !!!
• Place your beautiful mouse on to parchment paper or silicon paper on a tray and leave to dry in a safe cool place
• Decorate your mouse to your heart's desire!
• To keep them safe once they have dried, store them in an airtight container

Run, run, as fast as you can...

...and catch yourself a custom gingerbread man garland (with handmade pom-poms!), fresh from the oven and unique to you! Om nom nom! Entirely hand-cut and hand-stitched, all my gingerbreads are made from soft biscuit-coloured acrylic felt (courtesy of the lovely Fuzzyfish of PaperFish fame!) and as she stocks all sorts of gorgeous colours, I think I may indulge in a bit more!

Dare I say it, but I think I may actually prefer acrylic felt to the wool-mix stuff, it's not quite as soft, obviously, but still enormously tactile and not at all like that really nasty scratchy stuff that masquerades as felt. This stuff cuts like a dream with no fraying and it holds its shape really well, and if that isn't enough for you, it's extremely eco-friendly as it's made entirely from recycled plastic bottles...what more could you want?!

For further details on this (hopefully!) irresistible piece of cuteness, follow this here link! ;o)

Christmas...

I'm sorry to bring it up at the height of summer, but I am already planning my Christmas range and am soooooo excited that I just had to share my ideas with you! I've already started to source lots of gorgeous ribbons, trimmings and buttons (YAY!) and I'm hoping (time permitting...) to produce two collections:

One traditional with gingerbread men, lots of red gingham, pom-poms, christmas puddings, hearts and that sort of thing...

...and one 'contemporary' set with a vintage twist, think pale pinks and blues (my favourite colour combo at the moment and incidentally, Sew Sweet's signature colours...) with velvet ribbon, glittering crystals, pearls and cupcakes! Oooooh, I can't wait!

Has anyone else started to think about Christmas yet, or am I just completely barking?!

Sew obsessed...

My name is Kate and I am addicted to buttons.

I was passing the hasberdashery in town the other day and nipped in for some thread. I came out staggering under the weight of MASSES of the most beautiful candy-coloured buttons. And of course, I forgot the thread. D'oh! The colours are so pretty that I'm not sure that I actually want to use them, I might just put them in a jar and leave them on the side to look at...ahem.  Does anyone else have a this strange compulsion to hoard buttons? Do you have any other 'odd' collecting foibles?

Tattoos...

I've been umm-ing and ahh-ing about getting a new tattoo and whilst surfing t'interwebs for inspiration, I came across this...

How awesome?! VERY. If only I didn't have a dayjob that requires tattoo-free knuckles! *sighs* I've tracked down the seller to Etsy but she seems to have closed up shop for the time being, I do hope she decides to reopen because if I can't tattoo myself, I'll just have to do my walls instead!

More novelty bakeware...

...because you can never have enough! Ahem. For your delectation today, I give you the sandwich cake mould, possibly the best thing since sliced bread...ho ho!

Made by the same people who brought you the quite-amazing Teacupcakes (they're called Fred, by the way), this baking beauty costs no more than £20 and is available from the usual suspects: ShinyShack, Prezzybox, Iwantoneofthose, thedesignerbox and other establishments of that ilk.

They've also come up with these...ABC (Already Been Chewed...clever!) cookie cutters - cute ickle gingerbread, but with a sneaky missing bite! Om nom nom...

If you find people keep nicking your bikkits, whip up a batch using these and watch people give them a wide berth! Possibly. Priced around £6.99 for a set of three, ka-ching!

I *heart*...

...We Heart It, an online album of your favourite 'inspirational' images and videos from around the web, which you can then share with other people. Give it a whirl and you can find me under SewSweet, obviously...here's a few of mine to give you a taster! ;o)

* Warning: hunting for images can become extremely addictive!

Crazy for cupcakes...

As seems to be de rigeur at the moment, I am *obsessed* with cupcakes. For absolutely ruddy ages now, I have lusted after this cupcake-shaped baking tin and joy upon joys, it has been reduced by those lovely folk at Prezzybox to the bargainous sum of £24.60. Huzzah! Offer ends 19th July, so if you want one, be quick!

However, before you part with your hard-earned pennies, it's worth mentioning that ShinyShack are now stocking a silicone giant cupcake mould which is not only cheaper at £16.99, but it features a very nifty central insert that allows you to add all manner of tasty fillings...genius!

Also available at both aforementioned retailers (and other stockists too!) are TEACUPCAKES! Combining my two very favourite things in life, this is sheer cuteness overload! Perfect for an Alice-in-Wonderland style party or just to add a touch of whimsy to afternoon tea, these silicone cupcake moulds (with matching saucers!) are less than £15 for four. Splendid.

I declare Sew Sweet...OPEN!

Yay! My Folksy shop is now open...go see, go seeeeeeeeeee! I'll be adding a few new bits and bobs over the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled!