Spotted on Ebay...

How cute?! I actually squealed with delight when I saw these but have never tried baking with ceramic moulds before...

Anyways, the thought of baking with traditional stone moulds inspired me to search for a traditional gingerbread recipe and I stumbled across this gem! Researchers from the University of Manchester have managed to dig up an original recipe that dates back to the time of the Crusades, when spices like ginger made their way into Europe with the knights returning from the Holy Land. So, without further ado, here it is:

Ingredients:

2lb Plain Flour

1tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

2tsp Ground Ginger

1tsp Allspice

1tsp Cinnamon

1tsp Cloves

12fl oz Molasses

8oz Brown Sugar

3 oz Vegetable Shortening

6fl oz Cold Water

Instructions:

Cream the sugar and shortening, add molasses and water, then gradually add the dry ingredients until a pliable dough is formed.

Leave to stand for 2 hours before rolling into shapes.

Bake at 175 degrees for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

TA-DAAAAAAA! Now sit down and enjoy this mini medieval miracle with a nice mug of mead!

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

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?!

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!