Friday 29 November 2013

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie

I hope everyone across the pond had a lovely Thanksgiving. I'm not American but I have spent a few Thanksgivings in San Francisco with my Auntie, Uncle and Cousin. A fun day of food and merriment! I thought I'd have a go at making a pumpkin pie yesterday. I bought a preparatory tin of Libbys back in the summer go finally got to use it!






Wednesday 27 November 2013

Free printable designs to cut out and use as gift tags or decorative ornament

I made these little Christmas printables for fun and for anyone to use. Just print onto card and cut out and voila, decorative ornament for your tree or a gift tag. Anyone who does use these can pop them on Instagram if they fancy I would love to see (@hollymaguireuk) I can't believe it's almost December now. My how this year has flown. Lots of change and I have really enjoyed being able to slow down a bit and embrace the changing seasons as well as having a lot more time to draw. Anyone who celebrates thanksgiving have a great day tomorrow, I'm going to attempt my first pumpkin pie : )






Tuesday 26 November 2013

Boulangerie Lunch

A drawing inspired by a favorite lunchtime nibble. Croissant stuffed with brie and salad. Reminds me of being in Paris. 






Monday 25 November 2013

Jungle Cushion in the flesh

 After participating in Ohh Deer's recent pillowfight competition I thought it would be a good idea to get one of my designs as it's alway fun to see what my work looks like on different products. I was pleasantly surprised with how well it turned out. I think the dot method I used to draw it looks quite cool a bit bolder and more blown up than usual. The cushions are also lovely quality with lovely soft suede style fabric. 

Congratulations to the winner of the competition Maja WroĊ„ska. You can see more info about her and her pretty watercolour pieces here

 

Thursday 21 November 2013

Jill Maguire Ceramics

I would like to introduce my mum Jill Maguire's beautiful hand made and painted ceramic pieces on my blog today. I find her work so inspiring and the detail and pattern in it is amazing. She makes a large range of pieces from crockery to hanging ornaments and frames trinket and jigsaw pieces. She creates commissioned and custom pieces too which make lovely personal gifts. Take a look at her website http://cargocollective.com/jillmaguireceramics







Tuesday 19 November 2013

Christmas Cat & Pug mugs!

I now have my Christmas card design also available on mugs! My mum Jill Maguire is a ceramic artist and printed decals of my images onto the mugs with little details on the insides and gold rims on the tops too. I am so pleased with them! Take a look at her website here. If you are interested in purchasing these you can get in touch by emailing me at hello@hollymaguire.co.uk






Monday 18 November 2013

Home Shelves

A personal piece of the home shelves in my living room.


Saturday 16 November 2013

Chai Spiced Cookies

I love making an eating these spicy cookies around Christmas time. They have the perfect soft and chewy on the inside and crunchy and crisp on the outside texture. 
The smell of them baking is lovely and festive too. 

 
350g plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
350g white caster sugar 
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 180 Degrees. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. In a bowl, sift together flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and salt.
3. In a separate bowl combine sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice and black pepper. Remove 50g of the sugar-spice mixture, to use for sprinkling over the cookie mixture.



4. In a third bowl, beat the butter and sugar-spice mixture until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract


6. Slowly blend in dry ingredients mixing until just combined.
7. Divide the dough into 2cm sized pieces and roll it into balls and then dip into the sugar-spice mixture until covered


Place dough balls on the baking tray about 2 inches apart.


7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
8. Let stand on baking sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.



9. Sprinkle with any remaining sugar-spice mixture.


Tuesday 12 November 2013

New Christmas Card and a new shop


 I have just created a shiny new Etsy shop. Before I was using Big Cartel which was good but I didn't feel it had the same community feel as Etsy. The first things I have popped into my shop are my new Christmas Cards for 2013. For the pet lovers of the world! I look forward to having a cat and a pug one day. And they shall be best pals : ) Take a look at my shop here






Monday 11 November 2013

Docks & Decks

Last week i had my parents to visit. As usual they came in their camper van and this time stayed in a lovely site right on the river by The S.S Great Britain. These are a few pics from an early morning stroll around the docks, Me and my Mum have also been preparing for some children's Christmas workshops coming up at the Colour Factory. Was fun doing these mockups and getting all festive and crafty! Check out the link and give them a call if you would like more info and are going to be near Winchester in December time. Our tree also arrived this week, not sure whether it is too soon to decorate it, but won't be able to wait too much longer!


Monday 4 November 2013

Halloween in London


I went to London this weekend with Lucy and Omi to visit friends and celebrate halloween. Had a lovely time, popped to Google for lunch to see Saskia and then to Emily's Party. We visited the home museum on Saturday where I fell in love with the mid century living room and had a nice autumnal stroll and a visit to Somerset House.

Lovely to spend quality time with some of my favorite people : )