Poppies Watercolour Class - 28 April 2011

We had lovely day today, painting a wild flower meadow which featured lots of Poppies.

We also added buttercups and daisies.

The day involved mixing a variety of colours and some masking of small flower shapes and poppy outlines, after lunch the poppies really began to take shape, especially when we dropped the black watercolour into the centre.

Here is Claire demonstrating a technique to us.

Happy Easter from Treetops

The sun is shining and the garden is blooming.

The doors may be closed to classes for the holidays, but there is alot going on behind the scenes, new dates being planned, meals being tested, admin being done and bookings being taken.

The butter is out of the fridge softening ready for some new cupcakes to be made later (http://colourfulcucapkes-newbury.blogspot.com)

The bookings for Autumn Term's watercolour dates are already underway:

Beginners Watercolour - Tuesday 20 September

Animals in a Scene - Wednesday 21 September

Autumn Glow - Friday 21 October

Venice - Thursday 10 November

A Winter Scene - Thursday 17 November

A Winter Scene - Tuesday 22 November

Watercolour classes cost £70 and include all of your materials, a 2 course lunch with wine and refreshments throughout the day.  It is a full day class from 9.30am - 3-3.30pm.  Claire teaches in a step by step style and you will take home a finished painting at the end of the day.

If I quietly mention CHRISTMAS classes, just so that you have the dates for your diary, these get booked up very very quickly each year.

Christmas Aga with Sarah is on Friday 25 November from 9.45am -1.30pm.  £60.

Last year we did Turkey this year we are cooking Beef Wellington and a large glazed Ham, there will be plenty of opportunity to talk Turkey, so don't worry!

Christmas Flowers with Susanna is on Tuesday 6 December or Wednesday 7 December, you choose.  The class runs from 9.45am - 2pm.  £80.

Susanna provides everything from flowers, foliage, fruits, aprons, secateurs whilst I get busy with a simple lunch and glass of mulled wine for you.  You can make a wreath for your front door, or something for your home.  Susanna demonstrates a variety of new ideas to decorate your home this Christmas.  It's definitely a class to get you into the Christmas Spirit!  The smells are divine!

Cupcake continue to be very popular, keep checking the cupcake blog for new dates and ideas.

Saturday Dates:
 8 October 10am - 12 noon or 3pm - 5pm
12 November 2pm - 4pm
Christmas Cupcakes 3 December 10am - 12noon or 3pm - 5pm
Christmas Cupcakes 10 December 2pm - 4pm

Classes cost £50 and sell out QUICKLY!

Weekday Classes:
Friday 30 September
Christmas Cupcakes Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 November.

If you are a group of 6 and would like to book your own date please call me to book a date.

Gift Vouchers are available for all the classes.

Easter Chocolate Cupcakes Class 2 April 2011

We had a very colourful class today; lots of chocolate eggs, sprinkles, chicks and glitter.  I was really impressed with everyone's enthusiasm and creativity.

Using the new nozzle, we made buttercream grass and chocolate nests.

Below are two of the beautiful boxes that went home today.

Kennet and Avon Canal Watercolour Class

We had a very busy day yesterday with Claire painting the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Despite the early stresses and protestations, the finished paintings were lovely!

Full of greens, reflections, shadows and peace.

     Please see the blog entry below for our new Autumn Term dates.

                        

Announcing Autumn Term Watercolour Classes

Claire and I have put together the Autumn Term programme:

Tuesday 20 September - BEGINNERS Watercolour

Wednesday 21 September - Animals in a Scene

Friday 21 October - Autumn Glow

Thursday 10 November - Venice

Thursday 17 November - A Winter Scene

Tuesday 22 November - A Winter Scene

All classes run from 9.30am - approximately 3-3.30pm.

All materials are provided along with a 2 course lunch and a glass of wine, home made biscuits and refreshments throughout the day.  Price £70.

In September, our Animal class will cover a variety of animals and how to draw their shape and then have them within a watercolour scene, there may be time to do two paintings during this class.  Claire has an inspiring sketchbook full of geese, pigs, lambs etc.  If you have any photos then please bring them along with you.

In October, our Autumn Glow painting will use all the stunning colours such as the reds, oranges and yellows found at this time of year.

Venice, in November, will be a new painting from last time's Venice.  Incredibly popular, this subject always inspires artists.  It's colours, moods and beautiful architecture help create a stunning painting.

We will end the term, with our Winter Scene, our annual class, where you can create something that perhaps you can give as a Christmas gift, or take the opportunity to turn it into your Christmas Card 2011!  This class fills quickly, hence the two dates.

We hope there is something to suit everyone.

To book please contact Emily.

The Vineyard Wedding Fayre Biscuits

Billions of biscuits!!

Well, 200 glittery pinky ones, made for today's Wedding Fayre at The Vineyard hotel.

I make Cupcakes for Weddings, birthdays, parties and gifts in my Aga at home (which is registered with West Berkshire council).   I also hold a Level 2 Award in Food Safety, from the Institute of Environmental Health.

There are lots of photographs on my Colourful Cupcakes blog, but please contact me for any further information.

http://colourfulcupcakes-newbury.blogspot.com

I also run classes at Treetops, where over 2 hours you can learn to make, bake and decorate your own Cupcakes.  You receive plenty of advice and tips and can enjoy the abundance of sprinkles, decorations and cutters that I have here.

Current classes with spaces are:

Tuesday 29 March - Easter Cupcakes 11am-1pm

*NEW* Wednesday 11 May - Cupcakes 11am - 1pm

*NEW* Friday 24 June 11am - 1pm (Stage 2 for those who have been to Stage 1)

Saturday 7 May - Cupcakes 2pm - 4pm

Saturday 18 June - Cupcakes 2pm - 4pm

Saturday 9 July - Cupcakes 2pm - 4pm

Aga Baking Day

We had a brilliant day today with Sarah.

She made SO MUCH food, it was delicious.  Whilst making and baking everything Sarah was also showing everyone how to use their Aga, whether it be baking, simmering, steaming, grilling etc.

A baking lesson and an Aga lesson in one!

There were so many amazing things, I can't fit them all on the blog, but below is a selection:

Mini meringues, sandwiched together with either buttercream or vanilla cream.

I think these were my favourite, banana and fudge muffins, I am definitely making these.

A classic steamed lemon pudding, made with a delicious lemon curd and steamed in the Aga oven for 3 hours.

This is a real Summer Centerpiece, light sponge with whipped cream, summer fruits and a home-made chocolate collar.

Classic 'bread' muffins.

Sarah is back in November for Aga Christmas.