The Adventure Continues...

Hi everyone!

After a long weeks work, our new website is finally ready, and should launch anytime now. We are just waiting for the DNS to update...

We've also set up Etsy, Folksy and Zibbet shops, and even had an Ebay account in the pipeline. Designs By Elle is going global! 

We had a lot of feedback on what people want to see in the shop, and have been designing new ranges, which should be available from early next week, and we are still looking for more. What do you love, and what do you think we are missing?

And of course we've been enjoying the gorgeous sunshine! 17 degrees in April...who'd have thought it?! It's been lovely, and I hope tomorrow is just as nice.

Keep your eye out for the new site, and sweet dreams!

E x

Cake!

Working on new stock is hungry work, so between checking colours of tissue paper, sourcing boxes, making cards and journals and looking after puppy, I tried a recipe I found for lemon cake.





From the 'Cakes' book, it's so simple! I was surprised at how easy I found it, and at how good it tasted...it definitely tasted like it should have taken hours. I'm trying to make a chocolate variation, but so far, I've made a lemon flavoured brown mess....


Anyway, here's the recipe, test it over Easter and see what you think! It serves between 8 and 10.

Ingredients:

            225 g all-purpose (plain) flour

            150 g granulated sugar

            3 large eggs, at room temperature

            125 g butter, softened

            90 ml milk

            1tablespoon grated lemon zest

            11⁄2     teaspoons baking powder

            1⁄4        teaspoon salt

LEMON FROSTING

225 g confectioners’ (icing) sugar

2          tablespoons butter, melted

2          tablespoons (approx.) fresh lemon juice

2          tablespoons shredded (desiccated) coconut (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. • Butter a 9-inch square pan. • Beat the flour, sugar, eggs, butter, milk, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer at low speed until well blended. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 5 minutes more, or until pale and thick. • Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. • Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. • Cool the cake completely in the pan on a rack. • Lemon Frosting: With a wooden spoon, beat the confectioners’ sugar and butter in a medium bowl. Beat in enough lemon juice to make a spreadable frosting. • Spread the cake with the frosting, and sprinkle with the coconut. 

Want more delicious recipes? Check out 'Cakes' on Amazon, and of course, let me know what you think! This book is my new favourite thing! 

E x

Puppy!

Well, puppy was tired out by his mornings activities, and so this is his current position....

Just wanted to share!
I'll update properly later,

E x

Stressful Day!

Hi :)

Well, the football was okay. Me and OH put a bet on both Milner and Carew scoring, so were even more pleased then everyone else when Carew did. Milner had a few chances, then was injured, played 5 minutes, and was subbed off. Then there was a free kick that I just know Milner would have scored...

Anyway, it was a good night. The atmosphere at the game was good, and its always nice to see football live, as lovely as HD TV is. The way back was less good, it was raining really hard, and the police closed far too many roads. We had to walk for ages, booked a taxi and then realized they had closed half of that road as well, so the taxi couldn't get to us. Eventually found a random taxi driving round but he was pushy and overcharged...still, we got home.

Today I'm feeling a bit sore and exhausted, but I've cheered myself up designing some notebooks with a Spring theme. I love daisies, so when I found some extra cute daisy themed accessories I knew I had to buy them, and I'm glad I did! I've made some very detailed ones, and some a bit plainer. They'll be listed later tonight! 

I'm also having a go at making my first bunting, and I've made a Union Jack flag I'm very proud of. And I've ordered some more supplies to keep me busy, they are coming tomorrow...OH is off for the weekend, leaving me and Puppy to house sit, and we'll need to keep busy!

Anyway, cookies are ready! 

E x

Etsy and Aston Villa!

Hi 

Well, I’ve been neglecting this blog for a while, due to my fibro. I had a bad weekend, spending most of it in bed with puppy keeping me company, and I’m still feeling very sensitive and in pain. I did sleep well for the first time in a long time last night though, so I’m feeling a little better!

Today, I’ve got some new supplies, and I’ve been working on new themes such as Britain and Sailors…I can’t wait to show off what I’ve made! I’m hoping to get them listed tonight. I had planned to do it today, but in an hour or so I’m rushing out to get a new craft desk, and after that, I’ve been treated to tickets to the Villa game.

I’m not a huge Villa fan, I’m an Arsenal girl at heart but I like Chelsea too, and OH loves United so I support them when they play to keep him happy. I like Milner, though, and I’ve got him in my fantasy football team, so I’ve got my fingers crossed he’ll score!

Villa is the Mexican’s favourite team, and as he goes home in a few months, we thought we should show him a Villa game at their home stadium. So I’m going with OH, Mexican, and another guy. Hopefully enough people to keep me warm, as it’s supposed to start raining at kick off, and not stop all night!

I’ve also got some interesting business propositions in the pipeline, and of course you guys will hear about them first! I can’t say too much yet, though.

And finally, Designs  By Elle now has an Etsy store. It’s not very stocked at the moment, but I’m working on it!

Have a good day,

E x

Branding!

I’ve decided that Designs By Elle needs a new look, so I’ve spent all day researching what kind of branding I want, and I’ve ordered it. I should have it in around 3 days, so I’m feeling excited! I’ve ordered it in the colour scheme the website is going to be upgraded too, and I’m going to play with the layout and find some way to link to this blog, too.

I’ve also got four new products to add, and two new collections too. And some variations on existing products, I’ve got three almost finished notebooks and a very cute cat themed notebook!

I can’t wait to unveil the new site!

E x

New Wedding Range!

I’ve decided to take a break from designing my new wedding ranges to come update the blog.

I’ve been feeling poorly the last few days, so didn’t manage to get much done, but now I’m feeling a bit better and I’ve been inspired into designing some stationery sets including invitations, thank you cards, etc. I’ve made a ‘Simplicity’ range which I’ll hopefully be adding to the site tonight, and right now I’m working on a retro collection which involves lots of red ribbon! I love it.

I’m also designing leaflets to start leaving around local places, and my business cards should arrive any day now…I’ve got a few, and some pens, but I’ve changed the design a little to reflect the new themes.

I’m getting at least 80 views a day now, which is nice, and I’ve got quite a few repeat visitors who look a few times a week, which is confidence boosting…Now I just need to add more stock.

Oh, and make a Mother’s Day card for my mum…

Have a good night,

E x