Deliciously Light and Fluffy Scones!

The boyfriend and I decided to show you all how to make really tasty scones, perfect for an English afternoon tea, in today's video! I suppose it's only fair that I actually share the recipe with you ;)

Ingredients:

250g self raising flour
pinch of salt
50g caster sugar
50g chilled unsalted butter
1 medium egg
100ml (approx) buttermilk/whole milk

You'll also need a pastry cutter and a baking tray, either lined with baking paper or lightly greased.

Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/gas mark 7.

Whisk or sift together the flour, salt and caster sugar. Dice the butter into the dry mixture and rub it in, using the tips of your fingers. Once the mixture resembles small breadcrumbs, beat the egg and the milk together in a bowl and add it, a bit at a time, to the mixture. Using a round-bladed knife (or just a table knife...), mix in the liquid. When it's all combined, bring the dough together with your hands. On a floured work surface, and shape into a flat, but tall, shape. Try not to handle to dough too much to avoid heavy scones.

Cut out your scones, then place them on your baking tray. Pop them into the oven for 10-12 minutes, until they're a nice golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Sprinkle on sugar (if you want to) while they're still warm.

These can be eaten both cool and warm. Best served with a tonne of jam and clotted cream and a delicious pot of good-quality tea!

teapigs - Video Roundup

If you haven't been watching my recent videos on YouTube, you may not be aware of how generous the people at teapigs have been with me! They've been kind enough to send me tea to make videos on and give my opinions about it!

I received a Chai, Chilli Chai, Peppermint and Licorice, Lemon and Ginger and their new Matcha drinks! I can't believe how kind they have been!

It's not just me who benefits though, you all do too! If you use the voucher code "craft" in the promo code box when buying your tea, before the end of August 2014, you will receive a whopping 10% off!! Such generosity! http://teapigs.co.uk

Here's a recap of the videos that I've filmed so far, featuring teapigs tea.

First of all, I made chai cupcakes! These were delicious and had the gorgeous taste that the blended spices of chai provides.

My next video was showing how to make iced tea, using the Lemon and Ginger tea. It's so simple to make iced tea, and it's perfect for those (rare) hot days. I also made iced tea using the Licorice and Peppermint tea.

Finally (for the moment) I filmed a tea review for the matcha drinks. I did tea reviews on my old YouTube channel, but enjoyed making and filming them so much, I decided to transfer them over!

Be sure to head on over to http://teapigs.co.uk and check out their range of teas! They have everything for any mood or feeling. (They also make great gifts for tea-lovers ;) )

DIY Tattoo Choker

There were so many trends from the 90's that should definitely stay there and be forgotten about, but tattoo chokers aren't one of them! I was so pleased when I saw that they were making a comeback, along with 90's grunge fashion. I definitely wore beaded ones back in the day, although I wasn't particularly fashionable or "grungey", much like the people dressing like that today!

I was outraged when I saw that Topshop were selling these stretchy chokers for £5.00 each! Something so expensive for something so simple to make. Even Claire's Accessories are selling them for £4.50. No thank you! It was at this point that I started researching how to make them. I found a couple of really-good YouTube videos that taught me the technique, but I wanted to add beads too and no one had attempted that yet (from what I had seen anyway...)


I had a bit of a play around with making a couple of bracelets before giving the choker a go and I think I have worked out the technique.

I used 0.7mm Stretch Magic in Black, size 8 black Czech glass seed beads and a size 3 crimp tube to finish it off. I do explain an alternative way of finishing in the choker in the video above.

Have fun going back to the 90's! Be sure to share a pic on Instagram with me, @TheCornerofCraft, by using #TheCornerofCraft (or #TheCofC if you can't be bothered to type it all out...)