Monday, March 16, 2015

A Most Delicious Cake Roll~









It was terribly grey and heavy this past weekend..grey that makes the snow look grey..
But milder..so Savannah is starting to see the light of day:)

But looks nowhere in shape like she does when the peonies bloom~



Our views become technicolor instead of monochromatic..
The briliant blue sky winter days..have been plentiful though this year..compared to the dreary days..
It was a gorgeous..frigid winter.

This easy to make delicious cake roll..is something Jacques LOVED this week.
I found it on Coup De Pouce  (a QC magazine)..dated 2005 on the internet.
One of our specialties is sucre à la crème....it is a Christmas delicacy and really all through the year.
I can compare it to fudge..but it's not..anyone who has had it will tell you there is a difference and in this case..Vive La Différence~
The cake roll is effortless to make..if you have never made one..this would be the perfect one to try;)
The filling is just as easy..and then you would see how it tastes..It's a bit like sugar pie..but different.
It would be perfect during the holidays..but even at Easter as it is sugaring off time here..
You could sprinkle maple flakes on top..or add a macaron on some buttercream..just a touch to hold the macaron..a sprinkling of confectioner's sugar is all this cake needs as an icing.
It holds together very well ..as you can see the outside cut had less filling..next time I will spread more to the outside.But I always remove a thin slice ..thin ..thin thin..from the outer edges for a prettier presenttion.
This super easy recipe got 5 *****stars .11 evaluations.
Some added ice cream..vanilla♥ to go with.
Jacques loved it as is.

La Recette~

4 eggs
1 cup plus 2 tbsps sugar
1 cup of flour
1 tsp baking powder
icing sugar

The filling

1 cup brown sugar
1/4 lb of butter
 1/4 cup  milk..I used 3%

Beat the eggs and sugar for ap 3 minutes until the mixture is pale.
Add the flour that you have sifted with the baking powder.
Blend well.
Spread the dough in a buttered 15x10 inch jelly roll pan..(I used parchment instead of buttering)
Bake in a  preheated 350 F oven for 8 minutes or until the cake is golden..it took about 12 minutes for mine..
Unmold warm on a clean dishtowel that you have sprinkled  with the extra 2 tbsps of sugar.. ..roll up taking the towel along with it:)without squeezing though..

Place on a cooling rack..and cool completely.

For the filling..bring the ingredients to a boil in a heavy bottomed pot..Boil for one minute.
Remove from heat and beat w/ an electric mixer until it thickens..
Spread warm mixture on your completely cooled unrolled cake..and roll up again...this time w/out the tea towel.Place on a serving tray and Sift icing sugar over..I like to add something on top..a meringue..a macaron or two..;)
That's it ..slice and serve.
Honestly one of the easiest ones I have made.
Make it your first:)
I think I may redo for his birthday en famille but dress it up~

Rita..and her posts..always inspire me to try and learn:)

I could not get the book she recommended but found this one..by the same author..

And some new paints~


Now to sit ..and be quiet..and focus..and learn~:)
PS
Who am I kidding?
I think I have this picture in my head of wanting to learn..and ..........what?
This is way over my head~
Everyone's style..talent..dexterity...is so unique..I think you have to know your style and stick with it.
How do you find that?
That's the $64,000.00 question



All I want..is to paint like Waterlogue.
Is that too much to ask?:)

79 comments:

  1. Bonjour ma chère Nana,

    Une douce publication at la vue de ces magnifiques pivoines apporte de la joie en cette fin d'hiver... Sans oublier ce gâteau roulé à la crème qui me donne l'eau à la bouche, accompagnée d'une bonne tasse de thé ! Parfait...
    Ah! la peinture et son style !... Surtout rester authentique...
    Gros bisous ❀

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    1. Oui..rester authentique..il faut que je trouve mon authenticité..Si humble et maladroite qu'elle soit:)

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  2. Aww how delicious roll cake!!
    Beautiful Monique!
    Poor Savannah!
    The peonies look awesome ! I love them!
    Have a nice week Monique!
    xo

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  3. Oh Yay! You got a Stabin book! Could you try your library for the Watercolor Simple Fast & Focused? It's probably easier, it's all about simplifying. Yes, it's true that we have some built in directions in terms of our art forms & styles. Trying different approaches is also good, if only to help us find our way to what, as martinealision says, is authentic for us. You never know... Did you do the grandchildren painting?
    I love your authentic masterful "most delicious" cooking & baking & the photos themselves. Authentic joy! And I loved seeing dear Savannah in relation to the seasons!! Her snowy one made me smile!! Maybe you will keep us updated!

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    1. She's up to her neck in alligators..
      I just read through and though uh oh..this is over my head..my library is the smalles you have ever seen in your whole life;)
      I will check another source..
      I have only done small things of the grandchildren..what surprised me most..was ast Easter..one of my son-in-laws opened one of my art books..
      and he was so nice about them.. he told my girls if I found something like this from my mom..I woul just like it so much..I forget his exact words..but it made me blush and feel warm inside.
      I guess because I thought I would love to find things like these from my mom too.
      You don't know what you've got till it's gone..I do believe that..
      Even the use of body parts etc..not just people;)
      I will look Rita..as always thanks for all the wonderful inspiration..

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    2. As I'm going through my books lately, sorting & weeding, I have another one you might like: 'No Excuses Art Journaling" by Gina Rossi Armfield. A lot of the examples are light watercolor drawings that I think you'd enjoy...Do you have Sara Midda's Latest: "A Bowl of Olives: On Food and Memory"? Maybe I'll do a post of some of my favorite art books, bring them to life from my shelves...Your children & grandchildren have such a beautiful multi-faceted collection of your art!!

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    3. I didn't even kno Sara Midda had a new one.I buy hers..I like them so much!
      Thanks Rita!

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  4. Le printemps arrive en effet à grands pas.
    Les jonquilles ont déjà écloses ici ~

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    1. Oh lala nous avons du chemin à faire au Québec..En épicerie..ou chez le fleuriste..Chanceuse!

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  5. Monique, a post full of beauty and information , right up my street.Love the peonies. Baking cakes is out at the moment, I'm trying to lose a few lbs after winter comfort food, I need to be able to get onto my lighter Spring clothes for my forthcoming trip to Denmark. But the painting info from you & Rita's comment is always needed. I feel just like you , It could have been me who wrote your P.S.those words & thoughts are always swimming around in my head.Then Ronelle sends me a note telling me to stick with MY style and not to want to paint like someone I admire.. But I'll certainly be having a look at the books you mentioned.

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    1. So true.. stick to your style..you have more your style than me..not just saying that..:)

      We are far from peonies..but I know they will happen..
      All my jeans are tight..
      It's padding for the cold..Just went snowshoeing..but not far..I would have to ski intrepidly for it to work on the thinghs.
      I am just happy the legs work.I am sure you feel the same way..
      Happy I have 2 also.What a blessing..not everyone is so lucky.

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  6. Oh Monique, that cake sounds delicious. I will be baking it this week. Thank you.

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    1. It is Ann.. really good! Hope you like it..so easy too!

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  7. A beautiful post. That cake roll looks deliciousy beautiful. I love your macaroon on top. Beautiful painting and just gorgeous peonies. Hope it warms up soon for you.
    Shel

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    1. It will Shel..it's a given..Spring does come every year..followed by Summer..Soon..soon soon.

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  8. Great post and I love the cake roll. Hopefully spring is just around the corner. Your photos are really good.
    Have a great week,
    Mary

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    1. Mary..thank you.It just depends on how photogenic the food is I guess..this roll is pretty on it's own;)

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  9. Oh, Monique, waterlogue has just almost discouraged me from trying! Ha! it is just so easy to do the little app! But, I feel the stirrings of further attempts... sigh...

    I know one of my grandsons would adore this cake roll. That child would live on sweets if he could get away with it. hee hee I always stress about getting the cake from the pan to the dishcloth... but, it always works out okay. It is sunny here today! So nice to see it. Soon. Soon, it will be spring. =) blessings ~ tanna

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    1. I stress too..;) But this one is the easiest I think.
      I truly feel these look intimidating and they are not..They just look t!
      Waterlogue..how can a computer program do so much ..in so little time..and it make it look so effortless?
      Like Pinterest etc..I hope they never stop our use of it!
      Spring IS coming!!

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  10. What a beautiful cake roll! I think I take the word roll too seriously....maybe a less rigorous roll would yield better results for me!

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  11. What a gorgeous cake! I have the dishes! I think your style is whatever feels good when you do it. I had to find my style with photography. After experimenting with all sorts of different looks, I found that I kept going back to what I really loved.

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    1. You have found your style..in photography for certain! You are there.

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    2. Just found your blog - so pretty! I am now following :-)

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  12. You made everything look so elegant. The cake roll looks as light as a feather.
    I smiled at you comment about Waterlouge. Ha! It's the only way I can paint. '-)

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    1. Me too you know..I just cannot comapre..What a great little app!

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  13. Contente que la neige commence enfin à fondre ... ta jolie statue va respirer à nouveau, autant que ton jardin ... ;o) Je me suis rachetée de l'aquarelle, moi aussi ... Il y a des années, j'adorais ça ... j'ai laissé en suspens quand j'ai eu mes garçons et qu'ils avaient tendance à repeindre leur chambre avec mes tubes de couleurs ! ;o) Je note aussi larecette de ton gâteau roulé, que tu présentes, comme d'habitude, de façon si délicate ...
    Bisous
    Hélène

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    1. J'espère que tu partageras tes oeuvres..Je suis certaine que ton art va repésenter ta vraie personne..comme tout ce que tu entreprends.
      Tu es douée en tout.
      Un plaisir pour moi..que d'observer:)

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  14. The Most Delicious photos Monique.
    They are already paintings.
    Who doesn't want to paint like Waterlogue!!
    Me to Please. ;)

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    1. Such an app!:)
      You do paint..your charming style..and no one does macarons..pastries..tea settings..flowers in vases..like you.
      And my list can go on.

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  15. Today you are you!
    That is truer than true!
    There is no one alive who is you-er than you!
    ~Dr Seuss

    I love who you are Monique. You are so talented and have a style that is all your own and I love everything you do. They say that copying another is the sincerest form of flattery, but I think we need to be true to ourselves and just be the best "us's" we can be! That cake roll is calling my name! Mmmm . . . my mom has those same dishes! xoxo

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    1. I love that Dr Seuss quote.I have a Pinterest folder or two..of quotes..and then words..and sometimes I mix them up;)
      I have had those dishes forever and just bits and pieces.. flea market finds..So soft and pretty..another few have cross stitch on them..
      Thanks Marie.......

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  16. I've always loved cake rolls, Monique. Yours is lovely! Saw one on Pinterest yesterday that I saved as well: a lemon meringue cake roll.
    I love your watercolors...you already have a style and I think it's amazing. My grandmother did both watercolors and chalk...she was quite good. My sister and I have a lot of her work. However, the talent seems to have ended there. :(

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    1. My mom was a wonderful REAL artist..I have some of her works too.So very very very special.I have mentioned I wish she would have kept her art supplies and I could touch them..
      The thing with rolls I have found..is if the filling is not perfect..the roll suffers.
      I have not made a lemon one yet..but we love lemon..in our cards?:)

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  17. I love your picture of Savannah. She is bearing up well in the snow. I can imagine that she is dreaming of the peonies. Yours are gorgeous. I love your watercolor style. You don't have to change a thing. And that cake roll looks delicious. The only one I have ever made was a pumpkin one with cream cheese icing filling.

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    1. I think that's the one I made too:)
      Savannah is treading snow:)
      The cake roll is rather good..sometimes you win..sometimes not;)
      This one..wins.
      Thanks Penny!

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  18. Oh, Nana! This is perfect! I must, must try - especially since the genoise roll and lemon curd filling have been on my mind lately. I love this recipe ! Thanks so much and will make asap. Cold here, still lots of icy snowdrifts *sigh*

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    1. 35 F and tiny sparse snowflakes..soon Katrina..soon..Can't wait for our fresh herbs out the door~

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  19. You have impeccable style Monique, in everything you do, I love coming here!

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    1. I really apreciate all we learn from each other..
      My mentors;)

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  20. Finally, Savannah can breathe :) I love her. All of our snow melted this past mild week. It had covered the grass for such a long time that we have some 'snow mold' spots on the lawn. I'm just happy to see it again! Yes, soon we will see in technicolor outside. Soon. Such a beautiful cake roll and your china, so feminine - so you :) I am saving this recipe to try. I've never had anything like that filling before and am anxious to taste it. This cake would be lovely to fill with almost anything throughout the seasons. I'm imagining lemon filling with fruit or chocolate and raspberries but the brown sugar, maple is perfect for Monique's Sugar Shack during maple sap running season :) I looked at Rita's lovely site on my iPad last night (I hate commenting on it though). I got lost there for almost 30 minutes. Such talent. She has beautiful handwriting just like you. Wish I did. Waterlogue is finally on my iPad now. What fun!

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    1. There was an artist we loved here..She was a cartoonist too..and her little strip appeared for many many years..you might know the strip..For Better Or Worse..Lynn Johnston..some of her people remind me of Rita's..:)She has retired due to a medical condition..
      Maybe you can peek and see some similarities..
      Susan..I have proof that your write beautifully!♥

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  21. I've always wanted to attempt a rolled cake but always chicken out. Yours is gorgeous and would brighten any day. Savannah is so pretty, but I bet she can't wait for spring either with those beautiful pink peonies.
    Sam

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    1. She's had the biscuit..you know how damp cement gets..cannot be good for her arthritis;)
      It's a fun little cake to make Sam..

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  22. They say you develop your style after much time and practice. I don't think I have ever developed a style in painting; perhaps in my paper sculptures yes. And, Monique, very often when I am painting a piece, I say to myself, this is just awful - it's not working and won't turn out. Then, I just keep at it and most of the time, it does work out. I am a perfectionist though so nothing is really ever good enough to me, so maybe the above just affects my work. Art classes are very helpful in the beginning before you develop bad habits. Just a tip for whatever it's worth.

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    1. I love tips..It's funny I feel that way about some crafts and baking.. it turns out..painting I think I have only liked a few things..nd they involve my grandsons..One on a tire swing..an oil of Lucas.. Noah on the beach Max on a walk..Oli at Sandy beach..just small little things..
      But I remember the days so well.
      You are an accomplished artist..
      Tips anytime:) Grateful.

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  23. Yes, please!! I'll have a piece of that cake roll and a cup of tea while you paint lovely watercolors for me.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  24. The cake roll - yum. I wonder about a savory filling too. Your posts always create happiness. Thank you for sharing. Xxoo

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  25. Great perspective! My peonies will not be out until June. They barely last two weeks, but I love them so much! Painting. Din't even get me started! And the cake roll sounds fab!

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    1. Me too..they are fleeting these beauties..but well worth the small effort..
      The staking..though:(
      If I had to start over..they would be the no staking ones..
      The big beauties.. a price to pay!

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    2. Hi Monique, your roll cake looks amazing, I bet it is delicious!

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    3. Hi Cheri..It is good..Serving it Saturday to the whole family..hope they agree!

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  26. I adore the Waterlogue app. I've used it many times and sometimes take photos just to use! I miss peonies - and haven't had any for 10 years. I can smell them now. I had sun on my face today here in Virginia. Cannot wait for spring! And I would love this cake roll. A beautiful creation!

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    1. I may have a photo or two developed to see..
      Virginia is a beautiful state..we always say that driving through when we visit Florida..
      Thank you.

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  27. We had the same winter as you, frigid but with beautiful blue skies. I enjoy the Waterlogue app but haven't used it recently. Must change that ;-) My sister has over 100 peony bushes lining her long driveway, and I am invited over in June to clip, clip, clip. I store some white buds in the fridge for use in July.... red, white and blue. I've always enjoyed cake rolls and I'm sure your family will love it. xo

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    1. I remember your red white and blue storage:) I stored some last year because of you and was happy I did..The dtry beautifully too!

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  28. Even when the weather outside is gloomy and grey, there is always color and something yummy in your blog. I do like my visits here. And the twinkling stars as I move the cursor :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  29. I love the photo of Savannah peeking over the snow. I'm sure you are wondering if the snow will ever disappear. We love a good cake roll and I'm intrigued by your filling recipe. It sounds delicious.

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  30. Drum roll please! Can you believe that i have never made a cake roll! I have to remedy that really soon. This one looks amazing and I imagine that the filling possibilities are endless! I am going to make this one my maiden voyage!
    I usually have chives coming up by now...not a sign of them yet...even though the snow is now melted from where they are sleeping.
    Bisous xoxoxo

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    1. Already? Your snow is gone?
      Was just going to email you..I will:)
      I have been dehoarding the craft room;)

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  31. What a delightful post, Monique...
    So beautiful to look at and read...
    I have a small pitcher that matches your plates!!
    how cool is that?
    Enjoy your evening..
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. It must be so pretty..
      You too enjoy the evening..

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  32. Sweet rolls my favorite also, they can be so different and unique.
    Crazy about your watercolors, thinking to start kern how to pain myself-))

    Hugs dear Monique,

    Yelena

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    1. Dear Yelena..they are not mine..it is an app..for IPads called waterlogue...

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  33. I have never made a cake roll. Now I'm ready to start, this one looks fantastic!

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    1. I read other tips too..like slicing the ends off before rolling..Brillian..just today..and another..said beat 10 minutes..no BP..imagine..
      I am happy with mine.but it just happened that I discovered this new French blog..and the rest is history!
      Marie ..The English Kitchen..made it..and left her filling creamier..looks fantastic:)

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    2. PS first thing I am making w/ basil..;)

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  34. How have I never made a cake roll before?? Maybe because I didn't know how easy it is to make. Okay, new thing on my to-do list!

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    1. It is nice and easy;)
      Do you read French..I could point you towards a very descriptive French blog roll:)
      You should start while you are so young;)

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  35. What a beautiful cake roll! Everything you bake is as beautiful as I imagine it is delicous! I am not artistic at all, and all of my art endeavors look like a kindergartner might have done them. I think watercolor paintings are gorgeous- Waterlogue may be the answer to all of my problems. :)

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  36. Those girls are beautiful. Where did you get them. I thought of you last week-as I was also in Montreal. It was grey. Bon Journeé

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    1. You were close both cities..!
      I made them..from a pattern found at Verity Hope..a shop on Etsy.owned by a lovely girl..Susannah.
      Her dolls are priceless..I still need practice.

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