Delicious Alchemy Collaboration 1 - Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Delicious Alchemy sent me over some of their products to feature on my blog. This bake is the first of my collaborations with them. All imagery is my own.

"When Delicious Alchemy got in touch asking if I wanted to try out some of their Gluten Free mixes I jumped at the chance. I've been loving featuring more food and recipes on my blog and have found such a passion for baking and cooking. This is the first mix I've tried and these brownies are UNBELIEVABLE so I'm really excited to try some more. (Victoria Sponge cake coming soon!)

Anyway, onto the brownies. The mix comes in a beautifully packaged bag (this one travelled back home with me hence the creasing). It's also dairy free if you simply substitute the butter for a dairy free alternative. The instructions are super simple and are on the side of the packet. 

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees. Line a baking tray 20cm (ish) with greaseproof paper, leaving an amount left out of the edges, approx 2.5cm. 

Melt 100g Unsalted butter and add to the mix. It should form a light batter (mine was more of a lumpy mess at this point). Lightly beat two large eggs, then also add these to the mixture. You stir the mix rather than whisking, due to the chocolate and fudge pieces inside. The picture below shows the consistency. I was panicking that I had lumps of powder mixed in, but it had all mixed together really well.

Serve up into the tin and flatten the top. As you can tell, I was terrible at this so this was my attempt. When cooked, the top all went flat anyway, but try to keep the mixture as level as possible to avoid burning sections.

Place into the oven for 18-22 minutes. Mine took 18 and it was cooked through, personally I wouldn't have liked the mixture anymore cooked as I like my brownies really soft! Take out of the oven and leave for 20 minutes in the tray. After this time has passed, you can use the greaseproof paper to lift the brownie out. Then wait until it has completely cooled before cutting. That was definitely the hardest part!!!! The temptation to have a taste was unreal.

Once it's completely cooled, go ahead and slice it up. You could leave larger slices like this to serve as a big portion, or cut them up into small squares for nibbles at a party. My grandma and friends all taste tested these and loved them. I left a box at my friends flat when I went out and they were all gone before I got back, definitely a successful bake!

The mixes do have a "May contain traces of nuts & peanuts" warning, typically unavoidable especially with gluten free foods, but they are currently setting up their own entirely nut free factory! Such a rarity (everything seems to have allergy warnings these days!) and definitely something that attracts me to brands.

Have you ever tried Delicious Alchemy products? 

Laura xxx"

Portfolio Page Examples

Here are two of the pages from my Portfolio section of my website. I need to decide whether to embed the videos through Youtube or Vimeo. Vimeo looks nicer but has limits on HD uploads so will cause a problem in the timeframe. Currently, Opaque is hosted on Vimeo while Louis Vuitton is on YouTube.

Project Click-through Resolved

I have resolved the issue with the click through. Now when you hover on the image there is no longer a 'go to link' option, simply clicking through links to the page.

Project Click-through

Currently, when the images are hovered over, the name of the subject and a brief description appears. I have created pages for them to link through to which will host the video, however currently it is displayed as a "Go to link" option and simply clicking on the image doesn't link though

An example of the video page.

Website Generation

I have begun testing various websites to generate my Digital Portfolio for my project. After a failed attempt with Wordpress which I can't get on with, I've found a beautiful template on Wix and have tweaked it to suit my project, brand and style. This is just a start, as I will of course be altering all the images to my own.

Editing the Homepage

A preview of the Mobile Site, unfortunately due to my project being mainly video based, it will be difficult to create a successful and flowing Mobile Site hosting it all.

My project page will include other projects in addition to my Final Major Project work, which will all be featured both on the homepage and the Project page

My CV page will feature my CV. I will upload a higher quality image to this, and am unsure on whether the size of text is suitable. I'm also undecided on using a photo of myself.

My Contact page will simply contain my email and mobile number, in addition to a Contact Form to email me direct from the page. All my other information is on my CV page so isn't needed on here.

A zoomed out shot of the website so far. I'm really happy with how well it matches my designed one I planned before.

Amy Wilders Intro Edit Three Fixed

Amy Wilders Intro Edit 3 Final from Laura Sweetingham on Vimeo.

I managed to fix the sizing problem, it was due to the settings in which I exported the video not matching my sequence settings. Now this is resolved I am far happier with the appearance of the video and the way in which it plays. This should also reduce bugs and random flashes which sometimes occur, and improve the quality despite it not being a HD upload due to Vimeo limits.

Amy Wilders Intro Edit Three

I'm really happy with this edit. I like the continual shot of the mixing bowl with the title over the top and think it looks a lot more professional. However, I need to figure out the configurations of the video, as when uploading to vimeo there is a black header and footer, whereas I want the full image to fill the screen. Through research, this is to do with something called non-square pixels, however I am still unsure on how to resolve the issue. 

Amy Wilders Intro Edit Two

Amy Wilders Intro Edit Two from Laura Sweetingham on Vimeo.

From the first edit, I added clips of Amy baking within the shots of the Bakery. I like the contrast from the still shots to a moving image. 

I've also altered the title to have the sound continue throughout. I quite like the continuity but am not entirely happy with the appearance of the title so will experiment with this. I also prefer the sound of the radio as a background, as opposed to when there is songs playing, so will tweak this also.

Amy Wilders Intro Edit One

Amy Wilders Intro Edit One from Laura Sweetingham on Vimeo.

Amy Wilders - Baking Location 1

Bakery location for Amy Wilders Film. There will be a variety of locations for this film, one is the bakery, another is in Amy's home for the interview element, and the final is at my home, where she is baking a Wedding Cake and I will be filming the entire process from start to finish, which will be over a number of days. 

Dance Location

For the filming location we will be using Lambert's Yard. I have been to this gallery a number of times over the past few years, and have seen it be transformed from a Fine Art exhibition, to a Pop-up shop and to an event space featuring Yoga. The below pictures show a variety of elements of the space, including a few ways it can be transformed. I love how lit up and beautiful it looks in the day due to the large windows, which will be perfect for filming.

I love the window panes and can't wait to experiment with the shadows cast through them.

This is a completely different way to use and transform the space. It shows its flexibility and how personalised it can be made.

Dance Inspiration

While I am not choreographing the dance personally, the routine is key for the videography and final output. Therefore I will be sharing my inspiration with the choreographer, and any ideas I have. I think using the environment is really important, whether it be to reflect the rustic feel of an old setting, or contrast the modernity of a new building.

In addition, I think using the location and the space to its full potential is essential. I love the look of sunlight creating shadows from the windows, and the contrasts in space, like a wooden floor and white wall. These are a variety of images I have collated for inspiration for shots and positions, as well as ways to use different spaces.

Potential editing idea, repeating the dancer across the screen to create a group of dancers. I love repeating shots moments apart in my editing and I think this could be portrayed well.

I love the shadows cast by the window panes in this shot.

Here the fabric is key, contrasting completely with the black background the garment is enhanced and the movement portrayed clearly.

I love the contrast of the girly formal dresses in a run down graffitied environment.

I love the use of the darkness and small element of light to enhance and draw focus to the dancer.