Rocket Cake

For this cake, I just baked two round cakes and then designed the rocket from there.

I wish I would have taken pictures of the whole process for you, but since I didn't, hopefully you'll be able to get an idea by just looking at the final product.

One suggestion: freeze the cake before you cut it or try to ice it!  It makes things so much easier!
Also, it is best to put one layer of icing on, freeze it again (for an hour or two), and then put on the final layer of icing

I used sprees and Red Hots for the designs, as well as pull-apart licorice, and an ice cream cone.

It was a big hit!!

Above:  Birthday party #1

Below: Birthday party #2

Once There Was a Snowman!

I painted these for Christmas this year, and I just wanted to share! :)

Homemade Lip Balm

Ever wonder what 200 containers of homemade lip balm looks like?  Well, now you don't have to - you're welcome! :)

What it is:

• 2 parts coconut oil
• 1 part beeswax
• a few drops of vitamin E
• pina colada flavoring

How to make it:

View this blog. :)

Thanksgiving Felt Craft

Here's another felt craft for you!  This time it's for Thanksgiving instead of Halloween, but I did everything by using the exact same process as I did before.  So, if you would like to see the (very simple) instructions on how to make felt crafts, then just click here. :)

Halloween Treats

So, we have a Halloween Party every year, and I am usually (always) in charge of the treats/prizes.

This year, I decided to get creative, and I made felt candy holders.

They were really simple, and turned out very cute. So, I thought I'd share.

In order to make one of these Halloween holders all you need to do is buy a little felt, and get out your glue gun.  It's pretty much as simple as that!

I just drew a pattern for each one on a paper, and then cut out the paper and pinned it to the felt.

Next: cut the felt.

**Note: double up on the felt so that when you cut, you cut two pieces instead of one.  It makes things SO much easier!

After that, you just cut a slit in the middle of one piece of the felt. This piece will be used as the back of the candy holder.  (That's where the candy goes.)

Next:  Hot glue the pieces together around the edges, and wait for it to cool.

While you're doing that, make a design on the front by using other felt. I made faces, etc.

Finally, stuff the holder.

So fun! SO easy!

Here's the picture:

Halloween Snacks

Okay, I'm weird.  I really, REALLY love Halloween.  So, what do I do?  I make my kids some quirky snacks and then post the photo of those snacks to the blog for others to view.  Kind of silly, but let's just roll with it.

I guess it would be helpful if I had one of those fabulous cameras that will make anything and everything look as good in a picture as it did in real life, but that's a whole other can of worms.  Ha!  Can of worms!  How fitting for this feast!

So, here's the picture!  Hopefully it will give you some inspiration for the little ones in your life as well! :)

What do we have here?

Spider crackers
Finger hot dogs AND carrots

And finally...

Olive snakes

The kids sure loved them, so I guess that spells success, right!? :)

Halloween Birthday Cake

I saw this cute idea for a cake online, and I just had to make it.  My sister had a birthday in October, and I offered to make her a cake, and what better way to celebrate than to combine two fun, festive holidays into one!?! :)

I used pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate for the legs, fondant for the feet, and icing for the skirt.

Here it is!

Science Guy Birthday Cake

I had never used fondant before I made this cake!  However, when your little guy comes to you and requests a scientist cake, how can you refuse?  So, I studied up!

I learned:

1) Freeze the cake overnight after you make it for easy frosting application
2) Use buttermilk frosting before putting on fondant.
3)When using buttermilk frosting, it is best to use homemade.  I found THE BEST recipe for this.  It was truly delicious! Try to find one you love!
4) Freeze the cake again (at least for a few hours) before adding the fondant.
5) Store bought fondant is not tasty on it's own.  Suggestion: Find a great marshmallow fondant recipe that you love, and then add just a little bit of store bought fondant.  That will give it the right elasticity. Then you have great looking fondant that TASTES good, too!

Here is the end result.  Not bad for having never done a fondant cake before!  I definitely did my research! :)

He actually had two parties, so I had to make the cake two days in a row. 

I did it a little differently each time, but either way, he was one happy camper.....er...scientist! :)

Easter Bunny Candy Holder Craft

My kids loved making this little candy holder!  The best part?  It was super easy!!

Here's how you do it:

Take an envelope and glue it shut.

Then place it in front of you with the long part vertical (instead of horizontal like it usually is).

At that point, start drawing a line (in pencil!) from left to right about 1/2 the way down from the top.  When you get about 1/4 the way across, draw a bunny ear.  Continue on and draw another bunny ear before ending your line at the other side of the envelope.

Then, cut on the line.

The next step will be to place the side of the envelope in front of you that doesn't have any seems.

Finally, make your bunny face!  We used cotton balls for the cheeks, but you can use whatever you would like!  Be creative!

Then let the kids fill it up with candy!

Easy peasy!! :)

Easter Egg Craft for the Kids

My son and I made this little chick for Easter.  It was really easy!

First, using a pin,
you just poke a hole in each end of an egg and then blow out the yoke. (Hardest part.)

Second, you dye the egg.

Then we just used crafting foam to make the wings and the feet.

Finally, we glued some felt on the top of the foam feet and under the eyes to make a beak!

voilà!

Saint Patrick's Day

I can't remember where I saw this craft, so I can't take credit for it.  However, it sure was fun to make!

Enjoy!

Hello Cupcake!

I made this Cupcake Bouquet for a friend of mine who just had a baby boy!!

So much fun!

Valentine' Day 2015

"H" wanted a Tank Valentine's box this year.  So, I found the idea here, and we just made it our own!  

Dad's Birthday

I made this for my dad's birthday, but I'm sure you could make it for Father's Day as well.

Cupcake Bouquets

My very first cupcake bouquet.  (I made it a few years ago for my sister's 30th birthday.)

This is the cupcake bouquet I made today for a charity auction.

Hopefully I've only improved. :)

60th Birthday Cake

Who knew ribbon could dress things up so much, right?!

Well, I highly recommend it!!

My sister and I discovered that it's SO easy and looks amazing!

Valentine's Day Box

Introducing....The Alligator!

I saw a picture of one online, and then just took it from there.

"H" loved it! 

Quilt I made for my mom

Nothing says I love you like a whole bunch of  hands on a quilt! :)

The children, grandchildren, and in-law children...they're all there!

My Cookie Bouquet For My Sister

Easiest Spiderman Cake Ever

I had to do two of these within a week of each other, but I'm not complaining!  It was the easiest idea I've come up with yet!! :)

Self-Explanatory

My Christmas Craft

I bought some containers for Christmas this past year (2012) hoping to make some goodies for the neighbors.  I bought 54 of them.  Now, you may ask: Why would anyone in their right mind buy 54 containers to fill with Christmas goodies?  The answer: I have no idea.

I obviously hadn't really thought that one through.  However, once I started baking, and it took me 3 hours to fill 2 containers, I knew I had to come up with a new idea....And I did.

Here it is:  The Snowball Fight Survival Kit

It ended up being a big hit, so I thought I'd show you how to make it!

Step one:  buy some lovely little plastic containers.  I got mine at Orson H. Gygi Company

Step two:  Fill the large containers with marshmallows,

Coconut,

And Hot Chocolate Mix.

Step three: Fill the small containers with licorice,

Chocolate Chips,

And a million dollar mint.

Step three:  Dip a plastic spoon in melted chocolate and wrap it up.

Step four: Put together two candy canes and a rectangular cookie in a small bag.

Step five:  Put the containers in a 2 lb. candy container.

Step six: Place the spoon, and small bag of goodies on top.

Step seven: Add a list of the Snowball Fight Survival Kit's contents.

And your done!! :)

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!

Funniest Shirt EVER

A Book I Can't Recommend Enough!

The Last Two Years

Well, obviously I've missed a few years. The last time I posted it was January 2011, and now it's already January 2013. Wow, how time flies!! I had hoped that 2011 would have been the best year ever, but alas, it was one of the hardest. However, 2012 helped me through it all, and I'm grateful for that. Even though it, too, was a rough year, I grew more than I think I ever have before. Every life has its seasons, and we all have to go through those seasons many times over.

 I've had a few tough "winters".



 And I've definitely experienced what it's like to skate on thin ice.



 However, I've also experienced some of the most beautiful springs,

 

Summers,

 

And Autumns of my life, too!

  

 I also believe that once you get through the rough winters, you learn to appreciate the good times even more.

 

 You take a little more time to stop and smell the roses,

 


 And the next time you experience a winter season, maybe it won't appear so bad!

 


 

Welcome to 2013 everbody!