Halloween at Last

Hooray for Halloween!!
I love this guy!! He's made entirely out of paper plates which I thought was fitting. I found him here: http://pickupsomecreativity.blogspot.com/2010/10/paper-plate-skeleton-tutorial.html

I'm not really sure what these things are (really small pine cones?) my mom brought them home for me from a trip to VT this past winter. I coated them in a shimmer modge podge and they are lovely but I still have to find a better way to show or use them.

It took forever (hours really) to cut out all the leaves and what not I had laminated last year. They have already begun to fall due to winter's fast approach ~ and also not being able to find something sticky enough for both the wall and plastic.

I got the idea for these while shopping for supplies for the wreath below the woman at the check out saw that I was buying Dumdums and said that I could use blow-pops to make spiders ~ I had the googly eyes so I had to try! Basically I took a circle of tissue paper and wrapped the pop then I used black pipe cleaners for the legs.

I was strolling through Target and came across a wreath that appeared to be made of black paper swirls. Thought I could do one better. I bought a foam circle, Dum Dums (lollipops), black tissue paper, and black spray paint. First I spray painted the foam circle or ring black, then I cut 3-4 inch circles from black tissue paper, I did this by folding the paper in half again and again until it is just larger then your circle size which should amount to just over 40. I used 3 tissue paper circles for each lollipop I covered the pop with one circle taping the circle in place on the lollipop stick then I poked a hole in the center of the remaining two pieces of paper then stuck the pop in the center as if making a flower with a pop center (see previous post ~Birthdays) once the paper was secure i placed the lollipop in the foam until covered. I used the same process of tissue paper circles (frayed) around bamboo skewers to add the orange. I won't be home to pass out candy this year so the kids will be on the honor system I plan on leaving a sign that says something like, Dum Dums are fun but leave enough for everyone?? We'll see!  

This little guy was an idea courtesy of http://www.marthastewart.com/275192/halloween-decorations-and-costumes-you-c/@center/276965/halloween

 I originally founds these silhouettes in Martha Stewart Living the magazine. Now though, I believe if you go to the website there is a template!

I saw these pumpkin crawlers on my new favorite thing ~~ Pinterest and had to try mine are below I opted not to used the pipe cleaners because my pumpkins were rotting rapidly and I wanted to make the spiders (above) instead. These were fairly simple; I drew a circle the size of a tea light around the top then removed the seeds and inserted a candle.

Next time:

my true love

of ~~ Pinterest!  

An Ode to Aunt Alice

I cannot tell you when my love for baking began ~ I didn't grow up with a domestic goddess, my mom worked and had six children, which she raised pretty much on her own after a time. There really wasn't much time for keeping house, sewing, or baking. Meals were almost always 15 minute wonders. I mean wonders in terms of; what the heck is this, why the heck is this good, and how the heck did you cook it so fast? In mom's defence her own mother was no June Cleaver either, Granny loved to host but I was never sure about her cooking. Also, I'm pretty sure my mom doesn't have the patience for that sort of stuff.

My Aunt Alice however, has been quietly brewing domestic magic in her home for years, always beautiful desserts on our holiday tables, seriously she would bake magic, not a fan of apple no worries there's lemon meringue, or pumpkin; all hand made and delicious. Not to mention all the money we nieces and nephews have saved over the years in birthday, shower, and wedding cakes!! I never took much mind of this growing up I was spoiled. Aunt Alice does it so graciously, there is never a, "look at what I made", she leaves that to her nieces (I do that lol)! She always shares her knowledge, ideas, and tips which I love and need. It wasn't until I moved out and started going to other holiday gatherings that I realized how lucky I was. In part because the dessert table was never such a plethora of goodness and also because I can't explain the beauty that is Aunt Alice's baking, nor the joy it brings me!!   So without further ado here are some samples...... I wish I had more pictures........

This was the most recent cake she's made it was for my most beautiful, little niece Zora's ballerina extravaganza and it was beautiful. My sister Rosa said she became teary eyed when she saw it, and it took my breath away! I love everything about it especially the tutu!! I wish I had a picture of the cake she made for my nephew Teddy it was awesome but I forgot my camera.

 

This was a baby shower cake for my cousin Emily and the handsome baby Alan it is so sweet!!

A cake for my cousin Sarah and the littlest baby boy Max, he's really cute like his cake!!

This piece of beauty was made for Tiffany and Lily the beauty, I really love this!! Hungry Caterpillar!

These are just a few examples of her work she really is amazing and I really really wish I had more pictures saved the last is my wedding cake ~~ be prepared to have your socks knocked off!!

construction with care

Aunt Alice adding the final touches

This cake was all the things a bride could ask for it was delicious, beautiful, and huge (7 tiers)!!! I loved, loved, loved it!!!!

Thanks Aunt Alice for introducing me to the wonderful world of baking!!

Just thought I'd share that. Up next Fall and Halloween decorations: I made these leaves for my tree last year. When I took them down I ran them through my laminator, not realizing that I would now have to cut them all out once again. AHH the frustration mounts!!

Sweet Ballerina Bliss

My eldest sister Rosa and her beautiful family came to town this weekend, and her eldest Zora was having a Birthday party!! Hooray 4!! Initially, the plan was for a beach party which I love (see previous posts), but then the plans changed and the party was going to be a Ballerina party held at my sister Niki's lovely new home!! So first things first.....Inspiration!! (My favorite part!!) Scouring google images for ideas is most fun; I often, and highly recommend it!! Here's what I found and what I used....Yay!!

http://blowoutparty.com/blog/2011/01/glittery-ballerina-birthday-party/

Isn't this gorgeous!! I really love this and I love this blog ~~ Thanks again google-I!
This one party had so many great components that I really didn't need to look further.
 My favorites were the meringue ballerina cookies and the wands. My meringues were not as nice, they were messy but awesome!! I drew the outline of the dancer and started cutting them out ~~ I really need a die cut machine.

My grandmother used to make meringue cookies during the holidays, she called them Angel Kisses so I think it was fun for everyone to see them at a family party again.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.joyofbaking.com/MeringueCookies.html I varied a little as I used different flavoring, which leads me to another discovery ~ Flavoring oils!! The oils are just $1.75 a piece and three drops of the oil is equivalent to a teaspoon of say vanilla extract. I used peppermint (my favorite), strawberry, raspberry, and vanilla. I found these at a local foodie store that I love, and that; a) makes me wish I could really bake, and b) makes me wish we were rich I want so many of the awesome things in this store ~ Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium http://www.rollingpinonline.com/ .

The other idea I used from this blog was the party wands I wanted to do something safe for the babies and also that included the boys: these were super fun to make. I first went out and gathered some tree branches from the back yard. Then I whittled them down to remove the sand and bark

2 things ~ yes that's my fat leg and yes that is a kitchen knife. Apparently, I didn't have the proper tools or a kind photographer. My husband didn't follow his only instruction which was; do not get any part of me in the picture. So after the bark was whittled away I then sanded down any little stumps I was able to use a power tool and I loved it (made things so much easier)!!

Next I started making the wand toppers this was fun and totally an idea of my own so I really wanted to do a good job and I was really proud of myself.

  I used cookie cutters to make the shapes I filled them with a sheet of tissue paper then I used modge podge (the stuff of gods) to paper mache them together I did both the front and back while in the cookie cutter then removed to mache the sides. I used crepe paper to mache the first two -to- three layers then I added colored tissue paper for an additional two layers. They were a bit sticky or tacky because of the modge podge but they were soft and squishy which I loved. I hate when kids are given toys that turn into weapons and all the other wands I'd seen (in the stores) were either a really hard acrylic or wood. My son picked one up and said, "mom this looks good can I eat it" of course I said no and he replied "but it's so soft and chewy feeling." Mission accomplished babies probably would chew on it but it wasn't toxic and the bigger kids wouldn't kill each other yay!!

To finish them I wrapped each stick in crepe paper or ribbon, added some ribbon to the tops, (my mom did this by simply tying the ribbon on) then I used my exacto to poke/carve a hole in the toppers filled the holes with hot glue and attached them to the sticks then voilà we have wands!! (there were 15 of them)

I also fell in love with these ~~http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2010/08/paper-ballerina-garland.html

I drew an outline then cut out from (accordion folded) tissue paper I didn't have time to tape and hang all of them but I managed to use some of them!

Last but certainly not least I made a banner!

Sorry for such a long post but everything was so pretty that cake was gorgeous~~ My aunt Alice made it she is amazing!! Which I think may lead to a post of all the cakes she has made I think I have a pic of most of them and they truly are things of beauty!! Yep I'm pretty sure that will be my next post!! See you next time!!

Fall OH ~ My Blog

I love fall!! Not because of the beautiful changes the season brings...I live in Florida where it pretty much stays redundantly hot through November. I love fall because I LOVE the holidays!!! Halloween is my absolute favorite! The candy, costumes, decorations, and the parties...oh the parties!! I'm going back and forth on whether or not I'm going to host one this year and it's looking like a yes!!! I'm so excited, I've started gathering ideas already. I still have plenty to do from previous posts so I'm not going to post any October projects, but I will say I'm having fun completing them!

Ok I will post this one since it's already in my memory card lol and because it will be my first foodie post (finally) 

Pumpkin cupcakes 
I saw these on another blog and had to make them (I love all things pumpkin)!  The only ingredients called for was pumpkin pie filling and yellow cake mix. The end result was a thing of beauty, seriously the prettiest unfrosted cupcake ever, but I thought that they needed two adjustments to make them perfect ~1.) just a little less pumpkin and 2.) just enough sweetened condensed milk for dulcitude. I'm going to try them again because they were lovely and will taste wonderful with some of my homemade cheese cream frosting!!

I thought that this was going to be a short post but while we're at it > I wanted to add another non-paper item.

Tin lanterns!! After talking about lighting with my sister Rosa, I remembered that I had a book (her book) on lanterns, and started making these immediately.Turns out my son Kaymen and I both found that we had useless collections of cans his Arizona and mine redbull so we had the supplies at home This is the best kind of recycling!!  I love them, they're slow going but they are beautiful. I'm hoping to have a string of eight to give to my brother-in-law (because he actually uses his lovely yard) so far I have four so I'm half way there!! I'd like a set for myself as well, especially if I manage to throw a party.

There are just a few of the things I've been working on. In the next few weeks I hope to be a very busy, very productive lady.

PS I Love Fall!!

Summer's End

Every year at the end of another summer I go through a time of mourning. Kaymen is off to school again, fall is around the corner with the holidays in tow, and the care free living of summer has gone. This year however I leave summer behind with a definite sense of excitement! Kaymen (my baby) has started High School! I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel!! I'm both excited and nervous everything counts from here on. If I have ever considered myself a good parent in the past I have to set those standards aside and raise the bar ten fold. All the work from the past will come to fruition in the next 4 years and man, that's freaking Exciting!!!!

I'm also glad to see summer close because I was so busy; my social calendar was booked like never before, which is awesome but I'm ready to get back to some normalcy and I'd like to get back to work (literally).

I co-hosted a bridal brunch and came up with some great stuff!

The summer fun hasn't all been in vain. I was able to make some crafts for one of the events~

These hearts were for a game that my Mother-in-law and I came up with; The Key to a successful marriage. Each guest was given a key with a unique cut out that fit into a heart, the guest was to write on the key ~ advice, what they think the "key" to a successful marriage is. The keys were then placed on a key chain and given to the Bride To Be, she then read the keys aloud and had to guess who had the matching heart the guest would hand the bride their heart for the bride to try and place the key in the heart, if it fit the bride guessed correctly keeps the heart and moves to the next key if the key does not fit then the bride chooses another guest.
We had twelve guests at the brunch so I cut out 120 hearts 96 were cut out of pastel card stock the additional 24 were cut out of decorative paper I then separated the card stock into twelve piles of eight and glued them together. Then I chose two pieces of the decorative paper and glued them to the front and back of my piles of eight. (Sorry this is my first attempt at writing out directions.) The next step was to make keys using an additional 24 pieces of my finest paper and 1 pieces of card stock I cut out 12 unique keys. Each key had a specific blade. The key were made of three layers of paper a decorative front and back with a piece of card stock in between. Once the key was made I traced each of the twelve key blades on an individual heart then using an exacto knife cut into the heart about five layers.

the Bride after the game

They turned out beautifully!

My sister introduced me to this blogger Ann Wood http://www.annwood.net/blog/  and I love her so!! I thought I'd try my hand at some of her stuff IE: her paper mache boats.

 here's my attempt (not nearly as nice)

I had to throw in some paper flowers

I made two boats and they were surprising easy to make! In fact I finished them on a trip to the beach in the hotel room.

The last "completed" craft I have is neither paper nor a small dish but it was fun!!

Take home bags!!

What to do now that's summer is over??

Finish all unfinished projects

Finish school

and Find a freaking job!! 

I'm doing it again

Ok so I'm a bit behind (an understatement). I had hoped that by this time I would have at least one how to posted or my business plan started, but no such progress has been made on my end. However, I haven't been neglecting these things in vain I have been a bit busy....... I'm doing 20 projects at once again. AAAHHhhh I have so many things on my brain and I'm  terribly unorganized which, as it turns out makes for slow going.
So please devoted readers do not forsake me (all 5 of you). I'm still in this I just need some organization.
Here's a look at what I've been up to I can't show all of it because it's not done yet.

Yes I am cutting up a book and I can't believe it either. It took a lot of planning to convince myself that it would be worth it in the end so I think this one will be great once complete. Unfortunately this is only the beginning.

I'm also in the final stages of my paper mache hot air balloon mobile (yes I'm still working on that). All I have left to do is paint them and ship them yay!! (pictures to come)

What else? Remember all those flowers I've been making? Well I flew to VT recently to visit my sis and her beauties. I brought the flowers along to make on the plane and I had planned on giving some away. I wound up leaving them in VT, so I'm starting over I think I probably had made upwards of 2,000. Luckily there easy busy work and I already have close to 50 new ones made. VT was beautiful and I got to spend time with both of my sisters and all of our children at once!! I also came across some really great ideas (like the book above).  I'll share my inspiration for the book once it's complete, but I've been collecting supplies to make this or something like this I can't wait because I totally love it!

Not the greatest picture. I found this in the Burlington Library, it's a large fish with little fish inside.

 I'm working on some stuff that's top secret but I've been getting pictures so I'll reveal them when allowed.