tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30767221680743587802024-03-12T18:08:00.018-07:00MacKenzie's Crafty MomJanelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-30528672928571447032010-08-17T06:00:00.000-07:002010-08-17T06:15:17.769-07:00Hoo Are You<div align="center">I have wanted to participate in <a href="http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/2010/08/hoo-are-you-11.html">Night Owl Crafting's Hoo Are You</a> for some time now, but for one reason or another it just hasn't worked out....Until today!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Copied from Night Owl Crafting:<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Here are the RULES!!!</span><br />I can't wait to get to know each other a little better and see what else we have in common besides our craftiness! Here's how it will work, each Tuesday I'll post a few questions. They can be anything from What's your favorite color to What's your favorite movie.<br /><br />•You will then copy this week's questions and change the answers to your own.<br />•You will post them in a new post on your blog (you can back date this post so it doesn't show up as your newest post) and then come and link up that particular post (not the link to your main blog) here on our link party.<br />•Make sure to visit as many blogs as you can and comment! It will be a good way to get to know some fun and interesting things about your fellow crafters!<br />•Also add this cute little button to your post so that others can join in on the PARTY!!! (It is over on the left side bar). <br /></div><div align="center"> <br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><center><a href="http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" alt="NightOwlCrafting" src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa169/lesliebullock/Fullscreencapture672010100824PM--2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></center><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Here are this weeks questions!</span><br /><br />1. What is your favorite flavor?<br />2, What was or is your favorite subject in school?<br />3. What are some of your hobbies?<br />4. Do you prefer fruits or vegetables?<br />5. What color of eyes do you have?<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Here are my answers!</span><br /><br />1. My favorite flavor(s) would have to be Chocolate and then peanut butter and anything chocolate/peanut butter flavored - I'm a sucker for a peanut butter cup!</p><p align="center">2. My favorite subject in school was anything Math related. Math makes sense to me! English Lit on the other hand...... HATED it!</p><p align="center">3. Obviously I love to craft and cake. I also read a lot (funny given my above answer!). I feel like dieting should be listed as a hobby since it consumes so much of my time.</p><p align="center">4. I guess I would prefer veggies. But, if I'm being honest here - I don't really like very many in either category! haha! Give me a starch any day... hmmm.. I think I just found the reason DIET is listed under hobby! haha!</p><p align="center">5. I have blue eyes. Very very blue eyes. I constantly have people ask if I wear colored contacts. I had hoped that my daughter would inherit the blue eyes - alas, that did not happen, dirt brown hers are!</p><p align="center">I can't wait to read everyone else's answers!!!</p>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-52794786393926411072010-08-15T19:41:00.000-07:002010-08-15T19:49:19.134-07:00Randoms....UPDATE:<br />its fixed!!! YEA!!!!! <br /><br />A few random things on my mind....<br /><br />1. What the HECK happened to my blog. My whole design is GONE and I have no idea how to fix it.....<br /><br />2. I HIT A 100 FOLLOWERS!!! (101 to be exact!)<br /><br />3. How do you check how many "subscribers" you have?? (can you tell I'm new to the blogger thing?)<br /><br />4. I need to work on the tutorial to go with my AWESOME giveaway - I want to get it up by Wednesday. (make sure you check back because its going to be AWESOME!)<br /><br />5. Why does my daughter have night terrors EVERY NIGHT - seriously, this one was bad and scared the crap outta me!)<br /><br />6. What was Bendon thinking with those nominations?!?!<br /><br />7. The comments from my penguin cake post were so so so sweet!!! Thank you all!!!<br /><br />8. I gotta get some sleep.....<br /><br />Goodnight my blog readers - sorry about the appearance of my blog - hang tight for that tutorial and giveaway!Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-49750940522384034822010-08-12T12:39:00.000-07:002010-08-12T12:55:40.676-07:00Summer Vacation officially OVER!Sorry I have been a little MIA lately - summer just took over and I lost control! Even though MacKenzie hasn't started school yet I feel like summer is officially over. We have done all the back to school shopping and I have gone back to cake overload!<br /><br /><br /><br />We took a vacation to Ohio to see my family and my grandmother (88 years old). While there my cousin Jen turned 21 and I made her a quick little cake:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504611188261416146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TGROtgb2bNI/AAAAAAAAAX4/WHJe2W4h8Zo/s320/21.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504611192702988674" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TGROtw-zcYI/AAAAAAAAAYA/Nkm5Xmys8_Q/s320/side+1.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504611198564754258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TGROuG0W41I/AAAAAAAAAYI/NNO8HXWuYFg/s320/side+2.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>This was a coconut cake with buttercream icing. I did the side design free hand and all piped. I just kinda winged it - I LOVE the way it turned out and Jen loved it as well.</div><div></div><br /><div>As soon as I got back I had to get started on THE MOST adorable cake for a friends daughter - </div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TGRQeLXfVHI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/FEyDzSqGYHU/s1600/penguin+cake+top+view.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504613123931198578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TGRQeLXfVHI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/FEyDzSqGYHU/s320/penguin+cake+top+view.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I can't tell you how much I LOVE this cake - again its all edible.</div><div> </div><div>I am working on an awesome (cake related) giveway for when I reach 100 followers...... just something for you to think about!!!</div><div> </div><div>Hope you enjoy!</div><div> </div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-24033940312852463702010-07-01T13:16:00.001-07:002010-07-01T13:47:48.788-07:00SugarEd ProductionsI'm pretty sure that I own every <a href="http://sugaredproductions.com/">SugarEd</a> DVD ever made. They are AMAZING! When I got "Perfecting the Art of Buttercream", my cakes took a turn for the GREAT! If you are new to cake decorating or want to learn to decorate - this is the place to start! <br /><br />SugarEd Productions is owned by my cake hero Sharon Zambito. She is a rock star in the cake world and has competed on Ultimate Cake Off on TLC. <br /><br />Sharon has a new DVD out called "Back to Basics, Baking for Cake Decorating". I am so excited about this DVD. You can't decorate a great cake unless you bake a great cake to start with. This DVD will teach you all the tricks to get your cakes perfect! It also includes recipes and a bonus section on how to make Cake Balls (or Cake Truffles). Check out the trailer that Sharon put together:<br /><br /><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwxKR5ncu4FSZUbbELNqba7wLwENKPM7ci4vyOddF2Jlmm1J7O8KkpmIy6YiMFOfoLj9hZ70ipCAPQrOUzpsg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Isn't that awesome! Seriously - you have to run over to her website and ORDER this DVD - while you are there grab the Buttercream, Fondant, Stacking, Sheet Cake and Topsy Turvy DVDs!!!</p><p>You also need to check out her <a href="http://sugaredblog.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. She teaches you some really fantastic things!</p><p>Can you tell I LOVE HER!</p><p>(I was not in any way compensated for this - I just really really believe in her methods and am proof that she can teach anyone!)</p>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-68191488883106579112010-06-18T08:31:00.000-07:002010-06-27T16:25:07.493-07:00Blast from the Past: Mario Kart Cake<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This is my nephew's cake from last year:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOsVx1egI/AAAAAAAAAWc/GrwvFDvS7I4/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOsVx1egI/AAAAAAAAAWc/GrwvFDvS7I4/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+050.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">He LOVES Mario Kart. Everything on the cake is handmade and edible. This cake is, to date, my most "over the top" creations. Here are some other views (its a 360 degree cake)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOl1v4SRI/AAAAAAAAAWU/CagxVS104Rg/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOl1v4SRI/AAAAAAAAAWU/CagxVS104Rg/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+049.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOyQIX0VI/AAAAAAAAAW0/i_lxA1kTogk/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOyQIX0VI/AAAAAAAAAW0/i_lxA1kTogk/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+053.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOt6OBcfI/AAAAAAAAAWk/seSox7DgyO0/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOt6OBcfI/AAAAAAAAAWk/seSox7DgyO0/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+051.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOvw1KHII/AAAAAAAAAWs/WUXesaFOQIA/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuOvw1KHII/AAAAAAAAAWs/WUXesaFOQIA/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+052.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuPAAoyyxI/AAAAAAAAAXk/EGU2vUBCnwA/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuPAAoyyxI/AAAAAAAAAXk/EGU2vUBCnwA/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+059.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And now for some close ups:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO0hS3zrI/AAAAAAAAAW8/w4cZUTYZxxs/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO0hS3zrI/AAAAAAAAAW8/w4cZUTYZxxs/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+054.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Donkey Kong</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO3XtTGuI/AAAAAAAAAXE/BjBxuvuj1zs/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO3XtTGuI/AAAAAAAAAXE/BjBxuvuj1zs/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+055.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Banana Peel</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO5J2O3fI/AAAAAAAAAXM/fGgXW9YBD54/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO5J2O3fI/AAAAAAAAAXM/fGgXW9YBD54/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+056.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Bullet, Mushrooms, Turtle Shell and Yoshi</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO6w3SSnI/AAAAAAAAAXU/pwtIuqoVaXw/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO6w3SSnI/AAAAAAAAAXU/pwtIuqoVaXw/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+057.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Flowers</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO9dXyrzI/AAAAAAAAAXc/HkgDyT5KCXM/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuO9dXyrzI/AAAAAAAAAXc/HkgDyT5KCXM/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+058.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Yoshi and Mario</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuPHsWBVOI/AAAAAAAAAXs/IS6rVj_MkHE/s1600/Drew%27s+Birthday+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBuPHsWBVOI/AAAAAAAAAXs/IS6rVj_MkHE/s320/Drew%27s+Birthday+060.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I think he likes it! Makes all 2 weeks of work totally worth it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This year he has already put in his request for a Sonic the Hedgehog Cake - I am at a total design loss!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://heathernow.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i44.tinypic.com/xfvtbo.jpg" /></a> </div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-36442067091074186182010-06-10T05:02:00.000-07:002010-06-10T05:02:42.861-07:00Birthdays....Sorry its been so long since I've blogged. I didn't realize almost 2 weeks has gone by!! Can you tell I was on a "cake break!". We had a wonderful Memorial Day with friends and then the normal craziness of the week, followed by 3 days at Disney. I'm still recovering!<br />
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Anyway...today is my birthday - wanna guess how old I am?? actually - don't! haha! I really wish that I had a bunch of giveaways lined up, but I guess you will just have to settle for the last cake that I made.<br />
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It was a 30th birthday suprise for one of my husband's best friends....he is a serious NY Yankees fan - <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBDSIi9EG6I/AAAAAAAAAVc/ramFdirlYME/s1600/Yankee%27s+cake+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBDSIi9EG6I/AAAAAAAAAVc/ramFdirlYME/s320/Yankee%27s+cake+002.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This is fast becoming one of my favorite cakes! The jersey has his name and his age on the back.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBDSM8WA14I/AAAAAAAAAVk/JfmgNgfnNbo/s1600/Yankee%27s+cake+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBDSM8WA14I/AAAAAAAAAVk/JfmgNgfnNbo/s320/Yankee%27s+cake+003.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The hat is rice crispy treats covered with icing and fondant.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBDSVnn22kI/AAAAAAAAAVs/gL573nogEwc/s1600/Yankee%27s+cake+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/TBDSVnn22kI/AAAAAAAAAVs/gL573nogEwc/s320/Yankee%27s+cake+042.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I think he likes it! Acutally he said it was "The best Birthday Cake I have ever had!". YEA!!!! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I am doing his and his fiancee's wedding cake in November - I LOVE the design they picked out!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Whenever my birthday rolls around everyone asks me who's making my birthday cake. Here's the short answer - no one ever makes me a birthday cake. My hubby and M usually go out to eat and I get something off the dessert menu. This year we are going to Bone Fish for dinner and I will be skipping the dessert portion of dinner - see I am dieting - hard core dieting and I have lost 14lbs since May 1st.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So - who makes YOUR birthday cake?</div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-75818143829886816592010-05-25T20:03:00.000-07:002010-05-25T20:03:58.766-07:00Quick and Easy CakeI just made this cake for a guy my husband works with. He takes care of my dogs when we go out of town, so even thought I feel terrible today (I feel like poo, which is kinda like having the flu - but different) I felt obligated to get it finished. So, although this wasn't my original design, I really like the way it turned out.<br />
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I just wanted to show you a cake that was really quick and easy, that you can totally do on your own and get a lot of ohhhh's and ahhhh's! I made this cake using the technique that I showed you yesterday in <a href="http://mackenziescraftymom.blogspot.com/2010/05/cake-tutorial-1.html">this post</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_yPNBA9D_I/AAAAAAAAAVU/MOHieYqG6Oo/s1600/boston+cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_yPNBA9D_I/AAAAAAAAAVU/MOHieYqG6Oo/s320/boston+cake.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry about the bad quality - too tired to take more pictures!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you like it and I would LOVE to see any cakes that you make!!</div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-68303305086150615242010-05-23T14:50:00.000-07:002010-05-23T18:13:57.768-07:00Cake Tutorial #1<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">As promised - sorry it took so long. Its been a really busy couple of weeks, but I did finally get around to putting together that tutorial I promised.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">As I was making this cake I realized the one key thing that you can do to make your cakes look more professional. Level your cakes before stacking them. This is so easy to do with a large serrated knife. A level cake makes all the difference in the world. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next, something easy that you can do to give you cakes so wow factor is adding fondant decorations. I had a question on one of my other cakes "Do you use the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">cricut</span> to cut out your fondant decorations" - the answer is no. I usually use either cutter (<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">gumpaste</span>/fondant cutters or cookie cutters) or I use an <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">exacto</span> knife and a template of some sort. So this is were we will start!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You will need:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fondant</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Tylose</span> powder (optional)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pasta roller (or rolling pin)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Template of something you want to cut out</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A new <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">exacto</span> knife</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A smooth cutting surface (like a cutting board)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Shortening </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Powder Sugar</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">FONDANT: you can use store bought or make your own fondant. I have never really had much success with making my own fondant and frankly I'm usually running so far behind I don't have time to make it! So I buy my fondant (order it online) - or you can buy it at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Walmart</span>/Michael's. I have it on good authority that the Wilton Fondant has improved their taste considerably! I prefer to use Satin Ice and I also buy <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">precolored</span> fondant - especially red and black!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_maVjOLgqI/AAAAAAAAAUM/GaLsrzEgcmg/s1600/star+wars+cake+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_maVjOLgqI/AAAAAAAAAUM/GaLsrzEgcmg/s320/star+wars+cake+005.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">TYLOSE</span> POWDER: Although I put this as optional it will really make this process much easier! It will also be essential if you plan on using your cutout as a topper as I did in the Batman cake. Its fairly cheap and lasts a long time, however, it is not easy to find and you will need to buy it at a cake decorating supply store or order it online.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mafrGRuZI/AAAAAAAAAUU/hX6zNudJaAw/s1600/star+wars+cake+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mafrGRuZI/AAAAAAAAAUU/hX6zNudJaAw/s320/star+wars+cake+003.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">TEMPLATE: Google Image is my friend. I love Google Image. Almost anything that you can think of can be found there. Its my "go to" place to find pictures of anything! For this cake we needed STAR WARS! I went on Google Image and printed out the logo. Next I wanted to add the birthday boy's name, so I searched for the Star Wars font to make it all go together - I found it for FREE at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">dafont</span>.com - another site I LOVE!! I printed out both the logo and the b-day boy's name. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_majoESckI/AAAAAAAAAUc/fkmok8YvUYY/s1600/star+wars+cake+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_majoESckI/AAAAAAAAAUc/fkmok8YvUYY/s320/star+wars+cake+002.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Now - grab your trusty <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">scrapbooking</span> scissors and cut that bad boy out! I just wanted the letters, so I cut out each individual letter.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You will then want to knead some <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">tylose</span> powder into your fondant - you will only need about a 1/4 tsp of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Tylose</span> Powder. Continue kneading until your fondant is pliable and easy to knead and stretch.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">At this point you can either run your fondant through a pasta roller (easiest!) or you can use a rolling pin to roll it out. I always start on the thickest setting of pasta roller. I use it thick for a stand up topper and a little thinner to add accents to the side of cakes. Make sure to dust your fondant with powder sugar before running it through the machine or rolling it out by hand. Also dust your cutting surface or your fondant will stick.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mambAd-hI/AAAAAAAAAUk/b0r9QGL2pXA/s1600/star+wars+cake+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mambAd-hI/AAAAAAAAAUk/b0r9QGL2pXA/s320/star+wars+cake+008.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Once you have your fondant rolled to the desired thickness - lay it on your cutting mat/board. Grab your cut-outs, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">exacto</span> knife and some shortening.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_maogTgYoI/AAAAAAAAAUs/hJsOP_9jis4/s1600/star+wars+cake+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_maogTgYoI/AAAAAAAAAUs/hJsOP_9jis4/s320/star+wars+cake+010.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Rub a little shortening on your fondant and the stick your paper cut-outs on top.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mart1lVnI/AAAAAAAAAU0/qy5z-YDAMyI/s1600/star+wars+cake+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mart1lVnI/AAAAAAAAAU0/qy5z-YDAMyI/s320/star+wars+cake+011.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Use your <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">exacto</span> to cut around the templates - the shortening helps to keep the cut-outs from moving while you are cutting. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mauTTv45I/AAAAAAAAAU8/OygUSffF6Hw/s1600/star+wars+cake+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mauTTv45I/AAAAAAAAAU8/OygUSffF6Hw/s320/star+wars+cake+013.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">If you have jagged edges just use your finger to gently tap or rub them out - you can also purchase a steamer (like the ones used for clothes) to make your finished accents look smoother.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Place your cut pieces on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper to dry, or to just move them so you don't accidentally mess them up (yep - done it!).</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Its finally time to add them to your cake! I use gum glue to stick my fondant pieces on the cake (1/4 cup warm water and 1 tsp. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">tylose</span> powder - mixed and left in the fridge overnight). If you don't have time or <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">tylose</span> you can simply use water. Just use a small clean (never used for anything but food) paintbrush to add the water or gum glue to the back of the letter/accents and gently put them on the side of your cake. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mawtJ703I/AAAAAAAAAVE/vddYrc2KMfg/s1600/star+wars+cake+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_mawtJ703I/AAAAAAAAAVE/vddYrc2KMfg/s320/star+wars+cake+015.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And the final cake looked like this:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_may-BE6UI/AAAAAAAAAVM/-iPH5lz7oXw/s1600/star+wars+cake+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S_may-BE6UI/AAAAAAAAAVM/-iPH5lz7oXw/s320/star+wars+cake+017.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Buttercream</span> iced all accents are fondant and handmade. you can see a little flaw in the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">buttercream</span> on the right - poor Darth Vader took a tumble off the top of the cake :( Oh well - I still like it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Please feel free to let me know if you have ANY questions and if you have an idea for the next Cake Tutorial please let me know! </div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-13045244890944556502010-05-18T12:03:00.000-07:002010-05-18T12:03:21.921-07:00Winner Winner..... AGAIN!I never heard from our first winner of the CSN Stores Online $60 gift card - so.... here we go again...<br />
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And the winner is: JOY at <a href="http://mommaskindacrafty.blogspot.com/">mommaskindacrafty.blogspot.com</a>! Joy is a follower. Joy - please email me at <a href="mailto:mackenziescraftymom@gmail.com">mackenziescraftymom@gmail.com</a> within the next 48 hours to claim your prize!<br />
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Congrats!!!!Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-14189420555447648412010-05-16T06:46:00.000-07:002010-05-16T06:46:11.809-07:00Winner Winner!!!Congratulations to: ROCKIN DEALS who is a follower.<br />
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Please email me at <a href="mailto:mackenziescraftymom@gmail.com">mackenziescraftymom@gmail.com</a> within 48 hours. If I don't hear from you, I will be forced to pick a new winner.<br />
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Thank you all so much for making my first giveaway a huge success!! Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-14412905549749151782010-05-11T05:04:00.000-07:002010-05-11T05:04:40.747-07:00Only 3 days left! CSN Stores GiveawayYou only have 3 days left to enter the <a href="http://mackenziescraftymom.blogspot.com/2010/05/all-cool-kids-are-doing-it-csn-stores.html">CSN Stores $60 Giveaway</a>!!!<br />
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Your chance to enter will end at 11:59 on the 13th. Hurry Hurry Hurry!!!!<br />
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Become a follower of my blog (click the little "follow" button) for one chance to win. For another chance click the link above and leave a message telling me what you would use the $60 on!Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-67542380570261081612010-05-07T04:00:00.000-07:002010-05-13T21:09:56.208-07:00All the Cool Kids are doing it!!! CSN Stores GIVEAWAY!I was really suprised when I was approached by CSN Stores to do a giveaway on my blog. I'm also really excited for one of you who will win a $60 gift certificate to any one of CSN's 200 online stores! Oh yea - 200! <br />
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After I was contacted I noticed that a couple of the blogs that I follow are also doing a CSN giveaway - I've always wanted to sit at the cool kids table at lunch!!<br />
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One of you lucky readers is going to win - so you better get shopping, with over 200 stores it could take a while! <br />
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Some of my favorites? Oh, I'm so glad you asked! I make most of my cakes in my kitchen and if I had the gift certificate I would spend it on some new lighting! All I can say is <a href="http://www.csnlighting.com/Track-Lighting-C9037.html">Track Lighting</a> has come A LONG WAY BABY!<br />
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I can totally see a row of 3 or 4 of these babies hanging over the bar in my kitchen!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-H09VSWZiI/AAAAAAAAASM/1x2S7M5EoDw/s1600/track+lighting+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-H09VSWZiI/AAAAAAAAASM/1x2S7M5EoDw/s320/track+lighting+picture.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure that these are the lights that are hanging in my Dr.'s reception area. I usually just sit there are stare at the lights - they are SO PRETTY!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-H1Bjky19I/AAAAAAAAASU/RNbgYVb8t9o/s1600/blown+glass+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-H1Bjky19I/AAAAAAAAASU/RNbgYVb8t9o/s320/blown+glass+lights.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
All of those lights can be found at <a href="http://www.csnlighting.com/">CSN's online Lighting Store</a>. Other places to shop with your gift certificate include: <a href="http://cookware.com/">Cookware.com</a> - SERIOUSLY! I couldn't be more excited about this site!!<br />
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Check out this cake plate - they have TONS! And frankly I think I'm in love with all of them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-H2zArs8aI/AAAAAAAAASc/8TupMDjngAc/s1600/AWESOME+cake+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-H2zArs8aI/AAAAAAAAASc/8TupMDjngAc/s320/AWESOME+cake+plate.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or, you could shop at the main <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/">CSN Store</a> - where they have more stuff than the mall! Their kids and baby section is TO DIE for! I mean SERIOUSLY! This baby bedding set makes me want to have another baby and pray for a BOY! (if you know me, that's huge!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-H3560WTYI/AAAAAAAAASk/PBTgvhVKH2k/s1600/baby+boy+bedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-H3560WTYI/AAAAAAAAASk/PBTgvhVKH2k/s320/baby+boy+bedding.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
Ok - now that you are going to spend the day shopping at CSN Stores - here's how you enter to win the $60 Gift Certificate.<br />
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1. If you are a follower you are automatically entered (so if you are not a follower - click that little button over there and Follow Me!) There is no need to leave me a comment about being a follower.<br />
2. Leave me a comment telling me what you would buy if you win the certificate - be specific - go shop and then let me know. <br />
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Its that easy! MacKenzie will draw a winner on May 14th! So make sure to check back!!!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimers: Open only to US and Canadian residents. May be responsible shipping charges and shipping charges may be more for canadian residents.</span>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-54803361368437444432010-05-06T21:06:00.000-07:002010-05-10T10:49:23.291-07:00Teacher Appreciation/Mother's Day Gifts!In true slacker fashion I waited until the LAST minute to make something for M's 5 teachers! Its ok though - Its crazy cute and super easy!!! Wanna see?!?!?! Ok.... I'll share - AND, I tell you how to do it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OJDAlgzrI/AAAAAAAAAS8/TYxx0yu9h5s/s1600/finished+cutie!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OJDAlgzrI/AAAAAAAAAS8/TYxx0yu9h5s/s320/finished+cutie!.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aren't they CUTE!!! And really these are so easy to do! I did take some time and paint the pots with Chalkboard Paint - made them all the cuter!!!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are you ready to get started? Ok - here we go. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Step 1. Bake your favorite Cupcakes, try to keep the top fairly level, it will make piping the flowers a little easier.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OLCMVizGI/AAAAAAAAATE/mY2rDgNElmY/s1600/naked+cuppie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OLCMVizGI/AAAAAAAAATE/mY2rDgNElmY/s320/naked+cuppie.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Step 2. Grab some yellow buttercream, a piping bag, and a tip 352 (leaf tip). Put the tip in the piping bag and fill with your yellow buttercream. This leaf tip looks like it has a V in it. You will want to hold the tip so that the V is facing the side, not the top. Holding the bag at a 45 degee angle and with steady pressure squeeze and then start to pull out, stop squeezing and continue to pull - you just made your first petal! Do 2 rows of petals on the outside of your cupcake: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OMWB4u0eI/AAAAAAAAATM/bSDS25aQklM/s1600/with+the+petals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OMWB4u0eI/AAAAAAAAATM/bSDS25aQklM/s320/with+the+petals.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Step 3. Grab some chocolate fudge icing - its ok if you cheat on the chocolate (I do!):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(just don't use the sprinkles.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OMuAkWX1I/AAAAAAAAATU/VYv0JmobtDk/s1600/I+cheat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OMuAkWX1I/AAAAAAAAATU/VYv0JmobtDk/s320/I+cheat.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again you will want another piping bag and a tip 16 or 18 (star tip). Put the tip in the bag and fill the bag with chocolate icing. Make sure that you do not leave the icing in a hot environment or in the fridge before you use it. To pipe the middle, just fill it with stars. Hold the piping bag at a 90 degree angle with the tip almost touching the cupcake. Squeeze, stop, lift, repeat until the whole center is completely full. (if you use chocolate cuppies and you miss a spot, no one will know! shhhhh!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-ON2j_hNpI/AAAAAAAAATc/2q51UXHE6-I/s1600/sunflower+cuppie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-ON2j_hNpI/AAAAAAAAATc/2q51UXHE6-I/s320/sunflower+cuppie.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BEAUTIFUL!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-ON6Qio4ZI/AAAAAAAAATk/5bsC1bPnH-I/s1600/YUM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-ON6Qio4ZI/AAAAAAAAATk/5bsC1bPnH-I/s320/YUM.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">YUMMY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, if you have had enough and you want to quit - grab a cute box (michael's) and give 'em to the teachers or your mom. BUT! If you want the real WOW factor - Keep reading!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grab a couple things:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OOA3IAT7I/AAAAAAAAATs/UnSVZeXYZUs/s1600/All+the+stuff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OOA3IAT7I/AAAAAAAAATs/UnSVZeXYZUs/s320/All+the+stuff.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flower Pot; Foil, Styrofoam to fit the pot, Small wooden skewers and your FABULOUS sunflower cuppies!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(the picture shows sucker sticks also, but I did not use these. So... ignore those.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wrap your styro ball in foil - don't want all that messy foam getting on your cupcakes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OODn9v1KI/AAAAAAAAAT0/C9R7oK5CSB4/s1600/styro+ball+in+foil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OODn9v1KI/AAAAAAAAAT0/C9R7oK5CSB4/s320/styro+ball+in+foil.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, use the tip of your skewers to poke holes in the bottoms of your cupcakes (not just through the paper but actually into the cupcake) - this makes it easier to put them on later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will then want to start by pushing one of the skewers into the styrofoam ball - the angle depends on how many you want to fit into the pot. I do them one at a time. Then when I get to last one I place the middle one as well. Make sure that you push the skewers in far enough into the foam that they will not poke through the top of the cupcake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OI-DOZDDI/AAAAAAAAAS0/4kqbkgattyk/s1600/4+cuppies+in.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OI-DOZDDI/AAAAAAAAAS0/4kqbkgattyk/s320/4+cuppies+in.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once you get all the cuppies on - YOU ARE DONE! Wasn't that EASY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OOHPkTFQI/AAAAAAAAAT8/AcQqJ-SryEM/s1600/finished+plain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OOHPkTFQI/AAAAAAAAAT8/AcQqJ-SryEM/s320/finished+plain.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After I made this one, I decided that, for teachers it would be so much cuter with chalkboard paint! So, I made THESE:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OOK7dStmI/AAAAAAAAAUE/zO6Avs7-h4I/s1600/Close+up+of+the+finished+deal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-OOK7dStmI/AAAAAAAAAUE/zO6Avs7-h4I/s320/Close+up+of+the+finished+deal.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the last minute I also decided that it would be best to cover the edges and the styrofoam ball with crushed up oreos - like potting soil. I love the look!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got SO MANY compliments on them just carrying them from the parking lot to the classroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feel free to jazz up your pots however you like - the sky's the limit - HAVE FUN!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Really - what could be better than flowers you can EAT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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But seriously! Jenny Buttler from <a href="http://www.simplydelightfuldesigns.com/">Simply Delightful Designs</a> is AMAZING!! I actually won a complete blog make-over during <a href="http://www.todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/">Today's Creative Blog's</a> Spring Fling. I was so shocked that I won something I actually GASPED when I read my name on the list! I needed this!<br />
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I loved my blog before, but now I feel like I'm home. <br />
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Jenny was so amazing to work with - especially for my undecided, computer illiterate self! I just cannot say enough wonderful things about her.<br />
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So, if you need a blog makeover, a button or anything else for you blog - go check her out, she can hook you up in style!!<br />
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Thank you so much Jenny!!! YOU ROCK!<br />
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(dontcha just LOVE my signature!!!)Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-80144836380940534152010-05-05T12:13:00.000-07:002010-05-05T12:13:55.556-07:00Holy CAKE!, Batman!One of MacKenzie's little boyfriends turned 4 this past weekend. He had a Batman themed bowling party. We had so much fun! And, for the first time I really really like the "boy" cake that I made for him.<br />
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Check it out!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-G8DE9I6yI/AAAAAAAAAR0/hLpLpWhy8Js/s1600/Bryce%27s+Batman+Cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-G8DE9I6yI/AAAAAAAAAR0/hLpLpWhy8Js/s320/Bryce%27s+Batman+Cake.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
The topper is an edible image that I got printed at a local bakery. I brought it home and then I put it on a piece of fondant mixed with tylose powder and then cut around the image with an exacto knife. <br />
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The edible image was difficult to work with and if you look close you can see that it ripped in a couple places. I think I did a pretty good job of piecing it back together! <br />
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This is definately going to be my next "cake" purchase! Edible images are so amazing and I think with some practice I can make it perfect!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-G8H2yIFOI/AAAAAAAAAR8/yeToArkIhvk/s1600/The+topper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-G8H2yIFOI/AAAAAAAAAR8/yeToArkIhvk/s320/The+topper.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
I freehand cut the buildings out of the same fondant/tylose powder mixture that I did the topper. Then I used some melted yellow candy melts to put the details on the buildings.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-G8L2u_h0I/AAAAAAAAASE/kmStEHbm6L0/s1600/The+buildings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S-G8L2u_h0I/AAAAAAAAASE/kmStEHbm6L0/s320/The+buildings.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
Tylose Powder = can be purchased in most upper end cake decorating stores (you will not find it in your local craft store). Its not very expensive. You can mix it with fondant to give it some extra body/stiffness and make it dry much faster. This makes it easier to cut out images and outlines.<br />
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I got an email asking me if I use the Cricut on my cakes and although I have 2 (yea I know! I couldn't help myself!! - I'm a little ashamed!!) I do not use it on cakes. I have one set aside for just that purpose, but it takes some work to get the fondant/gumpaste to the right thickness and the right setness (totally just made up a new word!)and frankly it's easier and quicker for me to use cutters or an exacto sometimes.<br />
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I also had a question about my black fondant - NO! I do not make my own black fondant. I don't even make my own fondant. I live in north Florida and with the drastic weather changes that we have sometimes my homemade fondant is fine and sometimes its a nightmare. I just don't have the patience for all that. I buy Satin Ice fondant and I order it from FondantSource.com - cheapest prices you will ever find. They also have precolored fondant - like Black and Red - the "nightmare" colors.<br />
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I have finally made some decisions from the last post - the giveaway is coming!!!! AND! I finally decided on the first Cake tutorial. If you want to try out what I'm going to share with you, you will need the following things:<br />
1. Fondant<br />
2. a pasta roller<br />
3. a new exacto knife/cutter<br />
4. shortening<br />
5. a cutting board without a texture (wood is best)<br />
6. an image that you want to put on a cake (a more basic shape is best to start with)<br />
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Can't wait to share some of my "secrets" with you guys!<br />
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- JanelJanelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-23071417778748702742010-05-01T17:28:00.001-07:002010-05-04T07:39:26.395-07:00Zebra stripes!!!Zebra stripes are HOT right now - especially in cake. I'm not usually one that really likes things that have gone overboard in the trendy world, BUT! I love Zebra Stripes on cake!<br />
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So I was really excited when my friends daughter picked out a cake with zebra stripes and hot pink! I really really love the way that it turned out - there are a couple flaws that just stand out to me, but overall I LOVE IT!<br />
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I actually made this cake last week right after the butterfly cake. To make a VERY long story short - I had a 5 hour drive home and a very sick kid and absolutely NO sleep!<br />
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So, based on those circumstances, I am beyond thrilled with how it turned out! <br />
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All vanilla cake with butter vanilla buttercream and Satin Ice Fondant - everything is edible. I really liked the topper which really pulled the whole cake together - unfortunately you can't see the sparkly black sugar that covers that #9 in the pictures... trust me it was there!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S9zKGFYYnxI/AAAAAAAAARs/rT2GUEXQ6Wc/s1600/The+pink+and+zebra+cake.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S9zKGFYYnxI/AAAAAAAAARs/rT2GUEXQ6Wc/s320/The+pink+and+zebra+cake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466466253593419538" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S9zKFhdgZ2I/AAAAAAAAARk/pZWWlfO2DBk/s1600/side+vew+of+cake.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S9zKFhdgZ2I/AAAAAAAAARk/pZWWlfO2DBk/s320/side+vew+of+cake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466466243951224674" /></a><br />
<br />
So - there is my cake! I hope you love it as much as I do (minus that stupid air bubble that I see screaming at me from the top tier!)<br />
<br />
NOW - I have a question (ok questionS) - <br />
1. I have been thinking about sharing some of my cake knowledge with you through some tutorials. My questions is - What would you like to learn??????<br />
2. I also have been approached by a company wanting to do a giveaway - I haven't done one yet and I'm a little nervous. If you could register to win anything what would you want to win (besides a million dollars!)?? Kitchen? Baby? gift certificate???? craft supplies? <br />
<br />
Let me know what you want and I will try to make it happen for you!<br />
<br />
I have another cake to post so stay tuned and get in touch with your inner Batman!<br />
<br />
- Janel<br />
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<a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Making" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/Crafty%20Stuff/MondayCuter.png" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.misscraftypants.com" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii199/senderikaaletter/SoCraftyButton.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<a border="0" href="http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/oldrallychick/get-your-craft-on.gif" /></a>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-195120460433927132010-04-25T19:50:00.000-07:002010-05-01T16:01:49.851-07:00Butterfly Wishes for Ellie<a href="http://www.butterflywishesforellie.com/">Butterfly Wishes for Ellie</a> is a dinner/silent auction to raise money and awareness for a terrible disease called <a href="http://www.debra.org/index.php">Epidermolysis Bullosa</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.butterflywishesforellie.com/about.html">Sweet little Ellie</a> is almost 4 years old and is just about THE CUTEST little thing ever! Ellie suffers from <a href="http://www.debra.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=18#18">Recessive Dystropic Epidermolysis Bullosa</a>, which is classified as one of the worst forms of one of the worst diseases. I highly encourage you to do some research on this disease - read about it, learn about it and pray for those that have it.<br /><br />This is the easiest and best basic definition of EB (taken straight from <a href="http://www.debra.org/EB/index.php">www.debra.org</a>) - Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic disease characterized by the presence of extremely fragile skin and recurrent blister formation, resulting from minor mechanical friction or trauma. This condition is not contagious.<br /><br />An estimated 1 out of every 50,000 live births are affected with some type of EB. The disorder occurs in every racial and ethnic group throughout the world and affects both sexes equally.<br /><br />That is the "generic" definition. What this really amounts to is that sufferers of EB live every day with extreme pain which can be compared to second and third degree burns. Most EB patients die before they make it to their 20s. This is a very serious and usually fatal disease. The main issue with this disease is that there is NO treatment and there is NO cure. Efforts are being made and clinical trials are underway - but currently these are not available for every sufferer.<br /><br />I am extremely passionate about raising awareness and doing anything that I can to help promote funding for a cure. Why you ask - because, like Ellie, I have Recessive Dystrophic EB. You would not know it to meet me and most people that learn this are suprised by it. After 35 (almost 36) years, I have become a master of disguise and realized that "this" doesn't matter. I will not let it run my life. I am also very aware of the fact that I am an exception to the rule, I am truly blessed to still be alive.<br /><br />I have a rare talent that I will gladly use to help those helping this cause. I was very honored to be a part of Butterfly Wishes for Ellie - and although it was just a cake, it meant to world to me to be able to do that for her. (Seriously people - CUTEST little girl EVER!!!)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S9UDBNiRT9I/AAAAAAAAARc/k7de6apwvwc/s1600/ELLIE%27S+CAKE.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464277042232119250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S9UDBNiRT9I/AAAAAAAAARc/k7de6apwvwc/s320/ELLIE%27S+CAKE.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S9UDBP_TigI/AAAAAAAAARU/TljbkyjN62U/s1600/2010-04-22+Butterflywishes+for+Ellie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464277042890770946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S9UDBP_TigI/AAAAAAAAARU/TljbkyjN62U/s320/2010-04-22+Butterflywishes+for+Ellie.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I used the invitation as inspiration for the cake. I am thrilled with the way it turned out! Everything is edible and by the end of the night there wasn't much left!<br /><br />Thank you so much Shawn and Andrew for letting me be a part of this event!<br /><br />- Janel<br /><br /><a href="http://somewhatsimple.blogspot.com"><img alt="giveaways" width="125" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/1SYS125.jpg" height="125"/></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.misscraftypants.com" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii199/senderikaaletter/SoCraftyButton.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="www.simplysweethome.com"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/JHRivers/SimplySweetHomeButton-1-2-1-1-1.png" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.kojodesigns.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src=" http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii160/kirstingentry/fffbutton150b.jpg"/></a></center>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-78700409839883720902010-04-20T13:53:00.000-07:002010-04-20T13:56:43.518-07:00Lil Blue Boo Giveaway!SERIOUSLY!!! Lil Blue Boo is giving away a custom dress on her blog!!! NO - I'm not kidding - RUN don't walk over to her blog and enter!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lilblueboo.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Lil Blue Boo?" src="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z315/ahackshaw/LBBButton.png"/></a><br /><br />Click <a href="http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/2010/04/win-custom-lil-blue-boo-dress.html">HERE</a> to get to her blog!Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-28503172364534175192010-04-18T17:33:00.000-07:002010-04-19T09:45:37.532-07:00Hello Kitty Cake - blast from the pastSince The Amazing Race isn't on tonight I went blog hopping and found Gina at <a href="http://motherof1princessand2princes.blogspot.com/">Mother of 1 Princess and 2 Princes</a>. As I was reading through her blog I came upon <a href="http://motherof1princessand2princes.blogspot.com/2010/04/hello-kitty-house.html">this</a> post. This BLEW MY MIND! My daughter is a SERIOUS Hello Kitty fan. I really think its possible that we have every Hello Kitty toy sold in the US. I even have a Hello Kitty cookie cutter ordered off Ebay straight from Japan!<br /><br />Of course, when MacKenzie's birthday rolled around last year I asked her "What kind of Birthday party do you want?". Knowing that most almost 3 year olds change their minds every 2 minutes, I started asking early and often. To my suprise (ok, not really) she said the same thing EVERY TIME! "Kitty" was her answer. More specifically "Kitty Cake" was her answer. Obviously, my precious little ones has her Birthday priorities in order - 1. CAKE; 2. FUN; 3. PRESENTS!<br /><br />Being the disgusting over-achiever I strive to be - I decided that MY daughter deserved the biggest and BEST cake I have ever made - oh yea folks - I'm talking 3D Hello Kitty cake! Then the inevidable happened - I over booked; over scheduled; over procrastinated and totally ran out of time.<br /><br />So, 3 days before the party I sat down with my husband and a picture of Hello Kitty. This is the point that I realized I made a huge mistake - I am NOT THAT GOOD of a cake decorator! After I did the measurements, I realized that Kitty's head is as big as Kitty's body. This creates a structural cake nightmare - you see, I'm a cake purist - I DO NOT like using anything non-edible in my cakes - and to date, I haven't! So, in trying to figure out how to make Kitty's head stay on Kitty's body I concluded it to be impossible with my current skill set. The last thing I wanted was to spend days on this cake only for Kitty's head to fall off and my 3 year old to be traumatized for live by a decapitated Hello Kitty!<br /><br />So, I did what I always do in a cakepanic - check <a href="http://cakecentral.com/">Cake Central</a>! If you are ever looking for a cake idea or help with a cake - this is the place to go! Membership is free and it has thousands of pictures and recipes and all the help you could want for any decorating dilema!<br /><br />I logged in, went to the galleries and headed over to "search" - there are a ton of Hello Kitty cakes. I found the one that I liked and at 8:00 the night before her party I started decorating! (nothing like waiting until the LAST minute!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8upPIszC4I/AAAAAAAAARM/B4aOPFtjzJc/s1600/MacKenzie%27s+Birthday+cake.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461645050615368578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8upPIszC4I/AAAAAAAAARM/B4aOPFtjzJc/s320/MacKenzie%27s+Birthday+cake.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8upOnSPg3I/AAAAAAAAARE/Dv4_F1HVHlc/s1600/Hello+...+Hello+Kitty.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461645041645618034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8upOnSPg3I/AAAAAAAAARE/Dv4_F1HVHlc/s320/Hello+...+Hello+Kitty.JPG" /></a> All edible and handmade Hello Kitty - you can actually see where her face cracked a little bit when I put the whiskers in - oh well!</p><p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8upOVyxSCI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/MlPb1Tvhnss/s1600/MacKenzie+with+her+cake.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461645036950210594" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8upOVyxSCI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/MlPb1Tvhnss/s320/MacKenzie+with+her+cake.JPG" /></a>I LOVE this cake! It may not be the biggest and it may not be the best, but, it made her smile and even 7 months later its all she talks about when you ask about her Birthday.</p><p>She has already started putting in her request for a SpongeBob inspired cake this year. I love my daughter, but I HATE SpongeBob. At least I have a few more months to talk her outta this!</p><p>Disclaimer: In my diffence of my last minute cake decorating - I was doing another cake for the same day and preparing the rest of her party as well as preparing for family to spend the weekend. Speaking of family - there is NO WAY possible that I would have finished this cake without thier help!!</p><p>Hope you enjoy! - Janel<br /><br /><center><a href="http://diaryofacraftaholic.blogspot.com/2010/04/official-craftaholics-anonymous-support.html"><img src="http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz28/CraftaholicsAnonymous/April9.jpg "/></a></center>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-63202961732314358192010-04-16T07:13:00.000-07:002010-04-16T07:20:37.501-07:00Sew SpoiledHave you guys seen this!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8hwz6f6sXI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/YNT4uw_yoEg/s1600/sew+spoiled+weekender+tote.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8hwz6f6sXI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/YNT4uw_yoEg/s320/sew+spoiled+weekender+tote.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460738585365492082" /></a><br /><br />Head over to <a href="http://sewspoiled.blogspot.com/2010/04/sew-spoiled-weekender-tote-sew-long.html">Sew Spoiled</a> for a free pattern and tutorial along with a "Sew Along".<br /><br />This is definately on my list of things to do!!<br /><br />Unfortunately I won't be able to do the Sew Along, I have so much going on in the next 2 weeks! Tomorrow I am having a cake tasting for a friend who is getting married in November and then I need to get started on a cake for <a href="http://www.butterflywishesforellie.com/">Butterfly Wishes For Ellie</a> and then next weekend I have a crazy cute cake for a friends little girl and the following weekend is my 5th anniversary AND a batman cake for another friend's son! (yep, I'm pretty sure that was one amazingly long run-on sentence!)<br /><br />I think I might have overbooked a little! Oh well! Stay tuned for some CUTE cakes coming up! In the meantime - go make that awesome bag! (Its a FREE pattern - I love FREE!)Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-49828199605393927282010-04-12T15:06:00.000-07:002010-04-12T16:49:45.229-07:00Ultimate Blog Party<a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/19667/ultimate-blog-party-2010/"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k210/5m4m/buttons/events/blog_party_banner_horiz.png" title="Ultimate Blog Party 2010" alt="Ultimate Blog Party 2010" /></a><br /><br />So, I decided to participate in this years Ultimate Blog Party! So, if you are stopping by from UBP - THANK YOU!!!<br /><br />My blog: Is about everything that I am working on (at least some of it anyway!). I am really new to blogging, but not to crafting. <br /><br />My Family: I have a 3 1/2 year old little girl who calls herself Miss Kenzie - Attitude with plenty to spare and share!<br /><br />My Life: I am a stay at home mom, very involved with the Mom's Group at my church, willing to help anyone with any advice you ask for, married to my best friend, and a craftaholic. I live in Florida, so my house is much like a hotel, especially in the spring and summer. <br /><br />Thank you so much for stopping by! I can't wait to come and visit your blog! <br /><br />Kelley - thank you so much for pointing out that I forgot to mention what I wanted to win - frankly - I really want that computer so my husband will stop stealing mine!! But, really - I would love to win ANYTHING! I'm sooooooo not picky!<br /><br /><br />Janel :)Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-21594592678553306542010-04-12T12:30:00.001-07:002010-04-17T19:44:51.786-07:00Baby Shower/Baby Bag CakeI spent this week taking care of a sick kid, preparing and hosting company and making this AWESOME and ADORABLE baby shower cake. Everything on the cake is edible, the diaper bag is made of chocolate cake and the bottom is almond cake. Everything is covered in Fondant and all the accessories are made of a fondant/gumpaste except the baby bottles which are white chocolate.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1dCtXtyI/AAAAAAAAAQk/NZeSCzwJXRE/s1600/Diaper+Bag+Cake+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459336315106998050" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1dCtXtyI/AAAAAAAAAQk/NZeSCzwJXRE/s320/Diaper+Bag+Cake+1.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1crATSTI/AAAAAAAAAQc/HMz_ZnZuNU0/s1600/diaper+bag+cake.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459336308743948594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1crATSTI/AAAAAAAAAQc/HMz_ZnZuNU0/s320/diaper+bag+cake.JPG" /></a> Baby Alexander is all set with his toy keys, binky and little shoes!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1cST7oNI/AAAAAAAAAQU/0HGw9jNdWiU/s1600/top+view,+accessories.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459336302115397842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1cST7oNI/AAAAAAAAAQU/0HGw9jNdWiU/s320/top+view,+accessories.JPG" /></a> Tuck in a diaper in the side pocket and add 2 chocolate bottles - perfect!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1b73oXvI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Ut7V-2oci3o/s1600/bottle,+keys,+binky,+diaper.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459336296091115250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1b73oXvI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Ut7V-2oci3o/s320/bottle,+keys,+binky,+diaper.JPG" /></a> Close up of the shoes - they are so cute (and a total PAIN to make! - but I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1bqCUGLI/AAAAAAAAAQE/rR-mRbLfDhU/s1600/baby+shoes.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459336291304085682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S8N1bqCUGLI/AAAAAAAAAQE/rR-mRbLfDhU/s320/baby+shoes.JPG" /></a> This week I am determined to make MacKenzie a new monogrammed shirt to replace the Peep shirt (since Easter is over) and I MUST get started on my cousins T-shirt memory quilt!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Sumo Sweet Stuff" src=" http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee180/juliewuliee/Headers%202/sumo/marketyourselfcopy-1.png"/></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Making" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/Crafty%20Stuff/MondayCuter.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/search/label/Just%20Something%20I%20Whipped%20Up" target="_blank"><img alt="The Girl Creative" src="http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq286/happielife32/TGC_linkyparty.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/01/04/made-by-you-mondays/" ><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.kojodesigns.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src=" http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii160/kirstingentry/fffbutton150b.jpg"/></a></center>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-91874721072815974012010-04-01T20:53:00.000-07:002010-04-06T05:02:17.101-07:00Easter Bunny "Peep" outfit!At the last minute I decided (because I'm not busy enough) to make MacKenzie an outfit to wear to our church Easter Party (which I'm in charge of planning).<br /><br />I ran out to Hobby Lobby yesterday to pick up some Easter fabric. Guess what - they didn't have any. When I asked about Easter prints the lady behind the counter gave me a "pity" look and says "We sold out of that WEEKS ago." Let me just tell you what I heard "HAHAHAHAHA!!! yea right lady - the GOOD MOMMIES came and bought all that fabric MONTHS ago. Really, you should be more prepared - SLACKER!" ANYWAY! I found a really cute pattern that I just LOVED and thought would be adorable for what I want to do.<br /><br />After Hobby Lobby judgement, we headed over to Target to get a T-shirt. Target has some great plain t-shirts in the girls departments. They are only like $5 and they are really nice quality! Super cute colors too. And in another unprepared SLACKER move, I left the fabric in the car and was forced to buy 4 different colored shirts to make sure that at least one would coordinate. (Starting to think that I should have named this blog MacKenzie's SLACKER Mom!)<br /><br />When I got home I logged right onto Google Images and found a great picture of a Peep Bunny to use as a template. (I just googled "Peep Images")<br /><br />And last but not least I grabbed a pair of jeans out of my scrap pile - they still fit M in the waist but are about 2 inches too short - PERFECT!<br /><br />So, I gathered all my gear tonight and got BUSY! (sewing - get your mind outta the gutter!)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vsy8jcRrI/AAAAAAAAAP8/qHAfqbfmusM/s1600/Pic+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455386146133264050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vsy8jcRrI/AAAAAAAAAP8/qHAfqbfmusM/s320/Pic+1.JPG" /></a> Then I put the jeans on M and measured where I wanted to cut - took them off of her and hacked the bottoms off. I actually haven't cut up a pair of jeans since I was in high school, so this felt pretty good!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsyYAVk_I/AAAAAAAAAP0/xh3JKHAWl9g/s1600/Pic+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455386136322348018" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsyYAVk_I/AAAAAAAAAP0/xh3JKHAWl9g/s320/Pic+2.JPG" /></a> Next, I ironed on some Wonder Under to my crazy cute SLACKER fabric, then I drew on the Peep bunny image.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsyA3AthI/AAAAAAAAAPs/YPm34wngkeQ/s1600/Pic+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455386130109216274" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsyA3AthI/AAAAAAAAAPs/YPm34wngkeQ/s320/Pic+3.JPG" /></a> Now, cut out your image and iron it onto the shirt.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VseNk6drI/AAAAAAAAAPk/BwJAezf2vRE/s1600/Pic+4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455385789925586610" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VseNk6drI/AAAAAAAAAPk/BwJAezf2vRE/s320/Pic+4.JPG" /></a> I use the satin stitch on my machine ( I LOVE MY MACHINE)! Sorry, had to get that out of my system!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsdcvpxPI/AAAAAAAAAPc/0N2X39vsRpQ/s1600/Pic+5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455385776817292530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsdcvpxPI/AAAAAAAAAPc/0N2X39vsRpQ/s320/Pic+5.JPG" /></a> And here is what the shirt looks like finished! Its not perfect, but I LOVE IT!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsdNwad9I/AAAAAAAAAPU/6_469oAXF6U/s1600/Pic6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455385772793952210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsdNwad9I/AAAAAAAAAPU/6_469oAXF6U/s320/Pic6.JPG" /></a> Next is to add the ruffle to your jeans. Measure the width of the leg of your jeans and double that and add 1/4 inch seam allowance. That will be the length of your rufffle strip. Then you need to decide how long you want your ruffle to be. I wanted mine to be 2 1/2 inches long plus a 1/2 inch seam allowance - double that and then you have the width of your fabric- mine was 6 inches wide. Once you have your measurements and cut out 2 strips of fabric for your ruffles; fold them in half and sew the short sides closed. Then fold the fabric in half lengthwise and iron. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vsck_KkmI/AAAAAAAAAPM/etH4pqi8cB0/s1600/Pic+7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455385761849971298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vsck_KkmI/AAAAAAAAAPM/etH4pqi8cB0/s320/Pic+7.JPG" /></a> Mark the ruffle strip with 4 pins at the 1/4 marks. This will help to line it up and evenly space out your ruffles when you are attaching it to the jeans.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsccRSWeI/AAAAAAAAAPE/aB4zNqJuz60/s1600/Pic+8.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455385759510059490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7VsccRSWeI/AAAAAAAAAPE/aB4zNqJuz60/s320/Pic+8.JPG" /></a> I do my ruffles a little differently than I have seen on other blogs. First I set my machine to the zigzag stich and then I set the stitch width to the longest setting. Then I use a long length of crochet thread and stitch over it, making sure NOT to catch the crochet thread in the zigzag stitch. Do not backstitch at either the beginning or at the end and leave a long tail on both ends of the crochet thread. I tried to take a pic.... hopefully you can see what I mean.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq4vvyv1I/AAAAAAAAAOk/JFEhjAt-3co/s1600/Pic+9.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455384046751366994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq4vvyv1I/AAAAAAAAAOk/JFEhjAt-3co/s320/Pic+9.JPG" /></a> Pull on your crochet thread to ruffle your fabric, being careful to not pull the thread all the way out. Line up your ruffle with the bottom of your jeans and spread out the ruffles so that they are even. This is where the 1/4 pin marks help.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq4W_waqI/AAAAAAAAAOc/QPeZJp4g1h8/s1600/pic+10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455384040107436706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq4W_waqI/AAAAAAAAAOc/QPeZJp4g1h8/s320/pic+10.JPG" /></a> Sew the ruffle to the bottom using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. I added a top stitch to give this a finished look as well as to catch the seam.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq3-cJ1hI/AAAAAAAAAOU/stEcKhy0bt4/s1600/pic+11.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455384033515656722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq3-cJ1hI/AAAAAAAAAOU/stEcKhy0bt4/s320/pic+11.JPG" /></a> And then you have a finished outfit perfect for an Easter Party that is being organized by your SLACKER mom!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq3Tbd-II/AAAAAAAAAOM/O_-5fOOWKeQ/s1600/pic+12.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455384021970057346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq3Tbd-II/AAAAAAAAAOM/O_-5fOOWKeQ/s320/pic+12.JPG" /></a> And this is what she will look like on Saturday hunting for eggs!! Can't WAIT!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq2zDK9aI/AAAAAAAAAOE/cAj4b9CH4Oo/s1600/Pic+13.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455384013278213538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Wyygi5OKXxc/S7Vq2zDK9aI/AAAAAAAAAOE/cAj4b9CH4Oo/s320/Pic+13.JPG" /></a> A little disclosure about this picture - first of all, it was taken at 11 o'clock at night. At 10:30 she got up and says to me in a very teenage voice "I can't sleep". So I let her stay up and watch a cartoon for a few minutes and then I made her model. I have about 50 pictures of her modeling this outfit - but this one shows the actual oufit the best - unfortunately, this was not her favorite pose! After this picture I told her to put her jammies back on and she says "No, I want to sleep in this!" - so I guess she likes it!<br />YEA!!! SHE LIKES IT!!<br /><br />I hope everyone has a very happy Easter!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lovinmylovebugs.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z78/mikerin3/Rachelle%20Czuk/featureyourselffridaybuttoncopy.png" /></a><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/irene_jazz/shabbynestbuttonfinal.jpg"/></a><br /><center><a href="http://thehillsarelivin.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JXoofG01VRc/S6PxWGvCa3I/AAAAAAAABnY/4vI_4pJfxZQ/s1600/Favorite%2BThings%2BFridaybig%2Bbutton.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://simplysweethome.blogspot.com"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/JHRivers/SimplySweetHomeButton-1-2-1-1-1.png" /></a></center><br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/" ><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" t="CreativeItchFeaturedSewCuteButto-2.png" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p461/stanmist/Creative%20Itch/th_CreativeItchFeaturedSewCuteButto-2.png" target="_blank" /></a></center>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-180185518742506782010-03-21T10:46:00.000-07:002010-03-21T10:55:50.469-07:00"TO DO" SundayI have to longest "To Do List" today. Am, I'm happy to announce that one of those things just got crossed off! I helped my friend Denise at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/whimsycouture">Whimsy Couture</a> by editing one of her patterns. I got to a point that I got technologically stuck (ie - my computer wouldn't do what I wanted it to do and I thought about throwing it out the window). I did finally get buckled down and beat my computer into submission. I just sent that pattern off to her and I hope its exactly what she wanted!<br /><br />Next, I'm going to head upstairs and face my fear of piping and finish this apron pattern if it kills me! (if you don't hear from me for a couple days send in a search party!).<br /><br />THEN - the thing I have putting off for way too long - TAXES. As much as I procrastinate this you would think I did them myself. But, no, I just take them to an accountant and let them do all the work. The thing is, for the second year in a row I know we are going to owe money - I don't want to pay it. So, there it is. I don't want to get my stuff out, I don't want to take it to the accountant and I don't want to bite my nails until Mr. Taxman tells me how much we owe and most of all I don't want to write that check! <br /><br />Ok - off to the sewing room to put off the tax thing - ha!<br /><br />Hope you are all having a very productive, cross off your "To Do List" kinda weekend!Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076722168074358780.post-35726810813683319552010-03-18T18:14:00.000-07:002010-03-18T18:29:45.644-07:00My Friend DebbieMy friend Debbie passed away a couple days ago. Her wake was tonight. I'm really sad. I'm sad for Debbie's husband, I'm sad for her kids, I'm sad for her parents, I'm sad for her sister, I'm sad for her friends.... I'm just sad.<br /><br />I call Debbie my friend even though I didn't know her that well. I wish I had. She was such an amazing person. I am friends with Debbie's sister and some of Debbie's other close friends who are expecting 400 people for a reception after the funeral tomorrow morning. 400 people will come out to honor her amazing spirit.<br /><br />Debbie died of breast cancer. Debbie was 31 years old. 31. Debbie left behind a loving husband and 3 small children 6, 4, and 2. She found a lump while doing a self breast exam. She found out that she had stage 3 breast cancer and started chemo. She found out after she started chemo that she was pregnant. Doctors recommended that she terminate the pregnancy to resume her chemo, they told her it was her only chance and that because of the chemo she had already had there would likely be complications with her baby. Debbie quit her chemo and had her third beautiful son. He is perfect, he is wonderful, and there is not one thing wrong with him. Within days of her c-section Debbie had a double mastectomy and for the next 3 years she fought for her life. Debbie is at peace now, she will suffer no more. <br /><br />So, today I am taking a break from blogging about crafts to honor Debbie and her memory and to remind each of you - do your self breast exams, live your lives with courage, do not take one minute for granted, kiss your kids and extra 100 times today, tell your husband you love him, call your mom and dad, and live your faith.Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12741507889298351296noreply@blogger.com0