A Sweet Gift Idea

Like most people, I'm on Pinterest all the time "pinning" and "liking" all kinds of things that I will never buy or make or think about again. Except this one. This cute little DIY art project really hit close to my heart.

They are mini pies made out of beads, bottle caps and some felt... all held together with some glue.

SUPER CUTE!

When I saw this pin I thought to myself... I don't care how... or when... but I WILL make these little suckers. And you know what? They didn't turn out so bad! Of course this is the first attempt... but I'll be sure to make more, and maybe throw a magnet on the back of them and redecorate the fridge!

Wanna try them out yourself? You can find the "How to" HERE!

Come Fly With Me...

A Butterfly Cake for Emma

Sometimes life comes at you fast. You wake up one morning and you realize, oh man, I was supposed to do something this weekend. And sometimes that something is actually quite big... like your baby's first birthday.

With the hustle and bustle of life, that's exactly what happened to a friend of mine. She realized that in the midst of crossing her t's and dotting her i's, she had forgotten one important aspect of her party planning - the cake!

So when she asked around the office if anyone knew someone who "did cakes", I laughed. It's not that I don't advertise it, I just kind of keep a little quite about my cake making. I often doubt myself on whether I have time, or if it will come out the way a person expects it. So I don't really offer. But, for a friend in need? No question.

I asked her to send me photos of idea she had, and I'd come up with something. Since Emma's room is all purple and green with butterflies, we decide that would be perfect. So I cake up with a sheet cake for the adults to eat and one small round cake that Emma can "smash into" - as every child should have that cake face look on their first birthday.

And while it was a stressful bake (I had started after working late on a Friday night), I am so glad that I had the experience of helping out a friend in need and seeing that beautiful little girls face smiling full of cake.

Happy birthday, doll!!

 

 

Something's Fishy... Goldfish Cupcakes!

So easy to make and everyone loves them!

 

These are a fun treat for kids parties, fish themed get togethers or - my favorite - "just because."

Whenever you decide to make them you will be pleasantly surprised by the sweet and salty combination.

Here's what you need:

• Goldfish (your preference: color, pretzel, original)
• Granola
• Green Fruit Roll Up (or Laffy Taffy)
• Your Favorite Ccupcake Mix
• Your Favorite Icing
• 24 Cupcake Paper Cups
• Cupcake Baking Tray
• Large Round Ssprinkles
• Blue Food Coloring

 

SO let's wash our hands and get started!

 

Start out by checking your cake recipe for the specific baking temperature, and preheat your oven to that degree.

1. Mix your favorite white cake batter.

2. Arrange 12 white paper baking cups in one of your cupcake baking trays (remember they cook better when doing them one at a time, but it's ok to do two trays if it fits in your oven). Fill 2/3 the way (HINT: fill a ziplock bag with your batter and cut a tiny hole in the bottom corner to squeeze batter into the cups).

3. Bake cupcakes for the recommended time of your recipe, or until the tops are slightly golden

4. Test the center with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. If the inside is still wet and the outside is done, turn down the temperature of your oven and cover with aluminum foil to finish baking.

5. Cool cupcakes on wire rack - careful not to burn yourself getting them out.

6. Mix your favorite vanilla frosting recipe, adding a very light blue tint with the blue food coloring (HINT: start by adding only 3 drops. If you need more, add one at a time).

7. When your cupcakes have cooled, frost them with your blue frosting.

8. Lay out either your fruit roll up or laffy taffy and cut into one inch pieces. Pinch the bottom half so it has that leaf look.
 

9. Place one leaf on the right and one leaf on the left side of the cupcake.

10. Drop a pinch of granola on the bottom in between the leaves (this will be your gravel).

11. Put your goldfish on top (I used two).

12. Add the finishing touches by placing two or three large white sprinkles above the fish so it looks like air bubbles.

Ta-da!

Now you've got some pretty impressive cupcakes that LOOK a lot harder to make then they actually are.