hawaiian quilt

hawaiian quilt

birthday cake

birthday cake

I made this cake for my mothers birthday. I used a devils food chocolate cake mix, dark chocolate frosting and homemade marshmallow fondant. I like to make items from scratch whenever possible (when it doesn't take away from the taste and quality). Store bought cake and frosting is so much easier and tastes much better.  It also saves a lot of time!! 

 

Supplies :

• Nested cake pans (I used Celebrate It Round Cake Pan 4-Tier Set)
• The set comes with one 6", 8", 10" and 12" pan
• I used only the 6", 8" and 10"
• 4 Boxes cake mix
• 3 Containers of frosting
• Fondant ingredients
• 2 lb. bag powdered sugar
• 16 oz. bag mini marshmallows
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• gel icing coloring
• Crisco

Directions: 

• Make the cake mix according to the directions on the box (I like to use slightly less oil than the recipe calls for so it's not quite so greasy, but still moist).
•  Boxes of cake mix was enough to fill the three pans (the 6", 8" and 10") once.
• Be sure to grease and flour the pans enough so the cake wont stick, but not too much as to leave muck on the cakes.
• Let the cakes cool completely before removing from the pan, and especially before frosting.

 

• Trim and frost the first layer of each cake.
• Cut the rounded top of the cake to create a flat surface for the next layer.
• Frost the top and add the second layer.
• Trim the top of the second layer to flatten it like the first.  

 

• "Dirty frost" the two layers (it's easiest to use an angled spatula and a turn table)
• Start with the sides so you can hold the top.
• Then do the top.  Use the spatula to push the frosting to the sides, be careful not to break the corners. 
• Place the cake in the fridge to allow the frosting to harden.

 

• Make the fondant (I made 3 batches: 2 purple and 2 white to later dye pink and yellow)

• (This can be done in a stand mixer if you have a dough hook attachment)
• Melt the marshmallows in the microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Mix water and vanilla into the marshmallows.
• At this time you can also add in the coloring.
• Slowly mix in the powdered sugar.
• Once the fondant becomes thick like play-doh, you can start kneading it on the counter
• Cover your work surface in TONS of powdered sugar, and cover your hands with Crisco.
• Knead the fondant until its not sticky anymore.

• Place the fondant in the refrigerator for several hours at least and several days at the most.
• Make sure the fondant is covered in airtight plastic so it doesn't get hard and dry.

• Roll out the fondant.

• Roll fondant on powdered sugar, continually flipping it and adding more powdered sugar. 
• Once it is the desired thickness (mine was between a quarter or a centimeter and a half a centimeter) carefully roll it onto your rolling pin and place it on the cake.
• Smooth the fondant and carefully stretch the sides so they fall smoothly, without folds.
• To remove the white appearance of the powdered sugar brush a small amount of water onto the fondant.
• I have also seen where you can lightly spray the cake with Pam to create a shiny surface.

 

• Add decorations.  
• Color can be kneaded into white fondant after it is completed.
• I glued fabric flowers onto skewers to stick into the cake.
• I also added circles, spirals and stripes.
• Add whatever shapes you like!

Fondant is super easy to make and fun to experiment with.  You'll be amazed at what you can do with it! Making your own cake is such a great surprise for a special occasion.

graduation dress

graduation dress

For my college graduation I wanted a dress that was really fun and different... So I made one! There are a lot of really easy and cheap patterns you can find for dresses.  I also like to have the ability to choose my own fabrics; it's nice knowing that no one will have a dress like yours. 

I chose a Vogue pattern (V1174), which was more expensive, more elaborate and more difficult than many dress patterns.  If you have never followed a clothing pattern, especially if you get a difficult pattern, it is REALLY helpful to have someone around that knows what they are doing.  (Patterns have symbols and names for techniques that they assume you know and are difficult to figure out on your own).  I was lucky to have my mom and aunt around.

These are the original pattern pictures: 

Here is what my dress looks like:


FRONT:

Bodice with Boning

BACK:

Lined pockets

Inside the bodice

Yes, buying a dress its much easier and obviously faster; but nothing beats wearing an original piece of art!

XOXO cupcakes

XOXO cupcakes

 These are amazingly decadent cupcakes! 

Chocolate fudge cake, strawberry whipped cream filling, topped with dark chocolate ganache.  

If you're going to make chocolate cupcakes, they might as well be moist and fudgey right?  And you might as well fill them with a little fruity surprise!  And topping them in ganache not only allows the cute heart shape to be more noticeable, but it is also a super easy and delicious alternative to frosting.

 Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes:

• I used a box of Duncan Hines cake mix and followed their recipe.   I do feel guilty using mixes of any kind, but I don't consider this cheating.  The boxes are way easier and usually taste better than cake from scratch. 

• Bake cupcakes according to the instructions (a toothpick should come out clean when stuck in the middle).
• Let cupcakes cool completely.
• Remove from pan. Cut a small cone from the cakes, not too big or too deep (Make sure the cake is strong enough to hold it's shape)
• Fill the hole with the filling.
• Top entire cupcake with ganache.  Pour small amounts from center outward.  Use just enough so the ganache flows over the sides but doesn't completely cover the sides.  
• Garnish as you like.

Strawberry Whipped Cream Filling:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• Real vanilla beans are always better: cut the bean lengthwise and use a knife to scrape out all the seeds and the good goey stuff.
• 1/2 cup finely chopped strawberries (or as much as you want)
• Optional: 1/3 cup sugar (I omitted this because the cupcakes are sweet enough)

• Whip the cream, vanilla and sugar until it can hold stiff peaks.  Then fold in strawberries.

Dark Chocolate Ganache: 

• 9 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate (I always like to use Ghiradelli)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Optional: 1 tablespoon dark rum

• Place chocolate in a bowl and set aside.
• Heat cream in small saucepan.  Bring just barely to boil.  As soon as it boils, pour over chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth.  
• Add rum if desired.  
• Let the ganache cool slightly before using.  Don't feel rushed, it will take a while to stiffen up.
• The ganache will harden slightly, but it will stay shiny.
• You can also let it thicken up and then whip it to create a fluffy frosting or filling.

 

Strawberry Garnish: 

•  (Making "x"s and "o"s was my sisters awesome idea)
• The "O"s are just slices.
• The "X"s start as slices and are then cut in half to make two half circles.  Then cut a notch out of the top of one and the bottom of another so they fit together and make an "X".
• I also shaved a chocolate bar to top several cupcakes.

 

Warning: You must love chocolate to enjoy these cupcakes! 

hand-dyed blanket #1

hand-dyed blanket #1

  When I see white fabric, I can't help but imagine what I could do with it.  Dyeing fabric can be pretty scary, because you only really get one chance to add color and hope it turns out the way you picture in your mind.  
For those of us that are a little OCD, its can be hard to relax and let the fabric do its thing.  Just keep reminding yourself that it's fun to be surprised by the end product.  And in reality, I've never had a dye project turn out in a disappointing way; it may just be a little interesting.

 

Supplies: 

•  Fabric 
• (Its best to choose 100% cotton. Keep in mind that different dyes and fabric paints will work for different fabrics)
• Dye / Fabric paint
• (I used fabric paint, so when diluted in water it becomes like a dye.  But these will not create colors as vibrant as a dye would.)
• Squirt bottle
• You can also brush the dyes on, drip them on etc. Squirt bottles are the easiest.
• Gloves & Apron
• Optional:
• Rock Salt: absorbs color and can create a cool effect
• Leaves or other cool shaped objects: If the dyed fabric is laying in the sun, objects that are placed on the fabric can leave a print.

  Step 1:

Mix the desired colors.  I wanted a plum color, so I added a small amount of red to the violet.  This is the color I wanted to have the most of and it was the color in between the two extremes (dark purple and yellow), so I began with this one.

Mix the dye with water and put into the water bottle.  (I mixed approximately 1 part dye to 4 parts water).

 

Wet the fabric (This is not always necessary.  I wanted the fabric to be extra wet so the color would travel to the lowest point and the higher points of the textured fabric would be lighter).

Step 2:

Lay out the fabric.  On a lawn would be the best; otherwise lots of trash bags will be needed.  You could always use your garage floor and have a much more colorful floor!

When laying out the fabric you can also pinch parts or create other textures that will affect the movement of the dyes; for example, folding the fabric like an accordion will create stripes.

Since this fabric already had texture, I laid it out flat.

Step 3:

Start spraying the fabric with the squirt bottle.  The first color went mostly in the middle, leaving the sides for the next colors.

I also flung blobs of color to create splotches.

Next, mix the other two colors and spray the sides.  Spray large amounts right on the edge and fade towards the middle.

Let the dye sit for a while.  If it starts drying, I like to spray it with more water.  This will give the dye a chance to move around and do it's thing.  

After a bit I like to spray more of the extreme colors to darken them after they move towards the middle. 

Do not worry about the fading effect, the fabric will take care of that!

Step 4:

After the fabric is mostly dry it's time to rinse.

Sometimes I use a product that is supposed to stop the running of the dye.  This is diluted in water and then the fabric is dunked in for about a minute.  Im not sure how well this works.

Rinse the fabric in water until the water runs clear. Then squeeze dry. 

I like to let it dry once more before placing it int the washing machine.

That's all! 

It's easy to get hooked.  You'll want to keep trying different techniques, different colors to mix etc. Don't dye your hands or clothes and Have Fun!

pecan pie muffins

pecan pie muffins

 

Sorry New Years Resolutions...

 

Wow, these are the best little things ever.  I absolutely LOVE pecan pie, and these come pretty close to the real thing. They are very dense, crispy on the outside and gooey in the middle.  They make a perfect little snack or desert, and it is such an easy recipe!! 

I found the original recipe on AllRecipes.com

The original recipe makes 18 mini muffins, but I changed it slightly to make bigger muffins. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs, beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour 9 muffin cups or 18 mini muffin cups. (I would recommend using a mini muffin pan if you have one; the muffins are rich.  Be sure to grease AND flour, they get VERY sticky.  The original recipe says you can use paper muffin liners, but because the muffins get so sticky, I don't recommend this).  
2. In a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans. 
3. In a separate bowl beat the butter and eggs together until smooth, stir into the dry ingredients just until combined. 
4. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for ~33 minutes for larger muffins, or for 20 to 25 minutes for smaller muffins. (I cooked mine a little longer, because I wanted the edges to be nice and crispy).

 

 Should I include the nutritional information? Nah, I don't want to make you feel guilty.  But you can find it at the link above.  

 

Enjoy!!