Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake, Baker Mom

I wanted to make a treat for some friends of mine.  A slice of cake was too boring, and a cupcake was too small.  After some brain storming I decided to make a mini cake.  I am not the best cake maker/decorator, but this method is fool proof.

Supplies:

cake mix (and all the stuff to make it)

couple of cans of frosting

assorted candies, cookies or other cake toppings you like

3 - 4" circle (for template)

9 x 13" pan

Noelle's recommended pan release

serrated knife

off-set spatula

Prep your cake pan with pan release.  You want the cake to come out as clean as possible.  Bake your cake according to the package directions.  Make sure to follow the high altitude instructions if you live above 3,000 feet.  When the cake is cooled turn it out onto a cutting board.  Set your circle template (I used a ramekin) on the cake and cut out your circles.

I was able to cut 6 circles out of a 9x13" cake.  Carefully pull apart the circles from the rest of the cake.  Make these with the scraps of cake.  Use your serrated knife to level off the cake circles.  Next cut your circles into two equal halves (like a hamburger bun).

  

At this point you should have 12 cake circles.  Because the cake is all cut up, it will be easier to frost if it's a little frozen.  Stick your circles in the freezer and walk away for 45-minutes to an hour.  This is a good time to get your toppings ready, and clean up/eat the cut up cake crumbs.☺

Once your circles are frozen it's time to layer and frost.  Take the cake circles out of the freezer as you need them.  That way they don't defrost while they are waiting for their turn.  I stacked my mini cakes three layers high with a good amount of frosting in between each layer.

Now use your off set spatula to frost around the outside of the cake.  Take it slow and ease the frosting around the cake.  Put a good size dollop of frosting on the top and smooth is out.  If the cake is crumbling into the frosting you have two choices.  1. Stick it back in the freezer, then try frosting after a while.  or what I chose 2.  Press your toppings into the sides instead of on top of the cake.  

When your finished frosting the cake press your toppings onto the top of the cake.  If you have a couple of cakes that don't look as good from the side, pressing your toppings into the sides.

I made a chocolate cake with 4 oz of cream cheese cut into 1/4 inch cubes and spread through out the batter.  My toppings were:  mini chocolate chips mixed with broken up Heath bar bits, crumbled Oreo cookies, chunked up Reese's miniatures, and flaked coconut.

Am I blinded by my love for chocolate?  I think these mini-cakes are so FUN!

I am not a perfectionist, and I definitely have room for improvement in my cake decorating skills.  If anyone has tips on cake decorating, or knows a good website let me know.  For now I will keep covering up my mistakes with more candy and chocolate!

Go make some mini cakes this weekend.....

Very Chocolatey Hot Chocolate

In the January 2010 issue of Living there is an awesome recipe for hot chocolate.

I thought I would test it out on my family, and it was a hit.

Ingredients:

9 cups whole milk

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

15 ounces (3 cups) bittersweet chocolate coarsely chopped*

1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

*Bittersweet chocolate is really rich tasting.  Try semisweet for a little lighter taste.

Warm milk in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.  Add sugar, and whisk until dissolved.  Add chocolate, and whisk until melted.  Heat until slightly thick, about 5 minutes.  Whisk in nutmeg.  Garnish with whipped cream.  Serves 12

I made a half recipe for my little family.  It gave us six full mugs.  I didn't have fresh nutmeg, so I used a pinch of ground nutmeg.  We also didn't have any whipped cream, so Mike and I added a few marshmallows for fun.  I think the whipped cream would mellow out the rich chocolate.

Make some of this delicious hot chocolate and feel the love. ;)

Dinner For Six

A friend of my recently got married and I knew exactly what I wanted to give as a wedding gift.
Since taking the handmade pledge, this was my first gift.

I found some super cool taupe linen fabric for a tablecloth.  One side of the fabric had a silver sheen to it.

Next on my list was fun fabric for napkins.  I knew what their dinner ware looked like and wanted something that would look nice together.  I didn't want the napkins to be all the same.  I found a really fun pack of fat quarters that had a set of five coordinating fabrics.  I needed one more fat quarter and I bet you can't guess which one wasn't part of the set.

Napkins are a fun and easy project that can be done start to finish in an afternoon.

1. Pick fabric and pre wash.
2. Cut out desired size of napkins       (plus seam allowance)
3.  Press and hem around all sides of fabric.

All you need to do now is eat something and wipe your face. ;)

Tic*Tac*Toe TO-GO

My kids get restless when we are waiting for the doctor, or in restaurants, and just about everywhere else you can think of.  This little portable game fits easily into a mommy bag and is nice because it doesn't make any noise (a plus for church).  This is a fun project you can make with your kids.  Davis and I made four Tic*Tac*Toe TO-GO pouches in about an hour.

Supplies:

An old T-shirt

ribbon

felt

scissors

hot glue gun

5 (for each player) little toys, beads, buttons or other do-dads for your pieces

We wanted a big playing board, so we made about a 12" circle.  I made a template out of wrapping paper and pined it to my t-shirt.  I cut two circles out at once (the front and back of the shirt).

Next we cut out 1/2" x 9" felt strips for the lines.  Each board needs four strips.

Now you hot glue the lines onto your circle to look like a tic tac toe board.  We just eye balled their placement.

Around the outer edge of your circle, about 1/4" in, carefully snip little slits for your ribbon to run through.  I tried the x-acto knife, but my little scissors worked better.  Be careful not to cut too much.  We spaced our cuts about an inch apart.

Davis weaved the ribbon in and out of the slits.  We started from the back in towards the playing board, and you want to end in the back.  That way when you cinch up the board the ribbons will be coming out on the same side.  When the ribbon is weaved through all the slits, flatten out the circle and add a few inches of ribbon past the circle.  Knot the two ends together so the ribbon won't slip out.

Set your 10 playing pieces in the center of the circle.

Now cinch up the ribbon.  I tied it closed with a slip knot so the contents stay inside the pouch.

We made a couple of smaller versions too.  The pink circles are five inches across and we used 1/4" thick strips to line the board.  I think these pink ones will make cute little Valentine gifts for some of my little neighbors.

White Chicken Chili

This is a recipe from my sister in law, Jewelia.  It hits the spot on a cold winter day.  (Or any other day)

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts cut into cubes

1 medium onion

1 1/2 Tsp. garlic powder

1 Tbs oil

2 cans great northern beans; drained and rinsed

1 can chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup water (or more if needed)

1-2 cans diced green chilies

2 cans mexi corn

1 Tsp cumin

1 Tsp oregano

1/4 Tsp cayenne pepper

1 can evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups sour cream

salt and pepper to taste

*evaporated milk doesn't curdle, so it's great in soups and crock pot recipes.

                      http://homecooking.about.com/od/milkproducts/a/canmilkcooktips.htm

**I have substituted ingredients and the soup is still great.  I used pinto beans for the great northern and frozen corn instead of mexi corn.

1.  Heat oil in a stock pot.  Add chicken, onions and spices.  Cooking the spices in the beginning enhances the flavor.

2.  Once the chicken is cooked and the onions are tender add the remaining ingredients.  Simmer for 20 minutes or so.

3.  Serve with grated cheese and tortilla chips.

If you were going to sneak something from your sister's drawer what would it be?

I know what Collin would choose...

There's nothing quite like a princess toothbrush.

I couldn't resist

This little pouch was made by Freshly Picked.  When I saw the mustache I was instantly drawn to it.  The orange polka dots did me in.  I am not a lover of mustaches on men, but I think it looks perfect on my little pouch.

I found this little pin at the Beehive Bazaar when I went last December.   I picked pins out for all my sisters and my Mom.  Each pin looks like them with a different colored flower.  My mom's pin even had a lighter skin tone to match her.  Fun!!!  I bought one for Tess.  It had blonde hair and blue eyes.  She lost it the day she got it, and I am sad just thinking about it.  I will have to find her another one.  The only problem is that I don't know who made them.  I can't remember the name of the vendor :(  I will have to keep my eyes open and go to every boutique from now on.  Check out Freshly Picked.  She makes lots of fun stuff.

Glam Up Your Ears

Making your own jewelry is a fun way to get just the right look.  These earrings can be made in a snap and you only need a few supplies....

You will need:

A hot glue gun

several ear posts (found in the beading section at the craft store)

Some buttons or other do-dad that you like

*purple dots are from Roberts and the buttons are from JoAnn's*

If you are using a button, you might want to cut off the little hook in the back.  I used some wire cutters to take mine off.  Be sure to protect your eyes when you cut it off.  Those little bits fly pretty fast.

Hold the button up to your ear to decide how you want it to hang.  You want to make sure you place the post in the right place.

Grab your ear post and put a little dab of hot glue on the circle.

Attach your buttons while the glue is still hot.

Now you have yourself a new pair of earrings.  Make some earrings this weekend and share your pictures with us.

Stamp It

I borrowed these two books from my library and have all sorts of fire in me to make something really cool.  I like to borrow books before I buy, so I can see if I really like them.  So far I haven't borrowed a craft book that I didn't like.  Amy Karol is the author of these two books.  She also has a great crafty blog called Angry Chicken.

I have been wanting a pineapple stamp for a while now.  I found some online to buy, but thought it would be more fun if it were unique and original.  I knew it wasn't rocket science to make a stamp, and when I saw it in the books I decided I had to just do it.

First you draw out your picture on a piece of paper with a pencil.

Next I pressed my eraser on to my drawing and the pencil printed onto the eraser.

Then I used my little knife to cut out the design.

I tried to make another stamp on the opposite end of the eraser with an S and P inside the middle of the pineapple.  It took me forever to draw Sp backwards to try and get the reverse image blah blah.  After ten minutes of dinking around when I tried to etch it out you couldn't read it.  The letters were too small. I am sending a package to a friend soon.  I think a nice big pineapple stamp on the box would be just great.  Maybe on a bigger stamp the SP would work better.  I will keep you posted...

Go make a stamp.  They are fun!

Hello Kitty Headband

I loved all things Hello Kitty when I was little.

I thought it would be fun to make a Hello Kity headband for Tess, and maybe myself.

This project is ultra cheap and only takes a few minutes.  I made two headbands in ten minutes with three kids running around.  You can do it!

Supplies:

Headbands ( I got mine at the dollar store)

hot glue gun

needle and thread

a scrap of felt or fleece

1. Cut out a rectangle for the bow from your piece of scrap fabric.  My rectangle was about 4"x2", but you can play with it and decide how big you want to make yours.  Next cut another rectangle that is about 2.5" x .5".  This little rectangle is to fold over the center of the bow.  If you want a more rounded bow, curve your corners.

2. Now pinch the center of your big rectangle.  Use your needle and thread to secure it.  Check out this tutorial for an awesome thread knot.

Decide where you want to place the bow on the headband.  Use your hot glue gun to glue it in place.

3. Once the bow is pretty set, put a dab of glue on the other side of the headband lined up with the center of the bow.  Attach your center strip rectangle.  Wrap the rectangle around the top of the bow and secure to the dab of hot glue.

Your Hello Kitty bow should look like this from the back side.

Since you already have you hot glue gun out and ready let's make another headband!

For this headband I used a melted fabric circle that was about 3" before it was melted.  I also used a rectangle of tulle that was 6"x11", a couple of feathers, and a fabric covered button (the button was 1.5" wide).

I folded the tulle up a few times into a messy triangle, then used a needle and thread to stitch the tulle and melted circle together.  I just made a few little stitches in the center.

Use your hot glue gun to attach some feathers, and the button.  When the flower/circle is set, glue it to your headband.  I used a little scrap of fabric to cover the glue that was seeping out the sides.  It will also help secure your flower/circle thing.

Davis was kind enough to model the headband.  I tried it on, and it looks better with longer hair.  Sorry Davis... ;)