Simple First Communion Cake

The husband's nephew had his First Communion a few weeks ago and, now that I'm known as the family cake maker, I was enlisted to bake and decorate the cake for his party.

Skating Party Cupcakes

Even though I'm stuck in bed, I finally uploaded some pictures from my camera, including the cupcakes I made for my friend's roller skating party a few weeks ago.

Can you tell they're supposed to look like rollerskating wheels? Well, even if they don't, I had fun using an apple corer with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Cheapest (Favorite) Costume Ever

OK, so I completely procrastinated figuring out a costume for myself for Halloween. I was more concerned with decorating the house. But, after spending only $1.50, I was able to come up with, what I think to be, my best costume yet.

$1: aviator sunglasses at the dollar store

$.50: dark nail polish (part of a two-pack at the dollar store)

With a red bandanna, a silver sharpie, a black T-shirt, flannel shirt, jeans, boots and TONs of black eyeliner, I rocked Halloween.

Oh, and did I mention I practiced singing Poison for two weeks straight, only to sing one song twice at two different karaoke bars. Totally worth it, though.

Another Costume!

My sister-in-law's daughter is being Gabriella from "High School Musical". I think it's the third movie because she's going as Gabriella from the prom. The dress she bought for her was a little flat, she told me. So I was commissioned to figure out a solution (I love a challenge). Easy-made tutu, here I come!

I saw this LINK from Crystal's Craft Spot and couldn't wait to try it. I could not believe how easy it was!

Oh! And the dollar store, I was thrilled to find out, sold 8-yard spools of tulle! I went through about eight of them. With a few stitches from he sewing machine I had my base.

I soon had visitors when making the tutu; the cats would not leave me alone!

Here's the finished product, including those curious little ones.

As the tutorial says, I need to flatten it out. It's in the bathroom right now, awaiting a long shower.

I'll post pictures of my niece after Saturday. I totally want to make one for me, but I don't think it'll go with my current costume idea.

Rose Bows

From working late the past two nights, I've been a little distant from crafting. As frustrating as it is staring at my two blank stools/end tables just waiting for spray paint when I get home after a 12-hour day at the office, I keep saying to myself "it's just more money to put toward my crafting habit".

But tonight, I had to come home and catch up on "Project Runway" so I wasn't in the dark tomorrow when coworkers talk about it tomorrow. So, while I'm watching this week's episode, I wanted to do a quickie-craft post.

I chose to give away one of my favorite skills: making roses out of ribbon. I use these for bows on presents when I want a little something extra that's not usually seen in stores. I learned this from a craft show I would watch back in elementary school on my sick days. Hell, sometimes they would show what would be on the next day and I'd "coincidentally" feel sick the next morning so I could watch it. I wish I could find it on DVD. (Not sure if it was "The Carol Duvall Show", but it may have been...)

Start with a ribbon, at least a foot long.

Find the middle of the middle and fold it over so the two ends form a right angle. (See? I still remember math! Kind of a personal victory.)

Take the bottom piece of ribbon and fold it over the triangle. Then fold the alternate piece over the first fold.

Keep folding until you get to the end of your pieces.

Grab the very last fold between your first finger and thumb and let the rest fall. It will look like an accordian-like shape.

This is the tricky part that takes a little practice: while keeping one piece stable, pull the other piece toward you.

It will start forming a rose.

When you pull the one piece, it does not stop; if you keep pulling it, it will come completely undone.

Once you've pulled the piece to create the desired rose size you're content with, tie it together with either floral wire or a twist tie, which was what I had on hand.

And you're done!

Different width ribbons create very different roses, some more realistic than others.

I've been known to re-enforce the tightness of the rose with a needle and thread.

If the gift is a bigger than the rose, itself, you could double or triple them up, or add one rose to a little ribbon below it, like I've done below.

(The bow below the rose is simple figure-8s folded over one-another and sewn together with a needle and thread to keep its shape and keep it together.

Oh! And the best thing I've discovered for ribbon is Fray Check. It's a very liquidy glue that keeps, well, frays in check.

The Wedding Present

Two of my dear friends got married this weekend and I wanted to make them an extra special present. But I also wanted to craft more.

I had heard about the wine box ceremony a few months after our own wedding and I thought it was great. Well, knowing my friends, Matt and Rachel, were wine fans, I thought it would be perfect.

I found the perfect box at Home Goods. I even ran around the store, trying to find a suitable wine bottle substitute to make sure it would fit in the box, and the box would still be able to close. I made due with a bottle of margarita mix. (I even got a discount because the clasp was broken--something I never thought I would be able to ask for, but I mustered up the guts and got a whole $1.64 off! Haha.)

Now, I know the box looks gorgeous. And when I brought it to my dad for advice, he tried to talk me out of doing anything to it. But, what you can't really see in the picture are the knicks and scratches on the box. But it was a solid wood box, and it was the perfect size. Especially for the two glasses I was lucky enough to find to also fit in.

(Please ignore the old mail, tape dispenser and my wine glass. One day, I will adequately set up my pictures...or maybe not.)

So, first I had to remove the hardware and figure out a suitable replacement for the broken clasp. I'm telling this out of order, though, because I ended up bringing the whole box to Lowe's to show to the hardware department manager. But, she was able to help me find one that worked just fine.

Because the clasp wasn't the same color as the hardware, I spray painted them all in my brushed silver spray paint. (I think the can is magical...I keep finding projects for it, and never running out!)

I had found a window box shelf I adored at Home Goods, as well, so I sanded it and added it to my collection of things that needed to be spray painted blue.

After three coats, the box came out perfectly! I didn't bother spray painting the inside rims because I figured I would either touch it up or figure out another solution later.

Knowing the wedding colors were blue and brown, I was able to use scrapbook paper I had for use in the living room. I had made blue- and sepia-toned wallet-sized copies of some of their engagement picture and other pictures I found on facebook. I used a ruler and craft cutting knife to cut in the squares as a sort of mat for the pictures to sit in.

Then, I started placing pictures in the holes and used Mod Podge to adhere the pictures to the paper.

Then, I placed the pictures and paper on the box top and used even more Mod Podge (but, then again, I don't believe there is such a thing as too much Modge Podge). Then I added the names and the wedding date cut from the invitation and the Save The Date cards, as well as the decorative ribbon.

After about four coats of Mod Podge, I started spraying it with acrylic sealer. Then added another three layers of Mod Podge. Then sealed it again with five more layers of acrylic sealer. Needless to say, these pictures weren't going anywhere.

While I was waiting for the layers to dry, I had to figure out a way to make sure the wine bottle and glasses were well packed. After remembering getting into trouble as a child, I remembered how easily carved floral foam is. (Quick story: my mom had some, I had fingernails and was an only child and amused myself for about an hour with the stuff.)

When I brought home the blocks, I began to carve them with, don't laugh, an ice cream scoop and a melon baller. I should point out, at this moment in time, that I worked for five years at Carvel. It was nice to find out I hadn't lost the art of the perfect scoop.

Unfortunately, the box was a little too small to accommodate all the bulk of a wine bottle and glasses, while still being able to close the lid.

So, after wasting a few hours on that, I cut slices from the cut pieces and used Liquid Nails to adhere the foam to the velvet lining.

Instead of touching up the edges of the boxes, I remembered my glue gun. (Oh, my glue gun. I made a vow that if I ever opened a craft shop, I would name it "Happiness is a Warm Glue Gun". Sorry, kind of a fan of puns.)

I purchased a piece of scrap fabric with a wedding motif. First, I ironed the rough edges under, then glued the corners to the corners of the box. Before that, I attached ribbons to the sides of the box just for a little extra holding power for the contents. I used finishing nails as an extra precaution on the ribbons.

After adding the hardware back on, I had to make a nice presentation of the "instructions" for the box.

Here's a bigger picture of the text.

Here's the final product.

After another few layers of acrylic sealer, I was ready to wrap it up.

If you're a fan of Mod Podge, this article from Mod Podge Rocks is fantastic for wrapping. I used the Press 'N Seal wrapping like the article recommended. I haven't heard anything from the bride and groom, but they're in Aruba, so I won't press them for details of how well my Mod Podge held up.

Oh, and while I was waiting for one of the many layers of either Mod Podge or acrylic sealer to dry, I spray painted a frame with some leftover blue spray paint, and used my circle cutter to use some of the leftover pictures.

Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of the final products and wrapping. (I even made a bow from leftover ribbon! I'm pissed I forgot to shoot it!) But when I told friends what I made them, I got at least three informal invitations to future weddings because they liked the gift idea so much.

My Husband Now Regrets Getting Me a Sewing Machine for Christmas

My cousin's wife has a baby shower this weekend five hours away. However, I have a wedding this weekend for two of my very good friends. But I did make a present to send up with my mom.

I used the tutorial from Crap I've Made for Appliqued Tie Onesies, then, seeing as I have four more onesies left in the pack and plenty of fabric, I got a little creative.

I will say, though, I accidentally bought one sided iron-on webbing, so I didn't get a flat look, but I liked the 3D looks I created.

Oh, by the way, they live in Maine. Hence the pun.

This was before I added the buttons.

They're never too young for Puff Paint (and apparently, I will never grow out of using it).

I especially love that I only ironed and sewed the middle of the wings to the onesie, therefore it has a flapping effect. LOVE!

(No, it's not an arrow pointing to the baby's shoulder blade, it's the devil's tale!)

And here they are all together. (Oh, didn't realize my foot was in the picture. Er, um, nevermind the desperate need for a pedicure.)

And, of course, I couldn't get enough of the crafting, so I went a little nuts making the bow and wrapping the gift. (Yes, her name is Emily, too!)

Oh, and the cat enjoyed the process of wrapping the present, of course.

UPDATE: Here's a picture of my cousin's son, Deklan, proudly sporting the onesie!