Just for you, Juli (because I would do anything for ya!); here’s a look at the Susanna’s wedding cake. It was a white cake with strawberry filling. I will share the recipe for the filling below, as it is my favorite way to do fruit fillings in cake. I also used white chocolate frosting (side note, it is not good for piping!) and marshmallow fondant. The shells are also fondant, which held up in the high heat and humidity better than white chocolate. It was pretty tasty, if I do say so myself. C:

easy fruit filling for layer cakes

~ 6oz. jam (I like to use homemade freezer jam, it has such a fresh flavor, but store bought works just fine too. I usually go with Polener’s)

1 small box Jello in same flavor

Heat jam in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds. It should be fairly hot. Quickly stir in Jello and mix thoroughly; let cool for a few minutes. Pipe a frosting “dam” around the edge of the cake and spread filling in the center. Let sit for a few minutes in the fridge to set then place he next layer on top.

I know I have pretty much abandoned my blog, but I thought I’d take a minute to share this project. It was so fast and easy to put together and I think it turned out pretty smart. I saw something similar, but couldn’t find it to look back to later, I think it was a Halloween wreath, which would also be darling. (I know, how hard is it to pin it?? Sorry awesome blogger!) Anyway, if you want to make your own, here is what you will need:

1/3 yard white cotton

1/3 yard navy cotton

1/4 yard red cotton

3 circles of felt-or whatever heavy fabric you have in your scraps

Styrofoam wreath form

I cut the navy and white fabric into 2 1/2 or 3 inch strips (seriously-quick and dirty works well here, no need to measure.) Wrap the foam wreath with the white fabric so that it is completely covered and secure with hot glue or pins. Next, wrap the navy fabric, leaving room for the white to show through and secure.

Cut 1 inch strips of the red cotton and tie a loose knot in one end. Glue to the middle of the felt circle. Now loosely twist and glue the fabric in concentric circles until your flower is as large as you want. Glue or pin to the wreath and repeat for remaining flowers. That’s it! So easy, you might feel you have to make something else because it isn’t past bedtime yet. (Am I the only one who crafts after the kiddos are asleep??)

So “our Juli” mentioned to me recently that she’d like to see-well, anything-on my blog. Haha, I guess it is time I did something. I have lots of project info. to share soon, but just can’t seem to get around to blogging about it before I am entrenched in the next project. In the meantime, I took this video the other morning at Megan’s insistence. It shows one of the main (and most pleasant) contributors to our long and inefficient morning routine. Enjoy my crazy cute girlies:

I know I have been MIA lately. I’ll figure something out soon. In the meantime, head to http://www.swingsetsonline.com/backyard-ideas/backyard-blog/playsets/January%202012/Double_the_Prize_Double_the_Fun_Sweepstakes to enter for some serious summer fun! Check out what they are offering two winners:and

So, I am really lagging behind on Christmas prep; but I figured I’d share just in case you are looking for a last-minute friend gift for your kids or even just a fun activity. We made four batches of the recipe below, 2 red and 2 white and layered them into 9 pint mason jars.

materials

• 3 1/2-4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cream of tarter (found with the spices on the baking isle)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons oil
• 2 cups of water
• food coloring (1-2oz. bottle for red batch)
• 1-2oz. peppermint extract

directions

1. Heat water to boiling in a medium saucepan.

2. Measure a generous 3 1/2 cups flour into a medium-large mixing bowl (one that holds at least 8 cups.) Reserve extra to add if the dough is too sticky. Mix in the salt and cream of tartar.

3. Once the water is boiling, whisk in the oil and food coloring. Remove from heat and add peppermint extract. Remember that it will smell strong now, but will be diluted greatly once mixed with the flour.

4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the water mixture in. Stir with a spoon until flour is incorporated, then turn it onto the counter or a cutting board and knead until smooth.

5. Layer each color in mason jar, pressing down gently (You don’t want to smash them together too much, so they are easy to separate and play with.)

6. Print tags below and attach with twine, yarn, or ribbon.

Here is a pdf: candy cane tag 2

Merry Christmas you guys! I wish you a quick finish on your projects and to get to bed before midnight on Saturday! Keers

While I have been slaving away like a crazy little elf; we have also been up to a lot of fun things in these past few weeks. I figured I’d share some pics of the gingerbread houses we made last night. (Actually, there were requests to share for Grandma Lu and Harrison–2 very important people. ) So without further ado:

Meg’s masterpiece: full of things that she didn’t really want on there. (She says as she eats them.)

Emily’s house: winner in the heavy- weight division.

Amanda’s decor was a little more spartan. She stopped decorating as soon as she realized she could eat the candy.

Mom and Dad had fun too. Check Mike’s creative roof and frosting trees. Mmmm, delicious Christmas fun.

Backyard Discovery is giving away an Oxford Playset and Cedar Chateau Playhouse for the holidays. Can you imagine the look on your kids face when they saw that in the backyard? It would be incredible! Just head over to  Backyard Discovery on Facebook and like them to enter.

I have been daydreaming about the Silhouette Cameo for a while and was super excited to see the big crafting blogs offer a special black Friday deal for the Cameo. I almost bought one at 12:01 last night, but this morning Mike sent me a link to Amazon, where the Cameo is selling for $249, PLUS no shipping and no sales tax. I thought it was worth passing along.

…you know, just in case you are pining away like me.

Silhouette Cameo on Amazon

I am over at Whatever DeeDee Wants today sharing some ideas for creating a fun and inexpensive centerpieces for your table. Check the options then come on over and see how to put it together:

(Seriously, easy and on the cheap, ladies!)

If you want to put those kiddos to work, here is a tutorial for making paper turkey place holders.

I am a little late, but wanted to post some pictures from Halloween. I have been neglecting my blog for several projects (and lots of elf work on the doll house we are putting together for the girls for Christmas-yay! I am taking pics to post tutorials for any of you crazies that might want to make doll furniture-the things we do!) Anyhow, we had so much fun, I had to share. This year I even got into the fun and put my hair up into a big bouffant. The girls couldn’t stop cracking up when they saw me. I loved it!

My little princess. She is so in love with her dress. She requested “special princess hair” Um???? This is what I came up with and she was thrilled with it. I love how she gets all quiet and demure when she is happy about something like that. So cute.

Emily was equally stoked about her flamingo costume. She looked so stinkin’ cute! I wish I had taken more pics. The back was hilarious with it’s little drape of tail feathers by the bum.

…and my little candy corn witch. What can I say? This girl just kills me! Don’t you want to hug her after seeing this?