Getting crafty

Lately I've been feeling very crafty. We have been trying to save money so I've been finding things that I can make as gifts or for around the house by using things that I already have.  It is actually really fun.  

These note pads were one of the first things that I tried.  I think that they turned out really cute.  I got some notepads from Go-Lo for $1.50 for a five pack. They are 4x6 size. Then I raided my scrapbook paper. I cut a strip 4 inches wide and starting from the front folded it over the top. Before I stuck it down I cut two pieces of ribbon and tuck them on the back using double sided tape. I then stuck down the cover, again using double sided tape. I tied the ribbon and then used a rub-on to add some more decoration to the front.

Everyone always needs notepads so why not make them something special. They only take about 10 minutes to put together. The hardest part is choosing the paper, ribbon and decorations!

Cake Disaster

Well here it is. The cake disaster. I was attempting a few 'firsts' with this cake. My first square cake and my first layer cake.  Maybe I overdid it!

This picture was taking early in the afternoon. It got worse the closer it came to the party. You can see the bottom starting to bulge a little, especially on the middle block. The sides were coming away because it was sinking and pushing on the fondant.

Here you can see the lean that it had. The night before they all stacked on top of each other nicely. the only thing that I had done in the morning was put the decorations on the blocks. i do like how they turned out. I also really liked the colours.

Here is a close up of the fish. I made the scales by using a straw to cut out the circles and they a lightly pushed them onto the fish. I was so proud of this fish.

Here is the Teddy Bear. I think he looks very cute. From this angle you can see the bulging starting to happen a bit better. Also it you look closely you can see the skewer sticking up inbetween the layers. The night before they were level with the top of the cake. It goes to show how much that is actually sank.

Lastly, here is my whale. another cutie. Again with the skewer. So that's it. That is my cake disaster. The reason that it sank, I believe, was the cake. I didn't make the cake. We got a chocolate mud slab cake from a bakery and cut it into the blocks. I even froze them, but it was just too moist. It was incredibly soft and crumbly and moist. Next time, if there is a next time, I will take the time a bake the cakes myself.

Incredibly, I did make it to the baby shower with a cake. I bought a mudcake from the cheesecake shop and decorated it with chocolate, all in less than an hour and half! i didn't get a picture though!

So, I know that it has been awhile since I blogged. I got caught up reading so many other wonderful blogs that it made me think that mine is so boring. I guess I got writing block! Anyway after looking through some recent photos I found a few things that you might find interesting.

After my Doll cake turned out ok I wanted to try using fondant on another cake. It was my Nana's birthday so I made her a mini cake. I used my Sprite cake recipe and a mini pan. I also had the idea to make it look like a present by adding a bow. I had read a bit about it and it didn't sound very hard. Once the cake had cooled I put on a layer of frosting and then roller out my white fondant. There was a couple of marks in it, but I was happy with how it went. I then rolled out the pink fondant. Using a ruler and a pizza cutter I made my ribbons. To help the bow stay up I rolled up some tissues and put them in the loops until they had hardened up.

All in all I was happy with how it turned out. 

My next cake was really a disaster, but I'll leave that for next time!

Monday Mayhem

Today, like every Monday, is a little crazy, but I wanted to post some of the cool blogs that I've been looking at recently.  I love to look at blogs. You can get some many ideas.

The first one is had some fantastic, easy and cheap decorating ideas for your homes.  I want to try so many of her ideas. One day, when i have a house of my own, I will be able to start and I can't wait!

Now for some yummy treats. I found Bakerella's blog awhile ago (Thanks mum) and just love it. She is so creative. I have tried her cupcake pops and loved them. So just comes up with the coolest ideas.

I found this cool website called Parent Hacks. Parents write in with things that have worked for them. You can search through a variety of categories are are sure to find something to help. Since we are working on organisation and cleaning at the moment I just loved this one.

Well that's enough for now, I better get back to cleaning my house. Hope everyone has a good week!

Doll Cake

Here it is! The first cake that I have ever decorated with fondant. I was pretty happy with the way it turned out. And, most importantly, Amie was very happy with it!!

I ended up buying a Wilton doll cake pan to make the dress and it worked out really well. It has a rod that goes through the centre of the cake to help it cook evenly through the middle. I was really happy with it. 

I used three pieces of fondant to make the skirt. I started by putting the white piece on the front and smoothing in down. I then rolled out the two pink skirt pieces. I gathered them around the top and folded or pleated them to make it look like a flowing gown.

I then put a piece of fondant around the dolls torso to complete the dress. I added some ribbon and the wings to make it into and fairy to go with the fairy party theme. All in all it was a good experience and I'm excited to explore and do some more things with fondant.

Here it is! My first ever cake using fondant to decorate it.

Amie's Party

I know that it is over a week since Amie's Birthday party but I wanted to put up some pictures to share with everyone.

I tried to transform the house into a magical fairyland. Starting from the front door. We has a bubble machine set up outside by the front door to welcome the guests as they arrived. As they walked in the face painter was in the front room ready to transform them into anything they wanted. She did a fantastic job! Check out her website here!

The basket had the party favors in it. I found these cute little bags with butterflies on them for the girls and ones with stars on them for the boys. They were filled with stickers, chocolates, jewelry for the girls the toys for the boys.

The birthday girl getting her face done. She wanted to be a rainbow fairy. Later she also got her arms done.

Wall of photos. I printed out a photo of Amie taken on each of her birthday's. It was amazing to see the changes in her.

Tomorrow I'll put up pictures of the rest of the house and then, of course, the cake!

Amie turns 5!!

Tomorrow Amie turns five! I can't believe it. That means that we have been living back here is Australia for five years as well.  We moved back in February 2004 and Amie was born in May.  She was actually born on her due date.  Buzz had to fly over to New Zealand to get his Visa sorted out and arrived back about 6pm on the 5th of May. I hadn't been feeling well most of the day but the contractions didn't really start until Buzz was home.  Buzz tried to get some sleep after the long ride home while I sat up and watched tv. We left for the hospital about 3:00 in the morning. Amie was born at 6:16am weighting 8lb. 10oz. (my biggest baby!)

She was so cute! She still is cute! 

Just look at that smile, those gorgeous eyes and of course the pigtails, because it took so long for them to grow!!

Happy Birthday Amie! I love you!