Sunday, January 31, 2010

Pink is the New White in Snowman Land




Here are some pics of the pink snowgirl cake that I did for my friend's daughter's Winter ONE-derland themed birthday party. It all started when my friend, Tara came up with such a cute idea for her daughter's first birthday party, a pink, wintery ONE-derland theme! She came up with the idea of a pink snowgirl cake, and I loved it! Using the invitation as a guide, my creative juices began to flow:)



Here's the cute invitation!



Here's the sketch I made of the snowgirl cake.


What does it take to make this cake? Lots and lots of stuff!! I'll be mentioning what I used along the way.

When making a cake, you will be washing your hands A LOT, so I thought I'd take time to give a little shot out to my favorite soap, William Sonoma's Peppermint!! It's only available during christmas, so I wait until Christmas has passed and stock up once it goes on sale! Anyway, let's get down to the nitty gritty:)


Here's a big glob of marshmellow fondant that I made using Peggy Weaver's recipe. Marshmellow fondant is easy to make, but slightly more difficult to roll out and use compared to the store bought fondant. But, it does taste a lot better! Once the fondant is done, I divided it up and dyed it into various colors using Wilton's dye. I than sculpted the arms, nose, holly leaves, darker pink polka dots and bow, a hat and a banner. Depending on the size, it's usually a good idea to let the shaped fondant dry at room temperature for a day in order to harden.



Here are a few sculpted items, the holly leaves and bow, stick arms and polka dots. For the "carrot" nose, I sculpted it and than stuck a little toothpick in the back, so that it would stay in place on the snowgirl's face, and than set it upright on a piece of styrofoam to dry. (I was going to include a pick, but my hubby mentioned it looking like a falic symbol, so I decided to leave it out).


Here are the two halves of the sphere cake. I used Wilton's Sports Ball cake pan. Once the cakes were cooled, I used a serrated knife to flatten the bottom of one of the halves so that it would sit flat on the base. Then, I iced the top with buttercream icing (I use Wilton's recipe) and added the other half of the sphere. I than iced the entire ball in buttercream and than covered it in fondant; which had been dyed pink. And, for you dirty minded folks, you know who you are, my hubby also recommended I not include this pic, but since I was asked how I made a spherical cake, I included it anyway . . . so go ahead and have a little snicker, and let's move on:)


Here are all three tiers covered in fondant. The body and the head were actually made out of the same cake mixture as the cake pops, so we'll get to that later. Each tier was iced with buttercream, wrapped in fondant and than stacked using a wooden dowel to secure it in place. I did not worry about making the fondant perfect, because I knew I'd be adding some sparkle and other details that would hide imperfections.


I then decided to add some sparkle to enhance the wintery theme, and really, what girl doesn't want some sparkle in her life? I bought some silver pearl dust and large pink granular sugar (which I put in a zip lock bag and used my rolling pin to crush into smaller pieces) and added those into a bowl with a little bit of vanilla extract. Now, don't worry about the alcohol in the vanilla, because it will evaporate. Other sites will recommend you using everclear or some other type of liquer, but I like to use vanilla, because it works just as well, and it adds the yummy smells of the cake. Once that was all dry, I freehanded a few snowflakes using the white buttercream, a regular piping bag and a #1 tip. I than added the hat and stuck on some polka dots to mimic the invitation.


Here's some close up details of the face. I used some store bought icing in a can with a star tip to create the fringe around the base of the hat and at the tip top. I than added the holly leaves and some red sprinkles (later I also added the darker pink bow to the hat as well). I attached the nose and cheeks to the face and drew on the eyes, mouth and buttons using a black edible pen. With the white buttercream and #1 tip, I added some little accent dots to all the black "coal" pieces.


Here's how the little snowgal looks thus far! I also poked some holes in the side of the body to be able to attach the "stick" arms. I made a little white and pink striped scarf by laying pink and white fondant together and than rolling over them with my rolling pin. Once all that was put together, it was time to focus on making the "snow" for the base.



I used coconut for the snow and threw it into the mixer with more of the silver pearl dust, pink dye and smaller sized sugar sprinkles. I than pulsed it until I thought it looked like snow and than poured it out around the cake. Finally, I wrote a little message for the birthday girl on the banner and place it on the base as well.



Here's the final product! But, I wasn't done just yet . . . now for the cake pops!



I got the idea for these cake pops from Bakerella, and I just want to say that they are so easy and delicious! There are so many possibilities for these, and it's great for kiddos to help with too! My daughter is 4 and had the best time unwrapping the candies, shredding the cake and drawing on the faces! I highly recommend giving these a try!!! Anyway, to make them, just use any store bought cake mix, bake according to directions, cool and than shred into a bowl. Next, add any tub of store bought icing and mix (either with the back of a spoon or your hands; hands are easier, but very messy).


So, it looks pretty yucky at this stage, but believe you me, it is so YUMMY!!


I bought a little ice cream scoop to make perfect little spheres, than stuck them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and than stuck them in the fridge. While they hardened, I melted some pink chocolate chips in the microwave. I bought some lollipop sticks at Hobby Lobby, and once the chocolate was melted, I dipped one end of the stick in the chocolate and than stuck it into the cooled ball of cake. Once that was dry, I dipped the entire ball into the pink chocolate, attached the nose (an orange Tic Tac) and than set it in a styrofoam block to dry. For the hat, I used one York Peppermint Patty and attached a mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup using the melted pink chocolate. I had flower shaped sprinkles already, and used the chocolate to attach them to the hat as well, after adding a little center dot with my red edible marker. I than allowed all the pops to dry in the styrofoam block.

Here are all my little snowgirls in a row:)


My daughter and I used the edible markers to draw the rest of the face.


I bought little bags and ties for the cake pops, but decided I didn't like the gold ties, so I ran back up to Hobby Lobby and bought some cute white and pink ribbon to tie the cake pops instead. They turned out so darn cute, if I do say so myself:) REALLY, you must try this one! I am already thinking about red velvet Valentine's Day cake pops! Can't wait!


Anyway, Happy Birthday, Baby K! I love you!!


















Thursday, January 28, 2010

“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.” Dr. Seuss - HMMMM . . .

Well, it was not one of the best mornings at work! Two codes in the morning back to back followed by no morning person to relieve me! So, I did not get home until very LATE! Then I still had so much adrenaline running through my veins that I could not sleep, but I was too tired to go to the store, so now I'm behind in my cake making . . . sigh! Oh well, I'll get it done! I left extra early for work, so I could go to Micheals and Kroger's to get everything I need; however, Kroger did not have the pink strawberry cake mix, so I had to get yellow . . . sigh again. I plan on trying another store on my way home to see if they might have it, but if not, then sadly, yellow will have to suffice. I finished my shopping early though and was able to check in at Anthropology to try on a new shirt that I've had my eyes on.

But, alas, it looked like I was wearing shoulder pads, and I'm not into bringing back that look;)! Needless to say, January 28th was not my ideal day; however, today was EXTREMELY special, because it was my niece's birthday! And, remembering that and thinking of her makes everything else pretty minute! She is so much fun and has entertained us all since the day she was born! I LOVE her SO MUCH! It makes me feel so blessed for all the things in my life, and allows me to remember a saying my husband loves to quote, "Don't sweat the petty stuff, just pet the . . .". Well, nevermind the rest; it's the first part that matters! So, with that, I'm saying a prayer for all my poor patients who are at the hospital here tonight, I'm preparing a new plan of action for the snowman cake, and I'm saying "C'est la vie" to my beloved Anthropology fashion obcession! Tomorrow is gone and today's gonna be bright (except for the snow and ice predicted in the morning for my drive home)! ;)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl! I wish I was there to give you a big smooch!!! MWUAH!!!!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Detox didn't work for me . . . FYI

Well, I did the Jillian Michaels Detox and Cleanse but did not think it worked! I did not lose any weight, lose belly bloat, or feel lighter and more energized as it said I would. Even while taking the pills, I did not go potty more or feel energized, so I will be going back to Target to try and get my "money back guarentee" since I was not completely satisfied (I'll let you know how that goes). I am working out but feel like I have reached a plateau, so would like to try something to nudge me over! I'm off to google to see what I should try next. I just wanted to let anyone out there know that you might want to save you $30 for something else that gives better results! I'll keep it posted as to what I find!

On another note, I will be beginning the cake for my friend's daughter tomorrow. Since I've done my drawing, my next step is prep work. My to do list for tomorrow is as follows:
1. Buy Marshmellows, crisco and powdered sugar for my marshmellow fondant (you can get a great recipe and some cute ideas from Peggy Weaver's website )
2. I also need to get some shredded coconut, because I think I'm gonna try to use that to make snow around the snowman I'm making.
3. And, I need to buy cake mix (since I'm working this week, I would not have time to make a homemade cake). I think I will try strawberry for the main body of the snowman to incorporate the color pink even more and than chocolate for head and for some cake pops that I was planning on making as well (Oh, which means I have to go to Hobby Lobby and get pink colored chocolate chips, sticks and styrofoam). For more ideas on cake pops, check out Bakerella.
4. I plan on dying all the fondant with the colors I need (light pink, dark pink, black, green, red, white, orange, brown) and start sculpting a few of the items for the cake (arms, eyes, buttons, holly, hat, nose, and a banner that will say, "Kinsley's Winter ONE-derland".
5. Make my buttercream icing (Which I use the recipe from Wilton's)
And, that's it:)!!
I will try try try to take pictures of my progress, but I have tried on many cakes to do so and always end up getting so wrapped up in what I'm doing that I end up forgetting! But, I will try harder this time to remember! Wish me luck!!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Anthropologie Bound

Thanks to Tara for showing me how to link to my blog! I must admit, I'm not too terribly computer savvy!

I'm so excited! I think I will get some time to go to my FAVORITE store today - Anthropologie! There are 2 shirts that I'm dying to try on and a pair of shoes. Hopefully, they will work out! I love that store, and was so excited to learn that there are blogs that have been created just for the sheer glory of this store! I LOVE it! Here is a link to my fav thus far - it's called Effortless Anthropologie. Too FUN!

I was able to locate of few more tidbits of my creatvie juices. I guess I'm on a post as I go plan, as most of the things I've created have long been stored in lost files on our computer:) Oh well, I'll post as I find them!

SEWING




My Stocking


My Princess's tap shoe stocking


PAINTINGS

A painting I did for my parent's anniversary - it is suppose to look like a beach scene that someone cut out of a magazine and then tapped up on a wall, but it's all acrylic paint.


My Dad is a huge W.C. Fields fan, and I did this painting for him. It was my first black and white portrait, and first piece I did using different textures.



This is a painting I did to match the one below. They both hang in my casa del sol.


I did this painting for my husband as an engagement present - the letters E. Y. S. P. stand for Eternally Yours, Stacey P. (which was to be my new last name, plus worked as my signiture on the painting)




A couple of cute little birdies that I painted; which are nesting nicely in my sister's hallway.




CAKES

This was actually my first sculpted cake I did for my friend's daughter's 1st bday.

Here's the little cow in the back of the barn



I did this cake for another friend whose daughter was turning one and son was turning 3. She did a combo garden/digger theme, so I made the cake look like the diggers were clearing the area to create more room for the garden to grow.


It was also the first time I did flowers or a bird bath complete with sparkly gel as water.

Old school ski ball Chuck E Cheese cake a did for Great Aunt Jan's 50th.


Tasha from the Backyardigans cake.


The first 3D cakes I ever made! They were for my daughter's first birthday.
For more cakes see previous post here!






Saturday, January 16, 2010

Don't get your stockings in a wad

You're never too early when it comes to Christmas:)! My sis-in-law asked for some "creative" Christmas stockings like the ones I did for my family! And, since her birthday is in March, I hopped right to it! Here they are!!




Here is the initial sketch of the stockings, and from here, I made a pattern and found the different material, interfacing, buttons, fringe and all the other extra fun accessories!

My sis-in-law's stocking - I wanted to look like a fancy victorian-esk type shoe with some bling! I basically cut out the shape I wanted, sewed different fabrics and trim together and presto! I just can't wait to give it to her!!

Some of the details - I love the beaded fringe that I found at Hancock Fabrics! Other materials came from Joann's and Hobby Lobby!

This is for my older niece - she takes ballet and I added a little tutu and there are sequins sewn around the shoe and top part of the tutu for a little shine.

This ice skate is for my younger niece. Everything on this stocking sparkles! From the blade, to the lavendar sparkle "tights", and even the buttons; which I found at Hobby Lobby and LOVE!

Here is my Brother-in-Law's motorcycle style boot. Complete with faux leather and even a chain as the stocking hanger (again I found at Hobby Lobby).

I could not find a sliver ring or brackets that I liked and would fit on the stocking, so I used one of my bronze curtain rod rings and sandpapered the heck out of it until the silver underneath came through. For the circular brackets, I found little round buttons at Hobby Lobby, and I just painted them silver! I LOVED how they turned out!!!!


Photobucket


Here are a few other stockings that I did! The first one is a tap shoe that I did for my daughter, and the second one is a snazzy elf boot that I did for myself! I also did a golf shoe for my son (picture to come around Christmas time!