Fabric Bunting Tutorial

I love garlands, buntings, pennant banners, whatever you want to call them.  They look great on any wall and I thought one would look super cute over the baby crib, so I decided to make one.

I am decorating the baby room with woodland prints, gnomes, woodsy fabrics, browns, and creatures of the forest.  So when I chose my fabrics, I wanted something along those lines.

This was a really quick project to sew and it doesn't use up very much fabric.  I used pieces I had on hand and just cut everything very close to the pattern edge.  :)

This tree stump fabric is one I picked up in California at Birch.  Super cute.  My favorite part about the bunting is the bias tape that I used.  It is a linen tape with a lace print on it that I got at Shirokiya (a Japanese department store) in Hawaii when they still carried craft supplies.  I love love love it.  Super delicate look and it adds a little touch of Hawaii (for me anyways).

This little one with the tiny mushrooms is from Birch too.  I think I need to make a fabric trip out to see my Aunt again, she just happens to live within an hour from their little shop.  I used two wood grain fabrics, one in green and one in brown. I will be using  a lot of those in my baby sewing projects coming up.  They go perfect with my theme.

I don't have the crib set up yet, but I am thinking I want it to drape across the top.  I made this little gnome wall hanging a while ago and it goes perfect!

To make this bunting, I used a free pattern and tutorial from Sew Mama Sew.  You can find it here.

It is a great tutorial with step by step instructions and pictures.  You could make it really long to go across a huge hallway, or just do a few little pieces for a corner or kitchen.  I love that you can choose any fabrics and make it a completely different feel.  I know this will go perfect in the baby room and I can't wait to see it above our brown crib!

36 WEEKS pregnant

So far, so good.  I am 36 weeks pregnant.  I feel pretty good and am still working (yay!).  My only complaints are swollen sore feet, and I guess I have that pretty mild too.  Lucky me.  I feel bad for women that get it really bad because I think it hurts enough already.  The baby feels huge inside my belly and I can't imagine another 4 weeks of growing!

These were taken at 30 weeks. I thought I was big then...

I love being able to watch him grow each week.  From this point on, I think he will just keep getting pointier.  :)  I can't wait to wear regular clothes again.  I have a few cute maternity outfits, but I am getting tired of wearing the same thing everyday!  Hurry up baby boy and meet your family.  We are ready whenever you are...

Buttercream Wedding Cake with Olive Leaves

I was so happy to be able to make the wedding cake for my brother and his wife for their recent wedding in Spain.  It was a challenge baking in an unknown oven, with different ingredients, and in a short period of time.  I had a lot of fun and I think their cake turned out beautifully and fit with their theme really well.

Raspberry Buttercream filling and a Swiss Buttercream icing.

Each tier had 4 layers of cake and 3 layers of filling.

The Raspberry Swiss Buttercream filling was a huge hit.  The bride's mother made macerated raspberries with cinnamon sugar before I arrived and I mixed them into the buttercream for a fruity twist.  I also soaked the cake in the macerated raspberries to ensure it was extra moist and flavorful.

They had a garden themed wedding with their reception in her mother's huge backyard.  The garden was strung with lights and full of flowers, and this cake blended right into the setting.

The bride and groom requested a simple piping design with olive branches.

They had awesome cake toppers designed on Etsy, they were created to look just like them.  

The olive branches and the white frosting compliment each other nicely and draw on the simplicity and elegance of a garden wedding.

Congratulations Zach and Sara!  I was honored to make your cake for you and your guests.

To many years to come!

Scooter Cakes

If you live in Tucson, Arizona and you are celebrating a special occasion or love sweets, give me a call!  I am now taking custom cake orders.   I would love to make your day special.  You can find me at Scooter Cakes.  I love making bright colors, cute cupcakes, and simple favorites like strawberry shortcake.

I am also throwing cupcake decorating parties.  These would be perfect for bridal showers, tea parties, your child's birthday, or a night with the girls. More info here.

Cupcake parties are a great way to keep your guests talking about your party long after the favors are gone.  Each guest will take home 6 decorated cupcakes.

I will provide 6 baked cupcakes for each guest, icing, and piping tips and bags.  Please have a space large enough for your guests to sit and decorate.  (ie: long table with chairs, plastic tablecloth, and good lighting!)

WHO AM I?

 I am a sweet obsessed, chocolate loving, trend following, dessert maniac.  I started my journey on the road to SWEET HEAVEN long ago when I would run around the house with cake and whipped cream hiding from my mom.  Butter, whipped cream, sugar : these are my partners in crime.  Eggs, flour, vanilla : these are my accomplices to bigger and better things.

WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DO I HAVE?

 I have a degree in Pastry Arts from the Culinary Institute of the Pacific in Hawaii.  I also have 3 1/2 years of experience in large scale production kitchens making the wonders of the dessert world.  Cakes, pies, tarts, mousses, ice creams, breads, and smiles.  That is my specialty!

Call Scooter Cakes today and plan your next party!

The Cookie Cabin

I went to Mt. Lemmon last weekend for some sledding and nature time.  We went sledding for a few hours and then took a little break in Summerhaven and had some snacks.  We stopped at The Cookie Cabin for a giant cookie and a break.  Wow.  Not disappointed!

We didn't try to the pizza, but it looked goooood.

Nat enjoying her oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.  Yum.

$5 cookies the size of a plate.  I got the chocolate chip and ate it for 2 days.  !  Great snack for sledding and a driving day.  If you are in Summerhaven or Mt. Lemmon for the day, stop in a get a cookie to go or stay there and enjoy some hot chocolate in their warm little shop.

Rocky Road Ice Cream Recipe

I got a new ice cream maker this week and decided to try Rocky Road.  Why Rocky Road?  I love chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts.  Oh, and my husband will eat it!

RECIPE:

1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)

1/2 cup cocoa powder

3 cups fat free 1/2 and 1/2

1 tsp. vanilla

handful of chopped walnuts

handful of chopped marshmallows

DIRECTIONS:

Heat condensed milk and cocoa on stove for about 5 minutes, until the cocoa powder is dissolved and the mixture is creamy.  Remove from the stove and add the rest of the ingredients, hold the nuts and marshmallows until the end.  Place the mixture in the fridge or freezer to cool.  The colder the mixture, the better the ice cream will freeze in the machine.

Turn on ice cream machine and pour in mixture.  Mix as directed for your ice cream maker and add the nuts and walnuts at the end of the mix.  Freeze overnight in an airtight container and ENJOY!

Bias Tape Bag Pattern and Tutorial

I love sewing.  I like to sew little toys, bags, small quilts, table runners, you name it.  When I came across this super cute and easy bag at Prudent Baby, I had to try it.

Here's what you will need:  bias tape, 1/4 yard of 2 coordinating fabrics. (that's it!)

I made mine with grey store bought bias tape, but you can make your own if you like, and 2 fabrics I have been saving for something special.

You can see the basic shape and body of the bag, I made the original size.  It would be a great lunch bag, date purse, or knitting project bag.  I think it would make an awesome shopping bag if it was about 2 times as big and a bit deeper.  Get the pattern and tutorial here.

Big Thanks to Prudent Baby for the awesome tutorial and pattern!  I can't wait to make more.  

Craft Room

Here are a few pics of my amazing craft room.  I love the organization, comfy space, and creative possibilities.  This room is an awesome step in the right direction.

I made this pennant banner that says : creative space on it to inspire me and remind me what this room can do!

This was taken during the beginning stages of organization.  I love having everything in one place where I can see it.  My fabrics are slowly taking up more and more space.  Love seeing that out of the box!  My yarn is in those two big white boxes on top of the shelving.  I love that because I can pull them down, take a look around, and then slide them back on top of the shelves.  No mess, lots of space.

I got this super comfy couch so my husband could keep me company while I sew.  It doubles as a laundry folding area...  I mean... 

This little gem keeps me sewing hassle free. I got it about 4 months ago and I have no complaints.  Ooo, ok maybe one.  I can't jam 4 layers of wool under the foot.  :)

Winter in Tucson and Changing of the Seasons

Tucson doesn't have many trees to change color during the fall and winter months.  It is mostly brown desert with speckles of green cactus, however there are a few areas with cottonwoods, sycamore, etc.  We found one in my neighborhood on Christmas day and couldn't help but play in all the yellow leaves.

My new sister in law and I threw the leaves up in the air and went crazy.

I love Fall!  (ok, I know it's Winter, but Tucson doesn't have a real Winter)

Da Da Dum, La la La....

You might have noticed my super cool boots in the top photo.  Oh, you did did you?  Those are the amazing Fit Flops boots that my awesome husband got me for Christmas.  He is so sneaky! I have been talking about those boots for months.  The shirt, sweater, and scarf are all new from my mother-in-law too.  Like mother like son I guess.  Awesome gifts that I put on right away.

Sewing on Sunday

I slept in today, on my day off, and enjoyed the cozy quietness of my apartment.  I let my husband sleep a few extra hours and here I am blogging away.  Here is a quick look at my week instagram style.

I made a cute little upcycled pillow for my craft room.  This fits perfectly behind my back on my sewing chair.  Thank you lovely sweater for lending yourself to such a useful pillow.  I added some fabric flowers that I made last week to one corner to spice it up a bit.

I am taking down my Christmas decorations today too.  These are the stockings I made and the little pennant banner that hung above them.  I can't wait to add a few more handmade pieces next year.  On the list: tree skirt, wreath, and tree topper.  WHOA!           

My husband gave me a charm pack with these amazing batiks in it for Christmas.  I started laying out an idea for a simple quilt.  I added a few more things, and started sewing this week.  Thanks HUBS.  You rock!

Another Wedding

My brother and his WIFE came to visit from Korea for the holidays.  They came to Tucson because I live here, her brother lives here, and... they got married!  They are having an official wedding in Spain this summer, but to get all the legality issues out of the way, they got married in Tucson last week.

They went down to the lovely Tucson Court House

I think this is where Zach gives Sara the ring, he had nowhere to put it and was worried she was going to see it anyway.

Awww...  I can't wait for the ceremony in Spain!

Whoa!  These two are married!

My Aunt and Dad came to watch the official wedding.

Paying the dues.

MARRIED!

Welcome to the family Sara!  You have no idea what you got yourself into...  

Zach and Sara "mini" engagement shoot

While my brother and his wife were here, we all took lots of pictures.  Some of them turned out fabulous and I thought I would share them because they really capture the beauty of Arizona too.  Here you go guys, your "mini" engagement shoot.  Can't wait to do another one in Spain this summer.  Practice those crazy poses and study up on how to look a little sillier...

Blue Willow

Desert Museum

Mt. Lemmon

Drive to Mt. Lemmon

El Charro

Desert Museum (pipe organ cactus)

Near Saguaro National Park (this one is my personal favorite)

Heart it out.

These are some of my favorite.

The Court House

Christmas Wedding