tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8119083774018400912024-02-18T22:28:49.821-05:00clever splendorBaking, parties, DIY. Splendorific!ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-41165409193655844972013-10-07T14:30:00.001-04:002013-10-07T14:30:58.356-04:00Prize-winning cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a local event called the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Best-of-Bedminster-Show/209366782436300" target="_blank">Best of Bedminster</a> here. It's a local event that showcases local produce, jams, kids fun, etc. Once I saw a cake competition was being held, of course I had to enter. And no half-hearted effort, I <strike>wanted</strike> needed to wow. After much discussion with the husband, I decided to make the <a href="http://www.tobaccofactory.com/" target="_blank">Tobacco Factory</a> (a mixed use cafe/bar/event/theatre space) that is well known in South Bristol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to go further into local love and use Bristol beer from the <a href="http://www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank">Bristol Beer Factory</a>. I made a chocolate stout cake with the Ultimate Stout and a vanilla cake using their Independence Ale (<b>American</b> pale ale). Chocolate stout cake is delicious and I don't even like beer. It's so rich and has a real depth to it. I've made it I think 4 or 5 times now. Vanilla beer cake is kind of boring though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I counted the exact number of windows (a lot) on both sides and decided to make them out of wafer cookies. This involved cutting said cookies in half lengthwise and using a sharp knife to cut them out. Then I piped Wilton candy melts to make the windows. I actually wound up cautting all of them smaller since apparently 4 layers of cake is still not high enough. And I'm annoyed because there are actually tiny windows on top, but i didn't have enough room. I had to have this in the show by 1PM, we literally left the house at 12:40PM. So the detail was not as good as I would've liked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a big hit & everyone loved it. Afterwards they kept some of it there for people to taste. Then I took the rest to the actual Tobacco Factory for people to eat. Lots of people ate it & liked it (some came up to me & said so). But sadly I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> didn't have any business cards so it was a real missed opportunity there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mayor (George Ferguson) actually lives on the top floor here and he walked in to the cafe. I was sitting with my sister-in-law & she said go up to him. So I did and showed him my cake. He ate some & said he liked it & asked about the show (he had a previous engagement or would have come). So it's mayor approved! Sadly, I didn't think to take a pic of him eating it...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first English prize for my baking. I once won 'best cake' back when I worked at MySpace in LA. I also think it's strange that first place is red here, and not blue. Their second place was blue. Maybe it's an English thing?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at my happy face!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Posing in front of the actual Tobacco Factory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-8249518412902713062013-10-06T14:46:00.000-04:002013-10-06T14:46:06.088-04:00treasure chest cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My neighbor(u)r wanted me to do a cake for her her 5 year old Lois. Lois requested a pirate cake and not too girly so I made a treasure chest. We did it during a Playing Out session - which is when they close the street for 3 hours so kids can play, it's a fab idea. Her Mom wanted cupcakes as well since our street has so many kids.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I googled and Pinterested treasure chests and here's my final product. The only thing I really took away from my googling was the Curly Wurly as a metal type brace. Genius idea I think, and I sprayed it with gold food coloring spray.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I spent more time googling graphics for the cupcake picks and then fixing them in Photoshop so I could print them out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew about this one a month out so I had time to search for stuff. At the .99 store I got candy necklaces, skull lollipops & the pirate candles. I got the pirate cupcake wrappers at Asda & the gold coins at Sainsbury's. The coins are white chocolate buttons sprayed with my gold spray (also from the .99 store, I love that place, it's </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">£</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.97 elsewhere).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used (soft) gold dragees (also on offer for .99 at Aldi) for the studs on the chest and some weird blackjack aniseed taffy thing for the lock & hasp, which I sprayed gold. It faded which added to the effect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy birthday girl & happy kids!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-20318155962588531682013-09-29T17:37:00.004-04:002013-09-29T17:37:45.334-04:00Tiki cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our street party was a few weeks ago & it had a Hawaiian theme. Usually everyone makes a cake of their house but of course I wanted to wow them since I'm new here. I came up with the idea for an island cake, primarily so I could make the ocean a cupcake cake. I'm usually not a huge fan of those, but they are unheard of here. Also I figured mini (blue) cupcakes would be fun for the kids to pull off & eat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the final project:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Setting the scene:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought about what would make a thatched type tiki bar and came up with the genius idea of shredded wheat! I was cutting up those biscuits trying to find the right sizes (without breaking) in my kitchen til late. The sand is smashed malted milk cookies. I should say the end product was so pretty, everyone was afraid to cut it up.</span></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51v1aV-eGHYM4Hhw-nrK1g8XWzfhetTHudceCfWkrdwnCz95kes8Zz5IS3YgYFuLb0tqYEq_npDTPq9yaz5wvYSFXHv99ZtYIywgeHqwNDCstX4Z1EzX54KXnhMGQXpPHBxkC0C-USpM/s1600/IMG_7636+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51v1aV-eGHYM4Hhw-nrK1g8XWzfhetTHudceCfWkrdwnCz95kes8Zz5IS3YgYFuLb0tqYEq_npDTPq9yaz5wvYSFXHv99ZtYIywgeHqwNDCstX4Z1EzX54KXnhMGQXpPHBxkC0C-USpM/s400/IMG_7636+copy.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The full visual. Surfboards are sour strips (mounted on cardboard so they would stay up). Tiki details are melted candy melts. The shark fins are marshmallows I painted with food color. The flowers are made from a candy called Winders (fruit rollups), I brushed edible glitter on them and added a white decor ball center.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YvxI0s9FX1G1g-TQHyVzwz4Nxo9Lb9ArQRgL-A1OdccaqqFzYJl7i3UBMx3faMg9JBgioggfZcimCJN5uRPa8grphpS5v_8ecwLenOga7QO-vHml3sTrohNGgN_iHkKhlQAonxUd1d4/s1600/IMG_7648+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YvxI0s9FX1G1g-TQHyVzwz4Nxo9Lb9ArQRgL-A1OdccaqqFzYJl7i3UBMx3faMg9JBgioggfZcimCJN5uRPa8grphpS5v_8ecwLenOga7QO-vHml3sTrohNGgN_iHkKhlQAonxUd1d4/s400/IMG_7648+copy.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3ZlC9eBqMaPEcADM4ZuzJjZogVcNRLEk0wb9HHaxbThVQCBu4K6aRSRtQx8AeoIHOYvhBLg0dttJq-tVYtMR4K84IuddUkXxPH_X-SmtJISgyHe16FGTVXsZVFVfBgOBAsKqmeH8BF4/s1600/IMG_7650+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3ZlC9eBqMaPEcADM4ZuzJjZogVcNRLEk0wb9HHaxbThVQCBu4K6aRSRtQx8AeoIHOYvhBLg0dttJq-tVYtMR4K84IuddUkXxPH_X-SmtJISgyHe16FGTVXsZVFVfBgOBAsKqmeH8BF4/s400/IMG_7650+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tea & cake table (impressive!):</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlJIHY1w08oG5aIOIYVGDXIcBhINQQZAL-xkaMdJzqJrDEwLMbnwVXaug4XFVstEO4AGHsYQr_pLdgLhqFieWxyyz0QqiYOkz-uu0DMfxQDnVRQTJK8_2jQea889IZ3qoAmE17ah3Pnw/s1600/IMG_7659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlJIHY1w08oG5aIOIYVGDXIcBhINQQZAL-xkaMdJzqJrDEwLMbnwVXaug4XFVstEO4AGHsYQr_pLdgLhqFieWxyyz0QqiYOkz-uu0DMfxQDnVRQTJK8_2jQea889IZ3qoAmE17ah3Pnw/s400/IMG_7659.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ64m1T7aBVhvgughN62YIjDebDFqnL-m7s16ISUiiX2WWLG01LWIjDM_48rlrkDPs3IU7rVsQVSZaysN2kitDqiKbyJ_4DtRrTNRmK1bieRWy6P37lMq2QmzMsO4TzBomBpyX8dp1Jds/s1600/IMG_7644+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ64m1T7aBVhvgughN62YIjDebDFqnL-m7s16ISUiiX2WWLG01LWIjDM_48rlrkDPs3IU7rVsQVSZaysN2kitDqiKbyJ_4DtRrTNRmK1bieRWy6P37lMq2QmzMsO4TzBomBpyX8dp1Jds/s400/IMG_7644+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aloha! I got the chance to bust out my $1 vintage Hawaiian jumpsuit. This beauty used to be worn regularly when I lived in Los Angeles. Forgot I had it. Everyone loved it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-85883694478076233992013-09-29T16:55:00.000-04:002013-09-29T17:49:47.541-04:00England baking and adapting to ingredients here<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mentioned before about getting used to ingredients here in England. One is butter, it's yellower (not ideal for vanilla frostings), and has a higher fat content.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also just found out egg sizes here are bigger than America. I feel like I had an epiphany when I read<a href="http://www.nigella.com/kitchen-queries/view/Egg-Sizes/3245" target="_blank"> this post</a> on Nigella's site. Makes sense, the large eggs here are equal to US extra large - all my recipes seem to respond differently here. At least I can make sure my eggs are medium from now on, we'll see how far that gets me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm still working on getting an adapter for my KitchenAid. I've broken 2 hand mixers in 2 months. And I wasn't even mixing that much. But hand mixers don't have a low and my kitchen gets covered in either confectioners sugar or flour every time I bake. I really miss my precious mixer. I didn't want to spend the money on the converter, but after breaking 2 mixers, it's time to spend the <span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">£70 and get it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've done a lot of baking, even without my big mixer. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much to my father-in-law's delight, I make something new every time we go for Sunday lunch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blackberry pie using local berries we picked. For the crust I used half butter, half Trex (UK equivalent of Crisco, but all natural). It's very flaky. Almost too flaky, if that's possible?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPyghaCRIGy1DJ9zlqLtL-TfQiuikG42HFFjL2FapLpIBOW3P-wLq5Cd6rd0sHMVW4TDV84l2tw07WwyTQGgRdBcyadZV5G7MI_vcl0yCBlqziL4LRtMsVpQIHB55hd4UR5v7euhYrz4/s1600/blaackberry+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPyghaCRIGy1DJ9zlqLtL-TfQiuikG42HFFjL2FapLpIBOW3P-wLq5Cd6rd0sHMVW4TDV84l2tw07WwyTQGgRdBcyadZV5G7MI_vcl0yCBlqziL4LRtMsVpQIHB55hd4UR5v7euhYrz4/s400/blaackberry+pie.jpg" width="271" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cinnamon sugar pinwheels using leftover crust. I swear I preferred these to the pie, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mostly because they remind me of my childhood, my mom used to use these same </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pans to make hers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbe3xJLc-TUe5jtxWLEOWX0geJ0a5GivdYy_csJTTBGY9_BhS5z3xy98hPXRJlEJ7reWnTQU_HrynHDoWkf4-vdRKbJQ8Wv4FX8eaYjpOI8CK7POIHyJT5Y3R2IM2LfNkXUnzjMdS-dg/s1600/crusts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbe3xJLc-TUe5jtxWLEOWX0geJ0a5GivdYy_csJTTBGY9_BhS5z3xy98hPXRJlEJ7reWnTQU_HrynHDoWkf4-vdRKbJQ8Wv4FX8eaYjpOI8CK7POIHyJT5Y3R2IM2LfNkXUnzjMdS-dg/s400/crusts.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mini apple pies using my father-in-law's neighbor(u)r's 'fallers' from her apple tree. I saw these on pinterest and wanted to try it. Very fussy for apple pie but appealing to people I suppose. I prefer a normal pie.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUwvQT1qOu782ODYd8D3fei_AcpmF96ZXt9N8NsaWaESOCoeY_7qJnP_UMqgRi4Tf6RZxEVvsiXq2vHZeDuON_ShBsFtCi5zIYefckQf7B8wqMMg5PnM_68LffHtcv7r4bbQo0RZKQvA/s1600/apple+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUwvQT1qOu782ODYd8D3fei_AcpmF96ZXt9N8NsaWaESOCoeY_7qJnP_UMqgRi4Tf6RZxEVvsiXq2vHZeDuON_ShBsFtCi5zIYefckQf7B8wqMMg5PnM_68LffHtcv7r4bbQo0RZKQvA/s400/apple+pie.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Le Creuset bread (tasty!) and a treacle tart. Also a request from father-in-law.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZ8IFA2YrczngR9L-yDVzaYOzimOb74ltBgrTqF_yiFAvvx0F-cU5lKoGlm3B_wyiWk4Dec_8I5NZAOfItLC05rvVGtumH5jF_b88jOuUW-LkkzES0f1d5xdQ6kQTg_pklDQmRbMM73k/s1600/bread+treacle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZ8IFA2YrczngR9L-yDVzaYOzimOb74ltBgrTqF_yiFAvvx0F-cU5lKoGlm3B_wyiWk4Dec_8I5NZAOfItLC05rvVGtumH5jF_b88jOuUW-LkkzES0f1d5xdQ6kQTg_pklDQmRbMM73k/s400/bread+treacle.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plum frangipane tart using my father-in-law's neighbor(u)r's plums. Delicious. Also, another bread test, not as good as the above bread though. I used 1/3 whole wheat flour, not sure if that made a difference.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vPV9EcFkK9tOPhzX0PBezImDyBs-_WKycQ4YPKDEMMGEGtyLUXOazpCKmOHE5cXSEbl5ITpjODq9g_PzFeeubL1IamUTFZmwBVcXxYHNJvDNccCTqPj_BVcRJR4J4vkdTzo87xP9lOQ/s1600/tart+bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vPV9EcFkK9tOPhzX0PBezImDyBs-_WKycQ4YPKDEMMGEGtyLUXOazpCKmOHE5cXSEbl5ITpjODq9g_PzFeeubL1IamUTFZmwBVcXxYHNJvDNccCTqPj_BVcRJR4J4vkdTzo87xP9lOQ/s400/tart+bread.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My neighbo(u)r gifted me a (marrow/zucchini/courgette), so I made my recipe for double chocolate zucchini bread. This recipe makes 2 loaves and uses 4 cups of zucchini. Very rich & delicious - gave some to 2 neighbors plus my father in law and saved some for us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOz-aEiA_xhBNePFdc8S8ncNEuVfJaq1uSHZPon0lJhMlk5TgzLW9VI0mBIskXYGtGbOuCAuYx0kFUTN7zgbltc6JUFx4tuGNtzn9Ty6Pa24ns5GoBiwQZhLmV-HVzY41-rL_ZJY_9NY/s1600/zucchini1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOz-aEiA_xhBNePFdc8S8ncNEuVfJaq1uSHZPon0lJhMlk5TgzLW9VI0mBIskXYGtGbOuCAuYx0kFUTN7zgbltc6JUFx4tuGNtzn9Ty6Pa24ns5GoBiwQZhLmV-HVzY41-rL_ZJY_9NY/s320/zucchini1.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUHErQq6o9v3JCacITEn6Hb6xfDTtl03AzMz9Ay71SN1tTMpExVg6P1LngH6b89DXcALD2sR0SJT3eKhYTpT9w7jLR-wdcljJP0VSuXWO2ggFXLwGsxaIUscR2-2lvuh0EB4cPVUcncI/s1600/zucchini2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUHErQq6o9v3JCacITEn6Hb6xfDTtl03AzMz9Ay71SN1tTMpExVg6P1LngH6b89DXcALD2sR0SJT3eKhYTpT9w7jLR-wdcljJP0VSuXWO2ggFXLwGsxaIUscR2-2lvuh0EB4cPVUcncI/s320/zucchini2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mille Crepe cake. I've always wanted to do one, they look so pretty, but man what a chore. As you can see, the final product is gorgeous.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyane0L20yLWsWBUHqmgHgWmmv3LsP83koY_o1mR2mGiTmTMaBMyGs9e83ORFfgEk-llgUEZ4pfPMmxxvAZFkwSe3VPIqTqv8GIbr8hZZE_b8v2QQhv8Hcx0PRKTIc2QUfoh1fWbT78bI/s1600/mille1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyane0L20yLWsWBUHqmgHgWmmv3LsP83koY_o1mR2mGiTmTMaBMyGs9e83ORFfgEk-llgUEZ4pfPMmxxvAZFkwSe3VPIqTqv8GIbr8hZZE_b8v2QQhv8Hcx0PRKTIc2QUfoh1fWbT78bI/s320/mille1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In process, I screwed up the first crepe, so I only had 19 to layer. That annoyed me, only because 20 crepes sounds more impressive. I started writing on my wax paper so I could see progress. See how tiny my kitchen is?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj_aHYKpALly1ZvV0SIkesc_1HvucKlSHOL2mshXZIM2ntG_cA57dz5J9Dt0wZP4t8lTkhyphenhyphenxJRkWjiF-4o5BT5N68tcQIMql7S44KuPWeICSVrLnm3do9HFV5bYpJND675Em2QILi020/s1600/mille2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj_aHYKpALly1ZvV0SIkesc_1HvucKlSHOL2mshXZIM2ntG_cA57dz5J9Dt0wZP4t8lTkhyphenhyphenxJRkWjiF-4o5BT5N68tcQIMql7S44KuPWeICSVrLnm3do9HFV5bYpJND675Em2QILi020/s320/mille2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeei7wamTC9Utm_afMxROM7bPwum2FRLBymemdWLe7YLlTlJx8meJ4hDu55AhdY248L_J_K43KK6yAvgUmSdnrSY66g1hP9J58EngGM_zIXemEJgEq_A8z-iS-QyXNXxpueavqtvLwXec/s1600/mille3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeei7wamTC9Utm_afMxROM7bPwum2FRLBymemdWLe7YLlTlJx8meJ4hDu55AhdY248L_J_K43KK6yAvgUmSdnrSY66g1hP9J58EngGM_zIXemEJgEq_A8z-iS-QyXNXxpueavqtvLwXec/s320/mille3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a vanilla pastry cream and topped with chocolate ganache. If I were to ever repeat this tedious dessert, I'd use chocolate ganache inside because it would be richer I think</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. It kinda tasted like a soggy eggy thing. I suppose that's how it's supposed too, but for all that effort I'd rather make a real cake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The inside!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zombie themed cupcakes for my first real Bristol commission (a city council leaving do). They were a hit I hear. Hoping I can get more work out of it. Red velvet, chocolate and vanilla cakes. The vampire one has sour cherry jam inside too, wish I could've seen people's faces when they bit into it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Details on my prize winning cake next...</i></span>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-34413817487403813102013-08-18T15:44:00.000-04:002013-08-18T15:47:52.168-04:00Spending spree / new life<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long time, no post. I'm now on the other side of the pond in Bristol, England. So far my only baking has been 2 batches of cupcakes (man oh man is the butter different, my buttercreams have been so soft). I think they have more fat in it. So yes, lots to test out and in my teeny kitchen - but I will tackle that in my next post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">So while I've been getting settled and following all kinds of Bristol/UK people on twitter to find out the goings on over here, I found out about Britmums. Makes sense since I'm at least an hono(u)rary Brit now and a Mum (Mom).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">So Britmums has a new challenge with The National Lottery </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">to show how we would spend £20,000. Since we've cashed in our life savings to move here and be closer to my husband's side, with </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">£20,000, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;">I could start my cupcake truck here.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;">First, I would book us all a trip back to Cincinnati for Christmas though. I've never not spent one with my family. EVER. And I miss them a lot!</span><br />
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<a href="http://s.forbestravelguide.com/img/properties/Destination_Cincinnati_CincinnatiSkylineAtNight_CreditiStock_RudolphBalasko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://s.forbestravelguide.com/img/properties/Destination_Cincinnati_CincinnatiSkylineAtNight_CreditiStock_RudolphBalasko.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, I'd put maybe <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">£5,000 aside for a rainy day, because a nest egg is nice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">And ours is gone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">And finally, the rest would go towards my cupcake truck/American sweets truck dream. Ideally it would be as American as an Airstream (we toured the Ohio factory before we moved to England, amazing), but they are very expensive! Now Austin, Texas has one but I'm quite sure England does not.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize_square/squidoo_images/320/draft_lens10573511module96166551photo_1272063924hey_cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize_square/squidoo_images/320/draft_lens10573511module96166551photo_1272063924hey_cupcake.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">I've been to Bristol foodie shows and scoured the internet and sampled the products here. I do think there is a place for me, and I KNOW my stuff tastes better & is fresher. Plus I think my American accent (charm) might just help sell my delicious treats.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><i>The dream is just waiting for me...</i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">This post is an entry for <a href="http://www.britmums.com/2013/08/join-the-spend20k-challenge-win-shopping-vouchers/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">BritMums #Spend20K Challenge</a> sponsored by The National Lottery, with more ways to win more money on the new Lotto game. Find out more about new Lotto, which starts in October, here – </span><a href="http://www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/home.ftl" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #888888; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="new">www.national-lottery.co.uk</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-20101352510603064812013-05-20T16:24:00.004-04:002013-09-29T16:56:49.769-04:00keg cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My good friend Tricia was turning 40 and I offered to make a cake. She said she liked chocolate & beer. I had done the beer mug cake for her husband so I knew it had to be better, or at least different but still a beer theme. Talk about difficult!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I decided on a keg, albeit a short fat keg. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's chocolate stout cake with an ale buttercream. Everyone loved it. I highly recommend chocolate stout cake for beer lovers - it's rich & delicious & definitely tastes like beer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to make poured sugar ice and beer bottles for the top. I saw Target had a cute ice cube tray for beer bottles in their dollar bin so I used that. Looks damn cool I think. And all done with buttercream, except the medallion was made from fondant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The birthday girl!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Bxglxvrofa02fLIGlBJHYsfebFMeqIx82pVLaZjqxi3fq00_-FiJU27b1mH4OrcWg9YXR20VOg0isJfBlbnt7Vs1PlMHbcVpX08bWudVdTFPlZGt6rDDcdjc6dcdCuqP4VBo35kDW28/s1600/IMG_5473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Bxglxvrofa02fLIGlBJHYsfebFMeqIx82pVLaZjqxi3fq00_-FiJU27b1mH4OrcWg9YXR20VOg0isJfBlbnt7Vs1PlMHbcVpX08bWudVdTFPlZGt6rDDcdjc6dcdCuqP4VBo35kDW28/s400/IMG_5473.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I love how it turned out. I used edible glitter on the medallion and numbers.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSd9G8D69a-4Hd58eZiEc9h-DP2AXlc7KfL3EqcEYlFXPb8zd4nyiRB2B2TU91mm88SK5RLf2VzPSeZPxNwjYBU8ISmV_bNtlbJ1frAnYEKJT6pXh7vsL2BTOX_pQ6RD9jj8XCLgux2Q/s1600/IMG_5474+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSd9G8D69a-4Hd58eZiEc9h-DP2AXlc7KfL3EqcEYlFXPb8zd4nyiRB2B2TU91mm88SK5RLf2VzPSeZPxNwjYBU8ISmV_bNtlbJ1frAnYEKJT6pXh7vsL2BTOX_pQ6RD9jj8XCLgux2Q/s400/IMG_5474+copy.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Detail of ice and bottles</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoRBFS_NWtGFBBY-V-tWveZBRPn2FbhBrAU-30D_dRGlFAqQyoNyeXbGkngBwoyG3KIH6dXWO0kBMrCgP1c1zQEBajltIc9BGTG8acYesIhJfhR0RXZw6ex1gDQv3SgjNDQWhV4eHy6U/s1600/IMG_5476+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoRBFS_NWtGFBBY-V-tWveZBRPn2FbhBrAU-30D_dRGlFAqQyoNyeXbGkngBwoyG3KIH6dXWO0kBMrCgP1c1zQEBajltIc9BGTG8acYesIhJfhR0RXZw6ex1gDQv3SgjNDQWhV4eHy6U/s400/IMG_5476+copy.jpg" width="337" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> I wanted better lighting so I tried an inside shot</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nPrClN5oLySfLCnpbEIO6RudAgjPogVy7PjyTEKKq-VY-aiIlbnSNvFSP9Lw57hzq7ER_GF4PqrZMGAIvEf573Cj4D8JpoTv9tis2J4xM2CFbn72gasGtkzM5lbeuQFKj6fjPRAPlh8/s1600/IMG_5477+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nPrClN5oLySfLCnpbEIO6RudAgjPogVy7PjyTEKKq-VY-aiIlbnSNvFSP9Lw57hzq7ER_GF4PqrZMGAIvEf573Cj4D8JpoTv9tis2J4xM2CFbn72gasGtkzM5lbeuQFKj6fjPRAPlh8/s400/IMG_5477+copy.jpg" width="270" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Here's to another 40+...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdrC4ebRXqCky4Dd227gmpcA8H8_E4N94gl_Z_bAjFUZ1qYEnKZp29bM-8k4sk3zwfgnJ5hOyBac-utNWg7IxTIsksf_73s-XmtfMqsP0A9eiZORNZbCGFAIKb0Lkijk9PEw_EsOk4Xs/s1600/IMG_5487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdrC4ebRXqCky4Dd227gmpcA8H8_E4N94gl_Z_bAjFUZ1qYEnKZp29bM-8k4sk3zwfgnJ5hOyBac-utNWg7IxTIsksf_73s-XmtfMqsP0A9eiZORNZbCGFAIKb0Lkijk9PEw_EsOk4Xs/s400/IMG_5487.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-89380801779618897592013-04-29T10:59:00.002-04:002013-04-29T11:02:25.545-04:00pinball cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My good friend Gary was having a birthday and my only guidance was pinball theme. Oh, and margarita flavored (with booze, of course). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I googled all kinds of pictures (& cakes) and then decided on a pinball machine cake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had leftover fondant from my son's cake so I used that for his decor. I went crazy because I knew he would like it and it's a pinball cake, pinball machines ARE crazy and over the top. The only non-fondant decor is the red balls (Gobstoppers). If I wanted to, I could've used Sixlets which would have been a better size but I didn't have the energy to go to a specialty store to get them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The black writing is edible marker</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiBdiHs0xj2xPjym5u0_m6guobYbLsrjlF7TveQgF9yvNsulIX4MZYDvL6VTfbZ7GbQa7pDhNidBMBJTi1tSJlKyieL-yLgFsASGU8iRDC7YGMT0DMHl9vyh6-w7fog3KgOG3lPa_mwk/s1600/IMG_5126+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiBdiHs0xj2xPjym5u0_m6guobYbLsrjlF7TveQgF9yvNsulIX4MZYDvL6VTfbZ7GbQa7pDhNidBMBJTi1tSJlKyieL-yLgFsASGU8iRDC7YGMT0DMHl9vyh6-w7fog3KgOG3lPa_mwk/s400/IMG_5126+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone loved it (& the fact it was a tasty boozy cake), so I consider it another success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-79073423729578792942013-04-29T10:42:00.002-04:002013-04-29T10:59:43.056-04:00checkerboard baby shower cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day before Spiderman was due, I had to make a baby shower cake for the same person, an old colleague. She didn't know the sex of the baby so I used both blue and pink, and (pink & blue) velvet cake was the request.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to try an ombre frosting technique for awhile so this seemed perfect. There are so many cool ways to make ombre frosting these days so I want to experiment more when I can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you read this blog you know I love cake surprises inside. So alternating layers of velvet wasn't good enough for me. I wanted checkerboard. I learned a lot from my American flag cake last year so I applied it here. Find 2 circles that are even in size in relation to the cake size. I used a kiddie plate from my son's kitchen and a cornstarch lid. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishrdOWf8oMEXm0Huvi983mYj3rKrIg8a4vF2R1APP6uzjBgtdsKWNVKv8ILd_xfgjcgs9lk3bacLVX3shGKIU0a39qIiuvEucl2oIumYY1dFgrWlbdsEwu5s1hqgV3q4jcHFuBHErdhk/s1600/IMG_4982+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishrdOWf8oMEXm0Huvi983mYj3rKrIg8a4vF2R1APP6uzjBgtdsKWNVKv8ILd_xfgjcgs9lk3bacLVX3shGKIU0a39qIiuvEucl2oIumYY1dFgrWlbdsEwu5s1hqgV3q4jcHFuBHErdhk/s400/IMG_4982+copy.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using a serrated knife, cut around the circle in a straight up and down sawing motion. Separate layers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDX0lNNd5njcugnpCfPFHKLwcsGaxh-9ZctS3PqKxxhLCf_EqOiQE29LWsKux07afsnYhqrJ40al-wckMrdjZoaYONOQUgIurM5NW-97A7gAYLW3gwMJqgGqlxDCYtstyLg9o7J0X_lG4/s1600/IMG_4981+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDX0lNNd5njcugnpCfPFHKLwcsGaxh-9ZctS3PqKxxhLCf_EqOiQE29LWsKux07afsnYhqrJ40al-wckMrdjZoaYONOQUgIurM5NW-97A7gAYLW3gwMJqgGqlxDCYtstyLg9o7J0X_lG4/s400/IMG_4981+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Layers laid out. I will mention that any velvet flavor cake has a TB or so of cocoa powder. So these layers came out a deep pink and teal since blue + brown = teal. FYI. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put layers back in alternating colors.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN2I27zp2PyvEopI6-yDR25YY5pYqzPt5XeD8plWo5NAsJi1TfLC_73isvOXCB-7tnIGBYtJ15rU6xi5Kmi18aOVXymQ2iFZdN7PPtf8KEO6NGM-G07Rq9btVLGV3zER6Ey1LkbZ8lQs/s1600/IMG_4984+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN2I27zp2PyvEopI6-yDR25YY5pYqzPt5XeD8plWo5NAsJi1TfLC_73isvOXCB-7tnIGBYtJ15rU6xi5Kmi18aOVXymQ2iFZdN7PPtf8KEO6NGM-G07Rq9btVLGV3zER6Ey1LkbZ8lQs/s400/IMG_4984+copy.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all 4 layers</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPrtwznCzoGzDwjwQRzRxCOUPblNmduQX_ajy0Nwos5KpXDSlWtkL0RWr4E5XYuxPJrM47kzhVh0r2o_a7x8QvzFQNFGNcKTXrNcbhMvxMZfls1QM12S3656Xr4CZe1phwY0Ngw4DVPs/s1600/IMG_4985+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPrtwznCzoGzDwjwQRzRxCOUPblNmduQX_ajy0Nwos5KpXDSlWtkL0RWr4E5XYuxPJrM47kzhVh0r2o_a7x8QvzFQNFGNcKTXrNcbhMvxMZfls1QM12S3656Xr4CZe1phwY0Ngw4DVPs/s400/IMG_4985+copy.jpg" width="282" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cake is assembled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I made pink & blue onesies and feet, one side is pink, the other blue since she didn't know the sex. (It was a boy!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAhEizKZN6BaCqXUWvNC-Dqfufbse7cMdyD8b1P9zbYSK8EqAhY91TS6UoPqU1hLQNikQYIYqjuuisEJDhYVfa75Uw7QqHBPeN3_NHq3xvjdvcClym7Q_-H6E1M9fAf54EjL9-o3Fhc0/s1600/IMG_4996+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAhEizKZN6BaCqXUWvNC-Dqfufbse7cMdyD8b1P9zbYSK8EqAhY91TS6UoPqU1hLQNikQYIYqjuuisEJDhYVfa75Uw7QqHBPeN3_NHq3xvjdvcClym7Q_-H6E1M9fAf54EjL9-o3Fhc0/s400/IMG_4996+copy.jpg" width="300" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrvRh9rteopRLAiX_rWtlMBQE164GKP1ld2HKYbg1VQEbraJwyBMi0zBf1OTxp2LGq6t3YNifoawU9r8-0_-le__XX3stq9bkoUb4XHeuxzCfNuj83qToxJWmUdz98rI_rB1QY1waqF8/s1600/IMG_4993+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrvRh9rteopRLAiX_rWtlMBQE164GKP1ld2HKYbg1VQEbraJwyBMi0zBf1OTxp2LGq6t3YNifoawU9r8-0_-le__XX3stq9bkoUb4XHeuxzCfNuj83qToxJWmUdz98rI_rB1QY1waqF8/s400/IMG_4993+copy.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I found these cute candy feet at Michaels so I used them for more punch.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OhHPrtiMtfTlKYglFCv-fyA4NBNUk3EJ570VuIwBusOrKG7oK0DKZTXRbbK5eItV8iCjwvGXR1oil2gIRPRYFVdqkJ6GyOm4K4F25cf5tQd8GNAwbJAqjeFlXWdQ9VSNNJj2gvszCug/s1600/IMG_4998+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OhHPrtiMtfTlKYglFCv-fyA4NBNUk3EJ570VuIwBusOrKG7oK0DKZTXRbbK5eItV8iCjwvGXR1oil2gIRPRYFVdqkJ6GyOm4K4F25cf5tQd8GNAwbJAqjeFlXWdQ9VSNNJj2gvszCug/s400/IMG_4998+copy.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Detail of ombre</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ59tcn0awcCRe_Aeny0eB6kziOjt2_2gYoTCK4q9-ry0Pg_uWPej55iffhscaQa70YkERkxkoavvx-v1vIS-0aL20UZHpzYdh_5t7OlE6ajzB3f1HMQbVz4uKl7R3bAH5Bmuu0khv_u4/s1600/IMG_4999+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ59tcn0awcCRe_Aeny0eB6kziOjt2_2gYoTCK4q9-ry0Pg_uWPej55iffhscaQa70YkERkxkoavvx-v1vIS-0aL20UZHpzYdh_5t7OlE6ajzB3f1HMQbVz4uKl7R3bAH5Bmuu0khv_u4/s400/IMG_4999+copy.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Inside pic (it's a dark pic, but it's all I have) - you can see the checkerboard though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-10462042431877803442013-04-29T10:10:00.001-04:002013-04-29T11:04:48.837-04:00Spiderman cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a request for a Spiderman cake for the same kid who had the Lightning McQueen cake last year. Of course I can't do anything small so I decided a bust was a good idea. Inspired by this <a href="http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2012/02/08/om-nom-nom-nom-amazing-spider-man-cake-pic/" target="_blank">cake</a>. Let me just say, I need to start charging more money with all the hours I spend on these cakes. Pricing is tricky, since many cakes are bought by friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After many agonizing hours spent trying to fix the rice crispie head, I gave up & duct taped it. I am not sure what went wrong, I made the recipe dry & I let it dry for days. Anyhow, the final product looks amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Easy part - carved & crumb coated </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smoothed out buttercream<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqv7cYUxrHegcCYVt01wwo0CUQTPCT1ZA-9d1iJqhGuE3uvjzNTddYBKXJP0D8OGdtvMvlSk_3L4WsfKk2szaclZYT8Qvt4_PI6JrjWm9tNPr6ECjFhU-vum9Oc1QlJwjg5pe7CtxlCU/s1600/IMG_5004+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqv7cYUxrHegcCYVt01wwo0CUQTPCT1ZA-9d1iJqhGuE3uvjzNTddYBKXJP0D8OGdtvMvlSk_3L4WsfKk2szaclZYT8Qvt4_PI6JrjWm9tNPr6ECjFhU-vum9Oc1QlJwjg5pe7CtxlCU/s400/IMG_5004+copy.jpg" width="281" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gave up & taped it, on a giant pipe. I think this was at 10PM or so.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlTAsgSwzvq7VQDga0_Zj2OeuIwk7BfzTpvmAnHTH3pwl0Xjy37_y3NmhwFzku8RMatmM_eBGlt-v6RU8OW4MEIAbBqidibOUq9JzezUQXgD7BA9mfKmBh2TcnUX2O7wGkTKIXA-r6s4/s1600/IMG_5013+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlTAsgSwzvq7VQDga0_Zj2OeuIwk7BfzTpvmAnHTH3pwl0Xjy37_y3NmhwFzku8RMatmM_eBGlt-v6RU8OW4MEIAbBqidibOUq9JzezUQXgD7BA9mfKmBh2TcnUX2O7wGkTKIXA-r6s4/s400/IMG_5013+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ready for linework</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPcWsGzB3JbpO95F0ud8ZZWMz2ZI0iQK39ZB5wODCE9jW8tSvKaX-JlUTG6cKMGRbPTdZU5_TnHYElEMARo4Q-2oKVsXIiJrE7Iw8JuoGBNM49_dJrXxTABneQeH_Vzds7M0FcHtblKo/s1600/IMG_5015+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPcWsGzB3JbpO95F0ud8ZZWMz2ZI0iQK39ZB5wODCE9jW8tSvKaX-JlUTG6cKMGRbPTdZU5_TnHYElEMARo4Q-2oKVsXIiJrE7Iw8JuoGBNM49_dJrXxTABneQeH_Vzds7M0FcHtblKo/s400/IMG_5015+copy.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a skewer & drew lines where I wanted to pipe the black in.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsGzVMiZhvSSZhvDE5PVJLlsV1zUf1vbRScAQYV4qSyVX-P5IzjFAXoBXlMBnDAnmn5eZZXgLabXcYbsct7nLSI1jU1U6yffTAeOrHw7adNTq-Gtrvr4pdPiV4NH8mZLZh_SmxAFpTRw/s1600/IMG_5017+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsGzVMiZhvSSZhvDE5PVJLlsV1zUf1vbRScAQYV4qSyVX-P5IzjFAXoBXlMBnDAnmn5eZZXgLabXcYbsct7nLSI1jU1U6yffTAeOrHw7adNTq-Gtrvr4pdPiV4NH8mZLZh_SmxAFpTRw/s400/IMG_5017+copy.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This might've been about midnight. Lines in, eyes to go on the next day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGX29PuW-ZBRRvKZ1VQkUeIUYbu6UJtK2TRG2sHBva4oC8fqjpG-a7SaSSCQTIhltd8h6zclftlkVUKIQ-bdyFV8_O9Dlu3MAYCCNGc8kSSWBlu1u_nSyiM__Mmf7snUsRIVgb-5lJUcg/s1600/IMG_5020+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGX29PuW-ZBRRvKZ1VQkUeIUYbu6UJtK2TRG2sHBva4oC8fqjpG-a7SaSSCQTIhltd8h6zclftlkVUKIQ-bdyFV8_O9Dlu3MAYCCNGc8kSSWBlu1u_nSyiM__Mmf7snUsRIVgb-5lJUcg/s400/IMG_5020+copy.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finished piece. Eyes and spider are gumpaste.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLR3Yd0_rinaIrAkMaWNY7p8hJFLRqiF929sUo8rkU6cwWkyuZ2cvUcpW7RL7iDV5EjOQoZuaP7xW06N6U1gsDaEfi60wmPc4g5dRpsv9Ihjg8KQfrQffF00g7Ta7xA7UlOgXxZ2Sx6c/s1600/IMG_5022+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLR3Yd0_rinaIrAkMaWNY7p8hJFLRqiF929sUo8rkU6cwWkyuZ2cvUcpW7RL7iDV5EjOQoZuaP7xW06N6U1gsDaEfi60wmPc4g5dRpsv9Ihjg8KQfrQffF00g7Ta7xA7UlOgXxZ2Sx6c/s400/IMG_5022+copy.jpg" width="268" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmO0JmelhQJnlavt3DZzrLGfH3SyquW7svt1-57e2oKRUpntZlH7tcv5N1K2PJ46pgMzXZ8WBwXi552vFDHl3RPQVTP9ozaZw0W6T3I5Jj5SXY7MEfejaMSnFd9ZMDn_dLf7vN_aVruQ/s1600/IMG_5027+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmO0JmelhQJnlavt3DZzrLGfH3SyquW7svt1-57e2oKRUpntZlH7tcv5N1K2PJ46pgMzXZ8WBwXi552vFDHl3RPQVTP9ozaZw0W6T3I5Jj5SXY7MEfejaMSnFd9ZMDn_dLf7vN_aVruQ/s400/IMG_5027+copy.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Final product looked amazing & once again, a learning experience!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> But if anyone knows how to make rice crispie pieces work, please let me know!</span></div>
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<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-20043186727866990712013-04-22T11:25:00.000-04:002013-04-29T11:00:34.714-04:00Animal + zebra 3rd birthday party<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been so overwhelmed with life lately that I haven't put this up. Without further adieu...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGb04f5dO-0RnLuV__qFBwlbn3KLvvA2f3zlL34et-4a7_F52-VoXpkswAZd6OO_Q1EO94VB3j4u2fCKc95SDiOqA-5k4fIY05FRommh6muaPdI3mUdqJAnP3tX4oSIzAMST7-FaQT0U/s1600/cake11a+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGb04f5dO-0RnLuV__qFBwlbn3KLvvA2f3zlL34et-4a7_F52-VoXpkswAZd6OO_Q1EO94VB3j4u2fCKc95SDiOqA-5k4fIY05FRommh6muaPdI3mUdqJAnP3tX4oSIzAMST7-FaQT0U/s400/cake11a+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted a unique party idea (as usual) so I scoured Pinterest. I saw a party with neon animals and thought that looked cool so I went with it. My goal was to go as cheap as possible, and re-use whatever I could.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's my Pinterest <a href="http://pinterest.com/reesiedee/neon-animals-3rd-birthday-party/" target="_blank">idea board</a> - you can see several ideas I wound up using, but adapting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made the invite first, using leftover invites I had from last year. I flocked the elephant too (what a pain in the butt!) The flip side had party details and a yellow stegosaurus silhouette.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eSRc_6_Hi0XU5RvAQG4ZhXsVIWWn7Jie8dVDZ2daqSOUYmi9-zbKmDLnpKCP5_iUA4jrWSlMGijT2FaC1TZnXTQen6aQApqCYNpYyOgQ7zw7aA1OMnf1pao6fkvifPxUQ7gmN4xU7xc/s1600/invite2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eSRc_6_Hi0XU5RvAQG4ZhXsVIWWn7Jie8dVDZ2daqSOUYmi9-zbKmDLnpKCP5_iUA4jrWSlMGijT2FaC1TZnXTQen6aQApqCYNpYyOgQ7zw7aA1OMnf1pao6fkvifPxUQ7gmN4xU7xc/s400/invite2+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I hit thrift stores for plastic animals I could paint. While out I also found plates & glasses that I glued together and painted to use as serving trays. (Another Pinterest idea I found.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRDkcDVPAnkalgF0g2JFucDpBLSiqItetBlJuHRWfEJS1_IEnHki-R63eviJ-liQTXbiQDB5cpxwjvn6Gx6O8PDelLYLyrU0b7gH5szdmTvbzCga72LG8qpxt3b5Llei4ySVr5MrVKVQ/s1600/prep1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRDkcDVPAnkalgF0g2JFucDpBLSiqItetBlJuHRWfEJS1_IEnHki-R63eviJ-liQTXbiQDB5cpxwjvn6Gx6O8PDelLYLyrU0b7gH5szdmTvbzCga72LG8qpxt3b5Llei4ySVr5MrVKVQ/s320/prep1.jpg" width="219" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I picked out three colors and painted all the animals outside.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LU2RVYWBkx-4LRbOKJREl9t7szWlY5sABmKJaEICX2JIB0Vc4I4B0G_MnVaTLPTXSFCPZktR6_ZF7GzgWwMJFV_3QYWTWUWEvWdj2mCscdQ0Xzp_9dH2lcVkXWo4EEOCSYUTsNHL4a8/s1600/prep2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LU2RVYWBkx-4LRbOKJREl9t7szWlY5sABmKJaEICX2JIB0Vc4I4B0G_MnVaTLPTXSFCPZktR6_ZF7GzgWwMJFV_3QYWTWUWEvWdj2mCscdQ0Xzp_9dH2lcVkXWo4EEOCSYUTsNHL4a8/s320/prep2.jpg" width="218" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">drying</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFAFTVeKG4Gfl07HGwv_9oTpoWtkpP7snx3ySLXqLBAZ4tA78mlmufhNWLzOzOy8e8e5rXUHGCsEXqI1gerlq9K4k7vzXrQWs-4GophDY9bzODqg7LVvWiN158YzweGdqDYH-X_1rq_8/s1600/prep5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFAFTVeKG4Gfl07HGwv_9oTpoWtkpP7snx3ySLXqLBAZ4tA78mlmufhNWLzOzOy8e8e5rXUHGCsEXqI1gerlq9K4k7vzXrQWs-4GophDY9bzODqg7LVvWiN158YzweGdqDYH-X_1rq_8/s320/prep5.jpg" width="224" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then because I'm detail oriented/bored in my unemployment, I decided I wanted to make them</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more interesting. I got a silver paint pen I had & colored different things on the animals - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eyes, teeth, toenails, tails, etc.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwwbr7Mp7r9Aw_4D_Btlffc2hWNiveNa6dzoiQLgDunqKc_jn0LXjJ_uI9HAQt_JqMevPuLjhu9RusJGvVUh3M4n5_ERHdGtjY9uVu8Wdu6rvaG7coKUGT8fGOSPNFureW_z3pvAbE4g/s1600/animal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwwbr7Mp7r9Aw_4D_Btlffc2hWNiveNa6dzoiQLgDunqKc_jn0LXjJ_uI9HAQt_JqMevPuLjhu9RusJGvVUh3M4n5_ERHdGtjY9uVu8Wdu6rvaG7coKUGT8fGOSPNFureW_z3pvAbE4g/s320/animal2.jpg" width="262" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since plastic throwaway anything annoys me (Made in China, toxins, etc) I wanted to make favors the kids could use. Yes, I am aware I used plastic animals here, but most were thrifted! I saw a post on pinterest for soap crayons using only glycerin cubes ($10 at Michaels but I had a coupon), soap scents & gel food colors - microwave til soft, add color & fragrance, pour into ice cube molds ($1 each at IKEA). I had leftover soap scents from last year and of course I have gel food colors. I tested them in the tub and it comes off easily since it's suspended in soap. Easy peasy! Jory even helped me, as you can see.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCWbXBqlLw_PO7AHsLwEP1RCf7h6KMijXjZbyoZQp2WzsePYizYeP6I7dyEpQEabGP7vU1JOphW_ZDaX9G8HELNXi1MWwH7i5wxsfuZP_Vl6zQnxg2FFACJpqog0toxAxSPZN4FaJn6g/s1600/prep4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCWbXBqlLw_PO7AHsLwEP1RCf7h6KMijXjZbyoZQp2WzsePYizYeP6I7dyEpQEabGP7vU1JOphW_ZDaX9G8HELNXi1MWwH7i5wxsfuZP_Vl6zQnxg2FFACJpqog0toxAxSPZN4FaJn6g/s400/prep4.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used zebra fabric to quickly sew up favor bags - I packaged up the soap crayons and had found a box of unused beanie babies in the garage and gave each guest one.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18rPlUqSs54EhUm0pGAY3fV_nVpG4zs4lfcr-yLmecNtFv4ikkxev4KPR7SSludcmzRkNlQnzfQHoVClGr1yggc7KO47HFaHtg4afhX6mwKs0FTxsV_RHilsPDueT6-FaMCt2p7wGY7M/s1600/favor2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18rPlUqSs54EhUm0pGAY3fV_nVpG4zs4lfcr-yLmecNtFv4ikkxev4KPR7SSludcmzRkNlQnzfQHoVClGr1yggc7KO47HFaHtg4afhX6mwKs0FTxsV_RHilsPDueT6-FaMCt2p7wGY7M/s400/favor2+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw a <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2011/05/tutorial-ruffled-streamers.html" target="_blank">ruffled streamers</a> tutorial and decided to do it. Boy, does it look so much cooler than regular streamers. And frankly, as tedious as it seems, it goes fast, all you do is feed it in the machine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hyACCnNE8841hziP4vSPe7r08arC3_750lrjfJuRiuvUKV8AzeDMfFlhcPMJX5xO3dcleUH1E56VLn4vRv3QbZhmBz0j0qTnH5SbtqKV1vXZEbKNPexBO6P2ZzYtp2s4s1u6uquUSvc/s1600/prep6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hyACCnNE8841hziP4vSPe7r08arC3_750lrjfJuRiuvUKV8AzeDMfFlhcPMJX5xO3dcleUH1E56VLn4vRv3QbZhmBz0j0qTnH5SbtqKV1vXZEbKNPexBO6P2ZzYtp2s4s1u6uquUSvc/s400/prep6.jpg" width="270" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-2tobGZFEHaMKjon90EMNEVAJlx_pBifMf6UyRTkJrKW_bvTPLAymmH1hZlZAMqMfKMXreAGoNbt5kIupHzxjAvXCfEO59T7sMwlSEKpPaPnXEODkDs899k51JTxcsGWUNcA373AB4s/s1600/prep7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-2tobGZFEHaMKjon90EMNEVAJlx_pBifMf6UyRTkJrKW_bvTPLAymmH1hZlZAMqMfKMXreAGoNbt5kIupHzxjAvXCfEO59T7sMwlSEKpPaPnXEODkDs899k51JTxcsGWUNcA373AB4s/s400/prep7.jpg" width="277" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw a <a href="http://myfrugaladventures.com/2012/08/diy-party-decorations-5-00-custom-sign/" target="_blank">tutorial</a> to make a cheap number that had coffee filters folded & glued for texture. I found an old piece of foam core & starting gluing coffee filters on. I got thru about 10 filters & said, this will take FOREVER and is so tedious. So I was thinking about what I had that could make a cool texture </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when painted. I saw giant bubble wrap & had my a-ha moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH4n6dhz1RWM6BmWNDZdttAzJ-bImsMiT7MyTDVzi1KRkcmUL0pnad6PH2MZ7ktKAcRvnqTOscB60p-op5BFKeDLrF3gGId97sOZKF0ICmROBBzwIlUC460DBDWngnVkSX0KLwm0hURI/s1600/number1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH4n6dhz1RWM6BmWNDZdttAzJ-bImsMiT7MyTDVzi1KRkcmUL0pnad6PH2MZ7ktKAcRvnqTOscB60p-op5BFKeDLrF3gGId97sOZKF0ICmROBBzwIlUC460DBDWngnVkSX0KLwm0hURI/s400/number1+copy.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides the cake, this looked so cool! I used 2 colors to make an ombre effect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used this in his birthday photo shoot too, so it all ties in nicely. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus, I had the foam core & bubble wrap so the cost was 0.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPs17o9ut9aH9mBsQe3DzhFriSs6ETlIwkw60wkEV8iHerpkoK8jjeGUuTwgbRa6zvfk30o431bTTFXFjYoEr81HlrMguBXQioYQROHjN9aOKB5o8L-H06nIEntQv0G_sZSNw0OIYJrg/s1600/number3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPs17o9ut9aH9mBsQe3DzhFriSs6ETlIwkw60wkEV8iHerpkoK8jjeGUuTwgbRa6zvfk30o431bTTFXFjYoEr81HlrMguBXQioYQROHjN9aOKB5o8L-H06nIEntQv0G_sZSNw0OIYJrg/s400/number3+copy.jpg" width="271" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw this super cute set of <a href="http://www.aplusrstore.com/product.php?id=937" target="_blank">paper animal balloon</a> add-ons you can buy to make animal balloons. So of course I saw that challenge & made my own. Used eyes I already had from last year's invites and construction paper so I only paid for the balloons. I made a frog, dino, shark, tiger, peacock and rooster. I think they came out adorable!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGyl-m6v2cNcob6Ntz4lAYm6_ok-Oc55oBPoCuBroFEgEZQ9hjqSzuFmWKo24WSXUJOmN6ylb9wXirEKGBNzMsSsjBVcxmE9SLpc6wirnKIyZLCxMm32Mix0nCaEnSg5LSu3ZV-os748/s1600/balloon6+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGyl-m6v2cNcob6Ntz4lAYm6_ok-Oc55oBPoCuBroFEgEZQ9hjqSzuFmWKo24WSXUJOmN6ylb9wXirEKGBNzMsSsjBVcxmE9SLpc6wirnKIyZLCxMm32Mix0nCaEnSg5LSu3ZV-os748/s400/balloon6+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The birthday banner was made from construction paper & scalloped scissors I had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I re-used the letters off last year's banner too. I cut out zebra paper to fit on my serving platters as well.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVNBdPkS9bclQJjO_-3YuGA46rH-NccI27RYjixhztsedAdvXks5sjs7nIa5L03ADhX0LXig2SVdES4LIBoDOs2R216GexeneiP-94DoEwIWbPDWbetjtDbPmVXmLqpe6rrdSH3larWE/s1600/banner+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVNBdPkS9bclQJjO_-3YuGA46rH-NccI27RYjixhztsedAdvXks5sjs7nIa5L03ADhX0LXig2SVdES4LIBoDOs2R216GexeneiP-94DoEwIWbPDWbetjtDbPmVXmLqpe6rrdSH3larWE/s400/banner+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admit this was very uptight, but I had picked up extra large paint chips at Home Depot when I bought my paints. I see paint chip ideas on pinterest all the time & think, what a joke. Well, I fell for it. I cut them into tiny diamonds & glued onto ribbon I had. It took maybe 2 hours in total and I was watching TV while I did it. I love how it turned out though! I also had some smaller animals that I wanted to make a garland out of. Pinterest had a <a href="http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2012/05/10/diy-crafts-a-neon-animal-garland/?soc=tw&hootPostID=6b2b8e5f317ccfd0fdbfcb78b6f77bbd" target="_blank">animal garland</a> idea and I adapted thinking fishing line would be cooler, so they hung in midair. Tying the line on each animal & and the main garland took some time, and I had it lined up in the kitchen so it wouldn't tangle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa2zvFn1SeFDM_yoNPrfraP1q0KgomOMCjJGkPE3LgLNNHfzMMwqeMO0bOy9H-TFLBSMEPgV75vsKQxPqtuFtTwv_Za-Z0xJLcDt8SigyqMLLwXixiEKqzeJP9QZPcNVsXLAzWfMxT28/s1600/fireplace4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa2zvFn1SeFDM_yoNPrfraP1q0KgomOMCjJGkPE3LgLNNHfzMMwqeMO0bOy9H-TFLBSMEPgV75vsKQxPqtuFtTwv_Za-Z0xJLcDt8SigyqMLLwXixiEKqzeJP9QZPcNVsXLAzWfMxT28/s400/fireplace4+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPq8pJl0x9KbtRTWl2-H2lWEdMLxBrkL2sUg-lrPeyx43vKYKDWPOZLOCBF2V7UF0Gjjb0E0O1gEk6dEZZJ0i-fX6dNrUkejBfXW1KH5CBLcZKRbqGTK3JEYHe0yqo_afB5aHEZIJLpo/s1600/prep8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPq8pJl0x9KbtRTWl2-H2lWEdMLxBrkL2sUg-lrPeyx43vKYKDWPOZLOCBF2V7UF0Gjjb0E0O1gEk6dEZZJ0i-fX6dNrUkejBfXW1KH5CBLcZKRbqGTK3JEYHe0yqo_afB5aHEZIJLpo/s400/prep8.jpg" width="268" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Last year I drew owl feet on the sidewalk up to the door & people loved it. This year I made footprint silhouettes (dino, penguin & elephant) and used flour on them to make footprints. (cost = free)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8tnm9i0BcReWNXGO6roGjSVB026Atpje9enMkEc4xwCY6TaYEuMuWoTou_WItTs0PT6G29GO9lNgERx4fd7Hkuv-xU_Un8PD-_sjoSX6bkSanyKNyBTRSCmkail_7Oke2eB3JjdHuJY/s1600/feet+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8tnm9i0BcReWNXGO6roGjSVB026Atpje9enMkEc4xwCY6TaYEuMuWoTou_WItTs0PT6G29GO9lNgERx4fd7Hkuv-xU_Un8PD-_sjoSX6bkSanyKNyBTRSCmkail_7Oke2eB3JjdHuJY/s400/feet+copy.jpg" width="270" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiI9sntmChQV5PHp2mCvQfFIxaca3BqO7772IzIjK3Hu9vxrHvd3LZ62FXfur8Vs5BWOWSKn0yLk8hYoi-dpWJbwa_IpXo_384146jBQjhZg44yx79Z5agLllUtiJOaDYV5f1odHDFP4/s1600/outside1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiI9sntmChQV5PHp2mCvQfFIxaca3BqO7772IzIjK3Hu9vxrHvd3LZ62FXfur8Vs5BWOWSKn0yLk8hYoi-dpWJbwa_IpXo_384146jBQjhZg44yx79Z5agLllUtiJOaDYV5f1odHDFP4/s400/outside1+copy.jpg" width="278" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh580aUigv8P3wor6o-Z-ImLLGeGsSET-8bWBMZXt_ayUfQkFX581ZTcp6DbjDZ2L3qL4YVdvMvEJCcUqfv1f2qYRe1Z6oKchfWXQkB-HRorYIYsRFnLSKO-3xtyxB43K8_WjXCvy4Q5V8/s1600/outside3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh580aUigv8P3wor6o-Z-ImLLGeGsSET-8bWBMZXt_ayUfQkFX581ZTcp6DbjDZ2L3qL4YVdvMvEJCcUqfv1f2qYRe1Z6oKchfWXQkB-HRorYIYsRFnLSKO-3xtyxB43K8_WjXCvy4Q5V8/s400/outside3+copy.jpg" width="270" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This door sign was made out construction paper & some printing from my computer. (cost = free)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHla3A4lLACDXHpoSLKkdfVq79A6ke89nLRSDqInr9JyXBoRkE_yI3O8R40ij9gUMa5C7bQ8o0rb8cCF9MWgMVfxC31rBGMKodmTl0HErbEvlJeL_VI2ETOmk6XTD-Y_qM1YRJQIo3Nqo/s1600/outside2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHla3A4lLACDXHpoSLKkdfVq79A6ke89nLRSDqInr9JyXBoRkE_yI3O8R40ij9gUMa5C7bQ8o0rb8cCF9MWgMVfxC31rBGMKodmTl0HErbEvlJeL_VI2ETOmk6XTD-Y_qM1YRJQIo3Nqo/s400/outside2+copy.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got this tee on closeout for $3 at Michaels. I got fabric paint for $1 ea on closeout too and made a stencil for the elephant (my theme animal). I used a Sharpie to color in the 3. I've washed it & it looks exactly the same so it can be worn again if he wants.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioibp1thspHzSU4TzsimRim1_9vHyOrq1fKhFnJzL6fT8YDK9nVKxzX47TZTK_fKqKy4WygEqwCQgRrmytbwLhGL31aev66PY5RyCjZvWnfUVTJDQZVDQGqF2SnsebHswOGijS4_kMWxY/s1600/tee2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioibp1thspHzSU4TzsimRim1_9vHyOrq1fKhFnJzL6fT8YDK9nVKxzX47TZTK_fKqKy4WygEqwCQgRrmytbwLhGL31aev66PY5RyCjZvWnfUVTJDQZVDQGqF2SnsebHswOGijS4_kMWxY/s400/tee2+copy.jpg" width="280" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cake batters, colored to match my paint chips.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A8BW_76-5xF-6s1LLEVnCZL_ESrww8qkX8E9ouFD5I0kjUF98qBw4MoPJicQIk2OQqIhhLeWmlvV4Dh7643VZ75trWnkyvTM0vkJqueId0DX3-TgN8HqXU7ufD-pP_4gMw_INGSrQ_4/s1600/cake+batter+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A8BW_76-5xF-6s1LLEVnCZL_ESrww8qkX8E9ouFD5I0kjUF98qBw4MoPJicQIk2OQqIhhLeWmlvV4Dh7643VZ75trWnkyvTM0vkJqueId0DX3-TgN8HqXU7ufD-pP_4gMw_INGSrQ_4/s400/cake+batter+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helping Nonna frost. I LOVE this pic.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4_SFZgUMwxaSoSTlP1l1Qc-FKN4BWD94OAj67FwYstNdnJ_IR5GBSyWAEaFc92xZgmjY3vxt7ZjAUJLl3q07gBs4grz-0nnMxuF6LGpfYo8Hol1KvQxIfXPamJ9Tw-l4Q3i7RP0jiZY/s1600/nonna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4_SFZgUMwxaSoSTlP1l1Qc-FKN4BWD94OAj67FwYstNdnJ_IR5GBSyWAEaFc92xZgmjY3vxt7ZjAUJLl3q07gBs4grz-0nnMxuF6LGpfYo8Hol1KvQxIfXPamJ9Tw-l4Q3i7RP0jiZY/s400/nonna.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All 6 layers stacked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdJGBML-LS39-JxXmcyfzCFVDNTgZicnMFoF8_ESa765KdFH61KSh53ujwkuMEticqTKw6cTTXwduji9b_Hj9vAdXi4v2vzoLGSPAG3l6p3u6CAEoDk_PfzaA5k0YYJq78zXofQnrEx0/s1600/cake+stacked+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdJGBML-LS39-JxXmcyfzCFVDNTgZicnMFoF8_ESa765KdFH61KSh53ujwkuMEticqTKw6cTTXwduji9b_Hj9vAdXi4v2vzoLGSPAG3l6p3u6CAEoDk_PfzaA5k0YYJq78zXofQnrEx0/s400/cake+stacked+copy.jpg" width="268" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I knew I wanted a big wow factor when you cut into the cake, I wanted a simple cake with the theme elephant on top. This was my elephant <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76225197/cake-topper-circus-elephant-i-will?ref=sr_gallery_21&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=cake+toppers&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=13&ga_language_carousel=no&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=" target="_blank">cake topper inspiration</a> here ($107!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used rice crispie treats and let it dry for a few days. I made homemade marshmallow fondant & used candy eyes I had in my box of cake goodies. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I painted edible glitter on</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the 3 as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZvOSXZHgedqQlp20BmPU1z956gPvKhSJ1JtzFn2Q5fOVOZoq757tv7Puer_7d6hwaN9A25mmALxZYWn-6mX8e_npVIQtBE1xcs8qbqGVY5Ka4LqpqOkyQKdxsIJc0LfszRLMs_TflNQ/s1600/elephant2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZvOSXZHgedqQlp20BmPU1z956gPvKhSJ1JtzFn2Q5fOVOZoq757tv7Puer_7d6hwaN9A25mmALxZYWn-6mX8e_npVIQtBE1xcs8qbqGVY5Ka4LqpqOkyQKdxsIJc0LfszRLMs_TflNQ/s400/elephant2.jpg" width="278" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Finished product! I used Wilton's edible paper decor to pull in my zebra theme. I put it on the night before & as you can see, it bubbled some which really annoyed me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> dining room decor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used this <a href="http://www.coolmompicks.com/2012/09/diy_kids_craft_paper_ornaments.php" target="_blank">paper snowflake</a> tutorial for the medallions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ErFY4ln7GLrGwPV6ldN_IdLzHhc25-w9iIhT_3wgGAEhlw0qgeXhZMEosieAoG5LQzuLwgs2u-3LoP_UHIg_CK8xQMLIbQK4avXhAIMJWfkqYfsJH0IcvhhyuIQXYJqG3SqLFtnBmhs/s1600/cake6+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ErFY4ln7GLrGwPV6ldN_IdLzHhc25-w9iIhT_3wgGAEhlw0qgeXhZMEosieAoG5LQzuLwgs2u-3LoP_UHIg_CK8xQMLIbQK4avXhAIMJWfkqYfsJH0IcvhhyuIQXYJqG3SqLFtnBmhs/s400/cake6+copy.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">table</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYNxtALm-0MGa2XVDvHEL-49bWzd_hiWwHrcLmNSAbFO7tCcz9kf-BZIPvSuchLiRU9Z4tagjdnSrpY9Az3b6gWVUT6IlkrYvUGCsz4gCFObVUD9Ue9XJQF9Et23-DE5weM3Ha74PiJw/s1600/table3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYNxtALm-0MGa2XVDvHEL-49bWzd_hiWwHrcLmNSAbFO7tCcz9kf-BZIPvSuchLiRU9Z4tagjdnSrpY9Az3b6gWVUT6IlkrYvUGCsz4gCFObVUD9Ue9XJQF9Et23-DE5weM3Ha74PiJw/s400/table3+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Family room mantel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">kitchen table (felt was a remnant at JoAnn, maybe $3?)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWvflYrHr62qkoSf0N0XXvqfv6TrkSor2oscP_GdfSEbYoT9kk8kIN3mjPIspKJV4jdAs0qO2GXRyWnKUwYx9Gps6fKkcJkcfv6HlcCdZ_GRgfiZVysZUKtYaw5rhz-X9_TI6_MtMTOs/s1600/k+table+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWvflYrHr62qkoSf0N0XXvqfv6TrkSor2oscP_GdfSEbYoT9kk8kIN3mjPIspKJV4jdAs0qO2GXRyWnKUwYx9Gps6fKkcJkcfv6HlcCdZ_GRgfiZVysZUKtYaw5rhz-X9_TI6_MtMTOs/s400/k+table+2+copy.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">animal shaped fruits</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cereal treats in my colors (I already had he cereal for a craft project, I just OCDed on it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and separated out my party colors)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUPvy3Wb5U9Qkd3-PsZjpW1viuCCL-lg1sDUTQARvQCtjrVu0IB0gGYR1NDyTQ0loi-mHZdgMDzWCCiU62ZUPnvwYfYTYv7hZb8wGWRo0qpEzMpUsgOsjuL_jcDnkKZorFaCwzSoaKJM/s1600/k+table6+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUPvy3Wb5U9Qkd3-PsZjpW1viuCCL-lg1sDUTQARvQCtjrVu0IB0gGYR1NDyTQ0loi-mHZdgMDzWCCiU62ZUPnvwYfYTYv7hZb8wGWRo0qpEzMpUsgOsjuL_jcDnkKZorFaCwzSoaKJM/s400/k+table6+copy.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made these honey wheat animal crackers 2 weeks in advance & froze them. Cuts down on things you have to do before the party. I made & froze the cake in layers a week before too. Looks awesome on my stand, I think!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People loved this cabbage dip holder. Do it, guests will be impressed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cake time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visually stunning inside</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILy029vIwh0f1bj0WP0fp8NsYnpWO4AH84Ovnt95uX42j0a8iuEfEjoqL5-DEjDydt12aU-m9ZaDYHqhX7J62GQIlvc-Tmqz1o_UpwdUdwp_86VZ3DDjVy23-zUCU3YmxsCBMlYn19IU/s1600/cake13+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILy029vIwh0f1bj0WP0fp8NsYnpWO4AH84Ovnt95uX42j0a8iuEfEjoqL5-DEjDydt12aU-m9ZaDYHqhX7J62GQIlvc-Tmqz1o_UpwdUdwp_86VZ3DDjVy23-zUCU3YmxsCBMlYn19IU/s400/cake13+copy.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1Y3NiffZh5S8a8oqhPWpcieOr-hfJqZqHD2OGl5c1KhyphenhyphenXWeu9Ky7iYfAbDEMfP7TnfQdLkdmcHUakXEDhb4CDeKpqv0Y8G3jEjrEBcRr5LF-vX5I6iU7Su0WRU-FuSvdvTvtxbsx0Lg/s1600/cake15+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1Y3NiffZh5S8a8oqhPWpcieOr-hfJqZqHD2OGl5c1KhyphenhyphenXWeu9Ky7iYfAbDEMfP7TnfQdLkdmcHUakXEDhb4CDeKpqv0Y8G3jEjrEBcRr5LF-vX5I6iU7Su0WRU-FuSvdvTvtxbsx0Lg/s400/cake15+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Fork first</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A special day surrounded by friends & family</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA5PdUivKkA4Z7YeqnGFPWPK134Xv3GQtiG7bnbeeH2qmS1ylbMB04P_CnMyRnTmbEOl03zidnWsTjYY1vx87KpA-5fRxhujjciYfFa7qE91mePsEvznylH1mmGqQFg4TdJjJckMq7ds/s1600/family+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA5PdUivKkA4Z7YeqnGFPWPK134Xv3GQtiG7bnbeeH2qmS1ylbMB04P_CnMyRnTmbEOl03zidnWsTjYY1vx87KpA-5fRxhujjciYfFa7qE91mePsEvznylH1mmGqQFg4TdJjJckMq7ds/s320/family+copy.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My thank you card, used up more invites I had, and added in a birthday pic. Best party ever!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-iimvuQxXyT82lPz6Gp6JOnQoBlS0L-_7vTPeSQbfRhryg1EPsVszZytDDeBXpHkgBsQEP5p1-nMO0XQ31yBH9k6X9C3z9157vaktiKuchd3AlVJa_TlPjjT-nv6a2_hGKT1uWPgl8k/s1600/invite3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-iimvuQxXyT82lPz6Gp6JOnQoBlS0L-_7vTPeSQbfRhryg1EPsVszZytDDeBXpHkgBsQEP5p1-nMO0XQ31yBH9k6X9C3z9157vaktiKuchd3AlVJa_TlPjjT-nv6a2_hGKT1uWPgl8k/s400/invite3+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-71929006741534083572013-03-20T14:45:00.002-04:002013-04-29T11:00:51.342-04:00baby shower cakeMy neighbor (of the twins) asked for a baby shower cake for her sister. She said it was a book theme & to go with it. I've seen so much ombre lately I wanted to do it. Problem is, when you;'re not there, you don't get a good pic of the interior when it's cut! Here it is before I frosted it. Picture doens't show how vibrant it was, but nonetheless, you get the idea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5swKaelIUyZBgW1lSbsWTsO9qr0LN4xVsb5X9sA9FdS6JxvGlF5cGSbWeSq2cTIVwxY1mPgMtd-Ks2q4zRlXNNebVBLM4wAtDSo1N8BQlAru1QzggqayF79vKef-32xfH5xnX6dWi6_E/s1600/IMG_1193+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5swKaelIUyZBgW1lSbsWTsO9qr0LN4xVsb5X9sA9FdS6JxvGlF5cGSbWeSq2cTIVwxY1mPgMtd-Ks2q4zRlXNNebVBLM4wAtDSo1N8BQlAru1QzggqayF79vKef-32xfH5xnX6dWi6_E/s400/IMG_1193+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I took some of my favorite book & made little flags to hang on a silver thread. Looks cute, no?</div>
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I finished it off with a little bit of pink detail and pink glitter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtCELlRJyLs5HFLINuKpZkFSAPDW1e2qpf41K3KpL7bZ8nkskXb6CnK58w2Agah715UaT2ZOtvlbfmjzqS5J0r71KMOqbfQkt4RGWX3jtJSjDYoCJjfMTUlSAF4EiPKO5ziMZR4AkKEE/s1600/IMG_3594+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtCELlRJyLs5HFLINuKpZkFSAPDW1e2qpf41K3KpL7bZ8nkskXb6CnK58w2Agah715UaT2ZOtvlbfmjzqS5J0r71KMOqbfQkt4RGWX3jtJSjDYoCJjfMTUlSAF4EiPKO5ziMZR4AkKEE/s400/IMG_3594+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-86978713039171133722013-03-20T14:45:00.001-04:002013-04-29T11:03:26.915-04:00Voodoo/Mardi Gras cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My art school friend Jen was turning 40 & I had the pleasure of making her cake - except it was the same day of my son's birthday! And as you only need scroll down to see, I go cazy on his birthdays. So to say I was busy was an understatement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The party theme was Mardi Gras/Voodoo so I knew the cake had to be a voodoo doll. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made my first secret board on Pinterest since Jen follows me. Here's the </span><a href="http://milliskitchen.blogspot.com/2012/08/voodoo-doll-cake.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">voodoo cake</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I saw & wanted to use for inspiration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew since it was not only Voodoo but Mardi Gras I needed to add in gold/purple/green and a mask. The mask is key I think - it definitely reminds me of Mardi Gras. That & beads of course, but there was no way I was making a ton of finicky gum paste beads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After some discussion with my friend Kelly, we decided a voodoo doll's guts should be red - because, as Kelly put it, we're all pink on the inside, right? Ha. So it was red velvet with strawberry filling and an amazing rum buttercream (had to do booze since it was her 40th, so in honor of New Orleans' hurricane drinks, rum it is). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here she is - I loved it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ezJ4b_qTJ3bSq5UXifsYqc-Pkkm35clTXW0jU_2jTWgWajLWieDYDgYQ2xSIS31NoGISFoRU4a9BJPqaNL-rTtdzstU_mKM0sOtGx3Wlrfx4Bo0obyx3jIox1WdoMPNRr60HhKj_Zf0/s1600/IMG_1313+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ezJ4b_qTJ3bSq5UXifsYqc-Pkkm35clTXW0jU_2jTWgWajLWieDYDgYQ2xSIS31NoGISFoRU4a9BJPqaNL-rTtdzstU_mKM0sOtGx3Wlrfx4Bo0obyx3jIox1WdoMPNRr60HhKj_Zf0/s400/IMG_1313+copy.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used a cardboard stencil for the shape of the doll, then crumb coated. After that set up in the fridge, I did a thicker buttercream coat & used a knife dipped in hot water to smooth it out. I've found that is the best way to achieve a fondant like look but with buttercream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used homemade fondant for the heart & button. The pins are toothpicks with gum paste balls. I made a few cardboard stencils for the stitches. I painted the cake through the stencils with water & shook edible Disco Dust over them. It was a little bit messy but the stencils definitely helped contain the glitter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI76YoO0lOeangcybI7qWOfBYbtPsbl7Iu5hQy92GCHviHodgwWnR7hPXnI_3GpBvogr_B9qWWiAr_CPk-5nalMX7Y03aTc4fItF_416eJj6GCC9hcH3A_ZYMOy6aj46LV9NUsiuSzkSo/s1600/IMG_1316+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI76YoO0lOeangcybI7qWOfBYbtPsbl7Iu5hQy92GCHviHodgwWnR7hPXnI_3GpBvogr_B9qWWiAr_CPk-5nalMX7Y03aTc4fItF_416eJj6GCC9hcH3A_ZYMOy6aj46LV9NUsiuSzkSo/s400/IMG_1316+copy.jpg" width="281" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnUXFtjhbGYftrVewZ43mge1yaS9zLJW0QgntRuX3tZ0V8JtlnIq0No2tqjqppoz4WB38W64lFUUEmF1b4CjnIwfx0H7UJnM2x0mPtEdF8OeCpq_9tDmM3u0hKMOZHfqI5_jmCtf_KtQ/s1600/IMG_1323+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnUXFtjhbGYftrVewZ43mge1yaS9zLJW0QgntRuX3tZ0V8JtlnIq0No2tqjqppoz4WB38W64lFUUEmF1b4CjnIwfx0H7UJnM2x0mPtEdF8OeCpq_9tDmM3u0hKMOZHfqI5_jmCtf_KtQ/s400/IMG_1323+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here it is at the party - without the mask (made of gum paste a few days earlier & left to dry)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOzlKwymVV9DQRWio4vyHk0BVRmWMxTVR8tQ43aMKbnD7MJcZfw-XL5LIqYnJgjkrUfnhBGoVC0DKLQjUFYfAuzNqyvNiSFhV3W0uoEiGS4UP3B6ZV6R3DIXplhH7ly3-Jl4BnUY84xs/s1600/IMG_4773+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOzlKwymVV9DQRWio4vyHk0BVRmWMxTVR8tQ43aMKbnD7MJcZfw-XL5LIqYnJgjkrUfnhBGoVC0DKLQjUFYfAuzNqyvNiSFhV3W0uoEiGS4UP3B6ZV6R3DIXplhH7ly3-Jl4BnUY84xs/s320/IMG_4773+copy.jpg" width="252" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Masked:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeebYL4y4SKdLFxleNvPNemiXm25OfR056_KpgMYqGbjDBlxksJMky6aLczs3jm1onU61O1oud77gNo4OVIipnR6NLYS4ODDCT8VfciIUtSnJ0VpJ3KFyqxUTGO4xDVQUpr7WxxFVO9Q/s1600/IMG_4774+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeebYL4y4SKdLFxleNvPNemiXm25OfR056_KpgMYqGbjDBlxksJMky6aLczs3jm1onU61O1oud77gNo4OVIipnR6NLYS4ODDCT8VfciIUtSnJ0VpJ3KFyqxUTGO4xDVQUpr7WxxFVO9Q/s320/IMG_4774+copy.jpg" width="251" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NCDc9L3xiNgAYilSqNUz83NqHvWmaXPw_5En0alVsha8UrUJvcpGJ_Q-X5LMQyQZbv3GFILM0vO3ZXwS7aIz8ydzSNOm5IqLiTRFfG_BuidQS4ryYximoSb-JUCaGaeLrAfWkZKsaFM/s1600/jen+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NCDc9L3xiNgAYilSqNUz83NqHvWmaXPw_5En0alVsha8UrUJvcpGJ_Q-X5LMQyQZbv3GFILM0vO3ZXwS7aIz8ydzSNOm5IqLiTRFfG_BuidQS4ryYximoSb-JUCaGaeLrAfWkZKsaFM/s640/jen+pic.jpg" width="484" /></span></a></div>
<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-48186777692776704942013-01-22T17:08:00.000-05:002013-04-29T11:02:08.478-04:00sports cakes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are 2 sports cakes I did recently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one was for my 3 year old nephew who loves soccer. Between piping the grass with <a href="http://www.wilton.com/technique/Grass" target="_blank">Wilton grass tip</a> and stars all over the ball, whew was my hand crampy! I used the Wilton ball pan mold, and once again, put green sprinkles in for surprise fun when you cut it open. The hardest thing about this was getting the soccer pattern right. I googled cake decorating and soccer pattern & <a href="http://cakecentral.com/t/586053/how-do-i-get-the-soccer-ball-pattern-on-the-cake" target="_blank">got shapes I could print out</a>. I think placed on the cake & piped the red around the surrounding holes, gradually filling it all in. Contrary to popular belief (mine, anyhow), they are not all the same size - some have 5 sides and some have 6.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looks cool though!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is one for an old neighbor friend's kid. He loves hockey & soccer and these are his team numbers and colors (green/grey/black). She of course said simple and this is what I did, I can't help myself, I get ideas & I like to go with it. The ball, hockey stick & puck are made out of gum paste. He loves it, so I consider it a win.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHN8cRwBX2DzSgD7w1Rq1MFeGBnE612e3FzvYccN_bP31IGmza27x40pdL94EUsZinKCHYZCwjbhBQhgNn3bEDukJ-87rhw8PVBwLa_cr8GvPDoe9EdfzaZYk2u7osS1yGeB77cfCbldI/s1600/colin1aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHN8cRwBX2DzSgD7w1Rq1MFeGBnE612e3FzvYccN_bP31IGmza27x40pdL94EUsZinKCHYZCwjbhBQhgNn3bEDukJ-87rhw8PVBwLa_cr8GvPDoe9EdfzaZYk2u7osS1yGeB77cfCbldI/s400/colin1aa.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-8111071332555993602013-01-22T16:52:00.002-05:002013-04-29T11:02:49.893-04:00twins' cakes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was excited because this was the first year my neighbor did 2 cakes for the twins & she asked me to make them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the girl I suggested one of my childhood faves, a doll cake. I distinctly remember getting one as a little girl & I loved it. I was happy to help out, with pink and (edible) glitter aplenty. Her vanilla cake was shades of pink as well - I love surprises inside cakes. Especially for kids. If I had a girl, she'd be dressed in glittery stuff all the time. And probably animal print. So any excuse to use glitter I will.My usual cake place was out of doll pics so I bought a cheap Barbie & took her clothes off & wrapped her in Saran. (Who knows what chemicals are on cheap plastic dolls). I wish I could show you the saran-wrapped doll but I didn't take any pics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I piped on a bodice & stars as a headband/tiara type thing so it was all cohesive. Isn't she awesome? Imagine cutting into her ombre pink cake! I don't have any pics, sadly one of the problems of baking for people whose party you aren't invited to...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCTCFajjsUleTRp7vZlVwMQssDh3hQAGdXeJiz3avass4kBwrpRbrUH61vOtDcdgKtBPgYmA0aPM8wdpIVanDa_BDpeBzES-WpBKR0b1elW4kKZlO6CXpAMAC5ieKf7D3Cmvz-ZWuYHw/s1600/princess+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCTCFajjsUleTRp7vZlVwMQssDh3hQAGdXeJiz3avass4kBwrpRbrUH61vOtDcdgKtBPgYmA0aPM8wdpIVanDa_BDpeBzES-WpBKR0b1elW4kKZlO6CXpAMAC5ieKf7D3Cmvz-ZWuYHw/s400/princess+copy.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This pic shows the actual pink better.</span></div>
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The boy loved Superman and I ran with the idea, making a Wilton candy melts plaque of the famous S. I made 2 plaques, it was a learning curve. I piped it on parchment placed over an S printout so I could follow the lines. I used blue icing in his cake too, (blue teeth!) but what kid doesn't love colored frosting? I used gum paste for the stars and stuck them on wires.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3ktWt6Of3HTceGQq68hxb1e23EFtHkNNiE2SXoSMKdpC4bE1kWKU12LsNDAHYMJvi84KDVDL4IWsCD_ZQLTkrwyMPT5r0DusxB3BYcKF8kupDNQLyDP2gp5fQxQQY_9bbM9hVkxgMV4/s1600/superman+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3ktWt6Of3HTceGQq68hxb1e23EFtHkNNiE2SXoSMKdpC4bE1kWKU12LsNDAHYMJvi84KDVDL4IWsCD_ZQLTkrwyMPT5r0DusxB3BYcKF8kupDNQLyDP2gp5fQxQQY_9bbM9hVkxgMV4/s400/superman+copy.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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And here they are together...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Yf5ZSr2sIMTMFllXzXodDeb4P8PIXOU4nsVUobPEqsO8_cON3PlW0IFVqlhhWSN1GIfv0JjJ1FA31WXIETYzUrYGXnbwxOsBfjv7dk-cdwlwWNDcW5TCjwmtJRqpBCTGR5nKPVd9_mk/s1600/both+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Yf5ZSr2sIMTMFllXzXodDeb4P8PIXOU4nsVUobPEqsO8_cON3PlW0IFVqlhhWSN1GIfv0JjJ1FA31WXIETYzUrYGXnbwxOsBfjv7dk-cdwlwWNDcW5TCjwmtJRqpBCTGR5nKPVd9_mk/s400/both+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-31482481952296960932012-11-26T14:09:00.002-05:002013-04-29T11:03:12.119-04:00Beer mug cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friend had a 'Cheers to 40 years' party for her husband. We debated cake designs and came up with a beer mug. I made a pinterest board, of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the happy guy:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPcL5SwzneE4ExeEOrI6t9hpip6kRM9H79CBwHFBIZo1MvK18uVcm3IYMrk9E-ViBXUKfbBRzkJUxqLsamF2cMcEc_exbslJFoaBDs_GSzlse1EapnO8MEDHDzgoa13t-d2BJYj_BYwU/s1600/IMG_2987+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPcL5SwzneE4ExeEOrI6t9hpip6kRM9H79CBwHFBIZo1MvK18uVcm3IYMrk9E-ViBXUKfbBRzkJUxqLsamF2cMcEc_exbslJFoaBDs_GSzlse1EapnO8MEDHDzgoa13t-d2BJYj_BYwU/s400/IMG_2987+copy.jpg" width="278" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw <a href="http://www.designfloat.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Birthday-Beer-Mug-Cake-by-miss_becky24.jpg" target="_blank">this one</a> and <a href="http://www.photoblog.com/CakesByMaureen/2011/02/01/beer-mug-cake.html" target="_blank">this one</a> & decided to attempt a poured sugar stream to hold the can up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to make the sugar twice, I'm still struggling with getting a hard crack on mine (& yes, I went as hot as I was supposed to). End result, you can see the wire but it held up. And it was a hit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a chocolate cake but next time I would do a chocolate stout cake to be more authentic. Or maybe a vanilla lager one.</span><br />
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Here it is crumb coated:</div>
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wire in can. Next time I would use a very stiff wire so I don't get the bend down and backwards in it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhio84tWET_07h1hS6S0noSEudrYy3FDKe5d60_cWmLrhM17RAi6MRJyRRnxD4-cyqk3Y2rH-T8TWhUMU9tHXnY1q_xoRtO-aha9Hvhq1Dqti-T4r5KznjykMJNMtvnf5Fc5dv9CbQQAoE/s1600/IMG_2980+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhio84tWET_07h1hS6S0noSEudrYy3FDKe5d60_cWmLrhM17RAi6MRJyRRnxD4-cyqk3Y2rH-T8TWhUMU9tHXnY1q_xoRtO-aha9Hvhq1Dqti-T4r5KznjykMJNMtvnf5Fc5dv9CbQQAoE/s400/IMG_2980+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Finished cake part. I felt like I was back in art school, I had some food coloring in a dish and dry brush painted on some streaks so it would have texture and depth. I attempted a poured sugar handle but it wouldn't set so I went with white chocolate.<br />
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The finished product!</div>
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Everyone was impressed and that's all the matters. But I really need to learn poured sugar!</div>
<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-50641271780528284642012-09-23T12:22:00.004-04:002013-04-29T11:01:22.737-04:00Butterflies cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a request for a 2 year old's birthday cake (nut free). The theme was butterflies. Since I have a son, I love making girly cakes, since it means bright colors & possibly glitter. Obviously glitter is appropriate for older girls as well (like me).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mom sent me pics to use as a guide for the cake, and I went to work pinning some <a href="http://pinterest.com/reesiedee/butterflies-cake/" target="_blank">butterfly cakes.</a> I love this <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/255227503853586039/" target="_blank">one</a> but it's a lot to do for a birthday cake. I decided on a tree stump since it would set off the colored butterflies well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to do chocolate butterflies but Wilton candy melts and other chocolates are not nut free. So then I attempted to make <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/255227503853586134/" target="_blank">gelatin butterflies</a>, what an utter failure & mess. I decided on gum paste, since I had some leftover from my Wilton class. That way she couldn't eat it (well, she could but it wouldn't taste good) & I got bright colors like I wanted. I'm no longer intimidated by it & will use it more in the future. I would love to learn how to make realistic flowers. I learned some in my Wilton class, but nothing too detailed, which of course are the ones I like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made 4 8" vanilla rounds, stacked 4 high then added some roots & a knothole. It was easy since I had little sculpting to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her Mom says she doesn't have a problem with food colors, but I still wanted to minimize any risk. I used a light & a dark chocolate basic buttercream, that way I knew she would be fine. I raked a fork over it for bark texture and added some circles on top for aging. That was about it for the cake - the work was in the gum paste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't be happier with it, I loved it! </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the final product:</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">knothole detail:</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wold up making small & large butterflies, 32 total. Since a 2 year old doesn't need subtlety, I added them all. And I loved it! Here's a butterfly detail: </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8KTWYCbu_57rCciVPEbPyjF8oD0tqKX45PR5ez1IcRF0dsJuhPys-p-gJ3jpKR45nDOvI03EEPci1ejONhtcf5b-O9uppcat6F7SDPC5AzeMr3_tM29v0uTpdvNx8y_vT_xNEPFyE6s/s1600/DSCN0407NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8KTWYCbu_57rCciVPEbPyjF8oD0tqKX45PR5ez1IcRF0dsJuhPys-p-gJ3jpKR45nDOvI03EEPci1ejONhtcf5b-O9uppcat6F7SDPC5AzeMr3_tM29v0uTpdvNx8y_vT_xNEPFyE6s/s400/DSCN0407NEW.jpg" width="308" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a 360 view: </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GMMY79pdrB3tJb2exa_3pC5w2s5VN5WwYHagzPcb_9L6Csns-Sm3KuLeZjbuF5LrNXL88S8rZUhoZmwHyeZOdnHHua613dLSCUA-K-wWyAr8X19MNPZqHfH72E2Oazc-tJF2kb0t9Qg/s1600/butterfly+trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GMMY79pdrB3tJb2exa_3pC5w2s5VN5WwYHagzPcb_9L6Csns-Sm3KuLeZjbuF5LrNXL88S8rZUhoZmwHyeZOdnHHua613dLSCUA-K-wWyAr8X19MNPZqHfH72E2Oazc-tJF2kb0t9Qg/s640/butterfly+trio.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Purple/white interior shot, which is always a hit when the partygoers see it.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I try to make some sort of surprise in every cake. </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOaQpyfgt2D8sL9ZsTTbSC2MzMOqLNFa00FJjpM7GV4VTdrVjg0WjS521qt_hjFyBn7b_jzW4P-K3o-xfQyJ_y8XY71MYvbkG1XGEv_7k0AQJjXbg5IIse9pUUBUcfGSBRTPB5MIHMY8/s1600/DSCN0410NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOaQpyfgt2D8sL9ZsTTbSC2MzMOqLNFa00FJjpM7GV4VTdrVjg0WjS521qt_hjFyBn7b_jzW4P-K3o-xfQyJ_y8XY71MYvbkG1XGEv_7k0AQJjXbg5IIse9pUUBUcfGSBRTPB5MIHMY8/s400/DSCN0410NEW.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another baking success!</span></div>
<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-34397344283625509562012-09-19T14:56:00.003-04:002012-09-23T10:45:38.144-04:00cake pops and why I will never make them againI had a request for cake pops. I'm not a fan of mushed up cake & frosting covered in some fake covering but I also like a baking challenge. I must've been drunk the day I decided on a price, because I can't even write it here, I'm so embarrassed. I swear on a Bible I looked at other Cincinnati bakeries & got prices. Clearly I got quotes for plain, no decoration ones because I <strike>spent</strike> wasted HOURS on these.<br />
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The client was going to make a life size Angry Birds game and only wanted 16 pops to use as actual birds in the game. I figured, oh, no biggie.<br />
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I will never make cake pops again unless someone pays me $10/each. I think I took 5 pics and that was it. Total waste of effort!<br />
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<i>My pops - which frankly, came out damn good:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U_dnF-DgnsFNLzm-OyUK-hI3jFXbm2dmKTFASJYIDgfzRANIdsI2oA7dlG9hpt2op5CBRHjivp4l7gDo_kOkUavvbNv_Bif-g49r9l64AMDF2p7hqRwrq34hYZNeux7vS-_nMk4XFoQ/s1600/DSCN0298NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U_dnF-DgnsFNLzm-OyUK-hI3jFXbm2dmKTFASJYIDgfzRANIdsI2oA7dlG9hpt2op5CBRHjivp4l7gDo_kOkUavvbNv_Bif-g49r9l64AMDF2p7hqRwrq34hYZNeux7vS-_nMk4XFoQ/s400/DSCN0298NEW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Her cake with my pops:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd2QdBlVrBySL8Da6ZjuUdMnuw20MgfbUnuI77HDzvGqdDGKRZ4cxheFu3SLUNAtWd7LkLKArggnJxI2mRKU-F5_nx_61FGTOscyr8CHqQEv5odXrZkzF1REQqwdjm3ma_bOGK1CE34M/s1600/angry+birds+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd2QdBlVrBySL8Da6ZjuUdMnuw20MgfbUnuI77HDzvGqdDGKRZ4cxheFu3SLUNAtWd7LkLKArggnJxI2mRKU-F5_nx_61FGTOscyr8CHqQEv5odXrZkzF1REQqwdjm3ma_bOGK1CE34M/s400/angry+birds+cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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See?ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-37609640307782707482012-09-19T14:19:00.003-04:002013-04-29T11:04:07.635-04:00Lightning McQueen/CARS cake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a request for a Lightning McQueen cake for a 3 year old. She also asked for a dozen plain cupcakes to go with it. Me being the perfectionist, I went a little crazy with the cupcakes. This is the cake that made me realize I do not charge enough either. I'm STILl struggling with that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a Pinterest board of ideas, as usual. That site is great for cake inspiration boards! Also helpful for what I can make better. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxni_HVXlI4u5cB0dIdy2u7yAiMFsMgp4JTFb9sbfND8Be5-7N6BLvh4Luoe-Bkmh4LgY_rYX7VxmipXD03N6ptJ_fsNndu_01tTcCz55bspgOrXe7FUWnMasI5-kI7FCXrGMbg_0wAcs/s1600/IMG_0930NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxni_HVXlI4u5cB0dIdy2u7yAiMFsMgp4JTFb9sbfND8Be5-7N6BLvh4Luoe-Bkmh4LgY_rYX7VxmipXD03N6ptJ_fsNndu_01tTcCz55bspgOrXe7FUWnMasI5-kI7FCXrGMbg_0wAcs/s400/IMG_0930NEW.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is my cake carved & covered with a crumb coat. I put in the fridge to set up afterwards.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-d9NNOcRyGXW5z0-nVDFoS9dnbNL6Nkx9YTTskrvXZ624kk5CXp2xBrR2raxvBwSwBGpGbwBdx7DriqxoXHhbd_i3JRQuXwtW2ut2eO-H5wWgP2tWXNmpCXbhhGQxu4A6HmEAB_iqNk4/s1600/IMG_0926NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-d9NNOcRyGXW5z0-nVDFoS9dnbNL6Nkx9YTTskrvXZ624kk5CXp2xBrR2raxvBwSwBGpGbwBdx7DriqxoXHhbd_i3JRQuXwtW2ut2eO-H5wWgP2tWXNmpCXbhhGQxu4A6HmEAB_iqNk4/s320/IMG_0926NEW.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwyCzaVguEFP2Xx-DCUvkotQZV3evLgPL53IoztZX3Ww9KINwNfDaXl0AZhVj5JjjOQ7X3mMBb2_ZFUjLEHTX3ZuYK3YG6gVjsRDS1SFMEU9bSP5tG8sBiqXGyXo9XzZrpe9nbVxnOzU/s1600/IMG_0927NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwyCzaVguEFP2Xx-DCUvkotQZV3evLgPL53IoztZX3Ww9KINwNfDaXl0AZhVj5JjjOQ7X3mMBb2_ZFUjLEHTX3ZuYK3YG6gVjsRDS1SFMEU9bSP5tG8sBiqXGyXo9XzZrpe9nbVxnOzU/s320/IMG_0927NEW.jpg" width="320" /><i> </i></span></a></div>
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<i>I got my inspiration pics out & mixed up candy melts in the correct colors. Then I put in a squeeze bottle and made the shapes. Some required cutting with a knife as you can see with the lightning bolt.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUkS3wFjl0Lbs7gwR-ERRDxUyfw-O35tXyaEweAIpaWiUolWrT-RMfksaN2Mc6-BykRCxFElfQZ3RV8YrdaG5grU0coOnBesHfnneVcAgz4e5uuD-LAFw64y6Tv5EQSWyyunBgt4QRFQ/s1600/IMG_0933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUkS3wFjl0Lbs7gwR-ERRDxUyfw-O35tXyaEweAIpaWiUolWrT-RMfksaN2Mc6-BykRCxFElfQZ3RV8YrdaG5grU0coOnBesHfnneVcAgz4e5uuD-LAFw64y6Tv5EQSWyyunBgt4QRFQ/s320/IMG_0933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>I missed a camera step, apologies! Here is the cake with red buttercream on it. I kept shaping with my hands/paper towels & returning to the fridge to set up. I still can't believe that is buttercream & not that dreaded fondant - I'm very proud how this turned out. My inspiration pic is behind it, I used that for help in carving the shape.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4xS0nRj90kM03E7RFtqawRN1a5-aC7F2bZrNxdxmbM9oL6uWFo1crVF5RmMn2reGegdIBMeQIKl7YippNw4_F1wf6dmx1SgChs1q41EpNI4lEbGPLwgZ4j5G1FgeBCqK6ItA9XphZMs/s1600/IMG_0932NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4xS0nRj90kM03E7RFtqawRN1a5-aC7F2bZrNxdxmbM9oL6uWFo1crVF5RmMn2reGegdIBMeQIKl7YippNw4_F1wf6dmx1SgChs1q41EpNI4lEbGPLwgZ4j5G1FgeBCqK6ItA9XphZMs/s400/IMG_0932NEW.jpg" width="400" /><i> </i></a></div>
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<i>Here's the big cake + a cupcake. ADORBS, right?</i></div>
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<i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZPDtBpe9fqQ7FZ0ZrQbDYZi95UJsJynJLB-RPr_PWgwqJW70V-iiktpWH6ELRs27jz2qysIoRyFXunlFMRTLIFIKGAljinnkQK0d5X0QLT1MAkKjmtcC59WDNmMHj0r9b8k-bLngxHA/s1600/IMG_0929NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZPDtBpe9fqQ7FZ0ZrQbDYZi95UJsJynJLB-RPr_PWgwqJW70V-iiktpWH6ELRs27jz2qysIoRyFXunlFMRTLIFIKGAljinnkQK0d5X0QLT1MAkKjmtcC59WDNmMHj0r9b8k-bLngxHA/s400/IMG_0929NEW.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<i> With writing.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH_B30MGoC32RFNgcplppTkFXf2V4PBchY9peV8qJu2c_UZX2Mh9AkYg66eZ3xTUSclDxbDptsVCChYhk6EN-yqPHgbik9lSzQHZHcYKl-kHSrh24mPHGFsM9LTu7VsdTN_PtknBezag/s1600/IMG_0934NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH_B30MGoC32RFNgcplppTkFXf2V4PBchY9peV8qJu2c_UZX2Mh9AkYg66eZ3xTUSclDxbDptsVCChYhk6EN-yqPHgbik9lSzQHZHcYKl-kHSrh24mPHGFsM9LTu7VsdTN_PtknBezag/s400/IMG_0934NEW.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<i>The real Lightning McQueen has number 85. <br />But since this was for a 3 year old, I took liberties.</i></div>
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<i> </i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-OsnyXS12cII_mGzSbN_m5_YRpv-AE08K8Kd6zt5ncidByryAlx2Dyg1UP3b4D5rJACI2l-FuBJxz78gLBuDztg_dIfhBwLW3vZgyndNDe0kFR0g0XWJiTsWGc_kB_IVoMOE0R8ItKc/s1600/IMG_0935NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-OsnyXS12cII_mGzSbN_m5_YRpv-AE08K8Kd6zt5ncidByryAlx2Dyg1UP3b4D5rJACI2l-FuBJxz78gLBuDztg_dIfhBwLW3vZgyndNDe0kFR0g0XWJiTsWGc_kB_IVoMOE0R8ItKc/s400/IMG_0935NEW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i> A mini fleet of the cutest cupcakes ever.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_5ep-Nhol-3Vbk7htpsbIcYfX2Rn0qBYK5eQ7lpkHw_rlsw5wCS5fn-35MMTmm8MoLWMCBq4HGtZbhyphenhyphennLOLeZ_pwTDxhImhRG0rTL41T-L6cpc_gWvKnY63cHLIs5c6gE2BQu8BKypo/s1600/IMG_0940NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_5ep-Nhol-3Vbk7htpsbIcYfX2Rn0qBYK5eQ7lpkHw_rlsw5wCS5fn-35MMTmm8MoLWMCBq4HGtZbhyphenhyphennLOLeZ_pwTDxhImhRG0rTL41T-L6cpc_gWvKnY63cHLIs5c6gE2BQu8BKypo/s400/IMG_0940NEW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i> The whole shebang!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4u3csstu3OWtYFyFAXhLXHDsXFFQlxEDxMhqPhIQBXU6wveO9tbxvVfgkoTUcxRtdXiOxrwYipvbO0CPg7ucZcYBiHcX0G7ucf1rxwgDM1pLvH7OI8lvFUHGKhjcndq1hD5PuxTqhME/s1600/IMG_0947NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4u3csstu3OWtYFyFAXhLXHDsXFFQlxEDxMhqPhIQBXU6wveO9tbxvVfgkoTUcxRtdXiOxrwYipvbO0CPg7ucZcYBiHcX0G7ucf1rxwgDM1pLvH7OI8lvFUHGKhjcndq1hD5PuxTqhME/s400/IMG_0947NEW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Ready to go </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx2q-YMCs9BA2CvFK3fQQjEeW0TETQQ54Oxlj5rIUQ49KiiovXynDcQY2IawEGxq_ZK4m__dChzE7JbMJBDr0Lp9QQd09ikB9-TkgMbs23uMbAb3pT1GWdFjK2Rp9dTlV35XnNHVtQtY/s1600/IMG_0949NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx2q-YMCs9BA2CvFK3fQQjEeW0TETQQ54Oxlj5rIUQ49KiiovXynDcQY2IawEGxq_ZK4m__dChzE7JbMJBDr0Lp9QQd09ikB9-TkgMbs23uMbAb3pT1GWdFjK2Rp9dTlV35XnNHVtQtY/s400/IMG_0949NEW.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<i>A closeup of the cuteness!</i></div>
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<i> </i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgOCnzSCuJh8WCss4S9HSagVYEk0q1kOyMLE7TyWkRMr81CrmwSm3_O5_xXWfthDSwNi_LDhD7sOlnUu_obnSTWakoqeOsg5mHKB5PyPEJjt0342b1i3lTgBCKfYvb3HOosKUMkbd9ls/s1600/IMG_0942NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgOCnzSCuJh8WCss4S9HSagVYEk0q1kOyMLE7TyWkRMr81CrmwSm3_O5_xXWfthDSwNi_LDhD7sOlnUu_obnSTWakoqeOsg5mHKB5PyPEJjt0342b1i3lTgBCKfYvb3HOosKUMkbd9ls/s320/IMG_0942NEW.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div>
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I love a challenge, and this one was a good one. The birthday boy tried to pick up the cake he thought it was real. Guess that means I helped make it awesome! </div>
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<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-36012973932374667912012-07-13T09:33:00.000-04:002012-07-13T09:34:45.990-04:00Union Jack flag cake<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
After my US flag cake, I couldn't wait to try <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/union_jack_battenburg_15063" target="_blank">this BBC cake</a> for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This cake was much harder than the US one, because it requires being more precise. I followed the above recipe but next time would make some modifications to the technique.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">I used the cake recipe listed on the BBC site & made <a href="http://dailydelicious.blogspot.com/2011/02/home-made-marzipan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">this recipe</span></a> for homemade marzipan. I would add almond extract next time, because frankly I do love a little of that fakey almond taste. This recipe makes a delicious natural tasting recipe, which (as usual) is much better than store bought overly sweet marzipan. It also makes a lot, not sure if you can freeze marzipan so I had some waste.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Overall, it's very impressive & I love it!</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty blue batter:</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7zBsf-MdrsExFzWP35_kEIf5lrR_B6gCuMsjr6WNqPqGbLVy2Xe1IP7PU3pqTFZuPWza2SiblQ4YuiF2Y6htUWangBNLaP6foOBzCve5C8lUjo5U8qcfZ2taXOe873vIvLRsiPHvNI4/s1600/005+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7zBsf-MdrsExFzWP35_kEIf5lrR_B6gCuMsjr6WNqPqGbLVy2Xe1IP7PU3pqTFZuPWza2SiblQ4YuiF2Y6htUWangBNLaP6foOBzCve5C8lUjo5U8qcfZ2taXOe873vIvLRsiPHvNI4/s320/005+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Cake cut into 2 rectangles:</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvQdhOR_wMyS9MRnxiPctvSpnksi78vAQyBRDP0JIZxkRTm-RgOnggAiEv-kgrxqr2COV9w_OEwBdrEmpmN9oiRd5CsEDbHdY8jvs0xLSEsa93ulEJAaCemYSK_sIFp7Bq9ye91RlTJY/s1600/021+COPY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvQdhOR_wMyS9MRnxiPctvSpnksi78vAQyBRDP0JIZxkRTm-RgOnggAiEv-kgrxqr2COV9w_OEwBdrEmpmN9oiRd5CsEDbHdY8jvs0xLSEsa93ulEJAaCemYSK_sIFp7Bq9ye91RlTJY/s320/021+COPY.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used my normal buttercream recipe here. Here's 2 sides frosted:</span></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnzZ6F5DlPANndfIxbCt9w6wCsqx4dLiudJS1qDwuiRwAyZzrXdlyNss1Xvgt2bDOMTkDIfIUbYGI1A2s-5W4J2Wpd626iFDVOxjXFcrNz0O_C3AgFFNuG2VwPH7CXQC6JZhoxM8GquU/s1600/022+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnzZ6F5DlPANndfIxbCt9w6wCsqx4dLiudJS1qDwuiRwAyZzrXdlyNss1Xvgt2bDOMTkDIfIUbYGI1A2s-5W4J2Wpd626iFDVOxjXFcrNz0O_C3AgFFNuG2VwPH7CXQC6JZhoxM8GquU/s320/022+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>add jam to one of those sides & sandwich together, wrap in saran -</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>freeze or refrigerate until frosting is hard:</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3ZEI-qmTLPP7XKWgvZfcpJP2y_CGtMUk582RCHo7qYrceKbQ7bUVrkddnp1gfLoMtdRcLhE9aB2ZAy9xq_x2VCoq_sAB_9_iWPPrt1Kw_vJYj07O621BP60Ze8PLZKe_Hk1IjAJxLVc/s1600/023+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3ZEI-qmTLPP7XKWgvZfcpJP2y_CGtMUk582RCHo7qYrceKbQ7bUVrkddnp1gfLoMtdRcLhE9aB2ZAy9xq_x2VCoq_sAB_9_iWPPrt1Kw_vJYj07O621BP60Ze8PLZKe_Hk1IjAJxLVc/s320/023+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">unwrap, slice vertically into 2 equal halves:</span></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGXpSrrLy5RdcBILSk6sMlcNw4Rrj9uZSlbHOMIPFfDB1Nq-iBWDnOYL39qoHsj4Y1X3w8FPdxyGkgjUn0x9-XgO9XCAHnKapd4bBlpu5I_cv6_r11tBZyFvpjoLpgOeyfand2NaTE-M/s1600/025+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGXpSrrLy5RdcBILSk6sMlcNw4Rrj9uZSlbHOMIPFfDB1Nq-iBWDnOYL39qoHsj4Y1X3w8FPdxyGkgjUn0x9-XgO9XCAHnKapd4bBlpu5I_cv6_r11tBZyFvpjoLpgOeyfand2NaTE-M/s320/025+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>apply buttercream & jam as before, wrap & chill:</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lsF3fT_vb00A7VzafAxcJMFhDYm27q3ZxXlrVTYktTKa_JFthAM9hrG5RyGqnep9U_7RMWmNe2D6k7xTYHyQdPoxfyB-6TdfohVItnPu4j3jc162h2dhcQ1pAKN3QbU3900dsPk5CCk/s1600/026+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lsF3fT_vb00A7VzafAxcJMFhDYm27q3ZxXlrVTYktTKa_JFthAM9hrG5RyGqnep9U_7RMWmNe2D6k7xTYHyQdPoxfyB-6TdfohVItnPu4j3jc162h2dhcQ1pAKN3QbU3900dsPk5CCk/s320/026+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Now slice diagonally, this part gets really messy & where my shape got a bit distorted.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Next time I would cut the diagonal first then the horizontal & vertical cuts. Wrap & chill again.</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfdNXqyLGEKajDo_KR8ARY7mkOGijOgslQRtDoB9A6Z1CkCEZcrh8Wss_qvlYZPApGA2cx0XKTRGkxLrGnx7p-IpHoJ9CoO9929vNptE_N2l6Drv1vi0QH6TEWRsdQXyVc1uxBeisdc8/s1600/027+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfdNXqyLGEKajDo_KR8ARY7mkOGijOgslQRtDoB9A6Z1CkCEZcrh8Wss_qvlYZPApGA2cx0XKTRGkxLrGnx7p-IpHoJ9CoO9929vNptE_N2l6Drv1vi0QH6TEWRsdQXyVc1uxBeisdc8/s320/027+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Roll out marzipan about 1/4" thick, place cake on it.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP8i4bgGUYh_iualy9XQL2wulIspJwdq3XBaVCokQ5f7gQ4KQChkLpjLgGSGy18v5eH1InkBaAFCJ2hdBH_BOdNN6mdDXOLfvXDXGfRPLCJLMBF5OCjdIDXVDOtGYRwHeZiPEftv0o0o/s1600/030+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP8i4bgGUYh_iualy9XQL2wulIspJwdq3XBaVCokQ5f7gQ4KQChkLpjLgGSGy18v5eH1InkBaAFCJ2hdBH_BOdNN6mdDXOLfvXDXGfRPLCJLMBF5OCjdIDXVDOtGYRwHeZiPEftv0o0o/s320/030+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>wrapped & ready</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C9v6_j4uIR4ll2uB3Kj_K9-jvZJU73aB5eEm73iMm2oYpm3eqvTzwEuBGcuyeYA-mHZstq2qdG0bEIpdooFCY_J4ZjI2Qqe9RVvIcWs6rYoEXRQY6BwE4B9TTMnFjs7Uv8j9qo0ZXuQ/s1600/031+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C9v6_j4uIR4ll2uB3Kj_K9-jvZJU73aB5eEm73iMm2oYpm3eqvTzwEuBGcuyeYA-mHZstq2qdG0bEIpdooFCY_J4ZjI2Qqe9RVvIcWs6rYoEXRQY6BwE4B9TTMnFjs7Uv8j9qo0ZXuQ/s320/031+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>TA-DA! I covered my board with union jack cupcake wrappers my UK Aunty-in-law sent me.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21nteQrmXi4wPrc3TAPLD-KBe68EJu3Z23VU-W5BTZbTcXWW5shHFXC1YBQsmDTZY8Q9jCBv4GjrFHsclKTJbraC_zBDrXL9jdOvYPYt29QKbYSbaOjDM8Dfer6mTw2ibbO1nmF-4uJo/s1600/032+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21nteQrmXi4wPrc3TAPLD-KBe68EJu3Z23VU-W5BTZbTcXWW5shHFXC1YBQsmDTZY8Q9jCBv4GjrFHsclKTJbraC_zBDrXL9jdOvYPYt29QKbYSbaOjDM8Dfer6mTw2ibbO1nmF-4uJo/s320/032+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>What a beauty. The fact that my diagonals are not perfect really irks me.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ25QSAiglobaBzzPbOTsjg5HuvgqFSmJqYp3Q3guNhia3xTAJ1JYgPzWGvi0bB5aU5z35DagBZ97MGS7oZGw_I8gWvuB9y-crLrIe4dyI_Nhtm2NoNLXwI0JMMPqY_zb2nUQgVy9RzZw/s1600/037NEW+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ25QSAiglobaBzzPbOTsjg5HuvgqFSmJqYp3Q3guNhia3xTAJ1JYgPzWGvi0bB5aU5z35DagBZ97MGS7oZGw_I8gWvuB9y-crLrIe4dyI_Nhtm2NoNLXwI0JMMPqY_zb2nUQgVy9RzZw/s320/037NEW+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Happy Diamond Jubilee, HRH Queen Elizabeth!</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLBFpl8f_eb4OgjWKcsWr04nS14YnDWVYAO8JqlAT9mp8gTwZdRNhnFD0j3HVH1BlPuFpnSPVdtmvV7M-SpPjI2iVv-Ft1N6iC_IIZraOiPnMOt3F1an6nrqO-ZqYzBjWOr1qWExeLgk/s1600/039+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLBFpl8f_eb4OgjWKcsWr04nS14YnDWVYAO8JqlAT9mp8gTwZdRNhnFD0j3HVH1BlPuFpnSPVdtmvV7M-SpPjI2iVv-Ft1N6iC_IIZraOiPnMOt3F1an6nrqO-ZqYzBjWOr1qWExeLgk/s320/039+copy.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>mmm, tasty</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3ZbYadZ5ayofm8QmJYswsIIASRUEx-mXrkDC-ADYzUmqelAkx8KCVMuneI3J41gJIKsVIvzgy_HEepqyfUhCX2yviVgavMypAa46V4bQkbZCXbZbmpKJp71Fs1KVRcZLmGrjbh4XY5I/s1600/047+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3ZbYadZ5ayofm8QmJYswsIIASRUEx-mXrkDC-ADYzUmqelAkx8KCVMuneI3J41gJIKsVIvzgy_HEepqyfUhCX2yviVgavMypAa46V4bQkbZCXbZbmpKJp71Fs1KVRcZLmGrjbh4XY5I/s320/047+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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</div>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-9281158065840896842012-06-01T10:04:00.016-04:002012-06-01T11:12:37.235-04:00American flag cake<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw pictures for a flag cake and decided I had to attempt it. I saw some </span><a href="http://www.bforbel.com/2011/07/usa-flag-cake.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with 4</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or </span><a href="http://glorioustreats.blogspot.com/2011/06/4th-of-july-flag-cake.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 layers</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, some with more. But I knew if I was going to do it, I wanted to do 13 stripes like the flag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw this </span><a href="http://www.withsprinklesontop.net/?p=1384" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pic and tutorial</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but no pics to show along the way. So I will share with you how I made mine.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should start off by saying I will not use a box cake. Although I grew up on them, it goes against the joy and purpose of baking, in my opinion. Plus no preservatives & you know exactly what's in your food. That said, my cake was not as dense as it could've been, since the layers were so thin. Need to work on a better recipe for that. I used my standard buttercream and kept in the fridge until a few hours before serving. That's a lot of cake to have to hold up with that heavy frosting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made two 9" red cakes and one 9" blue cake. I put the cakes in the freezer for a few hours, it makes slicing cake easier. Using a serrated knife, I cut each red cake in half, then into halves again (4 layers per cake). You need 7 red layers total, so you will have one extra to snack on.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Assembling and slicing the red.<br />
I made one red cake to match the bottom half of the flag (3 red layers)<br />
and one to match the bottom of the stars on up (4 red layers)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6o80jsX7ca8-YFcTI32lersOXumrGJQIhOY40DdwPEJo6WoLrosKbarPNRuKKzRsloaKQ_RItR0TjVVmw2QZMeJL4NmyRK0Lojh_9sHWSj5jwcKtmk9L_pu0bthqSR8mbktZMuxJXzgI/s1600/IMG_1000+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6o80jsX7ca8-YFcTI32lersOXumrGJQIhOY40DdwPEJo6WoLrosKbarPNRuKKzRsloaKQ_RItR0TjVVmw2QZMeJL4NmyRK0Lojh_9sHWSj5jwcKtmk9L_pu0bthqSR8mbktZMuxJXzgI/s400/IMG_1000+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see how thin the layers are here<br />
(this is the bottom half since it only has 3 red layers).</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_qjXgB7cFnsU1ESpn3Oe4XtVA_oYYnaVLEiDqpj8vZ7hDiY3ynYp2mLatJU5fpsCLji5Ejq88nUwT70CtPrwE7KsBsuQgIiWmyApYnMWPh1Saam1kvnpMxi1rbw_fNRDQhEGXq_rSXU/s1600/IMG_1002+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_qjXgB7cFnsU1ESpn3Oe4XtVA_oYYnaVLEiDqpj8vZ7hDiY3ynYp2mLatJU5fpsCLji5Ejq88nUwT70CtPrwE7KsBsuQgIiWmyApYnMWPh1Saam1kvnpMxi1rbw_fNRDQhEGXq_rSXU/s400/IMG_1002+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note the flag nearby for accuracy. I used a shortening can lid as a measure for my circle.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4KBPeJzfQKQLtAz8lw41ouBem1wdD-A_46eUFEP746RsfB-Eycd7TANUODCgWP2G-sp53KvSX1SPtj7f2pGie1_C90jLQxXiWTLBeqhr_w99dPDqmMPwlm7unmLR5p8LGW3IFc8Uhnw/s1600/IMG_1003+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4KBPeJzfQKQLtAz8lw41ouBem1wdD-A_46eUFEP746RsfB-Eycd7TANUODCgWP2G-sp53KvSX1SPtj7f2pGie1_C90jLQxXiWTLBeqhr_w99dPDqmMPwlm7unmLR5p8LGW3IFc8Uhnw/s400/IMG_1003+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cutting out the middle, using a paring knife up & down.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4_VObj0ysjTrSRyNb6jJUfsSCQbXLigp-tfXc-6Dacz2dYWJTpt5Dxu1czhhS0ivIIFeDOWrkkim9N2STnxNNcjgn9Lo3Awt3kaWB4Vov_68j6kN1QmmfMCDpxxuQ91jGV4MMLLPoVA/s1600/IMG_1005+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4_VObj0ysjTrSRyNb6jJUfsSCQbXLigp-tfXc-6Dacz2dYWJTpt5Dxu1czhhS0ivIIFeDOWrkkim9N2STnxNNcjgn9Lo3Awt3kaWB4Vov_68j6kN1QmmfMCDpxxuQ91jGV4MMLLPoVA/s400/IMG_1005+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blue cake!</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DUS0TRSMeCPa-4UL-DQDG-S7jCIQ6sCKaojXIEhsfmJDCJEnTXoU91Fbs5wI0bCQFGdkPURStXAv0491ovYYGQTZ6oZXrrt5xP0SACRzU2X0R1Pmw8xMwtV_cWEur0BEjCVzSv6AW6A/s1600/IMG_1006+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DUS0TRSMeCPa-4UL-DQDG-S7jCIQ6sCKaojXIEhsfmJDCJEnTXoU91Fbs5wI0bCQFGdkPURStXAv0491ovYYGQTZ6oZXrrt5xP0SACRzU2X0R1Pmw8xMwtV_cWEur0BEjCVzSv6AW6A/s400/IMG_1006+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now cut out the red middle.<br />
Be sure this cake is chilled before you do this, either in the freezer or fridge.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTjhB_yt2C8R_42iWrncQox7yVuGA_wo_QmwQ0Uw7kGgsmK0hsu7sRxaJ6zVhcrpzaGBrdb9TGqpCG6dCc5FhKdN5O9DVGRHnVIT0OjsHryKhwzPgfuqJ12qeLMCB9s2DKIJJIRCjpMs/s1600/IMG_1007+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTjhB_yt2C8R_42iWrncQox7yVuGA_wo_QmwQ0Uw7kGgsmK0hsu7sRxaJ6zVhcrpzaGBrdb9TGqpCG6dCc5FhKdN5O9DVGRHnVIT0OjsHryKhwzPgfuqJ12qeLMCB9s2DKIJJIRCjpMs/s400/IMG_1007+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Centers cut out & flipped.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPC5I_7OQ5Se2KRCehGsODKl4OfqrqLO0oUaZvSGrVJl7nPFK-rEKtXSiBSPnJJnOkRzju0qd-nkNWIjK5DYiwIE60n8HtsyYkmwJUWQ_wp0E6YemZwKSHHBlxtDQNk4fA_vJQhk96NM/s1600/IMG_1008+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPC5I_7OQ5Se2KRCehGsODKl4OfqrqLO0oUaZvSGrVJl7nPFK-rEKtXSiBSPnJJnOkRzju0qd-nkNWIjK5DYiwIE60n8HtsyYkmwJUWQ_wp0E6YemZwKSHHBlxtDQNk4fA_vJQhk96NM/s400/IMG_1008+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Detail. This was actually an extra cake so I brought to a Sunday BBQ.<br />
Not a full flag but still cool.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWGKiK-kYYCzUk_QCkSiUYguPx7VtD4ZkhoDyzYqX_4ZkWAh4izHKdNtui41FvvRcFjmRekk0rhDvEafYRp3tCqF9R-0ZWXTsvOfAixaRU0VUuVjS0ZCPxkGcn7bqvCD9VZN2GWvDYP0/s1600/IMG_1009+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWGKiK-kYYCzUk_QCkSiUYguPx7VtD4ZkhoDyzYqX_4ZkWAh4izHKdNtui41FvvRcFjmRekk0rhDvEafYRp3tCqF9R-0ZWXTsvOfAixaRU0VUuVjS0ZCPxkGcn7bqvCD9VZN2GWvDYP0/s400/IMG_1009+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the cake I wound up using.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You could switch it but I thought a blue ring outside made more<br />
visual sense (thanks art school).</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuzcLza2rNrSbJISZiq5Mp8FilR4v4dSKJt3InekuG1HIidXySbQK0tYSdSIzk5jC6OALV8tK7f234Q1lEinnArVKXTOpl7FmRN7gxsPA0Fn6d_NEULL0KrWl6TzOme9YUEtN5jV9cXQ/s1600/IMG_1010+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuzcLza2rNrSbJISZiq5Mp8FilR4v4dSKJt3InekuG1HIidXySbQK0tYSdSIzk5jC6OALV8tK7f234Q1lEinnArVKXTOpl7FmRN7gxsPA0Fn6d_NEULL0KrWl6TzOme9YUEtN5jV9cXQ/s400/IMG_1010+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Switched & assembled.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15mMkNcuGv3ugNppdzzJLHw2aguZPnj1TatUXEk3Jcg3tSeO9pVa2DXT6QYhKMme211vpXH_2LV6M4TbSuyLqzoCAFYBu3HQqdMouoEG7o5Vq4sJPECgyGVh6ntdyPAZwAmGpnEP9ZSQ/s1600/IMG_1011+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15mMkNcuGv3ugNppdzzJLHw2aguZPnj1TatUXEk3Jcg3tSeO9pVa2DXT6QYhKMme211vpXH_2LV6M4TbSuyLqzoCAFYBu3HQqdMouoEG7o5Vq4sJPECgyGVh6ntdyPAZwAmGpnEP9ZSQ/s400/IMG_1011+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see that the blue is not quite as tall as the red since it has frosting<br />
inbetween the layers. I pushed it down some when I chilled it.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOLd8LpUVm4kXsZOyJXEgg9pFyFQ_melgnOeIaSjV86xKSy7RyZwCThZwujoEbm034m6nLggq1aEfoyxnF9LQVYqg3awHarRTYMKGsBIWZChxhnSGjjT6RiQh8OWIj1x-RTJgiTfUXK8/s1600/IMG_1012+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOLd8LpUVm4kXsZOyJXEgg9pFyFQ_melgnOeIaSjV86xKSy7RyZwCThZwujoEbm034m6nLggq1aEfoyxnF9LQVYqg3awHarRTYMKGsBIWZChxhnSGjjT6RiQh8OWIj1x-RTJgiTfUXK8/s400/IMG_1012+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to go with piped large stars since it looked more patriotic.<br />
You could frost like normal too - the possibilities are endless.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When using only butter in your buttercream, it will always have a yellow tint.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvPTNkFQYANckqWxv0_SQbTOw4E0A7iy-qEVn1Jy54aMMNN8qHZKI4n4ErW68GZlvwUaEen67ZJhREBWFurfoYknb9MNBwUn5R9sgA0Qwh-1EfIauDVCqdDh47_LwPqLbklGE59wp9Y8/s1600/IMG_1016+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvPTNkFQYANckqWxv0_SQbTOw4E0A7iy-qEVn1Jy54aMMNN8qHZKI4n4ErW68GZlvwUaEen67ZJhREBWFurfoYknb9MNBwUn5R9sgA0Qwh-1EfIauDVCqdDh47_LwPqLbklGE59wp9Y8/s400/IMG_1016+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Decorated with tiny bunting I had printed out & hung on chopsticks.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjQCIgIKBh2lqFkZudQasSkMKa8-u7bbYvtRqhDJIww58tMvkTC8EQ31361kXdgDx6Bsz967LeOZ9nQY8sIkqf6z07n7BbhQitwRs-LDsA5O-88_LVCjmx90kKm_O7hrCVN6Wc_x2BVc/s1600/IMG_1018+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjQCIgIKBh2lqFkZudQasSkMKa8-u7bbYvtRqhDJIww58tMvkTC8EQ31361kXdgDx6Bsz967LeOZ9nQY8sIkqf6z07n7BbhQitwRs-LDsA5O-88_LVCjmx90kKm_O7hrCVN6Wc_x2BVc/s400/IMG_1018+copy.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My festive table!</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvl3jEptmkzzAft71wKXFoc82e5CKDy-nYrQF6aTnGRzy_G7GHKvsY60SOTCwD0pD82j8f1fXFAUX7c1ZQtXn41Zxx2k18QOlJ9-5j2qNo5pjRK7zpJlQgkRfeGl7H-47xqDsQISbDEU/s1600/IMG_1023+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvl3jEptmkzzAft71wKXFoc82e5CKDy-nYrQF6aTnGRzy_G7GHKvsY60SOTCwD0pD82j8f1fXFAUX7c1ZQtXn41Zxx2k18QOlJ9-5j2qNo5pjRK7zpJlQgkRfeGl7H-47xqDsQISbDEU/s400/IMG_1023+copy.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TA-DA! This was such a hit with everyone - old & young alike, I will totally make it again.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU9DiWd1rx-oBSgl41T5EltfkU3N8CBBaoYl4x-MPJdhZBwQvUot0GdsahBPIXnJHcozHU14J7hDGCsrgAOl-X4gyXEtcPPskn45fBVBXdG80XRRcNHlKeguwvL1NBAFDS3U6JtKrhyY/s1600/IMG_1030+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU9DiWd1rx-oBSgl41T5EltfkU3N8CBBaoYl4x-MPJdhZBwQvUot0GdsahBPIXnJHcozHU14J7hDGCsrgAOl-X4gyXEtcPPskn45fBVBXdG80XRRcNHlKeguwvL1NBAFDS3U6JtKrhyY/s400/IMG_1030+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Detail slice.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWua42y8yFjrXN4ajFSIes-GHik6MSsh5SMDTgvE-q5ml0Zo5O0L1LmdX_ssPkbfmcMFM2MwBg96SsffJR9DWOX6QZZuj3O59dCEWhTT5lj28zntblYyg5sxLLOClm1NIac9mrr4U9PA/s400/IMG_1029+copy.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-59313943351221479752012-04-08T09:04:00.002-04:002012-04-08T18:59:23.928-04:00Easter treatsI decided to go ahead & make marshmallow eggs I'm not a huge fan normally but have wanted to try out making marshmallows for awhile. Very easy & not messy at all. Plenty of people try to say it is!<br />
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I used this recipe:<br />
<a href="http://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/2011/04/07/chocolate-marshmallow-bunnies">http://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/2011/04/07/chocolate-marshmallow-bunnies</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3xI4MKtM1je0I0-2NhkUW5MMYHobRfF72YpU7lNAzPrA70Rv7WuDfJuQ1mkKFP56aphuwZWTJMP2BfdfEET6RHg-mf3uRFHomrodwa3jmKlI_pixg96tEdFxW0yreHYoHnk6eepTLz4/s1600/marshmallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3xI4MKtM1je0I0-2NhkUW5MMYHobRfF72YpU7lNAzPrA70Rv7WuDfJuQ1mkKFP56aphuwZWTJMP2BfdfEET6RHg-mf3uRFHomrodwa3jmKlI_pixg96tEdFxW0yreHYoHnk6eepTLz4/s400/marshmallow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next time, I'd use a lot more vanilla, but other that, I liked it fine. I dipped in dark chocolate too. Fluffy & tasty!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEdhRy_AHtyM5W8J_Bm0495tYYJyn9MNzVURlNWE-rNtdCwtw21YJtTnj0Ubs31CwYJ-8nhAQyplzTtygZZ5ugb4xjc52Wq8caag2TuOf2JoMUt1aRErtihhoc75kezFfKbMLAuQRkVo/s1600/marsh2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEdhRy_AHtyM5W8J_Bm0495tYYJyn9MNzVURlNWE-rNtdCwtw21YJtTnj0Ubs31CwYJ-8nhAQyplzTtygZZ5ugb4xjc52Wq8caag2TuOf2JoMUt1aRErtihhoc75kezFfKbMLAuQRkVo/s400/marsh2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I also made peanut butter eggs (soooo good). I like this recipe but they are very soft so you have to keep them in the fridge. I'd probably try another one next time to see if it ended up stiffer. The graham cracker crumbs are a nice addition, maybe I just need more.<br />
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<a href="http://tidymom.net/2012/homemade-peanut-butter-eggs/">http://tidymom.net/2012/homemade-peanut-butter-eggs/</a><br />
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I printed some free printables & bagged them up.</div>
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I also made my Great Aunt Rose's famous pepperoni bread. I have memories of only getting this on Easter growing up. It's rich with pepperoni and fluffy ricotta with a slight sweetness in the dough - that sweetness is my strongest memory of this. This always tastes better if it sits a day, so I made it Friday night. And when I went to bed the whole house smelled of pepperoni!<br />
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My Italian friend Marsha tells me this is called Pizza Rustica and is the star of Easter lunch in Italy. I googled some recipes and it is quite similar, but the other recipes use a lot of meats. I might try one of those next time, because who doesn't love cured meats?<br />
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Check out her recipe, handwritten, longform. I love it but I did rewrite for myself in short form. You can see my Mom's notes on the side. These kinds of family things mean the world to me!<br />
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For history's sake, I'm still calling it Pepperoni Bread since that what she always called it.<br />
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Slight changes, I used shortening instead of lard. Tasty still but lard does give it a special extra punch of porky flavor. Also, I barely used any milk in the dough.<br />
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<b>Great Aunt Rose's Pepperoni Bread</b><br />
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<u>Dough:</u><br />
3 cups all pupose flour<br />
2 tablespoons sugar<br />
1 heaping tablespoon baking powder<br />
1/4 lb + 2 level tablespoons lard<br />
5 large eggs mixed with a fork<br />
milk - enough to make an easy dough (it will be lighter if not worked too long)<br />
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Sift dry ingredients together. Cut in lard and and eggs. This can be done in a food processor easily but I use my handheld pastry cutter. Add milk as needed, work until smooth. This dough will be sticky. Cut dough in half and on a floured surface, roll out into 2 12" rounds or make 2 rectangles to fit a long cookie sheet. Place one piece on a well greased cookie sheet, stretching carefully to edge. Preheat oven to 350, make filling.<br />
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<u>Filling:</u><br />
1 1/4 lb. pepperoni - sliced or chopped small (use good pepperoni, you will appreciate it!)<br />
2 strips of bacon - cut into small pieces<br />
1 1/4 lb. ricotta<br />
5 large eggs mixed with a fork<br />
1 egg mixed with water <br />
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Mix all ingredients together in a bowl (by hand). Put mix evenly on dough, do not get too close to edge, leave about 1". It will be about 1" tall. Moisten the dough edge with the eggwash mixture. Place top crust over the mix and turn bottom edge up over the top & pinching together, seal well. Brush eggwash over the top. Sprinkle a little sugar & black pepper over the crust. Poke holes in the crust with a toothpick before baking.<br />
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After 15-20 minutes in the oven, pinch top again to prevent crust from cracking. (I did not have to do this). Bake another 30 minutes at 350, then 30 minutes at 325 or until it is well done & browned. If the top is getting too brown, place a piece of tin foil over it. Your house will smell like pepperoni by the end of this & you will be very hungry!<br />
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Cool the pan on a wire rack. When cool, remove from pan. Keep in a cool, dry place until the next day when it can be wrapped in foil. If weather is warm, it should be kept in the fridge.<br />
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We've always served this cold, on Easter day or as a nice afternoon snack.<br />
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<br />ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-8420356810499930582012-04-03T11:03:00.002-04:002013-04-29T11:04:31.372-04:00Jory's owl moon 2nd birthday party<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A longtime online friend passed away from cancer in September 2011 at a very young age. She had an obsession with owls. I can't help but think she played a part in me introducing owls to my son since she was on my mind so much this Fall. Thank you for your inspiration from above, Diane Naegel. ♥ </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jory loves them so</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> combining 2 of his fave things - owls & moons - for his 2nd birthday theme seemed like a great idea. I made a pinterest board for inspiration & it helped immensely. I'm now officially addicted to it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pinterest inspiration board: <a href="http://pinterest.com/reesiedee/owl-moon-2nd-birthday-party/">http://pinterest.com/reesiedee/owl-moon-2nd-birthday-party/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made 2 flavors of cake - vanilla, colored vanilla (always a hit), and chocolate. I baked on Wednesday night & froze them so I could assemble on Friday night. I highly recommend baking in advance, it's easier to carve & one less thing to worry about.</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">invite - printed the text on plain white cards, cut out the rest</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>cake ready for assembly</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>stacked</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>inspiration for carving</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>messy but carved</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">crumb coated</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>my feather technique - pipe dots, smash with the round part of a spoon (found similar technique on pinterest)</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">owl feet (people loved this touch)</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">welcome sign - made with leftover letters & paper</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukadhXQElc63ALOob2xfWzpH_zghBRZWfuaBV6AuBWFgnVKRA7KtJIHi4kmDTSL_eNFE4QKekshZIDdTXqJTX7-hSBIViTAXz3v3UxODpFn8DYo_O_e5sMaqtEvOjjNktZ61ExAKXk-Y/s1600/IMG_0816+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukadhXQElc63ALOob2xfWzpH_zghBRZWfuaBV6AuBWFgnVKRA7KtJIHi4kmDTSL_eNFE4QKekshZIDdTXqJTX7-hSBIViTAXz3v3UxODpFn8DYo_O_e5sMaqtEvOjjNktZ61ExAKXk-Y/s400/IMG_0816+copy.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">table (minus all the food, oops, got busy). How cute is that owl fabric?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I need to find something to make with it so he can remember it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcfJewSNDfzNj33vshycRdVbR2HNCHT8J9dhtFrN7X17kO_IBHF5CfoBFVU8u2oDqbWatLZLu3z0FQwZUmkFlMqfNI9trSIJRpSpV93UipLzmBSyJ56M1x9JKomWHT3fkn_1EX-83Bnk/s1600/IMG_0828+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcfJewSNDfzNj33vshycRdVbR2HNCHT8J9dhtFrN7X17kO_IBHF5CfoBFVU8u2oDqbWatLZLu3z0FQwZUmkFlMqfNI9trSIJRpSpV93UipLzmBSyJ56M1x9JKomWHT3fkn_1EX-83Bnk/s400/IMG_0828+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>The night sky backdrop my husband made - thrift store sheet,</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>clearance tie dye kit at Michaels & glitter spray for the galaxies.</em></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>galaxy detail:</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvuuTQmgAWktka-WNaKVaAH4SBKM5b85jqPs3paE_c4iIOdWifiQ0nbmLqMEBjreMWFFRMAbpUJ5NvTdUbGn7fyNgNaGFNQHUK51b_4-EOQ7PMT-DDa6AugexuqiwNubgebbiKVKHuX8/s1600/galaxy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvuuTQmgAWktka-WNaKVaAH4SBKM5b85jqPs3paE_c4iIOdWifiQ0nbmLqMEBjreMWFFRMAbpUJ5NvTdUbGn7fyNgNaGFNQHUK51b_4-EOQ7PMT-DDa6AugexuqiwNubgebbiKVKHuX8/s320/galaxy+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>I also had the husband cut out & spray a crescent moon:</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Owl lanterns - I got the idea off pinterest</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Owl lantern tree - branches from the backyard, pebbles are some<br />long lost craft project I found in the basement</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">I had my husband cut out a giant 2, then blew up balloons & poked through. Love this idea!</span></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTcXeWA_rC6pTAd0fNM8t6hDQGpRoRHGQ2V68M5bsGs6YSSN5iROKgLYkX4w5UxO45nW1jw576DOzVLBttXBu9X5F8fT7vsXlaWTJq2BWGBBYu-FLss3q6jAticI_aaSJ220YH7U580w/s1600/IMG_0808+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTcXeWA_rC6pTAd0fNM8t6hDQGpRoRHGQ2V68M5bsGs6YSSN5iROKgLYkX4w5UxO45nW1jw576DOzVLBttXBu9X5F8fT7vsXlaWTJq2BWGBBYu-FLss3q6jAticI_aaSJ220YH7U580w/s400/IMG_0808+copy.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>owl, moon & J cookies</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>cheese & pineapple hedgehog (an English birthday tradition).</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Bought owl cutouts on etsy & glued to toothpicks.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAdBxvujeSUByQ_OiZKV3r0pnTwcD1wUyijZAgajh8HVF0EYH9xrU0FdZZMHr-2Q33bCMu-cP2s8iMo3Kf2SL0J_w06KtpwsqP418Mmht_kMdNTMstvDxCUhvlI0OrBSme3BA9ww7fJY/s1600/IMG_0831+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAdBxvujeSUByQ_OiZKV3r0pnTwcD1wUyijZAgajh8HVF0EYH9xrU0FdZZMHr-2Q33bCMu-cP2s8iMo3Kf2SL0J_w06KtpwsqP418Mmht_kMdNTMstvDxCUhvlI0OrBSme3BA9ww7fJY/s400/IMG_0831+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Homemade cheez-its (more like flaky cheese crackers, but in a cute moon shape).</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">I used my Mom's 1970s canape cutters - which I think is awesome.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Retro baking items are my most treasured possessions, especially from family.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Got the lanterns off </em><a href="http://paperlanternstore.com/" id="yui_3_2_0_8_1333387759277414" target="_blank"><span id="lw_1333394869_1"><em>Paperlanternstore.com</em></span></a><em>, banner is fabric I bought &</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>cut out in pennant shapes. I used premade letters on the banner.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Favors - I bought molds at my local cake & candy supply, painted & filled molds. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>I designed & printed the labels as well.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>favor crayons (off etsy):</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8cPmL3C02tkVDZmr9LcK4_WSxwMUkvOmu72QoeNpGBucIGUTjQhFLFE1yIvsR_8e1_lJICP3biGcE40XR5oNE5_cyNjF7AJxcQ5_oQeXhVGipqVrla3bP-3GclCbbGdFfDVxu_Mp9w0/s1600/crayons+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8cPmL3C02tkVDZmr9LcK4_WSxwMUkvOmu72QoeNpGBucIGUTjQhFLFE1yIvsR_8e1_lJICP3biGcE40XR5oNE5_cyNjF7AJxcQ5_oQeXhVGipqVrla3bP-3GclCbbGdFfDVxu_Mp9w0/s320/crayons+copy.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>favor bags - I packaged the crayons, had bubbles with his face on them,</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>owl stickers, and sewed little bags with my banner fabrics:</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKN8bnwUJw1zpXdGIzTysHmCtdwfCTQMJPDMvD186a_0p4Lo8hfqQDAzJD6rw1VFkDc6cDIkVzHuHqtLJACw5NdmXSSbEIj22HBjsGsvOeSMVRdK4dWb9cGd-TO18H1D6l6X4OOEafMc/s1600/favors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKN8bnwUJw1zpXdGIzTysHmCtdwfCTQMJPDMvD186a_0p4Lo8hfqQDAzJD6rw1VFkDc6cDIkVzHuHqtLJACw5NdmXSSbEIj22HBjsGsvOeSMVRdK4dWb9cGd-TO18H1D6l6X4OOEafMc/s320/favors.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>and last but not least - the cake...My biggest achievement to date!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>The sticks are brown sugar cookies, thanks pinterest.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>our family</em></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />his shirt was from Happy Family - <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91755061/kids-owl-t-shirt">http://www.etsy.com/listing/91755061/kids-owl-t-shirt</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNsy_rytly95J2EhucpcvHan8bGGcL3waBVL5PdL15H_0n6HZ0XFXhyphenhyphenhsctk0ghAw8uJopNUrvb76-jJcKK7wpIOZ8UN5RsezRcJf1USFelWF9pdFcSpLhWO3AsIA24U_NYtRSxakSak/s1600/IMG_0892_2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNsy_rytly95J2EhucpcvHan8bGGcL3waBVL5PdL15H_0n6HZ0XFXhyphenhyphenhsctk0ghAw8uJopNUrvb76-jJcKK7wpIOZ8UN5RsezRcJf1USFelWF9pdFcSpLhWO3AsIA24U_NYtRSxakSak/s320/IMG_0892_2+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-8619914199072481532012-04-02T13:26:00.000-04:002012-04-02T13:27:10.224-04:00jungle cupcakes - take 2 & 3<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Jungle cupcakes, take 2:</strong> These were for a friend of a friend's 1st birthday party. Since I try not to use fondant, I used only buttercream & some candy eyes (a small cheat).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlsa6Qk4AkQO3-d85JWogW_M4c6nIaL__V-UCatYmzaWfWP7s6lAFswK27ADbglYIsTI1Mzs5WA-bSvGhaCRuUAerQ_Uo_VPxFjRC5Na3v8SRAp5FpJInJfIfhmQ3Dpsn6OsI87TGWY4/s1600/IMG_6243+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlsa6Qk4AkQO3-d85JWogW_M4c6nIaL__V-UCatYmzaWfWP7s6lAFswK27ADbglYIsTI1Mzs5WA-bSvGhaCRuUAerQ_Uo_VPxFjRC5Na3v8SRAp5FpJInJfIfhmQ3Dpsn6OsI87TGWY4/s400/IMG_6243+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sample of theme I was trying to match:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcC2QGTDdUZfEN6-p_Kb_iul9Z29kaLm4TGOFSJuM6PcizF2pD_LXT4sSL83UEv2YY0HJ1CB4qWzI7x_ZJZWmRp0ieyrrzj5sCbbP_QmaHciRWn7odY10DLUP4WXb-fwYnMit3JD3rUA/s1600/IMG_6247+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcC2QGTDdUZfEN6-p_Kb_iul9Z29kaLm4TGOFSJuM6PcizF2pD_LXT4sSL83UEv2YY0HJ1CB4qWzI7x_ZJZWmRp0ieyrrzj5sCbbP_QmaHciRWn7odY10DLUP4WXb-fwYnMit3JD3rUA/s400/IMG_6247+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cute, right?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyOWB3Ndc99OqbEAm_P1dCilpNg4DTtp9FsLxh3Zhn_VW7bJFwjnV3yZMvbnAmNI5nKD5UOwDm83fRxMQJd-PoSqeubZESLzMfOJGq_dMMH-XJbReQQCOKI2jkkYiDdqfpwVd18il9-w/s1600/IMG_6245+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyOWB3Ndc99OqbEAm_P1dCilpNg4DTtp9FsLxh3Zhn_VW7bJFwjnV3yZMvbnAmNI5nKD5UOwDm83fRxMQJd-PoSqeubZESLzMfOJGq_dMMH-XJbReQQCOKI2jkkYiDdqfpwVd18il9-w/s400/IMG_6245+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Jungle cupcakes, take 3:</strong> These were a friend's daughter's 1st birthday, 3 flavors. This time I made candy animals, which with different backgrounds kinda wins me over from straight buttercream animals. Love these!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwdFsqM0H_6ybDYaPQ4MAi_rGsX2X9eGO1Q1cMbETQh0uOEYeL3kI5JRBo1mwh4WNCwdHXY24u7xxImdC01Okz_7yqSYTCoqHiTH1Fhbv2uj8umj7A4-t9GN12EY-XQtU6TmYnzxMVoU/s1600/IMG_0197+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwdFsqM0H_6ybDYaPQ4MAi_rGsX2X9eGO1Q1cMbETQh0uOEYeL3kI5JRBo1mwh4WNCwdHXY24u7xxImdC01Okz_7yqSYTCoqHiTH1Fhbv2uj8umj7A4-t9GN12EY-XQtU6TmYnzxMVoU/s400/IMG_0197+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matching the theme:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPIlqF6BTe3nC9Ms33wSdE-61a9Ds5hmf9XOGRpljbAsbqCP4MFDFVfsz-zImElW6lVcAf5wRYvRXZYh-dagg1nNv-E4ZUy0yyWwWpI-ThtFw9bb0Pwvg-BdXDHEW5Aoo9rOrqWyE96U/s1600/IMG_0200+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPIlqF6BTe3nC9Ms33wSdE-61a9Ds5hmf9XOGRpljbAsbqCP4MFDFVfsz-zImElW6lVcAf5wRYvRXZYh-dagg1nNv-E4ZUy0yyWwWpI-ThtFw9bb0Pwvg-BdXDHEW5Aoo9rOrqWyE96U/s400/IMG_0200+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-DpB3Qu8DOVvEwrI0Uq7yPCQo9ohXx3gC5-D9wvl5fGNdjTKSMgm5SPxt-NmseixiWmMfXoSoDNHZIX_gm8dbUZQp1fVVoit3tKtsZo959RFXTUhca9y4HIxXMgkD7DIiMI6vFOfSWQ/s1600/IMG_0202+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-DpB3Qu8DOVvEwrI0Uq7yPCQo9ohXx3gC5-D9wvl5fGNdjTKSMgm5SPxt-NmseixiWmMfXoSoDNHZIX_gm8dbUZQp1fVVoit3tKtsZo959RFXTUhca9y4HIxXMgkD7DIiMI6vFOfSWQ/s400/IMG_0202+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt3l8W5JUpTneXqRbQjATGG939JwR0i7E-FVVoWauvb4S0TfDEjbjlbgJeiQNDlduuXXYple2j3xCh8cr_CrtXVBLE3n5TuzjDPWC_nR_Qn79bP5g5KgdW-RVlGbiHFtIIRPCHoHzlF8/s1600/IMG_0204+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt3l8W5JUpTneXqRbQjATGG939JwR0i7E-FVVoWauvb4S0TfDEjbjlbgJeiQNDlduuXXYple2j3xCh8cr_CrtXVBLE3n5TuzjDPWC_nR_Qn79bP5g5KgdW-RVlGbiHFtIIRPCHoHzlF8/s400/IMG_0204+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-25633489932581145362012-03-23T14:09:00.000-04:002012-03-23T14:09:16.826-04:00jungle cupcakes - take 1<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These were the first cupcakes I did that were labor intensive design-wise. They were definitely ones that helped me decide I woudl love to do this full time. They were for a colleague's baby shower at MySpace. Those MySpacers sure did get a lot of cupcakes to taste - I used to make them all the time & bring in for taste testing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I made the animals out of melting chocolates & edible marker. They took forever, but hey, it was a learning exercise. This was before I had a toddler, obviously!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_r9XGJTfcZf91h04gJXv7RQtMhTfmK_zZK0RSBZ0iqglKWld_BgJ8HdgaTvNMDXnLK-Gl6HTlXTxRe0WKu0V05qcMn2H8c-0h4wNuMJM8b9pi6sCXmvkuiAb3-bWIvU5rAoa8d_DajQ/s1600/candyanimals+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_r9XGJTfcZf91h04gJXv7RQtMhTfmK_zZK0RSBZ0iqglKWld_BgJ8HdgaTvNMDXnLK-Gl6HTlXTxRe0WKu0V05qcMn2H8c-0h4wNuMJM8b9pi6sCXmvkuiAb3-bWIvU5rAoa8d_DajQ/s400/candyanimals+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Final product:</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YAjw8S2_VZdSE1Q0_3g5ulVWM2aUiXIfAsmKzFRtogz78Gc4cOp9kHsYhWcDamtD5cdi_mQlvgqdwzbVZl-aPGTQ5vB_EkMTUkkXaEzaePUsyZgRqWGrTSv4IZzKO9c7Nf_pGQuh9II/s1600/jungle_3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YAjw8S2_VZdSE1Q0_3g5ulVWM2aUiXIfAsmKzFRtogz78Gc4cOp9kHsYhWcDamtD5cdi_mQlvgqdwzbVZl-aPGTQ5vB_EkMTUkkXaEzaePUsyZgRqWGrTSv4IZzKO9c7Nf_pGQuh9II/s640/jungle_3+copy.jpg" width="459" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The palm trees are royal icing & pretzels.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KSKA5ad4Kw_QhmUJdpxZ3Mt9Ze27aW8CX4cnO3a0fLWjyZBTWpzXJd3ruwpiIjm27ASjSYA8goDxzgRrYK0e6DI7sYMcgo2fEVt5bJw5PhpPKfStBGJbQ-6p7rJtiahZ7cFenCValrU/s1600/jungle_detail2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KSKA5ad4Kw_QhmUJdpxZ3Mt9Ze27aW8CX4cnO3a0fLWjyZBTWpzXJd3ruwpiIjm27ASjSYA8goDxzgRrYK0e6DI7sYMcgo2fEVt5bJw5PhpPKfStBGJbQ-6p7rJtiahZ7cFenCValrU/s400/jungle_detail2+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811908377401840091.post-34450208320923587242012-03-23T11:25:00.001-04:002012-03-23T11:25:34.516-04:00transportation cake<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This adorable cake was for my cute nephew who has a love for motorcycles and helicopters.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know I cheated by buying a heli & motorcycle (& trees). But I did not want to do fondant & the track looks awesome so it makes up for it. I was somewhat limited on time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCall0gKjD5ZzCiXVlVWvsvPVy3ko6s0vNaQrMG759HySZdy-AJKdXk-TD21iYOtv1P5L2v9t4SNs7kOHtPiycwomhOcJxm5eO9vfY_e2jLDwdh8r4xEMAycSh3tog_PpvsAFcDcO_qBo/s1600/IMG_0404+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCall0gKjD5ZzCiXVlVWvsvPVy3ko6s0vNaQrMG759HySZdy-AJKdXk-TD21iYOtv1P5L2v9t4SNs7kOHtPiycwomhOcJxm5eO9vfY_e2jLDwdh8r4xEMAycSh3tog_PpvsAFcDcO_qBo/s400/IMG_0404+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The straw bales are shredded wheat + melted peanut butter chips, shaped into logs then cut once they set. These were quite the hit, everyone ate them up quickly! The rocks are a cereal (think Kix, but organic) and melted chocolate dyed black. They may resemble cannonnballs but hey, I worked with what I had.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7vArgC2DXmsBfjJjszP-K1Z3SPXUT6SceCKqIidqpjrTHiRMHFq4Awa1bykCOviX3AWqH7i7KHnd1tq8LreeNDljLPqXJjvrnMkE5tTJ29ImIWUhIb50oBEUByfwdohNrot_F1oxs9s/s1600/IMG_0405+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7vArgC2DXmsBfjJjszP-K1Z3SPXUT6SceCKqIidqpjrTHiRMHFq4Awa1bykCOviX3AWqH7i7KHnd1tq8LreeNDljLPqXJjvrnMkE5tTJ29ImIWUhIb50oBEUByfwdohNrot_F1oxs9s/s400/IMG_0405+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dirt track is crushed Newman-Os and melted chocolate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I piped the grass using Wilton tip 233. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See: <a href="http://www.wilton.com/technique/Grass">http://www.wilton.com/technique/Grass</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3TgHYF5ZGaJPDhqMD6TsBZ5RjiIbtT_T8x76rqtVRUePRxyaJ4F3gQpYK5PMjw86m7LY8FORL5mH3s2IlKAacvjQAGT9H6a-ZwNodd9fDEjgyF-wXqb8lGjb51fof2VH5FFeMrJfZCo/s1600/IMG_0406+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3TgHYF5ZGaJPDhqMD6TsBZ5RjiIbtT_T8x76rqtVRUePRxyaJ4F3gQpYK5PMjw86m7LY8FORL5mH3s2IlKAacvjQAGT9H6a-ZwNodd9fDEjgyF-wXqb8lGjb51fof2VH5FFeMrJfZCo/s400/IMG_0406+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>ReesieDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14068991382555455061noreply@blogger.com0