tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2057652545515520642024-03-13T17:47:06.495-07:00Did I Do That?!I sew. I craft. I garden. I cook. I share.Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-1948936449811749772012-07-17T14:00:00.001-07:002012-07-17T14:00:49.333-07:00Con CookiesOk so I eluded to making some "Con" cookies... and now I will explain. For those that didn't know the San Diego Comic Con aka SDCC aka The Con was last week. It's a weekend plus some days celebration of all things comic-y, pop culture-ish and the like. I happen to have married a man, who works in comics thus engulfing me into the world head first. Half our wedding party were all "in comics" and every year since I've known him he has attended SDCC. I've gone almost every year too, either for a day, the weekend and one year for the whole week (ps not doing that again) but this year I've decided to stay home. I have a 4 year olds birthday party to attend on the weekend and well I just can't miss that... I've been to every party of this munchkins so it's now tradition plus it's his week to get away, have fun and buy me stuff that I dutifully put onto a list.<br />
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But back to the baking... Last year I baked some cookies for the crew and they were a big hit so this year I thought I'd bake some more and try my hand at logo cookies.<br />
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I baked plain oatmeal raisin, oatmeal cranberry nut and decorated sugar with a royal icing transfer of the Aspen Comic logo.<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnnVSJvKosMYyUeSTOWtWUcd-obaNpqMITRIs3NhwloOpl9zcPr_ooRGHwnmYeCz5T6VJckV5Y5IJ1dFukqVHegqTVdGtCkWSOsy7V5lZrEy2ZXo__M79p31tyZyKSUP46jwOSoIDLoQ/s640/blogger-image--1949734521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnnVSJvKosMYyUeSTOWtWUcd-obaNpqMITRIs3NhwloOpl9zcPr_ooRGHwnmYeCz5T6VJckV5Y5IJ1dFukqVHegqTVdGtCkWSOsy7V5lZrEy2ZXo__M79p31tyZyKSUP46jwOSoIDLoQ/s640/blogger-image--1949734521.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWX3oVyz3hyphenhypheniTkb2i6NCjUfpfbDRDTWSxgTQRk2fupsRynpeaKfcGhbIRNHlB0lcU89z3f4U-04fMmTvXwlGBoCMVkZBaGzMYxVXVgyKaT8lDNveIA3i5YRSDBOWLw5RPsEGabI0PcZg/s640/blogger-image--789817881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWX3oVyz3hyphenhypheniTkb2i6NCjUfpfbDRDTWSxgTQRk2fupsRynpeaKfcGhbIRNHlB0lcU89z3f4U-04fMmTvXwlGBoCMVkZBaGzMYxVXVgyKaT8lDNveIA3i5YRSDBOWLw5RPsEGabI0PcZg/s640/blogger-image--789817881.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQJoGewKZWTljno04CNiV8n0cLHB9XUZpEv2fVbNbA0kL96NVpsC9rCq6KBd2d5reMRZHzrc1hIhBmw5B70OQkTEDxXi9tsJVJKVIhlZNZ5y9Mfyqn2a3XJ2AJtcLy-Q8fr3Q4QszS0M/s640/blogger-image--116307690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQJoGewKZWTljno04CNiV8n0cLHB9XUZpEv2fVbNbA0kL96NVpsC9rCq6KBd2d5reMRZHzrc1hIhBmw5B70OQkTEDxXi9tsJVJKVIhlZNZ5y9Mfyqn2a3XJ2AJtcLy-Q8fr3Q4QszS0M/s640/blogger-image--116307690.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-89054537330361288932012-07-04T11:43:00.000-07:002012-07-04T11:43:53.263-07:00happy 4th!!!!Yet another holiday and yet another reason to make COOKIES!!! I wanted something slightly simple this year as I am also prepping to make a treat bonanza for the upcoming Comic Con (more on that later).<br />
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Thanks to <a href="http://www.munchkinmunchies.com/2012/05/patriotic-jello-cookies.html">Munchkin Munchies</a> for this quick and easy set of July 4th cookies.<br />
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I never would've thought to use Jell-O to color them.<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCikczO5R6UyRV-mhnRXxhPKmwE_tc8AaEpnKRoDydxGTNEaHk9J5ZvtlUK8uO0f4h4DKUMRVfgcxQswD8-2WGi4GeQQpgfZRgMxlRiay8enUbfF9L7DE798MR0Iz0PopmQm4fpA2dG08/s640/blogger-image--43608978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCikczO5R6UyRV-mhnRXxhPKmwE_tc8AaEpnKRoDydxGTNEaHk9J5ZvtlUK8uO0f4h4DKUMRVfgcxQswD8-2WGi4GeQQpgfZRgMxlRiay8enUbfF9L7DE798MR0Iz0PopmQm4fpA2dG08/s640/blogger-image--43608978.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40MTWUvddrrGoK282kPrkbF44I42Ruy-hHDzuqicqNrQPQ0emvgfzJDyTgIKbWF-J2VR32VKSwb-n8j26I0jVLTrw3deZ_n0L05uYLfVYygydeMbY-OFJE9yZcg4DRWeDW2vAFG_jTzA/s640/blogger-image-375137412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40MTWUvddrrGoK282kPrkbF44I42Ruy-hHDzuqicqNrQPQ0emvgfzJDyTgIKbWF-J2VR32VKSwb-n8j26I0jVLTrw3deZ_n0L05uYLfVYygydeMbY-OFJE9yZcg4DRWeDW2vAFG_jTzA/s640/blogger-image-375137412.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-5294754579607901062012-05-29T09:29:00.001-07:002012-07-04T11:33:41.667-07:00cherry lemon pound cakeI opted to not make any Warrant jokes but just know I really wanted to...<br />
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I've been in an experimentive mood lately and really wanted to try my hand at just throwing ingredients to the wind. <br />
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To make my cherry lemon poundcake I started with a basic poundcake recipe but decided to make 2 round cakes and then add cherry pie filling where ever I could. Lemon buttercream topped it all and the result was yum.<br />
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If you want the very complicated recipe let me know...<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUc4LyCcm2iNAyjRNlXws5JG0vaPNxfBmoxdKhzoD5HLMlpdhvzqkl43aDTCxYxYzJnT3Y_OfrumVx917G4rm6xSbdQzm2blxBaPd23Ttm_yeO5fJhSlTLwWRI-MKXOA4_59zJLxkI-o/s640/blogger-image-1317361420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUc4LyCcm2iNAyjRNlXws5JG0vaPNxfBmoxdKhzoD5HLMlpdhvzqkl43aDTCxYxYzJnT3Y_OfrumVx917G4rm6xSbdQzm2blxBaPd23Ttm_yeO5fJhSlTLwWRI-MKXOA4_59zJLxkI-o/s640/blogger-image-1317361420.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-21372014312738524202012-05-04T09:13:00.001-07:002012-05-04T09:15:12.381-07:00sesame street fiasco fiesta madnessMy nephews' 1st birthday is fast approaching and I am SO excited!! Their party is on Cinco de Mayo and is themed as a Sesame Street Fun Fiesta. I, of course, elected to make cookies for the event. It was easy to narrow down the characters as I was informed that Elmo and Big Bird were my nephews' favorites. This wasn't my easiest cookie baking experience but it was certainly a lesson in patience and taught me a thing or two about candy melts and managing your time wisely. I had extensively planned this baking out and broken it into 3 distinct segments: dough making, cooking baking and cookie decorating. I separated this out by days and opted to give each segment 2 days. For a large amount of baking this really worked for me, it continues to make the process fun and less time consuming.<br />
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Dough making only took one one night to complete. I made 4 large batches of dough which would yield me almost 150+ cookies. Yowza! I refrigerated the dough but you could also freeze it as well. Cookie baking was completed on one Saturday afternoon/evening and cookie decorating took... about 5 loooong days and let me tell you why.<br />
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Candy melts are a tricky bunch. I consulted both the web and my co-worker (a fellow baker) on the process because after baking so many cookies I realized the outlining/flooding would take longer than I wanted to spend. I thought covering with candy melts and then using royal icing for the details would be a better use of my time. My only issue would be that my cookie shapes had scalloped edges and I worried the thickness of candy melts wouldn't show the detail as much. Actually, I initially worried the royal icing wouldn't show the detail as I wanted to cover the entire cookie which is another reason why I chose candy melts. Well, my co-worker (and the web) suggested 'thinning' the candy melts with a little vegetable oil. This was both a great and horrible idea. Yes, it thinned the candy melts to a perfect consistency and covered the entire cookie just as I wanted BUT... oh yes the big BUT... if you use too much oil you risk your candy melts not being able to harden properly and thus retaining a tacky/greasy surface. Even worse under the right temperature the candy melts will just melt off the cookie. And by right temperature I'm referring to body temp as my hubby took one in his hand and it immediately melted onto his fingertips.<br />
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Talk about disappointment... I was beyond sad. I had covered every single cookie with thinned candy melts that were indeed "too thin" and there wasn't anything I could do about it EXCEPT start again. Yes, I went back into the kitchen and prepared more dough (not as much as before) and baked and then decorated with candy melts that were not thinned at all. This time I opted for plain round cookies as those dang scalloped edge still scared me. <br />
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After everything was said and done I took my perfect planned out process and turned it into 2 days of pure "let's get this done" madness. I will say that managing out my time actually helped as I ended up with plenty of time to re-do everything.<br />
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Oh and those 150+ cookies that weren't right are still around. I call them my discards and my husband has been nibbling on them for days. I've also taken a few bags to work and saved a few more bags for friends who love my cookies no matter what.<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQnRPOmSRyT9Pjap_XRuRN_lSKpX-kUWKy-kzVQg1lH2PxUeM2PyQUDrT5Jtl_DJJaWJAnf_IZpaLZa3n4flIrMa8ukATQSpu_d9yjRxfYJ1i0QovkrBL1BcsoJS9EZc6JxBOhtVHMD0/s640/blogger-image-1459207756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQnRPOmSRyT9Pjap_XRuRN_lSKpX-kUWKy-kzVQg1lH2PxUeM2PyQUDrT5Jtl_DJJaWJAnf_IZpaLZa3n4flIrMa8ukATQSpu_d9yjRxfYJ1i0QovkrBL1BcsoJS9EZc6JxBOhtVHMD0/s640/blogger-image-1459207756.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7WYtnHcK1Sf98bUWXKUgIOQ536f6y9eHyaGs6Z7H7y451BEt_Qeya8gDhwD1J5OkHLKHqd1p5fwO6wo0Doh90QbqpQ1SXu_ku14xGLVcXfQ_16uIl1JskZjGZkD8Hnrllf9aA2DiYX4/s640/blogger-image--814518324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7WYtnHcK1Sf98bUWXKUgIOQ536f6y9eHyaGs6Z7H7y451BEt_Qeya8gDhwD1J5OkHLKHqd1p5fwO6wo0Doh90QbqpQ1SXu_ku14xGLVcXfQ_16uIl1JskZjGZkD8Hnrllf9aA2DiYX4/s640/blogger-image--814518324.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-20678992086691876972012-04-20T08:23:00.001-07:002012-05-04T09:15:31.072-07:00Spring but no break from cookiesI never need an excuse to bake and in my effort to keep up my newbie decorating skills I sprang into action for some Easter cookies. Sorry such a bad joke but I live for bad jokes.<br />
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After an offhand suggestion from my hubby I decided to make cookies for my mom-in-law's Sunday school class. He suggested it and I thought "yeah I should do that..." plus it would also be an experiment in how decorated cookies travel. She's in Louisiana. <br />
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Cookies turned out good if I do say so myself. I need to adjust my icing consistency just a tad. I tend to flood with outline thickness which isn't wrong but it's a workout after a few cookies.<br />
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Chicks. Flowers. And Lazy Bunnies. I decided them last minute so they have no ears the poor things.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GCMhOxU-kJ8zSuRTg7tFICUo2aTmiNU2_drCD4heeTSFxFTnlc1-pvZu6aSeUHvvrSLX1YM3BUH69dn1Wv4eJ0a4mwOWX9Qs07DiHZkGpUKHyM6qYZYWRJ0X_68lt7k83yPbDLPPsys/s640/blogger-image-1713570123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GCMhOxU-kJ8zSuRTg7tFICUo2aTmiNU2_drCD4heeTSFxFTnlc1-pvZu6aSeUHvvrSLX1YM3BUH69dn1Wv4eJ0a4mwOWX9Qs07DiHZkGpUKHyM6qYZYWRJ0X_68lt7k83yPbDLPPsys/s640/blogger-image-1713570123.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIG4nkIqGxaCe36qMem_EKH_cSaDtqpZIF2_RbVCGiFSu_8iW3MhVT26eOXbr3iUy3Pcpbivm8T5844Z9-StY1dldz-xlKv622r1Lo_o8FUwL1w95PZD9djRqSNtOTcasbEu_a7LklxlY/s640/blogger-image-18307936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIG4nkIqGxaCe36qMem_EKH_cSaDtqpZIF2_RbVCGiFSu_8iW3MhVT26eOXbr3iUy3Pcpbivm8T5844Z9-StY1dldz-xlKv622r1Lo_o8FUwL1w95PZD9djRqSNtOTcasbEu_a7LklxlY/s640/blogger-image-18307936.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUt107xa0Rh8okH7iAVEm99VRVcK_Cei5EDcFTrPs0FkuaoonzYIq5x0b1m5SfKviiG73dDsfA6udcxO4o8pYtXyH8MpYyyTQ9lENk-9C9ka0yXg8mMxKjTrWsmZq1gZJjEK1oPCNQqI/s640/blogger-image--1604731017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUt107xa0Rh8okH7iAVEm99VRVcK_Cei5EDcFTrPs0FkuaoonzYIq5x0b1m5SfKviiG73dDsfA6udcxO4o8pYtXyH8MpYyyTQ9lENk-9C9ka0yXg8mMxKjTrWsmZq1gZJjEK1oPCNQqI/s640/blogger-image--1604731017.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-40511839856793872822012-02-15T10:08:00.001-08:002012-02-15T10:09:28.732-08:00valentime's dayI attended college in Boston and one of my favorite memories is that of my friend Meesh, who is Beantown through and through, and provided more than a few laughs at her wicked awesome accent. Most notably her wishing everyone a very happy valentime's day... <br />
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I went all shades of pink this year. The pink-hued hearts turned out better than expected but the thought of icing them all the night before worried me so I went hugs and kisses instead. <br />
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Oh and I made some naughty ones too just to amuse myself and my coworkers.<br />
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Happy Post Valentime's!!<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY5KRwELjtbSAYDZy3WhZqrg9bZZxKRVkw45s7-fQGCNtMNLtQGRyMRwO0Ke6_fpFncng4Tebb2bX1t-FB__-y5ph7iY9Up-UWRdOKEng59ofwJvM6sD2kpAhawhLO52C1OjHSIeW-Co/s640/blogger-image-1246928722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY5KRwELjtbSAYDZy3WhZqrg9bZZxKRVkw45s7-fQGCNtMNLtQGRyMRwO0Ke6_fpFncng4Tebb2bX1t-FB__-y5ph7iY9Up-UWRdOKEng59ofwJvM6sD2kpAhawhLO52C1OjHSIeW-Co/s640/blogger-image-1246928722.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyuGbI6FRZSCIIrXwjymdtlWtH8lkWQ_kXdudHbJ49-pr2emQRngSs1nwLsmzvDfz4bA5Fil1hIywBHkwZSv-DlXRSMtDoYayOiPWkFo4CSo6oFs3UyBPyCRMFRnYnuY0VRNjfSnBQiU/s640/blogger-image-2017179274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyuGbI6FRZSCIIrXwjymdtlWtH8lkWQ_kXdudHbJ49-pr2emQRngSs1nwLsmzvDfz4bA5Fil1hIywBHkwZSv-DlXRSMtDoYayOiPWkFo4CSo6oFs3UyBPyCRMFRnYnuY0VRNjfSnBQiU/s640/blogger-image-2017179274.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-39273854588585399582012-02-02T21:02:00.001-08:002012-02-02T21:02:38.415-08:00glitter makes its all okBase: OPI galapa ghost<br />
Glitter: hard candy date night<br />
Tip: Avon nail metallic chrome <br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuSxX9rTb5CD-67eqGLkSHWiIzGfVftiUCiY21z6CRcha6KRSRpcq5UTO4LgRnhu2srdQk-6VYLabiJEBbzBkO1vjC3aeIVW6avadnSMQepRJiNeYf8mxy8TBUCwoXoV1eAy7vaTFKX8/s640/blogger-image-1521122211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuSxX9rTb5CD-67eqGLkSHWiIzGfVftiUCiY21z6CRcha6KRSRpcq5UTO4LgRnhu2srdQk-6VYLabiJEBbzBkO1vjC3aeIVW6avadnSMQepRJiNeYf8mxy8TBUCwoXoV1eAy7vaTFKX8/s640/blogger-image-1521122211.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-20036366508290089022012-01-22T16:51:00.001-08:002012-01-22T16:51:03.886-08:00pirouettes-a-plentyChristmas 2011 was a busy baking season for me. So much so that I actually had to downsize my baking list because I was mixing, baking or frosting each day for almost a week, which isn't bad, but can become tiresome for the baker and perhaps the baker's hubby who was ousted from the kitchen for far longer than I was planning.<br />
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One of the cookies that I was nixed from my list was a recipe for pirouettes that I found in Ladies Home Journal a few months back. The original recipe called for white frosting and shredded coconut to be sprinkled on top but I am no coconut fan so I opted for green frosting (hey Xmas!) and white sprinkles. I even threw in some Xmas sprinkles for good measure.<br />
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This recipe almost got the best of me but I wasn't going to give up that easy. I had enough ingredients to make 2 more batches so after the first was so-so I went for a double batch and got it better. The hardest part? Rolling hot cookies into a cylinder before it gets stiff. So I came up with a plan.... I let the cookies get stiff then popped one into the toaster oven to soften and then rolled. Tedious? Yes. But it worked for me and they came out looking very cute and Christmas-y.... for late January.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sHC0t61zUFg7qb3RevtsSVvM5xA-FERUzzRnRJ74WUZDZyR9tyI7OXNvRGy-NV6oHlfn5wzt1bxCjQLKhz1YKjoszusOf8Ua1tFjzWpQcarsImNUVXzR5a_qf7__VhUEjNu1JX5if3o/s640/blogger-image-820641048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sHC0t61zUFg7qb3RevtsSVvM5xA-FERUzzRnRJ74WUZDZyR9tyI7OXNvRGy-NV6oHlfn5wzt1bxCjQLKhz1YKjoszusOf8Ua1tFjzWpQcarsImNUVXzR5a_qf7__VhUEjNu1JX5if3o/s640/blogger-image-820641048.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQCNEZ5v52Cn2qz1K-AKH7EeI3JanA-8NkKzk3IQKcoQ1EBxzqdRSF-AgozcMNcb1tUXFcU0UHCV-3b7RrFrX2fUzes_i-Mc1ZTytWYupcxl5YrwXoRPgoG3ec4w_nLcdvibuqbvWASk/s640/blogger-image-556110895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQCNEZ5v52Cn2qz1K-AKH7EeI3JanA-8NkKzk3IQKcoQ1EBxzqdRSF-AgozcMNcb1tUXFcU0UHCV-3b7RrFrX2fUzes_i-Mc1ZTytWYupcxl5YrwXoRPgoG3ec4w_nLcdvibuqbvWASk/s640/blogger-image-556110895.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-46864096371408015692012-01-21T11:26:00.001-08:002012-01-22T16:51:33.854-08:00wine and cowboys pleaseMy best friend has twin boys who I adore. Both myself and my husband are only children so I will never have a real opportunity to be an auntie so I have made her boys my nephews and thankfully she doesn't argue. <br />
<br />
I'm a pretty good Tia (Spanish for aunt) so when the boys were invited to a cowboy themed birthday party and my BF wanted to make outfits she called on me. Partly because she has no clue how to sew and... ok that was the main reason. She "helped" while I fashioned a mock pattern and by helping she amused the boys, poured me a glass of red and bought me dinner.<br />
<br />
A few hours later two vests and two pairs of chaps were complete. <br />
<br />
It was a project that was definitely easier done than said... <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDSRZMvVVhzNMbX_xihc9qm6tGziSH2A353W96DwI9QmRCIyOGUAuFt_C7gidRUQCzPrsBEXA7IpsFyXZTZOrnbrtYgZvLkjxC0wXp84nmlemwDyXTtHEPiGaI5YaIo7RZysKyI4lUqM/s640/blogger-image-2041681240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDSRZMvVVhzNMbX_xihc9qm6tGziSH2A353W96DwI9QmRCIyOGUAuFt_C7gidRUQCzPrsBEXA7IpsFyXZTZOrnbrtYgZvLkjxC0wXp84nmlemwDyXTtHEPiGaI5YaIo7RZysKyI4lUqM/s640/blogger-image-2041681240.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-49116014950395591922012-01-08T21:17:00.001-08:002012-01-08T21:24:42.775-08:00I'm a Disco Queen<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 coats Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Disco Ball</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 coat Avon pink chrome via the scotch tape tip how-to on the <a href="http://chloesnails.blogspot.com/">Chloe's Nails blog</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 coat Nutra Nail top coat</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 coat Sally Hansen dry kwik</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtyOptmJz0wDbthCjeNJqW_KBDdEaJ43CTs2a0x9sVNIh9K4-iYHciQNKYL86ICirfaTvUGbe6bTz2UnuOdXmMJ5cyHkDbdMBjizzbAfj-C6jMtZkGXL-nhOk0ITUIRfw7cSBLcgSQB8/s640/blogger-image-527139121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtyOptmJz0wDbthCjeNJqW_KBDdEaJ43CTs2a0x9sVNIh9K4-iYHciQNKYL86ICirfaTvUGbe6bTz2UnuOdXmMJ5cyHkDbdMBjizzbAfj-C6jMtZkGXL-nhOk0ITUIRfw7cSBLcgSQB8/s640/blogger-image-527139121.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-60812159937185258612012-01-06T13:31:00.001-08:002012-01-06T13:34:08.568-08:00Paper Stencil<font color="#000000"><span class="739032521-06012012">The success of my first cookie paper stencil is due to the most awesome of blog posts by Sweet Sugar Belle on <a href="http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/blog/2011/06/making-a-paper-cookie-stencil/">making a paper cookie stencil</a>. I'm a big admirer of SSB and I've learned alot from her site. More stenciling to come tomorrow.</span></font>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-4070709740857562072012-01-05T22:11:00.001-08:002012-01-06T13:32:58.008-08:00Fist Pumping to No EndSo.... I have a secret well to my friends it's no secret but I am HUGE Jersey Shore fan. I love it! It's entertaining to no end and if you threw the word sitcom in front of it no one would be complaining. So with that I took my cookie decorating skills up a notch and tried my hand at making a paper stencil.<br />
<br />
I found two nifty fist pump pics online and then took an exacto knife to them. If I had more time I would've outlined and filled in white on my sugar cookie and then took a stencil to it but I quite excited to try this so I just went for it. I lightly went over the stencil with a food writer then went back over it with some leftover royal icing I had in the fridge. Not too bad if I do say so myself. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V6OdLgSwq1jAHQ_6fFRQN6rA2CDc8a-EiCu8yltw5OMeR5ycWcMWM3ks5cWPsOx4iFrN2xtcr6FIa8mXaU0qcPMMCZUqRewqQbhZYnjTdEuyp_76WUkgxf-uGTPJJODHtKXJkOB7rk8/s640/blogger-image--834107617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V6OdLgSwq1jAHQ_6fFRQN6rA2CDc8a-EiCu8yltw5OMeR5ycWcMWM3ks5cWPsOx4iFrN2xtcr6FIa8mXaU0qcPMMCZUqRewqQbhZYnjTdEuyp_76WUkgxf-uGTPJJODHtKXJkOB7rk8/s640/blogger-image--834107617.jpg" /></a></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-40354566948924396192012-01-01T17:20:00.000-08:002012-01-01T17:32:54.124-08:00New Year... MORE CraftsGet ready... because 2012 is the year of the crafts, for me anyway. My craft area maybe small but its full of stuff I can use to make some awesome things.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pY5A_9cdjQ/TwEHQJ5sJ7I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/npcC-0eK1c8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pY5A_9cdjQ/TwEHQJ5sJ7I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/npcC-0eK1c8/s320/photo.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 2012 Cookie.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> 2011 ended with alot more crafts and baked yumminess then I thought. I decided baking for days would be better than scouring the malls for gifts so I made cookies for all my family.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMyesouftrU/TwEIKHrqn4I/AAAAAAAAAHc/XVi6ETguw3s/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMyesouftrU/TwEIKHrqn4I/AAAAAAAAAHc/XVi6ETguw3s/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowmen and Xmas Trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAQPgtsIIM4/TwEILaRPtEI/AAAAAAAAAHk/t1cLkc2iq7A/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAQPgtsIIM4/TwEILaRPtEI/AAAAAAAAAHk/t1cLkc2iq7A/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookie pops</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fXrgKAcc6og/TwEIrhTYuQI/AAAAAAAAAHw/wZYSSiu1aco/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fXrgKAcc6og/TwEIrhTYuQI/AAAAAAAAAHw/wZYSSiu1aco/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glitter shoes for my Grandma</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I0aENhvXUOY/TwEIyX7-D7I/AAAAAAAAAH4/2WB_MJFdIr8/s1600/photo%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I0aENhvXUOY/TwEIyX7-D7I/AAAAAAAAAH4/2WB_MJFdIr8/s320/photo%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advent pillows. I made 3.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-10505593088800997192011-07-08T18:46:00.000-07:002011-07-08T19:12:04.319-07:00Do I need a dress form?<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd-no1dpRVYIsXjqJhSxblybOmG47nNTCl2MXBjLNIgiaMg793pFcSyt9rDveGxrziyN7dWCal-tkCB1ESU_XqqWp7sq4MAsgCP-iEexdJi2yzKOfptJQchsfkQ7jtafo1HKoguQ4UpY/s1600/Singer_150__96386_zoom-761417.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626732552341791682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd-no1dpRVYIsXjqJhSxblybOmG47nNTCl2MXBjLNIgiaMg793pFcSyt9rDveGxrziyN7dWCal-tkCB1ESU_XqqWp7sq4MAsgCP-iEexdJi2yzKOfptJQchsfkQ7jtafo1HKoguQ4UpY/s320/Singer_150__96386_zoom-761417.jpg" /></a></div><div><span class="799355021-07072011" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Well I know I don't need one but I certainly do want one?</span></span></div><div></div><div><span class="799355021-07072011" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Do they make sewing patterns easier? Even slightly? </span></span></div><div><span class="799355021-07072011" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">How about repairs? </span></span></div><div><span class="799355021-07072011" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><br />
<span class="799355021-07072011" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Does experiments in draping become fun? (That question probably comes from too much 'Project Runway')</span></span><br />
</div><div></div><div><span class="799355021-07072011" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I snagged a dress form off of Craigslist once and as most deals go it was ok. It was old... very old but adjustable... though larger than my size but it still was a great deal. I figured experimenting with a cheap version would make spending the big money for a nice new one really worth it. With the adjustable dials not working and the size being too big to really 'make' anything I ended up junking it but now I'm hankering for the real deal...</span></span><br />
</div><div></div><div><span class="799355021-07072011" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Is it worth it?</span></span><br />
</div><div></div><div><span class="799355021-07072011"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image courtesy of thesewingoutlet.com</i></span></span></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-8459263886635135002011-07-01T08:42:00.000-07:002011-07-01T08:42:55.729-07:00French Macarons on the 1st Try<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkGXkC4_6aiu0-CacBUgvuzZynnNSYUBKzzP31vyogZ-B_AOLWE0UtF96XH1aHoUwz5xMcv0hmxT-d4NIxI7ll5affRrwQKIudloYV8oAUSflumpFnokX4P3LoISw5AEtohQqabFejPI/s1600/photo-765121.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkGXkC4_6aiu0-CacBUgvuzZynnNSYUBKzzP31vyogZ-B_AOLWE0UtF96XH1aHoUwz5xMcv0hmxT-d4NIxI7ll5affRrwQKIudloYV8oAUSflumpFnokX4P3LoISw5AEtohQqabFejPI/s320/photo-765121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624408991844655826" /></a></p>I am a huge macaron fan but I've been afraid to take the big step and try my hand at making these delicious wondefuls. <p>I am an avid baker but macarons, or rather the recipes I've seen have always seemed to make the process seem extremely daunting but I was willing to give it a try. I used Martha Stewart's <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/319525/parisian-macaroons">Parisian Macaron recipe</a> and I am delighted with the results.<p>I made a few tweaks, such as taking out the salt and replacing with cream of tartar. Also, I made the filling with almond extract and added almond meal (I like almonds). And I added some crushed almonds to the outside on some.... Yes I love almonds<p>When I was done I placed them all in my deviled egg carrier for easy transport.<p>YUM!!Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-83663094870675911602011-06-21T13:22:00.000-07:002011-06-22T12:37:07.499-07:0099 Thanks<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXXvk7JonfYIdpkJtf9YBGyXhSYP6i7Ug9aeqD_u-A5SMm0FjvT-oCG-orMDKr7M1OsWNF-icO0KlYvgiCvq0oLX0QM4VAlKVRkkNgeakpqKTxOiPs6lTmn9SkY7agtewBVklm2I11Wc/s1600/photo+%25283%2529-700578.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXXvk7JonfYIdpkJtf9YBGyXhSYP6i7Ug9aeqD_u-A5SMm0FjvT-oCG-orMDKr7M1OsWNF-icO0KlYvgiCvq0oLX0QM4VAlKVRkkNgeakpqKTxOiPs6lTmn9SkY7agtewBVklm2I11Wc/s320/photo+%25283%2529-700578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620770445321309266" /></a></p><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=472461020-21062011>Once again the 99 Cent Store comes through in a pinch. If you live outside the serving area of the 99 Cent Store then you just don't know what you're missing; though My Mom, who lives in Virginia, swears by the Dollar Tree, which I've also visited and yeah it's good BUT at not everything is 99 cents.</SPAN></FONT></DIV><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=472461020-21062011></SPAN></FONT> </DIV><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=472461020-21062011>When I picked up the two shirts for my ruffled shirt I also nabbed 2 red shirts with what I call a crinkly texture. Perfect for another t-shirt refashion following <a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/">Tea Rose Home</A> and her <a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2009/10/t-shirt-makeover-and-more.html">T-Shirt Makeover</A>. The white peaking through was already part of the shirt so I opted to use white thread for the rosettes. I think it'll 'fray' up nicely with a good wash and then it'll really POP.</SPAN></FONT></DIV><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=472461020-21062011></SPAN></FONT> </DIV><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=472461020-21062011>What do you guys think? Have you re-fashioned your own tees?</SPAN></FONT></DIV><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=472461020-21062011></SPAN></FONT> </DIV><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=472461020-21062011>We're on Not Just a Housewife's <a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2011/06/show-me-what-ya-got-29.html">Linky Party #29</A> and <br><br />
<center><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com"><img border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 160px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wk6hpl-jo4J4OQivJzEQZm6X5v-O59nhYC2HCg8fsdy_ZLnGQYITnJfDmSbKetBYc5tkrL6cvUKwM8rPaPOQ727OjtDuaITQU7gT7dDmLfXfwiX3mX7ddmRm66Qxyswchyn9FHBoiGc/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" /></a></center></SPAN></FONT></DIV>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-17378861598131139112011-06-20T17:45:00.000-07:002011-06-21T10:41:24.798-07:00Ruffled Shirt<div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_X-n8cp9b8a1j2Tu9TP4zk438bgtYXXHx08p_pIg9RhuyZst7fYqDQ9jM0Dun0bYG7FeS_R-BwpZKxoXGNyUYmib_B_nVjsrhlRLgZDQxTIwEK0h1KQKRrpcbBhngu-1txWtS6t-5fw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_X-n8cp9b8a1j2Tu9TP4zk438bgtYXXHx08p_pIg9RhuyZst7fYqDQ9jM0Dun0bYG7FeS_R-BwpZKxoXGNyUYmib_B_nVjsrhlRLgZDQxTIwEK0h1KQKRrpcbBhngu-1txWtS6t-5fw/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I recently became a follower of <a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/">Tea Rose Home</a> and her nifty blog. Her tutorials are awesome and extremely affordable, dare I say cheap. I nabbed two t-shirts from the 99 Cent Store and threw this together following her popular <a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorialruffle-shirt.html">ruffled shirt tutorial</a>. Super easy and quite adorable. I took a little too much from the neckline but it was my first go so the cardigan is mandatory at this point but it was great to see a finished product. I paired with my fav multicolor cardigan and I was off to work.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The 99 doesn't disappoint... I also got some red tees that I'll experiment with later in this week :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
<center>Currently part of the Link Party on:<a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/c2afwife/aditsmain.gif" border="0" /></a></center></span>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-82281078426003543192011-06-02T09:40:00.001-07:002011-06-02T09:40:40.712-07:00birds of a feather<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypUPxb-7u2sDJsB2BNV6pkBuA969UnKTSKQ1-VFoeiozF2_0VxkdREDY_7JypXPunbC2GEa8eaaiYhKewydsqzqRcuzRtc9EfD1Bnm7MZlNeSwV8L_5hhDuVETOT2sbOn3KwVwLKSuMA/s1600/birds-734121.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypUPxb-7u2sDJsB2BNV6pkBuA969UnKTSKQ1-VFoeiozF2_0VxkdREDY_7JypXPunbC2GEa8eaaiYhKewydsqzqRcuzRtc9EfD1Bnm7MZlNeSwV8L_5hhDuVETOT2sbOn3KwVwLKSuMA/s320/birds-734121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613661130937898690" /></a></p><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=849052716-02062011>I think people appreciate gifts you make just a little more than something you buy. I know my Grandmother does. She taught me to sew many years ago so I think it tickles her that lately all my gifts to her all handmade. This year I decided to add some decoration to her Christmas tree and make her some little bird garlands that I saw on SMS's Christmas in July <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/07/christmas-in-july-little-birds-garland-from-designer-lisa-jordan/">post</A>. I followed the tutorial to a tee and even bought the exact color felt and buttons. It was just too cute to divert from. I wanted to make sure this was a task I could accomplish well so I made a few with some scrap felt just to see how they turned out. Not too shabby but Grandma's turned out slightly better, sadly I forgot to snap a pick before I packed them up.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-11477717436781010932011-06-02T09:40:00.000-07:002011-06-02T09:40:21.566-07:00a classic modern tote<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S2ndjUuNso1IlEk88gJZdpzIOM6_nQ9jDdm9Gk6sU98wzSfr1_YbH4QTtmaKDTdZantD9qOzjh63hGvAP7tAv0b8D1XTM2pj7BELajzfaiNvrJvtZtl9jupouesCjIYJYYij-N4rpgU/s1600/tote2-730697.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S2ndjUuNso1IlEk88gJZdpzIOM6_nQ9jDdm9Gk6sU98wzSfr1_YbH4QTtmaKDTdZantD9qOzjh63hGvAP7tAv0b8D1XTM2pj7BELajzfaiNvrJvtZtl9jupouesCjIYJYYij-N4rpgU/s320/tote2-730697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613659831861558690" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgAVfYMh-U0gPD7iwMrNyWUurnO2fxug7LAyMzggHeTWiAMgqBd5HluXyN6NN07ATLr8R1Q9Yrc_Ye0yzQCgpGDD7U8-wcF8XPZlSTcY72y52Orwi-67bd37ioTA-9kSt2KimTZL9vj4/s1600/tote-732197.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgAVfYMh-U0gPD7iwMrNyWUurnO2fxug7LAyMzggHeTWiAMgqBd5HluXyN6NN07ATLr8R1Q9Yrc_Ye0yzQCgpGDD7U8-wcF8XPZlSTcY72y52Orwi-67bd37ioTA-9kSt2KimTZL9vj4/s320/tote-732197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613659832406104162" /></a></p><div><span class=077591816-02062011><font face=Arial size=2>Purses. Handbags. Totes. Clutches. <span class=077591816-02062011><font face=Arial size=2>I love bags! If I'm not buying a new purse just because then I'm scouring the web for fun tutorials to make my own bags. This <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2008/07/classic-tote-tutorial/">classic tote tutorial</A> from Sew Mama Sew was incredibly easy to follow. I ended up making a few as Christmas gifts but I made one for myself to carry all my goodies to/from work everyday. I picked up the fabric from of all places, an eBay store: <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Emerald-City-Fabric-and-Craft/_i.html?_nkw=zmmmz&LH_SellerWithStore=1&LH_TitleDesc=1&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_sasi=1&_sop=10">Emerald City Fabrics</A>. I stumbled upon them a few months ago. I like the array of fabric choices, especially those kitschy ones by Michael Miller. </FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV><div><span class=077591816-02062011><font face=Arial size=2><span class=077591816-02062011><font face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-30098559819635713612011-06-02T09:39:00.001-07:002011-06-02T09:39:58.591-07:00Coffee Cozy<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMzJgLUtykzpuABoGFoPYtXxTg_aMqlLKDeiVpxzikaPyP_tWYIMJtl4fwdo1s3Lh-65Oa3LgnPBoRTtLDHeuasIs7dGQqK1bQodgYr-V5MzIyW1aLXwq1RX15in0RClYHTZhDY-hrIE/s1600/cozy-716210.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMzJgLUtykzpuABoGFoPYtXxTg_aMqlLKDeiVpxzikaPyP_tWYIMJtl4fwdo1s3Lh-65Oa3LgnPBoRTtLDHeuasIs7dGQqK1bQodgYr-V5MzIyW1aLXwq1RX15in0RClYHTZhDY-hrIE/s320/cozy-716210.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613387462664901458" /></a></p><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=401524422-01062011>I tend to sew small on most occasions. Meaning I like smaller projects for the most part. I really like that start and finish to be within the same week or night even. So I tend to seek out projects that I can do quickly and possibly over and over to make gifts for friends and family. The coffee cozy was perfect. <a href="http://sew4home.com/">Sew4home</A> has a great step-by-step for one that I tweaked for my beginner-ness. I made the <a href="http://sew4home.com/projects/kitchen-linens/768-scrap-it-ruffled-hot-cup-jacket">Scrap It: Ruffled Hot Cup Jacket</A> with some scrap fat quarters I had laying around and it turned out great for my needs. Most days it sits on my desk under my iPhone, its a great vibration mode muffler :-) But today my iced coffee was way too cold for me so I grabbed and used it. Success!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-64879858501727697762011-06-02T09:39:00.000-07:002011-06-02T09:39:27.201-07:00Yum. Cake... Diaper Cake<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTasbaFoCwkQX9YPRQyPzQTjUCMQzmhFnqP8ibXIPNqNlKfG62_89bE3QHBt-TM-hmXu6eP-EtDzOPe8kycfxiqS0gXeA_xBB8dAsua-cTPXl36A7FJsPwWPVTzWl9yCkpY5ucS_L4hk/s1600/diaper+cakes-764194.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTasbaFoCwkQX9YPRQyPzQTjUCMQzmhFnqP8ibXIPNqNlKfG62_89bE3QHBt-TM-hmXu6eP-EtDzOPe8kycfxiqS0gXeA_xBB8dAsua-cTPXl36A7FJsPwWPVTzWl9yCkpY5ucS_L4hk/s320/diaper+cakes-764194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613368343798035570" /></a></p><div><font face=Arial size=2><span class=034352921-01062011>One of my very best friends just had twins and I insisted on throwing 1 of her 3 (yes 3) baby showers :) I felt like I was planning my wedding again it was so much fun. One thing I insisted on having was a diaper cake– and I actually debated on buying one. I was getting lazy midway through and <a href="http://www.etsy.com">Etsy</A> had some awesome deals but I knew I could make them and it was just as easy as I thought. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-60725439656581452742011-06-02T09:15:00.000-07:002011-06-02T09:15:30.613-07:00Gardening... Indoors<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSIr3Oq0teDN4E_Lt4kxVuUy8KNyHmNa_EmUTfGTvrX72aRot8ZsEp3Gx_irvUu5tTz_N9zbNOHjsk8SoNHuj9vwOFd4JfNxdLreaDnsC6qzS-Ff047uvWEImfkOs3P6-e4C2FXuFnWA/s1600/terraium-738167.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSIr3Oq0teDN4E_Lt4kxVuUy8KNyHmNa_EmUTfGTvrX72aRot8ZsEp3Gx_irvUu5tTz_N9zbNOHjsk8SoNHuj9vwOFd4JfNxdLreaDnsC6qzS-Ff047uvWEImfkOs3P6-e4C2FXuFnWA/s320/terraium-738167.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613365227534332114" /></a></p><div><span class=892101721-01062011><font face=Arial size=2>Besides sewing I do love me some gardening. I don't let living in a apartment in blistering hot Los Angeles stop me either. I'll post pics of my balcony garden madness later. </FONT></SPAN></DIV><div><span class=892101721-01062011><font face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV><div><span class=892101721-01062011><font face=Arial size=2>Before the last frost hit I was hankering for some gardening time and thanks to <a href="http://www.Groupon.com">Groupon</A> I snagged a voucher for money off a class at a <em>local crafting place</EM>. I don't know what else to call it... <a href="http://handson3rd.com/">Hands on 3rd</A> had all sorts of classes but I zero'd in on the Terrarium CRASH class and I walked away with something I made all by myself and the class fee included the glass.</FONT></SPAN></DIV><div><span class=892101721-01062011><font face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV><div><span class=892101721-01062011><font face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV><div><span class=892101721-01062011><font face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV><div><span class=892101721-01062011><font face=Arial size=2><a href="http://handson3rd.com/"></A></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-74020488583624441142011-06-01T15:41:00.000-07:002011-06-01T21:10:40.763-07:00Spring Cookies<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGghCwuhTU6cgyn9bADNgYKeVxYz5YtLFJBFhOPf-yPFu83auOVxX_JwOPlkwWh0RzGKtJ7iUYP6FY1JjZiWGM-IuNp4WHfwcgYUujSdF2qUbk4lKB9ioGrh7LZ4k0yC0hH4eT-eo-fX8/s1600/spring_cookies-754306.PNG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613384621094380882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGghCwuhTU6cgyn9bADNgYKeVxYz5YtLFJBFhOPf-yPFu83auOVxX_JwOPlkwWh0RzGKtJ7iUYP6FY1JjZiWGM-IuNp4WHfwcgYUujSdF2qUbk4lKB9ioGrh7LZ4k0yC0hH4eT-eo-fX8/s320/spring_cookies-754306.PNG" /></a></div><div align="left" dir="ltr"><br />
<span class="854353621-01062011"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">It's never <i>all</i> about sewing. A girls' got to eat right. Besides the barrage of sewing/crafty blogs I read I'm also kinda obsessed with cookie decorating sites. What someone can do with royal icing is beyond me. </span><a href="http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">bake at 350</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> has a easy-to-follow </span><a href="http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2009/04/royal-icing-101work-for-me-wednesday.html"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">royal icing recipe</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> that I used to make these cookies. It went okay. I may try it again come summer to make these treats<span class="357260122-01062011"><span style="color: blue;">: </span><a href="http://sweetsugarbelle.blogspot.com/2011/05/pretty-pastel-popsicle-cookies.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheSweetAdventuresOfSugarbelle+%28The+Sweet+Adventures+of+Sugarbelle%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Pretty Pastel Popsicle Cookies</a><span class="276510322-01062011"><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span class="924483722-01062011">tutorial courtesy of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="854353621-01062011"><span class="357260122-01062011"><span class="276510322-01062011"><a href="http://sweetsugarbelle.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Sweet Sugar Belle</span></a><span class="924483722-01062011"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: black;">.</span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div style="color: black;"><span class="854353621-01062011"><span class="357260122-01062011"><span class="276510322-01062011"><span class="924483722-01062011"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">This post is part of a linky party:</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><span class="854353621-01062011"><span class="357260122-01062011"><span class="276510322-01062011"><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/c2afwife/aditsmain.gif" /></a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="854353621-01062011"><span class="357260122-01062011"><span class="276510322-01062011"><span class="924483722-01062011"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="854353621-01062011"><span class="357260122-01062011"><span class="276510322-01062011"><span class="924483722-01062011"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-49284938449471365202011-06-01T13:43:00.001-07:002011-06-01T21:04:08.578-07:00Pillows<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pillows. Easy peasy as far as beginner sewing tutorials go so this ruffled lovely didn't take too long to finish.<br />
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I used <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/">Sew Mama Sew's</a> basic <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2011/02/how-to-make-a-basic-pillow-how-to-finish-a-pillow-with-binding/">pillow tutorial</a> to get me started. Especially thankful for the awesome sizing table. I printed that sucker out and it hangs above my sewing table for quick reference.<br />
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Flower detail inspiration also from SMS and their <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2011/02/turned-edge-applique-pinwheel-pillow/">Turned-Edge Appliqué Pinwheel Pillow</a> except I used some scrap felt I had laying around.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPmalAQsWqgQyZVDqJXT7KwwNf-9H3qC6afLbCIvxj1LF-dtu2UV65NwOgyRN-0dQ9pIJVcpqvVTdJvv53cSB0ngeiZfpw2eNGUsxFsbs9V_RSXzlhKQTs9hVOr6BpcvF2sNr0ct8geY/s1600/photo+1-734586.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613354900306748818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPmalAQsWqgQyZVDqJXT7KwwNf-9H3qC6afLbCIvxj1LF-dtu2UV65NwOgyRN-0dQ9pIJVcpqvVTdJvv53cSB0ngeiZfpw2eNGUsxFsbs9V_RSXzlhKQTs9hVOr6BpcvF2sNr0ct8geY/s320/photo+1-734586.JPG" /></a></span></div><div class="mobile-photo"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAVohUxul3l53MYKTBV5wppowlTfQOMYPbDe2N_Wa7eTyyZ8NWVotlGcOd5eLeNmj-FXb4t-WtozA1HPKWzIIOTtXreY62Rdn9_m3XHWG2i4ZW8jbzdVahmbYIWGTCCPYx6Vv0qodM74/s1600/photo+2-735408.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613354906199281458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAVohUxul3l53MYKTBV5wppowlTfQOMYPbDe2N_Wa7eTyyZ8NWVotlGcOd5eLeNmj-FXb4t-WtozA1HPKWzIIOTtXreY62Rdn9_m3XHWG2i4ZW8jbzdVahmbYIWGTCCPYx6Vv0qodM74/s320/photo+2-735408.JPG" /> </a></span></div><div class="mobile-photo"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="mobile-photo"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post is being linked on the following link parties:</span></div></div><center><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wk6hpl-jo4J4OQivJzEQZm6X5v-O59nhYC2HCg8fsdy_ZLnGQYITnJfDmSbKetBYc5tkrL6cvUKwM8rPaPOQ727OjtDuaITQU7gT7dDmLfXfwiX3mX7ddmRm66Qxyswchyn9FHBoiGc/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" style="height: 160px; width: 126px;" /></a></span></center><div class="mobile-photo"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.happyhappyhousewife.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr283/StacyRisenmay/linkypartybutton-1.jpg" /></a></span></div>Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205765254551552064.post-17081845682429947282011-06-01T12:48:00.000-07:002011-06-01T14:28:27.535-07:00Zipper EnvyIt seems that of late everything I want to make requires a zipper which is okay except for the fact that I don't have a drawer full of them in my tiny/minuscule crafting space so I have to end up heading to the store and buying one. This completely goes against my 'let's just sew something' tonight philosophy that sometimes hits me.<br />
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So... after reading and re-reading <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/09/guide-to-zippers/">Sew Mama Sew's Guide to Zippers</a> I finally bit the bullet and bought a bulk set from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/zipit">Zip It Zipper Supply</a>. They're still in transit but I can't wait to have loads of zippers on hand. I got a (2) assortments: (25) 12" in bright colors and (10) 9" in neutral colors- huzzah!!!Tayshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02218829657130143209noreply@blogger.com0