More Party Decorations

These were also for Cadence's first birthday, one for each party. I decided I didn't want forks scattered all over the table (there wasn't really room...) so I lined a Lipton tea box with tissue paper and wrapped scrapbook paper around it to hold it in place. Super easy and they looked cute on the cake table. The scrapbook paper matched the page I made for each party in Cadence's scrapbook. I put the pages out where people could sign them at the parties, so we will always remember who was there.

Ladybug and Butterfly Cakes!

I made these for Cadence birthday parties. We had a party here in Moore with a butterfly theme, and a party in Tulsa with a ladybug theme. I loved having two parties, because it meant I got to have fun with two different themes. Next year I'm thinking bright colors with lots of balloons and huge lollipops... but of course that will change every week or so :D

Both of these cakes only require round cake pans and cupcake pans.

The ladybug just needs two round cakes, one layer each. Cut off about a third of one cake in a crescent shape. Put it together with the whole cake and cover together with icing for the body. Use the remaining oval as the head.


I mixed oreos into a white cake mix and then used them for all the black decorations... oh, it was sooo yummy!

It had been a long time since I used cake decorating tips, so I practiced on some sugar cookies. This is the best sugar cookie recipe I have ever found! I will have to share it some time. It is labor intensive, but well worth it!

The shaping of this cake is super easy. Just cut two round cakes in half and place them on your cake board for wings, then line four cupcakes down the middle for the body. I saw this one in a magezine, but I can't remember which one! So much for giving credit where credit is due...

Stray Sock Catcher

I recently "repurposed" a small box to hold socks with no mates. I just covered it in cute scrapbook paper, and now it cheers me up every time I pull a sock out of the dryer and can't find it's mate.

Stroller Cup Holder

We've started using Cadence's umbrella stroller instead of the one her carseat hooks onto. It's great, but it doesn't have any cupholders or storage places. Instead I had to make something that would hang from the handles (without falling on Cadence's head like the diaper bag does when I try to hook it there). This is what I cam up with. It works great, and was super easy. I plan to make a couple more, one for my water bottle, etc. I also slid a clip onto the loop of ribbon for my cell phone and keys.

To make your own, cut a rectangle of fabric that will wrap around your cup or water bottle, going most of the way up the side so it will be properly balanced. Fold the top seam down a little wider than a piece of elastic and stitch. Fold the fabric in half right sides together and stitch along the bottom and sides, leaving the folded over part unstitched. Turn right side out and thread elastic through the folded part. Stitch the ends of the elastic together, at the same time stitching in a loop of ribbon so it is connected firmly to the elastic. That's it! I didn't mess with trying to close up the opening where I threaded the elastic through, and you can't even tell.

Not the fanciest project ever, but easy and very useful!

Laundry Apron

This was a Christmas present for Kristina last year. She was going to make one for herself and I thought, "Hey, that sounds easy and cheap! *Ahem* I mean, um, that sounds fun and cute and meaningful!" It was all of the above :) I found the tutorial at "My Byrd House."

It is all two pieces, and the whole front is one big pocket, making it easy access for things like clothespins.



A lovely and completely random picture of my dearly beloved pretending to choke himself on the apron strings...

Puzzle Case

I was getting rather tired of trying to keep up with all the pieces to Cadence's puzzles, so I designed a puzzle case. It was fairly quick and easy to make. If you would like a full tutorial with step by step instructions and pictures, you can click on the link below to download or print.

Puzzle Case Tutorial

Gift Baskets

I recently discovered I really enjoy making gift baskets for people. I especially like finding something unique to use as the "basket"

A mixing bowl for the cookie basket:

Daddy's Diaper Duty tool apron (for Tony when Cadence was born):

A colandar full of utensils for Teresa and John:

Kayla's Christmas present last year:

(With the scrapbook I made for her)

Mommy's birthday basket:

Hmmm... what should I do next?