Tools

We went and window shopped today to avoid the heat and I managed to find about 10 new tools I *need* for my miniatures and projects. Thankfully my husband is understanding of my obsession, er, hobby. :) They had the most adorable little table saws and such, perfect for tiny furniture. In any case, I think "power tools" may be on my holiday wish list for once.

One of the mini saws

Last batch for now

Some more miniatures

Baskets

Windchime attempts

1/144th attempts.

Some attempts at mini clothes

My early attempts at wizard mini's

Punch and pie...

But mostly just pie....

This is the before....

And of course, after....

The fairy ballet

I was trying to find a use for an old card box I had laying around. Somehow this came out of it.

Collage

Some of my old collage work

Bottle Caps

I love resin. I had so much fun with these.

Let them eat cake

Since I did not get around to baking yesterday but instead just read about new things I want to bake; I decided to post the last cake I made. Double layer chocolate using a wilton recipe for Devil's Food cake, with a vanilla buttercream center, chocolate buttercream on the outside. Finished with dark chocolate shavings. It looked like a giant oreo when it was cut into. Fun stuff.

Toad sewing

The Toad made his first feltie, I had to include a picture of it. He cracks me up, this is his “Evil bunny”. He made several more, if I can get some pictures I will.

Shaken, Not stirred

Our dearest Eli (Center, with the martini glasses) had a birthday today. I shall avoid saying how old and instead say that he celebrated in a way befitting his age, lol.

Caramel corn!

First batch of caramel corn for the year!!! My ever present helper the Toad has already started licking the pan. :)

Caramel Corn recipe:

6 Quarts air popped popcorn

2 Cups brown sugar
1 Cup butter
½ Cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda

Pop popcorn first, pick out any un-popped kernels (you can break a tooth on them) and let that sit in a large enough container to mix later.

Put all ingredients EXCEPT the baking soda into a pot, secure your candy thermometer and quickly boil to 260 degrees (hard ball stage) stirring constantly. As soon as it reaches 260, remove from heat, mix in baking soda and stir. It will increase in volume dramatically and lighter in color. Pour over popcorn immediately and stir until all popcorn is thoroughly coated. Place in baking sheet and bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour, stirring it 3 or 4 times during that to ensure even baking. If it is still sticky afterwards, put back in oven for a few more minutes as needed. That’s it. Enjoy. :)

Spider nephew....

Oh, got new pics of my nephew with his spiderman blanket, he loved it!!!! Need pics of my niece with her outfit. I love how much kids love home made presents. :)

Special thank you to Alisha for her knitting of this awesome blanket. :)

http://networkedblogs.com/8b5BO

Cheesecake, Brownie and Cake Balls, oh my!

Baking up a storm today! Decided to take the cake ball idea and run with it. I am making some of my (now) famous cheesecake as well as some decandent brownies to be made into balls as well. Our friend Eli is getting old tomorrow and I promised him food.

So... I am making red velvet cake with a dark chocolate raspberry on the outside, Carrot cae with white chocolate, Brownies with mint milk chocolate and cheesecake with plain chocolate. I will post pictures when they are finished. Oh yeah, and caramel corn. I'm using my family's old recipe for caramel corn as well. :)

Edit: I am adding a picture of the finished balls from the party.


Cake Ball “Recipe”

1 box cake mix
1 box instant pudding in a flavor that corresponds with cake mix
Frosting in corresponding flavor
Chocolate melties

Add pudding mix to cake mix, bake cake as usual. Let cool. Crumble cake into a bowl. Add enough frosting to the mix that it will hold its shape when formed. Form cake into balls. Freeze them. Melt chocolate melties in a double broiler. Remove cake balls from freezer and coat with chocolate. Put them back in freezer. That is all. (Thanks to Bakerella for the idea, fabulous!!!) So far, brownies and cheesecake have turned out fantastic in place of cake.

Some of my favorite variations so far:
Red velvet cake with dark chocolate outside
German chocolate with mint milk chocolate on the outside. (I use the Wilton brand flavorings for this) These come out tasting like thin mint girl scout cookies.
Carrot cake with white chocolate on the outside
Brownies with milk chocolate on the outside
Cheesecake with dark chocolate raspberry on the outside (again, Wilton flavoring for this)