Cake #3! Happy Birthday FIL

September 2012
It was my FIL's birthday and he wasn't really interested in acknowledging it, but the women in his life wouldn't allow that! So my MIL gave him a little family soiree and I got to bake the cake! I made a few cupcakes to go along with for those non-cake eaters. (Poor souls) It was a Hawaiian theme which gave me a chance to try out some gumpaste. I made some hibiscus and plumeria but finally decided on the lacy petals of the hibiscus in the end. Be kind, it was my first attempt. ;) The inside was a vanilla cake with lemon cream filling which was perfect and refreshing for the hot weather we were experiencing that week here in SoCal.

Painting my hibiscus

Hibiscus flower drying

Decisions, decisions. Hibiscus or plumeria?

Matching cupcakes with fondant toppers. These are vanilla cake with lemon cream filling as well.

Top view: two large flowers and one small

The final product

 Here's to another year on the third rock from the sun, Dad! I hope you had a fun night.

Tropical Cookies

August 2012
Farewell Cookies

Recently I had a request for cookies for a farewell party. The guest of honor was going to be moving to Hawaii. When I heard this, I knew exactly what to make! Recently my mom had sent me these hibiscus flower cookies that she found on Pinterest. I used the same colors, but did a few things differently. First of all, I did not have a flower cutter, nor the four leaf clover cutter the tutorial calls for. I knew I would need to cut lots of cookies and I did not want to hand cut them all so I tweaked an extra gingerbread man cutter that I had laying around to get the shape I wanted for the flowers.

For the pineapples I used an engagement ring cutter that my friend had bought for me the day before!

As you can see, I put my own spin on them, but I am really happy with the result. You can't see it in the pictures, but the pineapples have yellow sanding sugar on the fronts so they had a little bit of sparkle. Aloha!

Packaged and ready to go!

Summer Citrus Cookies

July 2012
Summer Citrus Cookies

What's perfect for the summer heat? Refreshing citrus cookies! Lemon flavored and inspired by the wonderful and talented Sweetopia. I whipped these up last night for a potluck and I hope everyone loves them as much as I do!

Picnic Themed Shower

July 2012

Recently I was asked to make some display cookies for a picnic themed baby shower. The dessert hostess requested watermelons and ants, and as soon as I heard about this my mind was abuzz with all of the possibilities! In the end I also added some picnic blankets with piped ants crawling across the top inspired by these cuties. The inspiration cookies were made using Wilton spray, but I was looking for a more casual, vintage look so I decided to try painting the lines on. I think it worked out beautifully and the inconsistencies only add to the charm. I hope the mommy-to-be was pleased with the results:

"The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah!"

"The ants go marching one by one, the little one stops to suck his thumb...."

Ice Cream Cones

July 2012

It's been HOT miserable here in So Cal. So when the Jr. High/High School group wanted to do a bake sale, I knew the perfect cookie to make! Ice Cream Cones! They turned out cute and hopefullly helped with sending some kids to camp!

Marigold Cookies

June 2012

When I saw these beauties on Toute Sweet's facebook page, I desperately wanted to make some of my own! I wanted to change it up a bit and put my own spin on them though by adding in orange with the yellow.However, when I did so, I ended up with a giant mess and very stange looking orange cookies.
What to do? Well, after trolling 'The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle' I noticed her stunning marigold cookies. So quickly, I turned my little suns into flowers! Mine are not exact copies, but I think they still turned out beautiful. They made their appearance at my girls end of the school year pool party.
These would be great for a bridal shower or spring/summer BBQ.  :)