Cake Pops

A friend posted cake pops inspired by Bakerella that she made on Facebook almost two months ago. I was inspired to try making them myself.  While I was not successful at getting the cakey goodness to stay on a stick for very long, I have found a new thing to do with left over birthday cake. I ended up making cake balls and they were just as yummy.

Mine were lemon cake with cream cheese frosting dipped in vanilla melting chocolate. I am definitely making something like this again but would probably roll them a bit smaller since they are quite decadent. I don't know that I ever want to make something super fancy like Bakerella, BUT it can't hurt to have goals, right? If anyone has any tricks on getting them to stay on a stick, let me know.

These would be very sweet wrapped in cellophane as gifts for your attendants or smaller pops for your child attendants (maybe as a bribe to get them to make the hike down the aisle?). I think they'd also be adorable as favors for a shower, birthday party, reception, etc. Baby B's birthday isn't until the fall, so I have plenty of practice between now and then.

Bridal Shoes...

I was working on the escort card displays with Matron of Honor and she had a few pairs of shoes to run by me. This was one of them and immediately fell in love (not like I love Groom, but you know what I mean). They will match my something borrowed - a broach to cover my bustle pin up spot along with the necklace I'm turning into a hair ornament.

Bridal party gifts are completed.   I think they turned out pretty well.  I will post a listing of all items in the totes after the wedding (incase my bridesmaids are actually reading this). 

Can't think of anything else interesting at the moment, will have LOTS of pictures in a few weeks. T minus 5!

Oh Adobe, How do I love thee?

Thanks to my buddy, RJ, I have a link to all kinds of fun brush strokes for Adobe. You can download a variety of swirls, floral and block prints to embellish your stationary. I am going to play around with a few things and post the results.

In other news, I recently visited I Do I Do bridal shop on North Damen in Chicago. It's a trip. The store smells a little funky. I can't quite place the scent...it's kind of like a lot of body odor and mustiness from an attic. The couple who owns the place is hilarious but not funny ha-ha, more like funny are-you-for-real-around-brides-to-be? The lady runs the show and her husband kind of does what she says. They're not the traditional sales personalities, they follow you around and insist that they handle the merchandise. There are signs every few feet to indicate that they want to preserve the quality of the merchandise to perfection for the 'right bride' to enjoy. It's weird. Almost like it should have been a part of Seinfeld. If you know what you want, you can find it, but browsing isn't recommended. They have beautiful tiaras, headpieces, and jewelry. They also have favor tags, place card holders, favor boxes. It is a great place to find little gifts for your bridesmaids and she has a TON of ideas for you. There's a whole corner of ring bearer pillows, unity candles and stationary like you wouldn't believe. I am just probably too OCD to enjoy the store the way one should. I might take my dress with me next time to pick out jewelry. One fun tip of the day, she's got a bunch of stuff on sale (potentially discontinued) on line at www.ido-ido.cathysexpress.com through the end of the year.

Freezer Paper Stencils Part II

Here are a few pictures from my afternoon of craftiness. I am still a beginner, so thinking in negative space is new for me. I started with something simple: a flower. Then I turned it into a "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" design to put on a tote bag that I will use on my wedding day. Groom approves (he came home from work while I was finishing up). The canvas fabric of the tote was a little tricky with the fabric paint in that it bled a bit, but I'll either freeze or but something in the paint to make it thicker to use next time.

Here's how you can have an afternoon of craftiness yourself!

1. Draw a design (or trace something you like)

2. Cut out the parts you want to be painted using an exacto knife

3. With your iron on to the highest setting, iron the stencil to your fabric of choice

4. Paint

5. Wait for it to dry, then peel off the stencil

6. Iron to set the paint

Craftiness Freezer Paper Stencils Part 1

I spent a week in the woods with very limited access to technology...I had a cell phone only to talk to Groom and to check messages for interviews...speaking of which I have one!!!!


My favorite craft project of the week involved a surprisingly easy method and result in totally adorable t-shirts. Before you begin you need:


1. Freezer Paper (important to be waxy on ONE side only)

2. Exacto blades

3. Pencil to free hand or trace design

4. Cutting Mat

5. Clean paint brushes

6. Fabric paint Dharma Trading Co has starter kits to get you going

7. A T shirt, onsie, or any other fabric to paint

8. An iron

9. Piece of paper-newsprint, construction, whatever you have handy

I'll give you some time to gather the supplies...in the meantime I'll work up a sample with some pictures and show you what I'm working on. Check back in a few days.