Saturday, June 25, 2011

Booga Bean's 1st Birthday

So, more of the fun I've been up to.

Remember this lil' guy?


Well, he turned 1-year old last month.  Yep he's now become the cutest toddler ever and no longer the cutest infant ever.  And, oh what a toddler he is.  We couldn't wait for him to start walking.  How soon we'd forgotten what it's like to have a miniature man roaming the house getting into any and everything.  I was promptly reminded though, a couple weeks ago, when I heard my floor lamp crash to pieces on the living room coffee table.  Yep, mini man pulled it down on one of his grand adventures discovering the house on his own.

Last month, we celebrated his birthday at the park with a small barbecue with the family.  It was a baby jungle animal theme party and I had all these grand ideas for it, including going to the zoo in the park and visiting the amusement and fairytale theme parks there.  As always, all my ideas got way ahead of me and the time I actually had to do them in.  We didn't make it to the zoo, the amusement or the the theme parks.  But, I was more them determined to put together my very first dessert table and make the party decorations on my own.  I think I scored there.  Check it out.

I was really thrilled with how this all ended up coming together.  Pretty much everything I envisioned and I think not too bad for it being my first dessert table.  As much as I love the table though, my absolute favorite part of this picture is the little kiddies playing in the background. 

Goodies included:  Cupcakes, Decorated Sugar Cookies, Brownie Pops, and Caramel Corn, all made by me.  And in the candy jars: Gummi Bears, Animal Crackers, Lollipops, Licorice and Orange Cream Taffy.
 
Decorated Sugar Cookies



Goodie bags to fill with treats

Brownie Pops.  I didn't get to actually taste any of these but I heard they were pretty tasty.

Mini Candy Buffet

Caramel Corn Cones

Yum!  :-)

So I had the mini cake/cupcake tower topper all cute and on it's way to the park.  We're almost there when I (and several other drivers) had to swerve, brake, and then yell (okay, maybe that was just me yelling ;-)) to avoid hitting a little black dog, lost and darting in and out of traffic.  When I hit my brakes, the cake stand flew off the seat and right on top of the cake leaving the nice little gash you see on the left side.  Although I hope the little doggie made it home safely, I was none too happy with him in that moment. Ugh!

Love the cute little figures I picked up at the baking supply store. 

And here's a picture of me and my adorable lil' niece at the party.  I think she had a great time.  She even made a new friend, young Resputia meeting young Norbit style. LOL!!!!!!! (You had to be there.  ;-)) 

Say "CHEESE!"

And finally, one of my favorite pics of the Birthday Boy from that day.  He was on his third change of clothes in less that a couple hours after we got there.  So here he is, in his diaper and tee in the middle of the celebration, playing with his big cousin.  Hey!  What kind of party is it anyway if you can't walk around in your undies, right?  LOL!!


Fun times.....

Happy Birthday Booga Beans!

Friday, June 17, 2011

What I've Been Up To

It's been a while.  I've been baking. I promise! 


Here's some of the projects I've been up to.  Love, love, love how these turned out.

Safari Theme Baby Shower Cake and Cupcakes


These were for a baby boy shower with a safari animal theme a couple weekends ago.  I had way too much fun with this one and fun at the shower as well!  I think I ate enough tasty food there that I shouldn't have had to eat for another 3 days after.  Yes, that is a soaking wet patio you see in the background.  The first weekend in June.  Really.  In sunny California. 

The cake (and cupcakes) were chocolate and vanilla marble cake with cream cheese frosting and vanilla/chocolate buttercream fondant.

I also did cookie favors to match.  Elephants, Giraffes and Rhinoceros silhouettes.  Love the way the raffia looks tied around the bags at the top.  So glad the hostess requested the raffia.  I think it gives the packaging a whole different (better) look than my usual ribbon tied at the top.  Especially with the shower theme. 

Butter cookies covered in fondant.  Some with royal icing zebra stripes.


Check out the adorable diaper cake made by the hostess.  I don't think I've ever seen one cute as this one.  The hostess also requested four cookies to match the baby's name on the diaper cake.  I wish I'd gotten a better picture of them but, did I mention the adorable diaper cake already?  Cute right?  :-) 


So stinkin' CUTE!




Congrats New Mommy-to-Be and welcome to the world Baby K!


Cheetah Bowling and Citrus Slices Birthdays

Letter N's and bowling pins with cheetah print bowling ball party favors for one of my very best friend's daughter's 24th birthday.

This was my first try at cheetah print on cookies with royal icing.  Natasha loves cheetah print.  Loves it.  Three years ago, when I first began cookie and cake decorating, I made the birthday girl's 21st birthday cake.  That too was hot pink and had cheetah spots.  The cookies are my favorite and were the easiest to make (probably due more to experience than anything) of the cake and cookies but had I known then what I know now, who knows if I'd still like them more.


I also made a batch of Brownie Pops and a personal box of cookie favors for the birthday girl.  The ribbon bow around the front of the Brownie Pop box is also a headband.  I finally found a use (with the help of the book and magazine section at JoAnn) for all that extra ribbon I have stashed away and leftover from various craft projects.  Hopefully I'll have some super cute new hair accessories to share with you soon.




Citrus Slices Cookies and Brownie Pops for another Bestie's Mom's birthday. 


Another headband.  :-)

Love these little boxes with the citrus slices on them that I found at Target's Dollar Spot.  When I saw them, aside from them instantly inspiring a cookie design, I knew they'd make perfect cookie holders!  I'm not sure of the dimensions but they just seem like they would hold just the right amount of any type of goodies don't they?



These cookies were made using my usual sugar cookie recipe.  Next time, I would definitely add some type of citrus zest and flavoring to the dough. 

Happy Birthday Natasha and Mom L!  I hope you enjoyed your goodies.


More posts of all the fun I've been having are on the way!