Buttercream Frosting

After our scrumptious hamburgers for lunch today, the whole family decided we needed something sweet for an afternoon snack. We hadn't had cupcakes since Aly's birthday at school, so we all agreed on those.

I used a new frosting recipe this time and it is definately a keeper! I forgot that I was out of regular milk, which I use in my usual go to frosting recipe, so I substituted evaporated milk. I don't know if it was that substitution or if I just got the proportion of butter to shortening just right this time, but this is definately better than my usual frosting. Also, I don't usually (ok, so I never) sift my powdered sugar, but I did this time.


Buttercream Frosting
1 stick softened butter
2 tablespoons shortening
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar- sift after measuring
2 tablespoons evaporated milk


I use my paddle attachment on my Kitchen Aid stand mixer for this. I love that I can turn it on and just walk away. Beat the softened butter and shortening together for a few minutes to be sure they are well combined and creamy. Add the vanilla. Measure out 3 cups of powdered sugar into your sifter and sift that into your mixing bowl on top of the other ingredients and beat well. Add your evaporated milk, beat again. Add the remaining cup of sifted powdered sugar and just let that whip for a few minutes. Check to make sure the consistency is what you like. Mine was perfect but if it is too stiff, add a tiny splash of milk, if it is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.


I love how pretty they are too. The girls said they looked like blue roses. I just used a Wilton 2D tip and piped it on really fast, not trying to make them look professional or anything. I am so much faster with piping than using a knife or offset spatula to frost cupcakes. And these are definately prettier.

Cherry Cuteness

This is more of an entertaining post than a tutorial. But, I promise to make another one and post a tutorial to go with it.

Ok, so I'm sure several of you out there have been in this situation before. Here is the conversation I had with myself earlier today while ignoring the screams, whiney voices and the word "Mommy..." for the billionth time.

I want to sew. I really have to clear off my sewing/ dinner table first, it's a disaster. This is taking too long, I want to sew NOW. I'll just shove the rest of this to one side. OK, now what am I going to sew?

Oooohh, look at this pretty cherry fabric, it would make the perfect apron. I know, it can be my first apron for my Etsy shop.

I dig through my pattern stash and choose a cute new pattern I bought ages ago but have never used. Spend the next 15 minutes (ok, 30 with the billion and ninety sixth time I hear "Mommy" today) cutting out the pattern pieces I need.

Ok, lets get this all laid out and cut now. Darn, not quite enough fabric; need something to go with it!

At this point I commence to wandering around my house, digging in my fabric stash, digging through it a second and third time. Then I hit up the girls fabric bag; still nothing! I lay my pattern pieces on it again; nope, the piece of fabric hasn't grown since the last time I looked at it. Now I am wishing Donna was home so I could see if she had something to coordinate. Thought about breaking in her house (with my key BTW) and stealing some. Too bad her hubby was home sleeping and might not appreciate that.

OK, I don't care what I make, I am making SOMETHING with this fabric tonight. Maybe a skirt for Abby, she has been asking me to sew something for her, but will she actually wear it? I guess I can always put it in my Etsy shop if she won't.

I proceed to cutting and sewing! Just a simple skirt with a cute ruffle.

Wait, does Abby like ruffles; better ask first!

Me "Abby, do you like ruffles? You know, a little row of fluffy fabric at the bottom of a skirt?" I demonstrate.
Abby "Are you making me a skirt?"
Me "Maybe, might sell it though, because you probably won't wear it anyway."
Abby "But Mommy, I love that fabric, please don't sell it, I promise I will wear it."
Me "Ok, so do you like ruffles?"
Abby "I don't know, let me think about it."
Me "No, I need an answer now please."
Abby "No, I don't like fluffy stuff." 2 second pause "Wait, I changed my mind, I was just joking you, I really do like ruffles."
Me "Are you sure?"
Abby "Yep, I'm sure."
Me "Ok, you can go play now"

Ok, now for this part, I swear I am NOT lying. This was our first morning conversation.
Abby "I LOVE IT! Thank you Mommy!"
Me "You're welcome baby girl. I need you to try it on so I can fix the elastic to the right size."
Abby puts it on and says "But, why did you make it fluffy? I don't like fluffy stuff."
I just sigh and shake my head. Then she insists that she likes it anyway and will wear it.



I really couldn't live without this little goofball in my life. She is definately an entertainer without even trying.

That's my little Mini Me!

I'm being Featured Today!

I'm being featured today over at Quilt Story! Go check it out. I feel famous, in my own world at least. Yeah, it doesn't take much to make this girl happy.



Be sure to check back there often to see the story behind all of the wonderful quilts she is featuring.

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Amy's Creative Side is having an online Blogger's Quilt Festival May 21-28, 2010. There are already some awesome quilts listed and this is my little addition. I just finished this quilt earlier this month. It is definately my favorite quilt I have made so far.

I used the pattern by Possibilities - Petals & Paisley found at Quilters Treasures. I actually only used that pattern for the blocks and then just kind of sewed as I went for the borders and back because I was running short on fabric.



You can read more detail about the history of this quilt HERE and HERE.

Beaded Earrings and Bracelet

Today I discovered that I really really like making earrings!

The girls and I made these for my MIL for her birthday. I bought a string of pretty blue, green, and hot pink beads yesterday at Hobby Lobby (quite possibly the best store on earth). We took the strand apart and added some beads and supplies from a beading kit I got for Christmas one year and created this pretty little pair of earrings and matching bracelet.

The girls were jealous and wanted to make earrings for themselves, so I told them we could go let them pick out beads for themselves and make some soon. These dangle earrings are the perfect beading project for kids because they are strung onto a wire instead of a wiggly piece of plastic. And, they have something really pretty that they made really quickly so they didn't get bored from a lengthy process and lose interest.

I had a few green and blue beads leftover and that inspired me to make these 2 pairs to list in my Etsy shop.

Handbag Giveaway at MRL

My Repurposed Life is having an awesome handbag giveaway! Go sign up to win.

Challenge Complete

Just not sure I did a whole hour every day, but at least I did make something, which is more than I would have done if I hadn't joined the challenge. And in my defense, I did force myself to actually sit down and sew. I was just already started on another project that I needed to finish up first before I could start on Kids Clothes.

I had finished the shorts a couple weeks ago, and had the pattern and fabric picked out for the top as soon as I finished the shorts. Just couldn't seem to get around to acutally cutting them out and making them. The shorts and neck band of the shirt are made from a skirt I picked up for $1 at Goodwill, and I just love the Cowgirl fabric by Michael Miller that Aly picked out at Hobby Lobby.

The pattern I used for the shirt is Simplicity 2918. The pattern is acutally for a jumper, but I shortened it and eliminated the contrasting bottom hem to make it into a fun summer top.

I actually didn't realize the button in the front was just for show until I started sewing it all together. I like the look of having the front button functional and the back just one piece, but this definately functions better since I can just move the buttons over as she grows.

The shorts are Little Smarty Pants from Favorite Things pattern company. It was $14 which is quite a bit more than I am usually willing to pay for patterns, but this one is well worth every penny. The fit is amazing and they go together really nicely too, without being just your standard elastic waist shorts. They have super easy mock cuffs, slant pockets, waist tabs. The pattern also has options for belt loops and back pockets, but I haven't tried either of those yet.