Smaller Cake Mixes? Why?

My daughter took the Wilton Course 1 class in June.  Her last class she had to bake and take an unfrosted cake with her to class.  Sierra was going to decorate the cake during that session.

Sierra and I are currently taking Wilton Course 2 which is definitely a more advanced cake decorating course, working with fondant, gum paste, and royal icing!  We will be decorating our cakes tomorrow for our final class.

Why? am I telling you all this. Hold on, I promise, you will understand…. Whether it be a Wilton class or just any day, cake baking in our household is a “thing”.  I bake lots of cake throughout the year.  Cakes are celebratory, holiday-making, and turns an ordinary day into something special.  It always has in our home.  I am very picky when it comes to cakes.  I almost  NEVER buy a cake from the bakery.  I really LOVE(and so does my family) the cakes I bake and decorate. 

Well, corporate America has done it again….. Most standard box cake mixes are 18.25 ounces of yummy goodness.   To my disappointment, cake mixes are now approximately 15 ounces.  Yes, my friends, the 3 ounces makes a huge difference.  Smaller, flatter layer cakes, sheet cakes, bundt cakes, less cupcakes, get the point?  When one bakes, you want a full to the top of your pan cake!  These  smaller cakes are now an embarrassment to your dining table or the next pot luck!

It’s not just Betty Crocker, it’s Duncan Hines as well!

I have been baking cakes since I was in junior high school!  I know exactly how high and fluffy my cake will bake in whatever pan I use.  It’s been done so much that I just know… Now, I don’t know!

I have over the years have been a huge follower and fan of Ann Byrnes aka “The Cake Mix Doctor”.   If you have never been a fan of baking, her recipes are SO SO easy and delicious.  Nobody ever knows its from a cake mix…..

These recipes are all from a 18.25 ounce cake mix that I can no longer find!  There are all kinds of cakes, bars, and cupcakes that are decadent.  From a cake mix…..NOT anymore.

I found an article called the “Cake Extender” to add a certain amount of flour, sugar, eggs to make it equivalent to the 18.26 box.  Why bother?  The convenience of opening up one box and dumping it into the stand mixer are over.

Here’s the link, if interested!  http://caketrimmings.com/duncan-hines-classic-cake-mixes.html

Companies have made lots of products smaller over time and we have adjusted.  When it comes to baking, it is a science experiment.  The perfect amount of ingredients makes the cake come out just right.  Companies know that- so WHY did they change the cake boxes on me and millions of other bakers?  I would rather they have charged more money for the original size box.  I think that would be a much better compromise.

As for me, I am on the hunt for a box cake mix that is STILL 18.25 ounces.  The real bummer is missing out on all those delicious flavors.

What is this world coming to?

 

Baking Bread and Eating it, too!

It has been quite chilly here in Arizona.  I guess because we had such a hot, long summer, someone is trying to put us in the holiday mood.  I know this kind of weather puts me in a baking mood- my family thanks me for it.
I tried this recipe I have been wanting to try-waiting for a cold day so I could put the oven on and have the house smell delightful!
After the dough rose, I braided it and then it must rise for another hour.  Isn’t she pretty?

After the dough rose for another hour, I put an egg wash on the dough and placed some sesame seeds on the 2 loaves!  Oh, so shiny!

After baking for only 20 minutes, the final product!

This was a real lot of fun and SO rewarding after all the rises and baking.  There is nothing like the smell and taste of fresh, homemade bread.  Your family will LOVE you for it!  Score-now maybe I can entice my daughters to clean their rooms.  Clean room=homemade, sesame-seeded bread.
Everyone wins!!

Inspiration comes when you least expect it!

If you have a craft of any kind, I think you will agree.  Inspiration sometimes creeps upon you when you least expect it.  If you sew, you see this in any kind of fabric.  Not just bolts from the fabric store.  This is exactly what happened to me…..

I was just grocery shopping at my local Fry’s(Kroger) and they also have a home goods section.  I always puruse through there to see the new items and the lovely displays of plates and linens.  They have a shelf within there, that has their clearanced items.   I took a peek at the unwanted items and saw LOTS of blue/white placemats, trivets, and oven gloves.  I thought to myself “how boring” blue/white stripes.  I did pass it up and strolled along to the cereal aisle.   The blue/white linens, I swear, called me back!  I took a second peek and noticed the price on these linens were 25 cents to 50 cents!!  Really.  Well, I knew I had to make something with these linens.  It was a challenge and I was definitely up to it!  I grabbed a bunch and ran home, almost forgetting about unpacking my groceries.  (I did unpack them, unwillingly, SO boring)

Here is what happened in my sewing room!

The blue/white straps on the apron and the apron pocket were cut from a placemat.  I attached the contrasting fabric to the oven mitt, placing insul-bright inside the fabric I added, so it will be well insulated.

I really like this pattern for an apron.  It is lined in the back with solid navy-blue cotton fabric.  It is a well constructed apron pattern IMO.  I think that is what I love about sewing aprons-you can make a better quality apron than you can purchase.  You can also add a little embroidery embellishment like I did on the apron pocket.  I added some coordinating fabric buttons on the neck straps, too.  Love that

The pattern is http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m5643-products-8934.php?page_id=906&search_control=display&list=search

I made this apron for a friend of my Mom’s and I befriended her as well!!  She loves to cook, is an artist, and has the most generous heart.  My Mom was visiting her today and will be giving this to her.  I hope she likes it!!

I am sure this will inspire some serious baking and cooking for her.  And….for me, too, with the exception of having a cute apron set to bake with!  The constant dilemma of loving to bake and also to sew…

 

 

Christmasy Pillow

Wow!  It is that time of year again.  I cannot believe it, can you?  We put up our Christmas tree, decorated the stair rail with lighted garland, decorated the kitchen pot shelves with more lighted garland, put the two little Christmas trees in the family room, etc.  Sound familiar?

When I saw this tutorial, http://www.thediydish.com/2011/11/make-bright-merry-home-decor/ I knew I had to squeeze in a little sewing time.  I did and completed my Christmas pillow!

I love the fact that it requires little pieces of fabric, great use for scraps from previous projects !  Plus I am practicing a bit of quilting, perfect for my upcoming project. 

Now to writing those Christmas cards….

Little Red

Little Red Riding Hood, that is!  My daughter chose her costume and I thought it was pretty creative being that at this age the costume selections start to get pretty edgy.  Sierra seems to always "morph” into her character.

The finished project from different angles!

Little Red modeled for us before heading off into the forest….

 

I have so much fun making costumes.  It’s almost as if I am the one wearing the costume.   The pattern for this is McCall’s 6187

http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6187-products-11302.php?

My Halloween fun is definitely sewing the costume, for sure.  Just think-it’s calorie-free but full of fabric.  My kind of treat!  Ok. Ok.   I’ll admit there is always room for a butterfinger or two or three…..  Oh, the chocolate, the peanut butter flavor.   Yum. 

Fabric Fanatic…That’s me!

I have had pictures on my camera that have needed to be downloaded for a while.  Let’s just say-since this past June!  In my defense(yes, I have to defend myself) on our vacation to Hawaii, we took 2 cameras with us.  We downloaded the pictures from one camera and “forgot” about the other camera…. 

Today I got the bug to download our pictures from it.  It was a surprise to see these pictures and relive those moments.  Maybe it was a good thing that I procrastinated downloading those pictures.  Yes, I am going to go with that!

My family and I took a Hawaiian cruise in June.  Ahhhhh, it is SO SO beautiful there.  I just can’t say enough about Hawaii.  One of the ports we visted was Kahului, Maui.  We walked to the beach as it was not a far walk and a good way to sightsee along the way.  Well, look what I found!  Yes, a fabric store!  OMG! OMG!  My poor family had to put up with my major obsession with fabric, even on our vacay!

But, but…… this is fabric from Hawaii.  Thank goodness the airlines have weight limitations is all my husband could think… On the other hand, as happy as I was to find this jewel, I only purchased about 15 yards of fabric, mostly tropical themed.  I knew there would not be too much room in my suitcase to buy MORE.  Sigh

Aside from me being in my beach coverup, overlook that and look at all those gorgeous colors.  I am not the souvenir type-fabric from other places IS my souvenir.  More to come on that…..

I miss the beach, cruising, tropical breezes, but if only I could have a fabric shop like that here at home… Hey, it’s JUST a plane trip away

 

A Must Read

Have I ever mentioned how much I love to read.   Possibly as much as much as I enjoy sewing.  My sewing room isn’t as portable as I would like it to be.  Wouldn’t that be cool?  Okay, enough wizardy for a moment.

When I am on-the-go, I love a good book.  Sometimes it’s my Nook or a good old-fashioned book.  Doesn’t the smell of a new book and the act of turning pages so quaint-I know!! 

When I received an email from church looking for donations for a raffle basket, I could not resist.  The theme is reading!  The list complied of donations to purchase a Kindle and various reading-related items.  Barnes and Noble gift cards, books, eyeglass case, and  a “book bag”.  A book bag-that would be fun and possibly the one item they would not receive.

I have an APP for that!  I have an awesome tutorial and some fabric possibly laying around, so a book bag is born…  Of course, a matching accessory bag is a must.  I picked this fabric combination hoping to appeal to most.  One-size-fits most!  I hope!

All wrapped and ready to be delivered for the raffle basket… Is it wrong to secretly want to win this basket of goodies? 

The tutorial is from Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine!  Here is the link to this easy tutorial. 

http://digital.dzgns.com/Vol64/start.htm

The cute accessory bag is a in-the-hoop project.  Love that!

http://www.ggdesignsembroidery.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=154

Who doesn’t need a read bag?

 

Aloha!

Wow!  I feel as if the last few weeks I have been preparing and packing for our vacation!  We will be gone for 11 days and you would think with the amount of preparing, we would be gone for a month….  Whew… The anticipation (and slight anxiety) kills me.  I seem to overanalyze and overpack so as not to forget a thing.  Not a thing… 

Sierra has been SO uber-excited(is that a word?) with her countdowns, things she wants to do, the plane ride activities, etc. and even her PJ’s need to have the correct theme!

Sierra picked out the fabric from my stash and I used a pants pattern and shortened the length to make PJ shorts.  The applique is also from my “stash” from a few years ago, so I do not remember where it is from.  Sorry-brain freeze.  I added cap sleeves from a RTW shirt.  PJ’s done!

Sierra can be fashionable and fun in her new PJ’s overlooking sunsets and lots of ocean  It always pleases me to sew things for my family when it is something they are looking for.  This theme is close to my heart.

Aloha all and Mahalo for reading my post!  I will have to share some pictures on my return. (if I decide to come back)

 

 

A Fast Sew!

I think that is the name of the game these days, my mantra, so to speak!  Fast sewing.  Summer time is here and it seems as if sewing goes on the back burner.  Not my ideal, comfort-zone, don’t like, not fair, I miss my fabric, etc…. Okay, now that my rant is over(at least for today) here are some quick projects for my nephew and niece.

On Easter Sunday, my family was over his house spending Easter together, and Michael was reading and reading all the new books he received.   Hmmmmm, reminds me of my 2 daughters(and myself).  We are a bunch of bookworms for sure!  Well, that is the inspiration for this tote bag for him.  My sister frequents the library  and the bookstore with the kids LOTS during the summer.  As do my 2 DD’s and myself!  Perfect for him to carry his new treasures in!  I also placed a fun little activity book in there and some new crayons.

But of course, for Miss Kate, something pink or a dress created from my sewing room has to be…

I think I accomplished both!

Just as these are fast sews, this is a fast blog post, too!  Enjoy your holiday BBQ’s this weekend.  I plan on that….Now off to the kitchen to cook up some holiday treats!  

Animal Print Tank Top Makeover Tutorial

It’s official.  Summer Break is here. Now.  I know…..  We have cleaned out our closets to make room for the summer clothes we will be shopping for!  Aaaaaaaah, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Love shopping.  In cleaning out our closets, this shirt was tossed in the donate pile.  I yanked it out SO fast as I just love animal prints.  It would make a great tank top-matches our current weather!

I cut the top just under the sleeves!  Of course, saving the cut pieces of sleeves.

I hemmed the top part that I cut.  I love the fact that the bottom is already hemmed.  Great quickie makeover!

The cut sleeves now become your straps!  This is definitely to your liking.  I like a thicker strap so it covers those pesky bra straps.  Yep, one of my pet peeves…. I measured how long I needed my straps to be.  I put on the shirt/tank part and measure from the top of the tank, over my shoulder, and reaching the top part of the back of the tank.  Easy peasy….  I came up with 16 inches and cut my fabric strips at 18 inches giving me seams allowances and sewing it to the tank itself.  I had just that measurement….

I cut 4 inches wide by 18 inches long.  I folded the strip in half(so it is 2 inches wide) and ironed it.  Open up the strip and lay it flat.   Then I took the raw seams and turned them towards my ironed lineby a scant 1/4 to 1/2 inch and ironed that.  I then folded my strip along the original ironed line ensuring that all raw edges are encased inside.  I then sewed all sides again making sure raw edges are inside!  Repeat for other strap!

Try on your tank again and place your sewn straps where you like them.  Pin in place front and back.  (you might need a friend to help pin the back)  After carefully removing your pinned tank, sew them in place-front and back!!

You are DONE!!

I still had some scraps leftover and just eyeballed it and cut out some flower shapes, added a button, and hand sewed it to my new tank top!

This particuliar shirt is made of a knit fabric.  Sewing with knits is super easy-ONLY if you use a knit needle.  It makes all the difference in the world.  This is such a super easy and fast makeover.  I LOVE these projects because of that and also for the fact that I can repurpose fabric that I just love but may not LOVE the style of the shirt! 

I am sure you have some long sleeved shirts that you can makeover as well.  Anyhow, who wants to wear a long sleeve shirt.  I am happiest in my tank top and my flip-flops.  It’s a good day….

Desk Set Accessories

It must be Spring because I have been doing lots of organizing and updating!  Summer break starts in just a few weeks(can you believe it) and this time of year lends the surge or “last chance” feeling I have been having!

When I saw this post for desk accessories, I knew I had found the answer to my unorganized, needs something, help, boring desk area in my kitchen.  It is by far, the catch-all area of my kitchen.  Until now…

My before picture shows all those pesky, ugly plugs and electrical wires that I loathe.  Big time.  I am very fortunate to have a desk area in my kitchen, but I have not showcased it properly.  Until now….

Ta-da!  Ta-da!  The big reveal…..

All the fun accessories, too!!!

My DH notched out the back of this shadow box so those pesky wires could be somewhat hidden and all the outlets would be hidden.  This also made for a flat-to-the-wall appearance.  My idea, of course!  The shadow box is extra-deep, 3 inches, and was purchased at Michael’s.  My DH’s concern was “how to we affix it to the ceramic tile”?  3M sells tape that adheres pictures to the wall without damaging it.  Perfect!

I had this little lamp lying around the house.  I have always admired it, but just did not have a place for it.  It had a black lampshade and I just covered it with brown fabric and added some leftover trim I had to match my kitchen décor.  I used spray adhesive for both the brown fabric and the trim.  Love that spray adhesive!

Some different angles of my desk makeover. 

There are tutorials for the blotter, pen cup, and photo frames on this wonderful website.

http://sew4home.com/projects/fabric-art-a-accents/554-french-desk-set-blotter

It was the total inspiration-transformation because of these how-to’s.  I am so thrilled to have my kitchen desk area soooo prettttttty.   A big huge thanks to sew4home!   Visit and read some past posts and you will want to decorate your home…

Now, to write all those letters I have been putting off…. Oh, but Mother’s Day is just around the corner, too.  Well, at least I have a very inviting space to accomplish that