afterall, I am only a beginner: the skirt turned dress

finally, I have the photo. :) I'm honestly not all that great at explaining, and because I'm a beginner I don't really know the terms which should be used to explain what I did. I took an old, straight denim skirt, removed the top band (and zipper, sewing that section shut), and added the red floral top. to make the top I 'altered' a shirt pattern to fit what I needed. I also put piping around the edges (which I also have no idea how to properly pipe -- I need to better educate myself!), added a button placket and some cute round red buttons. it is no where near flawless, but afterall, I am only a beginner. :) it's a learning experience and I am overall happy with the outcome. just waiting on the weather to warm up a bit more before I wear it.

okay, the photo (and please take notice of my cute cat who wanted to join in on the fun!):



xo!
Candice

Hi There!

Hey everyone! welcome to our new blog. I hope you enjoy this little peek and our creative journey. It's filled with may random moments, funny moments, intense moments, happy moments, and just plain fun moments.

If you look at our profile you will learn a little bit more about us. Of course we are two friends who love cooking, creating, good music, and fun times. In this blog we are going to let you in on our little world and you will get to see some of this things that we create, food and crafts.

We also have a shop where we will sell some of the things that we create. Just go to kicksclub.org/littlesomethings to see some of the things that we have already created.

Since Candice has already posted something yummy I am going to post something crafty.




Cute Fabric Flower

You Need:

fabric - 2 separate designs (scraps work well)

1 button

stick or skewer

2 in. petal pattern (pretty easy to draw free hand)

6 in. circle pattern (or you can trace a cd)

Directions:

Trace 12 petal pieces and 1 circle piece.

Petals:
sew together pinned petal pieces leaving an opening small enough to put stuffing inside. Make sure you sew it so that the raw edges are on the outside of the petal.
stuff petal, enough that it is firm and not limp, but not so much that it bulges.
sew opening closed.
repeat with all petal pieces.

Center:
take circle pieces and sew slightly inside edges all the way around. once you have gone completely around the circle, pull thread until the fabric gathers and folds over. pull until edges practically touch each other, leaving just a small opening.


Attaching:
sew petals to the circle, spacing the petals out evenly. after the petals are attached sew button to center of the gathered circle (yo-yo).

To attach stick:
hot glue stick to back of flower

or

cut a small strip of matching scrap fabric. position stick on back of flower and apply glue to back of fabric and place over stick, pressing fabric around stick and making sure all edges are flat.
attaching the stick this way also protects the exposed thread on the back.

Displaying
some options are;
place in a pretty vase
find an old pop bottle with an interesting pattern.
take pieces of crafter's foam and place in bottom of flower pot. place flowers in pot poking the sticks in the foam so the flowers will stand on their own.

or you can be creative and think of your own fun way to display your cute flowers.

Hope you have with this craft and have fun making the cupcakes. And enjoy our blog and check back often. We will have more fun things waiting for you. :)

Happy creating!
Ashley

our first post!

so, here it is. our official first post. what to say? ...as the side says, we're two friends who love creating. cooking, baking, sewing, painting, scrapbooking. creativity comes in many shapes and sizes, and this blog is a spot for us to share our little bit of creativity. :) I hope you enjoy and have as much fun at this place as we plan to.

for now, I'm going to share a photo of Ashley's birthday cupcakes that I [candice] made for her (and the recipes, of course).



Lemon Layer Cake
(from 'The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook')

1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 c sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 c self-rising flour
1 1/4 c all-purpose flour
3/4 c milk
1/4 c fresh lemon juice
2 tsp grated lemon zest

preheat oven to 350
grease or line pan

in large bowl, on med speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 mins. add the eggs one at a time. combine the flours and add in four parts, alternating with the milk and the lemon juice and zest, beating well after each addition.

bake for 20-25 mins or until tester comes out clean. cool in pans for 15 mins, remove and allow to cool completely before icing.

Lemon Buttercream Icing
(also from 'The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook')

1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very soft
8 c confectioners' sugar
1/2 c fresh lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon zest

place the butter in a large mixing bowl. add 4 cups of the sugar and then the juice and the zest. beat until smooth and creamy. gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, until icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. if desired, add a few drops of yellow food coloring and mix thoroughly. use and store at room temp.

xoxo!
candice