Elephant Cookies for Charity (Birthday Dreams) ... Royal Icing Cookies

Another fun cupcake delivery for my favorite charity that brings birthday's to homeless kids in shelters around Washington State. If you ever have extra party supplies or toys please think of Birthday Dreams, we can all make a child's special day be just that special! 

I've made Elephant Cookies for a baby shower before. This time I got to make fun ones for a special one year old!

What you Need:
Elephant Cookie Cutter
Royal Icing - Grey and Pink (see recipe below)
Black Edible Pen
Decorating pearls
Pipping Bag (w/ grey and pink royal icing)

I first outlined the elephant and let that dry to create a barrier. I then filled in with grey and smoothed out to fill in the elephants, BEFORE that dried I added the toes. I used small pearls on the feet to be the toes. I waited for them to dry to add the other details. I took a bag of pink to make the ears. When those finished I started on the last details. I added a tail, mouth, Eyes and details for the trunk. Since these were part of a cake delivery, I used as the toppers on cupcakes.

Click HERE to see who I link with.

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
2.	Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3.	Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Julie Usher, she has a GREAT YouTube video on how to make, color and make consistency adjustments. 

Royal Icing what you need:

2 lbs Powdered Sugar

1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar

5 Large Egg Whites (or equivalent) 

Flavor to Taste

Gel Icing Color

Mix powder sugar and cream of tartar in your mixer, just to make sure it is incorporated in. Slowly add egg whites, then whip start of slow then go to very high speed. She says around 2 minutes, my friend had an older mixer so it took almost 10 minutes. You want stiff peaks that hold on and won't fall off the spoon. Add in your flavor, I would suggest you use a clear flavoring.  This would be the glue texture great for ginger bread houses etc.

Take 1 cup of royal icing in a smaller bowl then add your coloring, lightly mix so you don't get air into the the icing. I'm like her and like the gel coloring. 

For Top Coating - Add 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tsp Water (This is if you don't want to outline and flood)

For Outlining - Add 1/2 to 3/4 tsp Water

For Flooding  - Add 2 to 3 tsp Water

WATCH her video on How to Top-Coat, Outline, and Flood Cookies. YES it is around 7 minutes BUT if you have never done this technique it's a MUST she explains it perfectly.

18th Birthday Candy Bouquet

A break from the cookies ... LOL! I just love giving a gift that you put effort into, I'm always on the hunt for something new or fun. I haven't done a 18th birthday in sometime, so I was excited when one of my favorite dance team members daughters had an upcoming birthday. I did a Google search and found a fun candy bouquet and added some fun things to it! Turning 18 comes with a few perks like gambling lol, why not start our youth off with some scratch tickets. And of course Starbucks gift cards ... LOL!

What you Need:
Plant Bucket ($1 Dollar Tree)

Dum Dums (5 Bags / $1 Dollar Tree)

Foam circles (2 - Dollar Tree)

Butterfingers Mini

Butterfly / Flower Cutouts (I found at Dollar Tree or you can cut on your Cricut)

Pipe Cleaner (Cut in half to make the Butterfly antennas)

Happy Birthday Sign (Dollar Tree)

18 numbers (found magnets at Dollar Tree that I glued on to sign)

Scratch Tickets

Starbucks Cards

Sticks (I used lollipop sticks Wilton)

Hot Glue Gun

I started with placing the dum dums to make a bouquet. I stacked two foam rings to get the height I needed and arranged the dum dums to make the rounded look. I started with 3 bags thinking that would be enough and found that it didn't cover. I had to run back to the store and buy 2 more bags to fill. I took the paper butterflies hot glued a butterfingers in the middle to be the body. Then cut a pipe cleaner in half to make the antenna's and hot glued them on. I took a long lollipop stick and hot glued it on the back and stuck it into the bouquet. I found a happy birthday sign that I hot glued the number 18 on to it. I took the scratch tickets I bought an hot glued a small lollipop stick onto the back and stuck them into the bouquet also. I also picked up 2 Starbucks GC and did the same adding a small lollipop stick and stuck them in.

  

Click HERE to see who I link with.

Happy 39th to ME!!!

It's my last year in the 30's! WOW has time flown by I swear I just celebrated my 30's last year .. lol! This was a great day well that was until dinner time ... lol.

Saturday my bible study ladies took me to dinner. It was a GREAT time, it is graduation season so we had to wait an hour for a table but we sat and talked for 2  1/2 hours it was great! Rick had to work but the kids got to go to the YMCA kid's night out.

I worked then got off a little early to get my nails done (a nice mani always makes you feel great) and no excuses I did my Upper Body Fit (on the 21 Day Fit program). I even upped my heavy weights to 15 each Oh yes nothing like pushing 30 lbs above your head while you lay down. It doesn't sound like a lot until it's above your head .. lol. I went to my mom and dad's and had a great birthday treat.

THEN I slipped my butt into spanks and put on a new dress. NOW I'm up from where I was when I started my weight loss journey but I'm FAR from where my before picture was so I'm taking it and going with it. 

THEN my husband was working his second job as security for events and got stuck at the U.S. Open. He was 2 1/2 hours late for our dinner, let's just say I was a hot mess by the time he finally arrived .. lol. 38 is in the books and 39 here I come!

Have a GREAT day!

Pokemon Ball Gift Bags

Next on the birthday to do list was the bag to put goodies in for the kids who attend. I found several ideas on Pinterest, again I figured I could do this myself.  So I went to work on making these bags and cheap as I could.

What you need:

White Bag (3pk - Dollar Tree $1)

Red Poster Board (1 Sheet - Dollar Tree $1)

Black Poster Board (1 Sheet - Dollar Tree $1)

White Cardstock Paper (30 cents Michael's)

Paper Cutter

Cricut Cutter - For Circles

Craft Glue

I took a large piece of poster board paper in red and measured against my bag then I folded it and used my paper cutter to cut it down into the nice square shape.  I glued the red onto the top of the bag. I then took the large piece of poster board paper in black and measured out strips to go on the bag. I used the paper cutter to trim and make nice. I then glued the black onto the bottom of the red. I used my Cricut to cut out black circles in the 1 1/2" size. I then used the Cricut to cut out white circles in the 1" size. Using the craft glue I put the black circle down first and then white circle then on top.

Bam Done, and I must say they turned out pretty darn cool! If you don't have a Cricut, first I suggest you buy one ... lol.  But you can cut circles using a circle cutter or if you're talented you can hand cut them.

Have a Great Day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Pokemon Ball (Oreo) Cookie Cupcakes

For Cole's class I wanted to bring some fun treats.  Cole's school has been very sweet and has allowed me to bring baked goods (usually they only allow store bought). I found several ideas on Pinterest to make Pokemon Ball's using Oreo Cookies.

What you Need:

Oreo Cookies

Red Wilton Melts

Black Wilton Melts

White Wilton Melts

Frosted Cupcakes

Clear Cups (Optional)

Clear Bags (Optional)

Ribbon (Optional)

I made a batch of simple white cupcakes and then tinted a batch of my sturdy buttercream with Super Red AmeriColor Food Color. 

Then I started to make the Pokemon ball cookies. I first melted the red Wilton melts in the microwave. I melt mine in my pampered chef glass bowl for 2 minutes. I then dipped each Oreo cookie into the red melt (only dip half the cookie). Let the red dry, you can put in the fridge to help dry. Then I melted white Wilton melts in the microwave (same process) and then dipped each Oreo in the the white melt (only dip half the cookie). When the white dries you can then add the black line and circle of the Pokemon Ball. Now this is the 2nd time I've tried to melt the black and do perfect lines. YUP not so perfect, I'm still working on this part, if you know a better way let me know. I melted the black into a Wilton squeeze bottle and made the lines (I've also tried piping bags etc).

Since I was taking these to school I wanted a easy way to transport and hand out to the kids. I found this trick a few years back on Pinterest. Putting cupcakes into a clear cup and then put a clear bag and tie with ribbon. This is perfect for parties. I find the clear cups at the Dollar Tree 25 pack for $1 and then the clear bags also at Dollar Tree 25 pack for $1. I tie with ribbon also from the Dollar Tree a spool also $1.

Have a Great Day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Birthday Boy ... Car Cake

My best friend's son asked for a cake for his birthday a while back.  I asked his mom what theme he was wanting she said Cars.  I wanted to do something fun an different not the movie car but an car.  I was running crazy that week so I found this EASY cake to make!

I found a site called Themed Party Place ... OH yes I did!!  They had this easy Car Cake tutorial on their site.

What You Need:

1 Round Cake (I made my Moist White Cake)

Chocolate Donuts

Circle Cutter

Sharp Knife

Frosting

Fondant (Optional)

AmeriColor Gel Food Coloring

What to do:

Bake a round cake per instructions on the box, you'll be able to make two car cakes (I only use homemade, I don't like the taste of box).

Place the cooled cakes in the freezer for a half an hour to an hour. Freezing a cake keeps the crumbs to a minimum when you cut it.

Cut the cakes as shown by the dotted lines in the diagram.

Align the two cut sections on the sides of the larger piece to form the front and back bumpers.

Frost the cakes.

Use chocolate donuts or stacks of cookies as the wheels.

Windows can be added to the car using frosting. (Alexis Note: I used a blue fondant to cover the cake.  I also cut out for the bumpers to fit in and used that left over cake to build up my tires to be the same height of the cake (I had no donuts so I used the cake and my circle cutters weren't small enough so I used a medicine cup ... lol).  I added a little black fondant to outline doors and windows.  And to be fun I had a little brown to some fondant and made little faces to smile out of the windows.  A little black fondant for hair and used my fondant writer pen to draw on faces.

Enjoy!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Unique Gift Time ... Slumber Party Kit (Girl Birthday Gift)

The 2nd gift I made fort the 2nd birthday party (It was a party for a brother and sister).  The brother got the Fort Kit.  For her I knew her mom was going to be a slumber party with her cousins.  So I thought why not make up a basket for her slumber party.  

It was a simple one to make but very cute and a hit with the girls!

What You Need:

Large Popcorn Bin

Popcorn

Popcorn Bags

Glow Sticks

Cookie Mix

Cupcake Mix

Nail Polish

Nail Decals

Nail Polishing Kit

Lip Gloss

Makeup

Snacks / Candy

Put it all together in the bin, print a cute label and your done.  SIDE note make sure you write slumber party correct.  I was in such a hurry I forgot the m and added to b's LOL.

Happy New Year!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Unique Gift Time ... Fort Kit (Boy Birthday Gift)

This past weekend we had 2 parties to go to, I wanted to make something fun and not just the normal store bought gift. I googled boy gifts dyi and came across a few sites with Fort Kits (I'll link to one I found on The Painted Home, ton of them on the net and I'm sure I'm not linking to the person who created it but I've had enough nasty grams so I'm linking what I found lol), simple enough to make.  I then printed a tag to attach to the bag that I found on a cool tag on All for the Boys that I printed on card stock and attached with ribbon.

This was a simple but such a cool gift, was a huge hit (well at least with the mom's around who saw it, I bet the kids later will be thinking it was cool).

Materials:

- 2 twin top-sheets

- Rope

- Clothespins/Clips

- Suction Cups

- Flashlight

- Glow-sticks

- Notebook

- Batteries to put in Flashlight

- Treats (Beef Jerky & Cookies etc)

- Bag to put everything in! 

ALEXIS NOTES: I bought one sheet ($7.99 at Fred Meyers), the rest of the items I found at the Dollar Tree.  Gift cost around $20.00.  Put all items in the bag (I found a laundry bag it was perfect).  I tied it with a ribbon and added my printable tag I found and ready to gift!

Happy New Year!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Themed Gift Idea ... Craft Birthday Gift Bag

We attended a birthday party a few weeks back and I wanted to do something fun for the little one.  I thought what better then a craft bag of fun things to make and do with mom and dad.  The party was at a pumpkin patch, so I went with a Halloween themed bag but this can  be done with any theme or just a fun bunch of different crafts.

What you Need:

Bag - I used Frank 'n Stein

Any Crafts 

(I used)

- a mini pumpkin

- pumpkin design kit

- build a cat

- build a spider

 - glow stick

It turned out so cute!  And little kids love to build things and be crafty.  My boys were trying to take over the bag before it left the house :).

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Girls Just Want to have FUN ... Youth & Tween Girl Birthday Gift

As most of you have figured out by now I'm a HUGE fan of giving a gift in a basket.  One of my besties daughters were having a birthday party together (she does this every year).  I must say I have been known to give them a combined gift.  I just couldn't do that this time since they are getting older.  So I thought why not cool gift's in a basket.

For the Tween Gift I found some of what I thought to be the best and favorite things.

What you need:
DVD - I picked up Tooth Fairy
Candy Bars / Candy
Lip Gloss
Glow Sticks
Stickers
Pedicure Set
Hair Bands
Gum
(other ideas, Teen Mag, Make up)
Basket
Wood Letters
Wood Character (something they like)

I put a little tissue paper in the basket and then filled it with all the fun items.  She is really into Soccer so I found a soccer ball at Micheal;s and letters to spell her name.  I used my favorite item the Glue Gun and hot glued it all on!  It was a simple but super fun gift!!

For the Youth Gift I wanted to switch it up a little so her basket had a few different items

What you Need:
Bubbles
Glow Sticks
Movie (Open Season)
Candy
Chap stick
Stickers
Nail polish
Hair bands
Baton
Basket
Wood Letters
Wood Flower (or what they like)

I put a little tissue paper in the basket and then filled it with all the fun items.  Caden found a pretty flower he wanted to use for her  at Micheal's and letters to spell her name.  I used my favorite item the Glue Gun and hot glued it all on!  It was a simple but super fun gift!!

This was another simple one but a huge hit!  Hope you all have a great day and give this a try!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Summer Time .. Too Hot for Coffee - Try it in Lotion or a Scrub

Oh Coffee how I miss thee .. I'm on Week 3 of my new diet and no coffee, yes I think I may die (just joking).  My amazing women's group leader at church had a birthday last week.  She is a Starbucks junky.  I wanted to do something fun for her birthday.  I have already made her the Coffee Lover's Gift (see picture at bottom of post with link) as a thank you gift for all she does for our group.  I then came across a really cool idea to make a Coffee Scrub and a Coffee Lotion on The Cheapskate Mom's Website. 

Super easy to make and I think it turned out GREAT and as you may know by now I'm all about the unique gift that you had to put thought into and swear this had all those check marks!

First I made the Coffee Scrub

What you need:

A Cup & Lid (I went to Starbucks and asked for gave to me for free)

1 1/2 Cups of Coffee Grinds

1/2 Cup Salt

3 tbs body Oil (I used Baby Oil / Mine was more like 6 Tbs)

Pour coffee in cup, add salt and body oil.  I found it was easier to put in a large mixing bowl then add back to the cup.  I didn't want anything to come out the straw hole on the lid so I took a little hot glue to the top and bottom of the hole. 

Next I made the Coffee Lotion

What you Need:

Cup with Lid (Again Starbucks gave to me for free)

Lotion (I bought plain but couldn't find so used a scented one)

6 Tbs Strong Coffee (I used a little too much and it was be watery)

Pump (I went to dollar Tree bought a soap and then used the pump only)

Brew a strong cup of coffee, let it cool.  I found it easier to put the lotion and coffee in a mixing bowl to mix then to add to the Starbucks cup.  Make sure it is mixed well.  Insert the pump into the hole in the lid.  I took my hot glue gun to glue the pump down to the lid.

This was a very simple gift to make but perfect for that coffee lover in your life.

Check out the Coffee Lover's Gift Also

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

And the Party is a Wrap

The party was last Saturday and so much fun!  Poor little Caden was battling a sinus infection so he last about half the party and went up to my parents house and crashed out.  Well technically he lasted until the time I put on the invite but when at the lake we always do seem to go until the sun is going down.  

Opening Presents

Rick taking the kids Jetskiing

Bapa came out and pulled the kids on the float!

Bapa even "accidently" dropped Rick off the back when he was the flagger ... lol

OH yeah and they dropped the flag that is suppose to float let's just say it didn't

Birthday Boy posing!

We had a GREAT day! My bestie from college that moved away and I haven't seen in 4 years surprised me and showed up it was SO AWESOME to see her and her son.  It was the BEST day or Caden and me.

Now I'm pooped still have a few more post on the food to come next week and has been a busy week at work, hope to be by soon to say hi to everyone!

Have a great day!

The one where my baby turned 6!!!

It almost feels unreal that my little Caden turned 6 yesterday!  He is such a snuggle bug and a very kind spirit.  My mom says since I wanted a girl so bad I got this super kind little one.  I have one wild and crazy Cole and then Caden it is a great mix to have 2 totally different boys.  We are planning a big party on Saturday but I still wanted to do something special for his big day.  They had VBS in the morning and Wednesday nights is my Women's group and the kids youth group.  So after work I hit the kitchen and 2 hours later had a pretty cute cake he could bring to his group.  Now it is far from perfect and the cake was a little warm still so the frosting was melting a bit so it was a little hard to work with.  But so worth the smiles when we walked into group.

6 years old how time has flown by.  You are special little man and so smart.  You love to read and doing homework.  You take after your mom with a love to learn and grow I can't wait to see what is to come.  This year I'm sure will bring us so much more and we look forward to the ride!

Cake Recipe to come on Monday next week!

Have a GREAT day!