Zero-calorie Donuts!

Who wouldn't like these?!

They're life size (except for the giant cupcake next to them, which is more like the super-sized shape of a gigantic muffin from Costco) and even have swirled frosting over them! I was making these for my kids' school craft fair. Except. They cancelled it so now I'm thinking of posting them in my neglected Etsy shop so I can make a few $$ to buy my latest obsession: FABRIC! If you're at all interested, I hope to have them posted in my shop by this weekend. Have a fabulous day!

Purpose

Update: Rosie O'Donnell's Etsy shop is here. Go check it out - it's truly her as her photos has her in there with her craft item (I think they are dolls?!?!).

Not sure why I even bother updating (most of the time, it's like I'm talking to myself) as I should be busy PACKING!!! However, since this blog is as much my "diary" as it is a venue to share my crafty creations, got to post updates of what is going on now:

Last night my 5 yr old found it very necessary to tuck all her baby dolls in. Complete with kisses and with all the dollies covered with a blanket. Lately too, she has been telling me that when she grows up, she wants to be a Mom! Previously, she wanted to be a ballerina teacher, a chef, a bookmaker and an architect. Now she just wants to be a Mom. I should take this as a compliment as she finds MY job rewarding.

Here are the completed Flower Flops (that's what my daughter named them!):


All of my craft paraphanelia are now packed so I'm having a bit of craft withdrawal. One thing I discovered as I was sorting and packing: I don't need to buy any more craft stuff. It's embarassing what I own and forgot I own. In the fall when both my kids are in the SAME school and in school all day, I will be busy crafting and creating and may even open my Etsy shop again. One thing I'll steer clear from - cards. Have you looked at Esty lately under papergoods? It has sooooo much under cards! Very few sell and you really have to underprice to get them off your shop. I've also noticed lots of "design team cardmakers" are now selling their goods on Etsy. It's like a professional singer competing in American Idol! But then again, these designers are also asking for designer prices and noticed that they are not selling much either. Heck, even Rosie O'Donnell has an Etsy shop! Her stuff is not cheap but people are buying it as proceeds go to charity plus they get a handmade item from Rosie. I'll update a link to her site later when I find it.

450+ Yards of Ribbons!

Ok - am obsessing with trying to win something (since am not earning any money selling anything on my Etsy shop) so here's another card am submitting to PaperTrey Ink for their Ribbon challenge. Prize package is $280-worth of ribbons!

I took liberty with the sketch that Nichole designed...the sentiment is from PTI, embossed rectangle was done with a Cuttlebug folder (can't recall what it's called), butterfly is also a Cuttlebug die, gold organdy ribbon is an OLD, retired ribbon from SU and bling are from Jo Ann fabrics and cardstock are SU.



Mini Paper Purses Instructions: Will post them tomorrow

Scone Recipe: Will also post tomorrow

Meanwhile, there's PTA Treasurer work to be done and assisting my son with some Wolf badge requirements for Cub Scouts

Almost Halloween! Etsy and PTA

Have been missing in action for a little while....some of it personal and some related to just being plain busy with kids and their schools.

Here is a picture of a Halloween cake I made a couple of years ago. I believe the idea came from Family Circle (Bats are chocolate melts stuck onto mini marshmallows and toothpicks). It was going to be a cake donated to my son's school for the cakewalk but I quickly discovered that it was too fragile to transport in a car so my kids and their friends were more than happy to consume here at our house.



And here's an almost picture of my littlelest pumpkin! This was last year - thought I'd post that now then do one for this year later on to show the comparison of much she's grown! However, she is still the same silly girl! LOL!! This year she decided she wants to be a bat. No, not Batgirl but just a bat. Hmmmmm......no more princesses...sniff, sniff.



As far as crafts, have been busy making up stuff for my son's school fundraising Holiday boutique (remember how poor California is so we have to raise money to fund teaching specialists, librarians, etc). Will take photos of those cute projects later. I've been busy crocheting play cupcakes and knitting cupcake purses. These were not my creations but patters I previously purchased from very talented Etsy sellers. Proceeds from the sales will benefit my son's school. Will send links of those later after I get permission from the Etsy sellers.

I've also been recently "selected" to be the PTA treasurer for my daughters' school! I know ZERO about bookkeeping or accounting (I believe I nearly failed that class in college!) so this is such a hilarious thing for me to be doing. My friend, the PTA president, convinced me it would be easy and that she would help me out with anything I don't know (easy for her to say - she's a very smart CPA!). Am happy to report that I have not messed up their books.....yet!

Have a great Sunday! Hug all those loved ones and don't forget to tell them you love them on a daily basis.

Baking Fool and a Brilliant Blog Award

Happy Labor Day weekend! I'm taking the meaning of "labor" literally and decided to stay in my pajamas all day. My son just said to me that I don't need to get ready for bed tonight because I'm still in my pajamas!! LoL!!!

However, I did labor. Look at what I've done today:

Lemon Zucchini Cookies


Chocolate Zucchini Cake


Coconut Chocolate Bars


Super Nachos and Mango Strawberry Smoothies


I also made up "Dream Dinner" style meals where I pre-assembled all the sauces/marinades for 15 dinners!!! Back when I started doing Dream Dinners, I was curious to see if they published some of the recipes and was happy to have found some of my favorites on the Internet. Granted, most home-cooks would not want to assemble these at home as they require you to buy uncommon ingredients (such as mango chutney, orange marmalade, capers, prunes). But since my family and I are such flavor hogs, I'm probably one of the few that actually followed the recipes to do at home and bypassed ordering those from DD. I'll post photos of those ziplocked bags of sauces - they are happily firming up in the freezer. The only thing I did not do is add the meats to them. We don't eat a lot of meat and tend to use meat substitutes (ever try the "Chicken" strips by Morning Star? They are a super substitute to real chicken and no worry about defrosting and slicing and no SALMONELLA!).

The kitchen was a horrible mess and needed 2 dishwasher cycles to get it all washed. My husband happily stepped in and did the 2nd batch of dishes - but seriously, I think he didn't like to see/smell me still in my pjs! LOL!!

Now for the Brilliant Blog award....! Hadesigns (aka my SIL) nominated me for this award!!!! Thank you so much, Holly!!!!! Hadesigns is a super talented lady and you can see some of her work on her fab blog, Etsy store and Flickr - go check it out!!! I feel so honored even though I don't think I really deserve it but heck, I'll take it!!! Now I just have to figure out what I'm supposed to do next!!! LOL!

Here is what I'm supposed to do (shamefully copied from Hadesign's blog):

Here are the rules for the nominees:
1) Add the logo of the award to your blog
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

I may have to call her to see how to do some of the steps above. Like, I don't even know how to add the logo on my blog! How sad it that?! I tell you...this techno stuff is really putting a strain on the old noggin'. So, please stay tuned!!