*~~ Notes Gift ~~*

Hello!!  I made this notes plate as a door prize at our Cupcake crop a few weeks back (still waiting on cupcake pictures, I'm sorry for the posting delay!)  This is my NEW FAVORITE gift.. well one of them.  I bought a trendy square dinner plate from a local store, added a little vinyl and attached a dry erase marker= done project!  It would also be a great idea to use for "Menu" or "Chore List" or "To-Do" lists....  or as I call them... "Things Accomplished".  Again, so so sorry for the terrible quality of the picture.  Poorly lit room + not so great camera... but hopefully one day that will change!

*~ Cupcake Cookies~*

That's right- cupcake cookies!  These were a first for me and I'M IN LOVE!  I got the super cute cutters from our local "Party Time" store.  OMG is that place heaven- a WHOLE ISLE dedicated to cupcakes... be still my heart.  I'm surprised I got out on budget!  I made cupcake cookies as little thank yous to the crop participants.  It was late when I was icing them, and I decided (for the first time EVER) NOT to flood them.  There were far too many and it was far too late :) There were about 50!  I think they turned out alright- but I can't wait to make another batch and flood them to compare.  The pink sprinkles really are my favorite part.  I will post more pictures soon!

*~ I'm back!!~*

Whew- sorry for the lull with no posts, life was just spinning by!  OK, well I will update you later this week on the FANTASTIC cupcake crop in Baton Rouge.  But first- let's step back to Valentine's Day.... I know you've already forgotten it, but here's my card.  I made this for my sweet hubby who is completely and totally addicted to angry birds.  Of course I made it using my FABULOUS Silhouette!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE that machine!  I have heard that there is a new material that will make it even more fabulous and hope to get it in the future.

Hope you like the card, it's sweet and very much my husband :)

PS sorry for the aweful quality pictures, I'm working on my sweet husband for a "good" camera for Christmas... we'll see...

Leah

*~ BATON ROUGE CROP~*

ATTENTION: We will be having a Cupcake Crop Day here in Baton Rouge!!  Email quickly to register!!  It's going to be great!!

*~ Hello Hello!~*

Well, the last week was craziness- but I did squeeze in a little craft time.  I went with a couple of friends to a class at Create 365 where the focus was on "Clusters".  We created our own layout and were encouraged to step out of our "box" to create.  Well,  I LOVED what happened when I stepped out.  I started out with just patterned paper, a few buttons and a white scalloped tag.  I used Glimmer mist to change the tag to an accented silver.  The awesome flowers in the second cluster were made using the pattern paper and a sewing machine.  The butterfly was a stamped onto white paper, cut, and scored for a more 3-d effect. I hope you enjoy!  I will add some bling and photos later today :) but you get the idea.

*Pretty Purses*

I just love these little purses!  I made them as gifts for some very special little girls.  I started out with a cardboard "purse" from a local craft store.  I added some cutesy papers with Mod Podge and added a few embellishments= cute gift!

I hope you enjoy this craft!  Its a great treasure box for keepsakes or photos.

~*Leah*~

*~ You are Chair-ished~*

That's today's inspiration!  As my husband and I were touring old home this past weekend, I was inspired by the antique furniture!  I have a dear friend who needs inspiration and this is just the card for her.  The card was made by welding two artisan shapes with the silhouette.  I will warn you that the glitter paper does not cut as easily and needs to be double cut. 

Hope you enjoy!

*Happy Scrappy Day!*

Happy 2011!!  I know I'm a little late~ but wish you the best year of all.  Santa was BEYOND good to me- I got lots and LOTS of scrappy toys to play with.  As work allows, I will be making new things to post.  I used my new Silhouette sketch pens to create this card.  I absolutely LOVE the sketch pens.  I don't have the blessing of perfect doodling and plan to take full advantage of this tool!  *Sorry the pictures are kind of dark.*

New item: silhouette sketch pens
 I'm entering this card on http://mypartnerincraftingcrime.blogspot.com/ New supply challenge!

~* Presents for the Pilot*~

I am so excited to post these photos- My brother is a pilot, and needed decoration for his home.  So... you guessed it- his Christmas presents were all about decoration!  While working on this, I discovered how much I LOVE doing wood projects!  Its so relaxing to paint the backgrounds, then let the silhouette do the detailed stuff.

Ok- so here it is:  His big picture is a 2 foot X 2 foot piece on birch wood.  The second part is a tile- and I can honestly say these two projects are tied for my favorite projects EVER.

Hope you enjoy!

Yeah! The finished product!!

I started out by painting the background and letting it dry approximately 2 hours

I then placed the shadow layer of vinyl down first, followed by the dark brown accent piece.  I started from the bottom so I would make sure and have plenty of room for both the airplane and the text.

I just LOVE THIS TILE!

This aviator is ready to hit the skies!


Well, hope you've enjoyed these pictures!  I will be posting more Christmas craft and gift photos over the next week.

Happy New Year!

*~Leah~*

~*Sugar Cookie Instructions*~

Ok- several people have asked for my sugar cookie recipe.  I got it from the BrownEyedBaker's blog.  But here it is for you:

All Occasion Sugar Cookies
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
10 tablespoons butter room temp
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract

1.) Whisk flour, salt, and baking powder together
2.) W/stand mixer- beat butter @ med speed for ~1 min until smooth
3.) Beat in sugar and continue to beat for 2 min (mix will be light pale)
4.) Ad egg & yolk and beat for 1-2 min (add vanilla)
5.) decrease speed to low and add floud mixture steadil until all is added (don't over do this)
6.) Divide into half and wrap in plastic to chill for 2 hours
7.) Bake on center rack at 350 degrees for 9-11 min


Royal Icing

4 cups powdered Sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder
6 tablespoons water

1.) Mix all ingredients for 7-10 min on low speed
2.) Color icing (keep covered with damp paper towel!)
3.) Outline cookies
4.) Flood cookies (add a few drops of water until almost liquid consistency)
5.) Let cookies "rest" and dry for at least 2 hours between layers

ENJOY!  Here are a few pictures of the process:

Happy Decorating!!