~* 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!!

***Christmas Cookies!!!***

Hello!!  Oh how my kitchen has been tortured over the last week!  But what better way to break in a kitchen than 5 batches of sugar cookies, right?  The snowflakes were made for our family Christmas gathering.  The snowmen were a super cute idea of my friend Cheryl.  We decorated them at her house and they have officially won my heart as the cutest Christmas cookies! 

Since there are so many pictures, I will just post pictures of the cookies here, then do another post on the how-tos!  Hope this helps in your Christmas preparations!

Merry Christmas!  May the Joy & Peace of Christ be with you all!!

~Leah~

These are SOO fun to make and absolutely DELICIOUS!

The best part of all the snowman baking was I used Cheryl's super cute cupcake apron!!!  hehe...

~* Happy Happy Holidays!*~

I hope you are enjoying decorating and baking for the holidays as much as I am.  I LOVE Christmas time.  My favorite was always decorating the tree with mom... you've already seen my tree- and I hear hers is going well!!

Well, I have a fun alternative to the usual bow to top your gifts.  This one was made for a birthday gift, so it is not in Christmas colors- but, you could do the same thing out of your wrapping paper and make it super cute!

This was cut with my Silhouette using the fancy flower design.  I curled the edges around a pencil to make them take form.  It would be great to accent using inks around the edges. You just poke a hole with a stylus or whatever you use, then layer from bottom to top and *poof* a cute flower!

I hope this gives you a great and cheap way to "spice up" your Christmas gifts and tags!!


Till next time!
Leah

~* Merry Christmas Tins!*~

Need an idea for a quick, cute, cheap gift?  Why not a Christmas tin??  You can buy the unused tin a Michaels or Hobby Lobby and decorate to suit your purpose.  I love keeping Christmas cards and pictures in mine- then you have them at the end of the season to make a nice scrapbook page!! 

I hope you are enjoying the holidays!  I can't wait to make more Christmas gifts!!

*Leah*

~* I'm Back *** I'm Back~*

Well, first of all- THANKS FOR NOT GIVING UP!  I have had about 2 months of ridiculous technology trouble!  My computer has been in and out of the shop, back up drives lost, you name it!  But I'm back and have GREAT stuff to share!

I will be making lots of Christmas gifts and goodies so keep in touch!  I also have a ton of new layouts and projects to share- maybe some will inspire YOUR Christmas list.  I am making gifts, and if you would like any of the personalized items on the website please send me an email or comment!!  If you would like to make them yourself- feel free to scrap-lift, cook-lift, or just enjoy the photos. 

Please comment on your favorite items so I'll know what to post more of!  My goal is to post 2-3 times weekly so check back often and tell your friends!!

Ok- since I've been chattering about Christmas here are some pictures to get you in the mood.  Pictures of my first "big kid" Christmas tree, sneak preview of our Christmas pictures, and the best of all- Christmas cookies!  I mastered the art of royal icing and it's FAB.  I hope to post a How-to later in the week.

Our Tree!!  I love this color blue & snowflakes!!

Our table decor

The top of our kitchen cabinets- well one side at least...

The christmas lights and santas- they both had dual colors.

These snowflakes were my favorite!  The blue if edible food coloring markers which I plan to use plenty in the next few days with the next batches of cookies!!  Too bad they wouldn't all fit on a pretty plate...

The Christmas Trees!!  As you can see the one on the bottom right had a bit of a mishap and left a stump somewhere in baker's land...

Yeah for Christmas and taking fun pictures!!  Boo for the random light glare on my face- oh well...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Tell your friends- stay tuned to more fun Christmas updates from the Cajuncupake!!!

~** Cookies For Santa**~

First, so SO sorry that it's taken me so long to post.. the dreaded thing happened- MY HARD DRIVE CRASHED!! So I'm currently searching for a new laptop, but had to borrow one today to upload this cute project!  Please keep checking back!  I will post more as I have computer access until I can get a new one!

It's FINALLY time for Christmas Crafts!!!  Yeah!!  I have to say this is one of my favorites!!  I will be making more before Christmas I'm sure!  When making these types of projects, just a reminder that vinyl is NOT dishwasher friendly and this is more of a display type creation.  If you want a dishwasher friendly plate and cup, you would do a glass etching instead of vinyl.  Hope this gives you ideas for fun Christmas decor and more will be coming!!  If you would like this or any other holiday decorations customized for you just email me or send me a comment!

~* Hello friends!*~

I'm alive!!!  So sorry for the delay in posting.  Life has had me traveling all over  the state with limited internet capability and scrap time.  I hope you are all enjoying the wonderful cooler weather!

This project is one of my favorites.  I used chipboard birds which were painted and stamped to match the project.  I used my trusty Silhouette to cut out the branch the birds are perched on.  I love the mixture of elements and how the all worked out together to create this project. 

What do you want to see?  Leave a comment or email me with your favorite project types or ideas for future posts.  With Christmas coming soon there will be many fall and christmas themed projects on the way!

Have a great day!

Leah

~*Birthday Time*~

Well, today it's my favorite man's birthday!!  Of course he had to have a card!  We had a great cake and dinner to celebrate.  I can't believe another year has gone by so quickly.  I also have another very special birthday coming up this week, so I will be making more cards! 

The card was made using some of my old Sassa Frass Lass paper... I love that paper company!!

Have a great week!!

Food Fun

Hello there! Well, the summer is always "SHOWER TIME" and this summer was NO exception.  I enjoyed helping host showers for many dear friends.  I attempted this fruit tray for the first time ever and LOVED how it turned out.  I just thought all the different colors looked so pretty together!  The dip in the center was EASY EASY EASY to make and a TOTAL hit!  Hope you enjoy the picture of this healthy art! :)

PS- I hope to etch more this weekend so be looking for more fun projects!!

First "Official" Paycheck

Well, this layout is about 4 years overdue....  However, I still remember the excitement I felt when I received that orange envelope!!  It was my FIRST paycheck in my profession.  Although I was a student, it still felt GREAT!  Just remember- EVERY major event in life is a scrapbook page just waiting to be formed!

Have a great week!

~Leah~

Home Decor by me :)

Well, when we moved recently I wanted a new look for our home- but we were on a budget (eek!).  So with a little help from my Silhouette, vinyl, a HUGE canvas, paint and some patience I ended up with a big painting to go over the couch that I absolutely love!  Part of it was stenciled, and part was freehanded.  I started out with a blank white canvas.  I hope this will inspire you to make something for your home that you love!

~* Inviting ALL GUESTS to Follow*!~

Hello everyone!  I'm super excited about new people checking out my blog- I'm so happy you dropped by!  PLEASE hit "follow" on the left side of the screen so that I can send you updates of anything really fun or interesting happening in the crafty world!

Thank you **Thank you**Thank you** Thank you**

~*Cards & Cookies*~

Doesn't that just sound yummy? I am so VERY excited that I got a scrapbook table for our guest room over the weekend!!!  Now I can scrap and create and not have to worry about the dining table. :)  I made a card for a few friends who are very dear to my heart this week.  Also,  I was in a baking mood over the weekend and created these DELICIOUS peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies.  I WISH you could taste one!  I'm pretty excited that they turned out alright, because to be honest- I haven't baked completely from scratch in a little while (since the bread incident :) ).  Enjoy!!

Friends are Flowers Card

~* Kid Cards*~

It's back to school time for everyone- including a couple of kids who are dear to my heart!  One is starting 1st grade, and the other is playing soccer this year.  These are the encouragement cards my husband and I sent them earlier this week.  Hope you enjoy!!

Hope you enjoy them!!  Have a great day!!

~*Rockin Back to School Party*~

In the spirit of everyone going back to school, I did this layout of our "Rockstar Pre-Party" for our college's Spring party.  These were my favortie two rockers.  We had friends over and it was a blast!  I love this layout because it is so out of my comfort zone with the grunge!  Thanks for checking the blog and I hope to post more over the weekend!
                                                     PS- Happy birthday to Rocker #1!!!

My favorite "Rockers"

~*Cricut Software*~

I hope you had a GREAT weekend!  I enjoyed a crop Friday night with an old friend and the rest of the weekend with family.  I have had several people ask me about the Cricut software programs.  Although I have a Silhouette, I have done some research on the Cricut software. 

The Cricut Company has a software program called "Cricut Design Studio".  This software allows you to see your cuts on your computer using the cartridges that you already have.
To learn more visit their website: http://www.cricut.com/cds/

A snapshot of the Cricut Design Studio software:

The next software is the "Sure Cuts a Lot" Program which is "an extremely easy program to allow you to cut your True Type fonts and various shapes on your CricutTM Machine. With the combination of using your Fonts. importing custom artwork and drawing your own shapes, the possibilities are endless!" With this program you NO LONGER HAVE TO BUY CARTRIDGES!! 

                            Here's a screenshot of the software program:

You can get more information and purchase the software at http://www.scrappingtable.com/

Here's a video to show you more about the Sure Cuts a Lot program:

 

Lastly, there is also another program called "Make The Cut." This program is similar to the Sure Cuts A Lot software in that you don't have to purchase cartridges.  The website blurb: " Make The Cut! allows you to easily cut virtually any shape you can imagine (including TrueType Fonts) using your personal cutting machine without needing to purchase extra cartridges."

A screenshot of the program:

Learn more at their website: http://www.make-the-cut.com/

I hope this helps all those of you with the Cricut.  If you don't have an electronic cutter, I have a Silhouette and LOVE it!!  I couldn't do half my crafts without it!!  It allows you to create using true type fonts on your computer and no cartridges are involved. 

Take a peek at all the things you could cut FOR FREE with the Silhouette, Make The Cut, or Sure Cuts A Lot software: http://1001freefonts.com/

~*Leah*~