Category: birthdays

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The enclosure card {updated}

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I heart enclosure cards.  They are great to grab and go on the way out the door to the birthday party.  I have my kids write a small sentiment on the back and voilà; you have a cute personalized card for any occasion.  And, if you know me, you know that we are often running out the door to one birthday party or the other.  We had two this weekend.  These enclosures came in handy for both events.  –And you know what events these kids birthday parties are turning into.–

The enclosure card is a not-so-distant cousin the the carte-de-visite or calling cards of yesteryear.  And, I love yesteryear…  Not that I want to go back in time, but I appreciate things that are classic or timeless.  I want to savor some of these time-honored/tested/worn traditions.  {And that doesn’t mean that everything that is old should be saved either… you can probably think of dozen of ridiculous traditions that we should do away with, but you can ponder that later.}

In our age of smartphones and speed-dialing, I forget my friends’ and family’s phone numbers or even how to spell their name.  It seems like my smartphone is making me less smart {or at least less attentive to others’ personal details.}

So, in lieu of spending hours pondering a card at the store, print and enjoy this freebie.  {Each card measures 3.5″x2″  • the same as a business card.}  In Acrobat Reader, you can personalize them and then print as many as you’d like.  But first, you need the font.  I printed mine on watercolor paper, but they would work just as well on standard cardstock.   They are available in two fairly unisex colors.   Click on the image below to download.  If you print it, please leave a comment below.  I always love to hear how someone is using my designs.

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Enjoy.

SPL

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senior-ita!

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Well this senior-ita is not Spanish or even a Spanish speaker, but she does like Latin.  (Canis in via sedet.  Coquus in culina coquit.  My Latin teacher would be so proud to know that I know where the dog is sitting and the cook is cooking.  She did write our book.)
I had the opportunity to take this Latin-lover’s* senior photos on a beastly hot day this summer.  We held up well with lots of water, paper towels for blotting and a trip to our local coffeehouse, Fair Grounds, for some AC and iced lattes.
* Yes, I do think I’m “punny.”

PhotobucketOn a side note… It’s my birthday today and I really don’t feel my age, however; my senior year seems decades ago.  Well, I have to say to myself, “Sarah, it was decades ago.”   However, I wouldn’t go back for anything.  Each year seems to get better than the last, even though it seems like the years keep speeding up.Photobucket
Do you like the vintage photo look?  Go to Willette Designs for the free download.

Enjoy the AC this summer and your years before they’re gone.  E pluribus unum, y’all.

SPL

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Photobucket This is a free frame from The Coffeshop Blog.  Check out all her great freebies. Photobucket

 

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The ones that got away: poll

Thanks to all who voted in our poll yesterday.

Our clear winner was  The boy at the birthday party.  CONGRATS!

These are some great photos, but not necessarily the ones you’d want on your wall (unless you’re me.) I love the quirky faces and funny expressions.   I need to find my ice-cream-covered-face shots for later…

Vote for your favorite and the winner will get a free 5″x7.”

(You can only vote once.  If that’s your kid, encourage your friends and family to vote.)

Contest ends at 9am July 23, 2010.

A.  Brothers on the porch

B. Boys praying

C.  Girl in pink close-up

D. Boy with hat talking

E. Blond girl who won’t smile

F. Boy looking away

G.  Girl with curly blond hair and koolaid-stained mouth

H. Boy getting psyched to swim

I.  Boy at the birthday party

[polldaddy poll=3502657]

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Rolling with the fondant

So here is my first attempt at a fondant cake. Fondant is actually easy to make; it’s not as easy to make it look like something.

I was worried that it would taste awful. It’s made with marshmallows and confectioners sugar. Yes, sugar and more sugar. But, it was really edible and not so thick that you couldn’t put a fork through it. But, buttercream is still my preference for tastiness.

The cake was good too. Under all of that icing, it stayed nice and moist. I was shocked, because a lot of fondant cakes I’ve had in the past have been very dense with a hint of dry-as-a-bone texture.

I was completely covered in cornstarch, powder sugar and food dye by the end.

More photos:




www.whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm This is a link to the website that guided me.

I also like this cake website for ideas. www.easy-cake-ideas.com Let me know if you have any favorites.

Here’s the recipe for homemade marshmallow fondant:
Marshmallow Fondant
16 ounces white mini-marshmallows (a bag may only be 10.5 oz.)

2 to 5 tablespoons water

2 pounds confectioner sugar

Vegetable shortening (you’ll need about 1/4 cup to coat your hands and work surface)

  1. Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a double boiler or microwave: Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open the microwave and stir, put it back in the microwave for 30 seconds more, open the microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until its melted. It usually takes about 2 minutes total. Place 3/4 of the powdered sugar on the top of the melted marshmallow mix.
  2. Now grease your hands GENEROUSLY (palms, backs, and in between fingers), then heavily grease the counter you will be using and dump the bowl of marshmallow/sugar mixture in the middle.
  3. Start kneading like you would bread dough. Keep kneading; it’s sticky at this stage! Add the rest of the powdered sugar and knead some more. Re-grease your hands and counter when the fondant starts sticking. If the mix is tearing easily, it is to dry, so add water (about 1/2 tablespoon at a time and then knead it in). It usually takes about 8 minutes to get a firm smooth elastic ball so that it will stretch without tearing when you apply it to the cake.
  4. It is best if you can let it sit, double wrapped, overnight (but you can use it right away if there are no tiny bits of dry powdered sugar). If you do see them, you will need to knead and maybe add a few more drops of water.
  5. Prepare the fondant icing for storing by coating it with a good layer of Crisco shortening, wrap in plastic wrap and put it in a re-sealable bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible.
  6. Marshmallow Fondant icing will hold very well in the refrigerator for weeks.

The recipe for good buttercream icing can be found in another post. Click for BUTTERCREAM LINK.