Wild Child's 4th Birthday - An Ariel Extraganza

It is hard for me to believe that my baby girl turned four this week. She's been talking about her big birthday party for months. At first she was set on a Frozen theme, just like her big sister is planning. But in the end, I was happy to see her decide for herself and it was all about Ariel.

Normally I am right on top of the invitations - completed and mailed at least a month in advance. Somehow this year, the time got away with me. Even though they were rushed, these invites actually are at the top of my favorites.

Different shades of blue envelopes from Envelopments (because my old business was custom wedding invitations and that's what I had.. lol) Topped with some glittery sand and seashells. A bit of time on Photoshop and tada, pretty cute invites that didn't cost me a dime out of pocket!

One of the most important parts of the party for my daughter was the cake! I had to make an Ariel cake, and it had to be with rainbow cake. Oi! It reminds me of that bloody armadillo cake in Steel Magnolias!

 About two decades ago, I took cake decorating classes with my Mum and had a blast! I also ran a small bakery online about 4 years ago (though no birthday cakes!) I thought this Ariel cake would be a cinch to do. Well I busted 3 of 4 of my icing bags and cursed a lot in my head. And honestly, she scares me a bit..but the birthday girl and my eldest daughter thought it was awesome!!! That's what matters, right?

I couldn't eat a rainbow Ariel cake though.. So I made these adorable little cupcakes. Easy peasy with a giant star tip, blue chocolate candies and some Little Mermaid icing candy. In the end, these were a hit with the kids too.

An easy extra dessert because the cake and cupcakes were not enough, right? Blue jello in a pie tin with graham cracker "sand", gummi fish and giant white gumballs. 

For her party favors, I Photoshopped an image off Google and added some text. I ran little, white paper bags through my laser for a sweet, personalized gift. The printing on paper bags with a laser wasn't exact, but for 4 year-olds, it seemed just perfect. If you really wanted it to be exact, you could easily print it on a different paper and adhere it to the bag.

They were stapled shut with some fun red coral-like fringe I found ages ago. And what's inside? Sea side bubbles and more tiny red fish. Something to play with and a little treat..

In the end, I had one happy mermaid!

Love you my sweet, wild child. Every day is full of more adventures, love and laughs because we are blessed with adorable, little you.

Book Review - Paperplay by Shannon Miller

When I heard that Shannon Miller's latest book, Paperplay: 40+ Projects to Fold, Cut, Curl and More, was out, I could not wait to get my hands on it. Just the cover alone is full of such amazing eye candy.

There are so many fun projects that can be changed for the different seasons or occasions. I tried my hand at the Bottlecap Rosette Card.

Isn't it fun! I've had that muertos bottlecap since the summer and couldn't find the right craft for it till now.

You could easily change it to a birthday card or Christmas. Just change the papers and color scheme.

Paperplay projects are explained in detail with lots of descriptive pictures. It would be a perfect book for the beginning paper crafter. If you are experienced, I'm sure you would still find a new technique and lots of inspiration.

I would definitely add this book to your holiday wish list!

** I was given an e-book copy for review, but the opinions are my own. I was not asked to create a project, but could not help making one as soon as I saw it! 

The Babe Frittata

I love bacon. Doesn't everyone love bacon? Actually before I was pregnant with our son, I didn't eat pork. I don't think I touched it for over a decade. Pigs are super intelligent creatures and I didn't want to eat them. But you know, pregnancy cravings are a strong force to deal with and this baby boy wanted bacon. And so I caved..

My frittata recipe today is an homage to the delicious barn yard animal. There maybe a day I return back to my no pork ways, but for now.. yeah, I love bacon.

Babe Frittata
5 pieces of bacon, chopped
1 sweet potato - peeled and mandolin sliced with the 3mm blade
2 zucchini - sliced thinly (I peeled, but you could leave it on)
1 white onion, diced
6 large eggs
1/4 cup almond milk
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375
1.) Cook bacon in a large stock pot over medium heat until crispy - about 5-6 minutes. Pull bacon out and set aside.

2.) In the same stockpot, saute the sweet potato slices in the bacon grease. Cook for 7-9 minutes, or until the potato slices are a golden brown and soft to the touch. Pull potato slices out and set aside.

3.) In the same stockpot, cook zucchini and onion in the remaining bacon fat. If your veggies are sticking to the bottom of the pot, add about 1/8 cup of water to loosen the yummy bits. Cook for 6 minutes or until veggies have softened.

4.) Toss the bacon, potato and veggies into a 9" pie pan.

5.) Whip up the 6 eggs with the milk and pour into the pie pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to preferred taste.

6.) Place frittata in oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until eggs are set.

Enjoy! This is a delicious fall frittata. When I created this for dinner, I served it with a fresh butternut bisque. It was enjoyed by everyone - including the baby!

Disney Inspired Halloween Papercuttings

Halloween hands down is my favorite holiday. I was supposed to be a Halloween baby much to my Mother's despair, but lucky for her I waited a week. Although I truly am a scaredy cat and can not sit through a horror movie, I'm desperately infatuated with the odd and macabre.

Since life at home has changed a bit and the baby is giving me more time to create, I finished this version of the Wicked Queen from Snow White. Sorry about the glass glare, as soon as it was mounted I  immediately put it out for our Halloween display.

And once that was done, I of course had to do The Nightmare Before Christmas! This year Baby Boy is going as Jack Skellington and I've been making a Sally costume for myself.

What's next? Maybe a Beetlejuice..

Hilltop Sale Winner

And the winner is Candy Keefer!

I wish I had tickets for everyone - especially since everyone that entered is a friend!
I hope you will check out the sale and walk away with some awesome deals!!


**Winner was selected using Random.org