Blue Birthday Tablecloth!

Like I said birthday plans are coming fast.

And when I have an idea I seem to not be able to rest until it's done.

Last night and this morning I have been making a tablecloth for Cameron's birthday, and 

it's blue of course.

Not because Cameron's favorite color is blue, but because this is the color chosen by Cameron and I to fit her theme that she chose.

I have decided I'm going to wait to reveal her theme for her party until the invitations are sent out.

I will give you a clue, she got the idea for her party while we were on vacation in Cancun.

Hmmm?

Anyways onto the now finished tablecloth.

 I used similar patterns of fabric as I used for the birthday banner.

Similar but not the same.

 I used one large strip down the center, because I thought it might seem too busy with strips all the way across the tablecloth.

Notice how the center patter has a tan background to it.

I chose this one on purpose, it kind of looks like sand.

Can you guess now what her theme is?

 The banner looks perfect with the tablecloth.

I can't wait to see it all come together.

 And of course the cake plates I made last week with be contributing to the party.

They are going to look perfect on her birthday table.

 Keep checking back for more exciting crafts, and baking delights!

This weekend I have a wedding I'm baking for.

I will post pics on Sunday.

And thanks for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

Oh, and don't forget to enter into the giveaway.

Click here to check it out.

This page has been shared with Childmade, The DIY Club, Sew Chatty, Sew Can Do, The Gunny Sack, Not Just A Housewife, Krafty Kat, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Adorned From Above and Its a Blog Party.

Birthday Banner!

My daughter's birthday is quickly approaching.

Party plans are whirling through my head.

I've started a few projects that will add to the party festivities.

The first thing I have embarked upon is a banner.

Very much like the americana banner I made for the 4th of July.

Click here to view the americana banner.

Her little color theme for her party is BLUE.

So her banner is nothing but blue.

Funny thing is, when on the way to the fabric store, Cameron and I are chatting about 

the party plans, colors, theme, etc.

She has fully decided that blue will be the color in charge.

So, like I said, were shopping at the fabric store.

Picking out fun shades, and patterns of blue, when I notice that Cameron as well is pulling fabric from the shelves, but not blue.

I have a cart full of blue fabric, and Cameron has no other than pink, and nothing but pink.

Wait, I have already bought napkins, straws, plates, cups, a lot of things in nothing but blue.

Woh, back up. . .we are sticking with blue.

Luckily Cameron was quickly persuaded back to the blue theme.

Wooh (wipe of forehead), I was a little worried.

So here goes for the banner tutorial:

There isn't a lot to know to make these banners.

The strips can be as long, or as short as you please.

You can make long strips, and overlap them over the ribbon (which is what I did with the americana banner), or you can make shorter strips and tie a knot at the top so that they don't overlap 

(this is what I did here).

There are also two different ways that you could tie them, or at least there are two different ways that I have tied them.

And each tie gives the banner a different look.

Below explains how to do the overlapping tie.

The photos below are also from my tutorial on a fabric strip skirt I made for my 2nd cousin.

I used 6 different blue fabrics for this banner, and bought 1/2 a yard of each fabric, and used every last bit of it. I also used dark blue ribbon as the backbone for the banner, 

as in that's what the fabrics are tied to.

I can't wait for her birthday!

I will keep you updated on what other birthday creations I plan to do.

Thanks for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

Remember I have a giveaway going on right now, click here to enter.

This page was shared with Child Made, The DIY Club, Sew Chatty, Sew Can Do, The Gunny Sack, Coastal Charm and Its a Blog Party.

"Ruby Red" Giveaway!

It's that time again for another book giveaway.

This week I am promoting Kerstin Gier's book "Ruby Red".
Oh, and it's hardcover!

I absolutely loved this book, and think that you will too.

To enter the giveaway all you need to do is make a comment on my blog with your email.

Since this book is about time travel tell me where you would go if you could travel, 

back or forward in time.

For an extra chance to win, become a follower of my blog.

Let me know that you are a follower of my blog in a separate comment.

This is sadly restricted to US residents only.

Giveaway ends: August 10th, 2012

Winner will be annouced: August 11th, 2012

This page has been shared with Someday Crafts, and Its a Blog Party.

And the Winner is. . .

The winner of the "Scored" giveaway is. . .

Annie Le!

Congratulations Annie, and thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway.

Check back again for another giveaway, and for more crafting fun.

Chocolate Dipped Butter Cookies

Wow, I am worn out.

So, Cameron, my 2 almost 3 year old has gone on vacation with my parents this week.

My original thought was "I'm going to have so much free time this week. I don't know what I'm going to do." Well, I stuck my foot in my mouth.

This is only the 2nd day that she has been gone, and I am more worn out now than when 

I have Cameron around to chase around.

This could be due to the fact that I feel I need to clean everything humanly available to clean 

in the house now that Cameron isn't here.

I normally skip this task because Cameron is infamous for trying to help while making toys fly, and cleaning things that can't be cleaned (a flower for instance). Another story, another time!

 After an entire day of laundry, dusting, errands, and so much more I decided I needed some

"ME" time.

So I thought for the 2nd time this week I would challenge myself with my latest baking project.

I have fiddled around with this Super Butter Cookie recipe for a while now, and I think it's finally perfected. I say this, but next time I make them I know I will want to change something up.

So here goes. . .this is my first recipe that I have released on my blog that can be called mine.

Eeeek!

Wait. . .back up! This is a recipe I discovered a few months ago, and loved, but I wanted more than a simple cookie so I added a little of this and that, and made it my own. 

I don't want to call it better, but different.

Chocolate Dipped Butter Cookies:

6 egg yolks

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 an orange, squeezed (use juice)

4 cups all*purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Glaze:

2 egg yolks

2 tablespoons water

1/2 an orange squeezed

Optional: Melting chocolates to dip the cookies into after baked and cooled!

1. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a mixing bowl, using whisk attachment, whisk egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly blend in softened butter, squeezed orange, and vanilla. Then gradually add flour and salt, blending until dough is thick and stiff. If it is still quite soft, add a bit of flour. Knead dough well and refrigerate for 60 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 325 F. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 3/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter and place onto baking sheet. You can make a little design on the top with a fork or even use a knife like I did. Kind of like old fashioned peanut butter cookies.

4. For the glaze, in a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the water. Squeeze the orange right into the mixture. Brush each cookie generously. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool completely.

5. Melt the chocolates in a microwaveable safe bowl in 15 second intervals.

Mix in between each 15 seconds. It should take about 3 times.

Immediately dip half the cookie into the chocolate mixture.

Let cool!

Now Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

Today is the last day for my giveaway. . .click here to enter.

This page has been shared with Its a Blog Party, Funky Junk Interiors, Craft Envy, and Be Different Act Normal.

Guest Blogging!

I have officially guest blogged. Yay!

The wonderful Emily over at Design and Nonsense asked me to guest blog for her 

while she was away on vacation. 

Head on over to her superbly creative craft blog to check out not only my tutorial for the day,

but to check out her wonderful things she has going on.

Above is a photo of the skirt I made for the tutorial.

But to get the step*by*step you have to head over to Design and Nonsense.

Lastly there are 2 giveaways going on, and they both end very soon.

I have a book giveaway ending tomorrow. . . click here to enter.

And Emily has a giveaway also about to end. . . click here to enters hers as well.

Thanks for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

Pumpkins on the way!

While the heat may be killing some of my plants, 

our pumpkins, or should I say Peter's pumpkins, are doing superb.

I am very impressed with how much care he has put into them, and to keep them alive.

This is what they originally looked like when we planted them.

And I probably should have done a little more research before diving right into this adventure,

but here we are, and three huge plants later.

That is one pumpkin plant!

Ahh, how many pumpkins are we going to have?

We may be sharing the love with everyone.

I will keep you updated.

Thanks for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

Remember to enter my giveaway click here.

Ends July 28th.

TikaTok

Okay so I have a confession, Peter just received his father's day gift just this last week.

We had some ordering/shipping issues.

Not going to go into it, but his gift is here now, and it is perfect.

I could not be more satisfied with it.

Cameron, Joshua Michael (a friend, and artist), and I all collaborated and made a children's book for my  beloved hubs.

I can take little credit for this huge task that we engaged ourselves in.

Josh came up with the neat idea of creating a storybook about Peter's day at work.

So that Cameron could read about Daddy when he is home, and when he's not home.

Josh was the artist and he did an impressive job.

I would suggest him to anyone.

And I wrote the short little story.

TikaTok was the company we used to get our book published.

For just a small fee they will publish your book.

It comes in hardback, and paperback, and looks just like an actual book that you would buy 

at Barnes and Noble.

It would be really neat to publish your kids books for them.

We named it "Big Peter's Espresso Truck".

My husband is an espresso technician, and Cameron rarely gets to see 

what Daddy does day to day.

Below are just a few of my favorite illustrations.

Look it's me on the back cover of a book.

Ahhh, how exciting!

If only it was for real.

This page was shared with Its a Blog Party!

My Cupcakes are sitting Pretty!

A lot of times people ask me where I get my ideas from.

And of course I get a large majority of inspiration from Pinterest, other bloggers, and magazines.

But everyone once and a while I truthfully have to think pretty hard to finally figure out where I got my original inspiration from.

For one, my mind wanders all the time, and I am constantly thinking about the weirdest things.

So for example. . .I'm at work of course thinking about nothing but work. . .cough, cough, 

when a customer approaches me wearing a peter pan style blouse in the most gorgeous shade of turquoise. I love TURQUOISE!

I complement her on her blouse, and go on with my shift.

But 10, 15, 20 minutes later I'm still thinking about this blouse.

I need something in this shade of blue. A pair of pants, a new ipod case, anything, but what?

Well, lunch comes along, and now I'm starving, but not for the low*cal "Marie Callender" that I've brought along. A cupcake that's what I need.

I pick one up in the cafe, and yes they are good, but I still want a huge lip smackin' cupcake that I'm gonna make a huge mess with.

3 hours later my shift is over, but I'm left feeling not only sugar deprived, but color deprived.

That's when it came to me. . . I need to make one of my awesome cupcakes (or at least I think they are awesome), and eat it on a new turquoise plate.

Wait I only have $20 in my wallet.

How am I going to buy a new plate, and make cupcakes off of only $20?

Goodwill here I come, along with some crafty ideas.

I know, I know. . .you're thinking "what", that didn't make since at all, but in my mind it did.

This wonderful customer left me needing more turquoise, and it led to this.

DIY Cake Stands:

1. First I headed off to goodwill, and searched their choices of plates, cups, margarita glasses, and candle stick holders.

For only a dollar a piece I collected some awesome finds.

2. I then matched the plates to which ever piece I felt it matched up with.

I used glass spray paint glue.

It worked really well!

(I know it sounds like I'm shocked here, but I was really worried, and had no idea what to use).

3. Let them dry for at least 2 hours minimum.

I let them sit overnight just to be safe.

Then spray paint them with your desired spray paint color.

I of course used turquoise!

4. Once again let them dry overnight, and your ready to use.

Happy Goodwilling!

Thanks for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".


This page was shared with Its a Blog Party, Not Just a House Wife, Todays Creative Blog, Coastal Charm, and Bear Rabbit Bear.

"Scored" Giveaway!

This Giveaway is Closed!
With my overabundance of books I'm still on a book giveaway high!

This week I thought I would promote Lauren McLaughlin's Teen Fantasy Fiction novel

"Scored". Hardcover!!!

I loved this book, and thought it deserved a little more hype.

Now for how to enter the giveaway.

All you have to do is make a comment on this post with your email.

Let me know what's one book that you absolutely adored, and would suggest for others?

For an extra chance to win become a follower of my blog. 

Make a separate comment to let me know that you are follower.

Giveaway ends: Saturday July 28th, 2012

Winner will be announced: Sunday July 29th

Thanks for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

This page has been shared with Its a Blog Party!

This Giveaway is Closed!

Chocolatey Fluffs

Wow. . .time to get back to blogging!

Mmmm, and it is yum*oh time!

When asked to make a dessert for my church I instantly got excited to try out my latest creation.

And it was a hit. YAY!

Double fudge cupcakes with chocolatey marshmallow frosting.

The marshmallow frosting is my favorite part.

And of course mini marshmallows as a sprinkle topping.

I'm still debating if I should incorporate marshmallow into the cupcake itself.

What do you think?

If only you could try them!

Check back later this week for more fun crafts and baking.

Thanks for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

This page was shared with Its a Blog Party!

The littlest things help!

I was very hesitant about doing this post, 

but I decided I need to just suck it up, and be strong.

Yesterday morning a close family member passed away.

And at times like this I feel like God didn't think it over, and wonder why he chose this specific person.

We will never know, but God has a reason for everything.

And as my followers know I planted sunflowers months ago.

I have been patiently waiting for them to bloom.

And on one of the saddest days that I have yet to experience the first sunflower bloomed.

God knows when you need just the smallest bit of hope to keep you going.

Thank you God!

I may be over analyzing this, but

if you saw my first post on sunflowers, I associate sunflowers with my

late grandfather who passed away in 2005.

I truly believe that Bobby, my grandfather, is telling me to keep my head up,

because it will all be okay.

Happy Anniversary!

Okay, so this post is a little late,

but truthfully I have been looking forward to doing this post since I started this blog.

It's going to be short and sweet, but I just wanted to announce that my husband, and I 

have now been happily married for one year.

On July 2 of this year Peter and I celebrated out 1st anniversary.

I'm so thankful to have such a loving husband in my life.

Happy Anniversary Hubs!

Oh, and one of these days I going to get around to sharing all the crafty ideas we did for our wedding.

And I had so much help with everything.

I'm so thankful.

Thanks for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".

Let Freedom Ring

I hope everyone had a splendid 4th of July.

My family and I most definitely took full advantage of a fun, filled day full of family, fireworks, and the celebration of freedom.

That's a mouth full!

Well I thought I would share a few things from our wonderful celebration.

My latest creation is this americana banner.

I used scraps of red, white and blue fabric.

they aren't any certain length or width. 

They all differ in sizes.

I used ribbon to hold the fabric strips, and I 

folded the fabric strips over the ribbon and knotted at the top.

Simple enough! It took maybe 20 minutes to make.

I'm thinking this would be a really fun table skirt.

I made some 4th of July Cupcakes, but I'm not a fan of using popsicle sticks for the cake toppers.

I was out of candy sticks. . .I will have to remember to stock up.

I was testing a new cupcake out. 

I made Almond Cupcakes with a chocolate surprise.

Recently I have been trying to add an extra twist to my favorite cupcakes. 

The only thing I think I need to change is make the frosting chocolate since there is a chocolate surprise in the center. Hmmm? So many options.

Once I have perfected the recipe I will do a post on it.

My favorite thing was the star*spangled watermelon, and berries!

So simple, but so cute.

And I can't go wrong with watermelon for Cameron.

And lastly her Independence Day dress worked out wonderfully.

Only fault is that I had a hard time getting a picture of her.

One good one without her bow. (below)

And one with her bow. (below)

To view the post featuring Cameron's dress click here >>> Pillowcase Dress
or Cam's bow click here >>> Fabric Bows

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July, and

thank you for stopping by "Through Betsy's Looking Glass".