Christmas Tree Cake Pops!!!

To get in the holiday spirit, we both tried out some of Bakerella's Christmas cake pop ideas.  Here is my attempt at the Christmas tree pops!  I love them!!!  My cousin Katie and I are going to make some for our family at Christmas in New Orleans.  Can't wait!!  

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Love,

Katherine

Cake Pops!!!

Hello!  It's Katherine, here.  Just wanted to share with you our newest baking obsession...cake pops!!  As mentioned in a previous post, we have been really into reading Bakerella's blog lately.  She just came out with a book all about cake pops and it is awesome!!  Gwen actually surprised me with a copy for an early birthday present, and I can't wait to try out all of the cute designs! 

Here are some pictures from my very first attempt with cake pops!

I know it seems impossible, but these little guys taste even better than they look.  ;)

My husband is always excited when he comes home and sees that I've done a bunch of baking, but I knew he'd be extra excited when he saw these little footballs.  I think these would be so cute at a game-watching party...maybe tying ribbons in your team's colors on the stick or around the treat bag if they are individually wrapped!

Cute smiley faces.  :)

If you want to get started making your own cake pops, click here and scroll down to the bottom of Bakerella's post titled "It's shipping" to find a link to her video tutorial.

After I tried my hand with the pops, I decided to venture over to Bakerella's cupcake bites.  They are so adorable and super easy (I think even easier than the cake pops). 

Here is the link to directions for the cupcake bites.  Hope you have as much fun making these as I did!!  Now that I have my new Cake Pops book, be prepared for some more picture posts in the future.  :)

Baby Cakes for Zoe

See!  I told you I've been inspired...two posts in one day!!!

When I was in Houston for Lauren and Austin's homecoming, I was lucky to also get the chance to get together with one of my best friends from growing up, Stacey, and her husband Stephen.  If you remember, Stacey was the bride of the Christmas, red and metallic shower back in December.

Well, now there is a new reason to celebrate (and make desserts)!!  Stacey and Stephen are expecting their first baby in November - Baby Zoe!! 

A new baby means only one thing...I had to make "baby" cakes.  I made mini-cakes for Stacey and Stephen's pseudo-baby shower (since I won't be able to make the real one this month). 

My inspiration was the pink and white polka dot wrapping paper I used to wrap the baby gift (and the matching plates and napkins)!  Matching makes me smile.  :)

Some of the mini-cakes had little "Z"s for Zoe...not "N"s like my husband originally thought.  :)

I had so much fun with Stacey and Stephen and I cannot wait to meet Baby Zoe in just a few short months!!!

Welcome to Texas!!!

Well, well, well...it's been a loooong time since our last post.  That may even be an understatement.  Gwen and I have both been very busy and thus have not been crafting or baking very much as of late...she's the one with the new baby, though, so I must say that she has a way better excuse than me.  :)

My excuse is that my husband and I moved several months back and are now living temporarily in a tiny corporate apartment in Missouri where I don't have any of my craft or baking supplies.  :(  My other excuse is that quite simply...I have been very uninspired since we moved.  I am thinking it's because I need my "g" so that "k" can design.  Sorry...that was lame...I apologize.  :)

The good news is that I am beginning to get inspired again thanks to a couple of AWESOME blogs Gwen told me about.  Thank you to the girls over at Blonde Designs and Bakerella for sharing their super cute and creative ideas.

Alright...moving on to the latest project...

My little sister Lauren and her husband Austin just got back from spending a year teaching English in South Korea.  They had a great time, but now they're HOME!!!!!  My parents threw a welcome home party, and when I hear "party," I think "what kind of dessert should I make??"  

I decided on a Texas-themed cake...



With a welcome home banner...

And matching cupcakes!!!

I hadn't really thought about the size of the Texas flags (everything's bigger in Texas) before I got ready to put them on the cupcakes.  I almost thought I would have to just use the stars, but I was able to get the flags to stand up when I pushed in one corner.  I love how they matched the cake!

Welcome home Lauren and Austin!!  Yeehaw!

Bright Birthday Cupcakes

Greetings from Houston, Texas! I (Katherine) have been visiting friends and family in the South for the past few weeks.

This weekend, a family friend was celebrating her birthday and I was inspired by the wrapping paper my mom used for her gift. Here are the pictures of the matching cupcakes.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Petrie!!!

RED Hot Bridal Shower

Our good friends Sarah and Joel are tying the knot!! With the help of our friend Kreena, we threw Sarah a "Red Hot" bridal shower to help celebrate and to get the couple ready for domestic bliss! :)

The invitation

Chocolate cupcakes with a cherry on top!

The "Sarah Spritzer"...champagne and cranberry juice...delish!!

Silverware tied in red scroll napkins to match the invites.

The favors...our gk cutout cookies in the shape of a heart with red sprinkles (sorry no picture of the actual cookies).

Guests were thanked for writing words of advice for Sarah and Joel - the advice cards will go into a scrapbook we are making for Sarah with pictures and other keepsakes from the shower.

Gwen's "Wild & Crafty" Baby Shower

Gwen is about to become a mommy!!! Of course there had to be a party! And of course it had to involve arts and crafts! :) Our friends Kreena, Sarah, and I (Katherine) threw the mom-to-be a baby shower where all the guests made scrapbook pages to go into Baby's memory book.

The book turned out AMAZING and I have to give a special shout out to one of our dedicated followers Megan. Unfortunately, Megan couldn't make it to the shower, but she mailed her scrapbook pages so they could be added to the book. They were absolutely incredible and definitely set the bar for our scrapbooking party!

Here are some pictures from the shower...

The invites

Cupcakes

Baby-tini (non-alcoholic, of course) :)

Candies served in baby bowls - given to Mommy after the shower.

Pasta served in orange and green bell peppers to match the color theme!

The favors...animal crackers to thank the guests for getting WILD and crafty with Gwen.