Love filled Cupcakes and a very Regal aging process!

OMG!! Hello, Hi and  'how are ya?' to all my Mini-Sweethearts! I have missed y'all and each of your lovely and inspiring blogs!! It has definitely been a coon's age since I've posted (how old am I? Lol)!.. Unfortunately, too much 'LIFE' going on lately, you know; money problems, kid responsibilities, a little depression thrown in for good measure.. looking for a new 'real' job, trying to catch up on my favorite TV shows.. And oh yeah.. my Grandmother's husband of 26 years died a few weeks ago (naturally) and she couldn't be alone, so I've had only a very small amount of time for self-reflection and refilling my cup. I've actually managed to almost completely avoid mini-making recently and have almost nothing to show you, but I thought I should show up on your reading list soon before y'all forget about me, so here we go: 

First off: this is the coolest treat ever for a Cupcake Addict like me..I had no idea this was possible! I am in love with them!!

This is a REAL 1:1 heart cupcake (not my pic)... 

..so of course I went straight to my mini bake shop and tried my hand at making some 1:6 sized ones... Here is my attempt: a moist and  luscious gold and strawberry cake, heart filled cupcake, with a light 'n' fluffy raspberry and rhubarb custard icing..

I found making this goodie a little tricky.. (I can barely make an egg cane so...) but I gave it a shot. I am pleased, although I very much want to make smaller ones (1:12) with different flavors!

Speaking of..here are some White Cake cups slathered with a thick and strong cream-cheese spread. 

They look so great set against my new baking board and lace trimmed tea-towels. 

I adore chocolate mousse cheesecake layered on a crunchy graham cracker crust..and this one is drizzled in dark, rich chocolate, topped with chewy, sugared fruit drops and pistachio bites. Want some? Pass your plate, I'll get the cold milk..

No? Perhaps a smoother pudding cake on crisp, buttery shortbread is more your taste? Well.. I made two, just for you. One with crushed nuts and one without, both dressed with a fragrant fondant rose and leaf.

Y'all know by now that I love nothing more than spending the day in the bright, sunny kitchen, in my cottage chic apron, drinking a mug of  hot, creamy tea. While the oven warms up, I consider the needed ingredients I will use to make/bake todays special treat.  

..a box of decadent strawberry cake mix and a -bursting with blueberries- muffin mix, fat, whole milk and farm fresh laid eggs, a freezing cold mixing bowl and a box of puffy-smooth Dream Whip, pads of butter shaped with love, a few huge bricks of  cooking chocolate and a couple of well worn pie plates.

Almost forgot the two "MUST-HAVES" in my bakery: Sugar and Flour! Also, a jar of raspberry swirl butter bombs and a peek at my newly decorated cupcakes.

Do you like my tiny cherried-rose cakes? The roses are resting on browned and caramelized vanilla sponge, smothered in Summer Fruit butter frosting and sugared leaves... 

A WIP.

 (the table was my first 1:6 scale furnishing project. Made from scratch..of course..)

I made this plant at the same time as the Ingredient table setting. I am deathly afraid of using my paints and paintbrush but it worked on the plant..it almost looks real (if you don't look too close! Lol!). I made this for my 1:6 girls..it will look better next to the couch it was made for (probably next post..promise). 

Speaking of painting...I have fallen in love (yes, again) with designing furniture and Decorative painting techniques such as faux finishes and patinas. I have no idea how to design or how to draw plans.. but I'm online trying to figure it out. I have started a small table- make and paint -project. Here is what the basic idea is: a side table with a lamp..letterbox/postcards/letters, a plate of treats and a saucer of espresso, a hydrangea and perhaps a chair. This is my progress; made table and drawer..first layer black. 

Next I plan to age, crackle, coat, paint again, sand and wax, then glaze and varnish. Sounds easy right? The hard part for me is the decorative paint job. I have a good eye and know what it should look like and what I really want but translating that to my hands and my piece is an altogether different story..we'll see. My stuff rarely turns out like I saw in my minds eye..sometimes I can't even clearly 'see' what I want the end result to be. And yet once in a blue moon ..my work turns out EXACT! No matter.. I promise to show y'all when I'm done, even if it's awful! 

Something I've just begun to learn is how to apply paint and solutions to age and antique metal or wire furnishings, charms and what nots. This is what I mean:  

Take a few new shiny bits and pieces..

And create something Majestic!! OOOOOoooooo! I love it!! It took many coats and lots of fiddling with paints and such, but it was soooooooooo worth it. I want to cover EVERYTHING with rust and patina now!! Oh no!! BTW, does anyone know a really EXCEPTIONAL place online to buy tiny charms, findings and beads; like crowns, angel beads and pieces to make drawer pulls etc...? Pretty Please Thank you very much.

This will be the lamp for the table...

The lock and key for the drawer...

A Religious Relic from the past with a hint of crystal peeking thru...

I can envision a menagerie of glass and silver bottles and perfumes covering this tray...

Gotta look at this one one more time! Lookie, lookie!! Do you likey??

My absolute favorite piece is this tiny Tiara. She came out perfect... and 1:6 BJ-Barbie can wear this crown, it fits like it was made for her... (ball-jointed..sicko)

Lastly, the candle that will sit by my book on the nightstand...

And...

OOops..how did this one get in here?? That's one of my three girls..Little, mini LayLou! I guess she wanted to say 'ello to our many friends here in Blog-land! xo Ruff Ruff!!

I sure hope everyone who cares to read this post found something in it that is inspiring or yummy...I am not sure if I'll be back sooner or later..I have been working, so hopefully I'll have something cool to show y'all soon. Please take care and be gentle with you. Promise yourself one small treat this week, whether it's a 1000 calorie dessert or a good conversation or a snuggle fest with one of your pups..hey- that sounds good, real good. "Oh Laylouuuu"...

BIG BIG hugs and lots of mini love!!! xoxo

Stocking my 1:6 kitchen with my new Sweetheart..

   Happy Saturday Y'all!! I am so happy to come and find you here, hoping to see something new..Well...sure! I love catching up on posts and others' blogs during the weekend mornings..Apple crumble muffins and strawberry croissant at the ready..fresh mug of hot, sugary tea with loads of milk to wash it down. No, I'm not a big fan of coffee, unless it has mint, hot chocolate and whipped cream in it AND comes from Tim Hortons. Lol! Enough about 1:1 treats though,  lets look at some new mini's!!

   First I gotta show you a new acquisition.  I have begun the slow and expensive task of stocking my 1:6 kitchen and pantry (I have..nothing..yet). My first pieces arrived yesterday from the amazingly talented lady Roxanne Fern.

Looks at this incredible work of art! She completely re-worked this piece; adding buttons and levers, cords, plugs and authentic labelling...

I just had to show you both sides. This is my favorite miniature EVER! I've never been happier with an order!!

Okay..now the blender. Those realistic cords are really cool...

..and look close! She even added tiny blades! Two of them! 

The last thing I ordered was these two pie plates! I adore these!!! I can hardly wait to make the pies for them. Mmmmm strawberry pie..hmmm apple!!! I can smell the rhubarb and cinnamon! Roxanne was so sweet she even included this Cupcake cookbook and recipe card! Everything came packaged beautifully and it was the fastest parcel order that I've ever gotten!! I am already saving for my next order. Please check out her blog: http://bakinginminiature.blogspot.ca/   or go take a peek at her Etsy by the same name. Be prepared to drool and covet!!

                                    So now it's time to introduce you to my new Sweetheart!

    May I please present.. Miss Harvin Meyer Hawn:

Couldn't those Honey-Hazel eyes just melt your soul? I think she is just simply beautiful. I really wanted a second doll (one is soooo lonely..) and had a Oriental doll in mind..but Harvin just spoke to me with that Golden mane and her pretty eyes..I had to have her! 

   I found that her curls did not hold well but I now know what to do! I have aluminum tubing that I cut into 1 - 2 cm pieces to use with bobby pins as curlers (you could also use straws of different sizes or ???. Shampoo and then use a small amount of detangler or conditioner on Barbies' hair. Pull up and into a ponytail.Secure with elastic. Curl and set the ponytail ends while damp..then ..holding the doll upside down; run just boiled water over the entire head of hair. Once it has been totally soaked in the hot water, remove the hot water and now pour ice water over the hair..adjust any loose pieces and let it cool completely..like leave her overnight (10-15 hrs) if you can. In the morning remove the curlers and style! Spritz with any hair spray afterwards and style like usual.

                                       

The first thing I made her was a couple of mini books. She is wickedly smart and vivacious and she can't just sit around and do nothing  while I style her hair, so I craft her objects to use and interact with. Let me tell you more about my gal:

HMH.

 26 years old.

 She a Big-Rich-Golden-Dream-Blonde-Boss-lady with a razor sharp tongue, wits to match and a heart of solid gold (18Kt white gold that is..) Harvin enjoys reading.. everything, stinging hot bubble baths with silky bath bombs and melts, cheesecake of any taste or type and of course sleeping late on Sundays. Chanel is her church and shoes are her passion (nude platforms her staple). Modern Dance and ballet has been a focal point since the moment she could stand in first position and it has carried her over into a Cheerleading career with the Atlanta Falcons. She has been on the team for almost three years but she is thinking farther ahead. Having come from a family of high social standing and extreme privilege, Harvin learned early on how to maintain a strong work ethic and positive demeanor. Always the first to volunteer her time, Harvin refuses to rest on her laurels and instead foresees a future in philanthropy and charity works. Some of her favorite things are: steak and lobster dinners, anything pink, cute boys and burlesque shows. She adores her Shih Tzu mix Root-Beer and treasures time spent with Rowan V. Dracco, her best girl friend. Harvin collects Elephants, daydreams about love and detests mean spirited people.

Harvin is having a sweet treat while she shares her paper-dolls with  Dolly and Raggedy-Ann.

She's not sure which outfit she wants to outfit her paper-doll in...

...so so many fabulous pieces to choose from. All Louie Vuitton of course!

Oh Awesome..Rowan has decided to join in..every girl loves paper-dolls!!

These are the last of Harvins' childhood toys. She can't bear to let them go....

Strawberry angel food cake cupcakes with raspberry jam filling and whipped vanilla frosting. A strawberry for the pallet and then some milk to finish it off! Oh yum it's so fresh!! Can you smell the tart and tangy raspberry sauce?

Chocolate toffee shortbread hearts, salted caramel cocoa cookies and thick'n'chewy mini brownie chunks. Where did that milk go..?

Well that's all for now my wonderful mini friends! I sincerely hope you saw something you liked. I have a number of projects almost ready for pics but not in time for this post so y'all will have to wait for the next! It won't be so long inbetween though...

Hey before I go..could y'all help me out a little here? I am working on a few pieces in preparation for opening an Etsy shop. For one, I am filling a cabinet and I'd love everyones' opinion:

So:  Do y'all think the screening  on each side obstructs the view inside the cabinet too much? Should I just use the plain glass? The middle door will be all 'glass' no matter what sides I choose..just need to know if people like this look..obviously it has not yet been painted, finished or filled. Just thought I'd ask for a basic opinion to help me decide. What do ya think? Screen or plain glass? (The piece will be painted white once finished.) 

It hasn't been glued in..just another view..

PLEASE leave me a comment and FOLLOW! I read every single one and try to always answer back! I love questions and advice! I also take custom orders and do special requests..all you have to do is ask.. Almost everything on this blog can be sold or re-made for sale. Just send me an email with your wish: eatcakeminiatures@hotmail.com

THANK YOU so very very much for joining me today! Please enjoy the rest of your weekend - Make the most of it..or spend it all in bed!! Just do you. Okay? (Okay...I'm getting into my pj's right now! Tee Hee!) Nothing like some cotton sheets and a really great book! I am reading "The Host" and it's phenom!! Read the book THEN see the movie..trust me it's better that way! 

BIG HUGE GIGANTIC Mini Hugs!!

Much love and kisses too! xo

As is..

Hey Y'all! Yes, it has been too long hasn't it? Well to be honest I kept putting off this post because I had envisioned it a certain way with all 1:6 scale items for Rowan but because of a few mini-SNAFU's, that's not possible. First problem is her love-seat. I hate the way it turned out..have to re-design, re-do and re-cover with thinner fabric. (How do y'all deal with the folds and corners???What a bi%$h!) I have some better ideas. I ALWAYS like my second try better so try, try again y'all. Well here's my first try: no legs or pillows (like I'd planned)..as is:

Speaking of pillows..I've been trying out printable fabric sheets. They average about $2 a sheet but are soooo worth it. They print beautifully and the fabric is a great feeling cotton. Love'em. Here is a picture of the unassembled pillows (as is) I will be sewing today.. Anyone like Sailor Jerry?

 I wanted to make a cupcake pattern to make my first fabric sheet. The first design I created looks like this on the computer: 

Took me a while to get the size right (on paper):

But I finally did..here's a close up of the printed fabric:

Unfortunately I found the first printing looked almost yellow instead of pink overall..so I tried subtracting the yellow ink and it came out blue. Uggg! Here it is..as is: *sigh

So you probably noticed Rowan in her new apron, seeing as that's all she's wearing..(teehee) BECAUSE I am busy trying to make her a bra and thong set. They are not ready to show or she'd have em on (she's being extremely patient..but is complaining it's cold).  Remember I said I would try making her some UGGs. Well I managed to do just that:

 Keep in mind that I had to fit her arched, un-movable foot into them..hence the short, high toe. Doing my best y'all. First time ever you know?

First try at making her leopard print wooden wedges as well. Already know what to do next time to make them better. This time...as is.

I also managed to start her kitchen accessories collection. This is her shabby chic shaker basket with a few berries. Gonna take me awhile to fill it up. Here it is..as is:

...slightly distressed! I love!

Pat found this perfect little strainer while we were searching for mini tube-cutters. Doesn't it look great beside the little whisk I made? Needs potatoes being washed and cut... gotta paint the whisk too I think:

..and she gifted me with this beautiful set of green bowls. The photo doesn't do the colors justice. They are actually all shades of green and not yellow and brown like they look here. So much for my thousand dollar camera (needs natural light of course!).

So you might know I have begun making my own printables  I've already asked my group and my neighbors to save their packaging. Thanks to tips from a mini friend I realized my scan settings were off. I fixed them and they are still dull. So now a new printer is on the dreaded 'to-get' list. Oh well. Here they are..as is.

Lastly some food: Unfortunately I completely forgot my 'take all food photos in natural light' vow I made. What? How?? I know. So here's a few pics..with damned flash..as is:

Ding Dong

Hot and fresh pepperoni!!

Turn up the tv and pass me another slice!

Here you go...

 (needs drippy cheese. Sheesh. Looking back at my blogs with these large HD photos really helps me learn and grow. I'm grateful for that.)

Another beer too? Pass the lime please. Burrbbbb. Excuse!

And finally something you can eat for real: MUG CAKE!!

RECIPIE:

Ingredients:

1 angel food cake mix (type that says "just add water")
1 cake mix (any flavor of your choice...I've made chocolate, red velvet, and strawberry..)

Directions:

Mix both mixes together and store in a Ziploc bag or other container.

To make a cake, put 1/3 cup of mix in a coffee mug (safe for the microwave). Add 3 tablespoons of water and mix.

Cook on 100% power for 1 minute (I've found the red velvet takes a little longer...just make sure the cake looks dry and not wet on top).

Flip cake onto a plate upside down

Cake can be served plain or topped however you like it.

Possible toppings: icing sugar, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, frosting, ice cream, etc.

Enjoy!

The awful chocolate cake box was free online. I made the angel food cake box printie.

You can also use the mix the old fashioned way and still bake in the mug for a few minutes longer. I like to add Hershey's syryp too.

Mixing the mixes

Voila! Let it cool!!!

Grease the mug if you wanna pop them out nicely!

 Now some cupcakes and liners:

Before and after!

Liners. Yes I make my own.

Needs some more sugared beads. (what was I thinking??)

Alright I'm sure y'all need a fresh cup of coffee by now so I'll let ya go with one last thought or two: Things don't always work out..but at least you can always start again a fresh! So go start your day with a fresh attitude and I'll see y'all next time!

BIG BIG love and Mini hugs! xoxo