Castle Cake

Castle Cake

This cake took the longest for me to create and the results were less than stellar. 

Putting the cake together took some time, but seemed to look pretty good prior to frosting.  (I used butter cake...next time I will use a pound cake as this cake became so soft as it thawed that one of the turrets started to lean...augh!!)

Next I put on the crumb coat...it was a little difficult with all of the corners, but not so bad.  Things are looking good at this point.

Then the next morning I started to frost & decorate.  To my horror, the buttercream icing began taking on a lavendar color the more black paste I added to it...and of  course, I kept adding more thinking, "this time, it will take on a dark gray color."  It didn't.  I flipped.  THIS IS A BOY'S CAKE!!  He would not be interested in a purple cake....and I'm running out of time. 

Well, I just went with it and changed my decorating plan.  After covering the entire cake in this awful purplish frosting, I decided to just lightly add a touch of black to the buttercream and make light gray stones for the castle.  This looked better, though this is the point where I noticed one of the turrets starting to resemble the Leaning Tower of Pisa...aughhh!  If it was my kid's cake, it would have been fine, but I was making this for a friend AND she was paying me.  Panic started to take hold.  I was afraid I would run out of frosting (luckily I had plenty.)

Well, I got it done, added some grass and pennants and took a look.  Not too bad.  Until I realized there was NO DOOR!!!  I became so distracted by the purple frosting that I totally forgot to leave room to create the door.  Have I lost my ability to make cakes?!?  Maybe this was a sign?  Luckily the mom showed me LOTS of grace.  She was going to decorate around the cake with Lego knights and she happened to have a Lego drawbridge door she could press into the side of the cake.  I haven't seen pictures yet, but my fingers are crossed it all turned out ok.  At least I know it tasted good!

Smiles!

Mario Party Ideas

Ok, you must see these cute ideas from a Mario Party we attended this weekend.  They were created by my friend Jennifer for her son AJ's birthday party.  It was held at Chuck E. Cheese, but that did not deter her rom throwing a theme party (I LOVE IT!!!) 

She made these cute Mario hats.  (Don't you love my hurricane hat model?!?  Thanks MIL!!)  She used cardboard and elastic string.  Not sure if she had a template she used or if she created it herself.  If she has one, I'll see if she'll let me add it to this post.

Besides being so cute, the hat and mushroom bag had practical purposes as well. It was much easier to locate a child attending AJ's party from the mass of children because of his Mario hat (and mustache!!) I forgot to tell you, she also had those cute stick on mustaches for the boys to wear! (AGAIN, LOVE IT!!!)  Wish I had taken my camera to the party...Haden looked so cute with that mustache and hat on!

These SUPER CUTE felt bags held the gold coins (like on Mario,) the tickets and few sweet treats to keep the fun going.  The boys hung them around their neck to keep everything close at hand.  Fabulous idea!  If you have a party at Chuck E. Cheese I would highly recommend doing something similiar that fits your theme.  Having these little pouches made the party easier for EVERYONE!

Admittedly, I didn't get into the treat bag until the next day.  (We had a BUSY weekend and I just didn't have the energy to say, NO CANDY BEFORE BED!)  Wow!  Was I surprised when I opened it.  (Yes, you're reading it right...I opened it.  I always have to see if there is any candy I want first!)

Do you see that Mario Pop she made?!?  All paper pieced together!  So cute and clever!!  I didn't ask where she found her ideas....she's so clever and cute she probably just came up with everything!! 

Moral of the story, even if your child INSISTS on having a party at a venue other than your home, you can still throw an amazing, memorable theme party that children and parents alike will all enjoy! 

Great party, Jennifer!  So glad we were able to be a part of it!

Smiles!!

***UPDATE***
Here are some links I've found for templates:
Invitations, Party Ideas & Tag Template, Pinata, Star Coin Decorations, Lots of Ideas

Mario Bros Cake

Mario Bros Cake

Butter Cake, Chocolate Filling, Buttercream Icing

Linking to:

Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple , M.M.M. at C.R.A.F.T. , Craft-O-Maniac Monday , Making the World Cuter Monday , Mad Skills Monday at SSB , Anything Related at All Thingz Related , Get Your Craft On with Today's Creative Blog , Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts , Show Us What You're Working On with Me and My Bucket

Pretty Packages Party #2 Highlights

Hi Friends! Its been such a crazy week here, I've been MIA at my own party!  So sorry!  I promise I'll stop by and comment on each and every idea this week.  I loved seeing all the pics!

Also, I heard the link button didn't always work.  I'll work on that this month so it'll be ready by the next party.  Any tips would be appreciated!

 Thanks to everyone who linked up to this month's Pretty Packages Party.  There were so many amazing ideas!  It is always so hard to pick out a just a few to highlight.  Here are a just a few of the super cute ideas you wonderful gals shared this month:

Tie Party Favors by Bliss Bloom Blog

One of a Kind Envelopes by In My Own Style

S'more Gift Set by Beagle Run Cottage

Halloween Fry Box Treats at the Craft Cave

Some Sweet Packages at the Barn Chicks

Handmade Gift Boxes at Entertaining Women

Chocolate Almond Croissants

Oh!  It's been a busy week!  I have two cakes due this weekend and cake balls today.  There was also a little event at J's school and I was asked to bring a pastry.  Well, I made apricot strudel and these yummy little Chocolate Almond Croissants.  They are quick to put together but need time for the chocolate to firm up (about 3 hours.)  I put them together around 5:30 yesterday morning and they were perfect by the time J's party started at 9:15.  Again, these are so easy and yummy I just had to share the recipe with you!

Chocolate Almond Croissants

 1  (12.5 oz) can almond filling (this has a color similiar to pecan pie filling...not pale like almond paste)

12 - 20 small croissants (I used the ones from Sam's bakery dept...frozen will also work)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels, melted*

1 cup sliced almonds

Toast almonds and set aside.  Split croissants.  Stir almond filling and spread about 2 tablespoons of filling on croissant bottom.  Cover with tops.  Place on parchment lined pan.  Bake at 325 degrees for about 7 minutes or until lightly toasted.

Drizzle or spread chocolate on top of croissants.  Sprinkle with almonds.  Leave at room temperature until chocolate sets...about 3 hours.

*To melt chocolate morsels:  Place in microwave-safe bowl;  microwave on HIGH 1-2 minutes or until melted.  Stir only once.  (Start at 1 minute...you don't want it to burn)

Smiles!

PS.  Don't forget to stop by the Pretty Packages Party!

Linking up to these parties!
Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple , Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts , Hoooo's Got Talent at Night Owl Crafting , Show Off Your Stuff at Fireflies and Jellybeans , Recipe Swap at Prairie Story , Show Us What You're Working On at Me and My Bucket , A Crafty Soiree at Katie's Nesting Spot , MBC Blog Gallery

Pretty Packages Party #2

Well it's the first full week in September already.  Kids are back in school.  The weather is getting cooler.  (At least it is here!  We've gone from the 100's to the high 80's low 90's...it's glorious!)

I was browisng around blogland and saw this post from Blake Ramsey with Martha Stewart's Craft Department.  Click here to read post.  They used everyday office labels and dots to decorate plain wrapping paper.  Of course I adore her choice of wrapping paper color...very Martha.

Now its time to share your wrapped packages!
This is a PRETTY PACKAGES PARTY so what I'm looking for is beautifully, interestingly, creatively wrapped gifts. The gifts could range from individual gifts, to party favors, to food gifts. At the end of the week (if I can wait that long,) I'll chose my favorites to share with everyone.


Please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top, into the "url" box for the picture linky. You'll also need to put your e-mail address in, but don't worry, it will not be visible to anyone.

It would be fantastic if you would include the Pretty Packages Party button in your post, to make it easy for others to find your Pretty Package post. To do that, just copy and paste the Pretty Packages Party button to your computer or grab the html code from underneath the Pretty Packages Party button on my sidebar.

Please include a link in your Pretty Packages Party post back to the host blog, The Blackberry Vine. Why is this important? When you include a link back to The Blackberry Vine, it ensures your regular readers/visitors will find the other gorgeously wrapped gifts linked to the Pretty Packages Party. If everyone links back, this maximizes the opportunity for visits for all who participate.

Please do not add your link below, until your Pretty Packages Party post is actually published to your blog. Another helpful hint...DO NOT type in all caps...it makes it very difficult to read! Thanks!

Last, but certainly not least, please comment on the post in front of you and behind you...spread the comment love!

Smiles!

Homework Helper Cookies and Muffins

Chef Catherine Ruehle of Sublime Bakery shared her recipes for homework-helping cookies and muffins this morning on Fox 4 Good Day! I'm going to give them a try as soon as my mixer is fixed...thought some of you other moms looking for yummy and nutritious snack and breakfast options might want to go ahead a give them a try...let me know how they turn out!

 Homework Helper Cookies and Muffins

Also, you must check out her website and blog.  Catherine is an super talented chef...your jaw will drop when you see her creations!  AMAZING!

smiles!