*Holly Bake*

My daughter turned 2 last week and I decided that she NEEDED a Barbie cake. I always had wanted one when I was a kid so I was actually only fulfilling my own desires!!

I used the pans below and made my favorite chocolate cake recipe. So simple but so good. I made a butter cream frosting with a little shortening in it to give it some stability. I'm not overly impressed by my decorating skills but it's not too bad for my first one.

This barbie is about 25 years old...I was too cheap to go and buy a new Barbie so I just pulled my old one out from a box of keepsakes.

The layers of the cake.
Since it was only the 4 of us we had ton's of cake leftover.
I believe this would feed a party of 20 at the least.

My favorite Chocolate Cake
(One Bowl Cake)

1 cup buttermilk
1 cup water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2, 9" round pans or about 18 cupcakes. In large bowl combine buttermilk, water, oil, sugar, eggs, baking soda, and salt. Using a large whisk, whisk until well combined. Add flour and cocoa powder; whisk vigorously until smooth. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes for round pans or around 15-18 minutes for cupcakes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely.

*Holly Create*

I have seen these around for awhile now and finally got around to making some for myself.
I bought the clothespins at Dollar Tree (36 for a buck!) and used leftover scrappaper to cover them. I had made some in the past and sprayed painted the clothespins first which I also think is really cute. I typed a few words out on Microsoft Word for the custom clothespins. Then put my Mod Podge to work and got some fun clothespins.

I use them in the kitchen as "chip clips," they are a lot prettier then those big ugly plastic "chip clips" don't ya think?

*Holly Crochet*

I made this scarf for my aunt's birthday. I used Caron Simply Soft yarn and love that it only took one skein. She only had one scarf so it was time for something new to freshen-up her winter accessories! I got my pattern off of www.ravelry.com my favorite website for crochet and knitting patterns and ideas. If you a yarn crafter you need to check it out!

*Holly Crochet*

I crocheted this scarf for Toby's Kindergarten teacher. She is always wearing these colors so I thought it would work for her. I hope she likes it and doesn't think it is a typical "teacher gift" and send it to the Goodwill!

I used my lovely lamp shade as a model!! The pattern is from Lyon brand yarn. I used Vanna Choice yarn. It takes 5 skeins of yarn but I have enough extra to make a multi-color hat or scarf.

*Holly Create*

My son has seen us make stools for nieces, nephews, friends, etc. and has been wanting one of his own for a long time now. So for Christmas he finally got one. Drew made a new design which I'm lovin' and I Mod Podge it with his name. I really like the way it turned out and now he can finally get his own water by himself.

*Holly Create*

When I found this huge picture frame at a church rummage sale I just knew it would come in useful at some point. So when I asked the lady how much she paused and then said "Well, it sure will cost a lot to put the glass in it so how about a buck." I tried to remain calm and said "that sounds like a good price." I then paid her for it and walked away a happy girl.

This is the same sale I bought a brand new razor scooter for my son for $2.00, I love this church rummage sale!

So this frame sat in my garage for a year and then I decided to hang it on the wall, there it remained for another six months until I finally figured out exactly how to put it all together. I found the smaller frame at Goodwill for $1.50 and glued the Scrabble game pieces to the glass. (Scrabble found at a garage sale by my Aunt for $1.00) Though the first time I spelled laugh wrong (laugth, whoops) thanks to my friend, Val, who pointed that mistake out!!! I then found the hooks at Lowe's on clearance for 68 cents for 4. I cut foam board and covered it with scrap book paper and Mod Podge then glued the twine on to hang the pictures. To attach the pictures I used double sided tape, this way I can change out the pictures as I desire.
I really like how it all turned out and for way cheap!!

*Holly Create*

Doug & Barb (owners of the restaurant I work at & my friends) told me they had an old window from their house that they are remodeling and was wondering if I wanted it. Of course, I wanted it...it was old and best of all FREE!
When they brought it to me my heart skipped a beat and my mind was spinning with all sort of idea's. I came home that night and walked around the house (very quietly trying to not wake up the kids and husband) until I figure out the best idea.

So here it is... I bought the letters at Joann's and painted them white and the edges orange. The window is left as-is.

Thanks Doug and Barb, I will always have a "Good Night" sleep
with that above my bed!

*Holly Create*

So I love to decoupage (as some of you may know!) and I made this for my niece's birthday (Audrey it will be in the mail soon...)
I found an old jewelry box at the thrift store and paid $1.98 for it. Took it home, sanded it down and then sprayed painted it with 3 coats of turquoise, I then cut the paper from scraps of papers I already had and mod podged them to the box. I found little wooden handles at Joann's (around a buck or so) and sprayed them fuchsia and then glued them to the box. I also had little wooden feet laying around the house so I sprayed those and glued them to the bottom of the box for additional height.

Sorry I don't have a "before" picture of the box. But I plan on making a lot more so I will include a "before" picture next time.
Not a bad gift for less than 4 bucks.