Fun New Burp Cloths

Just finished making some cute burpcloths from prefolded diapers.  Quick and easy project for a baby gift.  I added ribbons to the bottom, you can never get diapers that have a nice clean edge, except for the one with cowboy boots.  I added jumbo red rickrack with a strip of denim under it that I clipped and left the edge raw so it would fray as it is washed.  Love doing

fun baby gifts!!!!!!

 The internet is loaded with cute things you can add to burp pads and then include a name if you can.

Happy Fall

Made little Miss Ava an October outfit....used a pumpkin applique on the embroidery machine that creates a "raggedy" look with no efforts hardly.  This is the bigger size of the one I used last year on the "boutique" overalls for her.   The applique came from www.embroideryboutique.com.  The skirt is made from cute little Halloween fabric found at JoAnn's, adding a pretty polka dotted edge to match the black shirt, purchased at Walmart.  I still have to open the sides on these small shirts to embroider!  Mailed them to Ava this week with some other goodies.

Yummy Chocolate Frosting

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

6 tbsp boiling water (boil extra just in case your frosting is too thick)

8 tbsp (1 stick) butter at room temperature

3 cups confectioners' sugar sifted (sift extra just in case your frosting is too thin)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

place the cocoa powder in a lg mixing bowl & pour boiling water over it, stir  until the cocoa comes together in a soft mass. Add butter and blend with a mixer on low until soft and well blended (about 30 secs.) Stop mixing and  add the sugar and vanilla on low until blended well, increase speed to med and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, add more boiling water a tsp at a time if frosting is too thick or sugar if to thin.

I find if I set this into the fridge for a few minutes after making it, it will thicken better to allow you to pipe onto cupcakes.  If spreading on a cake, it will likely do better too! 

BEST Chocolate Cake Ever

Cake Batter

1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
cream together
add 4 eggs (1 at a time mixing well)
1 cup self-rising flour
16 oz can chocolate syrup
Bake in a greased, floured 9x13 pan 30-40 minutes at 350

Frosting for Cake

1 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1/3 cup pet milk (you can use regular milk)
boil 3 minutes (start timing when it starts to boil)
stir while the mixture boils and remove from heat,
add 1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
1 tsp vanilla, and 1 cup of chopped pecans.
Pour over warm cake

My neighbor made one of these cakes for Casey when she was on her R&R from deployment last fall.  I have to say it's possibly one of the easiest, yet best chocolate cakes I have ever eaten!  Dangerous to have around my house since I can't seem to walk by it without grabbing a bite!
Hope you will try it!

Decorating on the Cheap!

Grandblessing Ava has owls in her bathroom. I bought the matching rug from Target and bought and embroidered handtowels to match and a cheap garbage can from the dollar store. I embroidered the owl on tulle and used washaway stabilizer and ribbon to glue to the garbage can. My daughter had bought the
shower curtain and toothbrush holder at Target. Designs are from
www.fivestarfonts.com and www.appliquemarket.com

Hot Pink and Black Hair Bow Holder

Just adding another picture of another hair bow holder.....black and hot pink!  You can't tell in the photo too well but the hot pink tulle sparkles!
These are so much fun!

Tutu Hairbow Holder

 I have just finished the cutest project.  This design (the tutu bodice) is from www.embroiderygarden.com.  It is a completely done in the hoop project for a 5x7 hoop.  After you finish the bodice, simply add strips of tulle and ribbons and decorate to suite your taste.  If you google tutu hair bow holders you will find a huge amount of pictures and ideas.  I used what I had on hand to make this one but took a quick trip to the store today to get some fun things to do with some more.  In this file she also includes perfect, easy to follow directions complete with pictures.  I had wanted one of these for my granddaughters for a while now but if you look at them, you'll find they can be pricey.  I found them from $12.99 up to $60.00 on etsy.  This design is only $10.00 and the possibilities are endless.  Some that I have looked at are made from wood and some are made from foamcore board, but I couldn't imagine cutting these out.  You will get a template with the design and a  complete list of all materials you will need.  The back is just as finished and pretty as the front.  Any little girl would love having one of her very own I would imagine.    I am not connected with Embroidery Garden in any way, but I sure am a happy customer!