Hop-a-long Day Three- Bunny Butt Sundaes

I'm going to be honest, I came up with this idea after a very frustrating night.  I was up late fighting with my sewing machine, which has decided to stop working.  I had plans for some cute little bunny themed tote bags that my kids could use to take their snacks to the movie theater in (I'm cheap, don't judge).  So after a few tears of frustration and my sad attempt at trying to figure out how to fix the thing I gave up and moved on to plan b.  I laid in bed and contemplated what I had in my cupboards instead of sleeping and finally came up with an idea.  These are so easy and only take a few simple ingredients and about five minutes to make.  Really, what could be cuter than a bunny butt?

I used a green plate to represent grass and made a pile of chocolate cookie crumbs.  Graham cracker crumbs or Oreo crumbs would both work well for this.  I then scooped out a nice rounded scoop of lemon sorbet and gently placed it on top of the crumbs.  You don't want to move it to much and end up with dark cookie all over your nice white sorbet.  You could also use vanilla ice cream or make a brown bunny with chocolate.  Next I cut a marshmallow in half and using food coloring pens I drew on foot pads.  I used a combo of green and red to get a brownish color.  I stuck those on to the bottom of the scoop.  Then I cut another marshmallow in half and dipped the cut half into shredded coconut.  I placed the uncut side in the middle of the scoop for the tail.  I think it would be cute to put some little candy flowers or eggs around in the "dirt" too. You can make these ahead of time and cover them with plastic wrap, just stick them in the freezer until you are ready to use.

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Hop-a-long Day Two

We are having so much fun celebrating each day with a little bunny surprise.  The kids ask each night for a clue for their next surprise.  For day two I got up extra early to create some special bunny pancakes for breakfast.  I made the batter the night before to save a little time.

This is the basic pancake recipe I use from the old Better Homes Cookbook

• 1  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1  tablespoon  sugar
• 2  teaspoons  baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1    beaten egg
• 1  cup  milk
• 2  tablespoons  cooking oil

I divided my batter into two equal portions and colored one pink and one blue using food coloring.

To make it easier to draw the bunny shapes, I put my batter into squeeze bottles, these are available wherever cake supplies are sold and even Walmart has them.

I outlined my bunny shape and then working quickly filled it in.  Be generous with the batter, you don't want a skimpy pancake that is hard to flip.

When they were done I filled another squeeze bottle with melted chocolate and drew on little faces.  It would probably be easier to use a decorating bag for this, the hole in the bottle was a little big and my faces were a little messy.

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Hop-a-long Day One

All this week I am celebrating the arrival of the new animated film Hop, which comes out in theater's on Friday, April 1st.  We'll be heading to the theater that afternoon to see the movie but my kids are so excited that I decided to extend the fun with a weeks worth of special activities and treats that go with the theme of the movie. I'll be sharing each days special treat with you here, so check back each day.

For day one we had two special treats the first was a hop themed lunch, which would also work as an Easter lunch for the kids.

The sandwich is made on pumpernickel bread cut to the shape of a bunny using a cookie cutter. The tail is half of a marshmallow held on with a dab of peanut butter.  The face is made using a white circle sprinkle for the eye, a pink heart sprinkle for the nose and chocolate jimmies for the whiskers.  I sat our bunny on a bed of curly lettuce with some baby carrots nearby for him to munch on if he gets hungry.  Such a super simple lunch to make but it sure put a smile on the face of my little guy.

The second treat of the day was cookie making, I bought these adorable Nestle Easter Buddies Cookies.  They are great for little kids to use and perfect for a busy week night.  Hop over to their site using the link above to get a dollar off coupon.

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Sweet and Salty Cupcake Recipe

I'm a little behind on this, but we had a lot of requests so better late than never, right?  This cupcake has it all, a light yummy cake, caramel center, brown sugar frosting and sea salt and pretzel toppings, yum.

Cupcake recipe- makes 20
2 1/2 c. self rising flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 c. milk
1/2 c. softened butter
3 eggs

Cream together the butter and sugar.  Add the vanilla and then the eggs 1 at a time, stirring well after each.  Alternate adding the flour and the milk until all is combined.  If desired you can place an unwrapped caramel in the center of each cupcake before baking, just sit them on the top, they will sink as they cook.  Bake at 350 for 15-17 minutes.  These should be  a nice yellow color don't let them get brown, I test mine to see if they are done, by gently jiggling the tray, if the cupcakes jiggle in the middle they aren't done.

Note: I personally didn't care for the caramel center, it was just a weird texture, but a lot of people liked it.  I think next time I would just fill the insides with a caramel sauce or filling.

Brown Sugar Frosting
1 1/2 sticks softened butter
1/3 c. brown sugar
3 c. confectioners sugar
2 tsp vanilla
milk

In the bowl of your mixer cream the butter until smooth, add the vanilla and stir.  Add the brown sugar beat on medium for 5 minutes (you are trying to dissolve the sugar so that it's not grainy).  Add the confectioners sugar 1 cup at a time.  You can add a little milk as you go if it gets to dry.  Add milk 1 tbsp at a time until the consistency of toothpaste.  Pipe the icing using an icing bag or sandwich bag with the end cut off.  To decorate I added a sprinkle of nice quality coarse sea salt and used a pretzel twist to garnish.

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Make Your Own Chip Bags Tutorial

Kim and I used these little bags to fill with chips and popcorn for our Guy Party.  Yes, we realize that small individual portions isn’t the most manly of party foods, but we went with it anyway.  Because we’re rebellious and female like that.

Aside from the cute factor, these little bags are quite versatile.  They can be made with any type of paper and filled with any number of yummy treats.  Choose your paper based on your needs.  You can use freezer paper for a sturdier bag and it will also hold wet (? soiled?  what’s the word?) foods.  Cardstock will give you a sturdier bag to fill with birthday party favors.  Recycled newspaper and magazine pages look really cute too. 

Here’s a little tutorial to show you how to make your own.

Chip Bag Tutorial

Cut the paper of your choice to a square.  For this tutorial I used 10in x 10in parchment paper.  Go bigger or smaller based on your needs.



Step1:  Fold your paper up to a triangle.




Step 2: Fold one corner over.




Step 3:  Flip over and fold the other corner over.




Step 4: Fold those top flaps down.  One flap folds one way, flip it, and the other flap folds the other way.  Does the make any sense at all?  Once you do it, you’ll understand.

Step 5:  Tuck those flaps into the folds.  Again, doing is understanding.

Step 6:  Open your paper bag and fill with yummies.

Here is one I made with an outside layer of tissue paper (parchment paper underneath).

Really, you can just go crazy with these, so go now and knock yourself out.

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Guy Party Recipes

It’s no secret that I love dips {insert obligatory husband joke here}, so I was all over the opportunity to prepare the dips for our Guy Party.

To keep things simple while adding variety, Kim and I decided to provide a selection of mustards to use as dips for soft pretzels and also as spreads for the pretzel sandwiches.  Additionally, we made up a couple of salsas for chip dipping and some awesome seasoned popcorn.


It only takes a few simple ingredients to make some tasty mustard dips, and you probably already have most of them in your fridge & pantry.  I used this horseradish mustard recipe which was so fantastic my husband has requested a second batch, and a beer mustard recipe which received only mediocre reviews so I won't post the link (just keeping it real, yo). 

I enlisted my brother to help me use ingredients I had on hand to whip up the following mustards.  The honey mustard is a basic recipe if you like a sweet mustard, and the creole mustard was hands-down mine and Kim’s favorite.

Uncle Rod’s Super Simple Honey Mustard Dip

3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 dash white pepper (add more to taste)

Whisk all ingredients together.  Chill in refrigerator before serving. (Overnight is best.)

Easy Creole Mustard Dip

3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1 tablespoon prepared spicy brown mustard
1 teaspoon creole seasoning mix (I used Tony Chachere’s)
1 generous dash pepper
1 splash lemon juice

Whisk all ingredients together.  Chill in refrigerator before serving.  (Overnight is best.)




This is a basic fresh salsa that can be prepared in a jiffy, and it’s great if you need a side dish to take to a bar-b-q or picnic.  I promise there won’t be any leftovers.

Fresh Orange Salsa

3 roma tomatoes (seeds and innards removed)
1/2 red onion
1 small bunch cilantro (I totally eyeball this)
Juice from 1/2 medium or large orange (add more to taste)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Dice tomatoes, onion, and cilantro.  Add sugar and salt, and toss all ingredients with orange juice.  Chill before serving.



This popcorn seasoning is so flavorful and scrumptious, the possibilities for using it are endless.  It has a nice smoky bar-b-q flavor and the slightest hint of sweet.

Tim’s Popcorn Seasoning

This will make a lot of seasoning, but don't worry it's good on lots of stuff besides popcorn.  We also love homemade french fries with this seasoning mix.

1/2 c. paprika
1/2 c. chili powder
2 tbs onion powder
1 tbs garlic powder
2 tbs mustard powder
3 tsp salt
3 tsp black pepper
1/2 c. sugar (we like to use stevia or Splenda instead, just use a little since it's sweeter)

Mix together and keep in an airtight container.  We use spray butter or margarine on air popped corn first, and then sprinkle on the seasoning.

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D.I.Y. Louisville Party: For The Boys

When it comes to parties there is one group out there that gets seriously gypped: The Dudes.  

They might have their occasional birthday party or Super Bowl party, sure, but think about all those awesome parties you see out there; they all are pretty much for kids or women.  We ladies go all out for showers and tea parties, and kids get all sorts of amazing theme parties, but we tend to toss guys a sub sandwich and a beer and call it a day.



Julee and I thought that for St. Patrick's Day it was high time to celebrate the guys.  We polled our guys and asked for their favorite party foods – Spicy!  Wings!  Beer! – and put together a great buffet full of our guys’ favorite foods. 

This setup would be perfect for any game day, birthday or a just because get together for the guys.  I have to say, even though we had the guys in mind, I really loved this party - the food was amazing!

The buffet. 

We chose to keep things neutral with a color scheme of brown and white.  Julee's husband made the platform in the back and the crate holding the popcorn and chips is just an unfinished one that you can buy at any craft store.  We cut a large strip of burlap for the table runner and the garland is also made from burlap.  The signs are held with wood clothes pins.  We added a few orange and green accents with the candy in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Julee whipped up these amazing dips for the pretzels and sliders: horseradish mustard, beer mustard, honey mustard and creole mustard.  (Recipes HERE.)

We made our own bags of chips and popcorn from parchment paper. They are sooo cute!  We filled some with a spicy sweet popcorn and the others with tortilla chips.  (Tutorial HERE!)  Julee also made an awesome orange salsa and a black bean salsa, yum!

Guys love hot wings, what can we say?  We gave them what they love plus turkey and cheddar sliders on pretzel buns.

Salty sweet cupcakes.  These have a sweet white cake, caramel filling, brown sugar buttercream and a dash of coarse sea salt of the top with a pretzel topper.

You can't have a guy party without some good beer.  We chose a local favorite from the Bluegrass Brewing Company.

My husband has been making this popcorn for years, it's a little bit spicy and a little bit sweet. (Recipe HERE!)

This party was so fun to put together.  It's really a versatile theme that could easily work for lots of different occasions.  We hope you get inspiration from this for your next party.

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Giveaway Winner!!

The winner of our jewelry giveaway is Knititall  of Knitting It All who said:

I just signed up as a follower, great blog!
I'm working on a pair of socks at the moment, and I'm planning to set aside some time soon to make cards.

The winner was chosen via Random Number Generator.  Knititall we will be in touch soon to get your pick and mailing address.  Congratulations!

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Artist Feature: Studio 212

I am so excited to share with you our latest artist feature.  Suzanne from Studio 212 joined our D.I.Y. Louisville craft group last month, and she is every bit as colorful as the glass baubles she uses in her art.  Please continue reading about Suzanne and the beautiful art she creates:

Studio 212 is an interesting name.  What does it mean?
The space number of my studio at the Mellwood Art Center is 212.  I wanted to start a blog and a Facebook page for my friends so that they could keep up with the projects I was working on. The simplistic name Studio 212 was born.



Tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I moved to Louisville approximately 4 years ago.  I opened Studio 212 last fall.  I love having a space to call my own and a place to spread out my items and create.

I’m inspired most by colors, texture, pictures and sound.  The only way I can explain it is, when I see something that catches my eye or touches my inner artist voice, I have to find a way to recreate my own version of it.   Music invokes my emotions.  Most often it will be playing as I create.  It can be today’s top 40, a “classic” from the 80’s or the standards of Frank Sinatra.

My other interests painted with a broad stroke would include museums, culinary arts, food art, animals, New York City, estate sales, and flea markets.  Pretty much anything I see on a daily basis that strikes “that feeling” in my soul.

 
What type of art do you make?
Since I opened Studio 212, my creativeness is flowing through glass beads.  The colors, shapes and textures inspire me to create my signature appetizer and drink picks, wine stoppers, bottle openers and pens.  I’ve also recently designed coasters and magnets!

Aside of the above, sketching and drawing relaxes me.   I have sketches from childhood and sketches I found that I did 10 years ago.   I enjoy looking through magazines and books for inspiration.

I have some experience in making greeting cards as well. I found through mixing the textures, colors and layers of papers it gives me a release of imagination and a way to share my passions with others.  The idea of sending a card is lost in today’s society. I’d like to think I’m rekindling the love of receiving a handmade note.



How long have you been making this type of art?
I can’t remember when I began to create art in general, but I’m sure it was as a child.  My imagination started there and has developed over the course of 40 years.  My signature appetizer and drink picks started in 2005 while I was still living in Wisconsin. People really appreciate them and usually want to give them as gifts.

What makes you D.I.Y.?
Having the satisfaction of creating something unusual and unique with my own imagination and hands. There’s a certain feeling that I get when I concept an idea and people like it and want it.



How does your business impact Louisville?
I'd like to think that I add something new and innovative to Mellwood Art Center and Louisville. I offer something different that people haven’t seen and are curious to learn about.

What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working with watercolor and acrylics. I’d like to learn to draw. I admire those who can draw with their minds. I’m also interested in pottery and photography.

What are your long term goals?
I’m currently focusing on the here and now. I think it’s important to indulge myself in Studio 212 and evolve in any creative direction that my mood takes me. Long term.... it would be amazing for Crate and Barrel or William Sonoma to select my signature appetizer and drink picks for their next catalog!



What is your favorite thing about running your business?
Having freedom and creative license and knowing that a piece of my art is in someone's home and is being admired.

What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
Trying to find the balance between something I love to create and something someone would want to own.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists/business owners?
Find something you might like to do, whether it is painting, sewing, and photography, drawing or cooking and just try it.  Don't be fearful.  There is no right or wrong.  Take risks.  Be confident in yourself.  Find things that inspire you and submerge yourself in them. One thing leads to another. Be open minded enough to walk the path of the unknown.



Where can folks find Studio 212 business products?
Mellwood Art Center
1860 Mellwood Ave. Building A Studio 212
Louisville, KY, 40206

Hours may vary so please feel free to call 502-439-4796 if you would like to stop by.

Where can we keep up-to-date on Studio 212?

http://www.mellwoodartcenter.com/

http://studio212louisville.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/Studio212A

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Western Themed 60th Birthday

On Sunday my Dad turned 60.  My sister and I have been planning since January how we wanted to celebrate the occasion.  Our big gift for him is a trip we are taking in April to Gatlinburg, but we also wanted to throw a little surprise party for him.  Now, my dad is not big on having parties for himself so we kept that in mind and just invited his nephews and our families.  The other big thing to know about my dad is that he loves anything to do with the Old West, cowboys, westerns, John Wayne, etc.  So we knew without a doubt that the party had to be western themed.  I have to say it was kind of a challenge to do a western theme party for a 60 year old.  We obviously didn't want it to look like a party for a three year old.  So some creative thinking and a whole lot of making and baking later we had a great party that my dad really loved.  So checkout the pictures for some great ideas.

Old fashioned coconut cake from scratch.  I used a horse head that I molded out of dark chocolate for the topper.  I'll be posting a recipe for this later this week.

   I made the menu signs in Photoshop.  I used an enamel camping mug as a holder for utensils.

Mini blackberry pies topped with a shortbread cookie crumble.  I used pot pie tins for these and wrapped them up in some twine.  It worked out great because I could just hand them out to guests as they were leaving.

I made some of my sugar cookies, to see a how to click here.  I had the worse time trying to find some western themed cookie cutters locally.  I wish I had thought ahead and ordered some from Bake it Pretty or Layer Cake Shop.  I ended up using a princess pony cutter from Williams and Sonoma and then square and circle cutters.  The square cookies were iced to look like bandannas and the circles were iced in a cow print.  I saved two square cookies to write "howdy" on.   

For the dining room table centerpiece I used a framed wanted poster that I again made in Photoshop.  We took two mason jars and wrapped them in bandanna tissue paper and tied them with twine, they had tea lights inside.  The other two jars were filled with cola gummies and maple nut candies.  The boots and gun are ones that my dad bought for my son when he was born.  We used burlap on all of the tables as a runner.

This was a quick little "no sew" bunting that we came up with.  We used more twine as the base and then just folded bandannas over it.  We used clothes pins to attach pictures of my dad as a kid in his cowboy gear.

The food table had more bandanna goodness along with bottled root beers and a bowl of sheriff badges.

I stumbled across these great mugs at the thrift store and had to get them for the party.  They each have a different picture of a cowboy related item on them. There is also another menu sign created in Photoshop.  The menu consisted of  two kinds of chili with lots of toppings, salad, hot dogs, chips and cornbread.

My sister put together this cute frame with pictures of my dad as a cowboy when he was a kid and currently.

And here is the birthday guy himself.  His only complaint about the party was that since it was a surprise he didn't know to wear his cowboy gear!

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