Should I really be doing this?

YES, YES I really should! For my Emmi Kate...anything!!! I do question my sanity, though. Lesson plans, organizing, teaching the future leaders... sanding...more lesson plans, head stands, entertaining... painting...reading stories, teaching math to blank stares, talking about breves and macrons(hmmm...who in the world knows what those are?)...cutting fabric-cutting fabric again, straight this time!...laundry, cleaning, and whatever else needs to be done...finally completing a satisfying project for precious Emmi Kate. Yes, I really should be doing this. Everyone needs a creative outlet to remain sane...I know, I know...the sanilty thing is not working very well for me.

FYI...the wheels are turning...the matching dresser is in the garage, waiting in anticipation for it's amazing "make over"!

Cake Girls...Kansas!

Their inspiration comes from WE tv show The Cake Girls...although only beginners, exceptional decorators & bakers...see for yourself!

Our first "homemade" cake.  True definition of homemade - not from a box.

Homemade buttercream frosting was simple but somewhat "nasty"...not the taste, but the ingredients!  The girls were not too thrilled with the idea of using shortening in their frosting.  However, we learned that the real Cake Girls use shortening, or pig fat, as it is sometimes referred to. 

Mmmm Mmmm good??

The actual layering of the cake went smoothly, as did the decorating, as you can see. "What is your decorating plan? I asked the girls.  "We'll just wing it," they said.  Kasha just jumped right in to create the beautiful flower on the right.  Kelsi created the coin shaped flowers AND a beautiful sun...the somehow I didn't get that gem photographed!! :)

This cake didn't last long...so below is attempt #2!  Kelsi offered to make a birthday cake for her father-in-laws birthday.  Once again, both "Kansas Cake Girls" jumped right in and had a great time! Bee-u-ti-ful!! I forsee some really exciting cakes to come. Too bad summer vacation is over!  Boo!

All Kansas Cake Girls phone lines are currently busy taking orders.  Please call back...

An official member...

Yes, it is now official!  I am a member of Marcie's "No Sew Straight Club".  Actually, it's never really been in debate, but as I completed my latest project, I've discovered I may be a member for life.  It can't be that difficult, you say?  Ha...those little lines on your sewing machine that you are supposed to follow to help line up your seams...a figment of your imagination!!  They really curve and sway as you sew...an evil plot of those in the "Always Sew Straight Club", a very elite group of sewers! However, I did enjoy this project, I must say. Hopefully, my MIL will use this little quilt as she is sleeping, watching TV, or possibly getting teeth pulled so that she will be completely oblivious to the swagger of the seams!!
P.S.  Some say you must use pins.  Pin, pin, pin!!  Well, that doesn't work either!

 I must show a close up of the ONE decent corner of binding...it went downhill fast!  Also, I really had fun with the machine quilting technique called stippling.  I donned my sisters "Michael Jackson Gloves", used to help move and control the quilt, and began my stippling.  One you start, there's no stopping. This is actually pretty tricky, because, after the fact, I discovered the very vague rule...you want to stitch a wiggly line around your quilting space that DOESN'T cross itself!  Hmmm.....too late...that was news to me...I looped my stitching crossing lines many times...so I guess I practiced the "loopy" stitch! 

My next project is a quilt for Kaleb called Stacking the Odds.  I think the "odds" are against me!
Doesn't sound to promising, does it?.