T'is the Season

I busted the embroidery machine out again!  Now adding customized bibs to the mix!  Right now I am offering Christmas and Hanukkah bibs but get orders in early...  I already have a few orders to work on and I want to make sure everyone gets their's in time for the holidays which will be here before we know it!  Remember, blog friends get 10% off using coupon code BLOGFRIEND  Order Here

Attention Sports Fans!

After many requests...  Buffalo Bills clip in bows are done and ready to ship.  They can be ordered as a headband as well.  These are also perfect for NY Giants & New England Patriots fans and double for the 4th of July.  Come sealed in a plastic bag so they are perfect for gifts.  Remember, blog friends receive 10% off using coupon code BLOGFRIEND.  Stay tuned for more sports teams colors :)

Order on Etsy

I'm Baaaaack!

Well, as some of you may know...  I gave birth to my first child in May, a little girl named Raegan.  She is the joy of my life and the absolute best thing that has ever happened to my husband and I.  With that being said, I have been going crazy making adorable hair bows and headbands for her and have also been selling them.  I have my Etsy site and Facebook up and running.  Please check out my items and for any of my blog friends that would like to order, enter coupon code BLOGFRIEND to get 10% off.  
http://www.etsy.com/shop/FunctionalFruitions

Also, I am running a contest through the end of October.  Anyone who likes my Facebook page will be entered to win one of five headbands or hair bows.  For an extra entry, share the contest post at the top of my facebook page on your wall.  It's that easy, I will draw the winner at the end of the month and will ship out soon after.  Winners can choose from any of my posted items or can request a custom order and I will do my best to accommodate.  
http://www.facebook.com/FunctionalFruitions

The Pink Links!

I just wanted to let everyone know that in honor of my Step Father Dino (who is a cancer survivor), on Sunday, August 7th, my team member and I (The Pink Links) will follow in the footsteps of the New York Yankees as part of the third annual Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium - a unique fundraising run/walk that uses the Stadium as its course. I'll get to explore the concourses and ramps, climb stairs between levels, and take my own victory laps around the warning track that circles the field.

100% of the money I raise will be used by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation to fund innovative research by today’s most brilliant young scientists, who are racing to find the causes and cures for all types of cancer. 

Please make a donation that supports my run/walk, every little bit helps.

You can choose the amount you want to give - all donations are gratefully received!

If you want to make a donation please visit this link ...  Donation Link

Thank you for your support.

Bling Bling Shoes

After recently seeing a lot of shoes with Swarovski crystals on them I knew it was something I could attempt to do myself.  I wanted to make sure I attempted my first pair with shoes I already had, that way if I messed up it wasn't a big deal.  I chose to use a pair of black satin shoes since I thought the crystals would stick the best.  I already had the "hot fix" tool from previous projects I have done so all I purchased was the crystals I used.  I bought them on eBay because you can get a really good deal on them but you can also purchase them at a craft store like JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels or Hobby Lobby.  I purchased 4 different sizes to give it a little extra texture.  

I started with the largest Crystals first, I placed a few long the section where the heel meets the shoe and also a few scattered throughout the rest of the heel.  I then worked my way out from those ones using the rest of the 3 sizes, choosing the ones that fit best.  The Crystals I purchased have an adhesive already on the back of them so they are easy to work with, the Hot Fix tool will melt the glue and allow you to place the crystals where you want them.  Like the crystals, you can also purchase the hot fix tool at a craft store- go when you have a coupon, most stores offer a 40% off!

And done!  I can tell you- this was a LOT of work.  I did this one heel over the course of 3 nights which I spent about 2-3 hours/night so there were a lot of hours that went into them.  I really like the way they turned out so it was worth it in the end, especially when you factor in the cost savings.  I think I spent $15 on the crystals, the hot fix I think I originally purchased for around $10 and the shoes I got on sale for $9!  These types of custom "strassed" shoes can run upwards of 300 big ones!

An oldie but goodie

So while my husband was away for work for about 6 months last year I got really bored and worked on a lot of projects.  Here is one that I did last summer that I wanted to share.  I painted this all free hand and it was very easy to do.  It's in the hallway leading into my kitchen and it's very subtle, some people don't even notice it right away which is what I was going for.  I wanted a mural that was not over the top in your face.  I say, if this is something you want to attempt in your home- go for it!  What's the worst that can happen, you don't like how it turned out and you just have to paint over it- no big deal.

Sum Sum Summer Time!

Last night I made some very yummy fondant covered cutout cookies for a friend at work.  These are really easy to do- just make your standard cut out cookie dough, bake them and let them cool.  While you are baking you can start to make your Marshmallow fondant and it's easier than you think.  You just take mini marshmallows and melt them with a little water in the microwave then add powdered sugar.  Here is the recipe I use, a word of advice- mix it as much as you can in the bowl with a spatula.  If you don't get it workable in the bowl you will have a sticky mess on your hands. 

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces miniature marshmallows (4 cups not packed, or half of a 16-ounce bag)
• 1 pound powdered sugar (4 cups), plus extra for dusting
• 2 tbsp water
• Food coloring or flavored extracts, optional

Preparation:

1. Dust your counter or a large cutting board with powdered sugar. Place the marshmallows and the water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, until the marshmallows are puffy and expanded.
2. Stir the marshmallows with a rubber spatula until they are melted and smooth. If some unmelted marshmallow pieces remain, return to the microwave for 30-45 seconds, until the marshmallow mixture is entirely smooth and free of lumps. If you want colored or flavored fondant, you can add several drops of food coloring or extracts at this point and stir until incorporated. If you want to create multiple colors or flavors from one batch of fondant, do not add the colors or flavors now. Instead, refer to step 6 below for instructions.
3. Add the powdered sugar and begin to stir with the spatula. Stir until the sugar begins to incorporate and it becomes impossible to stir anymore.
4. Scrape the marshmallow-sugar mixture out onto the prepared work surface. It will be sticky and lumpy, with lots of sugar that has not been incorporated yet--this is normal. Dust your hands with powdered sugar, and begin to knead the fondant mixture like bread dough, working the sugar into the marshmallow with your hands.
5. Continue to knead the fondant until it smoothes out and loses its stickiness. Add more sugar if necessary, but stop adding sugar once it is smooth--too much sugar will make it stiff and difficult to work with. Once the fondant is a smooth ball, it is ready to be used. You can now roll it out, shape it, or wrap it in cling wrap to use later. Well-wrapped fondant can be stored in a cool room or in the refrigerator, and needs to be kneaded until supple before later use.
6. If you want to add coloring or flavoring to your fondant, flatten it into a round disc. You might want to wear gloves to avoid getting food coloring on your hands during this step. Add your desired amount of coloring or flavoring to the center of the disc, and fold the disc over on itself so that the color or flavor is enclosed in the center of the fondant ball.
7. Begin to knead the ball of fondant just like you did before. As you work it, you will begin to see streaks of color coming through from the center. Continue to knead until the streaks are gone and the fondant is a uniform color. Your fondant is now ready to be used or stored as outlined above.

Another tip, when rolling out the fondant- make sure you check every few rolls to make sure it's not sticking to your surface.  You may need to lift it and add more powdered sugar to your surface so that it doesn't stick,  There is nothing more annoying than getting it rolled out all nice just to find it's stuck to your surface and having to start all over.  Once you have it rolled out you can use your cookie cutters to cut out the covering.  I simply brush the top of the cookie with corn syrup to attach the fondant to the cookie.  If the shape is a little to large for the cookie just use your hands to mold and shape it to fit the cookie.  You can then use royal icing to add some color to the cookie.  I ended up messing up one of the butterfly cookies so I used a gum paste flower I had left over from another project to cover it up.  Let the cookie sit out for a while to allow the Royal icing to set up.  Next step...  Grab a glass of milk and enjoy!