Well, Hello Hello 2013!

Happy New Year 2013!
I hope that these first few days of the year have brought you all happiness and optimism that 2013 will be THE year. I know that is my outlook.
I ain't gonna lie, 2012 was rough. When jokes were made about the fiscal cliff, my response was, 'Makes no difference to me, we fell over the edge months ago.'
The benefit of falling over the edge is that gravity takes hold and you pummel to the bottom at breakneck speed. Because of this, I am confident that we have reached the bottom and the only direction that is left is up.
2013 will be the year of the climb.

With every new year comes a new round of resolutions I fail to keep. This year is no exception. I hesitate to call them resolutions this year. I am taking the 'Whatever happens, happens.' approach.

The list:
1. Drink more water.
2. Become financially organized.
3. De-clutter and purge the house of all unnecessary items.
4. Go to church.
5. Make healthier food choices.
6. Start writing. (the blog, the 3 book ideas I have in my head...)
7. Learn some French.
8. Learn to sew.
9. Be a better wife.
10. Be a better friend.

Let Them Eat Cake: Day One

(Gorgeous cake from Cake Opera Co.)

When I stared back to work, baking came to a complete halt. In fact, I haven't taken on a cake project in over a year! Can you believe that? Last year I made the mistake of taking on two cakes in the same weekend. Although both turned out lovely, I was exhausted. I also realized that I wasn't being compensated nearly enough for the amount of work that actually went into making a cake (A good article for those that really have no idea is THIS one from Mother of Cakes). I stepped away. I didn't think that I would be gone so long. There were a couple of times that I thought about breaking out the ol' cake supplies and building a cake just for the heck of it but ultimately I lost the motivation because I would remember just how time consuming it was.
For some reason now, in the middle of a valley summer in a house without air conditioning, I have found the motivation.
I don't know if you know this but Style Me Pretty has a cake gallery with over 1400 photos of different wedding cakes and today I looked at them all and saved some to my Pinterest board for inspiration. Towards the end of the album I reached these gorgeous cakes from Cake Opera Co. and knew that I would have to try to recreate them.

(I really LOVE this one with the white wig)

Now for those that have seen my cakes on this blog might be thinking, 'Jen, you're cakes are awesome but they are a little elementary to those edible sculptures that the Cake Opera Co. has created. Girlfriend, I think you might be out of your league on this one.' (I believe that all four and a half of my readers use the word 'elementary' in everyday conversation because they are all gifted and brilliant. They also are not so snobby to immediately follow it up with a 'girlfriend'.)
This is why I have to try.
I set aside my other little hobby and made way for cake to take over.

I started to crochet again and found a terrific toddler sweater pattern that I was able to use as a base for creating my own. The pink is for a 2T, the blue is for a 0-3 months and the striped one will be for a 0-3 month as well. These little puppies whip up in no time at all. 

I went on a little shopping spree today but found some great deals so I didn't spend all that much money. My eyes lit up when I found the Circle Cutter at the Hobby Lobby and using the weekly 40% off coupon (that can easily be pulled up on a smartphone) made it a steal. I picked up the CK Gum Paste Mix at Edward's Cake Supply. Wilton makes one as well but is a little bit pricier. I have several recipes for gum paste and have always been leery of using it. I love the way that it looks when done right. I bought the mix because it seemed simple enough to make (just add water) and the entire bag was comparable in price to the tylose powder (that would have to be added to other ingredients to make gum paste) that I had originally gone in for. See that figurine mold in the back there? That is my little secret weapon for the cake I want to make. I have a lot riding on that little mold, it better not let me down. 

The gum paste was a breeze to mix up and clean up was easy as well. I have read that gum paste, if stored correctly, can last up to six months. I made sure to date mine. Gum paste has to cure for 24 hours before using. Later tonight when it is cooler I will bake up the cakes and mix up my marshmallow fondant. I am going to try to make do with the cake pans I have for the body of the piece but I am thinking I might have to invest in a doll pan. I might have to make another trip to the Hobby Lobby. 

Sprung

With the spurts of cleaning I have gone through lately, I have to say that the feeling of spring has definitely sprung in my home. I emptied out half of my closet and donated it to the local Goodwill. A couple of days later I followed up with a second trip after I eliminated two bags of shoes and whittled my collection to only 17 pairs. No room is safe in the house because I want to get rid of everything. At least everything that I don't need or haven't touched in the last year or two.
Yesterday was the day that I tackled the front room. I used another Pinterest find to help me navigate my way with a weekly cleaning schedule. I was able to manage the daily chores that were recommended in about 30 minutes, give or take. The cleaning for the living room on the other hand took me hours to finish. I am hoping that after the first week it will get easier. The only substitution I made was for Thursday. I don't have children which means I don't have a kid's bathroom. I subbed this day out for the office and spare bedroom and will pretty much follow the guidelines for the living room and master bedroom.
With the front of the house clean, I decided that it needed just one more touch. I headed out to Trader Joe's and picked up a bunch of flowers. Can you believe that this gorgeous bouquet only cost me $9.99?

Last night I took on another project from Pinterest. I made a spring wreath. I had debated on making a St. Patrick's Day wreath, since it is my favorite holiday (I have no idea why but I look forward to it every year) but decided to go with a longer lasting spring wreath instead. I know that it isn't officially spring yet but in California with its temperate weather it might as well be. I used a couple of ideas learned from the pins I had saved. First up, because I am a cheapie, I made my foam wreath (found HERE) instead of forking out for the high price I saw it for at the local craft store. I took it one step further and took a wire hanger from the dry cleaners and stuffed it in the middle of the foam to reinforce it. I found out the hard way when the last wreath I made ended up more oblong than round. Next I followed THIS tutorial. Instead of using a flower garland I used inexpensive fake flowers I found for 50% off at the Hobby Lobby and stuck pins with yellow heads through them to attach to the wreath. I was very happy with the results (although I still struggle making bows, grr...).

Party On

I love this County Fair themed party

Because I make cakes, I find myself growing obsessive about party planning. I get these wild ideas but have no children yet and no real reason to execute them. Instead they linger and stew around in my head. This little problem becomes worse when I end up blog stalking. I came across the following blogs and am inspired.

My first favorite, Party Perfect.

The Thompson Family

One Charming Party

...and Hostess with the Mostess

Lazy Saturday Blogging

This morning (because I didn't have a cake order to fret about) I was able to sit down, relax with a cup of my favorite coffee from the Blue Bottle Coffee Co., and tool around the internet catching up on some of my favorite blogs.
Here's the recap....
From A Cup of Joe

(Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water ala LEGO)

(Sandcastle Popscicle Molds)

(Transparent Kayak)

From Our Best Bites:

(Brown Paper Bag Popcorn)

(Strawberry Sauce)

(Carrot Cake)

...and from Martha Stewart

(DIY Wedding Centerpieces)

(More Centerpieces)

(Book Themed Baby Shower)

Picture This: Day 7

Day 7:
A picture of your most treasured possession.
I have lots of treasured possessions but tonight my rings and a crochet hook are my most treasured. My engagement and wedding ring are with me always and today I picked up my birthstone ring from the jewelers and will wear it everyday. My mum gave me my birthstone ring when I turned 18 and it was the first piece of grown up jewelry I ever owned. It is very special to me.
Crochet hooks are very special to me as well because every time I pick one up it reminds me of my grandmother. I don't think that there will ever be a time in my life where I won't have at least one crochet hook in my home.

Same Excuse, Different Day...

Sugar Cookie 10 Hour Marathon

Sweatshoppin' it up night after night working on these puppies

Sorry, I have been absent again. Been a busy, busy bee. Hopefully after the new year I can dedicate more to the blog. If you don't hear from me until then......

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
XOXO, 

The Sour and the Sweet

Finally....A Creative Space

I have been a crafty person long before I became a housewife. My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was nine and I have been 'hooking' ever since. Before that I had already amassed a fairly large collection of crayons, watercolors, colored pencils, magic markers, stickers, notebooks, construction paper, butcher paper...pretty much anything that would let me express myself. I doodled on everything! When I went to summer camp just a couple of years later I learned to love to bead. I made countless necklaces, countless bracelets...even a couple of rings. As an adult it became cake decorating, investing in an obscene amount of fondant cutters, cookie cutters, icing tips, flavor extracts, meringue powder, gel paste colors, non perils, jimmies and anything else I could get my hands on. This past year I have taken on sewing. I have wanted to learn this since around the time I was learning to crochet. I used to take a needle and thread and a few scraps of fabric and try to fashion my own doll clothes. Now I have invested more into it and have a huge drawer full of notions (side note: my favorite thing in the world right now is my rotary cutter...love love LOVE that thing)
The biggest thorn in the Mr.'s side has been that I have amassed these collections throughout the house and didn't store everything in a designated space. I now have that space and couldn't be more excited.
Here is finally a look at my inspirational space.

My favorite pieces are my little ducks that store my paper clips, staples, thumbtacks and little clamps. I love them because when I look up, they are all in a row! What a fun thrift find.
My other favorite detail is the mid-century looking guy with crochet hooks for hair. Isn't he fantastic?! Another thrift find.