Superior Creations

Make It Monday and an Explanation

2011-03-21T14:37:00.000-05:00

I never really know how to start a post after being away for so long. And being away since Dec. 20^th 2010 is a long time, no?

I guess the best thing to do is just jump right in and tell you why I have been away for so long.

Actually, it might be easier to show you the main reason...

Yup, that is right...

I swallowed a watermelon seed.

I know we are not supposed to do it and I heard about the consciences ...

but I never listen.

Okay, just kidding.

I'm pregnant with baby number 4.

As of today I am 5 months and days pregnant with no bloody end in sight.

I am due to have my 3^rd girl August 17^th, 2011.

We are very excited and ready for all of this "fun part" to be over.

So why has this stopped me from blogging you ask?

Well, the first three months I was really sick and always sleeping. Now the sickness is pretty much gone but the sleepy is not. I have also lost my desire to craft, cook, bake and blog.

I mean seriously.

I have not touched yarn or my sewing machines (except to put it away) since December. I only still cook because the family and I need to eat more than McDonald's, watermelons, and bagged salads every day. Although, I don't really see it as a problem ... the hubby does. And the baking, well I have not wanted to do it at all either, but since two of my kids birthday's are in the beginning of the year ... I have not really had a choice.

Now with the lack of crafting ... I lacked things to post about. Not only did the lack of topics keep me away but it was also several bad discoveries.

What am I speaking of you may ask?

Well, a few times during the month of December I found some blogs (some that I read and others I did not) had swiped my stuff and claimed it as their own!

GASP!

I know right?

And since these other blogs were more popular than my own (follower wise) they received the praise, even though you can clearly see (date wise) who posted the idea first.

Who might these offenders be you ask? Well, I won't tell because point the finger and yelling "you did it" in a public forum is just as bad as the "borrowing without asking or proper credit".

Needless to say it was very disheartening and made we want to keep my ideas to myself.

So there you have it. The reason I have been away for so long.

To be quite honest, I still have NO desire to craft anything (except for things on my Silhouette I finally got one last month) which still leaves me with the lack of stuff to share with you all. So, I don't know when I will get back to my regularly scheduled blog posting.

I do however; have a little something for you now.

The pictures are AWFUL but it will have to do.

I made this cake for my DH coworker. She got married on Sunday and asked if I would be willing to whip something up for her. It is going to be a small shotgun wedding so it was my gift to her.

It is a devil's food cake with vanilla butter cream roses. I somehow lost the page out of my Better Homes and Garden cookbook that had the recipe for the cake on it so I found one online.

It is from David Lebovitz's blog.

I did a search for a recipe and his looked to be the best. I based on the batter ... I was NOT wrong.

Oh and boy was it M-O-I-S-T! Moist and tender and and and...

Basically I will have to make another one someday because the hubby and I were both fighting back the desire to cut it. I am by no means a chocolate fan ... I kinda hate the stuff ... but that cake looked tasty. I think it was more the baby then it was me.

The idea for the cake came from baker who I LOVE TO HATE.

(I love the things she does but hate the fact that I did not think of it first)

Amanda from I am baker

It is a simple yet every elegant idea. It is also great for bakers like me who no matter HOW HARD they try the stupid icing NEVER gets smooth enough.

Okay.

I have talked your ear off and am just pretty much tired of typing so I am going to say farewell for now... Until I bake or create something again.

Hmmm... I kinda like that.

Make It Monday

2010-12-20T11:12:00.000-06:00

How I love the holidays.

The decorations, the lights, the scents, and the sweets.

All the things that make the season what it is.

So this post is dedicated to the decoration aspect of the holidays.

Isn't it lovely?

I think so.

The inspiration came from this wonderful blog written by
Eddie Ross.

He is pretty darn awesome when it comes to décor and when I seen this I knew I had to make it.

Here is the link to the tutorial.

Check it out, make one, and share ... I would love to see.

Make It Monday

2010-12-13T14:38:00.000-06:00

garland

Three DIFFERENT handmade garlands to be specific.

Each easy and inexpensive to make and can be made to be as UNIQUE as YOU.

Polka Dot Holiday Garland

found on Momtastic

Bow-T-ful Garland

This is the mini version, it can be made longer.

made by ME

Chain Stitch Garland

made by ME

2010-12-09T14:00:00.000-06:00

Guess what FINALLY came in the mail today?

All the way from Japan...

My totally wicked Winnie the Pooh 3D cookie cutter!

I KNOW ... I am excited too!

I am ready to head into my kitchen and bake a batch ...RIGHT NOW.

Thank goodness I already have dough ready or I would have to wait until next week because I am CRAZY busy right now with painting the house, making gifts, decorating the house for Christmas, and all the holiday events with the family.

Anywho...

when I get some baked I will share with you.

♥ Nicole

Make It Monday

2010-12-06T12:41:00.001-06:00

A few days ago I found this pretty wicked tutorial on another blog about using your metal cookie cutters as pancake molds.

I always wonder if you could do that rather than buy a whole different set of kitchen utensils

that we don't have room for and apparently you can...

Lindsey from Otto's Mom Blog

was the one who showed me it could be done with her awesome post

Cookie Cutter Banana Pancake Dippers

I used her idea and made a few changes to suit what I needed to the morning breakfast.

*I added food coloring to the wet ingredients BEFORE I mixed it with the dry

*I used LARGE cookie cutters to get regular sized pancakes

*I used my FAVORITE buttermilk pancake recipe

Let me know what you think and if you try either one send pictures because I would love to see what YOU come up with.

♥Nicole

Red Velvet Cheesecake

2010-12-03T10:22:00.000-06:00

I made one the other day and finally got a chance to post about it.

Sorry for the crappy picture.

I would tell you it taste GREAT but I have no idea since I am NOT a fan of Cheesecake.

However,

the others who have tasted it say it is DELICIOUS! I just really like the way it looks.

On a different note... WHY has it been SO hard for me to find a simple RECTANGLE cookie cutter?

I have been searching the web for the last two days and cannot find one that is cheaper than $5 and that does not have a $5-$7 shipping charge.

I have even looked at local stores and they barely even have regular square ones.

WTH?

I know everyone wants all the fancy stuff (I know I do) but we STILL need the basics available too right?

~sorry for that little rant~

♥Nicole

Look What I Found...

2010-11-30T13:54:00.000-06:00

While perusing the internet, which I do most of the day which is something I rarely do,

I stumbled upon a very interesting and rather useful website.

It's called That's My Home.

There are various recipes and things on the site but what caught my attention was the awesome Recipe Converter.

It does the hard work for you when it comes to reducing or expanding a recipe.

I now have it booked marked and will be returning to often.

It is a VERY useful tool to have if you are like me and math is not your friend.

♥Nicole

Make It Monday

2010-11-29T12:17:00.000-06:00

Here is your weekly dose of craftiness...

I present to you Oliver the Owl.

I made him months ago but I never closed him up until last week. Don't ask me why because I really don't know.

Anywho,

I knew I had not posted anything for my hookers in a long time and I thought this would be a great pattern for a baby or toddler gift.

The pattern can be found here

Enjoy.

♥Nicole

Happy Turkey Day

2010-11-25T10:52:00.000-06:00

Yay... it is finally the time of year when you can eat 3 or 4 servings of ANYTHING and people don't judge me anyone.

MY favorite time of the year!

I hope in the mist of all the eating and game watching...

(there are games on today right?)

that you take the time to remember what you are thankful.

As for me, I am grateful for many things...

My beautiful well behaved wonderful kids

My super awesome hubby

My wonderful friends local and far away

My family in Cali who I miss dearly

My NEW edible ink printer

My awesome baking skills (yeah, I said it)

My house even though it is in the wrong place

My hubby's job because it could be worse in this economy

My ὒber craftiness (yup ... I said it again)

AND

All of You

My super cool readers.

Thanks for sticking around and Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Cutie Cookies

2010-11-23T15:25:00.001-06:00

After browsing a few of my Favorite blogs I just had to make these...

Here is how it started...

I found a recipe idea I had to try at Sugarbelle's blog.

Then I went to University of Cookie to check out their latest amazing cookie idea and

found this amazing cookie tutorial.

U of C lead me to another blog I know ♥ this much called Paper Glitter.

That is where I got the details of my Thanksgiving cuties.

Make your own and show me what you come up with!

♥ Nicole

I Come With Gifts ...Are You Still There?

2010-11-23T14:06:00.002-06:00

Hi.

It has been awhile since we talked.

Sorry.

But, I have a have a good excuse and I come baring TUTORIALS.

Does that make it a little better?

It might...?

Ok, do you remember when I told you that I was working on a big project around here?

That big project was my house. I have been living in this house for a year and half and have never really DONE anything to it.

I never painted or decorated.

I have kind of just had my stuff in here. I think that was because a part of me was always hoping that I would get the chance to move back home (to California) at any moment and I wanted to be ready since I really don't Kind of don't like it here.

But lately, I have realized that the family and I are doing BETTER out here then we were in California. I am actually beginning to settle in here.

It does not mean that I do not want to go home, just that I am not on the edge of my seat trying to leave anymore.

PLUS...

It is my FAVORITE time of the year!

the FIRST time I will be able to decorate
MY house for Christmas!

YES!!!

(I was in Cali last year for Christmas)

So, I have been purging stuff I don't need, organizing the stuff I want to keep, and prepping this place for a few new coats of paint!

I can't have my decorations being overshadowed by clutter and dirty walls.

I also Was volunteered for acquired a new role in my life.

I Am now the PTO/PTA president for Cierra's school...

which brought on a whole new pile of things to do.

Even with all of this work I have still managed to craft and bake a little.

Here are some things I have worked on that you can try too.

*click on the links for the tutorials*

Cookie and Rice Krispie Treat Decorating with kids

Cierra's Thanksgiving break class cake

Apple Cinnamon Ornaments/Air Fresheners

I am sorry I have been away for so long. I hope I did not lose anyone in the process.

I ♥you all and Happy Thanksgiving!

♥Nicole

Still Sick!

2010-11-09T11:46:00.000-06:00

Hey Guys.

Sorry for still not posting a Make It Monday.

I am still sick and feeling like CRAP.

So other than taking care of my rugrats I really have not been in the mood to do ANYTHING else.

And frankly, I have not really been in the mood to take care of them either...

But that is the life of a mother right?

Anywho.

I did want to let you know that I had not forgotten about you all and I will post a "MIM" or two when I feel better.

Maybe even some pics of the "big" project I was working on before the "virus" took hold of my poor defenseless body.

♥
Nicole

I'm Behind on Work

2010-11-08T09:34:00.000-06:00

I've have been sick and busy all weekend so I have not had a chance to get anything together for

Make It Monday.

I will post something today but I just wanted to let you know that it will be later on in the day.

Thanks for understanding.

The Hat from HELL that is OH So Cute!

2010-11-02T13:39:00.002-05:00

Let me start by saying that this DARN hat put me through the ringer!

I do not know if it was because I am still new to knitting or it was just hard but...

BOY, DID I STRUGGLE!

I did make a few mods to the pattern based on other Raver's complaints about the pattern. I shorten and widen the crown of the hat. The one thing I struggled the most with the STUPID cast on. It was a top down hat that required me to use DPNs and a whole bunch of increases. There was no explanation and the tutorials online were not helpful at all. So I had to go to a LYS to get some help.

All in all, I got it done and it came out pretty good. I doubt that I will make this again but who knows.

♥Nicole

Special Olympics Scarves

2010-11-02T11:33:00.002-05:00

It is that time of year again folks.

Time to whip up 2 or 3 scarves for the Special Olympics.

This year the colors are much nicer then the Red and Gray they used last year.

This time it is Blue and Teal.

For more info on the project and where to donate head over to

click on picture

It is the official website and can give you ALL the details.

♥Nicole

Make It Monday

2010-11-01T09:33:00.002-05:00

Today we are making

LEG Warmers

(for kids)

I made these cute little things for my youngest Halloween costume! She was a

DIVA witch.

And a CUTE one at that.

I actually made the whole costume and it came out GREAT!

The other kids were a mummy and a ghost and they looked cute too.

Moving on...

I found the pattern on ... you guessed it

Ravelry.

But it is also posted on the designer's blog found HERE.

I like how they come out so much that I am in the process of making two other pairs.

♥ Nicole

Changes & Choices

2010-10-30T09:35:00.000-05:00

As you may have notice there have been MANY changes to the blog lately.

I have been trying to the best way to present myself to you all and I have been struggling.

But I think I may have found something that works...

for now.

I like the layout finally!

However, I am not married to the colors and Definitely NOT the background.

I am still trying to get the

Fabulous Hubby

to create something for me ... but that is about as easy as getting dogs to use the toilet.

SO, I am stuck with what I have for now.

I would like to know what you all think about the final

(for now☺) product.

And how about those buttons?

(that I made by myself ... go me)

So please take a moment and let me know, in the comments below, what you think.

Please be honest but KIND! I don't take negative criticism well.

If it is not put mildly

I may have to find you

and

poke you with a BIG stick... really hard!

♥ Nicole

Halloween Cupcakes for Cierra's Class

2010-10-29T09:03:00.001-05:00

Just a little something I made for Cierra's class yesterday.

These are candy made from and ice tray and candy melts

The icing was suppose to be Lime Green but it came out more like a Dark Mint. So I guess I can consider my EPIC FAIL for Friday.

25+ Vest You Can Make

2010-10-28T19:34:00.001-05:00

For all of my sewing readers ... here is a post just for you.

Here is a link to the vest collection found on Craft Stew. There is some really cute ideas in there that make me want to play with my sewing machines again.

Make It Monday ~ Ghost

2010-10-25T12:44:00.000-05:00

I know it is pretty close to Halloween already,

but I had to share this cute little decoration with you.

I love him and it is super easy to make and great to make with the kids.

What You Need:

What To Do:

Pull all four corners together then ...

Add the second layer of plastic over the ball before ...

Hope you enjoy Mr. Boo

♥Nicole

EXTRA! EXTRA! ~ Make Monday ~ Special Treat!

2010-10-20T08:28:00.003-05:00

Well, I know today is not Monday but there are so many things I want to show you all in the month of October and not enough Mondays.

So, I decided to use a Wednesday.

Hope you don't mind.

Anywho.

On to the treats...

I sent this to my daughter's class yesterday.

It is very quick and easy to make. Great those people who want to send treats to school but can't don't bake.

What you need:

Wilton Pumpkin Cake Pan

(I bought mine 2 years ago AFTER Halloween {70% off} and this is the first time I am using it)

Rice Krispie Cereal

2 Bags of Marshmallows

Butter

Orange Food Coloring

(I used the gel)

12 in Cake Board covered with Wax Paper

What to do:

Once cooled, flip pan on to covered cake board. Tap lightly and gently lift the pan away from treat.

Using wax paper, trace the shapes of the face on the top of the pan and cut them out.


Make sure you do NOT press hard with any knife you use. It will cut/scratch and damage your mat.

Place the pieces on the indents of the treat and press gently.

Voila!

♥Nicole

Something New

2010-10-18T17:01:00.000-05:00

Hey all, I just wanted to let you know that I have done something new on my blog (besides the background). I have added a thing called page breaks. It basically shortens what you see in the post, UNLESS you want to read more.

Here is how it works. Click on the link right below this and it will take you to the rest of this post. I prosmise it is not spam and that you WILL stay on my blog.

Now see, what did was shorten what was show on the home page so that you don't have to scroll for days to get to the post you want.

It will take me some time to get this done to ALL the post but I will eventually have it done and will be using it on all future post. Let me know what you guys don't like this idea since you will be the ones using it more then me.

Make It Monday

2010-10-18T10:43:00.002-05:00

It's National Chocolate Cupcake Day!

So naturally I had to make...

Chocolate Cupcakes!

And not just ANY chocolate cupcakes

Cannibal Cupcakes

White Chocolate Chocolate Cannibal Cupcakes

to be precise.

They are white chocolate and chocolate cupcakes that

ATE the mini versions of their opposites.

Pretty cool, huh?

I thought so.

Okay so how do you do it you ask?

Well let me show you...

What you need:

Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

White Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

Mini Cupcake Pan & Liners

Regular Cupcake Pan & Liners

Frosting of Your Choice

(I used Marshmallow Crème Frosting)

What to do:

1. Mix BOTH batters according to the recipe.

2. You are going to bake the MINI cupcakes first. Line the pans and bake 12 white chocolate cupcakes and 12 chocolate cupcakes. They will take about 10 -15 minutes to bake. Watch them because they can burn quickly.

While they are baking ... mix your frosting.

3. Remove them from the oven and cool for 5 minutes in the pan. Then cool them on the wire rack completely.

4. Once they are cooled you want to get them naked and put a small hat on them.

Take off the liners and place a little icing on the top of them.

Your choice. ☺

It does not have to be pretty because they are going inside the cupcake anyway.

5. Now we move on to the big ones.

Line your regular size cupcake pan and put just enough batter in each cup to cover the bottom.

6. Place the naked hat wearing MINI cupcakes inside of the regular cupcake pan.

White chocolate
Mini should be put inside of the Chocolate.

Chocolate
Mini should go inside of the White Chocolate.

sadly I forgot to take a picture of this.

7. Pour some more batter on TOP of the mini cupcakes. Make sure to cover the frosting with some batter but DO NOT over fill the cups. You want it to be about 2/3 full.*

sadly I forgot to take a picture of this.

8. Bake cupcakes as normal. 20-30 minutes depending on your oven. I slightly over cooked mine (I was on the phone).

As you can see, the frosting takes on this flaky crispy state once baked but the ugliness it creates will be covered with frosting and will still taste YUMMY!

9. Use the remaining frosting to top your now COOLED cupcakes and enjoy!

Happy National Chocolate Cupcake Day!

♥ Nicole

* you may also want to place a cookie sheet below the cupcake pan just in case.

They Did The Monster ...”Hat”?

2010-10-14T10:30:00.001-05:00

This is the time of year that I start making the kids their winter hats and things. So when I asked my son what kind of hat he wanted this is what he told me...

"I want a purple chicken hat that goes RAAARRRHH"!

Really?

Seriously?

Lucky for me he seen the
Brain Monster pattern on Ravelry because I seriously had
NO idea what the HECK to do.

Monster with hair.

Isn't it cute?

It is suppose to have ear flaps which I still may do and the hair was my little touch.

The eye is made of felt and stuffed a bit to make it "pop".

He loves it and has not stopped wearing it since I finished.

It is still between 75 & 80 degrees here but he is wearing his hat!

It is such a great feeling when people appreciate your work.

When it comes to my family, he is the one I know will love WHATEVER I make.

For now at least.

♥♥Nicole

Make It Monday

2010-10-11T08:34:00.046-05:00

Halloween Window Clings

ghost. Drawn free hand.

Very simple, very cute, very easy.

What You Need:

Puff Paint

(the permanent fabric paint that dries puffy when you use it on shirts)

Paint Brushes

(one for each color)

Plastic Wrap, Plastic Cutting Board, Piece of Glass from an Old Frame or Wax Paper

(one of these things)

Tape

Halloween Images to Trace (optional)

What To Do:

1. Place your image UNDER whatever you are using to make your clings. In the picture I am using a plastic cutting board.

2. Use the puff paint and trace your image. Make the lines THICK.

3. Once you have traced everything. Place a glob of pain in the center of the picture. Place as many globs as you need to fill the picture.

4. Now take your paint brush and spread the paint around. You want to keep it as thick as possible and make sure there are no holes.

As you reach the lines to made while tracing, use your brush to blend some of the paint from the lines with the paint in the center.
If you are using multiple colors, make sure that they touch as much as possible without distorting your picture. This will keep the image together when it dries.

5. Let the pictures dry for several hours or overnight before removing.

6. Carefully pull the plastic (or whatever you used) from the cling.

7. Stick it on a window, frig, or anywhere it will stay and show off your holiday spirit.

pumpkin

dripping blood. Drawn free hand.

Few tips:

If you use wax paper or plastic wrap, tape it down so it does not slide or curl up in the middle of your work (trust me).
The thicker the paint is the thicker the cling will be. The ones I made are thin and stretch a bit but they still work. I am just afraid they will tear. So go thick.
These can also be made drawing the pictures free hand. Like the "blood" and the ghosts.
You can draw on these once they are dry with permanent marker.
DO NOT use Plexiglas for this. I tried it and thought it would work great ... FAIL.
Almost anything can be added to them while they are wet. Glitter, seed beads, color sand ... play with it and see.

This project will stain fabrics so be very careful when making things. Cover surfaces and wear clothes you would not mind messing up if you have an accident.