Like Taking Candy From a Baby

On Sunday, I played around in my kitchen making these little candy versions of the classic, Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack toy. I have to admit, it made me kind of nostalgic for when my kiddos were little. I remember the excitement I felt when they finally learned how to stack the colors and circles correctly! (What a treasured memory for so many parents, really. Would you believe this toy has been around since 1960?)

I made these candy treats just for fun, but I think they'd be super cute at a baby shower or 1st birthday party. They're gender-neutral, brightly-colored and downright adorable. 

For the simple instructions & list of ingredients, head to my Candy Rainbow Rock-a-Stack tutorial on Handmade Charlotte.

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms, new & not-so-new. (Sounded better than old.)

Cookie Purses for Fashion-plate Palates

A few years ago I made some Nutter Butter high-heel cookies for my shoe-lovin' friend's birthday. I always thought it would be so cute to make some matching, edible purses.

Ten years later (no way.. has it really been that long, Adriene!), I created these cookie purses: a bite-size bowler bag 

a classic cookie clutch 

and a tasty-yet-trendy tote.

They'd be a really fun dessert to make for Mother's Day, bachelorette parties, bridal showers and birthday parties.

I was surprised at how perfect the different store-bought cookie shapes and textures were for making purses. 

You can find my easy, step-by-step instructions at SheKnows.

Shout-out for Margarita Shots!

If you need a delicious party beverage that doubles as a festive decoration, then I've got the perfect recipe: Margarita Gummy Shots.

They're a clever and colorful combination of mini margarita cocktails and tequila-soaked gummy Life Savers, served on a tiny spoonful of salt. They'd be magnifico for Cinco de Mayo or splendid at any summer party.

For the complete Margarita Gummy Shot recipe and details, head over to my tutorial on SheKnows.

Party on!

Yum…. Muppets!

If I can't get my kids to go with me to see the new Muppets Most Wanted movie, maybe I can at least get them to eat this Beaker BLT Wrap I created.

For the complete assembly instructions, head over to Handmade Charlotte.

Or, ask Beaker would say "Meep!"

Easter Pudding Pop Surprises

Remember those old Jell-o Pudding Pop commercials with Bill Cosby? "A wholesome treat that mom will let you eat, because it's made with real pudding."

Now that I've taken us all down memory lane, how 'bout I share my latest springtime treat: Easter Surprise Pudding Pops. Yummy, creamy, chocolatey pudding pops with a candy bunny hidden inside.

Do you think I could get Bill Cosby to try one?

You can find my step-by-step instructions at SheKnows.

Bea liked them, that's for sure.

Gear up for Gardening

Spring is finally here! All the blooming trees and flower bulbs in Wichita decided to show their magnificent colors this week.

Which also means, it's time to get your 2014 Tree Top Nursery garden t-shirt. Good for 10% off all your purchases when you wear it to the store this year. Just stop by Tree Top and pick one up this weekend. And while you're there, could you pick up about 60 bags of mulch for me? I've got a little springtime sprucing up that needs done at our house. 

Here's a closer peek at this year's "Live for Today. Plant for Tomorrow" design.

Cupcake Headboard

As a gift for my niece's 7th birthday a few years ago, I decorated her bedroom. At the time, I also promised Addie I would make her a cupcake headboard. (Here's the original post from 2011.)

Well, it only took 2 1/2 years.... but I finally finished it! 

The bottom of the cupcake is made of foam swim kickboards covered in purple, polar fleece fabric. The chocolate cupcake top is stuffed with quilt batting and covered in brown, curly chenille fabric. And the cherry on top is a pink fluffy pillow that I found at Walmart. The whole thing is built on a frame of wood and polycore board.

I'm sorry it took me so long, Addie. Thank you for being so patient. I wish you the sweetest of dreams under your new cupcake headboard.

Just What the Doctor Ordered

It's only been two years, but Redbud Pediatrics has already expanded their clinic space! So, I was thrilled when Dr. Rebecca Reddy asked me to create some new décor for the added exam rooms and enlarged waiting area. 

I've spent the last couple of months constructing giant letters out of foam core, hot gluing fur and other funky fabrics, designing new kid-friendly canvas prints, and painting big blue birds. Eric and I installed everything this afternoon, and I just love how it came together. 

So. Much. Fun. 

Hope you agree.

Blue bench from Tree Top Nursery, wooden trees and canvas wrapped frame.

More canvas-wrapped prints and the play table/house Eric built 2 years ago.

"redbud" letters made out of foam core and covered in white vinyl fabric.

Canvas-wrapped frames made by Signs Now.

Mirror slats that I bought from Umbra.com and attached to MDF board.

"the picture of health" vinyl lettering attached to the mirror by Signs Now.

Custom vinyl numbers on the bottom of each exam room door.

Custom Redbud bird cut out of MDF board, made by Eric.

Jane Jenni plates attached to the wall in one exam room.

Custom framed print: "You're growing like a weed."

Red clipboards with custom mini posters.

Red clocks I found at Target and added the little blue birds on top.

Peace, love & Redbud bird, made out of foam core and covered in fabrics and fur.

Funky furs and fabrics covering each shape.

Custom framed prints near the nurses station.

A Cake for Cake

Our calico cat, Cake, turned 2 years old yesterday. So of course, we made her a three-tiered, candle-topped, birthday cake out of cat food. (Which was totally Bea's idea, I swear!)

P.S.
Cats DO NOT like flaming candles.