Knitting for Dummies

Crocheted Peach Dress

My Aunt Florence crocheted my first daughter, Tyra, a beautiful peach dress when she was born.  Only problem was that at the time she was born, it was May in Alabama and about 100 degrees in the shade!  So, I neatly preserved the dress as a keepsake for Tyra in which I still have to this day.  I was always intrigued by people who could knit or crochet.  I remember that my Grandmother was an avid knitter.  I also remember the dreaded toilet paper cover with the doll coming out the top that was in elderly houses everywhere!  Or what about the one that looked like a poodle.  Just Dreadful!  Bathroom nightmares.  But I will admit...I did play with them when I was in there...HE HE HE!

Okay...there are some toilet paper covers I think would be worth crocheting or knitting that are rather cute like this one courtesy of Cherry on Top:

Not bad...

After having my first child, I began to become more interested in knitting.  I really wanted to learn to knit so i could make baby hats, booties, and even blankets.  So, I bought my first book, Knitting for Dummies, and a few knitting needles.  I read that book forward and backwards in order to learn how to knit.  I practiced and practiced and sure, I messed up, but I kept knitting.  And eventually, I knitted my very first baby hat.  Very rewarding...all that reading and practicing paid off.  From there, I took on more intricate patterns, challenging myself to harder patterns.  And again, there were times I messed up and had to start all over again.  I have become an avid knitter over time, learning how to take out a row if I messed up besides trashing the whole project.  I even taught Tyra how to knit at one point.  Trust me...kids have no patience for knitting.  Don't try this at home!

So, I was browsing my new favorite website Etsy and found some really cute knitted accessories.  It makes me wish I had babies again...okay...not really.  Check out these cute hats and adorable pictures by Melody'sMakings.  You can order these patterns for your knitting pleasure. 

    

    

Hey...My Aunt Florence even put a personalized tag in the back of her dress...How fly is that!

For all you DUMMIES out there who want to learn how to knit...go get that book, Knitting for Dummies, and you could be on your way to knitting or crocheting hats, scarves, and even mittens!

Okay...stick with the scarf!

My Favorite Things

Me and My Favorite Santa Hat

Christmas is getting closer. And the way I see it...Since Oprah has her list of Favorite Things...then I too will have My List of Favorite Things.  I thought about all the things I want, the things I have, and the things I think everyone should have...and this is what I came up with:

1.  KitchenAid Mixer in Pink

Yes, in pink because I think it is just pretty in pink...the red one is not bad looking either.  Every good baker or potential baker should have one of these mixers.  It will take your baking to new levels and make it so much easier. 

Or you can do what Sophie from Georgetown Cupcakes did for her sister's wedding shower gift, and adorn your pink mixer with thousands of pink Swarovski crystals!  How cute is that!  Talk about Bling in the Kitchen!



2.  Hand Mixer by Cuisinart
        

There are times when you just don't want to pull out that heavy KitchenAid Mixer for a small batch of cookies or frosting.  This is where this gadget comes in handy.  And of course, you need to coordinate the color with your stand mixer!




3.  Cake Tester

Okay, okay...you may be asking why you would need to buy a cake tester?  It does have a function in the kitchen for testing to see if your cake or cupcakes are done.  But let's be real...toothpicks or a knife work just as good.

Nothing like a good toothpick!

4.  Martha Stewart's Cupcakes book

I absolutely love this book.  I think this is a great start for beginners.  It is a great foundation for making cupcakes.  Some of the recipes are not good to me, but I think this book offers great ideas.  My good friend Keisha gave me this cupcake book and I love her forever! 





5.  A Red Ferrari

 Okay...so this is something I want.  Nice to have friends who have one!



6.  Scrabble Pendants with cute sayings:

This cute necklace is from FrillyChili at Etsy.  I think this is divine...and mine is one it's way.

7.  A Good Cat

          I know not everyone likes cats, but I love them.  And when you have a cat like mine, you will definitely have a place in your heart for a cat like Kyle.  Kyle is cutest, most loving, dependable cat I own.  I do have 2 other cats, Sammie and Sugar, but Kyle is an exceptional cat.  He knows when I am sad, he comforts me.  He knows when I am sleepy, he cuddles with me.  Everywhere I go, Kyle is there.  He is sitting right here with his paw on my laptop.  He is my shadow, and one of my favorite things.

Kyle Fat Daddy Powell

8.  Wilton's #1M Decorating Tip

This tip is a staple for my cupcake decorating,  I like the swirl it creates on the cupcake.  And it just looks so pretty!

Courtesy of Cupcakes With Class

 

Wilton also has a Cupcake decorating kit that is great to get you started and also includes the #1M tip.

9.  My Family

         

Tyra, Terri, and Selena

I adore my children.  They definitely keep me going every day.  From Tyra saying "Not another cupcake Momma G", to Selena saying, "Mmmm, I just love your frosting Mommy" to Terri saying, "Did you make me chocolate cupcakes?"...I absolutely love them.  Don't know what I 'd do without them...well, I do know what I would do....but for now, I'll keep them!

10.  Cupcake Cruise 2012

So, this is something I want and hope to do in 2012.  Can you imagine cruising with cupcakes to Bermuda?  This cruise is a cupcake lovers dream come true.  In their own words this is " 7 Delicious Days to Bermuda".  Count me in!

                                          

"And These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things..."

How A Cupcake Made Me Laugh

A Little Cupcake Story
by me

My day started off a little rough...it was dark and wet outside.  The rain was coming down hard creating a slight ping sound on the ground and the cars on the street.  I told myself it sound like little balls of ice and if it was cold enough...it would be snowing.  I pulled myself out of bed and got the kids off to school.  I sat down on the couch with my hot cup of Vanilla creme flavored coffee.  Finally, I found something to not only warm me up but may just cheer me up.  I think that feeling lasted for about 10 minutes.  But, it was good while it lasted.  TV was the same...The Today Show, those Are you the Father shows, and my DVR'd shows.  That's right, my DVR'd shows from the night before.  I could sit here and watch my shows in peace with no interruptions.  This could be the happy factor I was looking for today.  I picked up my remote, and pressed the DVR button....NOTHING!  Not one show, nothing to watch.  This day just got worse.

 I finished my coffee, hopped on my laptop to check my email and of course, see what is happening on Facebook.  That world of Social Networking is amazing.  So much to read about what everyone is doing today.  From "I am off to work" to "Help, I need more coffee!" to those cute pictures of your friends baby posted every 5 minutes documenting the child's every footstep and breathe.  Someone please help me. 

So, I got tired quick of reading people's play-by-play of their daily life and I proceeded to my blog.  I read many blogs about many different things...mostly cupcakes, I must admit.  Not really sure how I came across this, but it sure made my day.  What could be better than a giggle at the expense of a cupcake, a cupcake making me giggle, and a cupcake being hilarious?  Just writing about it creates this butterfly-like feeling in my stomach.  It is like the laugh that makes you cry.  I loved it so much...I bought it. 

Did it make you laugh?

This cute little Scrabble tile is from Frillychili at Etsy.  Each tile is handmade from old Scrabble tiles...how neat is that.  And all pendants come with a 18" ball chain.  Check out her store and other tiles she creates at her online store.  I think these are the perfect gift for anyone.  I even ordered 3 more. 

See...cupcakes can make you giggle!

(I am giggling right now waiting for necklace to get her...Ha Ha HA!)