A Cooker and Crafter

Yummy Cinnamon Buns!

2009-01-14T14:35:00.004-05:00

Since we got married, my hubby has been bugging me to make cinnamon buns. I was so obsessed with perfecting my cupcakes, I kept telling him another time. Well I finally made them and WOW! I should have made them sooner. They came out so moist and sweet and gooey. I will DEFINITELY make these again.

Recipe here

xoxo

Leah

A "Cute" Guy Card

2009-01-13T14:28:00.004-05:00

I've always had trouble making guy cards. They always come out looking too girly. Well not any more! This past weekend I made a birthday card for a friend from church. I love it! I think it's my go-to-guy-birthday-card, until I come up with another.

(Sorry for the bad picture. I was rushing.)

This is the layout I used.

More tomorrow!

Leah

A New Year!

2009-01-04T22:55:00.002-05:00

Wow, it's been a while since I've written! I hope I won't go that long again. I want to try and write every other day, if not every day. I have so many exciting projects to share! This year I hope to expand my horizons in crafting and baking. The journey should be fun! I can't wait!

love,love

Leah

Simple Happy Birthday

2008-11-01T16:02:00.003-04:00

Today I have two cards for you. I realized that I am being much more of a cooker than a crafter. So, here are some cards for a change. I made two cards for the November birthdays at my church youth group. They are very simple but I love them. Enjoy!

Leah

Booo-tiful Halloween Movie Cupcakes

2008-10-31T12:46:00.006-04:00

This year for Halloween my husband had the greatest suggestion. He said why don't we invite some friends over and watch some Halloween movies. That got me thinking. Why don't I make cupcakes to go along with each movie we are going to watch? I am so excited about my cupcakes. I think they came out great! They are Pumpkin Pecan Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. YUM! I also made chocolate transfers (my first time ever!) of a character from each movies. You'll find the pics and recipes below. Enjoy and have a happy and safe Halloween!

Pumpkin Pecan Cupcakes (recipe by ME!)

1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup pumpkin pie filling
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup self rising flour
1/4 cup candied pecans (recipe here)

Mix heavy cream, vanilla and eggs together for 1 minute. Add eggs and mix for 3 minutes. Add pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin pie spice and mix until combined. Fold in flour and pecans. Bake cupcakes for 20 minutes at 350.

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe also by ME!)

1 8oz pkg of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter at room temperature
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 TBSP pure maple syrup

Beat all ingredients until fluffy.

Cupcakes for Halloween movie night and for the Booo-tiful Halloween Cupcake Contest. Hosted by How to Eat a Cupcake and I heart cuppycakes.

Scream

Friday the 13th (Jason mask)

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Nightmare Before Christmas

Leah

Crazy Baking Day

2008-10-25T18:55:00.007-04:00

Today was absolutely the craziest baking day I have ever had. Crazier than the day I made 60 cupcakes in 45 minutes. Crazier than my first order. It was even crazier than when my cupcakes kept sinking and I had to make them all over again. Today I had to bake a strawberry cheesecake, a pumpkin pecan cheesecake, pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting AND blueberry streusel muffins. Even though I'm exhausted, I'm really happy I got so many orders in one weekend. But, finally done. Enjoy the pics!

I tied up the strawberry cheesecake box before I took a picture... Now I'm going to get some rest!

Leah

BBQ Chicken Pizza

2008-10-24T18:20:00.005-04:00

On Friday nights, I usually make my hubby pizza for dinner. Tonight's menu...BBQ Chicken Pizza! (My husband like all possible toppings at once, so I don't know what his half is! haha) You'll find the recipe below, and a yummy picture. Enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Pizza
1 lb store bought pizza dough
1 cup bbq sauce
2 cups of grated cheese mozzarella cheese (or use your favorite!)
2 chicken cutlets
1/2 cup red onion diced
olive oil
mushrooms (optional)
2 TBSP of chopped cilantro

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Marinate the chicken in 1/2 cup BBQ sauce and grill. Let cool and cut into strips.

3. Brush a baking pan with olive oil. Roll the dough into a 13X9 rectangle, and press into a baking pan. (If dough is too"springy", let rest.

4. Spread remaining BBQ sauce on dough. Sprinkle with cheese. Alternate cheese and toppings. (There will be two layers of each, ending with toppings.)

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.

6. Let pizza cool. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Leah

Getting Ready for Christmas

2008-10-23T21:37:00.006-04:00

I know, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I wanted to get a head start on my Christmas cards this year. I'm thinking about sending everyone a different card, but I don't know if I can come up with so many different designs. I really love some of the cards I made from last year, so I might duplicate some of them. Here's what I came up with so far...

What do you think? I'm working on some more. Hopefully I get them done soon. Well tata for now.

Leah

Craftspace

2008-10-17T22:01:00.008-04:00

Ever since I got married I really really want a craft room. I have so much time on my hands (because I haven't found a job yet) so what better to do than craft! So I started looking online and in magazines at craft rooms, and oh my there's a lot out there! I love IKEA, especially this set, so most of my stuff will probably come from there.

I don't really have a large space to work with (it's an upstairs loft), so I am going to hang a lot of rods and shelves on the wall. I think the bookshelf will be great for big items like my Cricut and stuff like that. All the little doodads can go in cute containers on the wall. I also plan to paint wooden letter that say CREATE to put somewhere in the room. Here's what the space looks like now...

These are the only tools my hubby didn't make me put in the storage closet.

It's great there's a bathroom up there! I also love the natural light from the skylights.

Check back soon, to see how I've transformed it!

Leah

Welcome everyone!

2008-10-16T16:52:00.009-04:00

Welcome one and all! I'm finally up and running. it took a long time but I'm finally here. I can't wait to share all my cooking, baking and crafting adventures with you.

Here's a taste of what's coming...

I made these for a friend...mini pumpkin cheesecakes with whipped cream, and candied pecans (which I made myself)! Happy fall y'all!!

Leah