Kessie's First Birthday and Cupcake Tree

I just finished Kessie's First Birthday cakes and cupcakes.  I have been planning on making a cupcake tree for some time now and decided I needed one for her party.

Supply List

6"

8"

10"

12" Round 1/4 inch boards

I used pre-cut masonite boards that I had purchased over a year ago from CK Products (Wholesale only).  I found pre-cut masonite cake boards at Country Kitchen Sweetart http://www.countrykitchensa.com/shop/cake-decorating-supplies/masonite-cake-boards/38/538/68/ This website does not require a minimum order and does give discounts.  They also have pre-made cupcake trees if you do not want to make your own.

3/4" dowel rod

3 packs of small finials (2 per pack)

White Spray Paint

24" of 2" pvc pipe

E6000 Glue

Wood or sheetrock screw

scrap piece of 1/4-1/2" wood/approximately 2" square or circle

Wrapping paper or fabric of your choice

Drill

Chop saw or hand saw

Pliers

Drill 3/4" hole in the center of each circle.

Drill a small pilot hole in the center of the dowel rod and screw one of the finials into the rod.

I cut the pipe into (3) 5 1/2" pieces.  (You may wish to cut yours a bit shorter)

Remove the screw from 4 of the finials that will become the feet of your stand.

Cut dowel off the proper length to allow it to thread through all circles and pvc pipe, less 1/8" to allow for tightening.

Spray paint all pieces in a well ventilated area.

Allow all the pieces to dry throughly before constructing.

Divide the largest circle into four equal sections to determine the position of your finial feet.  Glue in place with E6000 glue and allow to dry completely.

Cover pieces of pvc pipe with the paper or fabric of your choice. I used transparent tape to attach it so that it can be changed for each use.

Drill a pilot hole in the lower end of the dowel rod for the screw.

Start with the smallest circle and thread the dowel rod through, pvc pipe, circle, pvc pipe, circle...etc. Center the pvc pipes.

When all the layers are stacked properly, attach the 1/4" block onto the bottom of the dowel rod and tighten. This will hold everything together.  Holds about 30 cupcakes.

You can remove the screw and disassemble to make it easier to store.

Her Cakes and Cupcakes

Happy Birthday Kessie...Nana Loves You!!

Kessie's First Birthday Smash Cake

It is hard to believe that Kessie will be one March 19th.  She is my youngest grandaughter.  She is such a good baby and rarely cries. I made her a smash cake for her first birthday pictures.  I also made her a tutu outfit and a buble dress with bloomers.  I thought we were doing good.  She took a morning nap...but woke up with a bit of fever.  She is teething so I gave her a bit of Tylenol.  She woke up feeling better and after lunch took another nap.  I really thought we were doing good then.  Two naps and we were ready for picture.  WRONG!  When we went to get her pictures made, she did not cooperate and cried.  That is so not like her.  I am afraid she is getting an ear infection.  So, we rescheduled her pictures and I stuck her cake in the freezer.  I snapped a few pics before we left. 

I owned and operated a specialty cake shop for a couple of years and sold it last year due to health issues.  I really miss it some days.  

Mr & Mrs Pillow Covers

This set of pillow covers will be used at a wedding reception this summer and then in the newlyweds home.

Nurse tote Going to Hawaii

I am so excited...I sold a Nurse tote bag that is going to Hawaii!!!!  I love Etsy.  It allows you to reach so many people that would never get to see your creations.  Thanks Etsy!!!

Working on Floors

We have been doing small things to the house until the weather breaks and spring gets here.  The first thing that has to change are the dirty old linoleum floors.  It is supposed to be an ivory background...and well...when we moved in they were brown.  LOTS of elbow grease and a good degreaser made a big difference.

We have floating laminate flooring to install...but we have to prepare the old floors.  I have used an oscillating saw to remove the areas of the flooring that are rolling up around the edges.  We are trying to decide rather to fill the gaps with rock hard putty or possibly a few pieces of the new flooring.

Trying to Clean and Repair "New" Old House

Over Christmas my husband and I moved into my childhood home.  I have done this with mixed emotions.  The original parts of this house are over 100 years old.  My dad remodeled it in the 70's.  I lived with my dad in it from about age 12 until I got married (at 17...how stupid was that??).  Anyway, my first husband and I lived in another family home for the first year of our marriage...then we swapped with my dad and lived in my childhood home until 1994 when we built a new house.  My two daughters were "born" and raised in this house until they were 12 and 9 years old.

Several other families have lived in the old house over the years.  It carries a few scars and a whole lot of dirt.  I have been cleaning and we have been doing a bit of remodeling/updating.  My dad wants it to remain like he first remodeled...and that is ok.  I am adding a bit of updated paint colors and trying to decide about painting over off white paneling that is throughout the kitchen and den. 

A lot of memories here.  Good and Bad.  At 49, it is hard to look back and not see regrets....woulda, shoulda, coulda...but I am trying to look to the future and see the possibilities.

Christmas Orders...Busy, Busy

Busy...Busy getting Christmas orders out!  Pillows and Tote Bags from my Etsy account have been selling well.  Thank goodness!  A little extra money here at Christmas.  These have been my three best sellers.