Hearts.

Lots and lots of hearts.

So who knows.

Maybe it is because of V-day.

Or maybe just because I have two little girls.

Or MAYBE because I’m turning into one of those kind of people who like hearts and ruffles and stuff.

*gulp*

Isn’t this quilt adorable?

I desperately wanted to make it for Madeline’s bed.

But I know myself too well, and it’s definitely out of my skill range.

Maybe someday.

Because a post from me wouldn’t be complete without a cupcake.

So what if I have no idea what I’d do with these…they’re adorable.

Now lets see.

Do I want my kids to eat a healthy breakfast or do I want them to love me?

Homemade heart sprinkles?!?!

I fully plan to make one of these for Madeline’s bedroom.

I’m not sure how, exactly.

But I’ll worry about the details later…

Okay, maybe two cupcakes…

Hello!

Is this not the cutest kitchen towel you’ve ever seen?

Don’t bother disagreeing; I won’t believe you.

I’ll spare you any more…but there ARE more.

I guess I am one of those girls now.

I’m okay with that.

I know it was a bit much.
But if I’d just put chocolate cake it would have sounded too boring, so I went ahead and listed all the yummy parts, too.

So this was obviously my cheat for the week.
Among other things.
But I really don’t want to talk about that.

Back to the cake.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m usually pretty UN-impressed with scratch cakes. I know homemade stuff is usually better than boxed, but for whatever reason I’ve never been impressed with my results.
In fact, I usually look at the giant mess I’ve created with all of the measuring and sifting and pouring and make a mental note to head straight to the baking aisle at the store and stock up on cake mixes. They’re so much easier.

But this time I have to say that the results were worth the work. Finally, a homemade cake that wasn’t dry or even just mediocre.

Okay, I’ll stop blabbing now and post the recipe so you can make it for yourself.

Chocolate Layer Cake
Recipe found here

2 cups sugar
1 & 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350.
Coat 3 layer pans (8 inch) with cooking spray.
Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Add milk, oil, vanilla, and eggs.
Mix thoroughly, then add the boiling water.
Divide evenly among the baking pans.

Bake for 25-35 minutes.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours.

Cream Cheese Filling

1 cup cream cheese
3/4 cup butter
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
6 cups powdered sugar

Beat the cream cheese and butter on medium speed for one minute.
Add the vanilla and beat for another minute.
Add the sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, and beat on low speed until well combined.
Mix for two minutes more on medium speed.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

1 cup butter (8 ounces)
1 & 3/4 cups cocoa powder (5 ounces)
6 cups powdered sugar (25 ounces)
1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine the powdered sugar and cocoa powder in bowl.
Beat the butter on medium speed for one minute, then add the sugar/cocoa combination 1/2 cup at a time, stopping halfway to add the milk and vanilla.
Beat at medium speed for two minutes or until fluffy.

Remove cake from refrigerator, and place first layer on plate.
Add layer of cream cheese filling and a second cake layer.
Repeat.
Don’t, however, add cream cheese to the top of the cake….like I did.

Yeah. Not sure what I was thinking there.
But no harm done, just scraped it off and went from there.

Add a crumb coat (thin layer, doesn’t have to look pretty) of buttercream frosting to the sides and top of cake and return to the refrigerator for 30 mintues.

Add the final coat of buttercream and embellish as desired.

Then cut yourself a big ole slice and destroy all the progress you’ve made that week.

Wait, you didn’t think that was my piece did you?
That was for Jeremy.
I’ll take the rest, please. (kidding)

Sigh.

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Lines Across My Face, Sew Can Do, Talking Dollars and Cents, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Mad in Crafts, Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Creating My Way to Success, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Joy of Desserts, Moms Crazy Cooking, The Girl Creative, The Southern Institute, Sew Happy Geek, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sweet Little Gals, Vintage Wanna Bee, Sugar Bee Crafts, Nothing But Country, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, The Kurtz Corner, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Reasons to Skip the Housework , Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Mandy’s Recipe Box, Running with Glitter, Rook No. 17, the Sasse Life, the Stuff of Success, Trendy Treehouse, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Woodsy, This Chick Cooks, Sew Much Ado, Sweet Peas and Bumblebees, Polka Dots on Parade, Night Owl Crafting, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, Seven-thirty-three, House of Hepworths, Katie’s Nesting Spot, The Crafty Blog Stalker, Momnivores Delimma, Somewhat Simple, Something Swanky, Luxe Boulevard, Frugalicious Me, A Glimpse Inside, Crafty Scrappy Happy, Fireflies and Jellybeans, With a Shot of Brandy, 5 Minutes Just for Me, Delicate Construction, Simply Sweet Home, Tidy Mom, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Fun to Craft, Creation Corner, Kojo Designs, Simply Designing, Thirty Handmade Days, Sassy Sites, Tatertots and Jello, Bacon Time, Flamingo Toes, Homemaker on a Dime, Six Sisters Stuff, Sweet as Sugar Cookies, The Sweet Details, Candace Creations, Cooking at Cafe D, Passionately Artistic, Naptime Creations, Crazy for Crust, Frugally Sustainable, A Little Nosh, Lolly Jane Boutique, Head2Head Showdown Saturday, Between U & Me, My Favorite Finds

So…I want to make it more of a big-girl room and something she’d like. I couldn’t settle on a theme but I did find some brightly colored bedding that I think she’ll like.
It has hearts on it, and I had some fabric that coordinated perfectly, so the first project I decided to tackle was a curtain for the window.
Here’s what I came up with!

I think it’s adorable!
The ruffles are so cute and girly.
Hopefully she’ll love it, too.

I’ll try to post a tutorial in the next few days.
It wasn’t hard but took a little bit of time (about four hours total).

I can’t wait to start the next project for her room!

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Lines Across My Face, Sew Can Do, Talking Dollars and Cents, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Mad in Crafts, Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Creating My Way to Success, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Joy of Desserts, Moms Crazy Cooking, The Girl Creative, The Southern Institute, Sew Happy Geek, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sweet Little Gals, Vintage Wanna Bee, Sugar Bee Crafts, Nothing But Country, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, The Kurtz Corner, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Reasons to Skip the Housework , Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Mandy’s Recipe Box, Running with Glitter, Rook No. 17, the Sasse Life, the Stuff of Success, Trendy Treehouse, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Woodsy, This Chick Cooks, Sew Much Ado, Sweet Peas and Bumblebees, Polka Dots on Parade, Night Owl Crafting, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, Seven-thirty-three, House of Hepworths, Katie’s Nesting Spot, The Crafty Blog Stalker, Momnivores Delimma, Somewhat Simple, Something Swanky, Luxe Boulevard, Frugalicious Me, A Glimpse Inside, Crafty Scrappy Happy, Fireflies and Jellybeans, With a Shot of Brandy, 5 Minutes Just for Me, Delicate Construction, Simply Sweet Home, Tidy Mom, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Fun to Craft, Creation Corner, Kojo Designs, Simply Designing, Thirty Handmade Days, Sassy Sites, Tatertots and Jello, Bacon Time, Flamingo Toes, Homemaker on a Dime, Six Sisters Stuff, Sweet as Sugar Cookies, The Sweet Details, Candace Creations, Cooking at Cafe D, Passionately Artistic, Naptime Creations, Crazy for Crust, Frugally Sustainable, A Little Nosh, Lolly Jane Boutique, Head2Head Showdown Saturday, Between U & Me, My Favorite Finds

Brazil.  It was an awesome place to visit.

2. A place I’d like to visit someday is:

India, to try the food, ride on an elephant, and shoot a cow (kidding!), Hawaii and/or another tropical destination because I love beautiful places, Ireland, because everyone wants to go to Ireland, and an East Coast tour because I’ve always dreamed of doing that.

3. I pass the time on a plane (or bus, or car ride or train) by:

If I’m in a car I can’t do much without feeling sick, but I once passed a memorable nine or ten hours on a plane torturing my sister with cards (rummy, I think?).  If there’s anyone there with me I love to play games.  I always bring a book but never read it.  Guess I just love lugging the extra ten pounds around with me on trips.  Right now I’d probably bring Lucy’s quilt along to embroider.

4. My three must-haves when I travel are:

Hmmm….just three?  Jacket, camera, and phone, I guess.

5. My favorite travel companion is:

Er….I guess I’m obligated to say Jeremy.  ;)

6. The craziest thing that ever happened to me while traveling is:

Hmm.  I’ve traveled a lot so I’m sure there must be something crazy that’s happened.  Lots of frustrating things, you know like puking in the matchbox-sized airplane bathrooms, standing in the check-in line for an hour and a half and then getting yelled at by the ticket agent for not being there early enough (that flight was suuuuuper delayed), having every single bag I’ve ever checked or carried on taken apart and inspected piece by piece, etc.  Which reminds me….I once brought a big package of taco seasoning back (Does that surprise anyone?) from Alaska and they must have thought I was smuggling drugs or something cause I had to open the seal and everything, they were so suspicious of it.  Guess not many passengers pack taco seasoning in with their facial moisturizers.  Whatev.

7. The most exotic food I’ve ever tried while traveling is:

Hmm…not too adventurous when it comes to food.  I do remember a horrible mucus-y-looking fruit that I was forced to eat tried in Brazil.  It was awful.

8. If I could live anywhere else, I’d live in:

Well, as much as this is going to shock everyone, I’ll just come right out and say it.  Alaska.

9. I have been to this many U.S. states:

I really don’t know.  I remember Oregon (obviously), Washington, California (I think), Oklahoma, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas (no way!), New Jersey (okay, all I saw of it was a mall and some freeways), New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Alaska (duh), Indiana, and I’m probably forgetting some.  If airports count I’ve also definitely been in Georgia, Utah, Minnesota, and Tennessee.  I’d have to ask my dad about others cause I was pretty young when we traveled a lot.

~SouleMama~

And then I spend the entire week anticipating that day.

Sad, I know.

But what else is a sugar-addict-trying-to-lose-weight to do?

So this week chocolate was calling my name and I settled on these Symphony-bar-filled brownies.

And they were well worth the wait.
In fact, I could probably eat them for my treat every single week…

Symphony Bar Brownies

Ingredients:
3 (4oz) Symphony bars with toffee
Brownie recipe of your choice (I’ve personally never found a homemade brownie recipe that I think is better than the Betty Crocker box mix, so I used that)

Make brownie batter according to box (or recipe).
Pour half of batter into greased 9×13 pan.
Top with Symphony bars.
Pour remainder of batter over bars.
Bake according to box (or recipe) directions.
Cool for a bit, then cut and enjoy the chocolately deliciousness.

Seriously, a Symphony bar wrapped in brownie?
Yes, please. I’ll take three.

I better go.
Time to plan out my next sugary-sweet happiness.

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Lines Across My Face, Sew Can Do, Talking Dollars and Cents, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Mad in Crafts, Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Creating My Way to Success, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Joy of Desserts, Moms Crazy Cooking, The Girl Creative, The Southern Institute, Sew Happy Geek, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sweet Little Gals, Vintage Wanna Bee, Sugar Bee Crafts, Nothing But Country, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, The Kurtz Corner, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Reasons to Skip the Housework , Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Mandy’s Recipe Box, Running with Glitter, Rook No. 17, the Sasse Life, the Stuff of Success, Trendy Treehouse, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Woodsy, This Chick Cooks, Sew Much Ado, Sweet Peas and Bumblebees, Polka Dots on Parade, Night Owl Crafting, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, Seven-thirty-three, House of Hepworths, Katie’s Nesting Spot, The Crafty Blog Stalker, Momnivores Delimma, Somewhat Simple, Something Swanky, Luxe Boulevard, Frugalicious Me, A Glimpse Inside, Crafty Scrappy Happy, Fireflies and Jellybeans, With a Shot of Brandy, 5 Minutes Just for Me, Delicate Construction, Simply Sweet Home, Tidy Mom, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Fun to Craft, Creation Corner, Kojo Designs, Simply Designing, Thirty Handmade Days, Sassy Sites, Tatertots and Jello, Bacon Time, Flamingo Toes, Homemaker on a Dime, Six Sisters Stuff, Sweet as Sugar Cookies, The Sweet Details, Candace Creations, Cooking at Cafe D, Passionately Artistic, Naptime Creations, Crazy for Crust, Frugally Sustainable, A Little Nosh, Lolly Jane Boutique, Head2Head Showdown Saturday, Between U & Me, My Favorite Finds

I knew as soon as I saw this post that I wanted one of these pretty little necklaces and I finally sat down this weekend and made a couple.
I even did my own tutorial in case you want to try it out for yourself.

Here’s what you’ll need:

fabric (I used one of Susannah’s outgrown t-shirts)
hot glue gun
round charm and chain (found one at a thrift store for ten cents…and they probably thought I was weird for buying it since it had a picture of someone else’s kid in it)

Step 1:
Use the charm to trace circles on your fabric. They don’t need to be precise or perfect.

Cut them out on the inside of the pen markings.
I cut 10-12 circles out.

Pinch the circle at the center and glue down to charm, starting at the center.

Repeat until the charm is covered. Trim any long or oddly placed pieces.

Pretty cute, right?

This one is a tiny bit bigger than I’d have liked but I still like how it turned out. Now I just need to find some more charms so I can make more colors.

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Lines Across My Face, Sew Can Do, Talking Dollars and Cents, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Mad in Crafts, Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Creating My Way to Success, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Joy of Desserts, Moms Crazy Cooking, The Girl Creative, The Southern Institute, Sew Happy Geek, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sweet Little Gals, Vintage Wanna Bee, Sugar Bee Crafts, Nothing But Country, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, The Kurtz Corner, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Reasons to Skip the Housework , Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Mandy’s Recipe Box, Running with Glitter, Rook No. 17, the Sasse Life, the Stuff of Success, Trendy Treehouse, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Woodsy, This Chick Cooks, Sew Much Ado, Sweet Peas and Bumblebees, Polka Dots on Parade, Night Owl Crafting, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, Seven-thirty-three, House of Hepworths, Katie’s Nesting Spot, The Crafty Blog Stalker, Momnivores Delimma, Somewhat Simple, Something Swanky, Luxe Boulevard, Frugalicious Me, A Glimpse Inside, Crafty Scrappy Happy, Fireflies and Jellybeans, With a Shot of Brandy, 5 Minutes Just for Me, Delicate Construction, Simply Sweet Home, Tidy Mom, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Fun to Craft, Creation Corner, Kojo Designs, Simply Designing, Thirty Handmade Days, Sassy Sites, Tatertots and Jello, Bacon Time, Flamingo Toes, Homemaker on a Dime, Six Sisters Stuff, Sweet as Sugar Cookies, The Sweet Details, Candace Creations, Cooking at Cafe D, Passionately Artistic, Naptime Creations, Crazy for Crust, Frugally Sustainable, A Little Nosh, Lolly Jane Boutique, Head2Head Showdown Saturday, Between U & Me, My Favorite Finds

~SouleMama~