Crepe Cake and My Easter Bonnet

First of all, Happy Birthday Jordan!! My mom is visiting Jordan right now and I hope they have a great day all together---wish I could be there!!

Yes, I used the same picture from last year. It still works!

Last year I decided I wanted to make some type of headpiece for Easter but ran out of time when it came down to it. I made a tiny hair bow instead. This year I went BIG!

Dress: JC Penney, Head Piece: DIY by me, Shoes: DSW (I wore heels to church)

Crappy cell phone close up!

I used this tutorial, but instead of using real silk organza, which would have been lighter and fluffier, I used some " special occasion" fabric. Still cute, but wish I would have gone for the organza!

Another thing I conquered was a crepe cake! I saw a crepe cake on a cooking show years ago and was intrigued. I came across sever pins on Pinterest, including Martha Stewart's version. I decided to use this recipe. 

The first crepe!

The cake, assembled! 

Sliced! Look at those layers!

Topped with strawberries, a perfect combination

The crepe cake was impressive and delicious but total prep time was over 3 hours, starting the night before (heating and cooling milk, browning butter, ice baths...) and then making 20 perfect crepes (that took an hour alone) and finally assembling the cake (the fun part!). I'm not sure when or if I'll make it again, but it won't be any time soon =) Although I feel pretty expert in making crepes!

How was your Easter?

Bridal Bouquet

When I was choosing my flowers I had an idea from a good friend's wedding that I was a bridesmaid in. I loved her bouquet. When I started looking at  flowers I realized that bouquet really didn't transfer well to winter colors. From them I just looked at what was available and looked like it fit in the right season for my wedding. I didn't want stark white flowers and I definitely wanted red in there. I looked so many times at flowers (mainly at Michaels). I planned on having silk flowers so I can keep my bouquet and it's the same bouquet for my bridals and the wedding. I found some magnolias that I loved! They were off-white and not too big. A great filler flower that comes in so many colors is the hydrangea. We found some of those in the right shade of red and found a couple other kinds of flowers that would accent the others. If I had been thinking about it I would've taken pictures of the process of making the bouquet but of course I didn't even think about it.

So arranging my bouquet was no easy task. I rearranged everything a few times and took pictures to remind myself of what I liked. When it came time to actually make it we used heavy duty shears, floral tape and some creativity. It helped to have another pair of hands doing this. Thanks mom! We made sure only the pretty flowers made it to the bouquet. We weren't afraid of taking apart the flowers with the shears and occasionally a knife...that was not the safest! We built it from the center, starting with the best magnolia, and then fanned out, tapping the layers as we went. After all the flowers had been adjusted, taped, and readjusted, we cut the stems to the same length and then I pinned ribbon around the stems. I glued VERY carefully a small circle of cardstock to the bottom of the bouquet then cover it with ribbon to give the bottom a clean, flat surface. I found this pearl bouquet wrap thing at Michaels and slid that on over the ribbon for the last finishing touch and voila! There's my bouquet!

Muy Facil Flowers (Very Easy Flowers)

I'd like you to know, I take requests on occasion. One of our readers, Heather, asked in her comment on my thrifting post for a tutorial on how to make the flowers on my hair accessory. She asked, I am delivering!

My first attempt I made two flowers out of the shoulder pads from my totally tubular '80s top. The best thing about these flowers: they are scrap pile busters! Perfect for just a little bit of pretty fabric you have left. 

Start with some pretty fabric you can't bear to get rid of 

Trace circles onto the fabric. Between 4 and 6 circles seem to be best. 

Cut out the circles. It's ok and almost preferable if they aren't perfect.

Stack the circles and while holding them between your pointer finger and thumb, cut slits around. The more slits, the puffier it will be. Twist the different layers so the slits aren't lined up. 

Fold the flower over and make several stitches, ensuring your needle goes through each layer.



Then fold the flower the opposite way and stitch again.

Voila! 

Here I have two different sizes. The ones in front needed more layers or more slits I think. The back ones I like more. 

These flowers are perfect for hair accessories,  brooches, and jewelry. 

Now go make ya some Muy Facil Flowers!!