Operation Craft Haven

For over a year now I have been doing research on Google image for inspiration on storage ideas and how to create a space to call my "Crafter's Haven". In 2 years, I have changed up my storage and workstation at least three times that my husband said to me if I am going to do this again, I'd better do it right. I agreed with him wholeheartedly. The long overdue project has been completed thanks to my architects, demolition crew, construction workers and waste management team...Hubby, Sissy, Brother in-law and yours truly:) This Fabulous Foursome conquered this project in 3 days.

This is my logo and first craft project on my new work station.

The most exciting part was putting together the little details.

1) Old drawer I used as a buffet table which I converted into my desk. A little bit of sand paper and spray paint did magic to this desk and brought it to life again. I will decoupage the top of the desk with some cards I've made and decorative paper then throw a sheet of plexiglass for extra protection. 2) Built in shelving for an amazing decorative effect. 3) Time and patience= a beautiful place to create.

Embellishments that were previously smooshed in containers are now arranged in jars to show off it's beauty. The gerber daisy flower arrangements are pens-dual action going.

If you are like me, you know what I mean when I say that you can never have enough spaces and places to put stuff. Well with a quick organized fix such as these plastic shoe containers, you can find a place for everything hard to part with.

Now everything has a home.

Gone are the days when just one out of my 20 pairs of scissors could not be found. With containers and labels, my new space allows me to create and work on projects with convenience and ease.

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” 

Carl Jung 

For all who dedicate their lives to inspiring our children to live, you are appreciated.

Endless gifts of appreciation can be found in every retail establishment but the best gifts are those made from the hands and given from the heart.~M. Sasamoto

Here are some gift ideas I came up with through up-cycling and redesigning.  I'll try my best to explain how I made them. 

 Apples and teachers-a perfect combination.  These sugar cookies are definitely sweet treats to hand deliver especially adorned with thank you leaves.  The best thing about giving edible gifts such as this sugar cookie is you know it will be appreciated for it's prettiness and taste.

 I'm loving this deep apple red color and pretty green leaves.

 I made these owl cards with the inside reading "Owl always appreciate you."  Who wouldn't feel appreciated?

 I paper crafted these cards.  I made a template for the owl and used the 1.5 circle hole punch and layered the template.  I cut out the wings and two hearts to use as the beak and feet.

 Chalkboard sugar cookies-I absolutely loved this project.

 It's now complete with a tag. (get them on www.positivelysplendid.com)

 These were the gifts my daughter and I put together for her teachers.  Homemade pecan tarts in a little plastic container (I bought them on clearance one Easter-they are the ones used to put your dye and water in to color Easter eggs and re-purposed them).  Embellished with a flower lollipop and a clear cellophane bag with a ribbon.  Her teachers loved this gift.

 Up, close and oh so personal.  The smaller the container, the less you need to fill especially when you are making multiple gifts.  This tip helps to cut expenses.

Up-cycled Starbucks Frappuccino jars.  Keep those jars, don't throw them away.  They make beautiful gift containers.  

If you are still feeling weary at the thought of making gifts, I encourage you to give it a try...you'll be glad you did.  Let your hair down and allow your hands to dance to the tune of your imagination.

See you back soon for Mother's Day Gifts and other Craft ideas.

With love,

Michelle

Valentine Cupcake Teacher Treats

V-Day in Paris Eiffel Tower and Poodle Sugar Cookies

I wanted to do cookies for V-Day other than hearts and I thought, what could be more romantic than Paris. So I attempted the colossal tower and overly-manicured pooch and I am pleasantly pleased at the outcome. Happy Valentines Day everyone.

I love the play on words...yes, I did create this phrase...Eiffel in love with you.

She is definitely the Queen...A pretty in pink Queen that is.

So cute.

I can't wait to have a Paris theme party...maybe for my daughter's 12th b-day if nothing else comes up.

So sassy this girl!

One night in Paris.

Operation Craft Haven-Project Renovation

For over a year now I have been doing research on Google image for inspiration on storage ideas and how to create a space to call my "Crafter's Haven". In 2 years, I have changed up my storage and workstation at least three times that my husband said to me if I am going to do this again, I'd better do it right. I agreed with him wholeheartedly. The long overdue project has been completed thanks to my architects, demolition crew, construction workers and waste management team...Hubby, Sissy, Brother in-law and yours truly:) This Fabulous Foursome conquered this project in 3 days. Three storage cabinets, 1 repainted drawer converted desk, 60 plastic shoe box storage bins and a new wall shelving unit later-See the transformation of "My Crafter's Haven".

This is my logo and first craft project on my new work station.

The most exciting part was putting together the little details.

1) Old drawer I used as a buffet table which I converted into my desk. A little bit of sand paper and spray paint did magic to this desk and brought it to life again. I will decoupage the top of the desk with some cards I've made and decorative paper then throw a sheet of plexiglass for extra protection. 2) Built in shelving for an amazing decorative effect. 3) Time and patience= a beautiful place to create.

Embellishments that were previously smooshed in containers are now arranged in jars to show off it's beauty. The gerber daisy flower arrangements are pens-dual action going.

If you are like me, you know what I mean when I say that you can never have enough space and places to put stuff. Well with a quick organized fix such as these plastic shoe containers, you can find a place for everything hard to part with.

I have to admit that it was such a hot mess in my house whenever I crafted. I could never find anything I needed. Clutter, clutter, clutter was all it was!!! Eclectic storage bins and old boxes housed my supplies and materials. It was chaotic but I still managed to have fun in the chaos!!! Now everything in themes has it's special place and that absolutely puts a smile on my face:)

Before and After-must I say more? I'm loving the fact that I am sitting in my Haven writing this blog with all access! Thanks for visiting...see you soon.

Spumoni Cupcakes

San Francisco. 1995. Old Spaghetti Factory. Sales Training. Large group of friends. There is a first time for everything, including a single serving of complimentary "Spumoni" ice cream. After my carbohydrate infused meal, the polite and patient server asked me what my choice of dessert would be...Chocolate or Spumoni ice cream, he asked. I replied with a "Spumoni who?" being it the first time I'd ever heard that such a word existed. He stood there with a sly grin on his face as if he were thinking "how could anyone not know Spumoni". He then described what this funny and mysterious word consisted of. Cherry, pistachio and almond flavors all layered into a creamy cool goodness. Well, must I say more? I will never forget the flavors my palate danced to on that cool summer San Francisco night.

My spumoni flavored cupcake inspiration- see recipe below.

Who says milk only goes with cookies? Enjoy a cold glass of milk for a well balanced dessert.

Cake and frosting recipe created by Michelle S.N. Sasamoto
http://www.blogger.com/www.favoritesbymichelle.blogspot.com

Shelly's Spumoni Cupcake
1 box white cake mix-follow cake mix
instructions, eggs, oil and water may vary
(I prefer Duncan Hines)
1 box pistachio pudding
1 jar 8 oz. Marachino Cherries in syrup
(divided and save juice)
1/2 cup chopped pistachio nuts (reserve 1/4 cup
for sprinkles)
1 teas. cherry extract
1 teas. almond or pistachio extract
1 teas. vanilla extract
pink, green and yellow gel paste or food
coloring
18 cupcake liners
2 cupcake pans (makes 18 cupcakes)

Champs Cherry Butter Cream Frosting
1 cup butter (room
temperature)
1 cup shortening
2 teas. juice of marachino
cherries
1 teas. cherry extract
3.5 cups confectioner's
sugar (powdered sugar)
1/4 cup chopped marachino
cherries
Cake Preparation

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350
degrees. Follow cake mix instructions, in seperate bowls-divide cake mix into 3
equal parts.

Step 2
Cherry flavored cake
batter-add 1 teas. cherry extract and 2-3 drops of pink gel paste, mix lightly
until colors blend.

Pistachio flavored cake
batter-add 1/4 cup chopped pistachio nuts, 1 teas. almond or pistachio extract
and 2-3 drops of green gel paste, mix lightly until colors blend.

Vanilla flavored cake
batter-add 1 teas. vanialla extract and 1 drop yellow gel paste, mix lightly
until colors blend.

Step 3
Line cupcake pan with
liners, In a layering effect-scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of each batter and
layer on top of each other. Pink, yellow and green on top.

Step 4
Bake as directed on box
and cool completely. Set aside.

Frosting Preparation
In a large mixing bowl
cream together butter and shortening.
Add 2 teas. marachino cherry juice, cherry extract and 1/4 chopped
marachino cherries-mix on low speed until blended, add 3.5 cups of powdered
sugar and mix on lowspeed until you get a creamy consistency.
Decorating Cupackes
Using a star tip, fill pastry bag 3/4 full.
Pipe frosting starting from the outside of the cupcake until you fill
the middle, lift piping bag straight up and squeeze more icing as you lift to
give it a high peak. Sprinkle with
remaining chopped pistachio and top with hald a marachino cherry.

Enjoy and please share recipe success and challenges.

Much Sweet Love,

Michelle

"Sweets for My Sweets" V-Day Treats

Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker. ~Author Unknown

The average person spent over $100.00 last year buying some kind of gift for loved ones, whether it be chocolates, flowers or anything marketed for this romantic day. According to the National Retail Federation, Valentines Day is the 3rd biggest holiday when it comes to consumer spending. As retail chains have already begun to inundate store real estate with red, pinks and white messages of love and have lured lovers to purchase multiple over-priced items with excitement, I hope you have begun to think of creative possibilities on the homemade end.

You all know I'm all puppy dog eyed about sugar cookies, mostly making them verses eating them...thank goodness for that:)

This inspiration came last V-Day but I didn't have time to get to it. I've always loved the little heart Valentine candies with the phrases on them...I didn't particularly like the way they tasted though. These are miniature heart candy cookies and are tasty and adorable all at once. Be sure to scroll to the end of the blog to view all the photos. I hope this blog gives you ample time to experiment with your own gift ideas. I would love to hear about some of your V-Day gift ideas.

I used a 1 inch heart sugar cookie cutter.

This is a perfect idea for your children's classmates or friends because of the little finger bites they get instead of a whole giant cookie.

Of course snail mail still exist so why not make an envelope of love to hand deliver to that special someone.

I love this and I love Love Letters.

You can place the peewee size cookies in cute containers as well. How I dream of Guam have a Dollar Store.

I just adore this packaging. I picked up this KISS container from a Dollar Tree several years ago on one of my trips to the mainland.

I'm a fan of recycled containers. This is a container for chocolate candy from a retail store. Don't they just look to sweet to eat?

I found a set of these heart shaped bowls at a thrift store. For the sole purpose of storing Valentine yummies.

The mini hearts drying after there icing massage.

Heart cookies cooling off after 7 minutes in Baker's Heaven.