The Farm Chicks

How to Make a Beautiful Cake

Today I'm going to show you how to make a beautiful cake.

It all comes down to this little tip, the 2D. Don't worry, if you're not a cake decorator, this isn't an intimidating or difficult thing to do. That's not The Farm Chicks way. I promise.

First, you'll need to bake yourself two same-sized cake rounds so you can make a double layer cake.

Once the cakes are cooled, cut off the rounded tops so the cakes are nice and flat. (A large serrated bread knife works best).

Next, layer and thinly frost the cakes.

(Cake is sitting on a tiny wooden cakestand).

Now comes the fun part. Place the 2D tip in a decorating bag (or a gallon-sized ziploc bag with one of the corners snipped off for the tip to poke out of). Fill the bag with your favorite THICK buttercream frosting. The frosting needs to be thick so it doesn't sluff off the cake. Starting on the top of the cake, make frosting swirls, like a pinwheel, starting in the center and circling around until you have a rose.

Make them in varying sizes. If there are holes, simply squeeze in a star. Like this:

Once the top is complete, move on to the sides. Swirl, swirl, swirl.

You don't need to be perfect. In fact, imperfect is homey. Imperfect says, Eat me! I'm a delicious, approachable cake!

And there you have it. A beautiful little cake.

Sources:

2D cake decorating tip: Wilton, purchased at Carolyn's

Vintage cooling rack: Silver Suitcase

Tiny wooden cakestand: ABC Carpet & Home, NYC

Large wooden cakestand: William & Sonoma

Post Edit: A reader commented, sharing links to another cake done similarly, using a different tip. You can find it here.

Related articles

It's What You Make Of It

Asian Quinoa Salad

Scone Cozy

This quick and easy project is such a sweet and functional way to keep your scones nice and warm. It also has great gift potential. Make a batch of your favorite scones , place them in the cozy, set on a plate, and deliver to a friend or send to school as a teacher's gift.

Here's how to make your cozy:

1. Cut two 11-inch diameter circles from a terry cloth or other thick-cloth kitchen towel.
2. Finish the raw edge of each circle with bias binding and, if desired, embelish with rickrack.
3. With chalk, divide one circle into six equal wedges, just as if cutting a pie. Place the marked circle on top of the second circle and sew them together along the lines.

And you're done!

You can find this and more fun projects in my book: The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen.

Image by John Granen

 

Aprons From Vintage Sheets

One of my favorite uses for cute and colorful vintage sheets is as material for aprons.

Just like old tablecloths, vintage sheets are made from great quality cotton and you can find them frequently at yard and estate sales and thrift shops too.

Before you get started, make sure to launder them in hot water and if there are stains, soak in OxiClean. If stains persist, simply avoid them when you lay out your pattern pieces.

You can find this and more fun projects in my book: The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen.

Hanging rack from Forget-Me-Not Shoppe, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Image by John Granen.

Make Your Own Dishtowels

I always found it hard to pass up pretty old tablecloths spotted at yard sales. Some had holes, others stained beyond usability. But this old material is the best cotton and linen that you'll find anywhere, so into my buy pile they'd go.

So, what to do?

Turn them into colorful little dishtowels, using the fabric that isn't damaged.

Simply cut into your ideal shape and trim with bias tape. If you want to get really fancy, like we did here, make your own bias tape with contrasting fabric.

You can find bias tape makers at your local fabric shop, and they come complete with directions on how to make your own.

Your kitchen will be smiling in no time.

You can find this and more fun projects in my book: The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen.

Images by John Granen

How To Make A Cloud

A few years ago, I had great fun creating some great big clouds to be used at the entrance to The Farm Chicks Show. But before we got them to the show, we had fun with them at home. The boys thought they made cool photo ops.

But how do you make a cloud?

It's actually pretty easy, as long as you have some time and a bit of patience.

To start, cover your work surface with a big sheet. Tape as many blown-up white balloons together as you like, to form your perfect cloud.

Next, mix up a big batch paste of water and flour and whisk until smooth.

Gather up lots of newspaper or newsprint paper and tear into thick shreds (3"-6"). Dip shreds into the paste, removing excess paste as you lift from bowl, and smooth all over the balloons, until they are fully covered.

Allow to dry completely. (This can take up to 24 hours).

Next, cover the clouds with pillow stuffing (polyester fiber). To do so, use a spray adhesive, and spray little sections at a time, and adhere little bunch by bunch of the stuffing. Repeat, again and again, until the cloud is all covered.

And just like that, a cloud is born.

Image from The Farm Chicks Show by Christina G. Photography

Sixlets

What can you do with Sixlets?

Make yummy candy bracelets:

Festoon a cake!

Deck the walls.

And why not?

A sweet day is a happy day.

Hooray!

Flower Purse

I've been taking a walk down memory lane while going through some old files of Farm Chicks projects for something I'm working on, and thought it'd be fun to share some with you for the next while.

Here's one of my favorites: an idea composed for creative floral displays and gifts, for Country Living Magazine a few years back.

To create, place an old bread pan (you can find really inexpensive ones at thrift shops) filled with water-soaked floral foam into the base of the purse. Poke in flowers until the display is full. For gift giving, tie on a thoughtful tag.

What Can You Do With...

... candy hearts???

Skewer them:

Top them:

Hang them:

Give them:

Cookie Flags!

A few months back, I was inspired by Herriot Grace's Cookie Flags and knew I'd like to make my own variation for Valentine's Day.

I started by making a batch of my favorite cookie dough for these sorts of things. (It's important to use a recipe that won't rise and become puffy).

I rolled out the dough and cut out the flag shapes for the project. (Just freehand, with a small, sharp knife).

I transferred the dough to a parchment lined baking sheet and inserted little wooden toothpicks for the flags (about 3/4" of the toothpick).

I embellished some using some dough letter stamps and big heart sprinkles, just by pressing into the unbaked dough, and then baked them up.

 

 

Then I decided it'd be fun to sugar glaze some of them and add a few sprinkle dots, for good measure.

 

 

A soft pink sugar glaze is great too.

 

 

I kept some unglazed, because sometimes simple is just enough.

And then, well, it was really simple. I poked them into my little cakes.

But they're just as fun to package up as treats for the ones you love. Or better yet, just gobble them up. Because Cookie Flags bring happiness to all.

 

Cookie Flags Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup confectioner's (powdered) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream the butter in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and vanilla, beating until well combined. Beat in the flour, just until combined. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Flour your work surface and roll out your refrigerated dough to about 1/4" thickness. Using a sharp knife, cut out the shapes of your little flags. (As shown above). Once you've cut out all your flags, transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. (The best way to do this is with a spatula). Repeat with the remaining dough scraps, until all the dough is used up. Insert toothpicks into the flags as described above, and adorn, if desired, as described above.

Refrigerate the Cookie Flags, on the baking sheet, for 15 minutes. While the flags are being refrigerated, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bake the Cookie Flags for 12-15 minutes. Cool on pan. Once completely cooled, the flags are ready to glaze or use as is.

Cookie Flags Glaze

• Confectioners (powdered) sugar
• Milk

Add milk, just a wee bit at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired consistency. Add a drop of food coloring, if you'd like. Mix together with a spoon, until thoroughly combined and then glaze to your little heart's content.

Sources:

Mini Bundt Cake Pan: Target

Letter Stamps: William Sonoma

Big Crunchy Heart Sprinkles: Wilton

Mixing Bowl: Fishs Eddy

Mini Box of Donuts

I love each holiday, when the stores start stocking lots of different candies. Whenever I'm browsing the aisles, my mind is churning, thinking about what I can create. And more times than not, I dream in miniature. I'm not sure why, but mini is so darned cute, isn't it? This year, I dreamed up these teeny tiny donuts - perfect for Valentine treats.

To start, I whipped up a tiny bowl of icing. Just a wee bit of confectioner's (powdered sugar) and enough water to make it a nice consistency for dipping and glazing. And a bunch of Lifesavers candies.

Oh, and some sprinkles too.

All you need to do is dip the top of each Lifesaver into the icing and add a pinch of sprinkles.

A little..

..or a lot.

You can use teeny tiny heart sprinkles too.

I think the reds look like red velvet cake donuts. Let's pretend they are.

Oh! Look. Two lil' donuts sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G....

hee hee.

Then we need to box them up. Just like a teeny tiny bakery would. What kind would you like? The little sprinkleys?

Or the variety pack?

Then we just slip on the little bakery box cover. And they're all ready for delivery. (Make sure the icing is completely dry before packaging).

 

Note: These would make fun little birthday party favors or April Fools treats too!

Sources:

• Lifesavers Candies in Valentines colors: Target (These come in bags of individually wrapped candies).
• Sprinkles: Bake It Pretty
• Match box favor boxes: Martha Stewart Crafts
• Tiny pink bowl and little metal spoon: Fishs Eddy

Alternate Sources: Websites such as Etsy and Oriental Trading Company offer selections of blank match boxes as well.

Back-up Plan: Little treat bags would work great for packaging too.

Click here for more Valentines ideas, Farm Chicks Style! xo

Tiny Cookbooks

My boys enjoy baking and have a selection of favorite recipes they like to whip up. I decided to make them tiny cookbooks containing their favorites all in one place, that are easily grab-able when they want to attack the kitchen. They also make great little gifts for friends or for your child heading off to college. (And they're great for dads too!)

These little books have an oilcloth cover.  Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Oilcloth (or laminated cotton)
• Copy Paper
• Fabric Pinking Shears
• Scissors or Paper Cutter
• Two-Hole Punch or Heavy Duty Stapler
• Ribbon

To begin, make a template out of paper.

Trace the template onto your oilcloth, about 1/4" wider than the template, all around.

Cut the oilcloth using your pinking shears.

Take several pieces of paper (I used 3 per cookbook, as when the stack is folded, it makes six double-sided pages.) and trace the template onto it. Cut out the stack all together using a paper cutter or scissors. Fold the stack in half, in the center.

Place the paper inside the oilcloth cover.  Make sure the paper crease is pressed up against the center crease of the oilcloth and that the oilcloth cover is slightly bigger than the paper. If you need to, you can cut the paper down a bit more.

Fold the oilcloth cover over the paper, crease, and hole punch. (If you don't have a two hole punch, a heavy duty stapler can be used).

  

Tie off with ribbons of your choice. (Skip this step if you've stapled your little cookbook).

And then, add a little label.

Sources:

Oilcloth: Cath Kidston and Oilcloth International (via ebay)

Ribbon: Michael's

Sprinkle Toppers

Aren't big sprinkles adorable? The only problem is they're so hard to find. And then they're CRUNCHY, which isn't very enjoyable when you're taking a bite of a soft, fluffy cupcake, right? So, I've taken to making them myself. You can make different shapes, but today I really want to show you hearts. (Another phase of mine... Note the My Favorite Find logo, and this year's FC Show poster... :)) Love love love. It's what it's all about! hee hee

So anyway, they're really simple. Simply take a handful of candy melts in your desired color and heat for about 30(+/-) seconds in the microwave to melt:

Stir the melts until all smooth. Transfer mixture into the corner of a large ziploc bag and cut the tip off:

Line a tray with wax paper. Carefully squeeze out heart shapes, one side at a time. Squeeze briefly from the top, angling the heart side to the center, then pulling the shape, without squeezing any more out. Sort of just dragging what you've already squeezed:

  

Ohhh. So cute! And SOFT, so they won't break your teeth. Hooray!

Make as many as you like. zip. zap. zoom. And you're done! Then, top your favorite treats. Like cookies, sundaes, or cupcakes.

Just one.

Or lots. Why not? We're equal opportunity sprinklers!

.... and with a few sprinkles, she'll change the world.

Adding Christmas To The Cupboards

One way to add Christmas cheer (or any season for that matter) to your kitchen is to add wrapping paper to the cupboards.

You can line the back of the cupboards, inside the doors if they're glass, or line the inset panels on the front of your doors.

Simply cut the paper to fit the spaces you'll be covering and attach with removable double sided tape. It's quick, simple, and darling!

You can find this project and many more, as well as decorating ideas, recipes, and Christmas cheer in my book, The Farm Chicks Christmas.

Images by John Granen.

The Perfect Little Bench

I always find it interesting to watch the trends that come and go in the world of antiques. I remember when trunks were popular. Now they're not. But these old pieces shouldn't be overlooked. In fact, they are so useful for turning into entryway or mudroom benches. (And they have storage space!)

I bought this old trunk/box from my friend, Hollie, at her antiques show.

I simply topped it with a standard pillow covered in my favorite vintage Christmas pillowcase and it was instantly transformed into a little bench.

I can easily change the pillowcase to fit the season.

Have a large trunk? Use two pillows or several toss pillows. It's as easy as that!

I found the trunk here.

My floor tile is from Daltile.

My beadboard wall tile, tile base trim, and tile cap is all from Dirk Elliot Tile.

I purchased my wallpaper from Wallflowers in Spokane. I'm sorry, I can't remember the brand.

Pumpkin Treatstands

A fun, quick, and easy way to display your seasonal treats is on stands. I happen to own LOTS of cakestands, but thought it would be fun to make some specific to the season. With pumpkins and paper plates.

I've found an abundance of little pumpkins left in the field from the pickers, who accidentally broke off their stems. Once the stems are gone, they're not really desirable to most people buying pumpkins, so there they sit - all broken hearted. In an attempt to rescue these orphaned pumpkins, I've discovered they're great for stacking on each other for decoration and for these cute little stands.

Step 1.) Start with a mini pumpkin. If your pumpkin has a stem, cut it or break it off:

Step 2.) Hot glue a paper plate atop the pumpkin. I've used a small salad-sized plate here, as the pumpkin is small:

This pumpkin is slightly larger, so I've used a dinner-sized plate here:

Step 3.) Fill plate with treats:

or stack the stands two high for double the treats - double the fun:

And there you have it. Changing the world - one pumpkin at a time. :)

Camp Tray

Re-purposing old objects into darling little trays is fun! My friend, Teri, and I found these old trail markers one summer and knew they'd be perfect for just that.

To make your own, search for any thick old wooden signs or boards that fit your style. Then choose sturdy handles - new or old, either will do - and screws for affixing them to your wooden sign/board.

Here's what to do:

1. Thoroughly clean the sign with a scrub brush and warm sudsy water.

2. Let dry. Sand any rough spots if necessary.

3. Place the handles on the sign, marking the holes for the screws with a pencil. Remove the handles and drill-start the holes for the screws.

4. Reposition the handles and screw them on.

Images: John Granen, from my book: The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen. To purchase, click here.

P.S. If you already have a copy of the book, I'd love it if you could provide a review here.

 

Pantry Jar Labels

Crafting material scraps such as wallpaper and fabric and be put to good use, while creating something useful for your home.

Labels! (This project is from my first book, The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen).

These labels are perfect for use around the home as they are wipeable, which makes them easy to clean. (Kitchens can be a messy place!)

1. Cut wallpaper or fabric into label shapes; I used rectangular on my jars shown here. To add a little charm, cut with pinking shears.

2. Cut two pieces of clear Con-Tact paper for each label, making them 1 inch larger in each direction. Sandwich each fabric/wallpaper label between the Con-Tact paper cut-outs; press together to seal. Trim the Con-Tact paper so that it makes a 1/4-inch border all around the fabric/wallpaper.

3. Use a Sharpie pen to write the name of whatever you are storing on each label. Affix the labels to jars or other storage containers with double-stick tape.

Sources:

Jars: Martha Stewart for Macy's.

Image: John Granen, from my book: The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen. To purchase, click here.

P.S. If you already have a copy of the book, I'd love it if you could provide a review here.

 

Food Covers

This week I'm going to be sharing some favorite projects and recipes from my first book, The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen. And the first project I'm sharing is perfect for this time of year when the bugs are beginning to become a bit of a nuisance.

Introducing: Food Covers.

To begin, choose any lightweight cotton or cotton blend fabric you like.

1. Spread the fabric wrong side up on your worktable. Invert your bowl on the fabric.

2. Measure out from the rim 1 1/2 inches and mark a circle all the way around the bowl. Remove the bowl and cut out the fabric circle.

3. If you wish, bind the edge of the circle with bias tape. (Bias tape is not necessary, it just gives the covers a more finished look). Then place the circle wrong side up in your sewing machine, with the edge under the presser foot. Lay a narrow piece of elastic on top of the edge and sew a few zigzag stitches over it. Stretch the elastic and continue to  zigzag it to the edge, adjust the elastic and your hands as needed until you've sewn all the way around.

Sources:

Fabric: JoAnn's

Bowls: Gooseberry Patch

Image: John Granen, from my book: The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen. To purchase, click here.

P.S. If you already have a copy of the book, I'd love it if you could provide a review here.

Cotton Candy Balloons!

Every year, I love creating a fun photo opportunity for visitors at the entrance of The Farm Chicks Show. This year, I constructed a big bunch of cotton candy balloons.

For me, cotton candy is fun. And happy. And wouldn't this be fun to make for a photo op (or decoration) at your next party?

To construct:

1. Hot glue paper cones to bags of cotton candy.
2. Affix long strings to the cones.
3. Hot glue bags together to create a huge bunch of "balloons".
4. Hang bunch from ceiling with several pieces of clear heavy duty fishing line.
5. Once hung, tie all the loose strings (hanging from the bottom of the cones) together to create a knot, just as a balloon peddler would.

Tip: I repackaged my bags of cotton candy using clear bags, rather than the clown themed bags they came in. (It just fit better with what I had in my mind).

Special thanks to the wonderful Samantha Cabrera for these images from the show.

An Ordinary Can

You've got lots of cans passing through your house everyday, right? Did you know you can re-purpose them into many different nifty things? Here's one very simple idea.

Start with a can.

Spray it with an adhesive spray and cover with the fabric of your choice. Wrap the rim with seam binding and hot glue into place.

Fill it with supplies like fabrics...

...or pens

or buttons, stamps, patches, ribbons, whatever you'd like.

Or make a bunch and fill them all.

Notes: The vintage can shown here was shown only for an example, as this project was done a few years ago and I didn't have a before shot. :) I prefer to use new cans that I'd be recycling anyway. (Old cans are so pretty!)

This can was spray painted so the bottom teeny tiny rim didn't distract from the project, however, it's completely unnecessary.

 

Pitchfork Banner

I love to greet guests who are coming to our home. To make them feel welcome. What could be better than a pitchfork banner?

Here's what you'll need: 2 pitchforks or shovels or large dowels, fabric, iron-on papers, self-adhesive velcro tabs or a glue gun.

Step 1: Select fabric for banner and cut to desired size. Hem all edges, if desired.

Step 2: Print greeting of your choice onto iron-on paper, using a large font. (I like to use the Arial Black font as the thickness of the letters are suitable for this project). Carefully cut out letters and iron onto the fabric, following iron-on manufacturer's instructions. Tip: if you set your printer to landscape (rather than portrait), you will generally get at least two letters per page.

Step 3: Place pitchforks in the ground and attach the banner using the velcro tabs or hot glue. (If you don't mind marks on the pitchforks once you're done, the hot glue is a quick and easy option, as it will peel away from the fabric and handles of the pitchfork with a little pressure.)

And just like that, you're set to welcome your guests to your next party or gathering.

Treat Bags!

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Woodsycake

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Cake (and Cupcake!) Flags, Part 2

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Cake Flags!

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Easter Platters

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Easter Place Settings

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Table Covering

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Christmas Star Cookie Wreath/Centerpiece

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Thanksgiving Garland

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Recipe Box Re-do

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Covered Button Cuteness

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Button Love

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Menu Board

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Curtain Crush

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Pocket Journals

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Embellished Tank

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Quilted Babydoll Smock

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Happy Little Spice Drawer

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Make Do

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Magnetic Knife Rack

My website has moved. You can visit me here.

Pretty Little Magnets

My website has moved. You can visit me here.