Hello.

Thought I would drop in, say hello, and let you know that there wont be any fun posts today. Im setting up my NYE table, and baking some NYE goodies! David and I are having a nice, cozy evening at home, but I'm still going to make it special. Stay tuned for photos of our NYE!

Bring it on 2011!!


While I'm on the subject, anyone care to share some resolutions?? What is on your mind for 2011??

March of the Penguins

I wanted to make a fun wintery appetizer for my family's holiday festivities. I had found a picture of these online, but I cant seem to find the original source. Check out these fun penguins!
Are they adorable or what?
They take a little time to make, but I think its totally worth the effort.
Ingredients:
1 can large or jumbo whole pitted black olives
1 can small whole pitted black olives
Carrots
Cream Cheese, softened
Toothpicks

Directions:
1. Peel and slice carrots into about 1/4 inch thick slices
2. Cut a small "pie slice" from the carrot slices, reserve all pieces
3. Take the large olives and cut a slit in them.
4. Using a pastry bag, pipe cream cheese into olives. This is what creates the white belly. I used a #12 tip.
5. Take a small olive, at the X in the bottom, put the "pie slice" of carrot in, creating a beak.
6. Stack small olive on top of large olive, and then on top of carrot slice that is missing the "pie piece".
7. Push toothpick through to secure. Admire the cuteness!!

Peppermint Truffles

I am obsessed with truffles lately. For my recent holiday party I made these peppermint truffles. They were easy to do, and a huge hit at the party! I think I may be addicted myself.
Supplies:
Silicone Shapes Baking Pan (I used a square "brownie" pan from Wilton, but any shape will do. The silicone is important as it will be easy to push your truffles out of the mold)
Small Sturdy, preferably new paint brush

Peppermint Ganache:
(You will prepare the ganache first as it needs time to set.)
9 oz. of white chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
2-3 tablespoons peppermint extract

1. Place chocolate in a heat proof bowl. If you bought a bar, make sure its chopped up
2. In a saucepan heat heavy cream until it reaches a soft boil.
3. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate
4. Stir to melt all of the chocolate into the cream
5. Add peppermint extract to your preferred minty taste
6. Refrigerate until set, usually 1-2 hours.

Creating Truffles:
1-2 bags of Candy Melts, your choice of color. I used Wilton Color Blast.

1. Melt candy however you prefer. I prefer to melt an entire bag at once and hold it in my Wilton Candy Melter. However, if you do not have one, you should melt your candy about 1/2 a bag at a time.
2. Fill each well of silicone baking pan about 1/4 of the way up.
3. Take your paint brush, and dipping into the remaining chocolate, paint the sides of each cavity.
4. Place in freezer for 5 minutes to set.
5. Remove from freezer and repeat painting the sides until sides are opaque. I had to paint mine three times.
6. Once ganache is set and cavities are painted, spoon about half a tablespoon of ganache into each cavity.
7. Cover with remaining melted candy. Using the paint brush, make sure to spread to each side and corner to create a seal. It also helps to keep it somewhat smooth as this will be the bottom of your truffle.
8. Return to freezer for 5 minutes until final layer of candy is set.
9. Gently push each truffle out of silicone pan.
10. Enjoy! You can also use things like luster dust or royal icing to create designs or shimmer on top of your truffles.

DIY: Glitter Snowflake Hurricane

At my recent holiday party I made some simple glittered hurricanes for my dessert table. They were fun and easy to make so I thought I would share how.
Supplies:
Vase (I used vases from the Dollar Store)
Glitter Glue
Paper snowflakes (I cut some with my cricut, but you could cut your own or print off the computer)
Tape
Candle

Step 1: Tape paper snowflakes inside the vase.

Step 2: Trace over snowflakes on the outside of the vase with glitter glue.
Step 3: Allow glue to dry, then gently remove snowflakes from inside the vase.
Step 4: Place candle inside and enjoy your glittery snowy hurricane!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a warm, safe and Happy Holiday!

Holiday Party

Before we head off to celebrate the holiday this weekend, I wanted to share my recent holiday party. This is also my December challenge party. Only one party left in my challenge!
(I apologize in advance for the poor photography, the lighting in this room is just awful!)
My inspiration was sparked by the Mod Candy Cane Printables (which I used!) over at The Celebration Shoppe.
I loved the ice blue, red and white combination. I've also been dying to try the hanging buffet idea I saw over at Nesting Newbies. Those two ideas, plus my latest obsession with argyle, lead to my dessert table.



I made the wreath myself with yard, felt, ribbon and a glittery ornament.
Which then inspired these fun gingerbread/sugar cookie wreaths!

Some other goodies on the menu were gingerbread, sugar cookie minis, Eggnog Trifles, White Chocolate Candy Cane Martinis, various holiday candies, and my favorite, peppermint truffles.
I also made a Holiday Photo Booth with printable props from Paper and Cake! Here are a couple of my favorite shots:

Melinda and Kelly

Me and Heather

Hope everyone has a happy, fun and safe holiday!

Red Velvet Peppermint Fudge Cupcakes

If you saw yesterday's sneak peek post, you saw these cupcakes. Red Velvet Peppermint Fudge. Oooooh yeaaaaahhhh....
I made these for a few holiday parties this month and they were a huge hit! Its easy peasy too!

Ingredients:
Red Velvet Cupcakes (I made mine with a Duncan Hines Box mix, as directed)
Hot Fudge
Peppermint Extract
Crushed Peppermints
Cream Cheese Icing

Directions:
1. Bake cupcakes as directed on the box.
2. Once cupcakes are cooled, take a melon baller, or spoon, and scoop out a little "well" in the center of the cupcake.
3. Warm up your hot fudge in the microwave, as directed. I didn't actually measure it out, but for 2 dozen cupcakes, I'm guessing I needed about 3/4-1 cup of fudge.
4. Pour your hot fudge into a bowl (unless you want to flavor the whole container).
5. Stir in a teaspoon of peppermint extract
6. Spoon peppermint fudge into the cupcake wells
7. Top with cream cheese icing and sprinkle with crushed peppermint!

Its a quick, easy, "sounds fancy" dessert for your holiday parties!

Want to get those red swirls in your icing? Before filling your pastry bag, take a brush, dip it in red gel food coloring and paint stripes up the inside of your bag. 4-5 stripes will do. Fill your bag as normal and squeeze! The first few are usually really really red, but as you go on, they look more and more "pepperminty" Yes, that is a word. I've decided so.
Enjoy!!

Holiday Party Sneak Peek!

I know I've been MIA for a few weeks, but I wanted to let you know that I shall return!
Here is a sneak peek from my recent holiday party...

Details, DIY, and more holiday fun to follow!

Whoooo Loves You?!

Recently I was asked to do owl cookies for a friend's mother. She is a big fan of owls and her birthday was coming up. Check them out....

I have to admit, I loved these birds! Especially the mini ones!

M.I.A.

I have to apologize for being MIA for nearly 2 weeks now.
Unfortunately, Fairytale Frosting is not my full time job. *sigh*
My full time job has offered me some very very rare overtime, and I decided to take it. I mean, who can't use a little extra cash at Christmas right?
I have been working night shift for a few days now, and without Internet access, so some things like my blog have become neglected.
Thank you for being patient with me!

With that said, I have a busy few weeks ahead of me and wont have nearly as much fun ideas and creations to post. So I am going to try something new.....I would like to post some of YOUR ideas!!!

Would you like to be featured? Since we are in the midst of Christmas season I'd love to see what you do during this time of year! I am looking for parties, desserts, and DIY inspiration. If you have something fun to share, send me the photos! Please email: fairytalefrosting(at)gmail.com
In the subject line put "Winter Submissions"
Please include a little about yourself, the photos your submitting and how I can contact you.

I have been blessed to have my work featured on other blogs, so I thought now would be a great time to "pay it forward".

I cant wait to see what you've all come up with!

I am also a supporter of Etsy.com. If you are a shop owner and would like to be featured, please email me and we can discuss feature options.

Don't worry, I've got a few posts up my sleeves for you, but I also want others to have the opportunity to shine!

Turkey Day!

I am back from my Thanksgiving holiday. I took a few days off from work so I could relax and unwind. I treated myself to a spa day at the Aveda Institute, and headed to Wisconsin to visit family and friends. I thought I would share some of the more creative and fun stuff from my family's Thanksgiving dinner.
My sister hosted her first dinner this year. We cooked the meal together. Here is our table setting!

We chose metallic accents and a modern printed fabric for the table runner.

I used scraps from the fabric to create a bunting centerpiece. It says Give Thanks on both sides of the pennants.

We also created mini bunting for the names at each place setting.

This was my favorite project though. I went to the Dollar Store and bought 3 silver trays. I spray painted them copper, and then used chalkboard paint in the center. I actually intend to put these on the wall in my dining room.
In addition to great food, family and friends, I decided to make a drastic change for myself. I've been thinking about donating my hair to Locks of Love. I don't really like having short hair, but I had enough length that its not too short.
Here is my new do! You need to donate a minimum of 10 inches, tied in a pony tail. I sent it in this week. My hair, I'm still getting used to it. But mine will grow back. I feel good knowing that my hair will help a child with cancer look and feel better about themselves. Me waiting for my hair to grow back is a small price to pay.
I hope everyone had a great holiday!

Swanky Parisian Soiree

I am busting at the seams to show you this party! For my November Party Challenge event I hosted a Parisian Inspired Wine Tasting. A few girlfriends came over for a wine and cheese pairing, complete with dessert buffet. Behold the amazingness!
Fortunately, I already have a Paris theme in my living room. I strategically moved furniture around to have my buffet table set up just under my enormous Paris picture. Want to know a great secret? Almost everything on this table was under $1!! But before I get to that, lets marvel at the gingerbread Eiffel Tower!

This is my absolute favorite piece of this event. I spent days baking gingerbread, covering with fondant, and accenting with royal icing. I am quite proud of this baby!

I did two small cakes for this table. However, boring cake stands just did not seem the way to go. So I picked up goblets at the Dollar Store. Spray painted them black, along with a serving tray. Add some gorilla glue and now I have a cake stand ready for this table!


I made shortbread cookies decorated with the theme colors and a few French words (the ones I know of course!)

Brown Sugar and Spice Eiffel Tower cookies were also on the table. Not pictured is French chocolate macaroons, chocolate mousse cups and red wine truffles, all made by yours truly. I know, I'm a busy lady.

Here is the "tasting table" where we samples wines, cheeses, and of course took tasting notes on our favorite pairings.
I made the centerpiece from Dollar Store taper candles, and spray painting wine bottles and beer bottles.
Lets take another look at the table! You can see in this photo the glittery candelabras and in a previous photo, glittered chandeliers, all bought in the "Dollar Spot" at Target.
To run down the cost of decorating this table....
2 Glitter Chandeliers: $2
2 Glitter Candelabras: $2
4 Wine Goblets: $4
2 Serving Trays: $2
2 Taper Candles: $1 (50 cents each at the Dollar Store)
2 Wine Bottles: $0 (already had them, just needed spray paint---which I also already had)
Tablecloths: $0, they are my bedroom curtains
Paris Backdrop: $0, already hanging in my living room.
Paris Title Sign: $0, again, already owned
Total cost to decorate this table: $11, yep you read that right. $11.

This has been my favorite party yet! It was so fun to do! I'm also sharing with you my favorite photo of the night...My two pups, Caesar and Sookie got dressed up for the occasion. We tried to get a good photo together, but they were more interested in giving me kisses.
I hope you enjoyed this party, I think I'm proudest of the party so far!

Princess Parties Aren't Just For Girls!

Recently I was asked to do a cake and cupcakes for a little girl's princess themed birthday. However, the client also wanted cupcakes specifically made for the boys attending so they could feel special too. Sounded like tons of fun, until he gave me the list of allergies. There were three children with allergies. Each one, different of course. I haven't had much exposure to allergies, so I was quite nervous. I scoured blogs and websites dedicated to these subjects. I read everything I could. Then I put together an ingredient list for the parents, just in case. I did a dessert buffet awhile back and this little boy comes up to the table, and asks his mother "Mom, is there any treats up here for me?" And she sighed and said no. He had severe allergies, which I didn't know in advance. I will never forget this poor child standing there, in front of a dessert buffet, which is basically a children's wonderland, and he couldn't touch any of it. It absolutely broke my heart.
When I got this order, I was determined to make sure every child was able to eat something. I have to say, it was a lot of research and me being nervous, but in the end, the children loved the cake and cupcakes and everyone got to enjoy a treat!

This is the princess cake and cupcakes.

I love the stars bursting out of the cake.

These were the cupcakes just for the boys. There were three boys attending, each had a different interest. Batman, Sonic the Hedgehog and Dora the Explorer.
Everyone got to enjoy their treats. That's how a birthday party should be, everyone having their cake and eating it too!

Holiday Cupcake Toppers Part II

I have a few more Holiday Cupcake Toppers to share with you.

Holiday Wreaths

Christmas Trees

Snowflakes

Holly Berry
Thanks for checking them out!

Holiday Cupcake Toppers

I know, Thanksgiving technically isn't here yet, so its almost wrong for me to be giddy about Christmas. I did say almost wrong!
Check out my latest collections of Holiday Cupcake toppers! All of these are available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Peppermint Swirl

Penguin Pals

Melted Frosty

Santa and his merry Elf!

Frosty

Mini Frosty

Santa, Elf and White Reindeer

These toppers will be a hit at your holiday parties! Make sure to get your orders in quick, Christmas will be here in no time!