Birthday Cake for my 16 year old...

20 hours!  That is the magic number.  Laura's 3 tier  Birthday cake was a labor of 20 hours!

Tonight is my daughter's 16th birthday party.  She will have many of her friends over to celebrate with a good old fashion cookout.

Her guests will be able to hang out in the backyard, kitchen, living room and our new playroom/den.  Our old playroom  was really just a mess with Legos throughout and many little boys toys.  All that is gone.  The Legos, many trains and trucks are now in Alex's bedroom and closet.

Now, the new playroom/den makeover has been completed.  The playroom/den also has sliding glass doors that lead to the backyard, just like our dining room.  A new coat of paint (light teal), new comfy sofa, new curtains (sewn by me), new large TV (with the kids games systems - Wii) housed within a new wall unit from IKEA.  A shelf with our favorite board games.  A new game table with 7 different games (change the top to create a different game).  Even a re-purposed coffee table I purchased from the Checkered Corner - painted with teal and then sanded off (love the work Anita did to it).  Hope Laura's guest enjoy the room...I know we will in the coming years.

Perhaps, with this being Laura's 16th birthday, the thought of a simple cake was just not going to happen.  After much negotiations, (yes, Laura wanted something even more elaborate), this is the cake I agreed to make.

 

I honestly had no idea this would require so much time.  Why did it take so long?  

Thursday, 10 hours:

•  Baked 3, 2 layer cakes.  All cakes are from scratch.  Bottom layer is Coconut cake with coconut filling. Middle layer is chocolate with a raspberry filling.  Chocolate layer was time consuming as it required melted chocolate and butter be added to the batter.  Top layer is vanilla with a chocolate Ganache filling. 
• All three layers have a layer of Chocolate Ganache.  This was my first time making Chocolate Ganache.  Turns out it's extremely time consuming when the recipe calls for many chocolate bars to be cut into small pieces!  This cake has 6 pounds of chocolate bars!  Bottom layer (coconut) has a white chocolate Ganache, the middle and top have dark chocolate Ganache.  The Ganache seals the cake and keeps it moist for days.
  
  

Friday, 10 hours:

• Tinting fondant in just the right Tiffany blue is no easy task!  Rolling the blue fondant to cover the bottom part of the cake was a challenge...failed the first time, succeed the 2nd time!  Seems like I spent most of the time kneading, tinting, and rolling  fondant.   Since I work with fondant only once a year (Laura's birthday cakes), I am slow when I work with it.  

The birthday girl is happy with her cake.  She seems really appreciative.  Here are more pictures of the cake:

 Laura's birthday card I made for her.  I gave it to her last Sunday, July 21st ...her birthday.

Laura loves Tiffany Blue Color and Chevron

This year I was a slacker when it came time to make birthday party invitations.  I have made them for her for the last 15 years or so.  This year, Facebook.  Since Laura communicates with most of her friends via texting or Facebook, I had Laura create a Facebook event on her page.  I would like to say I am just embracing technology but no, I just did not have time or energy to be creative.

Although I think the card and cake count as being creative.

Happy 16th Birthday Laura!

My little girl is 16 years old today!

I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.  Feeling nostalgic remembering so many milestones.  First day of pre-school.  First day of Kindergarten, so many first days!

Now, Laura is driving a car!  She has her driving permit and is not ready to take the driver's license test only because her dad and mom have not given her the time she needed behind the wheel.  The Wagner's are know to procrastinate.  In this case, I don't think neither of us are ready for all these changes.  I know we have to be, but it is so difficult at times.  This past week Laura logged in 8 hours of driving time.  She is progressing very nicely.  Alex and I have been with her the entire time.  I have to give Alex (my 9 year old son) credit for quietly sitting in the back seat of the car while we literally just drive around.

Laura's next milestone will be to get her driver's license.  I know she is getting closer each day to reach that milestone.  Me...I am still working on getting ready.  Now I know how my parents felt when I was 16 and was so happy to have my driver's license.  That look on their faces ...well, I see it in the mirror now!

Laura is now a Junior in High School.   We are proud of all her accomplishments.  Among them, I am proud to say she is an Honor student.   Two more very short years and she will be going away to College.  The thought is very exciting for Laura....for her parents...all I can stay is I have to get ready but I am sure when the day comes I will be unprepared.

Checkered Corner open July 19, 20 & 21st!

The Checkered Corner in historic Downtown Littleton, at 5650 South Curtice Street will be open

Friday, July 19th

Saturday, July 20

Sunday, July 21

Open 10-6 p.m. Friday & Saturday

Open noon - 4 p.m. Sunday

Come visit us this month.  Isa Creations is in the upstairs bedroom at the Checkered Corner.

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One of my Favorite Artist, Jeanne Oliver is having a Giveaway!

Jeanne Oliver is having a wonderful giveaway on her blog.  Visit her blog for more details.

Family Time in El Paso, Texas

The kids (Laura and Alex) and I  have been in El Paso for just over 1 week now.  I grew up in El Paso so in a way, this will always be coming back home although home now is Littleton, CO. 

Due to my severe cat allergy, we can't stay at my dad's and moms' home (the home I grew up from age 4).  My parents took in a stray cat many years ago...they love their cat like it's their kid (so sweet).   My parents wish the kids and I could stay with them when we visit, but they understand (from past experience) that if I did stay (even with my allergy medication) I would start wheezing and require immediate medical attention.

Thankfully, my sister lives only a few miles away from my parents home.  The kids love to hang out with their cousins and their cousin's cousins(Robert's side of the family).  I love to spend time with my sister as well and my parents come over almost every day.  I have spent time with many other family members, including my aunt Consuelo (mom's sister), my uncle Efren and Robert's sister and brother. 

It was sad but something the kids and I needed to do. 

 Last week we went to the cemetery to visit Robert, my brother in law.

I miss him. 

 My sister's house  is full of pictures of Robert. 

 I smile. 

 I also feel some sadness. 

   I definitely feel  his absence, but life does go on, it has to. 

In the last week we have been here, we have seen several movies.   Since my sister and I are Harry Potter fans (the books and movies), she and I have been watching Harry Potter Movies each night.  My son Alex has joined us most of the time.  Although, tonight will be the first night we will miss our little marathon since we all have plans tonight.

Tonight we will go see Johnny Depp's new movie, The Lone Ranger.  Everyone who knows me knows I am a huge Johnny Depp fan, so it's not a surprise we will be there to see the movie tonight.  Tomorrow, my sister and I will continue our Harry Potter Marathon with Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (movie 6).

We will be here another week.

I did not take this photo (wish I had)...here is the link to El Paso Sunrise Photo

Checkered Corner OPEN June 21, 22 & 23

Checkered Corner in historic downtown Littleton, 5650 South Curtice Street will be open this weekend

June 21, 22, 23

Friday & Saturday 10 - 6

Sunday 12 to 4

In addition, Checkered Corner will be open on a special day

W E D N E S D A Y ~ J U N E 26th

Checkered Corner is excited to have a special opening event for you to come and meet

 artist SUSAN SCHMITT at the shop 

from 1 to 4pm.

We will remain open until 7pm that evening 

with some fun specials for shoppers.

These last two weeks I have been busy juggling two major projects, at home and at the Checkered Corner.  

Late at night, I have been creating new vintage hankie dresses, vintage linen pin cushions and vintage linen birds.  I also have acquired a large collection of vintage hankies that I have washed and pressed and will have available for sale (have not made them into Hankie Dresses, just sell as is).

All this work needed to be done because I will be taking some time off.  The kids and I will be taking a road trip this Friday (June 21st) to El Paso, TX to visit my family.   Since we were not able to make this trip last summer, we plan on staying in El Paso for an extended time.  We plan on returning sometime after July 10th.    I miss my dad, mom, and sister the most.  I just want to be with them and look forward to spending time with them.  My kids also are looking forward to spending time with everyone, especially their cousins. 

In order to display more items, I have changed many displays in the upstairs bedroom (Isa Creations) at the Checkered Corner.  One of my favorite additions is the new wire spring hanging from the ceiling.  I purchased the wire spring mattress at the Pink Attic Cat in downtown Littleton.  I love displaying my vintage hankie dresses on it!

FELTED WOOL PINS, VINTAGE EMBROIDERED PAINTED EMBROIDERY HOOPS as you enter the room

My 9 year old son, Alex was a great help last week.  He hung every vintage hankie in the center display and all the birds on my little spring tree.  He also added sales tags to all the paper dresses and was just a great help. 
RE-PURPOSED BAKE-WARE ARE NOW ORGANIZERS, SEVERAL WITH VINTAGE EMBROIDERED PIN CUSHIONS AT THE TOP.  RE-PURPOSED CHENILLE PILLOWS, PAPER MAGNETS, MIX MEDIA BIRDHOUSES, VINTAGE LINEN DRESS-FORMS AND MORE:

 SEWING ORGANIZERS

THESE NOOK AND I PAD LINED BAGS IS ALL I HAVE LEFT.  WHEN WE RETURN FROM EL PASO, TX  I WILL NEED TO GET BUSY AND MAKE MORE OF THESE BAGS.

 NEW VINTAGE LINEN PIN CUSHIONS

 MIX MEDIA BIRDHOUSES, PIN CUSHIONS, RE-PURPOSED ORGANIZERS

NEW - A WIDE ASSORTED OF VINTAGE HANKIES, RE-PURPOSED CHALKBOARD, DYED VINTAGE CROCHET LINENS

 A CLOSET FULL OF VINTAGE APRONS, HANDCRAFTED TOTES, FABRIC & CHENILLE PILLOWS

 NEW PAPER DRESSES:

 ASSORTMENT OF VINTAGE TREASURES

 MANY NEW VINTAGE LINEN BIRDS PLUS SOME MUSIC FABRIC BIRDS

 FRESHLY LAUNDERED AND PRESSED VINTAGE HANKIES

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A Paris Street - June 2013

It's been two weeks since my last post.  Two weeks ago, the kids started their summer vacation.
Although my kids will tell you it has been no vacation!

At their request, we have been very busy working on the playroom or the den in our home.  We are transforming a room full of toys, a tv and rocker chair into a room where kids can comfortably watch TV and have all their toys organized and stored in a wall unit with doors (can't see their toys!!!).  It will be as closed to a Media Room as we can have.

A new den...

• with a new reclining sofa
• fresh coat of paint - Teal
• new refurbished coffee table purchased at the Checkered Corner
• new wall unit from IKEA (still in the assembly stages)
• will make new curtains (ordered fabric on line, expect to receive Wednesday)
• Plans for a new larger TV (will purchase in the next few weeks)

I wish I could say it has been a fun project...it started out that way but right now, not so much.

Anyway,
I have also been to my space at Checkered Corner -- I have completely re-arranged my room and added new items, including new displays.  I will post tomorrow more details with photos.

Two weeks ago, I had plans to post pictures from June's A Paris Street Market.  Thanks to all of my customers who gave me another successful day!  I am very grateful to all my customers.

My next A Paris Street Market will be August 3, 2013.  I will not be there for the July market since I will be with my family in El Paso, TX. 

I have to get dinner started, so instead of several photos, I will only post one:

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