Yummy PB&J

What's a better comfort than a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich? What if you made that sandwich on homemade bread with homemade peanut butter AND jelly. YUM! I can put together gift baskets containing homemade jam - my favorite flavor is caramel apple jam - and peanut butter, all sealed in a can so they will last. I paired these up with a cookbook from our Dominican bread business - Daily Bread, or I can make a fresh loaf of Amish White or Wheat bread!

Here Comes The Bride...

I have had the privilege of making wedding programs for two of my good friends. It opened up a whole new world of paper crafting programs - wedding invitations & programs, homemade cards, tags. And plus, I got to brush up on my computer lay-out skills!

I have also made several personalized frames for weddings. This one is a word collage containing details from their special day - wedding date, church, wedding party, engagement details.

One of my favorite personalized frames using wedding vows. This was actually my gift to my husband for our first anniversary. In two 11x14 frames, I matted a picture of each of us from our wedding. I then have our wedding vows written around the picture on the mat. I will post a picture soon, because it is such a beautiful way to remember your vows. Though, the frame can be personalized with any passage, quote or message, perfect for any occasion!

Holiday Place Cards

There will always be a spot of the table for everyone with these place cards! Made from real pine & cinnamon sticks, each one is handmade & smells just like Christmas. A kid-friendly version can be made using candy canes.

BIG and little Treats

Sweet treats can come in all sizes. From a box of homemade mini-chocolate cake bites, a mini cakes with a personalized message to HUGE mint cupcakes filled with Oreo & whipped cream goodness, these treats are sure to please at any size!

Herb Garden

Looking for the perfect present for Mom or Grandma? This adorable Herb Garden Kit is sure to put a smile on that special some one's face! It is packed with everything you need to grow your very own herbs - from gloves, a small shovel, seeds, a watering can, a planting pot, markers to know where that rosemary or thyme is growing, directions, soil, gravel & fertilizer.

Apron Anyone?

Whether it's making a batch of cupcakes or painting my next project, I am a big proponent of looking cute while making cute creations! Aprons are the perfect accessory for all your crafting adventures, or while baking, or even just hosting a party. They can be a half-apron, or a full-apron, created with any pattern or color of the rainbow. They can be for an adult or even a child. The possibilities are endless! :)

Throw me a bone...

I even branched out to make my sweet treats for pups as well. Making my own cookie cutter and whipping up a dog-friendly treat recipe, the neighborhood dogs were very pleased with their Peanut Butter Puppy Bones. And I even personalized a few for our favorite neighbors, Pup and Little Pup. I think they appreciated the extra special touch :)

Hey Chicago, What Do Ya Say?

What would be more fitting for a huge Cubs fan's birthday who is thousands of miles away from his beloved team? A Cub's Birthday Party of course, complete with Cracker Jacks & Wrigley Gum!

For Kyle's 24th, we celebrated Chicago-style, though in reality we were in the middle of the Caribbean! I made his birthday cake to resemble Wrigley Field & its famous marquee. Though I had very limited supplies, it turned out great:

Happy Flower Birthday

This is my favorite cake I've created! Maybe it's the 4 layers of double chocolate & fudge goodness, the cute monogram, the adorable flowers, or the fact that I made it for one of my best friends, but it still remains on the top of my list! I even had time to whip up some matching cupcakes:

Oh Baby!

Ever since I became a teacher at Gymboree Play & Music, my life has slowly been taken over by babies! And my crafting life has shown it. I learned about Taggy Blankets & Baby Legs Warmers, and they have become some of my favorite things to make, simply because they are so stinkin' cute! Here are some of my Baby Gift Creations:

Small Taggy Blanket: Girl

Large Taggy Blanket: Boy or Unisex

Taggy & Baby Legs all wrapped up and ready to go!

Baby Legs - protecting those cute little legs & knees!

Baby Boy Shower Basket

Are You Ready for Some Football (truffles)?

These were such a hit last year during the Super Bowl!! The footballs are Oreo truffles (yum!) dipped in milk chocolate and decorated with almond buttercream frosting. And I had to add more cuteness by putting them on top of chocolate cupcakes complete with green buttercream "grass." Who know football could be so delicious?

Cookies

I love to make cookies - and recently discovered how to make my very own homemade cookie cutter! My latest creation was Creamsicle Cut-Out cookies for a special Sizzlin' Summer Party. Sadly, I have no pictures, but I am happy to know how to create my own cutter. So any shape you may want, just let me know! Also, I make a pretty mean Butter cream Frosting :)

These cookies were for a friend's 2nd wedding anniversary. The design for each cookie was inspired by the designs on their wedding cake.

Though these may not be the most adorable Gingerbread cookies you've ever seen, I did have a special assistant - my husband Kyle. Normally he serves as my dishwasher after I turn the kitchen into a disaster. But last Christmas, he decided to join the baking fun. Can you figure out which ones were his creations?? :)

Apple Pie Cider

Apple Pie Cider is a yummy drink perfect for Fall or the Holidays. It can serve as a perfect Hostess Gift or Thank You present. Complete with an adorable label & cinnamon sticks, it's like having a wonderful mug of warm Apple Pie!

Daily Bread Cakes

At the age of 24, I've already had my dream job. And everyday I wish I could go back to it...

For a year, I lived on the Caribbean island of Dominica with my husband while he studied medicine at Ross University School of Medicine. You can hear all about our island life here. While living on the island, my friend Ashley & I started our own bread business, Daily Bread Dominica.

We sold homemade bread & muffins, and eventually began making cakes as well. This was the start of my adventures in baking. Not only can I make cakes, but also any bread or muffins for you! Here are some of Daily Bread's creations that can serve as inspirations for your cake or be duplicated: