Christmas is coming!!!

This has always been my favorite time of year...from Thanksgiving dinner all the way through to that New Year's Eve kiss. I'm a February baby so naturally I like the cold weather, the snow, the fireplace (which in my house is every candle I can find, shoved together on an end table since we don't actually have a fireplace), and curling up on the couch with a huge mug of hot chocolate (made with milk, never water) and "It's A Wonderful Life" in the DVD player.

It's been such a busy past couple of weeks, what with Shawn's 2 surgeries (he's recovering very nicely so far, waiting to hear how his checkup appointment went today for his shoulder) and all, but I was able to snap a few pics of what's been going on with the Wardle clan. First there was Thanksgiving, where Riley was oh-so-thankful...

Thank you Lord for this food I'm about to nom-nom on...

Now, as we ate at MIL's, I notice something rather peculiar about her salt and pepper shakers. Sure, they look like normal, festive little table additions...

Gobble gobble, mofos. 

...HOWEVER...

SERIOUSLY?!?!

Really? THAT'S where it comes out? Who wants to season their potatoes with turkey-ass ventings? I can't tell whether to be appalled or incredibly jealous that I didn't think of something like this first. This guy must be a MILLIONAIRE!!

Then there was Black Friday shopping with my mom and adorable nephew, Chase...

Aren't we done yet? I'm sooooo ready to get outta this thing. 



He's got a little sister on the way, which is why there is so much pink garb behind him. Guess who we were shopping for? Weird to think that my brother is 5 years younger than me and will have 1 more child than I do. Guess what he's getting in HIS stocking?

I've also started a fundraiser-type thing, courtesy of/benefiting the grandfather of my good bud Brooke. Grandpa's been in the hospital for a while now and with no insurance and several surgeries/nights spent in recovery, he's going to need some support. So, from now until Christmas 20% of jewelry sales will be going to Brooke's granddaddy to help with medical bills. I know it's not much, but if we can even buy them a meal or 2 while he's recovering, I know the whole family will be so appreciative. (Now, I said I wouldn't sell anything here and I won't, so if you want to buy to help this cause, just email me at info@sinfullysweets.net and mention Brooke's name in your email so I can make sure that she gets the funds.) I have been making jewelry like crazy, and I'm really trying to remember to take pics of all of it. For now, here are a few items that have kept me busy...

Pics aren't the greatest because they're from my phone, but until I can hire a pro photog, this is how I'm gonna have to roll (get it? Roll, like from a camera...ok never mind). I will have a lot more pics hopefully uploaded to my FB page, and the SS page, before long.

Happy Holidays Cupcakes!!!

Jen

It's been a while...

...and I don't have much time to post today, but I did want to let my loyal readers know that I have NOT forgotten about all of you, it's just been a crazy couple of weeks!!!

First off, I had to drop my advanced cake class due to hubby's surgeries. Let the booing begin...I know, I know, I didn't WANT to drop it, but with the care that hubby will be needing in the next few months, I just don't have time for the work that goes into this last one. HOWEVER, this doesn't mean that I will stop making cakes and treats for clients, and I will be retaking the class the next time it's offered, which will probably be after the first of the year. I am sad that I can't spend every Wednesday evening with Lady, given that she's totally one of my new fave people, and I know that she will miss me since she called me one of her "favorite students" yesterday (don't deny it, I have witnesses), but hopefully she will get over me and know that one day, she WILL see me again!! (Probably tomorrow, because I need cupcake trays.)

Also, this jewelry thing has taken on a mind of its own and has been INSANE lately. Of course, I throw up a little in my mouth every time I make a buckeye bracelet or earrings, but I do enjoy the creative process of it and I have been making a lot of other one-of-a-kind pieces that I PROMISE will be on the website soon. I would love to find a babysitter for my daughter and a hot Asian nurse that can tend to hubby for just a day (or 4) so I can start marking things off of my To-Do list, but so far, no plans for either (sorry, honey).

Thinking of having a trunk sale before Christmas to sell some already-made pieces, what do you guys think?

Thanks Cupcakes!!

Jen

Sooo...many...earrings...

I know my husband thinks I'm crazy when I find a new passion or hobby. This time, it's jewelry. I posted a few new items yesterday just to see what everyone thought of a possible jewelry line for Sinfully Sweets, but I've already had enough sales/orders to turn a profit in just the last week and a half that I've been making it!!

First, a HUGE shout out to Brooke and Laura who both agreed to pedal my wares at their workplaces today...I push my stuff on them, they push it on other people, it works. :-) Brooke sold 7 pairs of earrings and 4 bracelets BEFORE NOON today...I love that woman!!! Anyhoo, I tried to take some pics of what I made last night and below are the ones that turned out the best. Hopefully once I get all the money back in from Brooke's orders I can invest in either a better camera or a photographer.

The last ones happen to be my personal fave since I made them for myself for future Crew games, and in honor of the impending playoffs. The above are just a small sampling of what I've made so far, but my plan in the next couple of weeks is to have enough to make a small catalog for Christmas orders. (It's only 58 days away you know...) If by chance you would like a catalog emailed to you once I have it put together, please email me at info@sinfullysweets.net and I will make sure you get put on the list. All of the items will be shippable so keep that in mind for any out of town relatives or friends you plan to buy for this year.

Now, I have yet to get any suggestions for a name for the new line, but I was thinking something like "Kissed" by Sinfully Sweets..."Because everyone loves to be Kissed." (I know I do!!)Waddya think?

Advanced cake class starts this evening, I'm super excited to graduate from this one and move onto fondant, gumpaste, etc. Not sure what we're working on in this first class since we were told not to bring anything, so we'll see what comes about.

Thanks for all your support, Cupcakes!!!

Jen

Way too much on my plate...

Well this weekend was QUITE fun-filled and although it was exhausting, I got just about everything done that I had planned.

First off, my marble cake for the pee-wee football league didn't quite turn out as I had pictured it in my head, but it still wasn't bad. I had a great picture of the marble top that was formed before I iced it but I can't seem to find it anywhere on my camera. After trying to recreate the Jaguars' logo in the middle of the cake and scraping it off THREE TIMES before I decided that my hands were just too shaky for such detail at midnight on Friday, I settled for the jerseys and some cute little football rings (thanks to Happy Hostess House). Congrats on a great season to the Jaguars!!

I heart football season!!

Surprisingly, this was the end of my baking requirements for the weekend, and I was actually quite relieved. Saturday brought a major Halloween party in which I rocked the part of Snooki...

I'm goin' to the Jersey Shore, bitches!!

Next year, I'm using this wig to be Amy Winehouse.

Sunday housed a trip to the Columbus Crew game. It was Riley's first one, and she really got into the jumping and chanting...

My little MLS fan!!

Also, congrats to Chris and Stephanie, who got engaged at the stadium right before the game started...and right after she punched him in the stomach. Seriously. After 10 1/2 years of together I think I speak for all of America when I say...IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!!! 

The latest developments to come about on the SS front are the earrings below that I worked so diligently on during my day off yesterday...ok, that's a lie, I didn't even go to purchase the beads until after dinner, and I spent all of an hour making 4 pairs of earrings during the Dallas/NY game. I'm hoping to add a lot more jewelry to a new line and would like a really rocker name for it, so I will be taking suggestions in 3...2...1...

I swear I find new talents everyday...

Are those Buckeye earrings you see? Yes, yes they are. Insert more burning skin here. Seriously, it's like water to the Wicked Witch of the West for me to even touch those, but anything for my Riley...Anyhoo, I'm thinking $6-ish for the regular beaded earrings and $8-9 for the Buckeye earrings due to the increased cost of the custom beads. Hopefully I'll have an entire catalog soon so I can put the spatula down for just a little bit. We all need a rest, right?

Have a great Tuesday, Cupcakes!!

Jen

I was right about transportation...

Well last night's class cake didn't exactly turn out how I had hoped, but for my first wedding cake attempt, it wasn't too bad. I kept sticking my hands in the icing so it wasn't as smooth as I had wanted it to be, and my top tier was crooked for whatever reason but since it wasn't going to a REAL wedding, I was ok with it.

Best buttercream rose I've EVER made!!! 

Still can't get the hang of white icing on a chocolate cake without getting crumbs all over it...

Remember that transportation issue? Yeeeeeeeeeah, the top tier kinda toppled over in my new Jeep on the way home. Thank goodness it was sitting in a laundry basket for the ride, otherwise my beautiful, clean, tan interior would have been permanently stained pink, I'm sure of it. Damn you construction zone!!!

RIP little wedding cake...

To top it off, coming down the street before mine I ended up getting tailed by some DB driving a hooptie on dubs. He was so close that I couldn't see his headlights in my rear view mirror, and since my cake had already careened over I was THISCLOSE to brake-checking him so he could run right up my tailpipe and pay off my house. I was eyeing him in the RVM and literally said out loud "Go for it buster, hit me!! My cake already fell over so I got nothin' to lose now!!" However, after one more quick look, I decided that he probably didn't have insurance anyway and after being hit by 2 other people without insurance in the last 6 months, I decided to let it go and turned into my complex. Grr...Anyhoo, I ended up seperating the cake and sending the bottom portion to work with Hubby and took the top tier to the sitter for her family. I removed the straws that were keeping the bottom tier from imploding and squeezed the cake out of them...right into my mouth. My own little cake shots...they were delish!!

This weekend brings a yummy pee-wee league football cake in honor of the Jaguars' last game. Will post pics...thank goodness this is a half sheet cake, no toppling required!!

Starting advanced class next week, should be interesting!!

Have a great Thursday, Cupcakes!!

Jen

Thinking of offering a new product - Need feedback!!

True to my word, I am not here to sell products through my blog, it's merely an outlet for thoughts and ideas on my journey to build my business. As many of you know, my journey began as RCF Gifts, with gift baskets being a main staple of my business. I'd like to get back to that concept and offer more than just sweet treats, so I took a few days to put together the handmade Buckeye charm/dangle bracelets pictured below (yes, I actually made them). I'm thinking of offering them for around $12-15. Of course, I personally wouldn't buy one since I'm a Michigan fan (my skin burned for days when I was done), but I know a lot of people around me eat that stuff up. Next week, I will work on necklaces and earrings and see what I can create from this tiny little brain of mine. Leave some comments and let me know what you think!!

Why yes, I WILL take your money for OSU related items!!

Thanks Cupcakes!!

Jen

Finally have time to breathe...

...and add my second entry to the SS blog!! I don't have much time because I'm just finishing up lunch at my regular day job (ugh) so I'll just throw out a few photos that I promised plus a few that many of you may not have seen yet of recent cakes. I was excited to show all of you the corset cake from my class last week, however in transit back home it slid against the edge of the box so the "boobs" are a little flat on the top. Oops!! Transportation's a b*tch to a cake maker!! If everyone could just eat their cakes at my kitchen table where I decorate them, life would be so much easier...

Leaving work early today to go home and bake for class tomorrow night...it's a wedding cake, so someone's gonna have to help me eat it, volunteers?

Also, I found my red velvet and Woodchuck pic hiding on my phone...yay!!!

Enjoy, and thanks for following, Cupcakes!!

Jen

Hello ladies!!!

It started as this...literally...

We found Nemo!!

Can you say Postseason?

This...is...sewious...(wait, wrong show)





NEW SINFULLY SWEETS BLOG!!

Hello cupcakes!! I've tried to do this several times before but this time I'm really going to stick with it!! Welcome to the new Sinfully Sweets blog, where you can follow my cake adventures, disasters, and everything in between!! You can join me in my trek through cake classes (I'm not ashamed to admit that I take them!!) and see how SS's products are made, delivered, and consumed!! And hey, if you have any comments or suggestions, don't be afraid to speak your mind!! If you know me personally, you know that I tend not to hold anything inside - which may or may not get me into trouble sometimes - and I want all my friends and followers to do the same!!

To start with, my cake classes are being taken at my fave cake supply store, Happy Hostess House here in Columbus. The classes are a blast and the instructor, Lady (yes, that's her real name) is phenomenal. Since the classes are on Wednesdays, I usually end up baking on Tuesday nights, which tend to make for very long evenings since I also have dance class on the same night. (I've been a dancer since I was a wee laddie, it's still the most freeing I ever feel when I'm in the studio.) However, last night there was no dance, so I decided to take advantage of the free night and have a Woodchuck to go along with my cake batter (which I unceremoniously licked off of the spatula after the last big glop was in the pan). I took a picture of my beer next to the cake pan filled with red velvet batter, ready to go into the oven, with my phone but apparently it didn't save. : ( I do however, have a pic of the small 6" chocolate round that I made in the same night for one of my husband's co-workers...unfortunately, hubby left the house this morning and forgot to take the cake with him, so as of now it's still sitting on the pub table in our living room, RIGHT NEXT TO the spot where his wallet was laying this morning as well. The co-worker is expecting, and when he called me to let me know he had forgotten to take it, I merely told him that he would have to take the blame for not giving a pregnant woman the chocolate she was expecting today. Not shouldering that one, buddy!!!

Anyhoo, tonight's class cake is a corset cake which I'm super excited about, and so is my husband (Shawn, by the way). He specifically told me he wanted "red velvet cake and boobies," so that's what he's getting!! Will post pics when it's finished, as well as the 6"-er, later this evening.

Thanks for reading, Cupcakes!!

SS