Carrot Cake

So Bryan's birthday was yesterday. I didn't have the right candles so he turned 30 again. At any rate, he and his beautiful wife Emilie just moved out here from Utah and they aren't quite settled in. So I took on the task of making Bryan's birthday cake. 

When I asked what he wanted he surprised me by saying, "Carrot Cake."

Seriously?

Emilie said, "No one else likes it so this is the only time of year he has it."

Carrot Cake it is. 

But I'm stubborn. I wanted other people to like it. 

I bought a box mix as a back up plan, but then I went to the internet in search of a good recipe. 

I was able to make this beauty thanks to a recipe that I found at Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy.

It was actually a hit. Even I liked it!

I have to tell you that I didn't use raisins. All the people who normally dislike carrot cake were so happy about the missing raisins! I don't like cooked raisins. Stay out of my cookies, cakes, and cinnamon rolls you grody little things! I'll take you straight out of the little red box or not at all!

I wanted to take pictures of the process but I didn't want to stop baking to get a photo op. 

I also didn't want to risk getting my grubby hands on a camera. :)

I actually had fun sending full size carrots through the food processor.  

Chance cut parchment paper for me. He was a huge help. He even did the annoying food processor dishes. 

Another Day in Paradise

So, as I have been bemoaning all summer long, it has been so difficult to get any crafting done around my house for the last few months. I have nearly been going through withdrawals. I was, however, able to make time and space to do a new door hanging.

I started with a door sign that I got on clearance at Target.  I knew that they would be incredibly easy to revamp, but they sat next to my bed for about a month just waiting for inspiration to strike.

How much did I pay?  YEAH!! $2.68!! 

I covered it with a summery scrapbook paper that I previously used on my Summer Blocks. 

I layered the second scrapbook paper at an angle to emulate sunshine. I was lucky that it already contained the sun burst pattern.

After that, I headed across the parking lot to TMJ's place and used her silhouette. 

I cut out this adorable Palm tree and hammock set and the phrase, "Another Day in Paradise." (In case you don't know, my last name is Hammock. So we sort of love all things hammock related.)

I came home and used my Cricut tools to punch out all the intricate details that I cut with the Silhouette. Chance observed and photographed the Crafter in her natural habitat. 

Finally I Mod Podged all the tiny little pieces of paper to the board. Once it was all dry I MPed it all once more to give it a nice finish.

I threaded a ribbon through the pre-existing holes and hung her on the door.

Have you done anything creative lately? Have you been in a slump like me? I'd love to hear about it!