new scarves

So I decided to make scarves that are skinnier and longer than ones I made previously - they're easier to wrap around and tie up! People have been asking me why I don't have the pink scarves in my shop anymore, so now I have some up! Here are pictures of an owl one and leila scarf in rose.

Huomenta Table

I've been eying this table for so long - it's finally on sale too! You can find it on the Anthropologie website here. Isn't it the perfect table? I've always loved yellow, especially for furniture - it brings so much life into the home.

weekend getaway

MESA grill: spicy chicken - sweet potato hash with poached eggs and hollandaise

NOBU: yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno

NOBU: almond cake with edamame ice cream

entrance of Zumanity show

My boyfriend and I decided to go to Las Vegas for the weekend since he had to be there for business. It was nice to have some time to detach from our daily lives especially since work has been hectic lately. We didn't gamble or drink but still managed to have a wonderful time! Aside from taking strolls on the strip and listening to drunk people, we indulged in fine dining and watched the Cirque de Soleil show Zumanity =)

in touch with nature...at home depot!

My boyfriend and I visited Home Depot yesterday to look at some appliances for when we move - we decided to venture into the nursery department and found a number of pretty things - here are some of the snapshots of plants!

more plushies

Recently, I've been coming up with insane plush ideas so I decided to do something with my owl design. What about an owl with little accessories? In the picture, you'll see her with a leaf! I'm thinking of making a handful of leaves for her along with some sticks - which you can carry in a woodgrain pouch! I can't wait to finish more leaves and sticks so I can work on the bag! I've added the owl in the shop where she can find someone to live with =)

Next project: soy bean pod with soybeans...with button faces! I've actually made one and gave it as a gift for my boyfriend's colleague. He loved it =)

red velvet cupcakes

On Wednesday, my friend Bonnie (who shares the same love for baking) came over to make red velvet cupcakes. It was the first time either of us made the recipe so it was very exciting! We had barely enough red food coloring so our cupcakes weren't the deep red you normally see red velvet but I'm sure our cupcakes could not have tasted any better!

here's the recipe we used:

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.

Happy baking, everyone =)

giant robot's new friends

My mom wanted me to make four mini robots in different sizes for her friend's grandchildren - this is what came out of that! I think I'm having too much fun making these little robots =) There is now a small robot plush available in my shop!