Strawberry Lavender Vanilla Cupcakes

Today I made my well known cupcakes. Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Lavender Frosting. I had a couple people ask me for the recipe, so I decided I would post it on my blog.

The cake recipe is very nostalgic for me. As a child my mother would always be baking, and one of her signatures was a homemade white cake. Every time I taste it, it brings back really amazing memories of my childhood and time with my late mother. I always want to bake more especially because this time of year reminds me of her the most.

Silver White Cake Recipe

(Out of my late mothers 1976 Betty Crocker Cookbook)

2 1/4 cups cake flour or 2 cups all purpose flour. (I like the cake flour better)

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 stick of softened butter

1 cup milk (1%, 2% or whole)

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 egg whites (1/2 cup)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease pan if not using cupcake liners. Measure flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, milk and vanilla. Blend 1/2 minute on low speed scraping bowl constantly. Beat 2 minutes high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Add egg whites, beat 2 minutes high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into cupcake liners. Bake for 16-20 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

(One tip my mom always said is that if you can smell the cake, they are done. And don't forget they do continue to cook in the pan for a few more minutes after pulling them.)

FROSTING

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1 cup ( 2 sticks) unsalted butter

pinch of salt

3 1/2 cup of powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon of dried lavender

(be careful to put just the right amount if not the lavender overpowers the strawberry)

Place strawberries and lavender in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended. Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and stiff.

Top off with fresh organic halved strawberries tossed in sugar and voila! You have an amazing cupcake!

And so it begins..

Well life has officially gone from 0 to 90 in the last couple weeks. I started school on September 2nd. I am going to Academy of Art University Online to complete my Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design. I feel some days like I am on a ten year plan to complete a Bachelor's degree, but the beauty is I have found a school and a program, that inspire me in every way in school and outside of school.

Inspired is the word I would use to describe this month so far. I have only had two class sessions for each class, but each class covers so much. It will touch on certain artists that peak my interest. Then I learn more from the class then the class even gives me.

I have found that life is taking me in a million different directions. I would describe myself as a taffy pull, pulled in all different directions, but if not left taught will collapse, I believe that I thrive off of this kind of living. So my life from this day forward will be all about creating, expanding improving my knowledge of the industry, I am working in and the projects I am working on. I thought that I will post some of my favorite work on here. So you can see where I am going in my studies, and making this another outlet for all areas of my life.

This now not just about my business, but my life and what continues, to create inspiration in my life. I hope that the inspiration I have will grip some of you in the future.

Here are two sketches that I had to do for my sketchbook

This second one is of my garden. I really like how the leaves of the green bean vines really take on their own life.

Speaking of gardens, I never ever let anyone know the progress of my garden. I ended up growing broccoli, tons and tons of lettuce from seed, collard greens, green beans and tomatoes. Am still waiting on my pumpkin and squash to show me some love.

Here is a picture of my real garden area. The sketch above references the sketch I did.

And last but not least, is a piece of garden art I created from an old window out of the house I grew up in when I was a child. My grandma had it and gave it back to my sister and I so figured why not take something drab and make it fab. I love the brightness it adds to the grey days here in Portland.

Struck by lightning

So I have been on an interesting path these last few months. I have been consistently searching for full time work or a guarantee of a certain amount of hours. Which has been kind of a challenge to find. I had two interviews this last month and both doors were shut in my face, when I believed I was well over qualified for the positions.

I said to my sister yesterday.

"I am going to get struck by lightning before I get a full time job." This is literally how I have been feeling as of late. I have not been feeling discouraged, well let's be honest that is a lie,, and sometimes a little hopeless. I sometimes think that when you constantly are getting doors shut in your face it is up to you to find that open window, and climb through and see where the universe may lead you.

I called my friend Jalissa yesterday, who is moving here in a month and a half. She says to me, "You don't sound as happy and inspired as you were after Lady Gaga. Dude you gotta be creative."

I said back to her, "maybe the universe is trying to push me in a direction that I am pushing against. I just need to no longer be fearful of failure and let go and see where this endeavor takes me."

She says back, "Duh. That is what I have been telling you."

The thing is that multiple people have been telling me that I need to create my own business. And people from all over the spectrum. Sometimes you gotta know that when all signs point to go, you gotta go for it and this is what I gotta do. It will be a means to an end of insanity and will make me feel a bit more fulfilled knowing that I am doing something that is 100% me.

On that note, I am going to spin in a different direction. Here are some things that I love, admire, want or are inspired by. My taste is so all over the place, I don't even know what you would really call it.

My sister is in the process of trying to sell her car, and with Jalissa's arrival soon here. I want to be able to save up some money to get a van. Not just any van one that I could paint murals on and be creative with. I don't like cookie cutter, have never really fit in a mold, and feel that if I own something I want it to have my mark on it, because that makes it more special.

This is an inspiration of the van, I want. I know I am totally becoming a hippie and if you would of asked me a year ago, I would of thought this was hideous. I just want to be able to find my van easily, if I am in a large parking lot and I know that will not be a problem, with something like this.

The next piece is something I want in my wardrobe. This is an amazing basic I found on etsy for an amazing price. $29.95. Something budget conscious and fashionable for men??? I am in heaven. Here is their etsy shop where you can find more fun stuff. Oh and Christmas is right around the corner...so a great gift idea! (I am a size L)

Talk about eclectic, I love the photo of this room below, and once I become a retiree, I think I shall have this in my home. The print is amazing. See I told you I was eclectic and a little unique with my taste. Maybe I am a refined bohemian artist?

This is basically just the most amazing, office chair I have ever seen and best part is that it was 100 percent refurbished. From trash to treasure. I think I need pillows like this for Jalissa's fort bedroom.

And last but not least Alice in Wonderland, you are amazing. I want a house built form the ground up inspired by your work one day. I found this on etsy also. I think it would be wonderful in a photo montage in a bathroom.
The whole point of this blog is that, I will be creating and it starts tomorrow. This weekend I will be selling some of my furniture. They will most likely go on craigslist. So it is time to create, to be free and see where my mind will take me. I believe it is time to quit fighting against the current and float through the river of creativity and see where it takes me.

Lady Gaga

For awhile now, well let's face it close to five months now, I have felt very stunted in growth with my creativity. I have honestly doubted my creative ability and if I truly was an artist worth pursuing a business of my own. I honestly have come to a lull in my creative potential, and that has been because me, myself and I. That is what it all boils down to.

Creativity is an ultimate expression of the internal. It to me is the most personal form of expression because it is something that only you have been able to judge its worth inside your mind. When it is created and shown amongst many, fear, excitement, nervousness all of these are encompassed inside your belly as if you were a balloon that could fly away at any moment if let go.

I then came across all these quotes that changed my mind a little bit about creativity:

"The imagination imitates. It is the critical spirit that creates." - Oscar Wilde

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.” - George Bernard Shaw

This quote below explains where I am exactly.

“Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.” - Tina Turner

If I am unhappy with anything and purge certain things my true creativity can shine because it is not bogged down with piles of junk that just take up space. I guess it is time to learn and be whatever I am supposed to be and learn everyday to draw inspiration from life. This is the direction I am headed.

Sometimes I think that my interests are too broad, but doesn't that make you well rounded as an artist? I feel as an artist I never would be satisfied working 9 to 5 unless in design. I think I would always do more, learn more and seek more to do and knowledge to acquire. This could be my downfall or possibly my strength still seeking guidance on that one.

Long ago, (it sounds like I am beginning a story. Once upon a time..) I acquired tickets to Lady Gaga and thought that I had to make an outfit for her concert and show my creativity for 20,000 people to see. I had no idea how much it would actually be in all honesty.

I thought about the look for a very long time and finished the last seam just four hours before the concert. It seems sometimes the best things come out of times of pressure, at least for me. I am not the best planner and if you know me, or know how I work that is not my strength, but something that is definitely in the works.

I knew that I was going to create a jumpsuit, because let's face it for whatever reason I have an obsession with jumpsuits. I researched the makeup online and thought it would be absolutely fabulous.

Here is the video. I modified my look a little I used blue and white tones instead.

How to create a dramatic Lady Gaga look

This was my makeup which I did myself all of it from eyes, to false eyelashes and beyond.

I gained inspiration from multiple Lady Gaga looks and wanted to tie them all together.

Here are some looks that inspired me.

People will ask why dress up? Why do you like her? Well from the moment I heard her interview with Barbara Walters I knew I was a fan. She speaks of being a voice for those that felt like a freak and not normal. That spoke to me in a lot of ways and from that moment I knew that her music was relatable to me.

I wanted to the outfit I created for Lady Gaga, to first of all be editorial. I didn't want it to look cheesy or not well put together, and I knew I had more of a challenge being a male. I didn't want to showcase a blond wig and sunglasses. Though I love that look it just isn't me. I wanted to be inspired by her fashion, but still truly being myself at her concert.

The jumpsuit was created out of an old firemans jumpsuit I found at the goodwill outlets also known as the bins, where you can buy stuff you find by the pound. I deconstructed it, tore it apart and used it as a template. I was struggling with fabric choice just two days before the show, when I found an old fabulous, black and white tablecloth in our closet, that had no purpose before. Clearly it was there to be used for this occassion.

I had a pair of tuxedo shoes, that I originally spray painted silver but didn't like the look of them, so I decided I would decoupage the shoes. With what fabric was still to be determined.

The headpiece was created by melting old records in the oven and super gluing them together with industrial strength glue. Lets just say don't put it on your head while the glue is still wet it may get in your hair. The end result will quite probably be a shaved head. ;)

Did I mention that the records were found on the street next to a garbage can on Mississippi St here in Portland, yes no money was spent on this fabulous what would be headpiece.

The only thing I ended up purchasing for the whole outfit, was lace fabric which I used on the collar, a crow from the dollar tree and the makeup. All equaling out to just under $20. (Thank you coupons and Target)

The morning of the concert, I was sewing the jumpsuit together and it 10 minutes time, created and put on the lace collar.

I was done with my whole look an hour ahead of schedule, which meant needless amounts of pacing and nervousness at how people would respond. I thought people would think I was a freak, but in the end I got quite the opposite reaction.

I walked on the Max after going to happy hour, and people waved at me. Were shouting Lady Gaga out the windows of cars. I was starting to feel just great accomplishment in my creation and it was much the same if not more at the concert.

People were taking pictures with camera phones, asking to take pics, asking about my outfit. Were dazed when I told them I made it all! This was what I needed to feel recognized for my creative ability. This made me feel inspired, and ready to take on the world.

There was a line at the show of a photographer taking little monsters photographs. She had me on a chair originally but decided she wanted me to show off the shoes that were decoupaged so I did a yoga inspired pose.

All I can say is that the concert was amazing! And I am thankful that I had the opportunity to show off my creativity, and get a photo that expressed my perspective. I hope you like!

Well hello there it has been awhile...

DIY extravaganza

Life has been so interesting as of late it seems like when it rains it pours and all that I can say is that I am so thankful for the times that it pours. Those dry spells are not fun, especially when it comes to your finances. I think the best thing for me to do was keep a positive outlook and believe that something will sprout up, beyond my expectations.

I have become what I have always wanted to be an artist. I am not starving but have been before, and think that when it comes down to it if I had to I would to be able to do what I ultimately love...which is everyday that I get to wake up and create and not just create, but create whatever inspires me.

I have had a few moments as of late where things feel as if I am finally doing what I was meant to do all along. I am not searching for a place to inspire me to create, and looking to leave to find somewhere to fill that creative void. I am finding it right here, in my home. A place I thought I was so different from what I wanted to be, but in reality was everything I needed, to bring out the best of who I am supposed to be.

I have been creating a lot lately and doing a lot of thrifting, garage sale-ing, etc. I look for objects that the normal eye would not see as beautiful and seek to restore them to a beauty that is relevant to today, and adds value to something that would have been seen as outdated and irrelevant.

Here are some of my photos of my recent work, I hope you find these things as fun and intriguing, as I have felt when creating them. This is only the tip of the iceberg and there are definitely more to come in the near distant future.

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My sister and I have been finding a lot of places that have literally been giving away stuff for free, so we look at the items and see what inspires us and go from there. The chair below was missing a joint and so not easily fixable but definitely perfect for a planter to sit on outside. I would define it as, shabby chic. (This is a decorating reference I never thought I would be a part of but I really do love it!)

before

after

I am not sure if you remember this stool that I bought that I was going to reupholster, but here is the before pic. I found it at a estate sale for a bargain and knew that all it needed was a little life.

before

after

I love the way the stool turned out because of how much more modern it now looks! I want to keep it but there is no room for it. So this is definitely an item I will be selling in the near distant future.

Did I mention that I may have taken a fancy to decoupage? I know...I know..I am becoming far more mature then my years for what crafting projects I have taken on. Remember those children's journals that are being sold on my etsy shop? Well I thought it would be a wonderful idea to decoupage the lampshades in the pages since, I wanted to use them for another project and this what I came up with. I think my favorite part is when they light up you can see the overlapping of the pages which to me is such a cool addition.

This little gem is an owl candle holder, it was original a very sad brown and black but with a little help from my friends at Krylon. The color I chose to spray paint this little owl is called, Ocean Blue and by far my favorite little gem.

The last thing I am going to show you, is my favorite furniture pieces. I used doilies and lace panels to create the effect shown below. These tables were really troublesome for awhile only because I learned that you should not paint when it is below 40 degrees and in our garage there is no installation so it feels as if you are outside.

So a lot of these items my sister and I will be selling at what we would call a showcase sale. A sale for us to showcase our work in person and let you all know what it is exactly that we are doing.

That's all for now...TTFN! :)

What I've Been Up To

Okay..so you all know what Ben has been up to, but I figured I'd give you all a little sneek peak into our home, where the magic happens. So far, I have pictures of my room, the bathroom, the living room, and the master at work in our garage, which was recently cleaned up.

In my room, I decided to make a picture gallery wall of random pictures I had..take a look and see what you think... I have taken a kind of Scandinavian approach to the decor of this room, and my pictures on the gallery wall are from all over the place. I have always wanted a wall filled with random things. The pictures are purposely off-angled, and I broke up the ones that are part of a set. I think it makes it much more interesting. And, I really love all of these pictures. I make a rule never to put anything up I don't love. I also have a cuckoo clock from Germany and a water-color painting from Sicily in my room. The bookcase was made by my father, and I also have a hope chest passed to me from my mom.



In the bathroom I took a slightly different decorative approach, definitley French, with the black, white and red decor. I have thrown in a bit of apple green, just for a different effect. I also have a smaller gallery of pictures that I have collected from random places. I just love them all! One thing I love that I don't have a picture of is a mirrored vanity tray, hung on the wall. I love to be surrounded with things that make me happy!



The last room of the tour is the living area. This is definitely more contemporary, but to off-set the coldness of the leather and the monochromatic colors, I add spots of color, and many pillows and blankets crafted of warm fabrics. The picture of Paris is by far my favorite, but I love the cowhide too. All of my furniture here is super-light, so I can move it myself. My favorite thing about the ottoman is that it has four cubbies to hide all sorts of things, and the tops flip over for trays to eat on. Perfect! I have two sitting areas in the front room, and Ben sleeps on a daybed out there too, but we will not photograph that for privacy sake. I hope you have enjoyed my little tour.




Oh, and one last picture of Ben in the garage, making his magic.

Colorful projects

So last night I decided it was time to take some of my projects and get crack-a-lackin on them. After purchasing enough paint to give the majority of things needed a facelift....it was time to start. Let me tell you I am not afraid of color either. I love bright bold interiors.

I have this theory that each item in your wardrobe should stand out or speak to you in some way so that when you put all the pieces together the end up being something amazing. Well I feel that same way with your home. If you do not love it or put your own personal touch on it then it becomes more cookie cutter and less personal.

This is why I love giving old beat up pieces new life, and add a bit of whimsy to them.

First project:

THE CHAIR

-BEFORE-

So when I saw this chair I knew that it needed some love great frame, great structure and I love the harp. When I saw this I knew that the harp had to be accented with a mettalic and the seat and frame would have to be in the purple family. Here is the result.

AFTER

My next project was this massive 1 1/2 ft tall candlestick that I found walking home one day. It was sitting on the sidewalk for free that is one of my favorite things about living in Portland, all the little treasures you find.

BEFORE

Bright was the best option to make this dingy candlestick come to life, and come to life did it!

AFTER

Those are all the project photos I have for you now but just wait there will definitely be more up tomorrow. In the meantime check out some pics from my garden project.

My first lettuce seedling!!! So excited!

And some flowers in my garden area!

Inspired by this..

This week has been another crazy week, my sister and I keep happening to come across stuff that we could take and upcycle or recombinate into something wonderful. I now have a dozen chairs to refinish. A dozen+ pillows to create. Two tables to refinish. A nigh stand to repaint. Ten more journals to finish. 8 candlesticks to redo etc.

On top of that I always am creating a Van Gogh reproduction for my brother and sis-in-law which I will post pics of as I go along.

I think my favorite thing is that when I have so much to do you can either to choose to get overwhelmed or you can just dive right in and see what you can do with all these amazing finds.

Well it is time to start diving because I got a lot of work to take care of.

Apart from that I have been feeling very inspired this week, so here are a few of the things that inspire me.

Gardening

I have always been scared in the past that I wouldn't succeed at gardening, creating a garden, etc. But there are no successes without failures, right? So I decided that I would grow tomatoes, mesculin and romaine lettuce, broccoli, strawberries, asparagus, potatoes, onions and dill. I will happy to see how they turn out, and if they do the beauty is how much money you save just from creating your own garden.

BOOKS

Another ingenious way to use books to create an amazing floating bookshelf. I am so going to create one of these once I get my 800 other projects finished.

CRAFT SPACES

This is the kind of creative area I hope to have at some point so colorful and inspiring. It makes me so excited...don't get me wrong, I love what I have now just everything could always be improved upon.

On a side note I would like to thank Dolce & Gabbana for showing that long johns are acceptable to wear as pants and to confirm that I was ahead of the trend.

My Version:

That is all for now but stay tuned for more great posts on the way I will try and post more regularly now that things have slowed down, and I have umpteen million projects to do.

Thanks for reading my blamblings (blog ramblings) and time to take a break from Matrix backbends and do more crafting!



TTFN! :)