Autumn Inspiration: Whoolio

Nov 7, 2013

Hi Friends!

Fall is my favorite time of year and I’m always so inspired to create!  Meet Whoolio!  He’s an adorable baby owl taking flight for the first time and was sketched by one of the Make Shoppe artists.  No one can resist the cuteness of a baby animal…maybe that’s why I’m hooked on watching “too cute,” or browsing that site called “zoo borns!”
Soon we’ll be expanding this card line with more cute faced creations.  We’re constantly looking for inspiration so give us some ideas of what you’d like to see next!

More Whoolio!

“whoolio” card line

mother owl supervising

whoolio takes flight!

 

From me to you…

-Tutu

 

Missing Mandible

Oct 9, 2013

Hey All!

Well fall is certainly my favorite time of year!  I love seeing all the decorative fall items and the pretty colors too.  I took a trip to a friends house where they already preparing for Halloween with these really cute decorations.  I came across some unique items including but not limited to someone’s missing mandible!  If you’re into decorating I thought I’d share these with you to give you some cute ideas.  My favorite was the Mr. Potato Head pumpkins!

Enjoy!

-Tutu

Hot Pot with Yuki and Friends

Aug 2, 2013

Last week I had the best time with friends, their dogs and my first experience having Hot Pot.   According to Wikipedia, Hot Pot  refers to several East Asian varieties of stew, consisting of a simmering metal pot of stock at the center of the dining table.   To me, it was a very good way to share in the enjoyment of cooking with family and the people you find dear to you.

This was also a house warming celebration for a dear friend and his beautiful bride.   So, thanks guys for the beautiful day and the opportunity to share the excitement!

I was able to snap a few shots of the preparation, food and 3 hyper-waggling tailed pups named Si-Si, Yuki and Mickey Chen who is 13 year old dapper little Chihuahua!  Check em’ out!

 

A DIY Card for the Royal Babe!

Jul 22, 2013

Congratulations to the Royal Family!  Today I woke up thinking about Kate and wondering if the time was close.  As I go online to browse I see that Kate has been in labor for awhile and then…a Royal Prince.  I’m so delighted that this beautiful couple finally have their first baby and can’t wait to know more as news develops.
I created this cute little card (as if I were invited to present it to the royal family, ha!) in honor of the new heir.  I just kept picturing this adorable little prince in a royal one-sey!  Check out the gallery!

I made a cute collar-bib with a scalloped edge punch

scalloped edge punch to create the leg cut out

black and gold small round punch to create buttons

coordinating colors for confetti

small simple strips were created for the sash and belt

card complete with made up royal looking badge

If you have any DIY projects you’re making please share I’d love to see!

-Tutu

DIY 4th of July

Jun 30, 2013

Hi Friends!

Summers officially here and today we’re busy in the Make Shoppe putting together some ideas for the 4th of July.
As I browsed online, Pinterest, Etsy and Craftsy and saw some really cute ideas but didn’t have all the various materials to make certain things. So, I started going through some scrapbook papers and put together some colors and textures that had a patriotic and vintage feel to them. Then I gathered some shape punches and other tools but I still didn’t know what I wanted to make.
Awhile back before the MakeShoppe started, I did a lot of scrapbooking and card making and that inspired me to try to put together some cute stuff with the card stock. So, little by little I made these cute little napkin rings or bracelets, party hats and bow ties. When I create a hardly use any templates I usually just practice on scrap paper until I’m happy and have achieved my look. Besides, if it’s too easy it isn’t challenging enough, right?  Check out the gallery!

Start by choose some colors and patterns

Gather some punches, tape, scissors, stapler, bobbypins ect…

Cute Collection!

Hats! There are hair pins secured underneath to pin on the head!

Use these as a bracelet or napkin ring

Napkin rings or Bracelets!

Back of the bow tie, hair pin used to secure on clothing

Vintage Bow ties!

If you have any questions about technique or materials, please feel free to send me a message in ” Talk to Tutu.”

Wishing you and yours a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

-Tutu

 

Bird House Bonanza!

Jun 2, 2013

Hey all!

This weekend I visited the very beautiful and well-known Laguna Beach. I was walking in one of the neighborhoods and stumbled across this jungle like house with all of these unique and crazy birdhouses. So what did I do? That’s right, I pulled out my camera and started snapping away. I hope the owner and the  neighbors didn’t mind but if they did…well kinda too late, right?
I counted over 50 little birdhouses but I was only able to capture a few. Each house had cute little tchotchkes character decorations. It seems like whoever walks by can just add a little toy of their own. Hmm, too bad I was fresh out of little Tutu’s!

Vote or your favorite bird house!

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Mother’s Day Candy Rose Molds

May 11, 2013

Hello and Happy Mother’s Day! Here at the Make Shoppe we’ve whipped up some treats that you can make and give to Mom.

These pretty floral candy molds were extremely easy to make! All you need is some melting candy chips and a candy mold. There are a variety of colors to choose from but the choice of flavors are pretty standard (chocolate, vanilla or mint). I chose my candy colors based on what I felt complimented the other goodies I made. If you’re goal is to create a really unique color you could also start with a white chocolate or vanilla candy base and die the candy with food coloring however I generally use the pre-colored candies.

 

I usually shop at Michaels for all my candy making items. The different molds choices are really cute and I see new ones all the time.

I also whipped up some cupcakes with a cinnamon based cream cheese frosting. I am just so addicted to this I don’t think I’ll ever make this frosting WITHOUT THE CINNAMON! Oh my Gosh! You must try this on your next batch of cupcakes!

 

 

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
1/2 C butter ( 1 stick),  room temp
8 oz cream cheese ( 1 package), room temp
2-3 C powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
cinnamon, to taste

Put it Together:
With an electric mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese together for about 3 minutes on medium speed until smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to ensure even mixing. Add the vanilla, cinnamon and mix. Then slowly add the powdered sugar and keep adding until you get to a desired sweetness and thickness. Spread on cooled cupcakes or use a fancy decorator. Sprinkle with edible decoration for extra pretty!

Enjoy!

-Tutu

Cinco de Salsa

May 5, 2013

Hey All!

Today we celebrate Cinco de Mayo with some Cinco de Salsa. About a year ago I posted this salsa recipe and forgot all about it until today. Super fresh, super healthy- easy Mango Salsa with only 5 ingredients. 5….as in cinco…. ok, you get it…

5 ingredients you’ll need:
White or Red onion (diced)
Green Onion (diced)
Handful of Cilantro (coarsely chopped)
4-5 Tomatoes (diced)
2-3 Mangos (diced)

Put it together:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and lightly hand toss. Squeeze a little lime juice on the top if you’d like some additional flavor. Serve in a white dish to make the color pop along with some colorful tortilla chips!

Happy Cinco De Mayo from The Make Shoppe!

-Tutu

 

 

 

 

 

Ants on a Log, a Childhood Favorite

Apr 22, 2013

Today I was thinking about recipes from my childhood. I recall experiencing hot summer days in SoCal and craving cooler foods.  Just like me, I’m sure everyone remembers “ants on a log,” from their childhood. The crunch of the celery combined with soft peanut butter is such a tasty combination and putting the raisins on top was my favorite part!

 

So now that I’ve been focusing on better foods to eat and serve my family it is becoming easier and easier to do. Celery, perfect because it contains water and it’s a veggie. Peanut butter, although high in fat, it’s a MUFA (mono-unsaturated fatty acid) which burns fat as the right amount is consumed! WHAT!?!

Now, while I was making these I did come across one problem and that was getting the peanut butter in the celery boat, NEATLY! Before I got the bright idea to use my frosting decorator (yes, i’m big on presentation) these boats looked like a hot mess! But, not anymore!

Enjoy,

-Tutu

 

Healthy Spinach & Egg White Frittata

Apr 21, 2013

Hey All!

So, I recently adopted a healthier way of eating and cooking and so far it has paid off! I feel alot better and I’m eager to continue finding really good tasting recipes to support that. With that being said I came across a really inspiring food blog called The Novice Chef.

This morning for some reason I woke up in the mood for brunch….at 8:00am. So as I surfed the web I found a perfect Frittata recipe on this blog which was exactly what I wanted and the foodgraphy (food photography) was very pretty and inviting. Jessica even lists the amount of calories, carbs, protein and weight watchers points.

Egg whites, spinach, onions tomatoes and even feta cheese! Make sure you visit her site for the full recipe. Enjoy!