Thursday, September 25, 2008

Introducing...

...The newest Jenni B Original creation!

Take a look at this fun altered art faux cake! I think I had more fun creating this cake than any faux dessert I have ever made. And I've made a lot of desserts!


I know you think this cake looks neat, but wait until you hear about this surprise: all of the images and the colored ribbons are interchangeable and it's a cake for all Holidays! Mini postcard images can be switched out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, and the Fourth of July. There are even birthday pictures so you can change the pictures when someone special has a birthday coming up.


The parts of the cake are so DETAILED. I think that's why I had a lot of fun creating it. Each removable image has a nice back side with a little velcro that keeps it in place. All of the images have tiny tinsel around the edge. And I even included 2 extra images for each holiday so you can pick your favorites! See that pennant on the top of the cake? The images (one is in the back) are even reversible there and you can put any one you want in those spots! You can't really tell in the pictures very well, but each little photo card (the cake comes with 70!) has glitter accents in two colors. And get this - the entire top of the cake is removable so you can take it off for storage (but you'll NEVER want to put this thing away!).



The cake isn't totally finished yet, either. On the bottom layer of the cake, I have yet to attach the faux icing top knots with silver dragees (fake, of course) to some of the scallops. I was just too excited to wait any longer before posting about this beauty.

The cake itself measures 8" in height, and then with the topper it ends up being about 14" tall. I just think it would be the cutest decoration for your front entry. And it will be so much fun decorating it with all of the ribbons and picture cards included for every Holiday.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Newest Projects

Lately I've been busy in the kitchen studio making something QUITE different than faux confections. Check these out:





I wanted to do something a little out of the ordinary for me so I've been buying up composition notebooks here and there. And I came up with some fun things! They're for sale in my Etsy shop for $16 (pretty reasonable to start - I want to see how they do). Vintage seam binding, sheet music, pearls, buttons & images are just some of the items I've been getting addicted to lately. Is it just me or do other creative people feel like they go through crafting "phases" where you just can't stick to one thing for long? Please comment!

And check this out! It's my new FAVORITE toy! I went to Lowe's to find a jigsaw to cut out some wood projects I've been working on (I'll post pics of that secret project later!) and found this one on clearance for $34.50 (it is normally $50). And since it was the floor model, they gave it to me for only $20! Sweet! You should have seen the three guys at Lowe's helping me out with what I needed. They sure thought I was crazy! So I got all of the supplies I needed and went home to have a hey day of working with the saw. And let me tell you - I had sawdust from hell to breakfast! (an old expression from my mom - who, by the way, taught me all about these tools)



Then after I used the saw, I pulled out my drill to finish the secret, secret project. OK...so it's no secret, but I just forgot to take pictures of it before I shipped it off to the shop (Finders Keepers in American Fork, Utah). Darn! Why do I do that? I'll just have to make more and take pictures then.
I love my power tools. Who says they're just for guys? I demand a challenge if you say they are!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

This JUST In...

I just got an email from an editor at Brides.com. She was letting me know that my faux mini cupcake place card holders are in an article feature! Check out the article. You have to click on the "Next" button at the bottom of the page to get to mine. They're the second feature.

A couple of weeks ago the editor contacted me asking about pricing and some photographs and of course I was MORE than willing to provide her with what she needed for the article. It's an article all about cupcakes for brides and some different ideas with cupcakes than just the typical "Cupcakes as a wedding cake" idea.



OK, now it's back to making cupcakes. I just got a huge cupcake order for The English Rose Tea Room in Carefree, Arizona. A pleasant English woman gave me a call after I sent her some information regarding my faux desserts. She'll have her faux cupcakes available for sale at her tea room/shop in October. Drop by if you happen to live near!

Monday, September 1, 2008

September Has Arrived

One of my favorite people in the world kindly reminded me that it is now September and a blog entry on JenniBOriginals.blogspot.com is way overdue. Sorry, people! I've been neglecting all of my online friends!

The last few weeks have been so busy. That's probably why I haven't gotten to write about anything. Moving, a two-week vacation, and class preparation have all had me running around crazily. But things are finally settling down back to normal (whatever normal may be!).

While I was in Utah, I got to meet a new favorite friend - Brenda from Just a Bed of Roses. She started carrying my faux cupcakes and cakes in her darling shop in Farmington, Utah, so of course I had to visit her - twice! She was so nice and friendly and darling! When I arrived, Brenda presented me with a necklace, complete with a custom pendant that had images of my very own cupcakes. And she even sent me home with lots of complementary goodies. If you live in Utah and have a chance to visit Just a Bed of Roses, do it!! You'll want to come back again and again!

I swiped this photo from her blog that was taken while I was there the first time. I am on the left and her friend and customer Julie is in the middle with Brenda on the right. We're holding some of my faux confection creations. Fun, fun ladies!

While I was on vacation, I picked up a bunch of supplies to stock up my studio (thanks in part to Brenda, above). Now I have all sorts of new ideas but so little time to actually make them! Isn't that the way it always goes? I am just in the mood for Fall to be here and to cuddle up by the fire with a fun book and a cup of hot chocolate. Hey - maybe that's why I never get anything done!