Poppin' away!

I love (love-LOVE) getting orders for custom Cake Pops because they really challenge me to get creative in my kitchen. My baking roster is usually SO busy these days, that unless I get an actual order for a new pop, I don't really have time to just play around with designs like I used to. That's good for business....but a little sad for my Cake Pop artistic expression - LOL!

Here are some FUN Cake Pops I've had the pleasure of working on lately. If you follow me on Facebook you can keep up with my new creations. I post sneak peeks there all the time...too much probably...it's a bit of a problem (addiction?!?!).
Anywho...here we GO!

Sponge Bob and Patrick Cake Pops

Toy Story Cake Pops

Dora the Explorer Cake Pops

Super Mario themed Cake Pops featuring Toadie and Goomba Guys ;)

Holiday Swirl Cake Pops created for a FUN Magical Elf Party by Anders Ruff Custom Designs!

Miss Frankie Pops! A new variation on my classic Frankenmallow Pops

More Frankenmallow Pops...I made a TON of these this year!

Spider Ring Cake Pops from our Merry NOT Scary Halloween Party

First Birthday Cake Pops featuring my new sprinkle monogram technique! Love this style :)

A posse of Owl Cake Pops, with one grump in the mix!

Monarch Butterfly Cake Pops

This Cake Pop bouquet was created in memory of an amazing girl, taken from her family FAR-FAR too soon. I was honored to be asked to create something SO special and was happy to hear that the treats brought a smile to the faces of her family members. Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to the Smith and Lown families.

Thank you ALL for continuing to support my DREAM by placing orders and following my kitchen creations :) Making treats for your special occasions and events continues to give me immense joy, it also gives me an outlet for my artistic expression and affords me the opportunity to be home with my own children. I couldn't be any more grateful (even on the days when the kids are CRAZY lunatics and I'm ready to jump out the window -LOL!) It's ALL a blessing!

~Audrey

I'm LINKING UP!
You can find TONS of inspiration by visiting these WEEKLY LINK PARTIES!
I always do...and I'm sharing this project with them NOW!

Monday
Making Mondays Marvelous hosted by C.R.A.F.T.
Made by you Monday hosted by Skip to My Lou
Monday Link Up Party hosted by Making the World Cuter
Just Something I Whipped Up hosted by The Girl Creative
Market Yourself Monday hosted by Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Creative Me hosted by The Southern Institute

Tuesday
Get your Craft On Tuesday hosted by Today's Creative Blog
Take-A-Look Tuesday hosted by Sugar Bee Crafts
Show Me What Ya Got hosted by Not JUST a Housewife

Wednesday

We’re Organized Wednesday @ Organize and decorate Everything
Penny Pinching Party @ The Thrifty Home 
We Did It @ Sew Much Ado 


Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
Show off your Stuff @ Fireflies & Jellybeans
Show and Share @ Southern Lovely

Thursday
Strut your stuff @ Somewhat Simple
100 Ideas under $100 @ Beyond the Picket Fence
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage 
Make it Wear it @ The Train to Crazy 
Tablescape Thursday @ BNOTP 
Hooking up with HoH @ House of Hepworths
Doggone Dirty Craftin @ Rhinestone Beagle
Lovely Things Thursday @ Modern Modest Beauty
Look at Me, I’m so Crafty @ It’s Fun to Craft

Friday
Feature Yourself Friday hosted by Fingerprints on the Fridge
Friday Flair hosted by Whipperberry
Catch as Catch Can hosted by My Repurposed Life

Saturday
Saturday night special @ Funky Junk
Check me out Saturday @ A vision to remember
Saturday Is crafty day @ Along for the Ride
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Saturday Spotlight @ Craft Envy
Saturday Soiree @ A Little Lovely
Show and Tell @ Be Different Act Normal

Kitty Litter Clumps! {GROSS Halloween Treats}

WARNING: These treats look disgusting (but I can personally vouch for their tastiness) So if you've just eaten and are still digesting, or if you are a generally squeamish person, you may want to just skip this one. There...consider yourself warned - LOL!

I know it's a little late in the game to be bringing a new Halloween Treat tutorial to the table...considering the BIG DAY is tomorrow...but I just had to share! You can add them to the million (or-so) ideas you've already pinned for next year anyways, right?

I'm sure most of you have encountered at least one Kitty Litter Cake on a Halloween party desert table. I've made a few in my day and they're always a big, disgusting hit! It usually takes a little convincing to get someone to dig-in at first...and my Kitty Litter Clumps are no exception to that rule.

The idea was a result of me finding some cute Halloween treat bags with black cats on them. I thought, "Wouldn't it be great to send single-servings of Kitty Litter Cake home with people in these?" But...if you've actually had the cake, you know that really isn't an option...it's a gloppy, sloppy mess. So...I improvised...and what's better...you still get the same GROSS effect...with absolutely NO BAKING required!

Here's what you'll need:
1 package of Little Debbie Star Crunch Cosmic Snacks
1 package of White Almond Bark
1 package of Black Candy Melts (or black candy coloring)
Blue Sanding Sugar or Blue Crystal Sprinkles

Start by melting your almond bark coating in whatever way you prefer for dipping. I use a small chocolate melting pot...super handy and it keeps the coating at just the right temperature for as long as I'm dipping.  I used about half of the 16-oz brick in my melter, and then tossed in about 10 of the black candy melt wafers to get a nice grey color.

After the coating is melted add about a tablespoon of blue sanding sugar. Once incorporated these will look like the little odor-neutralizing crystals (or whatever they are) in actual kitty litter...it's ALL about the details folks!

Now...for the really FUN part. I broke each of the Star Crunch Snacks into four equal (ish) sized pieces. You don't have to be exact here, a little variation only adds to the realism.

Then you need to SMOOSH (that's a technical term - lol) each piece into the proper turd-shaped form. Have fun, make each one unique and special...just like the real deal :)



Using a toothpick, carefully dip the nugget into your melted coating. Tap of the excess coating. You'll need to work quick and not tap too hard or they have a tendency to fall apart and plop into your coating.


After dipping, let each piece set on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper until firm.

If you're going to take them to a party, presenting them in a **NEW** kitty litter box with a **NEW** kitty litter scoop for serving really takes these treats up to the highest level of revoltingness (or AWESOMENESS depending on how you look at it!)

I packaged most of mine to give away as extra special Halloween treats. Originally I planned on using the black cat bags that had inspired the entire project....BUT...once they were done I realized they'd be WAY more fun if they were packaged so you could actually SEE them...duh right?

So for the rest of them, I used clear bags, added ribbon and finished with these SUPER SWEET tags created for me by Amy Lynn Events. They add a little bit of cuteness to this completely disgusting project...don't ya think?

Even MORE awesome...Amy is providing them as a FREE DOWNLOAD {HERE}...if you are brave enough to try making a batch of these yourself.

Have fun and don't take this project too seriously! This is probably one of the only times when you can say your creation looks like sh!t and still know you've done your job well - LOL!

{HAPPY HALLOWEEN}
~Audrey

I'm LINKING UP!
You can find TONS of inspiration by visiting these WEEKLY LINK PARTIES!
I always do...and I'm sharing this project with them NOW!

Monday
Making Mondays Marvelous hosted by C.R.A.F.T.
Made by you Monday hosted by Skip to My Lou
Monday Link Up Party hosted by Making the World Cuter
Just Something I Whipped Up hosted by The Girl Creative
Market Yourself Monday hosted by Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Creative Me hosted by The Southern Institute

Tuesday
Get your Craft On Tuesday hosted by Today's Creative Blog
Take-A-Look Tuesday hosted by Sugar Bee Crafts
Show Me What Ya Got hosted by Not JUST a Housewife

Wednesday

We’re Organized Wednesday @ Organize and decorate Everything
Penny Pinching Party @ The Thrifty Home 
We Did It @ Sew Much Ado 


Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
Show off your Stuff @ Fireflies & Jellybeans
Show and Share @ Southern Lovely

Thursday
Strut your stuff @ Somewhat Simple
100 Ideas under $100 @ Beyond the Picket Fence
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage 
Make it Wear it @ The Train to Crazy 
Tablescape Thursday @ BNOTP 
Hooking up with HoH @ House of Hepworths
Doggone Dirty Craftin @ Rhinestone Beagle
Lovely Things Thursday @ Modern Modest Beauty
Look at Me, I’m so Crafty @ It’s Fun to Craft

Friday
Feature Yourself Friday hosted by Fingerprints on the Fridge
Friday Flair hosted by Whipperberry
Catch as Catch Can hosted by My Repurposed Life

Saturday
Saturday night special @ Funky Junk
Check me out Saturday @ A vision to remember
Saturday Is crafty day @ Along for the Ride
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Saturday Spotlight @ Craft Envy
Saturday Soiree @ A Little Lovely
Show and Tell @ Be Different Act Normal

Ain't love {SWEET}

If you aren't swooning over this set-up....STOP and check your pulse! I created all of these yummy treats for a recent wedding at The Festhalle Barn in Amana, IA. I've been a guest at several weddings held in this venue, and this was hands-down my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE dessert display here...I swear I'm not biased - lol! 

Little Fishy Cake Pops atop Cupcakes

Butter Pecan Cake Pops

I worked with the bride for over a YEAR on all of the details for her dessert table. She had SO many amazing ideas, a DIY-girl through-and-through....I loved hearing about all of her projects and brainstorming ideas. It was such a {TREAT}to finally get to see her vision COME TO LIFE! I just {LOVE} it when someone gets as excited as I do about planning an event...and this girl...lemme tell ya...she's in a league all her own!

The "Ain't love sweet" sign was BEYOND adorable...it made such a cute statement above the dessert table!

Cupcake Tower

The sweet Rosette Cake ;)

 I was so incredibly proud of this display. I think, in part, because it was a true collaboration! I just loved everything about it...and hopefully the bride felt the same way :)

{CONGRATS AMY & TRAVIS}
~Thank you both SO much for trusting me to bring a little extra sweetness to your most special day ;)
 
~Audrey

The {CUPCAKES} are coming!

Good news everyone....after a short break this summer...the Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats'  

Cupcake of the Month Club

  is making a triumphant RETURN! 

I'll be taking registrations through the entire month of September!!!

 Contact me at sweetcheeks@southslope.net to join!

Here's how it works:

-You pay a one-time 6-month membership fee of $60 (plus tax); payment is due before you receive your first batch of cuppies.

-Each month (for the next 6 months) you will get a half-dozen yummy Sweet Cheeks Cupcakes in the specialty flavor I've created for that month!

-Most orders are pick-up ONLY. Businesses with 5 (or more) CCMC members will have their cupcakes delivered FREE of charge! I generally do my CCMC baking toward the middle-end of the month, and try to give everyone one week’s notice before they are ready.

This is perfect for those of you wanting to sample some cupcakes because 6 isn't too much to handle....really, that's just an after dinner snack! Need an awesome gift to give to someone....buy them a Cupcake of the Month Club Membership!!! 

Examples of previous CCMC flavors:

January 2012 CCMC flavor: Malted Milk Ball Cupcakes, Chocolate Malt Cupcakes topped with Malted Milk Buttercream Frosting

February 2012 CCMC flavor: Sure Thing Cupcakes, Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes with a Strawberry Marscapone filling, finished with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

March 2012 CCMC flavor: Caramel Latte Cupcakes

April 2012 CCMC flavor: Pink Freak Cupcakes, Strawberry & Raspberry flavored cupcakes topped with Raspberry Buttercream Frosting

May 2012 CCMC flavor: Vanilla Crunch Coat Cupcakes, Vanilla Cupcakes topped with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and finished with Vanilla Crunch Coat topping (from The Dairy Queen!)

June 2012 CCMC flavor: Rocky Road Cupcakes, Dark Chocolate Cake topped with chocolate syrup and mini-marshmallows which are then encased in Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting, finished with more chocolate syrup and chopped walnuts.

October 2011 CCMC flavor: Back by POPULAR DEMAND, Black Magic Cupcakes! A Devil's Food Cupcake topped with Blackberry Buttercream Frosting

September 2011 CCMC flavor: Cookies-N-Creme Cupcakes, Dark Chocolate Cake with crushed Oreo Cookies in the batter and also in the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

August 2011 CCMC flavor: Margarita Cupakes, topped with salted Lime Buttercream Frosting

July 2011 CCMC flavor: Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes, Vanilla-Orange Cupcake topped with Orange infused Buttercream Frosting

June 2011 CCMC flavor: Fluffernutter Cupcakes, Rich Peanut Butter Cupcake topped with Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting and finished with a piece of peanut brittle

March 2011 CCMC flavor: Dark Chocolate Mint Cupcakes with Chocolate Mint Ganache

February 2011 CCMC flavor: Pinkalicious Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream
January 2011 CCMC flavor: Hot Cocoa Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting

November 2010 CCMC flavor: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting
October 2010 CCMC flavor: Black Magic Cupcakes! A Devil's Food Cupcake topped with Blackberry Buttercream Frosting

September 2010 CCMC flavor: Spiced Apple Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream Frosting

August 2010 CCMC flavor: Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes with tart Strawberry Lemonade Buttercream Frosting

Contact me to join today! sweetcheeks@southslope.net

Thanks!

Audrey

Local Customers only please...I'm not able to ship cupcakes at this time :)

Short & {SWEET}

I've been BEYOND busy lately! Between wedding orders, birthdays, bridal & baby showers, Farmers' Market and my day-to-day existence...I'm having a hard time keeping up. Clearly, there are worse problems to have :)

I thought I'd do a little ROUND-UP of some of the treats that I've sent out the door recently....you know...so you all didn't think I've been on vacation or something - LOL! I post a LOT more frequently on my FB page {HERE}...so if you want to keep up be sure to pop on over and LIKE my page.

 .ENJOY!

Sweet Teal Cake Pops

Piggy Cake Pops & Cupcakes

Cake Pop arrangement

Cake Ball Cones

Hippo Cake Pops

~Audrey

ART Gallery for the KIDDOS!

I have another non-treat related post to share...from the Kiddos' Playroom...by now you've about had the full tour! 

I've wanted to create a FUN space for the kiddos to display their artwork...like, FOREVER! I've found SO many fun ideas...and...I've pinned a TON of them, but it was so HARD to narrow it down :) Anyone else have a serious problem with PINNING but not actually DOING!?!? I always have more projects than time it seems.

One of my FAVES was a Kids Art Display from Clean & Scentsible {HERE}. I think the main reason I was drawn to it was because it incorporated clipboards...and I just happened to have stash of them sitting in a box doing nothing important. So, I spray painted several of the clipboards with metallic spraypaint to achieve the same look.

I had a custom vinyl wall quote created by It's Written on the Wall to install above the clipboards. You may recall, they also created the vinyl quote for our Raingutter Bookshelves {HERE}. The saying is taken from a  quote by Maya Angelou, and it is absolutely PERFECT for this wall!

The actual execution of this project ended-up being SUPER quick & easy. We had everything up and finished before the kiddos' got up from their afternoon nap. They LOVE their new gallery and have been BUSY the past few days working on masterpieces to hang in their NEW space!

Enjoy!
Audrey

I'm LINKING UP!
You can find TONS of inspiration by visiting these WEEKLY LINK PARTIES!
I always do...and I'm sharing this project with them NOW!

Monday
Making Mondays Marvelous hosted by C.R.A.F.T.
Made by you Monday hosted by Skip to My Lou
Monday Link Up Party hosted by Making the World Cuter
Just Something I Whipped Up hosted by The Girl Creative
Market Yourself Monday hosted by Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Creative Me hosted by The Southern Institute

Tuesday
Get your Craft On Tuesday hosted by Today's Creative Blog
Take-A-Look Tuesday hosted by Sugar Bee Crafts
Show Me What Ya Got hosted by Not JUST a Housewife

Friday
Feature Yourself Friday hosted by Fingerprints on the Fridge
Friday Flair hosted by Whipperberry
Catch as Catch Can hosted by My Repurposed Life

Farm Fresh!

I haven't posted any CUTE Cake Pops in awhile...so I figured I should do something about that!

Farm Animal Cake Pops

 I created these super adorable FARM ANIMAL Cake pops for a recent birthday party order. I made an assortment of cows, sheep, ducks and pigs...and...it was my first time trying cows and pigs! I LOVE getting custom Cake Pop requests...I'm so busy with orders these days, that unless I have a specific reason to try a new pop, I don't really get to just play around in the kitchen!

Cow Cake Pops

They both seriously CRACK ME UP! I always figure I did a decent job when I'm laughing OUT LOUD at my Cake Pop creations :)

Pretty Pig Cake Pops

Happy Baking!
Audrey