Crafts

I have been working on a fun new dessert table for my daughter’s birthday and thought I would share a bit of a sneak peak.  The theme for the table: Haley’s favorite colors, blue and green.  I decided that one of the design elements would be a fabric bunting, so chic and fun.  Here is a tutorial on how to make a very simple bunting.

Now, I’m all about quick and easy, and so is this bunting.  What you will need:

• Fabric of coordinating colors and patterns
• Ribbon
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Rotary cutting tool
• Cutting Mat
• Straight edge ruler
• Straight pins

Now, when I came up with this design element for the table I decided that I didn’t want the triangles to be uniform.  So, I didn’t make a pattern {gasp!}  I folded the fabric in half and started cutting away.  I knew I wanted big and small triangles so I just eyeballed it.  You actually get better use of your fabric this way.  Less waste.

Another design element that I wanted for this bunting, I didn’t want perfect, finished edges.  I basically stitched the two triangles together, back to back with the sewing machine. This creates a bit of a rougher edge, but it saves TONS of time! 

 

Once you have all of your triangles sewn together, lay out your ribbon and start to pin the triangles to the back side of the ribbon.  I am planning on using this bunting attached to a tablecloth so there is no need to make sure the wrong side of the bunting looks good.  You can however, lay another length of ribbon on the other side to create a finished look for both sides of the bunting.

Once you have a pattern that you like, you can now stitch your ribbon and triangles together with the sewing machine using a coordinating thread.

Voila!  You have a fabulous and easy fabric bunting for your next design project.

If you have any question or comments we would love to hear them! 

Don’t forget to check out our new sponsor page.  We are offering free advertising for three months here on WhipperBerry.  If you have a blog, product, website, business, Etsy shop, you name it, that you would like to promote, now is the time to do it!  Drop me a line, heather@whipperberry.com, we’ll chat.

Heather

I found this sweet dessert table the other day on Shutterbug and the Sweet Life.  The idea, so original.  The colors, catching.  All around a fun idea for a party for a sweet little guy.

 

Happy Labor Day everyone!!

Heather

I took a few minutes the other morning to have an impromptu photo session with my little guy.  Why not? I have this great new background I need to put to use!

 

Drop me a line if you are in the Vegas area and if you are interested in a mini session with your little one.  I will come to you and the price is AMAZING!  E-mail me at heather@whipperberry.com for more information.

Also, come check out our new sponsor page.  We are running an AMAZING special right now for anyone interested in promoting their blog, website, Etsy shop, you name it we can promote it for you!  And the price, you can’t beat the price. Come take a gander, you’ll be amazed!  Click on this link to learn more about our services. 

I hope everyone has a FABULOUS holiday weekend, what’s everyone up to?  Any big plans?  We would love to hear!

Heather

One of the pleasures of life is to open a brand new jar of peanut butter. The smooth creamy surface, pristine and untouched and smelling so nutty and tempting. It’s like a blank canvas. What will become of this little bottle of mushed up nuts? Today you’ll be grabbing one of your favorites for this delicious recipe. I hope you have a jar or two! Get your rubber spatula and let’s dig in!

Today we’ll be making Peanut Butter Cookie Cheesecake Bonnes Bouches. Get your mouth around that one! What is a Bonne Bouche? I hear you asking. Yes it is French and translated it means “a delicious morsel or mouthful”. This yummy recipe definitely qualifies. A crumbly peanut butter cookie crust beneath a tender layer of peanut buttery cream cheese filling, topped with whipped cream and half a mini Reese’s peanut butter cup. Mmm…let’s get started!

Begin by making the peanut butter cookie crust.

Peanut Butter Cookie Crust

Adapted from Soft Peanut Butter Cookie by Natalie Gardner

½ c. butter, softened

½ c. peanut butter

½ c. white sugar

½ c. brown sugar

¼ t. vanilla

1 egg

*1¼ c. flour

*¾ t. soda

*¼ t. salt

1. Cream all but starred items. Sift starred items and add to peanut butter mixture.

2. Using a Tablespoon, scoop dough into well greased mini cheesecake pans. (You want the ones with little lift out bottoms). Don’t overfill! Unfortunately you will have extra dough. I’m sure you can think of things to do with it.

3. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes. The dough will puff up and begin to brown around the edges looking awfully scrumptious.

4. Resist the urge to eat it right now! Instead, use your Tablespoon to press down the puffiness making a well for the heavenly peanut butter filling.

Now, mix up the filling:

Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Filling

12 oz. cream cheese (1 ½ blocks) softened

¾ c. sugar

½ c. creamy peanut butter

2 large eggs at room temperature

¼ c. sour cream

1 ½ t. vanilla

1. Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Beat in the peanut butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, then beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is thoroughly incorporated before adding the next. Finally, beat in the sour cream and vanilla.

2. Use your Tablespoon to fill the wells. Fill straight to the top and pile just a bit on top without going overboard. Your cheesecakes will puff while cooking and then sink down a bit.

3. Put your pans into a 350 degree oven. If you’re using the tiny squares like I did, you’ll have less filling and a wider surface area. Cook for only about 13 minutes until edges are set, but center is still a little jiggly. For the mini rounds, cook at least 15 minutes, but probably more like 17 minutes, watching and testing so as not to overcook. I got nervous and took them out too early resulting in raw centers. Still yummy, but not as good as they could be.

4. Cool on the counter top, then press up from the bottom and lift your little cakes out of the pan. Put them on a plate and into the fridge. I am an impatient woman, but these really are even better if you wait till the second day.

5. Now they’re ready to be properly topped and consumed with relish. You can make your own whipped cream, or use a scoop of Cool Whip to top your cakes. Refrigerate your Reeses Cups to keep them from being too soft and squishing when you slice them. Slice one cup and press it gently into the whip. Wha-la! You have a fancy bonne bouche that will make you sigh with satisfaction. Now whip a batch for your next party or book club meeting and tell me they don’t go flying off your fancy platter.

Christene

Come meet Christene–our newest WhipperChick.  We are so excited to have her join our team!!

I’ve been flirting with the idea of pulling the doors off a couple of my kitchen cabinets for a while now.  I really think it’s a beautiful look, and it definitely adds character to any kitchen.  Here’s some inspiration:

       

My issues with taking off cabinet doors is that it ALWAYS has to be clean up there… and all the serve-ware has to match… or at least “flow” with the rest of the kitchen.  It is nice to hide things behind closed doors.

 
I may give in though, the temptation just might just be too much.

Don’t forget to visit our GIVEAWAY at {Oh}Brooke this week!  The last day is Thursday, so don’t miss the opportunity to win a super chic WhipperKeeper.

Whitney