friday fuzzies

[fri'dā fuz'ēz] n. handmade finds of pure cuteness to make fridays even better

every friday i will share with you something or things that i found which meet the following criteria:
1. it's cute
2. it's handmade
and most of all,
3. i covet it

it's robot week because i love wall-e.  i don't think i need a better reason than that.

i found a super hero robot from sleepyrobot13.  he's one of many cute as can be metal munchkins in this shop.  but robbie here was my favorite with his glow in the dark underwear.

i also found a robot who has a pet puppy from DifferentFolks.  this henry and oscar the weiner dog design can be ordered on onesies, toddler tees, kids tees and even adult sizes.

finding a soft and cuddly robot was a bit of a challenge, but randomhouse created this adorable tiny robot with headphones plush toy.  he also comes in a larger big brother size and has a sister bot decked out in pretty pink.

and then i found this silver robot vinyl sticker set by PoorRobot.  it comes with robots, birds, lightning bolts, gears, teardrops, bows and hearts, perfect for creating your very own story about all your newfound robot friends.

croquet, anyone?

i take long, long walks outside a few times a week to escape the monotony of the gym.  i always bring my camera with me just in case anything strikes my fancy, and this past weekend i took this photo.  it reminded me of the red queen's garden from "alice in wonderland"...

a chocoholic's dream

droooooooool!  if you like chocolate, this week's dessert recipe is perfection.  the bottom part of this bar has a similar taste to a brownie, but it has a much lighter texture to it.  the mousse part is wonderfully light and tasty too.  next time i make it, i might add some nuts to the "brownie" layer to add a little variety - and because it was a suggestion from my designated taste tester.  amazingly these bars aren't as rich as you might expect them to be either...  ok, ok, i'll stop and just get on with the recipe!! =)

chocolate mousse bars

1 pkg Baker's semi-sweet chocolate squares, divided
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk, divided
4 eggs
1 pkg (3.9 oz.) chocolate instant pudding
1-1/2 cups thawed whipped topping

1. heat oven to 325°F
2. melt 6 chocolate squares in a bowl in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between.  mix melted chocolate with sugar, flour, 1/4 cup condensed milk and eggs until well blended.  pour into 8" or 9" square pan sprayed with cooking spray.
3. bake 35 minutes for an 8" pan, 25 minutes for a 9" pan or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.  make sure not to overbake.  let cool completely.
4. beat dry pudding mix with remaining condensed milk with a whisk for about 2 minutes.  stir in whipped topping and spread over dessert.  melt remaining 2 chocolate squares same way as above.  drizzle over pudding layer.  refrigerate until drizzle becomes firm.  another option is to drizzle chocolate designs on wax paper.  refrigerate.  peel and place on top of each square before serving.

hint: to get nice clean cuts of the bars when you choose to drizzle the chocolate on top, refrigerate for about an hour after adding the pudding layer.  cut but leave in the pan.  then drizzle the chocolate over the top and refrigerate again.  the chocolate on top will need to be cut for serving but it will be much easier to do so if it is just the chocolate.

makes about 16 servings.  enjoy! =)

♠ ♠ ♠

download a printable copy of this recipe at...
http://www.oncupcakemoon.com/recipes/chocolatemoussebars.pdf

friday fuzzies

[fri'dā fuz'ēz] n. handmade finds of pure cuteness to make fridays even better

every friday i will share with you something or things that i found which meet the following criteria:
1. it's cute
2. it's handmade
and most of all,
3. i covet it

this week my theme is tim burton.  his exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City will be closing on monday, and i very sadly was not able to take the trip to see it.  for as much art history as i have studied, i think this man has influenced my creative life more than any other artist.  and if i won the lottery today, every single one of these items would be mine!

this mad hatter organic button waist coat is by alterecoclothing.  i love the purple on the cuffs and waistband, and the multicolored buttons...  oh do i wish this was hanging in my closet!

this orange and turquoise square skull dish by maryjudy reminds me especially of the furniture in "beetlejuice".  and it would look so nice in my house!

i adore everything in camamiel's shop.  she has such cute dark things, and roberta the pirate pixie doll looks like she could be the love child of the red queen and stayne from "alice in wonderland".

MissMillificent's dolls, to me, embody the spirit of tim's artwork.  lucy lou art doll has something black and unctuous broiling under her neat and presentable appearance, and she has a very special apple for her teacher...



























last but definitely not least, this nightmare before christmas cigar box purse by SuperVixenBadGirl is worth visiting.  it has several of the characters from this all-time favorites movie of mine on other sides, and even better - some rhinestones in the swirls for some glam.

wordless wednesday

more cool wHip

ok, i admit it.  my sister and i used to sneak and eat cool whip out of the tub as kids.  and i think since making my faux ice cream cake, i can't seem get it off my mind!  now that strawberries are in season i was looking for something to make with them and cool whip.  these squares have a perfect balance of sweet and salt to them between the strawberry, cheesecake, chocolate and pretzel tastes.

this past weekend i did over 20 miles of cardio, so i think i can afford the little bit of butter in this recipe.  this doesn't take a lot of time to make, but a lot of refrigeration time for the layers.  so if you have the patience to keep going back and forth, they are well worth making! =)

layered strawberry cheesecake squares with a chocolate pretzel crust

2 cups finely crushed pretzels
1/2 cup sugar, divided
13 tbs butter, divided
6 squares of Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolates
1-1/2 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
2 tbs milk
1-1/2 cup whipped topping, thawed
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg strawberry flavored gelatin
1-1/2 cups cold water
1 qt fresh strawberries, sliced

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees.  mix pretzel crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and 10 tbs of butter (melted).  press onto bottom of 13"x9" pan.  bake 10 minutes.  let cool.
2. melt chocolate squares and remaining butter.  stir well.  pour as a layer over the pretzel mixture. refrigerate.
3. beat cream cheese, remaining sugar and milk until well blended.  stir in whipped topping.  spread as the next layer but not until chocolate layer has hardened.  refrigerate.
4. in a large bowl, add boiling water to gelatin.  stir 2 minutes or until completely dissolved.  stir in cold water.  refrigerate 1-1/2 hours or until some thickening occurs.  stir in strawberries and spoon over cream cheese layer.  refrigerate 3 hours.

tip: allow squares to sit out at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for easier cutting.

make about 18 servings.  enjoy! =)

♠ ♠ ♠

download a printable copy of this recipe at...
http://www.oncupcakemoon.com/recipes/layedstrawberrycheesecakesquares.pdf

friday fuzzies

[fri'dā fuz'ēz] n. handmade finds of pure cuteness to make fridays even better

every friday i will share with you something or things that i found which meet the following criteria:
1. it's cute
2. it's handmade
and most of all,
3. i covet it

i think i will dedicate this week's somethings to some adorable friends from under the sea.

i'll begin with OctoPepper, a teeny tiny polymer clay sculpture.  lindzart has a rainbow of these cuties in her shop and i had a very hard time choosing my favorite!

i loved this great way to give a thrift store item new life!  this reclaimed octopus cup and saucer was sandblasted with an original design by BreadandBadger.

OopisNein makes these super soft and squishy fuzzy octopods.  this pink octopod has a green accent fabric with a mushroom print and can strike whatever pose your heart desires.

i heart zombies LOTS

let's see - where do i begin with this one?!?  rocky the zombie was one of the very first shops i hearted on etsy, and was found when i was randomly searching for things under "cute skulls".  i fell in love with little rocky immediately and knew i'd be in big, big trouble!  rhi's artwork is the perfect marriage between cute and punk, and besides the t-shirts and hoodies with my artwork on them, the ones i own from her are truly my favorites!

the first shirt i purchased was the "zombie lovers" design as can be seen below.  i have *the* perfect items to go with it: black leggings, a gray, black & red plaid mini, a black cardigan, studded belt, and either black patent mary janes or black chucks...  can you see how i fell for this little guy?

rhi used to hand paint all the tees - so i know my first couple of shirts are truly originals.  but now to help in her quest of rocky world domination, her items are screened.  besides women's shirts and hoodies she has onesies, kids tees, men's clothing, tote bags and paintings.  i own, ahem, (quite) a few of my favorite zombie apparel items and i can attest to them lasting very well through many washes.  there are also a few designs i'd like to get one day as an 8x8 painting.  here are a couple of my favorites... amazingly i don't have that skull cupcake one yet!  note to rhi: soon!!!

rhi makes quality products, ships fast (from the UK no less!) and i am always happy to consume the candy that gets included with my purchases.  she's very personable and will cheerfully accommodate custom orders - such as my zombie kitty (i love the touch of the fish!!).

she's even in kahoots with brooke van gory designs in making rocky screens for totes and handbags, which brooke sews together...  of course i have one (yes, this is mine!) - do you really need to ask?

so check out her shop, fan her facebook page, and if you decide to purchase something make sure to tell her deb sent you.  i think the best way to sum up this favorite handmade of mine is "cute, punk and zombified!". =)

p.s. i don't know if you can tell at its small size, but i even drew my avatar wearing a rocky shirt.  heee!

friday fuzzies

[fri'dā fuz'ēz] n. handmade finds of pure cuteness to make fridays even better

every friday i will share with you something or things that i found which meet the following criteria:
1. it's cute
2. it's handmade
and most of all,
3. i covet it

today's theme - monsters!  i don't think anyone would mind these hiding under their bed or in their closet.

here's sally the swamp monster from RedMarionette.  how can you not love a monster who loves to daydream and pretend she is a princess?  she keeps secrets too - in her pocket belly!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

this is one of many adorable and odd creatures you'll find in AnkleBiterBeads' shop.  this lampwork monster bead would make a great pendant or bracelet charm.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i also found some monsters for your feet.  i love these googly eyed monster mary janes by emandsprout, perfect for making a statement without saying a word.

peanut butter and chocolate goodness

my peeps flower cake was long gone by the time yesterday arrived so i had to come up with another dessert to bring to dinner.  it was a beautiful and warm day - perfect for this peanut butter & chocolate faux ice cream cake.  with this recipe, even those who aren't big fans of sweets ended up eating more than one piece. and since i've been requested to share it asap, here it is!

peanut butter & chocolate faux ice cream cake

ingredients:
12 Nutter Butter sandwich cookies, divided
3 tbs. butter, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tub whipped topping, thawed, divided
2 squares Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate, melted

1. crush 8 of the cookies in a resealable plastic bag with a rolling pin. mix the cookie crumbs with butter. press onto the bottom of a foil-lined loaf pan.
2. mix cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. with a spoon stir in 3 cups of the whipped topping.
3. remove ½ cup of the cream cheese mixture into a small bowl. in the small bowl stir in the chocolate until well blended and set aside.
4. spoon half the remaining cream cheese mixture over cookie crust. layer with chocolate mixture. top with the rest of the cream cheese mixture.
5. freeze 4 hours or overnight until firm. invert onto plate and remove foil, then reinvert onto serving platter so that the crumb layer is on the bottom. top dessert with remaining whipped topping. break apart or crush the last 4 cookies and sprinkle cookie crumbs.

makes about 10 servings.  enjoy! =)

♠ ♠ ♠

download a printable pdf file of this recipe at...
http://www.oncupcakemoon.com/recipes/pbandcfauxicecreamcake.pdf

friday fuzzies

[fri'dā fuz'ēz] n. handmade finds of pure cuteness to make fridays even better

every friday i will share with you something or things that i found which meet the following criteria:
1. it's cute
2. it's handmade
and most of all,
3. i covet it

with easter being this weekend it's time for some bunny love!

check out this little creation by Red Fenyx - a shop i stalk regularly.   this OOAK winged green bunny miniature figurine is just one of many too, too cute pieces!

this cuddly bunny hat necklace and pendant from the poppy tree is perfect for spring.  i adore kelly's artwork and even more that she makes them into such cute pieces to wear.

this last one made me smile real big when i saw it - what a cute idea from boobiebeads (www.calienteartglass.com)!  this lampwork antiqued translucent white bunny skull has carrot crossbones and is called "attila the bun".