Tuesday 25 September 2012

DIY Owl Piñata

For the little girl's birthday party, I thought of making a DIY Piñata since the ones that I saw around were like S$30. I don't want us to spend that much for something that will be used once for a few minutes during the party!

Thank God for the internet (again) because of endless resources on how to do DIYs! And since we're having animal-themed party, I thought an ombre owl would be a fun and cute. :)

Things you need:
  • a balloon
  • scissors
  • cut up old newspapers
  • tape
  • pencil
  • flour and water mixture (2parts flour + 1part water)
  • some cardboard (I used cereal boxes)
  • crepe paper or felt paper (orange, brown, yellow)
  • white and brown round cardboard for the eyes 
  • strips for the eye lashes
  • triangle for the nose
  • big bowl
  • strings
  • craft glue


Directions:

1.  Blow the balloon and knot the end. Set aside.
2. Draw pattern on cardboard box for the head of the owl. Cut out the sides and save them to cover the sides.



3. Tape the cut out board on top of the balloon. Secure the edges with tape.






4. Once you have formed the structure, start with papier mache. Dip the strip of newspapers on the flour mixture. Alternatively, you can you a craft brush or popsicle stick to evenly distribute the paste on the paper and you won't have any lumps on the papers.

5. After making one layer on the balloon, let it dry. During the second layer, insert the string on top. I tried securing it with a stick glue. 

If the weather in your area is sunny and warm, it will only probably take an hour or two to dry a layer or the mache. Then you can start working on another one.  You can make at least three layers of mache to have a sturdy piñata.

6. Pop the balloon inside by inserting a pin on the bottom. You'd hear something like a hissing sound, that's the air releasing inside.

Don't worry, this won't hurt. 
7. Draw a circle on the end for the hole where the treats will fall out. Make sure to keep the cut out.
Mark the bottom and cut out
8. Take out the deflated balloon.
Take out the deflated balloon
9. Cut the crepe/felt paper into strips and fold them by 2 inches as shown below:

10. Cut the end with a scallop pattern or alternatively, you can use a round end to make sure it has a good round shape.



11. Once you have prepared several strips, you can start covering your piñata with them. Use a craft glue to make sure they stick on the papier mache.

12. Don't forget to decorate the bottom cut out as it will serve as the cover to be pulled out during the party! :)



As for me, the crepe paper was too sheer and the newspaper of the mache was visible. So I covered it with felt paper and made an ombre with brown, orange and yellow.

Ready to hoot!



Friday 14 September 2012

Animal Themed Cupcakes

I practiced twice before the party to make sure I would know how to make them. When watching the photos online, they seem pretty easy! But to be honest, it was so hard arranging the candies on the frosting! I wanted to use a special tool (which I'm sure fondant icing makers use!) just to position the eyes, mouth and nose of these cutesy-patootsies! Thank God for the store-bought candies, I didn't have to learn fondant to make these animal themed cupcakes for my little girl's birthday party!



Panda

Pig and Cat/Rabbit?!?

Fish and Frog

Photos of second practice



Sorry for the sheep and the other one with gray frosting :P





Friday 7 September 2012

First Practice for Cake Pops


It's been a while since I have posted something in my blog. Since the start of August, I was busy preparing for my little girl's birthday party. I was actually busy cramming and imagining how to go about the party.  As one of the items I'm planning to have on the party, I practiced making cake pops. It was my first time so please bear with me. :P


The first photo is a failed vanilla cupcake that I made. So I thought of recycling it as cake pops. Cheaper than buying a new cake or making a new one, right? :) And since I have stored caramel sauce in the freezer, I saved a lot of time and money.

What you need:
  • Cake or cupcakes, crumbled
  • any frosting you like
  • cake pop sticks
  • baking chocolate
  • mixing bowl
  • any topping you like (I used rice pops cereals and almond slivers)


Method:
  1. Crumble the cake in a bowl. Slowly add half of the frosting. Mix until it comes together and crumbles leave the side of the bowl.  Better to use fingers to mix the cake. 
  2. Use a mini scoop to form the balls. Roll with the palm of your hands. Make sure the ball is tight enough not to crumble. Insert the cake pop stick into the middle of the ball. Freeze the cake pops for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Prepare your things for decorating the cake pops. Melt the chocolate in a microwave or temper in a bowl over boiling water. Use a spatula or wooden spoon and stir continuously until melted completely.
  4. Remove the cake pops from the freezer and dip into the melted chocolate. Sprinkled with desired toppings. Insert into a styrofoam or a stand to let it dry.
  5. Once the cake pops are dry, cover with clear bags and seal with pretty little bows. Enjoy!