Amy Bakes and Sews

Central Coast Local Fresh Food- Delivered! plus two recipes

2009-11-22T17:36:00.000-08:00

I do love good food. Especially when someone else makes if for me!

Seasonal Custom Cuisine offers fresh food made with care from as many local, fresh, and organic ingredients as Michele can source for you. Take a peek at her delivery menu here.

Stop by Nature's Touch NEW location in Templeton to grab fresh soup and salads on the go.

Michele Knecht, owner Seasonal Custom Cuisine shown at Speckled Hens Antique Show, Templeton, California.

Try two of her recipes:

Corn and Basil Salad

Brown Rice and Chickpea Salad

Seasonal Custom Cuisine at Nature's Touch

225 Main St

Templeton, California

All photographs by Richard Fusillo.

Photo Shoot at Picking Daisies with Sprigs n Things & Blue Photo

2009-11-18T00:39:00.001-08:00

Erin of Sprigs n Things: Innovation, Elegance, Flair (I'm in the back, in blue)

What a fun afternoon we had for a holiday package photo shoot! The details on our sweet packages will be out soon but I couldn't wait to show you Jonathon's work and the lovelies he captured. Yes, he does weddings!

In these photographs...
Picking Daisies: Handmade Cotton Napkins

nd Amy Bakes Cupcakes cupcakes
Photographs by (and shared with permission):
Jonathan of Blue Photo

Cupcake Tower Toppers for Your Handmade Wedding

2009-11-16T05:17:00.000-08:00

Four takes on the classic wedding topper. Why not choose something you can keep and enjoy to top your tower of wedding cupcakes?

Simply gorgeous handmade paper flower cupcake tower topper! Purples and citron fill this little lovely- peek in her shop for pieces in the color of your wedding. WeddingsbyBeccaMari on Etsy. $58

Tuck a secret surprise inside- this cupcake tower topper is also a box! Handmade by Amadalebel on Etsy. $59

Sweet and lovely. Vincent and Lola are handmade by Wonderful Rubbish on Etsy. $120

Hand painted to look just like you two! Made by GraceFallen on Etsy. $35 including stand.

A Cupcake Family: Three Lessons Learned

2009-11-15T20:35:00.000-08:00

Meet my cupcake team! We all pitched in to make this show all that we could. Sharing ideas, space, and energy with Stephanie Hendry of Ruby Rose (wonderful vintage lovelies) and her husband John, daughter Ruby. We all had a blast and learned a lot about working together in business as a family. Here are a few tid bits I picked up and tucked in my hat to learn from...

1. I once heard Maya Angelou speak on how we treat our family compared to those we see throughout the day. Her exact words are lost to me but what I took, and never forgot, was something like, Do not spend every last drop of energy on customers and co-workers, saving nothing for our families when we are worn out at home at the end of the day. So true and such a challenge to balance it all. Or is it just me?

2. Set clear expectations and, when possible, say it in writing. Creating standard procedures for everyday tasks makes it easier when helpers aren't working every day but perhaps only occasionally. Write up a checklist and keep it in a protective sleeve. Pull out the delegated checklists on the big day and hand each helper their assigned tasks. Assuming they have already learned the task- a cheat sheet couldn't hurt. 3. Assign tasks according to their strengths. One helper of mine will tell me every cupcake is soooo good. The other gives critical feedback on exact specifics on why one test batch was better than another. One helper can snap into hyper drive, staying focused and helping when the cupcake pressure is on. Another simply can't be rushed. Ever. Both are wonderful assets and make a good balance for our team. I try to thoughtfully assign tasks according to both skill and temperament. It's a learning curve for sure.

Being a cupcake team and a wife and mother to the same crew is a balancing act. I'm definitely learning on the job and would love any ideas that have, and have not, worked for you. Please do share your comments!

All photographs are by Richard Fusillo, taken at The Three Speckled Hens Vintage & Antique Show

Templeton, California

Fall 2009

Lindsay + Ian Wedding: Cupcakes at Castoro Cellars Winery

2009-11-15T07:16:00.000-08:00

Lindsay + Ian + Cupcakes

Castoro Cellars Winery, Paso Robles, California 2009

Dark Chocolate Merlot Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Buttercream

Blue sugar paste flower to match invitations with 6" cutting cake, just for the bride and groom.
www.AmyBakesCupcakes.com

all photography by and with permission from Ken Kienow. www.KenKienow.com

Cupcakes for an Elegant Evening in Paso Robles

2009-11-10T19:58:00.000-08:00

The city of Paso Robles is putting on an Elegant Evening with shops open late and holiday festivities to kick off the holiday season. Amy Bakes Cupcakes will be sharing cupcake delights at Sealed with a Kiss, fine stationers. Please come by and say hi!

Saturday November 15th, 2009

5pm to 8:00pm

Sealed with a Kiss

offering Amy Bakes Cupcakes

1313 Park Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Phone: 805.237.2645

Fabulous Fall Florals for Central Coast Weddings

2009-10-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

This year has surprised me with the number of Fall brides preparing for their weddings and wanting to use all of the rich hues of the season. Thanks for our mild climate, wedding season lasts into November on the Central Coast. I asked Erin McClellan of Sprigs N Things: Florals with Flair to share a few ideas for brides. She has knocked my socks off with these gorgeous Fall floral pieces! The descriptions and photography are Erin's, except where noted. Enjoy!

A collection of chocolate dahlias, flame calla lilies, bare grass loops, fiddleheads, cymbidium orchids and chocolate cosmos. This lovely bouquet is hand wrapped with a chocolate brown satin ribbon.

photo above by Johnathon of Bluephoto

A collection of flame calla lilies, circus roses, chocolate dahlias, curly willow and a touch of hypericum berries. Hand wrapped with a mocha satin ribbon.

This unordinary bouquet has an assortment of chocolate dahlias, celosia, hypericum berries, cymbidium orchids and asters. Hand wrapped with a chocolate brown satin ribbon.

These beautiful bridesmaids bouquets feature asiatic lilies, ranunculus, hypericum berries, tulips, kangaroo paw and italian ruscus. Hand wrapped with a spice colored satin ribbon. These bridesmaids bouquets compliments our orange bliss bouquet perfectly.

This bouquet is filled with tulips, flame calla lillies, ranunculus, hypericum berries, italian ruscus, galax leaves, and kangaroo paw. Hand wrapped with a chocolate brown ribbon. An extra special touch is the hankerchief incorporated into the bouquet.

An assortment of peach roses, flame calla lilies, hypericum berries and asiatic lilies.

Hand wrapped with a creme satin ribbon.

To see more work by Sprigs n Things and to schedule a consultation for your big day, please visit here. Be sure to stop by the gallery for gorgeous bouquets, centerpieces, and more florals with flair!

Amy Bakes Cupcakes at Avila Beach Concour d' Elegance

2009-10-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

A full day ocean side on the golf course. Beautiful weather, beautiful cars, and best of all- a huge and successful fundraiser for Hospice of San Luis Obispo County. I was honored to have Amy Bakes Cupcakes sharing cupcakes in the VIP tent alongside our fine Central Coast wineries like Jada Vineyard, Justin, Curtis Winery, Ancient Peaks, Sextant, Cass, Kenneth Volk, Baileyana, Cal Poly Vineyard, and many more. Olea Farm Olive Oil shared tastings as well. Their basil olive oil will be featured in an upcoming cupcake!

Menu:
Mini Salted Caramel
Mini Chocolate Merlot
a new half size cupcake for tasting in:
Blackberry Chocolate Port
Blueberry Shiraz

Tammi Heron (on the left, that's me on the right), the bell of the ball, pulled all of these fine wineries together for a fabulous VIP event to raise funds for Hospice of San Luis Obispo County.
My favorite part of the day? Working with my oldest son, Robin, who helped make it all happen I love you, son!

New Flavor: Blackberry Port Chocolate Cupcake from Amy Bakes Cupcakes

2009-10-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

Rich, chocolate cake baked with port wine, leaving a red wine chocolate combo flavor with none of the alcohol. Blackberry preserve filling, topped with blackberry buttercream and a sprinkling of chocolate jimmies. Sweet and simple dinner party dessert, birthday hoorah, or to top off your holiday fest!

Picking Daisies Handmade Napkins: Wedding Center Piece Idea!

2009-10-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

Picking Daisies is one of my favorite shops in San Luis Obispo. Run by three amazing sisters, they design, sew, and sell handmade cloth napkins. Hand picked fabrics are always fresh and gorgeous in a variety of colors. I love a mix of colors and prints but you can match them all if you'd like from the cocktail napkins, coasters, and full size dinner napkins. Generously sized

Looking for an easy, reusable centerpiece for your wedding? At just under $7 for the generously sized dinner napkin, consider investing in centerpieces for each of your tables in lieu of rentals. After the wedding you'll have a collection of cloth napkins to use and enjoy!
Green, budget conscious, and an easy way to add color or pull together multiple colors in your wedding.
Have you ever seen a mitered corner this neat made by hand? Neither have I. I have handmade napkins from the 60's and 70's that are still lovely. My collection of Picking Daisies napkins will be used and enjoyed by my grandchildren, I'm sure.

Read more about the story of Picking Daisies Napkin Shop here.

Picking Daisies
www.pickingdaisiesinslo.com
570 Higuera, suite 120
in the creamery
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.783-2434
Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday 11-6, closed Sunday, Monday
Center piece photographs by Henry Bruington San Luis Obispo, California

Poodle, Parakeets, and Peaches vintage embroidery patterns to print

2009-10-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

Vintage embroidery patterns have their own kind of charm. Just a few for you to print and create from my own collection. Enjoy!

Cupcakes for Sister Theresa

2009-09-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

What do you bring to a meeting with a lovely lady who goes by Sister Theresa? Cupcakes, of course!

Sister Theresa and I got together to chat about how June's 2009 Get on the Bus program went out here at CMC and how the cupcakes I made, with mucho help from my family, and delivered went along the day. She is in charge of making sure fourteen busses full of children (some grown children) and their helpers from all over California have as lovely of an afternoon with their fathers as she can provide. Over the course of Father's Day weekend, over 1000 people, residents of CMC and family members, celebrated a day together at California Mens Colony here in San Luis Obispo. Well, Sister T and a heck of a lot of volunteers. The cupcakes were a hit but next year I'll be gathering volunteers to make sure there is one for every one (I made 1,000 and could have shared 200 more!) gets a cupcake on that day.

Food is often the center of family get together's and celebrations. Cupcakes play a perfect part in this day. Next year, I'll be looking for volunteers to make sure every body gets a cupcake on

Fathers Day.

www.GetOnTheBus.us

Hello, Fall! New Maple Pecan Cupcake

2009-09-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

I wasn't really ready to let summer go. Then I put the final tweak on the new Maple Pecan Cupcake recipe and - woo hoo, hello, Fall! Maple pecan cake topped with a fresh pecan, light vanilla buttercream with one last drizzle of maple syrup. Say hi to your new neighbor before you have to have that talk about the barking dog-with cupcakes.

Fresh Corn and Basil Salad gluten free vegan recipe

2009-09-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

Fresh Corn and Basil Salad gluten free and vegan recipe
serves 4-6

5 ears sweet corn

¼ cup red onion, finely diced

¼ cut thinly sliced basil leaves

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1.Cook corn in boiling water just till crisp tender and the starch is off, approx. 3-5 min. Plunge in bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Cut from cob.

2. combine with remaining ingredients.

3. toss with dressing just before serving.

Dressing, whisk:

5 TBS good quality olive oil

3 TBS cider vinegar (for gf assured, make sure it's made from apples)

S & P to taste

Michele of Seasonal Custom Cuisine generously shared this recipe so we can make the most of the end of summer harvests. Michele provides custom cuisine for individuals, families, and small events. Using fresh ,local, and as much organic as possible, she creates delicious meals- delivered! Learn more about Michele and see her menus at www.sccdelivered.com

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes for Grown Ups

2009-09-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Birthdays are special. Cupcakes make them specialer.

Vanilla cake with chopped, deep dark chocolate. Fair trade, organic chocolate from Sweet Earth Organics and made here in San Luis Obispo. A light buttercream with just a bit more chocolate on top. These were made for the Fiftieth birthday celebration of Rick in San Luis Obispo.

Librarians Need Cupcakes, Too

2009-09-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I stopped by the San Luis Obispo public library to drop off twelve litte cupcake treats and one thank you note. Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. Here's a more complete list of twelve reasons why I love my library. Most of all, I love my librarians. I couldn't list everything they and our library have done, but just a few are:

1. Helped my complete over 150 hours of research for my business plan, finding resources I didn't even know existed. Have you talked to your Reference Librarian lately?

2. Has thousands and thousands of books, CDs, audio downloads, video games, magazine, DVDs, audio books, and more available, locally, and by request. From Santa Barbara to Bradley, I can request just what I need and have it within a couple of days.

3. I can listen to the lastest book on my IPod while baking- for free.

4. many, many modern books on crafts. Sure, the 1980 holiday craft collection, but tons of books right out of Craft magazine reviews, too!

5. Gluten free, vegan, understanding allergies resources! I taught myself and am always learning more about gluten free, vegan, and allergy sensitive baking from books at the library.

6. Trying to learning Spanish and adding Irish soon. The Pillsner series is over $300 new. All mine on CD for 3 weeks free, or online download, too!

7. When we had a medical scare (all ended well), I couldn't just wait a week for the doc to fit us in. Within 24 hours of requesting resources online, we had books to help understand and know what to ask doctors, tests to request, etc. from all over our area. Faster than Amazon- and only .50 each. Now that's a precious resource.

8. Movies, movies, movies! Foreign and fabulous, documentaries, History Channel, Food Channel, HBO Series, classics, family, modern big Hollywood hits...you name it.

9. Magazines. More choices than Borders even carries. They are pricey! But not if you check them out for free.

10. Online data bases for crazy cool research into just about anything.

11. Local events like Vegan Ice Cream tastings and Indepedant Film Screenings.

12. Making friends. Helpful and passionate about books, my librarians have actually cheered me on as I checked out book after book to learn and build my business. Thank you, friends!

www.SLOLibrary.org

Who would you like to say thank you to this week? Comment below or send me a note. I'd love to hear about it!

Cherry Bomb Mini Cupcakes

2009-09-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

These are delicous little morsels I made based on the recipe by Martha Stewart, Cherry Almond Mini Tea Cakes. I omitted the kirsch, substituted a fabulous Port, used fresh ground almonds, and added a few of my own tweaks. Teeny little bites of heaven! Oh, and yes, the cherries have been pitted, my dears.
52 Cupcakes posted the original recipe here on her blog. Give it a try for yourself. You won't be disappointed. If you enjoy the recipe, consider buying the book from your local book shop. Of course, I'm always happy to bake them up for you!

Three Speckled Hens Fall Antique Show!

2009-09-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

Three lovely ladies with a love for antique and vintage treasures have been putting on a fabulous show twice a year in Templeton, California. The Three Speckled Hens show draws a crowd from all over the West Coast!
Over thirty five professional exhibitors will be creating spaces to shop and enjoy. Not just booths, by any means, each space and collector has their own story to tell and they use their collected treasures to tell it. Shop among the exhibitors, take time to sit and people watch, and be sure to stop by the Coup Cafe for fresh, local eats from Seasonal Custom Cuisine, like this organic brown rice salad.

The Fall show is this coming weekend so gear up and get ready!

September 26th & 27th

10am to 4pm both days

$5 admission includes both days

early birds can get in at 9am on Saturday ($10 admission, includes both days)

http://www.threespeckledhens.com/

Here's a sneak peak at what Ruby Rose and Amy Bakes Cupcakes are putting together for our space...look for the pink trailor!

Organic Brown Rice and Chickpea Salad gluten free recipe

2009-09-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

1 cup short grain brown rice + 2 cups water

½ cup chickpeas

¼ cup each: corn, peas, diced celery, diced carrot, finely chopped parsley

1. Bring rice to boil in 2 cups water. Cover and lower heat to simmer for 50 min.

2. Remove from heat & let steam another 10 min. Fluff & cool.

3. While rice is cooking, prep other ingredients & make dressing.

4. Whisk or process dressing ingredients.

5. Combine with salad ingredients just before serving. You’ll probably have extra dressing, a bonus!

Dressing:

1 cup olive oil

3 TBS red wine vinegar

1 TBS Ume Plum vinegar (don’t leave out! Get at health food store)

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 minced garlic clove

1 TBS minced shallot

1 TBS Herbes de Provence or organic lavender ( Michele uses Paso Robles’ Central Coast Organic Lavender Farm’s blend)

Come see what Michele will be creating at the Three Speckled Hens Antique Show September 26th & 27th in Templeton, California.

Michele Knecht of Seasonal Custom Cuisine in Atascadero shared this fantastic salad recipe. It's one of my favorites and easy to make ahead. Michele creates custom cuisine (and delivers!) all over the Central Coast. She is especially passionate in meeting dietary needs while providing delicous meals made with care. See more of her work at www.sccdelivered.com

Dear Peach Helper Selfer plus tips

2009-09-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Peach Helper Selfer,
Well, I must admit Peach Thief came to mind at first. But nobody wants to be a victim so I've decided the peaches ( all 52 or so of them) are my gift to you. I wish you well in enjoying them. Since you are just as much of a peach fan as myself, you might already know these little tid bits. Just in case...

1. Don't eat the peaches you culled from the ground. That's one good way to get salmonella poisoning and I'm really not mad or wishing you ill.

2. Pretty smart to pick the not-so ripe fruit too, actually. Under ripe has more pectin, the key ingredient in making jam set up. When making your jam, peach I presume, but any fruit jam really, using a mix of perfectly ripe fruit and a few under ripe will help your jams and jellies set well.

3. To peel a peach easily for pies, jams, and picky kids, cut an X in the skin at the top where it clung to the branch. Plunge for just a moment into boiling water then take out and plunge into cold water to stop the cooking process. Skin will come up like a slip.

4. Since you are well stocked up, a few recipes that are sure to please:

Everyday Food Grilled Peach Melba

Peach Melba Freezer Jam (sooo easy!

Peach Sangria

and, of course, a peach cupcake.

So, next year, just ask. I will always share. Just maybe not every last one. Enjoy, my peach loving friend.

Avila Beach Barn Cupcake Wedding

2009-09-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

After months of planning, sharing, brainstorming, experimenting and expectation, the big day finally arrives. It is always a joy to walk in to the wedding site to set up cupcakes and see just how it has all come together. I was delighted to see so much handmade love and sweet touches there were to find at this Avila Beach barn wedding! The bride ordered a collection of mini cupcakes from me and had family make their signature dessert to share with guests. Love.

Cupcake Menu:

Bumblebee organic lavender with local honey

Chocolate Merlot with organic chocolate and Central Coast merlot

Raspberry Lemon using Meyer lemons from my tree and fresh raspberries

Looking for some handmade goodness to add to your wedding day? Take a peek at these projects and resources:

Martha Stewart shows you how to make your own Paper Pom Poms as shown hanging from these barn rafters
The Knot guide to Band VS Djs at your wedding
Handmade vellum table numbers for easy centerpiece
Polaroid guest book
Clothespin Escort Card Holders

Mari Robeson Home Trunk Show

2009-08-30T18:35:00.001-07:00

Oh, it has been such a fun summer! I'm a bit behind in sharing all the fun things and fun places. Sharing Amy Bakes Cupcakes at Mari Robeson Home fabric launch party and trunk show was definitely high on the list!
Mari Robeson is one talented lady and fabulous designer. You can pop by her shop in the village of Arroyo Grande and see her blog here. Among her many projects and talents, Mari has created a fabric line! She recently celebrated the launch with a trunk show featuring The Pleated Poppy and...Amy Bakes Cupcakes! So much handmade goodness was on display, I can only show a sprinkling here. Stop by Mari Robeson Home and The Pleated Poppy to see more of thier lovely creations.

Look who came to show their support for Mari (and give me a hug, too)?! That's me on the far left, then Ally of Sparx Candles, Colleen of Seven Sisters Design jewelry, and Jacky Lopez of Central Coast Womens Network. Three of my personal mentors of wonderful women in business!

Eve Cupcake with fresh fig filling

2009-08-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

Figs plucked right off of my tree, then chopped and folded into a fresh fig filling. This little cupcake will last as long as the fresh figs of the season- August and September, with a pinch of October if we're lucky. How do you like to enjoy your figs?

How To Make the Easiest Homemade Root Beer

2009-08-26T15:58:00.001-07:00

...or cheaters root beer, if you prefer. This fun project gives instant satisfaction, keeps kids involved, and takes about as long as instant pudding to make. Fifteen minutes, give or take. Perfect for the last day of summer, or a rainy day project.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups plain water

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons root beer extract (we preferred 3 teaspoons)

1 bottle (1 liter) sparkling water, also called seltzer

We used a 2 quart mason jar with lid and ring to keep our rotbeer from losing it's fizz. You can use a rinsed soda bottle pitcher with tight fitting lid. The canning jar worked great.

1. Bring plain water to a boil on medium heat. Add sugar and stir until dissolved (about 1 minute). Add root beer extract. Remove from heat and stir until well mixed.

2. Pour root beer syrup into the jar or container you'll be keeping it in. Let cool. 3. When the syrup has cooled, slowly pour cold sparkling water into the jar. Stir. Pour over ice and enjoy!

If your local grocery store doesn't have root beer extract, you can order Zatarain's root beer extract here. Have fun! I'd love to hear how your experiments work out. Did you like it with less sugar or find a natural sweetener substitute that worked well?

How to Create a Facebook Pay it Forward Note

2009-08-25T06:48:00.000-07:00

Look what came in the mail!! This sweet little pillow was handmade by Shannon just for me and part of a Facebook Pay it Forward. I am so tickled to be the owner. Love those happy cupcake smiles. Want to offer your own Pay it Forward?Create a Note in Facebook and post something like the following:

The first five people to comment on this note will receive something handmade by me! This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully: I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.- What I create will be just for you.- It'll be done this year (2009).- It will be something made in the real world and not something over the internet. It may be a mixed CD, or a pom pom caterpillar. It may be a felt mouse or a batch of the Best Cupcakes in the Whole World™ or an embroidered towel for your kitchen. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure! (not me either).Here's the fine print:In return, all you need to do is post this text into a note of your own and make five things for five others.

You could also choose to offer your goodies to five randomly chosen respondants, rather than the first five. I have no idea who first started the first round of giftie fun on FB, but Ms. April was the first I saw offering it. The most imortant part is to keep paying it forward. I'm off to post another Pay it Foward and keep this train movin'!

Little Bit of Spice Cupcake a new flavor

2009-08-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Fall isn't quite here but I'm getting excited about Fall flavors! Fresh, organic spices from Kirsten at The Secret Garden give these sour cream cupcakes a spicy kick that's just right. Topped with a light vanilla buttercream and one fresh raspberry, when in season.

Summer Craftin' with Older Kids

2009-08-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

When Liam asked, "Hey, Mom can you help me sew up this guy?" I leaped at the chance. Now that he is twelve, I'm not sure how many times I'll have the opportunity to say, "Heck, yes- let's get crafty!!". The cupcake hotline was turned off and we pulled out our crafty basics. Having made several of these little guys and creatures for some home made movies and crafting with since just about birth, he already knew the basics and did most of it on his own. The head proved a little tricky to hand sew so Liam stapled it on. Love it.

I came across a few more crafty finds for having fun with older kids...

Cup o Noodles handmade mini scrapbook for summer stories and snapshots.

Make your own pinhole camera at Simple Human.
Miniature Robots coloring book by Monster Gallery.
Photo Fun ideas gathered at Ready Made Magazine.

Make your own tattoos! Temporary tattoo paper is available at major office supply stores for easy printing at home.

Flowers, Friends, and Finds

2009-08-19T18:27:00.001-07:00

My dear friend Annie gave me these gorgeous sunflowers from her happy garden. Taking time to pick a big bunch while gathering the family as they headed over to enjoy an evening with us. Little things can mean so much. I found these flowery finds I thought you might like, too. Little, sweet things to enjoy:

A PDF tutorial to make your own fabric flower for hairpins, broochs, and whatever else you can think of. From FabricBoutique on Etsy.

Sprigs n Things! A one woman show and fabulous San Luis Obispo Florist. I never knew butterflies meant love until I saw this little bit of sweetness.

Make your own sunflowers to fill a room or decorate your wedding. Sunflower kit by Paper Source.

Star Wars inspired art in the background is by my youngest son, Mr. Liam Burnham.

Salted Caramel Cupcake

2009-08-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

All this talk of sea salt and sweets has me excited to share a new cupcake! Salted Caramel Cupcake or Salted Carmel Cupcake, if you prefer. Vanilla cake baked with creamy caramel sauce folded in. A light and not too sweet caramel sauce drizzled on top with just a pinch of sea salt sprinkled on top. Just enough sweet, just enough salty. Today on the mene at Granada Bistro and available every day through Amy Bakes Cupcakes.
So...are you are caramel fan or carmel fan?

A Cupcake Garden Wedding

2009-08-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

A Summer Garden Cupcake Wedding for Melissa & Ken

Menu:
Bumblebee lavender & honey
Fresh Blackberry Chocolate
Kahlua Orange with fresh oranges
Vegan Chocolate Covered Cherry
Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Strawberry Torte Cupcake

A garden wedding at Dalide Adobe gardens, San Luis Obispo, California. I was honored for Amy Bakes Cupcakes to create these little sweeties and absolutely delighted to have received an invitation to then join the guests in watching the ceremony and enjoying the reception.

It was a big day for cupcakes with two events and a few private parties, too. My Jeremy was up at four AM with me and right by my side in the cupcake mayhem of the whole day. Thirteen hours of baking, decorating, delivering, attending events, and enjoying one wonderful wedding of a lovely couple I was so lucky to have met and baked for. Now that's romance.

Shop for the Cure: Boutique Fundraiser is a Win, Win!

2009-08-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

Team Bonnie has been rockin' the fabulous events this summer. When faced with the prospect of raising the donations for this years Team in Training event for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, they decided to make giving fun instead of the usual letter requesting cash donations. Shop for the Cure boutique was a wonderful event that raised $1,300 towards their total goal!
Amy Bakes Cupcakes Chocolate Blackberry and Chocolate Merlot with sweet ballerina toppers were one of the treats and eats shared. Pink Shoppitini's were a fun offering for shoppers, too!

Stephanie, husband John, and daughter Ruby Hendry along with help from the whole team, gathered donations of clothes, accessories, furniture, and some lovely vintage finds. A natural stylist and creator of events extraordinaire, Stephanie pulled together so much more than the usual fundraising tag sale. It was a true event to be enjoyed while scoooping up deals n steals! Team Bonnie is making giving fun and gave their supporters much more in return.
Go, Team Bonnie, go!! See more of their upcoming adventures and how you can join in, visit here. From Team Bonnie website: In Memory of Bonnie Sue McKee Hoadley & in loving support to Bonnie's family Team: Laurie Brown, Ginny Carr, Marge Collins, Stephanie Hendry, Ginger Kibbe, Bonnie Marzio, Kristen Meisenheimer, Jenni Metzger, Nancy Rodgers, Heidy Shannon, Maurica Zimmerman

Summer Cupcake Wedding, San Luis Obispo California

2009-07-20T20:15:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite things about creating cupcakes for special days, is delivering. Surprise deliveries are always fun when they have no idea someone ordered cupcakes just for them and I get to be the one to create and deliver. Just because cupcakes, birthday cupcakes, thank you cupcakes- they are all so much fun!
Wedding cupcakes are something extra special. I just love being a tiny, sweet part of such a wonderful day. This lovely wedding was at The Flying Caballeros Ranch, just outside of San Luis Obispo with an incredible view of valley vineyards.
The bride ordered and decorated her own tower from Cupcake Tree in colors matching the wedding party. They added a tiny succulent garden to the top tier, saving the cutting cake I made for a sweet treat after the party.
Cupcake menu: Strawberry Jam Cupcakes with tiny leaf decoration, Mexican Hot Chocolate with an extra kick and dark chocolate, and Peanut Butter Kiss cupcakes. A three layer mocha cutting cake was also made just for the day but saved to enjoy after the guests have gone! It was a gorgeous wedding. So grateful to be a part of it!

Sweet Finds at Sunset Swap Meet and Drive In

2009-06-24T07:03:00.001-07:00

Sunset Drive In is one of about twenty drive in movie theaters still running in California. Always a double feature, always starts at dusk. Nachos with mystery cheese sauce and extra jalapenos, giant cokes, and hot dogs, and every kind of candy. And, yes, they do play the dancing snack commercial to remind us when to go the lobby..."and get ourselves a treat!". Just about perfect.

On Sunday mornings, Sunset Swap Meet takes over.
You have your regular sellers, those clearing out the garage, fresh fruit from the orange guy, cactus and every kind of pepper, fresh tamales, dates and succulents, every kind of plant and flower direct from local growers, along with vintage motorcycle parts, Our Lady of Guadalupe handbags, perfectly worn in jeans, a new-to-you seat for your Schwinn, Steve Madden heels that just might be your size, and have that spare key for the back door made while you are there- finally.
A lovely mix of things you want and things you need.

And the people? Worth the $1 admission price alone. From sellers to shoppers, regulars to those just passing through- I do love my swap meet folks! From every walk and every where. Lori Baker is shown with her son, Javi, and handpainted suitcases. Email her at lori.baker (at) hotmail.com to purchase. Tamale de Tono makes just about the best tamales around. Fresh horchata, too! You can order your own by calling 805.406.0471. Roman of Castaways resale shop in Morro Bay finds some treasures, too.

Where: 255 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo, California (805) 544-4475 When: Sunday mornings. Get there by 6am if you want a good spot to sell. Shoppers start at 5:30am (yes, really) but most come in with the sunrise. Just about over by 11am. How Much: $20 for a large space to sell ($40 for produce), $1 to walk in and shop

See you there!

Yelp about it and read what others are saying
California Drive Ins
Sunset Drive In movie times
Sunset Drive In on Facebook
Sunset Drive In swap meet page

Cheap-O Girls Night Out

2009-06-21T14:22:00.001-07:00

Chloe, Jamie, and I planned to meet up for an hour and catch up over coffee.
We started off at Linnea's Cafe for coffee and chats. $1.50 each
Then off to Oasis for fresh, handmade fries, onion rings, and little Pinot. $5 each
They no longer carry a liquor license and encouraged us to walk down the way to Sandy's to pick a bottle of white. They provided glasses and a bottle opener for us back at Oasis. No cork fee.
Back to Linnea's for more coffee. $1.50 each
Five hours later, we had brainstormed life goals, business plans, got caught up and had a ball! All for under 10 bucks! Love it.

Amy Bakes Cupcakes in the Press

2009-06-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

Eeeps!! So excited to open the New Times today and discover Amy Bakes Cupcakes in Strokes N Plugs! Hillary Grant, writer, contacted me after hearing about my cupcakes on Facebook. A few emails, a lovely face to face interview and follow up chats and here we are. I'm pleased as punch with her writing and the photograph by Steve E Miller. Tracy and I already had an appointment for a haircut and the cupcakes were just waiting to go to the Los Osos Chamber Mixer. Perfect.
Healing By Cupcakes, by Hillary Grant

MollieCakes Rose Petal Pistachio Cupcakes

2009-06-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

MollieCakes is named for Mollie. Like me, she often reaches out to touch you when talking to you. Unlike me, she didn't re-train herself to stop that habit, thankfully. Talking with Mollie is always a joy. Full of warmth, caring questions, and a calming presence. Eager to hear your story. Mollie shared a rose water pistachio candy from her native Iran with me towards the end of a long, trying day. Giving me a tiny gift on a day when I thought I was there to give only to her. Life isn't always sweet but tiny, tasty gifts can make it better.

An unusual combination of both scent and taste. Yet lovely. Absolutely lovely.

Rose water is a common ingredient in Persian cooking as well as Indian, North African, and parts of the Middle East. I've heard it's also used in some Italian regions. Made from distilled rose petals, it's surprisingly inexpensive. It can be hard to find. Do make sure it's food grade and not the one commonly used as a skin tonic. Check local markets and cakery shops. If all else fails, you can always order it online.
Bulgarian Rose Water
A few recipes to try:
5 Minute Dessert CousCous with Rosewater and Pistachio
Greek Rose Ice Cream
LA Times Recipe for Pound Cake with Rose Water

Vintage Embroidery Patterns: Foodie Fun

2009-06-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

I have hundreds of vintage embroidery patterns, collected over the years. They are just too wonderful not to share! Some I know the history of, some I don't. As far as I know, all are copyright expired and freely in the public domain. The written images are backwards as they were originally iron on. Please fee free to print and enjoy. Print any size you would like. If you share elsewhere, kindly link back to this blog post. Enjoy!
7 Smart Kitchen Decor Motifs for your embroidery pleasure. Kitschy kitchen goodness in fish 'n chips, cake 'n coffee, sail boats, ham, tractors, and more. I would love to see pictures of your work if you decide to use them!
For more vintage embroidery pattern goodness, see this Flickr pool, Hoop Love. And a few embroidery pattern mermaid lovelies, here.

Cheap Summer Fun on the Central Coast: Sinsheimer Pool

2009-06-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

What to do with a 12 year old and 17 year old on one of the first days of summer? Pool day! Robin invited Ms. Ali, his darling girlfriend and we all piled into his little hatch back. The mini van was in the shop getting an oil change so Robin drove us all to the pool. Liam and I were a little scared in the back seat but Robin got us there safe and sound.
I grabbed the basics: towels, sun screen, a book for mom, a few bucks, water, and a bag of fresh grapes and we were good to go. Total cost for our afternoon out and being together was $6, as I watched and cheered but stayed out of the pool.

Where: 920 Southwood Drive xst Laurel Lane, next to YMCA and the baseball field
When: June 15-Aug 21 1:45 to 4pm with a 10 minute break at 3:00 Cost: $2.00 youth/seniors $2.50 for adults who are swimming
They also offer monthly passes and punch cards. SLO YMCA members enjoy pool benefits.
What to Bring: We pack the basics only: towels, sunscreen, water, and snacks. They do have plenty of vending machines but we have an old family rule of getting treats from the machine on Friday visits only, left over from summers where every day was spent at the pool. Full shower facilities are available. No toys or floaties are allowed.

A high dive and traditional diving board. Shallow end and a separate pool for little tikes and excercise classes. Both pools are heated. Lap swimming, aqua aerobics, swimming lessons for adults and children...Sinsheimer pool has a lot to offer. Keep it cheap and have fun, too!

How to Make Smore Cupcakes

2009-06-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Graham is one of my favorite downtown people and I'm happy to get to chat with him just every day when I deliver cupcakes to Granada Bistro. He's heading off soon for a European bike tour and I've been working on "Graham" cracker cupcakes for the coming week. First was the Smore Cupcake, served today. Perfect for the start of summer. Make your own and be the bell of the BBQ!

Ingredients:
1. Chocolate Cupcakes: use your favorite recipe. Try Martha's one bowl chocolate cupcakes, Joy of Baking, or Food and Wine's recipe winner. Or use a mix- I won't tell!

2. Fluffy Marshmallowy Buttercream
Beat 2 sticks of butter in a large bowl. Beat in 1 1/2c powdered sugar, 1/2c at a time. When well blended, beat in 13oz jar of Jiffy marshmollow fluff. Do not over mix. Tada!
*add 1 more stick of butter for sturdier cream or try 1tsp of cornstarch for less stickiness.

3. Crush one package of graham crackers.

4. Chop Hershey bar into squares.
You are almost to Smore cupcakes!

Assemble:
1. When cupcakes are completely cool, I mean it now. Get impatient on this and you'll be sorry. Top with marshmallowy buttercream. Sprinkle with crushed graham cracker. Top with Hershey chocolate square. Eat and enjoy! Think about sharing, too. Just think about it.
Have a cupcake concept you'd like me to make into a cupcake? Please comment below and I'll see what I can create and share!

More Smore Cupcake goodness:
Foodbeam.com
Food and Femininity
A Home Makers Habitat- she even toasts her marshmallowy topping!
Sew Darn Cute has a Smore Cupcake recipe of her own that's just a tad different- check out her lovely blog and Smore Cupcake here.

Thrift Store Scores: UVS Thrift Shop

2009-06-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

The Central Coast is full of fabulous thrift stores. Each one offers something different. I've been thrifting all over the Central Coast since I was 12. It's time to share the big scoop. This will be the first of many posts on thrift stores in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, and all over the Central Coast. Buying from thrift shops is green, economical, and generous as your $$ usually goes to something pretty darn worthy. It just makes sense. Plus it's fun. As you find more and more of your own thrift scores, you'll see what I mean. It's a bit addicting!

Where: UVS Thrift shop is 474 Marsh St # E (805) 543-1545, right next to San Luis Fish and BBQ.
When: Monday to Friday 10-4 Saturday 12-4 Closed Sundays
Who: United Voluntary Services assists veterans, our local women's shelter, and many, many under served communities on the Central Coast.

Lupe, Mary, and Pat: UVS volunteers. Many of these volunteers have been "working" here for 15 years or more!

I popped by today and found a few new lovelies for $6.75!
1. Lemon Yellow vintage pocket book for summer $1.75
2. Love is a Mixed Tape hardback .50
3. An old notebook with a coffee ring and yellowed pages- a treasure to me! .50
4. Fabulous shoes. So fabulous, the previous owner never wore them yet kept them for the last 40 years. $2
5. The Skatalites on CD. I'll be dancing up a storm tomorrow at 5am while whippin' up those cupcakes! $2
Detail to prove how fabulous these shoes are. I'm saving them for a project as I'm sooo not a size 6 1/2.

Links you might Love:
Vintage Handbags on Flickr
Review of Love is a Mixed Tape
International Society of Altered Books
The Skatalites are at the library, too!
The History of Shoes

Next Thursday I'll post another local thrift store and my score. Happy hunting!

Hamster Care and Sweet Husbands

2009-06-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

I must have been born to be a baker because getting up at 4am works well with my body clock. My pet hamster, Sheila, was usually up too and we kept each other company as I checked email and started the coffee before heading out. Evenings, she got up and ran around, letting us hold her and give her treats. She didn't like her ball so we bought a little hamster play pen for her. That was still not enough so we used it as a hamster gate and fenced off our living room. Happy as a clam with all of that room to run! Ms. Sheila passed away this morning and I miss her already. My dear husband set up a little grave for her and even read a poem at her funeral today. I miss her. I've been crying. A lot. But I fell in love with my husband all over again today after I met him at the persimmon tree as requested and saw this:
Where he said a few sweet words and read a little poem in honor of my Sheila, the hamster.

So, if you think you could love a half pint fur ball like my sweet Sheila, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Hamsters are nocturnal. Don't be surprised if your hamster takes a nip at Johnny when he tries to hold her at 2pm. They don't bite hard, and I've never heard of them breaking skin. But do keep that in mind if choosing a pet for a child under 6.

2. Like all of us, hamsters need a balanced diet. A bag of pellet food won't quite cut it. Nutritious blends of nuts, grains, and balanced pellets are available- even at most grocery stores. With fresh treats, too. Be sure to clean out their stash often as they like to hoard. I like Nutriphase Gold.
3. Their teeth grow constantly. Keeping a twig (fruit trees are safe), block of wood, or dog biscuit in the cage gives them something to gnaw on to keep them a healthy length.

4. Give them good bedding. Cedar shavings and anything scented are a no no. Sheila loved Carefresh which goes on sale quite often.
5. Hamsters live alone. Unless you are experienced in breeding do not get them a buddy to keep them company. Hamsters are happy little loners and will fight long and hard with the "friends" you might choose for them.

6. Plastic cages with crazy tubes can be great fun for your hamster but really hard to clean and pretty darn pricey at that. Homemade tubes and empty toilet paper tubes are a blast for your little fur ball and free, too!

There's a bit more to it but these are the basics that not every hamster kit tells you. Please read this short and sweet article by the ASPCA for a more important guidelines and the care of your pet hamster. Here's to happy hamsters!
Hamster Care by the ASPCA

Mermaid Pin Ups vintage embroidery pattern

2009-05-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

I have been going through my vintage embroidery collection and slowly adding more to The Peach. These cheery mermaids are one of my favorites! Just enough pin-up sass, still sweet enough to stitch up and give to your mother in law. Please feel free to print and stitch up this little fishy beauty. You can find the whole set here.

What Makes a Red Velvet Cake

2009-05-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

On the menu today at The Granada Bistro by Amy Bakes Cupcakes are the classic Red Velvet Cupcakes!

Red velvet cake has a mysterious history, claimed by some to of come from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York or perhaps even Canada. It is most popular in the Southern United States and they have claimed it as their own. Remember the armadillo grooms cake in the movie Steel Magnolias?A true red velvet cake must contain cocoa. Using lots and lots of red food coloring but omitting the cooca does not a red velvet cake make. Just enough to add to the rich, red color and give the cake it's signature flavor, but not enough to be a chocolatety cake. Recipes vary from 2 Tablespoons up to 1/4 cup. Buttermilk and cider vinegar are believed to react with the coloring to create the deep red velvety brown color, if you are not using the Dutch processed cocoa. Food coloring, which can be made from boiled beets, does the rest.

Cream cheese frosting is my personal favorite and the one most often requested top red velvet cupcakes. Buttercream and simple cooked flour frostings (butter roux icing) are also used.
For more history and info on Red Velvet Cake, read this wonderful NY Times article on Red Velvet Cake.

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

2009-05-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

Breakfast is not my favorite meal of the day. A cup of tea or SLO Roasted Hazelnut coffee is about all I can do. But on days when I start at 4am and keep on truckin' till bedtime, skipping breakfast is not a good idea. I started boiling up 4 or 5 on Sunday and grabbing one with a piece of fruit every morning for an instant breakfast. Perfect.

Perfect hard boiled eggs are as so easy to create. No more grey yolks. These eggs come out moist and full of flavor every time! Try it once, then tweak to create the texture you like. Soft boiled: minus 2 minutes. Firmer yolk: plus 2 minutes.

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs:
1. Layer eggs on the bottom of a medium saucepan in a single layer. Cover with an inch or two of water. Do not cover.

2. Bring to a boil on medium heat. As soon as the water begins to boil, cover and remove from heat.

3. Let sit for 14 minutes. Drain off water and plunge into a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. Done!

Martha says 12 minutes but I need pretty firm hard boiled egg for making deviled eggs, tossing in salads, etc. Play with it and you'll find your perfect timing. Keep these babies in the fridge and eat up within seven days.

A few recipes to try:
Nicoise Salad by Elise
Simply Yummy Potato Salad
Fancy Deviled Eggs

How to Make Roasted Vegetables

2009-05-19T05:01:00.000-07:00

I love our farmers markets. Here in the Central Coast of California, there is a farmers market somewhere close by every day of the week (and sometimes more). You always see a familiar face or two, and you get to know your farmers. They often have a recipe to share and always know the best pick of the day.
I have a bit of an obsession lately with roasted vegetables. Maybe because they are so incredibly flavorful or it could be that they are so darn easy. This is how I make mine:

1. Preheat over to 400.

2. Wash and prepare vegetables.
Carrots: buy spray free and just chop off the greens. Peel if buying non-organic.
Tomatoes: slice in half and place skin up
Beets: just chop off the top, although I love to leave some of the stalk. rinse well as they grow in sandy soil
Broccoli: chop into florets (this is my family's favorite way to eat broccoli)
Onions: peel and quarter
and the list goes on. I haven't met a vegetable I didn't like roasted!

3. Place on rimmed baking sheet. I prefer Pampered Chef stoneware. Your metal or glass 9 x 13 pan will work just fine. Line with aluminum foil for easy clean up.

4. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh ground pepper.

5. Place in oven on second rack down from the top for about 45 minutes, depending on the water content of each vegetable.

Done! You can top your pizza, make a sandwich (divine with goat cheese and herbs), blend and freeze to use a flavorful soup base, or just serve it up as an easy and flavorful way to enjoy your veggies. Enjoy!

More resources:
find a Farmers Market in your area
Farmers Markets and CSAs on the Central Coast of CA
SLO Veg: delivering locally grown produce and goods to your front door

Make Your Own Envelopes

2009-04-14T04:21:00.000-07:00

Though I rarely actually read the articles, I love magazines. It's the ads and photos that I devour. Those slick, glossy pages of color get me ripping up my mags and clipping my favorite bits to be treasured and shared, pasted to bill envelopes or postcards mailings. Here's a simple project to make your own envelopes. You can make cards from cardstock or just fill your envelope with tiny paper bits- photos, a funny comic, the ticket stub from the last great movie you saw...

Gather Supplies:

1. Paper

I use magazines but fancy cardstock, wrapping paper, maps, scrapbooking paper, newsprint and more are all options.

2. Scissors

Dollar Tree has super sharp scissors that last forever and you won't cry when they get lost.

3. Glue stick

Elmer's classic glue stick is the best. It tends to not pucker the paper.

4. Envelope Template

Carefully open an envelope you like the shape of or download one of Ruth Anns.

5. Ball Point Pen

A stylus is best for fine papers and cardstock but you need a pen to see the line on magazines.

Craft:

Trace your template onto magazine pages, after tearing from mag, and cut out.

Be sure you flip your cut-out envelope over before folding and gluing so your favorite side ends up on the outside.

Fold the side flaps A & B in first, using your nail to make a sharp fold.

Run glue stick on top of flaps A & B and fold large, bottom flap C up, pressing to seal to side flaps. Fill with love notes. When you're ready to seal, fold the smaller remaining flap down and seal with glue, a sticker, or use a return address label. Use another white lable on the front to address. Have a question or have a suggestion on this tutorial? Email me. amybakescupcakes {at} gmail.com Republished from my old crafty blog of 2006