Pokemon Birthday Cake

This cake was created for my friends at college. It's a welcome back to school and a birthday cake for those who had their birthday's during the summer months (which in my circle of friends is a lot). I know that the pokemon chosen seem random. However, they each were chosen because they represent the looks and/or personality of each of my friends.

This is my sister and I's first attempt with fondant, so I think it turned out well. We made our own marshmallow fondant because from what I've read is that it's much cheaper and tastier. It tastes like vanilla marshmallows. To add color we used gel food coloring. Here's the fondant recipe we used. We are very happy with the final result. I just hope I can transport it to school in one piece. The total cost of the cake was around $18 dollars.

Here's the back view
We constructed the figures from a batch of Rice Krispie treats. Each one was covered in colored fondant, we colored it with food color gel (try not to use the liquid food coloring because it will alter the consistency of the fondant and make it too watery).

For the grassy knoll, we use three boxes of cake mix. The buttercream recipe and frosting tip (the ones we used to make the Tribble cupcakes) were used to create the grass. The frosting grass was used to cover our not to perfect fondant cake covering. Still, I think it adds a lot of charm to the pokecake.

More marshmallow fondant was used to add Pokeballs, berries and other details.

After a three hour and 11 minute journey to school with a cake on my lap. (I had my car packed with my school things, so there was not really another option) we finally ate it. Here are some photos of my friends enjoying their pokecake. Happy Birthday to my buddies. I love them.

Everything's HunkyDorky,

Sponzar

Okami Latch Hook Rug

This rug was created as a birthday present for my great friend and college room mate who just adores the game. If you haven't heard about it, you should check it out. It's a game with unique style and a lot of charm. The rug is about 21/2' long and 3' wide. I really wanted to make her an Okami carpet for her new room in our on campus apartment and this was the cheapest way I could find. The total cost of the project was around 25 dollars. It really is simple, but time consuming. I rushed to get it done in time for the start of the school year (done in about two weeks), so the process was not as enjoyable as it could have been. I also ran out of orange yarn near the end, so I had to go back to store. I bought the wrong shade of orange and had to go back again. That was fun. Any who...

Here's what I used to make it:

• Blank latch hook canvas (purchased at a local craft store for 10 bucks and cut down to the desired size)
• Permanent marker(s)
  
• Latch Hook
  
• Scissors
• clear thread
  
• Wool 0r Acrylic Yarn of need colors cut down to lengths of 2"
  
• Cardboard for rolling and cutting yarn
• Rubber cement
• Scotch guard

So to start I drew out on my design onto the canvas using black and red sharpies. Make sure you put it down on a white surface that you can clean. I used my tile floor and cleaned it off with that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (that thing works wonders). Also leave about an inch boarder from each side to fold under later.

If you are not artistic you could use the grid method to transfer you design.

Now to the latch hooking.
Here's a video on how to do it. I had to have someone show me how to do it. I couldn't figure it out with just the picture directions. So if you need a visual demonstration here you are.

Repeat, A LOT.

Here's a gif of my progress:

I took a picture about every day (missed a coulpe though).
When you are finished latch hooking, you want to flip it over and use the rubber cement to seal up the back as best as you can. Make sure you do this in a well ventilated area.
Fold the bare canvas sides in and sew them down using thread.
Now you even out the yarn in the front using scissors.
Last, spray it with scotch guard to help protect it from getting dirty.

You should be warned that this type of rug is decorative, it will get trashed pretty easily. So treat your new custom rug with great care. If don't want to risk ruining it, you could use it as a wall hanging instead.

Everything's HunkyDorky,

Sponzar

Hello Kitty Cookies and then some...

\My sister loves Hello Kitty, so we made some cookies and a cookie cutter. For these I wanted to go for taste over looks. If you want to make them more attractive, you could use royal icing, instead of the canned frosting. They would turn out smoother and more professional looking.
Here's my custom cutter.
If you want to know how to make them, check out this post.

I'm not a fan of the sugar cookie. (I know I'm weird right) So I like to experiment with other types of roll out cookies. For these, I used a peanut butter roll out dough. They tasted great.

So now for decorating your kitties.

Gather some red, yellow and brown M&Ms.

You want to cut the yellow and brown in half.

In these pictures I feel like a candy dealer.
(Which is, when I think about, not really a bad thing.)For the bows pipe on the laces and apply a red M&M to the middle.Add her cute little face with you M&M halves. Just so you know, I really wanted to add whiskers using black shoestring licorice. However, apparently its like the Mewto of the candy world. I looked high and low for them, but the only place I could find them was the internet.

So in the end, I decided that the whiskers were not really needed. I didn't see the point of buying a 9lb bag of a candy that I don't enjoy eating and would peel off the cookie anyway. However, if you can find the elusive devils somewhere or you like them, by all means make your Hello Kitties more recognizable. Happy Dorky Baking.

Also, HunkyDorky reader Rachel Price, sent me these wonderful cookies that she made for her friends. I'm sure she will be worshipped for these amazing dorky cookies. They include PacMan, Inky & Pinky, "Red Velvet Red Ring Of Death" Cookies, Cinnamon Mario Stars, "Play-Doh Maddness" Sugar cookies. Thanks for sharing Rachel! I also like the empty wine bottles in the background. It looks like she had a really good time baking these treats.
*wink wink*

Everything's HunkyDorky,
Sponzar

Terminator Converse Sneakers

I would like to thank the awesome Geek Crafts once again, for featuring this craft. It is a true honor and they definitely get the HunkyDorky seal of approval.

Well I lied to you, they're not really converse brand. I used knock offs from the department store, since I knew I was going to be doodling on them. Terminator 2 is high up on my list of all time favorite films. I must say that the Third film is on the bottom of said list. I know I've watched it, but all I can remember is that there is a chick terminator in it. (I think that's a bad sign) So with that I had to celebrate it. I put the logos of the two opposing forces from the films on the sides of my shoes. I used the same technique as I did with the x files back pack.

The right shoe has the Resistance symbol, the Red Double Helix.

The left shoe has the Skynet logo.

I tried to make stencils at first, but the designs were too intricate and small for me to cut out. So I drew and painted them on. I just love my new hi tops, I think I'll wear them until Judgment Day. Or until the T-1000 shows up and I chuck them at him in terror.

Everything's HunkyDorky,
Sponzar

Tardis Ipod Case

This is what I had to make after watching all of BBC's new Doctor Who series in about two days. I really feel like I missed the boat on this great sci fi series for way too long (I've only saw a few episode before). I just love it. It's really original TV.
Thanks to my Doctor Who over indulgence I was inspired to make a Tardis case for my ipod nano. Now it's nice and safe in the blue box. Firstly I would like to state, I've not sewn since six grade homec class. I wasn't very good at it then either. My mom was a wonderful help with this. I think my inspiration took over my inability. It's a good project for beginners (like me).

My favorite feature of my new Tardis case is this:

The Doctor is In.
It glows inside when my ipod is on! I didn't discover
this until about half way through making it. It made me very happy.

I just love it's quirky homemade charm.

So if your interested in your own, this is how it came to be.

Supplies

• blue, black, yellow, white fabric (I used felt that costed 30 cents a piece, I would recommend something of better qualilty now that I made mine)
  
• matching thread
• needle
• fabric glue
  
• pins
  
• fabric scissors
• ruler
  
• cardboard
• velcro for fabric
  
• ipod
  
• keychain

I started with a quick sketch.

New I placed my ipod on the felt about 3/4" away from both sides and cut it down.
Then I folded it to create a pocket.

Pin the pouch in place.Sew up the sides and remove the excess with scissors.Now you want to create the front of the Tardis. I measured the center
point and drew out my design using a ball point pen.Cut out the windows and sign.

Glue white felt inside top of the case.

Use dark blue thread to add your window panes to your Tardis.Use felt covered cardboard to create the top and a piece of black felt for the top sign.
When covering the cardboard make sure to leave excess on the bottom to attach it to your case. Now create a strip of yellow for the inner lining of your case.
Add the key chain and the farbic velcro (I had to sew mine on).On a side note my sister made cupcake cakeballs for our friend's birthday party. I thought she did a fine job so I thought I'd post them. If you would like the recipe you can find it here.

Thanks for reading and good day to all.

Sponzar