hodges hedgehog birthday brag

So, I will soon be blogging about much more than just my client images. It was in my plans over a year ago when I redesigned my site. As you may have noticed, this is the first non-client post ever :) The 'bragging' part of the title is not bragging on my mess of a cake, but bragging on my Quincy. She specifically requested chocolate cake (which I never make for birthdays) because her Aunt Savannah doesn't like white cake. This request made my heart just a little mushy. Then, while opening gifts, Q let the littles open her gifts for her = more mush!
At least 3 times a year (once for each child's birthday) I bake and decorate a cake. As you can see, I am no professional, but I enjoy making them for the kids. It doesn't take much to impress or satisfy them when it comes to cake. Quincy requested hedgehogs, so we ended up with a woodland theme.
Hedgehogs: doughnut holes with sprinkles and mini chocolate chips for the eyes and nose.
Edible Acorns: mini Nutter Butters, Hershey Kisses and mini chocolate chips
Banner: Target dollar shop, then I added the felt leaves from another banner also purchased from Target
Mini Sparkly Banner: Hobby Lobby
Wood design plates: Target
Leaf napkins: Target
Non-edible mushrooms: Hobby Lobby
Wood stump Cake stands: cut by my dad and step-dad :)

This image is of the apron that my Grandma Jean made for me. It hangs in my kitchen as a remembrance of her. As I was taking some shots of the cake I turned and noticed how it played well with the colors and textures of the party. Made me smile :)

Magic!

I was asked to speak at a monthly Hickory Co. 4-H meeting..I reluctantly obliged, although this was completely out of my comfort zone. Reluctant because I don't really care for speaking in front of people, and reluctant because it's nearly impossible to articulate what I do. So, in the end I didn't really articulate at all..I ended up 'showing' them what I do. I start with a vision..or an idea of what I want to accomplish: In this case, I was inspired by the redbud blooms that had been popping up all over the countryside. But of course, when the forecast was rain, rain and more rain during the days prior to my presentation..and all I had was one evening to take some shots..I could not find a beautiful grove of redbud trees. What I did have was one little tree..barely left from the frost..in my not-yet-landscaped backyard. You don't always need a perfectly beautiful picturesque landscape to come up with a bright, fairy-like, whimsical image...

above is the wide shot of the surroundings..you can just barely see the "beautiful" redbud tree..

What I captured out of all that mess..not too shabby eh?