Country Hearts at Home

End of the Year Sale!

2011-12-26T12:27:00.000-08:00

It's an End of the Year Sale

Cotton Berry Fabrics

and

Cotton Berry Quilts!

Wonderful precut fabrics

Delicious Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, Honey Buns...

and

Cozy homemade quilts, bags, table runners...

Save 10% on your total purchase.

Simply go to each shop and enter the coupon codes

given in shop announcements.

Sale ends January 31, 2011

Cotton Berry Fabrics

and

Cotton Berry Quilts

Happy New Year!

Christa

Memorial Day Sale at Farmhouse Qults!

2011-05-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!

I have been busy at home creating new

quilts and pillow covers for Spring and Summer.

And...

I am having a picnic time sale!

15% off your total purchase in my shop.

Enter coupon code PICNICTIME

at the time of checkout.

Here are some new additions to Farmhouse Quilts

Sweet Pickins

A fun picnic time quilt for Spring or summer!

Oasis

Shabby Chic quilted Pillow cover

And...

Zoo Babies

Fat Quarter bundle

Perfect for a baby girl quilt.

(quilt coming soon to my shop)

Hope you all stop by

Farmhouse Quilts

click on Farmhouse Quilts to visit my shop

Sale ends May 31st!

Warm Country Blessings...Christa

Farmhouse Quilts!

2011-04-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy for the last few months

starting a new Etsy shop called

Farmhouse Quilts

click above to visit

Yes, busy as a bee

trying to fill up my shop with handmade

quilts and yummy pre-cut fabrics.

Want to take a peek?

Click on picture to see more

I just added this one to my shop this morning.

The fabric is called Gypsy Bandana by Michael Miller.

click on picture

This one is a generous size, also called a lap quilt

for two or a twin coverlet.

I just love the fabrics in this collect called Lilac Hill.

click on picture

My first quilt I put in my shop is a quilt

with some wonderful fabrics by Moda called

Oasis.

This one is sold but I just had to share it with you.

Click on picture

Pillows covers are also on the menu.

And...a friend added a wonderful mini quilt

to boot. Take a look at this one, it's adorable.

Click on picture

I hope you enjoy your visit to

Farmhouse Quilts!

Go here to visit

Warm Country Blessings...Christa

Perfect Day For Pictures

2011-02-26T15:23:00.000-08:00

Hello friends,

Today was a beautiful day here in Tennessee so, my sister and I decided to photograph one of our new dresses for our shop. After having a tornado sweep over our backyard Thursday night, it was a breath of fresh air to have a bright sunny day.

Here's a little something to make you smile :)

You can see the listing for this dress here

Garland Of Grace

Have a blessed weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Cassaundra Mae

Pura Bella

2011-02-23T19:37:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I received a

wonderful e-mail saying that I won a

giveaway at

Pura Bella

click above to visit her Etsy store

This is what I won...

A delicious Honey Almond Shampoo

and Body Bar!

No, it's not for eating but just the name

alone sounds wonderful, don't you think?

Here is something else she offers...

A three month soap of the month subscription.

Wouldn't this make a great gift for someone who

has everything?

You can also visit Alisha's blog at:

Pura Bella Naturals

Here you can read her profile about

her Home based business.

Enjoy your visit at Pura Bella

Christa

Giveaway at Mountain Home Quilts

2011-02-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

Those of you who know me,

know that I have been home schooling for

a very long time. So when I learn of

someone beginning their journey of

educating/discipling their children at home, I get

very excited and I just want to support

them anyway I can.

Heather at Mountain Home Quilts has a story

to tell about her decision to home school

and to boot, she's giving away a book that

I've had my heart set on for awhile now.

Mountain Home Quilts

click above to learn more about the giveaway

Here is the wonderful book she's giving away!

Enjoy your visit at Mountain Home Quilts

Christa

Think You Can't? Think Again!

2011-02-06T14:40:00.000-08:00

I can do all things through Him

Who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Hi Friends, I was visiting

Pleasant Home

and I saw this video on her blog.

I just had to share it with you all.

Stay warm and cozy...Christa

Snow Ducks

2011-01-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

There is something about ducks that I love.

I could watch them all day waddling around, honking

their horns...

Knowing that I love ducks, my friend Hannah sent

over a picture of hers playing in the snow this

morning.

Photograph by Hannah Burton

of A measured Gift

Too cute!

Do you all like ducks?

Christa

Thank you Hannah, you made my day
special.

A Kitty Cat, Cardinal and a Little More Snow!

2011-01-21T11:29:00.000-08:00

Welcome Friends!

The Lord blessed us with a little more snow

last night. It was so beautiful and something

we just did not experience while living in

California. So a few flakes here and there and

were are like little kids at an amusement park for

the first time.

Something I do not see much of here in Tennessee

are decorative flags. I bought this one a couple years ago

and haven't put it up until now.

I just love it.

I also love red cardinals, something
I never saw in California.
I'm not very good at photographing
live ones, so here is one that would not
fly away when I came close enough to take
a picture.

We cannot own any cats because of allergies
so this is the next best thing to having
one of these furry guys around.

However, I don't think he would make
a good mouser, a necessity here in the
country.

What is the weather like in your neck of the woods?

Have a wonderful weekend my friends
and be sure to stay warm and cozy,

Christa

It's Over...

2011-01-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

Sadly, our snow man is fading away.

But, we shall see him next year, hopefully.

He's had quite the blow on his left side.

We are thankful for the few days the

Lord has given us to enjoy the snow.

Cassaundra Mae

Country Girl Sale

2011-01-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

It's time for another Country Hearts sale!!!

Visit our Etsy store and enjoy 25% off your

whole purchase. We are making room for more

country items, including handmade quilts,

book purses...

Simply enter

COUNTRYGIRLSALE

in the coupon code area.

Click Here to Start Shopping

Christa

Snow!

2011-01-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

Giveaway at Practical Simplicity

2011-01-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends!

My dear friends over at Practical Simplicity

are having a wonderful giveaway to start the New Year.

Not only are they having this giveaway, but

many more throughout the month

of January. Isn't that sweet of them?

Visit their blog to learn more

about the book

Health for Godly Generations and their

giveaways.

Happy New Year!

Christa

Love the Church and Gospel-Centered Marriages

2010-12-15T07:14:00.000-08:00

We are home from our trip to North Carolina

and I'm still reflecting on all that I learned

from the "Love the Church" conference.

What really stood out to me the most

was that the gospel was preached throughout

the whole weekend.

Jesus Christ was the center of

all that was taught.

You can order the conference on CD or MP3,

just go here to order.

Next year, the topic will be:

Gospel-Centered Marriages

Go here to learn more about this

conference.

Early bird registrations are being

accepted right now until December 18th.

Okay, so I had to leave you with a picture.

You know I'm a very visual person, so I leave

you with this Dresden Plate Barn Quilt.

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Love the Church

2010-12-06T17:27:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends!

I thought I would let you all know

that I'm still here,

but

we have guests here from California

and we are all about to head out to:

A Conference in North Carolina.

I will be back next week

and I hope to be able to share what

is happening at Country Hearts.

Have a wonderful week.

Warm and Cozy Country Blessings,

Christa

Thanksgiving Day Sale at Country Hearts!

2010-11-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

from the Smith Family!

(Red and White Gingham Country Hearts Apron)

We are offering 20% off any purchases

made in our Etsy store

starting today. This will only
be offered to my followers and
anyone who comes to visit my
blog.

The sale runs from

Wednesday, November 24th

through

Saturday, November 27th at Midnight.

Use coupon code at checkout:

HAPPYTHANKSGIVING

Please click here to start shopping

Be sure to check back throughout the week

since we will be adding more items.

(Morning Coffee Cup Pincushion)

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

***This sale also includes the custom

painted barn quilts and custom sewn

aprons. However, if these items are needed

for gift giving, please e-mail me to make sure

they can be ready for Christmas since they

are made to order. Also, to receive the discount

price, all details of custom orders must

be finalized and paid for by

November 27th at Midnight.***

Budding Young Entrepreneurs and a Treasury

2010-11-19T15:26:00.000-08:00

I know I have been talking a lot

about Etsy lately, but I just want

to share a couple of things.

First, I know a couple of budding

entrepreneurs who are very good

friends of mine and they

just launched their Etsy shop.

You can visit their profile here.

These two young ladies are

on a journey to learning how

to run a small business from

their home under the tutelage

of their Father and Mother.

I'm so proud of them and I

hope you will visit their shop

and take a look around.

Introducing:

A Measured Gift

Next!

Take a look at this bundle of

sweetness

If you have never visited an Etsy

treasury before, here is your

opportunity to do so.

I put together a group of favorite items

and placed them in a treasury for

others to view. My theme was

Life is Sweet, Don't You Think?

The challenge was that I could not

feature any of my own items, only

items from other shops. I'll tell you,

I learned there are some very talented

people out there. I am amazed at

the creativity that some have.

I hope you will visit my treasury and

HOME SWEET HOME

2010-11-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

For every house is built by someone,

but the builder of all things is God.

Hebrews 3:4

Today my husband took me to his place of

employment to take pictures of my quilt blocks.

His company restores old historical buildings in

Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky...

Old barns are carefully disassembled and are

either re-assembled or re-purposed for other

old buildings or turned into beautiful hardwood flooring.

The picture above is one of the many log cabins

that he is selling.

This is one of my newest quilt blocks for

our Etsy store.

For someone's

Home Sweet Home

My signature, the needle, thread and

the unfinished quilt.

I think this place would make a great

guest house or craft room.

Of course once it's finished off.

What would you use this log cabin for?

Have a great Lord's day tomorrow,

Christa

A Fall Wedding Cake

2010-11-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love weddings?

Autumn is a great time to get married

with all the beautiful colors to choose

from.

My friend Heidi was married today and

this is the cake I made for her.

She picked out whites, creams and mocha for

her colors.

She has great taste in color don't you think?

Chocolate cake with mocha chocolate

butter cream filling,

Carrot Cake with cream cheese filling

and

white cake with delicious raspberry filling

are waiting inside this giant sweet treat.

The cake waiting anxiously to be delivered

and set up.

Heidi is now Mrs. "W"

Now for her cake top.

So Sweet!

Best wishes Mike and Heidi!

Blessed Femina is Two Years Old!

2010-11-05T06:08:00.000-07:00

If you have not already discovered

Blessed Femina,

go for a visit and meet Miss Jen.

Blessed Femina was one of the first blogs I followed

when I started Country Hearts.

Her love for the Lord shines bright through

everything she posts. I hope you will

stop by and see what she has to share.

Oh, and did I mention she's having a giveaway?

Well, back to my kitchen where I'm working on a

wedding cake for a friend.

Busy, busy, busy!

I'm looking forward to the Lord's day, how about you?

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

A little Paint and Crackle...

2010-10-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

What's new in our Etsy store?

I listed this quilt block yesterday and it sold

right away. However, I am taking custom orders.

This block was hand painted, crackled, antiqued

and then finished.

You can read more about how my husband's

hardwood flooring business inspired me to

finish these blocks so they look like they

are fresh out of a barn or old farmhouse.

Click on the image above to see the crackle finish.

The unfinished quilting is my signature.

Click here to read more

Enjoy your weekend my friends!

Christa

Got Red and White?

2010-10-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Y'all,

This week we have been busy putting

together all kinds of cute things.

So, my mother is having me post

about our recent find,

and my most current project.

Last weekend Mom and I went to the

flea market in Nashville to search

for some antiques.

While we were looking around,

we found this cute vintage pot for a very

reasonable price.

We snatched it up with our Etsy store in mind.

Meanwhile, back in our sewing room,

I have been working on another apron

using red and white gingham

for our Etsy store.

I liked it so much that I wanted

to share it with all our country friends.

Do you like to cook in style?

Has my mom ever told you

that we love the color red?

What is your favorite color?

Cassaundra Mae

Sheep

2010-10-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

Photo by Country Hearts

"My sheep hear My voice,

and I know them,

and they follow Me;

and I give eternal life to them,

and they shall never perish;

and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.

"My Father, who has given them to Me,

is greater than all;

and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.

I and the Father are one."

John 10: 27-30

Photo by Country Hearts

Have a blessed Lord's Day my friends!

Christa

Busy Sewing

2010-10-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

The girls and I have been busy sewing

for our Etsy shop while home schooling

and

keeping up our home.

Would you like to see some of our projects?

Cassaundra made this apron and

she plans on making some that

will be full length, kind of like

Ma Ingalls use to wear.

Here is Brittany's Regency gown she just

completed and is now in her new Etsy

store.

You can see more pictures at

Garland of Grace

...and this is a tote/bag I made. This is

my first try at a project like this. It was very

detailed, labor intensive and I probably really

needed a commercial sewing machine for this.

My machine really got a work out on this one.

Have you been working on any projects lately?

I would love to hear what you've been

up to lately.

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Oh, and by the way if you are interesting in making
the tote bag yourself, you can purchase the
pattern at:
www.katicupcake.com

If you have any questions about making this bag,
feel free to e-mail me or comment.

A Family Friendly Movie

2010-10-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

The men of our house were out

this evening,

so we girls decided to watch a movie

from Netflix. Brittany found one by the makers

of Time Changer called

The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.

We almost turned it off after the first few

minutes, but then decided to

see it through.

The acting was a little dry but the story line

started to pick up and it ended

up being worth the watch.

What made the movie

special was the fact that....

Oops, I'm not going to tell you because you

need to find out for yourself.

I will say this, it is family friendly and has

a very valuable lesson for all to learn.

Great movie for family discussion afterward.

Oh, and you may want to have a box of

Kleenex nearby, just in case (wink, wink)

Have any of you seen this movie?

Christa

Note: Our family does not agree with some the theology presented in this movie. However, this is why it was a good movie for discussion. It gives our kids the opportunity to enjoy the movie but then talk about what is biblical and what is not.

Shop at Country Hearts and Garland of Grace

2010-10-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!
Our Country Hearts shop is now

available for you to browse on our

blog. Simply click on

"Shop at Country Hearts"

above.

Also, Brittany has opened a new Etsy

shop featuring her custom made

Regency dresses and accessories.

You can visit her shop at:

Garland of Grace

~

I am so glad you stopped by and
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Warm country blessings,

Christa

Can We Turn Back Time Please?

2010-10-08T05:39:00.000-07:00

There are times when I wish my daughters,

now 17 and 20 years old,

were still little girls.

When they were younger, I loved dressing them

in homemade "Little House on The Prairie" type outfits.

When I see dresses like these...

My heart melts...

...and makes me want to turn back time...

...so I can dress my little girls

in these precious, feminine, modest outfits.

Hey, hopefully I'll have lots of grand daughters some day.

Tell me you don't think these are adorable.

Would you like to know more about the person

who designs and sells patterns for these

outfits?

Read about Dawn Hansen here at:

Where Women Create

Then visit her website at:

Olabelhe

~

Please come back and tell me what you think.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Pillow Swap

2010-10-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

It's been awhile but I will be back soon.

In the mean time, check out this wonderful

Pillow Swap

at Dutch Sisters.

I signed up and hope you will join me too.

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Autumn is Here

2010-09-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies,

I am writing for my mom since she is little under the weather at the present moment, so I decided to post something small for all y'all.

Fall is the best time of year, and I thought I would post a fun picture I found on the Internet. It was so pretty I couldn't resist sharing. It reminds me so much of Tennessee in the middle of fall. The second picture my brother, Luke, took 2 years ago when fall was breaking in. We are truly blessed by God to have the season of Autumn.

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

~
I hope you all and your families are having blessed fall....

~Cassaundra Mae

Having Computer Problems

2010-08-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

I thought I would let you all know that

I'm having computer problems. I got the dreaded blue

screen so posting right now is kind of a challenge.

Hopefully, the problem will be resolved quickly.

In the mean time, I can direct you to

Homestead Revival.

Amy has a great post with a video on homesteading

on a tenth of an acre.

Enjoy!

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Remember My Peaches? How About a Giveaway?

2010-08-13T05:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

Do you remember my jars of peaches?

The ones with the space on the bottom?

Do you have the same problem and want to know

why this happens?

Do you want your peaches to look like this?

Then visit Heather at one of my favorite blogs,

Mountain Home Quilts

You may find some answers to these

questions here.

Be sure to check out Heather's wonderful giveaway
as well. Click here.

Thank you Heather!

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

The Unknown Quilter

2010-08-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

I Enjoy having a project to work on at night

when our family is together. If my hands are not

busy doing something, I feel like I'm wasting

precious time. I know this is not necessarily true.

Sometimes it's good to just be still.

Right now, I'm working on hand quilting a quilt I found

in an antique shop two years ago while visiting my

friend Lisa in Georgia.

This treasure was hand pieced by someone I don't even know.

I often wonder why this quilt top ended up

on an antique shop.

Where was it stored all these years?

Why was it not finished?

Who are the relatives of this quilter and why

is this family heirloom not loved and treasured by them?

Who was this unknown quilter?

Based on the fabrics used, I'm guessing the quilt

is from the early 1900's. It came with backing fabric

that I believe is old muslin.

This is my mini sewing basket.

It carries my pincushion, thimble and

little snips (scissors), ready for quilting anytime.

I love the pattern of this quilt.

I forgot to take a picture of the hand piecing on the back,

but just seeing the front, you can only imagine the time

it took to sew each piece without a sewing machine.

With our very hot and humid weather these last

couple weeks, the quilt is resting on a

chair until it cools down a bit. As soon as

the heat lets up a little, I'll be back quilting.

I think this will be one of our family heirlooms with

part of the story unknown.

Do you like to have an on going project you

can work on here and there?

What are you working on now?

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

2010-08-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

Morning is my favorite time of the day

to work in my garden. We have a large walnut tree

that shades the area for a couple hours making

it much cooler. I can hear the birds singing and it's

a perfect time to talk to the Lord.

I have a few things sitting by the door so

I'm ready anytime to step outside and tend

to my fruits and veggies.

I like to wear these polka dotted rubber boots.

It keeps the ticks and chiggers from hitching a ride on

my legs and later ending up who knows where, if you

know what I mean.

Those of you who do not live in tick and chigger land, may not

understand this problem.

Consider yourself blessed.

These are what I brought to the garden this morning.

My tomato plants needed some stringing up since

I didn't use cages this year. They were looking

pretty wild.

The gloves are for picking off the big fat juicy

Horn Worms. I just can't get myself to touch them

with my bare fingers. Ugh!

Have you ever tried to pick one off?

They sometimes grip themselves so tightly onto the branch,

that it requires a yanking that

results in... well, I don't need to get into all

the details of hunting for Horn Worms.

Yesterday I noticed some of my tomato leaves were eaten

off a couple of branches. A few Horn Worm droppings

were resting on the leaves below.

A sure sign of a Horn Worm.

I searched and searched.

NOTHING!

I hate it when that happens because that means I

could come out the next morning and the

whole plant will be eaten.

So I got up real early this morning and to my

surprise I didn't see anymore damage. I still looked hard.

Perhaps one of the friendly birds taught him a lesson.

Here's a picture of one of those yucky things.

I have had some that were 3-4 inches long.

Now tell me, would you touch one with your bare

fingers?

Oh, this is just too much for me.

Enough of that!

I thought I would share a few pictures of my

garden.

Now, remember from a previous post,

most of my plants were orphans rescued from

my friend's greenhouse after the flood this last Spring.

They were almost burnt beyond saving because

when the power went out, the big fans that keep

the greenhouse cooled down obviously didn't work.

So, all this to say, the Lord has been good and

has caused these plants to bounce back and

produce.

Looking down my raised beds.

By the way, raised beds are my favorite way

to garden.

You can see how I tie up my plants here.

Purple Basil

Sweet Genovese Basil

I'll be making lots of Pesto and putting it

in the freezer for this winter.

Sugar Baby Watermelon

I harvested this one yesterday for our

weekend.

Crimson Sweet Watermelon

Not quite ready yet.

Bed with the peppers.

I planted them all in the same box.

This was a last minute decision and probably not

the best because I'm sure there was a little

cross pollination going on there.

These plants were given to me and I had to

prepare a lasagna bed really fast.

Cayenne Peppers

Bell Peppers

I'll wait until these turn red.

Did you know that is not good to eat green

bell peppers? The best is when they're red.

I just learned that.

I also have jalapeno and Anaheim peppers.

I couldn't get a good picture of them this morning.

This is a Bumble Bee doing his job on the Cucumbers.

I also planted:

Potatoes - Not such a great crop,

I will try a different method next year.

Green Beans - pretty much a total failure.

I'm learning that here in Tennessee it's best

to wait until July to plant. Last year my Spring

planted crop failed, so I replanted in July

and I had the most beautiful, pest free Green Beans.

Tomatillos - Beautiful plants but no fruit.

These were also a victim of the flood.

Onions - Okay crop. It was our first

year for onions and we know what

to do different next year.

Well my friends, I got a couple bites out there this morning

but I came in, rinsed off and used some

of my friends homemade healing salve.

So soothing!

Thanks Donna K!

I better sign off,

Breakfast is ready!

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Giveaway at Delight...

2010-08-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

Do you love giveaways?
Young ladies, this may be a great opportunity
for you to add some goodies to your hope chests.

Why not go for a little visit at

Delightsome Life

and see what Kathy is giving away.

While I have you here,

This is what I picked out just in case I win.

This is from the Johnson Brothers

and the pattern is called

Old Britain Castles

It also comes in...

beautiful blue!

I just love it, love it!

and then there is...

the Friendly Village Collection,

also by Johnson Brothers

Are you curious about this giveaway yet?

Enjoy your time at

Delightsome Life

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Canning Cherries and Peaches

2010-08-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

Would you like to see what we've been

canning lately?

We started out with picking cherries a few weeks ago,

some of you may remember from a previous post.

We had so much fun.

Aren't these gorgeous?

These happened to be sour cherries so we

took them home and made cherry pie

filling.

We then ordered sweet cherries from our

coop and canned more pie filling.

I love having homemade pie fillings on hand in

case I need to make a quick dessert.

Yesterday, I made my first pie from

SWEET cherries and I have to be honest with you

I like the sour cherries better in a pie.

Now on to the peaches!

Our peaches also came from our coop and

were simply delicious.

Yum!

Some of them were eaten fresh and some, by my

son's request, were canned.

I must admit, blanching and peeling are not
my favorite parts of the process.

I like to heat mine up in a very light syrup.

Packing peaches neatly in the jars can be an

art in itself. Some ladies pride themselves on how

pretty they look after processing.

I don't think I'll be winning any blue ribbons at the

fair.

Into the water bath canner they go!

Here they are.

I just can't seem to get rid of that open space

at the bottom of the jars.

Do you have any little secrets on this?

I would sure like to know.

***

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Painting and Quilting

2010-07-31T06:57:00.000-07:00

Take my love for painting

and

my love for quilting,

and this is what I'm creating.

I thought I wound finish my wooden quilt

block with this.

It will be my signature on others that I make.

This is ALMOST the end result.

Adding some crackle finish to

a few spots will add kind of a

vintage look.

I made this one 2 feet by 2 feet, but

it can be crafted in any size.

Can you picture this embellishing the outside of

a barn or shed?

Maybe hanging on the front porch of

a country home that needs a little

sprucing up?

***

I will be sure to make one for myself.

I tend to paint things for friends and family

and then I end up without.

***

This block will be in my Etsy shop

in a few days.

I will take custom orders for

any quilt block design of your choice.

***

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Learning Fondant

2010-07-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

In all my experience as a cake decorator,

I never learned how to work with fondant.

If you know anything about what is in

“fashion” for cakes these days, fondant

may come to mind.

When I had my cake business many years

ago, buttercream was it.

However, times have changed in the cakery

world.

Many are asking for this sweet covering so

It’s time for me to learn.

I choose Sweet Wise for my learning experience.

A two hour class was packed full of

information and it was fun.

My little cake that I made, was very

perky and cute when I left the class.

But then I made a Costco, Joann’s and

Whole Foods run in our hot and humid

Tennessee weather.

Yes, now the bow on my sweet little cake is a

little droopy.

But you get the picture right?

Sweet Wise is a cake, candy and

pastry supply shop located in

Nashville.

The store is packed full of wonderful

Cookie cutters, candy molds, cake

decorating supplies…

Wonderful baking gadgets!

Cake pans and everything else you

need to decorate a cake!

Visit Sweet Wise at their website

here

Enjoy your visit!

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Butter Cream Lace

2010-07-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

Before having children, I had a cake decorating

business I ran from my home.

It wasn’t out of the ordinary to open up my

refrigerator only to see many cakes waiting for

delivery and to have to the sweet aroma of

butter cream icing filling the air of my kitchen.

Wedding cakes were my favorite to make because

it was like adding beautiful lace on a cake.

Eventually, my first was born and I realized I couldn’t

give the proper attention to babies and cakes.

I wasn’t sorry one bit to give up my business

because I knew from an early age I wanted to be

a stay-at-home mom, homemaker…

A couple weeks ago, I was able to make a

25^th Wedding Anniversary cake for some

friends.

The children in that family asked if I could duplicate

their parent’s wedding cake.

I unpacked my cake pans and other supplies

that had been in hiding for many years.

Once again, the air in my kitchen was filled

with the aroma of chocolate cake, buttercream icing…

My children, now 16, 17 and 19 years old

watched and gave me much encouragement

as I dusted off my decorating tips and

started creating.

It was so much fun.

When it was all finished, I was relieved.

After so many years, I wondered if

I had forgotten the skills I once learned.

I am convinced now, after decorating hundreds of

cakes in the past, I would never forget.

The next day, I loaded the cake in the back of

my car. Memories of the one and only

time I had a mishap with delivering

a wedding cake (my dear husband, back then

my fiance’ was driving), came to mind.

I remember the crushed wedding cake

seemed like a disaster until I was able to

patch it up withextra icing and decorating tips.

I can laugh now.

The anniversary cake for my friends

was delivered without a problem.

Not even a rose popped off along the way.

However,

the day was the most humid day I have

experienced in Tennessee and thunder storms

were in the forcast. Where was the cake

going to be set up?

That’s right,

outside!

We decided it would be best to set up inside.

It’s hard to see in the picture, but we

were able to set up the cake on a beautiful

Wood cook stove.

Happy 25^th Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. “C”

The Smith Family