Kawaii Roll Cake.

My last roll cake did not roll properly. But now that I found out what I did wrong: I used the wrong baking pan. Now that I had the jelly roll baking pan, it was time to make it again.
As I mentioned before, the recipe and instructions I got from How to Cook That (just click on the highlighted name to go to the page).
Today I decided to make something cute (or something other than Pokemons).


Last the cake batter, this time in a jelly roll baking pan.
According to the instructions from How to Cook That, I flipped the cake and removed the parchment paper while hot. Then cooled it off for filling.
I filled with whipped heavy cream and strawberries, and this time it rolled nicely.
The cake is very good, fluffy and sweet.
Something I will be making more in the future.

Pokemon (almost) Rool Cake.

I decided to make a Roll Cake with a pattern, and asked my son to draw something he likes. Figures, he made Pikachu.
I used this very good recipe from How to Cook That. She has the recipe, and detailed explanation on her video about patterns you can make in the cake.
So using the drawings in the background of the parchment paper, with a toothpick and different color cake batters, I made the illustration.
At each layer, the drawing has to go in the freezer, so the colors don't mix.
After the last layer of colors is frozen, the cake batter goes on top (recipe on the link: How to Cook That).
After baked it looked nice.
I had some chocolate frosting for the filling.
But THEN, when I was ready to roll the cake, it cracked like this.
It looked like a sandwich. Later I realized my mistake: I did not use a jelly roll baking pan . My cake was shorter, so it was thicker, and could not roll properly.
It was sad that broke, but the kids liked anyway.
Next time I will make it in a proper pan.
For now this will be a sandwich cake.

Summer dresses.

I had 2 different pieces of fabric a got from Jo-Ann Fabrics a while ago, when I had discount coupons. So I decided to be adventurous and try something simple, without too many parts to cut or pieces to fit. Meaning less chance to mess up the dress.
I saw this lady wearing a nice dress the other day, and I decided that would be the one I should be making.

I opened my 1 yard of fabric.
Cut the part that would be the band in the chest area. About 10 inches.
I turned the band part around, so it would show the "right" side up (or prettier side), while the other side of the fabric show the "wrong" side up. Then the two parts are sewn together again.
Next I sewed a elastic on right underneath the seam of the two fabrics, on the bigger piece of fabric. I found a good tutorial here on how to sew elastic, on RaechelMyers.com
Them finally closing the sides, and finishing the edges.
To wear it, turn the band down to make the ruffle.
I had a belt I got from Old Navy on sale. It came out pretty handy.
If my explanation was hard to understand, there is a good step by step tutorial here on SharonSews.
It was fairly quick to make this dress, besides the fact my machine kept breaking every five minutes.
Then I decided to make a second one. This time shorter.
The pattern was pretty easy, and the same for front and back.
You just have to make a casing on the top part, so you can pass the string, then close the sides and seam the edges. On this website you can see more detailed description: SewLikeMyMom. Note: they describe children's dresses, but I took the same steps. It was pretty much stress free, inexpensive and fast to make.
I had leftover fabric and made this top, using the same steps as the dress, but shorter.
Two days, two new dresses and a top for the Summer.

Kawaii Bento.

I have always been a fan of making decorations on my food, like the Japanese style bento.
And I am so lucky that in the past month, I have been reconnecting with an old friend from Brazil, who now lives in Japan. My friend Rumi saw some of the pictures of my food, and helped me pick some ingredients at the Asian market. But yesterday I was so surprised to see a package in the mail she sent me.
Then for lunch, I had some ingredients in hand, and could make a couple of cute plates.
There is even a bag of seaweed pre cut in Pokemon shape.

And some rice seasoning with Anpanman faces.
I will be making more of these for the next days.

I love you Rumi!!

Cardboard Kombi.

Our house guest Pepito came back, and this time his mom got him a pet stroller to help him in longer journeys.
I have been planning to make this style car I know as Kombi, and this carrier seemed to fit well for this project.
I cut the cardboard box roughly to make the sides, the front and a roof

And painted with acrylic paint with the kids.
After dried, I glued the parts with hot glue.
I placed on top of the stroller, and we walked around town.
Pepito was tired from his walk, so I think he enjoyed the ride.
My dog is also happy with the car.
The kids also had a good time, and they will play with the box until they break it.
Until we have another box, and another idea.