DIY: Circular Cupcake Toppers

These are the cupcake toppers I made for my son's first birthday last year. I was looking for something easy to start with in terms of cake decorations. I didn't have any special cutters or punches so I decided to go with circles. Anyone can find a circular shape in their home to use as a tracing model right? I actually used a couple of shooter glasses (gasp! - I have no idea where they came from, seriously).

Even though my little munchkin didn't end up eating any of the cake I made (good thing too because he ended up being allergic to eggs... !), I originally thought cupcakes would be a better option for a baby because they can destroy their portion (yep, that's pretty much what babies do to cakes) without touching everyone else's (an option I will choose again this year - egg free of course).

Materials

2-3 pieces of 12x12 card-stock (of different style/color)
Toothpicks

Tools

Scissors
Modpodge & Paint brush (glue works too)
Pencil & Eraser
Marker
Models (I used two shot glasses)

Steps

1. Trace your models on the cardboard using the pencil. I did 3 different sizes each on a different color of card-stock to add depth.

2. Cut all the circles. Yes, it would be much faster if you had punches, but I didn't, so it took me longer but was cheaper! :P

3. Assemble all the circles as shown below. Write the desired text on the inner circle (in my case I wrote 1 for my son's first birthday) and glue to a toothpick.

4. Rinse and repeat.

...and here's the assembled product! Totally cute right? Took forever but I had so much fun! Plus it gave my husband and I a chance to talk without being distracted by our computers and phones. Lol. Life before technology!

A Weekend Into the Past; Ice House

Ice what? Ice house! What's an ice house you say? It's man's ingenious idea before refrigeration. Have you ever wondered how people kept their food cold before fridges existed?

My parents own a century-old cabin between two major regions in Quebec. It was the "hotel" where people slept for the night before continuing on their horse-led trip between the two regions. The cabin directly next to ours was the "kitchen". Naturally, the "ice house" is with the kitchen.

Every year, our neighbors invite us to help them with "the ice". This means cutting giant blocks of ice from the frozen lake and bringing them into the insulated "ice house".

The modern way to do this is with an electric chain saw, an axe, ice pliers and a skidoo with sled. Obviously that's not exactly how they did it a hundred years ago. It was probably just with an axe, the pliers and a horse sleigh.

First you saw the ice into a grid (making squares). Then you use the axe and slam it into a cut to detach the bottom part. Using the pliers you pick them up and place them on the sled (it's actually more of a side throw, lol).

The skidoo brings them up to the cabin and using another pair of pliers, someone stacks them into the ice house.

It usually takes about 4-5 hours depending on how many people join in to help. Once all is done, we enjoy a nice warm meal together and spend the rest of the weekend chill-axing. :P

You're probably wondering how the ice doesn't melt during the summer. The ice house is insulated. Simple as that... and all the ice piled up together creates this kind of "cold effect" which minimizes the melting time. As well, when we use the fridge, there is a separate door to where the ice is kept, so you aren't constantly letting warm air into the ice room.

I really enjoy these little escapes into the past. We may not have the opportunity to do this forever, but for now, I'm taking it all in. :)

Do you take part in any activities of the past?

xfallenmoon - Where Does the Name Come From?

I don't think I've ever explained where the name xFallenmoon comes from and I thought you might find it interesting to know. It is the union of two original characters I created to represent my personality; Moonlight Goddess and Fallen Angel.

Moonlight Goddess

is my naive, kind, truthful, gentle, caring, elegant, happy, calm, pure side.

Her long dark hair flows in the breeze of dusk and her glowing turquoise eyes hint purity. Her simple, white sleeveless gown embraces the delicate curves of her fragile and pale body. Barefooted, she moves with grace and elegance through the woods of existence.

Within the darkness, she is the light: «Think of me, I am right there with you.» Watching over each of us, she stands strong, in the depth of night. With a gentle stroke of her hand, she soothes lost and broken hearts. She holds the key of truth: «Shoot for the Moon, and if you miss, you still land in the stars.» Naive and kind, she trusts blindly. She, is the Moon.

Fallen Angel

is my wild, passionate, mysterious, spontaneous, daring, dominant, dark side.

Screaming in excruciating pain, she falls to the floor. A single tear drips along her cheek as her white wings fade and her black wings reappear. Forever imprisoned by golden shackles, the glow of her turquoise eyes vanishes. Her long dark hair clashes against her cold and pale skin.

As light is engulfed by darkness, the Moon falls. Dark passion leads her on, as she burns and dominates the night. «The music, flows through my blood. Touch me, and feel my energy.» Lost in a wild and mysterious storm, she confronts the challenge of life. «Happiness is wanting what you have, not having what you want.» The Moon, has Fallen.

Fallenmoon is both original characters merged into one; the light in the darkness. The name later became xFallenmoon to add a touch of originality.

Credit: Art by Glyphy.

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