Where the Gnomes Live

Peek a boo!

I’ve definitely had the mushroom inspiration “bug” for a while. Aside from being a huge foodie fan of mushrooms (shiitakes are my fave) in the past few years, toadstool mushrooms have been popping up all around me…

Me on the set of Martha's Halloween 09 'Wild Things' show sitting on a Toadstool stool crafted by Kristin St. Clair

Mushroom cookies popping up with my Gnome Cookies on set at Martha

Around the holidays, I was so excited to find these adorable mushroom ornaments with wire spikes in the flower district one day and I just had to buy a box. As a craft hoarder I’m lucky to have a space to keep all my craft materials and these items pretty much magically found eachother just in time to make KF a totally excellent “Terrarium Valentine”.

I used Martha Stewart craft gel glue and both coarse and tinsel glitter to make the mushrooms shimmer

While my crafty ‘shrooms were drying, I cleaned out an antique ball jar (which I collect) and filled it 3/4 full with a combination of potting soil and horticultural charcoal.

Note: if you don't use the charcoal, mold will eventually grow in your terrarium!

Next, I added reindeer moss- I love the bright green color of it!

I used a wooden spoon to press down the moss, then added my "We Are Magic" sign

I added a bit of tinsel to the lid for some extra sparkle!

I am so happy with the way my toadstool mushroom terrarium Valentine turned out! KF loved it and the reindeer moss does not require any special care. The sign has weathered a bit due to the moisture, but I love the way it looks (plus I can always replace the sign when needed). This would be a really fun project to do with your kiddies or with friends and family at a Craft Brunch not to mention, your Gnomes and Gnomis will love it!

Happy Crafting!  Xo Dani

P.S. Look for our March Gnome & Gnomi how to coming soon!

An Ode to Red

Did you know that taking one look at the color red is said to stimulate enthusiasm and make one’s heart beat faster?

The center pages of my Sketchbook Project 2010 book is "Heartstrings"... I collaged red tape, newspaper and copper wire together... I was happy the way it came together but it was really fragile so I wrote the "handle with care" before I realized the irony. Corny but true!

One might be surprised to hear that my favorite color is not the bright salmony pink you see all over my website. While my love for pink runs deep, my “true blue”‘ favorite color is its a less watered down predecessor… the color of “love bugs”, the first color in the rainbow, what “the lady is in…”, the color of love… This primary “power color” is the summation of bold, and the definition of pop! Here are a few of my favorite instances…

Bright Red Royal Icing

In the world of decorative cookies, red icing is one of the more difficult colors to mix. I will never forget our first order of red flower cookie favors… The red dye never seemed to take, so we added and added and added… then once we got the red hue we wanted, the cookies wouldn’t dry! I knew red icing and I were going to have to “get to know eachother” so, with practice, over time I finally mastered it. Red royal icing actually “develops” (like a Poloroid) so to get my version of perfect bright red, I always mix it in advance (a few hours or even the day before).

Sweetheart cookie Glam... Meet Gnomi Stewart!

If you caught my Valentine cookie segment on the Martha show, you will know what inspired this version of the Gnomi cookie! Martha inspired the strapless dress style and the dress color was inspired by Valentino…

Valentino and his red dress collection

Have you seen Valentino, the Last Emperor? (tissues are recommended) Even if you haven’t seen the movie, most people know about Valentino’s signature red dresses. They are unmistakable works of art. Many people design red dresses but  no one does this color dress justice, quite like him.

Wear a red dress to a wedding? Why not!

Theres an old fashioned “rule” that states you shouldn’t wear red (or white!) to a wedding but I knew my friend Nomi (aka: Gnomi) wouldn’t mind me replacing an LBD with a LRD! It wasn’t a Valentino but I still loved wearing my fave color for dress up!

When replacing my day to day handbag, red seemed like the obvious choice...

… but as you may know, day to day handbag selection is a very big decision. Good thing my Mom cut to the chase and made that decision for me! She knew I was having a hard time deciding so she surprised me with this amazing red handbag for Christmas! I just added the love bug brooch (I got this idea from one of my favorite fashion bloggers) to make it a bit more “me”.

On the home front we don’t shy away from my favorite color either…

...for a fun pop of color we painted our back bedroom wall "ladybug red"...

Spot and Hope made themselves right at home when we rolled out this red carpet!

I had a hard time deciding on a Kitchen Aid color, that is, until I saw this one!

…I can go on and on and on about red… Cherries! Red velvets! Red wine! Red nail polish! Rubies! Garnets! Red lipstick! Red shoes… So, on this Valentine’s Day, make your heart beat faster and add little red in to your life… it’s confident, bold, invigorating, flattering, and passionate! No wonder it is “the color of love”!

Happy Love Day- Give it, Take it, Spread it!  Xoxo Dani

Hopey modeling her Love Day red sweater (Martha Stewart for Petsmart)

Sweet Style Saturdays: I’ve Got My Game Face On!

As most New Jersey and New York fans are breaking out their Giants jerseys for the big game Sunday, I am getting out the face paint and lacing up my sneakers for another “giant” event: Jason Wu at Target!

Wu at Target, we are coming for ya!

I’ll admit I didn’t know much about this amazing designer before First Lady, Michelle Obama wore his breathtaking dress for the inaugural ball, but Jason Wu was quickly catapulted into the fashion spotlight. Before I knew it, I was re- creating his masterpiece dress in icing!

I used mini sugar flowers and white nonpareils to mimic the texture of Mrs. Obama's dress

Martha delivered this cookie box to the White House when she visited for the launch of Michelle Obama's Joining Forces initiative

I have always been a huge fan of designers at Target. It is a wonderful way for people to be able to sample top designer clothing and accessories when we otherwise would not be able to afford them. My Thakoon for Target dress is still one if my favorites and I always get compliments on it. I dressed down this yellow Gaultier to wear to the Real Simple Pop Up launch and love watching the double takes when I wear the tattoo leggings. I woke up super early to order my Missoni for Target online, but that was kind of a disaster (I ended up with a gift card after they couldn’t fill my order).

My collection of Target Designer Collection items (Do you see a pattern here? Haahaa!)

So I’ll be up early and I’m hoping the excitement from a possible Giants victory tomorrow distracts the Wu crowds! While I’m at it, the pink mini marshmallow quest continues and I’ll be shopping the Valentine candy aisle for this upcoming week of filling Valentine cookie orders.

Game face is on… Go Giants! Go Madonna! Go Me for a Wu victory! Happy Saturday! Xo Dani

Hopey, go long!

Sweet Style Saturday’s: Going Faux

There’s a strange phenomenon that exists “on the inside” world of MSLO… If you are a fan of Martha Stewart you may already share in the obsession as well…. The obsession I am speaking of is faux bois!

SDB Nativity Cookies made for Martha featuring a faux bois manger

That’s right, fake wood! Wikipedia describes Faux bois (from the French for false wood) as to the artistic imitation of wood or wood grains in various media. Martha and many of her staff members all love faux bois in almost every form- and there are many! Faux bois could be sculpted or constructed or drawn or painted. One of my favorite articles in Living, featured Martha showing the amazing faux bois furniture in her Maine home.

From Living Magazine: Martha with faux bois artist Carlos Cortes

We used Martha's own faux bois plates to set her table for her Great Pumpkin Blaze Party

For Martha's Holiday Open House Special 2010, Morgan Levine hand painted faux bois on the glass of this vintage hutch- beautiful!

The trickle down influence effect has been kind of amazing. Before I knew it, faux bois started seeping into my life…

A faux bois lunch with Fishs Eddy

An engraved faux bois ring KF gifted me from Catbird in Brooklyn

More dishes! Our fave faux bois plates from West Elm

Martha Craft paper that I will never use becuase I don't want to not have it!

Last weekend we put up our faux Christmas tree… (I’m declaring this publicly: Mom and Dad you were right, a faux tree is so much easier!) Instead of a tree skirt we placed it in a faux bois tree stand from Grandin Road. (I love the idea of the tree being in a planter rather than tree skirt- plus if you have furry friends, this is an especially great option.)

Faux bois you say? Interesting...

Faux bois inspires more faux bois- envelope labels for my brother's wedding

I have been drawing or painting with faux bois a lot lately. If you caught my appearance on Martha’s show this week, we even iced the manger of the cookie nativity in faux bois (photo above).

I also used the faux bois icing technique on baby Jesus's manger bed

Give a little faux bois a try as a design element… My latest etsy search of faux bois brought up 55 pages- so that is a fun place to start. It’s a really fun element to add to any style decor. My obsession with it continues… Happy Saturday! Xo Dani

*** Look for our Behind the Scenes from the Martha Show post- coming soon!***

A Winter Woodland Cookie Wonderland

Being a designer and decorator of events, its a rare occasion that I attend a party or a wedding without some sort of prop in tow.  Lucky for me, KF loves “the juice” that goes along with the behind the scenes action. Also, it doesn’t hurt that as a designer himself, he can easily jump in and lend a trustworthy helping hand.

My decorating kit bag (most ladies carry beautiful clutch handbags to weddings)

My brother’s wedding was definitely one of these such occasions as I had the pleasure of designing their paper goods and decorating their wedding cake.

The hand painted woodland wedding scene on the wedding invite

Their big day took place at the Westmount Country Club in NJ. If you haven’t been to the Westmount before, its one of those expert event venues that prides itself in hosting amazing events and they do it very, very well. Almost every detail is taken care of in house and they run a very tight ship. Since their reputation proceeds them, I was naturally a little nervous.

I spent days before working on the cookies… a custom Nicole bride & Bogues groom topper, their cat Leeloo, and approx. 75 mini woodland animals: deer, lovebirds, bunnies and of coarse owls!

Squirrel minis decorated with mini sugar hearts

Lovebirds packed up and ready to go

Hearts brushed with gold shimmer dust

I felt like I really captured Leeloo's powers of staring

Right before we arrived I realized that I had not discussed logistics of decorating the cake but Bobby, the banquet manager of the Westmount, whisked us right back into the huge kitchen where I was immediately comforted by fond memories of my waitressing days in their busy, loud, bustling kitchen.

My waitressing nickname was "Sweet Dani B"- That's where I got my biz name!

I always ice two bride & groom toppers in the case that one breaks

(Delicious chocolate cake from Palermo's bakery) Started with top layer cookies first...

... then fill in with assorted animals, candy hearts, mini (edible glitter) pinecones

I got choked up as we were finishing decorating... when that happens I know its a keeper!

The room looked beautiful decked out in winter woodland white. I love that the Westmount sets their tables with silver chargers- its a beautiful touch.

Winter woodland animal ornaments were the favors and menu holders

Time to cut the cake! First cut wish? All good things! xoxo

Chocolate wedding cake- wise choice! Woohooo- What a great wedding!

Here’s to a happy marriage for Christian & Nicole and a lifetime full of sweetness!  Xoxo Dani

Happy Small Business Saturday

This week, I’m going to take a break on Sweet Style Saturdays to honor Small Business Saturday. In case you haven’t heard, Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

Shop Small Badge

Today I’m introducing 3 new cookie cutter designs in conjunction with my favorite cookie cutter company, CopperGifts.com…

1. The Sweet Dani B Gnome Cutter    2. The Sweet Dani B Gnomi Cutter    3. The Sweet Dani B Partridge in Pear Tree

I’ve been secret friends with Gnomes for years. Did you know they are considered to be magical? They have popped in and out of my life here and there and never cease to make me smile.

A magical Gnome at Tamara's home... hiding out in the bushes!

A Gnome cookie I decorated on the Martha Show in Dec 09

Karl, the gnome keychain, stole my heart!

Oh hello, Karl!!!

Last February, I introduced my Owl Lovebird cookies to “the world” on the Martha Show…

Dani & Coppergifts.com Owl Lovebird Cookie Cutter

Not too far behind in our inquiry emails and feedback were questions about the SDB gnome. He was there in the segment, camped out in the background of Martha’s kitchen, waiting for his moment!

Gnome cookie hanging out in the Lovebird Owl segment 2/1/2011 on MARTHA

… And finally he (and she) is here! He is adorable and fun and, finally, ready for his big debut. Today the The Sweet Dani B Gnome Cutter joins us with his friend, Gnomi, a girl cookie cutter named after one of my B.F.F’s. So cute! What is great about these cutters is that they can be decorated 2 ways- looking forward or to the side.

SDB designed Gnome & Gnomi Cookie Cutters

Another favorite cutter of mine over the years has been the Partridge in the Pear Tree.

Dani decorating her vintage Partridge in Pear Tree cookie

My previous version was a vintage cutter that came in 2 pieces. My goal was to merge the two pieces and create a tree with a sturdier trunk that looked more like a pear tree.

Partridge in Pear Tree Cookie Cutter

I can not wait to decorate these cookies and pass on the templates! So buy your cutters today and don’t forget to pick up your Sweet Dani B Expert Icing Kit to decorate all these amazing cookies with! Its going to be a MERRY MERRY Holiday season!

Happy Small Business Saturday! Please take a moment to support a small business or a few small businesses today! It’s a boost to the economy and we small business owners are the dreamers and the doers… it’s all worth it to spread the love! We so appreciate your support! Xoxo Dani

Leaf Peeping (and Eating)!

"Leaf peeping" is a very popular, relaxing autumn activity...

Who says you have to go to the country to peep the Fall leaves? While walking Spot and Hope each morning, I have been enjoying city side leaf peeping right here in Weehawken, NJ! It has been beautiful and inspiring!

A brisk morning walk full of color...

We've got all the autumn colors covered here in Weehawken...

The red leaves seem brighter than ever this season...

I love the orange leaves with the backdrop of the bright blue sky!

And the result of a little inspiration…

I use the same "feathering" technique to ice these as I do my owl cookies

a more abstract design... a half and half with m&m accents

"Peep" these leaves on your Thanksgiving table or dessert buffet!

Check back tomorrow for a cookie tag/ place card download… just in time for your Thanksgiving table!

Xoxo Dani

A Sweet-As-Pie Hostess or Shower Gift

Nicole's shower registry card

I recently attended a “display bridal shower” which was thrown for the lovely lady my brother is engaged to. In case you have never heard of a “display shower”, guests are asked to bring their gifts wrapped in cellophane or unwrapped and they are put on display. This way the bride-to-be has more time to spend with her guests, and does not spend time opening gifts at the shower. In my opinion, it’s a nice, modern twist on the typical bridal shower and its eco- friendly too! I also think this is a great option for a person who might be on the shy side or a great solution for a bride who has a very large shower guest list as gift opening can be a very long, and sometimes frenzied, process.

Of coarse I wanted my gift to be an adorable standout in the display stack and I always like to make my gifts as personal as possible… Nicole and I spent summer weekends together this past summer and suddenly found ourselves taking turns making different cookie crust pies. I nicknamed this “Our Summer Pie Project”. So I scanned her registry for the perfect items relating to our “pie project” and voilà… a sweet-as-pie gift was on the way. In the meantime, I gathered the recipes that we made, collected the photos I took of them, and created a little book (using Illustrator and Photoshop) to include with the gift.

Wow! Did we really taste all these amazing pies in 3 months?!

I fastened the pages with a brad so it could be easily added to in the future!

Gifts that relate: Trivet, pie plate and dish towel from Nicole's registry

I stacked the gifts, fanned out the book for cute display and tucked the card in between the pie plate and trivet for safe keeping

1.5 inch, ivory satin ribbon tied the whole gift together!

The finishing touch- a perfectly tied bow!

I have honed my bow tying skills over the past several years… its kind of an art and takes a bit of time and patience but the final result is always worth it!

The sweet & lovely Nicole at her shower with a "sweet as pie" gift!

This is a fun and fabulous gift that can be customized in so many ways… It is a sweet shower gift or a thoughtful hostess gift that would be especially great for the Holidays! Perhaps your recipe book is customized and made up of favorite family recipes… or you can add a recipe collection of both savory & sweet pies… The possibilites are endless but your end result is guaranteed to be be “Sweet As Pie”!

Xo Dani

A Parisian Dia de los Meurtos

I know it might sound morbid, especially for a “Life is Sweet” proclaiming cookie baker, but I find cemeteries peaceful and intriguing. So, much to KF’s chagrin, there was no way I could leave Paris without visiting the famed Montmartre Cemetery.

Looking down into Cimetière Montmartre from the street overpass

Cimetière Montmartre opened in 1825 after the Parisian ban on cemeteries (due to health hazzards) had been lifted and is built in a rock quarry below street level that is approx. 11 hectares (1 hectare=107,639 square feet) in size- AKA: Huge! *

I was touched to see a kitty perched on this grave... I bet they knew eachother!

This cemetery is the resting place of many artists, dignitaries and other famous people but is also home to the graves and tombs of many “regular people” and their families.

I love the printed medals on this stone... badges of honor that will always be.

It contains some of the most elaborate tombs I have even seen (I thought New Orleans cemeteries were elaborate!). It is also still an active cemetery so while it is a tourist attraction, we were careful to be quiet and respectful.

I was touched to see fresh flowers on many of the graves, the upkeep is beautiful & bittersweet.

This tomb was stunning... beautiful in color and decorative elements- esp the owls!

It was later in the day, and as the sun started getting closer to the horizon line, KF started finding our way to the exit.

While walking together along this stretch we heard a tapping- more like a "tinkering" and at the same time turned our heads...

…and were relieved to see cemetery workers a few rows back, behind a blue tarp doing some maintenance work. Whew! After that I started noticing the various tomb doors a lot more…

the flowers on this one....

the graphic design of this one...

... and this one which seemed to have a light left on!

And just as we were nearly back to where we had entered at Rue Rachel, KF pointed out this grave that was more “his style”.

The only "modern" style grave we saw on our Montmartre walk- also beautiful!

Cimetière Montmartre was a beautiful place to reflect and celebrate life... it was our Parisian version of Día de los Muertos! Xoxo Dani

Cimetière Montmartre
 20 rue Rachel
75018 Paris
Tel.: +33(0)1 53 42 36 30

* http://www.paris.fr/english/heritage-and-sights/cemeteries/montmartre-cemetery/rub_8222_stand_34189_port_19019

M&M Acorn Cookies! Mmmmmmm!

While I’m planning a little Día de los Muertos dinner for two (more about that later), I thought I’d re post this fun and sweet acorn cookie how to. Hopefully you took my advice and saved some of those M&M’s from last night!

If you don't already have an acorn cutter, order this one from coppergifts.com...

Bake your acorn cookies using sugar cookie dough or chocolate or gingerbread- everything works with m&ms!

...open up your m&ms from last night and separate colors

Mix royal icing in complimentary Autumn acorn colors… orange, yellow green, light brown, golden yellow… and fill your Sweet Dani B thick icing bottle(s).

Outline with royal icing and fill...

This step is optional but for extra yumminess add sanding sugar... let dry for 30 minutes or longer then carefully clean off excess sanding sugar...

Using an icing color that best matches your m&ms, fill in acorn cap and line up m&ms in rows allowing the m&ms to overlap a bit...

if you are using the coppergifts acorn, you should be able to fit 3 rows of m&ms but adjust accordingly for your cutter

...once m&ms are placed, fill in the acorn stem. Let dry for 8 hours or overnight.

Packaged or plated...

...these are the perfect cookies to welcome November!

They would also be gorgeous on your Thanksgiving table!

Happy November and, as always, Happy Icing! Xo Dani