Happy Memorial Day!

What is freedom? We’re all suppose to take today to observe the freedoms this country affords each and every one of us (I won’t address those freedoms that are systematically being taken away lately), and to thank those brave servicemen and women who have fought for us to have those freedoms. But what is freedom, and how does it affect us on a daily basis? The way I see it, freedom is the ability to live the way you want, to take chances, to explore new things, to love who you want, how you want…to be happy. As long as you’re not hurting anyone else, I think we each have the freedom to experience life to the fullest.

I see too many people throwing away their chance at personal freedom, and ultimately happiness. From birth we’re each told what our lives should be like, where we should go to school, what jobs we should have, what lifestyle is acceptable to our friends and family, where we should live, how we should act and dress, all so we will theoretically fit within the posse we’ve been born into. I see so many people follow these pre-drawn maps, forcing themselves into boxes that were not designed for them. Consequently, there seems to be a whole lot of unhappy,

confused, frustrated, unsatisfied people wandering around each day doing things they are “suppose to do”.

Well, I say to hell with that! I’ve always been a bit off the beaten path, but have basically tried to stay right next to the path, one toe on the line, so as not to upset anyone. But as I’ve started breaking the rules (i.e. quitting my corporate job, making art, starting culinary school), I’ve found that nothing bad has happened! In fact, my whole life has opened up. I’m seeing through new eyes, trying new things, and like magic new prospects have come my way that I’ve never even considered. Sure, some people have said that I’m selfish and crazy for giving up a lucrative corporate job just because I want to enjoy my life

more, but I’m finding that the money is still out there, I just needed to find it.

Most of us in crafty Blogland seem to have the same vision—a life filled with more enjoyment, creativity, independence, friendships, and for many of us, a new business. So today I’d like to take my hat off not only to our veterans, and servicemen & women, but also those walking off the beaten path and trying something different. I salute those folks who dare to go back to school in those who quit jobs they hate to find more personally fulfilling careers. A HUGE thank you to the founders of ETSY who figured that there must be others out there who want to purchase beautifully handmade products. Most of all, I want to give a great big “Hell Yeah!” to all of us crafty bloggers who put our art, crafts and thoughts out there in the world just because it makes us happy!

So go out there today and enjoy the freedom to be you in all of your wonderful, unique, creative, off-beat, unconventional ways!

My new journey started this week with my first week of culinary school. My first class is Intro to Breads and Rolls. All of these delicious pics are my class products. I think they’re just beautiful!

I’m also long overdue to show you the fabulous swap package I received from my partner in the Atomic Housewife swap. Isn’t this apron just to-die-for? I love the vintage Jello mold fabric. Thank you Debbi!

Everyone have a great Memorial Day, eat tons, stay safe, and do something unexpected!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my adorable husband! Isn't he just the cutest? Love you Bunny! We've been together seven blissful years. We got married in Rhode Island and try to go back as often as possible, so this year's vacation was back to Newport, RI.

We've spent many vacations visiting Newport, but we finally took the time to tour several of the famous Newport Mansions. Above is The Elms. If you ever get the chance, take the the Elms' "Behind the Scene's Tour". The tickets for this one are extra, but you get to see all of the areas that the other houses don't show you: the coal room, wine cellar, servant's quarters, kitchens, etc. It's really fascinating to see the inner workings of such an enormous historic home.

The other mansions we toured were: The Breakers, Rosecliffe, and Chateau-sur-Mer. You can find out more about the historic Newport Mansions at the Newport Preservation Society.

We always do at least one meal at the Red Parrot Restaurant. It's causal, but the food is always excellent. Here's a picture of my lobster pizza. Yes, it was ALL mine!! Accompanied by an Midori Sour, and I was a happy girl! OK, I didn't eat it all in our setting, but I claimed the entire thing as my own. I dream about this pizza between our visits to Newport.

Here is a rare picture of me on Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett, RI. It was a breezy 60 degrees, but I was walking on the beach barefoot, dammit!

On to my favorite portion of the program...dessert!

Welcome to one of my favorite spots on earth...the Captain Jack's dessert counter in Wakefield, RI. I love this seafood restaurant so much that I had my rehearsal dinner here, and had to get special permission to have a big party from Captain Jack himself (yes, his name really is Jack, but I'm not sure he's really a captain). What I do know is that the good Captain and his crew make amazing clam chowder (with thin broth, the way it should be), to-die-for clam cakes (doughy fritter-like balls with huge chunks of clams--really, they're good), and killer desserts. As you can see, they are picture perfect. And they taste even better.
This is my favorite of all of the magic Captain's creations--Caramel Apple Bash. These are just the individual portions, the full-sized versions are easily 9 inches tall. It's a deep dish apple pie, very rich, with chunks of homemade blondies piled on top, and drizzled with thick caramel. Honestly, words can't describe how orgasmic the experience is. I wish you all a trip to Captain Jack's, really it's more of a pilgrimage.

Here's to new beginnings!

My apologies that I haven't posted this week. I've been super busy finishing up my job and getting ready for school (note to self: NEVER give more notice at work than is absolutely required). Anyway, my last day at work was today & now I'm on to another chapter to my life. Whew! I'm off to Newport, RI for vacation this week then I start school on May 19th. I've spent over 14 years in corporate administration and now I'm a full-time culinary student. Wow, sometimes life is wonderfully strange. I just realized a long time ago that life is too short to do things you don't enjoy. I truly believe if you don't like your job, quit and try something else. Bad relationship? Get out. Don't like where you life? Move. Life sucking? Go make cupcakes!

Here is the latest batch of felted cupcakes. They were for three separate orders, but they made a nice grouping before I packaged them up and shipped them off.

In the midst of all of the changes in my life I also keep signing up for swaps. They seriously are addictive! This week's swap was The Atomic Housewife Swap hosted by Julie at CupcakeDD . This was seriously fun--equal parts antique shopping and crafting. I started out at the antique store where I found the glass party plates and cups, and the mint condition cookbook. I really hadn't planned to doing any needle felting for this swap, but I lived with the plates on my shelf for a few days until a big "duh" hit me -- the plates needed treats on them!



I really like the tea in the cups and the sugar cubes. They tickle me for some reason. This package will go in the mail on Monday to my swap partner Tracey. Check out her blog Itching 2 B Stitching . Don't you just love that blog name? I hope you like your treats Tracey!

How amazing are the colors of these roving balls? I'm a member of the Felting Forum . If you are a needle or wet felter check out the Felting Forum. It's a great site with wonderfully supportive members. Each month there is a themed felting challenge, which I try to do and post whenever I can. Each quarter vendors donate prizes for the challenges, and I won one of the prizes for the first quarter of this year. The super generous Marlene at Timbre Ridge Farm donated 8 glorious ounces of roving!! I even got to pick my own colors, which I couldn't believe she let me do. Aren't these colors delicious? I see yummy felted cakes in my future. Thank you soooo much Marlene. Please check out her site, she has tons of colors and the quality of the roving is fabulous.

So, I'm off to Newport. I'll check back in a few days. Everyone take care & have a sweet week!

Culinary School, here I come! (Mid-Life Crisis Part Deux)

Check out my Flickr page to see the details of this pictoral ode to pastry

Yes, my mid-life crisis and quest to find the real Merry Moon continues. We'll call this act: The Tarlette Finds the Sweet Life. While I love the Brookfield Craft Center , my role there as operations director was completely administrative, and I left the corporate world because, while freakishly good at it, I HIGHLY DISLIKE administrative duties and upper management. I want a creative life where I DO creative things, work with my hands, make things and enjoy my days. I'm a hard worker, so don't get me wrong I love a daily challenge. But I'm completely over the thrill of the multi-page spreadsheets and IT manager challenges. I want to create and bring forth beautiful products into the world.

I have three things that I really love in life (besides my dear husband!): eating food, baking, and art. I spent months pondering what types of jobs I could try my hand at incorporating the things I truly enjoy. Oh, and I have found the love of Dr. Martins, so any job I take must allow me to wear my favorite clunky shoes (seriously, how did hundreds of thousands of punk rockers keep it a secret for decades how comfortable these shoes are?). After endless soul searching and career counseling from close friends, I had the A-ha moment of my life. I should go to culinary school and become a pastry chef!

And so I applied, got accepted and have finalized the details and quit my day job! Two more weeks and I'm a full-time student again. I'm starting school on May 19th at the Connecticut Culinary Institute and specializing in Professional Baking and Pastry Arts. I absolutely plan to continue Merry Moon Sweets & Treats. I want to blend both my felt treats and real sweet treats into one food lovin' life. We'll not literally blend them, that would be disgusting and not so sanitary. So, for all five of you who read my little blog, my plan is to keep you posted on my culinary schools adventures, sweet creations, as well as my felted sweet treats.

Wish me luck!

Enchanted Swap

Yesterday I received the MOST magical package from my Enchanted Swap partner, Kelly, of Sweet Addie Vintage Designs. This Enchanted Princess swap was hosted by the Fairest Princess Sarah from Gypsy Mermaid Life. You can see from the photo above that she has sweetly bestowed the fabulously exciting title of "Cupcake Princess" upon me. I'm so honored!

Look at all of these delicious goodies! I can't believe all of the fabulously fun treasures she sent me. I don't know which I adore more, the sweet felted cupcake wand, or the sparkly Cupcake Princess tiara. They are both so wonderful. The pink bubble gum sucker is from Hammond Candies in Denver, where I'm originally from. And the Cupcake kit includes a cool book on cupcakes, cupcake recipe cards and printed cupcake papers with little pink cupcakes on them. I'm in cupcake heaven!

Kelly also made me this gorgeous necklace!

Eloise was so jealous that she wanted to wear my goodies and play princess too. I can't blame her. I think I'll wear them now.

Thank you for EVERYTHING Kelly!

Fruit Bowl for BowlFest

I finally finished a new felted piece to show you! This one isn't for sale, but was specifically created as a donation for the Brookfield Craft Center's annual fundraiser, BowlFest. BowlFest is a day-long celebration of food, music and fine hand crafts. This year it will be on June 1st, at the Brookfield Craft Center in Brookfield, CT. Everyone who comes gets a free handcrafted bowl to take home!

Many talented artists donated work for the BowlFest silent auction. The items up for auction will be on display at the Craft Center May 18-June 1, and people will be able to view the auction items online soon.

I was asked to do a felted bowl, but I just couldn't leave my bowl empty so I filled it with felted fruit. For once I remembered to document the progress of this project....

Naked fruit without their clothes! Their insides are entirely wool, no filler. I guess you could say they are full of fiber!

Now the fruit get their skins!

I think the peach and the banana are my favorite. I had to "peel" the banana because no matter what I did to the closed banana it looked way too phallic. And this is family friendly event! I think it's even cuter now.

All of the fruit is life sized. You know, I really like my lemon too.

Here's the whole bowl of fruit ready to fetch a lovely price for charity!

Sugar & Meringue and Everything Nice

Wow, last week was crazy and stressful but I won't bore you all with any of that, I have too many fun things to show you! I love it when you have a crappy day and you come home to awesome packages in the mail.

A few days ago I received the sweetest little package from Emily at Sugar & Meringue . She had a contest on her blog, the prize was these super fun farm cupcake toppers. And I won!

Aren't they just the cutest? Emily is a busy girl. Not only does she have two fabulous blogs (her other blog is Flying Time ), she also has two Etsy stores: Flying Time Designs and Sugar & Meringue.

Emily's blogs constantly offer up the most delicious looking sweets and treats, vintage kitchen collectibles, and all things lovely and crafty. The photo above are her yummie cupcakes, but I can't wait to whip up my own batch for my new cupcake toppers.

Thanks Emily!!!

Here are a few of her other items available at her Etsy store:

I LOVE these recipe cards!! They are so cooly retro.

I also sent off my package for Gypsy Mermaid's Enchanted Swap. This is a fairy princess themed swap. My super cool swap partner was Sweet Addie, otherwise known as Princess Kelly! I was so nervous about sending off my swap goodies because Kelly has the most lovely Etsy store with positively delicious jewlery. I so hope that my enchanted offerings add princess sparkle to her treasure chest.

The princess box above held the sparkly necklace below. It was created with vintage buttons and tiny silver stars that you can't really see in the photo.

I wish you all an enchanted week!

I Spy a Cake Spy

Bride of FrankenCuppie?, originally uploaded by cakespy.

This is the newest edition to my Cake Spy gallery. Don't you just love it? I asked Jessie Oleson, the brilliant cakester/illustrator behind Cake Spy, to create this awesome little illustration for me. She's the Bride of FrankenCuppie. I just love the idea of a cupcake baking up her own mate. Love her hair! And see the bottle of love? I'm sure she added an extra spoonful of that for her new mate.

I'd also like to send a HUGE congratulations to Jessie who is officially now a full-time Cake Spy. Good Luck! She's a wonderfully talent artist and super sweet gal. Check out her Etsy store, blog and Flickr page to see more of her work.

Here's my Cake Spy gallery in my studio:

Mad for Mini Treats

I've been so busy this past week that I haven't had time to make anything new myself. That hasn't stopped me from sneaking a few minutes to find new treasures from other people and make a few super cute purchases. I've been obsessed with miniature food for as long as I can remember. When I lived in Colorado I used to go to the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys about twice a year, and I'd always go at Christmas when they usually have 10 so completely decorated doll houses in all different styles, sizes and themes. I loved seeing them each year, but my absolute favorite part has always been the mini food! Mini cakes, cookies, mini turkeys, mini ginerbread houses, they all just knocked me out! How do they make them that small? Why in the world would anyone take the time to create such tiny things? I still don't have the answers, I just know that I loved them.

But I've love them from afar. I admire doll houses, but they're just too fussy for me, so I just couldn't justify buying mini fake food for no purpose. But my life has now changed! I have found my beloved mini food being made into fabulous jewelry!! I can wear my coveted miniatures!

You have to take a look at my new friend April's Etsy store Pukashell Creative Designs . She makes fabulously cute jewelry out of miniature sweet treats! The plated treat above is a deliciously adorable ring, below is a layered cake pin, and a sweet treat necklace. Aren't they irresistible ?

April also makes super cute amigurumi knitted play food. Don't you just love these ice cream cones?

And this is the cutest set of bonbon magents!
I have my very own necklace by April on the way --a plate of French pastry on a lovely blue china plate. I can't wait!! Jewelry and miniatures, all rolled into one. A food obessed girl's dream come true!
Check out Pukashell's Flickr page for even more adorable eye candy.