Decorative Pillows with Trim

After months of searching for the perfect decorative pillows for my living room with no success, I decided to take matters into my own hands and make some. I've made pillows before, but this was my first time making fancy ones with decorative trim. I had to learn as I went, but by the 3rd pillow I became an old pro.

Materials:

Pillow forms 

Patterned fabric

Solid color fabric

Decorative trim

Scissors, sewing machine, measuring tape, etc...

Step 1:
Measure and cut fabric. Seems weird, but you want to cut the fabric to be slightly smaller than the pillow form. The big pillow forms I used were 18"x18" so I cut the fabric to be 17"x17".

Step 2:
Trial and error taught me that it's a heck of a lot easier and way more precise to cut the round edges prior to sewing them. I used this lovely scented woodwick candle to help me shape perfect corners. Layer the 2 pieces of fabric and cut the corners at the same time so that they match exactly.

Would ya just look at those beautiful corners!

Step 3:
For this part you will only be working with the patterned fabric. Pin the trim around the perimeter of the fabric - decorative side facing in.

Step 4:
Sew it!

Helpful Hint:
When you get to the corners, cut little notches in the trim so that it curves around smoothly.

This is what you should have now:

Step 5:
Layer the pieces of fabric again and pin in place. Make sure the right sides are facing each other.

Step 6:
Sew the pieces together. You'll be able to see the seam that was created when you sewed the trim onto the patterned fabric. Guide the needle between that seam and the decorative trim. Get as close to the trim as possible. Having a piping foot for your sewing machine would be mighty helpful for this part.

Leave an opening on one side of the pillow case because duh! you have to put a pillow in there.

Step 7:
Stuff the pillow form into the pillow case. Pin the opening and then sew it shut.

Here's a close up of my new pillows! I'm pretty stoked with how the trim came out.

Since I used a striped pattern, there are so many different ways I can display these.

See what I mean?

So happy to have these little guys as an addition to my living room!

Oreo Surprise Cupcakes

I'm pretty certain that everyone loves Oreos and cupcakes, so I combined the two to make this delish dessert. 

Ingredients:

1 package Oreo Cookies

1 package Mini Oreo Cookies

1 package chocolate cake mix

8 ounces softened cream cheese

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

3 3/4 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

cupcake liners

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and then follow the instructions on the cake mix packaging to start. 

Put cupcake liners in the cupcake tins and place an oreo at the bottom of each one (when the cupcakes are all done, this is the part that's the surprise). Set aside however many oreos you will need depending on how many cupcakes you plan on making.

Take the rest of the Oreos and chop them up finely.  Using a blender or food processor works best. It's easiest to just do a handful of Oreos at a time rather than all at once.

This is what you should end up with.

Pour about 3/4 of the chopped Oreos into the cake mix and stir.

Pour cake mix into the lined tins and bake for about 15 mins.

While the cupcakes are baking you can start the frosting from scratch. Blend cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a bowl. Add powdered sugar a little bit at a time, stirring as you go. Note: powdered sugar gets everywhere!!

Then add what is left of the chopped Oreos and mix.

After the cupcakes have cooled off, frost those babies!

Add a little flair to the cupcakes by placing a mini Oreo in the frosting on each one.

Chow down!