Unqique jewelry is an icing on your cupcake...I mean outfit! Interview with Dandelyne's designer

I love cupcakes (everyone knows about it), and I also love shopping (well, I am just an ordinary girl).  I always try to find pieces that fit my personal style, my body type and my personality and somehow original.  I don't usually shop online, except for shopping for jewelries though.  I am addicted to Etsy and have been using Etsy a lot for unique pieces to match my personality and style=)

Months ago, I found this amazing jewelry shop from Australia on Etsy - Dandelyne is a very unique place to get unique and original, and personalized jewelries for yourself, your family, and friends.  I am so honored to have a chance to have an interview time with the maker and the creator behind all things Dandelyne, Sonia Lyne (I like to call her Son) and spread out her amazing works to share with my readers.

Son has been addicted to embroidery since she was young. Her designs can be described as colourful, whimsical and sweet. Each piece truly celebrates many facets of life; family, friends, colour, simplicity and fun. Combining a love for embroidery and all things mini, the goal is always to always deliver on quality, love and originality.

Her signature design and best seller is the miniature embroidery hoops . They are designed by Son and laser cut in Melbourne (Son's home). Son and her hubby spend many nights sanding, drilling and constructing each hoop. The unique miniature hoops are used to frame her designs and are made into necklaces, brooches and key rings. There come with two sizes:  4cm and 5.5cm. They are also now available in DIY kits. Personalized designs and portraits are also highly valued and requested. She loves the challenge of working out how to best  illuminate each person and pet in a way that is truly unique. I ordered mine for my wedding anniversary; it's a TALK OF THE TOWN necklace!  I got so many compliments on it. 

Enough introduction, let's get to know Son more:

Mrs. G (aka Me): When did you find out you love sewing?
Son:  I remember when my love for embroidery, fabric and sewing began. I attended a small rural school of approx. 70 children. I was in year 2, and on a Friday afternoon the boys would head to the oval for“boy stuff” and the girls would head to the library for embroidery classes with Mrs Mulrooney. This makes me giggle now, but I do have the fondest memories of this time. I remember piercing the fabric with my needle and creating my very first running stitch. I was instantly taken by it. It was from this point that I began my love affair with all things stitchy and crafty. There was no stopping me from this point.

Me:  How did you make the jump from hobby to a business?
Son:  I knew when I starting embroidering I wanted to turn it into something that I could sustain forever. It began as a hobby but I knew in my heart, and I was determined, to make it into a business.  It has been a year and a half and now feel like I am running a business.

Me:  Do you still enjoy sewing as your hobby, or is it more like business, another word, work, to you now?
Son:  I sure do! I have had a few career changes in my time and after having my third boy I made a conscious decision to pursue a path that would make me smile all over. I enjoy sewing, and making, in a variety of mediums but many, such as making clothes, are areas I only want to dabble in from time to time. The difference with embroidery is that I want to do it 24/7. If I didn't have to eat and sleep I can only imagine how much I could get done :-D.

Me: Where do you get your inspiration from for your works?
Son:  My inspiration comes from anything that is colourful, whimsical and sweet. I really like to stitch about the moments ,and areas, in my life that truly make me happy. I feel that the possibilities are endless and Dandelyne could go off on so many tangents. My goal is to embroider the world.

Me: Could you share with us what is your favorite piece of work you have done so far?
Son: My favourite piece so far would have to be the first piece I did, which was our family portrait. We have it placed near our front door and it always reminds of how Dandelyne began. Most recently I stitched a custom portrait for a customer that I absolutely loved doing. It was a full embroidered design of her beautiful Whippet. It is very different to my normal style but, a style in which I hope to play with a lot more in the future.

Me:  How do you manage your 5 "marbles" or I should say 5 boys, your mutilpe hobbies and your business at the same time? (Son is a Melbourne based girl , with 5 beautiful boys in her life … one big (hubby), 3 small and 1 furry.)
Son: Managing working from home, family life and play is definitely tricky. I find being organised is essential. There are times when things clash and I need to evaluate what is important in that moment. Generally I am super organised and I utilise the time I have when my youngest is sleeping , during the day, to really delve into Dandelyne. Many nights are spent sewing too. Mornings, afternoons and most weekends are out of bounds for Dandelyne. This is family time. Stitching does tend to sneak into weekends when the boys are having some quiet time.

Me: This question is definitely for my own curiousity, do you take cupcakes over cake?
Son: Cupcakes win hands down. It's like your eating little pieces of artwork and the best part … you can never stop at one ^_^.

Check out Son's etsy shop today:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/dandelyne
Her jewelries will definitely brighten up your outfit!!! and shop for some unqie gifts for your family and friends, it will make them smile=)

A Special Way to Say Good Bye

New York Eats reports that a new father, Chris Holmes from the U.K., who works as an immigration officer for Border Force at Stansted Airport has turned in a very unquie "resignation letter" to his boss, aka a "cake letter".  The father of a new born son said, "Having recently become a father I now realise how precious life is and how important it is to spend my time doing something that makes me and other people happy,"

So are you curious what the flavor of the "resignation letter" is?  A carrot cake made with coconut, pecans and grapes and frosted in orange buttercream, what a great way to say good bye!

Valentine's Day is coming to town...

You have about a month to prepare to surprise the one you love!  Instead of giving your loved one flowers, how about some customized cupcakes?!  This is such a unique way to surprise the person, who means the world you.  By saying the person, that could be your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, mother, father, brother, sister, friends and co-workers...anyone you think they are important in your love and you would love to appreciate their cares and loves.

Contact us for ideas, quotes and availability!!!

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.

Story of little Brendan -

On June 12th, 2012 Amy and Tony Belello took their 14 month old son into the emergency room due to an accidental fall from a changing table earlier in the morning. A CT scan revealed a “peach sized mass” in the back of his brain/skull and he was rushed into emergency surgery at CHOC hospital in Orange, CA to have it removed and tested. The test came back positive for a type of cancer referred to as Medulloblas toma, a Desmoplasti c style tumor. Neurosurgeons where confident that they had removed most of the tumor and additional fragments. Doctors informed Tony and Amy that he had two weeks to live if the tumor was not removed. Several MRIs, a lumbar puncture and ultrasounds followed and showed a good result with no cancer developing elsewhere in his body.

Brendan has been at CHOC since July 1st and will remain there until December 2012 receiving chemotherapy. The chemotherapy is additional treatment to destroy any remaining cancer cells that may be in his body, which could quickly develop into the original fast-growing brain tumor.

Tony and Amy Belello also have a 3-year old daughter named Collette. The family is forced to be separated during the next 6 months while Brendan undergoes treatment. They also must continue to work full-time jobs in order to maintain medical insurance. Brendan will have one of his parents at his side 24/7 during this process. Your support will help this young family get through this difficult time.

I have never worked with Tony (Brendan's dad) since he had transferred to our San Diego's office when I first started.  However, I did have chance to meet him and his family during our Company's Christmas party last year.  I still remember how cute his two little ones were at the party. It absolutely broke my heart when I hear about what little Brendan has been going through. 

I am always trying to sneak a way to give back to the people in need.  I contacted Tony few weeks ago about a cupcake-sale-a-thon's idea to raise money to help the family.  And Tony was so excited about my idea and very thankful to see someone loves to help his family.  I know that it's not a big event, but I guess every help and every penny count.  And I am glad to hear that Brendan is doing so good at the hospital.  He is such a strong little hero. 

This won't be my last cupcake-sale-a-thon.  I am sure I will organize more cupcake-sale-a-thon in future to help whoever in need. 

Giving Thanks!

It's 6:45 in the morning, my body woke me up as every other normal work day.  I was a little mad at myself for not sleeping in for a little bits more on this paid day off at first, but I quickly realized I could use this little spare time to take a minute to write down what I am going to thanks for for the past 11 months in my life.

I have an amazing husband - I got to admit that after we got married, I am happier than ever (I even told my mom about it).  Of course, both of us are not perfect, and we are still learning from each other.  But from being single to a married couple, so far, this transition has been great!  We NEVER argue with each other at all, not even one time!  One time, after a busy work day, Mr. G came home and told me that "after a shitty work day, I got home and see you and it made me feel so much better."  That's the sweetest compliment I heard in my life.  I just want to thanks God for introducing this great guy in my life.  My life has been changed since the first time I met him.  I love you, Mr. G!

I am thankful to have a "somehow" good health - Yes, I don't have a 100% good health. I have been fighting with some chronic disease for a bits.  Except for feeling tired easily, my body is pretty much the same.  I could still eat my favorite food, still go working out, still being at work, still go traveling, still doing thing I like to do (such as baking and crafting), still enjoying my life...

I have a wonderful family - This year - it's not an easy year for both my parents.  My dad had experienced a minor stroke.  After staying at the hospital for a month and a regular check up, he is back to normal.  When my mom first told me about this through the phone, I was so worry and even worse is - I could not help at all in another side of the world.  I am so proud of my mom that she is a very strong woman, who held everything nicely and took care of herself and my dad well.  Thanks God for giving my mom a strong will and healthy body for taking care of my dad though out this year.  I wish that after this minor stroke, my dad learnt his lesson of not eating too much and starting a healthier life.

And thanks God for bringing a new addition to our family - my little nephew, McRay.  Both my sister and him are doing good and his is one healthy baby!

I have to thanks God for giving me a wonderful parents-in-law.  My parents are not here in the States.  My parents-in-law has become my parents in the States since the day Mr. G and I got married.  In my friend's wedding earlier this month, she made a toast to her mother-in-law and shared with everyone that how great her in-law is and they are thank you for everything she has done for them (from making them some home made meals to take home to calling my friend when her husband was out of town to make sure everything was OK.).  I could not hold myself together, but cried!  It reminded me of the relationship I have with my in-laws.  I could not ask for a better in-laws in my life!  They are so supportive, fun and caring persons to be around with.

I still have a job - These few years are not the best years to Americans.  Laying off is not something new anymore to a lot of us.  Thanks God for providing me a great opportunity to work at an amazing company with a lot of wonderful people.  On the top of it, I got promoted and a raise this year.  This was something I didn't expect.

I am enjoying my SECOND JOB - I am so glad to have a full-time job to pay my bills.  And I am ever happier to have a second job to keep my mind contented.  I love baking, decoration, and arts.  My second job allows me to express my idea and show my creativity side to everyone.  I hope my business could keep growing and I could serve more people, who appreciate my works.


What are you giving thanks for?  Take a minute to think about it.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving and don't overcook the BIG BIRD!

Let's make some potica!

I had been following one of my friends' blog, Second Snack since they started.  They always share  good places to eat, some interesting and useful tips, or some yummy recipes.

I am honored and lucky enough to share their family recipe of potica (nut roll) with all of you here (thanks to Thomas and Sarah, who let me to share their family recipe on my blog).

First you will ask...What is Potica?

Potica ("po-teet-sah") is known to those of Slovenian ancestry.  An old world pastry, Potica is made from a dough rolled so thin and wide that a newspaper can be read through it. Then layered with walnuts, butter, cream and vanilla, is rolled into a spiral and baked to a crisp amber brown. Serve it with any meal or for a snack. Potica is delicious plain, by itself, heated or unheated. But you can enjoy it many different ways.

Serve with:
   -Ham - Bacon and eggs - Sausage - Fruit

Top with:
   -Ice cream or vanilla pudding
   -Lemon, chocolate or caramel sauce
   -Whipped cream and strawberries

Dough3/4 cup milk - scalded and cooled
1 1/2 packages dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
4 1/2 cups flour (approximately)
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, salt yeast and cooled milk.
Stir in flour. Turn out onto floured pastry cloth or board and knead until smooth (about 10 minutes). Place in greased bowl and let rise until double in bulk. Roll out onto floured cloth until very thin.

Filling4 cups (1 lb) ground walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs - beaten
bread crumbs
cinnamon
butter

Mix everything except the eggs and cook until thick. Remove from heat. Slowly add beaten eggs. Return to a boil and cook for 2-minutes. Cool. Spread over thinly rolled dough. Sprinkle lightly with bread crumbs, dot or grate frozen butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll up like a jelly roll. Squeeze out from the middle. Place in greased 9X13 pan (2) and let rise 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Bake approximately 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Sweet and Fond Memory

My 3th Birthday at my grandmon's house. I was so excited for blowing the candles

When I think back to my first memories of cake, I have particularly fond memories of a piece of my birthday cake from my childhood.  Of course I love the honest flavor and the soft texture of the cake; but most importantly it's because this cake reminds me of my lovely childhood and my family.

I am one of the lucky ones, who have an amazing and a happy childhood (Thanks to my family!)  When I was a little kid, my parents would throw me a birthday party usually at my grandmon's old house.  They always ordered a white cake from the bakery near our house.  The birthday cake was usually covered with white whipped cream, and topped with canned fruits and some fresh seasonal fruits.  Inside the cake, it's layered with white whipped cream mixed with canned fruits and the white cake.  And on the top of the cake, my parents would ask the bakery to write "Happy Birthday", sometimes they would request them to add my favorite cartoon character on it.

The birthday cake might not be the best cake I even ate, but it certainly is one of the foods, which reminds me of my family and my happy childhood.  And now, I am so honored and happy that I could create this very fond memory for you and your family. 

“What keeps me motivated is not the food itself but all the bonds and memories the food represents.”

My 8th Birthday at my grandmom's (left) house, ready to blow my candles