Tutorial: How to Make Easy Miniature Brownies

Bluebelle just stopped by Cupcake Cottage for a visit with Flossy, and the two of them are thoroughly enjoying their chat as well as the super-easy miniature brownies I made.

Mmm, yum yum yummy!

You see, I was recently looking for a jump start to my creativity after having a long break from making minis. I needed a simple, easy project that I could feel successful with and that didn't take too much time. I'd seen an idea on Pinterest for making dollhouse miniature brownies with craft foam and puff paint, so I decided to just wing it and give it a try myself.

And look at all of the possible variations on brownies that I developed! I made regular brownies, mint brownies, brownies with a raspberry filling, and even special Halloween brownies. Think of all the possibilities!

Here are the TOOLS AND SUPPLIES I used (from top left to bottom right):

1. Tacky glue or craft glue (I used Aleene's Original Tacky Glue)

2. 3D fabric paint or "puff paint" (I used Scribbles 3D Fabric Paint in Hot Chocolate color, available at Joann and Michael's)

3. Plastic pumpkin-topped toothpicks for the Halloween brownies, if desired (not required)

4. Good craft scissors

5. Various colors and thicknesses of craft foam or "fun foam" available by the sheet

DIRECTIONS for Making Easy Miniature Brownies

1. Cut craft foam to desired size and shape. For the basic brownies, I cut small squares of brown foam. For the other "flavors," I cut additional squares of colored foam.

2. Next, I glued the squares together, in whatever combinations I liked. Then I waited for the glue to dry (approximately 30 minutes). Skip this step for the regular brownies and go straight to step 3.

3. I squirted the 3D fabric paint on top of the foam and used the tip of the bottle to spread it around for "frosting." Tip: As the 3D fabric paint dries, it becomes darker in color and thinner. Make the "frosting" a little thicker than you want and wait for it to dry to your desired thickness.

4. For the Halloween brownies, I cut the pumpkin top off of the plastic toothpick and put it on top of the "frosting" once the "frosting" had turned slightly tacky.

5. Wait for the "frosting" to dry. That's it! 

It was really easy, really fast, and really fun, and Flossy and Bluebelle say the brownies are delicious! 

Maybe you need a jump start to your creativity too? If you have any questions about this mini tutorial, please let me know in the comments below, and I will reply. Hope you enjoyed this one! Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

How to Miniaturize an Image

I'm really struck today by how much we learn from and are inspired by others through blogging. On Thursday, I was reading Julia's most recent post on Postreadiccion blog, when I saw that she had posted a free printie: a Cath Kidston-style washi tape holder. I left a comment that my dollhouse needed one of these darling tape holders too and could Julia help me?

It's chocolate chip cookie time!

A little while later, Julia emailed me with the full-size file and a 1:12 scale version of the printie and told me it was really easy to resize an image in MS Word. Not only did I print out the miniaturized version of her printie, I followed her instructions carefully and miniaturized a bunch of images! Wow! It opened up a whole new world to me!

Cath Kidston-style washi tape holder!

In case you're interested in trying this at home, here are Julia's instructions for making a miniature image:

"If you want to change the size, just open the file in Word, click on the image and then push the right button of the mouse and click in "Size" and just change it, it's very easy."

BTW, I have an earlier version of Word, so for me it was open the image in Word, click the image, right click and choose "Format Picture," then choose "Size" and then change the size. As Julia said, it's very easy. What I love about this method is that the image maintains its clarity and aspect ratio, so it looks just as good as the original. Yay!

Thank you so much, Julia! Be sure and check out her blog for that freebie printie and also to see her gorgeous work. She's an amazing food decorator specializing in cookies, cupcakes, and pops. She also teaches classes in this gorgeous art form and makes party kits that are amazing. Prepare to be blown away!

My own Nestle Toll House chocolate chip bag!

Remember I said that I used Julia's instructions to miniaturize other images? Well, I recently purchased these sweet chocolate chip cookies on a tray from Allies Minis on Etsy (her food is so cute!), and then today when I was "stalking" Beverly's Cute in Miniature Etsy shop, I saw this darling set of heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies with a mini Nestle Toll House chocolate chips bag. 

Matching Cath Kidston mini bunting!

Yes, using my new-found miniaturizing skills, I made my own little chocolate chip bag. Again, I'm so inspired by both of these mini food artisans (too inspired by their work to try making the food myself, but inspired to build on the skills that I do have!). ;-) Thank you, Allie and Beverly!

OK, I am really overdue in showing some beautiful gifts I received from special blog friends, plus there is major dollhouse news at my house, so I'll tell you about all of that in my next post. Until then, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer