Thursday, July 29, 2010

cupcake baking

Cupcake Stand and Cupcake

Now for the yumminess on top of the cupcake stand! In case you missed it, there is a video tutorial on how to make the stand HERE.

All of these recipes are from Wilton. They have a fantastic resource full of cupcake recipes and ideas. I will link you up so you can check them all out. I made all the elements-cupcakes, frosting, and filling-the night before. to allow everything to cool and set up. And I could highly recommend filling the cupcakes the day you are going to serve them, as the filling can make the cake turn to mush. (And you will eat them all right away, so no worries about left overs. :))

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine softened
  • 2 eggs slightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate melted
  • 3/4 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon orange oil
  • 2/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Makes: About 12 standard cupcakes. Each cupcake serves 1.

Preheat oven 350°F, fill muffin pan with baking cups. In mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, milk, chocolate, vanilla, and orange oil, mixing after each addition. Add flour, baking powder and salt; mix just until blended. Fill each baking liner full. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool in pan on cooling rack 8 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan. Cool completely before icing.

Raspberry Filling:

  • 1 pkg (16 ounces) frozen raspberries packed in sugar thawed
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Makes: About 2 cups of filling.

Drain raspberries, reserving liquid. Add enough water to liquid to equal 1 1/4 cups. In large saucepan, combine liquid, sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice; mix well. Heat and stir until mixture boils and thickens. Cool completely. Stir thawed raspberries into cooled mixture. Fill cupcake.

tip for injecting filling

To fill the cupcakes, I used a special tip, #230. It is made just for this reason. Put your filling into a pastry bag and use a standard coupling.

Filling in cupcake

Put the tip into the cupcake, but not all the way to the bottom. Gently squeeze and very slowly lift up. If its your first time trying this, consider sacrificing a cupcake and cut the first one half, so you can see how it filled. (I can justify eating during baking for any reason. :))

White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

  • 18 ounces (3 6 ounce pkgs) white baking chocolate coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 cup solid vegetable shortening
  • 1 cup butter or margarine
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 8 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk

Makes: Icing serves 6 cups.

1. Microwave chocolate with 1/4 cup milk in microwavable bowl on Medium-high for 1-2 minutes; stir chocolate halfway during cooking time. Do not overheat. Chocolate will continue to melt while being stirred.

2. Cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla.

3. Gradually add sugar, one cup at time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often.

4. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry.

5. Add milk and beat at medium, speed until light and fluffy.

6. Beat in chocolate.

Keep icing covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

I would recommend putting the frosting in a sealed container until the next day. I found that it set up better and “stood up” better when I decorated.

start frosting

Begin with a large cupcake frosting tip, 1M. This tip requires a large coupling end. Start at the outside edge. Squeeze gently and go around and up. You can do one loop around the bottom and then start a second, if you choose.

Cupcake with Frosting

Honestly, the tip is so easy to use, you won’t have any need to practice. This was my first pass. Easy and cute!!

Enjoy the cupcakes and thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Cupcake Stand Video Tutorial

Cupcake Stand and Cupcake

Here it is, the video tutorial about how to make this darling cupcake stand! It is in two parts, because I just couldn’t get it under 8 minutes. The first part is about the base and the second part is about creating the top. Forgive my need to bring the project close to me to work, instead of showing you! :) Still learning.

Part I

Direct link for those that need it: CUPCAKE STAND PART I

Part II

Direct link for those that need it: CUPCAKE STAND PART II

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

Monday, July 26, 2010

cutest cupcake stand ever

Cupcake Stand and Cupcake

Cupcake Stand CU Top

Cupcake Stand CU

One day in my online travels, I came across a cute cupcake stand. I thought, oh, how darling and expensive! And then I though, hey! I could make my own. Ignoring all other deadlines and thankful it was naptime for a certain 4 year-old, I got to work immediately. I used thick cherry wood paper from Creative Imaginations because I thought the thickness and weight would easily hold a cupcake. I am delighted to say that using 110 pound cardstock has also provided adequate support. Isn’t that just the cutest thing ever? (if I do say so myself :))

So, because I am away at CHA-S in Chicago, I thought I would spend the days this week sharing all about this project with you. Stay tuned and I will have a video tutorial showing how to create your own cupcake stand. And then, I will share all about that yummy cupcake atop the stand. It is evil. Pure evil in pastry form. :) Dark chocolate cupcake, raspberry filling, and white chocolate butter cream frosting…oh yes, this is a cupcake for dessert. And one is all you can eat. :)

thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Spellbinders-Standard Circles Large, Classic Rectangles Large, Classic Ovals Large, Classic Scalloped Border Petite, Paper-Thick Cherry Paper (Creative Imaginations)

Friday, July 23, 2010

be you

Unity Turtle

I love turtles. Always have. So, when I saw this turtle in the Naturally You May Set B set from Unity, I had to pick it up!!
The set comes with a great definition stamp and I repeatedly stamped it onto cardstock with black ink, to make my own text paper. The edges and paper were inked and distressed. The twine is tied through a little heart button. Guess I should have taken a close-up. :)

Unity Turtle CU

Here is a close-up of the coloring. Love those little hearts on his shell!!

I will be entering this one in the Moxie Fab World challenge topic, Fun and Cute! Have you entered your cards yet? Pop on over and check out all the details!

Have a terrific day and thanks for stopping by!


Supplies: Stamps-Unity (Naturally You Set B), Ink-Tsukineko (Memento-Tuxedo Black) Palette (Landscape), Copics (YG03, YG25, G07, R22, R24, R27), Twine-May Arts

Thursday, July 22, 2010

just because…

Delicate Blossoms

A box of Hero Arts goodness arrived at my house yesterday and of course, I had to dive in and get inky!

Delicate Blossoms CU

Love the look of Copic markers on kraft cardstock! This image is much taller, but I stamped it onto a piece of cardstock laying on my desk. Doing that drove the entire design of the card. I need to do that more often, instead of starting with the standard card base. :)

Have you been making cards for the challenge over at Moxie Fab World? There are 4 challenges in honor of Card Style, the special issue that is now on stands. Just click on one of these topics and use the Mr. Linky at the bottom. Winners will be chosen and the prize is a copy of the issue!

The tricky part is, which area do I enter this in? :) I think I will go for classy and elegant. The color combo and the flowers put it into that catagory for me. :)

I meant to get this posted and scheduled for this morning, but we spent the evening in the ER. Our little man needed stitches in his eyebrow. He was playing at the pool with daddy and somehow bumped his head on the play set. 6 stitches later…he was amazing through the whole ordeal. And I am grateful for a strong husband who stayed with him through it all, even when I couldn’t. The little man is resting today with a bruised and swollen shut eye. He should be able to have the stitches out in 5 days. The poor thing, I would give him anything he asked for. I even offered cookie salad for breakfast, but he thought cinnamon toast sounded better. Yes, he is quite the little man.

thanks for listening to my mommy story and for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Hero Arts (Canvas Stripes Cling, Delicate Blossoms, Everyday Sayings), Ink-Tsukineko (Memento Tuxedo Black) (Versamark Watermark), Copics (R22, R24, R27, G80, G94)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

quiet

Unity Flower, Bee, Quiet

Don’t you love that sentiment? I know I need to take time and just be. Be without all the distractions that keep us all so busy.

The images were stamped onto cardstock, colored, and then cut out. I love the fussy cutting! :) Three small gems were added to the center of the flower for a little bling.
thanks for stopping by!


Supplies: Stamps-Unity (Quiet Essence June Half Kit B), Ink-Tsukineko (Versamark Watermark, Memento Tuxedo Black), Copics (BG72, BG75, BG78, YG03, YG17, G07, Y23, Y35, Y38, W10, BG000), Embossing Powder-Stampendous (Detail White), Gems-Hero Arts

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

all my love is yours

All my Love is Yours

I love this flower. I would have never made it on my own. But now I am addicted! We learned how to make these flowers at the Spellbinders retreat. We die cut old book papers and layered them together, attaching them at the center with a brad. Then we sprayed them with Glimmer Mist, heated it with a heat gun, and crumpled the petals as we continued to spray and heat. Isn’t it cool? Be sure and wear a glove while doing this….trust me. :)

There is quite a bit of new art in the Spellbinders gallery. Stop on over and check it out.
Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!


Supplies: Patterned paper-Graphic 45 (Boardwalk), Stamps-Waltzingmouse Stamps (Seasons of Love), Glimmer Mist-Tattered Angels (Turquoise Blue, Coral Reef), Brad (Fancy Pants), Ink-Clearsnap (Colorbox Chalk Creamy Brown), Mesh-Creative Impressions, Spellbinders-Jumbo Scalloped Border Petite, Big Scalloped Circles Large

Monday, July 19, 2010

Mint Monday

Good Monday morning and happy Mint Monday! Thanks for your excitement about the new releases, Cake Shoppe and Cake Shoppe, Too!

AND THE WINNER OF THE STAMPS IS…Jennifer Scull from her post at Geny Cassady’s blog!
what a fun idea! thanks! :) Posted by: Jennifer Scull | July 14, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Congrats! Be sure and email me, Jennifer, so I can get you Cake Shoppe and Cake Shoppe, Too!

Here is a little video I did of how to stamp a cake using Cake Shoppe and Cake Shoppe, Too. I stamp the images, talk about the images in each set, and give you a few ideas about using these unique, clever, and creative stamps.



Here is the direct link for those that need it: BAKING A CAKE

Wow! There are some amazing projects using Mint Motif for you to check out today!!
Remember to email me a link to your blog post using Mint Motif stamps! I cannot wait to share your projects!
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! thanks for stopping by!


Oh---cool announcement from 3L. The company that makes the Scrapbooking Adhesives products:
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.…
Get ready to bring your craft to a whole new level! If you want to know what the big news is BEFORE anyone else… be sure you’ve signed up at www.theshapetocome.com!
If you register your email address here before July 25th, you’ll get a special pre-show announcement one day before the CHA Trade Show opens!! One lucky person that signs up between now and July 25th will be chosen at random to win $50 (msrp) of SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L™ products (winner announced on our blog August 2nd)!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Paper Crafts Magazine Presents: A Card Style Mystery Blog Hop

CardStyle.2010_CoverWEB

The latest special issue from Paper Crafts Magazine, Card Style, is now available. Like I said before, this issue is amazing! The concept is; each section of the magazine has cards in a particular style. Cards which are brilliantly designed and spot-on in their genre. After reading through the issue the other night, I am totally inspired and very proud to be a part of this issue (not to mention being on the cover!! eeee! :))

Because each project had to be exactly in each style, it was a challenge to create projects! A good challenge though, because it made me think about each and every element I placed on a card. I guess that made it easy to edit what I could and couldn't use. :)

Classy and Elegant Card

Here is my project to share with you today. My style (at least for today :)) is Classy and Elegant. I definitely gravitate towards this style-classy colors with timeless design elements. Think Pottery Barn and Martha Stewart.

The card started out with wood paper for the background. LOVE that! Then I die cut a pendant shape from black cardstock and placed it along the left hand side. I trimmed the excess away. Then I proceeded to use several left-over smaller accent pieces that came from the original cut, so I could create a damask-looking image. Black pearls were added to places they just seemed to fit perfectly. To keep the classy look, the sentiment was stamped in black ink.

Wood, pearls, black, scripted font, damask. Absolutely timeless elements. Each one staying within its style.

Ready for a different style? Because here is the super duper fun part of today, the Mystery Blog Hop! I am giving you a link to another project, from an amazing designer, in another style. Consider it research for your next card! :) Click the photo below or click HERE to continue on the hop.

Click HERE---> CardStyle_Button

And be sure to visit Moxie Fab World and Paper Crafts Connection. On each site is a photo of half of the prize, valued over $350, that you have the chance to win. Leave comments on all 18 mystery blogs in the hop plus a comment both at Moxie Fab World and at the Paper Crafts Connection blog and you have 20 chances to win. 3 winners will be chosen. All comments must be posted by Sunday, July 18. Winners will be announced on both the Moxie Fab World and Paper Crafts Connection blogs on Tuesday, July 20.

For your chance to win, answer one of these questions in my comments; What is your favorite card style to look at for inspiration? What is your card style? Do you have a style that you wish was yours? Good luck!

thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Spellbinders-Lattice Pendant, Cardstock, Stamps-Papertrey Ink, Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black, Gems-Hero Arts, Wood Paper-Creative Imaginations (Thin Birch)

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Spellbinders Blog Frenzy

This contest is now closed. Thank you for visiting!

Pink  Blue Logo with Tagline

SPELLBINDERS BIG EVENT!!

Blog Frenzy

July 13-20, 2010

Welcome to the third day of the Spellbinders Paper Arts BIG Event!

The BIG Event is Spellbinders™ Paper Arts’ way of introducing some really exciting new products! This season’s BIG Event is from July 13-20, incorporating 16 fabulous Designers, and you could win BIG!

· Win today’s new die templates!

· Be eligible to win the Grand Prize by entering each day from each blog!

· You may enter once from each blog on the designated days!

· Each contest is open for 48 hours to enter the contest!

· You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time July 16, 2010 to enter my contest. Be sure to read the Official Rules before entering so that your entry will be valid!

These are the Designers and their contest dates:

July 13

July 14

July 15

July 16

July 17

July 18

July 19

July 20

Daily contest winners are randomly chosen from valid entries, as stated in the Official Rules. The winners will receive an email within 24 hours of the contest’s closing. The winners will have 72 hours to reply to that email to claim prize. If a winner fails to respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Entrants that send valid contest entry emails to each of the contests will be automatically considered for the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize has a retail value of over $700, and includes Spellbinders CHA Summer 2010 release die templates, Spellbinders CHA Summer 2010 release punch templates and a Presto Punch™ machine!

Thank you, Spellbinders Paper Arts, for sponsoring this contest!

I’m thrilled to share Fleur De Lis and Scalloped Circle Presto Punch™ templates with you...

New Image 2

P5-004 Fleur De Lis punch template

New Image

P3-011 Scalloped Circle punch template

And here is my project!

FINAL PROJECT

This is a set of three plaques to be hung on your walls or placed on a shelf. Each plaque measures 4” square. Here is how to make them:

Paint Blocks

1. Paint three wooden plaques with watered-down white paint. Let dry.

2. Sand the entire surfaces and wipe away dust.

3. Paint all three plaques with black paint. Let dry.

Inking 3x3 paper edges

4. Cut three pieces of patterned paper. Ink the edges using a foam applicator.

Gluing 3x3 paper to blocks

5. Spread tacky glue over entire flat surface, avoiding the edges.

3x3 Paper adhered to block

6. Place the patterned paper over the surface. Smooth out with your hand, to avoid bubbles. Repeat this for all three plaques.

Circle Punch template to cut

7. Cut a small piece of patterned paper and place it inside the punching booklet.

8. Place the P3-011 Scalloped Circle punch template over the patterned paper with the PUNCH EDGE DOWN.

Presto Punch book in slot

9. Slide the booklet into the slot on the front of the Presto Punch Machine.

Presto Punch book all the way in slot

10. Push the down button until the platform has reached the bottom. The motor will stop.

11. Raise the platform, by pushing the up button, so that you can remove the booklet.

Circle punch template to emboss

12. Move the punch template, with the paper still inside, to the embossing booklet.

13. Push the down button again and repeat the process.

14. Punch/emboss a total of three circles.

Inking circles

15. Ink the circle edges with a foam applicator.

Glueing circle

16. Apply glue to the entire back surface of each circle.

Circle to block

17. Adhere the circles to the center of each plaque. Smooth out with your hand.

black paper fleur de lis

18. Cut a small piece of black cardstock and place inside the punching booklet.

19. Place the P5-004 Fleur De Lis punch template over the cardstock with the punch edge down.

20. Insert the booklet into the slot. Press the down button until the platform reaches the bottom. Raise the platform with the up button and remove the booklet.

21. Leave the paper inside the punch template and move it to the embossing booklet. Press the down button until the platform reaches the bottom. Raise the platform with the up button and remove the booklet and the paper from the punch template.

22. Repeat the process to create three Fleur De Lis.

Fleur de Lis CLOSE UP

This is a close up look of the fabulous embossing detail on this punch template.

Crackle medium to fleur de lis

23. Apply crackle medium to the surface of each Fleur De Lis.

24. Allow to dry for a few hours.

xyron the fleur de lis

25. Once dry, apply adhesive to the back of each Fleur De Lis with a Xyron.

Fleur de lis to block

26. Adhere each Fleur De Lis to the Scalloped Circle on each plaque.

This is the Spellbinders product I introduced:

New Image 2

SKU/Product Name: P5-004 Fleur De Lis punch template

MSRP: $14.99

Dimensions:

1. 3/4" x 3/4"

2. 1 1/4" x 1 1/4"

3. 1 3/4" x 1 3/4"

New Image

SKU/Product Name: P4-011 Scalloped Circle punch template

MSRP:$9.99

Dimensions:

1. 7/8" x 7/8"

2. 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"

3. 2" x 2"

SECOND PROJECT

Here is a second project using the same punch templates. Wouldn’t it be great to give this project and card as a house warming gift?

For the official Spellbinders Paper Arts BIG Event rules, click HERE

I love your comments! Unfortunately your comment does not count towards a contest entry, so be sure to enter and then leave a comment!

If you have any questions, please e-mail ContestQuestions@Spellbinders.us

Thank you for visiting my blog and good luck!!

Supplies: Patterned paper-Donna Salazar (Memory Mosiacs), Cardstock-World Win (Black), Ink-Ranger (Distress-Frayed Burlap), Crackle Medium (Ranger), Paint-Delta (Creamcoat White, Black), Elmer's Tacky Glue, Xyron

Introducing Cake Shoppe and Cake Shoppe, Too

Cake Shoppe $10

  • 20 images
  • Middle Cake Layer measures 1 1/2” wide x 7/8” tall
  • Top Cake Layer measures 1” wide x .7/8” tall
  • 2 sentiments

mm004

Cake Shoppe, Too $10

  • 13 images
  • Bottom Cake Layer measures 2 1/4” wide x 7/8” tall
  • 2 bonus images-Daisy Cake Topper and Candle
  • 2 sentiments
  • All sentiments fit in the bottom cake layer

mm003

Cake Shoppe and Cake Shoppe, Too are now available for purchase at iheartpapers.com!!

And as a nice bonus, I have created an Idea Sheet, which you can print off for your own reference. The Idea Sheet comes with several ideas of how to decorate your own cakes. You can find the .pdf HERE

Check out what the wonderful Mint Motif design team has created:

AND today I am giving away Cake Shoppe and Cake Shoppe, Too!! Just visit all the blogs and leave a comment about your favorite kind of cake. (including here) You will be entered in a drawing for your chance to win! You have until July 15th at 10 PM CDT to enter. The winner will be announced on July 16th at 10 pm CDT here.

Today's project is in the next post, so be sure to keep scrolling! You don't want to miss what I did with Impressabilities this time! :) thanks for stopping by!

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