What do you get when you have to make cupcakes for someone who is celebrating a birthday, but you have absolutely no idea what flavors they like? Apparently, in my world you get Chocolate Butterscotch Chip cupcakes with Vanilla frosting.
I'm not going to give the birthday celebrant a hard time, because I'm the same way- when someone asks me what I like, I say "Oh, I like almost anything related to desserts."
I went to the grocery store hoping inspiration would hit me. I went down the baking isle in search of baking soda (I'd run out the previous week), and BAM! There it was- butterscotch chips. Mmmm.
I didn't want to use vanilla cake, because I wanted the butterscotch to be a hidden surprise, instead of the feature for this cupcake. I used a new chocolate cake recipe (from the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook) which turned out amazingly.
After baking up the cupcakes, I decided to go with Vanilla buttercream frosting. I made a half recipe for 24 cupcakes, because I knew I was going to hand frost (as opposed to piping it on) and also because again, I didn't want the frosting to take away from the overall flavor.
They came out pretty darn well. And? The important thing: the birthday celebrant really liked them.
Sometimes going into the kitchen with no ideas does work out favorably.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sewing Challenges
I am currently working on a new project that involves minimal sewing. I'm really excited about it, but also feeling anxious.
Why the anxiousness, you ask. Well, this Natalie Dee cartoon pretty much sums it up.
Yeah, I'm having bobbin issues. Or maybe it's tension issues. Or something. I blame the bobbin because the thread keeps getting stuck down there.
I haven't actually sewed anything on the project for fear of destruction. So, here's keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I can do it without any hassle.
But for now, enjoy the above cartoon. I know I'll be looking at it the next time my bobbin gets messed up so that I won't feel alone in my bobbin disasters.
Why the anxiousness, you ask. Well, this Natalie Dee cartoon pretty much sums it up.
Yeah, I'm having bobbin issues. Or maybe it's tension issues. Or something. I blame the bobbin because the thread keeps getting stuck down there.
I haven't actually sewed anything on the project for fear of destruction. So, here's keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I can do it without any hassle.
But for now, enjoy the above cartoon. I know I'll be looking at it the next time my bobbin gets messed up so that I won't feel alone in my bobbin disasters.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
And They Lived Happily Ever After
This past weekend, I spent my 4th of July at the wedding of one of my very best friends. I got to spend five full days in my hometown, reconnecting with friends and family. It was fantastic.
Of course, having to be there a few days early for the rehearsal I had to make the wedding card over a week in advance. My creative mojo usually doesn't start working until I have about an hour to finish something, so this was a bit of a challenge.
For my inspiration I pulled out the materials I'd used to create her wedding invations (I...am trying to find the one I have so that I can show you what they looked like, but I have not yet succeeded there). Her wedding colors were black, ivory, and gold.
I decided to use the gold as the main color for the card (it doesn't photograph well, but it has a slight shimmer to it). Rooting around through my stamps I came across the stamp of the couple. It's actually got three different poses for the couple and I really adore the stamp.
I used a square motif because the wedding invitations had embossed squares on them, but incorporated the circles and squiggly lines as a way to tie in the thank you notes I made for a gift (which, I stupidly forgot to photograph).
The shapes are all cut out using my Cricut and the stamp of the couple was embellished using glitter gel pens.
Of course, having to be there a few days early for the rehearsal I had to make the wedding card over a week in advance. My creative mojo usually doesn't start working until I have about an hour to finish something, so this was a bit of a challenge.
For my inspiration I pulled out the materials I'd used to create her wedding invations (I...am trying to find the one I have so that I can show you what they looked like, but I have not yet succeeded there). Her wedding colors were black, ivory, and gold.
I decided to use the gold as the main color for the card (it doesn't photograph well, but it has a slight shimmer to it). Rooting around through my stamps I came across the stamp of the couple. It's actually got three different poses for the couple and I really adore the stamp.
I used a square motif because the wedding invitations had embossed squares on them, but incorporated the circles and squiggly lines as a way to tie in the thank you notes I made for a gift (which, I stupidly forgot to photograph).
The shapes are all cut out using my Cricut and the stamp of the couple was embellished using glitter gel pens.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
How to Use Your Bone Folder
A few weeks back I posted about my Martha Stewart Bone Folder that I can't craft without. Immediately thereafter there was a run on Bone Folders as my legions of readers rushed out to purchase their very own MS Bone Folder.
In all seriousness, I do have a reader who bought a Bone Folder and asked me for some tips on using the new tool. I tried to explain in words how to hold the tool and what to do, but all I think I was successful at was confusing the poor person.
So, here is a short video in which I explain how I use my MS Bone Folder in the hopes that it helps you use yours.
In all seriousness, I do have a reader who bought a Bone Folder and asked me for some tips on using the new tool. I tried to explain in words how to hold the tool and what to do, but all I think I was successful at was confusing the poor person.
So, here is a short video in which I explain how I use my MS Bone Folder in the hopes that it helps you use yours.
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