Hello... out there....can I get a few volunteers?

Before you say yes, I need to warn you...

I have no dishwasher.

Hummmm.... didn't think so.

Please tell me I am not the ONLY ONE who makes such a mess frosting cupcakes?

I LOVE buttercream icing but - it's just so darn messy to make and work with.

I found these cute little Mary Engelbreit napkins and thought "Now, wouldn't it be cute to make cupcakes to match".

They aren't perfect...

but...

they sure were tasty!

Today's links:

http://todayscreativeblog.net/

http://www.beckieandbrad.blogspot.com/

http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://froufroudecor.blogspot.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://www.remodelaholic.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

I WON !

I seldom ever sign up for a giveaway, but THIS ONE I couldn't pass up.
The DIY Show Off was giving away a beautiful faux cupcake from My Cottage Charm.
You can imagine how excited I was when Missy contacted me to let me know I had won.

I have been admiring Missy's faux cakes and cupcakes since she first
 posted them on her blog.
Even though I loved her photos, I was a tiny bit apprehensive about ordering something from the internet I hadn't seen "in person".
Let's face it, it happens... you see something you think is beautiful in a picture on the internet, you order it, it comes in the mail and hummmmmm..... not quite the quality you thought it would be and looks nothing like the picture.
THAT -  is exactly what happened here....
Yep, you heard me right!
Not like the photos and not the quality I was expecting....

It was WAY MORE BEAUTIFUL than her photos.
I was just amazed at the quality of her work.
I had no idea they would be so beautiful.

Here's how my little cupcake arrived.
In a cute little box with a sweet note from Missy.


I opened the lid to find this...
So delicate and beautiful.



 
Because it looks so delicate, I was a little afraid to lift it out of the box,
 afraid it might crumble.
Was I surprised!
 It only LOOKS delicate... It's very well made and I have no worries it will crumble or chip.
I REALLY can't say enough about the quality of this little cupcake.
It's perfect in every way!
 

 
Believe me when I say....
The photos don't do it justice.  
 

Not only is the cupcake absolutely adorable but the service was great.

Missy e-mailed me right away to let me know she was mailing it. Unfortunately, there were tornado warnings in her area that day which prevented her from getting to the post office. Being a good business women, Missy again e-mailed me right away to let me know it would be the following day before she could get it out.

Don't you love that? She was so great! 

I would recommend her products and service to anyone.

In fact, I was so impressed, I will be placing an order soon....

I just can't make up my mind if I want the cake or the petit fours.

Thanks again, to both DIY Showoff and My Cottage Charm for such a great giveaway. 

Host a stress free game night

 

Last weekend we had 8 guests over for game night.

I wanted to make it simple so we made and sliced hoagies on a platter, sweet and sour meatballs in the Crock pot, homemade mac and cheese, easy baked Mexican dip and Fritos.

We made everything ahead, so no last minute stress before the guests arrive. The hoagies were in the fridge, meatballs in the Crock pot, the mac and cheese and Mexican dip ready just to slide into the oven and bake a hour before the guests arrive. Could it be much easier?

I asked everyone to bring a dessert of their choice.

We had cheesecake, cupcakes and a dump cake.

 Of course, I had to try one (or more) of each.....ALL very yummy!

 I didn't have much time to plan or decorate since I had decided only the week before

to host a game night.

Since we would be spending most of our time between the kitchen and the game table, I thought I would just stitch up a few new dishtowels and napkins.

 



 

 

 

And, that's how you host a no stress game night!

Have a great day.

 

 

Linking today to:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.craftsalamode.com/

http://www.sewcanshe.com/

 



Welcome to the neighborhood.

 

I am getting a new neighbor right next door and I am so excited to meet her.

According to the previous owner, she is a single gal, moving down from the northeast and should be here in February.

I don't know her name, so I was trying to come up with a way to welcome her and give her something personal for her new home.

 

Since I have no idea what colors she has in her home or her decorating style, I went with something simple.

I figured cupcakes go with ANYTHING including Home "sweet" Home.

 

 

I personalized it by including her new address under the cupcake.

(To protect her privacy I have blurred out the address in the picture.)

 

 Here it is wrapped and ready to be delivered.

 

I can't wait to meet her.

Hope she likes it.


Linking today to:
http://www.sewmuchado.com/
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/



DIY quilt markers

I LOVE cherries.

Cherry pie, cherry fabric, chocolate-covered cherries, cherry cupcakes, etc.

While I'm in this cherry mood, I decided to try my hand at making a few homemade labels for my fabric pieces.

Up to now, I've been using Scrabble tiles to label my fabric pieces after cutting.

I actually really like using the Scrabble tiles because they have a bit of weight to them. 

I see Lori Holts Alphabitties everywhere and decided to see if I might like something similar. 

Since I have a Cricut Maker I thought I would try making my own "Alphabitties".

 I thought these may come in handy if I needed to clip the fabric pieces together with the appropriate marker.

These were super easy to make. 

I designed the square and used an existing cherry design I found in Cricut Access.

 I printed my design on cardstock and adhered stick-on laminating sheets to both the front and back.

I then put my laminated cardstock into my Cricut Maker and set the cut for cardstock.

 Even adding more pressure to the cardstock setting it still took 3 passes to cut all the way through the two sheets of laminate and the sheet of cardstock. 

If anyone knows a better setting, please let me know and I will pass the info along.

Honestly, between me and you, I still prefer my little Scrabble tiles to my homemade labels.

The only thing I might change would be to add a bit of felt onto the back to keep them from slipping around on my fabric.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Just in from shopping Walmart...

 

and look what I found.





These cute little 9" x 11" totes are made from the same fabric as the reusable grocery bags.

Because they are fabric, I think they will make great gift bags to embroider on.

They are a perfect size - not too big - not too small.

I found these reusable totes in the wrapping paper section for a mere $.97 each.

 

There were others with cute designs like cupcakes and hearts, but I like to stick to the "generic" so I can use them

 for any occasion.

As you can see in the picture below, the bottom of these bags are squared; making them able to sit on their own.

 

 

I'm thinking I may embroider the recipients names in pink on the black and white totes and black on the blue one. I am also seeing a sweet little pink flamingo on the black and white polka dot.

Whatcha think?

 

Wouldn't these be perfect wrapping for a co-workers birthday gift?

 The tote (with their name on it) could recycle into a lunch bag afterwards.

Two gifts in one!

Ever ask yourself...

WHY ME?

My daughters birthday is coming soon....

I'm pretty sure I will be making cupcakes!

Do you ever wonder what your doodles REALLY say about you?

 

Some say your doodles can unlock great insight about who you are and what's on your mind, you just have to know how to read them.

 

 



Apparently I'm a cupcake lover and cupcakes are the ONLY thing on MY mind!

 

What do your doodles say about you? 

I'm back!

We took a little trip to see our grandbabies.

Meet Oakleigh and her new little sister Brantley.

Aren't they adorable?

We had a WONDERFUL visit.

~ Pappa got to feed Miss Brantley ~

~ I got to cuddle her ~

~ We played on the swing set ~

~ Made cupcakes together~

Didn't she do a great job decorating them?

I never wanted to come home.....