{busy, busy}

I've been running all day! But it feels good to have accomplished so much. I finally got around to taking pictures of a few projects-- thank you weather, so expect some new posts soon.

And I made Easter eggs! I tried to use the techniques from the most recent Martha Stewart Living, but it didn't work out quite right... Oh well.

I also made an apple pie-- well... am making. It's in the oven right now, and I'm not sure how it's going to turn out. I kinda ran out of crust, and I didn't feel confident enough to try to expand it on my own. I guess I'll have to wait and see. All that matters is how it tastes!!

The cards pictured at the top were also part of this morning's endeavors. These Easter-- well, more like spring-- cards are just a few hand-cut pieces glued to a Liberty of London card from Target.

I hand drew the flowers, trying to match them to flowers on the cards. Then I cut around the drawings with a craft knife.

I could have saved myself some time and just used a printed drawing, glued to the back and then cut around.

I'm working on a few cards now with bird's nests and eggs. They are pretty cute!

Kahlua Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes

That's a mouthful isn't it? But a very delicious one.

The cupcakes are really simple, just a basic chocolate cake recipe-- or a box, if you were in a bind like myself-- with a few tweaks. Instead of water, I substituted some room temperature coffee. I also added a splash, or two or three, of Kahlua!

The icing is a recipe from the Cake Mix Doctor. She calls for six Tablespoons of boiling water, but I also substituted coffee-- this time hot-- here too.

The icing was a bit too melty, perhaps from the gorgeous weather--finally!! I couldn't pipe it very well, but I think it looks just fine. I might go back and add a few chocolate twirls or sprinkles, just for fun!

Today is a friend's birthday, and these are for her party tomorrow! Also, notice the lovely Liberty of London for Target serving tray!!

I had been waiting for weeks for these to come out, and I am so glad I got this piece! I'm almost surprised at how quickly these have sold out, but seeing how cute they are explains it all.

Thursday Blues

I'm been a bit down this week. Not sick, or depressed, just tired. Worn down. I'm ready for some much needed sunshine and nice weather. But to cheer me-- and you too, hopefully-- here is a little link love. Ideas for the weekend, perhaps?

• hearty bolillos from Heart of Light
• a cute cardi makeover from Angry Chicken
• a birthday banner-- for no one in particular-- on Martha Stewart's Craft blog
• chocolate-y chocolate chip scones on a studio with a view
• more chocolate-y chocolate peanut butter mousse tarts from Tell Love and Chocolate
• adorable iPhone case tutorial via ISLY--a new fav!
• an upcycled vintage clutch from paper n stitch
• a zipper headband tutorial from Vickie Howell

Valentine's cookies!

I didn't get around to making my Valentine's cookies until Valentine's Day. I'm a bit disappointed in myself, but I had fun, and that's what counts!

I tried a new recipe, which is always hit-and-miss. They weren't as buttery as I would have liked, and they really needed to be refrigerated for several hours before rolling. But then again, they were supposed to be drop cookies.

I don't think I'll use this recipe again, but it was worth the experience.

My icing also didn't turn out perfectly; it was extra runny, and it ended up Pepto-pink, instead of a light pink like I wanted. I made the best of it though, and drizzled or dipped most of the cookies, as to avoid neon shock.

If anyone has any delicious tips for me, please let me know!

Oh, the humaity! Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Cups

Image courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess
I thought that this link needed to be shared. No, it was begging me, literally. These Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Cups hail from the blog Hostess with the Mostess, and wouldn't any guests love you for these. I can't wait to try them out on some very grateful friends!

Wrap it up!

The title applies to both the year and the few Christmas presents that I have left to wrap.

I love the cute gift wrap that you can buy at Target, but it really doesn't hold up well. But it's too late for this year's bunch. Next year, I'm just going to buy some heavy duty kraft paper, or use brown paper bags, and accent with the cute paper and bows. If only I remember during my Christmas frenzy in 2010!

Sadly, this should be my last post before the holidays, and I just might be able to squeeze one in before New Year's, but I can't make any promises.

But until then, I leave all you last minute wrappers with a little gift wrap inspiration, and a lot of FREE downloads!

Gift Wrap, Anyone?

• free printable gift wrap from Creature Comforts
• gift card wallets via Screen Prints
• fabric gift envelopes from Paper n Stitch
• monogrammed letter gift wrapping on Design*Sponge
• snowflake pillow boxes on Creature Comforts
• printable holiday packaging via How about Orange...

Bows and Tags

• a gift bow from a magazine via How about Orange...
• free printable gift tags via Creature Comforts
• brooches as bows on Bugs and Fishes
• bows from felt on Twig and Thistle
• adorable deer tags on Creature Comforts
• button tags and bows from Bugs and Fishes
• twist tie pom poms on Craftzine
• vintage photo gift tags from Nice package
• free gift tags via Creature Comforts

Holiday Cards

• free printable holiday cards via Creature Comforts
• another free printable on Creature Comforts

Something for Your Sweets

• a sweet holiday tag available on The Long Thread
• a goodie bag topper from Love.Obsess.Inspire.
• revamped hot chocolate mix from Lolly Chops

Drink Up

Winter is one of my absolute favorites times of the year, mostly because of all the delicious things to drink. Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, there's no better way to enjoy cold weather.

I'm not so sure how grown-up I want my hot chocolate to be... But here are a few quick recipes and crafts to help enjoy this chilly weather!!

• Grown-up Hot Chocolate via Craftzine
• knitted cup cozies on Meet Me at Mike's
• to top off your coffee, a coffee stencil from How About Orange...
• apple cider... in apple cups via Craftynest
• felt cup warmers on The Small Object
• a free tutorial for coffee cup cozies from mmmcrafts
• and to top off the deliciousness Cookie Cream Sandwiches on Design*Sponge

h my! Tonight was Halloween Cookie Night, and I must say it was a smashing, yet messy, success!

These cookies look like something that arose out of the ashes of Chernobyl, but I think they have a certain kind of 8-eyed charm. I'm not super happy with my cookie recipe, so I'm on the lookout for a new one, if anyone has any suggestions.

I really didn't get around to much of anything this week, but hopefully I'll make up for it this weekend! And I'm definitely getting in the Halloween mood! I already have a beautiful pumpkin, and I'm thinking about what to carve on it!

But for the weekend, here are a few ideas. Have a great one!

• One of my favorite fall staples, apple butter on Curiositys
• Inspiration in this cute bag on artsy-crafty babe
• A cute and cozy ruffled shirt from Craftzine
• Halloween town treat bags from little. lovely.

Weekend Project Idea:Ruffled Headband

Okay... I have to admit, I've tried this one before, and it just didn't work out quite right. I wasn't happy with the results, and I'm determined to get it right. So, my mission this weekend is to try again and see what I can come up with.

Some other good weekend project ideas:

• these delicious looking scones from Design*Sponge
• faux milk glass bottles from P.S. I Made This
• super cute printable mailing labels from How about orange...
• tank top totes from Craftynest that would be great for shopping
• twist tie pom poms from Craftzine
• a zippy wallet tutorial from noodlehead to use up all your scraps!
• and lastly, a beautiful sunprint corkboard tutorial from Design*Sponge

Wednesday needs...

A little bit of link love. Just to break up the mid-week slump. I'm definitely in the funk, so here's a few things that cheer me up:

• Snickerdoodle Duo cupcakes from Bakerella
• Embroidered book corner from Craftzine
• rubber stamping from Sweet Tidings
• paper dolls from Martha Stewart
• shortbread cookies from Make it Do
• easy screenprinting on Angry Chicken

The only baking supplier you'll ever need

courtesy of bakeitpretty.com

Bake it Pretty is literally the ONLY baking supplier a girl could possibly ever need. Sure, the grocery store is great for quick supplies, but baking with intention to cuteness is much better.

Bake it Pretty offers a wide selection of cupcake liners to suit everyone, and I, of course, just bought three. It also helps ease my conscience that these liners aren't much more expensive than the ones at the grocery store, but they offer SO much more personality.However, these liners go quick, so you have to be on your toes to catch them in stock!!

My, oh my, baking and pie

It has finally cooled down here, and I am really enjoying the weather... and the clothes... jackets and sweaters. Yum yum. And along with the great fall weather, baked goods galore!! Here are just a few recipes and an icing tutorial-- oh, joy!

• milk chocolate cookies-- yum, yum-- from Martha Stewart via Heart of Light
• delicious-looking popovers from angry chicken
• A tutorial for Magnolia Bakery's icing on Cupcakes take the Cake
• Pumpkin Pie Bites from Bakerella
• adorable pie tins from LollyChops
• and last but not least, recipes from the new book The Happy Baker:A Dater's Guide to Emotional Baking

Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I bake when I am mad. Honestly, I have been mad and stressed a lot lately. But this is one easy, delicious recipe that puts me back into the right mood!

These chocolate, peanut butter cookies require no baking, and thus, are much quicker to make than normal cookies. Or perhaps they should be called a candy. Either way, they are delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 Tablespoons (or less) cocoa powder
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 3 cups (plus some) of quick cooking rolled oats

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan.
2. Add milk and sugar to the melted butter, and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Mix in cocoa powder-to your liking.
4. Add the one cup of peanut butter, and stir the mixture until the peanut butter has combined.
5. Slowly combine the oats into the peanut-butter-chocolate-y goodness until all the oats are covered in chocolate. Then drop the mixture onto a sheet of wax paper by the tablespoon.

You can enjoy these treats hot and cold, although I can never hold out until they cool. These really are perfect for a bad day!

Vacation Weekend Mishaps

Hello everyone! I suppose I am taking sort of a vacation this week before I get back into the grind of work. It's been lackluster, really, all three days of it, as I have been sick for about a week.

I also burnt my hand last night making spaghetti. It was an honest mistake, more a lack of muscle than anything. And I was only trying to not melt a water bottle in the sink with boiling hot spaghetti water while I drained it.

Yes, I know. How dumb am I? Next time I will just melt the bottle instead of staging a rescue mission. And now, Charlie [my boyfriend] is afraid to let me into the kitchen alone. Honestly, I just wanted to make muffins!! From a box!!! Nothing dangerous about that. Unless you are me apparently...

But even in my half handicapped state--I burned the index finger on my right hand... It is making things difficult-- I am ready to get back to crafting. I already have things in my mind to do... As soon as I can!

4-Ingredient Peanut-Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'd like to post for you my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. It's my go to recipe for when I need to bake, but I don't have a lot of time. (My other go-to-cookie is sugar cookie for when I'm feeling sassy and creative and have a LOT of time).

My sister and I have been trying out different versions of this recipes for a while, because we always forget the amounts!

The cookies are not peanut-allergy friendly, but for those of you who have a gluten allergy, like a friend of my sister, these cookies are great! And those of us who aren't on gluten-free can enjoy them too!

Ingredients:

• 1 egg


• 3/4 cup peanut butter


• 3/4 cup sugar


• about 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350.


2. Mix together the peanut butter and sugar, then fold in the egg. Mix well.


3. Fold in chocolate chips.


4. Drop in 1-in balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. They will spread.


5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or a little longer if you like your cookies crunchy.

Like I said, quick and easy. And delicious, especially hot.

Magpies in Knoxville offering ShakesCakes

Local favorite bakery Magpies is currently combining two of my favorite things for a very special day, cupcakes and Shakespeare!

To celebrate Shakespeare's birthday, which fell sometime in the spring (No one really knows, but he was baptized April 26), Magpies is offering ShakesCakes! All the proceeds from the treats go to benefit the Knox County Public Library-another of my favorites...

Cupcakes and Shakespeare... What could be better?? Check them out at Magpies Web site.

The Crafty Little Cupcake recommends: Bakerella

I have literally just found the cutest,niftiest blog ever! It is full of tiny-cupcake-lollipop-treats. Sound interesting?? It is! You have to see it to believe it! Check it out at Bakerella!