The Cupcake Cuppy

Tips to Manage Your Time

2011-06-27T09:13:00.001-04:00

I've taken a little leave of absence from this blog as I've been swamped with family life, starting up a new business helping others work from home, the start of summer, adjusting to being a semi-single mom again (my husband has been doing a LOT of traveling)! So unfortunately I haven't been giving much attention to my crafts!

I've had to figure out how to get all the above accomplished in a day.
Here are a few tips I've learned to help me stay organized and on track:

1) Make Lists. I've found that making lists of what I need to accomplish in a day/week helps me to stay on track throughout the day. I am easily sucked into social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, and before you know it, an hour has passed and all I've accomplished is reading up on how everyone ELSE has spent their day! For me, it helps to have my lists written down, and visible... as a constant reminder.

2) Break down the big TO-DOs into smaller tasks.. That way you won't keep avoiding it because of its size. For example... clean up the basement. (one of my personal dreads) Break it down to. Organize paints, sweep floor, wash the windows, hang curtains... that way you will also be motivated each time you can check off a small task! Woo Hoo!

3) Get a Daily Planner. This has helped me keep track of whats going on during the week with my kids activities, dinner plans, meetings, etc. It also helps you see how you can organize the remaining free hours into productive time slots.

4) Schedule your more difficult tasks for when you can be the most productive. Example: If you have a to-do that involves organizing your bills or stack of paperwork that has taken over your desk, you may want to tackle that puppy when the kids are napping, of after they've gone to bed. Nothing is more unproductive them having to chase the little one who took off with your Bills to be Paid pile every 2 minutes!

5)If you have kids, schedule time for them. If you give them time where they have your undivided attention, then they won't be constantly be asking for you throughout the day (results may vary) :) But then you can hopefully take more lengthy slots of time to work on that project.

6) Do the things you NEED to do before you do the things you WANT to do! Trust me, doing it this way will make the things you want to do much more enjoyable. You won't have that dark cloud over your head saying "don't forget... you still have to do ____ "

7) Don't be a slave to your emails. Turn off your email or email notifications during certain times. I know I can get distracted by the "You've Got Mail" sound... and want to immediately check it! Check your email at certain times during the day. Set time aside to check them and answer them. Then shut it off.

I hope you've found these helpful! For more helpful tips and information, check out my blog, Kimberly Turner Online!

Dancing Rainbows!

2011-05-09T08:26:00.000-04:00

I purchased some sun prisms from an awesome shop on Zibbet a while back and am FINALLY getting around to posting some pictures! The shop is called Dancing Rainbows! If you think the photos are amazing... you should see these things in real life! I was so happy with mine!

I got one for myself and sent another on to a friend of mine... to remind us of our time together in Hawaii .... rainbows.... awesome!

The kids had a blast with all the baby rainbows on the breakfast table...

(pardon the grape juice mustache)

I discovered this amazing shop because I purchased a SAMPLE Z BOX on Zibbet that had amazing samples from several shops! If you like trying things out before you buy them, check out Sample Z Box to see a great variety of handmade items from one of the greatest handmade sites there is... ZIBBET!

Free stuff just for you!

2011-05-07T13:39:00.000-04:00

I've joined a great team of moms who are working from home and they specialize in enhancing lives and helping others be successful!

LIKE them on FACEBOOK: Internet CEO Moms

Recently they did a couple training calls sharing advice and tips for being successful in whatever home business you are involved in.

I thought I would share the recorded calls for anyone who is interested in listening in on their great advice!

Training Call #1- 3 Key Factors to Acheiving Extraordinary Results

Training Call #2- Developing You, Developing Others
Click on the link above for the second training call! I hope you find it helpful!

Last and certainly not least, you can check out my other blog for free training videos for anyone who is searching for a home business.... these videos include great information on what to look for and what to stay away from when searching for a successful home business! Click on the link below to check it out!

Recipe To Success Training Videos

I am so blessed to be working from home with such a great team of women! Their optimism and motivation are amazing!

I love comments and would love to hear your thoughts on these training videos!

Cake Spinner Remodel

2011-02-24T14:53:00.000-05:00

When my grandmother passed away 5 years ago, I got to keep some of her cake pans and supplies. I now have a pantry FULL of character pans, icing tips, and... her cake spinner.

One of the most memorable things about going to my grandparents house, was walking in and immediately being taken over by the smell of cake. (My grandma was THEE Cake Lady in our area) She was always baking and frosting cakes whether it was for a birthday, graduations, or weddings.

The second most memorable thing...
She always used this old wooden cake spinner as she spun the cakes around as she frosted them. I loved how it sounded. The sound of the ball bearings rolling around the ring... Sometimes I will just spin it around to hear the sound! Takes me back.

Anyways... I can't even tell you how many years she used it. And when I brought it home, I covered it with foil each time to keep it 'clean', and because it was a bit 'aged'.

I decided to give it a makeover. It needed a 'fresh look'. So...

I removed the hardware off the bottom...

I washed it up as best as I could. Sanded down the edges a little to give it a softer finish... and then slapped on a couple coats of black paint. I painted around the edge, the bottom, and in a couple inches or so on the top.

Next, I found some scrapbook paper and cut out a circle that would fit on the top of the spinner.

I used my compass to draw the biggest circle possible on a 12x12 paper. Cut it out. Used my handy dandy mod podge to cover the bottom of the paper and place it in position on the spinner.

After drying completely, I covered the entire thing in a couple coats of clear coat.

Reattached the hardware.

Cake spinner renewed... Fresh New Look...with same memorable spinning noise!

Looking for a Few Good Men?

2011-02-23T10:06:00.000-05:00

Newly listed in my Zibbet shop:

US Marine Ornaments

US Marine Nutcracker

ONLY 3 AVAILABLE!!!

Nesting Doll by Numbers

2011-02-22T09:03:00.000-05:00

I snuck down to my craft room last night and painted up a new nesting doll last night while the kids were settling into bed.

This is currently the only set available in my Zibbet shop! Check it out HERE!

Sample Z Box

2011-02-21T23:17:00.001-05:00

I purchased a Sample Z Box on Zibbet to check out all the awesome samples and products that the Zibbet artists have provided in 'Z' box this month (including some products from Yummy Cuppy Crafts!)

If you are interested in getting a Sample Z Box, I highly recommend it! It's a great way to check out a lot of handmade artists who sell on Zibbet! They would also be fun gifts to give to your friends and co-workers! Each month has different shops and samples, so it's fun to see what surprises are in store each month!

**The package arrived very quickly! A sleek black box sat on my doorstep the other day waiting to be ripped opened! The cute tissue paper and bright ribbon made it that much more fun!

Inside, a package FULL of coupon codes from various Zibbet shops awaited:

Sarah Schism Photography 35% OFF
Rebecca's Jewelry 25% OFF
Denim & Pearls 30% OFF
A Stitch And A Prayer 50% OFF
Dancing Rainbows $10 OFF **I placed my order already!
LUCID by Leya 10% OFF

Then, it was time to scope out all the super samples:

Delightful Scents
Candle Sample that I could smell as soon as I opened the box! Mmmm!

Breath of the Dragon
Wood Burned Key chain

ABC Birdhouses
*Because I was one of the first 4 purchasers this month, I received a bonus item, ABC's flower stake + a bag of bird feed!
My kids will have so much fun moving this pretty little thing all over the yard this summer, I'm sure!

Tin Can Quilter
Luggage Tag

Jilly's Stuff
Crocheted Wine Glass slip on coaster (so cute!)

It's My Thing Designs
Gorgeous Green & Silver Earrings! (Can't wait to wear these!)

Xquisitely Lady M
Earrings

LOC Design Studio
Memory Wire Necklace

Spanky Luvs Vintage
Vintage Ring

Mimi & Colette
Sparkly Hair Scrunchie

Bead Casita
Gold Chain

All About the Buttons
Handy little matchbook notebook
(perfect for my kids to doodle on while out running errands with them, to keep them busy)

Custom Candy Creations
Little hard candy samples

Faith Dreams
Adorable Heart Pendant

Body & Soul
Perfume Sample

Texas Eagle Gallery
Fabric Flower Pin

Treasures From Nature

In addition to all the fabulous samples these stores provided for the sample box, most of them also offered discounts to their shops on your next purchase!

I loved Sample Z Box this month!
There are still boxes available!
Stop on over and get one!

SAMPLE Z BOX

Sample Z Box on Facebook
Sample Z Box Blog

U.S. Navy Nesting Doll

2011-02-17T13:25:00.000-05:00

There has been a peak in requests for Nesting Dolls this month!

I recently was asked to make a Navy set. Here is how that one turned out:

Yummy Cuppy Crafts on Etsy

Yummy Cuppy Crafts on Zibbet

Post-Valentine's Day

2011-02-15T08:31:00.001-05:00

The kids came home with their valentine boxes full of special valentines and candy yesterday! I sat with them and went through each one and put all their candy in a bag for later.

Here is the final product of the Valentine's I made for the kids to take to school. I was thrilled with how they turned out and they got TONS of compliments on them! Click here for a quick tutorial on how to make your own!

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day filled with lots of hugs and kisses... and chocolate!

Stop on over to Melissa's Blog: The Joys of Home Educating to see a little feature she did on a set of cupcake wrappers she received from my Cupcake Wrapper of the Month Club!

If you'd like to give someone, or yourself, a membership to my Cupcake Wrapper of the Month Club, you can get them at my Zibbet Shop & my Etsy Shop!

Easy Last MInute Valentine Ideas

2011-02-09T13:32:00.000-05:00

I have seen these ALL OVER the blogosphere so forgive me for not giving credit to one blog or another.

These are great EASY last minute Valentine Ideas for your kids. I am actually ahead of things here for once and am getting these done today, rather than the night before they need to be taken to school! Ha Ha!

All you need is a cute kid (check), and a camera (check)...

Have your child stand with their arm extended toward your camera and fist tight as if they are holding a sucker! (Make sure their thumb is up so that it will look right when you insert the sucker in the picture)

Edit your photo in any software (optional). I used Picnic through Picasa.. so fun!
Add borders and text.

Have these printed off at your nearest CVS, WalMart, etc... (or from your home printer)

Grab a bag of suckers, cut little slits in the photo where the sucker would go in the hand. Then insert the sucker through the two slits in the photo and you are done!

"Just Married" Wood Block

2011-01-31T13:33:00.000-05:00

By special request, I've added a new item that can be displayed with your duty station blocks!

"Just Married" Block

Many spouses married their Marine, or Sailor, etc after they had already began their career in the military, myself included. My husband started out in Quantico, then went to Pensacola, Corpus Christie, and back to Pensacola before he flew home for the weekend for our wedding!

If you want to mark your special day within your line of duty stations, don't forget to add the Just Married block to your cart!

Also available: Pine trees and Palm trees!

Available in my Etsy shop and Zibbet shop!

Giveaway Alert!

2011-01-21T08:05:00.000-05:00

There is a giveaway going on over at Raige Creations for YOUR CHOICE of toekinis!!

Check it out here.

Silhouette Giveaway

2011-01-17T21:39:00.000-05:00

Enter for a chance to win a Silhouette over at Shabby Chic Cottage!

My hubby the struggling carpenter

2011-01-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

My hubby had his knee scoped last week and it wasn't long before he got antsy and needed to do something other than sit and elevate his knee. So he decided to go build a table for me that he had been planning on making for a while now. He had most of the wood waiting for him in the garage...

This is what he got done on day one...

I asked him to cut me some blocks to make some duty station blocks. And of course he did!

Day 2 he made the drawers and bottom shelf... then stained it a dark cherry stain. (It looks a little red in this picture)

Another coat of stain and then a couple coats of clear coat, some hardware, and voila! I asked one of the kiddos to stand next to it so you can see how big it is... and got 3!

Yesterday I went shopping for some baskets to put underneath. I didn't have much luck at Hobby Lobby. There wasn't anything big enough or sturdy enough there... even at 50% off! So I tried my luck at Michaels and found a couple baskets there (40% off) that I love! They were pretty much what I had in mind! LOVE THEM! I did, however, find the lamp at Hobby Lobby (50% OFF)!

(more decorating to be done on the tabletop... I was just excited to post this!)

I've Been Everywhere....

2011-01-14T07:47:00.011-05:00

For those of you who have been following me for a while, you may already know that I am a Proud Marine Wife... I've been married to my Marine for 7 1/2 years, and we've been fortunate to have been stationed at places for decent lengths of time. Here's our 'story':

My husband started his military career in Quantico, VA at OCS (officer candidate school). From there he went to Pensacola, FL and Corpus Christie, TX for flight school. {Insert new wife here} After receiving his wings and finishing top of his class, he chose Kaneohe Bay, HI as our next duty station. We were there for 6 years with 3 deployments to Okinawa, Iraq & Afghanistan. Currently, we are stationed back at Quantico, VA.

On my mantle, I now display my wood block village of each duty station and deployment location that my husband has been stationed/deployed. I think it's a fun way to show people as well as remind our family of our journey. It's been full of memories, and what a great way to reminisce!

If you want to display your own personalized military village, you can get them in my Etsy shop, as well as my Zibbet shop! The hand painted trees are also available! These will also make a great gift for your friends and family who are in the military!

Each block is a different color and I can create any duty station you need. Or if you would like something else on the sign, I would be glad to accommodate!

Linked to:
Fingerprints on the Fridge

The Shabby Nest
Chic On A Shoestring Decorating
Simply Sweet Home
Fun to Craft
A Few of My Favorite Things
The Trendy Treehouse
Home is Where My Story Begins
Iron Violet Designs
Embellishing Life

Christmas Candy on Clearance

2011-01-09T20:37:00.002-05:00

I just bought up a few big bags of Christmas M&Ms (the red and green ones) for 75% off!!! Now I know most people don't care what color their chocolate candy is... just as long as it's chocolate!! But... if you do care.... you can separate the Christmas colors.

Red for Valentines Day

Green for St. Patrick's Day!

All for 75% off, and a few minutes of sorting!

When you didn't have time to make teacher's gifts for Christmas...

2011-01-02T21:10:00.000-05:00

...you make New Year treats!!! I am serious when I say I don't know where December went! Christmas came way too quickly, and I just didn't get a chance to make some teacher treats for my son to take to his teachers.

So, to make up for it, I'm sending him back to school tomorrow with New Year treats!

I found the recipe for the cookie mix in a jar here. However, even with using a quart jar as called for in the recipe, I wasn't able to get all the flour in the top! So I just made a side note in the recipe to add more flour if needed!

To dress them up, I cut fabric circles with my pinking sheers large enough so that I could close over it with the screw top lid. Then I tied matching ribbon around that and tied on the recipe and note with raffia!

Giveaway Alert!

2010-12-29T22:14:00.000-05:00

Check out a great giveaway HERE on What I Made Today for a chance to win your choice of a mini nature inspired journal from A Walk In The Woods!

Check out her Zibbet shop here!
And her Artfire shop here!
Giveaway ends next Wednesday! Seven ways to enter! Good luck!

New items in the shop!

2010-12-28T09:51:00.001-05:00

I listed some new kissing balls this weekend in my Zibbet Shop!!

And I made few pearl covered decorative bowl fillers for decorating your home! I love how elegant they look!

You can find these in my Zibbet shop!

Video Message from Santa....

2010-12-27T22:10:00.000-05:00

My husband showed me this site today that he heard about from a buddy at work. It's pretty neat! It's a site where you can customize a video message from Santa himself to be sent via email to your child, or even your spouse!!!

You can specify certain qualities that your chosen recipient has been doing well at, or needs to work on! It's really fun! And, it's perfect if your little one is pondering the reality of Santa! This will surely keep them believing!

PORTABLE NORTH POLE

I know that this may have come a little late, now that Christmas is over... but you may want to save this website in your favorites and bring it out during the year to keep your kiddos (or husband) in line! Enjoy!

Caramel Chocolate Pretzels

2010-12-23T08:04:00.000-05:00

I'm slacking on my Christmas baking this year! I've only made sugar cookies (which still need to be frosted) and gingerbread (which all got eaten already)!

One of my husband's favorite treats are chocolate covered pretzels. So the other night I decided to dip him up a batch. About halfway through, I had an idea...

I wonder what it would taste like if I dipped the pretzels in caramel first, and then chocolate??

Well, it takes twice as long, but they turned out pretty darn good! I've had to hide all the pretzels now so that they will make it to Christmas!!! Standby... more baking today!!!

Social Media Button Tutorial

2010-12-22T22:04:00.000-05:00

I have been searching high and low for an easy tutorial for putting the cute little buttons on the sidebar to my right here that connect you to my facebook, twitter, and RSS feed with one little click------->

So tonight while I was browsing my Facebook page, I see SimplyAnnieKate had posted a link for an easy how-to on her blog! Check it out HERE!

And while you are at it, you might as well check out all the adorable "handmade boutique clothing" she makes for children on Etsy! Too cute!!!

Simply Annie Kate

*Thank you Katie for doing all the hard work and making it easy for us not so blogger savvy folks!!!

Treats for Teachers

2010-12-21T15:49:00.000-05:00

My little 3 year old goes to a Morning Out program twice a week at our church and yesterday she took her teachers some Christmas goodies! We baked up some sugar cookies, frosted and sprinkled them, and then I bagged them up.

I baked some round cookies that would fit inside clean soup cans with the tab top lids I opened with a edgeless can opener. I hot glued the lid back on once the tins were filled with cookies so the teachers would have to use the tab to open the can to get to the goodies inside!

I used Christmas scrapbook paper to decorate the outside and top, garnished withe some ribbon, a little holiday cookie cutter, and matching labels!

On the 8th Day of Christmas...

2010-12-20T06:00:00.025-05:00

There are all kinds of Holly Jolly Merry Berry Ho Ho Ho Christmas Time is coming giveaways on the blogosphere this time of year! I love it!

It's Day 8 of Somewhat Simple's

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!!!

Stop on over to enter for a chance to win 6 Months of Cupcake Wrappers from Yummy Cuppy Crafts... and don't forget to check out all the other amazing giveaways from Day 8!

Just listed in my Etsy shop...

A Gorgeous Blue & Silver Ribbon Friendship Gift Ball

This plastic globe opens up so you can fill it with little trinkets or gourmet treats and give to a friend as a gift. Exchange this ball back and forth for all the special occasions in your lives... It's just as fun to give as it is to receive when you have a Friendship Gift Ball!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways at Somewhat Simple

2010-12-18T21:19:00.000-05:00

Have you been drooling over all the giveaways over at Somewhat Simple this week? I have been!!! This week kicked off her fabulous 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways! Day 1 started off with 1 fabulous giveaway, Day 2 added 2 more, Day 3 had 3.... and you get the idea!

Well, today was day 6, and I just wanted to let you all know that on Day 8... Monday the 20th, I'll be included in one of the eight giveaways! That's right! Yummy Cuppy Crafts is giving away a 6 Month Membership to the Cupcake Wrapper of the Month Club!

If you know a wonderful baker who would love this, it's a gift that keeps on giving! Receive monthly packages full of cupcake wrappers and extra special treats!

What's great about all these giveaways is that the winners of all the giveaways are going to be announced on Christmas morning! How fun! It's as if Santa will be dropping a little Christmas gift in your inbox!

Tonight I just listed 4 new kissing balls in my Etsy shop!

Don't forget to check out the other great crafts I have listed over in my Zibbet Shop!

Countdown to Christmas

2010-12-05T12:46:00.000-05:00

Twenty {20} Days Until Christmas!!! I still have so much shopping to do! This is a magnetic countdown calendar I made with my Cricut and a cookie sheet last year! You can read about it in this link. My 6 year old LOVES to move the magnet each morning!

I was hoping to get a couple more made to sell in my Etsy and Zibbet shops, but these past couple months have blown by so quickly, it feels like Halloween was just yesterday!

I hope you all are having a wonderful December so far!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T06:48:00.001-05:00

Today [and every day] I am thankful for my wonderful friends, amazing family AND MY FABULOUS FOLLOWERS! Thank you everyone for stopping in to see my blog!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day here in the United States!

Oh Deer! Puzzle Answers...

2010-11-23T22:14:00.012-05:00

Here are the answers to the OH DEER puzzle from this post!

WAIT! If you haven't read the puzzle and want to try it... click the link above. You'll love it!
If you've read the puzzle and think you have the placement of the reindeer all figured out..... then here you go!

Here are the answers:

DASHER (BUCK) MAGENTA        COMET (DOE) CHARTREUSE

CUPID (BUCK) WHITE                  DANCER (DOE) MAROON

DONNER (BUCK) BLUE                VIXEN (DOE) ROSE

BLITZEN (DOES) OCHER              PRANCER (BUCK) CERISE

A Fun Christmas Game

2010-11-22T22:13:00.000-05:00

My mom had my siblings and our spouses do this after our holiday dinner last night. It was so much fun to see who could figure it out first! I love puzzles like this.

Oh Deer!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Can you find out where each deer fits in? With logical thought, you'll determine the answer and write down the color and place for each deer!

Who's a buck?
Who's a doe?
Who's Comet?
Who's Cupid?
Where are Donner and Blitzen?
Who's Dasher?
Who's Dancer?
Where are Vixen and Prancer?

'Twas the night before Christmas and at the North Pole,
the last-minute planning was taking its toll.
As Santa was hastily making a scheme
for placement of deer in his sleigh-pulling team,
the good Mrs. Claus was crocheting bright bows
to be worn by these reindeer - four bucks and four does.
The bows were colored in eight festive hues:
ocher, rose, cerise, chartruise, maroon, magenta, white, and blue.
These helped Santa keep track of who's who.
The deer pulled the toy-laden sleigh in four rows,
arranged so no row held two bucks or two does.
The order of pullers was changed year by year,
for Santa was thoroughly fair with his deer.
He summoned the elves and instructed them thus:
"Let's hitch up the reindeer with minimal fuss."
The bow on the buck behind Dasher is white,
while Blitzen, a doe, sees cerise to her right.
The blue bow is nearer the sleigh than is Dancer,
but nearer the front of my team than is Prancer.
The doe in Chartreuse gets a front-of-team honor,
but not on the same side as Cupid or Donner in blue.
Now, Comet stands two spots ahead of the rose.
And three deer of four on the right side are does.
The cerise bow is worn two in back of maroon,
one of which is beside the bright ocher festoon.
Vixen is girlish and behind Dancer.
Oh, Cupid in white is in front of a buck by the way.
That's how they line up for pulling the sleigh.

Good luck!
I'll post the answers tomorrow!

Show me your Turkeys

2010-11-17T06:58:00.001-05:00

In honor of our upcoming Thanksgiving holiday next week, show me your turkeys! Please link up to your specific blog post or shop item. Link up through Thanksgiving Day!

Zebra Cupcakes

2010-11-16T08:01:00.000-05:00

I made some quick Zebra cupcakes to take along on my daughter's birthday weekend getaway. We took the family and 3 of her friends to a resort with a water park, stayed overnight in a hotel, and then took the girls horseback riding the next day. It was so much fun!

I used my rolled buttercream recipe, found here, and rolled some out and cut circles the same size as the cupcake tops.

But first, I spread a little layer of buttercream icing on the cupcake so that the ROLLED buttercream would stick to the top.

Then I set the circle right on the cupcake!

I used black icing with a flat basket weave tip (wrong side down) to make the zebra stripes. I made some green and purple circles as well to add some color to the cupcakes. Yes, I know that there aren't really green and purple zebras, but the cupcakes sure were pretty!

Get Your SAMPLE Z BOX Now!

2010-11-15T06:00:00.002-05:00

Have you heard of Zibbet? If you've been following my blog, I'm sure you've heard me mention it a time or two... or seen it on my sidebar --->

Zibbet Connects Buyers & Sellers of HANDMADE, FINE ART, VINTAGE & SUPPLIES! There's NO Listing Fees & NO Sales Fees when selling with Zibbet!

It's community is growing at a tremendous rate! I have been lucky to be a part of that community as a seller and helping them promote their site! With that, a group of sellers have come together to help promote by putting together sample boxes of all varieties of shops found on Zibbet! They are available starting TODAY!

You can find them HERE on Zibbet!

*You can find samples of my cupcake wrappers as well as a DISCOUNT CODE for your next purchase in this month's SAMPLE Z BOX!

There is a limited supply, so hurry over to get your sample box! If you don't get an opportunity to get November's box, no worries! Just check back each month to get that month's box with new great samples!

Check out these links to find out more about ZIBBET & SAMPLE Z BOX:

Zibbet
"Like" Zibbet on Facebook

Sample Z Box
"Like" Sample Z Box on Facebook

Yummy Cuppy Crafts on Zibbet

2010 White House Ornaments

2010-11-12T10:53:00.005-05:00

As some of you may already know, my husband is a pilot in the Marine Corps. We've had a great week this week celebrating the 235th birthday of the Marine Corps as well as honoring all our veterans on Veterans Day!

My husband is attached to HMX-1, the helicopter squadron responsible for transporting the President of the United States, Vice President, cabinet members, and other VIPs. When the President is aboard, the Marine helicopter uses the call sign "Marine One".

My husband is the pilot looking out the window of the cockpit!

*squeal* I'm so proud of him!

Our HMX-1 Spouses Club is selling the gorgeous 2010 White House Ornaments! If you'd like to purchase an ornament for your collection, or gift them to friends and family, you can purchase them here from my blog for $20.00. Ornament comes in beautiful collectors box with inserts explaining the ornaments details and images! This price includes shipping! Ornaments will be shipped out within 24 hours!

$20.00

(includes shipping)

The 2010 White House Christmas ornament honors the twenty-fifth president of the United States, William McKinley, and celebrates the role of music in the traditions of the White House. The McKinley administration (1897–1901) is remembered as a time when the nation moved beyond its continental boundaries to become an international power. The American people idolized McKinley during his presidency, so suddenly cut short by an assassin’s bullets six months into his second term.

In celebration of the nation’s patriotic mood as the century turned, the illustrations commissioned for the 2010 ornament feature festive, colorful scenes from the annual Army Navy Reception at the White House in 1900. The front face of the ornament depicts members of the United States Marine Band performing on the snow covered North Drive as arriving guests disembark from their carriages. The reverse side of the ornament shows the band playing patriotic airs for President and Mrs. McKinley and their party in the flag bedecked splendor of the East Room. It was in this High Victorian East Room that the McKinleys began the era of “musicales” (receptions with music as the leading feature) at the White House, a tradition that continues to this day.

Enter to win an iPad!

2010-11-10T20:48:00.000-05:00

Zibbet, THE place to buy unique, handmade products from the maker, is currently having a HUGE promotion! Crafters and artists, if you sign up for a yearly premium account, (which comes out to be less than $6/month--- FOR LIFE), you will have a chance to win 1 of 3 iPad giveaways!

But the opportunity won't last long! They are only offering 1,000 new accounts at this awesome price! And at the time of this post, only 342 accounts need to be set up before the 1st iPad is given away!

Here's how the iPads will be given away:

The 1st iPad will be drawn when they hit 500 accounts sold (you'll be eligible to win in the 2nd and 3rd round too!)
The 2nd iPad will be drawn when they hit 1000 accounts sold
The 3rd iPad will be drawn if they reach their goal of selling 1000 Yearly accounts before Christmas day! All 'active' sellers will be entered into this round (active = at least 1 active item listed).

If you aren't sure if you are ready to jump on this, then sign up for a basic account. It's totally free! No listing fees & no sales fees! You get 100% of your sales! That's the way it should be! Try it out, and see if you like it.

*If you have an Etsy or Artfire shop, Zibbet has an importer that makes it easy to import ALL (or just a selected amount) of your items directly to your new shop! So it would take MINUTES to set up your Zibbet shop!

Click on any of the Zibbet banners on this post to go to Zibbet's website and sign up for your Yearly Premium Account! Who wouldn't want to win an iPad!!! I know I want one!!!

You can check out my Zibbet shop here:

Please help get the word out about this amazing promotion by "sharing" this post by clicking on the share buttons at the bottom of this post: Email to a friend, Twitter, Blog, Facebook, & Google Buzz.

Let me know when you join Zibbet! I'd love to help promote your new shop!
Leave me a comment or email me at: the5turners [at] gmail [dot] com.

Feathered Rosette Clips

2010-11-08T15:03:00.001-05:00

I'm an Iowa Hawkeye fan, born and raised!

So I couldn't help but make some lovelies to wear in support of my beloved Hawkeyes!

They can be worn in your hair, on a headband, clip them to your shirt, a bag, your beads...

And while trying to be fair, I also made some lovelies for our poor struggling Cyclones! If we can't win 'em, let's at least look good cheering them on, right!?

Want to look good cheering on your team? Go here.

Tie Dye Swirl Cake

2010-11-07T19:29:00.000-05:00

I did a cake order for a sweet 16 party over Halloween. The birthday girl was doing Halloween colors with polka dots. I thought I'd add a little element of surprise when they cut into the top layer of white cake by dying the batter different colors.

First, I separated the batter into 3 different bowl, and left 1/4 white in the original bow. I added drops of food coloring...

Mixed it up...

Then started dropping spoonfuls of the colored batter randomly in the cake pans.

I took a knife and swirled the batter around in the cake pan just a little before baking.
And this is what it looked like after it was all baked and leveled...

This was the cake all decorated...

*This coloring effect can also be done with cupcakes!

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

2010-10-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

We took the kiddos to the pumpkin patch this weekend and picked out our pumpkins to carve. I roasted pumpkin seeds a few years back when my aunt was visiting us over Halloween. They were SO GOOD! I couldn't remember how we roasted them then, but I found a recipe online here.

First you need to separate your seeds from the guts:

Seeds:

Next, I washed them out good in a colander and pulled off the remaining stringy guts. Then spread them out in a cookie sheet to dry out overnight.

The next day I boiled them in salt water to get them good and clean. Boil just until they turn a little gray.
Then again, let then dry on a cookie sheet...
Melt 2 tsp butter and pour over (1 1/2 cups) seeds in a bowl. Sprinkle with 1 pinch of salt (or more), and then spread out on a cookie sheet.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Bake for 45 minutes.

Simple and Delicious!
Especially fresh out of the oven!

Sparkles, Glitter & Whimsy

2010-10-27T16:19:00.003-04:00

Here are a few additions to my Etsy shop that were listed today!

Kissing Balls

Tradition states that in 18th century England, if an eligible young lady received a kiss on the cheek under the kissing ball, marriage would soon follow. While this tradition is no longer used, it is still a fun and festive symbol of times past.

Hang them in your doorway, in a garland, from the tree, or place in a bowl or vase!

There is a limited supply of these, and usually only one of each... so hurry and get your ONE OF A KIND kissing ball before they are gone! They make fantastic gifts! And are perfect for ornament exchanges!

Cricut Machine & Sure Cuts A Lot 2

2010-10-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

I got my Cricut machine last fall. I love it! It has made a huge difference in my cupcake wrapper production!

And in addition to that, I've been able to make some really fun things with the cartridges I bought for it.

However, those got to be quite a costly hobby! So, after doing some research, I found this software; SURE CUTS A LOT. You can buy the download and get it instantly on your computer! It will allow you to create ANY shape or font you can find on the internet, and cut it on your Cricut!

The possibilities are endless!

I haven't bought a single cartridge since! You can upload any image from the internet, and the software will turn it into an SVG file. You can manipulate it any way you want... hook your computer up to your cricut machine, and CUT!

Installation is easy.
Using the software is easy.
And you will never had to buy another cartridge again!

I've put a link on my sidebar ----> if you'd like to learn more about SURE CUTS A LOT! You can purchase just the download, or receive the program on a CD-ROM, or both!

Calling All Etsy and Zibbet Shop Owners...

2010-10-24T14:33:00.003-04:00

I thought it would be great to post a page on my blog for shop owners on Etsy and Zibbet to link up their shops!

If you post your shop link, it would be great if you'd take a moment to check out another shop or two!

Please be sure to link up your shop to the appropriate page on the tabs above! I can't wait to check them all out!

CSN Stores Giveaway Winner

2010-10-22T15:02:00.006-04:00

The winner of the $45 CSN Stores Gift Certificate...
via RANDOM.ORG

Result: 13

Enjoy Country Living said...: I follow you and would love their stackable end tables; October 17, 2010 2:20 PM

Please contact me at: the5turners [at] gmail [dot] com with your email address and your $45 code will be sent to you so you can go do some online shopping!!! Congratulations!

*If the winner does not respond within 24 hours then a new winner will be chosen!
Thanks to everyone who entered!

Friendship Ball

2010-10-21T12:56:00.006-04:00

Have you entered the CSN Stores Giveaway yet?
It ends tonight at midnight!

I've been working on some new items this week to list in my Etsy shop. Something I've been wanting to make for a while are these friendship balls. I think they are the neatest gifts you can give.

A ball is a circle

No beginning, no end
It keeps us together
Like our circle of friends.

The treasure inside
For just you to see
Is the treasure of friendship
You have granted me.

You can fill them with whatever you want. Candy, jewelry, a special note, tea, trinkets, hankies, and all kinds of lovelies.

The best part is, its the gift that keeps on giving! You may choose to give this to a friend for their birthday. You've filled it with a personalized bracelet with some candy and a nice birthday wish!

In a few weeks, you receive it back from your friend for YOUR birthday! It's filled with your favorite kinds of loose tea along with a little tea caddy!
Soon, it's Christmas, and you fill it with a special Christmas gift and send it off to your friend. The exchanging can go on forever! Give the friendship ball back and forth for any holiday, birthday, anniversary, or just because!

How fun to send this gift back and forth to your friends who love far away? To remind them you miss them!

I hope to have other colors and designs available soon!

What would you fill your friendship ball with?

Welcome

2010-10-18T15:13:00.002-04:00

I've been wanting to do this since the day we moved in... almost a whole year ago...
And today, I finally just went and got it done! It took me just a few minutes! I found a font I liked on my SCAL2 software, and then ran down to my craft room, hooked up my computer to my cricut machine, cut out the letters, transferred them onto transfer paper, measured the door, (deep breath), rubbed the letters on, removed transfer paper, and.... Welcome!

Sharing made easy...

2010-10-15T11:52:00.006-04:00

I've added a little extra SHARE button to the bottom of each post to make it easy for you to share each and every post with your friends!!! Okay, so maybe just whichever ones you chose. (You don't have to share them all... unless you really want to!!!)

This is what you will see at the end of the posts:

These little buttons will make it easy for you to share certain posts that you love and want to share with friends in lots of different way by:

Emailing the post

Sharing the post on your own blog

Sharing the link on your twitter account, or "Tweeting" the post!

Sharing the post on your facebook

and even Google Buzz!

What a fun and SUPER EASY way to share the love! Give it a try!

CSN Stores Giveaway

2010-10-15T09:45:00.009-04:00

Have you been searching high and low for a set of beautiful, unique barstools? Or perhaps a lovely chandelier? Or maybe you've had your eye on these Cowboy Koi Rain Boots?

Whatever it is you've been looking for, look no more. You are sure to find whatever your heart desires at CSN Stores. As for me, I just received this little lovely the other day:

We had an ice cream maker similar to this one growing up, and you just can't beat the taste of homemade ice cream! Want to know the best part? This certain model has an electric motor OR you can switch it out with an old fashion hand crank!!! I can't wait to use this over the weekend! It is a little chilly here, but I think it will be so fun to have the kids all help crank the ice cream for a while... then maybe we'll let the motor take over!

So, lucky for you, I have been contacted by CSN Stores to offer one of my readers a $45 gift certificate to use at any of ther 200+ online stores!

Here are the rules:
1) You MUST be a follower of Cupcake Cuppy Blog
2) Go to CSN Stores website and tell me what you might pick if you win!

For additional entries (after the above is completed):
3)Tell your friends on facebook about the giveaway
4)Tweet about the giveaway with a link back to this post
5)Blog about the giveaway with a link back to this post

Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

Giveaway will close on Thursday October 21st at midnight! The winner will be picked via Random.org and will be posted here on FRIDAY 22! So be sure to check back then to see if you've won!

If you win, please contact me and let me know what email you would like CSN to contact you with. I will contact CSN Stores and they will send you your one time gift certificate code!

If the winner does not contact me within 24 hours then a new winner will be chosen.

GOOD LUCK!

Family Rules Subway Art

2010-10-08T17:04:00.004-04:00

I haven't been too productive these last few days. But I did manage to throw this together this morning. I made some Family Rules and framed them in an old frame I had...

I used Power Point to create it by typing in words, changing their font, color and sizes, and then also rotating some of the words.

It was fun to rearrange them all and I am very happy with the end result!

I had to make it on 2 pages as my frame holds 8x20 inches. And, now that the frame is hanging, I am thinking about painting it black.... (it was originally gold.)

Trying something new...

2010-10-06T14:34:00.004-04:00

Well, lately I've been trying to really focus on increasing my sales in my Etsy shop. In addition to some remodels and other improvements over there, I've decided to open up a new online shop over at Zibbet! "Your place to buy unique handmade products, direct from the maker!"

I'd love for you to stop by and check it out!

And if you create handmade items, and think you'd like to try Zibbet out just clink below:

Let me know what you think?

Pillows & Pumpkins & Pears... OH MY!

2010-10-02T12:38:00.009-04:00

I've been trying to stock my etsy shop this week. I have cleaned up my craft room and have a pile of crafts I need to list. Here is what I've got listed.... stay tuned for many more!

Twine Pears

Raggedy Ann Dolls (more to come)

Decorative Pillows

Pumpkin Cupcake Wrappers (more to come)

Beaded Napkin Rings

Wooden Pumpkins

Plaque Pumpkin Set

2010-09-28T06:00:00.005-04:00

I found a stash of leftover blank plaques my husband gave me...
In just a few minutes, I was able to transform them into these:
One of my favorite fall decorations YET!
I have an extra set available HERE in my etsy shop!

Linked to:
Shabby Nest

Juice Container Fabric Pumpkins

2010-09-27T10:23:00.003-04:00

I've seen a lot of fabric pumpkins lately around the blog0sphere! So I thought I'd try my hand at some.

I saved a few juice containers, and instead of using up the little bit of fluff I had in my stash, I thought I'd use the containers as a 'frame'.

Materials:
Empty Juice containers
batting
fabric
scissors
raffia
cinnamon stick for stem
I cut the containers in thirds (throwing away the top)
I used two different containers for different sizes of pumpkins.
Cut a larger square of batting to cover the sides of your container...
THen cut an even larger square of fabric. Enough to gather at the top of the pumpkin and tie off.
Gather the fabric, and batting up around the container, and use raffia to tie it up. If you chose to use a cinnamon stick, it is better to insert that before tying the raffia. Cut away extra fabric.
I didn't insert the cinnamon sticks when I should have, thus, it was late, and I didn't want to untie them all just to have stems. Sorry.

What I've been working on...

2010-09-25T15:49:00.001-04:00

Here's a little preview of something I've been working on. I hope to have it done in the next day or two. Stay tuned for the final results!

Twine Pears & My First Linky Party

2010-09-24T07:00:00.029-04:00

I made these on a whim the other day... and I was so excited to see how they would turn out I didn't take a supply picture.
I used medium sized round styrofoal balls, a bundle of colored twine from Dollar Tree, and cut up cinnamon sticks, along with a glue gun.
I started by gluing the end of the twine at the base of the ball. Then started gluing it around in a swirl...
And just kept going all around the ball until I got to the top...Now to be honest, I originally thought I was going to do apples.... BUT... a little light bulb went off above my head as I got to the top and I decided to do pears instead... So as I completed the ball, I started making a swirl on top of my first layer and went out far enough to start a pear shape, then went back on top of THAT layer.... so this would be a third layer of twine (are you with me?)

I just went back and forth, making each layer a little smaller until I got the desired height and shape of a pear! Then I stuck a piece of cinnamon stick on the top!
How fun would it be to have a green set as well, along with some red apples? Might have to make a little trip back to Dollar Tree to see what colors they have left!

Yellow and Green Pears NOW AVAILABLE in my Etsy Shop HERE!

This is my very own Linky Party Debut! I'd love to see what you all have been up to!

Here are the basics:

1) Follow my blog, then leave the link to your blog POST, not the main blog
2) Link up anything you have been up to; craft, recipe, DIY project, etc (but please no direct links to etsy shops or sale sites)
3) Link back to me in your blog post or grab my button if you'd like ----->
4) Check out the other linky participants while you are here and leave them a friendly comment or hello!

I'll post some of my favs! I can't wait!

Giveaway at Craft-O-Maniac

2010-09-23T20:52:00.005-04:00

I follow this amazing blog called Craft-O-Maniac. If you go there now, you can enter for a few chances to win everything you see to the left here.... but if you don't that's okay too, because then my chances of winning will be better! Ha!

Okay fine, go check it out HERE, because she also has ANOTHER giveaway going on too! PLUS, her blog rocks. Seriously.

FALL Blocks Redo

2010-09-23T07:00:00.007-04:00

I got this set of 5 lovely framed flowers in lovely colors... at a yard sale for $1...
I wanted to make a "FALL" block set.
So, I originally planned to take out the flowers and do a 3D type letter blocks. No go. The back of the frames WOULD NOT come out! So, plan B... cover them up! So, I started by painting the outsides brown.
Then I cut scrapbook paper the same size as the inside of the frame... to cover the glass.
Goodbye flowers!!!!
And after a few 'wardrobe' changes... I settled on my colors.
With a quick cut on the cricut machine, and a rummage through my fall 'stuff'.... I came up with this!

Fall Leaf Topiary

2010-09-22T07:00:00.004-04:00

With my leftover wreath items, I wanted to try to make a fall leaf topiary. I already had everything else I would need on hand:

Terra Cotta Pot
1 1/2 styrofoam balls
large cinnamon stick
glue
leaves
moss
paint/brushes
I cut all the stems off the leaves
Pierced the cinnamon stick into the styrofoam ball (which already had a small hole in it) and then stuck the other end through the half styro ball. Then I started gluing the leaves on the ball before putting the stick into the pot... just so it was easier to handle.

I just layered the leaves enough to cover the ball... working my way around the ball.
Once the leaves were in place, I glued the bottom of the cinnamon stick to the bottom of the terra cotta pot
With the final touch of covering the base of the topiary with some moss, the topiary was complete, and ready for placement!

Fall-ish Entryway

2010-09-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

My fall wreath

2010-09-20T07:00:00.002-04:00

I made a trip to Michaels and Dollar Tree Sunday afternoon. Michaels had 40% off most of their fall decor, PLUS I had an additional 15% coupon! So I stocked up on some things I've been wanting.

I already had this wreath that I got at Dollar Tree a while back for $1And then I got some leaf stems and some picks to put on the wreath... and dug up some fall things I've had in my stash...
And after hot glue-ing all the things to the wreath, this is what I came up with.
I also bought a few craft pumpkins to put out until it's later and we can put out real ones! I've started seeing the pumpkin patches setting up all over.... I'm so excited! Check back tomorrow to see my pumpkin display just inside my front door!

Tri-Color Cupcake Icing - How To

2010-09-19T07:00:00.001-04:00

I frosted some cupcakes for a friend of mine we went to visit today...

How did I do it? Easy. And I'll show you how....

First you'll need:
Cupcakes
Icing, colored in your choice of colors
Parchment triangle or icing bag
Icing Tip of your choice

To get the triple color swirl, you'll need to fill the icing bag with all three colors. To do so, use a knife and scoop up a long narrow blob of icing and scrape it on the side of the icing bag. Be sure to leave room for the other 2 colors so only fill about 1/3 of the bag...

Then do the same with the 2nd color, making sure you leave room for your third color.

Slide your last color in as far down into the tip as you can. So your icing bag will look like this... with equal amounts of colored icing.

Next, I recommend squirting out your icing until you have all 3 colors coming out.

Then, you are ready to ice your cupcakes. I start on the outside and work my way to the middle.

And there you have it! A fun colorful cupcake! Have fun with this. Use more colors if you want! Or just go with 2.. and create some festive cupcakes for your favorite football team on game day!

If we hadn't been visiting my friend today, these cupcakes would have been decorated GOLD and BLACK!

GO HAWKEYES!!!

October 31 Sign

2010-09-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

I saw this idea for a halloween sign on a blog somewhere... forgive me for not knowing where I saw it. (I'm so bad about that) If you know, please let me know so I can give credit!

If you remember, I bought a MILLION of these ugly wooden plaques at Target on clearance a while back... so I was excited to be able to use another one for a craft idea...

I took it outside and covered it with black spraypaint...
Let it dry... meanwhile, I cut OCTOBER 31 out of some white vinyl with my cricut.
Then placed them just so on my black plaque...
LOVE IT!

Soup Can Pumpkins Tutorial

2010-09-17T07:00:00.006-04:00

I have been saving ALL my soup cans and formula cans for months now... because you just never know when you will want one/some for a project. I was down in my craft room, just cleaning up a bit, and re-organizing, when I came across my massive collection.... surely there was a fall craft I could do to use some of these up?!?

And then it came to me... pumpkins!

You will need:

3 different sized cans
shades of orange paint
fake leaves
corks or empty spools for stems
floral wire
craft glue or hot glue gun
I started by mixing up my paints to get 3 different shades of orange... and throwing on a coat. You can do more than one coat if you want a more solid color... I kind of liked the thin coat look...
Let paint dry. Then take your floral wire and wrap around a pencil of your paint brush for the curly vines on top of your pumpkin...
Glue, or stab, your fake leaf to the bottom of your cork...
Then glue the cork to the top of your can/pumpkin along with the curled wire...
I finished them off with a few rounds of raffia and am pretty happy with how they turned out!

AN ALTERNATIVE:
Instead of using paint, feel free to use layers of scrapbook paper! Pictures coming soon!

Cost: FREE! All items I had on hand!

LINKED TO:

Spooky Halloween Blocks

2010-09-16T07:00:00.006-04:00

I had these really cute blocks I won on a giveaway that spelled out SPRING on one side and EASTER on the other... they looked so cute on my mantel with all my springy decor. However, once spring came and went, I took them down, and somehow (probably because I'm not the best at packing things up right away) the kids got ahold of them and used them as building blocks. They had so much fun with them, that I just let them play with them.

Well, as you can see, the little rugrats used them so much, they started falling apart. The paper was peeling off of them, and I seem to be missing a block of two???? So I decided to repurpose them into some Halloween blocks. I was originally thinking of doing FALL on one side and BOO on the other with a ghost..... but as I was rummaging through my craft paper, I saw a haunted house scene and got a great idea...
I cut the paper to length and split the paper into 3 pieces... slapped on a little mod podge...

and Voila!

Linked to:

Show & Tell with Shey
The Gypsy's Corner
The CSI Project: Fall Challenge
Hope Studios: Tutorial Tuesday

Halloween Wrappers

2010-09-15T10:54:00.002-04:00

Newly listed halloween wrappers.
Available in other colors if desired!

Vinyl letters on canvas

2010-09-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

I saw these words on a canvas on Be Different Act Normal, and made my own...

I just cut out the letters from vinyl on my cricut, and stuck them on a canvas I had on hand.

Store bought tie dye

2010-09-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

On my second attempt to find a good tie dye, I bought a kit at Wal-Mart and got some packages of white t-shirts, tank tops, and shorts for the kids to try.

The insturctions were very easy, and you just add water to the already powder filled squirt bottles. It was very kid friendly. And the kids had a BLAST making their own shirts.

Here are their results. They turned out MUCH better than my kool-aid attempt!

Tie Dye with Kool Aid

2010-09-13T00:01:00.001-04:00

My daughter wants to tie dye some things.. so I went online to see if there were ways to use homemade dye...

I found a few recipes and thought I'd start out trying the most simple. Kool Aid.

I used some baby onsies I had on hand and tied them off with rubberbands in a couple different patterns.

Mix 1 packet koolaid with 1 ounce vinegar.
Stir until Koolaid is dissolved.
Dip rubberbanded parts into mixture.
Dry.

Press.
Wash individually.

Dry on HIGH heat.
To be honest, I wasn't happy with the results. It just looks like someone spilled kool-aid all over a onsie. But I like how the color spread on the left onsie. Plus, they smell like cotton candy! Take that one either way!

At least I'm only out $2 for the 2 packets of kool-aid. If anyone else has better luck, let me know!

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE

2010-09-08T13:17:00.006-04:00

As loyal followers and readers, I am offering up an end of summer special to you! Starting now, for each purchase you make in my etsy shop, you can receive a free set of cupcake wrappers! Just be sure to enter the following code at checkout as well as an email address I can send the photo page to:

Code: SMRBOGO

Once your order is complete, I will email you this page of available cupcake wrappers to chose your free set! Each set is numbered and will be updated as sets are no longer available.

Respond back to me with your free choice(s), and I'll ship your free cupcake wrappers, and all items needed to assemble them, at no extra charge!

1 item purchased = 1 free set of wrappers
2 items purchased = 2 free sets of wrappers
and so on and so forth....

Remember... Go to Yummy Cuppy Crafts...

Enter Code: SMRBOGO
And your email address at checkout!

Halloween Cupcake Wrappers

2010-09-08T11:11:00.005-04:00

In an attempt to clear out my original wrapper designs, I have doubled up my Halloween wrappers and am selling them in pairs.... for a total of 24 cupcake wrappers for your Halloween party!!!

I also have some value packs becoming available with sets of wrappers and matching cake picks!And now that summer is over, don't forget to check out the Cupcake Wrapper of the Month Club! With all the holidays and season changes in the next few months, it's the best time to join, or give this as a gift for a friend who loves to bake! Fall, Halloween, Winter, Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day.... just think of all the fun cupcake wrappers and items you could receive with your membership! Available in 6 month and 12 month memberships!

Fall is coming!!!

2010-09-05T14:21:00.004-04:00

Alright, so I know it's not officially autumn until September 22, but I just had to decorate the house a little... I started with the mantle...

and added a few touches here and there...

I love fall... can't wait to do some more things around the house!

OPEN

2010-08-20T09:08:00.002-04:00

I am back from my summer travels! It's been a long long summer with lots of miles put on the family car!!! But my Etsy Shop is now back in business and ready to take orders!

Thanks for all your patience and I look forward to creating more cupcake wrappers for you all!

I hope you all had a great summer!

I'm Still Here...

2010-08-07T23:40:00.002-04:00

Our summer has been full of vacations & lots of traveling but I will be returning back soon for some more crafting and etsy-ing! Thanks for hanging in there! I'll be back soon!

$1 Coupon Book Red0 (Tutorial)

2010-06-11T10:23:00.004-04:00

I've been doing my best to be a coupon clipper lately... and have been meaning to sew my own coupon organizer.. ha! So meanwhile, I've been using labeled envelopes instead. *ashamed*

So while on my last Dollar Tree visit, I saw these coupon books for, of course, $1.... and I thought, when am I ever going to make time to sew my own with the long list of things I want/need to sew/make before that. So I bought one and decided to do a quick remodel on it.

*NOTE: This is a quick and very basic tutorial.

Here is the before (I had already pulled the elastic band off of it)
Here is the fabric I chose to cover it with (just something I had on hand):
This is a no sew redo. I traced around the outside of my coupon book and cut 1/4 inch outside the lines...
Then I used craft glue and folded the edges under before simply glueing the fabric over the outside of the coupon book! (quick and easy, I'm telling you)

Then I traced the inside section and did the same thing. (Sorry for lack of pictures)
Then I just cut a slit in the fabric so I could put the elastic band back through the original eyelet, and voila! Done in just a few short minutes all with $1 coupon book and supplies I had on hand!
I may come back and embellish it a bit on the front, and re-label the compartments on the inside, but for now, it will do much better then the business envelopes I was using!!!

Umbrella Giveaway!

2010-05-21T07:29:00.004-04:00

Our Family Treat is having a giveaway where you can win a kid's umbrella of YOUR CHOICE from Kidorable.com! Head on over to check it out and enter to win! Here are a few of the cute cute cute umbrellas to choose from:

Hurry! Contest Ends tonight, May 21st!!!

Kids Bowl Free All Summer

2010-05-19T10:43:00.004-04:00

Just go to the website and pick your location. There are participating sites all over the United States and Canada.

Each location will give you the ages that are eligible to participate. Once you have completed the registration and confirmed your account they will send you free coupons every Sunday for the upcoming week. Yes, your children can each have two free games of bowling everyday through the summer!

Adults can purchase a family pass for $24.95. The Family Pass covers up to 4 adult family members. You may have 1, 2, 3, or 4 adults on the family pass. The price of the pass covers all 4 members.

I just thought I'd pass this on! Happy Bowling!

Easy Baby Onesies & Bibs

2010-05-17T11:50:00.007-04:00

Here are some onesies and bibs I made for a friend's baby shower... they were hung along the mantle using baby clothespins. Super cute!

I used the freezer paper method for the "I Mommy" and cute out a fabric HEART with my cricut machine. I also cute the goldfish with my cricut.

These I also used the cricut for these two...

The backsides of the onesies shown above...

I pulled the turtle out of the cut out from above and ironed it on the booty, then used the freezer paper with the MADE IN THE USA.

I couldn't resist doing the iPood bib. How funny!

Goldfish=cricut iPood=freezer paper

**TOMORROW IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY OVER AT ON THE SEARCH FOR HIDDEN TREASURES. HEAD ON OVER THERE TO ENTER AND CHECK OUT ALL THE OTHER GREAT GIVEAWAYS AS WELL!

New! Whale & Bee Cupcake Wrappers

2010-05-05T21:37:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to share with you a couple additions to the shop!

Don't forget to check out my giveaway at On The Search For Hidden Treasures Blog!

Giveaway!!!

2010-05-04T08:16:00.003-04:00

I'm doing a givewaway over at On The Search For Hidden Treasures! Go check it out and enter to win! Enter to win a 6 Month Cupcake Wrapper Club Membership! She has several other giveaways going on right now as well, so don't forget to check them out too!

Giveaway open through May 18th.

Essential Swimwear Giveaway!

2010-04-29T07:43:00.003-04:00

Summer is nearing! Go check out this fabulous giveaway over at Somewhat Simple to see how you can enter to win a super cute swimsuit of your choice from essential swimwear on her blog! Or don't... because then my chances will be that much better!

But these suits are just too cute NOT to share!

Hurry! Giveaway ends this weekend!

Super Easy May Day Baskets

2010-04-26T14:56:00.014-04:00

My mom shared this may basket idea with me after she made these with her 'club' ladies the other night. I thought I'd share it since May Day is soon approaching!

First, take a 6 inch square piece of cardstock. (You can also use larger pieces if you choose, as long as they are squares, 6x6, 9x9, 12x12 inches)

Score it into 9 even squares.
I used a 6x6 paper, so my squares are all 2x2 inches.

Score each corner square in half to make 2 triangles in each corner square.

Fold the corner triangles together to punch through both layers. Then open them back up.

Repeat on all 4 corners.

*The middle square will be the bottom of your basket. Flip the paper over, and you can add designs or stickers to the outside squares however you wish, just remember that the triangles will be folded inward.

Fold the triangled corners inward, joining the punched holes together. Thread ribbon or string around through all the holes and tie ends of ribbon/string together. Add more ribbon if you wish.

I used raffia on mine... didn't add any "froof" yet... or goodies either for that matter! But I will!

Fill your basket with your May Day goodies and then set them on your friends doorstep, ring the doorbell and RUN!!!!! (At least that's how we did it when we were kids!)

Linked to:

Making The World Cuter
RootsAndWingsCo

DIY Floating Shelves

2010-04-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

While getting a couple items at Target, I browsed through the home decor isles and had an epiphany! FLOATING SHELVES! PERFECT! Just what I can put in that empty space between my canvas' and the window in the living room!

So, even though they were on sale for $8 each, I knew I could have my hubby make them for me with some scrap wood he had. So, I went home, showed him the shelves online, and we made our own version:

First we decided to make 3 shelves: 1- 24 inches, 1-18 inches and 1-12 inches.

Hubby nailed the 3 peices of wood together... we had a larger taller back so the shelf could hold more weight and have more surface area against the wall. Then I wanted a tiny little lip in the front just in case some thing bumped the wall and a frame slipped or something. Don't want little ones (or mommies) getting knocked in the head by falling decor!

Then used some keyhole hangers for hanging. Normally, these would go straight up and down, but whoops, the back of the shelf wasn't that tall. So, angling them worked, thanks to my quick and oh so intelligent thinking! (*grin)
With a couple of layers of paint, there were ready to hang! I still need to do a little adding and moving around with the content, but I was too excited to show them off before they are complete!

White side table updo!

2010-04-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

I got this table at one of my dad's auctions when we were home before moving to VA. It was scuffed up, and in need of a little TLC. Sadly, I have just now gotten to doing something with it. But it worked as it was until now...
I mixed a little pink, orange, red & gold to finally get this coral-samon color I was trying to get. Picked up a little porcelain white knob, and voila!

$25 Bathroom Remodel

2010-04-23T15:49:00.003-04:00

We are renting... so it kills me to not be able to upgrade our sad sad outdated CREAM EVERYWHERE bathrooms. With my in-laws coming for a visit, I have been on a cleaning/decorating whirlwind, trying to get the house looking nice.

I decided to paint the kids' bathroom. Below is a near exact replica of what it looked like (because I didn't have time to take a before pic of the actual bathroom)... just imagine this.

CREAM FLOOR
CREAM TUB & TILE
CREAM SHOWER
CREAM WALLS
CREAM CEILING
YUCKY BLONDE CABINETS (in my opinion)

(This is our main bathroom which I hope to paint soon as well)

I found a cute shower curtain at Target on clearance for under $7, and 2 matching rugs, both under $7 each. Then the other day I got a cheap can of paint at wal-mart.

My husband took #3 with him to do some lumber hunting, so I rushed around to get the whole bathroom painted before he got back.

Well, he returned before I was done, told me I was crazy, and then saved the day by taking off the back of the toilet for me so I could paint behind it! (I didn't think of that...oops)

Here is my remodel all complete:

My husband made the bench from scratch for the kids. There is a matching one in the main bathroom as well! He's so handy!

Newly Listed...

2010-04-16T14:39:00.003-04:00

Available NOW in my shop!

Join the Club!

2010-04-15T11:30:00.004-04:00

I've been wanting to start a 'Cupcake Wrapper Of The Month Club' for quite some time. Now that spring is here, I've decided to get it going! I've just listed 2 options in my etsy shop!

6 month or 12 month subscriptions.

Tell Your Friends!!!

Details Below:

*Each month you will receive a different set of 12 cupcake wrappers appropriate for the time of year or upcoming holiday! These sets may or may not be available in my shop, so you could be receiving exclusive items only available to club members!

*Save big! Free shipping! Your membership also includes special offers and surprises throughout your membership!

*Receive 10% discount for the entire duration of your membership on orders from my shop! Including custom orders!

*All wrappers will be mailed out between the 1st and 7th of the month. Your first month’s wrappers will be mailed out the month after you sign up. But no worries, you won’t have to wait, I’ll send you a surprise gift right away just for joining the club!

*Want to purchase these as a gift? Or want to send one month to a friend as a gift? No problem! Just send me the recipient’s info in the buyer’s message upon purchase, or in a convo!

*All items made from a smoke free and pet free home!

Drink Coffee?

2010-04-13T09:41:00.003-04:00

Get a free cup of coffee April 15th at Starbuck's!

Just bring in a reusable travel mug to any participating Starbucks for your FREE brewed coffee! More details HERE.

Tipsy Flower Pot

2010-04-11T03:01:00.001-04:00

I first saw these a couple years ago and always wanted to make one. So, this morning 2 of my 4 kiddos helped me fill the pots with dirt and plant some petunias in my 'tipsy flower pot'. Super fun amd super easy.

For instructions on how to make your own go here.

Meet Victoria

2010-04-10T16:40:00.000-04:00

Guess what?!?! I won a giveaway! And... just the other day my prize arrived in the mail...Meet Victoria... my lovely scentsy warmer! Isn't she beautiful... I love it! Thinking about changing up my decor to match it!!! Maybe even throw some paint on some walls... okay maybe not that far. But I do love it! Thank you Andrea very much! I love your blog!

Go check out Andrea's Blog, where I won this beauty:

Free TuTu Lessons

2010-04-07T03:01:00.003-04:00

Have you seen all the cute tutus on the internet lately! They are all the rave now! And they aren't just for dress up anymore!!!! Want to learn how to make your own? Well, Jenni, from MissTutu.com is launching a new website and is offering free video lessons via email when you go check out her new site and register for free! So I'm helping her spread the word!

If you are interested, go to MissTuTu.com and register, and don't forget to enter my name, "KIM", so she knows who sent ya!

Here are a couple tutus I've made for my little Addi. The first is her Ladybug costume.
And this one was what she wore to the 4th of July Parade last summer!
They are so much fun and super easy to make! You can make them for a fraction of the cost that people are charging online... so go get your free video lessons so you can make your own at MissTuTu.com and enter my name: KIM

"I am not being compensated for this post, however I am entering a competition to see which mom blogger can share this free tutu lesson with the most people by April 30th."

Great Balls of Fire

2010-04-05T22:15:00.000-04:00

A while back I won a set of tea light holders from Tante Caroline's Etsy shop. You should definitely check out her items... you will be amazed at how great they look!

The set I received is like the set in the picture here... and they are so LIGHT!!!! Looks can be deceiving! At first glance, you'd think these 'great balls' are super heavy, but in fact, made of styrofoam, they are practically weightless!

I was so excited when I got these in the mail. I fell in love with them right away and (tea lights included) put them on display!

Moo Cards

2010-04-03T03:01:00.000-04:00

My MOO Cards came in the mail yesterday! What are MOO cards? Super cute personalized business cards you can create with your OWN pictures! Font & Back. Here are just a few of the ones I ordered! I LOVE THEM!

Want to go get some of your own?

For 15% off your first pack of 50,

Use discount code: G2MSCG

PB remake Bulletin Board Tile Set

2010-04-02T11:07:00.000-04:00

I was flipping through the Pottery Barn Teen magazine a few weeks ago and came across this tile set I thought would be PERFECT for my 12 year old daughter's room. She has tons of wall space above her desk. Perfect!

So, I showed the picture to my husband and we make a trip to Lowes for the supplies.

We bought a sheet of white board (and had them cut it into 2 3x3 foot (plus a couple inches for the border) pieces. (Which meant we could make one for my craft room too!)

Then we found some simple trim. Which my husband cut for me when we got home.

I had found 12x12 inch corkboard squares in a pack of 4 at Michaels and of course had scrapbook paper on hand.

Over all, we were able to make 2 of these for less then $20 each. That's much better than what you'd have to pay Pottery Barn for... are you ready for this? $339.00 **If you hurry, there is a special going on now.. ONLY $299.00. *sarcasm*

OUCH!

Here's how we made my daughters:

This was where my husband got me to. Framed white board. Ready to go.
Then I glued on corkboard and scrapbook paper in the squares I wanted.Then in the large open square, I decided to make her a big calendar she could keep track of special dates for assignments (ha, yeah right!) and birthdays...
Then I had hubby hang it above her desk! Voila! I bought her some white board markers and some fun push pins... and let her GO!I will post a pic of mine. I'm trying to find some 12x12 magnetic sheets so mine will be magnetic (unfortunately the whiteboard at lowes was NOT)

Half Off Everything at Baby Star

2010-04-02T11:01:00.001-04:00

Baby Star is having HALF OFF everything on their site. Sale ends April 5th.

I happened to see info about this sale posted on another blog so I thought I'd share because I checked it out, and this site has super ADORABLE baby things! I love the colors and patterns of their fabrics!

*All of baby star's products are made out of combinations of 100% cotton and formaldehyde-free fabrics, making them safe for baby and the environment.

Peachy Cheap

2010-03-31T12:34:00.000-04:00

Ever heard of this site? Peachycheap.com It's a scrapbook/crafting site that sells a different item a day at a super cheap deal! How fun!

Today's deal was for some velvet flowers, which I don't need...but I thought the site had a neat concept, so I'll be checking back frequently to see what the next deal is!!!

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Easter Birdie Nest Treaties

2010-03-30T11:07:00.000-04:00

My little man had treats this week for pre-school. So we made super cute and super easy Rice Krispie Treat Nests. Recipe and instructions found here.

He also had the class 'pet' for the weekend, so that is why you'll see a stuffed dog in most of these pictures. At the end of the weekend, he has to make a 'diary entry' for the dog about what they did over the weekend. So he wrote about making the treats.

First... we colored our coconut GREEN!
Then mixed up our marshmallows with rice krispies (and fruit pebbles) to make them extra colorful! Pressed them in greased cupcake tins in the shape of nests. Make sure to make room for your eggs in the middle!
Sprinkle on your colored coconut...
Drop in your 'eggs'. We used jelly beans.
And then we topped them with Peep Birdies!

Yum!

Easter Egg Wreath

2010-03-24T14:01:00.000-04:00

I saw this idea here at one of the blogs I follow and wanted to try it... especially since I have NO EASTER decor on my front door. Or ANY decor for that matter....

*sigh*

I found a large and small straw wreath at Michaels, one that fit inside the other snugly... and bags of plastic eggs for $1/18 pack (at Dollar Tree). If you checked out the above link, you'll notice that she used wooden eggs. I couldn't find any, and using plastic eggs is probably WAY CHEAPER (at least around here).

So I used packaging tape to secure my wreaths together... (just saw it laying around and though, hmmm, why not!)

Then I started to glue on the eggs in random positions.
Once it was filled (I used 3 packs of eggs = 54 eggs), I started to glue spanish moss around the outside of the wreath to cover the straw. Then I strung a little glue in between the eggs and shoved little bits of moss between them to fill in the gaps.

And this is what it look like when it's mossed-out!

I used some leftover ribbon I had to hang it.. plus a 3M Command hanger and hung it outside my front door. This was AFTER I attempted to hang it on my front door. Come to find out, I couldn't shut my storm door after it was up. *Argh* Oh well.
Then, clean up your mess! Because you WILL have a mess if you use spanish moss.
*Note to self: Don't set glue gun down on table when using spanish moss. Makes for a messy, mossy, glue gun.

Chocolate Bunny Cupcake Wrappers

2010-03-23T11:43:00.000-04:00

I know this is last minute, and I had hoped to have more cute Easter wrappers in my shop, but my life has been a bit busy lately. I just didn't have the time to get much listed! I was suddenly swamped with custom orders (but I'm not complaining!)!

However... I DID list these 'yummy' chocolate bunny cupcake wrappers. I have them all ready to go. So as soon as your order is complete, they'll be hoppin' your way!

*Just a couple hours after listing these, they have been featured in a treasury! Check it out here!

**And minutes after the above addendum, I was featured in ANOTHER treasury! Check THAT one out here!

***Yet another treasury feature! Go here.

Let me know if you want more then one set! It's do-able!

And don't forget to check out the 'old school' wrappers I have listed for only $3/set.

Bedroom COMPLETE!

2010-03-02T07:16:00.000-05:00

Remember my daughter's poor unfinished dresser? I have already repainted the bed and sidetable. And this weekend my husband, daughter and I all tackled the dresser....

BEFORE

AFTER

AND.... in other news, just as exciting... my husband finished the baby's high chair!!!! I am currently applying Butcher's Block to it for the final stage... to make it food safe! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

Winner!

2010-03-01T07:41:00.000-05:00

I've listed some baby themed wrappers the last couple days... as well as a SHERIFF BADGE. They are all available in other colors and the badge can have any letter of your choice.

Now on to the topic at hand...

And the winner is.... according to Random.org: #32

jakiesmom said...i like the ladybug wrappers, i'd love to see a train
Be sure to shoot me your info so I can get your tree sent to you! Email me at the5turners [at] gmail [dot] com.

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions! In fact, I've got a train listed and have a 2nd version in the making!

Penguins, Trains & Graduates, Oh My!

2010-02-26T21:54:00.001-05:00

I've just listed some new designs in my etsy shop! As always, if you want them in different colors, just let me know! I have several other designs on my to-do list.... so I'm hoping to have a productive weekend!

*I can add the graduation year on the cap if you want! 2010 or '10

Don't forget to check out my giveaway before the weekend is over!

What I've Been Working On...

2010-02-23T11:44:00.000-05:00

I LOVE all the suggestions for cupcake wrappers! I have some of them already in progress, and some were already on my list of TO-DO's! While #1 and #2 are at school, and #4 is napping, I tried to knock out a few on the list.... with #3 'helping' me!
I have more on the way... and I'm always up for custom orders, so contact me if you have something in mind! I can do numbers, words, letters, shapes, etc.

And here's what my hubby has been working on in between studying EP's for a new helicopter. A high chair for our little man... I can't wait until it's done. All he has left is the tray, and attaching the hardware once it arrives. Yay!

100 Followers Giveaway!

2010-02-22T01:00:00.000-05:00

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Thanks to all my followers! It's been fun to watch the numbers change each week! So... now that I've hit the big 100, (actually 101 as I'm posting this) I'm doing a giveaway!

I received lots of positive feedback on my DT tree... so, who wants one?!?!
Just like I said I probably would, I went back to the good ol' DT and bought a few more! I've painted them up, and hope to maybe list a few in my Etsy shop! But, one lucky person will get to win one here! And... to top it off, not only will you get the tree... I've made up a few sets of mini ornies to hang on it throughout the year! It doesn't just have to be a Valentine tree!Now, down to business... how do you enter? Let me count the ways...

{*Be sure to leave a comment for each entry. I will use random.org to chose the winner.}

1) Go here and come back and tell me your favorite item OR suggest a new shape/design you'd like to see on the wrappers.
*While you are there, add me as your favorite! And, don't forget to check out the clearance prices of the 'old wrappers'.

2) Follow my blog if you don't already. If you do, just let me know.

3) Sign up for my newsletter on the right sidebar ---->

4) Follow me on twitter.

5) Tweet about this giveaway including the link to this giveaway post. And come back and leave the link to your tweet in your comment!

6) Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in the comment below!

7) Become a fan on facebook.

Hmmm, I think that just about does it! Entries will be accepted through Sunday February 28th. I will announce the winner here on the 1st! Thanks and Good Luck!