Preschool Pumpkins

Someone made the cutest little Thanksgiving dish for preschool. They peeled a whole bunch of mandarin oranges and put a pretzel rod in the middle to make them look like pumpkins. Look how cute:

Thanksgiving Treats

In looking for cute Christmas treats, my sister came across these darling Thanksgiving treats.

They are originally from the Family Fun Magazine.

Christmas Treats

Here are some cute treat ideas for Christmas goodie plates.  The first is a Rudolph cookie from Jill's Recipes:

 The second is from Jill's Recipes too.  These are little Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites:

I love these little oreo truffles.  This recipe is all over out there.  It is so yummy!  I did white chocolate and red accents:

Last for this post is the Pretzle Hugs that I believe I posted before.  I made them w/ Rolos and regular M&M's (one per pretzle):

I just found another one:
This is yummy Peppermint Bark popcorn. 

Enjoy!

Treats to keep the kids cool for Summer

Cute Picnic idea from Make and Takes:

Here’s some yummy treats to help keep the kids cool this Summer, as it’s already a HOT one. I think even you’ll be tasting these cold concoctions to stay cool too!

• Frozen Watermelon Pops by the Hungry Housewife (pictured above)
• Frozen Grape Pops by Make and Takes
• Strawberry Sorbet by Our Best Bites
• Oreo Pudding Pops by Gourmet Mom on the Go
• Ice Cream Pie by Make and Takes
• Mint Lemonade by Make and Takes
• Ice Cream in a Baggie by Make and Takes

If you’ve been making some yummy “cool down” sweets, share them in a comment below!

Toppings Box

This is a cute little box from Capture the Moment:

One of the most important parts of ice cream sundaes are the toppings! I designed a small box that holds four of our 4 oz. Round Clear Top Tins perfectly. I have attached a template outlining specific directions on how to make it. Super easy pattern to follow.

Download toppings_box_template.pdf

After I constructed the box, I made a liner to fit inside the bottom. I thought that this would add some sturdiness and serve as a decorative element as well. I created the liner by following the same template as the box bottom, only removing the corner tabs. I also scored just hair further inward. The liner is made from Vintage Cream cardstock and stamped repeatedly with the snowflake border image from Heather's new Rustic Snowflakes set.

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Here is the liner securely adhered inside the box bottom. I think it really makes the box look more polished, don't you?

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The lid of the box is created with a transparency sheet. After a little experimentation with different adhesives, I was happiest with mini glue dots. They were hardly noticeable and looked clean & professional.

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The tins were covered with a strip of Pure Poppy cardstock stamped with a row of different phrases & small snowflakes from this set in vanilla ink. I filled the tins with a variety of toppings that would be appropriate for a sundae. The four ounces that these tins hold will provide enough topping for at least six sundaes, so perfectly suited for an entire family! Yum!

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Here is the finished toppings box. I used the NEW! Silver Sheer Metallic Ribbon to tie around the box. The tag background was created with a few of the snowflake images from this set. I just love how easy it is to build patterns with this set. And the snowflakes stamp SO crisp & clean.

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For the tag accent strip, I started by die-cutting the smallest Double-Ended Tag die from Vintage Cream cardstock. I left the cardstock in the die and used the opening as a means to perfectly center the phrase "toppings", which was created with Simple Alphabet. (You can find a tutorial I did on how to best position the Simple Alphabet letters HERE.)

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I cut a strip of red cardstock just a tad wider than my tag die and scored a line just a fraction from either edge using my Scor-Pal. This is a technique I find myself doing often. I just love the results.

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By layering the tag and the strip, I am able to create an easy accent that adds quite a bit of detail so the tag isn't too visually *boring*!

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Next up was the hot fudge! You can't have a sundae without hot fudge! I picked up an 11.75 oz. jar of Smucker's Hot Fudge Topping. It is as close to homemade as you can get from the supermarket! I wanted to dress it up a bit to make it more personal (and color coordinate of course!). I die-cut some muslin fabric using the Nestabilities largest Standard Scalloped Circle die. I stamped the fabric with Polka Dot Basics using Pure Poppy Palette ink. I also got some thin hemp twine out.

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I placed the fabric circle pattern side down. I then turned the hot fudge upside down and placed it in the center of the circle.

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I gathered the circle of fabric around the neck of the jar and placed an elastic around it to hold it in place temporarily.

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I then tied the hemp around the jar, holding the fabric firmly in place, allowing the hemp to rest in the grove directly under the lid.

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Remove the elastic and there you have it! A homier, customized version of Smucker's Hot Fudge Sauce!

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Something special needs to be included in this gift set to EAT these special sundaes out of, so why not some personalized bowls? I stamped one of the small snowflakes from this set in Pure Poppy onto one of Avery's clear address labels. I punched out the snowflake using my 5/8-inch circle punch. The name was stamped onto a clear label using, once again, Simple Alphabet. It was trimmed with scissors. I adhered both labels to the bowl. Since I used Palette inks for the stamping, they are waterproof. With hand-washing, the labels ought to stay around for quite while, although probably not permanently.

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Here's the completed ensemble. I added a really nice ice cream scoop and assembled everything in this pretty little basket.

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A cute little card was necessary to hold a gift card to the local supermarket for the recipient to use to buy the *best* ice cream, with no worries of what's on sale! Much of the same design concepts used on the *toppings* tag were carried over to the card. A bit more of that Silver Sheer Metallic Ribbon was added to the side as an accent.

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I hope you have enjoyed today's project. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a peek into another set that I have been just dying to share with you!

Candy Bar Boquet

Need a last minute Vday treat for your loved one? Make this candy bar bouquet found at Homemaking Fun.


Here is one I found on It's all in my head:

Candy Bouquet for Ted

Cupcake Take Along

Love this idea from Capture the Moment.

I have one final project that I thought I would leave you with today as we wrap up the January countdown. It is another Thrifty Gifting idea that was inspired by Lauren's newest template to be released this month, the Take Along Tote.

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If you are anything like me, I always enjoy giving thoughtful gifts to people rather than just picking up something from a big box store. Especially when it comes to gifts for children. Really, how many Barbies can a girl have? So I thought I would show you a fun alternative that I designed for a birthday party we are going to next weekend. I call it the Cupcake Take Along. I gathered a few inexpensive items from the store to create my kit.

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To begin, I wrapped my cake mix box with red cardstock. This required two sheets cut to measure 5-5/8" wide and 11 inches long. I scored the top and bottom of these two pieces at 1.5", creating top and bottom flaps. I then just adhered the two pieces together lengthwise to create a large wrap.
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Next, I cut out the two main pieces for the body of the tote template using red cardstock. I wanted to create a special area for all of the different sprinkles to be kept. So I cut a 1 x 11" strip of white cardstock and scored it @ 1.25" from either end, followed by 3/4" increments in the remaining center portion. Use my photo here as a visual to create your mountain and valley folds. A little piece of scor-tape at the base of each section will help to make the piece secure.
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When you peel away the tape backing and adhere the strip to the interior of your tote, you are left with something that looks like this.
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Now that the tube strip is adhered to the inside, the tote can be adhered to the front of the cake mix wrap with scor-tape.
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I wanted ribbon handles to go all the way around both the cake mix box and cardstock tote that I adhered together, so I laid the entire piece on its side and ran two pieces of scor-tape down, around the bottom and back up the other side.
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I then started applying my ribbon at the bottom and went up a side over the top creating the handle, and back down the other side. I repeated these steps on the opposite end.
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Now that the handles are done, all that's left for the inside of this cute little cupcake tote is a few of our Trendy Tubes filled with the various sprinkles that I picked up at the store. The easy tube strip I created from white cardstock holds the tubes in place securely.
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For the outside, I printed the Take Along Tote Pocket template onto Raspberry Fizz cardstock and assembled it. I adhered it to the front of my tote.
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I created the catchy "Hey, cupcake" sentiment with Fresh Alphabet & Simple Alphabet. The felt flower is from American Crafts and the epoxy brad is from Making Memories.
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Notice the little birthday tag made with Heather's new Around & about Sentiments. It is clipped in place with a bright pink mini clothespin that I have been hoarding for quite some time now. I love it when things like that work out!
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This tote pocket holds a glassine bag which I filled with the decorative heart candies. The top of the bag is folded over and tied shut with raspberry fizz satin ribbon.
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Here is a side view of the tote. Notice how the tubes are a perfect fit for the width of the Take Along Tote template.
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And as one last final detail, I used a Basic Grey magnetic closure along with a patterned paper flap to help keep the tote closed.










Another take on this idea from Inking Idaho

I ordered the bags and the test tubes from Nichole's store and they were here in like 3 days!!! She is super fast!

Bunny Poop

I would love to be the kind of mom that does this. This is from Little Miss Crafty Pants:
I have had a box of reindeer poop given to me before. It was a Whoppers box decorated like a reindeer with a puff brown ball for the tail and a little cut out so when you lift up the tail, out comes the poop. One day I will find the photo I took and post it for you to see.

The Easter bunny came last night

So listen here's the scoop

He left a special treat for you

A bit of bunny poop!

(I always do little funny things like this for my kids....they just think I'm crazy)

Heart Shaped Cake Chocolate Box from Bakerella

Wow! This is amazing! One day when I have time, I will make this for Mike for Valentines day. This is from Bakerella. Gotta Love her!

A Valentine's Day Gift Box of...



Cake… Yes, cake.

The truffles…



The box…all cake!

Don't believe me? Well keep reading and I'll show you how to make this little Sweet Heart Cake.

• First, you'll need to grease and flour at least one heart-shaped cake pan. I used one that's about 8" wide and used a round cake pan for the rest of the batter.
• Now, mix your ingredients and pour in the pans. (The Red Velvet Cake recipe I used made a cake that was really too greasy, so I'm not going to post it. But you can just as easily use any cake recipe or cake mix for this.)
  
• Bake the cakes and let cool.
• When cool, take a pencil and trace the shape of your cake onto wax paper.

• After you've outlined your cake, draw a second outline about .25 inch around the outside of the first heart shape. You can eyeball it.
• Go back to your cake or cakes and level them by cutting off the tops with a long serrated knife.
  
• Keep the excess. You can use it later.
• Okay, now you'll need some red fondant. You can tint fondant red yourself or take the easy way and buy it already colored. (It's a real pain to tint fondant red and get the color you want, so I'm buying this stuff anytime I can help it.)

• Work on a clean dry surface and sprinkle a little cornstarch before you begin working with the fondant. If you don't, it will start to stick to the surface. Work with just the amount you need and keep all the rest wrapped up tightly with plastic wrap. It dries out quickly.
• Now use a rolling pin or fondant roller and roll it flat. You'll need to roll it larger than your heart shape template.
• With scissors, cut the wax paper along the outer edge of your heart shape to make the template. Then, gently hold the template in place on your fondant and use a toothpick to trace the heart shape.
• Remove the wax paper and carefully cut out the shape with a knife. Use the toothpick marks as your guide.
  

• This piece of fondant is going to be the bottom of your cake box. Lay it on a plate, cake board or cake stand. I used a round cake board and a few doilies to place the fondant on. Now use a little of your frosting to coat a layer on the inner section of your fondant heart shape.
• Place the cake on the fondant and center it. The frosting helps hold it in place.
• Now, frost the top and smooth it out.
• Go back to your wax paper template and cut out the inside heart shape. Use this new template for the top of the cake box. Roll and cut out another piece of fondant to use to cut out the heart for the top of the cake the same way you did for the bottom.

• Place the fondant heart shape on top of the cake so that it's centered with the bottom layer of fondant. Frost the sides carefully. Make it as smooth as possible. Use a paper towel and gently remove any excess frosting that may get on the bottom edge or the top of the cake.
  
• Now roll out a long strip of fondant.
• Using a straight edge, cut the sides off so you have a long even piece of fondant. You'll want the width of this piece be at least .25" wider than the height of your cake so that it forms the sides of the box to hold the truffles.
• Carefully, wrap the sides of the cake with this strip of fondant. Again, the frosting will help hold the fondant in place. The smoother your frosting is, the smoother the sides of your box will be.
  
  And, voila… Sweet Heart Candy Cake Box!

Now, you just need to fill it with truffles.

You can use the other cake and excess trimmings to crumble and make red velvet cake balls.
Read the original how-to for the Red Velvet Cake Balls.
(Keep in mind that this recipe used the entire cake for cake balls, so you will want to cut down on the amount of frosting you use to make them work. Start small and add more as you need it until the consistency is moist enough to mold and still hold it's shape. )



I just decorated these different ways with candy writers, heart sprinkles, nuts and drizzled candy melts. You can take this a step further by really making it an assorted box of chocolate. Go all out and make the cake balls with different cake flavors.







Here's a pic of the inside just in case you still weren't convinced.


Things you''ll need for this Sweet Heart Cake:
Red Velvet Cake
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe I used here)
Heart-shape cake pan
and one other cake pan
Wax paper
Pencil or pen
serrated knife
White fondant and red icing color or red fondant
Fondant Roller or rolling pin
Toothpicks
Small knife
Mini brown candy cup liners
Candy melts
Candy writers, heart sprinkles, nuts