Cupcake Flowerpot

I missed a friends birthday recently and felt really bad about it - in fact I miss lots of birthdays - my memory is just CRAP! when it comes to remembering dates of any kind.  I regularly rely on others to remind me I have a class or an appointment coming up - seriously - I am THAT BAD!

Anyhow to make things worse I had forgotten this same friend last year as well and am frequently reminded of it so there was no way I was going to let it slide a second year.  I simply had to make up for it.  But just so you don't think I'm a total loss I have remembered her b'day in the past - just not the last couple years.

I had seen an idea where you present a cupcake in a cute papermache flowerpot that's then decorated up with ribbons, butterflies and flower cupcake pokes and knew I wanted to recreate something similar.

On the way home from a physio appointment at my local hospital this morning I stopped in a new store in town and purchased a pretty yellow cupcake.  I maybe should have made one of mine but I have just been super tired this week for some reason.

After bringing the cupcake home I set about the presentation and decorations.

I started by stuffing handmade paper into the flower pot and then added a second 'open' layer that would sit gathered around the cupcake.  Next I added butterflies from some stamped gingham cardstock (WMS) onto the paper and then used the new doily WMS stamps to create the flower cake pokes.

And of course the treat wouldn't be complete without a card to accompany it so I stuck with the same colour scheme and doily theme and came up with this.  The pink and yellow colours are a bit different I grant you (and maybe the yellow is a bit too bright) but it kinda worked. 

I dropped this off today when Jilly and I got together for a long overdue 'girly lunch' in town.  We were celebrating her new job and my being able to walk again and had set the date a while ago so we were really looking forward to it.  In her old job Jilly always had to rush off to get to work but now that her hours have changed we could spend the entire day together.  She walked my legs off!!!  So now I'm going to have a light bite and rest up for much of the evening - my poor tootsies!

Still I'm VERY grateful to be able to walk so I'm not complaining.

Hope you enjoy!

Suezie

More Cupcakes & A Waltzing Mouse Workshop!

Well my daughter was delighted with her cupcake in a jar - in fact she says she can't bring herself to eat it.  Of course I told her she must - it won't keep forever LOL!  She told me she has been telling everyone about it and showing it to lots of people - how sweet is that?

Well today I was on a mission to work on the proto-type for an upcoming class in which we will be creating both a cute cupcake stand and a pretty cupcake box to top it off.

This is how the cupcake box is turning out.  It has a flip open lid that has been decorated with lots of lovely sheer ruffles and a pretty paper rose on the top.

I still have a few kinks to work out but it's pretty much as it should be when it's complete give or take an adjustment or two.

And this is the cute mini cupcake stand I created.  I ran across a US site that sold mini chipboard cupcake stands - flat packed and ready to decorate but I was sure this could be made somehow so after playing around (this is my second attempt) I finally settled on this one.  Getting the sizes just right was a bit of trial and error but I'm pleased I got there in the end and thank goodness for nestabilities!

This is the shot looking down at the top of the cupcake box. 

I have no idea what colour these will be when I teach the class - I always use scraps for something like this in case it doesn't work and has to be scrapped - but hopefully I can pick out something really pretty.  I may stick to plain white for the cupcake stand and go with colours in the cupcake.

I have learnt a thing or two about adhesives whilst making this project too so that needs some careful thought but overall I think this will be a cute class.  Let's hope it gets enough interest to run then huh?

I also did some research for inspiration and ideas today for a Waltzing Mouse Workshop I hope to run on 28th May.  I am excited to be doing another one of these and I know a few of you have been asking when the next one will be.  I will need to start thinking about ordering the stamps pretty soon so if you want on this workshop now is the time to book up.  We will be using one of Claire's 'bitty' sets (featured above) and I hope to have treats and prizes on the day too.

All this and Jessica coming to visit means May is likely to be a very busy month for me, especially as I'm now back at work too so I apologise now if I seem to go a bit AWOL here on my blog.  I have new WMS stamps to play with (the newest doily ones) but they may just have to wait until Jess' visit cos we're spending the entire week together and there's bound to be a bit of crafting goin on LOL!  Can't wait!

Enjoy!

Suezie

A confession ( & some crafting too)

Well I have a bit of a confession to make.  I have been back at work since Thursday last week and so far it's going good.  Okay so I had to take a super slow walk home, and again today but I am independant at least and able to work right now.  I have to admit I still have a 'push me/pull me' kinda sensation going on in my head and the grocery store is still very hard to cope with - in fact it physically hurts my ears/throat/head etc.  However I am hopefully well and truly on the mend.

Ok so now for the craft bit.

Today after work I took a slow walk to the post office and posted this 'cupcake in a jar' (plus a balloon and candle) to my youngest daughter who is celebrating a birthday this month.  She's coming to visit us later this month but since we can't be there for her birthday I thought she might like Mr Postie to bring her a surprise package or two.

Confession number 2!  I have been dying to do one of these ever since I saw the idea on the net last year.  Better still I found a good sturdy box to pack it in so it can go through the post.  I filled the jar with layers of chocolate cake (really squidge it in) and chocolate fudge frosting.  I piped the final layer of frosting on the top, added sprinkles and placed the lid on the jar.  Then I decorated it up - quite simply, nothing too fancy and tied a small spoon to the side with a pretty ribbon.  Simply open the jar and dive in!  How cool is this idea?



I made her a card too using my new PTI numbers dies, embossing plates and stamps but this had to go in a seperate envelope (it was too big) so I also stuffed the envelope with PTI stamps and dies to surprise her.  She will just have to wait until she gets here later this month for the rest of her pressies but these should at least put a smile on her face and let her know we haven't forgotten her birthday.

I had such fun doing this little jar I can't wait to do another one!  Why not have a go yourself.  Oh and if you can't bake - don't!  Use a pre-made cake and frosting - it's all good LOL!

Blessings

Suezie