Cupcakes & Contest

Sorry I've been a little quiet over the past couple of days. Heather and I have been baking and frosting our little hearts out. We're perfecting cupcake recipes, frostings, and garnishes. We're hoping to launch our side business in early September...

Cupcakes by Heather & Joanne
custom creations for all occasions

But more about the business later. Here's what we've been working on this week...

Raspberry Cupcakes

Blueberry Cupcakes

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes


If you haven't entered my CONTEST yet - you have just a week to do so! The contest closes one week from today and the competition is heating up! Head over to the contest post to see what it's all about, and enter to win 200 postcards plus a little something from me!

Beaded Wrap Bracelet Tutorial

This is an easy beginning jewelry project for all ages. We just taught it to 6-8 year olds in our Jewelry & Fashion Art class. It's perfect because you can make it as long or short as you want to, and it can be worn as either a necklace or bracelet because of the clasp.


1. Thread two crimping beads on to flexible jewelry wire

2. Thread your clasp on after the crimping beads

3. Push short end of wire back through the crimping beads to form a loop and shorten

4. Use needle pliers to crimp beads and secure loop/clasp

5. Bead away! With this wire you don't need a needle and thread. For this example I just used seed beads but you could use whatever you want. Work with a pattern, or be completely random in your bead selection!

6. Once finished, thread two more crimping beads onto the end

7. Attach other end of clasp in the same way as you did in the beginning, be sure to keep your loop as short as possible

8. Crimp beads

9. Snip wire, and thread any remaining back through the beads

Wear, and enjoy!

Haven't entered my contest yet? Enter HERE to win 200 CUSTOM POSTCARDS. I'll also throw in a little extra handmade something to the winners as well! WHAT ARE YO WAITING FOR? Head over and enter! Good Luck!

Simple Sunflower Card Tutorial

I picked up a sweet clear sunflower stamp in the dollar bin at JoAnn Fabrics last week (have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE those dollar bins?! Yikes!) and it was the perfect inspiration for a quick little card. You could use this same basic template and techniques with any color scheme or stamp you wish. (Click on photo grid to view larger, or simply hop over HERE)


1. Fold a piece of 12x12 cardstock in half, crease with bone folder
2. Divide into three even rectangles. Cut with craft knife or paper cutter to create three cards.
3. Take clear stamp on stamping block and saturate with ink
4. Stamp over front of card, allowing some flowers to go off the page. Set aside.
5. Re-ink stamp, then wipe off center of sunflower with a baby wipe or similar.
6. Color the center of the stamp with washable brown marker
7. Stamp on white paper, then cut around shape with scissors.
8. Make two more sunflowers in the same way.
9. Cut a strip of brown cardstock and place in center of card. Place sunflowers on top.
10. Glue in place. Finished! : )

PS) Have you entered my contest yet?! Come on people - FREE STUFF! Just click HERE.

1st Birthday Party Cupcakes

Here are the cupcakes we made for a first birthday (airplane themed) party this weekend!

200 Custom Postcards Printing Giveaway from UPrinting.com

Happy Friday to all! What better way to salute everybody's favorite day of the week and kick of the weekend right than with a CONTEST?

I've teamed up with the wonderful folks over at UPrinting to offer a super easy and fun giveaway:

2 PRIZE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE 200 Custom Postcards

(choose your size: 4x6, 4.25x6, 5x7"); 14pt gloss or matte, 13 pt uncoated. Full Color on both sides (4/4) Shipping must be paid by Winner.

Offer Valid for UNITED STATES SHIPPING ONLY.

To enter, all you have to do is leave me a comment and let me know how you would use these custom postcards if you win! You can personalize your custom postcards for invitations, thank you cards, announcements, holiday greetings, etc. The possibilities are endless!

UPrinting also offers custom greeting cards!

I know that for Heather and I, who are dabbling in a new cupcake business, these postcards would be an excellent marketing tool for us! And what about those of you that have Etsy shops? What a great tool for you! Oh, and don't forget those of you that have birthday parties and events coming up for which you might need thank you notes!

You have two weeks to enter this contest! I'll announce the winners on Friday August 28th!

All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment... good luck!