June Cupkins Double Whammy: Part 1

It's the first Monday of the month!  Welcome to CUPKINS, a collaboration between Meg at Mega•Crafty and I.  Each month, Meg shares a muffin recipe and I share a cupcake recipe with the same theme.  This month, we're giving you a double whammy of Cupkins with today's post themed around Father's Day, and a second installment in two weeks featuring 4th July themed cupcakes and muffins!

Check out my Chocolate Banana "Dad" Cupcakes and Meg's Chocolate Stout Muffins!

Chocolate Banana "Dad" Cupcakes

My Dad loves all things banana, and when we were kids my Mum used to make chocolate banana cake (it's a super easy recipe, made in a blender of all things!  I'll have to share it with you sometime...)  These cupcakes are a little bit of an homage to that cake.

To bake these cupakes, I simply used a box of chocolate cupcake mix and added one cup of mashed, ripe bananas.  This makes for a pretty moist cupcake, and some of the banana will rise to the top of the cupcakes making them a little sticky, so these are best eaten as soon as possible.  They don't keep long.

The decorating was the fun part.  I tinted some fondant a yellow-ish color (you can either make your own or buy the fondant pre-made at JoAnn's, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc) and cut out lots of two inch circles using a fondant cutter (a metal cookie color will work fine as well)

Use plenty of powdered sugar when rolling and cutting your fondant.  When you have everything cute out, wipe the powdered sugar off with a paper towel spritzed with a little bit of butter flavored cooking spray.  It will clean up the fondant and give it a nice sheen.

I then used a tube of decorating gel (like this) to write "dad" on each circle of fondant.  So easy!

Using a piping bag filled with white buttercream (you could tint yours, or flavor it.  I stuck with white vanilla) and pipe a circle of frosting on the top of each cupcake.  Gently place a fondant circle on the top of the frosting.

Present your dad with customized cupcakes for Father's Day in whatever flavor, displaying whatever greeting you'd like!  They're easy to do and sure to be a hit!

Now hop on over to Meg's place to check out her Father's Day inspired muffins by clicking on the Cupkins logo below...

Week in Review

Each weekend in my Week in Review post I share with you some of my favorite crafty links, inspiration and projects I've come across during the week, from all over the blogosphere.  ENJOY!

Flirty Fiesta Flower Bouquets at Aesthetic Nest
I love paper flowers - and these colors are so bright and summery!

Polymer Clay Pendants at Whimsy Love
A great project for kids and adults alike!

Painted Frames at Samster Mommy
A thrifty and colorful way to make frames "pop" off your wall

Crocheted hats at Steinway Street
Abby is knitting these sweet hats for a good cause, The Hat Box Foundation.

Beach Towel Dress at MADE
I love this little beach dress made from a beach towel!  Clever, cute and functional!

Lily's Get Better Box

I finished up Lily's Get Better Box late Tuesday evening in time for her to have it before going in for surgery early Wednesday morning.  Excuse the poor quality photos (it was dark out!) but take a peek at the finished box and its contents!

As you can see, I used a rubbermaid-style tote with colored handles for the box.  It's shoebox size.  For the label, I used Stampin' Up! cardstock in Whisper White, Lovely Lilac, and Green Galore and but and embossed the butterflies using my Big Shot Die Cut Machine (also from SU).  The lettering was printed onto the cardstock.  You can't tell in this photo, but I used Stampin' Dimensionals for some of the bigger butterflies so that they popped off the box a little to give a 3D effect.

My older niece, Mariah, was on hand to help Lily open her box.  Of course Lily had no idea what was going on and why she was getting presents, especially so early in the morning.  But she was rocking out her cupcake PJ's and having a ball all the same!

You met the pink bunny a couple of days ago... she was a hit...

And you'll remember the ribbon-trimmed bandanas, too.  Four in all...

There was also a storybook, some playdough, a coloring book and crayons, and a sticker book and stickers...

And finally, a comfy pair of PJ pants for when she comes home...

I hope that this little box of fun will help Lily have a speedy recovery, and can be used and refilled for years to come bringing just a little smile when she's feeling under the weather.

Feel better soon, Lily!

Stampin' Up! Last Chance & Upcoming Events!

STAMPING NEWS:

It's almost here... Stampin' Up!'s 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog will launch on July 1 debuting new color families, new stamp sets and accessories, and 16 pages more goodies than last year!  I've had a "sneak peak" of some of the new products and phew, are they amazing!

While we anxiously anticipate the new catalog's arrival, now is the perfect chance to stock up on colors, stamp sets, and accessories that are retiring...

• Head here to check out all of the retiring product

• Head here to check out retiring product that's 25% off

• Head here to check out retiring product that's 50% off

All of these products are available only while supplies last and will retire completely on June 30.  Now is the time to pick up a stamp set or two, some punches, or stock up on accessories at discounted prices!

Shop online or drop me an e-mail at joanneroehm@yahoo.com to place your order today!


UPCOMING EVENTS:

East Side Stampers "Just for Fun" Stamp Night 
Friday June 4 @ 6:00pm
504 West Caneel Drive, Tecumseh MI
 
Live on the East side of the state? Here's an opportunity for you to come and have some craft time - and maybe learn a little more about stamping!

This is not a fee-based event, or a workshop with make and takes. This is simply an opportunity to get together with friends old or new to stamp.

I can demonstrate stamping techniques, cut cards for you, help you put together and start using your stamps and answer any stamping questions you may have. I'll have samples and layout ideas, too, and my die-cutting machine and stamps of my own will be available for you to try out!

Bring a snack to share, and your stamping supplies (I will not be providing cardstock for you, but will have stamps and accessories available for your use) and come enjoy a casual evening of stamping and crafting.

Stampers both experienced and new are welcome and encouraged!


Summer Stamp A Stack
Saturday June 12 @ 9:00am
641 Giddings Ave SE, Grand Rapids MI

Join me for a Summer Stamp A Stack! We'll be creating four unique thank you cards using Stampin' Up! products. This month we'll be using lots of products from the new Summer Mini Catalog!

Create 8 cards for $10, 12 cards for $15 or 16 cards for $20.

New to my Stamp A Stacks? Receive 1/2 off the class fee. Bring a friend who has never stamped with me before? You BOTH receive 1/2 off the class fee.

This is a great opportunity to stock up on cards, and learn about all of the latest and greatest Stampin' Up! products.

Sure hope you can join me! Class is limited to 10 participants - register soon to reserve your spot in class, and don't forget to let me know how many cards you'll be making!


June Craft Night
Friday June 25 @ 7:00pm
641 Giddings Ave SE, Grand Rapids MI

Join me for a low-key evening of craft time at my (almost!) monthly Craft Night. Bring whatever projects you're working on and enjoy social time while you create!

All of my stamps, inks, punches, and tools will be available for you to use.

This is NOT an instructional class, just a chance to get together, craft, and share ideas. Craft Night is FREE for you to participate! Please join us!


WORKSHOPS:

I'm now booking workshops for July, August, September and October (and probably squeeze another one in in June if that would work best for you.)  Workshops are so much fun!  Get a group of your friends together to make some cards and other stamped accessories, and I'll provide the rest.  I'll come over to your house/church/school and lead you and your friends in three make and take projects - and you'll earn free stamps and accessories for hosting!  Don't wait, contact me today to schedule your workshop!

Have a great day, everyone!

Lily's Get Better Box - Sneak Peak!

After returning home from a lovely beach weekend with friends and family last night, I was on a sewing roll putting a few things together for Lily's Get Better Box (more info about the box in this post).  Her surgery is tomorrow (it came up so fast!) so I'm trying to quickly get everything together. 

I sewed this little bunny using some cotton and flannel I already had in my stash.  The pattern is from Martha Stewart Living and you can find all the info here.  I don't think I've ever had a sewing project come together so quickly and without a hiccup as this one.  Took me about an hour from start to finish!

I also sewed up a few cotton bandanas trimmed with ribbon (don't worry, Mum, I will give them a final press before they go in the box!) also using fabric and ribbon from my stash.  Not only will these be great for playtime during the summer, but I think they may come in handy to keep her hair out of her eyes after surgery.  These are a great little stashbuster - and look so cute on toddlers!  I'll be sharing a tutorial on these with you next week.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a wonderful day!