Giveaway Winner, September Cupkins + October Link Party Info!

For September's edition of Cupkins, Meg and I chose Football as our theme!  I don't know about you - but September 1 hit and my husband has been firmly planted on the couch with a football game on ever since!  Okay, I exaggerate, but we all know that football is a big deal at this time of year - and even though I'm not a huge fan of the sport myself, I do love having people over for the games and enjoying some tasty football grub!

Here's what we came up with... my "Game Day Cupcakes" and Meg's "Chili Cheese Cornbread Mini Muffins"

Game Day Cupcakes How-To:

I love these cupcakes because they're so festive - and you can customize the colors for whatever team(s) are playing!  My husband is a big Michigan State University fan, so I went with green and white for this batch!

Combine one box of vanilla cake mix with three eggs, one stick of butter (melted) and 1 cup of water in a stand mixer.  Divide the batter in half and color as desired.

Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full, including some of each batter.  Using a knife or toothpick, swirl the two colors of batter around in the liner to gently combine.

Bake cupcakes for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees - one tray at a time.  Keep a close eye on them - you want them to bake all the way through but not brown - it ruins the color.  And be sure to use white cupcake liners so you can see the swirls of color going through the cupcakes!

For the frosting, combine one large jar of marshmallow fluff (in the ice cream topping aisle) and three sticks of softened butter in a stand mixer.  Once combined, add 2 tsp of vanilla extract.  With stand mixer on low, gradually add poweder sugar until desired texture is reached (generally about 1 - 2 cups, but I always eyeball it)  Seperate into two bowls and color with food coloring.

One your cupcakes are cooled completely (look how pretty!) you're ready to frost...

Pipe one and a half circles of one color frosting using a 2D or 1M large tip.  Switch colors (goes without saying, but you'll need two piping bags and two matching tips for this - since you'll be alternating between) and complete the swirl.  I'm a big frosting girl - so I piled it high, but you can use less frosting and keep your swirls closer to the cupcake if you like!

Top with sprinkles in corresponding colors.  Even if that means donning gloves and picking through the Christmas red, white and green sprinkles to get out the green and white ones...  : ) 

If you wanted to get fancier still, you could create little flags on the end of toothpicks with your teams logos or name on them.  The possibilites are endless!

Let me know if you try these - I'd love to see photos of different team cupcakes!

Next month is the first month in our Cupkins link party, it will be held on Monday October 4 - and the theme is Halloween!  We'd LOVE to have you play along!  All you have to do is share a photo, tutorial, recipe, or decorating tip for a Halloween inspired cupcake or muffin on your blog, then head over to Meg's blog to link it up to our Cupkins party.  I can't wait to see what you come up with!

And finally, it's time to reveal the winner of Monday's Cupkins Anniversary Giveaway!  The Random Number Generator chose...

ERIN RUSSELL!

Drop me a note at readysetcraft@yahoo.com Erin, so you can claim your cupcake stamp set and ink pad! 

And don't forget to head over to Meg's place to check out her savory mini muffins perfect for a game day snack, and to find out the winner of HER contest!

Cupkins Year-In-Review, and Anniversary Giveaway!

It's crazy to me to think that this month, Meg at MegaCrafty and I are celebrating the first anniversary of our Cupkins collaboration.  In case you've been under a rock for the past year (or at the very least, are new to this blog!), Meg and I join forces on the first Monday of the month for Cupkins.  We pick a theme or ingredient and share a both a cupcake and a muffin recipe with you.

We've had a great time over the past year, sharing our recipes and ideas with you.  Thank you all for your lovely comments, and for the Cupkins features on other blogs.  Let's take a look back on the past year in Cupkins - in case you missed anything!

(top to bottom, left to right)

1.  Apple Cider Muffins

2.  Caramel Apple Cupcakes

3.  Jack O'Lantern Muffins

4.  Spooky Eyeball Cupcakes

5.  Corn Muffin Stuffin

6.  Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes

7.  Cranberry Orange Muffins

8.  Sweet Potato Cupcakes

9.  Egg Nog Muffins

10.  Candy Cane Cupcakes

11.  Pineapple Orange Sunrise Muffins

12.  Light Lemon Cupcakes

13.  Strawberry & Chocolate Champagne Muffins

14.  Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes

13.  Guinness Spiced Muffins

14.  Double Chocolate Irish Creme Cupcakes

15.  Daffodil Lemon Muffins

16.  Spring Swirl Cupcakes

17.  Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

18.  Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

19.  Chocolate Stout Muffins

20.  Chocolate Banana "Dad" Cupcakes

21.  4th of July Red, White & Blueberry Muffins

22.  Red, White & Blue Cupcakes

23.  Toasted Coconut & Dark Chocolate Chunk Muffins

24.  Pina Colada Cupcakes 

25.  Trail Mix Muffins

26.  S'Mores Cupcakes

When thinking about the year ahead, we knew we wanted to continue with our collaboration - but make it even bigger and better!  Here's where you come in!

We're going to turn Cupkins into a link party!  Meg and I will now announce the Cupkins theme a month ahead of time and decide on a post date(usually the first Monday of each month, unless there is a holiday).  We'll take turns hosting the link party each month.

We'd really love for anyone who's been following Cupkins, or is new to Cupkins to join in the fun! Share your creativity, link up with a picture, a recipe, a how-to for a cupcake or a muffin that fits the theme.  Stay tuned for more details - we'll announce the October link party details on Wednesday!

And finally, in celebration of Cupkins' Anniversary, both Meg and I are hosting giveaways!  To enter mine, all you have to do is leave me a comment with an idea for a theme/ingredient for us to feature during the next year of Cupkins!  I'm giving away this sweet stamp set from Stampin' Up! and a super cute pink ink pad.  Once you've left a comment here, jump on over to Meg's place to enter HER giveaway!  Two chances to win!

For extra entries, let me know that you are (or become a) follower, and/or link to this contest via Twitter.  I'll announce the winner on Wednesday, via random number generator!  Entries will be accepted through midnight EST on Tuesday the 21st.T

hanks for reading - and following along on our Cupkins journey!  Good luck!

A little of this, a little of that... (part two)

Happy Thursday!  Here goes another catch all post - hang in there with me while I get you up to speed on a couple of my current projects...

Winner, Winner, Winner!
Since I never heard from my first one, I've drawn a second winner for the baking giveaway...
OKLAHOMA GRANNY please step up and claim your prizes! (drop me an e-mail at joanneroehm@yahoo.com)

Two Step Into Spring -- Final Days!
Tomorrow is the LAST day for Stampin' Up!'s April Two Step Into Spring Promotion.  There's still time to take advantage of this opportunity to get some of our two-step sets for 20% off regular price!

I've been doing some stamping with the Flower Fancy stamp set, which has always been one of my faves, and is one of the sets that is a part of this month's promotion...

Supplies used (card on left):  Flower Fancy Stamp Set, Cardstock in Whisper White, Old Olive and Soft Suede, Inks in Old Olive, Melon Mambo, and Soft Suede.

Supplies used (card on right):  Flower Fancy Stamp Set, Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set, Cardstock in Very Vanilla, Pixie Pink and Gable Green, Inks in only Orange, YoYo Yellow, Pixie Pink and Gable Green, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

I took advantage of the Two Step promotion myself and picked up the Trendy Trees stamp set.  It's been on my wish list forever!  I made up a couple of mini card sets using this set.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE making these little 3x3 cards?!  : )

Supplies used (brights set):  Trendy Trees Stamp Set, Cardstock in Sahara Sand, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, and Bashful Blue, Inks in Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, and Bashful Blue.

Supplies used (pastels set):  Trendy Trees Stamp Set, Cardstock in Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Brilliant Blue and YoYo Yellow, Inks in Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Brilliant Blue and YoYo Yellow.

You can see the other two 20% off stamp sets, Fifth Avenue Floral and Greenhouse Garden, HERE.

Awash With Flowers
The Awash With Flowers Set is a sneak peak set from the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog which will be released this summer.  You can get this set in either wood or clear mount for the month of April only, then it will be back in the summertime.  This is the perfect set for summer showers, birthdays, Mother's Day, baby showers, etc.  I've had fun playing around with it...

Supplies used:  Awash With Flowers and Whimsical Words (SAB 2010) stamp sets, cardstock in Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, and Chocolate Chip, Big Shot Machine, Texturz Plates, inks in Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, slot punch, Pretty in Pink 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon.

Supplies used ("You're Too Kind Card):  Awash with Flowers and Whimsical Words (SAB 2010) stamp sets, cardstock in Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, YoYo Yellow, Brilliant Blue and Old Olive, inks in Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, YoYo Yellow, Brilliant Blue and Old Olive, eyelet border punch and circle punches.

Supplies used ("the more Candles Card"):  Awash with Flowers and Whimsical Words (SAB 2010) stamp sets, cardstock in Very Vanilla, Rose Red and Lovely Lilac, inks in Basic Black, Rose Red, Lovely Lilac and Certainly Celery.

Supplies used:  Awash with Flowers stamp set, cardstock in Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla and Tempting Turquoise, Top Note die, Big Shot Machine, inks in Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black and Old Olive.

You can order any of these stamp sets, accessories, or other Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 by visiting my Stampin' Up! store!

Scrap Every Day in May
When one of my favorite bloggers, Saucy, announced her Scrap Every Day in May scrap-along I knew it was the kick in the butt I needed to get going with my scrapbooking!  While I know that there's no way I'll have the time and energy to bust out a layout every single day during the month of May, I figure this will give me the motivation to get scrapping at least!

I have two scrapbooks to work on.  One is a travel scrapbook, and the other is my (gasp!) wedding scrapbook.  Yup, I said wedding.  Yup, I've been married two years this June.  And nope, the darn wedding scrapbook is not-even-started!

You can read all the details about Scrap Every Day in May HERE.  Maybe you'll want to play along yourself?  I plan on sharing my layouts with you once a week to let you know how I'm doing... we'll see how well I do!


Don't forget that I'm out of town this weekend (visiting wonderful friends in Washington DC - lucky me!) so although I have posts set up while I'm gone, I won't be checking my e-mail or responding to comments until Monday!  Have a great weekend!

Awash with Flowers (and a WINNER!)

This is one of the Easter cards I sent out this year.  I used the new Awash with Flowers stamp set from Stampin' Up!  This is a brand new set that will be available in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog but for this month only SU is giving us a sneak peak and the opportunity to purchase it, or earn it for free!

It's a set of 18 (yes, 18!) stamps and is available in wood or clear mount:

The promotion runs April 1-30, 2010 only - so don't wait to grab this new set!

Promotion Details

Hostesses

Host a $350 workshop and receive the brand-new Two-Step Awash with Flowers stamp set FREE!

Item	Description
117062	Awash with Flowers (wood-mount)
120549	Awash with Flowers (clear-mount)

Customers

Two-Step into spring with a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog! Be the first to add the Awash with Flowers stamp set to your collection.

Item	Description	Price
117062	Awash with Flowers (wood-mount)	$39.95
120549	Awash with Flowers (clear-mount)	$27.95

And as if that wasn't enough... purchase spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets at 20 percent off the retail price--no additional purchase necessary!

Qualifying stamp sets are listed below:

Item	Page	Description	Discount Price
113824	94	Greenhouse Garden	$20.76
113734	98	Fifth Avenue Floral	$19.96
111578	101	Flower Fancy	$29.56
113258	112	Trendy Trees	$14.36

I own all of the sets above with the exception of Fifth Avenue Floral and they are some of my most-used and most-versatile sets!  So fun!

Flower Fancy

Greenhouse Garden

 

Trendy Trees

Fifth Avenue Floral

I still have openings for April workshops - so please let me know if you'd like to have one!  If you'd like to take advantage of this promotion and purchase anY of the sets above... just head over to my Stampin' Up! website to place your order!

And FINALLY... are you just dying to know who won the baking goodies?  Well, the winner (via Random.org) is...

EVIL_LINA!

Drop me an e-mail at joanneroehm@yahoo.com to claim your prizes.  Congratulations, and thanks to everyone who entered!

Giveaway!

Let's start this week out right... want to win some free stuff?  My friends over at CSN Stores have given me some neat-o items to giveaway to one lucky reader!  CSN Stores have a HUGE selection of products... all with the convenience of online shopping!  They have everything from toddler beds, to cookware, to office supplies and more!


You know that I love me some cupcaking and cake-decorating, so for today's giveaway here's what I have up for grabs!  A Calphalon 6 Cup Jumbo Cupcake Pan, and this adorable Nordicware Platinum Butterfly Cake Pan!

Want to enter to win?  No problem!


Here are the official giveaway rules:

1.  Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite type/flavor of cupcake or cake!

2.  If you are a follower, or become a follower, let me know in your comment... for a second entry.

3.  If you are a fan on my Stampin' Up! fan page on Facebook, or become one (see the box on your right?)... get a THIRD entry.


4.  Blog about this contest on YOUR blog (linking back to this post) and win a FOURTH entry.  Be sure to leave me the link!


5.  Sorry, giveaway limited to US and Canadian residents only
 
6.  Giveaway is open until midnight EST on Wednesday March 31 and I'll announce the winner on Thursday April 1.



Good luck, friends!  Hope you win!


PS)  Stampers - don't forget that Stampin' Up!'s Sale-A-Bration promotion ends THIS WEDNESDAY!  Hop over HERE to find out more and take advantage of all of our FREE products before it's too late!

Buggin' Out! (Call for ideas and a GIVEAWAY!)

If you've been hanging around these parts for awhile now, you may remember me helping to throw a first birthday party for my niece Lily last year.  It was so much fun to do, and I loved being able to give her more than just a gift - something she can look back on in pictures the rest of her life.

If you missed the party... catch up with the posts HERE, HERE, and finally HERE.

Last year's theme was cupcakes... and it was very, very cute.  This year we're using this stamp set for inspiration and to get the creative juices flowing... (Bugs & Kisses from Stampin' Up!)

Yup, that's right, a bug party!  Now... we're talking cute bugs of course... not ugly, scary bugs!  : )

We're getting an early start on the planning this year (Lily turns 2 in May) and I'm looking for ideas!  It's not a huge party, and it's mostly adults... so we're not talking games and activities so much, more food, decorating, favors, etc. etc.  Get the idea?

Sooo... here's what I'm thinking... let's have a GIVEAWAY!  Leave me a comment with an idea for my bug birthday party (you can link to an existing idea or picture on the web, it doesn't necessarily have to be something you come up with yourself... and it doesn't need to be related to the stamp set above... just fit the bug theme!) and I'll enter you to win!  Win what you ask?  How about this?

It's the "Picture This" stamp set that I used HERE and HERE.  It's actually a hostess stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog - so it's not one that's available to buy, and it's not one that will be around at all anymore come summertime.  It's a really useful set - I love it!

Your set will be a wood mounted set, not the clear mount that's shown here.  That way all you need is ink and paper and you're good to go!

Here are the official giveaway rules:


1.  Leave me a comment with your idea for my party... for one entry.

2.  If you are a follower, or become a follower, let me know in your comment... for a second entry.

3.  If you are a fan on my Stampin' Up! fan page on Facebook, or become one (see the box on your right?)... get a THIRD entry.


4.  Sorry, giveaway limited to US Residents only

5.  Giveaway is open until midnight EST on Sunday, February 21 and I'll announce the winner on Monday.


Good luck!  Hope you win!

Happy Blogiversary!

Today is it!  My official one year Blogiversary!  What a wild ride it's been!  I have had so much fun creating and sharing projects with you, discovering many other wonderful projects and blogs all over the web, and "meeting" and "getting to know" some wonderful fellow bloggers friends along the way.  Every single comment, link, guest post, and feature has been so very much appreciated... thank you.

I have been wanting to clean up my blog's appearance for awhile now... and thought that today was an appropriate day to unveil my new look.... whaddya think?  I'm hoping that this new, clean and sleek Ready, Set, Craft will be easy to use, read, and share.  Please, let me know your thoughts... and feel free to grab one of my new buttons to post on your blog!

I must tell you that I was hoping to also unveil my finished craft studio to you today.  I was reeeeaaaallly hoping to... I mean, wouldn't that have been just a wonderful conclusion to the week?!  Unfortunately, I've been sick in bed most of the week, so I haven't been able to finish everything up.  I guess that just means there's one more reveal to look forward to, right?  Stay tuned for the finished craft studio... I am very excited about how it is coming along!

And now to the important stuff... the giveaways!  Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by and entered Tuesday's giveaway for 250 Custom Stickers from UPrinting!  Drumroll please... the lucky winner (per the random number generator at Random.org) is...

LINDSEY WOLFE!

Congratulations to you!  Please drop me an e-mail at joanneroehm@yahoo.com so I can get you all set up to order your FREE 250 stickers!  How exciting!

And now, for a final hurrah, let's finish the week with a bang with another giveaway!  I'm very excited to announce...

Ready, Set, Craft's One Year Blogiversary Bash STAMPIN' UP! Giveaway!

You know that I love stamping, and have so much fun as a demonstrator for Stampin' Up!, that I thought it was only appropriate that we end with a giveaway featuring lots and lots of Stampin' Up! goodies!  Here's the list of loot that one lucky winner will enjoy!

Sweet Birthday Stamp

Butterfly Accent Stamp

 

Two ink pads... you choose the colors!

 

 

Stampin' Write Marker in Basic Black

36 sheet pack of multi-color cardstock (you choose color set)

 

Here's how you can win!

1.  Leave me a comment telling me about either a current craft project you're working on, or a favorite project you've worked on in the past year or so, and why... for one entry.

2.  If you are a follower, or become a follower, let me know in your comment for an additional entry!

3.  Sorry, giveaway limited to US Residents only

4.  Giveaway is open until midnight EST on Monday February 1, 2010.
 
I hope you've had fun celebrating my One Year Blogiversary Bash with me this week, and look forward to continuing to explore the worlds of baking, stamping, blogging, and more in the year ahead!  Stop back by tomorrow for my "Week in Review" post, where I share fun crafty finds from all over the web, and join me next week for a whole lot of Valentines-y fun!  Have a great weekend!

Ready, Set, Craft's One Year Blogiversary Bash - Sticker Giveaway!

Did I mention yet that I love birthday parties?  : )

When I was a kid, my favorite part of my birthday party was the goody bags that I "helped" my Mum put together for all my little friends to take home.  It was so fun picking out the kind of bag I wanted and discovering all of the great treats Mum had put inside (yes, even though I was the birthday girl, I got a goody bag as well!)

I still love goody bags and favors, and try to have some kind of takeaway for every party I host.  Remember the cupcake goody bags from Lily's first birthday party?  Or the favors from Alison's bridal shower?  Or how about the last minute Halloween goody bags for my nieces and nephew?

What I always LOVED getting in my birthday party bag was some fun stickers!  I swear, no matter how old I get I will always love me some stickers!  Stickers are fun for adults, too!  They are a great way to promote your blog or your business. You can use them as address labels, event stickers, to seal envelopes or put your child's name inside his/her books and belongings, the list could go on!

Ready, Set, Craft's pals over at UPrinting have given me a great prize to giveaway to one lucky reader!

250 Custom Stickers/Labels!

(2” x 3.5”, 2” x 4”, or 3” x 3”, 70lb Label Matte, Full color front, blank back; 4 Business Day printing,

plus FREE UPS Ground Shipping)

Get creative and design your own stickers featuring your photos, artwork, business logo and more!  All FREE from Ready, Set, Craft! and UPrinting, which is a great place for custom stickers, label printing, and more!

Here's how to WIN!

1.  Leave me a comment telling me either what you would do with 250 custom stickers/labels OR, your favorite birthday party memory... good for one entry!

2.  If you are a follower, or become a follower, let me know in your comment for an additional entry!

3.  Sorry, giveaway limited to US Residents only

4.  Giveaway is open until midnight EST on Thursday January 28th, 2010.

Come back Friday where I'll announce the winner (picked by a random number generator) and if you didn't win - you'll have the chance to enter yet ANOTHER giveaway -- the final hurrah of Ready, Set, Craft's One Year Blogaversary Bash!  Don't miss the fun!

What would YOU do with 500 postcards?!

I know, I know - I've been MIA all week. Let me tell you, it's been one of "those" weeks. Ack!

My day was brightened, however, when I jumped over to Dabbled this morning and found a GREAT giveaway! I love giveaways! (not that I ever win... but it's fun to play all the same!)

Dot at Dabbled has teamed up with UPrinting.com who is giving away 500 postcards!

Think of all of the fun things you could do with them! 500 little blank canvases for you to create with! Exciting stuff!

To enter - run over to Dabbled to find out more. Click HERE to go directly to the contest post.

And what would I do with the 500 postcards if I won? Well, I'm thinking I'd create "good karma" cards. I'd have them printed up with a variety of phrases like "you rock" "your hair looks good today" "thanks for all you do" "i like your outfit" "i admire you" etc. and keep a stack with me at all times to pass out and mail to friends, family, co-workers, volunteers, and heck - even strangers!

In this trying economic time... we need good karma wherever we can find it! So hop on over to Dot's and enter the contest - and check out her site while you're there - she's always got great photos, projects, tutorials, ideas, and artwork. I'm a frequent visitor!

Oh, and I'll leave you with a sneak peak of tomorrow's tutorial...

Little Girl Flower Headbands!

See you tomorrow!