Flower Basket Card

Quote Tag #40

"I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe the happiest girls are the prettiest girls. I believe tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." Audrey Hepburn

Pink Book & Tea Basket

This basket has a devotion book, gourmet tea, candy, cookies, scented candle. and a picture. Crochet flowers, ribbon, pearls and cluny lace embellish the boxes and basket.

Pink Flower Cupcakes

HL made these cute cupcakes with molds that are available at Michaels. They have expanded their baking section recently. There are a lot more decorating items available at their store now.

Book & Candy Basket

This book & candy basket was a prize at a teen program. The candy is taped to the plastic florist note card holders stuck in florist foam. After the book and candy are taken out, the basket can be recycled with new items and given again.

Fabric Flowers on Handbag

 I think I paid only one dollar for this crochet handbag from the thrift store. It appears to have never been used.

Adding some fabric flowers to the front was a very quick way to give it give add some style

Tag #30

God is my strength and power; and
He makes my way perfect.

2 Samuel 22:33

Quote tag #39

 "A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.

Before him, I may think aloud."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Amanda's Cards

Ever the kind hearted and hard working Amanda created the Totes of Hope organization which gives much needed items to people in need. She united people in her community to contribute items and money. I made  cards and a box for sweet Amanda when she sent out thank you cards to people that contributed.

Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting

HL made these fabulous chocolate cupcakes with Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting.

Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting

 6 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 T. butter

1/2 c. Nutella

1 lb. confectioners sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

Cream butter & cream cheese together in large mixing bowl with stand mixer. Add nutella & vanilla, continue to cream. Scrape sides of bowl. Beat on high speed until fluffy and smooth. Add milk or more sugar if you need to reach smooth consistency.

Scripture Tag #29

Be kind & compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:23

Last week the message at church was on forgiveness. The speaker said it means to lay it down, let it go and leave it alone. It is not approval, not pardoning, not denying and not forgetting.

National Donut Day

Since 1938, the first Friday in June is National Doughnut Day. This celebration is to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War 1.

       Card supplies

 donut stickers- Michaels

Paper and ribbon- Stampin UP

The bracelet and earing charms were purchased from an Ebay shop.

Hair Bows & Fabric Flowers

These are some hair bows that I made. The pink & purple flowers on the headbands were from a regular sheer & sparkly sheer prom fabric.

Chick Cake Pops

HL made these adorable chick cake pops. The directions are in the Cake Pops book by Bakerella.

The little chicks were too cute for me to bite into. I am a vegetarian after all. I had to try one that wasn't decorated. They were surprisingly tasty. I loved the lemon flavor.

Scripture Tag 28

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Psalm 57:1

Such a comforting Psalm, a beautiful prayer.

Cornmeal Pound Cake Cupcakes

HL made these delicious, lemony cupcakes. She substituted unflavored yogurt for the sour cream. The recipe is from the Feb.-Mar. 2011, Mary Janes Farm, The Everyday Organic Lifestyle magazine. The magazine is available by subscription or at Books a Million bookstores.

Cornmeal Pound Cake Cupcakes

2 1/2 T butter

1/2 c brown sugar

1/4 c sugar

3 eggs

1/2 c sour cream

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 t salt

1/2 c + 2 T flour

3/4 t baking powder

1/2 c cornmeal

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan with paper liners.

2. In med. bowl, combine butter and sugars with mixer on medium speed till fluffy for about 2 min. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in sour cream and vanilla.

3. In a separate bowl sift together salt, flour and baking powder. Stir in cornmeal. Add dry mixture to batter and mix on low until blended.

4. Pour batter into lined muffin pan about 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Don't over bake.

Lemon Curd

5 egg yolks

1 egg

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c freshly squeezed lemon juice

zest of one lemon

1.Place egg yolks, egg and sugar in the top half of a double boiler.

Whisk together, then stir in lemon juice and zest.

2.Cook over simmering water, whisking constantly, until very thick, about 5-8 minutes.

3.Strain curd through a fine sieve into a glass container and cover

with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming.

4.refrigerate for several hours, until chilled

Soft Sour Cream Frosting

1/3 c heavy cream

1/2 c powdered sugar

1/2 c sour cream

3 T lemon curd

1. In a medium bowl, beat cream and powdered sugar together with mixer until soft peaks form starting on low speed, then increase to high speed.

2. gently fold in sour cream and lemon curd until well mixed.

Assembling Cupcakes

Before frosting the cupcakes place lemon curd in a pastry nag with a long narrow tip .Inject tip in the center of the cupcake and squeeze curd into the center.

Spread cupcakes with frosting.

Simple Card with Fabric Flower

Hobby Lobby - paper & tulle

Hancock Fabrics - fabric for flowers

Michaels - pearls & leaves

Big Lots - Thinking of you - rub on sentiment

Accucut die - scallop border

Pink Rose Tea Basket

Contents of basket are: "Comfort for Women" book, tea, cookies, candle & small picture in frame.

Scripture Tag #27

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:9

Button Bird Card

A button from my button stash was used to create the button bird for this card. The flowers, leaves, beak & wing were made with punches. The tail is a sticker from Target scrapbook section. The eye is a little flat black bead. Friend was cut with alphabet dies.

Birdhouse Menu Cards

 These are menu cards cut to the shape of birdhouses for a ladies spring luncheon. They like custom made menu cards so the ladies can save them as a memento of the event.

The birdhouses were cut with two of my favorite tools. The clear grid ruler has a metal edge. You can find it at Michaels in the art supply section. The pink exacto knife is easy to keep track of and easy to hold. It is available at Hobby Lobby in the scrapbooking section.

Scripture Tag #27

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

2 Corinthians 13:12

Babycakes Cupcakery

Babycakes is located in Kingsport. Ever so sweet & charming Natalie Shortridge is the owner.

She offers a variety of gourmet cupcakes made from scratch
with the freshest and finest ingredients.
Gourmet chocolates, pure madagascar bourbon vanilla, sweet cream butter, and fresh fruits.

All made fresh daily!

Located near the antique shops and the public library.

A special place to meet a friend.


A fun place to have birthday parties.

Natalie's precious parents are there to help her out when she needs extra help.



Different gourmet flavor cupcakes are offered each day.


Natalie makes the best cupcakes!

Buy five cupcakes get the sixth one free!

You may see Natalie on the next season of Food Network's Cupcake Wars. She is a semi finalist. Natalie is already a winner to us!

Gourmet coffee and teas are also offered.

It's very important for all of us to support small local businesses.
you can visit Babycakes website here

Dad's Birthday Card

blue paisley paper & sentiment rub on - Hobby Lobby
blue cardstock- Stampin Up
trim -Michaels
velvet ribbon - Big Lots
scallop card die & frame die - Accucut

Vikki's Cupcake Stand

Vikki made this adorable cupcake stand with a candle holder and a vintage plate. She said got the candle holder from the Dollar Store and used E600 glue.

Orange Cupcakes

Hannahlily made these incredible orange cupcakes with a chocolate ganache filling. Orange Cupcakes
2 cups sifted cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1/2 cup room temperature butter
1/3 plus 1/2 cups sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
juice of 1 orange
zest of one orange
1/2 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 20 standard cupcake cups with paper liners.
Beat egg whites to soft peaks with an electric mixer. Gradually add 1/3 cup of the sugar and beat to stiff peaks. set aside.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, cream butter and sugar together, then add the egg yolks, vanilla, orange juice, orange zest and milk.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients then carefully fold in the egg whites.
Using a large ice cream scoop, divide mixture between the cupcake liners (fill each about 3/4 full). Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Chocolate Ganache Filling
1/2 cup coconut milk or heavy cream
8 oz. chocolate chips
1 tablespoon butter
heat all ingredients in a double boil over medium heat until the chocolate melts completely (stir occasionally). Let cool before inserting in cupcakes.
Orange Chantilly Cream
2 oranges, peeled and chopped (you can use the peel for the candied orange peel garnish)
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon water
1/2 cup sugar (more to taste)
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
put sugar and water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is completely dissolved.
Add oranges and lemon juice and let mixture simmer until oranges break down completely (about 15 minutes). Taste and add more sugar if needed.
Add cornstarch to 1/2 tablespoon cold water and stir to completely dissolve the cornstarch.
Add the cornstarch mixtures to the orange mixture and continue simmering until mixture thickens - about 5 minutes.
Let cool completely.
Using an electric mixer, whip cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in orange mixture.
Candied Orange Peel:
Peal of one orange
1 3/4 cup water, divided
1/4 cup sugar plus more for dusting
Using a vegetable peeler, peel strips of orange peel.
Put orange peel and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
Once mixture boils, strain water from orange peel.
Add another 1/2 cup of water to saucepan with orange peel and bring to a boil again.
Strain water from peel again.
Repeat this process once more (this takes some of the bitterness away from the peel)
Once the peel has been strained a third time, add 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup sugar to peel.
Bring to a boil and simmer until the water evaporates.
Transfer Orange peels to a sheet of parchment paper to harden.
Dust with sugar while still sticky.
To assemble cupcakes:
once cupcakes are completely cooled, cut out a hole in the center.
Fill hole with cooled chocolate ganache.
top with orange chantilly cream and candied orange peel.
EAT!

Scripture Tag 25 back

Felted Hat Flowers

A few months ago I searched for a wool hat with flowers to buy for HL. When I couldn't find one I bought a plain wool hat from Wal-Mart and added felted flowers.

I used a good quality felt that had a wool fiber content, soaked it in very hot water, & dried it in the dryer. The die was used to cut five graduated sizes of flowers. I used a running stitch to gather a small circle in the center of each flower, then stacked them together and added the button from my button stash. I spent a lot less time making the flowers than I had searching for a hat with flowers.