My Buttercream Recipe

Since I received so many emails about my buttercream frosting I decided it best to just give it to ALL of you. :) Also, many of you asked how I was able to make the icing look like an actual cone....EASY! When I frost my cupcakes I use a pastry bag and the Wilton 1M star tip, that's it. I fill the bag with my buttercream frosting and swirl around the cupcake from the outside in...done! Shake on some sprinkles and you're finished! SO much easier than trying to use the knife-spreading method we all grew up with. ;)

Classic Buttercream
1 cup regular Crisco (I prefer the bars as they are pre-measured)
1 cup Land-o-Lakes Butter (softened)
2 teaspoons Clear Vanilla extract
2 lbs Powdered Sugar (approx 8 cups)
4 tblsp water
2 tblsp Meringue Powder

This will make 6 cups of frosting. I usually use 4 cups when making cupcakes or an actual cake. It's always better to make more than less, plus you can freeze what you don't use. :)

Nestabilities & Copic Clubs and product info...

***NESTABILITIES NOW & COPIC COLOR CLUB UPDATES***

I have received a few questions about these fabulous new clubs and the products themselves. I am by no means the expert on these products but I have researched them for a while now and will gladly share the information that I have.

First, the Copics....they are an alcohol based marker and can be used for a variety of things. I'm going to cut the fancy talk and tell you exactly what I think. THEY ROCK!! Here's my list:

- no lines, no matter how long I take to color....NO LINES
- color your own brads, yep that's right. I needed soft sky brads and we all know they don't make those so I took a white brad and colored it with the Copic marker that matched Soft Sky and tah-dah...Soft Sky brad!!!
- Ribbon Dying is a snap! I have always bought a lot of white grosgrain ribbon rather than spending tons of $ on ALL the colored ribbon. I usually sponge the ribbon with a dauber until I get the rich color I want, then nuke it in the microwave to seal the color in. Now, I just run my Copic marker over my ribbon and it's done!
- Shading...I am NOT an artist, I have no clue what to shade where, but when I used my Cool Gray 00 I just lightly trace the image and it fades as it dries so you can just barely see a shadow and it's perfect every time!

Now there are other great things about these that I know nothing about first hand, air brushing and using the colorless blender to blend colors, remove color, etc. But if you visit Ellen Hutson's blog she has more info on these fantastic markers. I also found this little tutorial very helpful, granted I'm not a cartoon artist nor do I wish to be but the information is really good..
http://finni.deviantart.com/art/Copic-Marker-Tutorial-37958912

I have one set of Nestabilities on their way to me, so I don't have first hand knowledge to share with you just yet. I will tell you that Nichole Heady has a fantastic review and tutorial on these puppies here and Sharon Harnist gives a fabulous comparison between the Nests and Marvy Punches here, so hopefully it will help answer any of your questions. The moment I saw her post on them I was sold, but I honestly couldn't afford them. When you spend $15 on a punch it seems reasonable, right? Well if you buy 2 punches for $30 then you could have two sizes for layering....what if that same $30 could give you 5 sizes for layering AND you could dry emboss your cards or layers? That is what the Nestabilities can do....more bang for your buck quite frankly. And if that's not enough, STORAGE! These dies fit right into a cd case, no shelving unit or large drawer required.

I hope this information helps you and once I get my hands on my first set I promise to post my findings. If you have any questions about the club or these two products just let me know. If I don't have the answer, I'll find it!! :)

Copic Color Club or Nestabilities Now Club...TOO COOL!!!

This weekend Paper Pretties has started two new monthly clubs you simply MUST check out!!! I myself have been slowly playing with Copic sketch markers. The more I play with them the more I love them and in turn, the more I buy. The nestabilities are another eye candy I've been wanting but don't have my hands on yet. Why? The price! No one can argue with me that it's that the price that holds us back from ordering all of those wonderful dies. Well, these new clubs are exactly for people like me. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

This is how it works. Each month, you will receive 6 Copic sketch markers or 1 set of nestabilities. The cost for the Copic Color Club is $36.00 per month (shipping included). The cost for the Nestabilities Now club is 30.00 per month(shipping included). If you are already a Paper Pretties subscriber you can add these to your membership and receive a $6 discount (since you won't need to pay shipping twice) how fantastic is that?!?! Plus when you subscribe to Paper Pretties you receive so many benefits...

- 10% discount at the Corner Store
- Access to the Members Only card gallery (some fabulous card ideas!)
- Membership to the Paper Pretties Yahoo group
- An invitation to "Stampin' In Your Jammies" - our monthly virtual stamp night
- Weekly and Monthly contests, specials and giveaways!!
- Exclusive news & sales available only to Pretties members
- And of course the wonderful monthly items delivered right to your door!!!

Just think, the die sets are $29.95 each and the Copics are $5.95 each and shipping is usually anywhere from $6-$15. These clubs INCLUDE the shipping cost with your items making this a really great deal.....you NEED to check these out. And when you sign up, let Christie know I sent ya and she'll waive your membership fee!!! Did you sign up yet?? How about now?....now?

Twas a quarter before midnight.......

When my husband finally got around to picking a winner. :) Care to know the technique in which my hubby picks "randomly" just before midnight?? He picks a post, he sticks his finger on the monitor, and scrolls the mouse up and down until I say stop. Quite scientific don't ya think? ;)

And the winner is......

Crystal (happy2stamp4ever)

Congrats Crystal! Send me your info so I can get your goodies in the mail.

Thanks to everyone for your fabulous and humorous comments....keep 'em coming (ya never know when my sweet tooth will kick in again). ;)

Cupcake Cones

I've never made these before....apparently they are something all kids love when they are young, especially when it's their birthday and they get to bring in cupcakes to the class. Well, I've never even heard of them before tonight so I'm going to have a little chat with my mom this weekend ;)

They are SUPER easy....just make your cake batter as normal. Then pour batter into each cone, approx 1/2 full. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until lightly brown (the toothpick is a bit short for these). Let cool and then add frosting and sprinkles.....TAH DAH!!!

Chiquita Banana!

Isn't this guy cute?!?! This was another DT challenge by Kristine, she sent us the image, the phrase, a small sheet of designer paper (no clue where it's from but I love it!) and a strip of ribbon. I fell in love!!! I ran right over to the Paper Pretties corner store and bought him...and the phrase...and another monkey...and some Ollie & Olivia stamps. I mean, if you're going to shop online you might as well buy enough to make it like Xmas by the time it arrives, right?! ;)
If you haven't checked the store lately go take a look, there are TONS of new Stampendous stamps in the Corner Store and as always, Pretties members get an extra 10% off!!

Tomorrow is "Treat Day!" for many reasons of course....1) Hubby is picking a Blog Candy Winner! and 2) I'm making Cupcake Cones for a birthday at work so I'll post a pic of how they turn out! Ok, back to work.....lots to do. :)

Short but sweet

I'm working way too much overtime at my job, so sadly that means less time at home in the craft room. :( I will tell you all that I have had numerous requests to post the details for the luminary bags from my last post so I'm hoping to put together a tutorial so I can post it for you all to use. They are great for all types of occasions and I can't wait to line my driveway with them for Halloween!!!

Here's a quick card I made recently for a Design Team challenge using dry embossing.

Oh and my Janome Sew Mini is FANTASTIC!!! I have only used it once for a test drive and haven't had time to play yet but I will!!! And I promise to show you all what I make!! Back to work I go....

Fall Madness

I love this weather! My joints aren't too happy but they'll get over it. LOL Yesterday was fantastic, my house was filled with warm hearts and lots of laughter as 11 ladies (and one little munchkin) celebrated World Card Making Day together!!! Everyone seemed to love the cards along with the real 'lesson' that came along with them...layouts. If you just alter the stamps and colors, you can cut your card making time in half by reusing a layout that you like. No guess work involved just a little alteration here and there.

I also gave everyone a sneak peek at one of the projects we'll be making at my Fall Fun class on Oct 20th. Want a peek???
These are so much fun!!! And now with those little battery operated tealight candles, you don't even have to worry about leaving them unattended.

ANNOUNCEMENTS ****ENABLER ALERT****

Time is running out on the Canadian Thanksgiving Sale over at Paper Pretties!!! I know a few of you were asking about whether you have to be a member to order and get the discount and the answer is "Nope!". Everyone can shop at the corner store at any time, but this weekend only you can get one regular priced item for 25% off!! If you are a member you already receive a 10% discount on everything so technically you'll get 35% off one item!! Also, if you've been on the fence about the Pretties Boxes, wondering whether you would use them, what items come in these boxes, etc....you can order a one time Limited Edition Premium box directly from the Corner Store (sale discount does not apply). This way you can test drive one of the boxes and see what the hype is all about. Granted, then you'll be hooked because it's a card class in a box delivered right to your door and it's like Xmas every month!! So what are you waiting for??? Get over there cause time is running out!!!!

Also, don't for get about my fabulous Halloween giveaway taking place this coming Friday, Oct 12th. The more comments you make on different posts the more times you are entered to win. Remember any of the posts, any day, any time. I want to hear from all of you (cause you're always so quiet) and see what you're up to....what your favorite craft items are, what stamps you love, what new techniques do you like, oh and what your kiddos plan to be for Halloween!! ;)

Paper and ribbon and stamps....OH MY!

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

What's a holiday without a sale?!? Saturday October 6th through Monday October 8th Paper Pretties is having a great Thanksgiving Sale at the Corner Store!!! You can purchase one regular priced item for 25% off (35% off for pretties members) plus there are tons of items already on sale so it's a great weekend to shop for the little stuff AND that big item you've been drooling over. They have gorgeous patterned papers, embellishments, ribbon, stamps, Copics and so much more. I just got a variety of colored Flock so I could make some fuzzy creations this holiday season. I also got this fabulous stamp which is featured in the October Rubber Romance box (not available to purchase separately just yet). I truly believe that the artist was sitting and sketching me.....oh how I stare at those sale windows. ;)

I used the SU Wintergreen paper that I just recently purchased....LOVE it. I water colored the image using Prisma Pencils and I added some sparkle to the red shoe using my Sakura Clear Glitter pen. My hubby laughed when he saw this and said "Finally, a stamp that LOOKS like you!".....is he implying that I don't look like the Bellas?!?!?!

I will be spending my weekend stamping away for World Card Making Day, I am having an all day card making class which will include lunch and snacks. I love spending the day stamping, chatting and eating. The only thing that could make it more perfect is shopping...which I just might do after we're done!

So what are your plans for this multi-holiday weekend?!?!

Questions, answers and RAK's

So I must tell you all that I'm glad you came out of hiding and I loved all the funny comments (keep 'em coming). I decided since there were a few questions that I would answer them here. Mainly because it doesn't list your email when I get your comments so I have no clue how to respond other than to just post publicly and hope you read it. ;) No, I'm not a computer whiz but hey, I can type, I can talk and I can stamp....pretty sure that's all I need to function at this time in my life. ;)

Elaine has left a new comment: What do you do to stay organized and keep up with all of the newest or even keep up with your favorites?

Me?!?! Organized?!?! Those who know me would call it 'organized chaos'. I function on malfunction. LOL With that said, 90% of the time it takes me an hour to find my blending stump on my table because it looks like a bomb hit it. I clean up my craft room once a week and then it blows up again. However, if your craft area is clean then you're not using it enough. ;) I have found that filing is very important. I print out ideas, patterns, tutorials, etc and put them in a file. When I get the itch to try something new, I pull out my file and get to work. Another thing that helps me organize my chaos *heh* is I have a small basket next to my cutter. When I'm working on a project and I'm cutting paper, I just don't have time to put everything away. So I stash my scraps in the basket and then once a week when I'm cleaning up, I separate the patterned paper from the colors and then file them in their specific folders. As for keeping up with my favs...I buy everything I like. Horrible but very, very true. If I want it, I get it....I'm recently married and no children yet so I'm doing it while I can cause I know it won't last long. LOL

Angel Wilde has left a new comment: I always like to know what designers use, what products you love, tips... even color combos and sketches. I'm always on the lookout for something new.

There is actually a VERY popular color combo being used by the Paper Pretties DT right now...Kraft, Soft Sky & White. We all just can't seem to get enough of it! I just did a card that I adore using those colors, but sadly I can't show it to you yet because it's still a *hush hush* set. By the way, did you note that we added another Prettie Girl to the team?!?! She's fabulous!!! As for tools and products I love...the SU guillotine cutter, hands down my best investment! Next in line would be my paper piercing tool & mat, followed by the Crop-a-dile. Those are 'must haves' in my book.

Ok, that's all for now... How about a fab card using my favorite color combo?!?!?!

This is the featured MFT set in the October Paper Pretties box. Julie Masse created this FABULOUS card and I just can't stop ooing and ahhing over it. She stamped the seashells with White Stazon on acetate and layered that onto the Soft Sky before adhering it to the Kraft paper and finishing up the criss-cross card. The antique copper brads really give this a really nice look, I just love it! Kinda makes me want to take a walk on the beach in Monterey.

So here's a question for all of you....what are your product/tool 'must haves'??