Sprinkles Cupcake

It's July 4th next week!  We live outside city limits, so, as long as there isn't a burn ban in effect, we're usually surrounded by firework displays.  We break out the grill, cook traditional hot dogs and hamburgers for family and friends then pull out the lawn chairs, sit back and watch the fun. 

I don't have a sweet tooth, but thought I'd share a special dessert with you this year.  It's a luscious "sprinkles" cupcake and 100% calorie free, so you can have as many as you like - to decorate your party table that is.  Doesn't it look yummy.....  Unfortunately it's only for decoration and not to eat!

 It's EZPZ Quick'n EZ to make and you can use this technique for all kinds of party themes by simply changing the colors. 

Here's how I made it:
   
    I glued half a 2" Smoothfoam ball on top of a Smoothfoam cupcake shape then "iced"  it with ModPodge Collage Clay. 

 

 

Collage Clay is a whipped, lightweight clay, commonly used for "Decoden", the art of decorating anything with doodads, trinkets, beads, etc.  It comes in a squeeze bag, similar to the ones used for icing cupcakes, together with 3 decorating tips.  I simply squeezed the clay around the half ball without using a tip to create the iced cupcake effect.  While it was still soft, I sprinkled the surface with red and blue Flower Soft Sprinkles then set it aside to dry overnight.

I made a cupcake wrap from silver, holographic cardstock, using a cupcake wrap I already had on hand as a template.  Make one out of paper first so you can adjust the size before cutting into your cardstock.  I cut around the top edge with large scalloped, decorative scissors then used a hand punch to punch a tiny star out of each of the scallops.  The stars were then sprinkled on top too. 

Before popping the cupcake into the wrap, I separated the top (printed) layer from a July 4th cocktail napkin then cut it into 4 squares using the fold lines as a guide.  I then layered 2 pieces together, put the cupcake in the center then placed it into the wrap.  I added three, 1 1/2" stars cut from glitter cardstock and stuck the points of those into the top.

Happy 4th of July everyone!  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now.............

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Crafty Gift Giving

No matter how organized you are (or profess to be), things have a pesky way of sneaking up on you.  Especially when it comes to needing a gift for an occasion that has totally slipped your mind and "Do Do" list.  Falling back on the fact that "if it weren't for the last minute nothing would get done" philosophy, it's nice to have a few Quick'nEZPZ projects in your back pocket.  Since the DCC theme this month is "Gift Giving" I thought I'd share my projects which were featured in the Summer issue of Bella Crafts Quarterly.

The green jar is a vintage, green mason jar.  I added a wire handle so it matched the other 2 jars, which already had a handle.  All of the jars are available at your local craft store, and, if you have a Hobby Lobby in your area you can buy ready-made handles for mason jars.  They are part of the "Transform Mason" line.  You can check the line out here http://www.loew-cornell.com/transform-mason-pages-291.php

The beads and findings are from Cousins available at bead and major craft stores.  There's really no right, or wrong way to embellish the jars.  You only have to do what you think looks nice.  Place an LED tea light inside and hang from trees for a garden party, or place them on a table.  Etching the glass (on the inside) gives the coloured glass a nice glow, while maintaining its sparkle on the outside.  My "go to" source for etching product is b&b etchall.  I love both the cream and the liquid. Both produce a REAL, not fake, etch and the best part is that it's REUSABLE!!! so yes, you can use it again and again!

These bejeweled jars are so easy to make and you can find the instructions in the magazine.  It's free to download, or you can view it online.  You'll find lots of other great projects and information there and you can view previous issues.

Don't forget to hop thru our webring using the blue DCC logo in my sidebar for more great ideas.  Just a reminder that DCC is an ongoing blog hop.  Our goal is to share great project ideas and techniques to inspire you to craft!  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now.....

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING

Dallas Gift Market - March 2014

I made my bi-annual trek to the Dallas Gift market in March this year.  I usually go in January, but there was waaaaay too much going on this time.  It doesn't change much between January and March.  The only difference is that there are no temps.  Major lines are in the permanent showrooms anyway, so it's not a big deal. 

Many of the showrooms have a "no photographs please" policy, but even if they don't, I always ask permission to take photos for my blog.  Most of them love the extra PR, but there are still a handful who don't want everyone to see what they have to offer, mostly the co-ops who offer a lot of handmade items from a variety of small business manufacturers. 

Anyway here are the photos, so grab a cup of coffee, glass of wine, box of chocolates, or whatever, sit back and join me on my walk thru many of showrooms at the Dallas Gift Market.

 

 

This blog post is all "eye candy" and for designers, a peak into what the gift stores are seeing for the upcoming Fall and Winter seasons.  I don't comment about trends - I like to let each of you draw your own conclusions, but I'd be remiss not to say something about "Katherine's Collection".  The displays in this showroom will take your breath away.  I think you could spend a whole day in here and not see everything.  The creativity will amaze..........

 

 

 

 

 

And that's the last of the photos from "Katherine's Collection".  Hope you enjoyed them......  now let's move on.

 

Yes!  This is an old TV set being used as a display!  How clever......

This "Brazil" display was in the "Two's Company" showroom.  Look for more design influences from Brazil as the 2016 Olympics get closer.

That's all for this trip, but I'll be back with more after the summer show in July - God willing and the creek don't rise.........  Y'all come back now.  Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Julie