Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams

{Cupcake Monday} Heart Shaped Strawberry Marshmallow Cream Filled Cupcakes

2012-01-30T13:01:00.005-05:00

I originally made these delicious heart shaped strawberry cream filled cupcakes to use in the photos for my Valentine's Day Pink Hearts Printable Party Set. Eventually, I decided to use these cupcakes instead. So, I thought I would share the recipe for the marshmallow cream filling in case you wanted to make your own!

This recipe is not anything fancy and very easy to make....and I didn't measure my ingredients when I made the cream filling - but the measurements shown are a guesstimate. You can always add more or less depending on your taste and amount of cupcakes you're making. You can also flavor the marshmallow cream with other purees, like blueberry, apricot or raspberry!

Heart Shaped Strawberry Marshmallow Cream Filled Cupcakes

Ingredients:

Favorite chocolate cupcakes

1/2 (8-10 oz) bag mini marshmallows

1 tbsp water

1/4 cup pureed strawberries (you can also use preserves)

Directions

1. In a microwave safe bowl combine marshmallows and water. Melt in the microwave for 30 seconds.

2. Allow to cool for 5-8 minutes.

3. Stir in strawberries until combined, set aside.

4. Using a small paring knife cut heart shapes into cupcakes or use this technique

5. Fill cupcakes with cream filling using a pastry or Zip-Loc bag.

6. Eat and enjoy!

{Good Reads} Amy Atlas' Sweet Designs

2012-01-26T11:51:00.000-05:00

If you know about parties and sweets tables, then you know about Amy Atlas! If not.....here's what you've been missing.

Amy is gal after my own heart. Her delicious treats and eye for detail makes each of her confection-filled table creations a delightful masterpiece. She is coming out with a book in April and I'm just too excited about it. The book, Sweet Designs: Bake It, Craft It, Style It is available for pre-order today on Amazon!

I already ordered mine and am waiting in anticipation for it!!! Head on over to Amazon and order yours now!!!!

{Whatever Wednesday} Playing Around with a New Logo

2012-01-25T16:26:00.000-05:00

{Whatever Wednesday will be a new feature on my blog where I'll post just about whatever I want! Could be about parties, could not be about parties.....it's my blog and I'll post what I want to :P}

I've been playing around with some logos. My mom is a very talented graphic designer and created the original CWBD logo for me when I first started my business. Well, now I want a new and fresh look....I love the original, but to me, it seems dated. So, I've come up with a few options.....all of these are rough drafts and I haven't even decided if I'm going to change the logo, yet.

I think I'm partial to the third one from the top, but I just can't decide!!! What do you think?

{DC Ladies} Home Made Play Dough

2012-01-24T13:10:00.000-05:00

I'm over at the DC Ladies blog today with a great kid's activity & craft on how to make home made play dough - stop by and check it out!

{Cupcake Monday} Pink Cloud Cupcakes & V-Day Sneak Peek

2012-01-23T11:58:00.000-05:00

This tasty treat is what I like to call a Pink Cloud Cupcake. I used a simple chocolate cupcake recipe and filled each cupcake with a strawberry marshmallow filling and topped each with strawberry cream cheese frosting!

I'll share the recipe in a later post, but wanted to also share a sneak peek at some of the printables available for our Pink & Grey Valentine's collection available in our shop!

To see more of the printables and to purchase a kit of your own, please visit our shop!

{MG Party Impressions} Retro Inspired Birthday Party

2012-01-19T12:46:00.002-05:00

Gee golly willikers, I sure had a terrific time styling this Retro inspired party for MG Party Impressions!

Head on over to get details about this party and to see more photos!!!

{Pintastic Tuesday} Pinterest Inspiration

2012-01-10T15:39:00.003-05:00

I love me some Pinterest!

After finally hunkering down and adding some photos, I decided I would start a new feature! Every Tuesday I'll showcase a new Pinterest board that I hope will give loads of party inspiration.

Here are some beautiful inspiration photos for a vintage carnival party!

You can also follow me on Pinterest to view my other boards!

2012-01-03T01:33:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to say Happy New Year to you all and thank you so, so much for taking time out of your day by reading my posts and (hopefully) getting a kick out of my insanity.

I really do appreciate you and wish you and your families a very blessed and prosperous 2012!!!!

NOW LET'S PARTY!!!!!!

{MG Party Impressions} Little Drummer Boy Party

2011-12-28T16:16:00.001-05:00

Who doesn't love hot cocoa and drums.....???? Well, maybe not the drums but head on over to MG Party Impressions to see the Little Drummer Boy themed party I designed for a little boy's play date!!!!

{DC Ladies} New Year's Party Ideas

2011-12-27T20:30:00.002-05:00

Hey all! I'm over at the DC Ladies blog today with a fun post on making your own New Year's Party Poppers! Head on over to check it out!

{MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!}

2011-12-25T13:55:00.002-05:00

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and remained blessed throughout the new year!!!!

{Real Parties} Office Holiday Party - Sweets Station

2011-12-21T14:53:00.002-05:00

As it goes, with me being a self-proclaimed 'party planner extraordinaire' (I giggle) - I decided to take the helm this year and plan our department pot luck. (BTW, if you're new to reading this blog, I do have a day job that, albeit I'm grateful to have, it pales in comparison to the job I get full life out of - being a party planner.....EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!!) We usually have one every year, but put the kabbash on it for the past two years because our group downsized a bit, but for whatever reason and I can't remember why, this year we were all gung ho to just have another one!!! Anyhoo, everyone brought in their favorite food dishes and I ambitiously decided to set up a sweets station!!!! Yay me....it was a lot of work - but so fun....and sooooo rewarding (in my head).

I created this printable Christmas Party set specifically for my Etsy shop - but felt compelled to use some of the the printables for the table set up. I found out early in the summer that the happenin' color for xmas this year would be red and turquoise or light blue, so I went with that for our color scheme. I used a roll of gift wrap I found at the discount store and my Christmas pom-pom garland as the backdrop.

A great tip on making a sweets table is to go to your local grocery store and pick out what you like and present it fabulously! I found a lot of really delicious treats at my local Aldi (by the by....I love Aldi for this reason only - they have AMAZING treats that you can't get anywhere else, they look and taste gourmet, but you pay a fraction of what you'd pay at a fancy high end food store....just sayin').

With the schedule I have right now, I didn't have much time to make a lot of desserts from scratch, but I did have fun dippin' stuff into chocolate and making it look pretty. I was able to make chocolate dipped pretzels, cake pops and snowballs for my display!

I also was dying to make a hot chocolate bar. I placed a large carafe of hot chocolate on the display and put a varied selection of marshmallows on a tiered stand and in glass containers. Guests were also able to use chocolate peppermint sticks as stirrers and crushed mints, whipped cream and chocolate syrup for toppings!

I'm really glad we were able to do a holiday pot luck this year, it's always a blast and I'm especially happy that I was able to spread some 'sweet' Christmas love to my co-workers!

{Cupcake Monday} Candy Cane Cupcakes

2011-12-12T16:47:00.000-05:00

Candy Canes and Christmas go together like bees to honey. So, why not top your favorite cupcake with a pep 'o mint?!!! I love these ideas for adding lovely candy canes to holiday cupcakes.

Who doesn't love a Bakeralla treat? Here Miss Angie tops her cupcakes with decorated sugar cones and sprinkles to create a white Christmas tree and places them into a cupcake using a candy cane to support the tree! Cute, n'est-ce pas? Ya know.....I am a bit partial to the pink sugar 'snow' topping on the cupcake, however.

Not to toot my own horn (TOOT-TOOT) - but I would have to say my Peppermint Chocolate Cupcakes are the bees knees!!!!

Simple and fun - a star-burst mint fondant topped cupcake by Cupcakes Plain and Fancy - LOVES IT!

Super adorable and girl-tastic - this pretty-in-pink candy cane cupcake from Created by Diane had me at mmmmmm.......

Karen Tack of Hello Cupcake! rocks - I really love this cupcake decorated to look like a wrapped peppermint - SOMEBODY BREAK OUT THE CANDY BOWL!!!!

Bake and Destroys' candy cane cupcakes with peppermint swirled frosting are just delightful!

And a shout out to my peeps over at MG Party Impressions for their FABULOUSLY decorated Christmas Cupcakes - I'm diggin' the peppermint swirls!

Last but certainly not least, these North Pole themed cupcakes made with a peppermint stick and red candy are super cute and festive - loves me some One Charming Party!

{Happy Customers} Pink, Yellow & Grey Whale Themed 1st Birthday

2011-12-12T11:20:00.001-05:00

Last week I shared a cute Etsy customer photo with you of her daughter sporting a Birthday Girl party hat from my Whale of a Time Party Kit. The customer, Esther (an absolute gem of a client) wanted the colors changed and it went from me changing the invite to re-working the whole set. I loved the colors and am soooo happy with how everything turned out. She was kind enough to share more photos from the party!

A pennant banner for Miss Jalya!

A fun timeline photo banner of Jayla's first twelve months. I used my Cricut to create the Whales and letters - this was such a fun project to work on.

A beautiful Wishing Tree was displayed for guests to write their wishes for Jayla!

Jayla's cake - with a fondant topper created to look like the whale in the party set - CUTE!

I love using scalloped cupcake toppers for little girl parties - just darling!

I love using colorful tags for party favors. Esther sent guests home with #1 shaped sugar cookies - loved these.

Esther also wanted a high chair bunting. I used smaller flags from the patterned paper I created for the set and added paper rosettes to them and topped the rosettes with party dots!

More gorgeous party details.....

Super adorable and fabulously girly - Miss Jayla - Happy Birthday!

I loved changing up this set for Esther & Jayla and wish them many more fabulous celebrations and wishes!

Photo Credits: DnA Wylie Photography

{MG Party Impressions} Guest Post and Silhouette Cameo Giveaway

2011-12-07T11:15:00.001-05:00

Hey all!

While you're reading up on my most recent party post on MG Party Impressions, check out their AMAZING CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY which includes a Silohuette Cameo, Sure Cuts a Lot 3 Bundle and more!

{Rewind} A Little Catching Up to Do!

2011-12-01T13:59:00.001-05:00

I must say that I have been one busy girl lately!

There was a period of time about 6 months ago when my business was super slow and even though I had lots of other things to push me along, I wasn't turning as much of a profit as I'd like to. So, I sent a little prayer to God and the Universe and now, I can barely keep up!

My Etsy shop is doing very well, I've got parties booked, a holiday show in the works and I'm writing for two other blogs! WHO KNEW???? So, that being said, my own blog kinda took a back burner and I haven't been sharing all these moments with you all - shame on me :(. So, I'd like to share a few moments with you that I haven't as of yet!

Back in mid-November I participated in a local Holiday Fair in Alexandria, VA - hardly made a dime, but it was a great experience and I showed a few new items! Here you can see my yarn pom-pom garlands and my new premiere line of party hats from my Celebration line. The Celebration line is a gender neutral set that will be available in my shop this month. The hats are more decorative and stylized and the other party items are die cut products opposed to printed.

Here is another item soon to be available in my shop - POOF! Yarn Pom-Pom Wands! These wands are perfect for fairy parties or princess parties. I even have a set designed to look like Abby Cadabby's wand.

Here are some items I created for this Holiday season. I have a story behind the light blue and red color choices. Back in September I was contacted by an editor from Real Simple magazine about my holiday poms and sent a few samples OVERNIGHT to the city (New York, that is) for them to use in a photo shoot. I found out they didn't make the cut :( but WHATEVAH! they're still cute and the ones I saw in the final photo in the magazine were not the colors they requested from me. My best guess is that they changed direction with what they were doing for the holiday shoot.

I even made a cute yarn pom pom cone tree!!!! Check out the cute pom gift tags too!

I was also busy working on a LOT of custom orders. About 25% of my business on Etsy is custom work. It always makes me happy to come up with something new for a client. A lot of times, I have designs that I created in my files that I have not added to my store. Well, a repeat client came to me requesting a pea in the pod set. I did have something similar but changed the peas to little girls with hair bows! SO CUTE - the client loved it and all was well in the world. Here is a sneak peek at a set I created for her.

I also get clients who like my design, but want to change the colors, and I'm always happy to oblige. Here is an example of that. I changed the color of my Whale of a Time party kit from pink and blue to pink, yellow and grey. The client was nice enough to share a photo of the birthday girl in a special hat I made for her along with the invitation and wish cards I custom designed for the party.

If all that Etsy shop work wasn't enough, I done went and started writing for ANOTHER blog. This time, I focus more on family & kids activities. Here is a post I wrote around Thanksgiving on kids table ideas. You can find me writing on there once or twice a month and don't forget to check out my latest post on MG Party Impressions.

I have a lot more to share, like my contribution to Operation Shower and another darling Princess Party - but I don't have the actual photos to share just yet but you can check out my yarn pom cupcake toppers and garlands directly at the blogs.

I'll be posting more soon about some other fun items new to my Etsy shop and more holiday entertaining and hosting tips.....I might even slip in a gift guide!!!

{Cupcake Monday} Yarn Pom Pom Cupcake Toppers

2011-11-07T16:29:00.001-05:00

The yarn pom poms are everywhere!!! They won't go away!!!! Now they want me to put them on cupcakes tooooooo!!!!!

They are kinda cute though, ain't they?

So, really, I've been busy, busy,busy - yarn pom-ming my tail off - I've got holiday shows and par-tays....amongst other things (I also have the flu - bleh!) -- I did find some time - since, I've got some at the moment, to make a few for these yummy cupcakes!

I can't wait to share with ya'll what event a bushel fullahdeez babies are gonna show up at! I'm so excited about it I could just SPIT! hahaha! In the meantime, check them out on my Etsy shop! and put your orders in for holiday ones!!!!!! You can get them in a wide variety of colors!

{Guest Post} How to Create a Delicious Cupcake Gift Basket for a Birthday Party

2011-11-01T12:30:00.000-04:00

With the economy in a slump, more and more people are looking to save money by cutting corners in every aspect of their life. One major way to save money is by creating a homemade gift rather than buying one. Homemade gifts are thoughtful and unique, and often appreciated much more than store-bought gifts. Food gifts are especially well received. One excellent option for crafty gift-givers is to make a gift hamper. Gift hampers are baskets filled with various small items that all work together to form a themed gift. Many of the most popular hamper gifts are filled with food, like candy, cookies, or cupcakes.

How to Make a Cupcake Gift Basket

The first step to creating a gift hamper is to assemble your ingredients. In the case of a cupcake basket, you will of course need cupcakes. The cupcakes can be made from scratch or prepared from a boxed mix. Mixes are usually very affordable and taste just as good as homemade. Cupcakes make great gifts because they are bite-sized and delicious, and can be decorated in a variety of ways. In addition to colors of frosting and decorative food gel, you can also add flair to your cupcakes with sprinkles, candy, chocolate shavings, or other edible materials. You may also wish to prepare them in a colorful decorative baking cup. You can also decorate the basket itself with ribbon and small accessories like toys or candy to add to your theme.

If making the cupcake gift hamper for a birthday party, think of a way to personalize the cupcakes to the person you are gifting to. Perhaps you will want to decorate them in that person's favorite color, or you may want to tailor theme to an individual's particular tastes. If they like sports, perhaps you can ice the cupcakes to look like footballs or basketballs; if their birthday falls on Halloween, you can decorate the cupcakes with icing spider webs.

You may choose to give out the cupcake gift hampers as party favors rather than as a gift to the birthday boy or girl. In that case, you could decorate the cupcakes to resemble miniature versions of the birthday cake, and personalize them with the names of each guest. Once the cupcakes are decorated, you should take the time to creatively arrange them in the basket. Fill the basket with confetti, fake grass, popcorn or other packaging material to protect the cupcakes from being damaged during travel. You will probably want to wrap each cupcake in cellophane to prevent the icing from sticking; this will also help to preserve the cupcakes longer against staleness. Use multiple colors of cellophane to give a festive look, and tie it with bright bits of curled ribbon.

Other Great Uses of Cupcake Baskets

If you have a party coming up, consider using cupcakes as edible party invitations. If you have a steady hand, you can write the details of the party on the cupcake itself using icing. Or, you can decorate your cupcake in a way that reflects the theme of your party and wrap it in cellophane, including it with a small card with the details inside. Guests will certainly not forget your party with such a delicious invitation!

After a party, you can also use cupcakes as a "thank you" gift. You can give these at the party as a favor, or you can send them to guests after the event. Cupcake gift hampers also make excellent "thank you" gifts for other situations, such as when someone has done house-sitting for you or has given you a generous gift. Whatever the occasion, a delicious cupcake gift basket is sure to be a well-appreciated, tasty gift that you can give from your heart and kitchen.

About the Author

Sara Turner works part-time for a company creating gift baskets. In her opinion a home can only be a castle if it is a personal space of creative energy and love in details. 'I love to write about gift baskets or to create gift baskets because I think that your personal space / environment grows more special and detailed if you observe it closely and add things to posh it up. A bathroom gift basket with a variety of beautiful hand-made soaps can embellish your bathroom and make it a place of love and dedication.'

{MG Party Impressions} Halloween Monster Mash Bash

2011-10-31T14:15:00.003-04:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

I'm over at MG Party Impressions today with ANOTHER Halloween party recap! This time around we threw a Monster Mash Bash. Swing past and check it out - and if you're going out trick or treating this year - make sure to be safe!

{A Fanciful Twist} Halloween Party 2011

2011-10-22T17:15:00.001-04:00

Two little girl witches, Witch Sue and Witch Boo set out one night to Trick or Treat. There were fun little witches who wore silly socks and shoes on their feet.

Door to door they rang and knocked filling their cat stacks full and well stocked. One little house they happened upon was a magic one, as if there were none, full of cupcakes, puffy things, sweet things and fun!

The delightful host asked the little witches if they would please come in to join they party, but to enter, a happy face was the key.

They were asked to please take a seat, mingle and be sweet, because at this magic house party there were no tricks only WONDERFUL treats!!!

Together they sat, and checked their cats, for all the wonder and merry inside.....

....then the delightful host asked, Witch Sue and Witch Boo, to join the other children to craft and create an All-Hallows ghost!

So, they gathered their supplies.......

they wrapped.........

they tied......

They even added......

GOOGLEY EYES!!!!!

WHAT FUN THEY HAD!

making little ghosts to join in and play.......

but soon night began to take over the day....it was time to leave, as the little girl witches readied themselves to go back home, they waved goodbye, hopped on their broomsticks, a sight to be seen, and with a giggle and whirl they flew off and shouted 'HAPPY HALLOWEEN!'

Thanks for joining my party! Now head on over to A Fanciful Twist's Halloween Bash to party hop!

{Pom Love} Yarn Pom Photo Props

2011-10-21T13:20:00.003-04:00

I totally had a whole post ready for you on how to make my Monster cupcakes until I saw these ABSOLUTELY ANGELIC & ADORABLE pictures in-me Etsy convo inbox!

Recognize anything in the photos???? Those are my yarn pom-pom garlands!!!!

A few weeks ago I was contacted on Etsy by Hannah Hilliard about using my yarn pom-pom garlands for photo props. Hannah is an AWESOME photographer based out of Indianapolis and asked if I could send her something, girly-girly, shabby chic, boy friendly - and a FUN one. So, I gathered up some poms, strung them together and sent them on their way!

I was so excited to see how she was going to use them in her photos and I am sooo very pleased with how they look.....kinda keepin' watch over them cute-as-cupcakes, sleepin' babies! Aaaaaaw.....

You can see more of Hannah's fantastic photography here. (UPDATE - Those cute-tastic hats are by Polka Dot Pocket)

Hey Hannah, if you're reading this, thanks again for sharing the photos they're awesome!!!

....and to make up for not showing you all how to make a monster cupcake....here is a freebie for you!

It's a BOO! door tag for you to BOO all your neighbors and friends! Enjoy!

{Thursday Inspiration} FALL in Love with Teal and Pumpkin

2011-10-20T12:45:00.002-04:00

After seeing this article, I fell in love with the color combo of teal and pumpkin. They really place nice together, no?

Here's some fall inspiration for you to indulge in:

Sources: floral tablescape; glass cake stand; mantle display; vintage witch poster; carved pumpkin; owl earrings; fingerpuppets; creepy cakes; poison drink glasses; bunting; succulents, pumpkins, carrots

{Cupcake Monday} Halloween Cupcake Monsters

2011-10-17T13:12:00.000-04:00

Meet Alfred, Edgar and George, three lovable cupcake monsters I created in my cupcake laboratory!

Alfred, doesn't say much, but does like to keep an 'eye' on things.

Edgar, is a somber fellow and enjoys to dine on slime and spiders - but he is a bit touchy.

Then there is George, he's a good listener but, he doesn't wash much and sometimes gets things caught in his fur. Even though he tends to be the happiest of the group....he can be a bit envious at times.....wonder why????

Tee-Hee - I'm such a corn ball! You too can make lovable cupcake monsters with just a few bits of candy, sprinkles, frosting and LOTS of imagination. They're perfect treats, especially if your Halloween theme this year has anything to do with Monsters or Aliens!!! Check back later in the week because I will have a tutorial on how to make your own!

{MG Party Impressions} Arrrr - Pirate Party Fun!

2011-10-14T14:20:00.000-04:00

Ahoy me hearties!

I'm over at MG Party Impressions today. Check out the swashbuckling adventures of this fun Pirate Party I recently styled.

{Sneak Peek}FUN-ky Halloween Bash!

2011-10-11T11:05:00.001-04:00

This weekend I was so excited to finally finish a 'photo shoot' for my current Halloween Party collection. I shared the printable collection with you in an earlier post. I was inspired to do something outside of the basic black and orange, and thought hot pink, electric purple, and lime green were perfect compliments.

Here's a little sneak peek at what is in store for our FUN-ky Halloween party this year!

Check back for more details On October 22nd; I'll also be about participating in A Fanciful Twist's Halloween party for the second year in a row. It's a really fun Halloween blog hop party where you can get a glimpse at all the fun and festive ideas we creative souls come up with. So, please be sure to check back for more FUN-ky Halloween inspiration.

In the meantime, get ready for your Halloween bash and purchase your printable Halloween kit here for just
$10!