tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453893978378831072024-03-16T12:52:16.240-06:00Snips & SpiceSewing tutorials and patterns.Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-49144561283223801502013-03-25T17:07:00.001-06:002013-03-25T17:10:08.246-06:00Kindle Cover {My Audition Craft}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you've been hanging around, you know that I am currently a contestant in <a href="http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/" target="_blank">So You Think You're Crafty Season 15</a>. For my audition project, I entered my kindle cover.</div>
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I was so excited when I received a kindle fire for Christmas this past holiday season! Of course I was excited at all the reading possibilities, but also for the crafting possibilities. I knew right after I opened the gift, that I would make a kindle cover. After scouring the racks, I fell in love with this pink/purple swirly fabric, and found this fun green accent for the inside.<br />
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I knew I wanted it to have a zippered pocket to keep all my cords, earphones, and library card (did you know that you can check out books from the library for your e-reader?). I was pleased with the free-motion quilting design, the ease of the velcro closure, and how it fit my kindle like a glove, but it still seemed incomplete...that is until I created the design for the front of the top flap.<br />
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After I added the embroidered fabric with my name on top of this great ruffled ribbon, I knew my project was complete! It is the perfect size and weight for the kindle, and the double layer of quilted fabric is enough to cushion it for those unfortunate falls it sometimes takes.<br />
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Come back later this week for the tutorial!<br />
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Oh, and while you're busy checking out cool new projects, head over to <a href="http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/2013/03/welcome-to-spring-and-season-15/" target="_blank">So You Think You're Crafty</a> and vote for your favorite projects this week! The theme is "Spring," and there are lots of fun ideas.Snips & Spicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01221721737256688161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-43334863496988773152013-03-13T16:49:00.000-06:002018-01-18T16:50:32.462-07:00'Scrap'tastic Quilt-As-You-Go Table Runner'Scrap'tastic Table Runner<br />
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I have always loved the stark contrast of black and white--when I was in high school, I thought my future home would be all black and white. Luckily, I grew out of that idea, but my love affair with the combination has continued. I am drawn to black and white prints every time I go to the fabric store, and find my scrap stash filled with these prints when I go to make projects. Because I love this fabric so much, I have a difficult time throwing away scraps of fabric, even when they seem too thin/small to really be worth keeping.<br />
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My kitchen table has been bare for a while now, so I decided to use those scraps to make this quilt-as-you-go table runner.<br />
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I had never made anything using a quilt-as-you-go method, so I found myself just "winging it" as I made this table runner. The beautiful thing about using this method is that you don't have to take time to piece and then more time to quilt. It all happens at once. Also, you don't have to pin, baste, or anything else like that which takes so much time.<br />
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This pattern is fantastic because you can use those thin strips of fabric that your husband wants you to throw away. I was able to use scraps for the top of the table runner, two fat quarters from my stash for the back, and one fat quarter from my stash to make the binding. I made a straight, double-fold binding for this because it has straight edges (no curves which need bias binding), and used this pop of color to set off the black and white prints I adore. Start to finish, this table runner took about two hours to make, so bust out your scraps and get quilting!<br />
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While you get quilting, I just have to decide how to finish my table...Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-77708815192017074852013-03-04T18:51:00.000-07:002018-01-18T16:51:12.615-07:00SYTYC Auditions!<center>
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Well hello. I know it's been a while. Despite my best crafty intentions, the poor blog has been neglected of late. I have been making some big changes in my life that I will fill you in on later, but in the meantime...I have some exciting news!<br />
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I am honored to be able to audition for <i><a href="http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/2013/03/season-15-auditions/" target="_blank">So You Think You're Crafty</a></i> Season 15! </div>
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If you aren't familiar with SYTYC, it is an online craft competition. There are currently thirteen craft auditioners (I think I just made-up that word), and the ten crafters with the top votes will move into the competition season. Each week, we are given a theme, and we have to create our "vision" of that theme through crafts.<br />
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There are so many great crafts in the <a href="http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/2013/03/season-15-auditions/" target="_blank">auditions</a>...I hope mine makes it through the audition round. I can't tell you which craft is mine, but the good news is that at the end of the week, the voting is over, and I will be able to post the tutorial. It is actually a tutorial I have been wanting to post for the last six weeks, but I haven't been able to find the time. This is just the kick I need to get off running!<br />
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So head over <a href="http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/2013/03/season-15-auditions/" target="_blank">there</a>, and vote for your favorite project (even if it isn't mine).<br />
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Can you guess which one I made?Snips & Spicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01221721737256688161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-65063882987336827942012-07-31T08:00:00.000-06:002012-07-31T08:00:41.634-06:00How to Make Simple Beanbags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I thought I would kick-off my sewing projects for beginners with one of the most simple projects I could think of--<b><i>beanbags</i></b>. I like beanbags for several reasons: you can use<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-is-fat-quarter.html" target="_blank"> fat quarters</a>, it is a super quick project, you can get the kids involved, it is just straight lines, you can almost always make them without a trip to the store, you can make them completely individualized, etc. The reasons are really endless.<br />
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Here's What You'll Need:</div>
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<li>Fabric (I would recommend basic cotton for beginners: a fat quarter is a good place to start)</li>
<li>Thread</li>
<li>Sewing Machine (you can sew by hand if you prefer)</li>
<li>Iron & Ironing Board</li>
<li>Pins</li>
<li>Rotary Cutter, Ruler, and Board</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Piece of Paper</li>
<li>Filler (I used rice for these bags, but I have used beans, and popcorn kernels in the past)</li>
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Most of these items can be found on this list of the <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2012/07/10-sewing-tools-every-sewer-needs.html" target="_blank">Ten Tools Every Sewer Needs</a>.</div>
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Now that you have gathered your items, we can begin!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Iron your fabric flat, then fold it in half along the </span><a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2012/06/fabric-basics.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">grain line</a><span style="background-color: white;">. Fold in half again the same direction (so it becomes much skinnier). When cutting with a rotary cutter, you only want to fold one direction to keep the fabric as flat as possible with consistent </span><a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2012/06/fabric-basics.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">grain lines</a><span style="background-color: white;">. Your fabric should now be four layers thick. Cut in the opposite direction of your folds in 3.5 inch strips. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Unfold your strips and line them up along the lines of the cutting board. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Cut in the opposite direction of your original cuts to create squares that are 3.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall.</span></div>
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Adjust your sewing machine needle to the right, so you get a 1/4 inch seam allowance (the distance between your seam and the edge of the fabric). Set your stitch length to 2.<br />
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Take two squares, and place them <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2012/06/fabric-basics.html" target="_blank">right sides</a> together. Be sure to line up the edges and corners; you can pin them together if you wish, but with this project, I do not. Line up the edge of your fabric with the edge of your presser foot about 1 inch from the corner.<br />
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Sew to1/4 inch from the corner and leave the needle down in the fabric. Some machines will have a button for this, but if yours doesn't, then just manually move the needle down at the corner using the hand winder on the right side of your machine. With the needle down, lift the presser foot, and rotate your fabric 90 degrees. Lower the presser foot and sew the entire side. <br />
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Repeat the corner turning process until you have sewn three complete edges, and most of the final edge. You will leave a hole in the center of one edge.<br />
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Clip each corner like pictured above. This helps with your corners when you flip the beanbag right side out. Be sure to clip close to your seam without actually clipping your threads.<br />
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Using the hole you left, turn the beanbag right side out. Make sure to poke the corners out to crisp corners. Iron the bean bag flat.<br />
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This step is not necessary for the construction of the bean bag, but I think it lends it a finished and more professional look. Begin in one corner. Leaving a 1/8 inch seam allowance, fix your thread (set your stitch length to zero and sew a few stitches to knot). Sew along the side the same way you did previously, turning the corners until you have sewn along three edges with 1/8 inch seam allowance. Fix your thread in the last corner.<br />
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Now we are ready to fill our beanbags. Roll up your paper into a cone, and place the small end in the opening of your beanbag.<br />
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Fill with your filler until the bag is about 2/3 of the way full. You should be able to fold the fabric back, and pin with a pin close to your fold to hold your filler away from your seam.<br />
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Sew your last edge shut leaving a 1/8 inch seam allowance; be sure to fix your seam at the beginning and at the end. Then clip your threads. I didn't pin on my first beanbag, but I did on the rest. I found it much easier to sew the final seam when I pinned the filler back.<br />
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Here's your final product. You can experiment with different fabrics, contrasting or matching thread, different sizes, and even different shapes. <br />
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We played with the beanbags in a pretend snowball fight. We stacked them to see who could make the tallest tower. We tried to throw them through the post in the stair rail. How will you play with your beanbags?<br />
<br /></div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-71080429467794937992012-07-11T21:13:00.000-06:002012-07-11T21:13:00.284-06:0010 Sewing Tools Every Sewer Needs<span style="background-color: white;">People often ask me what they really <i>need </i>to start sewing. After spending a lot of time thinking about this, and looking through my sewing box, I compiled this list of tools every sewer <i>needs </i>to get started sewing. This list does not include tools for a sewing machine; come back tomorrow for more information about sewing machines.</span><br /><ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;">Rotary Cutter, Ruler, and Cutting Mat </b><span style="background-color: white;"><b>- </b>Yes, yes I know that this is a list of three things, but they all work together as one tool, so I thought it worked. For me, the rotary cutter is indispensable; it makes cutting fabric quick, easy, and accurate. Tara over at Happy Momma Quilts recently posted</span><a href="http://happymommaquilts.blogspot.com/2012/06/rotary-cutter-tutorial.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"> this great tutorial</a><span style="background-color: white;"> showing how to use a rotary cutter, so I will save time and refer you there for more info.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;">Seam Ripper</b><span style="background-color: white;"><b> -</b> A seam ripper has been vital to my sewing. There might be people out there who sew perfectly every time, and never have to unpick stitches...but I am not one of them. Seam rippers are much more useful when removing stitches than scissors.</span></div>
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Pins</b><span style="background-color: white;"> - They come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Find one that you like to work with, and a storage system that works for you. You can get a magnetic pin cushion, a box/container for the pins, or a soft cushion to stick pins in like this cupcake pin cushion (<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/06/cupcake-pin-cushion.html" target="_blank">click here</a> for instructions on making your own). Your pins should be handy when working on projects to hold your fabric together. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white;">Sharp Scissors</b><span style="background-color: white;"> - Buy them. Label them. Hide them. Sharp scissors are a must when sewing. Make sure your scissors are only used for fabric projects, and I recommend getting a new pair about once a year to make sure they are sharp. You can then give the retired pair to the family junk drawer for whatever else you need to cut.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">Iron & Ironing Board</b><span style="background-color: white;"> - Again, this is a set. Your projects will always turn out better and look more professional and finished if you take the time to iron your fabric before beginning, and throughout the sewing process. (no picture because I figured everyone knows what an ironing board looks like)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Measuring Tape</b> - I can't tell you how often I use this measuring tape. Just trust me on this one. You will use the tape to measure in many of the projects you create.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Needles (for sewing by hand)</b> - Bahahaahaha. You can tell from my picture, that I don't have to replace these very often. I try to avoid sewing by hand when at all possible, but sometimes, it is actually easier to finish a project or sew one component by hand. I recommend getting a set that has a variety of sized needles and eyes as well as a variety of sharps and rounds.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Fray Check</b> - This handy tool is sort of like super glue for fabric. It can prevent fabric from fraying (the threads from separating), and can keep thread knotted at the beginning or end of a seam if you have not knotted sufficiently. I use fray check in every project where I use ribbon, and many times throughout other projects.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Pattern Cutting Board</b> - If you plan on making any projects that are larger than your small rotary cutting board, a large pattern board is a must. It provides a large, flat surface perfect for cutting pattern pieces and large swatches of fabric. (pattern cutting board as background for this<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/07/t-shirt-upcycle-to-toddler-dress.html" target="_blank"> t-shirt to toddler dress upcycle</a>)</span></div>
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<b>Fabric Marker</b> - Fabric markers are useful for sewing projects because the ink disappears (usually with cold water) and leaves your fabric looking as beautiful as ever. (no picture again -- it's a marker)</div>
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Now you should be all set to learn about sewing machines tomorrow, and starting your first project on Friday. If you have any questions about sewing machines, please comment or email me, so I can answer them in the post. <span style="background-color: white;">I hope you are having a great week, and you are as excited as I am about our upcoming sewing projects!</span></div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-38123281822443879252012-07-09T18:04:00.000-06:002012-07-09T18:04:04.908-06:00What is a fat quarter?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A fat quarter is basically what it sounds like: a fat quarter yard of fabric. Instead of buying the typical 9 inch-wide by 44 inch-long swatch of fabric, you can buy a swatch of fabric that is 18 inches wide by 22 inches long. This enables you to make more projects without having to buy half a yard of fabric. Many fabric stores sell pre-cut fat quarters in a variety of colors and patterns. One of my favorite things to do is find some fabrics that I love, buy a couple fat quarters and make a project--or save them for a future project.<div>
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Most pre-cut fat quarters are basic cotton fabric used in quilts, but can be used for much more. I used the fat quarters pictured above in the first beginners' sewing project I will share this week. Come back to see what I did with these fun fabrics!</div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-75433316844445473782012-07-06T21:40:00.000-06:002012-07-06T21:40:00.829-06:00Sewing Machine Needles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When it comes to sewing machines, needles are one of the important areas people often neglect. If you follow a few simple needle guidelines when sewing, it will make sewing easier and faster.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Use the correct needle type for your fabric</b>. There are three main types of needles used when sewing. </span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">The <b>universal needle</b> is perhaps the most commonly used needle. The universal needle has a very slightly rounded tip so it can be used on many knit fabrics without snagging or skipping stitches, and it is small enough to pierce through woven fabrics as well.</span></li>
<li><b>Ball point needles</b> are used on knit fabrics, and have a larger ball point than universal needles. They shouldn't snag the fabric or skip stitches. These work well on heavier knits and spandex or lycra.</li>
<li><b>Sharp needles</b> are used on tightly woven fabrics, or light weight woven fabrics. The tiny sharp point on the end of the needle allows it to poke through the weave of these tightly woven fabrics and sew in straight lines.</li>
<li>Click <a href="http://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/22_115_sewing_machine_needle_charts.pdf" target="_blank">here </a>for a chart detailing the use of specialty needles.</li>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Use the correct needle size for your fabric</b>. There are three main categories of needle sizes used when sewing. </span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">Needles 8/60 and smaller are considered <b>small needles</b> and used for lightweight and sheer fabrics. These needles will sew through the lighter fabrics without creating gaping holes, but will bend or break in heavier fabrics.</span></li>
<li>Needles 9/65-12/80 are considered <b>medium needles</b> and used for medium-weight fabrics.</li>
<li>Needles 14/90 and larger are considered <b>large needles </b>and used for heavy fabrics. These needles can sew through the heavy fabrics without bending or breaking.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6582876949_d8fe12842f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6582876949_d8fe12842f_z.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of asilentstorm.com</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Use fresh needles.</b> Over time, needles can become dull and slightly bent, which can lead to problems while sewing. I myself have been known to use a needle for weeks longer than I should, and I am always surprised at how much better my sewing machine works when I use a new needle. Frequently, when I am struggling with a project, simply changing to a new needle fixes the problem. Old needles can cause skipped stitches, snagged fabric, broken thread, and jammed sewing machines. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Throw away used needles after each project, or when you experience any of these problems. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-47060378156172774112012-06-25T13:35:00.000-06:002012-06-25T13:35:00.671-06:00Fabric Basics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a love for fabric. The colors and textures appeal to me on many levels. I can spend hours at the fabric store looking at different patterns and feeling the luxurious fibers. While there are many, many things to know about fabric, when first starting out, you need to know a few basics.<br />
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Most fabrics you work with will either be woven or knit together. A woven fabric seems like a basic grid of threads woven together in perpendicular patterns. This fabric here is a loosely woven fabric; you can even see the weave easily with the naked eye.<br />
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Knit fabrics are stretchier, and people often find working with knit considerably more tricky. The picture above shows the pattern in which knits are woven. It's the loopy weave that lets the fabric stretch in multiple directions. You will want to know the difference between a knit and a woven fabric when choosing fabric for project as they behave differently.<br />
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Most projects and patterns will reference the "right side" and the "wrong side" of the fabric. Many fabrics will have one side of the fabric that has much richer color, and is the side meant to show in a project. The other side I often think of as the back of the fabric: the side that is meant to be hidden.<br />
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The final piece of basic information you need (in my opinion) about fabrics is what is meant when talking about grain or bias. The grain is the direction that the fabric is woven. Bias is a 45 degree angle from the grain. Fabric holds its shape when sewn based on the grain, and stretches when sewn according to the bias. <br />
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I am lucky enough to have a mother that is a walking encyclopedia of fabric information, who has taught me all about fabrics, but for those of you who don't have a mother like mine, I recommend purchasing <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fabrics-Essential-Choosing-Fabric-Sewing/dp/1584799560/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340652269&sr=8-1&keywords=fabrics+a+to+z+dana" target="_blank">Fabrics A to Z</a></i> by Dana Willard (author of <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/" target="_blank">Made</a>). She is one of my all-time favorite bloggers, and wrote an incredible reference book that is small enough to fit in your purse, so you can take it with you to the fabric store.Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-68876964376750276042012-06-22T09:25:00.000-06:002012-06-22T09:25:00.393-06:00Sewing Lessons {An Introduction}A few months ago, one of my cousins was visiting from the east coast. We talked about sewing, and she lamented that she didn't even know where to start. It got me thinking about how people learn to sew. <div>
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For me, I had/have a wonderful mother who taught me how to sew first by hand, then by machine. It started with sewing clothes and blankets for my American Girl doll, and progressed into sewing my prom dresses. Before we go any further, laugh if you must, but please understand that I graduated in 2001, and the styles of my dresses reflect that time period.</div>
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This first dress, my mom was mostly responsible for sewing. I helped her, and watched to learn. My mom should have been a pro because the dress came out beautifully! I felt like a princess at the prom that year. You can laugh at Adam's bleached 90's hair--I often do.</div>
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The second dress I wanted to make myself. My mom helped me find the fabric I wanted, and the pattern. Being the difficult person that I am, I wanted the top of one dress, and the bottom of another. I was between sizes, so after I made the bodice (top) out of muslin as a test, I used a smaller seam allowance to make the pattern slightly bigger. </div>
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My world came crashing down after I sewed the skirt and was ready to attach it to the bodice. It was the week of prom. I had forgotten to use a smaller seam allowance on the skirt, which was a real tragedy. The skirt pattern consisted of three layers: a liner, a base satin layer, and a top sheer layer. Each layer was seven panels. When I realized all the time it took me to cut and sew those twenty one pieces together, had been wasted I burst into tears. Luckily, my mother was calm enough to talk me "off the ledge" and told me that if I would use the seam ripper to remove the stitches, she would sew the pieces back together for me with the adjusted seam allowance. My mother was a much faster and more accurate seamstress than I was, so her help made all the difference. We were able to finish the dress in time for "Cinderella to attend the ball."</div>
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This last prom dress, I made myself. For those of you who didn't attend high school at the turn of the millennium, this dress was inspired by Bianca's prom dress in <i>10 Thing I Hate About You</i>. Look it up--I think I made a pretty good likeness. My mom was still there to answer any questions I had along the way, but she had already taught me so much that I was ready to construct this dress almost completely on my own.</div>
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Yes, if you were wondering, I <i>did </i>wear rhinestone tattoo jewelry on my neck, arm, and face for this prom. You are right--I was <i>totally </i>hip!</div>
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My sewing now rarely consists of making anything this fancy and intricate, but the skills required to make a prom dress are many of the same skills required to sew much more simple projects. Next week, I will cover some basic background information necessary for the beginning sewer. Over the next few weeks, I will share 10 sewing projects for beginners. The skills you learn making these projects will give you a basis for the more complicated projects I share on this blog.</div>
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So get ready for some sewing fun!</div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-71240411641492105702012-06-21T06:00:00.000-06:002012-06-21T06:00:14.767-06:00Carrot Cake Favorite<br />
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Most of the cakes I make are variations of <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-tips-tools-for-baking-beautiful.html" target="_blank">my basic cake recipe</a>, but this recipe I adapted from my fan-favorite <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2010/12/yummy-zucchini-cake.html" target="_blank">zucchini cake</a>. Just so you know--I am going to do some shameless bragging about this recipe. Feel free to skip the rest of this self-gratuitous paragraph. This is one of the best cakes, and hands down the best carrot cake, I have ever tasted. As many of you know, Adam is not generally a fan of sweets, but he snuck a cupcake and a mini cupcake before I could take pictures. This cake pleased everyone from the ninety-five-year-old Grandma, whose birthday we celebrated, all the way down to the toddlers.<br />
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Ok. I'm done now. Let's get to the recipe.<br />
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<b>Cake Ingredients</b><br />
<ul>
<li>3 Cups all-purpose flour</li>
<li>2 Cups dark brown sugar</li>
<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1.5 teaspoons baking soda</li>
<li>1 teaspoon baking powder</li>
<li>1 Tablespoon cinnamon</li>
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<li>1 Tablespoon vanilla</li>
<li>4 eggs</li>
<li>3/4 Cup vegetable oil</li>
<li>3 Cups grated carrots</li>
<li>1/2 Cup golden raisins</li>
<li>1/2 Cup black (I'm not sure what these are called) raisins</li>
<li>1 Cup crushed walnuts</li>
</ul>
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<b>Frosting Ingredients</b></div>
<ul>
<li>8 oz cream cheese</li>
<li>1 Cup (2 sticks) butter - this makes a more buttery cream cheese frosting; if you really like cream cheese, use just one stick of butter</li>
<li>2-3 Cups powdered sugar</li>
<li>1 Tablespoon vanilla</li>
</ul>
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<b>Mix and Bake</b> (for tips on baking see<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-tips-tools-for-baking-beautiful.html" target="_blank"> this post</a>)<br />
<ol>
<li>Preheat oven to 325 degrees F</li>
<li>Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together into medium mixing bowl</li>
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<li>Combine brown sugar and dry mixture in large mixing bowl--mix well</li>
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<li>Beat together the eggs and oil in the small mixing bowl</li>
<li>Add egg and oil mixture to large mixing bowl--add vanilla while mixing these ingredients together (DO NOT OVER-MIX)</li>
<li>Your batter at this point will be sort of stiff and sticky like a dough</li>
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<li>Add carrots, raisins, and nuts, and mix until dispersed--the batter becomes much more moist and like a batter</li>
<li>Spray pan with baking spray, and p<span style="background-color: white;">our batter into pan (use spatula to scrape out mixing bowl)</span></li>
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<li>Bake at 325 degrees F for 50 minutes (cupcakes take much less time: about 12-15 minutes for minis and 18-22 for regular)</li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Place pan on cooling rack for 15 minutes</span></li>
<li>Turn cake out onto rack to finish cooling</li>
</ol>
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<b>Mix Frosting (</b>for frosting tips see<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-tips-and-tools-for-frosting-cakes.html" target="_blank"> this post</a>)</div>
<ol>
<li>After putting cake in oven, remove cream cheese and butter from fridge to soften </li>
<li>Cream together butter and cream cheese</li>
<li>Add powdered sugar to frosting mixture and mix well; add enough sugar so that it tastes delicious and is stiff enough to hold whatever shape you are going for</li>
<li>Mix vanilla into frosting</li>
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<li>When cake is cool, stack, frost, and decorate</li>
</ol>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-29967787922209164922012-06-20T06:00:00.000-06:002012-06-20T06:00:10.513-06:00Brooke's Wedding Blanket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e84zuroAzjU/T-EbR1Z2fYI/AAAAAAAAGRw/QShg5Qi_Aco/s1600/P1060738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e84zuroAzjU/T-EbR1Z2fYI/AAAAAAAAGRw/QShg5Qi_Aco/s640/P1060738.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of my favorite gifts to give for a wedding is <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/06/wedding-blanket.html" target="_blank">this wedding blanket</a>. I lucked out right at Christmas time this year and found these throw blankets at K-Mart for less than $20, which is way cheaper than buying the fake fur and minky fabric out of which these are made. One side is the soft and slinky minky fabric, but the other is like a fake sheep's wool.<br />
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I bought three and planned on saving them for future weddings, but I couldn't help myself. Adam and I now have two of them on our couches because they are so soft and comfy. The third I used for my sister's wedding. All I had to do was rip out the seam in the corner to separate the top and bottom fabrics, embroider, and resew the seam right up. It was quick and easy, and made this gorgeous blanket. My sister and her husband said it is their favorite blanket to cuddle under.Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-18288079218029073852012-06-19T14:32:00.002-06:002012-06-19T14:32:59.387-06:00Sesame Street Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gR49MM1-sA/T-DhGuRJTlI/AAAAAAAAGQo/tU47ikf3ud4/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gR49MM1-sA/T-DhGuRJTlI/AAAAAAAAGQo/tU47ikf3ud4/s640/IMG_0092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I made these cupcakes for a first birthday party last spring. I couldn't believe how fun and easy these were to whip up. <br />
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If you have been reading along for a while, you will know that I already prefer to buy my frosting from the bakery at King Soopers (Kroger stores). The frosting is less expensive to make than buttercream, is perfectly white, doesn't need refrigeration, has a great consistency, and has a great flavor. The time saved is also a bonus. <br />
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The morning I was making these, I was really running late on time, and I found out that the bakery will sell the colored frosting as well as white. The colored frosting is more expensive, but the amount of food coloring required to get these rich colors probably about equals the extra cost (I haven't actually done the math, but this past year I have been more short on time than money, so I am willing to go with my estimate).<br />
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<b>Here's what you'll need:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>cupcakes (I used my <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-tips-tools-for-baking-beautiful.html" target="_blank">basic recipe</a>)</li>
<li>red frosting for Elmo</li>
<li>blue frosting for Cookie Monster</li>
<li>white frosting for eyes</li>
<li>black frosting for eyes and mouth (I used the stuff from the shelf that comes in a can with attachable tips) <i>***I would probably use black fondant cut into shapes in the future***</i></li>
<li>3 piping bags (one for red, one for blue, one for white)</li>
<li>star piping tip</li>
<li>large circle piping tip</li>
<li>orange jelly beans (M&M's might work as well)</li>
<li>mini chocolate chip cookies</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qec_6MXhy2Y/T-DhBsnPfsI/AAAAAAAAGQg/zeSWcVrGfvc/s1600/Sesame+Street+Cupcakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qec_6MXhy2Y/T-DhBsnPfsI/AAAAAAAAGQg/zeSWcVrGfvc/s640/Sesame+Street+Cupcakes2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>For Cookie Monster:</b></div>
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<ol>
<li>Start with a plain cupcake.</li>
<li>Cut your mini cookies in half. They don't need to be exact.</li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Use the star tip in a piping bag to frost the cupcakes. You should pipe in a back and forth motion from the center to the outside, moving around the cupcake, to create the furry look. This is not an exact science; in fact, the more random you make it, the better it looks.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Use the circle tip in a piping bag to make large dots of white frosting for the base of the eyes.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Use the circle tip of the black frosting to make smaller dots on the eyes. Cookie Monster's eyes should both be looking different directions (often each looking out). </span>
<i>***I would use small black fondant circles next time***</i></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Stick a cookie half in for the mouth. It's ok if there are crumbs around the mouth; Cookie Monster is a messy eater.</span></li>
</ol>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-umjGNmPkkXI/T-Dg45Gs__I/AAAAAAAAGQY/yIO8-_vFw64/s1600/Sesame+Street+Cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-umjGNmPkkXI/T-Dg45Gs__I/AAAAAAAAGQY/yIO8-_vFw64/s640/Sesame+Street+Cupcakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>For Elmo:</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Start with a plain cupcake (this isn't its own step because it wouldn't have looked as good in the collage-ha ha). Use the star tip in a piping bag to frost the cupcakes. You should pipe in a back and forth motion from the center to the outside, moving around the cupcake, to create the furry look.
This is not an exact science; in fact, the more random you make it, the better it looks.</li>
<li>Use the circle tip in a piping bag to make large dots of white frosting for the base of the eyes.</li>
<li>Use the circle tip of the black frosting to make smaller dots on the eyes and the curve of the mouth.
<i>***I would use small black fondant circles and black fondant crescents next time***</i></li>
<li>Stick a jelly bean in for the nose. I poked the long side in to create a circle nose instead of an oval--the oval looked more like Gonzo's nose.</li>
</ol>
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<b>Mini Cupcake Variation</b> - I made these cute mini cupcakes with the extra batter and supplies; you know I am a sucker for mini cupcakes. The basic technique is the same, but you use a smaller chunk of cookie for Cookie Monster's mouth, and cut the jelly bean in half for Elmo's nose.</div>
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</div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-71453944746953473932012-06-18T10:26:00.000-06:002012-06-18T10:26:59.335-06:00Steve and Judy's Surprise Wedding Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fm_VIGcVPmY/T99V3o6vDfI/AAAAAAAAGOk/44IHSCcn9T0/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fm_VIGcVPmY/T99V3o6vDfI/AAAAAAAAGOk/44IHSCcn9T0/s640/IMG_0199.JPG" width="620" /></a></div>
Last month my father-in-law got married, and I made this wedding cake for the occasion. It was a simple, but delicious, white chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting. I used <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-tips-tools-for-baking-beautiful.html" target="_blank">my basic cake recipe</a>, and the frosting techniques <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-tips-and-tools-for-frosting-cakes.html" target="_blank">found here</a>. Since I didn't cover this cake with fondant, after I frosted each tier, I wet the spatula to smooth the frosting. I used a medium round tip to make the pearl border at the bottom of each tier.<br />
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The flowers are <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/fancy-food-coloring.html" target="_blank">colored</a> fondant. To make these, roll out the fondant to about 1/8 inch thick, then cut with a flower shaped cutter. Place the flowers on a sponge and press in the middle of the flower with a small dowel (I used the back of a small paint brush) to give the flowers dimension. Let the flowers dry overnight. Use a small dot of frosting to glue each flower to the cake.<br />
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Oh, I almost forgot to tell you...there's something else you might want to know about this cake. Just one part of the surprise. Are you ready? Can you guess what the secret is???<br />
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It's only 6 inches tall! Steve and Judy got married in Estes Park without a reception, so Adam and I brought them this cake as a surprise. I had so much fun making this tiny cake. I used a 6 inch pan, a 4 inch pan, and a 2 inch pan. Seriously, how cute is this cake? <br />
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So the question is...could you tell?</div>
<br />Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-88120580076781905952012-06-14T06:00:00.000-06:002012-06-14T06:00:05.757-06:00Craft Tutorials Page "Complete"<div style="text-align: center;">
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As promised earlier this week, I have been working on updating my index pages. I bring to you today, drum roll please...</div>
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This page should have the links to all but the most recent craft posts. If you don't see what you are looking for, email me; I will try to post something helpful. <a href="mailto:snips.spice@gmail.com">snips.spice@gmail.com</a>
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<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/06/wired-edge-ribbon-rose-super-easy.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faPqD5ggCow/T9VbKU09gOI/AAAAAAAAAHU/gie4Mr5w9d0/s320/Ribbon+Rose+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/06/simple-hair-bow.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juO5o9rqGcg/T9VbNTUCNfI/AAAAAAAAAHc/16Udq6E3dG0/s320/Simple+Hair+Bow+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/05/you-may-have-seen-this-posted-at.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aoEpuAkvnnE/T9VbPgjF3UI/AAAAAAAAAHk/HDaALSbHQ9g/s320/Soldered+Pin+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/06/streamer-bow.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndtHX8OPnUk/T9VbSaXuP8I/AAAAAAAAAHs/i3Of1fS7r4U/s320/Streamer+Bow+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/01/subway-art-free-printables.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7F5RN6a7Zw/T9VbVLCay7I/AAAAAAAAAH0/5A1_6o52bGE/s320/Subway+Art+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentine-wreaths-part-one.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SUOjVGfAweU/T9VbYpcQhxI/AAAAAAAAAH8/CDFiiaeTRN0/s320/Valentine+Wreaths+Part+1+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentine-wreaths-part-two.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVTSm2qhzd8/T9Vbbcp7qPI/AAAAAAAAAIE/Npnra1Xyve4/s320/Valentine+Wreaths+Part+2+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentine-wreaths-part-3.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvlZRZb5KuM/T9VbeqHnkFI/AAAAAAAAAIM/6nIl0-rX20I/s320/Valentine+Wreaths+Part+3+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/01/zipper-rose.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UKXa1osRPoQ/T9VbhZL8oJI/AAAAAAAAAIU/qmswpDKbkDI/s320/Zipper+Rose+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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Stay tuned for more updates!</div>
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</div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-66630016431137561012012-06-13T06:00:00.000-06:002012-06-13T06:00:17.146-06:00The Spray Paint ShirtTeaching high school, I see lots of puffy-paint shirts the students make for various sports and activities. While the puffy-paint shirts can be fun, they take forever to dry, and sometimes take a long time to make.<br />
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A couple years ago, I came up with this idea for a quick way to make team shirts that would dry quickly as well. They are fun to make for team-bonding, or could be fun for a party activity.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jXAA8gPLkw/T9ZZZ9jOCtI/AAAAAAAAGOM/Fv6SQCSSTFQ/s1600/P1040860-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jXAA8gPLkw/T9ZZZ9jOCtI/AAAAAAAAGOM/Fv6SQCSSTFQ/s640/P1040860-001.JPG" width="636" /></a></div>
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Here's what you will need:<br />
<ul>
<li>spray paint</li>
<li>t-shirt(s)</li>
<li>cardboard letter cutouts (I found mine in the craft aisle at Walmart)</li>
<li>a flat surface (and maybe a drop cloth, tarp, or newspaper if you don't want paint all over)</li>
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First, lay out your t-shirt. Try to get out all wrinkles and get as flat as possible. The more flat your shirt is, the better your letters will turn out. You may notice that I have some seepage of paint around the wrinkle.<br />
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Place your letter cutouts on the shirt. I have used both the letters themselves and the outlines before. Remember that if you use the letters themselves, it will create the negative space to look like the letters; this leaves less of the shirt its original color. If you use the letter outlines, it will color the letters and outline the rectangles the color of the paint; I think this creates a more bold look.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-om--U-AXejU/T9ZY9BEiVdI/AAAAAAAAGN0/M8B3YeOnJik/s1600/P1040858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-om--U-AXejU/T9ZY9BEiVdI/AAAAAAAAGN0/M8B3YeOnJik/s640/P1040858.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spray over the letters until the shirt reaches the desired color. You don't want to spray too heavy, or it will leave the shirt crusty, and can bleed through. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjWVSmDzwN8/T9ZZGImtXtI/AAAAAAAAGN8/gBHZM2X3gc0/s1600/P1040859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjWVSmDzwN8/T9ZZGImtXtI/AAAAAAAAGN8/gBHZM2X3gc0/s640/P1040859.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pull off the cardboard and let dry. After about 20-30 minutes, they should be dry to the touch, and you can move them.<br />
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<strong>Tips & Tricks</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>The thinner the cardboard you use, the more quickly it will get wet and warp. I recommend trying to do all of your shirts at once, and throwing out the used letters.</li>
<li>I have used the kid's craft foam to cut letters and different shapes before. This also works well, but is more work up front. These also do not last for too many uses before warping.</li>
<li>Spray in a well-ventilated area.</li>
<li>Spray paint travels. Be sure that you spray in an area where it will not matter if the paint molecules attach themselves nearby.</li>
<li>Let one side of the shirt dry completely before spraying the other side.</li>
<li>I wash and dry mine like any other t-shirt.</li>
</ul>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-76753967556647610872012-06-12T06:00:00.000-06:002012-06-12T06:00:10.729-06:00Cupcake Toppers in ... 1 - 2 - 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mW9c6ApSLs/T9YvR0m3CMI/AAAAAAAAGNg/AUn7jkC1WwM/s1600/P1040812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mW9c6ApSLs/T9YvR0m3CMI/AAAAAAAAGNg/AUn7jkC1WwM/s640/P1040812.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I have to confess that I am generally not a fan of cupcake toppers. It is the snobby cake decorator in me that wants everything on a cake (or cupcake) to be edible. Last year, when the craze for cupcake toppers hit, I was less than thrilled. I like to expend creative energy on edible decorations.<br />
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However, I finally gave in. Last August, my niece and nephew had a superhero birthday party. They wanted cupcakes with "the little toothpick things" as the 3/4 year old described them. I was walking down the kids craft aisle of the craft store, when I saw these foam stickers, and...BAM I knew what I was going to do. I grabbed a bag of the stars, a paint pen, and headed to the checkout.<br />
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When I got home, I couldn't wait to get started. I used the white paint pen, and a fine black sharpie to write on the foam stars. I wrote superhero words like "bam," "pow," and "zap." I also added a few "happy birthday's" and many letter "m's" for their names. The stars already came with that fantastic border, so no other decoration necessary. When I was done, I had a pile of stickers that looked like this:<br />
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To construct the topper all I had to do was pull the back off the foam stickers, and place a toothpick between two stickers (sticky sides together).<br />
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Stick in a cupcake, and you are ready to go! How easy was that? I used the "Grasshopper" (mint chocolate) cupcakes from <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/08/grasshopper-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, and chocolate cupcakes with strawberry icing.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJUX8LnRLZc/T9Yu74YJE5I/AAAAAAAAGNY/dVWqMp5f0hM/s1600/P1040810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJUX8LnRLZc/T9Yu74YJE5I/AAAAAAAAGNY/dVWqMp5f0hM/s640/P1040810.JPG" width="518" /></a></div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-62392287081919034102012-06-11T10:47:00.000-06:002012-06-11T10:46:07.784-06:00Sewing Tutorials Page "Complete"<div style="text-align: center;">
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I am very excited to announce that I have an up-to-date sewing tutorials page with links to all my sewing projects. You can click the link above to be taken to the page, but here it is for everyone to see right now. I will be working on the other index pages throughout the next couple weeks.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8HPda-Ang4/T9U7tX-3YMI/AAAAAAAAAF0/ihK9NlFxByE/s1600/Sewing+Tutorials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8HPda-Ang4/T9U7tX-3YMI/AAAAAAAAAF0/ihK9NlFxByE/s320/Sewing+Tutorials.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This page should have the links to all but the most recent sewing posts. If you don't see what you are looking for, <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/search/label/Sewing">click here</a> to be taken to all posts labeled "sewing." If you still don't see what you are looking for, email me; I will try to post something helpful. <a href="mailto:snips.spice@gmail.com">snips.spice@gmail.com</a></div>
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</div>Snips & Spicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01221721737256688161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-81830849637587341962012-06-10T12:25:00.003-06:002012-06-11T11:57:36.257-06:00Tausha's Wedding Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jdOLeBdd70/T9TbgkRJXUI/AAAAAAAAADA/e1hv4ekRtlk/s1600/P1060673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jdOLeBdd70/T9TbgkRJXUI/AAAAAAAAADA/e1hv4ekRtlk/s640/P1060673.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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</a>Hello again! How have you been? I know...I know...it has been a long time. This past year was the most difficult of my teaching career so far, but it is summer once again, and I am ready to hit the ground running here at Snips and Spice (not literally running--I hate running). Although I was too busy to blog, I have been busy cooking, caking, and crafting. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting many of the projects I worked on over the last nine months, and working on new projects to share with you as well.<br />
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One of the things keeping me busy these past months has been cakes. It got really crazy around Christmas with two weddings (one of which was my sister's). The week before Christmas entailed this three-tier wedding cake, about 85 cupcakes, and the birthday cake for the bride's father.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UhZjjFtEo4/T9Th57qMnzI/AAAAAAAAADM/AX_BQ2RCHDQ/s1600/Tausha's+Wedding+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UhZjjFtEo4/T9Th57qMnzI/AAAAAAAAADM/AX_BQ2RCHDQ/s640/Tausha's+Wedding+Cake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Although the cake looks complicated, it was actually pretty easy to decorate. I covered the cake with fondant, then piped the decorations on the side--see <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-tips-and-tools-for-frosting-cakes.html">this post</a> for frosting cakes, and <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-cover-cake-with-fondant.html">this post</a> for covering cakes with fondant. To transport the cake, I boxed each tier individually. <br />
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Most of the cakes I make do not have space between the tiers, so I use cardboard bases for each tier. For this cake, I used Wilton'sstackable square cake bases for the top two tiers, and a foil-covered square for the bottom of the cake. The stackable bases click into place with the columns--creating a stable cake that will last throughout the day. This was the first time I had used this type of construction, and I couldn't believe how easy it was. I used a dab of frosting to secure the ribbons in place around the base of each tier after I stacked them.<br />
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My friend Pam helped me cut the fruit and dab it on paper towels to keep the juices from dripping on, and melting, the fondant. The cut fruit and flowers quickly filled the gaps between the tiers and completed this cake.<br />
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The twelve-inch bottom tier of the wedding cake was comprised of four layers of red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. The ten-inch center tier was four layers of lemon poppyseed cake with vanilla buttercream, and the eight-inch top tier was white chocolate cake with white chocolate raspberry filling. I used my basic cake recipe for these cakes found in <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-tips-tools-for-baking-beautiful.html">this post</a> about baking beautiful, delicious cakes.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrwCKsA4NO8/T9TjFjkre3I/AAAAAAAAADU/kgcMEEsERcg/s1600/Tausha's+Wedding+Cake1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrwCKsA4NO8/T9TjFjkre3I/AAAAAAAAADU/kgcMEEsERcg/s640/Tausha's+Wedding+Cake1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I made the cupcakes with the same flavors as the cake tiers. I simply colored the frosting to match the wedding colors; see<a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2011/02/fancy-food-coloring.html"> my post about food coloring here</a>. There are so many different cupcake holders, cupcake wrappers, cake stands, and candy to decorate with right now, that you can easily create whatever look you want.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p8X6qmkxAkQ/T9TlmOEUofI/AAAAAAAAADg/lEl_p0r8vCc/s1600/Tausha's+Wedding+Cake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p8X6qmkxAkQ/T9TlmOEUofI/AAAAAAAAADg/lEl_p0r8vCc/s640/Tausha's+Wedding+Cake2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This particular wedding was a little different because it took place on the bride's father's birthday. Father of the bride is a man who loved apple and had a deep respect for Steve Jobs, so what could be better than a surprise Apple birthday cake at the reception? You may not be able to tell from the picture, but the apple cake was the size of a large apple. My sister helped me create the iPod out of fondant.<br />
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Thanks for visiting! I hope you come back this week to see what else I have been up to.Snips & Spicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01221721737256688161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-31558987739570601412011-09-19T21:31:00.000-06:002012-06-11T12:00:03.056-06:00Felt Cupcakes {Guest Post from Tammy at She Wears Flowers}<div style="text-align: center;">
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<em>I was supposed to post this last week, but I was swamped, so here is a belated birthday to me! I am so excited about today's post because this was a special request I made from Tammy.</em></div>
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Hi! I’m Tammy from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.she-wears-flowers.com/" target="_blank">she wears flowers</a> </span>and I am super excited to be here because…</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it’s Malory’s birthday!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Happy Birthday Malory!</span></div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 24" border="0" height="569" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RbiPs1UnbUQ/Tm9zdclF28I/AAAAAAAAD5o/_H_GaJ3YiE8/Cupcakes%25252024%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 24" width="640" /></div>
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Today I’m sharing this <b>easy</b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Zero Calorie) Cupcake {Tutorial}</span><br />
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<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Materials</u></span></strong></div>
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cardboard toilet paper or paper towel tubes</div>
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empty, flattened cereal box</div>
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fabric</div>
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hot glue</div>
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2 1/2 inch styrofoam balls</div>
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needle and thread (or sewing machine)</div>
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felt in cake colors</div>
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<em>optional:</em> red wooden beads, green chenille sticks, red pom poms</div>
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<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u></span></strong></div>
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Cut tubes into 1 1/2 inch tubes.</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 13" border="0" height="640" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WE1oBd99Ic0/Tm9zdmd-qBI/AAAAAAAAD5s/e0C6Yf8phjM/Cupcakes%25252013%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 13" width="451" /></div>
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Trace the tube opening onto the cereal box. Try to hold the tube in a “perfect” circle. Cut out circles. Repeat for felt. (We're <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">chocolate</span> all the way in this house!)</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z4jZKsrO68E/Tm9ze84NkvI/AAAAAAAAD5w/-TVMlJ2gai4/s1600-h/Cupcakes%2525208%25255B23%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cupcakes 8" border="0" height="210" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vK2BuF55ej0/Tm9zfaJV3kI/AAAAAAAAD50/YeLIFpugEaM/Cupcakes%2525208_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 8" width="269" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-52LYHaSin6Q/Tm9zgEOTgWI/AAAAAAAAD54/nPCHJCP21qA/s1600-h/Cupcakes%25252010%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cupcakes 10" border="0" height="209" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G4OCLzj3Mr4/Tm9zjtvIWZI/AAAAAAAAD58/Puorgt_4esk/Cupcakes%25252010_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 10" width="266" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_zn155Dzjek/Tm9zkCqxJwI/AAAAAAAAD6A/6C5vswvpDIg/s1600-h/Cupcakes%25252015%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cupcakes 15" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ip9GSSpwX4Y/Tm9zkl2YWOI/AAAAAAAAD6E/w9Cn9UJbbhc/Cupcakes%25252015_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 15" width="280" /></a></div>
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Hot glue the flat cardboard circles to the bottom of the tubes. Trim edges.</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 17" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YtRnZaLXUiY/Tm9zlL8OA7I/AAAAAAAAD6I/Lda3qDy3sog/Cupcakes%25252017%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 17" width="260" /></div>
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Hot glue the felt circles to the bottoms. It's okay if the felt is slightly larger than the tube.</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 22" border="0" height="256" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x8fMj9UqrUE/Tm9zlR8nggI/AAAAAAAAD6M/vnquenV3fsA/Cupcakes%25252022%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 22" width="400" /></div>
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Cut strips of felt the same width as the cardboard tubes and as long as the tubes are around (the circumference of the tube).</div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pllf4ZZoTbc/Tm9zmSXKLOI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/gfG0N95feec/s1600-h/Cupcakes%25252020%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cupcakes 20" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pxxy7fsbd5I/Tm9zm1r9RMI/AAAAAAAAD6U/NOR3jD8VSAw/Cupcakes%25252020_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 20" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hot glue felt strips to the cardboard tubes and trim excess.<img alt="Cupcakes 23" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zlC7B1UjHVc/Tm9znCQ1aQI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/VT92m8e73LY/Cupcakes%25252023%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 23" width="319" /></div>
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Cut styrofoam balls in half.</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 4" border="0" height="316" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sl0Gzq6yGj4/Tm9znso1-lI/AAAAAAAAD6c/tatKw80b5k4/Cupcakes%2525204%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 4" width="400" /></div>
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Cut out 5 inch fabric circles.<img alt="Cupcakes 1" border="0" height="280" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IwvDwPwu04A/Tm9zoGlXYmI/AAAAAAAAD6g/dGWhYh_4FvY/Cupcakes%2525201%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 1" width="378" /></div>
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Sew (machine or by hand) a loose, <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_4549560_sew-gathering-stitch.html" target="_blank">gathering stitch</a> (one row only) around the circle at about 1/4 inch. Be sure to leave a tail of the beginning and ending threads so you can pull them to gather the circle.</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 2" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MRRv68F40ts/Tm9zoQEJTTI/AAAAAAAAD6k/rTYRjARZjyE/Cupcakes%2525202%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 2" width="315" /></div>
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Gather circles loosely then insert half of a styrofoam ball. Pull the threads tight and tie a knot to hold it together. Add some hot glue to keep it secure.</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 3" border="0" height="189" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--haXedOSubQ/Tm9zo1uSWFI/AAAAAAAAD6o/3y8YHA1Iyp8/Cupcakes%2525203%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 3" width="240" /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hdzYKifCxss/Tm9zpkdITRI/AAAAAAAAD6s/6s6jwwTHCCc/s1600-h/Cupcakes%2525205%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cupcakes 5" border="0" height="190" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OCMo32X-ayM/Tm9zpwDTI_I/AAAAAAAAD6w/bUSNVF8jxU8/Cupcakes%2525205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 5" width="205" /></a><img alt="Cupcakes 6" border="0" height="190" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5seGPgxooZs/Tm9zqSipz2I/AAAAAAAAD60/chlGQaDYzhE/Cupcakes%2525206%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 6" width="188" /></div>
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Carefully line the top edges of the cardboard tube with hot glue and glue cupcake top to the tube.</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 7" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5dUdbIY7l8w/Tm9zqnPdq8I/AAAAAAAAD64/H2N45xKPrzE/Cupcakes%2525207%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 7" width="400" /></div>
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To make the cherries on top you can glue on a pom pom like this:</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 16" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fVPzVtTf3B0/Tm9zrLhV7jI/AAAAAAAAD68/1pWSChxbneY/Cupcakes%25252016%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 16" width="384" /></div>
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Or, you can use a chenille stick and a bead. Just put a small section of the chenille stick through the bead and tie a couple of knots on one end so it doesn’t slip out. </div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 11" border="0" height="287" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qR3PWmRStO0/Tm9zrS5aNyI/AAAAAAAAD7A/m_0gt4jFb28/Cupcakes%25252011%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 11" width="320" /></div>
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Poke a small hole through the fabric and the sytrofoam ball, fill it with hot glue and insert the knotted end of the chenille stick.</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 12" border="0" height="286" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mYDPRK7XtuQ/Tm9zrqN4IrI/AAAAAAAAD7E/ujc23ORoHXw/Cupcakes%25252012%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 12" width="196" /><img alt="Cupcakes 14" border="0" height="287" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zfBuuBhaygg/Tm9zsKQd0iI/AAAAAAAAD7I/HI2-yiQU6b0/Cupcakes%25252014%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 14" width="202" /></div>
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Finally, pop those cupcakes in the oven for a while then…</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 18" border="0" height="354" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0oQ8PB-g_SQ/Tm9zsRO0FeI/AAAAAAAAD7M/ia6GySdSibs/Cupcakes%25252018%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 18" width="640" /></div>
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Serve them up with your little ones! These are sure to be a hit and might even provide oodles of occupied time for your young ones while you get the next project done!</div>
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<img alt="Cupcakes 21" border="0" height="558" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yEGU_B-wkMA/Tm9zs3dUwKI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/DRxZLUeCXWI/Cupcakes%25252021%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cupcakes 21" width="640" /></div>
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Malory, I hope your birthday is lots of fun—thanks for letting me share in it today!</div>
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<em>Thanks Tammy! I did have a great birthday, and a wonderful week. Be sure to stop by <a href="http://www.she-wears-flowers.com/">She Wears Flowers</a> and say "hi" to Tammy.</em></div>
</div>Snips & Spicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01221721737256688161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-86253756153947278072011-09-17T11:16:00.002-06:002011-09-17T11:16:43.020-06:00A Winner! (and some updates)<div style="text-align: center;">
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HI! I know I have been absent for a while. The school year started at a sprint. We had a second round of tryouts for my cheerleading team, and I am teaching two new preps this year, so I have had no extra time for me and my hobbies. This past week was our homecoming week, and my birthday. </div>
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A week ago, we stayed overnight all night in the school, and decorated the entire school for homecoming (so no sleep that night). The rest of the week resulted in very little sleep as well, so I slept in until 10:00 this morning, and finally checked back in with the blogging scene, and my email. </div>
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I miss you all, and miss this creative outlet. I am planning on spending the rest of the weekend working on projects and fun tutorials, to post over the next few weeks. I will probably post sparingly for the next two months until fall sports and the state cheerleading competition are over, then come back in full swing in December.</div>
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Tammy from She Wears Flowers prepared the most wonderful tutorial to guest post for my birthday, and I dropped the ball and forgot to post, so come back Monday to see what she has for all of you!</div>
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Now on to the giveaway! Our lucky winner is #6 Juniel Bingham!</div>
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(Does anyone know how to get the picture of the generator in this y it, but that didn't work, I tried to make a screen print, but I couldn't get that in the post, and I tried to get the generator, but it wouldn't stay the same.)</div>
Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-66717027059766505992011-08-31T18:14:00.000-06:002011-08-31T18:14:40.158-06:00Cupcake Month Giveaway!!!<div style="text-align: center;">I am so excited about this giveaway! It has been a great month full of celebrity guests, and we are finishing the month with a wonderful giveaway. Kristin approached me with a great offer!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRdwv5uuxog/Tl7NaPURt8I/AAAAAAAAFdk/kJGonNOeF6o/s1600/MSW-CAKE_Styled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRdwv5uuxog/Tl7NaPURt8I/AAAAAAAAFdk/kJGonNOeF6o/s640/MSW-CAKE_Styled.jpg" width="424" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How cute is this cupcake shaped Scentsy?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For those of you unfamiliar with Scentsy products, Scentsy uses a light bulb (instead of a flame) to heat highly scented wax. I received a Scentsy at my bridal shower a couple years ago, and I love it! Scentsy is a great way to make your home, office, or classroom smell great without having to search for matches/lighters, or the smell of smoke after you blow out a candle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scentsy makes a great gift for yourself, a newly-wed, or a teacher (earn yourself or your child some brownie points).</div><br />
Want to know how to get one of these? Entries are earned in the following ways:<br />
<ul><li>1 entry for being a follower of <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/">Snips & Spice</a></li>
<li>1 entry for liking <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Snips-Spice/194351920575798">Snips & Spice</a> on Facebook</li>
<li>1 entry for liking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kristin-Mabb-Independent-Scentsy-Consultant/164595396892368">Kristin's Facebook page</a></li>
<li>5 entries for purchasing a Scentsy product from the <a href="https://kmabb.scentsy.us/Home">Snips & Spice online party</a></li>
</ul>Be sure to leave a comment on this post for each entry (remember when you purchase something, you need to leave 5 comments including a description of what you purchased).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">*****You can get 10% off your purchase today---Hurry over*****</div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-40792661965026557722011-08-30T05:18:00.002-06:002011-08-30T07:52:48.747-06:00Lace Stenciled Cupcakes {Guest Post from Katy at Sweet Verbena}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Don't look mom! I'm serious! This post includes powdered sugar! My mom has an irrational fear of powdered sugar, which is perhaps why I have never seen this technique before. I am excited to have Katy from <a href="http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/">Sweet Verbena</a> here today for our last guest post of Cupcake Month. </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hi there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My name is Katy and I'm visiting from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">Sweet Verbena</span></a></span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm a junior in college at Texas A&M university and when I'm not busy studying, I love to create. Hope you'll stop by my blog and say "Hi" sometime!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dO511bygRo/TjXWTPGTjWI/AAAAAAAAAn8/LsiGpWqnkJs/s400/IMG_0827-7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am so excited to participate in cupcake month! Today I'll be sharing a technique rather than a recipe: Lace Stenciled Cupcakes! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk5qUlLcIaI/TlWmwQMIzgI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/MEMXzi_Upgs/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk5qUlLcIaI/TlWmwQMIzgI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/MEMXzi_Upgs/s640/IMG_3433.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I purchased an 1/8 of yard of lace at Hobby Lobby and cut the strip into 12 squares. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">(If you want to make 24 cupcakes purchase 1/4 yard of lace)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0ssO6l32mU/TlWmOKwZFJI/AAAAAAAAA0w/44lvx1Zu0IQ/s1600/IMG_3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0ssO6l32mU/TlWmOKwZFJI/AAAAAAAAA0w/44lvx1Zu0IQ/s640/IMG_3319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It couldn't be more simple. Place a square of lace over the cupcake and generously sift Powdered sugar over the top. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Be sure to use a new square of lace for each cupcake)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8jbTcySV_I/TlWmTYhKx-I/AAAAAAAAA00/uebVFek5fio/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8jbTcySV_I/TlWmTYhKx-I/AAAAAAAAA00/uebVFek5fio/s640/IMG_3407.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Carefully remove the lace, </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKDbdd2f4Lc/TlWmZLJhnPI/AAAAAAAAA08/ZM5aujGztSk/s1600/IMG_3409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKDbdd2f4Lc/TlWmZLJhnPI/AAAAAAAAA08/ZM5aujGztSk/s640/IMG_3409.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">and voila! A beautifully stenciled cupcake. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PbMxH26jb4s/TlWmepsKWzI/AAAAAAAAA1E/ViXea0wIRv8/s1600/IMG_3420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PbMxH26jb4s/TlWmepsKWzI/AAAAAAAAA1E/ViXea0wIRv8/s640/IMG_3420.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ7OIFjaZqU/TlWmjhRXPII/AAAAAAAAA1Q/hfDL0YgL_Rk/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ7OIFjaZqU/TlWmjhRXPII/AAAAAAAAA1Q/hfDL0YgL_Rk/s640/IMG_3390.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x55Fee9DfKo/TlWmsODrt6I/AAAAAAAAA1U/tUtJ1sD3DyM/s1600/IMG_3391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x55Fee9DfKo/TlWmsODrt6I/AAAAAAAAA1U/tUtJ1sD3DyM/s640/IMG_3391.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Lovely, aren't they?</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk5qUlLcIaI/TlWmwQMIzgI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/MEMXzi_Upgs/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk5qUlLcIaI/TlWmwQMIzgI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/MEMXzi_Upgs/s640/IMG_3433.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Thank you so much for having me Malory! I am loving all this cupcake fun this month at Snips and Spice. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<em>Thanks Katy! These are so pretty! This is a great option for those who are watching calories, or don't like frosting (I can't imagine who wouldn't, but still an option). You know I</em> <strong>LOVE</strong> <em>frosting, and I am thinking that I could frost a cupcake, then use this same technique on top of the frosting. These would make elegant cupcakes for a wedding, and be great on a hot day when the fats in frosting would melt. Katy has posted some really cute sewing patterns, like </em><a href="http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/2011/07/simple-bow-tie-top-tutorial.html"><em>this bow tie top</em></a><em>.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJDFwcDjUYk/TlxE5RJwuyI/AAAAAAAAFdc/PpOk6C5Uzrk/s1600/IMG_1028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJDFwcDjUYk/TlxE5RJwuyI/AAAAAAAAFdc/PpOk6C5Uzrk/s640/IMG_1028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<em>and </em><a href="http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/2011/07/boho-maxi-dress-tutorial.html"><em>this dress</em></a><em>.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VYD8LILWy8/TlxEw3SvCrI/AAAAAAAAFdY/GZlEaQPSxTE/s1600/IMG_1743-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VYD8LILWy8/TlxEw3SvCrI/AAAAAAAAFdY/GZlEaQPSxTE/s640/IMG_1743-1.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em>She created </em><a href="http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/2011/06/zippered-purse-lining-tutorial.html"><em>this great tutorial</em></a><em> on sewing a zippered lining into a bag (which you might find helpful with next month's sew-along bag).</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8j8NFbT_C-M/TlxFGJ-tLrI/AAAAAAAAFdg/_RRW7TIq18A/s1600/DSCN0945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8j8NFbT_C-M/TlxFGJ-tLrI/AAAAAAAAFdg/_RRW7TIq18A/s640/DSCN0945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em>Sneak over to </em><a href="http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/"><em>Sweet Verbena</em></a><em> to check out more sewing tutorials--she posted a great one just this week for </em><a href="http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/2011/08/reverse-applique-tutorial.html"><em>reverse applique</em></a><em>.</em></div>Snips & Spicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01221721737256688161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-12387239901874979442011-08-29T05:07:00.001-06:002011-08-29T05:07:00.666-06:00Plum Perfect Cupcakes {Guest Post from Tammy at Peppermint Plum}<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>I am so excited about today's post! Tammy is one of my friends that I have known for years, and we actually started blogging about the same time. Tammy and her sister Annie normally blog over at </em><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/"><em>Peppermint Plum</em></a><em>, but today Tammy is here sharing this new creation...Plum Perfect Cupcakes!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xvHU9Z9_xg8/TlWLW44jqUI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/S0uthvIlRUA/s1600-h/IMG_4898-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="IMG_4898-1" border="0" height="461" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9qepE0yuDDg/TlWLXuELobI/AAAAAAAAAqU/TfvxrR32Sf4/IMG_4898-1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4898-1" width="354" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Hi! I’m Tammy from</span> </span><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Peppermint Plum</strong></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m here at Snips & Spice to share my recipe for</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Plum-Perfect Cupcakes</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to Malory (my friend IRL!) for the opportunity to share in this fun event!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve been toying around with the idea of a plum cupcake for a while now, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and decided this was the perfect chance to experiment. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to say that I think these turned out really tasty. They have a plumb-perfect blend of <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>sweetness</strong></span> {from the frosting} and <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>tartness</strong></span> {from the filling}.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’ll need to plan ahead a little for this recipe…the plum sauce takes about 10 minutes to make and at least an hour to chill in the fridge before it is cool enough to use.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">{</span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Plum Perfect Cupcakes</strong></span><span style="color: black;">}</span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 white cake mix</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 fresh plums</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 oz cream cheese</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 cube butter, room temp</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">3 Tbsp prepared plumsauce <span style="font-size: small;">(see below)</span></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 tsp vanilla</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">7-8 cups powdered sugar (approx 2 lbs)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, you will need to make your plumsauce filling. Cut fruit (with skin) from the pit of 3 fresh plums and process in a blender or food processor until the skins are chopped and blended in. Pour into small saucepan, and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the texture resembles that of applesauce.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QhwGFtIDQAo/TlWLYuSvjgI/AAAAAAAAAqY/yS5i3BSW05k/s1600-h/IMG_4887%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4887" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EWAlhuN4gLk/TlWLZWaU20I/AAAAAAAAAqc/5ZF4JJroCOw/IMG_4887_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4887" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour into separate bowl and refrigerate for one to two hours, until sauce is cool to the touch. To speed up the process, stir sauce a few times while it is cooling.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CRxiPNP0EGo/TlWLaDqdjMI/AAAAAAAAAqg/gN_SsEfCkaE/s1600-h/IMG_4889%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4889" border="0" height="284" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sbh5td4UjMM/TlWLaQN21OI/AAAAAAAAAqk/Y_xdL_egrUs/IMG_4889_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4889" width="369" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, preheat your oven and mix cake batter according to directions. Fill cupcake liners 1/2 full, and bake for about 15-17 minutes at 350. My mix made 30 cupcakes.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allow cupcakes to cool.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Reserve about 3 tablespoons of cooled plumsauce to add to your frosting.</u> </span></div><div align="center"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To fill cupcakes, pour remaining plum sauce into a pastry bag with a round tip, stick tip directly into the center of the cupcake, and squeeze a little sauce into each one.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MFs-7n4rYrw/TlWLa7P5q3I/AAAAAAAAAqo/rAMl_BDhH-o/s1600-h/filled%252520cupcake%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="filled cupcake 1" border="0" height="155" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-otvjKHmMHbI/TlWLbPHDUnI/AAAAAAAAAqs/yN9ER_RsZaA/filled%252520cupcake%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="filled cupcake 1" width="148" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nFfFAjnm4U0/TlWLb0auhQI/AAAAAAAAAqw/N-boJyrRNws/s1600-h/IMG_4904%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4904" border="0" height="216" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CZqwMdQJEPI/TlWLcUIB7fI/AAAAAAAAAq0/5dlNhItDz3g/IMG_4904_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4904" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once filled, your cupcakes are ready for frosting. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This recipe makes a large amount of frosting, because I like to swirl big heaps of it onto my cupcakes. Feel free to halve the recipe if you don’t want as much on yours.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">{<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Frosting</strong></span>}</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix cream cheese, butter, 3 Tbsp plumsauce, and vanilla with hand mixer until well-blended. Slowly add powdered sugar one cup at a time until thick enough to pipe and hold up.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--Hz4WQeZSVw/TlWLdIV624I/AAAAAAAAAq4/58ls4ghtvs0/s1600-h/IMG_4898-1%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4898-1" border="0" height="381" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RxdfY9-RpjY/TlWLdisZiYI/AAAAAAAAAq8/UFdmqruaPGU/IMG_4898-1_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4898-1" width="292" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frost, Decorate, and Enjoy! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Tammy</span></div><br />
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<div align="center"><img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" /><br />
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<em>Thanks Tammy! I cannot wait to try making this recipe! You can see why Tammy and I are friends--just look at how much frosting she piled on that cupcake! Tammy and Annie recently returned from a blogging break, and I can't wait to see what they have in store for us. Some of my favorite posts from Tammy and Annie include their </em><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/p/free-printables.html"><em>free printables</em></a><em> like this one:</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2YfPflWVe0/TlsI-J0DYnI/AAAAAAAAFdU/GULV51rPTYI/s1600/Love+You+FOREVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2YfPflWVe0/TlsI-J0DYnI/AAAAAAAAFdU/GULV51rPTYI/s320/Love+You+FOREVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><em>I am currently trying to take control of my health, and I always try to prepare veggies that look </em><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2011/01/eat-your-veggies.html"><em>this appetizing</em></a><em>.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--tbUIykiDqU/TlsISwlRmlI/AAAAAAAAFdE/O3W6vEK_ArI/s1600/IMG_3770-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--tbUIykiDqU/TlsISwlRmlI/AAAAAAAAFdE/O3W6vEK_ArI/s400/IMG_3770-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em>I ooh and aah every time they post about home decor. </em><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2011/03/kitchen-makeover-big-reveal.html"><em>This kitchen</em></a><em> is so beautiful and full of light (unlike my kitchen that feels like a black hole).</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3sDZ0mK-Gc/TlsI68YgHbI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/KxNltQQZJGM/s1600/IMG_3933-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3sDZ0mK-Gc/TlsI68YgHbI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/KxNltQQZJGM/s400/IMG_3933-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em>I also love the look of </em><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2011/02/keys-and-knobs.html"><em>these keys</em></a><em>.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmZYf8eLsnk/TlsIiwQcFUI/AAAAAAAAFdM/AIO6fyXqTNU/s1600/IMG_3888-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmZYf8eLsnk/TlsIiwQcFUI/AAAAAAAAFdM/AIO6fyXqTNU/s400/IMG_3888-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em>Tammy also shares ideas for kids--like </em><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2011/02/homemade-slime.html"><em>this slime</em></a><em>.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tQzpqjtzlE/TlsIeva0JcI/AAAAAAAAFdI/NW-Jq20EOhM/s1600/IMG_3816-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tQzpqjtzlE/TlsIeva0JcI/AAAAAAAAFdI/NW-Jq20EOhM/s400/IMG_3816-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em>Take a trip over to </em><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/"><em>Peppermint Plum</em></a><em> and search around; I promise you will find something there you like!</em></div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-20936597956127991952011-08-26T07:59:00.000-06:002012-06-10T20:40:11.623-06:00Marshmallow Surprise Cupcake {Guest Post from Jocelyn at Inside BruCrew Life}<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>When I first decided to host Cupcake Month here at Snips & Spice, I knew I had to ask Jocelyn from <a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/">Inside BruCrew L</a>ife to come guest post. I think Jocelyn is the cupcake queen! She makes all sorts of delicious cupcakes with different fillings, flavors, and frostings. I am so excited she wanted to participate, and I know you will not be disappointed with this recipe.</em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQpQCL-ZbpY/TlW5U0jogtI/AAAAAAAAFcY/cHg-1KeFTuk/s1600/March+11+awana+cupcakes+etsy+082-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQpQCL-ZbpY/TlW5U0jogtI/AAAAAAAAFcY/cHg-1KeFTuk/s400/March+11+awana+cupcakes+etsy+082-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hello Snips and Spice readers:-)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbhc_SPzNHk/TlW4Ze2z2nI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/QzgU9u8_M-4/s1600/joce8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbhc_SPzNHk/TlW4Ze2z2nI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/QzgU9u8_M-4/s320/joce8.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I'm Jocelyn from Inside BruCrew Life. I have a huge sugar addiction and it shows up quite regularly in my blog posts. If you come poke around some of my older posts, I guarantee you will leave wanting something sort of sugar substance!! I am super excited to show off one of my cupcake creations here at Snips and Spice. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QpTgVIFQSA/TlW46rYDeFI/AAAAAAAAFcU/RznOtQPukak/s1600/March+11+awana+cupcakes+etsy+058-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QpTgVIFQSA/TlW46rYDeFI/AAAAAAAAFcU/RznOtQPukak/s400/March+11+awana+cupcakes+etsy+058-1.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
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I love a good cupcake, but I love hiding some sort of yummy candy or treat down inside the cupcake to surprise everyone. I have had a bag of chocolate covered marshmallows hiding in my cupboard for quite some time now. How they have survived this long without my sweet tooth finding them, I will never know:-) I was wanting to try some sort of smore cupcake, but wanted it be slightly different. I think it worked, what do you think?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQpQCL-ZbpY/TlW5U0jogtI/AAAAAAAAFcY/cHg-1KeFTuk/s1600/March+11+awana+cupcakes+etsy+082-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQpQCL-ZbpY/TlW5U0jogtI/AAAAAAAAFcY/cHg-1KeFTuk/s400/March+11+awana+cupcakes+etsy+082-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Marshmallow Surprise Cupcakes</span></strong><br />
vanilla cake mix<br />
vanilla wafers<br />
chocolate covered marshmallows<br />
1/2 c. chocolate chips<br />
1 tbsp. butter<br />
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Preheat oven to 350* Place liners in cupcake pan and set aside. Mix up the cake mix according to the package directions. Spoon 1 tbsp. batter into liners. Place one vanilla wafer on top of that batter. Now finish filling the liners 3/4 full of batter. Bake for 8 minutes. Very carefully open your oven door and push 3-4 of the chocolate covered marshmallows into the centers of every cupcake. Close the oven door and finish baking for another 12-14 minutes. As soon as the cupcakes come out of the oven, push 3-4 more marshmallows into the center. Let cool completely. Pipe on some butter cream goodness. Melt the chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl for about 30-45 seconds. Stir until smooth. Drizzle over the tops of the cupcakes. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Vanilla Butter Cream</strong></span><br />
1/2 c. butter<br />
1/2 c. shortening<br />
1/8 tsp. salt<br />
1 1/2 tbsp. water<br />
1 tbsp. vanilla<br />
4 c. powdered sugar<br />
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Beat butter and shortening until creamy. Add the salt, water, and vanilla and cream again. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Add another 1-3 tbsp. water, beating after each one. You want the frosting to be creamy, but stiff enough to frost cupcakes.<br />
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Thank you so much Malory for inviting me to your cupcake month celebration. It has been so much fun posting here today!<br />
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<em>Thanks Jocelyn! Another wonderful cupcake post from the cupcake queen herself! Some of my favorites are as follows (Click the pictures to be taken to the recipe page):</em><br />
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<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/strawberry-cheesecake-cupcakes.html"><img border="0" height="285" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAaTMQn9I1c/TlekZo_kf0I/AAAAAAAAFcc/9kzl8KIUOsg/s400/April+11+earth+day%252C+library%252C+desserts+251-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/03/banana-malt-cupcakes.html"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mopBO6dlaf8/TlekayA15NI/AAAAAAAAFcg/8lCu_p59nUs/s400/banana+malt.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/cookies-n-cream-cupcakes.html"><img border="0" height="267" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NH0QbmRzJw/Tlekb6BA0qI/AAAAAAAAFck/35Q-s2oLeBU/s400/Cookies+and+Cream+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/oatmeal-creme-pie-cupcakes.html"><img border="0" height="285" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MX32gec0XFM/Tlekcx1ruEI/AAAAAAAAFco/50elJwtTjiQ/s400/creme+pie+cupcake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/nutter-butter-truffle-cupcakes.html"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LI_0Yg1Lm6A/TlekmKqcryI/AAAAAAAAFcs/DkmEWi6UpJA/s400/Feb+11+cam+choir%252C+candy+filled+cookie+hearts%252C+NB+truffle+cupcake+187-1.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/03/beware-girl-scouts.html"><img border="0" height="286" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AxbzlE597Qs/TleknvbTKJI/AAAAAAAAFcw/7JF8gn-i5OE/s400/Feb+11+cupcakes%252C+etsy+017-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/07/chocolate-chip-nutella-cupcake.html"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjqCJlaI52Y/TlekpMH4CeI/AAAAAAAAFc0/L25u3KpwmD0/s400/Feb+11+cupcakes%252C+etsy+149-1.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/06/firecracker-cupcakes.html"><img border="0" height="285" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mgZyr_oArGM/TlekqZoDZfI/AAAAAAAAFc4/-o1KFqArw5M/s400/June+11+baking+020-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945389397837883107.post-85292444982412182812011-08-25T05:40:00.002-06:002011-08-25T08:05:52.089-06:00Gooey Stuffed Cupcakes {Guest Post from Ellie at Vanilla Bean Girls}<div align="center"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Genious! That is all I can say at this point. Pure 100% Genious! Ellie from Vanilla Bean Girls created something here that has my stomach not just growling, but screaming.</em><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQzGqSrtf_Y/Tdde71vEWPI/AAAAAAAAAY8/PjVH7R_3eSY/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="[020.JPG]" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQzGqSrtf_Y/Tdde71vEWPI/AAAAAAAAAY8/PjVH7R_3eSY/s220/020.JPG" /></a>Hey there everyone! </div></div><div align="center"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm Ellie from <a href="http://www.vanillabeangirls.com/">Vanilla Bean Girls!</a></div></div><div align="center"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div align="center"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Me and my little vanilla bean girls have been getting really into cupcakes lately - not too great for my waistline, but still loads of yummy fun nonetheless!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div align="center"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our favorite thing to do lately is to "stuff" our cupcakes. Mind you, I'm not an amazing pastry chef by any means, but we manage to get it done anyhow! Our latest creation came about one day when we were all craving different things and we decided to mix them all together! Luckily we ended up with the yummiest, goo-iest creation ever!</div></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Rc-N0uMJPY/Tj9iPwnUk2I/AAAAAAAAA-s/hWc5b855rzY/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Rc-N0uMJPY/Tj9iPwnUk2I/AAAAAAAAA-s/hWc5b855rzY/s400/015.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div align="center">We started out with just a standard chocolate cake mix because it was all I had on hand at the time. I think it was actually German Chocolate cake mix. First, you make your cupcake mix, but only put a spoonful at the bottom of your liners. While you're doing this, you'll want to be preparing your stuffing. For us, it was nuts, caramel, and chocolate chips. I told you we all craved different things! To make the caramel, I melted a bag of lite caramel candies on the stove with 1/4 cup of evaporated milk.</div><ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wyy7gUvbEFU/Tj9WhVuJZnI/AAAAAAAAA-E/IMwR1QTH7d8/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wyy7gUvbEFU/Tj9WhVuJZnI/AAAAAAAAA-E/IMwR1QTH7d8/s320/035.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxn3gaLcJ4A/Tj9WkKEkN9I/AAAAAAAAA-I/zxpPfW4k93E/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxn3gaLcJ4A/Tj9WkKEkN9I/AAAAAAAAA-I/zxpPfW4k93E/s320/034.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bake your cupcakes at 350* for only 4-5 minutes and then take them out to stuff them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hdiVqo5Et8M/Tj9Wn8p9kNI/AAAAAAAAA-M/dCn2jIcxtUg/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hdiVqo5Et8M/Tj9Wn8p9kNI/AAAAAAAAA-M/dCn2jIcxtUg/s400/036.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfH4i0y97OI/Tj9Wr2icRnI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/XnR6CzFs10U/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfH4i0y97OI/Tj9Wr2icRnI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/XnR6CzFs10U/s400/037.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The key to this is keeping the stuffing right in the middle of the cupcake. You can see how my little ones got a little carried away with the caramel and it got too close to the edge. Makes for a very messy cupcake!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, you'll add another spoonful of your cupcake batter on top of the stuffing and put it back in the oven to bake according to the directions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbvEQaJLsr0/Tj9Wum2Oe2I/AAAAAAAAA-U/flCIS1XT4_w/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbvEQaJLsr0/Tj9Wum2Oe2I/AAAAAAAAA-U/flCIS1XT4_w/s400/038.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While they're cooling, start on your icing. Remember, you don't want the cupcakes to cool in the pan because they'll continue to cook, so cool them on a cooling rack. Ice them as soon as they're cool so they don't begin to dry out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zoz-FmRY97Q/Tj9iHgV5VmI/AAAAAAAAA-o/tU64TrIiNXk/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zoz-FmRY97Q/Tj9iHgV5VmI/AAAAAAAAA-o/tU64TrIiNXk/s400/009.JPG" t$="true" width="368" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the standard buttercream recipe I use:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><li><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;">6 to 8 cups confectioners’ sugar </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;">1/3 to 1/2 cup milk </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;">1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;">I know I really should invest in some nicer pastry bags, but so far, I've just been using ziplock bags! Simply fill it up with your frosting, snip the end, and pipe away! I prefer to do a big swirl like below, but sometimes I like to put a piping tip in first, and then fill up the bag with frosting so that I can make a more decorative swirl. It's all up to you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Nkv3NZoVDg/Tj9Wwjh_gJI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/uHu0ny9ur74/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Nkv3NZoVDg/Tj9Wwjh_gJI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/uHu0ny9ur74/s400/041.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq-F6k1kPpY/Tj9W0vVNYTI/AAAAAAAAA-c/S5vOXY5Vvdc/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq-F6k1kPpY/Tj9W0vVNYTI/AAAAAAAAA-c/S5vOXY5Vvdc/s400/042.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cP3OAE8loHM/Tj9W2jKBl9I/AAAAAAAAA-g/nsr0ywt35F4/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cP3OAE8loHM/Tj9W2jKBl9I/AAAAAAAAA-g/nsr0ywt35F4/s400/049.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2n36_4ynL4/Tj9iA2JEUqI/AAAAAAAAA-k/BFLecHws85g/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2n36_4ynL4/Tj9iA2JEUqI/AAAAAAAAA-k/BFLecHws85g/s400/017.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Last step: Grab yourself a big glass of milk and enjoy the sweetness!<br />
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<em>Thanks Ellie! With this great technique, you can make any custom cupcake you want. What a great idea for a party! I know quite a few people (myself included) who have complained of stuffing falling to the bottom, but this keeps the stuffing right in the middle where you want it. Every Sunday, Ellie hosts a link party. You should go link up!</em><br />
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<center><a href="http://vanillabeangirls.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/VanillaBeanCrafts/img_1239145800342_1141-1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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<em>While you are there, take a peek at <a href="http://www.vanillabeangirls.com/2011/07/new-boy-painting.html">this darling painting</a> she created.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV8QV4VGAfE/TlWyw21_ASI/AAAAAAAAFcI/E2qz91-hYo0/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV8QV4VGAfE/TlWyw21_ASI/AAAAAAAAFcI/E2qz91-hYo0/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em>Oh, and don't forget to see how she made <a href="http://www.vanillabeangirls.com/2011/05/freckles-ribbon-wallet.html">this great wallet</a> for her daughter.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T8YyYTZPUkI/TlWy6TQG2LI/AAAAAAAAFcM/92JIHkKfsC0/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T8YyYTZPUkI/TlWy6TQG2LI/AAAAAAAAFcM/92JIHkKfsC0/s400/032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><em></div< p=""></em></div>Malory {Snips & Spice}http://www.blogger.com/profile/03018979307448313318noreply@blogger.com1