Shamrock Cupcakes

Shamrock Cupcakes

The kids and I wanted to make something fun for St. Patrick's Day.  So I scoured Pinterest (my addiction!) and found this awesome idea!

I started with a basic vanilla cupcake batter, and added green food coloring. The recipe I used is from here: Lemon Sugar

Using 3 marbles, per cupcake slot, I formed a shamrock shape!

I baked them at 325 degrees for about 15 minutes, until I poked it with a toothpick, and it came out clean. (Do not pay attention to the messy oven!  I made some yummy honey oat bread, and whoops... forgot to clean out the oven! OK let's be serious, I only cleaned it later because it started to smell burnt. )

;-)

I frosted them with a basic frosting recipe HERE, and made it thinner, so it spread flat easily. We then used M&M's for the eyes (added frosting for the dots and smiles)

The kids had a lot of fun "helping me" and everyone, especially my hubby loved them!

HERE is where I got my original idea from!

Christmas Fun

I made this plate on a Ladies Night Out at a Pottery Store.  It is our Santa plate.

Reindeer Pancakes

Banana-Strawberry Candy Canes

Thanksgiving Fun

It was our first Thanksgiving in Maryland, so I wanted to do some great crafts and we had a wonderful day with each other.  Here are some of the fun things we did!

 The kids made turkey cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Thumbprint Indian Corn

 We made Personalized napkin holders!

 Dessert!

Personalized Valentine's Day Cards!

My Sweet Valentines!

We had a homeschool Valentine's Day Party for about 55 of their closest friends, and we needed a Valentine that didn't take a ton of time... in enters Pinterest, and Voila!

Take pictures of the kids with their arms outstretched.... 

 Add some fun, print and slice above and below their fists.  Stick a sucker in, and you have an awesome and very personalized Valentine!

Dr. Suess Baby shower

Dr. Suess Baby Shower!

I just threw this baby shower for one of my best friends.  I planned this shower in Maryland, and it was held in IN.  So I got to town early in the week, and bought all the food.  I had a friend rent the hall, and I didn't know what it looked like until we got there in the morning to set up!  That added a little stress, but it was worth it. I had a blast creating everything!  I think it turned out great!

Here is the themed food I made.  I love making everything match the theme!

 

We sorted the colorful Goldfish crackers. :-)

Water Bottles

 I made the labels on the computer, and glued them on water bottles.

 

My "Pink Ink Yink Drink"  Is a homemade punch.  

I take a can of frozen Pink Lemonade Concentrate, and add 7up or Sprite (usually 1.5-2 2L, depending on taste) and cut up strawberries and lemons.  They add a great taste, and I love how pretty it is! 

 

Hop On Pop "Corn"

Biggle "Meat" Balls

 Green "Deviled" Eggs

I made them like traditional deviled eggs, I just added a green gel food coloring and piped it into the eggs. I wasn't sure how people would feel about the green eggs.... but they were a hit!

   "Poodles Eating Noodles"

"Cat in the Hat Kabobs"

We made a Candy buffet. It was yummy!

We made those "Lorax Trees" on the wall also!  I got a 24 pack of tissue paper and a 3 pack of the bamboo sticks from the Dollar Tree!  Here are the directions I used!  (We did cut them pointed not round though.) 

http://spottedink.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/our-top-10-diy-party-decorations.html

I found a great cake idea on Pinterest, on left, 

and I showed the pictures to my friend who does cakes on the side... I think she did AMAZING!! 

Oh and notice my friends adorable baby belly in the background?? ;-)

 Another picture of the cake!  If you are near northern Indiana, check her out at Make it Sweet by Mandy

The "Truffala Treats" Table!

I bought the pails and napkins at Ikea (LOVE that store!)  Then I glued ribbon and a bow on them to fancy them up!

I made the Baby Bingo cards (Everyone writes baby items on it, and as she opened gifts they cross them out, keeps them active during gift time) and put some cotton candy in a cup as favors.

Created this notebook on www.vistaprint.com!  

I had guests write tips and/or encouragement for the new mommy. (Sorry it's blurry!)

We made these little "Truffala Trees" for the food table out of paper straws, garden wire, fluffy yarn (from Michaels)and a hot glue gun. We put them in mini vases and added some shiny crinkle paper from the Dollar Tree! I loved them!   

We decorated the tables in bright colored tablecloths and ran streamers down the middle.  I got the vases at Ikea, and the polka dot flowers from Micheals.

 The prizes (on green table on the left side) were great things like lotions and potions from Bath and Body Works, and Some smell good candles!

I made the banner on the right out of bright poster board, and created the letters and design on the computer. I downloaded a free Dr. Suess Font of course!

I cannot find the picture of it hanging, but here is a horrible picture of it after I made it on my living room floor.  It says "Baby Shower"

Here is part of it behind us.....