When The Cat's Away, The Mice.....

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone out there. Just look at these adorable, yummy little creatures I found out there yesterday. These adorable mice were created by a talented lady here in my city (Toni Zamora of Sweeties Specialty Chocolate Treats) to be cupcake decorations for her chocolate Valentine cupcakes. Now the funny part of this find is that just not even five minutes earlier, my cousin was describing these cute little guys to me and that she had seen several ladies at her Friday Bible study with them going to take them as gifts to teachers and children. Then low and behold we walk into a wine and chocolate tasting event and there were the very mice she was describing to me. These yummy little guys are made from a Hershey Kiss, a chocolate dipped cherry and two almond slices for ears. Ohhh and a little candy heart on their behind. The eyes and nose are piped on in jam or black decorating jell.

The Wine and Chocolate tasting tour was hosted by several of our local wineries. My cousin partook of the wine and I overdosed on the chocolate. There two different chocolate fountains with lots to dip; what was a girl to do? Ohhhh and did I mention the amazing toffee samples? Man did I pay for it later last night with a tummy ache though. Will I do it again, probably so. What can I say, I have a weakness for all things sweet and especially all things chocolate.

Don't forget to spoil the ones you love and that includes yourself.

It's Cupcakes!!!

Hello Everyone!

I know for most of the country today was Super Bowl Sunday but for me it was our ladies get together for our regular Hulaqua. Hulaqua is an Arabic word meaning circle or gathering. Each week I challenge myself to come up with a new recipe for something sweet and yummy. When I started out this morning I had decided to bake a treat that was in the spirit of Valentine's Day; I was going to make chocolate ganache heart shaped tarts. I had all of my ingredients, but I failed the read the last step to make the chocolate tart shells, and that was to chill them for 1 hour before baking. Normally this would not be a problem except that it was 1:30 and I was supposed to meet my group at 3:00. There was no way to chill, bake and then add the ganache and cool again in time. What to do? Cupcakes to the rescue. But wait, I could not just bake just plain undecorated cupcakes so I asked myself what would my friend Jeannette, the Cupcake expert do? She would make amazing cupcake picks. So I knew just what I had to do.

Well for these incredibly simple picks I used all Stampin' Up! products. The punches used were the Curley Label, and the new Small Heart punch found in the Occasions Mini. The stamp set I chose appropriately enough was the I (Heart) Hearts. These assembled so easily and made the perfect finishing touch for my last minute, save my behind, cupcakes. The ladies seemed to enjoy them as well.

Ohhh, the cupcakes were strawberry with a tinted butter cream frosting. I love butter cream. I can eat just the frosting by itself, giggle, but I try to control myself. I am happy with the treats that I was able to take and share today.

Stay tuned for the chocolate ganache tarts later in the week. Ohhh yes, they will be made, now if they turn out like the picture in the Martha Stewart magazine I will be over the moon with happiness. Come back later on and see what happens. I am so nervous.....

Paper Lingerie For Miranda

Hello,

This week has been a busy birthday week. We started with both my friends Miranda and Monica's birthdays on Monday. For Miranda it was her 21'st birthday so it was a big one. Well I had to make her an extra special card for this extra special day. Thank goodness I was inspired by my fellow International Diva Friend, Tiffany Bauer. I love this card and now have had requests for more of them.

Tiffany's blog My Crafty Word has some great projects. She also has the pattern for this card if you want to make one of your own.

The lingerie is velvet designer paper from 7Gypsies. I love this paper.

Miranda loved the card. I had also made her a pocket inspiration book that I will post pictures of next time.

So check back later in the week to see that project.

Well now back to the kitchen to ice my carrot cake for later on tonight. Yummy!!!