Dinner and a Cupcake!

We got together with a few friends last night at Four Peaks Brewery for a Little Dinner Birthday Celebration for my Husband. Our Friends Brandon & Tiffany Brought Cupcakes from Lulu's Cupcakes! They were really Rich and Creamy! I had the Blonde Bombshell (Yellow Cake with Vanilla Buttercream) and my Husband had the "Cupcake of the Day" (Banana Cupcake with Fresh Strawberry Frosting). It was a Really Fun Night Out! Thanks Everyone!

Flyer by Me for my Sissy

My Sweet Sister Susie is teaching Dance Conditioning in Grass Valley, CA if anybody's interested! Her Classes are really Fun and laid back! Good for all Levels and Ages! Please Contact her through The Center for the Arts at 530.477.7644

Happy Birthday Big Red!

I'm wishing my Fantastic Husband a Great Birthday on Monday August 27th!
He so deserves the Best Birthday Ever! He's such a Hard Worker, a Perfect Husband and My Best Friend! Strawberry Shortcake Comin' Up!

Halloween Mosaic (CLICK ON IT FOR LARGE VIEW)

This is my favorite time of year! It's when I really start getting crafty ~ must be the little Witch inside of me! Ha! The Good Witch anyways! My wheels are turning already for Halloween! I will be Baking Desserts and Making Homemade Candies this year!

Gigi's DVD Rental Pick for August

Inspired by the true story of Jesse James Hollywood ~ this movie is jaw dropping! Justin Timberlake does an incredible job ~ the whole cast for that matter. Not a movie for the faint of heart! I stress that! This story hits close to home for me because where the Actual Events took place is in Santa Barbara, CA where my parents live. A mezmorizing film about America's Youth today. A must see ~ but please put the kids to bed before embarking on this film. It's unforgettable...

Hello Kitty & Friends!

So I have to admit ~ I've been collecting Hello Kitty for about 30 years! Mostly small things like Stickers, Paper etc. But I seem to be much more attracted to some of the other Kawaii Goodies like, San~X has some adorable characters that I'm completly in love with: Cake Maker has got to be the cutest thing I've ever seen! And Cram Cream is adorable too ~ I just love the Little Mushroom Guy! Please Discuss your favorites here:

Pin-Up Swap Begins Today!

Isn't she a "Peach"? Or should I say "Cherry" because of her gorgeous Red Hair!

Thank you to all the girls who signed up for my Swap! You have one month from today to get your packages sent! Have fun with it! And Don't Stress!

A Friendship Connection Made on Flickr!

I'm so excited about this I had to write about it! I've made a connection with "Be Cheery" on Flickr! We live in the same town! We'll be getting together soon to do some Crafting and Baking! This is Big for me because I really don't know many people in Tucson ~ Especially someone who shares some of the same Intrests as me! From the looks of her Photos ~ she's a Pro Baker and Crafter! Check these Tucson Themed Cupcakes!

My Computer Died!

Last night I was getting caught up on some swaps requiring the use of my Printer and MY Computer decided to take a Nap! Let's just Hope it's not a Permanant one!! That's never a good thing is it? So now I'm stumbling along on my husbands new lap top. I'm just used to "Old Bessie", she's Clunky and Oversized and Loaded with my Stuff so it's hard to make the transition!
There's nothing I can do until my husband gets home. I'm sure her "C" Drive is Overloaded and she needs to Purge!

Recipe for Mr. Hanky Cupcakes

Mr. Hanky is my Favorite Guest Star on Southpark! He's Adorable & He Deserves a Delish Recipe Named After Him!I Made up this Frosting Recipe by Default ~ & it Turned out Great! I didn't have any Evaporated Milk on hand so I used a Surprise Ingredient Instead! Glad I did!This recipe is a Quick one if you're in a Pinch for Time! My husband's Golf Tournament is today and I wanted to make something for Celebrating!
I used a Boxed Yellow Cake Mix (Shhhhhh...Don't Tell!) At the End of Beating time ~ Add 1 Cup of Shredded Coconut. Bake as Usual and Make this "Mr. Hanky Frosting" from Scratch! No one will ever know you didn't Slave for Hours.

1. Sift 4 C. Powdered Sugar (1 Box) with 1 1/2 C. Unsweetend Cocoa Powder in Medium Bowl. Set Aside.
2. Beat 2 Sticks of Butter with 1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract.
3. Gradually Add: 1/2 C."Cream Of Coconut" ( this comes in a can ~ in most Liqour Departments at the Gropcery Store ~ this is the Secret Ingredient!) with 1/2 C. Milk.
4. Finally Add Your Powdered Sugar and Cocoa Mixture in Small Amounts. Once Incorporated ~ Beat for 7-10 Minutes.

This is a very Soft Frosting ~ so probably not the best Dessert for an Outdoor Event, but if you're inside ~ I Say: "Make These!" ~ Mr. Hanky Says: "Heidi-Ho!"

I know it's only August, but...

Think October! I love the Fall because that means one thing- Cooler Weather! It's been pretty Mild as far as Heat goes this Summer, but I'm always ready for Cool Overcast days to help me get into the Baking Spirit! At that point I'm ready to sink my teeth into a Homemade Cornbread and some Hearty Vegetable Soup~ just what the Doctor ordered for staying Home and Gearing up for the Holidays! I don't know about you, but as soon as October hits I get Busy!! What should I be for Halloween this year? What Decorations can I Revamp and make New Again? What to Paint on the Front Window? I can't help myself- I love Halloween & the Holidays that Follow...

It was Just One of Those Days Today!

So, this morning I woke up to the phone ringing (pretty early) and it was my husband asking me to buy him some Liquid Sticth when I went to the store today! Liquid Stitch means three words in my opinion: "I Need Stitches!" So he actually came home from work pretty soon after that and sure enough- he had sliced his hand open real nice like! I'm giving Liquid Stitch a Consumer Rating of 5 Stars! It worked great! He has a golf tournament on Sunday, so we're hoping he heals by then. Poor baby!

Sorry- I won't be posting a picture of this! It's for your own good people!

August Bag of Treats Updated!

I don't know what I was thinking but, since the Swap is called "BAG of Treats" I suppose I need some kind of bag, right? So I made this Cute Multi Colored Heart Make-Up Bag for my partner! I'm thinking she'll likey!

We Got More Bounce in California!

I love this Postcard! It's so Colorful and Beautiful!

August Bag of Treats!

I finished making all my goodies for my swap going to Australia today. I made a Tea Towel with Vintage Images from the Artist Biba. The costumes on the girls are Delightful! Note the small Pink Striped Sketch Pad has an Alberto Vargas girl on it dressed as a Ballerina- I had to Glitter that! I made a bunch of Homemade Gift Tags with Retro Stars, Bunnies, Flowers and Stripes. My favorite is the Surprise Goodie Bag with a California Postcard in it and a few other things that remind me of Home. I hope she likes it!

I'm Hosting a Classic Vintage Pin-Up Swap

If you love the sexy sirens of the 40's and 50's please join me at swap-bot.com ~
Last day to sign up is August 21st! We'll be swapping handmade and store bought items. Anything that screams Vintage Pin-Ups!

Ladybug/Ladybird Swap

These are a couple of pin cushions I made for my partners participating in a Ladybug Swap. The turned out pretty cute! They're made from Felt, Pom-Poms and Wax Twine.

I Sewed my First Apron!

Yes, this was a big undertaking for me because I've never done a ruffle! Of course I needed a little encouragement from my friend and fellow swapper K. Baxter! She's moving to Texas today :(
She's an awesome seamstress!
Drive safe there lil' lady!

Today is a big day!

I'll be crafting my little heart out in just a bit! Getting ready to wrap gifts for a swap going to Australia!