Graduation Tutorial - Cupcake Picks

Decorated cupcakes are all the rage these days.  You can find a lot of cupcake picks to purchase online, print and cut yourself.  That is a fine option BUT they really are fun to make on your own!  Here is a tutorial for the graduation picks I am working on.

You will need a couple of craft punches.  My favorite brand is EK Success!  I do a lot of projects in large quantities and I learned the hard way that not all punches hold up over the long haul.  For this project I used the 2 inch scallop and 1.5 inch round punches.

I punched 2 pink scallops and 1 round polka-dot.  I cut out the grad cap using my Cuttlebug.  You could substitue a sticker or another round punch for the grad cap.  You will also need one mini brad and a pick.  The picks I used are a little larger than a toothpick.  I found them in the craft section. 

For this project I used double stick tape as my adhesive instead of using my sticker maker.  Wanted you to see both options.  I usually just do an "X" of tape on the back of the round and then stick it onto the pink scallop.

Once your polka dots are on there, turn the scallop over and double stick tape the back.  I use more tape for this side.  Usually 3 pieces.  Also fold a piece of tape over the top of your pick and then place it on the scallop.

Line up your other scallop and sandwich the pick between the 2.  Make sure it's stuck good.

Poke a miniature brad into the top of your grad cap.  You can go ahead and bend out the legs of the brad on the back.  This is just for decoration.

Next, cover your grad cap with double stick tape. 

Stick the grad cap to the blank scallop.

I think these will be really cute at our graduation party! 

Wordless Wednesday.......Zucchini

















Graduation Tutorial - Candy Bars

This year we have a double graduation at our house!  Becky graduates from Arizona State University and Katy graduates from high school.  I've been working on a get together to celebrate.  I thought I would share some simple tutorials on what I've been making.

This one is for a candy bar wrapper.  I used the snack size Hershey bars. We are "coloring out of the lines" on design.  The girls have chosen black and white and pink instead of using their school colors for this party.

Here is a picture of the front and back design.

I purchased a set of graduation dies.  I use a Cuttlebug to cut out my shapes but these dies are from Sizzix. Most brands can be used with my Cuttlebug. 

I used the diploma die on the candy bar because it was the perfect size.  Ended up deciding to personalize my diplomas.  It was a challenge to get the wording in the right place!  Basically I created an outline box about the size of the die.  Added text boxes to add the words.  Print and cut about 20 times until you get the words in the right place.  You totally don't have to add names if you don't want to but I think it adds to the project to have it personal.

This is my Cuttlebug.  I love this machine!  I like it because it is totally low tech and that fits with my personality!  You start by laying your die face up on the cutting mat.

Add your paper on top of the die.

Top it with another cutting mat.

Crank it through the machine.

Comes out the other side perfectly cut!

In order to have the bow on my diploma pink, I ran a piece of pink paper big enough to cover the bow section of the die.  It was very easy to clip away the excess and just have the bow.

Next is to wrap the candy bar.  I start by taping back the flaps.  This project was a lot easier when candy bars were wrapped in foil and then paper. 

Next wrap your candy bar in a foil wrapper.  I buy mine pre-cut from foilman.com .  He sells pre-cut sheets in all different colors and specific sizes for different candy bars.  They run about .05 or .06 a sheet.  Basically they are made of paper backed foil like foil giftwrap.  You could buy giftwrap and do it yourself but I like having them all cut out for me. 

Wrap it like a present.  Pull it around the long way first and tape it down.  I usually run my finger along the edge to get a crisp square edge.

Fold the ends up and tape them down as well.

I found this cool sparkly polka dot cardstock and cut pieces to go on the back of the candy bar.  Use double stick tape to hold it down. 

Another one of my favorite gadgets is my Xyron Sticker Maker.  I put both the diploma and the bow through this little gadget and it comes out the other end with sticky on the back!

Peel off the plactic topping and then you can peel off your bow and stick it to the diploma cut out.

Then just peel and stick onto the front of your candy bar. 

I know this seems like a lot of steps for one little candy bar but it's really not so bad.  I usually do it in segments.  (Do all the cutting, wrapping or whatever at once.)  It's a great project while you're watching TV in the evening. 



A Time To Plant....

Senior Adult Appreciation Day

My photography skills leave a lot to be desired!  Here is a peek at the day yesterday.
Cute but not perfect.  It's hard to 125 of anything!  I think they enjoyed the cuteness.  :)

Simple tables.

Some of my very able, very tired helpers!

He cooked 150 burgers in an hour!

Recap of the day:  The cupcakes were a hit! They were, however VERY time consuming.  I'm not sure I would do them again in this kind of quantity.  I did as much as I could ahead but the brightly colored frosting really needs to wait until you are ready to put them out.  If you frost them ahead and they touch each other, it looks like a mess instead of ketchup and mustard.  5 of us worked assembly line style to get them frosted and it worked well.  Do you suppose "Bakerella" has staff for this kind of stuff?  :)

Vacation....

Happy to go on vacation.......

Always happy to come home again!

What was I thinking?????

I LOVE reading blogs!

I especially love finding new ideas for crafty things!

I also enjoy planning events.

Right now I'm working on a Senior Appreciation Sunday at church.  We will serve lunch to our senior adults March 20th.  Sunday events are a challenge because we can't do any of the set up until Sunday School is over at 10:30.  We expect to serve about 125 people around noon.  This year we will cook hamburgers on the grill.  A fairly easy menu with lots of prep work being done ahead. 

I found the cutest idea for dessert!  Bakerella made hamburger cupcakes and sugar cookie french fries! She even provides a pdf of the packaging! 

So much cuteness!

What was I thinking?

125 of these?

Oh my!

Guess I better get busy.....

Baby Burp Cloths

22 years ago when I had my first baby we didn't have any burp cloths.  My mom was visiting at the time and purchased a dozen cloth diapers (the flat kind), folded them in thirds and stitched them down.  They were the best!  Soft, absorbent, bleachable, durable.  They lasted through both of my girls!  I recently found a tutorial (here) on "Make and Takes" for decorating burp cloths. Easy to make and so cute!  I am headed to a baby shower this weekend and decided to make a set. 

I purchased the diapers that are thicker in the middle. 

This baby is going to be a girl so I got lots of girly ribbon. 

Pin the trim onto the diapers. Stitch it down.  Simple sewing at it's easiest!

I love the idea of having something pretty to use for such an icky job! 

One side note:  You'll notice I used satin ribbon to bind the edges of these.  In the original tutorial she used bias tape.  Unfortunately bias tape is not available in my town since Wal-Mart got rid of their fabric department.  The satin feels wonderful but because it likes to slip and slide, I ended up stitching it on by hand. 

A New Friend

I enjoy using the clothesline.

Not for everything.

Mostly for sheets, towels and blue jeans.

Yes, the towels are rough.

But they are so much more absorbent!

There is a tree next to my clothesline.

Perfect to shade me in the hot AZ sun.

It has also become home to pigeons.

Lots of them.

Not a good over your laundry.

I miss using my clothesline.

Last year I read:

buy a plastic owl.

Birds are afraid of owls.

Move it around your yard to keep them away.

I never got it done.

About a month ago

an owl moved into one of our trees!

We heard his sound first.

Whoooo.  Whoooo.

Only in the night.

He's outside Katy's bedroom window.

She's not thrilled.

I'm beyond excited.

The real thing!

I hope he stays!

I think I'll go to the store today.

Time to re-string the clothesline.

Might even spring for some new clothespins.