Shimmering Shamrock's Blog Hop

Welcome Crafty Friends to the Shimmering Shamrocks Blog Hop!

Today's blog hop is being hosted by Tanya at Scrappy Scavenger. If you've just happened upon my blog, and would like to start from the beginning, go here. Thank you Tanya inviting me to participate!

If you've come from Kathy's blog, then you are on the right path. Wasn't her project just great?!

For my project I was asked if I could make a treat for you using the Cricut Cake, so I made some cupcakes. I have the Martha Stewart edition (isn't it beautiful?!) that I won from Everyday Cricut last summer. (If you don't follow them, you should. They have beautiful projects everyday, and giveaways each week!)


I've used my cake a few times. I mostly decorate cupcakes, and I've made one cake. I've always loved to decorate cakes and cupcakes the "old fashioned way", but this machine allows you to take it to a whole new level!

Here are my supplies:


Cake mix
(Yes, I use a box. We love this flavor, and with 3 active kids it's just easier)
Frosting
(again, easier and convenient)
Duff Fondant
(I've tried making my own-too much work and mess. I've also tried Wilton brand-not pre-flavored and takes longer to soften and color. Duff brand is easy to soften and color; it only takes a couple of minutes. And, it's already flavored so there's no need to mess with flavorings.)
Food coloring
(I used the liquid drops to color the cake mix, and the paste to color the fondant.)
Green sugar sprinkles to add some shimmer and sparkle.

If you make cakes, frosting, and fondant from scratch, I applaud you! I love to bake for my kids, but I don't have a ton of time, so pre-made is the way I go.

Cricut Cake details:


Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge
(I used "Real Dial Size" at 2 inches to cut the shamrocks, pg 40)

Add a thin layer of shortening to the Cake mat. I roll out the fondant a little thicker than a dvd directly on the mat. I find it easier than trying to transfer it when it's all rolled out. Then place the mat (with fondant) in the freezer for a few minutes. The time will depend on your climate. You want it a bit stiff (but not too hard) so that it cuts nicely.

Once your images are cut, place the mat back into the freezer for a few minutes. This will make it easier to remove the pieces.

Now that you're done, it's time to enjoy!


Mmmmmm. Wasn't that yummy?!

These won't last until St. Patrick's Day. My kids have been eyeing them since I started baking. I'll try and limit ourselves to one a day, but they are so yummy that may be hard!

Are you wondering about blog candy? I have for you an assortment of crocheted mini flowers, hearts, and shamrocks. I love to crochet and have been having fun making these for cards, scrapbook layouts, and hair clips. The hearts and shamrocks are about 1 inch across, and the flowers are a little bigger, about 1 1/2 inches across.


The prize is about a dozen assorted and will vary (in number and color) from the picture slighty. All you need to do is be a follower (only if you'd like to) and leave a comment on this post and let me know if and how you celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The hop ends on 3/19 and a winner will be chosen on 3/20, using Random.org. Don't forget to check back to see if you've won!

Now that I've given you a sweet tooth, hop on over to Theresa's blog. I'm sure she's got something spectacular for you!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed my cupcakes!

Whale Watching Layout

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today I'd like to share another layout with you. I've recently had lots of pictures printed so I'm trying to get layouts completed. I tend to have them sketched out in my head, but I really need to get them done for real.

I saw a sketch by The Scrapaholic and I immediately thought of the pictures from the whale watching trip that my littlest one went on with daddy. I had to work that day so I asked him to make sure that someone took some pictures of them. (Daddy isn't picture happy like me! I need lots of pictures!) One of the deckhands (and friend) on the boat was nice enough to not only take some pictures, but also email me them right after the trip.

They went out on the Producer out of H&M Landing here in San Diego. We just love that we have the opportunity to do something like this in the middle of winter. (Sorry for those of you who live where it snows.) They did see dolphins and whales, but they didn't come out of the water enough to get good pictures. I can't complain, at least I got some pictures to scrap.

Here is the sketch:


Here is my layout:



Details:
papers, chipboard embellishment, and stamped images are from Imaginisce "Splash Dance" collection
photos are double matted in black and orange cardstock by Bazzill
Martha Stewart edge punch (not sure of the name)
circle punches
journaling tag cut using Once Upon A Princess (I sized them using Design Studio so I could get a shadow effect) (I still need to add the journaling)
pink and baby blue Stickles
bling added to the dolphins using my i-Rock
the stamped images were attached using Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots (great stuff!)
colored pencils used to color the stamped images

I hope you enjoyed a little bit of winter in San Diego! If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend taking a whale watching trip. It's amazing to see!

Thanks for stopping by!