For the Love of Cupcakes

My partner in the "For the Love of Cupcakes" swap on Craftster.org received her package and so did I, woohoo!

I went with a steampunk/vintage cupcake theme for my partner, sailorgirlbonk, based on her Wist.

My first cast resin piece ever! I used a miniature cookie cutter and packing tape to form a makeshift mold. Included in the resin is a silver metallic-finish piece of scrapbook paper, a brass stamping blank, and two brass cogs/gears. I used sandpaper to distress the pendant so some parts appear worn.

It is hard to read but this is my first stamped metal piece. The pendant says "C is for Cupcakes" and "Cogs" and "Captain" are stamped around one edge. It is joined by a cog and a polymer cupcake charm I bought on Etsy.

These are two domino and resin pendants I made. They both have the same phrasing but with different vintage images. My partner had one similar on her Wist.

I'm not sure what to call this. I thought that, if she dressed up, she could wear it on a vest or button-up shirt like one does a pocket watch on a chain or a sweater protector. It is brass gear wheels and a resin/Scrabble tile charm. 

I made two more decorated Scrabble tiles, but without backings this time so she could use as she wants to.

This is another Scrabble piece, this time on an adjustable ring.

Extras in the box included cupcake fabric and several cupcake-themed embellishments like ribbon and buttons.

Below are the goodies she sent me. My absolute favorite is the Dr. Who cupcake hoop and a close runner-up is the Scrabble and cupcake pillow!

Because fezzes and bow ties are cool.

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You

There is a lot on the crafty front just waiting to be written about, as soon as I have the time between working my day job and taking care of two small children and a not-so-small husband.

I didn't enjoy working with the shawl pattern I was using (see my previous post). I've been crocheting long enough to compensate for the poor directions but it sucked the fun and relaxation factor right out. So, I'm going to frog what I have completed so far and start on an entirely different pattern.

My "For the Love of Cupcakes" swap partner received so I can safely post what I crafter for her. Also, I received from her and can post those goodies as well.

I'm also working on more Web articles and a new crafty endeavor that may lead to an Etsy store in my near future!

More details to come...

In the Works

I am anxiously awaiting my For the Love of Cupcakes swap partner to receive. This is a bit nerve-wracking as I just mailed this morning. As soon as she has received I will post pictures and descriptions. I made some similar items for my sister-in-law and will post those once they have been received as well.

I am starting on a crocheted shawl for another swap, this time a round robin. The pattern is called Evening Shawl and I found it first on Ravelry.com but have since found it again on LionBrand.com using a different weight of yarn and called Elegant Shawl. I'm using I Love This Yarn Sportweight, available at Hobby Lobby, in black and an F/3.75mm hook. The yarn 100% acrylic, so it is washable, but this brand is very soft.

The instructions are not the best or easiest to follow, even though I've been crocheting a long time, but I think I have the pattern down and have high hopes it will turn out well. Thankfully, the swap has a really long crafting time, so I can try something else if it doesn't work out the way I would like.

Retro/Rockabilly Accessories

I recently scored a lot of resin jewelry supplies in a couple of craft swaps on Craftster.org. I had a few retro/rockabilly images that made me think of a college friend of mine, so some of my first creations are for her. I made a bobby-pin and pendant each with a Scrabble-tile base and a pendant with a Rummikub-tile base. The images are just printed out on thicker, good-quality paper and were glued to the tiles with Modge Podge. I put two coats of Modge Podge on the top of each image/tile and let them dry completely before topping with a coating resin (Envirotex Lite in this case). They cured for several days before I glued the findings onto the backs with E6000.

The photo isn't the best but I've been resin-crafting like a mad woman and couldn't wait to start posting projects.

Fourth of July Cookies

My father-in-law and his wife hosted an Independence Day cook-out and fireworks viewing at their house. I contributed an appetizer and a dessert. The appetizer was tasty and popular - Lil' Smokes wrapped in bacon, covered in brown sugar and baked in the oven. The dessert however is the subject of this post - patriotic-themed sugar cookies.

They are sugar cookies made with an old midwestern recipe that uses A LOT of butter and makes five dozen average-sized (about 3 in) cookies. They are thick and crumbly and really, really good. The picture is of the two dozen I took to my in-laws'.

Usually I decorate sugar cookies with cookie icing but I didn't have the time to make my own, couldn't find any blue in the store, and your hand gets really tired after squeezing a piping bag after five dozen cookies. So, this time, I decided to try something different and use fondant.

Sunday I did my actual baking and let the cookies cool before putting them in air-tight containers until Monday morning. I bought premade Wilton's brand fondant in white and primary colors. 

First, I rolled out all of the white since it would be the base color and what I had the most of. I used the same cookie cutters I used for the cookies on the fondant - for the flags I only cut out the "fabric" portion and not the pole, I used the entire cutter for the national silhouettes and the bald eagles.

Second, I very lightly brushed some light Karo syrup on each cookie as an adhesive, you don't need much at all, and laid down the white fondant.

Third, I followed these steps with the yellow fondant for the poles of the flags and for the feathers along the neck of the eagles. When layering fondant on top of other fondant, as opposed to cookie, you don't need the Karo syrup, just apply a little pressure.

Fourth, I followed these steps again withe the red and blue fondant.

It took a while because I had so many cookies to cover and I took a break to heat up some lunch for my family. However, my hands didn't hurt and each cookie looked as good as the one before it. The fondant has a very mild sweetness but I prefer that and used to go very lightly with the cookie icing. If you have a major sweet tooth, you can use a very thin layer of buttercream/whipped frosting instead of Karo syrup.

Craftaholic

Hello, my name is NotKnit and I am a craftaholic.

I should not be allowed to enter a Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or Joann's without a responsible party to keep me on time, on budget, and on task. I can spend hours on the Internet perusing sites such as Craftster.org and Etsy.com. When standing in line, riding in the passenger seat of the car, or otherwise waiting, I may be found getting my craft fix via iPhone apps like Craft Gawker.

If you are a craftaholic, know you are not alone, and yes you may need that [insert item here] some day, no matter what your significant other may say.

Spoilers?

I have several crafting projects in the works but most are for a swap at Craftster.org and I don't want to post them, just in case. I am also in the process of completing the decor in baby girl's room. It's painted and furnished but I'm still working on the finishing touches like tie-backs for the drapes and setting up the wall art. My sister-in-law's birthday is fast approaching but I haven't decided what to make her yet. I did crochet her an afghan - two years ago actually - that I never gave her. I feel a bit silly giving a blanket in July during triple-digit heat though.
Stay tuned for these projects, as well as Independence Day fun, including cookie decorating.
What are you working on this week?