Archives for January 2011

Heart-Shaped Cake Pops

January 31, 2011 31 Comments

In case you missed my guest post on Tip Junkie...

I love a good celebration, and all good celebrations include treats, right? I made these fun heart-shaped cake pops to give out to friends and family for Valentine's Day. Come along to see how to make your own!

I followed Bakerella's fabulous instructions to mix up the cake balls using a red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting. You simply crumble the baked cake and store-bought cream cheese frosting together! Instead of rolling them into balls, I decided to mold heart shapes. My heart-shaped ice cube trays created perfect little hearts. (If you don't have trays, don't stress! You can easily mold heart shapes by hand!) I let my hearts chill in the refrigerator for a full 24 hours.

The next day, it was time to dip those hearts in chocolate! I wanted both white and milk chocolate hearts, so I followed the package instructions to melt white (vanilla) candy coating and chocolate candy coating. I dipped the end of my lollipop stick in the chocolate and inserted it into the heart first. I let the chocolate on the stick get firm, and then I dipped the hearts into chocolate. I found the method that worked the best for me was using a spoon to coat the hearts.

I laid out all the hearts on wax paper to dry. Don't worry about the messy sticks--you can clean them up later!

After the chocolate hardened up, I dipped my fork in the opposite color of chocolate, and just drizzled the hearts.

I dressed them up with a little bow, but then I had an even better idea! Why not add festive Valentine messages to each heart cake pop??

I used the paper from Pink Igloo Designs' Hugs & Kisses kit to create these tags. Good news--you can print and download your own tags at the end of this post! (Thanks, Pink Igloo Designs!) After wrapping the hearts in clear cellophane wrap, I punched holes in the top and bottom of each tag, and just slid them on the stick!

Even if you don't give them away, they make awfully cute centerpieces to add to your Valentine's Day decor!

If you would like to make your own cake pops, you can choose from these 3 tags for your very own pops!

Happy {Heart} Day tags

With All My Heart tags

I {Heart} You tags

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Filed Under: craft, download, food crafts, holidays, Valentine's Day

Wednesday’s Wowzers: Just In Time!

January 27, 2011 6 Comments

It's Wednesday night, and I'm pretty dang proud of myself for getting my "Wednesday's Wowzers" post up and running! Apparently nap time was optional today, so Little Man didn't allow for any time for blogging OR crafting during the day. However, he did go to bed plenty early, so I feel like the night is young!

So let's dive on in to some projects that have truly amazed me this week!

I cannot believe that Dittle Dattle turned a subway art into a pillow! I can't imagine the patience it took to make a freezer paper stencil and paint each and every letter. But Bravo!

Here is another countdown to feed my addiction. I LOVE this idea from Infarrantly Creative--a Countdown to Kisses!

I LOVE finding new sensational blogs. Peppermint Plum is one just inspiring blog! I love everything they create, but I really love this snowflake garland. Go check it out!

The Crafting Chicks never disappoint! How cute is this photo "wreath" with Valentine's Day flair?!

I am always searching for a cute Valentine's Day gift for my hubby. He is just so hard to please! He doesn't like sweets, but I think I'll use this "U Da Mann" printable anyway! I'll just eat the candy bar inside! Thanks, Jeanne Winters!

I am a sucker for Pottery Barn. Is there a support group for that?! My Little Gems created these Pottery-Barn inspired frames, and I am truly inspired! These are so pretty!

She Wears Flowers is one of my favorite blogs! Tammy shares the cutest projects! I love both of these pillows, but I really love the winter pillow with gathered sides! Can you tell that I'm pillow-obsessed?!

Thanks for being here today!

Filed Under: wowzers

S’mores Cupcakes

January 25, 2011 13 Comments

Have you heard of FoodGawker?

Well, thanks to my pal Michele, I discovered the most delicious (literally!) site.

Before FoodGawker, I would dread planning meals. I felt like I was cooking the same things over and over. NOW, I just surf FoodGawker! You can literally eat with your eyes. So I find delicious-looking pictures of food, linked to the recipes, and find something new to cook!

Mr. Daisy helped me plan meals this week because hallelujah, he is actually home all week! We each selected a new dish we wanted to try to make. He, of course, chose an actual "meal" while I selected something to satisfy my sweet tooth!

I couldn't resist the look of the s'mores cupcakes, so I whipped up a batch yesterday! They tasted just as scrumptious as they looked!

I say "whipped up", but it was a bit of work. After baking these yummy, fluffy cupcakes (with fresh graham cracker crumbs mixed in), the recipe called to cut a cavity in each cupcake and fill it with a creme filling. YUM!

Then a layer of chocolate, plus a layer of marshmallow meringue (broiled so it turns brown, just like a campfire marshmallow!)

I have always been a HUGE fan of s'mores, and these cupcakes did NOT disappoint.

So where can you find this yummy recipe?

Chocolate & Tea shared their yummy recipe here. (Found via FoodGawker, of course!)

Filed Under: recipes

Gospel ABC Scrapbook

January 25, 2011 44 Comments

I am not a scrapbooker.

Let's just get that out of the way right now. I have no idea what I'm doing, and I made this scrapbook with ZERO scrapbooking supplies.

But I created this book 2 years ago because I felt strongly about the idea. So let's just ignore the skills and focus on the idea of this book. Long before I had Photoshop and created this printable Sunday ABC's book, I created this "Gospel ABC's" book in scrapbook style. I wanted to capture as many gospel principles as I could inside one book, and I think that the ABC's would be a fun way to organize it! I also plan to incorporate this into Family Home Evenings, too, once Little Man is older!

For each letter of the alphabet...

* I chose 1 corresponding gospel principle.

* I selected a scripture and quote to highlight that principle.

* I used pictures from Sugardoodle (my favorite!) to illustrate the principle.

I compiled the pages in a simple scrapbook.

I used some chipboard letters, adhered to scrapbook paper, and a bit of vinyl (for the "Gospel" word) to make the cover on the title.

I know these pages may not look like much, but this was a tremendous labor of love! We were living in our third floor apartment, and our printer sat in a detached garage. Every day, I would print out my elements, and run down to the garage when Little Man was asleep and print them, little by little. This was one of those projects that just felt AMAZING to finally finish!

If you would like to see all of the pages, you can see my slideshow below. I don't know how I missed the letter "O" page ("O" is for oopsey daisy! Ha!), but I'll have to add that in later! Click on the arrow picture in the corner to have a full view of the pages.

PS I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and it is an integral part of who I am! I know that we all share many, many different religious beliefs. This project is meant to show you one way that I like to teach my Little Man about our faith.

Filed Under: ABC, craft

Birthday Party Theme revealed

January 22, 2011 19 Comments

I debated a lot on Little Man's party theme this year, but considering we watch Toy Story A LOT, it was easy to finally choose one.

The invitations are out...

Little Man will be partying in Toy Story style!!

I'll be sharing details of party crafts as they come!

If you have any ideas OR links to great Toy Story ideas, please share!

Filed Under: birthday

Conversation Heart Magnets {Again}

January 21, 2011 5 Comments

If you've been one of my original Oopsey Daisy followers (I mean one of the absolute first!) you will remember this post. These Valentine's Day conversation heart magnets first put my wee blog on the map! Well, I just unpacked them and they look lovely on our stainless steel refrigerator. If you're interested in creating your own fun messages on the fridge, you can download them below!

Credits
The fun fonts I used for this project come from DJ Inkers.
Fonts copyright Dianne J Hook. Used with permission from DJ Inkers.

Download
You can download your own set of conversation heart magnets here. Enjoy!

Filed Under: download, holidays, magnets, Valentine's Day

Wowzers on a Thursday

January 20, 2011 12 Comments

Traditionally, I have always done all of my "Wowzers" on Wednesday, but hey, it's a new year! I can start something new! For now, I'll just share my blogland inspiration as it comes! (Or until I get organized again!) I've seen so many incredibly cute projects lately! So sit back and enjoy some eye candy!

Darling. There is no other word to describe these cupcake liner cards from Urban Comfort.

My pal Bev (of Flamingo Toes) is so creative! Her projects are so out-of-the-box! I love this "P.S. I Love You" art.

I have found myself tracking down all kind of adorable vintage valentines this year. You can find this one and more like it at Vintage Valentine Crafts.

Not Valentine's Day... but absolutely stunning. I want this Golden Books Baby Shower!! Go see all of the details at Aesthetic Nest.

Oh I simply can't resist a fun countdown. This "Heart Day" countdown from I Love It All With Monika Wright is so cute!

I collect flower tutorials, so I'm sure this amazing fabric flower tutorial will be making the next list of flower tutorials. I found this one at How About Orange.

Printables are coming out of the woodwork this year!! I downloaded this fun printable from Today's Fabulous Finds. There are all sorts of cool colors to choose from!

We should just call this post All the Things I Can't Resist. If you need quiet book ideas, don't walk--run! Serving Pink Lemonade created a truly irresistible quiet book.

One more printable to fulfill your craving! Less Cake {More Frosting} has these fun Valentine printables. You'll have to see the chic version in gray and yellow! Totally cool!

Wow, I'm inspired.

Filed Under: wowzers

Chalkboard Conversation Hearts

January 19, 2011 20 Comments

My first Valentine's Day post of the year--finally!

I don't know why, but I am having such a difficult time getting back in the swing of things. I guess the fact that my hubby is traveling A TON, plus Little Man keeps getting sick doesn't help. Getting a project completed has been absolutely painful. Hopefully we'll get back in the groove very, very soon.

Now I would like to introduce you to my chalkboard conversation hearts. Who doesn't love conversation hearts?! And how about the chance to write your own little messages. Then erase and write another. And another.

It all began when I discovered THIS red and pink chalkboard paint at JoAnn's last week. I had long mourned the face that chalkboard paint was only black, but little did I know! I quickly took both of these home with me.

I also found these wooden hearts at JoAnn's, and I bought the last three that they had.

I took out the jute and gave each side of the hearts 2 coats of paint. (Please don't judge me for my messy painting... it was late at night, and I was rushing!) I quickly decided to paint the hearts on wax paper instead of the paper plate to keep the hearts from sticking.

Then I got out my chalk and started to write some lovey-dovey messages!

I added the jute back through the holes and started hanging the hearts around my house. I decided to add some ribbon bows to dress them up a bit. Because I ended up with 3 hearts, I decided that each member of our family can have a heart. We can write messages to each other and leave them around the house!

Hopefully this heart will help my hubby lighten up while working in his office. He's a bit of a work-a-holic!

But they sure do look cute hanging from the knobs of my little bench.

Or from our little office organizer next to our front door.

I left this heart in a really obvious spot to be sure that Mr. Daisy would come home, notice them, and tell me how much he loves them!

I'm looking forward to writing little messages to each other again and again! Don't you love chalkboard paint?!

Thanks for being here and thanks for reading!

Filed Under: chalkboard paint, craft, holidays, Valentine's Day, wood crafts

Burlap & Lace Wreath {With Sweater Flowers}

January 17, 2011 18 Comments

It seems that every January, I am so consumed with recovering from Christmas and planning for Valentine's Day, that my winter decor is quickly forgotten. Alright, it's more like extinct. But not this year!! Last week, this wreath came to me in a dream. No kidding. I actually woke up with a vision of this wreath! It's still like eye candy to me. I'm lovin' it! And I even have a tutorial for you today!

I started out by cutting my burlap into strips about 2-3 inches wide. I used my favorite spray adhesive, and just started wrapping the burlap around a straw wreath.

I just kept on wrapping until the wreath was covered. Between the burlap fuzzies and the straw, this was one messy process! (Little Man was quite disturbed when he woke up and found the carpets a mess!)

One of the best things about this wreath is that I didn't have to buy anything... I had everything on hand! I had a few lace scraps, and I wrapped them loosely around the wreath. I used small dabs of hot glue to secure them to the burlap. I actually used 2 different kinds of lace (Shhh, don't tell!).

Nothing says winter like a sweater. Especially a creamy sweater! This sweater is special to me because I wore it to my wedding dinner. But sadly, the little jewels were falling off, and I knew it had seen better days. I decided that this sweater would live forever through this winter wreath!

I made a whole assortment of flowers out of the sweater! Don't they look just lush and warm?! I think I made 4 different kinds of flowers... went a little crazy! But I love the variety! I used some of the silver buttons and jewels from the sweater to embellish some of the flowers. I had some gold buttons and decided to add some gold touches, too!

I arranged all the flowers on the wreath and just hot glued them on. I think I probably made just a touch too many, but that's okay!

To hang the wreath, I made a simple loop out of jute. I hot glued the loop to the wreath, and then covered it with another strap of burlap.

I thought I was done. I even hung it on my door all weekend. But something was missing. I finally figured it out today....

So I added this gold bow from my Christmas stash. I simply pinned it on. I LOVE this finishing touch! Here it is hanging on my red door:

Now... on to Valentine's Day!

Filed Under: burlap, craft, winter, wreath

Craft Room Inspiration

January 12, 2011 23 Comments

I should be working on organizing my craft room, but instead, I need a little inspiration! Here are some of my favorite craft rooms from around the web, in a few different categories! (Let's be honest, some of these rooms are do-able, while other rooms I can only dream about!)

If you're in the mood to build something...

(I wish I could say that I had the skills to do this... unfortunately, I will be buying my furniture!)

How about Shanty @ Chic's amazing craft table? Can you believe she even made this herself?!

I still can't believe that Sandra from Sawdust and Paper Scraps built her own entire craft room!

Not a room, more like a craft "space"...

Let's be honest, we don't all have an extra room in our houses! Am I right?!

Can you believe that this craft room is actually a closet?! You have to see it at Bug Juiced to believe it.

Making This Home created a lovely tiny craft room out a closet, too! So impressive!

Even if you don't have a room--but more like an unfinished basement (if we have more kids in the near future, this will be me!), you can still make your creative space fun! Check out the amazing Thrifty Decor Chick's craft room.

A little more do-able...

I know I spotlighted this craft room from I Am Momma... Hear Me Roar, but it's worth looking at again! I am totally having a relaxing chair in my corner too, for my own little space!

I have this SAME organization set for my craft room... but I do not have the lovely option of painting my walls a nice, contrasting color. Don't you LOVE Shelley's (House of Smiths) style?!

I LOVE all of the organizational tips from This Blessed Nest. I especially love her peg board--because I just bought and painted mine! This gives me ideas for how to set it up!

I love red, black, and white! So this craft room really appeals to me! You can see tons of amazing details at Candice Stringham Photography.

Get out! I love everything about this craft room--the colors, the organization! I'm happy just looking at the pictures! Thanks, Crafty Intentions!

HGTV has a whole series of craft room pictures and tips. I am definitely studying these!

Dream on!

(Let's be honest--I don't have the time, talent, or resources for these craft rooms! But they are sure fun to look at!)

I WISH I had a room of this size--and the ability to paint in fun colors like Jenny from All Sorts! This craft room is utterly amazing, and the colors scream creativity!

Heather Bailey anyone? Well, we can all dream, right?!

My room...

In the mean time... this is what my craft room looked like a few weeks ago! I've been chipping away at it, little by little, but it needs a little TLC!

Do you have a favorite craft room? Leave me a link!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: craft room