Saturday, March 26, 2011

Monster Appreciation Blog Hop (Make up Your Own Holiday!!!)

Welcome to my little stop on the Make up Your Own Holiday Blog Hop!
We will be Celebrating Monster Appreciation Day!

Have you hugged a Monster Today???? I hug my little Monsters multiple times a day!!!

You should have Hopppppped on over from Ellen's Fabulous Blog! Amazing Right!
My Project today are little Felt Monster Stuffies!!
So Cute, and the kids decorated them all by their sweet little selves!


 First pin to felt pieces together, trace a Monster shape onto the top. I used Cricut cartridge Mini Monsters and selected the shadow shapes cutting them out to 8.5 inches. Using these as templates.
 Then use your sewing machine or hand stitch all but a small opening on the traced pattern. Then cut out leaving 1/4inch all the way around the pattern. Turn right side out. And stuff with fluff. Hand sew the leftover opening.
Decorate however you like! My monsters went simple, but you could sew on a mouth with yarn, add other felt shapes... it is endless!

Your next Stop on the Hop is Monica... be prepared to be awed! :)

Karelj is offering an over-all blog candy for those who are hopping along with us.  How to win ? Follow along the blog trail, leaving a comment on each and every blog. On Monday, Karelj will ask her  buddy Randy (random.org) to select a blog number (from the list), a day (Saturday is one, Sunday is two), and a comment number from that blog. Please make sure you have left a reliable way to contact you (email is best, in the safe format of **** at **** dot com ) so you can be notified by her personally. If you don't, she’ll have to select another winner.”




Thursday, March 24, 2011

Adding to Grannies Brag Book

I have been adding to Granny's Little Brag Book!
It has been a minute since I have blogged, but I have had some things going on!
I got a new Vascular Surgeon and Cardiologist (for my Takayasu's Arteritis)... so lots of tests and appointments!
But I have managed to craft a little, so I will have some blogging coming up!

I will be in Karel J's Blog hop this weekend too! So swing by!


I just got this set from Our Daily Bread Designs! One of my 3 favorite stamp Companies! With all of my Medical Bills, stamp cash is in short supply... so I must say, the Our Daily Bread Blog is FABULOUS!!! They are giving away stamp gift certificates WEEKLY!!! How generous is that!?!
This set is May God Hold You, and I have been coveting this set!! My little Sister just went to Ireland with her College pals, and besides that, it is just spectacular, you would be surprised at the usefulness!  The quotes are two of the most beautiful possible!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Peanut Allergy Warning!! Just reading this post may send you into shock!

CuppyCake Anyone????

I should say StuffCakes, that is what we call them round here. Cause all my Cupcakes have 'stuff' in them according to my kids. It's true, I don't make ordinary cupcakes. And today is no exception!

I recently had a cupcake at Crave here in Houston... and decided I needed to make something like myself. You know, cause one is never enough!

Without Further Adieu...

Peanut Butter Overdose Stuffcakes!

Cupcake:
1 Cup Firmly packed Brown Sugar
6 Tbs Unsalted Butter
1/2 Cup Smooth Peanut Butter
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
2 Cups Flour
3 tsp Baking Powder
1 Cup Milk
1 1/4 Cups Chocolate chips

Cream together first 3, then add Eggs, Vanilla. Beat until combined. Mix baking powder and flour separate and then add partially to your mixture beating while alternatively adding the milk, until all is added and combined well. Then stir in chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes. Let cool.

For Ganache:
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
3/4 Cups Chocolate Chips
2 Tbs Unsalted Butter
1/4 + 1/8 cup Powdered Sugar
1/4 Cup smooth Peanut Butter

Combine all but peanut butter in a small saucepan. Bring to a very light boil, stir to create a shiny chocolatey heaven. Reduce heat, add peanut butter and stir to combine. Remove from heat. Cool completely stirring occasionally. Dip Cooled Cupcakes into Cooled Ganache and let rest.

Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting:
1/2 Cup Margarine
1/2 Cup Shortening
1/8 tsp Salt
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
4 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/2 Cup Milk

Combine all in a mixer or beat until light and fluffy... try not to consume all before icing your cooled, dipped cupcakes. 
 Now you may be saying, but I can BUY all of these things in a box and make them, by all means go ahead, I am sure they will be tasty.... but give it a try the old fashioned way... you may never go back!!!