Crafty Christmas Gifts

While I'm taking some time to slow down and get ready for baby - here are a few Christmas gifts that I'll be unwinding with...

I can't wait to use my Babycakes Cupcake Maker now that I have this...

I am feeling creative and ready to get some new projects started with The Big Ass Book of Crafts 2, which I know I will love because I have the first one too!

And finally, something that would have come in very handy while I was slaving away over Homemade Peppermint Patties last week - we finally have a Kitchen Aid!!

What new gifts are keeping you busy this week?

(Less than 2 weeks to baby is keeping us pretty busy too!!)

Halloween Decorated Cupcakes

A couple of years ago, my parents bought me a (literal) tool box full of Wilton cake decorating supplies - frosting tips, bags, food dye, etc. Since the opportunities to make cakes doesn't come that often, I thought I would flex my baking and decorating skills with these cute Halloween cupcakes - 

I used the thin, flat tip for the mummy heads - those might just be my favorites! What kind of scary desserts are you planning for the upcoming Halloween holiday?

Cute & Festive Halloween Cupcakes

My plan is to spend some time this weekend working on a few tag sale/thrift store treasures that need a little love. I'm excited to display them around the house when finished...

In the meantime, I've been discovering some amazing baked confections this week online and if I had all the time in the world - I would definitely be making all of these different cupcakes! Click on the links to view the full tutorials.

Candy Corn Filled Chocolate Cupcakes from The Sugar Turntable

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting 

from Skinny Taste

Candy Corn Colored Cupcakes by Our Best Bites

The strange thing is that I don't even like actual candy corn but there's no denying how cute cupcakes look with candy corn decorations. 

What are you cooking up for the Halloween holiday?

Crafty Links - Babycakes Approved

I'm back on track and ready to post some crafty links on this sunny Tuesday -

• Perfect for back to school - check out these easy-to-create Apple Shaped Cupcakes from Make-and-Takes. Any teacher would love these!

•  Here is a great DIY gift idea for a baby shower or an afternoon project for a kids room in your own home - thanks to Blue Velvet Chair for sharing.

• Perfect for the upcoming Halloween holiday, here are 25 Ways to Decorate Pumpkins (mostly no carve) from The New Home Ec. My favorite is the chalkboard pumpkin, it's making me excited to buy pumpkins already!

• These Homemade Pizza Pretzel Bites would be perfect watching football on Sundays. They look like they might take some practice but you can't argue with those results... From Sweet Pea's Kitchen 

Hope your week is off to a great start! 

Mini Birthday Cake Cupcakes

Happy Birthday to my father-in-law and father who celebrate birthdays this week!

Here are some adorable and easy to make birthday treats, made with regular sized cupcakes and mini-cupcakes to make little mini birthday cakes. Just bake them, frost, stack and secure with an extra long candle. 

And an above view of these tasty little treats...

These are perfect for a classroom birthday celebration as well. Yum!

Crafty Links - Babycakes Approved

Every Tuesday, I love to share links to projects I have found throughout the weeks - here goes! 

• This is a great idea that would work for Father's Day dessert as well - Key Lime Cake courtesy of The Lettered Cottage, who was kind enough to share this family recipe.

• I always enjoying catching up with the Pretty Petal Handmade blog but I might love it even more knowing she is obsessed with cupcakes as me!

• This fun twist on an old favorite is perfect for Springtime or any time this baseball season...perfect for an afternoon activity with the little ones, thanks to Come Together Kids

• This Hide-a-Roller-Shade tutorial is no joke from Libbie Grove Design - such talent!!

Adventures in Sewing

Sometimes I find fabric and even though I don't know what I'm going to do with it, I have to have it. That was the case with this adorable cupcake fabric I found at Joann Fabrics. 

Since I'm trying to perfect my sewing skills, or at least get a little bit better, I bought a simple apron pattern and got to work. I used these fun, over-sized brown buttons that I saved from a ruined pair of corduroys, for decoration. Here is the finished product:

I am very happy with the way this turned out - so happy that I refuse to cook in it! Instead I will wear this when I go to craft fairs, especially since the front pocket will be very convenient to hold change. It's not exactly a difficult project but I'm proud of my novice sewing skills.

Crafty Weekend Plans

It should come as no surprise that my weekend crafting plans involve Mother's Day gifts! I will be attempting to make the following projects, hopefully with fabulous results. 

Since we usually buy plants for our mom's, I thought it would be fun to make a knock-off of these adorable planters from Amazon: 

These little guys are $120 but I'm guessing that with some chalkboard spray paint, a few inexpensive Terra-cotta planters and chalk - I should be able to make 2 for less than $12. 

And I've bought all the ingredients to make some yummy hand scrub too. Hopefully mine will come out half as cute as this jar by DIY Beauty. 

Lastly, I would like to bake something fun and special (if time should allow) but I'm not sure what yet...

Is there any chance I can come up with anything this cute though? These fancy cupcakes were shared by The Caffeinated Globe. 

What kind of fun & crafty projects are you working on this weekend?

Royal Wedding Crafts

I know some people are feeling a little Royal Wedding overload but the big day is finally here! If the wedding is making you feel extra creative today, try some of these fun crafts.

This Kate Middleton cross stitch pattern has been all over the place this week. 

I posted the full video of Knit the Royal Wedding a few weeks ago - here is a link to purchase the guide from Ivy Press. 

If you happen to be throwing a tea party to celebrate, get inspired by these amazingly decorated cupcakes from The Cupcake Activist.

Hope you enjoy watching all the glamour of the Royal Wedding today!

Crafty Links - Babycakes Approved

It's Tuesday so let's not waste any time and jump into some crafty links!

• Whoops! How did I not post any Earth Day projects last week? Thankfully others did, like this great post by Cassy as of Lately.

• Lil Blue Boo has some amazing project tutorials and this is no exception! Check out the tutorial for the gorgeous shoes she recreated for herself. 

• I know Bunch loves the donut version but it would have to be a very special occasion for me to attempt these Boston Creme Pie Cupcakes from What's Cookin' Chicago.

• Finally, here is a project I have attempted once but with failed results- My Blessed Life makes this tiered dessert plate look so easy.

As always, please support your local craft community and buy handmade.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day today, I decided to put my craft skills to good use with these mini-cupcakes:

I'm working on my project list for the weekend - it looks like Bunch (I might as well start referring to my hubby Chris by his affectionate nickname, it flows a little easier that way) has some work to do on Saturday so I'll take advantage of a few hours while the rain passes. Update coming tomorrow...

Sláinte!