Negative Space challenge

I belong to a great group of scrappers called the Papertrey Princesses. Leah, who is a talented member of the group, just posted a new challenge for us. Her challenge is to use the negative space of a die cut on a project. A similar challenge was posted at Scrappin' Mojo so I thought I would use the same card for both challenges!

Now technically the negative space on my card is not from a die cut, but from me using my circle punch. But I'm going to be a rebel and pretend that's the same thing. I loved this cherry paper from My Mind's Eye and it went perfectly with this stamp from Papertrey Ink. I even doubled up the buttons to give it more dimension.

And a little tag in the corner with some bling!

Thanks Leah and Scrappin' Mojo for the fun challenge. If you want some great inspiration check out all the Papertrey Pricesses, their blogs can be found on my sidebar. Hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday and thanks for stopping by!

Thin Mint Cupcakes

'Tis the season...for girl scout cookies! This is my daughter's first year being a girl scout so we have quite a few boxes floating around the house. I have been pretty good avoiding eating an entire box of tagalongs while watching The Bachelor but I really have a weak spot for the thin mints. They are my absolute favorite. And every time I open the freezer, I see the boxes we bought. And they call my name. So I decided to do something with them and I made cupcakes.

I started with a chocolate cake box mix and doctored it up a bit. I then chopped up a bunch of thin mints and added them to the batter. After they baked and cooled, I topped them with a mint buttercream and a thin mint cookie. Be still my thin mint lovin' heart.

I used my favorite decorating tip (a Wilton #1) to add that big swirly swirl of minty buttercream. That frosting is so good I could eat it by the spoonful. And perhaps maybe I did...

Definitely give this recipe a try if you have any 'extra' boxes of thin mints hanging around. These are delicious!

Thin Mint Cupcakes
modified from My Baking Addiction
makes 20-24 cupcakes

For The Cake:
1 package devil's food cake mix
1 package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup non-fat plain greek yogurt
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup warm water
1 teaspoon of vanilla
24 thin mint cookies, coarsely chopped

For The Frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter; room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tablespoons water
5-6 teaspoons peppermint extract (more or less to taste)
24 thin mint cookies for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, greek yogurt, oil, beaten eggs, vanilla and water.
4. Evenly divide the batter amongst the prepared pans.
5. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick comes clean from the cupcakes.
6. Cool on a wire rack
7. Beat butter in a mixer until light and fluffy
8. Add powdered sugar and mix until well incorporated.
9. Add water until frosting reaches desired consistency
10. Add peppermint extract to taste
11. Swirl frosting on top on cupcakes and garnish with a thin mint cookie.

Enjoy!

Spring: A Year in Review

I have one more project to share for My Time Made Easy. This project mixes and matches older products with the new March releases. So stick with me for one more MTME project this month! We were challenged to package up something that we love to give as a gift. I used an older template called Tricky Treat Tote to package some of my favorite things to give my scrappy friends...scrapbook supplies!

I love this bag, it's really really big! I used some Spreading Spring Cheer paper from the March release to pair with this older released template. I also used Border Builders cut files to create the scalloped border on the front of the bag and Flag 'Em Down cut files to cut the scalloped hearts. 

I want to show you how deep this bag is. It's really a great gift bag for so many items. Especially yummy scrap supplies.

I also made a small 3x3 card to tuck into the top of the card. I used the new Fine Finish cut files and the new Round Off stamp set to create the layers on the front of the card.

Thank you so much for following me along this March release for My Time Made Easy!! Please check out all the design team members today to see how they mixed and matched older products with brand new product.

Lauren

Katie

Lisa

Tangii

Lori H.

Patti

Debbie

Linda

Farida

Lori K.

Thank you again for stopping by. Hope you're having a fabulous weekend!!

Round and Round Birthday Gift Set-MTME

I have another project to share today that I created using a new template from My Time Made Easy. I used the Round and Round template to create this birthday gift set. I absolutely love this fun oval template!

Isn't it fun! I love the oval shape and the great layering you can do with the bottom of the box. The sides that come together are scalloped so they layer together seamlessly.

I created the Happy Birthday label using the new Fine Finish cut files and the Round Off stamp set.

Do you want to know what I put in my box? Chocolates, of course!!

The polka dotted paper is from the new Spreading Spring Cheer paper set and I created a matching card as well. I love how the paper matches the polka dots from the stamp set.

Here is the box and card together!

This is such a fun template. You can leave off the lid and create a basket OR use the lid to create this great oval box. So many possibilities. Please visit these other team members today to see what else is being created this month.

Lauren

Debbie

Linda

Farida

I hope you all have a great Saturday...Thanks for stopping by today!!

Pretty butterflies

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week. I've got a happy butterfly-y card to share today. And yes, it's another thank you card!

This butterfly is still my favorite Cricut cut ever. I just absolutely love it, it's from the Indie Art cartridge. In fact, I don't think i've ever used another cut off that cartridge. True story.

The paper is from the Kaleidoscope Pyramid Paper pad from Momenta. I hope you are not sick of seeing that paper because I don't think i'll ever get sick of using it. I love the bright colors. And the fun label is from the Momenta 12x12 Black and White Diecut pad. I added a thank you sentiment by stamping and tied it on with some twine.

There you have it, a happy butterfly-y thank you card. I hope you had a fabulous week and...Happy Friday friends!!

Spring is HERE!!

Hi Everyone!! Thanks for all your sweet comments on my last post about joining the My Time Made Easy design team. I'm still so thrilled about it, to be honest. Today I have a spring project to share that utilizes the 2nd new template that is available this month...Well Contained.

 

This is a great little milk carton style container with a built in window plus a matching holder! You can cut the carton with the window or without, in case you want to maximize the surprise factor. The carton fits right into the holder. And I love the scalloped top of the carton. These templates always have the best little finishing touches.

I used the new Regal Round Up paper to create this jewel toned project. I honestly think my favorite thing about this template is the cute window. How cute are the treats just peeking out? It makes me want to open up the top to see what is inside!

I added some Prima flowers and my beloved baker's twine to finish off the container. And I also made a matching card using the Regal Round Up paper and a sentiment from the new Spring Is Here stamp set.

Here it is all together!

All of the design team members are sharing goodies today, so please stop by and see the versatility of the two new templates this month.

Lauren

Katie

Tangii

Lisa

Debbie

Pattie

Lori K.

Linda

Farida

Lori H.

What do you think? What kind of treats would you put in this cute little carton? Thanks for stopping by today. I've got more goodies to share with you this week, so I hope to see you back!

My Time Made Easy...exciting stuff!!

Hi Everyone! I am so super excited to announce that I now part of the design team at My Time Made Easy!!! Lauren Meader is the creative brains behind MTME and I have followed her work for a long time. She previously designed templates and projects for Papertrey Ink. She has since started her own company and offers amazing templates, digital cut files, patterned paper, stamps and more. I was beyond thrilled to be asked to be part of the design team. And today I am previewing a new template called Round and Round.

With spring and easter right around the corner, this template can be modified to create this great basket. The template also comes with a lid (which I will be showing later this week) but for the preview I decided to create a basket. You can fit lots of goodies inside!

I used one of the digital paper packs this month called Spreading Spring Cheer and new cut file accents called Fine Finish Tags.

The paper on the card is so pretty, again from the new Spreading Spring Cheer paper pack. I chose to let it stand alone and added a label to match the basket.

The stamps are from the new Round Off stamp set which coordinates perfectly with the Fine Finish Tags.

There you have it, my first project for MTME!! I am just so excited to be part of this amazing team. Please check out the other team members and their preview projects today.

Lauren

Debbie

Linda

Farida
Katie
Lori

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Please come back all week for more projects and more details on the March MTME release!!