This project was seriously

so easy. 

I saw it (where else?) on "Studio 5."

This apron made from a 99 cent vinyl shopping bag,

and took about 15 minutes to make.

It makes a fun little favor or gift.

(modeled by my friend)

You can put the apron (and a treat)

in the matching shopping bag

for a fun little gift. 

Which is what I did.

So Fun and Easy!

Here are the link to instructions from the Studio 5

Shopping Bag Apron

What I've been

(while I haven't been blogging.)

Proctoring Tests.

Doc Management.

Flower Pins for the cast of the play

(shown on my little "friend.")

Apron (for a gift) on my big "Friend."

Making Cupcakes

Missing my grandchildren.

That's about it.

Running

off to two parties right now. 

Gary's faculty party and then my

club party with my "nutty" friends. 

(I'll explain that later).

This is what I'm taking for my gift

for my friend's party. 

 It was so fun to make!

Eliza's Fabric

Choices.

Which should I bring

for your apron?

                                                                                                                                 ***

My

"Air-head"

friend wearing the latest apron

(directions on yesterday's blog)

My real and not so real Friends

at Gardner Village today.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Here is my friend wearing the

Bee (word I will not say again)
apron from the breakfast mini class.

One of the recipes I shared at the class was this:

(pictured here are some mini versions of them)

 

I love these pumpkin chip muffins!

Every time I make them I think of my friend,

Sue R., who gave me the recipe.

Every time I make them I also
I think of my grandson, Ashton,

because he loves them as much as I do.

When they lived here in Provo,

these muffins were what Ashton

requested more than any other treat.

(Next time I make them, Ashton,

I'll send some your way)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Serves 18

1 1/3 cups sugar

5 1/2 tablespoons shortening

2 eggs, well beaten

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

Milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)
5 1/2 tablespoons hot water
Chopped nuts (optional)

Cream sugar and shortening until fluffy. Add eggs and pumpkin. Add hot water. Sift together dry ingredients together and add to mixture. Add nuts and choc chips. Pour into greased muffin tins coated with sugar (or you can just use paper liners--it makes the cleanup easier) Bake at 375 to 400 degrees for 17-18 minutes.

What a day

What a day we've had.

Lydia and I started it out making cupcakes.

Before we could even start frosting them we

came upon this

As Lydia phrased it, "The scene of the crime."
Gary says we have no proof it was him,
but we don't need any proof.
If food comes up missing, he is the culprit.

Lydia is a natural at decorating.
She has just the right touch.
Giving a "crusty" face because Jackson
wants more frosting on his.
Eating his cupcake with lots of frosting.

Me and Lydia in our matching aprons.

We worked on the talk Jackson is
giving in church on Sunday. It's on
"Being an example during hard times."

He didn't really need my help,
as he had great thoughts all of his own.
But I loved sharing that experience with him.

Then we went bowling.
Gary won the first game and challenged me on
the second one with a threat.
If he won the second game,
I wouldn't be able to hug Jackson and Lydia
when they leave tomorrow.
So I think you can pretty well guess.
I won that game.

Then we embarked on our next activity.
Laser tagging (never done that before)

An added bonus was that my nephew, Jared, and his wife Sara are in town from Arizona. We met up with them, their three boys (who are as cute as they come), Stephanie and Bryce, and Jean and Ross.

We had so much fun playing laser tag, even though my team didn't win. In fact, I just may be the reason my team didn't win. Let's just say that in spite of being led by the hand by Jackson, Sara, and other helpful teammates, that I was usually lost or walking around dead. Yes, I can even walk around dead.

We topped off the evening by coming back home
and eating cupcakes and ice cream.

Here is the picture I'm very excited to show.

Are you ready Tom?

Gary coaching and training your grandsons (properly)
at baseball.

A New Friend

I was browsing a collectible store today
and made a new friend.
I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her
that we were meant to meet.

I don't know how old she is,
but we're so much alike it's almost uncanny.
Physically we stand neck to neck,
and she's just about my size.
(Ok, I might have her waist and hip
measurements as soon as I'm done
with my personal training sessions)

She's a little bit of an airhead,
but what can I say.
I told you we were a lot alike.

I invited her to come home with me,
and already she is good company.
She stood by and watched as I worked on
cupcakes for my club luncheon on Saturday.
She listens really, really well
and agrees with me on every subject.

Though I've only known her for an afternoon,
I know we'll be friends for a long time.
In fact, I've already given her the latest apron I made.
That sealed the deal.
I only give aprons to friends (or family).

She's ready to keep me company for a long time.

I hate backside shots, but I couldn't resist
taking one of her.

I hope she'll still be my friend
after taking that picture.

Did you know . . .

That 75% of artists never finish their projects?

That's what I learned on one of my favorite shows,
Studio 5, that I DVR every day.
Here is the excerpt that I loved:

http://studio5.ksl.com/index.php?nid=71&sid=5833896
(Warning, only bother watching if you've always
dreamed of a an amazing craft room.
Otherwise you will be bored)

Well, I don't consider myself an artist,
but I do have those yearnings.
Who knows, Dad didn't pick up oil painting
until he was 58, so I still have time.

I felt like creating today, so I decided to make
this apron one of the 25% of my projects that I do finish.
Tiffany picked this fabric out for an
apron about 6 months ago, so it is long overdue.

It will be much cuter on you, Tiffany,
since you have a waist and the chair doesn't.

Ties criss-cross on the back so there is no

pressure on the neck

And the towel is detachable for easy washing
or if you just don't like it.


Hmm, Now I need to get Misty's Mu Mu done
before she comes out (Aren't you excited, Dan)

Then I need to make an apron for Lydia so we
can do some cooking when we have our girl's week.
What kind of fabric, Lydia?
Cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies,
pies, cherries, ladybugs?
I'll take some pictures of the fabrics and you decide.

Sometimes just thinking about creating is fun!

I'm a little crazy about CUPCAKES

Ok, I admit it. I tend to be a little OCD about some things.
Just ask my daughters or my very patient husband.
One of those things I'm really into right now and can't resist is anything

Cupcakes.

There are so many cute cupcake fabrics
to make aprons with

Cookbooks

Items of Clothing

and much, much, more,
which I'll share at a later date or this will be way to long.

But most importantly, there are the cupcakes themselves.
There are so many different varieties.
They are just so cute.
And they taste so good (especially the frosting).
They are so fun to make.

my favorite of which is these:

Coconut Cupcakes

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks)

6 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

1 (14-ounce) bag flaked coconut (5 1/3 cups)

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks) softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 pounds powdered sugar (about 5 2/3 cups), sifted

Preheat oven to 325. Line 24 standard muffin-pan cups with fluted paper liners (I actually get more like 28 to 30 because I don't like them spilling over the top of the muffin tin) In large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat sugar and butter 5 minutes or until light and fluffy reduce speed to low. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat just until blended, scraping bowl frequently with rubber spatula. Stir in half of coconut (2 2/3 cups). Spoon batter by level 1/3 cups into paper liners, filling about 2/3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until cupcakes are golden brown and toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean (mini cupcakes fill with small scoop and bake for 13 minutes). Let cupcakes cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

When cupcakes are cool, prepare cream cheese icing; In large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat cream cheese, butter, and extracts until smooth. Reduce speed to low; add confectioners' sugar and beat until blended. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until icing is smooth and creamy, frequently scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Makes about 5 cups. Frost top of cupcakes with icing. Sprinkle with remaining coconut.