I've seen these

"Cupcakes in a Jar," several places. 

This is my first version of doing it. 

 I ran out of time, but I've seen the lids tied with twine and a spoon attached. Here's a link:  (Studio 5) 

The cupcakes aren't baked in the jars, they are placed in it and layered with frosting.  Each jar used 1 and 1/2 cupcake.  The top is actually a cupcake liner.  (I adhere to the wisdom on the bottom of this liner.)

I love this idea because you don't have to worry about smashing the frosting or keeping it looking nice.

Now I just need to find some good deals on 1/2 pint canning jars.

Glass Tile Pendant Tutorial

Last night we made about 90 of these necklaces.  It is really so simple and easy.  Here is my effort at providing a tutorial!

Materials needed:

Glass tile (7/8" x 7/8")  I ordered the tiles, bails, and necklaces from BottleCapSupply and Laguna Craft Supply.

• Paper (scrapbook paper, scraps, photo)
• Dimensional glaze (I used Glossy Accents)
• Bail (what you attach to back to hand chain from)
• 7/8 inch punch is really nice to have – but if not, you can just cut the squares
• Glue (to attach bail – I like 527 glue)
• Modge podge (if you have some already) 

Step 1 - Choose your paper. You can see through punch to decide what design you want. Or you could do any picture or saying.

 
 

Step 2 - Apply a dot of glossy accents on back of the glass tile (the flattest side). Place your piece of paper face down over the glossy accents and rub paper gently around so all of the paper is coated and will adhere to the back. It is best not to use a brush, as you can see the brush strokes. Push down to tightly to remove any air bubbles.

  

Step 3 - Repeat this process to cover the back of the tile, so both sides have a design or writing. For the Relief Society ones, we had the saying “Of Good Report."    This may not be necessary, but I then added a layer modge podge over the paper on the back.   It makes a firmer surface to apply the bail on with the glue.   Apply the bail to the pendant with glue (I like 527)





And there we have it!

Tonight I had

a dinner and planning/work meeting here for our Weekday Relief Society committee.  

I borrowed these cute little tasting dishes from my friend, Dianne.  I don't know what it is about the little glasses that appeal to us, but it must date back to our tea-party days as a little girl. 

Here are the desserts.

Layered Strawberry Shortcake

(pound cake, coconut, whipping cream, strawberries)

You can't really see the "cupcakes in a cup,"

that are under the cake dome.

But they were made with cupcakes (that kind of fell)

cut in half and layered with frosting.

Here is the first course:

Carrot and Celery in ranch dip,

Broccoli salad,

and Frozen Fruit Salad (frozen in muffin tins)

The main course was soup and bread.

We also made 80 necklaces (tutorial tomorrow), and finished most everything for the fashion show, which is next week.   

You would think

we were party animals, or something. 

We've been traveling all over the last few weeks, and this weekend was no exception.  We met in Kanab for a reunion of Gary's Lewis family cousins.  It's been a long time since they've gathered, and it was really fun to visit with them and with Gary's sisters. 

Gary with sisters, Janice, Geniel, and Margie.

 Us

 With all of the inlaws.

Gary and I feel very blessed by the families we were born in to.  Both of us were the youngest in the family, and some may even say we were spoiled.    In this case, I would have to agree.   Being the youngest, when you follow such caring and loving older siblings,  does qualify us for being spoiled.   

As far as being spoiled in other ways, I'll quote what Gary always says to that.  "You're only spoiled if you don't deserve it."  (And of course, he deserved it?)  

"Out of the

mouth of babes."

A couple of days ago we got texts from both Misty and Tiffany. 

Dan won a raffle and got 4 tickets (right behind the dugout) to a Cardinal's baseball game.  It was on Hyrum's birthday, so Misty, Dan, Hyrum, and Harrison got to go.

Misty sent this text: 

"Waiting for game to start and Harrison's getting impatient and says,

"Why do they even have big people baseball?"   

(You have to understand that this boy wants to be part of the action, not just watch adults do it). 

Text from Tiffany: 

"Shopping at Costco with Luci,

and as we go down the aisles she says, to just about everything,

"Grandma has this, grandma has this . . ."  :)    

(Oh, Oh)

Today is

our grandson, Hyrum's, 11th birthday.  Hyrum is such a delight.   When I think of him,  a smile automatically comes to my lips.  He loves CANDY, art supplies, and is an excellent athlete.  I can totally relate to thim with the candy and art supplies, because Hyrum has stashes of both just like I do.   Hyrum is also very kind and thoughtful.  I've often seen him reach out to someone who is having a hard time. 

I love you, Hyrum!

(Misty keeps amazing me with her creative cakes.  When Hyrum told me he wanted a "tank" birthday cake, I couldn't even begin to imagine how Misty would pull that one off.  But she did, and with flying colors!)

Week long

memories.

Gathering in St. George at Charlene and Greg's condo.





enjoying the majestic Grand Canyon.

Charlene, Richard, Tom, Annette, Gary

Siblings with Acrophobia staying back from the trail. 

Brothers Gary and Richard standing in building

they worked in as teenagers more than 55 years ago. 

 Gary (husband) couldn't come until Friday, 

so he wasn't able to come to the Grand Canyon. 

I missed him.

 Zion's Park with the Siblings.

 Zions Park with the outlaws.

 Every time we get together, I always feel so blessed.