Sunday, July 20, 2008

Strawberry Gingerale Cupcakes!

I had such a fantastic response from my Baby Shower post and many requests for the Strawberry Gingerale Cupcakes recipe. Well.. here you go!

In case you are just joining, these are the cupcakes that I made for my sister-in-law's baby shower a month ago.

Piper was born a week ago on Sunday! She's so beautiful! I am holding off on sharing the personal information until she is out of NICU out of respect for the parents. Thank you ALL for the wonderful emails and sweet messages that you have been posting. It has been a busy week and I will start to email back everyone tonight when I get back into San Jose. I really appreciate the good thoughts and prayers that have been sent their way. Thank you very much!

Check out these lovely organic strawberries from the local Farmer's Market!

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Strawberry Gingerale Cupcakes

Cupcakes:
2-3/4 cups of flour
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
2 sticks of butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
6 large strawberries or 10 medium strawberries, diced
1 cup gingerale

Frosting:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
2 Tbsp gingerale

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a small bowl - sift flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside


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3. In mixer - cream butter and sugar until well mixed and airy.

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4. Add eggs one at a time. Make sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next egg.
5. Slowly add in four mixture, 1/3 at a time. Make sure each batch is fully incorporated before adding the next.
6. Stir in vanilla and gingerale.


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7. Stir in strawberries.

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8. Line cupcake tins with cupcake liners.
9. Scoop even amount of dough into each cup - fill 1/4" to the top. You will have enough for 24 cupcakes.


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10. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, until golden brown.

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Frosting:
1. In mixer, mix butter and cream cheese together.
2. Add powdered sugar and whip until smooth. Continue to add powdered sugar until you get the consistency you desire.

Remove cupcakes from the oven and leave in tins for a few minutes to set.
Transfer to cooling racks.
When cupcakes are completely ready, decorate with frosting.


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At the baby shower:

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Happy Baking!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Top to Bottom... or is it Bottoms up?

Scor-Pal Pals Challenge this week is a "Top to Bottom" Gate-Fold.

Fun challenge, Sandy! I'm sorry you had to be rushed to the hospital so suddenly last week and glad you are back home... hoping you are feeling much better now.

I have my Scratch -n- Sniff class to prep for this morning, but wanted to get the pics up before I went offline for the day. I will get more info up on this card for those interested later tonight! I've been tagged by Donna and I will get that posted too! :)

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Speaking of Scor-Pal Pals, I have a few of you linked at the bottom of my blog... just recently joined and am trying to play catch-up. If you have a blog, I would love to add you to my list. Post here or email me through the group!

I have yet to try a "Diorama Card" and this Happy Birthday, Princess! Diorama Card by Denise Cote is super cute! It is also being featured on the Starving Artistamps Gallery blog. Congratulations, Denise!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

New In-Colors Sneak Peek!

My box of stampin' goodies arrived Friday and I had a chance to play with a few things last night. Anyone interested in a sneak peek of the NEW In-Colors?

Here's a quick birthday card I put together, showcasing all of the new In-Colors:

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Introducing:
Riding Hood Red
Pink Pirouette
Tangerine Tango
Kiwi Kiss
Pacific Point
Baja Breeze

Cheers!

A few cards and tags to share...

Simple Orchid:
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Stamp: Potted Plant by Hero Arts
Markers: Almost Amethyst, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal
Cardstock: Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals


Happy Birthday card:
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Stamp: Party Hearty
Copic Markers: Chrome Orange, Cadmium Orange, Cool Shadow
Ink: Whisper White Craft
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi textured, Regal Rose
Accessories: Happy Birthday Cuttlebug, Chunky White Glitter, Dew Drops

Tags I made for my Japanese workshop ladies:
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Happy Stampin'!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Introducing Piper...

Sunday morning, my little niece was born.
Her name is Piper.
She is 4 lbs and 13 ozs...
I had bought several preemie outfits and they will have to be returned because Piper is 17.5" long! The sleeper I bought was for up to 17". lol!

This is a picture I took of a picture from a camera... can't remember if it's from Shawn's camera or my mother-in-law's camera.

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I will keep the rest to myself for now since it is all quite personal and I am sure, very difficult for Kari and Shawn... they will have to go home without Piper tomorrow since she will be in NICU for the next couple of weeks.

Thank you all so much for your sweet thoughts and words!

hugs,

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Hugs and good wishes...

Just a quick post for hugs and good wishes for my sister-in-law, Kari and her husband, Shawn... and my soon-to-be-born neice. Kari's water broke 5 weeks early. I'm heading up to SF to visit with my own family for a few hours and will be back later in San Jose tonight to check in on Kari... hoping to post great news!

xoxo

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

A Muse-a-Palooza with Julie Ebersole!

OMG! It's Wednesday and I am still walking on air! My girlfriends and I drove up to Sacramento for A Muse-a-Palooza! It was held at Paper Garden Boutique where I got to meet Stephanie Nishikawa (who is just as beautiful in person and OH SO CREATIVE with that gorgeous store of hers!!!), her husband, Ken, who is just as creative and SO sweet, and her adorable son, Miles, who had just celebrated his 3rd birthday.

I tried as hard as I could to get a good picture of Stephanie but she was always moving around the store (I didn't want to use the flash as much as possible). But I did get some of her fabulous store...

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Here's Ken hard at work:
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Did you see my title for this post?
A Muse-a-Palooza with Julie Ebersole!

J U L I E
E B E R S O L E !


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Dat Julie is DA BOMB!
You can catch up with her on her blog, Paper Trufflez.

Julie, if you are reading this,
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You are a treasure! Mwah!





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Here's Carolina working away:
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Hi, Stephanie!
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Last, but not least,
a "Red, White, & Blue Thank You" card for Julie

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I made this real quick for Julie before I left for Sacramento.
I thought it was so amazing that someone would take the time to spend their weekend away from their family and friends on a holiday weekend to teach a class in a different state. So from the bottom of my heart, Julie... thank you! I loved the classes and will always carry your energy with me when I teach my classes! Photobucket