cupcake pin giveaway when i reach 100 FB fans!

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When I get 100 fans on my 

FB fan page I will host a 

a cupcake pin giveaway!

Visit my FB fan page 

and tell a friend!

fish n chips in newspaper

Today was a great day for a picnic! 

I simply made some fresh/frozen baked fish & sweet potato fries.

When they were done baking I wrapped them 

in parchment & newspaper, then set the picnic up outside! 

Having a tray to carry it all is very helpful!

The lemons made a nice table decoration.

 Set out some beer, fig vinegar & fresh squeezed lemon juice

and we had a lovely lunch on our front porch!

Just open the package and you can eat

right out of the wrap with your fingers or use utensils.

Do I even need to say it: easy clean up, too!
My kind of meal!

Thanks for visiting Blueberry Blonde!

~Stephie

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SHOP ATTACK - round 40

I am starting a new weekly post theme for The Blueberry Blonde blog called "SHOP ATTACK" in collaboration with the Attack of the Craft forum. The aim is to feature a variety of artists from (AotC) Attack of the Craft share their Etsy shops, support their art and give them some exposure.

Did you know that the AotC forum is also called "The Island of Misfit Crafters". This forum brings people together in the spirit of sharing, promoting and celebrating DIY. Everyone is welcome! Whatever level you are at with your creative skills please feel welcome to join us! If aren't into creating and you are a patron of handmade you are also welcome join us and begin discovering all that AotC has to offer.

For more awesome handmade goodness, search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This weeks Shop Attacks has three stores for you to discover.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Johnston Graphics
Mike is a graphic designer and illustrator who is a fan of horror, sci-fi and B movies who seems to be infected by a rabid zombie virus ;)  I do like vampires and zombies but I'm liking the stylized look of this Darkling Drama greeting card.

Hana & Chou
What else can I say about Hana & Chou? Their stuff is super cute! Just check out this adorable pair of Happy White felt hair clips! *smitten*

Indiscretion  and Indiscretion's other shop
Indiscretion's first shop has this very cute hustler kissy tank!

Haute Indiscretion's other shop has this marvelous Empire Waist Princess Bride Wedding Dress *bliss*

Well that's all for now - Happy surfing!
xoxo,
Stephie

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SHOP ATTACK - round 39

I am starting a new weekly post theme for The Blueberry Blonde blog called "SHOP ATTACK" in collaboration with the Attack of the Craft forum. The aim is to feature a variety of artists from (AotC) Attack of the Craft share their Etsy shops, support their art and give them some exposure.

Did you know that the AotC forum is also called "The Island of Misfit Crafters". This forum brings people together in the spirit of sharing, promoting and celebrating DIY. Everyone is welcome! Whatever level you are at with your creative skills please feel welcome to join us! If aren't into creating and you are a patron of handmade you are also welcome join us and begin discovering all that AotC has to offer.

For more awesome handmade goodness, search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This weeks Shop Attacks has three stores for you to discover.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Killer Kitty is a mix of  horror, punk, and 80s fashion! She's got corsets, hoodies, bags, shrugs, dresses, skirts pants. She is based in California and loves making clothing with an edge. Just look at this awesome Danzig tank top!

Sock Punky has been an Etsy seller since 2010 and makes cute sock monkeys! Check out the Hot and fiesty punk rock sock monkey! How cute!

Eden Gallery  a married couple making and selling art on Etsy! She's a professional artists and teacher making neat abstract surrealist works and he is a self taught artist specializing in surrealism! Don't take my word for it look at this surrealist print -- the Philosopher. Then head over to their shop and see more!

Well that's all for now - Happy surfing!
xoxo,
Stephie

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SHOP ATTACK - round 38

I am starting a new weekly post theme for The Blueberry Blonde blog called "SHOP ATTACK" in collaboration with the Attack of the Craft forum. The aim is to feature a variety of artists from (AotC) Attack of the Craft share their Etsy shops, support their art and give them some exposure.

Did you know that the AotC forum is also called "The Island of Misfit Crafters". This forum brings people together in the spirit of sharing, promoting and celebrating DIY. Everyone is welcome! Whatever level you are at with your creative skills please feel welcome to join us! If aren't into creating and you are a patron of handmade you are also welcome join us and begin discovering all that AotC has to offer.

For more awesome handmade goodness, search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This weeks Shop Attacks has three stores for you to discover.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Kalliope Kreations
If you're looking for one of a kind accessories for yourself or as a gift why not stop in and visit Kalliope! There's a lot of movie themed items and I'm such an EVIL DEAD fan that I couldn't resist sharing this Evil Dead bottle cap pendant with you!

aNGrYGiRLGear
It's hard to find custom clothing made to your size! Angry Girl Gear can make it happen and do it stylishly! Just give her a few weeks to construct the garment. OMG! Where does she find these gorgeous models!!! I'm having a hard time picking a favorite...  But this Madness Shrug has got to be the coolest!

Mellode
Cute and stylin' upcycled t-shirts over at Mellode's shop! My favorite is this Rainbow Zebra halter tee! 

Well that's all for now - Happy surfing!
xoxo,
Stephie

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SHOP ATTACK - round 37

I am starting a new weekly post theme for The Blueberry Blonde blog called "SHOP ATTACK" in collaboration with the Attack of the Craft forum. The aim is to feature a variety of artists from (AotC) Attack of the Craft share their Etsy shops, support their art and give them some exposure.

Did you know that the AotC forum is also called "The Island of Misfit Crafters". This forum brings people together in the spirit of sharing, promoting and celebrating DIY. Everyone is welcome! Whatever level you are at with your creative skills please feel welcome to join us! If aren't into creating and you are a patron of handmade you are also welcome join us and begin discovering all that AotC has to offer.

For more awesome handmade goodness, search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This weeks Shop Attacks has three stores for you to discover.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Kute Girl Clothing
If you're a fan of upcycled t-shirts that include retro, cartoons, bands, movie themes you're gonna be happy you stopped in to see Cupcakeninja69's Etsy Shop! Just look at this fabulous Napoleon Dynamite shirt!  it's flippin' SWEET! (hee - hee)

Kiss Me Designs
At this Etsy shop you will find some fun hair accessories, dresses, aprons and other custom clothing. Here is one of my favorites are these cute pink plaid bows!

Carpe Noctem
Seize the night over to Carpe Noctem's lovely shop where you can dress to impress! There are so many cool hats and unique pieces of jewelery to choose from! My favorite is this Red Velvet eye patch!

I hope you enjoyed visiting the I Love Blueberry Blonde blog and exploring this weeks Shop Attack talent!
That's all for now! Happy Surfing!

xoxo,
Bluberry Blonde

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Torte that Cake!

Torte that Cake!

This post is not exactly a recipe for baking a cake but more about how to torte an already baked cake! Here are some notes from my experience. I will not be providing a recipe for the cake because you can torte any cake!

1. I made two torted cakes so I needed to make a double batch of yellow cake from scratch
2. I added a 1/4 teaspoon of yellow confectioners gel food dye for a more intense yellow color
3. This made four 9" round cakes and 12 cupcakes 
4. I filled my cupcakes with extra raspberry filling and topped w/frosting
5. Remember to fill all pans just under 1/2 full so the cake won't rise too much over the top of the pans
6. to fill pans I used a rubber spatula and plopped about 4 and half heaping spatula-fulls into the center of the pans, then I used it to spread from the center to the edges of the pan, if it looks like it is more than half full scoop some out because it will rise plenty -- trust in the rising power of baking powder! Less batter is better than too much!
7. Use parchment paper in your pans so cakes don't stick and break
8. cool cakes in pans at least 10 minutes before removing -- any sooner and you risk breaking the cakes
9. after removing cakes from pans place onto cooling racks and cool completely before torting and frosting - cool in fridge or on a cool porch
10. I used Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste to improve flavor of the cake. I find it to be better than vanilla extract. You can also find it on Amazon.com
11. I also doubled the butter cream frosting recipe, and used the same Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste in place of the vanilla extract for continuity of flavor.
12. The raspberry filling I used was a seedless Welches (squeeze bottle) jam --- I used two bottles

*****

You'll need

9" cake rounds

cupcake pans and liners

parchment paper

cooling rack

oven

timer

1, 2, 3 or 4 baked cakes

single or double batch of frosting

flavored filling

serrated bread knife

frosting spreader or butter knife

tall glass

pastry bag

coupler

round pastry tip (I used a Wilton 12)

small clip (I used a plastic chip clip)

lazy Susan or cake turner

prefab cake rounds 

(I cut some cardboard into 9" rounds by tracing my pans top side down - covered in tin foil.

*****

First: Bake and cool your cake(s) usually one or two cakes

Prep frosting 

Get your tall glass, pastry bag, coupler, round tip, tall glass and frosting spreader

Put coupler and tip onto bag, place bag into tall glass

Cuff the top edge of the bag over glass and fill bag using the pastry spreader 

When it is nearly full to the top
flip the cuffed edge up and add a bit more

Lift bag and slowly / gently push the frosting down toward the tip

Stopping just before it oozes out

Twist top of bag & add clip 

If you're traveling with the cake here's how to set up 

so you don't have to lift cake more than you need to

From bottom to top here's what I did:

Lazy Susan

travel carrier bottom

parchment - to lift cake out

foil covered cardboard for cake to sit on

cake

travel carrier lid 

Set the cover aside for now

If your cake did rise a bit over the 9" pan and the pan is flared

it will have a round bottom with a slightly wider top

You'll need to get the cake into a uniformly round shape before frosting

Put cake onto work surface upside down and use knife to trim away excess

*****

you can slide foil covered cardboard
under it so it's easier to lift

don't worry if it does break
just use that broken layer an inner layer of the cake
and not the top layer because the break may be visible
*****

Place trimmed round onto foiled cardboard 

that is set on the lazy Susan

Get the knife and hold it horizontal

starting at one side begin sawing into the cake

and using your other hand turn the lazy Susan

go ahead and torte all your cakes now

starting with one bottom layer

set aside all the rest of the layers

use the lazy Susan to turn cake as you work

get your pastry bag and make an outline in frosting 

then get the filling and make concentric circles

working your way towards the center

Here is what it looks like filled in

(sorry about the color being off this should be red because it is raspberry but looks like chocolate, LOL)

If you're making only 2 layers place the top on and skip this next step!

If you're making more than 2 layers:

continue to lay the torted halves on top and repeat pattern

of frosting the outer edge and making concentric circles of filling

until you have one torted cake layer left
this last layer should be the top and plainly frosted

***

I almost forgot to put some extra parchment under the
bottom edges of the cake, so I had to lift the edges
of the cake and tuck the parchment under about 1/2"

To do this just tear a few inches by a few inches
of parchment paper off and tuck around the perimeter of cake

***

to frost the cake put a bunch of frosting on top and
gently spread from the center
to the edges pushing the excess
towards and then over the edge and
smooth it down the sides
using the frosting spatula
try not to press too hard
or the filling may ooze out of the torted layers

here's how it should look once it is frosted 

with parchment edging in place

once its frosted you'll carefully remove parchment edging

the reason for the edging is to collect excess frosting 

and keeping the foil base clean and pretty

take cake off lazy Susan and cover

cake and keep chilled until party time

*****

Here are a few more resources!

Level a cake

Torte a cake

Choosing and using a pastry bag

Decorating bags

Filling pastry bag

Icing consistency

Pressure control with decorating bag

Frosting spatulas

Gel food colouring

Crumb coating - a method of frosting before you frost 

Covering cake board with fancy foil

Making a twirl on a cupcake

Filling a cupcake

Thanks for stopping by I do hope this was helpful for you! Have a great weekend!
xoxo, Stephie

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My First Stitch n'Bitch - March 15, 2011

I joined a Stitch n'Bitch a few months back. Then winter came and then all this snow kept falling, preventing me from joining in the fun. Finally I got lucky and the weather here, in Wisconsin, was sunny, the day became a warm 50 degrees with no jacket required for this weeks Stitch n'Bitch!


I thought I'd get my butt on the road to meet up with my car pool about a half hour early. It actually took me an hour to get to the meeting place! I felt really bad about that. I hope that Angi will be willing to meet and carpool with me again!  


We drove together and had pleasant conversation on our way to meet up with her friends at a cafe. When we got there Deb was already knitting away. Angi and I said hello then put our stuff down and went up for coffee. When we went to order we met up with two group members, Jenny and Marty, who were getting their food and drink. I ordered a falafel and a soy chai, yum! 


Over food we had a great chat about what we all were up to then we settled into our different projects: knitting, reading, computing. I had packed my picnic basket of crafts with some books to share so some were looking at those. I also packed a hand sewing project. I was experimenting with some folded shapes, out of pieces of yellow felt. I finished it pretty quickly, about an hour or so, and in the end it didn't really impress me, so I gave it Blue, my dog, to play with. He likes it and is napping with it right now. We are calling it 'cheese' since it's yellow and sort of textured because of the layers. It was never meant to be cheese though, ha ha ha.


I'm very happy that I got to go! Everyone was really nice, the environment was wonderful and it was a lot of fun and I can't wait to join in with this great group of ladies again sometime. 


Hope you enjoyed catching up with me and my adventures of my first Stitch n'Bitch!


xoxo, 
Stephie

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SHOP ATTACK - round 36

Greetings and welcome to the I Love Blueberry Blonde Blog!




I am starting a new weekly post theme for The Blueberry Blonde blog called "SHOP ATTACK" in collaboration with the Attack of the Craft forum. The aim is to feature a variety of artists from (AotC) Attack of the Craft share their Etsy shops, support their art and give them some exposure.




Did you know that the AotC forum is also called "The Island of Misfit Crafters". This forum brings people together in the spirit of sharing, promoting and celebrating DIY. Everyone is welcome! Whatever level you are at with your creative skills please feel welcome to join us! If aren't into creating and you are a patron of handmade you are also welcome join us and begin discovering all that AotC has to offer.




For more awesome handmade goodness, search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This weeks Shop Attacks has three stores for you to discover.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Poppy
Stop over to see some of Poppy's one of a kind and limited edition custom made fashions like this WOW shirt!

Platipuses
Visit Plats to see some very stylish hand made clothes for curvy women! This awesome rib cage shirt even glows in the dark! 

Working Class Punx
At this shop you can tell this lady is has a good eye for what is cool! There are some very great punk themed bags like this messenger bag!

I hope you enjoyed visiting the I Love Blueberry Blonde blog and exploring this weeks Shop Attack talent!
That's all for now! Happy Surfing!




xoxo,
Bluberry Blonde

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Blueberry Blonde Creations

SHOP ATTACK - round 35

Greetings and welcome to the I Love Blueberry Blonde Blog!


I am starting a new weekly post theme for The Blueberry Blonde blog called "SHOP  ATTACK" in collaboration with the Attack of the Craft forum. The aim is to feature a variety of artists from (AotC) Attack of the Craft share their Etsy shops, support their art and give them some exposure.


Did you know that the AotC forum is also called "The Island of Misfit Crafters". This forum brings people together in the spirit of sharing, promoting and celebrating DIY. Everyone is welcome! Whatever level you are at with your creative skills please feel welcome to join us! If aren't into creating and you are a patron of handmade you are also welcome join us and begin discovering all that AotC has to offer.


For more awesome handmade goodness, search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This weeks Shop Attacks has three stores for you to discover.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Smarmy Clothes
Must see and own creations by Lex. A wide variety of one of a kind hand made wares including tops, pants, dresses, hoodies, undies, gloves and a whole lot more! This talented lady has it all! She'll even do custom orders. Just look at this fabulous plaid school girl jumper I would love to wear this out for meeting friends and going gallery hopping!

Hardware Honey Jewelry
Drawing on elements of her personality to create handmade and altered pieces of jewelry Hardware Honey has some sweet industrial glam! This piece, the  lock washer set, caught my eye right away. I think it would be fun to wear out with friends for drinks and dancing!

Blueberry Blonde
Oh my, that's me! What fun to be in this weeks SHOP ATTACK! I love making whimsical pieces of art. In my shop you'll find lots of one of a kind hand made work including hats, purses, stationary, dolls and more. While it is easy to pick my favorite from someone else's shop it's difficult to pick just one of my own... This is the very lovely Paris Cocktail Hat. When I create a hat I think about the woman who might wear it and where she may wear it to. For this hat I was thought of a woman walking to a cafe to meet friends for coffee in the afternoon one August day. It is fun, flirty and feminine -- she's bound to turn some heads.

I hope you enjoyed visiting the I Love Blueberry Blonde blog and exploring this weeks Shop Attack talent!
That's all for now! Happy Surfing!




xoxo,
Bluberry Blonde

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Blueberry Blonde's first giveaway is now CLOSED

      March 2, 2011 - March 9, 2011

       ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   Blueberry Blonde's first giveaway   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Enter to win two dolls! 

Kitty Girl Doll & Puppy Girl Doll
$50.00 value
both are 14.5" long

Hand made - one of a kind plushies!
Hand and machine stitched.
There will never be another set made!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~  Please leave a separate comment for each entry  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tell me what item you like from my Etsy shop

Follow my blog

Like Blueberry Blonde FB fan page

Blog about this giveaway - leave link

 Tweet about this giveaway - leave link

~ ~ ~ ~ ~  Contest will be open for one week  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Winner will be chosen with a random number generator 
and announced next Thursday 

Good luck!

xoxo, 

Stephie 

SHOP ATTACK - Round 34

Greetings and welcome to the I Love Blueberry Blonde Blog! 


I am starting a new weekly post theme for The Blueberry Blonde blog called "SHOP  ATTACK" in collaboration with the Attack of the Craft forum. The aim is to feature a variety of artists from (AotC) Attack of the Craft share their Etsy shops, support their art and give them some exposure.  


Did you know that the AotC forum is also called "The Island of Misfit Crafters". This forum brings people together in the spirit of sharing, promoting and celebrating DIY. Everyone is welcome! Whatever level you are at with your creative skills please feel welcome to join us! If aren't into creating and you are a patron of handmade you are also welcome join us and begin discovering all that AotC has to offer.

For more awesome handmade goodness, search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This weeks Shop Attacks has three stores for you to discover.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Warning Label Creations
Cute hand made bags and this pretty camera strap can be found at Warning Label Creations.

Chyld's Play
Check out Chyld's Play for a unique variety of hand made accessories! Like this cute Punk Blue and Plaid Bag!

The Concertina Shop
Look to The Concertina Shop for a wide variety of wonderful Amigurumi dolls including this cute Cthulu!

I hope you enjoyed visiting I Love Blueberry Blonde blog and exploring new talent! 

That's all for now! Happy Surfing!

xoxo, 

Bluberry Blonde

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