Chocolate / Black Forest Cupcakes

It was my baby brothers birthday last week, and since he is one of these people who you can't buy anything for, as he has everything, I decided to make him cupcakes instead.

He's particularly fussy, only eats chocolate sponge cake.... which anyone who knows me will know, chocolate cupcakes are my enemy!  They always sink!

Had a bit of success with them on my birthday, so thought I'd brave it again, and here we are.....

Wasn't in the mood for messing around with buttercream this time, so the frosting is whipped fresh cream with a melted bar of dairy milk mixed in... The black forest ones have cherry compote in the centre of the cream.

And no sinking.... now if only I had written down what I did..... LOL

Need to crack on with my cupcake recipe book!

Steph x

Happy Birthday Mum!

It's my wonderful mum's birthday today, and to celebrate she and I took the munchkins to Thomas Land for a day out yesterday.  Brilliant offer for term time toddlers, we got there at just gone 11, and left just before 5.

Kids absolutely loved it, although maybe you can see from the piccies who enjoyed it most :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM - Love you loads xxx

Really good day out, and highly recommended if you've got Thomas Mad toddlers.  You can use any of the rides in Drayton Manor too (long as they're tall enough) we got soaked on Splash Canyon! :)

S x

*Droooooool* My newest and most luscious punch

I've just purchased this most gorgeous ever punch from Stampin Up!  The demonstrator I know - the lovely Lisa - brought these along to Alisons last Norwich crop, and I simply could not resist pre-ordering!!

Once they arrived, the boy had to be sent over to collect ASAP as I was seeing him that weekend, and NEEEEEEEEDED them right away.  Couldn't wait for another few weeks....

It's a mini-jewellery tag punch, and matching stamp set.  The punch locks flat as well to save space.  Now, I know that SU! are seen by some as expensive, but you'll see in the pictures, the stamped impression they give is just absolutely sharp crystal clear, and perfect with the Versamagic Ink Pads I favour.

Here we go:

STAMP:

PUNCH:

FINISHED TAG

YUM!

And when used on a layout....

Double, Treble Yum!!

If you want to get your hands on one of these amazing sets, then just get in touch with your local SU demonstrator, or even better, head over and order from Lisa, as she is completely amazing!

Find her at www.lavender-stamper.blogspot.com

or http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Norwich-United-Kingdom/Lisa-Stampin-Up-in-Norfolk/365438046150?ref=ts

May's crop class - "Because"

I just felt inspired this morning, and just had to get crafting.  It took me all day (with interruptions from the monsters for food, drinks, playing soldiers, trains, cars and breaking up arguments! lol) but I finally finished it and the more I look at it the more I kind of like it (I'm always soooo critical of my work!)

"Because of you two I am...."

Hidden journaling space and extra photo space, as the paper is just sooooo pretty you don't want to use it all up!!

Few close ups of pretty bits:

How gorgeous are those little jewellery tags??  My new most favouritest purchase from the lovely Lisa - my Stampin Up demonstrator.  Will show you in a later post this week...