Ringing in the New Year - Champagne cupcakes with buttercream

Hey there, found this totally AWESOME recipe on Cafe Mom for New Year'sand thought this HAS to be shared! So let's dig in and get a little bubbly!

The New Year is upon us, but before we head into 2012, we've got to get the party started! No matter what you're doing at midnight on New Year's Eve, at least a toast of champagne is probably part of your plan. Why not complement that sparkly flute with a pretty little cupcake made with champagne?
This recipe comes complete with a champagne buttercream frosting, which sounds like the ultimate, sweet way to ring in the New Year! Yum -- now who wouldn't drink to that??
Champagne Cupcakes with Sweet Champagne Buttercream Frosting from GimmeSomeOven.com, adapted from AllRecipes.com



Ingredients:
For cupcake:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup champagne (the sweeter the better)
• 6 egg whites

For frosting:

• 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons champagne, at room temperature

Directions:
To make cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).  Prepare a cupcake pan with liners.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, and then blend into creamed mixture alternately with champagne.
3. In another large clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into batter to lighten it, then fold in remaining egg whites.  Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

To make frosting:

1. With an electric mixer, beat together sugar and butter. Mix on low until well blended, and then on medium for another two minutes. 
2. Add vanilla and champagne, beating on medium for another minute.

Will these yummy goodies be gracing your party table?

Pegging me for a crafter

I needed a new space to hang my ribbons that was easy to change out when either A. I ran out or B. needed to take it with me. The hubby had some old peg board and posts from the garage and I had the frame and paint.

 1. First step was to cut the board down to the right size and then I painted it a nice matt black.

 2. To add a bit of cuteness and to use some of my nifty ribbon I glued lengths of it to the outer edge. It over laps a bit where the frame goes but I though it made it look more finished.

3. I sanded the edges down a bit to take off some of the stain and then it was off to paint the frame. Since I have GALLONS of left over house paint (gee I really should finish painting my kitchen) I used my red to brush on and slightly wash the frame. Then i used a paper towel and rubbed some of the paint off to give it a used look. Put the frame and back together and look at it now.

I plan on gluing some little strawberries and bows to cover up the screws holding it to the wall. When I find the one I really want I'm putting up a ruler under it so I can measure just what I need.

It's sew easy to fall in love...

I found this totally awesome cute half apron at Goodwill one day and we I didn't buy it cause I just knew I could make one. I was excited when my hubby told me he'd get me a sewing machine for my birthday next month, so I thought hey I have time to get everything I need together... I about killed myself jumping for joy when I got one from my Mom for Christmas instead. I was in a whirlwind of ideas but alas no thread to do anything with, so last week I finally bought some and VOILA!

I started sewing again. And as you can see I have a pair of pants that are getting a ruffled edge... Is it a skirt? NOPE it's a cute apron!

My lovely daughter is modeling her new cooking apron. It's made from the butt from a pair of her old jeans, a bit of ruffled lace and a ribbon belt to tie it on.

Working on one for me that will  have a button hole to place changeable hand towels while I work.

After this I made a couple quick throw pillows to add some color to my living room and bedroom, can't wait till I get a chance to do more.

Crafting and more crafting OH MY!

I don't have any pics to show off right now, but I have been crafting up a storm using ideas from Pinterest.
- I made a Felt rose  headband.
- I made some paper plate baskets.
- I made some pretty awesome twine/yarn covered vases.
- Since I seem to have a decor ball fetish, I made my own.
I have also had a great time playing with stamps and learning calligraphy. And last Thursday I went to my first The girls meet up group and made some cute plant stakes for my house and got a jump on 2012 ornaments.
But my week hasn't been just crafts. I took my very first leap into DIY laundry items. It started with wanting to make dryer sheets since my kids go through them like crazy!  Then I decided if I do one thing Homemade I might as well try all that I wanted to so I went to Wal-Mart, to get what I needed & made my very own fabric softner, which led to making my own laundry soap, and febreeze. I did all this which should last around six months for under 20$. I spend that every 2 weeks on the store bought stuff. I feel pretty accomplished right now, so much in fact I went shopping for some new craft items and some much needed shirts. Stay tuned for all the other items I plan on making, and this time I'll make sure the camera batteries are fresh LOL.

A Lowry family Christmas tradition.

ASince this is the first Christmas in our very own home We have started buying new ornaments and such. One thing I have been wanting to try is to make my own. I started with making mini cinnamon gingerbread men to hang on a garland, that slowly progressed into wanting to make glass ornaments. It seemed to be fate when a trip to Michael's craft store and their clear glass ones we're 2.49$ each package. I picked up 2 of the smallest size and got to work today. I took pictures of my steps making a ribboned 'present'

 gluing the side ribbons on

 Making the bow to glue on the top.

 TADA!!!! Isn't it so pretty. this was ornament 5 in a row of 8.

 Here you have me painting a winter wonderland scene on one.

 Aren't they all pretty?

Next up after this is to let the kids make their own after a hike in the hills. each year I think we shall make more that are elaborate and special, as well as make special ones for friends and family. What a great way to remember the years both present and past.