Cupcake Tree Tutorial

Due to popular demand, I am taking a momentary hiatus from my self-imposed blogging hiatus to provide you a cupcake tree tutorial. The project idea originally came from my Mother's Day issue of Food Network Magazine, but I can't find a link with instructions on the website.

Here goes:

Materials:

-Flower pot (I'd recommend using one with a wider base than mine . . . it was a little top-heavy when finished. It might also be a good idea to weight the bottom (rocks?) before putting the floral foam in.)

-Floral foam and moss cut to fit snug inside pot (I used a pre-packaged pot from Michael's with the foam and moss already fitted inside. It worked marvelously, and saved some time.)

-White styrofoam craft ball (purchased at Michael's Craft)

-Stick for the trunk (I put Seth in charge of this one. He did a great job finding something to fit my specifications . . . though next time I think I'll specify that I need a thicker stick, as the ball was much heavier than anticipated once I got all the cupcakes on.)

-Toothpicks

-Craft paint for the styrofoam ball, I used pink because it matched my frosting.

-Mini-cupcake liners (Michael's craft)

-One box (per tree) of cake mix baked into mini-cupcakes (I baked extra so the trees didn't get completely mauled by kids trying to work the cupcakes off)

-Stiff icing (I make buttercream from scratch so I can adjust for stiffness by adding more powdered sugar as necessary.) I used two different tones of pink.

Allow at least an hour to build your first tree . . . successive trees should come more easily and take less time.

Paint styro ball with craft paint and allow time to dry.

Wash the stick to be used for tree trunk.

Push stick to the bottom of the foam in the pot, and then push styro ball onto the top.

Using a decorator's icing bag and a large round tip, ice each cupcake in a swirl design starting on the outer edge and finishing with a peak in the center.

Attach cupcakes to styro ball with toothpicks. Try not to swear too much during this step. The ones on the bottom take three toothpicks (some are going to stick out the sides a little, but it doesn't show too much once all the cupcakes are on) the cupcakes on the top only need one or two toothpicks.

The styro ball is going to show a little between the cupcakes, but that is okay because you painted it, remember?

Good luck!

Hustle Bustle

Below is a photo of part of the cast from the school musical, The Wizard of Oz. Seth was a soldier, and did a great song and dance that is only recorded on the video camera. As I'm too lazy to walk downstairs and get it right now, this picture will have to suffice. (Yes, I did run five miles this morning, is that irony?) Also on the video cam is the recording of his performance at the school talent show. He played Ode to Joy and Old West Rodeo on the piano. Considering we still have performances at the Cub Scout talent show and a piano recital this week, I think he'll be able to play those songs in his sleep by the weekend.
I made cupcake trees for my niece's baptism. They almost killed me. Now Al wants them for her birthday too.
The fam came for the niece's baptism. This picture well summarizes the visit. Busy happy chaos . . . they can come again any time.
These are the remains from T's dinner last night. He didn't want the bread any more after he buttered it himself. Obviously I was distracted at the time.
It is that time of year again, when I'm going to have to take a hiatus from blogging for a little while (aka blog-cation). There are too many performances, games, parties, birthdays, weddings, field days, etc.

At least we're not moving . . . we'll throw that into the mix next year!

Farewell internets! See you in a few weeks!

Hiatus

Blogging is not a priority right now. I am busy, busy, busy.

I have to make Seth's costume for the school play. He is a cockroach, which is exactly the part he was hoping for.

It will be his birthday on Tuesday (Eight? Who gave him permission to grow up so quickly???). I get to make cake. I love making cake.

I have yet to finish the laundry created by camping trips two consecutive weekends in a row. The last load is in the dryer now . . .

Family is coming, both mine and Michael's. We'll celebrate birthdays, graduation (Michael again, no he's not done yet . . . just adding more letters to his name, as is his habit) Seth's baptism and The Rose Festival, and it is always more fun to have family celebrate with us. My sister just came home from her mission and she is coming too!!! I guess I should clean.

At some point I should also toilet train T. But it is so much work, and I am lazy . . .

Plus there are all the exciting end of the school year activities, field day, pre-school graduation, school picnics, programs, you get the idea.

The point is, I'm going on a hiatus. Maybe a week. Maybe two. Until I get my act together and am able to produce some quality material. Consider yourselves warned, internets. Things might be a little dull without me around. (Wait, did the internet just heave a giant sigh of relief?)