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Tie Dye Cupcakes


We went shopping last week for a birthday cake for Mini Me's big day yesterday.  He originally wanted a yellow cake with Funfetti frosting.  Then he decided he wanted a chocolate cake with a yellow layer of cake on top.  But when we got to the store, he saw the new Duff Goldman's Tie-Dye Cake Mix, and decided that was, for sure this time, what he wanted.


The cake was a pretty cool design, but I just couldn't swallow paying $4.00 for a box of cake mix.  That's crazy.  Instead, we purchase a white cake and decided to DIY our own Tie Dye Cupcakes.


White Cake Mix used for Tie Dye Cupcakes from Kandy Kreations

We started by making a white cake mix using the egg whites to keep the white color pure for dying.  I'm not sure what would happen if we used a yellow cake or used the whole cake recipe on the white mix.  I may give it a try sometime, but we didn't here.

Dyeing Cake Mix colors for Tie Dye Cupcakes from Kandy Kreations

After the cake was mixed, we separated the batter into several different bowls.  I let Mini Me play with the food coloring to dye to batter any color he wanted.  He ended up making 8 different colors.

Tie Dye Cupcakes from Kandy Kreations

We lined the cupcake tins and proceeded to start adding blobs and dots and layers of colored batter to the cupcakes.  I think this was Mini Me's favorite part.  We had a lot of fun mixing the different colors.

Tie Dye Cupcakes from Kandy Kreations

Once the cupcakes were about 3/4 of the way full (we only got 18 cupcakes doing it this way), we cooked them as directed on the box mix.

They turned out so cool!


Happy Birthday Plate Tradition


Tomorrow is Mini Me's tenth birthday.  I can't believe it.

My oldest is planning to leave the house soon to go off to school and my youngest is a whole decade old.  I don't even want to think about how old that makes me.

As we are prepping for the "big day", I wanted to share one of our fun, and easy, birthday traditions.



After all the "Bake at 350" plate and cup projects that I've shared with you, you knew I'd need to do one for my kiddo's birthday right?

For this project I bought a boring round circle plate from Dollar Tree and used the Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Marker.  I wanted to see if the results were better than using the regular sharpie markers.



Every year Mini Me asks for a big cupcake cake for his birthday, so drawing a cupcake on his birthday plate was a no brainer for me.  But you can draw anything you want...candles, cake, balloons, streamers, the sky's the limit.

When you are done drawing, bake your plate at 350 degrees for 30 minutes to set the paint.

I have to admit, I like the Paint Markers better than regular sharpies.  The colors baked on so much brighter.  But that's just me.  Have you tried both ways?  Which way do you like better?



Dare to Share Linky Party and Features


I admit that I haven't been too active on the blog lately.  I'm spending my last week in Texas with family trying to help my parents' get their candy store up and running again after having to move.  It's been a crazy busy time, but I did get a chance to let you enjoy the fun with me.  Go check out my "review" of the new Chocolate Box and tell me what you think.

In my "spare time" ie: just before I fall into bed at night, I have been unwinding by enjoying all the great links you shared last week.  I have found so many great new blogs that my Bloglovin feed needed some serious organizing.  You guys have so many great ideas that I finally got myself organized so I don't miss my new favorites.


Did you see LadyBlogger's series about her First Time Blogging mistakes.?  I enjoyed seeing what she's learned and spent a "little" time enjoying the rest of her blog.  If you're looking for some good tips to help you with your blog, be sure to go check out her tips.


I am also super excited to have discovered Celebrate and Decorate and her Alice in Wonderland Baby Shower.  There were so many great elements to this party that I loved.  The Cheshire Cat frame and quote was probably my favorite and I'm considering making one for my office when I get home.


I know Pam loved Little Red Window's DIY Cupcake Stand and shared it as her Feature of the Day on Wednesday.  I love the new trend of making your own beautiful cupcake stands that go great with your party theme.  The idea is so versititle and cute.

What was your favorite pin of last week?  What have you been working on this week?  I can't wait to see.




The Chocolate Box Candy Store

I thought that after being absent from the web for the past three weeks, you may want to see what I've been up to instead.  I admit, I probably am a bit biased on the store as so much of my blood, sweat, and tears is wrapped up into this, but I still wanted you to know about the best little candy store in all of Texas.

After sixteen years in the same spot in the Mall of Abilene (Texas), the family owned candy store, The Chocolate Box was asked to move it's home from outside Best Buy to the southern end of the mall behind Zales and across from The Shoe Dept.

Despite being much smaller than it's original size, The Chocolate Box still has most of the candy and treats you have come to love from this fun sized candy store.



With so much of the town consisting of active and retired military from the local air force base, having some favorite candies from other countries has become an important staple of The Chocolate Box's inventory. But it isn't just the retired military who love the old fashioned candies like Astro Pops, Zots, and Charleston Chews.  The Chocolate Box is introducing these favorites to a whole new generation.


Kids of all ages will love all the fun novelty candies along the front wall.  You can find everything from sour candies to sweet treats to superhero favorites to Hello Kitty collectibles and so much more.  I forgot how much I love Pop Rocks, and The Chocolate Box has every flavor availble, including the new Chocolate Pop Rocks.  I can't wait to give those a try.


But I admit, gummies are still my all time favorite candy.  If you agree, then you need to stop by the Chocolate Box today and check out their wall of gummy candies.  I have a tendancy to pick out my favorite color gummy bears and eat them first, so I'm so excited to be able to buy a bag of my favorite flavors and not have to worry about the other bears that I don't particularly care for.

These gummy treats come in all different shapes which would be perfect for your next birthday party or celebrations.  How great would it be to have gummy army men for your party favors for a military themed birthday party?  Or gummy whales for an Under the Sea themed party?   Or gummy (prince) frogs for a princess party?



No candy store would be complete with out tons of fudge, truffles, and even Chocolate Covered BACON.  Yea, you read that right, Bacon!  The Chocolate Box has you covered for all your favorite chocolates and unique treats.

If you are in the Abilene, Texas area or passing through, be sure to stop by and say hi!  Pick up a bag of your favorite candies for the road and let us know what you think of our home grown candy store.  You can also find us on Facebook or sign up for the Chocolate Box's Newsletter with all the new candies available for your enjoyment.


LDS Priesthood Bingo Review Activity


There has been a lot of talk about Mormons and the priesthood lately.  I'm not sure why the media finds these matters so thrilling and scandalous, but I suppose that's the state of our world right now.  Personally, I can't understand it at all.  God has answered the debate on Priesthood and therefore the debate is over.  Period.  I personally don't want to stand before my Heavenly Father when this life is over and explain to him why I was right and He was wrong.

All these matters aside, I find it interesting that members of the LDS Church have had so many lessons on Priesthood in all of our classes for the past year or more.  I think God was trying to prepare us for the debate that He knew was coming and shore us up with the knowledge of His will.


While I am visiting family in Texas, my mother was assigned to teach another lesson on the Priesthood.  After so many lessons lately, it's hard to come up with a new way to teach these principles that wouldn't sound like the same old same old.  So together we came up with a Priesthood Bingo Review Activity for the class to play.

I created 30 different bingo cards with 24 Priesthood review words.  As the teacher drew out one of each of the tabs, she asked the question pertaining to the word.  We talked about the answer and how it pertained to us today.  (I included links on each of the words so you can find out more information if you wish to try this activity with your own class.)


Since everyone had all the words on the cards, we used Starburst candies to mark the word on the Priesthood Bingo card.  We played until someone won bingo.  Then the cards were all cleared, the tabs put back into the pot, and we played again.  As we drew out the same words we had already talked about, we didn't talk about them again, just marked them on our cards and moved on to the next word that we drew.

We played until we had talked about all 24 words and time for class was up.  I think the class really loved the novelty of the review as we had a lot of fun and still learned/ relearned some great principles that we all need to keep us on the straight and narrow path while the media and the world try to pull us off.

If you want to play this with your class or as a youth activity, I am sharing the bingo cards with you here.  And here are the words with links to more information from the LDS.org website.

PRIESTHOOD
The Authority and Power God gives to Man to act in all things for the salvation of Man. 

JOHN THE BAPTIST
Who restored the Aaronic Priesthood

PETER, JAMES AND JOHN
Who restored the Melchizedek Priesthood
May15, 1829
When was the Aaronic Priesthood restored

JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH
Statement by President Joseph Fielding Smith

MOSES
Who restored the keys of the Gathering of Israel

DEACON
What office of the Priesthood usually passes the Sacrament

Who is President of the Priest Quorum

JOSEPH SMITH
To whom was the Priesthood first restore to in this dispensation.

Who hold ALL the keys of the Priesthood

What is the lesser Priesthood called

Where is the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood found.

“We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hand by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.”

“The Priesthood of the Son of God is...the law by which the worlds are, were, and will continue forever and ever. It is that system which brings worlds into existence and peoples them, gives them revolutions---their days, weeks, months, years, their seasons and times and by which they...go into a higher state if existence.”

Where was the location of the great restoration of dispensation priesthood keys.
Quote by Sheri Dew-----"My young sisters, some will try to persuade you that because you are not ordained to the priesthood you have been shortchanged. They are simply wrong, and they do not understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. The blessings of the priesthood are available to every righteous man and woman. We may all receive the Holy Ghost, obtain personal revelation, and be endowed in the temple, from which we emerge “armed” with power. 12The power of the priesthood heals, protects, and inoculates all of the righteous against the powers of darkness. Most significantly, the fulness of the priesthood contained in the highest ordinances of the house of the Lord can only be received by a man and woman together."

How we receive personal instruction regarding our fore ordinations and opportunities to be afforded us.

What special item is used in the blessing of the sick and afflicted.

Where are the Sacrament Prayers found.

The most important organization in the Church

Who restored the keys of the Sealing Power
Where do we receive the fullness of the Priesthood blessings.

Called to proclaim the gospel and build up the Church

It is everlasting; It administers the Church;
It is found in the true church in all generations and it holds the keys of the knowledge of God. It enables the Lord's people to be sanctified, to see the face of God, and to enter into the rest of the Lord, “which rest is the fullness of His glory.”


Heroes, Happiness, and Dare to Share

I'm still in Texas with my family this week, so I've been a little scarce on the computer and with my projects.  It's been nice having a little bit of a crafting break, but I've missed some of the designing and creating.



So I started trying something new on my Facebook page.  I've chosen a quote for each day and have made my very own Memes.

I admit, I'm having a lot of fun doing it.  I hope that you'll stop by my page and say hi while checking out each daily meme.  Hopefully it will be a quick pick me up, smile, or thoughtful moment for both of us.


I did also get to do a little bit of partying this week.  My sister introduced me to Jamberry Nails.  I love how quick and easy doing my nails are now.  Since it's a silent passion of mine, it's nice to be able to indulge it without worrying about my nails being ruined after a big spell of crafting, or dish washing, or playing at the park.


What have you been up to this week?

Over 300 Ways to Look Good Everyday

You guys know I'm no fashionista.

I'm the worst at picking out what to wear. I hate shopping for clothes.  And I'm lucky if I even bother to put make-up on during the day.


But I have to admit, I love to wear nail polish and have my nails done up pretty.

It's not something I like to admit.  It's a guilty pleasure that I rarely give in to.  It's just so much work to paint your nails and get them to dry before smudging them.  Then, they start chipping within the hour.  By the end of the day, I wonder why I bothered.

And all those amazing Pinterest nails that I love and think how great they would be to wear to a party?  Not a chance that I could pull those off with my painting skills and lack of patience.

Sad face.


But I came home last week for a family emergency, and in between stress moments, my sister pampered me and introduced me to Jamberry Nails.

Can I say "WOW!" ?!?!

My nails have never looked so good in such a short amount of time with very little stress and work!

Jamberry nails are aahhhmaazzing!

They are these great vinyl stickers that you put on your nails and make it look like you spent hours in a salon and tons of money.


There are so many great patterns that are perfect for any party, outfit, or outing, over 300 to be exact.  I absolutely LOVE the soccer ball nail wraps and can't wait to wear them to our World Cup finale party!  Or next year when my son plays for his high school football team...these football nail wraps are perfect to cheer him on.  There are all types of hobby nail designs for everything from music to gymnastics to horses.

Talk about cool!


I love that I can get all the cool Pinterest nails with very little effort.  I mean  how hard and time consuming are those awesome nails that you see?  Wouldn't it be so much easier to just put a sticker on them?  Plus, they last so much longer than just one day.  I've had mine on for almost a week now and they are almost as good as new. Jamberry says they will last 2-3 weeks on your nails and you can even use them on your toes where they last 4-6 weeks.

Can you tell I'm in love?


I'm so much in love that I offered to wear these awesome Jamberry nails all the time.  (So generous aren't I?)  After all, I might not look great in my outfit, but I'll definitely be rocking my nails from now on!

If you're interested in checking them out, you can view all the beautiful designs on the Jamberry website. I am hosting a super fun Facebook party right now. If you order through this link (and select Kim Elliott as your host) before Sunday, you will be entered into a drawing for a Mini Sheet of ACCENT NAILS! There's even a great special going on right now that allows you to buy 3 get 1 free and if you do the B3G1Free deal you'll get 2 entries!! 

Beautiful, free nails, can life get any better?  Go check out the amazing, beautiful nail designs and come back to tell me your favorite!

Rafting the Royal Gorge with American Adventure Expeditions

I went to college to become an accountant.  After taking my first year of classes, I discovered I was not cut out for all the theory and stress that career entailed.  I started looking around at other options and stumbled upon the Recreation Management degree.  I was in LOVE!

One of my classes was an introduction into some of the ways you could use your Recreation Management degree.  We got to try a lot of different activities as part of the class.  I went Paint Balling, Hot Air Ballooning, and White Water Rafting.


Our White Water Rafting trip was a little bit dissapointing.  When we went, the river was not very full so there weren't really any rapids and it was more a leisurely trip down the river (until my brother threw me into the water and lost my prescription sunglasses.  But I'm not still sore about that or anything....)

When we moved to Canon City, we found the Arkansas River was a big part of the local life and economy.  As you drove through town or rode on the Royal Gorge train, you could see rafters having a ball on the river. It's something my kids are anxious to try, but I admit, I thought the price has kept us from trying it.  I didn't realize it was affordable after all.

And wouldn't this be a great idea for a birthday party?  My boys would LOVE to take their friends for a day of rafting and fun.


Recently, I was offered a half day trip down the river by American Adventure Expeditions.  This is from their website:

Our Royal Gorge adventure is Colorado white water rafting at its best and is consistently considered one of the top 10 whitewater rafting runs in the country! Our knowledgeable and fun Guides will securely take you through this epic stretch of whitewater while pointing out the beauty of the towering thousand foot canyon walls, and preparing you for unforgettable rapids. This AAE adventure is guaranteed to thrill even the most experienced whitewater-rafting enthusiasts.
Expect big drops and crashing waves while Arkansas River rafting through rapids such as Sunshine Falls, Boat Eater, and Wall Slammer. In addition to the amazing whitewater, you’ll float under the world’s highest suspension bridge at over 1,100 feet tall! These Royal Gorge rafting trips leave from our Royal Gorge office, just west of CaƱon City.
Pretty exciting huh?  Well, how about seeing it first hand?  Check out this great video that really makes you want to give it a try!



Come give American Adventure Expeditions a try with me.  You can make it more affordable and fun with this great buy 3 get the 4th FREE! - See this coupon for details.  Get more information and book Royal
Gorge Rafting trips with American Adventure Expe
ditions today! Call 719-395-2409 or book online at http://www.americanadventure.com



Dare to Share Linky Party

Hello Everyone! Did you think I fell off the face of the earth this week?


I'm sorry for being so absent.  I told you last week that I had to take an emergency trip to Texas to help family.  My parents health isn't too good and they finally got word that they could re-open their candy store in the mall, so I came rushing down here to do all the heavy lifting and moving.

Ouch.


But we finally got things done in time to rush out the door and see the fireworks last night.  Wow. If you ever are in the Abilene, Texas area on the fourth of July, definitely make it a point to watch their fireworks show.  It was probably the best show I've ever seen.

And now I'm off to help with the Chocolate Box's grand re-opening today.  Hopefully it won't be as hard on my poor, tired body and we can get back to having some fun.

In the meantime, I hope you have some great projects to share with my co-host Pam from Pam's Party and Practical Tips and I.  We can't wait to see your fun ideas.