With Valentine’s Day coming this month, I thought I’d post a link to a recent “crafty food” idea I saw on the Oprah Winfrey show that had creative ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve.  One of the items on the show was literally called “Strawberry Champagne Sparkler Cupcakes.”  I thought this idea would work great for a creative Valentine’s Day dessert or even for celebrating a wedding anniversary, and so on.

Basically, it is mini cupcakes made with champagne and served with strawberries in a champagne flute.  There is champagne in the cupcakes, in the frosting, and for soaking the strawberries.  It looks really festive and fun.  You can see a picture of them and get the recipe (which they say is low in fat) on Oprah’s site by following this link.

I also came across recommendations for inexpensive champagne that doesn’t taste inexpensive, in case the idea of baking with champagne sounds extremely expensive.  Yeah, it’s not tap water, but hopefully these champagne options (approximately $15 or less) will help you out, if this dessert is something you want to try.  Option 1: Cristalino Brut Rose Cava   Option 2 : Zardetto Prosecco Brut 

Happy Crafting (and eating) to you,

AJ

Handmade card perfect for Valentine's Day or other occasions. NOTE: Card is photographed on a black background.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here is a handmade card you can make for someone you love.  I think you’ll find this is an easy card to make.  What is great about this card design is that you can use my exact design for occasions other than Valentine’s Day, such as a handmade birthday card or thank you card.  You can also modify each of the three these design elements (small rectangle, large rectangle and tag) to make a card for any occasion…new baby card, congratulations card, happy mother’s day card, a Christmas card, and so on.  The possibilities are endless.  In fact, you can simplify this card by skipping little details like the eyelet, the chalk around the edges of the tag, etc., if you don’t have the time or materials and it will still be a really cute card someone is going to love.

Here’s what I did:

1.  On a sheet of white cardstock, rubber stamp the word “love” using a “love” rubber stamp (you could stamp each letter using an alphabet rubber stamp set).   Stamp it on the sheet in an area where you can cut a gift tag shape around the stamped image.

2. Cut out a tag shape around the stamped image.  I did this freehand, till it was the shape and size I wanted. 

3.  Use the letter “x” and ”o” from an alphabet rubber stamp set to create the “xoxo” on the bottom end of the tag (see picture).

4.  Use decorative scissors to cut along the edge of the tag.  I rounded the top of my tag, but you could leave it a more traditional tag shape if you prefer.

5.  For shading, use purple chalk along the edge of the tag (see picture).

Purple Love Tag

6.  Punch a hole in the tag and add a purple eyelet.

7.   Tie red ribbon through the eyelet and make a bow.  Now your tag is done.

8.  Cut a rectangle piece of lavender multi-colored sheer-ish paper or material.

9.  Tear a rectangle piece of purple mulberry paper (or other type of handmade paper).

10.  Arrange the two rectangle pieces of paper on the card as shown in the picture.  Glue them to a white card.

11.  Arrange the tag on the purple mulberry paper and adhere with dimensional tape or some other type of adhesive (see picture below).  I like the dimensional tape so that the tag doesn’t lay flat on the card.  If you are mailing the card to someone, you may prefer the tag to lay flat.

Happy crafting to you,

AJ

Close up of Love Tag