Hippo Cupcakes

Need a entertaining idea for a child's party or maybe just for fun?  I made a few of these enchanting Hippo cupcakes the other day.  I found the design in the "What's New, Cupcake?" by Karen Tack & Alan Richardson.  This book is filled with lots of cute cupcake ideas.

Items needed

4 favorite cupcakes
4 Nutter Butter sandwich cookies
16 pieces cereal (fruit loops, cheerio's) etc.
1 cup vanilla frosting
candy or mini chocolate chips for eyes

Attach the cereal pieces to the cookie to make the ears and nose with frosting.  Pipe dots of frosting onto the cookie for the eyes and attach the candy pieces.  Frost the cupcake.  Press the completed hippo head into the frosting of each cupcake allowing it to hang over the edge slightly and voila! Delightful hippos to join your party.

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"Giveaway" Curling Iron Holder & $10 gift card-closed

Giveaway open from March 28 through March 31, 2011

This blog is giving away a Curling Iron Holder & a $10 gift card to Michaels

Leave a separate comment for each entry with an email address. There are 6 ways to enter.

1. Follow me through Google Connect Friends (on right side of page).
2. Follow me through Networked Blogs (on right side of page).
3. "LIKE" me on Facebook.
4. Grab my button (on right side of page).
5. Subscribe to my blog (on right side of page under "subscribe").
6. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my site (be sure to post your link here so I know where to find it)...you can do this on your blog, twitter or facebook pages.

And please remember to vote for my blog on the Mom blogs,

 Picket Fence Blogs (once daily)

and on The Top Mommy Blogger network

Giveaway ends 3/31.   US entries only. 

Winners will be selected at random and announced 4/04

These giveaway prizes are being provided at the blog owners expense. It is not sponsored in any way.

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Crocheted Easter Basket

Front view

Back view

MATERIALS: White worsted weight yarn and a second color of your choice

GAUGE: crochet hook size G

PATTERN:
Bottom

Row 1: Ch 4, work 15 dc in first ch, join with sl st in the top of ch 4. total 16 dc

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc) work 1 dc in first dc, work 2 dc in ea st around. Join with sl st in the top of ch 3.  total 30 dc
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), *work 2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next st, rep from * around row. join with sl st in the top of ch 3. total 45 dc
Row 4:  Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), work 1 dc in first st, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next two st, 2 dc in next st, rep from * around row. join with sl st in the top of ch 3. total 60 dc
Row 5:Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st, * 1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st, rep from * around. total 80 dc
Row 6: With different color, *3 dc in same st, sc in next st, rep from * around row. Jn with sl st in top of ch 3.

Basket 
Row 1: Attach white to sc sp. ch 4 *dc in next st, ch 1, rep from * around. jn with sl st in top of ch 3.
Row 2: Ch 3, *dc in next st, ch 1, rep from * around. jn with sl st in top of ch 3.
Row 3- 9: repeat row 2.
Row 10: *3 dc in same st, sc in next st, rep from * around. jn with sl st in top of ch 3.

Ears
Row 1: Ch 22, working in front loop only, sc in ea st across to the last st.  Work 2 stitches in the last st on row. Turn, work in the back loop and sc in ea st across. Ch 3, turn
Row 2: 1 dc in ea st around.

Handle
Row 1: Ch 63, dc in 4th ch from hk, dc in ea st across. Ch 3 turn.
Row 2: dc in first st *ch 1, skip next st and dc in next st, rep from * across row.  Ch 3, turn.
Row 3: dc in ea st across.

Make a pom-pom for the head, tail and feet.  Use a pom-pom for the nose, and purchase googly-eyes, whiskers and small bowl for the inside of the basket.  Sew handle and ears to the basket. Glue bowl inside. Sew pom-pom in place. Afix the eyes, whiskers and nose. I weaved a sparkly gold pipe cleaner through the handle and around the basket, but that's up to you.

Abbreviations:
beg=beginning
ch=chain
ch3-sp=chain 3 space
dc=double crochet
hk=hook
lp=loop
rep =repeat
sc=single crochet
sk=skip
sl st=slip stitch
st=stitch
tch=turning chain

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Giveaway Ribbon Flower Pin & $10 gift card-closed

I had this giveaway scheduled for last week but somehow life interfered!  So I had to push it out a week. 


Giveaway open from March 28 through March 31, 2011

Today's giveaway is a Ribbon Flower Pin & a $10 gift card to Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts! 

Leave a separate comment for each entry along with an email address. There are 6 ways to enter.

1. Follow me through Google Connect Friends (on right side of page).
2. Follow me through Networked Blogs (on right side of page).
3. "LIKE" me on Facebook.
4. Grab my button (on right side of page).
5. Subscribe to my blog (on right side of page under "subscribe").
6. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my site (be sure to post your link here so I know where to find it)...you can do this on your blog, twitter or facebook pages.

And please remember to vote for my blog on the Mom blogs,

 Picket Fence Blogs (once daily)

and on The Top Mommy Blogger network

Giveaway starts today 3/28 and end 3/31.   US entries only. 

Check back on Wednesday for another great prize.

Winners will be selected at random and announced 4/04

These giveaway prizes are being provided at the blog owners expense. It is not sponsored in any way.

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Blogger Stylish Award

A huge thank you to Stephanie at Henry Happened for giving me a Stylish Blogger Award! You can't imagine my surprise when I read I had received this.  Thanks again Stephanie!  It is very much appreciated.

To accept this award the recipients are asked to do a few things.

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award 10-15 blogs you feel deserve the award

4. Contact these bloggers and let them know about the award.

First off, I not sure I can really think of seven things about myself but I'll try.

1. I have two beautiful little granddaughters whom I LOVE very much.
2. I'm a member of the Romance Writers of America.  I love reading and writing--especially romance novels.
3. Several years ago, I wanted to open my own gourmet dog treat bakery. I was going to name it the The Barkery.
4. I'm a shopaholic.  Phew! There I said it.  I go shopping almost every day during my lunch hour.  Retail therapy is a great way to undo the stresses of the day.  I'm not sure my husband appreciates it much, but hey, you have to do whatever works...
5. I'm addicted to my DVR.   I think it's the best thing to come along since sliced bread.  Now I never miss an episode of The Real Housewives or The Bachelor. You gotta love that!
6. I'm of Irish descent.
7. I have the most AMAZING daughter ever. 

I would like to pass this award on to 10 stylish blogs that I've recently discovered:

The Girlz Korner
Imagination Cafe Blog
Healthy Housewife Files
Waiting in My Wings

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