Adding to the Christmas List......

So I am a MASSIVE fan of the website/blog/addiction otherwise known as www.allthingscupcake.com .........on this site I have found some amazing recipes and some of the cutest cupcake *STUFF*.....thus the name huh?


Well one of the massively wonderful things I cam across were from the Etsy shop of Littleanu

She has several cute things, but her hand-painted cupcake pillows just take the (cup)cake! ha!

They range in size from "Snackie-Size (7"-8"), to Regular-size (13"-14"), all the way up to Large...otherwise known as "Be thankful it's fat free!" (16"-17")

Backed with recycled & cozy t-shirts, they are a sure fit for ANY cupcake lover.......and that is exactly why I have one headed MY way!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/littleanu <-------check her out!








Also worth mentioning is the CUTEST soap dish ever.....(GREAT idea honey for Christmas.....wink wink) from the Etsy shop Edwood.

Made from natural cedar & a mere 5"x5"x3/4", this cupcake soap dish is a MUST..........ok maybe not a must, but a "I really really want it!"










This will almost make standing at the sink fun!

Though it is is completely functional, I think I would have to display this on the wall......



To get one of your very own (and at a SUPER low price of $8), head here------>
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34381634

What a difference a year makes......

So,

This was something I posted right around this time last year.....

I am happy to say that my husband WILL be spending this Christmas at home with me & our boys.......but I know there are SO many military families missing one or more loved ones this Holiday season.

Please keep these families in your thoughts-----often time I have heard that people don't know what to say to someone who has a spouse deployed.....well, the right words aren't necessarily important. Just letting them know that they are not forgotten and that you are there to lean on, well that mean a lot.

*****Also, in case you are one of those 3 or so people living under a rock and you HAVEN'T heard about Toys For Tots....it is an AMAZING charity benefiting military families (should you feel so inclined), with donation spots as close as your local Recruiting Office or Wal-mart, it is also one of the easiest to give to.


Love & Cupcakes.....and you know what, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'm tired of everything I see saying Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings.........it has ans always will be (to me and my family at least) CHRISTMAS! :)


Lauren

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...........more like 53 and heavy rain!

Where has the time gone?? More importantly, where did all this rain come from? I thought it never rained in Southern California!



Over this last month in a half I have been:

Painting,
cleaning,
wrapping presents,
decorating for Christmas,
helping my oldest with school projects,
shopping,
baking,
working on Scentsy orders,
wrapping more presents,
cleaning,

....oh, and painting!


I have included a picture from the Marine Corps Ball that my hubby & I attended last month. Very big deal for the Marine Corps, and for us as well.........this was our 7th!

Seeing as he was deployed for the Ball last year and will be again for 2010, it was especially bittersweet.


As for all of my new and wonderful paintings......well you are just going to have to wait to see them! I painted most of the presents for family & seeing as they read this, well I don't want to give them a sneak peek! ::laugh:: Though I will say that a few of the items are rather different than what I usually tend to do, I am very pleased with how they turned out.

****As for all the cleaning mentioned above......my in-laws will be here in 4 DAYS! With all the painting and wrapping and such, let's just say that it was very much needed (in-laws or not!) We are thrilled to have them out here as I have not seen them (or my own parents :( in almost a year. My boys are also thrilled, it is always such a treat to have family make the journey out here.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season, no matter how stressful things may get remember to always count your blessings........and to think of those less fortunate.

Love & Cupcakes,

Lo

December Preview------Candy Shoppe

Available starting December 1st.......and remember to get your orders in as this Holidays season will be CRAZY!!!



Love & Cupcakes,
lO

Snips, and Snails & Puppy Dog Tails.....

This piece was a true labor of love. As I said in an earlier post, my dear friend "J" and her husband just welcomed a new addition into their home this month, I had wanted to do something for the baby's nursery.......and chose to base it off of the bedding. With the deep colors & such a clear theme, it was a fun piece to do. Never mind that it is also going to some amazing friends...I hope that they enjoy it as well----------------Welcome to the World Baby Alex!












Love & Cupcakes Everyone-----My husband will actually be HOME this weekend....shocker I know, so I will be out having some much needed family time with ALL of my boys! Have a great weekend ya'll!


Lo

FINISHED....for now :)

The beginning of my Holiday pieces.....


I have been collecting Snowmen for several years.....a collection that started rather reluctantly I might add.


First I was given a Snowman for decoration...then the boys picked out cute Snowmen ornaments.....and well, downhill it went until it turned into a big ball of Snowman love :)


This one is one I had in my sketchbook for a few weeks now & I decided it was time to bring him to *life*.......and what would one of MY snowmen be without a cupcake to offer??



A 16x20 wrapped canvas, painted with acrylics, sparkle and a little bit of magic*


















This was also a idea in my sketchbook that I am pleased to have finished. A trio of 5x7 canvas boards to prop up for decoration or hang.

The first set being for the more Traditional, and the 2nd for people like myself & my Sister-in-Crime, Jess.























My new addition to my otherwise red/black/white "Fat Chef" kitchen......as you can imagine it matches marvelously :)


Will hopefully learn to take my advice by reading this each day.








A 5x5 wooden square painted with acrylics (what else?), and about 3 coats of high-gloss varnish for a shiny hard finish.














This I had actually seen elsewhere on shirts, etc.......but when I came across this perfect 16in round canvas, well, I knew that it was time that the Hostess cupcake paid a visit to MY kitchen :)


Painted with acrylics and a high-gloss varnish, I even tried to see how it would look wrapped in cellophane....(you know, like the REAL thing).....


Let's just say that didn't go so well! I am planning sometime soon to take my friend Rosa up on her idea to paint another......that way it can have a pair like it should :)










Of COURSE it belongs between an ice cream & spoon painting.........what else would you expect my kitchen area to look like?















SOOOOOO, that is it for now, but my wheels are still turning I can assure you. If there is something YOU would like to order for someone for the holidays (or yourself.....:) Just send me a message and we can get started.



Love & Cupcakes Everyone...and TGIF!
Lo

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like.......

......though it may be 75 degrees and sunny here in Southern California, visions of Christmas trees and snowmen are already dancing through my head :) If you didn't know, before we lived out here we were residents of New England for 3 years (Maine to be exact).....therefore I REALLY got to see what all the fuss was when it came to having a "White Christmas".




While a "White" Christmas may not be on the nearest horizon, I have already started to get into the swing of things and have been working on several Christmas & Winter pieces. My husband was not here for the holidays last year, so I guess I am just trying to get a jump on things to make this one A*M*A*Z*I*N*G.....




I have these pieces finished minus the coats of varnish so pictures will be up shortly. Also, a piece I have done for a dear friend and her newborn son. This couple consist of two of the most amazing people and I could not be more thrilled that they have now added a beautiful new son. (Hey Alex!)




So hold tight, grab a cozy blanket, get snuggled in by the fire (for those LUCKY ones who have a fireplace...), and get ready........here comes Winter!



Love & Cupcakes,
Lo