Are you a Twilighter?

I know a lot of people who are fans of the Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series, something that I can't really say for myself. (No offense to those who are). However, I did get to help prepare a teen Twilight themed birthday party recently. I love party planning, and with so many ideas online, you really can't go wrong.

We printed out a Twilight Trivia sheet and made sure it was printed in the Twilight font. We also printed and taped labels to flavored bottled water.

And of course we had to have cupcakes - vampire and werewolf designed. The cupcakes were delicious. Both the Devil's Food Cupcakes and the Vanilla Buttercream recipes came from my book cupcakes by Shelly Kaldunski. The vampire cupcakes were decorated with strawberry syrup and the werewolf paw print was piped with good old fashioned Wilton tips. And I can't leave unmentioned the awesome way to display and serve the cupcakes a top Wilton's Cupcakes 'N More Stand (I was excited being that this was my first opportunity to use it).

Cupcake Pincushion

This is not the typical cupcake that you may have seen on A Finger In Every Pie. But if you feel that you're not the baking type and would rather try your hands at sewing, then this is the cupcake for you.

The pattern is by Cindy Taylor Oates. So sweet and so much fun to make. It's the perfect pattern for scraps of fabric. I made several to give away for birthdays this year. I didn't use sand or walnut shells as the pattern suggests, instead I used dried beans and a small amount of fiberfill.

Back from Blogging Hiatus

You may or may not have known that I posted a poll recently, asking what you'd like to see next. The results came to a tie between sewing and cakes. Since I did a sewing project last, I will share a cake I did recently for a little lady on her first birthday. But before I do, I wanted to point out that I've started a new poll (similar to the last), so if you have a preference, be sure to vote. It is located at the top right side of the blog.

I won't bore you with all the details of my blogging hiatus, but I will say that it did not go without being creative on occasion. That is to say that I still have lots to hopefully inspire you and share. And just as a reminder much of what I do is inspired by others.

I love how President Dieter F. Uchtdorf words it in an October 2008 conference address:

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.

Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty."

And this is only a few sentences of the beautiful message he gives us. But if we can "create something of beauty and helpfullness" even if it's not perfect, and it can bring a smile to someone and brighten their day, then I know it is all worth while and the world around and within you is improved.