Elmo Cupcakes

Are these not the cutest ever? Cupcakes frosted with Elmo Red and accented with orange gumballs for the nose and the eyes are the white candy melts with a Reeses Pieces on top. Mouth is half of an Oreo cookie. I have seen ones with all icing but they are for kids and I think they would enjoy the cookie and candy parts better.

Homemade Foot Soaks

Foot Soaks for Mother's Day Gift

Okay, it's really simple and fast...both criteria for a last minute gift.

Mix in a large bowl:

1 1/2 cups Epsom salts

1 1/2 cups Kosher salt(that's the one with big grains)

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup cornstarch

Open and add 4 bags Chamomile tea

1/8 cup dried parsley or other herb of your choice

This can be put in smaller containers but I used it to fill 2 jelly jars. I'm covering the top with a pretty blue fabric and tying with ribbon. Attaching a hang tag that states- Use 2-3 tablespoons per gallon of water used in soak. Water temperature is a personal preference but I like it as hot as I can tolerate to give me the most Ahhhhhhhhh feeling!

NOTE: You can also add marbles to the bottom of the basin to rub your feet over while soaking!

I will post a picture of the entire gift later today when I finish everything.

First Communion Bracelet

Here's the 1st Communion Bracelet I just finished for a special little niece of mine. She is using purple (her favorite color) in her party theme so I wanted to incorporate that into her gift. I have not had any jewelry classes, just read online mostly, so I know if I can do this you can too. After searching for bracelets for a child this age it seemed like the common size was 6-7 inches total with many having a few links attached to extend the size.(below you can see the extension on the left hand side)

Bracelet Instructions

To string the beads I used Silver Plated nylon coated wire. I explained at Michael's what I was trying to make and this was their suggestion. I had no trouble with the wire going through any of the bead holes and yet it seemed flexible yet strong. The brand I used was Beadalou, Silver Color, Size M, .018, 15 foot.

I did break down and invest in a crimping tool. I tried to use my husband's pliers and it would catch part of the bracelet I didn't want to crimp...IMHO worth the money.

Now for the other supplies:

A & B were from an assortment at Michael's...Bead Boutique. Not an expensive set but gave me the purple color I wanted to accent the bracelet. (Pink is shown in the picture as I used all I had to make the bracelet.) Need 4 of each kind.

C: Above the clasp and below the cross-Clasp(1 set), Cross-Need 1

D: Silver glass beads. Act as spacers to give some definition to the pearls and other beads.

E: Pearls( not real this time, maybe when she is older:) Need: 10

F: Crimp beads- This is what you put on to keep the wire in place at the end of each side of the bracelet. You use the crimper to "smash" the bead. Need 2

Finally the "silver" alphabet beads: I choose "silver" but they do come in "gold" and white with black letters. The less expensive ones come in packages with all letters mixed. If you are buying real sterling or silver you can purchase the individual letters. I have only seen these online.

Measure desired length plus 3-4 inches. Slide crimp bead then wire through one side of clasp. I prefer to start with the smaller piece as it is easier to handle the larger one at the end. Now thread it back through the crimp bead, push the crimp bead up as close to the clasp as possible and crimp with the crimper. Congratulations, you're on your way to a beautiful gift!

Now thread the beads in order as in photo. Be careful not to release your hold on beads or you will be restringing. Since I began at the smaller end of the clasp I put on one pearl, then the 4 extra links for expansion, pearl(P), silver glass bead(SGB), P, SGB, P, Smaller Lavender(SL), P, SL, Alphabet Letter (AL), Large Lavender(LL), AL, LL, AL, LL, AL, LL, AL, SL, P, SL, P, SGB, P, SGB, P, Cross, P...now here's the final part. Put on a crimp bead, run the wire through the other side of the clasp...loop the wire back through the crimp bead and the pearl. Crimp the crimp bead and cut the remaining wire to end under the pearl. DONE!

Edible Tea Cups

Edible Tea Cups are just the thing for a children's party or even a favor at your next dinner. You could always substitute the kid favorite treats inside the cup for Lindt chocolate, Hershey Kisses, etc. which would certainly make for a more "grown up" treat. Go on...you know there's a Tea Party calling your name! Full directions here: http://family.go.com/disney/pkg-disney-recipes/recipe-842698-edible-teacups--t/