Easy Paper Pumpkin

So I have been seeing fabric pumpkins everywhere in the blogging world and I have been telling myself that I want to try making it but I don't have as much cute fabric as I do paper.  I am a paper addict - I admit it and I know that it is a problem so I need to make more using paper.  So I had an extra styrofoam ball from the candy corn topiary and thought - hmmm pumpkin!  So here comes some Modge Podge, scrapbook paper, and the stryofoam ball.  
First, I cut some strips of paper out - they were 1 1/4" by 12".  That fit around the ball that is 4 inches.   

Next, I cut off some of the bottom so the ball would lay flat.

Then, I started to Modge Podge the strips of paper and put them on the ball.  I used some pins to hold the paper into place until it dried a little bit.  The paper would crinkle up as I continued to put it around the ball but I liked the look so I keep going. 

When I had all the strips in place, I put some circles of paper to cap the ends and put another layer of Modge Podge on it. 

I had a piece of stick or square dowel and I cut off a piece of it for the stem.  I painted it a brown color and tied some tulle and ribbon on it for decoration.  Let me know what you think.  This was simple but I still might have to try a fabric pumpkin.  According to me, you can never get enough fall decorations.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy your crafting!

 

Caramel Apple Cake

So I have a really good recipe for a strawberry cake and I wanted to try something new with it.  Since it is getting to be fall I decided to try the cake recipe using apples instead of strawberries.  I am trying to cook more with what is in season and apples remind me of fall.  So I was watching Cupcake wars on the Food Network and they are always trying different combinations, recipes, etc.  I thought what reminds you of Halloween and Fall more than Caramel Apples.  How yummy would it be to adapt the recipe to make a Caramel Apple Cake?  It turned out really good! 
I have to say that the caramel drizzle on top I made using just sugar and butter.  After the sugar caramelized I added butter and then drizzled it on the cake.  It turned out like hard candy caramel so next time I might use a caramel sauce that contains milk, etc. or buy a caramel ice cream topping.  It still tasted wonderful and I will be making it again.  I hope you enjoy the recipe!

Caramel Apple Cake

Ingredients:
2 large apples, peeled and chopped
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
6 Tbls butter (softened)
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour

Cook the apples in saucepan covered with water until soft.
Mix all ingredients together and mix until fluffy.  Fold the apples into batter.
Pour into greased 9 inch pan.

Cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Lower tempeture to 325 degrees and cook an additional 30 - 35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Caramel Topping:
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp butter

Place sugar into heavy saucepan and put on med-high heat.  Shake sugar until it melts and turns golden brown.  Stir in butter and drizzle on top of cake. 

Thanks and let me know if you like this cake - I loved it!

Someday Crafts!

I am so excited and wanted to scream this from the rooftops or at least on my blog that I get to be a guest blogger on Someday Crafts!  Michele asked me to guest blog the 2x4 Candy Corn craft.  So look for me there on Monday, September 12th.  I am so excited and I just can't hide it. ;) 

Candy Corn Topiary

I have been trying to make this craft for a while now after I have seen some topiary on other blogs and have finally finished it.  Of course, I was busy with other things like sick kids, school starting for my girl, and canning salsa so please forgive me for not posting this earlier this week.  I found a round Styrofoam ball at the dollar store and so I decided the time to make a topiary was here.  I used some floral foam in the tin bucket for the base. 

Next I put them together and hot glued them to hold them steady.

Last but not least, I cut out a ton and I do mean a ton of scalloped circles using orange, yellow, and a light cream colored cardstock.  The cardstock was a little hard to bend and work with so next time I might be tempted to use tissue paper or crepe paper.  I bent the circle around the eraser end of the pencil and put a bit of hot glue on the end and stuck it on.  I did a similar thing with the wreath for my daughter in the Cute wreath and dresser .

Here is the finished product after gluing the circles on and adding a cute ribbon for the base. 

Let me know what you think and enjoy your crafting!