Ice Cream Cone Cuppycakes

I thought that everyone knew about these cupcakes.
They were really popular at birthday parties when I was growing up.
However, when I brought them to school yesterday, some of the other parents were amazed that you could bake a cupcake inside a cone.


They are super easy-peasy.
First, line up some standard ice cream cones on a cookie sheet or in muffin tins.
(A standard cake mix will make about 24 cupcake cones.)
Prepare your favorite cake mix, and fill each cone about half full.
Bake according to the box, using the cupcake time.
Let them completely cool.
Use a large star tip to frost the cupcakes to resemble ice cream.
Add sprinkles and a "cherry" (gumball, gumdrop, etc)


These are a little tricky to travel with.
Since they are top-heavy, they tend to topple over.
To help in transporting them, use a drop of frosting to "glue" the base of your cones to a tray.

The kids LOVE them!
Smiles all around.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It seems as though the entire month of June has been a rainy, chilly, icky mess.

At first I thought it was cozy, but now it is just getting old....
This is not typical weather around here.

My Little One is in school for just 2 more days.
She is a little sad that her kindergarten year has come to an end.
(I am too.)
She had a wonderful year and fantastic teachers.

But, I have big plans for our summer vacation.
I've made a calendar of weekly themes, just like summer camp.
We have a Water Week, a Nature Week, a Princess Week, etc.
Each week has field trips, crafts, activities, cooking projects, and her favorite... $5 Fun Day, where she gets $5 to spend (on whatever she wants) at a different spot like Michael's, the dollar store, and the farmer's market.
She also has daily swimming lessons at the lake.
I have 8 weeks planned, and I can't wait to get started!!!
I'll be sure to share lots of pics of our adventures!


The rain has put a damper on my yard sale finds.
Nothing good in the past few weeks.
I did score this cute little vintage side table for $5... just before it started to pour.

Happy Wednesday!
Please send some sunshine our way!
:)

Ring, Ringgggg!

Shop Update!

These too-cute-for-words telephones and lots of other new goodies can be found HERE.

Plus lots of restocks: here, here, and here.


Enjoy!

Five Dollar Fixer-Upper

About 5 or 6 years ago, I bought this bench at a yard sale. It was plain, unfinished wood with 4 different panels that went in the back. The panels were each hand painted, with snowmen, garden scenes, etc. The panels could be swapped out for each season. They were done in a country/primitive style, and just not really my thing. It was a deal at $5, and I planned on painting it right away.

I gave the sweet woman my $5, and after chatting with her I learned that she was downsizing, and she was very excited to see it go to a good home. I think she had said that her husband built the bench and she painted all the panels. After I bought it, I felt a little guilty, knowing that I would never use it as-is, and would have to re-do all of her hard work. So it has sat in my basement for all those years.


Last week my hubby said it would end up in the fire pit, if I didn't do something with it.
So, I finally painted it. A nice white that has a hint of gray.
I added a piece of an old burlap Starbucks coffee sack to the back of it.
I love how it turned out!
(Maybe even the previous owner would like it?)
It now happily sits in our entry room.
A much nicer spot than the basement.

Required Reading

I'd love to hear your ideas for some summer beach reads.
I like fun, quick, "girlie" books.
Like the Shopaholic series and Bridget Jones.
Any ideas?
I'm thinking that these look good...

Antique Frozen Charlotte Dolls

I must admit that I'm not really a doll person.
(Sorry!)
But, I do like history.
And, these have a great story.


These have recently been dug up from abandoned/ruined doll factories in Germany that closed decades ago.
These littles are about 100 years old!
How cool is that?!?!?
I soooo wanted to be an archaeologist when I was young.
The whole thought of digging up artifacts from long ago completely intrigues me.
(Digging up treasures at flea markets is pretty fun too!)


I really know nothing about dolls, so I did a little research on good old Wikipedia for some insight into them. You can find a little bit about these dolls here. And the sad (real or fabled) poem about the girl whom these were named for is here.


I've listed the smaller dolls on my website. (Edit: They have sold out, but I will be on the lookout for more!)
These are all under 2" and are a perfect size to use in jewelry or in small projects.
They are all damaged with missing limbs and have some discoloration.
I think this adds to their charm.
(I guess they have grown on me!)


I was planning to save the larger dolls for the Vendor Night at Silver Bella and another show that I will be at in the Fall. These are harder to list on the website because they vary greatly in design and damage. However, if you would like to purchase one, let me know! (Most of them are between 3"-4" tall)

Lovely Mail

Is it really already June?!?! Where has this year gone? It has just been a whirlwind of activity around here. This is such a fun time of year... dance recitals, graduation parties, baby showers and weddings. Plus the arrival of summer is just around the corner. Can't wait!

This post is long overdue! I've received some fabulous goodies in the mail from some artsy friends over the last month. Want to see? :)


This is the collage that Dede made for me for the Marie Antoinette Bits and Baubles Swap. She did such a lovely job! It is white and simple... just what I asked for! Dede does beautiful work... some of her art was recently featured in the special Marie publication by Stampington.


Ooooh... she also sent me this gorgeous plate!!!


I also took part in sweet Sarah's Pink & Green Swap. I was lucky enough to be partnered up with Sarah herself! She sent me the most wonderful box of pink and green loveliness! She handmade almost all of the things that she sent!


My favorites are this little wreath and this tiny nest she built in a decorated box. Too cute!


I recently ordered this beautiful cuff bracelet kit from Melissa. I have been a huge fan of her work for quite some time. I can't wait to put it together! I'm thinking it will be a fun project to take camping this summer. I'll be sure to share when I'm done (which may take a while, since there is sewing involved!) She also sent me this fabric bird collage... GASP! I just adore it. You can see all of her lovelies for sale in her etsy shop.

New Swap! Summer Hair Accessories

It has been quite a while since I've hosted a swap!

My Little One came up with this idea, and I think it will be a LOT of fun!
She loves to create, and is always very interested in the swaps that I participate in... she'll definitely be helping with this one!


Here are the details:
Make 6 summery hair accessories. These can be embellished clips, barettes, bobby pins, combs, headbands, etc. Think flowers, buttons, cameos, vintage jewelry, etc. Try to stay away from the cutesie, cartoon-type stuff (Hello Kitty, etc), so the hair accessories can be worn by all ages. You can purchase blank hair clips and bobbies at craft stores or find them on etsy.

Create some cute packaging and wrap them individually (barrettes/bobby pins should be in pairs) and send them to us by July 1st. We will swap them out and send you back 6 from other players. Return shipping will be $5 by Priority Mail.

(Edit: THIS SWAP IS NOW FULL)

Cleaning the Nest -Tag Sale!!!

It's time for my annual "Cleaning the Nest" Tag Sale!
This year, I am going to post the sale items right here on my blog!
(I think it will save me some time with listing.)

I've have lots of goodies to share.
Mainly artsy supplies.
Some vintage, some new.
All at realllllly great prices!

(EDIT: The tag sale is now over. Thank you so much for your purchases! It was a lot of fun!)

Brimfield Bliss!

We had such a fabulous time at Brimfield last week!

I read that there were over 6,000 vendors. Crazy, huh?
And that is 6,000 vendors selling just fabulous vintage finds and antiques, not the other "stuff" you sometimes find at flea markets.
Lots of high-end items and collectibles. Glass, pottery, jewelry, etc.
TONS of yummy furniture.
I wanted SO many things.
Next year I will bring a moving truck. Heehee.


Loved these dresses.


Especially the pink one.
Sorry to say, those are the only photos that I took of the booths. I was having too much fun chatting and shopping. Plus we had A LOT of ground to cover!!!

Here are some of my treasures that did make it home with me:


If you ever get a chance, it really is a must-visit!!!