Showing posts with label Lisa Minckler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lisa Minckler. Show all posts

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Saturday Showcase: April 13, 2013

It is time for the Saturday Showcase where I highlight other artists' work (whether it be stamps, cards or otherwise), a blog post offering a great technique, or I might even just pick a whole blog to showcase. If you are new to my blog you can find out why I created the showcase HERE.

This week I'm sharing tips on how to create a really neat project with you all, courtesy of this week's showcase pick. 




My top pick for this week is a... 

Unique Project
This cool project was created by
LISA MINCKLER
Her blog is called  

I have a real treat for you this week courtesy of Lisa Minkler.  Just make sure you don't try to eat it.

Currently, Lisa is in the midst of creating these unique treats as part of a fundraising project for an organization called Cupcake Camp.  According to the information I received from Lisa, Cupcake Camp originated in San Francisco and has been a way for people to gather together in support of their chosen cause, eat cupcakes and raise money for charity.  Each camp deems their own fundraiser and it just so happens that Cupcake Camp Kansas City, Kansas, USA, has chosen to spread awareness for childhood cancer.  Local bakeries comes together and have bake offs, there are cupcake testings, face painting, tons of activities for kids and even a professional motor cycle team, Rides For Kids--who help raise money for The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation--will be there performing as well.

Cupcake Camp KC has chosen to bring attention to and raise funds for Childhood Cancer Awareness for the following reasons:
  • Because childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer among children under age 15--more than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and pediatric aids combined.
  • The National Cancer Institutes budget was $5 billion...of that $625 million went to breast cancer research, $296 million went to lung cancer research and only $197 million went to pediatrics cancer research only 4% of all cancer research was dedicated to childhood cancer. 
  • Because childhood cancer affects children differently than adults.

This is a 100% Volunteer operation and all the proceeds from the event will go to benefit The University of Kansas, Cancer Center's Pediatric Research as well as The Kansas University Kids Healing Place.  

If any of you are located in or near Kansas City and would be interested in attending this fundraiser, the event is taking place at The Johnson County Community College and the link above directs you to the events taking place, the entry price, the local bakeries participating and all the fun events for kids and adults alike to take part in. 

Lisa was asked by the Director of Cupcake Camp, Samantha Ekwuru, if she would be interested in providing a booth that offered up crafty elements that focused on a cupcake theme and she jumped at the opportunity.  Lisa's mother is the Program Director of Heath and Human Services at the college and of course being one of Lisa's biggest supporters, she put a bug in Samantha's ear about Lisa. After Samantha saw Lisa's blog, she asked her to be part of this wonderful event and of course Lisa was thrilled.  The only downside to Lisa's offerings is that people won't be able to eat any of her goodies!! However, don't fear all you sweet tooths in the area, there will be PLENTY of sweet treats surrounding her.

The Cupcake Camp link above takes you to the website that gives all the events, prices, times, donation button, etc.  The date for this wonderful fundraising event is set for April 28th from 2-5 pm.  So, if you do live in the vicinity, I know that Lisa would love to meet you. 

Now for those of you who can't make it to purchase one of these incredible goodies for yourself, Lisa has graciously allowed me to share the "ingredients' and "baking instructions" with all you wonderful readers for how to create these delicious looking centrepieces.
Lisa used spray foam--you know, the kind you spray into the gaps and cracks around the house--into the cupcake holders just like you would if you were making the real deal. Using a wooden stick,  she leveled out the tops before they dried completely.
 
 
Apparently, Lisa's attempts to aid in the levelling went a bit wonky (actually willy nilly was the term she used) because the foam sort of did its own thing anyways.  She painted them with acrylic paints to look like variations of cupcake recipes. 

At this stage, right before the icing, is the time when you have to make your decorative items. Lisa rolled Sculpey clay out to look like little cherries and then used the leaf cutter from a fondant cake baking kit as well to make accompanying leaves. She then added little wire stems with a curly Q into the top of them.


Bake them  at 270 degrees for 20 minutes, let them cool, paint them with acrylics and then apply clear coat for shine...they're ready when the icing is.
 

 
Now if you want to learn how to make the icing and how to finish these cupcakes up, you are just going to have to go over to Lisa's blog and find out for yourself.  You'll find these instructions in the post, "Fake Baked Cupcakes".  Here is what they look like all decorated and on their own fancy plate.

Are these not some of the neatest things you have ever seen?  If I was closer to where Lisa lives, I know I'd be ordering a few. I hope that you have the time in your schedule to go over and say hi to her and congratulate her on an incredible concept for raising funds for a very worthwhile charity.  I wish her the absolute best in her attempts to sell these scrumptious looking centrepieces at the charity event on April 28th.

Oh and if you do go over today, take a moment to wish her a Happy Anniversary as her and her husband got married on this day some years ago.  Both of us were married in April.  Just one more thing Lisa and I have in common beside our first names and love of crafting! 
 
Now, before you go there is some unfinished business from last week to take care of.  Last Saturday, Melin from My Papercrafting.com, generously offered up two free digis for one lucky person.  It is unfortunate that only five people participated in this draw, but that certainly made better odds for the lucky winner who turned out to be:
MANDY
All names were placed on pieces of paper, put into a pencil case, shaken up several times and then, a name was pulled.  Congratulations Mandy.  Please contact me to learn how to claim your prize!

I hope that you have enjoyed your visit and will take some time to go see the artist listed above.  Lisa works very hard to provide us with images for inspiration and our viewing pleasure so it is important that we don't take her for granted.  I am so grateful that Lisa allowed me to share her "recipe" with all of you along with the charity information on this fabulous fundraising organization.

The next Saturday Showcase will take place on May 4th, 2013.  If you have been reading my posts regularly, you will know that this is an extremely busy month for me.  With a birthday coming up at the end of this week, my husband's on the 22nd and our wedding anniversary on the 29th, I need to take some time and spend it with the dear man who puts up with me and all the hours I spend with you guys.  It's only fair I throw him a few extra hours, as we celebrate these special occasions.  Additionally, my parents are coming up on Monday for a couple days and I haven't seen them since Christmas, so I'll definitely be spending some time with them too.  So, I will be taking some time off from approximately April 18th to May 2nd.  I will still be around though, I have DT obligations to fulfill and other stuff that needs taking care off.  I'm just going to be taking some time off from some of my regular posts.  If you need to reach me, just send me an email.

Until next time,


Note:   *Thanks to Nikki from Limited Runs Stamps for creating my Saturday Showcase badge.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Sunday Spotlight: March 24, 2013

If you are just visiting for the first time, it is that time of week when I say a particular thank you to one of my readers acknowledging them for something thoughtful, inspiring, or mindful that they have said in one of their comments. It is not just about flattery [although that is nice sometimes too ;-) ]; it is about walking away from the comment and wanting to touch on and explore an idea they have presented.  Sometimes it might just be one or two words that they have said that reaches out and elicits a response in me.  

As a way of saying thanks, I will present this person with an advanced copy of a freebie that I promise, no one else will be able to get their hand on for at least three months and possibly longer.

So without further ado, the comment I'm highlighting and reflecting on this week belongs to...



LISA M.

who said this:
I thought chick's first flight was my favorite but then I was torn with the bandaged egg, but then the chirp up caught my eye!! LOL..they're ALL so adorable. :) You ARE a digi buying enabler!!! hugs, Lisa on Promotional Post: Fresh Brewed Designs New Spring Digis

Isn't it amazing how we can fall in love over and over with the beautiful images that we come in contact with?  There is so much love in our hearts, even for digital images!  

Just like Lisa, I can look at one and fall in love then see the next one and think, "oh that is my favourite" and then find three more I love just as much.  You should see my digi wish lists from the various artists I showcase, promote or come across just in my day to day travels.  The lists are longer than my arms in a lot of cases!  So, when I do a promotional post and say I love a particular digi stamp and then can easily go on to love six more, I'm not just talking out of the side of my mouth.  I really do have room in my heart for each of them.

Entering a few numbers and clicking a button to make a purchase is just WAY TOO EASY and dangerous.  It is a good thing that I have significant self restraint or there wouldn't be any money for the mortgage or to put food on the table.  Even though I can't buy them all, I can still love them and promote them and of course help you fall in love with them too.  

Since I can't bring all these great digi images home, someone needs to give these characters a place to live.  If it can't be me, it might as well be you so I'm proud to be a digi-buying enabler.  There are worse things in life I could be!!!

Honourable mentions include:
  • I really like the flowers with buttons for this card! My favorite piece of this card is the sentiment. It's THE most beautiful condolence sentiment I've ever read! With your talent for sentiments and fonts, you could make such a beautiful card with sentiment only too - just a thought. Pia. on Card Design: Digi Darla's Challenges #53 -- Buttons
  • Thanks so much for this wonderful sentiment. I have used it on sympathy cards in the past and I hope it helps ease some of the pain of losing a loved one. I have buried both of my parents and even though the ache never really goes away, they were both good people and I know they are both safe in Heaven or well on their way. At my mom's funeral, the priest repeated a visit he'd had with my mother shortly before she passed. She'd suffered for many years with various ailments and was tired and ready to go to her reward. He told us that he'd never met someone who was so anxious to go to Heaven. Even though it was so hard to say goodbye, it gave me such comfort to know that she was safe at last and right where she wanted to be, no longer suffering. She had a deep faith and never questioned why but seemed to know that it would all work out in the end. With faith, all things work for good. My condolences to your family during this time. txexperiment on Motivational Monday: Death Leaves a Heartache
  • Oh wow Lisa you are amazing and so sharing. Thank you for being our eye witness out there. Thank you also for the acknowledgement here, its a huge honour. And how priveleged are we to have a stunning custom made 500 Follower badge made for us. When I put up my 500 Follower Give-away, I will display my badge with pride and also put it in my sidebar. Congrats also to Cuddlebug. Hugs Desíre {Doing Life} on Congratulations to Two More Blogs Reaching Huge Milestones
  • Thank you so much for your post. It is so sweet and I love my button. Thank you :) Going to add it to my blog now Great big hugs anna on Congratulations to Two More Blogs Reaching Huge Milestones
  • OMGosh this card is so cute! I love the bright colors you used and I love that cute digi of bunny and baby! You are right the love that is coming from them is overwhelming! Your sentiments are just perfect with this digi!! Thanks for joining us at My Paper Crafting DDF ;-) Brenda on Bit By the Bug Tuesday: Cuddle Buns Gets Squished
  • Inspiration of a photograph? It is amazing what they can do to our human emotion. They can evoke the full range of our being. I have looked at your photo and even though I am not going to use it, I did study it for a minute. For me, I think what was striking was the color. Green, which is one of my favorites .... this one brings feeling of calm and inner peace. It's a feast for my vision, yet it makes me shiver with cold. It's stillness, in which you hear your own breathing and it's the wonderment of what God can create. I feel thankfulness. Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Sue on Picture Inspiration: A Sea of Green
  • Lisa... you did a superb job describing everything that Pixel Scrapper has to offer to the public. I, myself just "discovered" the site a couple of months ago and love getting my free downloads. But what I also love are the forums which have been so helpful... especially to a scrapbooking "newbie" like me! Everyone is so friendly and gives excellent advice and tips. Anyway, great post! I'm sure Marisa of Pixel Scrapper is beaming with pride! ~Tracey on Saturday Showcase: March 16, 2013
  • Keep on bringing joy to our lives ;) It's always so nice to see that you have blogged!!! ;) Hugs Vicky on Sunday Spotlight: March 17, 2013
  • Lisa I am loving your spotlights and the wonderful and interesting way you always present these talented and special bloggers. I am also so honoured to be on your inspirational list. {I would love you to take part in my 500 Follower Give-away. Thank you so much if you have already entered.} Hugs Desíre {Doing Life} on Sunday Spotlight: March 17, 2013
  • I so agree with this!! It's so true and your creation this week is beautiful. Thanks for the freebie and thank you so much for joining us at Digitally Sweet! Karen on Colours of the Rainbow
  • you are just tooooo much!!! ROFL I just don't know how you come up with this stuff but soooo much fun ;))) You had me giggling! Vicky on Winner Announcement & New Releases: Scribbles Designs 
  •  Lisa, What a pretty card and the verse is so special. It made me think of my parents who are no longer with us but you made it feel like they are right beside me. Thank you for joing us at the CDAC "Anything Goes Challenge" Pattie CDAC DT Member on Card Design: Scribbles Designs Challenge #3--Shades of Green or Easter
  • Oh, Lisa, I laughed out loud. Isn't it funny how we sometimes struggle so much with one particular project? No worries - you hit the ball out of the park - again. Deb on Card Design: Lady Anne's Progressive Christmas Challenge #2-First Card
  • Hi Lisa, You made me laugh when I read what you wrote with the digis. Thank you. I needed the smiles I still have. Edwina Brown on Winner Announcement & New Releases: Scribbles Designs 
Thanks everyone for your continued support.  Please know just how much all your comments mean to me.  There were so many more I could have added but I had to stop somewhere I guess or this post would have been 18 miles long!
Since next Sunday is Easter, I won't be putting out a Sunday Spotlight, need to spend some extra time with the hubs!  For those of my readers who celebrate Easter, or even just get a couple extra days off from work, may you find time during this coming long weekend to spend with those people in your lives that mean the most to you.  

Wishing you all a wonderful week!
Until next time,