Summer Decorated Tree

 I almost forgot to show you my 

office tree decorated for Summer.

A smiling sun

made from sheets of orange foam 

and black for a mouth, googly eyes

and these car foam wax applicators

Here's one from a package of 6 brightly colored

children's party novelty sunglasses

Flip Flops....

toddler sized flip flops are a perfect

size to hang on the tree

 Ice Cream....

who doesn't love a nice cool ice cream

in the summer

These fun little bubble containers

found at the dollar store

make perfect tree decorations

after emptying out the bubble solution.

And what else says Summer like

Watermelon

These were cut from party paper plates

then scored, folded 

and glued for a 3D effect.

Transparent balls 

in bright summery colors

like this hot pink one

 represent beach balls

I found wooden sunny faces and beach balls too.

And sand pails, I loove little beach sand pails...

vintage ones with the cute little graphics.

Well I hit the jackpot!!

I was ecstatic when I found these

paper party cups with graphics

perfectly suited to make my little sand pails.

I just added a handle by threading some wire

through a plastic clothesline.

Then I added a shovel...

I lucked out again with these

 plastic spoons

in colors that perfectly matched the cups.

 I just trimmed the rounded spoon tip

off with a scissors.

Don't you just Love It!!

These glass S&Ps and cheese shaker jars

were transformed into beachy memory jars

when I filled them with 

shells, blue glass and a bit of glitter.

Tied jute twine around the top

and a handle for hanging.

Sealed with clear hard plastic over

the jar opening cut from a plastic drinking cup.

that's not really beach sand...I didn't have any

so I used a pinch of oatmeal just for effect

Finally, I came across these 

shell shaped coasters

which lent themselves to the beachy feel

of my summer tree.

I just poked a hole with a push pin

and hung with a wire 

Christmas ornament hook.

All topped off with this

fountain table piece

with summery flowers and butterflys

I found at a garage sale for 10 cents.

Hope you had a fabulous Summer

I can't believe Fall is just around the corner.


Go here see more of my Decorated Trees

Cupcakes in a Cup, 3 Different

All look so impressive
but sooo easy to put together.

You can use either the regular or large
size cupcakes.
Today, I'm using the regular size cupcakes.

1.)
  Strawberry Shortcakes

Start with your favorite white cake or shortcake

baked in muffin cups, cool, remove the cupcake

paper and drop in the bottom of a 

clear plastic disposable cup.

Top with sliced fresh strawberries.

Pipe some whipped topping on top.

Garnish with a whole strawberry.

(leave the strawberry leaf/stem on

for a pretty color element).

2. )
Chocolate Cherry  a.k.a. Black Forest

Your favorite chocolate cupcakes,

This is my faaavorite chocolate cake
nice and moist and chocolately!
It's an eggless recipe that I've seen in those
group fundraiser cookbooks under the name
of Crazy Cake.

In a small mixing bowl sift together:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup white granulated sugar

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1 teaspoon Arm & Hammer baking soda

a few dashes of salt (less than 1 teaspoon)

In a different small bowl (or glass 2 cup measuring cup with pour spout works great),

whisk to blend then pour into dry ingredients above:

1 cup water

1/2 cup cooking oil, such as Crisco Canola Oil

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon good vanilla (I like McCormicks Clear Imitation Vanilla)

Stir all together with a wire whisk 'til well blended and smooth.

Pour into UNgreased 8x8 baking pan, or 12 cup cupcake tin with liners.

(Because there are no raw eggs you can lick the utensils and bowl, yum!!)

Bake in 350 degrees oven for approx. 20 minutes or until cake is puffed and springy,

wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

So... drop a cooled cupcake into the plastic cup,

Top with a big spoonful of cherry pie filling 

straight out of the can.

Pipe on the whipped topping,

and garnish with a single cherry.
I've recently seen prepackaged shaved/curled 
chocolate in the baking aisle.  
Wish I'd had some to sprinkle on top
around the cherry....next time I will.

3.)
  Pineapple Upside Down Cakes

Sorry for the picture quality of some of these.  

I'd just removed these from the refrigerator

and the plastic cup fogged up making it

difficult to see the cake inside.

I'd seen pineapple upside down cupcakes
on Pinterest ....something new to me....
and they looked wonderful so of course
I had to try them.
I definitely recommend using the large size
cupcakes for these.  I used the regular size
and by the time I had the pineapple ring
in the muffin tin there was almost no room
for cake and it ran out of the cup during baking.
I ended up putting two cupcakes in these
plastic cups...a plain cake in the bottom,
whipped topping, and then a
pineapple cake.  I placed a stemmed 
cherry in the pineapple hole.

I'm off to the bake sale!

Let me know if you make any of these,
I'd love to hear your comments.