Witches Brew Recap

A few years back, I started an annual party called "The Witches Brew Tea." It is a night where my friends and family(ladies only) gather to celebrate Halloween.  My rules are simple...everyone is required to wear a hat.  It has been so much fun to build the party a little more each year. This year's witches brew was a so much fun!  I loved the company, the food and the ambiance. The menu for the bash included: baked potato soup with bacon, cheese, chive and sour cream toppings; bread bowls; green salad; pumpkin and chocolate pumpkin cupcakes and sugar cookies.

For drinks, I served Sprite, Gingerale, and Cream Soda with Grenadine, Lime and Grape syrups.  Of course I dressed the bottles up with spooky labels and Halloween patterned paper.  I also fancied up the cups with a barber pole straw, spider, and lime.

The cupcakes were a real hit, so I thought I would share the recipes with you.  Also, check out the previous post for the free download of the cupcake toppers.

Cupcake Hints-
-Use an extra large star tip and a pastry bag to frost cupcakes
-Use a plain cupcake liner to bake the cupcake, then place the cooked cupcake into another decorative liner after it has cooled.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 heaping teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 heaping teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 heaping teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 heaping teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup white sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup half and half

1 1/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup applesauce

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 heavy whipping cream

3 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 24 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners. Sift together the flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, allspice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.
2. Beat oil, the white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the mixture before adding the next. Stir in the half and half, applesauce and pumpkin puree after the last egg. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
4. While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting by beating the cream cheese and 1/4 butter with an electric mixer in a bowl until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar a little at a time until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; beat until fluffy. Once the cupcakes are cool, frost with the cream cheese icing.

Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin

1/4 cup water

2 eggs

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Pumpkin pie spice as desired

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

 3/4 (6 ounces) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 heavy whipping cream

1 cup cocoa

3 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease or line cupcake tins.
2. In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, pumpkin, eggs and oil for 3 minutes using a mixer on medium speed. Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool, then frost with cream cheese frosting.

We had some great witches outfits, but I believe the greatest hat award went to my friend Kirsten who created this beautiful headpiece with a selection of florals adhered to a headband.

Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween tomorrow!  Watch out for the tricks and eat lots of treats!

Witches Brew Recap

A few years back, I started an annual party called "The Witches Brew Tea." It is a night where my friends and family(ladies only) gather to celebrate Halloween.  My rules are simple...everyone is required to wear a hat.  It has been so much fun to build the party a little more each year. This year's witches brew was a so much fun!  I loved the company, the food and the ambiance. The menu for the bash included: baked potato soup with bacon, cheese, chive and sour cream toppings; bread bowls; green salad; pumpkin and chocolate pumpkin cupcakes and sugar cookies.

For drinks, I served Sprite, Gingerale, and Cream Soda with Grenadine, Lime and Grape syrups.  Of course I dressed the bottles up with spooky labels and Halloween patterned paper.  I also fancied up the cups with a barber pole straw, spider, and lime.

The cupcakes were a real hit, so I thought I would share the recipes with you.  Also, check out the previous post for the free download of the cupcake toppers.

Cupcake Hints-
-Use an extra large star tip and a pastry bag to frost cupcakes
-Use a plain cupcake liner to bake the cupcake, then place the cooked cupcake into another decorative liner after it has cooled.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 heaping teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 heaping teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 heaping teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 heaping teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup white sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup half and half

1 1/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup applesauce

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 heavy whipping cream

3 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 24 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners. Sift together the flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, allspice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.
2. Beat oil, the white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the mixture before adding the next. Stir in the half and half, applesauce and pumpkin puree after the last egg. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
4. While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting by beating the cream cheese and 1/4 butter with an electric mixer in a bowl until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar a little at a time until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; beat until fluffy. Once the cupcakes are cool, frost with the cream cheese icing.

Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin

1/4 cup water

2 eggs

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Pumpkin pie spice as desired

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

 3/4 (6 ounces) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 heavy whipping cream

1 cup cocoa

3 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease or line cupcake tins.
2. In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, pumpkin, eggs and oil for 3 minutes using a mixer on medium speed. Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool, then frost with cream cheese frosting.

We had some great witches outfits, but I believe the greatest hat award went to my friend Kirsten who created this beautiful headpiece with a selection of florals adhered to a headband.

Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween tomorrow!  Watch out for the tricks and eat lots of treats!

FREE CUPCAKE TOPPER DOWNLOAD

I am sure many of you are busy getting ready for Halloween on Monday. I thought I would share a little help from my Witches Brew (pictures to come soon)this week. As one of the desserts, I served pumpkin and chocolate/pumpkin cupcakes. To top them off I created some festive Halloween Picks.  To create these picks for your Spooky goodies, simply download the pattern, punch out the designs with a 1 1/2" circle punch and back with a scalloped circle punch.  I added a toothpick so that they would stick easily into the cupcake frosting.

Hope you all have a wonderfully Haunted Holiday!

FREE CUPCAKE TOPPER DOWNLOAD

I am sure many of you are busy getting ready for Halloween on Monday. I thought I would share a little help from my Witches Brew (pictures to come soon)this week. As one of the desserts, I served pumpkin and chocolate/pumpkin cupcakes. To top them off I created some festive Halloween Picks.  To create these picks for your Spooky goodies, simply download the pattern, punch out the designs with a 1 1/2" circle punch and back with a scalloped circle punch.  I added a toothpick so that they would stick easily into the cupcake frosting.

Hope you all have a wonderfully Haunted Holiday!

Mrs. Livingwood's Chewy Popcorn Balls

Here's a deliciously soft and chewy popcorn ball that will bring a mouthful of pleasure to Halloween goblins young and old alike. My mom discovered this popcorn ball recipe about 35 years ago. The original recipe calls for spiced gumdrops and we would make them each year at Christmastime. For Halloween, I used orange and black gumdrops and candy corn.

The amount of butter in this recipe might scare your socks off, but it's what gives the popcorn balls their soft and chewy consistency. Believe me, these are some of the most delicious popcorn balls you'll ever taste!

Do this...

Do that...

Do this...

And soon...

You'll be eating these :0)

Mrs. Livingwood's Chewy Popcorn Balls

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1  1/3 cups sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

4 quarts popped corn

3 cups miniature marshmallows

1  1/2 cups orange/black gumdrops

1/2 cup candy corn

1  1/2 cups peanuts (cashews or mixed nuts work well too)

Combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup in heavy saucepan. Stir to blend and bring to a good boil over medium heat. Simmer 3 minutes. Add vanilla (careful, the hot liquid may spatter). In the meantime, combine popcorn, gumdrops, marshmallows, and nuts in a very large bowl. Pour hot syrup over mixture and stir until well blended. With lightly buttered hands, shape into popcorn balls. 

Before you know it, your little goblins will be gobblin' these up! Enjoy! 

I LOVE FRANKIE SALE

We are now exactly 10 spooky days from HALLOWEEN!!  I have a few "I LOVE FRANKIE" kits left, so I thought I would offer my last few for a SUPER DEAL.  If you have been looking at Frankie, but haven't snagged yours yet, now is your chance to get him for just

$15 with FREE SHIPPING to any US location!!

(regularly $22)

Kits ship out within 24 hours so you could easily have yours up and ready for display by October 31st. Deal is good until the kits disappear!

I LOVE FRANKIE SALE

We are now exactly 10 spooky days from HALLOWEEN!!  I have a few "I LOVE FRANKIE" kits left, so I thought I would offer my last few for a SUPER DEAL.  If you have been looking at Frankie, but haven't snagged yours yet, now is your chance to get him for just

$15 with FREE SHIPPING to any US location!!

(regularly $22)

Kits ship out within 24 hours so you could easily have yours up and ready for display by October 31st. Deal is good until the kits disappear!

Paper Pumpkins on Studio 5

Today was all about pumpkins that will last through the years!  Here are three fun ideas for bringing the pumpkin spirit onto your table, wall, or party favor.

Bitty Favor Pumpkins

These pumpkins are so cute and versatile....and so easy to make!  They look adorable hanging from a banner or can also be filled with treats and used as a perfect pumpkin party favor.  To make these bitty pumpkins, you will need:
1 5X12" strip of pattern paper (use double sided for a cute inside)
Scissors
Hole punch
Wire, ribbon or string

1. Fold your 12" strips into 2" selections.
2. Cut each corner off of folded strip. You don't have to be perfect with your cutting, but try to leave about 1' that doesn't get cut.
3. Use a hole punch to punch the top and bottom of the folded strip.
4. Open up strip and adhere the two ends together.
5. Use ribbon, wire, or thread to pull ends in.  Thread your desired medium through each hole and pull together.
6. If you are using the pumpkins as a favor, add a treat at this time, then thread medium through the center of the pumpkin and out through the top holes and pull tight.  Add additional ribbon as desired to create stem.

Try tying the bitty pumpkins on to a ribbon to create a garland.

Hanging Medallion Pumpkins

To create the medallion pumpkins, follow the instructions for fan folded medallions. Use different widths of strips to create a variety of medallion sizes.  Layer multiple medallions in varying sizes.  Add a green stem and circle to the top to finish off the pumpkin look.   Tie medallions to thick, festive ribbon and hang from your ceiling, mantle or chandelier.

Fancy Free Centerpiece Pumpkins

These statement pumpkins are a perfect solution for dressing up a fall or Halloween table.  They are a breeze to create in a variety of sizes and shapes.  To create these pumpkins you will need:

8 squares of paper-try different sizes to give variety to your tablescape.

Adhesive

Ink

Green paper for the stem

Scissors

Pen or pencil for tracing if desired

1. Fold your sheets of paper in half and cut a half of a pumpkin pattern.  If you are nervous to freehand your pattern, you can use a practice sheet to test it out.

2. Use your first piece to cut each piece in the same pumpkin pattern.

3. Cut stems the same way and adhere them back to back.

4. Adhere folded pumpkins back to back in a stack, tucking stem pieces in as you go.

5. Ink all pieces.

6. Fold pumpkin out and enjoy!

Paper Pumpkins on Studio 5

Today was all about pumpkins that will last through the years!  Here are three fun ideas for bringing the pumpkin spirit onto your table, wall, or party favor.

Bitty Favor Pumpkins

These pumpkins are so cute and versatile....and so easy to make!  They look adorable hanging from a banner or can also be filled with treats and used as a perfect pumpkin party favor.  To make these bitty pumpkins, you will need:
1 5X12" strip of pattern paper (use double sided for a cute inside)
Scissors
Hole punch
Wire, ribbon or string

1. Fold your 12" strips into 2" selections.
2. Cut each corner off of folded strip. You don't have to be perfect with your cutting, but try to leave about 1' that doesn't get cut.
3. Use a hole punch to punch the top and bottom of the folded strip.
4. Open up strip and adhere the two ends together.
5. Use ribbon, wire, or thread to pull ends in.  Thread your desired medium through each hole and pull together.
6. If you are using the pumpkins as a favor, add a treat at this time, then thread medium through the center of the pumpkin and out through the top holes and pull tight.  Add additional ribbon as desired to create stem.

Try tying the bitty pumpkins on to a ribbon to create a garland.

Hanging Medallion Pumpkins

To create the medallion pumpkins, follow the instructions for fan folded medallions. Use different widths of strips to create a variety of medallion sizes.  Layer multiple medallions in varying sizes.  Add a green stem and circle to the top to finish off the pumpkin look.   Tie medallions to thick, festive ribbon and hang from your ceiling, mantle or chandelier.

Fancy Free Centerpiece Pumpkins

These statement pumpkins are a perfect solution for dressing up a fall or Halloween table.  They are a breeze to create in a variety of sizes and shapes.  To create these pumpkins you will need:

8 squares of paper-try different sizes to give variety to your tablescape.

Adhesive

Ink

Green paper for the stem

Scissors

Pen or pencil for tracing if desired

1. Fold your sheets of paper in half and cut a half of a pumpkin pattern.  If you are nervous to freehand your pattern, you can use a practice sheet to test it out.

2. Use your first piece to cut each piece in the same pumpkin pattern.

3. Cut stems the same way and adhere them back to back.

4. Adhere folded pumpkins back to back in a stack, tucking stem pieces in as you go.

5. Ink all pieces.

6. Fold pumpkin out and enjoy!

Halloween Sites for Kids

It's that hooky spooky time of year again with the Halloween season in full swing. In case your kids need a little jump start to get into the Halloween spirit here are some fun kid's sites packed with Halloween games, activities, printables, and recipes to help bring a little more fun into the season.

• Activity Village
• Billy Bear 4 Kids
• Coloring Book
• Crayola
• Disney Family
• Education.com
• Family Fun
• Kaboose
• Making Friends
• Nick Jr.
• PBS Kids
• Printables 4 Kids
• Sesame Street
• She Knows
• Sprout Online
• Twisty Noodle
• Woo Jr.

Faith, Love and Spray Paint

Does anyone else feel like they can create anything with a can of spray paint in hand?  One of my favorite creative outlets is walking the isles at a thrift store and collecting junk...then taking it home to transform with a little paint.  I love it!

This week I have been in Halloween decorating mode....yes, I am a little late at getting to it.  Since my Book Page Segment on Studio 5, I have had a craving to do a whole wall of Spooky Dictionary Prints.  I can't wait until it all comes together!

I am creating lots of prints to use, but here are a few I have created so far.  You can just download the pictures and print them out for use in your haunted decor. Enjoy!

Faith, Love and Spray Paint

Does anyone else feel like they can create anything with a can of spray paint in hand?  One of my favorite creative outlets is walking the isles at a thrift store and collecting junk...then taking it home to transform with a little paint.  I love it!

This week I have been in Halloween decorating mode....yes, I am a little late at getting to it.  Since my Book Page Segment on Studio 5, I have had a craving to do a whole wall of Spooky Dictionary Prints.  I can't wait until it all comes together!

I am creating lots of prints to use, but here are a few I have created so far.  You can just download the pictures and print them out for use in your haunted decor. Enjoy!

Pocket Full of CANDY Instructions

As promised, here is a full tutorial on making the Pocket Full of Candy Countdown from yesterday's segment.  Have fun crafting up this festive countdown that also makes a great October centerpiece.

What you will need:
4 Sheets of double sided pattern paper cut to 9X12
4 Sheets of double sided pattern paper cut to 6x12
4 2X6 Strips of patterned paper
Strong Adhesive
Stapler
Embellishments, treats and signs as desired

The How To:

1. Fold (use your scoring tool if available) 9X12 papers in half at 6", then fold bottom up at 6" to create pocket. Once your piece is all folded, you will have a 6x6 folded pocket. Adhere the edges of the pocket shut, then reinforce the edge with a few staples.

2. Fold (use your scoring tool if available) 6X12 papers in half at 6", then fold each side towards center at 2". Once your piece is all folded, you will have a 4x6 folded piece. 

3. Fold 2X6 Strips in half and adhere them to the inside of the center flaps of the 4X6 folded piece. This will connect the two folds together in a "V" pattern. The black and white star piece in the picture below shows how that piece should look. The 2X6 strip goes on the inside of the "V" to hold it together.

4. Fold each of the pieces and then you are ready to connect your book together.  Alternate folded pieces so that the large 6X6 folds are sandwiched between the smaller "V" shaped piece.  Adhere "V" pieces to outside surface of 6X6 pieces with adhesive on the top and bottom sides ( you should have pocket in the front that you can slip treats in to.  Reinforce the adhesive with a few more staples along the edge.  If you would like to be able to open and close your countdown, don't adhere the last two pieces together.

5. Once you connect all the pieces, you will see that you have a star formed.  Add numbers and embellishments as desired. Then stuff your pockets with goodies and trinkets.

6. I added a little sign on a skewer with some ribbon to the center of the star to top things off.

*Note, you will have 14 pockets, so you can give some days 2 pockets if you would like.