How I Made My Kitchen Aid Awesome!

So many things have been going on recently, that have kept me from blogging.  I choose to believe it's life that got in the way, when it is probably just me being lazy.  I can say it, I love a good lazy day, or two 

  So to try and be productive and such I wanted to share my little Kitchen Aid remodel that I did for Hubby.  The last time I decorated my Kitchen Aid, he was less than pleased.   Which stinks, because it was awesome!!!! But at the time I promised him that if I ever got a bigger Kitchen Aid we would decorate it how he wanted. Boy was I stupid, but whatever, I did it anyway, because I love him, and I wanted to let him know I care enough to share my mixer.

This is the picture they sent me, how cool is that!

So I could not remember what I had promised him, but I went back and read that he wanted an Avengers style.  And then I was all "really?"  And then I figured, fine might as well.  I am cool like that.  I wanted to use decals, because it is not permanent and I can change it at any time if he pisses me off. 

I contacted the same company I used on Etsy for my Laptop decal, the same one I used on my old mixer. Showcase 66.  I sent them a note sort of telling them what I wanted, which was basically not helpful.  I said I wanted an Avengers set of decals, and they could do whatever they wanted.  They asked me who Hubby's favorite was. So I had to ask him, because what do I know about this stuff.

And I love that they send you two copies, that means you can use the others for your car or you know anything.

So I sent Hubby an email.

"Hubby, for no real reason, who is your favorite Avenger, and if it's the chick I will cut you."

His reply was something like, "The green guy, the red guy, the purple guy and then the other red guy."

He used their actual names, what do I know, I was just glad my hubby was smart enough to not even include the girl in his list.

So I sent that info off to the store, and then had to endure Hubby asking me why I wanted to know, and that could it be this, or this or what could it be.  I told him to stop pestering me that no matter what he thought it was, it would not be as cool.  I mean it is cool, but when you have a comic book nerd as a Hubby, they think of dolls ( action figures they call them) or books ( graphic novels)  Seriously I told him, just pretend I never asked, it will be something silly.  So he sort of gave up asking, because in his mind, I was getting him a personalized Avengers action figure with kung fu grip or something.  Silly man.

I cut the pictures out and worked one at a time.  Just smooth on and rub it well with a credit card. And yes I know that totally sounds dirty, but it's my blog so I can put smutty descriptions in here if I want.

Showcase 66 sent me some great ideas, and I was all, "that is great, I love it!"  Because the idea looked really cool, and it was sort of nerdy enough that I didn't get it, so I knew Hubby would.   So I just had to wait for the decals to arrive and I was going to get it all done.

Please ignore the flashy pictures, I was in a rush.

So when they arrived I was so excited, but I had a cake to make for Hubby and he was in the house with me.  So I made the cake and told him I needed stuff from the store, or gas for the car or something.  I cannot remember really.  He went out and I raced to get this thing done.  Now I should tell you I got this done in about 10 minutes.    First, I went back to check the email that I got to show me how the layout was and then I wiped my mixer off and stuck everything on.  Now I had to alter it just a tiny bit, as the picture they used had no handle on it, but no big deal it still worked out awesome!

I know all these people, Iron Man, The hulk and The Arrow, and no I didn't google that.  I am just that good!

So I got it all set up and put it back on the counter, but sort of sticking out so Hubby would see it when he got home.  And he never noticed it, he is super that way, totally notices everything.  Which actually works out for me.  I may have been piling stuff in the basement, around my craft table in a crazy way.  And it was looking like a mountain but he never noticed.  Until this week, so yeah, usually the not noticing works in my favor.

  Anyway I finally had to say "can you look at my mixer it was acting funny"

And he was all "you just used it, it was fine."

"JUST LOOK AT IT!"
 Seriously, that a hint man!

And he giggled and said "neat!"  then he sat down and ate diner.  And that is how I geeked out my Kitchen aid.  And made my Hubby the coolest mixer ever.

This is the chick, she got put at the bottom, where no one will  see her.  Stupid hot chick in tight stuff.

Cupcakes, and a Give Away!!!! Winner announced for last give away too.

Will you be mine? ( I know, how dorky can you get.)

 Firstly I want to announce the winner of the My Little Cupcake mold set winner.  I am so excited that so many of you entered.  I really hope the winner enjoys these little molds and makes something super cute with them:)

  There were a total of  61comments, but only 50 qualified, and I used Random.org to conduct the draw.

   So the winner is  #19, which is Kluckingbear. Please contact me with your mailing address, I will also try to contact you.  You have 48 hours to contact me or  I will have to choose another winner.  Thanks all for commenting, I hope you stick around to comment on this giveaway also!

   So now on to my super amazing cupcake post, and cupcake giveaway!

 I know that almost everyone loves cupcakes, I mean what's not to love? They are cakes that you don't have to share, that in my books is huge!  So for this I wanted to make something from a box mix, but none of the recipes I looked at were doing it for me, not sure why.  So I went on line and found a recipe for red velvet cupcakes.  I wanted red because I figure valentines day is coming up, and that would be perfect.

   I also had a play date with Pork chop and his little friend, so that meant I had someone to send some home with and to have decorate them.  It was a win win situation.

I think I like sprinkles the most, then Pork chop, then Hubby.  They know how they rate in my life.

  Also I wanted to give away a super cute cupcake that you can wear.  I shared these last year on my gift idea post.  I love the ones I have, so much so that after the holidays, I used up the last of my fun money and got myself two more.  I love working with Peggy at The Glass Chef.  So after I share my yummy cupcakes, I will share my fun give away!

  I have a fondness for cupcakes for a few reasons, let me list them, because I know you need to know how my mind works.

My List for why Cupcakes Rule!

-they are cute
-they are easy to make and frost
-they are way easier to serve than a cake, this is a huge factor
-you can have different flavors and try them all
-if you drop it, you still have more, drop a cake and well you are eating floor cake, gross!
-you can decorate your cupcakes with cute liners, picks and sprinkles

  Well you get the idea, they are just awesome! So here is the cupcake that I tried out today.

Red Velvet Cupcakes
from All recipes.com
makes about 20

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup butter milk *
1 oz red food colouring **
1 TSP vanilla
1 1/2 TSP baking soda
1 TBPS white vinegar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 TSP salt

*I never buy butter milk, so I just make my own.  Put 1 TBSP of white vinegar in a measuring cup, fill up to the 1 cup with milk, stir and let sit for 5 minutes, and there you go.
**1 OZ equals 2 TBSPs

See how it looks curdled, it still all worked out though.

Set oven to 350
-beat butter and sugar until fluffy, add all the wet ingredients and mix well ( at this point it looked like my butter had curdled and I was worried, but after mixing it all together it still looked the same, but baked up fine. I think it was the vinegar.)
-add dry ingredients and mix until just combined
-spoon into cupcake liners and bake for about 14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

These are Pork chops, you can tell by the one he tried to drown in sprinkles.  We ended up sending them to day care for his PD day.

  I just made my basic butter cream* for this and tinted it pink.  I made extra so I could try to make butter cream truffles, which I will share later on, so good!

*1/2 cup each of butter and shortening, beat together and add icing sugar and milk until it is as thick as you want and you have the amount you want

These are his friends, which I sent home with him.  He is so slow, he puts on  one sprinkle at a time almost, it is so cute. And both boys kept asking for icing eyeballs, I said no, eyeballs are not for pink cupcakes.  I am the mom and I make the rules!

And here is one of mine.  The icing heart on top was bought at the baking warehouse, so cute.

 But for a more traditional icing, but with a kick, you know booze, try the one I posted about Here.  It is good, trust me. You cannot go wrong with Irish cream, am I right?!


  Now on to the give away!!!

   I wanted to give one reader the chance to win a cupcake charm.  I looked at all of them and could not decide on which one to give away. So I asked Peggy if she would be willing to work with my winner to make them a charm any way they like, and she said "of course I will!"  You gotta love Peggy.

  So firstly I want to show you the two new ones I got, I have 4 now and I am cut off. I could have one in every colour.

  The first one I ordered was to remind me of Hubby, even though he has a bad rap here, he isn't that bad really. I sort of like him. Hubby may not like to eat the things I bake, but he does have one thing he loves that is sweet.  And that is mint chocolate chip ice cream.  That is the first thing I remember about him, anything mint chocolate.  My little Pork Chop shares his love and could eat mint Areo bars all day long.  So I asked for a chocolate cupcake with minty green icing and chocolate sprinkles.  I think Peggy nailed it!



I will call it the Hubby cupcake, and sorry about the bad pictures, you cannot win them all you know.


  Then I asked for a Tiffany blue cupcake, with dark brown accents.  I have to say, the reason I wanted this colour is that at my new job they have these Tiffany eye glass frames that I am in love with.  I don't know why, I think the colours speak to me. They say crazy things, like buy a new cupcake charm and eat more cupcakes.  It's scary really.  So Peggy made me my little Tiffany cupcake, and it was perfect.

See how she made the cherry on top a colour that works with the cupcake?  That is why Peggy is an artist, and I am not.  I  just like to eat things, so I am a food eating artist, not the same thing really.

These are just a few ideas for you all.

 So whatever your imagination can think up, you can share it with Peggy and I bet it will be even better than you think.  So start thinking people, because the winner of this contest is going to get their choice of one custom cupcake charm.  All you have to do to win is one of the following. Please make sure you read the rules, as only qualifying entries will be counted.


  Leave a comment and let me know what sort of cupcake charm you would like.  ( You can totally change your mind if you win, it's not written in stone.)

  You can earn extra entries by doing the following, just do it and come back and leave me a comment to let me know.

-visit Peggy's site and let me know
-share my blog with someone and let me know, I love new readers
-become a follower, I love following other blogs, so would love it if you follow mine, just let me know you did, and if you are already a follower let me know
-follow my face book page, but you have to leave the comment here to have it count, and if you already follow my page let me know

The Rules:*****make sure you answer the skill testing question in each entry*****


-Each entry must have the answer to this skill testing question 14-4=?  So any entry without that will not be counted
-winner is responsible for any duty charged when the item is delivered
-the contest is open to all USA, Canadian (except Quebec, sorry) and Internationale readers
-the prize is for one custom cupcake charm, no chain or substitutions
-the winner will be picked by Random.org from all qualifying entries, as some entries will not qualify and I may even comment, I will number entries starting with the first and work my way to the end to calculate the number of entries in total
-entries will be accepted until 12 noon (Toronto time) Wednesday February 1, 2012 ( happy birthday Hubby!) as comments are moderated as long as they hit my mail box before the dead line they will still qualify
-the winner will be announced and they have 48 hours to contact me or I choose another winner, please add a way for me to contact you in your comment if you can or make sure to check back, if you are a follower you will see when new posts go up

  And I think that is it.  So please enter as many ways as you can and I cannot wait to see what cupcake the winner ends up picking!  I will be posting a picture of it on a future post, because I am nosy like that and want to see it.

*prize supplied by me, I am not being paid or compensated in any way.  I just love these pendants and Peggy was so wonderful to agree and work with me!*