Eclipse cupcake wrappers

Recently Loopy Loo Designs created a new company called "Sweet Whimsy" to supply trendy bakers with designer cupcake liners and wrappers. We are still working on launching Sweet Whimsy online but I couldn't resist posting about our eclipse cupcake wrappers since the movie comes out this week! What is a Twilight party without dessert?

A wrapper is a decorative finishing touch to a cupcake. After you bake the cupcake you place it inside the wrapper to give it a little something extra for parties.

So, for all of the Twilight saga lovers out there, here is the eclipse cupcake wrapper!


You can purchase this wrapper and many others from Sweet Whimsy at mysweetwhimsy.etsy.com

Check back often as we are just starting to get all our pictures up.

Fun Find . . . Washcloth Cupcakes

How cute are these? These would be a great baby shower gift! They can be found on Etsy at Babycakes & Decor. This shop sells boy, girl and unisex versions of these washcloth cupcakes. They also sell washcloth lollipops and several other cutes items.

How To . . . make torn paper flowers

Simple Torn Flower Tutorial

What you'll need:

*Paper or card stock

*Brad or button

*Hole punch
*Ink for distressing

1. Start by ripping four circles out of your paper. The should get progressively bigger. I actually drew loose circles on my card stock so I could make sure they were not all the same size.

2. The fun part: crumple them up into little balls!

3. Flatten them out again and arrange on top of each other from biggest to smallest. If you want the distressed look (like my red flower above), ink the edges with an ink pad first.

4. If you want to use a brad for the center, punch a hole with a hold punch and put the brad in. You could also sew a button on or create another center.

5. Attach to your card, page, or project! This really must be the easiest project we've EVER posted.

To find a link to the original post click here.

Oh, the projects you could use these simple flowers on! I can think of so many. What could you do with these flowers? Better yet, take pictures of any projects you create with these flowers and send us a link.

Tip of the Week . . . What is that stain?

Do you have a stain in your carpet you can't rid of? Do I sound like an infomercial? I have been using a really great carpet cleaning product for years, (thanks to my Mom) and have to share. Most people have probably never heard of it, but it is sold in several different stores. The name of this great product . . . Folex!

Another great thing about this product is that it can be used in your carpet cleaning machines! It can pretty much be used on any fabric that is colorfast . . . upholstery, clothing, car interiors, walls etc.

Visit Folex to find where you can buy it, as well as find out how many ways you can use it in your home.

Digital Cards--on Etsy

Recently I have started experimenting with Photoshop and learning how to make my own cards, announcements, etc. I have come to realize that I need to invest in an upgraded version and take a class if I want to be able to make amazing cards like this one from SweetPeaBaby

Or this one by Natty Sue, that was made for a boutique we were just in.

I love that people are offering digital cards on Etsy because it is cost efficient. For $16 or less you can buy a custom image and then have the cards printed anywhere you chose. I love to use Costco but there are many places you could use, including your own printer.

Bliss Boutique Starts Today!

Bliss Boutique starts today and will run until Saturday! It is a great boutique with so many vendors and cute products. Take some time this weekend and head to Pleasant Grove. While at Bliss, check out our new line of products we are debuting called Sweet Whimsy. If you bake, they are a must have (more on this later).

Bliss Boutique will be open June 17, 18 & 19 from 10am - 7pm and is located at 105 South 100 East. Bliss will be holding a raffle worth $500, so just one more reason to go. Once you have visited the boutique, head over to the Strawberry Days celebration and take a ride on the ferris wheel, and of course we would love to see pictures of that.

Tissue Paper Pom Pom's--how to

Everywhere I go lately I see tissue paper pom poms. Not a new concept by any means but definitely a new fun trend. I love how they can add so much color without a lot of effort. Depending on your color choices they can make a party bright and energetic, fancy or whimsical. Even Martha Stewart is in on the trend and has made a great tutorial for all of us!

Hanging Pom-Poms
1. Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2-inch wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.

2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.

3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

4. Tie a length of monofilament to floral wire for hanging.

Leave it to Martha to come up with a napkin ring holder!

Napkin Rings
With just a few changes, these follow the same steps as the hanging pom-poms.


1. Stack four sheets of tissue. Cut a 10-by-5-inch rectangle, going through all layers. Make 3/8-inch-wide accordion folds.

2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, slip over center of tissue, and twist to secure. Trim ends of tissue.

3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

4. Bend wire into a loop to fit around napkin, and twist end around loop to secure.
The pom poms look so easy I can't wait to have an excuse to make them. I suggested to my sister in law to make them into a mobile for her nursery. Wouldn't that be so cute!

What will you do with the pom poms?

Studio Fix Powder--Tip of the Week

A couple of weeks ago my youngest daughter dropped my pressed powder and to my dismay it turned into loose powder all over the floor. I buy my powder from MAC at Nordstrom and unfortunately there is not a store close to my house. I went a week without powder and it made me realize how much I need it and love the Studio Fix brand by MAC.

It is a foundation and powder combination but is still dry like a pressed powder. I can't handle wearing foundation so this is my answer to good coverage with out the gross feeling. The powder is a little pricey ($26) but lasts a long time. The last time I bought powder was in August.

If you are searching for a new powder give this one a try. Besides, it is always fun to sit down and have someone else do your makeup and match your colors.

Fun Finds . . . Poppy Seed Projects

I found this company, and I want to buy almost every kit they have. They have kits for the different seasons, for family pictures, for LDS temples, etc. They even have 10 kits you can buy for under $10. All of the kits are so cute.

Here are their picture blocks . . . under $10

Here is their picture plaque . . . under $10 as well.

When I actually find some spare time, this is on my list of projects I want to do. When I do, I will definitely post pictures.

Tip of the Week . . . Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

I'm sure by now, you have heard of the "Magic Eraser". Have you tried it? Think it doesn't work? Well, I'm here to tell you that it does. I love the Magic Eraser. It cleans almost anything and is well worth the money. I can tell you it even removes marker . . . permanent marker . . . from your wood furniture. Oh, how kids love to draw (on things they shouldn't). It cleans scuff marks on baseboards and doors, dirt and grim off your refrigerator handles, cleans your kitchen sink, bathtub and on and on and on. If you haven't bought the Magic Eraser, grab one at the store and give it a try! You won't be disappointed. Happy Cleaning!

Crocheted Headband Craze

Lately we have been seeing our Lydia crocheted headband popping up across the valley. Our very own Cheryl created a new version of an old headband with an original 6 petal flower. It is so fun to see others enjoying the headband as much as we do! The Lydia headband was one of Loopty Loo's original products so we thought it was time to spotlight it again. We love this headband because it is a perfect extension of the trendy headwraps everyone was wearing this winter (check out our version here) but unlike the wraps, it can be worn year round.

The Lydia is the perfect touch to any outfit from dressy to jeans and a t-shirt. We offer the crocheted headband in adult and youth sizes that tie at the base of your neck and if you want a more custom fit we offer all sizes with connecting elastic. Check out our yarn colors/sizes below and order some for you and your daughter!

Lydia headband prices are normally: $10 each, 2 for $18, 3 for $25.

Lydia is our "Item of the Week" so you can buy them this week only for: $8 each, 2 for $14, 3 for $19. Just purchase straight from our blog (upper right corner).

Available Sizes with elastic:
head measurement is taken where headband is worn.
Newborn: 0-3 months: 14-16" head
XSmall: 3-12 months: 16-17" head
Small: 1-3 years: 17-18" head
Medium: 3-6 years: 18-19" head
Large: 6+ years: 19" + head
Teen
Adult

Here are our available color options as well:
If you love to crochet like us we also sell our pattern on etsy, we just ask that you don't sell them locally, in Utah.
We would love to hear what you think about our Lydia crocheted headband and see pictures of you wearing it.

Have a great day!

Gem Wallets

For Christmas I received a fabulous present from my mother-in-law. It is a pink Gem wallet and I am STILL in love with it. If pink is not your color the wallet comes in a bunch of other fun colors including black and brown.

I can fit everything I need and then some in the wallet and I can find everything quickly too. I feel so organized!

Through the years my preferences change on whether I want a small wallet or a big one but right now I am all for big. If you are in need of a new wallet check out the Gem wallets website for yourself.

Strap Happy--Tutorial

When I was in the 7th grade I took a photography class and fell in love. I carried around my Dad's SLR (film) camera with an awesome orange and brown strap. I took the camera everywhere and have some really good blackmail pictures of my friends and I "modeling". Ever since then I have wanted my own SLR camera.

Fast forward 18 years and I still am dreaming of owning my own SLR. Right now I am sporting a camera that looks like a mini SLR but doesn't have the speed or all the options. One thing my camera does have in common though is a neck strap, and it is uncomfortable. When the weather is hot my neck gets all sticky and I don't enjoy having to wear my camera. I have been wanting to make a fabric camera strap and since it seems like everyone else has an SLR, sniff, sniff... I thought you might want to know how to also!

How to get Strap Happy:

Start by measuring the webbing of your strap, length and width.

Don't include the leather in your measurement because it will not be covered. My strap is not as wide as an SLR so the measurements will be different.

Double the width of you measurement and add 1 inch. This will allow for seams and the thickness of the strap. Also add 1 inch to the length for seams.

Now cut your fabric. I used scraps that I had so I pieced them together but you can use one piece or even one print on the front and another on the back. That would make it reversible too. If you do use scraps make sure to allow for seam allowances so your final product is the correct length.

On each end fold over 1/4 inch and press with your iron. Fold over another 1/4 inch and sew across. This will give you a nice finished end.

once...

twice...

Optional: Iron on some interfacing. This material will make the fabric more sturdy and add some thickness. If you don't have interfacing, no big deal. Another idea is to sew fleece on the inside to make it soft.

Fold the fabric in half length-wise with the right sides together. Pin and sew: 1/4 inch seam.

Using a safety pin turn the fabric right side out. Press the strap with the seam in the back.


Now you are ready to thread your strap through and start wearing your camera with style. If you need help getting the camera strap through the fabric, use the safety pin again.

This was so easy to make that I think I might need another one in summer colors! A little side note, if you are making a strap for an SLR camera it would be great to add a little pocket on one of the ends to hold your lens cap.