Easy cake pops

Supplies Used

Cake pops

1 Bag Oreo Cookies ( Family Sized)

1 Bag Oreo Minis (Snak Saks)

1 box Philadelphia Cream Cheese

1-1/2 cups Ghirardelli melting chocolate 

1 cup (chopped chocolate bark /coating)

25 Wilton Lollipop Sticks

Wilton Chocolate Maker Melting Pot

Cake Pop Box

Sizzix eclips and ecal software

Cake Pop Box- Honeybee Tea (SVGCuts)

Cardstock- Watercolor Stack, Double Sided Cardstock Stack (DCWV)

Gold Foil Cardstock (Grafix)

Creative Station w/ 9 " Permanent Adhesive Refill (Xyron)

3" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Sweet Die (Pink and Main)

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Hemp Twine

Button

Hello, Crafty Friends!! Today's post is from a request that I get quite frequently. I am always making cake pops and I'm forever being asked for the recipe and how I make them... so to answer answer everyone at the same time I decided it was about time I did a tutorial.

This recipe if for the world's easiest cake pops! Seriously! There are only 3 ingredients for the basic recipe for these cake pops... 1 bag of oreo cookies, 1 package Oreos, and chocolate... That is it!!

Now, mind you, I do jazz it up some and slightly deviate from that basic recipe. I add even more oreos and more chocolate to mine... but basically it still the same recipe.

Start off by sticking your cookies into a food processor and pulverizing them till they are dust. I have a pretty big food processor, so I literally dumped the whole bag in at once. But check your machine... most have a max fill line clearly marked. I recommend sticking to your machines maximum capacity and doing a couple batches.

Then, I dumped my cookie "dust" into my mixer (with paddle attachment) and block of cream cheese. Mix until fully blended. You should no longer see white and it should have the consistency of play dough. 

If you don't have a heavy duty mixer, you can totally pull up your sleeves and mix with your bear hands! Now roll your mixture into 2" balls. This batch make about 25 of them.

Place them in a freezer safe bowl and set into the freezer to chill. Since temperature vary, what your looking for is for your cake pop balls to be firm but not frozen. You need them to be super firm do the dough holds the lollipop stick and cookie ears in place. To soft and it will break apart while dipping.

While those are freezing, prep your "cookie ears" by scraping all the icing midles off the cookies. You'll need 2 "ears for each pop. But remember accidents do happen, so it's always good to have a few spares.

Then, prep the chocolate for melting. I used a combination of chocolates for my pops. The darker chocolates tend not to burn as fast so I tend to use Ghirardelli dark melting wafers a lot. But, what also helps prevent burning and also helps with smoothness is oil/ shortening... I never know how much to use and I'm afraid of adding too much and screwing up my chocolate. So, what I found out that works perfectly is adding candy coating... it's kind of like faux chocolate...  it chocolate flavored candy with the oil already in it.

There are 2 setting on my melter hot and warm. Make sure your candy is in your melter before turning it on and set it to high. stir frequently to avoid scorching your chocolate. Once fully melted, switch to warm.

When you chocolate is melted, take your firm cake pop ball and insert lollipop stick... immediately after, press in ears, then dip in chocolate. Tap or gently shake off excess chocolate. Use a firm styrafoam block as a pop stand and insert pops. Set aside to harden.

Eeeeek... look how stinkin' cute it is!!

Something this awesome needs an awesome box to be displayed in!!

And, what a ca-winky-dink... SVG Cuts has this gorgeous cake pop file included in their Honeybee Tea set!!

 I used my eclips and ecal software to cut all my panels for my box. Then I scored my panels along the dotted lines and used Glossy accents to attach the tabs. 

I only use liquid adhesive on the tabs... I don't like my paper getting warped so I keep the liquid glue to a bare minimum.

To attach the rest of my panels and pieces I use my Xyron Machines! No wetness, no warping!!

I used my 9" Creative Station to attach all the bigger pieces...

And for the thinner areas... my Xyron Mega Runner!

At the very last minute I wasn't feeling the pattern of my previous insert... So I changed it out for this one... and LOVE it!!! I even attached an acetate window and lined the inside of the box!! HOLY GUACAMOLE!! I flipping am so in love!!

 But, that's not all... this svg file also included decorative panels...I just cut them out and ran the through my 3 " sticker maker!! Ooh la la, Tres Chic!!

And for the gorgeous final touches, I die cut the word "Sweet" from this awesome Pink and Main Die in a gold metallic paper and tied a hemp bow topped with a button. and attached both using more glossy accents.

And, look how beautiful that font is in shiny gold foil!!

I cannot say how much I am love with this box!!

This will be an amazing gift for that cake pop addict or choco-lover in your life!!

I hope you all enjoyed this tutorial!!

Now, go craft some cake pops!!

~ Mitsy

Little Tubs of Love

Hey there crafty Friends! I got a super cute project for you today...I'm here with Xyron with a partnership between Craftwell to bring you these adorable "Tubs of Love" I've upscaled to look like little frilly canisters.

This is a great way to dress up these little snacks to match any themed party and give out as party favors, or to give to awesome friends or coworkers. Got school age children? Well, sneak one of these, 'Tubs of Love", in their lunchbox and they'll be all smiles for the rest of the day!

Supplies Used

Cut'n'Boss (Craftwell)

Teresa Collins Pocket Dies by Craftwell- 

Doily (Lover's Lane), Scalloped Label (Thankful), Love (Memory Collection)

Xyron Creative Station with 9" Permanent Adhesive Refill

Cherry Limeade Stack (DCWV)

White Cardstock (Bazzill Basics) 

Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (Ad-Tech)

Fuchsia Stitched Ribbon (Paper Mart)

Spring Green Buttons (Buttons Galore and More)

2Way Glue pen (EK Success)

Martha Stewart Paper Trimmer

Scissors

Chipboard

Nutella & Go 

To make the top lid for my canister I started off by cutting my doily From the Teresa Collins Lover's Lane Die set from pink and white polkadotted glittered paper from my Cherry Limeade Stack.

To cut wafer thin dies in the Cut'n'boss I used the following sandwich:

From Bottom to Top

D Plate

B Plate

A Plate

Die 

Material

A Plate

Then I simply cut my doily in half. This doily is about 5" wide, so I cut it at around 2 1/2".

While I had my trimmer handy, I cut front panels for my canister. Each front measures 4" x 2 5/8". I used a beautiful foiled sheet from the same Cherry Limeade Stack.

Next I cut my labels. I used my scalloped oval label die from the Teresa Collins Thankful set. I cut a total of 3 sets for each canister. And because this machine is a workhorse I can cut multiple layers at a time so I just stacked my material and passed it through. To ensure that it cuts through all the way I make sure to run it through a couple times.

Then I ran through all my cut pieces through my Xyron Creative Station. Love the 9" wide adhesive and platform... I can crank through multiple pieces all at the same time!! And turn my plain paper cut outs into instant stickers! Then I just peel and stick!! This is such a great time saver!!

There's no need to remove any of the labeling off the container...I attached all my pieces right over the existing ones. 

I attached the half doily by lining up the flat end of the cup with the cut edge of the doily. Then I gently the end of the curved the scalloped edge over cup.

The I peeled and adhered the rest of my panels. When attaching chipboard to curved surfaces... it helps to bow/flex your piece and train it to curve. Do not fold, it will give your chipboard an unsightly crease that looks pronounced even if covered with paper.                       

Next I used this pretty Love Script from the Teresa Collins Memory Collection and cut it from lime green and white polkadot paper, again from the Cherry Limeade Stack. Then I simply used my glue pen to attached to the label.

As a final touch, I hot glued a basic bow made from stitch grosgrain ribbon and lime onto the top of my doily. I also attached a lime green button to the bow's center by hot gluing it into place.

Here is my finished canisters...

How flipping cute are these??!!

OMG... there are almost too pretty to eat! 

I said Almost!

Let's face it, it's chocolate, and there is no way chocolate is gonna be left uneaten!! LOL

I hope you enjoyed today's project!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsy

Sweets For My Sweetie

Hello my crafty friends!! Today's tutorial is my first "Official" post for the Xyron Design Team!! Woohoo!! And as a special treat for myself I get to play with Xyron's brand spanking new Creative Station to make my Dear Ol' Hubby this canister of yummy goodness... Mmmmm...CHOCOLATE!!

I mean...Do you need a reason to randomly give a yummy gift to your significant other? I say “Nay”! Sometimes, just thinking about them is reason enough to do something special for them.

But for myself, I can’t just hand over a bag a chocolate and call it good. The packaging ends up being trashed without a second thought. But, before that even happens you’ll witness a partially eaten bag travel around the house... and if you have a house full of children, like I do, it gets crinkled and mangled in the process. So why not gift it in a storage solution that double as gift wrapping and candy container that is practical and appealing to the eye! And even better yet, using a recycled and upcycled plastic drink container!!

Tools and Supplies Used

Xyron Creative Station

Xyron 5" Creative Station Permanent Refill

Xyron 9" Creative Station Permanent Adhesive Refill

Cut'n'Boss Die-cut Machine

DCWV Printed Cork Stack

Craft Smith Natural Luxury Paper Pad

Graffix Metallic Silver Cardstock

Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Flower Layer Cut & Emboss Die

Recollections Coordinates Black/White Twine

Martha Stewart Guillotine Trimmer

Cutter Bee Scissors by EK Success

Empty and Cleaned Plastic Orange Juice Container 

Chocolate Covered Almonds (Daily Chef)

I started by measuring the circumference of my bottle. The bottle I'm using measures about 14" around. I have to keep this in mind when cutting out all my material.

Then I cut down my Graffix Metallic Silver Cardstock sheet down to a standard sized 8.5"x 11" sheet... small enough to fit through my cut'n'boss machine with ease... and with my Anna Griffin Flower Layer die and my cut'n'boss I cut out 3 panels of metallic flower panels or medallions (as I like to call them because that's what they look like to me).

Then I ran ALL three sets of flowers or "medallion" cut-outs through my Xyron Creative Station (with 9" permanent refill loaded) through my machine. That's one of the many reasons I LOVE this machine! I can get MORE done FASTER!

I want to make sure I get good coverage and minimal excess, usually a quick firm rub down with your finger tips would do, but because this is such a detailed die cut I am using my stylus into get into all the small crevices. Set aside for later.

Next, I used a chevron sheet from my DCWV Printed Cork Stack into one 4"x12" and one 4"x3.75" pieces using my Martha Stewart guillotine cutter. 

I love these cork sheets from DCWV! They come in great patterns and have a nice earthy texture that flat cardstock doesn't have! Which works great for "guy" gifts as opposed to bling and glitter and all that extra fluff I usually create with for my girlfriends.

Before I run these strip into my Xyron Creative Station I switched out my cartridges...  

The GREAT thing about the new and improved Creative Station is that it uses both the 9" and 5" refill cartridges!! This eliminates and replaces the use of 2 machines! WOOHOO!! Awesomesauce!!What a great space saver!!

Where was I?? Oh yeah... switching cartridges...

I don't want to waste any adhesive and my 12" strip was way too wide to go in sideways and turning it the other way would waste most of that foot of adhesive since my cork is only 4 inches wide. And switching out this machine is as easy as 1..2..3!

1. Lift out your 9" cartridge. Using indented handle and pull straight up.

2. Position green adapter flap... make sure it's standing up and makes a "divider" type wall in the middle of your machine.

3. Insert your 5" cartridge... glide cartridge between the tracks for proper alignment.

Don't forget to make sure your plastic sheeting runs between the black rollers!!

And that is it!! Close that bad boy up and you're ready to go!

My cork goes through like butter... and that's because the Creative Station can take material up to 1/8" thick! Wood veneers, felt, fabric... no problem! As long as it's 1/8"(or less) it'll fit right in!

For the next step you'll need your cleaned (washed and dried) recycled juice container. I got my container from my local grocery store that bottles it's own freshly squeezed orange juice.... The juice was awesome by the way (just in case you were curious)!!

Used a bit of Goo-gone to remove the attached sticker label and washed in hot soapy water. Dried it up. And now it's ready to decorate and fill!

I took my longest strip of cork and wrapped it around the center of my container. As you can see, the strip is a few inches short of completely wrapping my bottle. That is where the extra 3.75"x 4" strip goes.  Adhere that piece over the open space of the bottle to cover the gap. Make sure you match up the 4" sides of the cork to the ones already laid down. The 3.75" side of your cork piece should lay horizontally , laying across the gap.

At this point, I chose to fill my container. But if you wanted to you could fill it after you were done decorating it. 

Next I took my "medallions" I had cut earlier and cut them down into 4 "medallion" squares. 

I adhered one set of "squares" to 3 of the sides. 

For the last side, I made a label from a sentiment that was on a sheet in my Craft Smith "Natural Luxury" stack. I cut the "label" from my sheet and I matted it with leftover metallic cardstock I had used to make my medallions. This stuff is AMAZING!! The high mirror finish of the paper instantly dresses up any project!!

*

SEE!!

The neck of my bottle seemed a little "naked" though... so I dressed it up  by winding  my twine around the neck about 4 or 5 times around the indent of the neck.  AND... from the same sheet I cut my sentiment "label" from I was able to cut out a tag too. 

A super cool feature about purchasing paper stacks is not only do the papers coordinate perfectly with each other but every now and then paper companies through in goodies like this (whole sheets you can cut up and use for embellishments) into the mix!

And here is my finished project!

Now isn't this waaaaay better than looking at a crumpled up bag sitting on your kitchen counter?!

It's AMAZING how my Xyron Creative Station made quick and easy gift giving from a recycled and upcycled orange juice container!!

Hope you enjoyed today's project check back soon for more crafty ideas!!

{{HUGS}}

~Mitsy~

Mother's Day Chocolate Flower Arrangement

Hello Crafty Friends! I'm back again with another "flowery" project! 

As you all know, Mother's day is on May 10th... that just gives you a week to come up with something ultra fabulous for dear ol' Mom. Anyone can buy flower arrangements but how many people can say they actually made their mom flowers?! Probably not that many... So this Mother's Day why not make your mom an awesome assortment of chocolate flowers?!

Tools and Supplies Needed

Cut'n'Boss Machine 

Teresa Collins Pocket Dies- Girls Best Friend Collection- (You'll need the FLOWER dies and BOW die from this set)

Cardstock

Flower Pot ( I used an 7" pot)

Styrofoam ball( I used a 6" ball)- cut in half

4" Styrofoam Block

15 pc. of Chocolate ( I used Ferrero Rocher but little Dove square will also work)

Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

Stylus

Wax Paper

Scissors

Optional

eBrush and Markers

The following sandwich was used to cut my paper with my dies:

From Bottom to Top

D Plate

A Plate

Magnetic Platform

Die

Paper

Metal Platform

A Plate

I used the Biggest of my flower dies and cut out 2 pieces for each flower. Making it a total of 30 LARGE flowers.  

And with my BOW die (not the tails) I cut my green cardstock to make...

 LEAVES... And the great thing about using this die is that it cuts 2 leaves at a time. Also, because the Teresa Collins Dies are made heavy duty I can cut them a  few layers at a time.

I cut them down the middle and shaped the cut end to a point, making my bows resemble leaves. You will need 2 leaves for each flower, plus additional leaves to use as fillers. I cut an extra 10 just for this, making it a total of 40 leaves.

Back to the flowers...

I made cuts about an half an inch cut between each petal cutting toward the center. This gave my flower separate petals while still keeping my flower whole.

I like my flowers to very detailed and when possible try to make them look as realistic as possible.

With my ebrush and markers I airbrushed my edges along my flower to give them more depth. I also did this same technique around the edges of my leaves as well.

With my stylus and with the help of some wax paper and a rubber mouse pad I formed my flowers into bowls by rubbing my stylus in a circular motion around my petals.

I then hot glued them in place so the bowls would hold their shape. I used 2 flowers, 2 leaves, and 1 chocolate (for the center) for each complete flower. For this project I used 15 flowers.

I cut my styrofoam  block to the size of my pots and then glued it into my pot. I then glued my half a styrofoam ball on top of that.  I then glued in my flowers to my ball base. First starting with the bottom layer and working my way in.

At this point glued in my additional leaves where there were open gaps, covering any exposed styrofoam.

 I decided at the last minute to make a matching card to go with my Mother's Day gift...

It came together very quickly... I used a couple more extra leaves and cut out 2 medium flowers and 2 small flowers from the scrap pieces of paper I used to make the large flowers. Repeated the same "bowling" of my flowers and created a mini flower to match my bouquet.

I attached my mini flower to a piece of craft cardstock I embossed with the Teresa Collins Diamond Motif embossing folder. I then stamped and cut out my sentiment using Pink and Main's Super Mom stamp set and then I adhered all my pieces together.

My Result... A gift that looks good enough to eat... literally!!

I hope you enjoyed my Mother's Day Chocolate Bouquet!!

See you again next time!!

~ Mitsy