Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Guest Blogger Sara, from the blog Clever Pink Pirate.

Have you ever had a desire for a cocktail, but something a little more than just a cocktail? What about cocktail cupcakes? I shared my Pina Colada cupcakes, and today I am sharing something a little more pink! Strawberry Daiquiri Cupcakes that are seriously delicious!!

Recipe: Strawberry Daiquiri Cupcakes (from scratch)

Time: 1 hour to sit, 25 minutes of prep& frosting, 25 minutes to bake

Ingredients & Directions

Strawberry Mixture

• 2 cups of chopped fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup of white or clear rum
• 1/4 cup of granulated sugar

For the strawberry mixture, take all the ingredients and add in a bowl, let sit for at least an hour. Then gently pulse it in a blender or using a hand blender, leaving a red mixture but also some chunks.

Cupcakes

• 2 cups of all purpose flour
• 1.5 cups of sugar
• 2 tsps of baking powder
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 2 egg whites
• 2/3 cups of daiquiri mix, liquid
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 cup of strawberry mixture

For the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blend all dry ingredients together, then cut in butter and fold in egg whites until batter is combined. Then take the daiquiri mix and stir it until it’s nice and moistened, finish by folding in strawberry mixture and vanilla until well blended. Pour evenly in cupcake liners. Bake for 22-25 minutes. Note that this is a very dense cake and will be pretty heavy and will need to bake a little longer than normal because of the liquid inside.

Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter at room temp
• 1/8 cup of the strawberry mixture
• 2.5 cups of powdered sugar

For the frosting: This is a simple buttercream frosting with a little bit of strawberries and rum. Simply blend butter and powdered sugar until blended, then slowly stir in strawberries until the texture is just right. If it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar. Not runny enough, add more mixture or a little bit of the daiquiri mix.

Variations: Got a box mix? Try substituting water with 1/2 daiquiri and 1/2 strawberry mixture. Want a non alcoholic version? Simply leave out the rum! If your cake needs a little more moisture, just add a little bit more daiquiri mix. No food coloring needed for the frosting, the strawberries gave off the perfect amount of pinkness!!

Have you made a strawberry cupcake before? These actually turned out deeelish!

 By Home Decor Contributor Typhanie, from the blog Shoebox Decor.

I’ve been wanting to do this no sew pillow project for some time now. I’m not a big fan of sewing so I had to find a way to add DIY pillows to my home. I believe throw pillows are the fastest and easiest way to add life and color to any space so I hope you all take advantage of this simple and fun project.

Materials Needed

1. Half yard of fabric

2. Pillow insert

3. 5/8-1″Hem Tape

4. Scissors

5. Iron

6. Pins

7. Yard stick or measuring tape

8. Pencil or Chalk

Step one:

Using the yard stick and pencil measure the size of your pillow on the back of your fabric. My pillow insert is 16×16 inches so I measured out a 16×16 inch square. If you are using 1″ hem tape this will bring your pillow down to 15×15 which will allow your pillow insert to fit snuggly and look plump.

Step Two:

Once you have cut your first piece use it as a template to cut your 2nd piece.

Step Three:

Now that you have your two sides, lay them down so that the designs are facing each other. This is also a good time to choose which end will be the top and which will be the bottom.

Step Four:

Heat your iron! Your iron setting will depend on the type of fabric you are using. While your iron is heating pin your first strip of hem tape to the first side of your pillow. Make sure to leave about 1/2 inch at the end that will be the bottom of your pillow.

Step Five:

Start your ironing! Once you have pinned your hem tape you can start to iron your side BUT make sure to remove the first pin before you start to iron or you will end up hemming it to the pillow {true story}.

Step Six:

Repeat steps four and five on the other side of your pillow, remembering to leave a 1/2 inch at the bottom.

Step Seven:

Once you have both sides hemmed together you can now hem the section that will be the top of your pillow. At the end of this step you should have three hemmed sections and an opening. Dry time is very important so make sure everything is dry and tight before you move on to the next step. Wait at least 10 minutes to be safe.

Step Eight:

Flip your case inside out and begin to fill with your pillow insert.

Step Nine:

Once your filling has been inserted into your pillow flip the 1/2 inch openings inward and pin down. I did this on both sides.

Step Ten:

Pick a side to apply the hem tape on then pin the hem tape to that side.

Step Eleven:

Slowly remove the pins from the side without the hem tape and start to pin the two sides together.

Step Twelve:

Pushing the pillow insert back as far as you can, lay the pillow flat and slowly start to iron the pillow shut. Don’t forget to remove your pins along the way. Dry time and moving slow was key here. This was the hardest part of the project for me. It took a lot of arm strength and finessing. In hindsight I might just use a strip of Velcro next time to close up the pillow. I’m still super excited with how the project turned out and I hope you enjoy it too… Happy Crafting Everyone!

Please welcome the newest blogger to Think Crafts, Home Decor Contributor Typhanie Peterson. Typhanie will share DIY projects, trends, home décor inspiration and tips & tricks on decorating your small space on a shoestring budget.

My name is Typhanie Peterson and I’m the editor of the blog Shoebox Décor and an interior decorator in sunny southern California who loves entertaining and making beautiful things. I’m no Martha Stewart but I must say I’m pretty handy with a glue gun. I’m a child of the 80′s so I’m not afraid of color and I believe everyone can have a beautiful home no matter the budget…Happy Crafting Everyone!