{Queen Bee} Christmas Family Fun time

I look forward to many things during Christmas time, of course I love the decorations and baking, but most of all I love having my family together and enjoying each others company. Our family traditions are so simple but are so very special. Every year we get to laugh, eat, and play games together before Santa comes and really appreciate how blessed we are to have a loving family.

So this year, I am giving my readers a few Christmas party games so that you may also take part in family fun time and enjoy your families to fullest this Christmas and always.

To download the following games click here; Name That Christmas Carol, Christmas Songs Trivia Game, Christmas Carols Challenge.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

{Sugar Bee} Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

When I first started making my Christmas goodies I had no idea that Christmas trees would be a common theme....but it turns out, this year I am big on Christmas trees, you can say I am "rockin' the Christmas trees"! It is probably because my 2 year old is a big fan of them and he oohs and ahhhs every time he sees one all lit up. I especially love when he looks at one, points, and says "bee" (that means tree). It is just the cutest thing and I love his enthusiasm for all things Christmas.

What do you and your kids love about Christmas?

{Sugar Bee} Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

The decorations are up, the presents are wrapped, and this years cookies are baked and ready to go! This year I decided to create a simple and modern take on the Christmas tree...and though it isn't traditional, I think they came out fun and always delicious (my son definitely enjoyed his). Now it is time to relax and sit around the Christmas tree and enjoy some Christmas tree cookies...but who I am kidding, there is no relaxing until the 25th, however at least I have some goodies to get me through!

{Sugar Bee} Sunflower Cupcakes

Thanksgiving is here and today is the day of the year that we should give thanks and be thankful for all that we have. I must say that I am so grateful for my family and friends, but most importantly I am truly thankful for my wonderful husband and two beautiful children. They put a smile on my face everyday and they are the reason why I do what I do....I love to create for them!

This year for Thanksgiving dessert I decided to try making sunflower cupcakes. Not only are sunflowers such a cute flower, but they are so indicative of autumn. But what is even better, they are also pretty simple to make so it is great for mom's on the go!

All you need to create these is any leaf tip, a Wilton #352 tip, couplers, piping bags, food coloring, and buttercream frosting. First, using your green tinted buttercream frosing, pipe your leaves on the cupcake, I piped 3 on each cupcake (you don't have to create perfection here, make them all different like you would see in nature, plus a lot of the leaf will be covered with petals). Next using the Wilton #352 tip and yellow tinted buttercream, pipe a layer of petals. Then pipe another layer of petals on top (try and stagger the petals). Next, fill the center of the cupcake with a brown colored or chocolate frosting. Finally place chocolate candies or sprinkles in the center (I used chocolate Sixlets).

There you have it, simple and cute sunflower cupcakes that will have your children and guests so thankful for you!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

{Sugar Bee} Thanksgiving Cookie Platter

Is it just me or does the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving fly by?!?! I could have sworn we were JUST celebrating Halloween. It seems as soon as I was recuperating from all the crazy fun of October, Thanksgiving sneaked up on me. 

So here we are just days away from Thanksgiving and I of course had some baking to do. I figured a platter of sunflowers, acorns, and pumpkins would be nice and very indicative of the fall season. I know my son is very excited to get his little hands on these!

I am sure just like many of you, there is still so much left to do for Turkey day! Perhaps some cupcakes are on the list? What do you like to make for Thanksgiving?

Happy Baking!

{Sugar Bee} It's a Monster Mash!

This year my son started going to school and every morning when I take him he has a big smile and runs to his classroom. He just LOVES seeing his teacher and interacting with all of his friends! As a crafty mom I enjoy making little things for the holidays that Jake will enjoy...and now his friends and teachers can enjoy too. Therefore, I thought that all the kids would love to eat Halloween cookies today! So I created a Monster Mash of Jack O' Lanterns, ghosts, and my favorite cookie to make, Frankenstein. I think the kids are going to love them!

Have a Happy Halloween!!!!!

{Party Bee} More Halloween Printables

This year for Halloween my husband and I thought it would be fun to send out cards to our family and friends wishing them a "Happy Halloween" from our little monsters! I am now offering this printable card along with treat labels and nugget wrappers to my readers for only $5. What a perfect opportunity to show off fun pajamas like the skeleton ones my kids are wearing or Halloween costumes all while wishing your loved ones Happy Halloween!

These fun treat labels would be great for sending goodies to your child's class or even taking to work and giving them to friends. Kids and adults will love eating "bat teeth" for Halloween!

And for those who love chocolate, create these little packages of Hershey Nuggets covered in coordinating wrappers. They are so easy, all you need are Hershey Nuggets, Pretzel Bags by Wilton, and my printable nugget wrappers. Just cut out the printables, wrap them around the nuggets, adhere them to a strip of cardstock, and place them in a pretzel bag. As you can see here, I tied them with ribbon and used one of my circle tags from my Halloween Printable Collection.

These labels and card coordinate with The Sugar Bee Bungalow's Halloween Printable Collection.

{Sugar Bee} Eerie Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes

Looking to make quick and easy Halloween cupcakes? Try these eerie pumpkin patch cupcakes that I made for my son's school's fall festival. They are just so easy but look so cute, both kids and adults will think they are spooky fun!

All you have to do is bake your cupcakes using your favorite recipe or box mix. Next using your grass piping tip (Wilton tip 233), cover the entire cupcake with "grass". Then add a couple of Brach's Mellowcreme Pumpkins (I like to place one pumpkin upright and the other on its side). After your pumpkins have been placed, using a small round piping tip (Wilton tip 2) add the vines to the pumpkins. Lastly, garnish your cupcake with a plastic spider ring that you can find at just about any store during October (I found mine at Michaels). Not only will the cupcakes be a tasty treat, but there is also a fun toy to enjoy!

Have a wicked fun time baking and cupcake decorating!

{Busy Bee} Martha Stewart's Bewitching Treat Ideas

Martha Stewart never seems to let me down with all of her Halloween party and treat ideas, and this year is no exception. On her website you can find the most bewitching tricks and treats that will surely leave your friends and family feeling wicked and wanting more! I can't wait to try these recipes!

{Sugar Bee} Treats Too Cute To Spook!

This year for Halloween, I wanted to create some treats that are little more spooky... so I made chocolate covered Oreos in the shapes of coffins and brains. But instead of going for a traditional pink brain, I used a fun green color to make it more appetizing.... not sure if my strategy actually worked because it still too closely resembles a brain, but I guess that's the point, right? Trick or Treat!

Although the subject matter is on the spookier side of Halloween, I still think they are too cute and kids will gladly gobble these brains up!

{Sugar Bee} Batty Over Chocolate Covered Oreos

My son is totally batty over Halloween and loves everything about the holiday, especially the fun decorations all over our house. He loves to look at the pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, and of course the bats! So I thought it was only appropriate to create chocolate covered Oreos with bats on them. Not only do I love the way the bats look, but the colors are very indicative of Halloween. Even more, these would go over very well for those kids who are obsessed with Batman. These surely won't last long in my house!

{Sugar Bee} M&M Candy Corn

The countdown to Halloween has begun! I am sure it is no surprise that my family LOVES Halloween. It could be due to the weather cooling down, the fun colors and decorations of the season, or all of the yummy treats...or perhaps it is a combination of everything. Regardless of the reason, my family goes all out for Halloween and this year is no exception, especially with the addition of our little girl. We want her to have a fantastic 1st Halloween (though she won't remember anything, she will have pictures to see in the future)!

So during one of my trips to the store, I came across a bag of M&M's that were created in the colors of candy corn. What a great idea! Of course the first thing that popped in my head was to make a large candy corn using the orange, yellow and white M&M's, inspired by the Easter jelly bean carrots. Such a simple project with a fun and festive result....kids would love to assist with this craft and it can also be educational, especially for children learning their colors or how to count.

All you need to create these are clear disposable pastry bags (I found mine at Williams Sonoma), M&M's, ribbon, twist ties, and tape. Fill the bags first with the white M&M's, then the orange, and lastly the yellow and use a twist tie to close. Because the M&M's are too large to fill the very point of the bag, you will need to tape the empty "point" to the back of the pastry bag. Finally, tie the top with ribbon and viola....looks like a large candy corn! 

How Bootiful!

{Party Bee} Introducing the Tweet Collection

The Sugar Bee Bungalow would like to introduce the Tweet Collection! This tweet design created in an aqua and red color palette, featuring cute little birdies and mushrooms, will surely make a fun and whimsical birthday celebration for any child!

The entire collection is $30.00 and comes with the following:

- Invitation (2 designs available) (envelope not included)
- 6 circle tags designs. these are great for cupcake toppers, cookie tags, decorations. The uses are endless!
- Cake toppers in two designs
- 2 treat bag label designs
- 2 water bottle label designs
- 2 straw flag designs
- 2 candy bar wrapper designs (designed to fit standard size Hershey bars)
- "Tweet name of child is 1" banner
- "Happy 1st Birthday" banner
- Menu tent cards
- Mini decorative pennant banner
- Large circle designs with birdies and mushrooms
- Coordinating patterned paper

Just send me the name of the birthday boy/girl, age, party information (i.e. date, time, place, contact, etc.)

Receive the files electronically and print out as many as you need! Then cut and assemble!

{Sugar Bee} Cute Cupcake Cookies...Just Because

Have you ever just woke up one day and thought....I want to make some cookies. Well I had that exact thought the other day, so I decided that I would use one of my cookie cutters that I have had for such a long time but have never used....my cupcake cookie cutter! I completely adore cupcakes, not only are they just so tasty but they are an absolutely adorable treat. After a couple days of cookie making, I ended up with these little cuties....phew, I am tired. Good thing I had some cookies to give me a sugar boost!

The best part of making a bunch of cookies is getting to surprise some of my favorite people with a little treat, just because!

{Sugar Bee} Think Pink!

I know it isn't October just yet and Breast Cancer Awareness month hasn't begun, but I thought I would get about a month head start so that I can support those remarkable and strong women who I know that have fought or are currently fighting breast cancer. These are for you ladies...you are truly amazing! 

{Sugar Bee} Here Comes the Bride....and Groom!

After creating cute little wedding cake chocolate covered Oreos for my cousin's wedding celebration, I thought, wouldn't it be fun to have little brides and grooms to accompany "the cakes"? So I of course ran to the kitchen and started transforming standard white chocolate covered Oreos into a bride's dress and a groom's tuxedo. The brides turned out exactly how I had pictured, and though the groom's tuxedos had a few areas of discoloration, they also looked quite adorable.

Now, let's "get these to the church on time"!

{Sugar Bee} I Can Hear the Bells....

Wedding bells, that is! Over the weekend I created Wedding Cake Chocolate Covered Oreos for my cousin's upcoming wedding celebration. The family are big fans of chocolate covered Oreos and I thought what a perfect time to create little wedding cake shaped goodies. The best part is that the guests will have a nice surprise when they bite into not just one Oreo, but two! The bottom layer of the "cake" has a standard size Oreo and the top layer is created using a mini Oreo. I hope everyone brings their sweet tooth!

But perhaps these "cakes" are best shared with a loved one....