Mini-Bloomers

I follow the Craftzine.com blog, and while most of it is knitting projects (I don't knit) or things for kids (I don't have kids) every once in awhile something pops up that intrigues me (that's how I found the Drunken Cupcakes). Last week it was Madeleine Mini-Bloomers from Colette Patterns.

I've made bloomers before for several different shows, but I would just take a regular elastic waist pant pattern and add elastic at the hem. The Madeleine Mini-Bloomers pattern was specifically intended for bloomers so the pattern was somewhat better than what I've made.

The elastic waist band was made with two rows of 1/4" elastic in separate casings rather than one 1" elastic band - helpful because sometimes the larger elastic can get twisted in the casing.



Also the ties on the hems were made with ribbons run through casings with buttonhole openings - very cute.



Here are the bloomers that I made:



While I have no idea what I'm going to use these for - maybe just to wear around the house - but the techniques that I learned will surely help me sometime in the future.

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes!

St Patrick's day is nearly upon us and like a good little Irish lass I am throwing a party full of Guinness and other Irish delicacies.



For dinner I'm making Beef in Guinness, mashed potatoes, and mini walnut soda breads. For dessert I am making the famous (or infamous) Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes, or Drunken Cupcakes as they are called by my friends.

The recipe from Smitten Kitten makes chocolate, Guinness cupcakes with Jameson's whiskey ganache and Bailey's frosting - hence the Irish Car Bomb, which if you haven't experienced one is a shot of Jameson's and Bailey's dropped into Guinness then chugged before the Bailey's can curdle.

The cupcake recipe only calls for a cup of Guinness, so be prepared to drink the rest of the can/bottle. Also, I don't know how anyone can cook with Bailey's without sampling some for themselves, so the baking experience is a party in and of itself.



The ganache (dangerously chocolaty stuff - shown above) is poured into wells cut into the tops of the cupcakes.



I tried to be artistic and make shamrocks with the frosting but then the tip of my piping bag broke and oozing frosting forced me to take a more practical approach.

These cupcakes are amazing. They are moist and filled with chocolaty goodness. Plus they are full of alcohol - and that's always a plus in baked goods.