A Green Kind of Day

St Patrick's Day has come and gone but I hope that I did what I could to make it fun for my daughter! For some reason on Monday I was feeling a little creative, and I was not feeling headband or accessory creative! I was trying to think of fun things to make for Bella for St Patrick's Day. Creative Idea #1: Cute Handmade St Patty's Day Shirt. I realized Monday morning that I had not gotten around to purchasing a St Patrick's Day shirt for Bella. I figured the stores would be out of them so I decided to make one myself. I had a plain white t-shirt for her, stared at the un-used St Patrick's Day cookie cutter and was hit with inspiration. I went up to the craft room and found the green non-shamrock fabric I purchased and placed the cookie cutter over it. Perfect!!! I washed a section of the fabric. Ironed on some heat n bond, traced the cookie cutter, and an adorable fabric shamrock was born. I felt like it was too plain so I found some St Patrick's Day ribbon and made a bow. Then I asked my fellow Internet and Etsy friends to help me decide. Bow or No Bow! Well the Bow won and here is a pic of Bella in her handmade St Patrick's Day shirt. And yes I think I will sell these next year!

Creative Idea #2: Cupcakes for Class St Patty's Day party. One of the things that is challenging for creative people is that the bar is always raised. Once you come up with one good idea you have to brainstorm on how to make it the same or better, which isn't always easy. I don't know why I feel the need to show off when I bake but it is fun for me! This year I decided to add a chocolate shamrock as a cupcake topper. I headed to Michael's and of course they were out of green Wilton chocolate melts so I was forced to buy white chocolate and tint it green myself. Which was easier than I though. Now I had the chocolate but how was I going to make shamrocks. I am not much of a free hand artist. So I found a shamrock outline graphic printed them out and placed it under a sheet of parchment paper. Put the melted chocolate in a piping bag and traced the outline. I need more practice at this but I think that part came out cute. I baked the funfetti cupcakes (the cake mix picked by Bella) and then made a fresh batch of buttercream. It is so easy to make it I hardly ever use tub icing anymore. I piped the icing in a swirl design, added another swirl of the new Wilton Sparkle Glaze, and topped it with a chocolate shamrock! Fun and delicious!!

I ended my St Patrick's Day but going to the gym for spinning class. When you are a single mom, partying on St Patty's Day doesn't happen to often. I was reminded of my years working in the beer industry when St Patrick's Day was practically considered a holiday. We always had a half day and ended up drinking beer somewhere! Good times!

For someone who is not even an ounce Irish I think I did some pretty creative things for the holiday! I really enjoy the days when I have these creative inspirations. It is another benefit of being unemployed I guess...I actually have the time to turn the inspirations into reality!