A BLAST for the FOURTH!

I plan on giving these to the kids on the fourth.  Fill up cellophane bags with fireworks,sparklers, pops, pop rocks, and various toys.  Of course, the grownups will be there to help and supervise the lighting of fireworks!

Cinnamon Bear Cupcakes (Gluten Free)

 

I made these for a youth activity.  However, you could substitute any sort of candy you deem worthy for whatever you are celebrating.  It's just fun and different.

 

 

 

 

 

You will need}

*Cellophane bags

 *Candy (filler)

*Candy (Topper)

*Marshmallows

*Ribbon

 

*Decorative paper straws, cut in half (optional, but way cute).

 

 

*Sturdy cupcake liners or candy cups.

 

*Cute saying to glue to said decorative straw.

 

*Cookie sheet

*Parchment paper

*Cornstarch

*Baggies

 

*Lay down a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and completely coat it with cornstarch.  Melt a baggie of marshmallows in microwave for 20 seconds or less.  Mush the bag together to melt rest of marshmallows.

 

*Cut one corner of the baggie and squeeze out dollop's of marshmallow fluff (be careful. It's hot!).

 

*Sprinkle candy on top of fluff, and then dust the tops of the dollop fluffs with more cornstarch.  Let cool while you build the second half of the cupcakes.

 

*Set fluff on top of candy, stick in the straw, wrap in cellophane bag and tie. 

Value Color Smash Books {for Young Women's}

The girls made this one night at an activity.  The week before, they had gone on a photo shoot and I wanted a place for them to start keeping their memories--and a place where they could also journal.  Smash books are the best of both worlds.

 

I bought these colorful notebooks at Wal-Mart. 2.88 a book. 

You will need}

* embellishments

{jewels, buttons, tabs, stickers, brads, paper clips, etc...}

*scrapbook paper

*Ribbons of all types

*glue sticks

*glue dots (for the buttons and jewels)

 

 

 

*leaving some of the lined paper for journaling, we glued 8 1/4 x 5 1/4 inch paper to the insides with the tabs exposed to mark as the girls wished. 

My hope is that the girls will continue to take and develop pictures (a lost art...almost) and add to their smash books.  We have pictures from past activities, such as; daddy daughter dates, hikes and camp that I hope they will use to fill these books with memories of their youth.