my jewelry for a benefit: 14 yr old buffalo cheerleader Alyssa Loschiavo

Brooke, a friend of mine from high school asked me if I would donate a piece of my jewelry for a benefit auction she is helping put together for a girl on her cheer-leading team she coaches. 14 year old Alyssa Loschiavo, was struck by a car while crossing the street in West Seneca, NY on May 12, 2011. Alyssa was airlifted to Erie County Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition in the trauma intensive care unit.

Alyssa's favorite colors are pink & green... a girl after my own heart!

The details of my donation: 2 hair clips, make-up bag, dragonfly earrings, dragonfly necklace, and beaded flower watch.

I have never met this beautiful young lady but I have heard from Brooke what a wonderful, fun, energetic person Alyssa is. Alyssa cheers for both the Buffalo Envy and Outlaw programs in Buffalo, NY. There has been a huge outpouring of support from the Buffalo community (I would expect nothing less from this STRONG city!).

Alyssa Loschiavo

Event date: July 20, 2011 3:00 PM

Location: Page's Paradise Island, 4701 Transit Rd, Depew NY 14043

Phone: 716-462-2966

Email: medicgal178@roadrunner.com

Link: http://www.staystrongalyssa.com

I wish Alyssa and her family all the best and hope for a speedy recovery. I hope the auction is a HUGE success! xo Lizzie

critter-cakes for a cause

My wicked-smart boyfriend works for a technology and defense company here in NJ. His company does a lot of fundraisers. One woman that organizes many of these events decided to have one to support the troops and she approached JT (my bf) asking him if he would participate in a bake sale. He replied yes, partly because he knew it was for a great cause and partly because he knows I love any chance I get to play with flour, sugar, butter and CANDY!

I decided to make cupcakes (of course!) and knowing that the company has a lot of men working there I decided to make Critter-Cakes (from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes, this is a great book!) with bright gooey atomic green frosting and lots of candy! The fun part of making these is the decorating!

candy used:

jelly belly jelly beans

butterfly gummi candy

peach gummi rings

apple gummi rings

large and small gumdrops

sour gummi worms

large and small marshmallows 

fruit by the foot

m&m's

twizzlers pull & peel

For coloring batter and frosting, I highly recommend Williams-Sonoma Food Paste Set. The colors come out beautiful!

I divided some of the cake batter into bowls to make colored batter and then dropped a spoonful into the tins at a time, alternating colors. It gives the cake a tie-dye effect.

Bald little cuties :)

creepy little cuties

I used fruit by the foot to make the tongue, and lightly scored it down the center to make a "tongue crease".

I decided to make a few cupcakes that were more feminine with pretty pink and lavender frosting!:)

I made a few sugar cookie cut outs to decorate the cupcakes.

I had a lot of fun making these and what I love even more is that they are not going to my hips, they are going to a good cause! Hope the bake sale is a huge success! xo Lizzie