It’s that time of year when the catalogs arrive daily.  One of the catalogs that came this week was Mindare: brainy toys for kids of all ages. I noticed two cupcake related items; Tasty Science allows you to satisfy your sweet tooth in the name of science! With this kit that costs $19.95, you explore the principles of chemistry through baking cupcakes, cookies, candy and more.

A second cupcake related item is called Cook It In A Cup.  For $16.95 you receive six nonstick silicone baking cups and 29 recipes for individually sized treats.

The latest issue of The Food Network Magazine arrived earlier this week.  Inside there was a section of different wrapping papers for the holiday season.  One wrapping paper was called Cupcakes and Chocolates available from Whimsy Press.  The 24”x36” sheet costs $4.50 and the website offers a matching matchbook cover note pad for $8.00.

Do you ever wonder how people make those sensational fondant creations to sit on top of their cakes and cupcakes?  Well wonder no longer you too can make a cheeky cute fondant monkey just like this one here!  How?  Well Cake Fixation last month posted a detailed step-by-step how to, with loads of photos to show you exactly how to make your own!

It looks so super easy thanks to Stephanie’s instructions!  Let us know if you have a go at trying to make this little monkey girl!

Amigurumi (編みぐるみ) is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals. I see Amigurumi a lot at craft shows, but I have never seen examples as cute as these!

Visit PaisleyJade to see more photos and to read the details of how these little cuties came to be.

I love this cupcake print by Sandra Juto!  The print measures 8.26″ x 11.7” is available directly from her site for $19.00.  The best part is that it even ships worldwide!

If you stick bacon into a cornbread muffin and then add honey buttercream frosting, does it become a cupcake? Yes. It does. This particular bacon cornbread cupcake is enjoying the title of flavor of the month at Frosted Cupcakery in Los Angeles. And while this has nothing to do with bacon, Frosted Cupcakery offers a special service to all you romantics out there. They will artistically place your diamond ring in a cupcake’s frosting, and then giftwrap it for you. I, for one, cannot think of a better way to be asked.

Always looking for a new, and different way to package cupcakes? This cupcake cottage favor boxes kit is just that.  Available from Mahar Drygoods, for $4.00, you are emailed a link to a downloadable PDF.  From there you print the 11 page PDF and assemble your cupcake cottages!

I feel like I would have really loved these as a kid at a birthday party.  I think they not only make great cupcake packaging but also party favor boxes!