I just made my first visit to Northern Michigan’s first and only cupcakery: Simply Cupcakes of Traverse City. What a lovely little spot in downtown Traverse!

An impressively wide selection of offerings included Banana Cream, Peanut Butter Cup, Hint of Mint, and Lemon Love, and while we sampled many, the winner was clearly the (pictured) Bumpy Cupcake: A rich dark chocolate cake stuffed with buttercream (which tasted more like mousse), and topped with homemade chocolate ganache and more buttercream, then dipped in chocolate ganache and finished with a few sprinkles. Holy wow! That cupcake was a meal.

I was impressed with how substantial the cupcakes were. They weren’t dense, but there was certainly something to them! And the frostings were non-traditional and left me wondering about their secret recipe.

The cupcakery itself is also a tantalizing hangout, with a “cupcake room” one can book for special events. Cupcake art hung on the wall, including the beauty below, which could be yours for $3000!

If you’re in the area, Simply Cupcakes is a must-stop for the cupcake-lover!

When I Grow Up Print-Stephanie Corfee

Over the weekend I spent some time browsing around Society6 checking out some of the different artwork the site has to offer.  I loved some of the fun cupcake prints that are available!  Since it’s been raining the past few days in North Carolina the Pick Me Up On A Rainy Day print seems perfect.  I also really like the When I Grow Up print, I would love being a cupcake sprinkler too!  The Operation Cupcake Printwas another one that I liked.  I love that the cupcakes were brave enough to jump out of the plane!  Each print is available in different sizes and there are lots of other cupcake prints to choose from!

Operation Cupcake-Jacci Carey

Pick Me Up On A Rainy Day-Bosatsu

Get it while you can …Eat a Cupcake Poster from AllPosters.com is on sale for $.98. You can get this great cupcake poster for yourself or for another cupcake lover for under a dollar!

Dominique of  Sugarplum Cupcakes from across the pond over in England shared her masterful animal cupcake creations with us.  My favorite is the sheep.  The pearls woven together to simulate the wool is adorable.  She will be offering a “Novelty Cupcake Workshop” to share her tips and tricks:

Forgot to mention I host cupcake workshops in Suffok, UK. These four
characters are stars of my latest ‘Novelty Cupcake Workshop’. Haven’t
named them yet, but really excited about filling a whole class with
them in the New Year! – Dominique

Too bad we are on the wrong side of the pond to attend.  Register by contact her at her website contact form or on her Facebook page.

Sugarplum Cupcake
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sugarplumcupcakes
Website: http://www.sugarplumcupcakes.co.uk/

Lisa Pongrace and her friends from Acme Muffineering brought the Cupcake and Muffin Cars to arts and crafts events such as Burning Man as well as Maker Faire. We covered some of her previous exploits in a previous cupcake car post.

We found this video entertaining as it offers a glimpse inside the inner workings of a muffin car! All electric motor. Top speed of 15 mph. Acme Muffineering promises to release more details on how to make your own with $500 to $1,500 in materials.

Apologies, as I have been remiss in sharing the wonderful reader submitted cupcake tattoos that have come in this year.  I will be slowly catching up with the backlog.

Please do continue to share your cupcake tattoos or other creations with us!  As with all user submissions, please send large images that are well focused and sharp for the best effect to allthingscupcake@gmail.com.  Definitely include your comments, stories, or thank yous about the tattoo, and we will include it in your picture caption!

The standard and cute cupcake tattoo has been transformed into very personal and intimate forms of artistic expression.  This trend continues as we see new cupcake art develop before our eyes.

Is there a baby shower in your future? Or a baby of your own? If so, then I have a super find for you! Check out this gorgeous nursury / crib bedding set! What’s better than a new little cupcake falling asleep amidst a room full of cupcake decor?

This set is new on the market, has a limited quantity, and is available from Amazon. For only $89.99, you get: embroidered cupcake quilt, crib bumper, two decorative pillows, fitted sheet, crib skirt, toy bag, diaper stacker, and two curtains. The bedding is 100% cotton. Color scheme includes lavender, salmon, magenta, mint, and yellow.

And if you really want to out-cupcake yourself, you can buy the matching wall art — stretched canvas wall art shown on the wall above, and here below. These cost $24.99 each or $74.99 for the set. That’s a deal! Happy shopping!