Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Think Big Cupcakes!

Wake up!  Summer is over.  Labor Day weekend is over and Highlowaha is back in full swing.  It's September 2 and we are raring to go for the school year.  Good luck to my niece - who is an north easterner and who begins fifth grade today.  

If you took Labor Day literally and didn't do much of anything yesterday, including checking in with Highlowaha, take a second and at least read yesterday's announcements.  This is a big week of fun giveaways and you won't want to miss out.

Also, there's excitement in the air.  Cheryl and I are shoving out of Texas on Friday evening, arriving in Philly late Friday night.  Taste of USA is this weekend (a trip to visit some of our most loyal readers) and we expect to have ten people joining us.  We have lots of fun in store for those attending.  But if you can't join us, have no fear.  We'll give you a chance to get in on the action.  Check in on Saturday morning to find out how.

Now onto today's topic.  Cupcakes.  BIG cupcakes.  

I collect big things.  

It started when I was in college and my sister sent me an oversized converse sneaker to use as a door stop.  Somehow the idea stuck.  Think Big. Be bold.  Take risks.  After the sneaker it was a pencil, then a ruler, then a coffee cup, a salt shaker, and on and on.  So big was my collection of big things that I was actually featured in the Dallas Morning News in the late 90's as having one of the most fun offices in the city.  One could say, I hit it BIG time!

So you can imagine my reaction when a year ago I spotted an oversized cupcake cake mold in the Sur La Table catalog.  I told my husband right there and then that the only thing I wanted for my birthday was that cake - requiring, of course, the purchase of the cake mold!  It was the perfect combination of two passions - oversized items symbolizing the importance of thinking big - and baked goods.  Happy birthday to me!

Now my small reality check.  I love to bake, but I am no baker.  Or maybe I'm a baker, but I'm no cake decorator.  So, while I LOVE this cupcake mold, I am still learning the fine art of decorating it.   I tell you all of this, so you won't confuse my feeble attempt with its true potential.  You should remain interested and excited about the prospect of owing one of your own.  One of you, after all, will join me in owning your very own BIG Cupcake Mold.  

One more note before I tell you how.  I mentioned yesterday that this week is dedicated to my good friend - and constant source of inspiration - Amy.  Whether it be coincidence, great minds thinking alike, or kindered spirits finding one another, it just so happens that Amy has her own healthy collection of big things.  I've already sent her the big cupcake mold, but we're always in search of the next great item we just "have to have."  The winner of this cupcake mold will go to the person who sends us a link to a website displaying the next best big item we mutually agree is a must-have.

You can post your link in the comment section.  O.k.  that's it.  Happy Cup Cake Tuesday.  I'm off to enjoy a BIG cup of Starbucks coffee and a slice of my BIG cupcake.  Here's hoping my cupcake tastes better than it looks!
Signing off until tomorrow...

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

My son Michael got an eraser from his HS English teacher that is a replica of a pink pearl eraser only it is the size of 2 of my hands put together. On it is printed "use for BIG mistakes". It is so cute. I have to admit its really heavy so it isn't used. I just thought it was so back to school.
go to Prankplace.com they have some fun gigantic sized items.

Katie said...

In honor of the Olympics, the Chinese take out night, just the pure joy that "big things" bring:
http://www.greatbigstuff.com/takeoutboxgb.html

Anonymous said...

THANKS to everyone who responded to my request for ideas on free for all friday!!! you guys came up with some great stuff. i just got a chance to read it though, after this long weekend, and trying to have a much fun as possible before school gets too crazy. i love the 80's theme idea. she went to high school in the late 80's of course. and birthed me in the late 80's too!!! hehe...ill keep everyone posted on the exact route i take it. thanks again!

Anonymous said...

Here are a few to start the day:

http://www.bigcozybooks.com/
http://www.myowncookie.com/index.php/cPath/134
http://www.zymetrical.com/product.asp?3=1041

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the response that I am receiving for the basket. I am going to call it the creative basket. Peggy has donated cards, Tara something and Heidi I would love a piece of jewerly. I am making a blanket and scarve. Claudia, do you have a card or something with highlowaha on it so I can attach this to the basket. Do you think you could give this a plug on tomorrows annoucements?

Claudia @ Highlowaha said...

First. Thanks for all the recommendations for the hottest new BIG item and...

Sue, certainly I will give your project a plug on tomorrow's blog. Also, I will send something along with my item that you can attach to the basket on behalf of highlowaha.

So, if Sue's basket is the "Creative Basket" we can send things handmade OR things you can use to create your own crafts (craft supplies). Hey Sue, maybe along the lines of "creative basket," we could call it "Made With Love, By Hand." Then each of us could send an outline of our hand to somehow attach to the outside of the basket. Oh, how I wish I could get my glue gun and celophane on that thing.

Thanks for thinking of us.

Anonymous said...

Claudia:

That sounds great. Trust me I will make it look great. I will take a picture and send to you to put on the blog. I just need someone to show me how to send a picture. Maybe Katie can talk me through it.

Anonymous said...

EVERYONE loves ice cream:
http://www.greatbigstuff.com/3scoopcone.html

And toppings:
http://www.greatbigstuff.com/hersheysyrup.html

Sue, can you send me your address: tmichalski05@jcu.edu. I think I have it somewhere, but I'm not 100%sure.

Also, is ANYONE out there going to join our fantasy team!? We need at least one more taker to make it a true HLA team! Email me if you do! tmichalski05@jcu.edu

Anonymous said...

I saw that very pan at Michael's last week and fell in love with it!! I so want one!

Mini-giant cupcake pan:
http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2985982

Giant rubber chicken:
http://www.aboyd.com/prodinfo.asp?number=VA-83

Giant cluster of grapes (lighted):
http://shop.christmascentral.com/items/item.aspx?itemid=5980960

Giant margarita glass:
http://www.gadgetbargains.com/fm-jb-pp9786.html

Giant beer glass (holds 5 beers):
http://www.louiesgiftshack.com/servlet/the-2620/Giant-Beer-Glass-Party/Detail

And my personal favorite, a giant Charlie Brown Pez dispenser that plays music (presumably the Peanuts theme):
http://www.candydirect.com/novelty/Pez-Dispensers-Giant-Charlie-Brown-with-Music.html

Kat said...

Oh, I want that cake pan! I have been eyeing it for a while!
A peanut- http://www.greatbigstuff.com/peanut.html

Ice Cream- http://store.butlersandsigns.com/icecrco7.html

Scissors- http://www.costumes4less.com/products/bb129/Giant_Ribbon_Cutting_Scissors

Giant lip couch- http://www.thisnext.com/item/9EE5479E/36E2CC77/Studio-65-Bocca-Lip-Sofa

Cheryl Houston said...

My theme is light bulbs.

Large Christmas Yard Stake Bulbs:
http://www.edendesign.be/Lighting_SO1.htm

Then there's just the large bulb. They don't post a price so I'm sure it's outrageously expensive.
http://www.edendesign.be/Lighting_SO1.htm


Or, how about large paper light bulbs that we can all draw on and create our own exhibit.
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/24-design-your-own-giant-paper-lightbulbs

Not in the light bulb theme is the giant Gerber Daisy.
http://www.photographyprops.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=FBA%2D408

Not sure if those links will copy over in full so... let me know if you can access any of them.

Cheryl Houston said...

Are you coming to Philadelphia for the Taste of USA party?

If so, go to www.tasteofusa.blogspot.com to see what you need to bring!

Anonymous said...

Claudia on the site greatbigstuff.com they have a gavel that is huge. I thought it was so cool. I could use it at least once a day with my kids! Also the large monopoly pieces are cool.

Anonymous said...
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Claudia @ Highlowaha said...

All I have to say is Amy and I will have our work cut out for us, sorting through all your fun recommendations.

Katie said...

I see these in your future HLA headquarters:
http://www.greatbigstuff.com/computerkey.html

Anonymous said...

Who wouldn't say yes to that???

http://www.greatbigstuff.com/ring.html

Anonymous said...

can i put a vote in for the giant computer keys submitted by cspgradstudent...i so want one of those!!!

azlori said...

Go to www.teachersparadise.com and then once on home page go to teacher resources...find manufacturer tab and click on Trend....1st thing that should be listed is a wipe-off chart Notebook paper poster. It is a 22"X28" piece of notebook paper...It says it is "wipe-off" but I laminated mine just to make sure it didn't get ruined. Fun for daily notes etc...Birthday wishes etc...

I received my Mr. Sketch Scented markers today! Whoo hoo! I will be taking them to school tomorrow to share with my staff....maybe...or maybe I'll just keep them for myself! I'll have to sleep on that one!

Anonymous said...

Kelly!

I love that you're on this blog so often! I hope you're enjoying it.

Anonymous said...

Knowing that a major problem with collecting big stuff is where to put it I found a big item that is fun but functional...

A Big key that serves as doorstop:

http://www.thisnext.com/item/FBDB1640/CB3F94B3/Key-Doorstop-at-Wrapables

Claudia @ Highlowaha said...

Ok. clearly it is going to take me and Amy more than one day to sift through all of your suggestions and vote on our favorite.

Here's how we'll do it. Amy and I will be together at Taste of USA this Saturday. We will discuss early Saturday morning and post the winner sometime before 10:00 a.m.

Cheryl Houston said...

Ooh! Good find Heather and just so you know, clearly, you put my oversized, horrendously expensive light bulb in your yard so the cows can see where they're going.

:)