Build a Cup cake with the Cupcake punch by Stampin Up and me

Hi everyone.

Thanks for stopping by. Again it is such a treat to know that you take the time to hop over again. So welcome back!

• You know I think we are going to have an early Spring in Canada. I know, I know, you're right.. to be honest I have no clue what it's going to be.. But with our kids we are trying to look for the early signs of Spring. before I share with you what we saw, I like to introduce you to a silly holiday in the USA and Canada. And when I say silly.. I mean SILLY !!

Many Canadians take the time to observe Groundhog Day on February 2nd each year!

Thousands of years ago, people in the area of Europe now known as Germany, believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of Spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops. This tradition was brought over to the USA, predominantly in Pennsylvania, where it was the groundhog, not the badger, which makes these predictions. According to folklore, if the groundhog will sees it's shadow on february 2nd it will return to it's burrow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not sees it's shadow, then Spring is on it's way.

This year Ontario's Wiarton Wille groundhog and Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam groundhog did not see their shadows on Febr. 2nd. So according to them it will be an early Spring. (smile)

If you watch this holiday event on tv.. you see people all dressed up in old fashioned black clothes and high hats. They are only allowed to speak in the Pennsylvania German dialect and those who speak English have to pay a penalty, usually in the form of a dime or a nickel. There are lots of people with camera's trying to take a picture of the groundhog that comes out of some kind of hand made burrow.. It's fun, but silly..

• All that to say :) The other day I was watching with our kids, the bunnies that are hopping around our house.. And we noticed that this snow white bunny was changing color. His ears had turned all brown, but his body was still all white.. We got all excited, because to us that means Spring is coming. I know.. there is still every where snow.. but unlike the groundhog.. I think these brown ears are for real a sign of Spring coming, don't you think? We should start a new holiday. Bunny-ear-hop Day on March the 2nd.

I am just kiddin'. But I have to tell you, I am super excited that I think that we have hopped over the biggest Winter hoop this year..

For the cards today. I created these cards when I was over at my friends Diana's house. What a great time we had. We talked and created and we had the best Italian Cheese with tomatoes and crackers and herbs and spices.. Oh my was that ever good! I am adding this card into the Pals Paper Arts Challenge #84 There theme is is Spring! I am all for Spring. Afternoons in the early sun and having a cupcake in my hand and mouth :)

• I used my new Stampin Up Build a Cupcake Punch (#121807 - $26.61). I love it. I am sure that you too can whip up this adorable cupcake as well to sweeten your card or any paper crafting projects. Complete with frosting, cherry, a candle and sprinkles, you'll have a bunch of the pieces you need to decorate your cupcakes with scrumptious style for lots of different occasions.

I hope you'll enjoy the thought on these cards combined with the missing frosting :)

Inky hugs, Pauline