What better way to celebrate spring that with a bright, colorful pinwheel?
I loved running with a pinwheel as a child. Now I enjoy watching them spin in a spring breeze. A whole line of them up the walkway could welcome guests to a Celebrate Spring party. A pinwheel in a glass of jelly beans or spice drops is a great centerpiece. A smaller one on a toothpick could top a brownie or cupcake. There are a million ideas for these.
see recipe for key lime cupcakes below
Download and print out the FREE pattern below. If you want you can adjust the size to make smaller or larger ones…just make sure it stays square. To adjust the size on your printer, chose a smaller percentage when printing. You could also use a copy machine.
You will need:
1 sheet double sided paper or 2 coordinating sheets (8.5 X 11″)
push pin
1/2″ diameter wood dowel
scissors
the pattern and paper by the Paper Studio
I used paper from the Paper Studio…Girl Flowers and Girl Diamonds. I glued the sheets together with paper glue and let dry. Then I used the pattern and cut out the square along the dotted lines. Then I cut from the corners toward the center as indicated on the pattern. Cut carefully as precision counts if you want the pinwheel to spin properly.
Mark the hole in the center with a permanent pen.
fold every other point toward the center
Fold every other point toward the dot in the center of the template and tape or glue. You can also use eyelets to fasten it together for added strength.
The pinwheel completed.
Push your push pin into the dowel about 1″ from top. Cut a tiny flower that will cover the push pin head.
Paint the dowel with acrylic paint…two coats. Let dry.
Push the push pin through the hole in center of pinwheel and into the dowel. Leave a little wiggle room for the pinwheel to turn. glue the tiny cut flower to the top of the push pin. Curl the pointed edges around your fingers.
Decorate with ribbons and take it for a spin!
Click on the Printable pinwheel pattern PDF to download file.
Margarita Cupcakes with Key Line Frosting
2 dozen cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 (18 1/4 ounce) box white cake mix (not pudding type)
1 (10 ounce) can frozen margarita mix, thawed (do not add water)
3 egg whites
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon grated lime zest
Directions:
- In large bowl, combine first 4 ingredients with electric mixer.
- Stir in lime zest; mix well.
- Fill prepared cupcake liners 2/3 full.
- Bake according to box directions (usually 325 degrees – be sure to check box!) 22-24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.
- Cool in pan on cooling rack 5-8 minutes.
- Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely before frosting.
Key Lime Frosting
Makes about 2 3/4 cups
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons Key lime zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar
3 tablespoons Key lime juice
1 to 2 Tbsp. milk
Directions:
1. Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar alternating Key lime juice, 1 Tbsp. at a time and 1 Tbsp. milk. Beat at low speed until blended and smooth after each addition. Can add up to 1 Tbsp. additional milk to reach desired consistency.
3. Pipe on to cupcakes. Decorate with tiny pinwheels.
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