DIY Cappuccino Stencils!

Latte art has always been fascinating to me, but don't ask me when I started actually trying to achieve it. It's really not meant to be - everything I needed started falling apart, beginning with the milk-frother and then the whole coffee machine. Nice! Not to mention I really should invest in more adequate utensils to get some tangible results... but I'm not really sure I'll actually be up to it!

It was only when I stumbled across this beautiful movie that I had the idea of using cappuccino stencils to facilitate the whole thing. I had a browse online and realised I didn't want to pay that much for something I would actually do myself almost costless, and also, I really loved the idea to come up with different designs, figures and texts and reflect my mood in my morning coffee. So I designed and created my first stencils and since then I made others and others (and if you have had a look at my Instagram profile, you'd had realised how excited about the whole thing I am!) and sharpened my technique until now I'm able to share how to make DIY cappuccino stencils from scratch with you!

You'll need:
Printable cappuccino stencils templates (download them here)
Clear stencil sheet
Pencil
Cutting mat
Small and big scissors
Precise cutter
Clear tape

Method:
1 :: First off, print the stencils on A4 paper. Use the top of a mug to draw the shape of your stencil and make sure it would be the exact size of your mugs. Create the stencil handle using a small round object, then cut the stencil using your scissors.

2 :: Trace the design onto the stencil sheet using a pencil and making sure it's in the middle, then cut the stencil with a precise cutter and small scissors onto a cutting mat.

3 :: Use the tape to fix any mistakes!

4 :: Wash your stencils before using them, then make your cappuccino, place the DIY stencil on top of the mug and sift the cocoa over it! Use the handle to easily remove the stencil and enjoy your beautiful coffee!

On a milk-frothing note, I'm not one to give tips as I do things that are not exactly professional (no, I don't always pour too much milk and no froth at all and then end up trying to reduce the amount of milk in my mug in the most embarrassing ways, which I won't tell here to avoid to embarass me even more) but I'd say as much as something like the IKEA Milk-Frother is so easy and quick to use, you won't go any far by using it before creating a cocoa design on top of your latte: it creates too many bubbles and once the cocoa powder hits them, they will pop and ruin the design! Steam is the way to go, and trying and avoiding bubbles as much as you can. Try swirling the pot or tapping it onto a surface before pouring the milk in your mug to eliminate the air. The trick is to not overdo with the cocoa powder, the less the better!

I love the idea of creating DIY stencils for my food so much that I might start designing something for my cakes too! It's so fun to create a different creative cappuccino every morning, it totally brightens up my day!

Let me know if you try this project and tweet me a picture of your cappuccino if you do!

Birthday Muffins & Mini DIY flags | A Freebie

Yesterday was my sister's birthday. We don't buy presents for each other birthdays anymore since a few years ago, but my sister isn't a cake kind of person either so it's no fun baking for her, however since I discovered this muffins recipe a few years ago, she always asks for them on her birthday day and this year was the same. I woke up pretty early and bake these deliciousness for her breakfast and came up with the idea of making some little DIY mini flags to place on the muffins and make them more festive, then opened Photoshop and start creating...

The muffins came out delicious as always, my sister loved them as every year especially the creamy heart which is her favourite part (and secretly my favourite too) and was super excited about how festive, nice and colorful they looked with those freshly made birthday flags. I think they can make the perfect dessert to bring to someone else home when you're a guest or to serve to a birthday party as well with those cute flags which are super duper easy to make (no jokes).

For up to 11 Nutella and Chocolate Muffins you'll need:

• 170g of white flour
• 2 tablespoon of cocoa powder
• 110g of softened margarine
• 110g of white sugar
• 2 big eggs
• 3 teaspoons of baking powder
• Nutella for the creamy heart
• Icing sugar and sprinkles to decorate

This recipe is super easy and quick. First things first preheat the oven to 190°C then start by sifting the cocoa powder and the white flour in a large bowl. Weigh the softened margarine and add it to the bowl together with the white sugar and the baking powder. Lastly lightly beat the two large eggs together and add them to the rest of the ingredients then start mixing all together with a spoon. If your margarine is soft enough it will be super easy to create a smooth batter with a spoon only, otherwise you'll may need the help of a whisk - all up to you! Once the muffins batter is ready and smooth, place up to 11 paper muffins cups in a muffins baking tin, then using a pair of teaspoons start creating a sandwich of a teaspoon of muffin batter + a teaspoon of nutella + a teaspoon of muffin batter. Make sure the first and last floors are pretty even and flat in the cups so that the nutella in the middle won't escape at the bottom or at the top during the baking session. Then place the tin in the oven for 20 minutes at 190°C and once baked, leave them rest and cool for 15 minutes before tasting. Sprinkle some icing sugar and colorful sprinkles on top to decorate.

As for the flags, all you need to do is to download and print this freebie mini flags template, cut them, glue the back, place a toothpick right in the middle and then fold in on itself and make the end of the flags match. That's it! Place them on your birthday muffins or cakes and serve.

What's your favourite birthday dessert?

July Wallpaper | A Freebie

So today is the first of July and this means it's time to change your wallpaper! This month's freebie features some summer-y objects like some watermelon, seashell, espadrillas (which was super inspired by one of most recent purchases which you can see on here or here) and iced coffee which is my new favourite breakfast! Hope you enjoy this month's calendar wallpaper!

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June Wallpaper | A Freebie

June is here so it's time to reniew that desktop of yours for the new month. Here is a little freebie from me made out from my last watercolour session last month. Don't know if it's only the Chanel June Nail Polish's fault but when I think of June in a colour that pretty coraly peachy shade always came up in my mind, so I thought this illustration was very appropriate. Enjoy!

What Is My Screen Resolution

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iPhone | iPad

Mint & Tulips To Do List | A freebie

I'm having a super fun time with watercolor painting recently, and when creating this Mint & Tulips little illustration (which I was planning to use for a few projects) I immediately thought it would look amazing on top of a to-do list and after a little Photoshop session this is what came out. This looks super cute on my desk and it's perfect for me as I love creating lists and tick off those boxes as this helps a lot in staying organized. So whether you have a blog and need to create little list for your future features or you just want to write down any of your plans or shopping lists, this little printable freebie could may come useful at some point! Hope you enjoy!

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