Guest blog and big contest from A Baked Creation

This is Rachel here - we are winding up our guest blogs (there is one more I have to post from last year) and are so grateful to A Baked Creation for this fabulous contest. My apologies for getting it up so late in the year, it was meant for January 1st but I'm sure you will all be more than happy to enter their contest now! Also, how adorable are their cupcake shots?

Hello! This is Sylvia and Howard from A Baked Creation and we love cupcakes, creative designing, and eating. We are very excited to be guest blogging on Cupcakes Take the Cake - especially on New Years! Thanks to Rachel, Stacie, Nichelle, and Allison for satisfying our cupcake cravings year after year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Let us countdown...

Our 9 New Year's Resolutions for 2009:

9. I should not eat leftover frosting for breakfast... lunch... and dinner.
8. Speaking of eating, I should exercise regularly to keep fit.

7. I will learn something new!

6. I would like to travel or visit someplace I've never been before.

5. I will branch out and make new friends.

4. Fondant crumbs are not sprinkles!

3. From time-to-time, I will go out of my comfort level and try something new.

2. I will try to keep things organized.

1. I will continue spreading cupcake joy!

New Year's Resolution Giveaway Contest

Now, we know that the best way to kick off 2009 is to have a Giveaway Contest! So first, we must thank Melissa from HarperCollinsCanada for If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, Lisa from Cupcake Wraptures for her beautiful cupcake wrappers, Jessica from Chronicle Books for Sky High: Irresistible Triple-Layer Cakes, Anna from Hachette Book Group for Confetti Cakes for Kids, Lindsey from Da Capo Books for Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, and Diana & Karen from Wilton Industries for the 19 Count Party Stand! Once again, thank you all for ringing in the New Year by providing great prizes for some lucky readers!

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake Written by: Laura Numeroff Illustrated by Felicia Bond If you give a cat a cupcake, he'll ask for some sprinkles to go with it. When you give him the sprinkles, he might spill some on the floor. Cleaning up will make him hot, so you'll give him a bathing suit . . . and that's just the beginning! The lovable cat who first appeared in If You Give a Pig a Party now has his very own book! Written in the tradition of the bestselling If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond's newest story will show everyone that Cat is where it's at! Don't forget to check out Laura Numeroff's website and MouseCookieBooks.com!

Sky High: Irresistible Triple-Layer Cakes Written by Alisa Huntsman and Peter Wynne Photography by Tina Rupp Sky High - A classic layer cake has always been the best party pleaser, but this cookbook takes dessert to a whole new level. Sky High celebrates the triple-layer cake in all its glorious incarnations with more than 40 decadent and delicious recipes. The wide range of flavors will appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth. The book features such delights as Boston Cream Pie, Mile-High Devil's Food Cake, and Key West Cake. There are even three astonishingly beautiful (and totally do-able) wedding cakes! From luscious chocolate creations to drizzled caramel confections, take simple layer cakes to new heights with Sky High.

Cupcake Wrapture Couture for Cupcakes 5 dozen cupcake wrappers for you to dress up your cupcakes! These new designs are not even displayed in the store yet, but one lucky winner will receive Ottoman, Candy Shop, Pink and Green Damask, Sock Monkeys, and Tiara cupcake wrappers! These pretty wraps will fit a standard 2.5" base cupcakes and are for decorative purposes only, do not attempt to bake in them. Don't forget to check out the Cupcake Wrapture blog as well!

Confetti Cakes for Kids: Delightful Cookies, Cakes, and Cupcakes from New York City's Famed Bakery Written by Elisa Strauss and Christie Matheson Elisa Strauss of Confetti Cakes focuses her talents on her younger fans with this enchanting collection of cakes, cookies, and cupcakes for kids. Strauss starts readers off with 20 delicious recipes and all the basic techniques needed to complete any project in the book. Then she offers step-by-step instructions for 24 jaw-dropping designs that can become the centerpiece of any celebration. Don't forget to check out Elisa's blog as well!

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule Written by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Terry Hope Romero, and foreword by Sara Quin The hosts of the vegan cooking show The Post Punk Kitchen are back with a vengeance — and this time, dessert. Isa and Terry offer delicious, cheap, dairy-free, egg-free and vegan-friendly recipes. Included also are gluten-free recipes, decorating tips, baking guidelines, vegan shopping advice, and Isa's true cupcake anecdotes from the trenches. When Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, no dessert lover can resist. Don't forget to check out their blog as well!

Wilton's 19 Count Party Stand Individually decorated cupcakes are the perfect way to add a personal touch to celebrations. Now, you have the perfect way to serve them! The look is fresh and fun, featuring bold silver-finished wire spirals to securely hold each cupcake. The twisting, towering design is perfect for any setting-showers, kids' birthdays, weddings, holidays and more. 18 inches high x 12 inches wide. Easy to assemble! Holds 19 standard cupcakes! To enter the New Year's Resolution Giveaway Contest:

1. Under this post's comments, please leave your: Name, E-mail, and tell us your favourite from "Our 9 New Year's Resolutions for 2009" or leave your own resolution! Pretty easy right?
2. However, if you want an extra entry, visit http://www.abakedcreation.com/
3. This contest is available to residents of Canada and the U.S.A. only - sorry International fans!
4. The New Year's Resolution Giveaway Contest contest is open from January 5th-9th 2009. Comments posted after 12 midnight EST on January 9th will not be considered.
5. Winners and prizes will be randomly chosen and announced on January 10th 2009 on A Baked Creation!
6. Don't forget, you are allowed 1 entry per blog (any more than that and they will not be considered or deleted), and please leave your correct contact information! Best of luck!