Black Glass Pearl Necklace

Hi everyone. I'm not going to keep you to long today. Here is the newest necklace. It's glass pearls with onyx and blue bicone crystals. Enjoy!

My Advent Calendar

   It's not the best picture but I just had to share our very simple advent calendar we made last night. We used scrapbooking paper!  I love this paper and I don't even scrapbook. The paper can be used in so many different ways. One of the ways I love to use it is as a background for my blog pictures.

So, all we did was roughly cut four squares out of each sheet and folded them. Then we used fun markers to write the numbers. On the inside we wrote simple activities and messages.  Some activities we wrote were go see Christmas lights or write a letter to a friend. I think next year we will get a little more creative with it. What do you put inside your calendars?  Let me know.

Glass Pearl Necklace

It has taken a little while for me to post this necklace,  but I'm finally getting around to it. It's beautiful and elegant.  It's not just a necklace it's also a wrap bracelet. I had so much fun making it and can't wait to make another one. I have some more sewing projects coming up and some other things in the works too. I hope you all are as excited as I am.

Oh, one more thing, I have started selling Gold Canyon Candles.  Have you heard of them? They are only the best scented candles and accessories.  Enjoy the necklace and I'll see you soon.

Happy Fall

I know, it's not Fall yet.  That makes me a little sad. I just love everything about fall. The colors, the weather,  and pumpkin everything.  Don't you?

Anyway,  I was so excited about the beginning of September that I just had to show you all this lovely sign that I just finished.  It's nice and simple.  Just some paint, stickers, hot glue and other fun things. So, here it is. I hope you like it.

What's your favorite season?  Let me know in the comments.

Summer's End

Well, its that time of year again. It's back to school time and the end of summer. I don't know about you but it seems like summer is over faster than the year before.

Soon the leaves will be changing and it will be time for hot chocolate and throw blankets. I can't wait until the weather starts to cool off again.

Before the recipes change with the seasons I'm going to post one more summer recipe. What recipe would you like to see as the last recipe of summer? Truffles, no bake, beverage?  Or anything else. Let me know in the comments.  Have a great day everyone.

Happy Blogging Anniversary!

    Today, I was writing my blog topics for the upcoming year and noticed that my blogging anniversary was this month.  I looked to find that it had already past.

    I started this blog on July 3, 2011 hoping to share my many ideas and recipes for sweet treats. It has been 3 years and I love sharing my creative side with all of you. Thank you all so much for your support. Please continue to check back for new recipes and crafty things.

     I would love to hear what you would like to see on the blog in the year to come. Whether it be crafting ideas or more sweet recipes; please let me know. Have a great rest of the summer and I look forward to sharing more sweet recipes and creative ideas with you.

Mother Daughter Necklace

This is a simple mother daughter necklace that I made recently.  The rose color is my daughter's and the glass pearl is mine. They are really easy to make.

Orange Crochet Blanket

It's finally finished!  I have been working on this project on and off for a couple of years and it's finally finished.

This blanket is a double crochet stitch with a really pretty edging.  I hope you all like it. Have a great Monday.

Chocolate Coconut Cups

Another sweet recipe for another beautiful day. This one is made of one of my favorite flavor combinations. I'm not going to talk very much this time. Lets get right to the recipe today.

Ingredients:

18 oz. pink candy coating

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup full fat coconut milk ( the canned kind)

Sprinkles

Directions:

1. Pour 1/3 of the candy coating into a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until smooth.

2. Put candy coating into mini cupcake liners just covering the bottom. Let harden.

3. Add chocolate chips into a heat safe bowl.

4. Heat coconut milk until simmer and add it to the chocolate chips.  Stir until smooth.

5. Add shredded coconut to the chocolate mixture.  Mix well.

6. Cover and chill just until it's cool enough not to melt the candy coating.

7.  Add chocolate mixture on top of the coating.  Make sure to leave enough room for another layer of candy coating.

8. Let set for about 30-45 minutes.

9. Melt the rest of the candy coating and top the cups. Add sprinkles and let set.

Makes 30 cups. Refrigerate in and air tight container.  Enjoy!

A Bit of Sparkle

I hope everyone is have a wonderful Saturday so far. I wanted to share this bracelet that I made yesterday.  I always like to add some semi precious stones and a little sparkle to my jewelry.  It's a 7 1/2 inch bracelet made with glass beads, rose quartz, glass pearls and income crystals.  Let me know what you think. Have a great weekend.

Iced Black Tea with Hibiscus

It's probably way too late for a new post for the day but I just had  to post a new recipe tonight.

Lately, I've been stressing out because I haven't posted in a while. I just didnt know what my next post was going to be about. Thanks to this miserable heat I have been inspired to give you a super easy recipe for iced tea.

If you love the tartness of the hibiscus flower then you are going to love this tea. If not don't worry I have added some sweetness to tone it down a bit.

So, lets get to it.

The Recipe:

10oz. Hot water

1 black tea bag

1 hibiscus tea bag

Ice

1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract

Raw sugar to taste

Directions:

1. In 10 oz. of hot water steep the black tea and the hibiscus tea for 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Pour tea into a glass filled with ice.

3. Add 1/2 tsp vanilla

4. Add raw sugar to taste.  Stir well. Also add more ice if need.

And there you have it, a nice refreshing glass of iced black tea with hibiscus.  Enjoy!

4 Things I've Learned While Working with Chocolate

One of the many things I love to do is make homemade candy. Chocolate, by far, is my favorite thing to use. Melting, dipping,  and pouring chocolate is so much fun and the things you can add to it are limitless.

Today I wanted to take some time and share with you some of the things I have learned about working with chocolate and candy coating.  This list is from my personal experience and is not influenced by anyone else.

If you have a tip that you have learned while working with chocolate or candy coating I would love it if you shared in the comments.

1. While melting chocolate in the microwave keep and eye on it. If it's in there for too long it will seize and the chocolate will be ruined.

2. Dipping things is a lot of fun, specifically for the kids. However,  if it is in a regular bowl and not a fondue warmer it will cool quickly and harden.

3. When adding flavor use an oil based flavoring and only use a little bit. A little goes a long way.

4. Oh yeah, and don't fight the messiness.  It comes with the chocolate.

That's it for now. Have fun! As I learn more I'll keep adding to the list.  Have a great day everyone.

Blueberries and Cream Truffles

The truffles a finally ready! And they are so good. If you like blueberries and cream you will love these truffles. They are made with white chocolate and dried wild blueberries,  yum.

I know it has been a while since I've made a truffle recipe. I'm trying to find that balance between the recipes and the other things I post.

Before I get to the recipe I want to thank you all for being patient with me. It would have been up yesterday but I had to take the little one to a doctor appointment.

Alright here we go.

Blueberries and cream truffles

Ingredients:

12 oz. white chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup dried blueberries

2 pkgs white candy coating

Instructions:

1. Place the white chocolate chips in a medium heat safe bowl.

2. Heat whipping cream over medium heat until just boiling.

3. Pour whipping cream over white chocolate chips. Let stand for 30 seconds. Stir until melted.

4. Stir in blueberries and mix well.

5. Place mixture in the fridge for 1 hour or until firm.

6. Scoop spoonfuls of mixture and shape into balls. Place them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

7. Place cookie sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes. 

8. Melt white candy coating in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds until melted. Stirring after each time.

9. Dip truffles in the candy coating and place back on cookie sheet.  Place in the fridge until it sets.

10. Keep in an air tight container in the fridge.  Should make about 20. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Hello, I hope everyone is having a fantastic year so far. Mine has starting a bit slow. The family was sick for Christmas so we had a rough transition into the new year. I will be picking up my bloggy schedule again and making some more sweet treats and crafty fun.

Some of you know that I have been taking classes online for medical coding. I am almost done with that. So, exciting. 

That's about it for now. Thank you all so much for your support. Have a great new year.