A quick snack

Made these...yummie!  We've been craving s'mores.  However, it's so hot no time for a fire pit and last camping trip in the forest, no open fires allowed!  A friend posted this recipe and I tried it out!  I had all the ingredients leftover from our camping trip.   The recipe is easy.  One tip is to keep a close eye when you have them under the broiler!  They brown quick.

Here's the recipe....  It's from the website kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com

S'mores Cookie Cups

With these S'mores Cookie Cups, you can enjoy the flavor of s'mores any time! Buttery graham cracker cups filled with toasted marshmallow and topped with Hershey's Chocolate Bar, everyone will be asking for s'more!

Course Dessert 

Cuisine American 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Servings 24 cookie cups

Author Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely crush graham cracker crumbs (about 7 whole graham crackers)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 12 marshmallows (regular size, not mini marshmallows)
• 2 full size Hershey's Chocolate Bars, unwrapped and divided into 24 pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and melted butter.
3. Grease a 24 cup mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop the graham cracker crust mixture into the 24 cups. Gently press the crumbs into the bottom of each cup and up the sides to form little cups.
4. Bake the mini graham cracker crusts at 350F for 4 minutes until golden brown.
5. Cut each marshmallow in half to make 24 round marshmallows. Place one marshmallow in each graham cracker cup, cut side of the marshmallow facing down.
6. Set the oven to broil. Place the pan of s'mores in the oven under the broiler and broil for 1-2 minutes, just until the marshmallows are soft and beginning to look toasted. Note: the marshmallows can burn fast, so watch them very closely.
7. Top each marshmallow with one piece of the Hershey's Chocolate Bar. Allow the s'mores to cool for 15 minutes, then use a butter knife to lift them from the pan.

Sewing masks!

Searched internet to get a pattern and ideas of what supplies I could use.  Whoola! found what I needed  There's so many good DIY videos.  Thanks to all the contributors.

I found my black elastic cord I use with my bullet journal inserts.  There were so many ideas on what to use for the metal piece around the nose.  I found these file thingies and they will work perfectly!

The pieces are double layered with a slip area for the metal pieces.  There's also a pocket to insert a filter.   Add cords and tie off.  I left the ties knots out so they can be fitted.  Sewing through the thick layers once you put the folds in was challenging, but overall I find sewing relaxing.

Sent these home to all my family members.  I'm working on 30 more today to give out to friends.  I'm using a much simpler pattern idea so I can make my elastic cord go further.  Using 7" per side as opposed to 10".   They won't have the metal nose piece nor the pocket for a filter.

Shelter in Place

Week 1 - Time to clear the calendar

No social events, no meeting ups, no lunches, no outings, nada, nothing! For now car rides with Bella, walks in the park with Bella, back yard throwing the ball for Bella, video chats with anyone who will answer, online class, online youtube videos of my new interest...Mr Harry Styles!!!   His music is blasting most days now.  Studio time always a blast....painting, jewelry, Harry Styles videos going on in the studio!   Binge watching everything.  Audio books, real books, picture books, and journal time all on tap. 

We all need to do our part in getting through this COVID-19 crisis.  Today made a point to check in on friends and all seem to be doing good.  Husband still going into his office and even though their company has implemented some changs, I don't think it's been enough.  In the meantime, stay safe and do your part!

St. Patrick's Day!

It's also voting day!

"Shelter In Place"

Shelter in place = Studio time!

I started working on two art pieces.  I haven't painted in awhile and it feels good!  They're far from done and that's the fun part of doing these pieces!  Gotta add more paint, more texture, some glitter, lots of glitter, words, detail outlining and finishing touches.  The details of the face will be my biggest challenge I think.  I hope you use this time to get creative and feed your soul with positivity.

Angel wings

Like I said, anytime I see angel wings I have to stop!  Love the vibrant red orange color!

Fashion Square Mall, Scottsdale, AZ

Art from a child's eye.

This year's card, part 4

This is my 2019 Xmas card!  I ended up using only one of the girl photos.  I altered five or six of them and time was not wasted because I will be using the altered photos for another project.  You'll need to stay tune for that.  I added texture by using a star stencil with texture paste I tinted with green glitter!  I love glitter!!!  I added red glitter drops to the crown stars and glitter to her wings.  I titled the card  "La Princesa de Naveidad"  The Christmas Princess.  I added a papals banner. 

The Christmas Princess

Handmade envelopes and labels

Back of envelope.  Open end style

I made a template and cut the envelopes out of this wonderful green thin paper.  The paper is a paint masking paper you can find in the paint isle in any home improvement store.  I love everything about this paper!  I use it for so many projects.  The labels are printed on Japanese rice paper.  Both papers are strong even tho they are thin.

I'm really happy how my cards turned out.  I never stress about my xmas card.  The ideas for my xmas cards come along all year long.  I like to use a technique, a paint, a color, a paper, a image, words I come across throughout the year.  If I must be honest my head overflows with creative ideas all the time.  I write or sketch ideas daily!!   

This year's card, Part 3

Scoured the internet looking at label image ideas.   I found this great looking one which will be perfect.  I used Photoshop to edit and clean it up so I could use it as my mailing label!  I love, love, love how it looks.   Handmade envelopes are ready, too.

Working on embellishing my card images.  And of course, my printer needs ink so no printing as of today.  Ordered ink and it's on it's way!

This year's card, Part 2

Working on the envelopes.  I couldn't find what I want on any  online shops.  So what do you do?  Make your own envelopes!   I made a template and I'm using a green tinted paint mask off paper I got at home improvement store.  I love the feel of the paper and it's study but thin.  It'll work perfect for my handmade cards!

This year's card

Sneak peek....

Vintage (public domain) images I found on the internet.  Resized them,  desaturated, and painted using my iPad and Procreate app.  I have more embellishing to do!  So far I love love love!

Holiday project with friends!

My friends, Becki and her mom, Alice asked to get together for a holiday craft day.  Becki is very crafty but he mom is not really all that interested but we insisted she joint in.  

Becki found a number of ideas on Pinterest.  I decided on this one.  I pretty much had all the supplies in my craft stash and that's the reason I picked this one.

This is mine.  Free hand painted the wreath and red berries.  Not bad.

Alice's sign, not bad for someone who brags about not having any creative talent.

Becki's sign looks good!

My finished sign!  Love, love, love it!  Had so much fun with Alice and Becki.  Oh, Becki's 4 yr old daughter joined in the fun...she's adorable and full of creative energy!

Wood project

I saw these little white wooden block decorations on Pinterest and thought I'd give it a try!  There are so many examples of these types of holiday decorations using simple wood shapes.

Dug through my wood pile and found a couple of 2x4 pieces.

Used the compound miter saw to cut the shapes.

First coat of white paint.  It cover well for a first coat.

I'll post an update when I finish them.

I'm also working on holiday sign with some friends this week and I'll post them, too.

Angel wings

 

Anytime I find a set of wings I must stop!

Grand Island, Nebraska

Letterpress time

The sun is shinning into my brokenwing studio!  Dusted off my Letterpress and Epic Six press.  I haven't used them in years!!  I've been brainstorming ideas for this year's Christmas card.  I've been scoring the internet for inspiration, ideas, ideas and more ideas on how to use the letterpress.   One thing I'm leaning into for this year's card is a Mexican style card.  Loteria cards?  Papel picado? Colorful?  Florals?  Serapes?  I have so many supplies and ideas and narrowing it down is always the tough part.

I have four ink colors, yellow, black, red and light blue.  Good enough for holiday cards!

I love the way the letterpress worked on the tea dyed cardstock!