JUST SIMPLE SOMETHINGS

Felting Creations

Have you ever met someone with an extraordinary talent and wish you were gifted like they are? I've often told hubby that I wish I could just once...step behind a mike and belt out a song or sit down at a piano and play a difficult piece perfectly. Just once, and I'd be happy. Seems like no matter how much we achieve it's never enough. We need to learn to be content and enjoy and the gifts God has given us...

Recently, I saw these felted animals on Pinterest and I think they are amazing!
So much talent here!

Just look at the detail in these!

What is felting?

It's done with wool, special needles, and a mat. Pushing the needles through a small wool ball causes the wool to attach to itself and you can begin to form a shape. There's more to it than this but you get the idea.

I like Mr. Mouse in his knitted sweater!

and a duck in a hunting hat!

Isn't she sweet?

Have any of you tried your hand at needle felting?

Here's where I'll be sharing:

Happiness is Homemade * Sundays at Home * Sunday's Best * Smell good Sunday * What's for Dinner * Nifty Thrifty Sunday * Family Joy * That DIY Party * Busy Creative You *
Amaze Me Monday * Mix it up Monday * Make it Pretty Monday * Cooking and Crafting with J and J * Show and Share * Busy Monday * Keep it simple Monday *Show and Tell * Warm Heart * Totally Terrific Tuesday *W.A.Y.D.2018 Blog Hop * Tasty Tuesday * Dagmar's Home * Delicious Dishes * Inspire my Creativity * Talk of the town* Waste Not Wednesday * Thrifty and Vintage Finds *Share Your Style * Create it Thursday * No rules Weekend * Creatively crafty * Full plate Thursday * The Handmade Hangout * The Pin Junkie * Friday Frenzy * Anything blue Friday * Foodie Friday * Friday Features * Best Friday Features * What To Do Weekends * Home Matters * Ultimate Pin Party * Dare to share Sat. * Saturday Shuffle * Saturday Sparks * Best of the Weekend *

Weekend Snapshots * Wordless Wednesday * Image-in-ing *

Happy Valentine's Day

Mackinac Island, Michigan

I've always wanted to visit Mackinac Island at the very top of Michigan,
and last summer we finally made it!
An island that's only accessible by ferry boat and there are no vehicles on the island.

The well-mantained old homes are everywhere...

The flowers were out of this world! I guess it's all the horse manure lol

The building of the Grand Hotel is an amazing story in itself...

Have you ever been to Mackinac Island?

Here's where I'll be sharing:

Horses with Jackets

Where I'll be sharing:
Weekend Snapshots * Wordless Wednesday * Image-in-ing *

No Cars on Mackinac Island

Here's where I'll be sharing:
Weekend Snapshots * Wordless Wednesday * Image-in-ing *

Fancy Walnut Brownies

With Valentine's Day coming soon, I'd like to share one of my favorite recipes for brownies...rich, decadent brownies! ( And no one will ever guess they are made with a brownie mix.) A little extra work but the payoff is worth it...fancy enough to be boxed and given as a gift for that special someone.

Fancy Walnut Brownies

Makes 24

Ingredients:
1 pkg. Duncan Hines brownie mix
1 egg
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup oil

Preheat oven to 350°. Place 24 (2 inch) foil liners on a baking sheet.

For brownies, combine brownie mix, egg, water, and oil in a large bowl.
Stir with a spoon until well blended, about 50 strokes.
Stir in contents of the walnut packet from mix.
Fill foil liners with 2 generous tablespoons of batter.
Bake @ 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until set. Cool completely. Remove liners. Turn upside down on cooling rack.

Glaze:
4½ cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk or water
24 walnut halves, for garnish

For glaze, combine sugar and milk in a medium bowl. Blend until smooth.
Spoon glaze over the first brownie to completely cover. Top immediately with a walnut half. Repeat with remaining brownies.Allow glaze to set.

Chocolate drizzle:
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tablespoon shortening

For drizzle, Place chocolate chips and shortening in a resealable plastic bag; seal. Place bag in a bowl of hot water for several minutes. Dry bag with a paper towel.
Knead in your hand until blended and chocolate is smooth. Snip a pinpoint in the corner of the bag and drizzle the chocolate over the brownies. Store in a single layer in airtight containers.
Note:
If you are a candy maker, you could just melt some chocolate wafers in the micro, add them to a plastic bag, clip corner, and drizzle.

Tip: Place wax paper under the cooling rack to catch excess glaze.

This recipe was very easy to make. Try it, your taste buds will thank you.

Here's where I'll be sharing:
Happiness is Homemade * Sundays at Home * Sunday's Best * Smell good Sunday * What's for Dinner * Nifty Thrifty Sunday * Family Joy * That DIY Party * Busy Creative You *
Amaze Me Monday * Mix it up Monday * Make it Pretty Monday * Cooking and Crafting with J and J * Show and Share * Busy Monday * Keep it simple Monday *Show and Tell * Warm Heart * Totally Terrific Tuesday *W.A.Y.D.2018 Blog Hop * Tasty Tuesday * Dagmar's Home * Delicious Dishes * Inspire my Creativity * Talk of the town* Waste Not Wednesday * Thrifty and Vintage Finds *What's Cookin' Wednesday *Share Your Style * Create it Thursday * No rules Weekend * Creatively crafty * Full plate Thursday * * The Handmade Hangout * The Pin Junkie * Friday Frenzy * Anything blue Friday * Foodie Friday * Friday Features * Best Friday Features * What To Do Weekends * Home Matters * Ultimate Pin Party * Dare to share Sat. * Saturday Shuffle * Saturday Sparks * Best of the Weekend *

Cutting out the middle man...

Recently, I discovered some very inexpensive cutting dies for cardmaking on Amazon. I did some research and found that they are shipped directly from China.

I was hesitant because of the price but decided to order one and check out the quality:

When it arrived, I was very pleased with the quality and it cut beautifully. It was very comparable to the high-priced brand dies I have. Can you believe the price includes shipping!
The only drawback is how long it takes to get here from China (on a sloooow boat) lol. Four or five weeks......but heck, I'm not in any hurry and at these prices, I can buy several.
Next, I ordered this one that I had seen selling name brand on Amazon for $14.36.