Valentines Day

I better get these pictures posted before Valentines day passes me by completely. I have not had a ton of time lately to blog, so I have been putting this one off a bit, because it is so big. You know, the big posts take a ton of time. So here we go.
This is a project that I saw on The Idea Room. I am sure you are beginning to think that the only blogs I got to are the Idea Room and Grocery Cart Challenge, but I just can' get enough of their ideas.
While I was at my Mom's house last time we decided to do a craft and this was the one we chose. My Dad was good enough to keep the kids at home so we could have a little girl time without fits and meltdowns. Thanks Dad!

So here's what you need for this topiary project.
1/4 yd. felt
Styrofoam ball(you choose the size) I used 3"
Ribbon
Berries
Straight pins
container to put it in
Glass that measures 3" across
pen

ribbon for hanging (if you make a kissing ball)

Dowel (if you make a topiary)

Use the glass to trace circles (or make a cardstock pattern) on the felt. I doubled the felt to cut two circles out at a time. Cut out ALOT of circles. You will need them. Depending on how close together you place the circles is the number of circles to cut.

Put on a good chick flick and start cutting. It is therapeutic work.

Then fold the circle in 1/2 then in 1/2 again. Using the pin in the bottom tip of the felt square, poke it into the styrofoam ball. Continue until the ball is covered completely.

Hang the ribbon, with a pin or hot glue, and place beads from garland into ball. Enjoy this simple and elegant craft. We made quite a few of these in just a few hours.


I also thought I had better post a few pics of my Valentines decorations. I don't have a lot, but they get the job done for the season. Here are two of the balls that I made and I sat them on these buckets that my mom gave my kids last year with their treats in.

I decided to put this tree out of my bathroom(I have very rustic decor in my bathroom, hence the tree) and decorate it with some clearance Christmas balls that I bought when we were getting the felt. I intended to make some felt ornaments for the tree, but just have not gotten to it yet. I hung a kissing ball from a hook on the mirror, and brought out the glass topiary that my mom made me for the fairy garden (I brought it inside for the winter).

This is a closeup of the topiary that I made. I added the beads to the ball and a few branches of beads on the bottom. I must give my mom credit for this, because she is the one who embellished hers first. I am just a copy cat!

I bought some of the garden stones and put them in a small vase I had for a stable base for my topiary. I have a hard time keeping the kids out of those rocks though. They think they are so fun to play with.

I hope you have a very wonderful Valentines Day, and enjoy your chocolate!

Valentines Day Treat

I saw this yummy idea on The Idea Room, but she used cinnamon bears, and that didn't sound good to me, so I bought some cherry gummy hearts in the Valentines section of the store. So here's my version of,

Chocolate covered Valentines Candy
1 bag Milk Chocolate Chips
2 bags Valentines Gummy Candy
1T Shortening

Melt Shortening and chocolate until melted. Drop gummy candies in chocolate and use a fork to remove them.

Shake excess chocolate off...

and place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet.
Chill in refrigerator until chocolate hardens. Remove from wax paper and place in a cute bag or candy dish. Try not to eat them all in one sitting!