Very Pretty Apron Using Simplicity Pattern 1240

I just got a new calling at my church that I am SOOOO excited about.  NURSERY LEADER.  DREAM JOB!!!!!  I get to play with little children and have a snack halfway through church.....how could it get any better than that.

 But it can be a messy calling so I made a sweet little apron to wear over my Sunday clothes.  I used Simplicity pattern 1240 because it would flow over my dresses and not crush them.  Plus the model on the package looked adorable in it.  I was even able to find a very similar print for the main fabric.  My daughter Jenn suggested the chevron fabric to make it more modern.  Read that as less "granny looking".

 Isn't it adorable.  And very easy to make.

 I did line the pocket for a more finished interior, and I used my serger for all the seams for the same reason.

Can't wait to wear it this Sunday!  What is it about a ruffle that just makes you feel pretty.

Diana

Pin Win Chocolate Eggs With Cheesecake Filling

Pin win!  I tried these adorable cheesecake filled chocolate eggs I found on Pinterest  and they turned out perfect!

 The pin was from raspberri cupcakes and with a few adjustments I was proud to put these on the Easter table.

 First of all I couldn't find premade hollow chocolate eggs so I had to make my own.  No mold-no problem.  I just worked with a half egg mold I had.....I would love to show how I did it for you but apparently cheap molds shouldn't go in the dish washer.....who knew!  Let's just hope you can find a 3D egg mold so you can have an easier time.  I trimmed off that ridge of chocolate to get a smooth joint.

 raspberri cupcakes' cheesecake recipe was delicious but instead of the passion fruit yolk she used, I made up a batch of lemon curd.  Dyed it a deep orange to more resemble a rich yolk.  Also I piped in the fillings instead of using a spoon to shove it in.  

One other adjustment.  I made my eggs freestanding by putting a blob of melted chocolate on wax paper and setting an egg on each blob.  You have to hold them steady for a bit but it worked out great.  If you have enough egg cups you could avoid this step.  Pretty impressive huh.  Kind of like a Cadsbury egg!  But much more delicious.

Diana

Easter Candy Wraps

Oh what to get my kids at church for Easter........chocolate of course!

I started with Hershey solid chocolate bunnies that come six in a package. 

 Once they were wrapped in some cute spring floral paper I attached a label I downloaded from the Silhouette store.

Another quick and easy treat for Easter!

Diana

Easy Push Up Easter Treats

 I needed a treat to take to church for Easter that was quick and easy, and did I mention it had to be yummy too!  I didn't want to bake cookies, cupcakes or make chocolate candies either.  Call me lazy but I had a lesson to prepare and a few other things to get done, so I didn't have a ton of time to devote to this.

 Thank goodness I had hoarded stocked up on push up containers......

 I used my Silhouette to cut out labels......

 Edible grass......

 Cadsbury eggs....

I mean who doesn't like chocolates?

Diana

Baby Chicks Are Here

Baby chicks are at Tractor Supply so can Spring be far away?

 Eight new girls to add to our flock......well, at least I hope they are all girls.

 The tiny white fluff ball is my favorite!

Diana

Old Fashion Ice Cube Chocolates' Recipe

Do you remember Ice Cubes?  They were delicious!  So creamy.....and they melted in your mouth as soon as you put them on your tongue (and on your fingers if you handled them too much!).  I recently found them at a candy store in California while visiting my son's family and I have been obsessing about them ever since.  So I did some Internet research to find out what to add to the chocolate to get it to that wonderful "melt in your mouth" condition.

I found out that the secret ingredient was probably coconut oil.  It has a low melting point, 97–104 °F, which allows it to melt very quickly when it is put in your mouth.  But what ratio of chocolate to coconut oil?  I then found this recipe for homemade Hard Shell.  You know that cool chocolate stuff that goes on the ice cream in liquid form and then magically becomes a hard lovely shell.  Could this work in reverse?  Maybe if I tweaked it a little.

 So this is what you need......2 parts good chocolate to one part coconut oil.  (I used 2 ounces chocolate and 1 ounce coconut oil).  

  Melt the chocolate and coconut oil over a pot of steaming (not boiling) hot water.....remember not to get any steam or water in the chocolate or disaster will follow!  Stir constantly and remove from heat when chocolate is almost melted.  Continue stirring until chocolate is completely melted.

 I poured the liquid chocolate into this cute tiny pitcher!  The chocolate will seem very thin but don't worry, that is how you want it.

 Carefully pour chocolate into molds that are about one inch in diameter.  Let set in freezer until very firm.

 Pop chocolates out of molds onto wax paper.  They should come out easily.  If they don't, put them back into the freezer and try again.

This mold makes the classic shape of the candy....well. almost. 

 Handling as little as possible, (the warmth from your hands will quickly melt the candies) wrap them in some pretty foil

 Soooo, the big question is how these homemade ice cubes measure up to the real thing.  

1. They melt beautifully once you put one on your tongue..yippee!

2. The flavor is delicious using the dark chocolate but I think milk chocolate would be closer to the original.  But can you imagine if you added a little mint oil to the dark chocolate version?  Kill me now cuz I'm in heaven!

So my verdict is that these are so close to the store bought ones I don't notice a difference, except these have a more intense chocolate flavor.  Next time I'll give milk chocolate a try.....

Diana

Cutest Baby Jammies Ever!

I just wanted to share a link to the cutest Baby PJ's I have ever seen!  And the best part......SpoolsAndDrools makes them from fabric I designed on Spoonflower!

You must check them out at her Etsy Shop especially if you love all things Harry Potter.  They are simply adorable.

Diana