Simple Marshmallow Pops

I love making little sweets for holidays. So for Valentine’s Day, I started with these marshmallow lollipops.

Well I should have said that I love dipping little sweets for the holidays.

Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Marshmallow Pop

(all decked out in cute little hearts and pink ribbon)

Caramel Pecan Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Marshmallow Pop!

So easy….and everyone always appreciates a cute sweet treat.

I tried melting chocolate chips for dipping and have to say that I much prefer the chocolate wafers that you can find at the craft store. They are so much easier and less finicky.

So if you need something quick, simple, and easy to do get creative. I used chocolate vanilla swirl marshmallow, but there are so many flavors now like strawberry, regular, toasted coconut, and vanilla. You can dip in so many different things like caramel, butterscotch, chocolate, white chocolate, and the many different color chocolate wafers. Finally, sprinkle colored sugar, confetti, decorations, nuts, or coconut! The possibilities are endless!

Cake pops or brownie pops next, hmmm?

I’m partying:

Sassy Sites

Comments Make Blog Buttons

Okay, so I am sure that you have seen posts about how to make a blog button. Me too, but I still didn’t have one. I sat last night and decided that I would work on a button for my Etsy shop. With all of the information out there, this had to be easy enough, Right? Wrong! I worked on it and finally had to go to bed without a working button.

I followed the directions of Musing of a Housewife. It seemed easy, not so yet! I also read Blogging with Amy. Both I found doing a Google search. Still not appearing and working as I liked.

Then this is where I have to say that I love comments so much for my own posts as well as to direct me to new blogs. Yes, I don’t have many followers yet! But I do read them all and follow up with an email and checking out their blog. Often I end up following also as we probably have similar interests, purposes, or inspiration.

Well, that happened here and a big THANK YOU to Melissa who recently commented on one of my blog posts. Here is her button that will lead you to her page:

You can also check out the link that inspired me to give my button another chance here.

So here is the button for my Etsy shop. Nothing fancy (yet), but it works. Click on it.

I am still just starting out, but having so much fun getting everything up, running, and linked together.

Sweet Valentine Treats

Recently, Marisa at Make Happy posted these little beauties.

She made them out of cute cupcake liners and gave a great tutorial here.

Then, I saw this in my Scrapbooks Etc. magazine.

So….I had to have some too.

If you can thread, crumple, and fluff you can do this!

{Before we get too far, please excuse any picture imperfections as my camera died and the following pictures were taken with my phone.}

Dum-Dum pops are great!

I decided to use tissue paper and my handy large scalloped punch. This step is easiest if you punch about 10 layers of tissue paper at a time.

Then take 20 layers of scalloped tissue paper in the color pattern that you want your flower to be and punch a hole in the center. I chose several options as you will see below. Thread the layers on to your lollipop, crumpling each tissue layer around the lollipop as you go. Finally tie a piece of green curly ribbon after the last tissue layer. Now with your crumpled tissue paper, gently fluff out your flower to the appearance you desire.

This cute little flower could be used for many occasions such as party favors, decorations, Easter, weddings. But since mine are for Valentine’s Day, I needed a cute little tag. I printed “be my valentine” in the snap ITC font that can be found in a standard word document. Then I cut a free hand leaf shape out around the words leaving one end or tail slightly longer for wrapping around the lollipop.

Then I had to go PINK!

{FYI…these single color flowers are made with 10 layers}

Finally a little fun with some PURPLE thrown in.

Cute, ey?

I’m partying, come check it out:

Tatertots & Jello

Sassy Sites!

Simple Fall Projects - Part IV Another Wreath

OMG!!! I usually never use OMG, but I have been screaming at the computer. Have you ever seen something that you love and then it gets lost in blogland forever?

Yeah, I just spent the last hour trying to find something that I new I wanted to try the moment I saw it.

Look at this beautiful wreath.

Julie over at Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss made her.

Like I said, isn’t she beautiful? You can see how she made her here.

Well, here I go searching for a way to make this my own. I had dollar store garland. I had wire, ribbon, and spray paint. Ready, set, GO!

First I began making a wreath by winding my garland into a circle and securing each circular pass with wire.

Waalaa…I have a fall wreath. I knew from my inspiration above that I didn’t want to leave it like it was. I also know that although I love heirloom white, it doesn’t work well for me. ORB does though! What to do.

Well, ORB it is and here are my wreaths.

Yes it is ORB, but on the fabric leaves it appears more black in the picture. This lead me to the orange ribbon and a perfect wreath for Halloween.

I have two long windows in the family room that flank the fireplace. I thought the white wood blinds would make the perfect back drop for these wreaths.

The bow is hot glued on and the ribbon is tied on the back of the wreath and the curtain rod.

Never mind the poor or lack of window treatment at the top :(

That will be another day.

What do you think?

If you are looking for other great wreaths, check out this party:

For the LOVE of Wreaths Party at Domestically-Speaking

Simple Fall Projects – Part III Wreath

Need a little more fall somewhere?

Well these supplies are inexpensive, but I have to confess that I looked in my craft stash and found all that I needed.

Take a wispy grapevine wreath and some berry sprigs.

Twist the sprig around and in the wreath. No wire or hot glue necessary.

Take a timeout to enjoy the interest that the little man shows in all that I do.

And then voila! A simple cute wreath to enjoy.

It is in the guest bathroom for all to see.

Remember keep it simple and love it!

Simple Fall Projects – Part II Fall Centerpiece

I love to use natural elements in my fall decorations. The center of the table needed something fall-ish. So I pulled out a pedestal hurricane type candle holder that I had and filled it with a variety of mixed nuts.

It is a one time small investment too as they will last for years.

You can be as elaborate or simple as you want, just remember to make it your own and love it!

Setting the table…something nice for everyone to look at during mealtime.

Simple Fall Projects – Part I

Okay, you say you don’t have time or money to create all the loveliness that you see out in blog land! Wow, I know there are some extravagant and B-E-A-utiful stuff out there. Well read through their blogs, because if there is one thing that I have learned…it is that the beauty is your inspiration to make something on your own that you love.

Most of the blog women that I follow are thrifty and creative and that together can create great stuff!

So….I have decided to make some simple posts with simple natural ideas that are cheap if not FREE!

(Every post doesn’t have to be extravagant either… Right?)

Want to add something that can stay out from fall through Christmas? Me too! (I don’t mind changing my decor, but it is always great if something can last through it all).

What about cinnamon sticks!!!!

See how cute!

This idea was free to me, but to keep it cheap for you if you don’t already have everything think about this.

Don’t buy your cinnamon sticks in the spice aisle.

1. Look for cinnamon in the seasonal section at Wal-mart, the dollar store, or the craft store. (Not sure if it is different quality, but it smells just as good and is usually cheaper).

Don’t have a canning jar already?

2. Look at the thrift store. You can find all kinds of canning jars for mere cents.

Doesn’t have enough flair for you?

3. Consider using ribbon or fabric to tie around the neck of the jar that can be changed from beautiful fall colors to match your traditional Christmas decorations.

And finally, this can be a stand alone project. But still want more, consider layering and adding this to other things you love. My thrift store has tons of fall and seasonal decor. The dollar store has some great fall garland.

Remember the beauty of fall is all around you and most can be found not purchased.

Stay tuned for more projects. You never know what you will find…nuts, leaves, pine cones, bird nests, wood!