Monday, December 30, 2019

After holiday musings with Fudge

Welcome!

Kaleidoscope by inkspired

Most of the presents have been delivered now,
with a few strays still waiting to be given.
Having a chest cold has delayed a few things here in our home.

I do hope you have all had a safe, warm
and loving Christmas, surrounded by 
people you love and that love you.

Artist Inge Look

I am still hoping to be over this cold soon
so I can make some fudge and cookies for neighbors.
This year I felt too much like Typhoid Mary
to bake much and give away.
I had also been hoping to make some pizelles.


While I don’t decorate my fudge quite this fancy
I do enjoy adding edible embellishments!

Cookies by Cook; Pinterest


Here is my tried and true recipe for yummy fudge:

Fantasy Fudge

1 7oz jar marshmallow creme 
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup margarine or butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk (NOT sweet condensed)
1 12oz package chocolate chips*
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract*

Grease 9x13” Pan. (You can line with foil and then grease if you want, see note at bottom).

Combine sugar, margarine/butter & evaporated milk in heavy saucepan over medium heat to dissolve sugar.

Bring mixture to full boil for 5 mins, stirring constantly. Really.

Remove from heat.
Stir in chocolate chips, stirring until melted and thoroughly mixed.

Add in marshmallow creme, walnuts and vanilla extract, beating thoroughly.

Pour into prepared pan. Let cool. Cut into small squares, diamond shape, etc.

I always want to use my pan again right away, so if you have lined your pan with foil, you can lift out the fudge to cool and cut, and your pan is ready for the next batch immediately.

Now comes the variety!
*in place of chocolate chips, substitute butterscotch chips, mint chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, etc.

I add pecans to my butterscotch fudge instead of walnuts.

*get out all those flavored extracts! 
Cherry extract goes well with semi-sweet choc chips.
Butter rum extract goes well with any kind of chips!
Try hazelnut extract and use hazelnuts as the nuts.
Have fun experimenting!

Found on Pinterest, unknown source

Aren’t those decorations so pretty?
If you don’t have the time or desire for something quite that fancy, use the photo to give you ideas.

A simple frosting-piped wreath with a couple red sprinkles is quick and easy to add.

Triangle tree from frosting, then sprinkle decorating confetti is very cheerful!

You get the idea.
I like to buy the frosting in a can or bag that comes with a set of 4 screw-on decorator tips.
Super easy. Stores well.

December 1919 magazine cover

Have a fun  and safe New Year’s Eve!

‘Til next time,
Inkspired

Kaleidoscope by inkspired

Truth: (usually discovered before coffee and/or 10 am)
Now is NOT the time to organize the pantry.
Or anything.
You will just have to re-do it when you wake up.
😁

Yes! Another kaleidoscope by inkspired! 
😆


Thursday, December 26, 2019

Head Start for December, 2020

Welcome!

Kaleidoscope by inkspired 

Did you feel so rushed in the last couple of weeks?
Were there decorations you didn’t have time to finish?
Did you plan on sending handmade cards,
 but only had 3 to send?
Are there handmade gifts you had hoped to give,
but there wasn’t time to complete?

No fear!
It’s not too late dear!
For 2020 holidays that is!

By Kathy Hering

I want to inspire and encourage you today.
Start with making a list,
itemizing what you would like to have done for 2020.

My list looks something like this:

Make a list of friends & family.
Make Christmas cards for all on my list.
Start an idea list of gifts.
Complete and frame 1 holiday papercutting.
Finish paper nativity set.
Choose color/theme for 2020 Christmas tree.
Start homemade ornaments for tree.

 A fairy peek-a-boo box, ready to start.

Now, that’s MY list.
Make yours to fit YOUR wishes.

A wonderful papercutting pattern, found on Pinterest.
Artist Unknown

Let’s look at some ideas that might be on your list.

 A vintage paper doll

Start looking at free/vintage paper dolls that you can print.
Decide if you want to give uncut,
or if you want to cut out and mount on sturdy card stock
(like cereal boxes!).
If you cut them out you can add all sorts of embellishments!



Gingerbread House found on Pinterest

Start looking at different gingerbread houses.
There are a ton of them out there.
Sketch out some ideas for your gingerbread creation.


Posted on Pinterest by OhMyFiesta

Why not start making a table centerpiece featuring
this simple sleigh pattern?
You could use heavy card stock, stiff poster board,
a piece of foam core, balsa wood...
Resize on your computer as desired.
Fill it with Christmas candies,
silk florals and greenery,
shiny Christmas ball ornaments,
or....?!
Then, if you like how it turns out,
make a few more to give as gifts!






All iris folded cards found on Pinterest.

If you challenge yourself to make 5 handmade cards
each month, starting now,
You will have 60 cards finished for Christmas 2020!

FYI iris folding makes up very quickly
with stunning results!


Here are a couple of different sleigh patterns for you,
one to cut and frame and one to print and cut.
Apologies, but artist credit is in Russian I think.


Posted on Pinterest by Knick Of Time

Unknown artist



Unknown artist

Another simple papercutting pattern, 
you could use as a Christmas card front, or frame and hang.
And
A fun iris folding snowflake pattern.

Hand painted card by Sharon Krohn

Well, I do hope you feel inspired!

You know,
Christmas is not meant to be a one day affair,
But an everyday way of living.
Enjoy!

‘Til next time,
inkspired

Truth: (usually experienced before coffee and/or 10 am)
Before taking your morning multi-vitamins,
make sure you are grabbing the correct cup.
Hot coffee is not meant to gulp down pills.
Also
there is no need to ‘blow’ on your cup of water
to help cool it down.

Kaleidoscope by inkspired 

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Angels in her belfry

Welcome!

Kaleidoscope by inkspired

and so our story continues..

Ruth you are just not going to believe 
what just happened to me!
I was filling our household water jugs down at the well
And one of those 
smelly sheep-kissers from outside town
walked right up to me, bold as can be!
Wanted to borrow my ladle to use
as a drinking cup!
Yes, yes, of course I told her to get lost.
Ick.
But that’s when things got strange...
She just kept standing there with a dazed look on her face.
Obviously sunstroke, I could tell.

Artist Anton Mauve

Well, you know dear what a generous and giving woman 
I am, so I drew some water 
and put it in an old broken cup and gave it to her.
It’s the least I could do, poor thing.
Yes, yes, Ruth I am trying to tell you!
This ‘shepherdess’ started talking about light 
and singing and something about a king.
I didn’t quite get it all, but it sounded like
a king had just been born!
As if that’s news. Everybody knows
about King Herod and all his little look-alikes
spread all over Israel.
But,
I’m sure she said there were angels singing.
Can you imagine seeing an angel?


Artist Irina Y. Lombardo 

Why I would just faint on the floor 
I would be so scared!
This little sheep-herder said the angel told them
To not Be Afraid!
Then she said the whole sky was full of angels
And they were all singing!
Obviously she was delusional, don’t you think Ruth?


Found on Pinterest from a post on The Shinbone Star 

Just imagine,
seeing that many angels!


Unknown artist

She still looked a little overheated...
or something,
so I led her over to the half wall to sit in the shade there.
It was the least I could do.
You wouldn’t believe how bad she smelled...


No Photo credit found.

Well!
I never!
Ruth just up and left; looked like she was headed
to the well. Wonder what she wants there?
I didn’t even get to tell her about that whole 
Peace On Earth thing.
Well, it’s her loss.
I’m feeling a little hungry for some dates...
or maybe some new grapes would be just the thing...

The saga will continue...

Meanwhile...
I want to share with you some beautiful
paper cut work by
 Odeta Brazeniene.
I am a member of the Papercutters Guild with her.
She came up with a very clever idea of
‘Angels on a stick’!
Kinda’ catchy, but oh so pretty!


Paper angels by Odeta Brazeniene


She even was gracious enough to share a pattern with us.




You should be able to take the base pattern and 
add your own embellishments/designs.
Affix to a stick, 
and look around for the decorating opportunities!

Wouldn’t these be beautiful as a 
 vase arrangement of real or silk flowers
and a bevy of white angels?

Take a gold or silver pen and highlight 
a few spots on the angels.
Place in a silver bowl with large white ball ornaments.
Tuck in a couple gold leaf embellishments as accent.
Elegant!

Take them to the country with an enameled water can.
Fill with marbles, and place angel sticks in side.
Color your angels with markers,
Gel pens, whatever you prefer.
Tie torn strips of gingham around each
Angel stick, and the handle of the can.
Throw in some jute for added effect!
Charming!

I hope you have enjoyed my little saga,
and do try out Odeta’s angel pattern.
Then share!

‘Til next time, 
Inkspired


Kaleidoscope by inkspired

Commotion in the barn

Welcome!

‘Child like faith’ 
A greeting card wreath original
Hand cut from recycled cards
by inkspired
(Many of the flowers have also been made by inkspired)


Today is a celebration of Jesus’ birth-
the incredible gift from God
to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles.

Merry Messiahmas!

December 1901,  by Gaspar Camps


Last night was a busy one at the stable,
and today, thanks to those loud mouthed shepherds,
promises to be the same.
Running through the town, shouting about angels
and miracles and a baby born in a stable!
Disturbing everyone’s sleep!
Why, I have never heard such a commotion!
Let’s wander over there, just to see...



Hmph.
Just as I thought!
Those shepherds can’t tell the difference between
a lamb and a baby boy 
after they’ve been drinking all night.

Wait.
What was that?
Is there something in that food bin over there?



Oh! Oh! Oh!
What a sweet little baby!
There’s something different about him.
Can’t quite figure it out...
Good. Here comes his mother.





Well, I was going to ask her what is this all about,
But...
but...
She seems so young, and tired...
and her husband came over...
and I didn’t want to interfere...


I think I will just go home 
and get a few things for that poor little baby.
Looks like he needs some fresh blankets,
after those sheep have slobbered all over his.
Really!
Allowing animals to be around a newborn!
But then...
the animals did seem strangely behaved,
as if they didn’t want to wake up the sweet boy.
Except for that bossy cow, mooing all the time.
But...
she was doing it in this rhythmic way.
So relaxing.
Almost as if she was singing a lullaby?

Nah.
Think I’ll pick up a few food scraps for those parents,
looked awfully thin, they did.


The saga will continue...
‘Til next time,
inkspired