My heart is heavy

Our community lost 4 teen football players in a tragic car accident yesterday morning. I can't imagine losing one of my children. My heart is so heavy for the friends and families. Please pray for my community. Fondly, Tami

I'm not a big Valentine's Day person, but I do like to make chocolate truffles. My MIL gave me a "professional" mold several years ago, and it's one of my favorite kitchen toys.

First, make the ganache. I like plain chocolate, but I've also added liquors like Triple Sec or Chambourd. Of course, you HAVE to use good chocolate. I like Brandywine Wilbur chocolate, and since I live in the town where it's made, it's easy to procure.

Melt the chocolate, and then line the mold.

Here, I missed a photo with just the chocolate lining. After the mold is lined, I put it in the freezer to harden. The ganache is then put into the lined cups, as seen in the three on the left.

Once the cups are filled, I spread a generous layer of melted chocolate on the top, scrape off with a dough scraper, then freeze.

Hopefully, they all unmold beautifully.

Of course, there's usually chocolate left over, so I cover a variety of goodies. This is a peanut butter Ritz sandwich, which is my FAVE to cover in chocolate. If I'm really ambitious, I make homemade marshmallows for HubbyDoc (they're his FAVES), and if I'm even MORE ambitious, I cut them out with a heart cookie cutter and cover them. He likes that.

I just want you all to know that I NEVER eat while I'm baking.

So, thanks to my SCAL Pals, I re-learned how to post a pic of my SCUT file after several *snafoos*. I know there are a lot of beautiful hearts out there, but this is must my rendition, just in time for Valentine's Day.


*This heart is no longer available for free. To purchase, go to www.diecutdesigner.com after April 23, 2011. Thanks. Tami

So, here's my very first published SVG*. Let me know what you all think. I saw the new Cricut Iron Gate book, and I thought, "Gee, I could make an iron gate", so I did. I hope that someone finds this fun and useful. Please comment if you like it. Tami
*This file is no longer available. Visit www.diecutdesigner.com for some of my original files under Tami Howse. Thanks!

My first real tag

So, this is my first real tag. I wanted to use some Tim Holtz type of techniques, with different colors, of course. I think I liked it (so much so that I gave it away the same day), but I think it needed a few more elements. This is a Penny Duncan rose- my first one. I absolutely loved it. I used some grungeboard and attached a Karen Foster element with some beads that I put together from my stash of jewelry making supplies. They're sitting rather idle since I became a lia sophia jewelry consultant, so I need to find more ways to use them. Peaches, the cat, was not amused. She's a sweety, but she just wanted to chillax. Can't say that I blame her. So, leave a comment about what you would've added. I need ideas, Peeps! Thanks for looking. Fondly, Tami

A few more pics

HubbyDoc makes the frames for me, and then I make beaded snowflakes. They sparkle quite nicely. I need to make more of those as well. Oh, well. Not enough time. I've also tried my hand at engraving acrylic with a Dremel engraver. I like the effect, but the workmanship isn't the best. Perhaps I'll have time to practice more some day. Another picture of HubbyDoc's German stars. He's going to make me some that I'll dip in beeswax and then sprinkle a little glitter on them. I think they'll look pretty. These are giant alliums that are in our garden. I just let them dry on the plant, cut them, and then spray paint them either white or gold or whatever my color scheme is. They make a great tree topper. I have to put more on this year's tree but I haven't been able to spray more since it's been so windy outside. Mylittle companion was tired. She works so hard. And, here's part of my banister. It's my favorite thing to decorate. Since it's right in the foyer, it makes a statement as people walk in. Hopefully, it's warm and welcoming. My favorite banister garland was the one where I dried about 60 roses and used them. It was a show-stopper for sure. Thanks again for looking. Tami

And yet, more christmas decorating!

I have lots of crocheted snowflakes that I made about 25 years ago. I really want more, so I need to get busy HubbyDoc makes beautiful German paper stars. Since I have my SCAL, I can now cut paper for him and he's thrilled. He also makes them with ribbon, and I can even cut the ribbon down so he can make tiny ones. I've also made little sculped Santas using Sculpey dough and a toothpick. It's hard to see the face here, but you get the idea. Another Santa. Thanks so much for looking. Tami

More Christmas Decorating

Here is my garland for my wonderfully long banister. I love it. Like all my other decorations, the banister changes from year to year. As you can see, there's a Penny Duncan white poinsettia. I didn't have time to make near enough, but I like the effect. I'll have more poinsettias next year. There are red poinsettias as well. On the lower left and lower central part, you can see embossed starts. I just cut the stars out of aluminum flashing that I got at the hardware store, and then I ran them through my Sizzix embosser. I love the effect, and they shine up a storm! I love shine and bling! Of course, a lot of my decorations have dried flowers. HubbyDoc is the gardener, but I do a lot of cutting and drying. The status is from my neighbor. Thanks Kim! There will be more to come. I'm having a problem with uploading pics and my puter won't let me do more than about three at a time. Check back soon! Fondly, Tami