Fleur De Sel Caramels

Oh.  My.  Goodness.  These caramels that I made last night are better than any I have had in 38 years.  I bought this recipe book recently because I happened to flip to the Fleur De Sel Caramel recipe and I knew I would make them.  Not think about it, MAKE them.
 

Now I must tell you, when the recipe says you'll be wisking the caramel for 40 minutes...they're not kidding.  That was the only downside to making them.  I used a candy thermometer for the first time and so it was really easy to know when it hit 246 F.  The Fleur De Sel is what makes you want to do cart wheels...the salt is the perfect compliment to the sweet caramel.

If I could share with all of you I would, they're that good.  Let me know if you make some too and how you liked them!

Pretty Studio Additions

I have been wanting a salesman size dress form for ages.  Recently I did a show and one of the vendors had my dream come true.  She wasn't interested in parting with it {can't blame her there} so my search continued, that is until last week.  I found the exact form that I wanted in New Jersey.  Unfortunately her neck was broken in shipping so my dear father in law performed some mechanical surgery on her.  She's now probably better than when she was shipped.

I'm just crazy about this Sen-Sen Gum display box from 1902.  What cute packaging!

I took some time last Sunday to hang some pretty labels on all of the baskets in my studio...

I also created some inserts for a couple of my clear storage boxes just to add some interest.  I only did this for the boxes with stuff inside that I'm happy to not see.  Check out that aDORable crown with pins in it.  It's from Kimberlee Edgar of Edgar & Edgar. 

At this past months flea market I bought all of the wooden spools that a vendor had.  I never saw any like this.  Such a simple design and they hold so much...

And life is so funny.  I originally saw this old salesmans floss box display at Colleen Moody's.  I completely fell in love with it and have looked for one from time to time but to no avail.  Recently I was thrilled to find one at a flea market and then I found another one a week later.  So...I bought them both so that if anyone I know wants one I have an extra :)

Tonight I'm making salted caramels.  Wish me luck, it's my first time using the whole candy thermometer and all.  Apparently I'll have to stir the caramel for 30 minutes...they better be fabulous!

Why Yes...I Do Still Craft

First of all I want to thank those of you that are stopping by.  I know that as of recent I have not offered up much in the way of blogging and I really have missed posting and putting myself out there to be of inspiration, or just to make you laugh.  I have to say, you Mothers of older children really keep a good secret.  Seems nobody told me or let it slip that bigger kids are more work than babies! 

I have been in my studio lately working on the November class.  We're going to be making an altered book using the new Glitz lines Vintage Blue {pictured above} and Beautiful Dreamer {below}.  I don't know which one I like better... 

The book technique is one that I have done before but never taught and I love it!  It let's you create all kinds of odd shaped pages, etc.  The second class is a stitching project, a stocking to be exact.  Can you believe that I've never had a stocking?  We not until now that is.

This past Sunday I spent the entire afternoon nesting in my studio.  I purged, organized and rearranged until my heart was content.  I took some pics of some of the new spaces and a darling little addition that I'm really pleased with.  I'll be back soon to show you!

Winner of Mingle Magazine Copy!

So....I did a random number generator and it selected comment number 8, which was Beth Leintz!  Beth I emailed you a bit ago for your addresss, congratulations!  I hope you love the magazine as much as I did.  Thank you everyone for leaving a comment!

Mingle Magazine Give-A-Way Weekend!

Hello and happy Friday!  I just received a copy of Mingle Magazine, courtesy of Stampington, to give a way on my blog.  Reading through my copy inspired me to plan a bunch of fall get togethers with my first being a much needed game night with friends.  It's been WAY too long! 

Please leave a comment describing your go-to party dish that you either make or take.  You know, the one everybody loves!  I will pick a winner on Monday and send the magazine right out.  I leave you with these gorgeous previews...

Super Sweet Acorns

This week I ordered some of these adorable acorns from Sabrina at Oh My Gypsy Soul.  Aren't they sweet?  Sabrina just opened her Etsy shop so you can grab some of these here if you'd like some too.  I chose the light blue, orange, lime and a hot pink.  I should have gotten the purple one too in the lower left.  If you go to buy some leave that one for me ok?