Lions Paw

I have been searching for another object to carve for my next letterbox that would be nice looking, but doesn't involve a lot of detail work since I don't have any "real" tools-just an exacto knife.  I decided on a paw print of some sort-so I searched the web for paw prints, and chose the lions paw.


My first step to printing an image is to print the same image in a few different sizes.  I do this so that when I get the image printed out, I can cover it with my eraser to pick the best size.  After I find the image that is the perfect size, I color it in with pencil.

Next I press my eraser onto the image to get the lead to transfer to the eraser...

...and carefully flip the paper over so that I can press the paper directly onto the stamp.  I try my hardest not to move the paper around so that the transferred image does not smudge.

Here is the transferred image.  If it is not dark enough, you can easily use the pencil and color directly on the eraser itself to darken the image.  There are some lighter areas on this one, but not light enough that it is would be necessary for me to go over it again.

Next I use the exacto knife to carve away the non-shaded area.  The best tip I remember reading in reference to carving is to angle the exacto knife away from the the shaded area.  Don't carve straight down either.  By angling away, it improves the strength of the stamp, and will help it last longer.  

Here is the stamp all carved.

Next, I get to check and see how the image looks on paper.  Ink it up...

Press hard onto the paper so you get a good transfer.

Finished product!  I don't think I want to touch it up this time-I am pleased with the carve!

Side by side with the stamp...

So cute-just wanted to see what it would look like if used as a pattern!

Now I just need to get a box together, and find a location to hide the stamp.

Stitch Removal

Warning:  Somewhat graphic pictures ahead.  (Although not nearly as nasty as the original wound.)

Thirteen days ago my oldest son had 15 stitches put into his leg after an accident at school.  Ever since Friday I have been waiting for the stitches to become loose enough to remove.  Yesterday they just began loosening a bit, and with plans the next 2 nights, I figured I better get him to the doctor today for the suture removal.  We waited 2 1/2 hours for a procedure that took less than 5 minutes.  Healthcare is so frustrating!  We had considered removing the stitches ourselves (there are tons of videos on youtube that show the procedure); however there was a relatively large scab, and we thought there may be possible infection, so we felt it best to err on the side of caution.

Here is the last picture we took before the suture removal.

Doctor working on getting the stitches out.

Close up after the suture removal:

Finally ready to go!

Bunk Skelton

Over the past six months or so, we have been introduced to the music of Bunk Skelton.  He plays a more old school country-style Christian music.  I have a varied taste in music, and really like his music a lot.  His version of "Amazing Grace" is to the tune of "Ghost Riders in the Sky".  I can't believe he doesn't have any videos on youtube!

If you visit Bunk's website, he has clips of his songs available to listen to.  Enjoy!

Homemade Chili

The other day I was so looking forward to chili, but it didn't happen because we had a minor distraction (well, that may be a slight exaggeration), so I settled for the fast food version.  But it just doesn't do the homemade version justice.  If I make chili, I use Carroll Shelby's chili mix (yum! I highly recommend it!), but my hubby makes his from scratch, and it is something I look forward to every year when the weather turns cold.  I'm so glad he had a chance to make it this weekend!  Sorry for the terrible picture-my phone battery was almost dead, so the flash wasn't working in order to conserve energy.  Yum!  It made my day!

The Bracelet That Wasn't Meant To Be?

I have been trying to make a safety pin bracelet for a week now.  I picked up the safety pins and some silver-ish pearls to use, and I already had some elastic from the button jewelry I made a few weeks back.

After I put the pearls on, I realized I didn't have enough, so I went back to get another packet.  They were out, so I picked up some red beads.

I re-did the beads on the safety pins in a new pattern, and got ready to string them.  First I strung one end, separating each safety pin with a pearl.

I really like the looks of the bracelet as it is coming together, but the elastic isn't the greatest.  I am having the same trouble as I did with the last project-it is thin, stretches a bit too much, but doesn't feel very strong.  I re-strung it with thread, but that of course, doesn't stretch  at all, and I am afraid it will break on me.  I found a piece of thicker, stronger elastic, but couldn't get it threaded on the needle.  After looking at more pictures of safety pin bracelets online, I think I will remove the beads that go between each of the safety pins, which will eliminate the need to thread the elastic on such a tiny needle (and maybe even eliminate needing a needle altogether).  But I am done for today!  I have stopped and started this project one too many times, and it has me a bit frustrated at the moment.  I'll finish it soon enough!

Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day to all the Vets out there!  I am so grateful to all those who have gone before me, and fought for my rights!  I was able to spend the day with my favorite veteran, my hubby.  We ate lunch at Red Robin, and dinner at Applebee's, two restaurants that support our military heroes, by treating them to a free meal on Veteran's Day.

Thank you!

And a thank you we saw at Applebee's:

Chewy Caramel Apple Chip Cookies

I found a recipe for these Chewy Caramel Apple Cookies last week, and I immediately thought my hubby would love them.  He does, after all, love the Spiced Apple Cookies that I have made a couple times for him.  I bought the caramels called for in the recipe (and decided that I was not buying any more add-ins for cookies -nuts, candies, etc.- until I got rid of some of the extras I have been buying over the past few months, BTW), and got started.

I followed the recipe pretty closely, with just 2 exceptions.  The first change I made was with the apple.  We bought very small apples, so I used two instead of one.  I also diced it very finely instead of grating it.  I also had about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts that I added when I added the caramel.

Here is the recipe as posted on the eatliverun blog:

Chewy Caramel Apple Chip Cookies
makes about 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
2 sticks butter, softened
2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 apple
1 bag mini caramels (or regular sized caramels, cut up into small pieces)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg and continue to beat until combined.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger in another bowl.
Grate the apple with a cheese grater and squeeze out all liquid with paper towels. Add shredded apple to the flour and then add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and mix until combined. Then, add the caramel bits. Dough will be a little dry.
Roll small balls of dough out and bake on a lined baking sheet for 12-14 minutes. Let cookies completely before attempting to move them off the baking sheet or else they will fall apart!

Finishing thoughts:

They spread out A LOT on the pan-make sure to give them space, or else this will happen:

They also stick to the pan horribly!  By the end of my 4 or 5 batches, I had learned not to place them directly onto the cookie sheet, but to put them on parchment paper.

The flavor was good-caramel being true to form stuck to my teeth.  My hubby and the boys all really liked the cookies, but I am not crazy about them-I shouldn't be too surprised because the stickiness of caramel always gets on my nerves.  If I want to make cookies with caramel again later on down the road, I will probably make the Spiced Apple Cookies I linked above, and add caramel to them.