Easy Valentine Chocolate Boxes and Dessert Cups

 Above is a little preview of what's to come. These may look rather difficult, but they are so fun that you might find yourself coming up with all sorts of ways to use chocolate.

 First you need to find your mold. They must be somewhat flexible as these pans are, without being squishy. Oil them very lightly and wipe to make sure there's no excess otherwise the chocolate slides back down the sides.

 Melt in a double boiler over low heat 1 bag of semi-sweet and 1 of milk chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons of shortening.

 Once melted take a spoon or somewhat stiff rubber spatula and spread the chocolate around your molds, covering all the inside surface. Don't worry if it doesn't seem thick enough at this point.

 See? Chill this in refrigerator.

 Now take a piece of paper and trace the bottom of your mold. If you trace the top, the lid to the box may be too big.

 With a pen or marker make curliques all over the design, trying to have an even look on both sides, which forgive me but this one is a hurried example as time was of the essence.

 Spoon into a squeeze bottle some of your melted chocolate and add more chips if necessary. This means you should probably buy 3 bags...lol. Keep your bottle in a cup of very hot water to keep the chocolate squeezeable.

 Lay a piece of wax paper down on the design sheet and tape to table or counter.

 Now cover your design with chocolate piping, going double over the outside lines and inside if necessary. Let harden.

 Add more of the chocolate in the double boiler to the sides and bottom of your box as needed for strength. At this point you can put this in the freezer to make this easy to pop out. Take the pan out of the freezer and gently flex it to loosen the chocolate from the sides. Turn over and it should pop out easily. Be careful as the chocolate will melt in your hands so handle lightly. Peel the top of the box off the wax paper gentley and ......

TaaDaa! Now you can fill it with any treat your sweetheart desires. So 3 bags of chocolate chips, some shortening and filler treats to put in your box are all you need. Oh, the photo at the top of this post? I thought I had a post on that! Well, now I need to find a chocolate mousse recipe to share for that which will be forth coming.  Happy Valentines Day!

A New Nautical Bracelet for Spring

Doesn't a day at the beach, squishing damp sand between your toes as the sun warms you sound wonderful? It sure does to me! With winter slightly there, as in no snow in the valleys and temperatures in the 40's I'm already itching to be outdoors, playing somewhere, whether it be at the beach, which is hundreds of miles away, or in the garden, one if which is 100 miles away right now and the other several hundreds. Sounds as if I need to move right? Wish we could, but in the meantime I'm dreaming of waves crashing on the shore and spreading their treasures of seashells, sand dollars and driftwood on the sand.
Find the bracelet here: SimplySheryls on ETSY

Vintage Upcycling with Class....soap or jewelry dishes

 Okay, before I say anything else, the top soap dish is mine. Just saying. I have a dream for my bathroom in our little fix up cottage in Joseph, a turquoise and white, with gold and bronze themed bath. So I'm testing the waters in our apartment in Wendover, and I'm loving the results so far.

 For a romantic bed or bath, these lovely dishes are perfect! Think wedding or Valentines for that special someone, or treat yourself!

These are upcycled vintage tea cup saucers without their mates, that I've added bases to to give them new life and a new purpose. You can find these inexpensive giftables at  SIMPLY SHERYL'S

My Hearts Desire...

My heart's desire would be for thee
to know my love is true...

ETSY

Cowgirl Chic, with a Retro Feel

 I love treasure hunting, yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, you name it, I love to peruse the possibilities that await. When I saw the belt this cuff was made out of I immediately knew....

 ...that there would be several bracelets in the works made from it. What fun I had digging through my stash of beads and charms, until I found the brass stars I used for this cuff.

 What else but red, white and blue to go along with the stars?! This bracelet looks so great on, but my vanity wouldn't let me share a photo with my lined wrists...lol. Hmmmm blogger is misbehaving again, so here is where I will post the link to Simply Sheryl's on etsy.

Bleeding Hearts.......

 Lovely blossoms, Bleeding Hearts, all dangle in a row....
Like maids in waiting, hoping, praying, for their handsome Beau.

Elusive blossoms, Bleeding Hearts, they come and go so soon...
Catch your chance at true romance and give these by the light of the moon.
Necklace     Earrings

On Pearls and other pretties

Cultured or freshwater pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection, and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom through experience, to quicken the laws of karma and to cement engagements and love relationships. They are thought to keep children safe.
Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons fought. Ancient legend says that pearls were thought to be the tears of the gods and the Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying.
Whether real or not, pearls and other lovelies in glass will sparkle and shine on your sweetheart or loved ones wrist. Consider a gift of hand made love this Valentines Day from Simply Sheryl's