Bleeding Hearts Artisan Jewelry for Valentines

 Yesterday morning was bright and blue, with feathery wisps of clouds on the horizon. The warm breeze brushed my cheeks with a touch of sunshine, belying the storm to come.

This morning the wind is pushing the storm our way; a promise of snow and colder temperatures. I think Valentines Day must come in February to brighten an otherwise potentially dreary month with a bit of color and remembrance of romance to warm our hearts.
It's only January I know, but it's never too early to get a gift, either for yourself, or the one who brightens your day.  Give them a gift that will remind them of your love by visiting Simply Sheryl's.

A Lovely Memory Wire Bracelet for a Valentine....

A luxurious mix of stone, cracked glass and lampwork beads complimented by antiqued silver spacers and bead caps make this one of a kind bracelet the perfect gift for yourself, or a loved one. See more about this LOVEly piece at  - Simply Sheryl's

Red is for Love Broken China Pendant Necklace

Red is for love, sacrifice, and redemption. All three have a connection in that when we love, we are willing to sacrifice, and redemption, true change can come when one feels love.

A bit of broken Memory Lane China by Royal became a lovely wire wrapped pendant, embellished with glass beads and silver findings. To see more about this stop by my etsy shop - Simply Sheryl's

Enchanting Simplicity in Jewelry - a Silverware Pendant

 I'm sitting here enjoying the fleeting moments of quiet peaceful silence as I'm all alone for a bit. As a caretaker for my MIL that doesn't happen very often so I'm going to savor the time as I share what I've been up to. An old spoon handle was the inspiration for this lovely piece.  The spoon itself had seen better days, probably used many times over to serve some delicious casserole, or fluffy mashed potatoes. Did the spoon belong to only one owner before ending up in my stash, or was it passed down from mother to daughter or son? The story itself could be very intriguing!

As a lover of old things turned new or re-purposed  I separated the handle from the rest and created a pretty pendant.

Every nice necklace needs a matching pair of earrings as well. If you would like to purchase these stop by my etsy shop - Simply Sheryl's

Cowgirl Chic Jewelry for the new year

 I had so much fun mixing and matching beads to put this piece together. The Rose pendant was something I couldn't pass up when I spied it, especially since it was on sale. The leaf toggle was a perfect way to finish this off.

Created to match the necklace, these lovely dangle earrings sparkle and shine. To see more about them please visit my etsy shop - Simply Sheryl's

Almond Fudge Bars on a Tasty Tuesday

Another holiday tradition around our home is to have Almond Fudge Bars, and their counterpart Butterscotch Bars. Originally a recipe created by and using Bisquick Baking Mix,  I adapted the recipe so I could use ingredients we always have on hand. These go fast, so be sure to have plenty baking supplies around.

Almond Fudge Bars
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1 cup real butter
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
3 cups rolled oats
2 eggs
1 tsp each vanilla and almond extract
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Fudge filling
1 12oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 T butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup toasted almond slices

For the dough, a large bowl cream butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla and almond extracts. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt, mix in to creamed mixture. Add oats and stir in well.  In a 15 x 10 inch cookie sheet press 2/3rds of the dough to cover the whole pan. Buttering your fingers helps with this.
Over a double boiler slowly melt chocolate chips in the sweetened condensed milk,  along with 2 T. butter and add salt.  Spread over the dough in cookie sheet. By teaspoonfuls drop the rest of the dough on the chocolate layer. Sprinkle almonds over that and press in to dough. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. After slightly cooled cut into 48 squares. When completely cool store in airtight container. Enjoy!

Homemade English Toffee a Christmas Tradition

Toasted almonds in a buttery sweet, melt in your mouth toffee, slathered in luscious chocolate with more toasted almond bits. Heavenly treats your family will love. My mother started making toffee when I was 13, and it became a tradition. I started the same tradition when I was raising my own children, so they would have a bit of the grandmother they never knew. Here's our version, easy and delicious. No water, no corn syrup, I like this recipe the best as it is.

English Toffee

1 cup real butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup toasted almond slivers
1/2 cup each semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips

In a heavy duty pot, melt butter and add sugar. Over medium heat, or a little lower depending on your stove, continue to cook, stirring constantly with a back and forth motion over all the pan bottom to keep from scorching. Using a candy thermometer bring toffee to 290 degrees. Before you get to that temperature you might find there is a separation stage, where it looks as if there's a layer of oil that separated from the carmelized sugar. Keep stirring and it will go back in to the toffee mixture. Do not pour it off, you will ruin your toffee.  ( I test by dropping a drizzle into a cup of cold water and tasting it. You want a smooth texture, not grainy. I have learned to eyeball this over the years as there's a point where you get just past the grainy texture, but before it gets too brown. You want a nice golden brown. )  Add nuts, stir in and pour onto cookie sheet. This will make the pan very hot so you want to put the cookie sheet on a cooling rack. You do not need to butter the sheet as some recipes suggest, as it makes the toffee too greasy. After about 5 minutes, sprinkle the chocolate chips on the hot toffee. Let it sit for a few minutes and then using a spatula spread the melted chocolate over the toffee. You can sprinkle it with more toasted almond bits if you like, we do. :-) If you have any questions drop me an email. I hope you get a chance to try this!