Felted Heart Banner

 I became obsessed with felting these days.  I bought some packets of flt at a local dollar (50) store, but you can also find them at any craft store.

 I took out bundled....

 Unfolded and divided them into two pieces.

 I then spread apart the fibers.

 Next I folded one.

 I took the second piece and folded it around the first piece the opposite direction.

 I bought a felting needled (a special needed with barbs-again they sell them at craft stores) and I saved some Styrofoam (not necessary, but it prevents me from stabbing myself!)

 I started by stabbing the middle a bunch of times to create the v.

 It will look like this after about 30 stabs.

 Then I took the needled and started stabbing it around the sides.

 You just poke it to form the shape.  When it starts to get firm you can then thread it onto string.  I tied a knot, took some rubber cloves to 'pull' it through the hearts (it helps with grip).

Once I threaded the heart I tied a knot on the opposite side and then repeated until they were all strung off.

Heart Pinatas

 I'm always trying to come up with fun ways to deliver 'junk' to my friend's kiddos.  I figure if I got 'stuff' with actual value they'd feel obligated to keep it-junk they can play with and displace without guilt...but...I still want it to be fun.  I saw the idea for using heart boxes and turning them into conversation heart pinatas last year at studio and I added it to my to do list for this year.  If the store Valentine's supplies are out at the store...I'm crafting....so....here is what I did with the 'rest' of my Christmas break.
I found the heart boxes at JoAnne's, but I've since seen various sizes at Michael's and Hobby Lobby.  You could make your own template and shape, but this saved me a bit of time.
Next stop was finding fillers.  I like raiding the bins at Party City for this....

 I taped some string inside to 'hang these.'

 I filled up my container with my goodies, and placed the lid on top.  I'm mailing a few, so those I taped, the ones I'm handing out I just glued the crepe paper on so it is easier to hope.  You can use strips of tissue, but I decided to go with the streamers so it had a little texture.  I folded mine in half, and then cut on the fold to create a ruffle.

 I glued it around the sides, and then on top and bottom.

 I used some stickers to create my 'conversation.'

Valentine's Day: Heart Wax Paper....and a Bread Recipe I Feel in Love With

I saw this in a Valentine's slide show on Martha.  There is so much potential with this idea, and it's so easy!  I filled it with a bread recipe that was so divine....I can't even speak of it....OK...maybe one time just to share the recipe, and then I have to forget it or I'll have to quit my job and open a bread factory, minus customers, because I'm not giving away my bread....no way.  I believe in a monogamous relationship. 
Customized Heart Wax Paper
Take two pieces of wax paper, and tissue paper.  Cut out heart shapes (this would be sooo cute with clovers and soda bread too for St. Pat's Day!).

Lay flowers across one sheet of wax paper. 

Lay the second piece of wax paper over the top, and iron the two sheets together. 

Next up....make cookies or bread, scratch that...make this Velvet French Bread from a cookbook called Light and Luscious

Ingredients:

2 3/4 c. bread flour (divided), 1 T. sugar, 1 t. salt, 1 pkg active dry yeast, 1 c. water, 2 T butter, 2 T. bread flour (divided), 3 T. butter (melted and divided). 

Instructions:

1.  Stir together 1 1/2 c. flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. 

2.  Combine water and melted butter.  Cool to 120 degrees and gradually add to the flour mix.  Beat at a low speed with an electric mixer (I used a spoon).  Stir in enough of the remaining 1 1/3 c flour to make a soft dough. 

3.  Sprinkle 1 T of flour on work surface, and knead dough on surface until smooth and elastic (8-10 minutes).  Place in well greased bowl, turn one time, and set in warm place without drafts for 1 hour (until doubled in size). 

4.  Punch.  Knead 4-5 times.  Divide into two pans.  Brush with 1 T. melted butter.   Let rise 30 more minutes (until doubled). 

5.  Make slits in the top of bread.  Brush with 1 T. butter. 
6.  Place a shallow pan of 1 inch deep water on bottom rack of oven.  Place bread on top rack and bake 400 degrees for 25 minutes.  Bake until loaves are golden.  Brush with remaining butter. 
Linking To:  HOH Gluesticks Tea Rose House It's a Keeper Remodelaholic CRAFT Pretty Packages Tattered Tag