Chocolate Frogs

In my Halloween Post, I mentioned the Chocolate Frogs. Let me tell you, confectioner, I am not! You would think..Wilton Candy Melts, Mold..easy Peasy..not so much.

First I tried melting them in a ziplock baggy..i thought melt..snip off the end...squeeze into the mold..done..bang! Not so much..they melted ok for the most part..but they didnt really squeeze out well through the baggy..and the baggy and chocolate was hot! If i have finger/hand prints left after that experience, it's  Hogwarts Miracle!

Then I just tried melting in a bowl..and thought i'd scoop it in..I tried melting in the microwave..in a makeshift double boiler...these melts have a fine line between melted and separated and ash...i had a hard time finding it...but I found all those other statuses..easily!!


So much work..and in my trial run the best i got was 7 candy frogs, two bags of wasted chocolate melts, and a Pyrex bowl that just wasn't salvageable with the hardened chocolate ash.

On my next trip to Michaels to get more Candy Melts, i found this great Melt & Decorate Bottle...I needed a thicker pour so just took the top off..but finally found a rhythm where i could melt, mold 4 frogs, melt , mold the other four..put the frogs in the refrigerator and the bottle in the freezer, wait 20 minutes and repeat. I would have to use a spatula to get any melted chocolate out good..but finally...it worked!

Candy Melts - i suggest using light cocoa only..even if you're a dark choclate fan

Frog Mold

Melt & Decorate Bottle

**the links to the products mentioned above, contain affiliate links to Amazon..if you use those links and make purchases, i may make a small commission on those items. You can read more about my affiliate status on my Disclosure page

Hogwarts at Gymboree

"That's so clever, Oh My God look at that!" Yay! People are back on our floor in total awe!! If you're not familiar, Gymboree Corporate in full celebration of childhood, goes all out for Halloween. Competition all out! For many years..those stuffy accountants on the 5th floor (or the 770 building) won the competition..i mean we're accountants..how could we possibly pull that off..and then production pulled out the stop using their creative forces to start planning and creating, in December the year prior! We still pulled off an amazing skit or dance...but lost the coveted trophy..the bragging rights.
this year we decided to pull out the stops and create a Wonderful world of Wizardry with Harry Potter.

Platform 9 3/4

Hogwart's Express

Myrtle

The Sorting Hat

The magical winged keys (thanks to my fabulous Silhouette!)

The Great Hall

Advanced Potions Class

Hogsmeade

The Wampum Tree

Bertie Bott's Sweet Shops

The Chocolate Frogs

The Dementors ( I copied Ashley Phipps/Simply Designing PB Hanging Ghosts Knock Off knock off...took it a step further, painted the balls black and used Rit Dye to dye the cheesecloth.*

The Quiddich Stadium

If you're checking this before the evening of the 30th..check back to see video of our amazing post Harry/Draco duel celebration!
Do we win? That remains to be seen and will be discussed at a a future Town Hall..check back to find out!

*I live in an apartment, so needed to do the Sink Method for dying..I used a bucket. Rit Dye Rit Dye Liquid Fabric Dye, 8-Ounce, Black notes on the bottle you should wear gloves...that's not a suggestion, unless you like dyed hangs..alhtough the black dye came off with a bit of Comet Comet Powder Cleanser with Bleach, 25 Oz and a Ranger Craft Scrubbie
. Rit Dye Color RemoverRit Dye Powdered Fabric Dye, Color Remover, 2-Ounce would probably also work.

**This post contains affiliate links to Amazon and other craft sites..If purchased I amy receive some compensation that goes to power this blog and my crafting/beauty habit.

Girls Eyes Only...a Playtex Review

Hey boys..did you see the title..you may want to take a break from posts today. Still here? I warned you..but maybe you're the guy who does the shopping..and want to know the opinion in case you forget your gals brand.

I received these  Playtex® Sport® Fresh Balance™ Tampons as part of the Influenster #SpringFlingVoxBox program, to give my opinion.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect, they came just as i was leaving on a trip, i put the sample size box in my suitcase and was on my way...mistake #1.

These bad boys are scented..obnoxiously so...and so was everything in the vicinity in my suitcase. And well..you know what happens when cover up bad odor with perfume, dont you? You dont? Geesh..well just get in a cab on a warm summer day...that cab driver will educate you on that fact right away.

But I digress...Mistake #2...not noticing that these are regular size...my first couple of days i need super...maybe even ultra super..thankful i also brought along some feminine napkins after noticing the issue, otherwise it could have been disastrous with my summer clothes and sitting in meetings all day.

For sport..you'd think regular would be just a little more than regular, they're not..i wouldnt even use these when swimming in the bay combined with cold water, for fear of attracting Jaws.

So bottom line...if you're fine with the 'sweet' scent..and dont mind regular or lighter and are active you might want to give these a try...if not..stick with your regular brand.

Amazon link above is an affiliate link..if you care to check these out yourself, or other reviews on amazon and make a purchase i may receive small affiliate compensation, to help fund this blog and/or my bad beauty habit.

Influenster Spring Flig Vox Box

Woot!! I finally got another Vox Box from Influenster..it's been at least a year (see previous blog post). I kept going in and writing reviews answering survey..and nothing..nada..zilch..until now.  Check out my video below as i reveal all that's inside.

Do you PodCast?

Podcasts..they're new to me..i know there not new..my favorite morning group (Sarah & Vinnie) have had their secret show podcast for years..and I've always meant to listen..but i didn't get how to get them..not sure if my original iPod touch had the ability..myriad of reasons why i didn't listen..but wow..I'm addicted. It's what i listen to for a good 4 hours of the day at work.  I've laughed with Alec Baldwin, salivated with Tyler Florence..laughed and cried with Pat Monahan.

The thing i like the most...every one I've listened to, I've learned something new..whether it's as a new fan of a guest, a new restaurant or way of cooking, or a new appreciation for a band or athlete that I was already a fan of.

If you haven't listened to one..check it out...find someone you might want to listen to...and just check them out!

Bloglovin

I've set myself up on Bloglovin' hope you'll follow through there

Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant

Through my friends over at smiley360..i was recently sent a few items to try out. These items were from Arm & Hammer's Truly Radiant line. Both the Truly Radiant Tooth Paste and the Truly Radiant (tm) Battery Powered Tooth Brush.

I've used the toothpaste since being sent the sample along with the tooth brush. Regarding the toothpaste, I have to say i was mildly surprised. I've tried other baking soda tooth pastes from Arm & Hammer previously and was not a fan, I could never get over the baking soda flavor. In this particular toothpaste.  I have not really noticed a different in whitening yet (however i didn't at all in trying a different brand previously), but will continue to use the entire tube to notice the results (and will post a before or after picture when I'm done) Want to try it yourself? I've included a link below where you can try it on Amazon.

The toothbrush however..i was not a fan of. I've been using a sonic toothbrush for over 13 years, it's very gentle, quiet and has the great prompts of when to change quadrants etc...I found the Truly Radiant Toothbrush to be very loud...and very jarring.  Perhaps i'm more sensitive because I've been grinding/clenching my jaw lately..but it even hurt while using it. After a week..i had to go right back to my sonicare and get things going again.



The amazon links included in this post are affiliate links, I receive a very small commission and they help fund this page, as well as my wonderful crafting habit.. Please see my complete disclosure page about my relationships with Amazon as well as smiley360.

Markers? Nail Polish..It's all Good!!!

I love when i can find something that has multiple purposes.  Do you Julep? I love the Julep nail colors..and that you can swatch your color on top to you can find what you're looking for, but what i didn't love, is how i stored them.They along with the rest of my nail polishes are in a little tray i got at the dollar store, in my dark linen closet..inevitably some just get thrown back if i'm polishing in a hurry, or i've polished in the living room and then am just cleaning up for the day, so when it comes time to find a polish I am forever picking out, looking and putting back. I thought to myself i need to find a better system, well, while making some cards one day..it came to me..I thought of the perfect 

My Artbin Marker Satchel. I had to immediately get up and grab a couple of julep polishes..and sure enough it was a perfect fit. Now the satchel itself might be a bit overkill, the marker tray (included or sold separately) is perfect. I ordered one for myself, and have it in my medicine cabinet in the bathroom, it fits perfectly on the shelves that were too narrow for anything else. If you are a nail polish collector like so many are these days, the satchel may be a perfect option because it comes with one marker tray and then open space with dividers for the rest, so you could keep your Essie, OPI, China Glaze etc, in those areas.

How cool is that? What new found uses have you found lately?

Day 3 Adventures with Nicodemus

I met up with some girlfriends today. We first went to a healing Rosary for our friend Dino( and other sick members of our parish) and Nicodemus wanted to come with..I thought he was turning a corner, and truly going to be a representative of Santa and do some good and pray along with the rest of us at the rosary. Nope he stayed in my purse. Afterwarrds the girls and I went out to dinner. We went to a new restaurant on Burlingame Avenue called Sixtos Cantina. It's Mexican and owned by the two women who own Alana's Cafe. I'll be posting more about Sixtos next month, the food is super yummy...but they're still in "soft opening stage". I want to truly tell you about them as their light shines. Back to Nicodemus..wouldnt you know it..i turn my back to say hello to someone I knew also dining at the restaurant, and Tish caught Nicodemus sipping out of my Mi Amore cocktail. He's so naughty!

Day 2- Nicodemus

Nicodemus spent much of the day in bed. I think between the wine and the weather changes between here and the North Pole it tuckered him out . He did finally make an appearance around dinner time, he wasn't in such a good mood..in fact he was downright CRABBY

Meet Nicodemus

This is Nicodemus, he's our elf on a shelf!  So far he's demonstrating that he's a bit of a naughty elf. His first night here we caught him hanging over the ice bucket next to an empty bottle of wine,that we're pretty sure was half full as the party was winding down. We sent him off to bed and he was out like a light within minutes.

Gwynnie Bee

Have you heard of Gwynnie Bee? Their tag line is Clothing without Commitment, it's basically (and i really hate to compare them this way, but it is what it is) the Netflix of clothing. They could be compared to Rent the Runway or Bag Borrow or Steal as well..except  those are one off rentals, Gwynnie Bee is a monthly subscription. The biggest difference between Rent The Runway and Gwynnie Bee, it's for Curvy  Girls..they start around size 10 (depending on the brand) and go up to a 4X (again by brand). Their subscriptions allow for 1-10 items out at a time and the subscription rate is according to the # of items you choose. I chose 2 items and it's $64.02 (incl tax) a month. The one item a month is $35 (plus tax) , and then up to 10 items a month is $159 (pl tax).

I love it..it's like getting new clothes every month...but different new clothes.

You start by perusing all the styles they have and then adding a minimum of 6-10 items to your Gwynnie Bee "closet". As those items you choose become available, they ship them to you quickly (about 2-4 days via USPS Priority Mail). Included in your box of clothes is a return garment bag with a prepaid postage label. You should also go online and note that your items are shipping bag (so they can get another item ready for you).

Every item I've worn I've received compliments on (and I've only told a few people that they're Gwynnie Bee). There were a couple items i sent back that i didn't wear at all..and some i wore only once to get 'my money's worth' but they weren't a fit i was comfortable with.

Gwynnie Bee updates with new clothes every 2 weeks, so I'm constantly adding clothes to my 'closet'.  They've also recently started a newsletter with pictures of other Gwynnie Bee subscribers in the clothes. This has helped tremendously. I've added some things to my closet..but even more beneficially I've deleted a number of things from my closet. While the models they have online are plus size women..they're not my exact body type.  I love that so many clothing brands are making items for a plus size woman..but i think that there are things that still need to look appropriate and even more importantly, flatter your body. Seeing some of the other subscriber pictures, recognizing their body type as mine, I made a choice for myself, not to wear those styles, and deleted any i had added to my closet, which to me helps me to get a better return on my monthly subscriber fee.

If you really like a style, you can inquire from them what the purchase price would be.

Want a 30 day free trial? Just click the Gwynnie Bee link..and start 'shopping". Let me know what you think!

Sugar n Spice Vox Box

Hi everyone..

I've been lucky enough to receive another VoxBox from Influenster. here's a quick video on the products I've received in the box

Influenster sent me these items free of charge for testing and reviewing purposes.


If you're interested in finding out more about influenster and how you can possibly review products for them, send me a message and I'll send you an invite.

Stay tuned for my individual thoughts on the items in the box!

From the HolidayVoxBox - Part 1

I think i am finally recovered from the New Years Stomach flu..man that was nasty..i would rather have had the flu flu (which i'm totally going to get a booster shot this week, because they say the one i got in October only covers 65%..and my coworkers are dropping like flies. But I digress.

I've delved a bit into the Holiday Vox Box and the one item i've used the most, that definitely requires a review is the Goody Quickstyle Paddle Brush.

I was super excited to use this brush. My hair is fine, but there's a lot per square inch, and it's getting curlier/wavier as I get older, so it takes FOR.EV.ER. to dry. I normally take my other paddle brush (also by Goody) and brush it out, and the tangles..into my towel to get most of the moisture out.

The quikstyle brush has these microfiber 'fingers' between the bristles, theoretically to draw out the moisture, cutting down on the drying time. With added vents on the side..i thought for sure it would pull the water out like i do with the other brush and towel....not so much.  So disappointed. I think the vents are to cut down on the mold/mildew factor by trying to dry the microfiber a bit more. I do not notice a difference at all between using the two brushes, so I definitely would not pay the $7 difference to buy this brush.  Will i keep it? Sure why not..i can always use an extra paddle brush at my mom's or in my gym bag. But if you're using a paddle brush to brush out the tangles or after showering, i would jsut go with the original Finish 3.

Inluenster Holiday VoxBox

I wanted to share a quick video that I put together because I just received my very first vox box from influencer.com. I received all these goodies to try out and share with you, which I will in the next few days. I'm excited that influesnter and the companies represented thought enough of me to send these things for me to try. I have to say that I have tried a great many things, in the last couple years just based on Items I've that I've seen bloggers that I look at regularly, some that I know in person and that I trust that they've tried out and I've gone out to try them and loved some of them myself. So I hope that my sharing with you may have the same effect, here's the video.

A Muse a Palooza - A Muse bouche

amuse-bouche (uh-MYUZ-boosh) noun - Similar to but not to be confused with hors d'oeuvre. This is a tidbit, often tiny, served as a free extra to keep you happy while you are waiting for your first course to come. It gives you an idea of the chef's approach to cooking and the restaurant's attention to your appetite.

Here's an amuse|studio bouche of some of the famous cards and projects now available in our Holiday Inspiration Catalog.

One of my Favorite Stamp sets Spooky Boo Day, stamped on Sugar Cardstock, mounted on Slate Wood Grain Paper.

Want to see some more samples..check out the blog every day or so the next week, or email me for a copy of the catalog, or sign up for your own a*muse*a*palooza workshop.

A Muse a Palooza is Back!!!

Have you heard the news yet!?! A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA is back!!! You are going to love the 2011 Holiday and Inspiration guide. 44 pages of fabulousness!!! I can't even begin to tell you how much I have always loved A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA, and wasnt sure how it would be incorporated into a muse|studio this year. I cannot wait for you to see the catalog, you'll love it as much as i do!! I want it all!!

Ready to see the catalog? I don't have copies just yet, but can send you a pdf version to drool over until you can get a hard copy. Just send me an email and I'll get it right to you!

Did you know that hosting a workshop can help you get your wishlist items!! You will be able to earn even more hostess benefits during A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA (8/22-9/30). At your workshop, you and your guests will make great holiday projects and have a great time hanging out with one another!! Le'ts talk and get your event on the calendar!!

For those attending the Scrap Again Crop there will be a preview and make & take during the regular monthly crop.

I will be holding an A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA crop and party August 27th from 12-3. Look for an evite coming soon or send me an email asking for more details

No Foolin'!

It's April 1st..and that means you can now order from my A Muse|studio website - just go to http://amusestudio.com/elizabethterry

Sweet Sunday Sketch

Reconnected with an old friend this weekend..and in my haste to clean up studio space came across some old papers that i hadnt used for a bit that sparked my mojo. That along with going through the blogs with my Sunday coffee and the need to make a birthday card for my godson, inspired a little fun with a Sweet Sunday Sketch, hosted by Karen Giron. This was super easy to do..and my godson (who just turned 21 YIKES!) loved it (he's a bassist in a death metal band)!!! Cardstock: Neenah Solar White B&T papers & stickers- Stardust CTMH (retired) Stamps - a muse studio Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Chipped Sapphire and Tumbled Glass Dies - Spellbinders nestabilities - Labels One

Introducing amuse|studio

Isnt that little "Seattle Girl" cute? She's from A Muse. How apropos that as I post the March Calendar Page using A Muse stamp, a musestudio is off and running. I've wanted to apply to teach the last couple of years for A Muse and I'm happy to see this new venture come to life. With such great people involved and tried and true A Muse style product, I just had to become an a musestudio Creative Consultant!
If you haven't seen the new Inspiration Guide yet, take a little peek! I would love to hear your thoughts.

2011 Catalog and Inspiration Guide

Just have to have one in real life, I'd be happy to share! Contact me at elizabeth@ilovetoscrap.com to order a copy.

So what does that mean for you? It means…

matching ink, paper, ribbon, markers, stamps and dies, oh my!

a beautiful catalog and inspiration guide ($9.99 or free to hostesses)

you can shop on-line at my website at http://www.amusestudio.com/elizabethterry beginning April 1

personalized workshops/classes with your friends at your place or mine – learn what you want to learn/make what you want to make – and earn generous hostess bennies all the while
monthly hostess clubs where you can earn free stamps or COPIC markers (yes I did say COPIC markers!)

you can join my team and start your own business on the ground floor ($99 introductory Starter Kit offer - normally $175 with a $325 retail value). For more information and my team bonus check out Join My A Muse Studio Team

To kick it all off I will have an A MuseStudio Open House Event on Saturday, March 12 at my home. There will be treats and a make & take. Email me at Betsey@ilovetoscrap.com to get the details.

Check out these links:
as website
my facebook page – I would love it if you would {LIKE } me!