An Unexpected D

I thought I only had one 'D' card left to make. That's what I get for thinkin'! I guess the Dan "D" card will have to wait until tomorrow to be get done. I saved him for last because, well because he is the love my life, that's why. Last the best of all the game. Oh yeah, back to the reason for this post....

Easton invited me to attend a Brigham Young University Young Ambassadors concert last night. They are the singing/dancing/performing group for BYU (you can read more about them here). Easton's friend, Daysha is one of the cast and he wanted to go and watch her and support her.

Of course, when you watch a sweet friend perform, you must take flowers. And, if you are taking flowers, you also need a great gift card. So, to work I went. "D" for Daysha. I used the technique that is taught in the latest Art and Soul episode called "Oh, Baby!" (which you can watch here on my website. It's only about 11 minutes long and it's awesome!). The technique is called Emboss Resist. Anyway, I finished my tag lickity split and Easton wrote his 'break a leg' note on the back, and away we went.







In a nutshell, this is what you do:
1. Emboss image using clear embossing powder on a piece of paper or other surface (I used a white Dimensional Element Monogram "D").







2. Sponge over the entire area (I used my Baby Pink pad). The embossed part will resist the ink. The color of the original surface will show through (mine was white).









3. I then chose to do a little more sponging with my Bubblegum pad. I just sponged the ink around the edges of the "D" and a little around each flower.

Close To My Heart products used: Connections Stamp Set (D1330), Dimensional Elements Monogram "D" (Z1058), Baby Pink Stamp Pad (Z2102), Bubblegum Stamp Pad (Z2109), Versamark Pad (Z891), Clear Embossing Powder (Z671), Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Pack (X7095B), Sunkiss Yellow Cardstock (1240), Summer Craft Buttons (Z1282), Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack (Z1300), Watermelon Gingham Ribbon (retired), Bubblegum Waxy Flax (retired).

Non-CTMH products used: Ribbon (offray)

Caramel Apple Fun and Gift Tags

Yesterday, while Dan and the boys were on the deer hunt, Kori and I decided to get together and make caramel apples for some of our friends. My friend, Susan, who is the owner of Temptationz (wonderful and delicious candy company, email her at temptationz@q.com) gave us instructions and off we went. It was a learning experience but so much fun. We were pretty proud of our finished products, even though there were several boo boo's along the way. But the laughter at our boo boo's was half the fun!

Follow this progression of photos to see how it went. If you get far enough in the progression, you will see the gift tag I made using the Color Me Monday color combo from Jeanette Lynton's blog on 10-12-09. (Orange, Sunny Yellow, Citrus Leaf and Black, see color swatch below).


1. Here are the supplies we used: Non-stick Reynolds Wrap foil (must be non-stick--this is to set the apples on after dipping. I just found it at my local grocery store), Granny Smith apples (the tarter the apple, the yummier they are with the caramel and chocolate on top), caramel apple dowels (I found these 25 for $1.00 at the Bosch store), a large box of caramel (my friend, Susan makes her own but she told me this brand was awesome. You just melt it and it tastes homemade. I got it at the Bosch store, too), white chocolate discs (also got these at the Bosch store. Be sure to get good ones. The cheapos taste terrible!), cinnamon and sugar, and orange cupcake candies.

2. Daci came to help too! Once you wash your apples and dry them, carefully take out the stems and push your dowels in them (the ones I bought have one pointed end which made them so much easier to use). Then melt your caramel. We did it in the microwave. You want it to be so hot it is boiling. Let it sit and stir for about a minute then dip your apples.

3. When dipping, be sure to go straight down and lift straight up. We did a few where we kind of twisted and twirled and this made big bubbles in the caramel. If you go straight up and down it will be smooth.
4. After dipping apples, let cool on the foil. Then melt your white chocolate discs (again, we did this in the microwave) and let it cool about a minute or so. If you dip too soon this is what happens (see photo below). Kori was sad to see all of our chocolate come off the first few apples. After an emergency phone call to Susan we learned to let the chocolate cool just a bit before dipping.
5. After dipping each apple in the white chocolate, cover with the topping of your choice. We did some apples with cinnamon and sugar (2T. cinnamon per 1 C. of sugar) and some with cute little orange cupcake candies in honor of Halloween. You could do almost anything; crushed up Oreos, crushed up Butterfingers, nuts, etc. We just held the apple by the stick over a bowl of the topping and spooned it on as we twisted the apple.


6. Let this set up and then put some of your melted chocolate in a sandwich baggie and cut off the very tip of one of the corners, like a cake decorator bag. Drizzle this on the apples. Kori was a much bettter drizzler than me! Pretty!
7. At our local deli Kori found these cute little cups (I think they are for ice cream). They were .08 cents each. Not bad! Then we put them in clear cello bags, added some orange foo foo, tied with bows and added a tag (see next photo).
8. Finished product. Pretty stinkin' cute if I do say so myself. I think our friends will like them.
Close To My Heart products used on tag: Beware Stamp Set (D1381), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Citrus Leaf Stamp Pad (Z2112), Sunny Yellow Stamp Pad (Z2152), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Orange Cardstock (1281), Sunny Yellow Cardstock (1225), Silhouette Level 2 Paper Pack (X7090B), Corner Rounder (Z578).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...even when eating a delicious caramel apple!

Happy Caramel Apple-ing!