Bailey's Irish Cream Fudge

OH YuMmmMMmmMmmy!  I searched online for a picture of Bailey's and noticed that there are even more varities that I think I must try.  :)
Several years ago some wonderful person shared this recipe online.  The web site is no longer in existence so, I'm unable to give proper credit. 
We have enjoyed every calorie of this wonderful fudge. 

Bailey's Irish Cream FudgeMakes about 5 pounds of fudge

 In a very large bowl combine:

2 (12 oz each) pkgs milk chocolate chips
1 (12 oz) pkg semi sweet chocolate chips
2 (7 oz each) jars marshmallow cream
2 t. vanilla
2/3 c. Bailey's Irish Cream
2 c. chopped nuts--optional

Set aside.
Line a 10x15 inch pan with foil and spread lightly with butter (I usually spray pan with Pam only and don't use foil or butter on this part).

In a sauce pan combine:
4 1/2 c. sugar
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1/2 lb. butter
Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Cook slowly, stirring constantly for 11 minutes.  Pour milk mixture over the chocolate chip mixture.  Stir slowly by hand to blend.  (Do not use a mixer.)  Pour into prepared pan.  Chill until set.

Note:  I usually don't have semi sweet chocolate chips so I use 3 bags of milk chocolate chips.  Also, I usually only use a little more than 2 cups of sugar.--ya know to make this a healthy choice-bwaaaahaaahaaa!  This does make the fudge a little bit softer but still very edible.

Hoedown #45-Here Comes Anta Claus!

HA!  This week's Hambo Stamps digi hits a little too close to home.  Ever since we moved into this house we've battled with ANTS!!!  It is a newer home and we didn't think would happen in a newer home.  So, this image with an ant carrying a present...well, I fear it could actually happen.  :)  I just never know at what part of the house or when I'm going to find a swarm of ants.  We spray and clean, then clean and spray,  then spray and clean some more, but they keep visiting us.  One of the worst swarms was the first night we were moving in the house.  I put a few items on the counter from the pantry...it was very late at night.  In the morning there were MILLIONS of ants swarming the counter.  There were several lines of ants several feet long coming from all directions.  UGGGGGGGGG! 
Anyway, we are about to move.  Not because of the ants...new job.  I'm not going to miss the ants. 

All righty then, I am actually going to try something new...a tutorial.  Nothing too fancy.  I was playing and thought I'd share...with pictures. 
First here is my entry into this week's Hambo Hoedown Challenge. 

This week's challenge is to use more than one fold on your card.  I made this gate fold card with a little bit of a twist. 

Are you ready? 
This is how I made this card.

Start with a 4"  by 12" piece of cardstock (CS) for the card base.

1)   Score this CS at 4" and at 8". 
2)  Then with a ruler and a pencil lightly draw a line at 2" and again at 10" (click on picture to make bigger). 
3)  Along the lightly drawn in lines (at 2" and 10") I  marked the center on those lines by measuring up 2" from the top (or bottom) and lightly marking a dot. 

4)  Next, with a 2" circle punch I punched a circle out of scrap paper. 

5)  Fold this punched circle in half.

6)  Place the folded circle flat side along the lightly penciled in lines (2" and 10") and aligning it with the top of the CS at the 2" line and (the bottom of the 10" side) and the center dot (step 3).  Lightly trace around the outside of the circle.  Don't forget to alternate one side on top the other on bottom. (see pic) 

7)  Cut out the half circle and the line on each side. 

8)  Then fold card at the scored lines.

9)  Decorate!  That's it!

Front

Inside

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Hambo Stamps-AntaClaus-digi
Paper:  DCWV
Punches-2"circle punch, EK Success-1" circle punch
Other:  Martha Stewart Crafts-Score Board

Tilda Doll

My daughter asked me to make this for a student teacher that is leaving.  She only gave me one day's notice.  Gotta love when she does this to me. Never mind that I was running all over town to get things she forgot for a big project that was due this week.  She keeps me busy.  :)

The doll pattern is from the book "Tilda's Summer Ideas" by Tone Finnanger.  I was able to use some scraps to make this doll. 

I tried and tried to get a good picture of this doll, but I couldn't seem to get a picture where her face wasn't washed out.  I waited a few hours for different lighting and this is about as good as I could do.   Really, she is cuter in person. 

**Update:  Click here for another Tilda Doll
Enjoy your day!

Connie Bag

I am in LOVE with almost all of the bag patterns that Emma Brennan creates.  She has written a few books.  One is this Making Vintage Accessories book.  She also creates some cute accessories in addition to bags.  I love to browse her site http://www.charliesaunt.com/as well as her Etsy Shop. 
Most of her bag patterns are for cute small to medium sized bags.  I love that I can use some of my scraps leftover from making bigger projects.  You can even recycle a few items of clothing to make a bag. 
This is the Connie Bag out of the Making Vintage Accessories book. 

I think that the round shape of this bag is SOOOO much fun!  I added the flap and the flower. 
I have found this is bag is perfect for when I don't want to carry a big shoulder bag.  I can throw in all the necessaries like small wallet, cell phone, keys, sunglasses...and a few other items. 
This pattern pattern includes wonderful detailed instructions with picture illustrations. 

Have a great day!

Charleston Cloche

Time for another fun crochet project. 
This was my first time crocheting a hat.  When I attempted this pattern for the first time, I made a mistake somewhere in the middle of the project.  I tried to unravel only a few stitches, but got too lost and had to unravel completely.  I gave my self a few weeks to grieve--HAAA HAAA-then attempted it again. This time it was a success! :)

The crochet pattern for this super cute Charleston Cloche Hat  by Debbie Stoller can be found here. 
I did make the flower that is included in the pattern.  However, I changed my mind and decided to use a white flower that I didn't use on a different scarf project.  (scarf pattern)
Have a great day!

Hoedown #44 Let it Snow!

Happy Hoedown!
We don't get snow in these here parts.  :)  But I used to live and drive in lots and lots of blowing and drifting snow.  brrrrr!
To read all about this weeks challenge see here.

For the dry embossing, I used PTI's Sunshine Impression Plate and CuttleBug's Traffic Jam embossing folder.  I tore them into pieces and glued to a piece of paper.
Supplies Used:
Stamp:  Hambo Stamps-Snowball Fight-digi
Embossing folders:  PTI-Sunshine Impression Plate, CuttleBug-Traffic Jam

Classic Pyramid Bag

This is a fun bag, but HUGE!  I used the Hot Pattern's Classic Pyramid Bag Pattern.    Here is a link to the pattern. 

There are two big pockets on the outside and on the inside there is a zippered pocket on one side and a cell phone/sunglasses pocket on the other.
What I love about Hot Pattern's Bag Patterns is that the designs of the bag patterns are original.  But the instructions aren't very clear.  Again, it is not a good idea to begin sewing bags using most Hot Patterns patterns.  You must be familiar with how to construct bags before you attempt making one.  Instructions are incomplete and lacking important information. 
The flower I made and added myself. 
Enjoy your day!