Chocolate Pecan Chess Bars and Valentine's Crafts

It has been brought to my attention that I have been neglecting this space again.  While that may be true, I've been neglecting my homework also if that makes you feel any better.  I may have gotten a little carried away with all the craft preparations for the Valentine's party I had for the kids this weekend.  When glitter and gem stones are involved I somehow lose all track of time.

I sometimes wonder who the bigger kid is at these affairs.  I was setting everything up, getting all the packages open and before I knew it I was knee deep in decoupage and sequins.  I bought some vases at the dollar store and with a few tissue paper squares; sequins, mod podge (glue), and a little ribbon had quite the cute project ready for my little guests to make for themselves.

I had all the supplies necessary for the kids to make their own crowns.  I made a sample one for myself with no intention what so ever of sharing.  Imagine the horror when I saw my nephew running around with it manhandling it, hence the glitter all over it.  Let's just put it this way, he is lucky he is 1 and adorable or I may have to of had a little talk with him.  Crowns of this caliber don't just grow on trees you know. Wait a second; these were made of paper, so scratch that last statement.

Did I have fun with the desserts; let's just say there was homemade marshmallow fluff involved.  In my usual neglectful fashion though, photos were neglected to be taken.  So as an apology I'm offering you some decadent Chocolate Pecan Chess Bars that would be perfect for your Valentines.

Chocolate Pecan Chess Bars

Crust: 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 

1/2 cup granulated sugar 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

Filling: 

1 cup granulated sugar 

8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, melted 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 

3 large eggs 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/2 cup milk 

Topping: 

56 pecan halves, (3 1/2 ounces) or more if you’d like 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

Combine butter, sugar, flour, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture is barely stating to come together. Press the crumbs into a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan and bake for 17 minutes. (If you don’t have a food processor, you could melt the butter and just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and press in the pan.) Let cool for 10 minutes or so. 

Mix sugar, chocolate, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, salt, and milk together and pour over the baked crust. Place pecan halves evenly over the top of the chocolate batter. 

Bake for 20-25 minutes. 

Let cool and cut into squares for serving.

In the off chance I neglect you on Valentine's Day, let me just say how much I love having you stop by here.

Happy Valentine's Day,

Gina

Valentine's No-Sew Banners

Would you be my Valentine?  Please don't make me beg.  I've been busy getting ready to have some of my favorite little guests over.  We will immerse ourselves in sprinkles, glitter, gems and Valentine magic.

Since the majority of my guests are in the under 6 bracket I like to make sure that I have everything in an easy to assemble fashion when they arrive.  Especially the ironing (I barely trust myself with one, let alone them.) One of the projects we are going to make is No-Sew Valentine's Banners.

I will cut out all of the pieces and the kids can just assemble them when they arrive.

You will need to assemble a few things:
Assorted fabric scraps or heavy paper (if using paper, there is no need for the iron-on adhesive)
A few yards Heat n' Bond Adhesive Paper (I got mine at Wal-Mart)
An iron
Tacky glue such as Jewel-it
Small spool of twine, string or thin ribbon
Straight edge
Scissors
Hole punch
Googly eyes and gems (because they are just plain fun)
Scrap paper

For the Be Mine Banner cut (3) fabric rectangles that are 12-inches wide by 17-inches long. Then cut (3) heat n' bond strips that are 6-inches by 17-inches long.

Place the heat n' bond as close to the edge of the fabric as possible, run a medium-hot (no-steam) iron over it for about 2-5 seconds, let cool a few seconds and then remove paper.  Fold the fabric with the side facing farthest away from you and bring it to the side closest to you.  Press the fabric together for 8-10 seconds or so until the fabric is bonded.  Trim off edges where there is no adhesive.

Cut the fabric into (9) 6-inch by 5-inch squares and trim off sides of each to form a triangle shape. (You can reserve the scraps for another project.)  You can do it visually or by marking the center of the bottom and lining your ruler up with that point and the point at the top edge.

Cut a piece of heat n' bond that is 2 1/2-inches by 17-inches and fuse it onto the back side of a piece of fabric at least that size in the color you want the letters to be.  Use a pencil and draw letters that are approximately 2 1/2-inches by 2 1/2-inches.  I will draw lines every 2 1/2-inches so that I keep my letters uniform.  Be sure and remember you are drawing the letters in reverse of the way they will be when ironed on.  If I can't figure out the way a backwards letter looks, I will draw it on a scrap piece of paper and cut it out and reverse it and trace it onto the bonding paper.

Cut out all your letters, then peel the paper and place them on the triangles, then place the hot iron on them to fuse for 4-5 seconds.

To assemble the banners punch a hole about a 1/4-inch in from each of the top edge.  Cut (2) pieces of twine that are 13-inches long and cut (8) pieces that are 3 1/2-inches long.

Thread a 13-inch piece of twine through the left side of a triangle that is blank and tie the ends in a knot. Thread a 3 1/2-inch piece of twine through the right side of that same triangle and knot.  Pull the other side of the twine through the left side of the triangle with the B on it.  Repeat.  Finished banner is about 68-inches long.

The Snap I Love You banner requires a few more cuts, but it's totally worth it since it's so cute.

The head and tail started out as 6-inch wide by 6-inch long rectangles that were trimmed down to form a head and tail.  The body of the alligator is (10) 3 1/2-inch by 3 1/2-inch squares and the triangles on its back are formed by cutting 1-inch and 2-inch squares in half on the diagonal and then glued on from the back side along with the feet.  Don't forget the googly eyes and bling.

I cut a strip of white and glued it behind the opening of the mouth and cut little triangle shapes out to look like teeth.

Go ahead; tell me I'm not just the cutest thing ever!

Snappy Valentine's Day!

Just had to share these Almond Balls from Katty's Kitchen I tried this week.  They were so darn good we couldn't stop eating them; I don't think you could either.

Gina

Our Cookies and Crafts Party

I must confess to feeling like a ship lost at sea these days.  My navigational beacon seems to have lost course.  I've been slowly recharting and finding my way back to where I want to be.  When the waters seem the roughest that is when I most need to drop anchor.

For some maybe it means being alone and quiet or sweating it out at the gym, for me it's bringing those that I love even closer to me.  I invited over a few of my favorite people for a Cookies and Crafts Party.  I was ready when they arrived with a tray of cookies and lots of colorful icing and sugar sprinkles.  I made the cookies and icing, but you could just as easily buy some.  A huge basket of craft items from the dollar bin at the craft store and smiles abound.

I didn't want my little guests to go hungry so I set out a few things they might enjoy such as these baby carrots and spicy hummus, store bought I wanted to have plenty of time to spend with my guests.

I did take a few minutes and whip up some bruschetta for them.  Slice a baguette 1/2" thick and lay the slices on a cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil and bake in a 325 degree F oven for 15 minutes.  While those are cooking, chop two tomatoes (good ones of course), mince two cloves of garlic and toss the whole thing with a dash of salt, a sprinkle of pepper and a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  All you have to do is wait for them to take the bait. 

I was afraid they might have needed a bit more, so I made a pan of macaroni and cheese and a green salad, just in case.

My god children, they make my heart smile.  That little guy has boundless energy; I wish I could have just a smidge of it.  His sister she has always been the apple of my eye, yesterday she was just a baby I was cradling now she is in middle school.

A little bit shy at times yet sweeter than any sugar cookie.  Just watching her makes my heart swell.

I know my brother has many gifts, who knew cookie decorating was one of them?  They now share a love that will carry them through time.

She blows me away with her verbal and reasoning skills; this little lady is one to watch out for.  My brother and sister-in-law are so blessed and so am I to have them in my life.

When she is smiling, so am I.  Gifted, determined and strong willed, I can see infinite possibilities for my girl.

I don't want to blink and watch her grow up before my eyes.  I'm going to drop my anchor more often and make sure that doesn't happen.

I'm always in calmer waters when I'm with the ones I love.  I hope you find your way to calm seas; perhaps a fun afternoon like this can do it for you.

I've been in my kitchen whipping up some other goodies I will share soon; hope you have a wonderful week.

Gina