DIY Heart Garland

Hi guys! Can you believe it's February tomorrow? Where did January even go??????? Well, with the arrival of February, it's probably due time to start thinking about Valentine's Day, huh. Today I'm here to share a super easy, super adorable DIY heart garland!

To get started, you'll need:

- A selection of cute paper
- A pencil
- Scissors
- A sewing machine that's threaded up and ready to go

Begin by cutting out 2 heart shapes. You'll want a big one and a small one! I had one that was about 2" tall and one that was about 1 1/2" tall. These will be your templates.

Next, trace an even amount of big and small hearts on to the back of your cute paper. You can vary the colors and patterns as much you like. Once they're traced, cut 'em out!

Voila! A lovely array of pretty hearts. Now, the number you need will vary based on how big you'd like your garland to be, but for reference, I had about 20 of each size.

Once you've got your hearts, make your life a little easier by pre-arranging them. I found it easiest to stack them up alternating between the big and little ones and was sure to have the patterns and papers alternate so I wouldn't end up with two in a row.

Now, bring your stack of hearts over to your sewing machine. To start, just run your machine so you can get a chain of stitches a few inches long. Then, start sewing through your hearts. I found it easiest to try to stitch through them just below the top point, and left 3-5 stitches between each heart so it would have nice spacing. If you're lucky, your cat might help you.

Since these can get tangled, I kept a jar next to my sewing machine that I could wind the garland onto as I sewed it. This made it super easy to get everything hung up when I was done!

Once you've sewn through your last heart, keep sewing so you can make another chain of a few inches.

All you have to do now is hang up your garland and admire your handiwork! I created this specifically as a Valentine's Day project, but I love it so much I think I might keep it up year round!

Have you guys been working on any fun Valentine's Day projects?

Til next time!

-Becca

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Panna Cotta with Blood Oranges

So, uh, should we start off by just taking a moment to drool? I mean look at this! Creamy Panna Cotta flecked with vanilla bean and blush colored orange zest, draped in tart, vibrant blood oranges. This Panna Cottta with Blood Oranges is one seriously tasty, seriously pretty dessert

By the way, have we talked yet about my obsession with blood oranges yet? Ya'll I think I've got a thing for produce you can only get for a few months a year. Blood oranges are not only stunning, but they taste amazing. The flavor is like a hybrid of oranges and raspberries and I just can't get enough. Their season also happens to run through Valentine's Day, so it's a pretty perfect opportunity to make a dessert, like this one, that capitalizes on their pretty hue!

Now I know this dessert looks fancy, but you can EASILY whip up this dessert at home. All you need is 6 ingredients and some know-how!

Panna Cotta with Blood Oranges: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

For the Panna Cotta:
- 2 cups half and half
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp orange zest from 1 small blood orange
- 1 vanilla bean, split
- 1 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin

For the Oranges:
- 2 whole blood oranges
- The juice of 1 blood orange
- 1/8 cup of sugar

1. Begin by making your Panna Cotta! Bring the half and half, sugar, blood orange zest, and vanilla bean together in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Be sure to stir the mixture as it's heating to avoid scorching the cream.

2. Once the mixture comes to a boil, remove from the heat, cover, and let sit for 20 minutes while the flavors infuse.

3. After 20 minutes remove the vanilla bean pod and add the gelatin, being sure to whisk constantly until the mixture is well combined.

4. Once the gelatin is incorporated, pour the mixture into four ramekins or small cups. If they don't have a particularly smooth surface, you may want to spray them with cooking spray to make for easier release.

5. Put your Panna Cotta in the fridge and let set for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

6. Once your Panna Cotta is set, start in on those Blood Oranges! You'll want to slice the two oranges into really pretty pieces. To do this, begin by slicing off the ends of your oranges. Then, stand them on their sides and slice off the rind in strips, following the shape of the orange and being sure to remove all the pith. Then turn the oranges on their sides and slice into pretty slices! Once that's done, you can remove the little circle of pith in the middle and you're good to go!

7. Ok, now that the whole oranges are taken care of, combine your blood orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue to boil, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens and darkens slightly. Once that's happened, remove from the heat!

8. Next, add your blood oranges to your syrup (you can keep it all in the pan!) and flip them to coat them in the syrup. Then, put the pan in the fridge to chill for at least 10 minutes, or until the oranges and the syrup are cool to the touch.

9. Last, but not least, pop your Panna Cotta out of the cup and onto a plate. Top it with one of your prettiest blood orange slices, add smaller slices around the edges and spoon some of the syrup over the top to complete your dessert.

Seriously, guys, is that gorgeous or what?

I hope you get a chance to try this delicious dessert and can utilize these pretty blood oranges while they're in season!

Til next time!
-Becca

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