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Thursday, February 26, 2026

AI and Photography

AI generated image from original photograph

AI has come a long way since I last wrote a review on it two years ago. You now hear a lot of negatives (mainly when people try to pass an AI feature off as their own) but I believe there are many useful purposes for AI in photography and editing. I also believe it is important when a creation has added AI features that you represent it as such.

In the image above I started with a photograph of myself, as you see in the center of the collage. I then went into ChatGPT and asked it to create a collage with my favorite pastimes: photography, Bible class, Book club, photographing lighthouses, and bird watching.

Caricatures using ChatGPT

Another fun thing to do in ChatGPT is to make caricatures. These are very easy to make and ChatGPT allows you to make up to 4 images a day for free. If you want to do more in a day then you would need to upgrade to their paid version. I have made several of these caricatures and always enjoy the outcomes. Here are the steps I take to make the images.

Enter ChatGPT in your browser.
Sign in to ChatGPT
On the left side of the screen you will see images as a choice-hit that
Now a box will come up asking you to describe image here
This is where you list your activities that you would like to show in your caricature.
Now to the left of the box you will see a plus sign and this is where you add your photograph
When all is added you just click on the button to start and it will create your image. This will take a few minutes.

Below you see a caricature I made of my dog Dixie. I put her activites as running in park and chasing squirrels.

Dog Caricature created on ChatGPT

For my brothers-in-law birthday, I wanted to create a special card so I put a photo I had of him on ChatGPT and listed his favorite pastimes: the theatre, chess, visiting Branson MO and cigars. I asked for a caricature and here is the resulting image which I then put on the front of his birthday card.

Caricature Created by ChatGPT from Photograph

Generative Fill in Photoshop

Another great way to use AI is a fun feature in Photoshop called "Generative Fill". In this feature you use a photograph that you had taken and add something to it. You can do this by circling the area where you want to add something and then selecting generative fill in the Edit drop down menu. You will have a box pop up where you can describe what you want to add. Here is an example.

This is a photo I created an image for a challenge group I am in called" Monthly Artistic Playtime". They provided the hearts and lettering, and we were challenged to create an image using that. I added a photo I had taken of the Northern Lights for the background and then with generative fill I added the two Cardinal lovebirds.

Valentine Greeting

Creating Images in Meta AI

In this one I had a photo that I took of my backyard when it was snowing, and I wanted to use it for Christmas. I used Meta AI to add the wreath with the red bow, the twinkling lights and the greeting. Meta AI is found on Facebook and is very easy to use. You can find it on your home Facebook page in the lefthand column

Christmas Decor edited with Meta AI

2023 Review on AI and Photography

In 2023 I first wrote a review on fun ways to use AI and creativity with photographs. AI has come a long way in the past two years, but I thought you might like to see what I wrote two years ago. Here is a link to that review.
Fun with AI in Photography

Zazzle Card from my Designs

Valentine Card

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Sunday, February 22, 2026

My Children Save My Life Every Day - A Song Review

My Children Save My Life — Every Single Day

All my life, I've said this sentence without thinking twice: my children save my life every day. It was never a slogan or something I tried to turn into meaning. It was simply the truth as it lived in me — steady, quiet, and constant. I realize that's a lot of pressure to put on our kids, but nevertheless, it's an honest feeling.

When I wrote the song My Children Save My Life, I realized I wasn't just writing about my children. I was writing to them. I was also finally giving words to something I later discovered so many parents, especially mothers, feel but rarely articulate.

Over time, I've seen versions of this same sentiment shared again and again on social media: my kids saved me, my children gave my life purpose, I wouldn't be here without them. Different words, same heartbeat.

That's when I knew this feeling deserved its own song.

As you read this article, you'll find some of the lyrics I wrote for this song filtered throughout.

Wanting to Hand Them an Easy World - Yah, I Know, It's Not Easy!

I want my children to have an easy life. Not a perfect one. Just an easier one.

When they were little, and even now, I want to hand them all the answers. I want to give them the map, the shortcuts, and the warnings written clearly so they can bypass that broken ground altogether.

I want to keep them close. I want to block the shadows. I want to win every battle for them so they can stay peaceful.

I know, logically, that children are supposed to struggle sometimes, that challenges shape them, that lessons learned firsthand matter more than anything I could explain.

But emotionally? Like many parents, I don't want my children to suffer. When they struggle, I don't watch from a distance (but sometimes I'm forced to), I dig deep alongside them.

Is that selfish? Maybe a little.

If their life is easy, mine feels easier too. But mostly it comes from love. From instinct. From that deep, almost unbearable desire to protect their spirit.

That's where the song begins — with that wanting. That hope that if I could just give them the book of life, filled with every secret to an easier road, they'd never have to stumble.

The truth is, that wouldn't work, because nine times out of ten, the likelihood they'd listen is slim to nil. But that's ok too, because it's evidence that, in the end, it's up to them.

Life, of course, doesn't follow the maps I draw.

Watching Them Become Who They Are

One of the hardest truths of parenting is realizing that no matter how much wisdom you carry, life still belongs to your children. They have to live it themselves. I've watched them stumble. I've watched them rise again. I've watched them make choices that require courage, quiet courage, the kind that doesn't announce itself.

There's a line in the song that holds a complicated truth for me: I'm grateful for their strength, yet at the very same time, I hope they never really need it.

That's the paradox of being a parent. You want your children to be capable and resilient, but you don't want life to demand too much of them.

What humbles me most is realizing they don't need my book of life after all. They don't need every secret written down. They find paths I don't see. They bypassed broken ground, which I thought was unavoidable. And in doing so, they teach me something I'm still learning.

Choosing Faith Over Fear

Parenting is a constant balancing act between faith and fear. Fear wants control. Faith asks for trust. Trust is not passive — it's an active choice, one I have to make again and again. Letting go doesn't mean loving less. It means loving differently.

I'm still practicing. I'll never be a pro at letting them go. But even in silence, I feel their hearts. I send them peace. I remind myself that I'm not their answer — I'm the road that helps them through. I'm the doorway into living, not the path they have to choose.

My children don't just shape my life.
They save my life.
Every single day.

And that truth deserved its own song. It was my Valentine's Day gift to them this year.

*************

I Write Lyrics About Life:

Facebook: Lyrics About Life on Facebook

YouTube: Follow Me on YouTube - @dragedapoemslyrics

Spotify: Stream Drageda Lyrics on Spotify

Amazon: Drageda Lyrics on Amazon Music

iTunes: Drageda Lyrics on iTunes

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Friday, February 6, 2026

Godiva Chocolate Reviewed

My husband has been giving me Godiva Chocolate for Valentine's Day and Christmas for decades.

We first discovered this brand while shopping in a mall and seeing the Godiva store. Back then, they boxed their candy in beautiful tin collectible boxes. In recent years, they started using decorative boxes covered in fabric, some have even had lovely embroidered designs. I keep the tins and decorative boxes and use them in my craft room. The boxes alone have been gifts, but the chocolate is divine.

Over the years, I started getting headaches when eating chocolate. Some of my favorite things like chocolate ice cream or candy bars have become a thing of the past for me. However, Godiva chocolate stands out as the one chocolate candy I can still enjoy. For some reason, perhaps the type of cocoa they use, Godiva chocolate does not give me headaches. That is pretty fantastic! It is a way for me to still delve into the world of chocolate without paying a painful price.

Now, don't tell my husband, but I saw the package of Godiva chocolate for Valentine's Day delivered yesterday. I left the box on the porch and acted totally ignorant. Our Ring doorbell doesn't really allow me to be ignorant, but we can pretend.

Godiva Chocolate for Valentine's Day

We have to purchase Godiva Chocolate online these days. The store in the mall shut down years ago. As of 2021, there are no Godiva brick and mortar stores. Fortunately, the candy is still available online. They still have a few tins available, but most of the larger boxes of candy now come in a gold box with a decorative ribbon.

No matter how the chocolate is packaged, the candy is delicious!

Godiva Masterpiece Heart Chocolate Gift Tin, Assorted Milk & Dark Chocolate with Ganache & Caramel, Valentine’s Day Keepsake Gift for Her, 20pcCheck Price Godiva Red Ribbon Gold Assorted Chocolate Gift Box, Belgian Dark and Milk Chocolates with Pralinés, Ganaches & Caramels, Gourmet Valentine's Day GiftCheck Price Godiva Masterpiece Heart Chocolate Gift Tin, Assorted Milk & Dark Chocolate with Ganache, Valentine’s Day Keepsake Gift for Her, 7pcCheck Price

If you want the tins, you may find them on Ebay, without the candy, of course.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Crafts in the House of Sylvestermouse Reviewed

Have Fun and Craft On!

Let's Play, Create and Make A Lifetime of Treasures

I love handmade gifts and crafts! I guess I have been crafting all of my life. I honestly cannot remember a time that I did not have a hook or needle of some kind in my hand or a project in some phase of construction.

One of the most frustrating problems a crafter or needlework enthusiasts faces, is getting patterns, ideas, or instructions without spending a lot of money. The supplies alone will often deplete any crafting budget.

Because I understand the real desire to make original treasures, I am sharing some of my own personal ideas and instructions for making unique heirlooms. I have also written several articles that teach basic skills for beginners.

Cross Stitch Memories

My favorite needlework is cross stitch. It is certainly one of the easiest forms of needlework and there are tons of patterns and kits readily available.

I started cross stitching when I was in jr. high school (It is called middle school today). One of my earliest projects is still one of my favorites. I cross stitched the flowers in the photo for my grandmother. I made one for my mother as well. My mom helped me make them into pillows.

After my grandmother died, my step grandfather put a lot of her personal treasures in boxes. He later gave some of them to my mother. She discovered the pillow among those items and brought it back to me. The pillow was stained and the cross stitch cloth was "aged." I cut the cross stitch design off of the pillow and carefully cleaned it with Woolite in my kitchen sink. This cross stitch heirloom now resides in my bible. A world of memories right there in that one little square.

Tutorial: Visit How to Cross Stitch on Crafters Kingdom

Beaded Ornaments ~ A Gift to Cherish from Year to Year

Another one of my favorite craft projects is beaded ornaments. They are fairly easy and require very little talent. They do, however, demand patience since they entail working with small beads and pins.

Not only do I enjoy making these ornaments for our family tree, I like making them to give a gifts. The ornament in the photo was a gift I made for my son. I bet you can guess his favorite color.

In just a few hours, I made a lovely treasure, a precious gift and a lasting tradition.

Tutorial: Visit How to Make Beaded Ornaments

Crochet With Love

When it comes to home décor, there is nothing prettier than the lacy effect of a crocheted doily or tablecloth.

I enjoy browsing in antique stores and it never fails to bring tears to my eyes when I see a beautiful crocheted afghan or tablecloth in one of the display cabinets. I know from experience how many hours are lovingly stitched in these beautiful heirlooms. I simply can not imagine selling one of these family treasures. I am always tempted to buy them, take them home and give back the love they deserve.

Tutorial: Visit Beginner Crochet

Beaded Easter Eggs

If you are really looking for something original, this craft project is for you!

Out of sheer determination to find a new, unique gift for my children one Easter, I dreamed up these eggs. They are really very easy and require a minimal investment for the supplies. I actually made the first few with beads and glue I already had in my craft supplies.

They make a great surprise or grand prize in the traditional Easter egg hunt.

Tutorial: Visit How to Make Beaded Easter Eggs

Let's Party ~ Mad Hatter Style

I made this Mad Hatter's Hat for my son right before the debut of the new Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland movie.

Yes, he actually wore it to the movie on opening day! Can you imagine how much fun he had with his group of college friends when they donned their "Alice" attire and stormed the theater doors? I wish I could have been there. I would have at least like to have had a picture, but you know kids, they don't worry about such things.

Tutorial: Visit How to Make a Mad Hatter's Hat
like Johnny Depp's in Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland Movie

My Decoupaged Purse

One of my most treasured gifts is the decoupaged wooden purse that my grandmother decoupaged for me when I was a young girl.

I love all of the photos on the purse, but the photo on the right shows my favorite picture. I have always loved giraffes and I always had long, blonde hair.

I loved it when she originally gave it to me back in the 70's. I carried it everywhere I went and actually used it as my everyday purse. My grandmother died several years ago and I treasure the gifts she so lovingly and painstakingly made for me. I can't touch this purse without thinking of how her hands touched it so many times as she turned a wooded box into a beautiful work of art just for me.

Tutorial: Visit How to Make a Decoupaged Wooded Purse

A Very Special Valentine

I love the stories behind the original sailor's valentines!

I can assure you, the sailor's valentines that I have made reflects a greater depth of love than those 19th century sailors felt for their valentines.

In the tutorial linked below, I have told about the origin of the Sailor's Valentine and given instructions to make your own. There really isn't a prettier way to express your love.

Tutorial: Click here for - How to Make a Sailor's Valentine

Beaded Cross Stitch Pin

Embellishing cross stitch with shining beads is simply a joy!

I love adding beads to my cross stitch. The beads add another dimension to cross stitch.

I use the beads to highlight and accentuate focus areas of my cross stitch work. I love the way the little beads will pick up and reflect light and color.

I made the beaded cross stitch pin for my son for Halloween. As I was making it, I took the time to take lots of pictures to show in an article.

Here is my Tutorial: How to Make a Beaded Cross Stitch Pin

Halloween Ghost

I made the original ghost over a decade ago for my son who just loves ghosts and anything Halloween.

This is my own pattern with step by step instructions and photos, which I have shared exclusively on Crafters Kingdom.

I hope you enjoy my friendly ghost! I am certain he will enjoy being with you.

Tutorial: How to Make a Halloween Ghost with Fleece

A Unique and Impressive Holiday Centerpiece

During the holidays, we decorate our homes with glitter and sparkle that reflects the beauty of the lights on our trees and in our hearts.

I originally made this centerpiece with beaded fruit for autumn and Thanksgiving, but when it was time to decorate for Christmas, I changed the floral picks to gold and red berries.

Since I was changing it out anyway, I photographed the process and wrote an article describing the steps to make a sleigh centerpiece. Regardless of the holder or vase, the steps in the article below will show you exactly how to make you own original arrangement.

Tutorial: How to Make a Christmas Sleigh Centerpiece

Some Things Really Are Just Too Easy

These ornaments are probably the easiest crafting project I have ever made.

You will be surprised and thrilled to find out just had simple these ornaments are to assemble.

We had a bit of an unplanned craft party one year when our family was gathered during the holidays. I had just purchased some glass ornaments and I had a wild idea for all of us to make something and exchange them with each other.

These ornaments are the results of our afternoon of antics and fun. A wonderful memory!

They smell good too!

Tutorial: How to Make Quick & Easy Glass Ornaments

Just Playing Around - Making a Pincushion

As a seamstress, I can really appreciate a large pincushion. If it is pretty, that makes it even better.

I was inspired by a pattern book that gave some basic instructions on how to construct a felt pincushion.

Intrigued, I gathered my supplies, called my mother and we went to work creating our own pincushions. I also created the article below. I have given step by step instructions with lots of photos so you, too, can create a felt pincushion.

This really is a very easy project. The hardest part is choosing the supplies.

I will never again look at my pincushion without thinking of the day my mother and I were just playing around!

Tutorial: How to Make Felt Cupcake Pincushions

Mosaic Picture

Mosaic pictures are rather impressive when complete, but they don't have to be hard to make.

Several years ago, I made the raccoon mosaic picture for my father for his birthday and he loves it.

Making the mosaic was not hard since I used a kit, but I do have several tips and suggestions for making the craft easier.

This is a craft that does take a good bit of time, so organization and taking your time is key to successfully creating a beautiful mosaic picture.

Tutorial: How to Make a Mosaic Picture

__________________

This tutorial directory page was originally published on a website that is not longer in existence and All Photos are the Exclusive Property of Sylvestermouse.

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Sea Animal Plush Gift Sets for Kids

Gift Review of soft toy sea animals with cute carriers

Sea-themed toys for babies and toddlers come in several varieties, each with a collection of soft plush toys which fit inside a related carrier. The carriers make it easy for tiny tots to carry them from place to place.

If you live near the shore, or have vacationed at the beach, these sea animal gift sets make fun and appealing gifts.

Seaside Gift Sets

Four ocean animals in a large plush whale carrier.

The package contains 4 smaller animals (starfish, dolphin, octopus and a ray) which fit inside a large whale carrier. The carrier is in the design of an Orca whale with a zipper design and measures about 17 inches long. The starfish and the octopus measure close to 4 inches in size, with the dolphin and the ray close to 5 inches in size. Cute soft snuggle buddies in an ocean theme.

Plush Shark Toy and 5 Sea Animals Set

Another ocean-themed plush playset is this Amazon’s Choice plush shark toy carrier with 5 sea animals. The sea animal toys include a turtle, a whale, an octopus, a stingray and a crab which all fit inside this zippered shark carrier.

This sea creature plush toy set helps children explore marine life while they are enjoying a playtime of cuddly fun. An ideal gift for birthdays and holidays.

Plush Seashell Gift Set

This cute seashell carrying bag set comes with 5 cute sea animal plushies, which include a Mermaid, a seahorse, an octopus, a crab and a sea turtle.

The shell-shaped bag has a zippered opening and a sewn-in handle to store the sea animals for easy storing and carrying.

This soft toy Mermaid and her sea animal friends toy set is a darling gift for birthdays, holidays and baby showers.

Six Piece Turtle Stuffed Animal Set

This 6 piece sea turtle set comes with a 12 inch stuffed plush Sea Turtle mom and includes 3 Baby sea turtles and 2 Eggs.

A green mother turtle plush has a zipper belly under the shell which holds, 3 baby plushies and 1 cute baby turtle egg, plus 1 baby turtle that broke out of its shell.

Summary

These seaside-themed plush playsets will give your little ones hours of cuddly fun as they learn about the marine creatures that live in the ocean. Choose from a whale, a shark, a seashell or a sea turtle set. All are cute cuddle buddies for little ones.

Related Reviews:

Barnyard Buddies in Plush - a Cuddly Review

*Plush Gift Sets in a Sea Animal Theme review was written by Wednesday Elf

Plush toy gift sets in a seaside theme:

Syhood 5 Pieces Sea Stuffed Animals Plush Set Include 1 Large Whale Plush Doll with Small Starfish Dolphin Octopus Ray Stuffed Toy for Huggable Sleeping Holiday Birthday Gifts

PREXTEX Plush Toy Shark Stuffed Animal with 5 Sea Animals - Shark Plush Toy with Turtle, Whale, Octopus, Stingray, Crab - Giant Stuffed Animals for Kids Aged 3 and Up - Fun Gift for Sea Animal Lovers

BenBen Ocean Stuffed Animal, 5 Pack Small Sea Creature Plush Toys and Shell Carrying Bag Set, Cute Plushies for Baby Kids, Sea Turtle, Octopus, Mermaid, Seahorse, Crab, Baby Shower, Stocking Stuffers

Aoriher 6 Pieces Turtle Stuffed Animal Set 12 Inch Stuffed Plush Sea Turtle Mom with 3 Babies and 2 Eggs for Kids Birthday Valentine‘s Day(Classic)

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Friday, March 21, 2025

Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe

Few Desserts bring people together like chocolate fondue. This is a family favorite of ours. We like getting together several times a year for some delicious chocolate fondue. Following is a review of our Valentine's Day chocolate fondue.

A Brief History of Chocolate Fondue:

Fondue, originally a Swiss dish featuring melted cheese, inspired the idea of dipping foods into a shared pot. The concept of chocolate fondue emerged in the 1960s, made popular by Swiss restaurateur Konrad Egli in New York.

Fondue is a perfect time to gather and enjoy some great conversation with the family while enjoying some delicious dessert or food.

Many times we use steak and chicken cut into small pieces. Our daughter Jamie coats the chicken with Shake N Bake. We dip into hot oil until the pieces are cooked and serve with various dipping sauces.

Ingredients for Chocolate Fondue:

1 bag of chocolate chips 11.5oz.

1 bag of dark chocolate chips 11.5 oz.

1 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

First, you need a fondue pot. Jamie has two Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pots. For the chocolate fondue, we only use one of them.

Set the pot to medium heat and add the chocolate chips. Add the butter and keep stirring so the chocolate begins to melt.

Add the vanilla, and the heavy whipping cream a little at a time, and keep stirring until all is combined. When it's ready, the chocolate will look like the intro photo.

Here are our prepared goodies for dipping into the chocolate. We cut up strawberries, pineapple, bananas, marshmallows, and pound cake.

Dip and Enjoy: We used the skewers that came with the fondue pot to dip our favorite treat into the rich chocolate.

Click here for more recipes on Review This:

ReviewThisRecipes.com

You will find a large selection of fondue pots on Amazon. The one featured below is the one Jamie has, and she has had it for many years.

Cuisinart Fondue Pot, 3 Quart, For Chocolate, Cheese, Broth, Oil, Stainless Steel, CFO-3SSP1Check the Price

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Friday, February 21, 2025

Snoopy and His Sopwith Camel Atlantis Toy & Hobby Plastic Model Kit Review

Imagine coming across a beloved childhood toy that is still being made, or is being made again, exactly like the original. That happened to my husband recently when he came across the Snoopy and His Sopwith Camel Airplane model kit.

As a child, he loved his model airplane and has happy memories of "flying" Snoopy and his Sopwith Camel around his home. It was a pretty cool snap-together model that even a child could make, and he did. Once it was made, the little propeller would turn with the help of a battery. Unfortunately, he has no idea what happened to his plane. His family moved often during his childhood. Many of his possessions were either lost or discarded for him.

When he showed me the kit on Amazon, I promptly ordered it for him. Little did I know that Snoopy, with the help of my husband, would literally be flying around my head in his Sopwith Camel plane when I went to bed on Valentine's Day. Oh, and as with the original, the battery operated propeller does turn giving the model the appearance of flying.

Snoopy Searching for the Red Baron!

Snoopy and His Sopwith Camel
Atlantis Toy & Hobby Plastic Model Kit

ATLANTIS TOY & HOBBY Plastic Model Kit-Snoopy and His Sopwith Camel, RedCheck PriceThis model is truly awesome! I was amazed by how easy it was to put together. Since no painting is required, Snoopy and his Sopwith Camel were ready to fly again in an hour or so. My husband did decide to paint Snoopy's eyes so they would show up better, but otherwise the detailing on the plane was done with the included stickers.

What comes in the kit:

38 colored molded plastic parts
Battery operated engine with spinning propeller - battery not included
Snoopy
Dog House Display Stand
Decals
Instructions

Detailed and Easy to Follow Instructions

A Few Additional Notes About the Model

I don't know why the Amazon listing says "red" in the description. The plane is yellow with a red engine cover.

Also, the battery has to be inserted in the opposite direction shown in the instructions for the propeller to turn correctly.

Snoopy's eyes are raised in the while molded plastic, but they are not colored. If you want Snoopy to have black eyes and brows, you will need to paint them on. My husband used a black paint pen.