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Thursday, April 2, 2026

Overview of CherylsArt on Zazzle

This is the first of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

Zazzle is a print on demand company. They print, ship, and handle the orders and any returns. Artists and designers open stores on Zazzle and upload their designs to various products. My first store that I'll be giving an overview of is CherylsArt.

CherylsArt is my general overall store and my first store on Zazzle. You'll find a lot of different design types and product types there.

The current main categories are:

+ Affirmations

My most popular item in my Affirmations section is the Proverbs 25:11 verse featuring an apple of gold on a background of silver, on magnets. There are a lot of different affirmations, on various products, to choose from in this store.

A word fitly spoken is like Apples of gold magnets
by CherylsArt

You will find quite a few affirmations here on a variety of products. Sometimes we all can use a reminder to feel good and or to refocus.

+ Apparel and Fashion Accessories

The apparel part includes leggings, tank tops, and tshirts. The accessories part include belt buckles, belts, hair ties, hats, head bands, nail art, necklaces, pin on buttons, scarves, and watches.

Although I designed this apple watch back in 2013; it didn't start selling until Christmas of 2025! I think it finally became the right time for it; people were ready for a bit of humor I believe.

Red Apple Painting and Numbers Watch
by CherylsArt

+ Art and Wall Decor

Art and Wall Decor includes canvas prints, drawings on faux wrapped canvas, drawings on wrapped canvas, posters, wall decals, wall panels, and wall tapestry. The drawings categories have their own categories so that the ones that can be painted in can easily be found. They make fun activity options.

+ Baby

The Baby category includes, adoption, announce baby, baby bags, baby bibs, baby blankets, baby shirts, baby shower, binders for photos, burp cloths, clocks for the nursery, dry erase boards, and pillows for nursery.

These cloud themed dry erase boards are a great way to share messages about the baby. They come in a choice of pink and blue. This is especially great for new and busy parents who need a way to communicate what's up.

Pink Sky Bubbles and Clouds Dry Erase Board
by CherylsArt

+ Celebrations

The Celebration category is about all things that can be celebrated. This category includes birthday, candle parties, graduation, neighbor get together, party hats, retirement, ribbon, rubber stamps, stickers, tissue paper, and wrapping paper. This category pretty much covers what isn't a birthday or wedding themed.

+ Elections

The Elections category includes products for my preferred candidates, as well as informational items on helping all votes to count.

+ Holidays

The Holidays category includes Christmas in July, Christmas/Winter (which also includes other winter holidays), Easter, Father's Day, Halloween, Independence Day, Mother's Day, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.

+ Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car

The Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car category includes sub-categories for each of the mentioned categories.

The car category includes bumper stickers, car mats, license plates and frames. The home category includes accessories for the home, bathroom, bedroom, calendars, clocks, doormats, dry erase boards, hand sanitizer, kitchen and dining, light switch covers, moving, ornaments - that aren't holiday, and tiles. The Pets category includes dog beds, pet bowls, and pet tags. Sewing and Crafts includes fabric. There are sub-categories under fabric to make browsing easier.

A popular item in my Home category, is this Moving postcard, in the Moving sub-category. The truck painting proved to be a very popular choice for awhile. As with any item in CherylsArt, if the item includes artwork, the artwork is created by me. With the truck image, I saw a truck that I thought was awesome, and got permission from the driver to include my artwork of it on products. He said it was fine as long as I included his name in my description. Here is a shout out to Dan Hyde. p.s. The color choices are mine.

We're Moving, change of address postcards
by CherylsArt

+ New Products

You will not normally find any products in this category. Usually I choose the category right after designing the new item.

+ Office and School

The Office and School category has a lot of sub-categories. They range from alphabet rulers to yard signs, and pretty much anything you can think off, in between.

+ Sports, Toys, and Games

The Sports, Toys, and Games category includes games, guitar picks, sports, and toys.

No, these aren't throw pillows. They are actually game bags for cornhole games. So you will find these in the Sports, Toys, and Games Category, under the sub-category of Games.

Personalized Beach Theme Cornhole Game Bags
by CherylsArt

+ Stationery

The Stationery category includes pretty much anything stationery related, that isn't birthday, graduation, or wedding related. Items include address labels, cards, envelopes, letterhead, notepads, photo cards, postcards, rubber stamps, stationery, and stickers.

+ Travel

The Travel category includes luggage, luggage handle wraps, luggage tags, travel mugs and tumblers.

+ Weddings and Anniversary

The Weddings and Anniversary category includes a long list going from Anniversary, to all types of items wedding related. I don't know how it works for customers searching in individual stores on Zazzle, for wedding, but for me when I search for a wedding item in my store, I need to include the item type to get any search results. I guess it may be because there are so many wedding items.

These address labels are in the Wedding category, as I designed them for with a couple in mind, though anyone else can use them. There are also matching wedding invitations, etc. for this design, in Weddings. If you're not sure about which category to begin your search, go towards the top of the page, below the header, and do a Search this store search; i.e. fern address labels.

Green Fern Branch Leaves Address Labels
by CherylsArt

And there you have it. I have changed my store layout a number of times over the years. At one time I based it on the designs, but that got to be way to many. Then I sorted the categories by product type only. That was too much of a mix match. So I currently decided on general themes, and then did further breakdowns into sub-categories. You will find more sub-categories in my CherylsArt store, once you explore on any category that has a lot of items in it. If you know the item type and theme that you are looking for, you can also fill in the Search this Store box that is located below my store header.

Hope this helps for when you're shopping at CherylsArt on Zazzle.

Cheryl Paton

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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Friday, March 27, 2026

Easter Milk-Bones for Dogs - The Perfect Puppy Easter Treat Reviewed

I discovered holiday Milk-Bones last Christmas while shopping for a special treat for our puppy. I was thrilled to find treats as a special gift for our baby dog. With Easter approaching, I searched for Easter Milk-Bones and was elated to find an adorable box of Easter Peeps! I immediately purchased a box. When they arrived, I couldn't make myself wait to give our baby dog his new treats.

I opened the box and the smell was so wonderful it made me want to start munching on them. Watson, our puppy, came running! He was quite tempted by the smell too and immediately stuffed his little "big nose" in the box.

Like the Christmas Milk-Bones, he has a preferred shape. The Easter Peeps have bunnies, chicks, and bone shaped Milk-Bones. Watson prefers the bunnies, which I think is hilarious. I just don't know why the bunnies (which are long shapes) instead of the round-ish chicks, appeal to him. Now, whenever he minds me, he immediately sits down by his Easter Peeps awaiting his reward.

Now, please don't tell Watson, but I have already purchased two more pails of Easter treats for him to get on Easter. I plan to have a Easter Milk-Bone hunt. I am sure my little active companion will love a fun hunt for Milk-Bone Easter Peeps.

Milk-Bone Peeps Artificially Marshmallow
Flavored Dog Treats, 22 Oz. PailCheck Price

Milk-Bones Easter Peeps

The Easter Peeps come in a pail with an adorable picture on the front, which appeals to the humans. Our puppy loves the taste and the smell of his marshmallow flavored biscuits.

The pail is durable enough that it could be refilled and used for original Milk-Bone biscuits. It is lightweight and has easier hand access than the standard Milk-Bone rectangle box packaging. It also has a handle for carrying which would make it very convenient when traveling.

Needless to say, the Milk-Bone Easter Peeps and their box are a hit with both parents and their babies. Oops, I mean doggies.

Pet Related Reviews

Easter Milk-Bones for Dogs - The Perfect Puppy Easter Treat written by:

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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, May 10, 2025

Black Bear Diner Review

My favorite style of restaurant can best be described as ‘simple and plentiful’. In other words, just home-style comfort foods. I do not care for spicy or fancy or exotic. Just give me simple plain food in a family friendly atmosphere. My family calls me ‘Plain Jane’ due to my boring food preferences. 🙂

Because of my food likes and dislikes, finding restaurants I enjoy is not always easy. But last week I found the perfect one and after two visits in less than a week, it has now become my ‘go-to’ favorite.

In case you are thinking you would not be able to enjoy my new favorite restaurant, you will be pleased to know that it is part of a franchise which includes 161 diners in 13 states…. And growing. It’s called the Black Bear Diner.

The Black Bear Diner Celebrates Thirty Years

The first Black Bear Diner opened in September 1995 in Mt. Shasta, California. The owners, Bruce Dean and Bob Manley, believed in a welcoming place where friends and families could gather for abundant portions of quality food at a fair price.

Each Black Bear Diner has a bear-themed, cabin-like cozy environment. They believe in serving large portions of favorite homestyle meals of good old-fashioned comfort food such as homemade meatloaf, chicken fried steak, chicken pot pie, pot roast and fish & chips. Naturally, there are also hamburgers and chicken fingers and specialty sandwiches, soups and salads on the menu. Plus, they also serve fantastic breakfast meals and breakfast is available all day!

A favorite line from the Black Bear Diner advertising says:

If your big bear-sized dinner just didn’t quite fill you up, don’t forget to check out their amazing display of desserts for just $5-6

Check out a sample menu at Black Bear Diner - Menus.

Personal Opinion

My first visit with my family was for brunch on Easter Sunday where I had a platter of delicious french toast made with sourdough bread. Yum!

Later that week, we returned to our local Black Bear Diner for dinner. I had the Fish & Chips served with French fries, homemade coleslaw and homemade tartar sauce. The tarter sauce was fantastic and the lightly battered and fried Cod fillets were the best I’ve ever had.

Each of the meal choices of the rest of my family (son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons) were just as well received and definitely thoroughly enjoyed, even though their food preferences include a much wider range of foods than mine do. :) And, because of the very generous portions served, we each brought home leftover takeaways!

Summary

The 160+ chain of Black Bear Diners are currently serving the Western side of the United States. Since the chain began in California, the largest number (over 60) can be found there, particularly in the northern part of the state. Quite a few Black Bear Diners are found in Arizona, Colorado, Washington State, Utah and Oregon.

Another large grouping of these diners are now found in Texas, with a smaller number in Nevada, Idaho and Oklahoma. At last count, we discovered there are two Black Bear Diners each in Kansas and Missouri.

*It is interesting to me to note that the two Kansas diners are in the two Kansas towns I have lived in (Garden City where the hubs was from and where two of our children were born, and Olathe ~ a suburb of Kansas City ~ where I currently live).

The Black Bear Diner concept states that they are always growing and continuing to expand east with a goal of being coast-to-coast. Meanwhile, if you live in or are traveling to one of the western states which have Black Bear Diners, I highly recommend them.

Click here for a list of Black Bear Diner locations.

For more Restaurant Reviews click on: Restaurant Reviews: US

Black Bear Merchandise

Black Bear Diner Black Bear Family Giclee Art Print Poster from Original Travel Artwork by Artist Paul A. Lanquist 12" x 18"

Tree-Free Greetings lm43117 Vintage Black Bear Diner Nostalgia by Paul A. Lanquist Ceramic Mug with Full-Sized Handle, 15-Ounce, Multicolored

Black Bear Wildlife Animal Wilderness Graphic T-Shirt

Wild Republic Black Bear Plush, Stuffed Animal, Plush Toy, Gifts for Kids, Cuddlekins 8

*Black Bear Diner Restaurant Review was written by Wednesday Elf

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Saturday, April 19, 2025

National Jelly Bean Day Review

National Jelly Bean Day is a Food Awareness Day celebrated each year on April 22.

The Jelly Bean

There are dozens of companies who make Jelly beans. Just one company makes the Jelly Belly jelly bean. It was first just a brand of the Herman Goelitz Candy Company. Today, it is its own company ~ the Jelly Belly Company.

The Jelly Belly Company makes over 50 flavors of beans. The difference between Jelly Beans and Jelly Belly beans is the taste. The standard jelly beans have no flavoring or coloring in the center, whereas Jelly Belly flavors both the centers and the shells. Jelly Belly beans are smaller, but have a more intense flavor and are made in exotic flavors.

Fun Facts About Jelly Beans

Although no one knows who started National Jelly Bean Day, the first mention of the jelly bean can be traced back to an 1861 ad by William Schrafft, a confectioner in Boston, which promoted sending jelly beans to soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Candymakers have always made candy into novelty shapes, which seems to be the main reason this egg-shaped candy ended up being called jelly beans

Being egg-shaped, the Jelly Bean became popular starting in the 1930s as the perfect candy for Easter Baskets. By the way, if you lined up all the jelly beans eaten by folks during the Easter holidays, they could circle the Earth three times! In fact, about 5 billion Jelly beans are eaten at Easter.

There are 4 calories in each Jelly Bean.

And the ‘funnest’ facts of all…..

Jelly Beans were President Reagan’s favorite candies. He used them to quit smoking when he was governor of California.

About 3 tons of red, white, and blue jelly beans were used during Reagan’s inauguration as the 40th President of the United States

Jelly Belly beans were the first jelly beans in space, sent on the 1983 Challenger mission by President Reagan as a surprise for the astronauts.

Reagan’s favorite flavor was licorice!

SUMMARY

National Jelly Bean Day is a fun holiday often associated with Easter traditions because the egg-like shape of the jelly bean reminds us of the Easter Bunny delivering eggs as a sign of Spring.

National Jelly Bean Day
April 22

For More Holiday Reviews, Click on

ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

For More Easter Reviews, Click on

ReviewThisReviews: Easter

*National Jelly Bean Day holiday review was written by Wednesday Elf

JELLY BEANS:

ClassicBrach Jelly Beans Bulk, Assorted Flavors, 2 Pound Bulk Pack - Delicious Traditional Jelly bean Candy for Easter Egg Hunts, and Baskets

The Jelly Bean Planet, Gourmet Jelly Beans Gift 42.5 Oz Jar - 36 Huge Natural Fruit Flavors, Seasonal, Birthday, Easter Candy, Plant Based Colors - Gluten Free, Fun Bulk Sweets Assortment

Jelly Belly 49 Assorted Flavors Jelly Beans - 1 Pound (16 Ounces) Resealable Bag - Genuine, Official, Straight from the Source

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Friday, April 18, 2025

Easter Treats for Cats Reviewed

This year I included my grandkitty in a family tradition and sent her an Easter treat. I'm not sure why I have not done so in the past since I have adored all of my grandkitties. Of course, I have sent them Christmas gifts each year, but just didn't think about the Easter treat.

Every year I buy a chocolate Easter bunny for our children as their special treat for Easter. They are both grown adults now, but I still buy them a chocolate Easter bunny. When my daughter got married, I started including our son-in-law in that tradition. Even now that they are vegans, I sought out a vegan chocolate bunny (which they love) for them and shipped it directly to their home for delivery.

I wanted to send my grandkitty a chocolate bunny kitty treat, but could not find one, so I settled for a bunny carrot filled with cap nip. I guess we can just say the carrot is a related or corresponding gift to the chocolate bunnies.

I've already decided what I will send my grandkitty next year, now that the Peeps catnip toys have been daughter approved. I can hardly wait! I like the looks of Peeps cat nip toys better than the carrot, but I am quite sure my grandkitty will love fighting and "kicking" the carrot.

Update: While writing this article, I thought "why wait?" so I promptly ordered the Peeps catnip toys for my grandkitty! They will arrive after Easter, but she won't mind.

Catnip Filled Carrot Cat Toy

OurPets 100-Percent North American Catnip Filled Carrot Cat Toy 24 KaratCheck Price

Reduce your kitties boredom or stress by giving them a cat toy to play with. The carrot is filled with catnip which will entice the kitty to play with it.

I chose the carrot cat toy because of the excellent reviews, as well as the awesome videos showing cats really enjoying their playtime with this specific cat toy. Since it is only 4½ inches long, without the feathers, I was concerned it might not be long enough. However, after watching several cats grasp the top in the mouth and kick the carrot with their hind paws, I knew it would be perfect.

Hopefully, the canvas fabric will make it more durable and hold up longer to the kitty chewing. After having grandkitties for 17 years now, I know how important durable fabric is around them.

Now, let's all go play "kick the carrot"!

Catnip Filled Peeps Bunnies for Cats

Peeps for Pets Peeps Bunnies Plush Catnip Cat Toys in Pink and Blue, 4" - 2 countCheck Price

Aren't these Peeps catnip toys just the cutest cat toys you have ever seen? And, the perfect Easter treat for my grandkitty, and your kitty too!

There are 2 Peep catnip toys in the package.

Like the carrot, they are only 4" long, but they also received excellent reviews, although one reviewer said she opened the stitching on the toy, added more catnip and stitched it back up for her cat. That sounds like a great way to make an adorable cat toy more enticing for play.

These Peeps for Pets are officially licensed by Peeps and even have the Peeps trademark tag.