Rays of Bliss

blissful life + design

Amber

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Currently my Facebook Page, rays of bliss, is down due to copyright/ trademark infringement rights filed by another website.  At this moment, I am working on getting it back up.

Thank you for all your support during this situation.

Amber Sorrells
rays of bliss

Gluten-Free Cookie Cake

Blog, Desserts, Fav Recipes, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Recipes

If you have been following my blog then you know I am a huge Cookie Cake fan, that might be an understatement! For almost every celebration I make a cookie cake and sometimes I make it for no reason at all! You will love this Gluten-free Cookie Cake recipe I am sharing with you.

Gluten-free Cookie Cake Recipe
My son has inherited my love for cookie cakes and requested one for his birthday. Since my husband has to eat gluten free I made a gluten-free version so everyone including my husband could enjoy all the Cookie Cake Greatness!After trying several recipes to find the perfect cookie cake I perfected this recipe. My goal was to make my homemade version similar  to the one bought from the mall! Every party I throw I receive so many compliments and they couldn’t believe it was Gluten-free and I made it. Expect to receive many request if you make this cookie cake recipe for your party.Easy to make your own brown sugar and I find it makes my desserts better! It takes a good 2 minutes or more to mix well with a fork.Notes:  You really need a 12 inch pan or larger. The cake will spread while baking and will spill over if not at least 12 inches. My cookie dough spread out on baking pan measured just over 9 inches. This leaves plenty of room and it never spills over.SONY DSCYou can see here how much it spreads while baking.
baked vs unbakedTo decorate I used a star tip and alternated chocolate and vanilla around the edge. I also layered the vanilla on top of chocolate for the message. 

Gluten-free Cookie Cake

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Gluten Free flour I used Pamela’s Artisan
  • 1/2 teaspoon xantham gum
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick of softend butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 cups frosting of your choice I used milk chocolate and vanilla to be like the one bought from mall.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375ºF.
  • Grease 12 inch pizza pan with butter.
  • Sift flour, xantham gum, baking soda, and salt together.*Optional Make your own brown sugar: mix 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 1/2 tsp molasses together using a fork. (See pic above) I highly recommend but if you do not have molasses then use 3/4 cup of store bought brown sugar.
  • Using a mixer (handheld or stand) mix flour mixture with softened butter. Once mixed well add the following in this order: sugar mixture, egg, and then vanilla extract. Beat until dough forms.
  • Add chocolate chips and mix well.
  • Try to make a large ball with cookie dough. Place ball in the middle of the pan. Spread out evenly, but leave 1 1/2-2 inches from the edge.
  • Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Allow to cool then add icing/decorations of your choice.

Gluten-free Cookie Cake Recipe

Hope you enjoy this recipe! Check out my other gluten-free recipes HERE.

Ideas for Easy Valentine’s Day Box

Blog, Craft Ideas, DIY, Valentine's Day

Easy Ideas for Valentine's Day Box from rays of bliss

I made some easy Valentine’s Day Boxes for my boys this year. I was searching for some ideas and I discovered many Valentine’s Day boxes look very difficult to make! I like EASY! I decided to just use free printables and enhance them!

Use large images or desktop computer wallpaper of your favorite character:

I just printed off some images of Minions from Despicable me. Print, Cut, Glue!

Despicable Me Minions Valentine's Day Box

  1. Wrap your box in wrapping paper.
  2. Cut slot on the top.
  3. Print out a few large images, cut out, and glue onto your box.
  4. If you want to add a heart. Be sure to cut off the minions thumb and then glue on top of the heart. This makes it look like he’s holding it.
  5. I added a cut up toilet paper roll tube wrapped in foil for the goggles.

 

Here is a list of Free Despicable Me Minions Valentines:

 

Use Free Printable Face Mask:

There are a ton of free printable mask and you can use for your Valentine’s Day Box! I made a fox box  for my “Fox Song” Loving son!

  1. Wrap box in construction paper,you can use gift wrap if you prefer.
  2. Cut slot out on the top. 
  3. Print this free printable fox mask, from Bambinis.
  4. Use this body holding a sign. Here’s the Free Printable:
  5.  Cut and glue. 
  6. Draw in eyes on the mask. I also suggest leaving that white section under the nose. Just cut straight across to connect the mouth.

I think it turned out pretty cute and most importantly my son loved it! He will also be handing out  What Does the Fox Say Valentine’s Day Cards! Free Printable Here. 

SONY DSC

 

If you don’t want to do a fox, here are few other links toother mask you may wnat to use for your box:

 

  There you go an Easy-Peasy Valentine’s Day Box! 

Valentine's Day Ideas from rays of bliss

Check out my other Valentine’s Day Printables and Post HERE.

All printables and downloads designed by rays of bliss are for PERSONAL USE ONLY. Please do not alter or claim as your own. This file is not intended for resale, nor are the printed versions of this file. Feel free to link back to www.raysofbliss.com if you like our printables.

Gluten-Free No Bake Brownie Bites with Candy

Blog, Desserts, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Recipes

I know, I had you at NO BAKE! Gluten-Free No Bake Brownie Bites with Candy are tasty little bites and alwasys a huge hit around my house and at parties!

You will love making these because they are so easy and you can clean your hands by licking off the yummy goodness! OK, maybe that’s me, but I know you will take at least one lick! I made mine gluten-free because that’s how we roll in my house but this recipe can be used with regular brownie mix too!

Gluten-free No Bake Brownie Bites with Candy

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pkg Gluten Free Brownie Mix I used 21oz Bob's Red Mill Brownie Mix
  • 1 cup milk I used Silk Almond Milk
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats I used Bob's Red Mill
  • *optional highly recommended! 1 cup Snickers (2 regular size snickers) or 1 cup M&M's (or your favorite Gluten Free Candy)

Instructions
 

  • Melt your butter.
  • In large bowl, combine well brownie mix, milk and melted butter.
  • Next, add peanut butter and vanilla; blend well.
  • Stir in oats and mix well by hand.
  • Mix in candy pieces.
  • On a waxed paper-lined cookie sheets drop your tablespoon size balls.
  • Place in the fridge or freezer to set. (approx. 30 minutes freezer, 2 hours fridge)
  • I store in a container in the fridge.

Notes

*Makes approx. 6 1/2 dozen Brownie Bites.
**United States Snickers and M&M's are gluten-free. The company still advises people to check labels at more busy times of year, there may be some possible cross-contamination in the other processing facilities used to keep up with demand. Please always read the ingredient and nutrition label carefully.**

Hope you enjoy this recipe! Check out my other gluten-free recipes HERE.

What to do with Unused/ Unwanted Gift Cards? GiftCardRescue.com!

Blog, Product Reviews, Reviews

GiftCardRescue.com

I’m guilty! I have unused gift cards in my wallet and they have been in there for years (not months)! I added it up and we have over $100 in unused gift cards floating around my house! According to GiftCardRescue.com, The average household has over $300 of gift cards going unused. So how much do you have?

You may have seen them on Shark Tank, where GiftCardRescue.com successfully pitched for an investment. Since appearing on the show, they have sold more than $25 million in gift cards, making GiftCardRescue.com one of the most successful businesses to appear on Shark Tank.

Sell Your Unwanted Gift Cards:

Don’t like the store, store location too far, really whatever the reason GiftCardRescue.com can help! Sell your gift card to them and they will mail you a check! Awesome!  At GiftCardRescue.com you can sell your unwanted gift cards for cash or exchange them for Amazon.com credit.

What to do with Unwanted Gift Cards GiftCardRescue.com

Not Just for Selling Your Unwanted Gift Cards.
Buy Gift Cards and Save Some $$$$$!!!!!

I consider myself to be pretty thrifty so I love any opportunity to save money! You can save up to 30% off on discounted gift cards to over 450 national merchants. I’m hooked, because they have Hobby Lobby and JoAnns Fabrics gift cards and selling for 20%-25% Off! I plan on buying gift cards for things I’m already planning on spending my money on. Like craft or sewing projects!

I did noticed grocery stores, Walmart and Target had the least savings (2%-5%) but movie, restaurants, and specialty stores (Clothing, Gaming, Crafts, Sports, Teens/kids) had great deals! Some even 35% discounts!

Easy to Use Site and They Can be Trusted!

The site is super easy to use! It is very simple to navigate to where you want to go.

Giftcardrescue.com Screenshot

  • All purchases have a 100% Money-Back Guarantee.
  • Customer support team that works hard to ensure that your experience with us is always pleasant.
  • If selling they will mail your check or exchange card within 48 hours after they receive your card.

 

GiftCardRescue.com has been featured in many leading national publications, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Forbes, NPR, Washington Post, CBS, ABC, NBC and more. Recently made the prestigious Inc. 500 list as one of America’s fastest growing private companies.

Our mission is to help our customers stretch their dollars. Whether you’re an individual looking to save money to your favorite store, or a business owner looking to save money on everyday purchases, GiftCardRescue.com has discounted gift cards to over 450 popular brands at up to 35% OFF.

 Give GiftCardRescue.com a try! They really want you to save the most on gift cards!

Buy Gift Cards or Sell Gift Cards for Cash

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Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

I’m Learning to Sew & Quilt! Lesson 1: Supplies & Saving Money

Blog, DIY, Sewing

My sewing machine and table

My husband’s Nanny has been so kind to agree to teach me to sew & quilt! I have been going to her house almost every week since Thanksgiving.  I have purchased a really nice sewing machine, table and most of the supplies needed! Boy, this hobby can get expensive! My sister also started sewing too! Her mother in law had an old sewing machine she gave her.

OK, my first lesson wasn’t really that much of a lesson. She went over all the tools/ supplies I would need. She also informed me that being a serious quilter can be pricey, but there are ways to save.

Beginner Quilters ~ Supplies Needed: (Using Amazon Affiliate Links to show you item; I suggest you buy them at your local sewing/craft store when they are on sale or with coupons.)

 

How to Save Money on Sewing Supplies ~ For Beginners

Ways to save Money:

  • Sign up for email, text updates and mailing list from Jo-ann’s, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and any other sewing/craft store you would shop at. All 3 have Mobil Apps which makes using there digital coupons super easy!
  • Do not buy all your supplies at once. Wait for them to go on sale or when you can use your 40% or 50% off 1 item coupon.
  • Know your sales. If you are in need for certain supply then read your sale ads. Only buy items on SALE days.
  • Use all your Coupons. Use your mailed coupon with your email/mobil app coupon so you can get more then 1 item at a discount.
  • Buy Fabrics when they are on sale. For example, you will always need a good white fabric. If you see one for cheap, buy a lot! This will help build your Fabric Stash!
  • This one is from my Dad (he is a Hobby Thrifter) he found materials at the thrift store! I told him anything that looked in good shape to go for it! Even if it’s ugly I can use it in a scrappy quilt.
  • You will have to try and resist buying ever fabric you fall in love with! This will be very hard. Only buy fabrics for your current project or if they are on sale.

Sewing Humor

I went to Joann’s during their Black Friday sale, along with my 50% coupon for a regularly priced item:

Sewing Supples

I got most of my sewing necessitates for $71.00! I saved about 40% on everything. I am still stocking up on items I need, like rulers and fabrics.

I have made several quilt squares and currently working on on a twin size quilt! My first finished sewing project was a super easy half apron. You know, I got the fabric for 50%!

 

What are must have supplies you would Add to this list? or How do you save money for sewing/quilting?

 

Disclosure: Post contains Affiliate links. Vintage Sewing Machine Image was downloaded from Public Domain Pictures.