Bunny Cakes

Gift for Am M

Although I hate to admit it, life has changed over the past few years.  Celebrating close friends’ birthdays now means a nice dinner and perhaps a small thinking-of-you token gift (notable exceptions being spouse, parents, and nephews of course). Long gone are the days of trolling the local mall for “the” gift for your BFF.  These days I generally like to make most of my gifts (time and laziness permitting with heavy emphasis on the laziness).

Every now and then, life throws you a bone and you happen to stumble across the perfect gift. Such was the case for my very good friend Am M.  I was in an antique mall when I came across a set of vintage hankies (I am fortunate enough to not have allergies and am rarely sick, but I still have a deep seated obsession with vintage hankies.  It’s odd---I know). Well, sandwiched in this packet of hanky goodness were two really great hankies that were a perfect gift for Am.  I have to take a second and elaborate on great—one hankie was very much in the mid-century modern flavor (which is Am’s thing) and was monogrammed with her last name initial (if I was a cat, I would have used up one of my nine lives on this gift). The fact that there were 5 other hankies that I could add to my growing collection was also (admittedly) a bonus.

So, having found these great hankies, I was super excited, however, I had to do a little more.  It seemed a little odd to give just the hankies no matter how great they were.  I recognize that not everyone shares my deep seated affection for vintage hankies.  I decided to make a small little coin purse that Am could keep one the hankies and perhaps a lipstick in for the times when she was traveling light.

I sat down and started thinking about how this little purse should be.  After several failed prototypes, the final plans were decided (with almost no formal training, my sewing style is decidedly fly by the seat of your pants with a touch of just make it happen).  Finally, the fabric was picked, cut, and ready to go.  The happy flow of the project at this point took a turn for the worse as evidenced by the multitude of coin purses that now have permanent residence in the corners of my craft room.

True to my nature, I eventually managed to pull things together…just in time for Am’s birthday.

~A

Carrot Pouches

This year when the boys wake up on Easter morning instead of finding their baskets they will only find these cute little *Carrot Pouches*.  Inside the pouches will be a clue that will lead them to their Easter baskets. 

I am planning on being a little bit more elaborate this year for Easter since the boys are away  on Spring Break with Grandpa.  I can't believe it!  This is their first week away from Mom & Dad ever.  The house is really, really quiet without the boys here.  I miss them tons already, but I am looking forward to my week 'off'.   I will be working on lots of overdue projects, Easter projects and relaxing.  Anyway, back to the carrot pouches...this is a quick & easy sewing project that you can modify to make whatever size you want.  Here are the steps I followed (it seems like a lot of steps, but they go by fast):

1.  Optional Step: Machine or Hand embroider recipient's name on orange felt.

2.  Using a water-soluble pen draw carrot outline on orange felt.  

3.  Place another piece of orange felt under the felt that has the carrot outline.  Sew along pen lines, but make sure you don't sew your pouch closed!  Leave an opening at the larger end of the carrot.

4.  Using sharp scissors trim just outside carrot outline.  See Exhibit A below:

5.  Draw a template for the carrot leaf on paper and cut out.  NOTE: Make the end of the leaf that will attach to the carrot rounded.  This will allow you to sandwich the carrot between the two layers of the leaf.  

6.  Pin paper template to two layers of green felt.  NOTE: The two layers will make the leaf more substantial and will allow you to nicely attach the carrot.

7. Sew around the leaf template.  Make sure you do not sew together the rounded bottom portion of the leaf.  Start on one end of the rounded portion and sew all the way around to the other end of the rounded portion, but do not sew the bottom of the leaf yet.

7.  Using sharp scissors trim around the leaf (including the rounded end).  See Exhibit B below:

8.  Now for the slightly tricky part...attaching the leaf to the carrot.  Fold over the top lip of the carrot pouch and pin it so it is out of the way.  Maneuver the bottom lip of the carrot pouch between the rounded open end of the leaf.  The bottom layer of carrot will now be sandwiched between the leaf pieces (see Exhibit C).  Sew the leaf closed.  Now the leaf and carrot will be attached and you will have a cute little carrot pouch for lots of Easter goodies.

9.  Fill with treats & enjoy!

-K

When Procrastination Becomes Your Hobby

So, I am finally finishing up some of my Christmas obligations, I mean gifts.  I am big on making gifts for my friends.  Handmade gifts are one of the best ways to show someone that you care. Each year I try to come up with something new and different---each year the possibilities grows and yet at the same time shrinks.  I try not to do the same thing.  In previous years, gifts have included: knitted scarves, handmade crystal earrings, and porcelain bowls. This year, sadly, I was kind of at a loss---what to do?  I mulled over the options in my mind.  Finally, I decided on the gift of comfort.  Who would love a pair of PJs?

PJs, while fairly easy to make, do require some thought and planning. Which fabric would each girl like? I finally decided on some really nice Amy Butler prints.  I purchased, washed and “wrapped” the fabric up.  My girlfriends were excited about the gift (at least once I explained what the gift actually was---personally a couple of yards of really nice fabric and I would be a very happy camper, but I guess I own a sewing machine). After a dinner and some wine (in hind sight, perhaps a little too much wine), I took some measurements and gave some well intentioned promises.

So, after all the fun of gifting the (unfinished, un-started, un-fill-in-the-blank ) “present,”  I neatly folded the fabric up and set in craft room for later.  Apparently, much later.  In my defense (which is admittedly pitiful) I had a BIG project that had to get done---a project that became a huge albatross around my neck.  Like all terrible times, the BIG project finally managed to get finished (on time!), however, the PJs just sat and sat.  The guilt began to pile up, but I would not and did not relent.  Other projects came and went and the PJs languished.

Until, finally, I was moved but some unforeseen force (guilt has no sway over me apparently).  I located the pattern (which it turns out had been on loan to a friend), got off my butt, and (sadly) in a single afternoon-----SUCCESS! The PJs are all sewn, just waiting for the recipient to come over for dinner and a quick hem.  It only took, what, several months. I am terrible---laziness has no good defense (at least none that I can think of!)

~A

Updated St. Patty's Ceiling Love

For this year's ceiling love I have added a few more stuffed felt shamrocks and some Irish flag hearts to the mix.

 

If you want to create your own stuffed felt shapes follow these simple steps:

1.  Draw, trace or print your shape on paper.  Then cut out your template.

2.  Place two pieces of felt together and pin template on top.

3.  Sew around your template, but leave a small opening--preferably along a straight portion of your shape.  Use a clear presser foot if you have one, it will be much easier to see the template.  If you need to lift up your presser foot, be sure to keep the needle down.  Once finished with the sewing, cut around your shape, but leave plenty of excess felt around your opening--this will make it easier to sew at the end.

4.  Stuff with filling.  Use a chopstick to push filling to hard-to-reach places.

5.  Sew opening closed.  Trim any extra felt.  Enjoy!

-K

A Sweet Welcome to a Little One

Just a few short weeks ago, K’s sister-in-law (co-auntie of my darling nephews) gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Call me a bit old fashion, but (to me) the best way to welcome a baby to the world is with handmade love. 

It just so happened that when I had heard of the birth I happened to have on loan from my local Library Amy  Butler’s Little Stitches for Little Ones.  Anyone who is familiar with either Amy Butler’s fabrics or pattern knows how awesome Amy’s taste and eye are!  Flipping through the book, there were many awesome projects to choose from, however, I finally decided on the Snuggly Wrap Blanket.  

While there were some initials hiccups (several phone conversations with K trying to determine which fabric would work the best and the dreaded late night run to the fabric shop that no project would be complete without), the project itself was relatively easy.  I think that hardest part of this project is cutting the fabric out (or finding a cat free space to lay everything out on).  The only modification that I made was to eliminate the tie which was determined by a few mothers to be unnecessary and to me the non-mother, I thought it was a little odd to tie something to a baby (which could just be a personal quirk). Overall, I was very pleased with how well everything turned out.  Amy’s pattern was very straight forward, well planned, and very thought through---this woman thinks of every detail. This is a great project that I would not hesitate to make again.

~A

Valentine's Day Craft Project

These cards that K has recently created are just amazing!  I really love them all and I am hoping that M and I are lucky enough to get some post office v-day love. (Fingers crossed).

A couple of weeks ago I came across a very cute Valentine's day project that made me instantly think about K.  Anyone who knows her, knows that she is completely holiday crazy, (in a crafty non Christmas sweater kind of a way), but there are a couple holidays that she really goes all out for (Valentine's day is definitely one of them!).  I knew that this would be a perfect little gift for her!

www.craftstylish.com/item/31438/how-to-make-heart-sachet-sets

While I thought the pattern was really easy and great (and easy enough for a beginner), I made a few minor adjustments:

1. Instead of tracing the heart shape onto my fabric, I just used  a scrap of paper to create a heart template that I pinned directly to my fabric and just cut around.

2. I used the pinking shears on my sewn heart before I added the filling. (Leave the side of the heart with the opening un-pinked).

3. I liked a pretty full heart and I found that if I pushed all the stuffing and held it at bay with a long straight pin, sewing up the opening was a lot easier.

Overall, this was a wonderful little project--- a great way to use up your beloved fabric scraps.  A nice way to spend a few hours (and the couple people I have gifted these hearts to also seemed very pleased).  Oh yeah, definitely gets high marks on the "instant gratification" scale.

Here are a few resources where you can buy lavender buds:

1. www.thelavenderpath.com  (I got my lavender from here and I literally had my lavender within two days of my order. Their shipping was mind boggling fast…)

2. www.sevenoakslavenderfarm.com (I have not used their products, but I have heard great things)

3. Smith & Hawken (most expensive option, but still an option)

Happy crafting!

~A

Turkey Finger Puppet Favor

I found these cute Thanksgiving favors in Martha's Kid's Table photo gallery.  I had planned to make 12, one for each of our Thanksgiving guests.  However, when I roped A. into helping me make them, she quickly convinced me to only make 2 (one for each of the boys).  The puppets were quick and easy to make and can certainly be achieved without a sewing machine (just whip stitch around the turkey body).  Scalloped scissors or a rotary cutter with a scalloped blade will make the work that much faster.

Here is the Bunny Cakes version of Martha's *Turkey Finger Puppet Favor* ...most modifications to Martha's design are thanks to A.

Here are the original Martha favors...

-K

Halloween School Treats

Thankfully Halloween is a holiday that let's us celebrate without attachments (outside of the obligatory candy when greeted by trick-or-treaters).  There are no religious, romantic or commemorative meanings to it...it is just a holiday that is plain-ol-fun.  Naturally, it is a favorite for both kids and adults (myself included).  

Sadly, last week when Hubby and I walked through the hallways of the boys' elementary school there was not one Jack-o-Lantern, bat, witch or black cat in sight!  Who doesn't remember cutting out eyes, a nose and a toothy smile from black construction paper to create your very own Jack-o-Lantern as a youth?  Apparently my boys' won't, as their school has banned any association to Halloween.  From what I have gathered this is a school-based decision and not mandated by the county (at least the county as some sense).  

Since I have learned of this dreadful sanction I having been trying to rationalize it, but I am still at a loss.  Besides being plain-ol-fun (as mentioned before) Halloween gives teachers a chance to incorporate something that is interesting and exciting into their lessons.  Could it be that a few overly dramatic parents ruined it for the rest of us?  I should hope that our Principal could withstand the heat of a few loud parents with ungrounded concerns.  Could it be that the kids get overly excited by Halloween and she felt the need to curb this excitement before it got out of hand?  I should hope that our Principal would recognize that youth today grow up too fast and that she should recognize her own duty to steadfastly guard the few things that let students enjoy innocent fun (as their parents had and hopefully their children will).  Besides, kids get overly excited, that's what they do...Halloween or no Halloween.  I will try to get to the bottom of this before next Halloween rolls around without being an overly dramatic parent myself.

Anyway, school policy aside, the boys have been given the green-light to bring in some non-candy Halloween treats for their classmates.  We have had lots of plain-ol-fun designing and assembling the goodie bags.  Glassine bags were stamped with skeletons, witches, bats & spiders and then stuffed with treats from Target and Michael's.  The bags were finally sewn shut and finished with a Halloween pencil.  The boys thoroughly enjoyed the project (they even helped me sew the bags shut) and I am sure they will be even more delighted when they can pass out some much needed Halloween cheer to their classes.

-K

Japanese Baby Gift Set - Kyuuto!

This collection of *cute Japanese baby gifts* is finally ready to be mailed off.  In the gift set (for our cousin) we have included the Mara Quilt, a larger version of the Ninja Pandas, Japanese motif onsies, a hand-knit hat, a cute not-so-pink outfit, a sushi book that was given to me by my cousin when the boys were born and a few other items.  I could easily continue to collect cute things to add to our gift set, but I am sure A would not be so happy as it is overdue long enough.  Here are a few pix of the gift...

-K

Sand Castle Engagement Cake

Exciting news...in about one year's time wedding bells will be ringing for Hubby's younger brother!  While we were away at the beach, the newly engaged couple return from Scotland (where the proposal took place) and were greeted by much excitement, endless questions, old issues of Martha Stewart Weddings and this *Sand Castle Cake*.  

The cake was made with a cake mold and bundt cake mix both from Williams-Sonoma.  The 'sand' is light brown sugar and the shells are a mixture of store-bought shells and shells from the local beach.

My two favorite props on the cake are the banner (thanks to the new sewing machine) and the heart shaped stone on the front steps. 

The happy couple cut the cake in style.  We can only hope the Sand Castle Cake foreshadows a Castle Wedding in Scotland!

Many Congrats A + K!

-K