Juicy Bits

175: I've been busy...

making stuff!

Sometimes I feel like I'm not getting anything done, but the fact of the matter is I really have been making a lot lately.  Mostly because I've been taking up small, easy-to-finish, just-for-fun projects.  yay!

These little cuties were my Valentine's gifts for the kids.

Theo got a little crochet elephant.  The tutorial can be found here. This was my first attempt at amigurumi.  Not too hard, but more time consuming than you would think.  The only problem I found with this pattern is the trunk just kind sticks straight out.  You have to bend and shape as best you can to make it look cute and curved.

Aurora's gift was my first felt food.  Every year I think I'm going to make her some precious felt sweets. I only got as far as one slice. I don't get people who can make a whole cake. This took me way too long. And please be kind and ignore my obvious, uneven stitching. I think I was supposed to use a ladder stitch and I did, but perhaps I have to make them VERY close together. However, that would add hours to the construction... And I don't like how light it is stuffed with poyfil. Is there some kind of heavier fill I could use? I did add some barley in the bottom for weight. I do know there are plastic equivalents I could buy and I will next time, just so it doesn't appeal to mice. :)

What have you been making lately?

JT

174: unicorns and rainbows party part 2: the day

As I mentioned, the day was darned near perfect.  Here's how it went:

Set-up, and more frantic set-up in the morning.

Then, we had gorgeous face painting as the kids arrived.

The craft project was painting unicorn or dragon t-shirts with freezer paper stencils.  

There were many creative outcomes.

 And, though the pictures don't show it, you should believe me when I tell you the smocks were a rainbow of solid-colored t-shirts (from Goodwill).  Yes, that's how far I take it.

Next up was a treasure hunt for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  HUGE hit.  The kids were running all over the house and yard hunting for the next clue.  

I made them all up, and they even rhymed.

They were hidden in places like the mailbox, a backpack, the climber, and the pot of (chocolate) gold was in the fireplace.  Such a simple activity that was so much fun.  I'm sure we'll do one again at the kids' request.

After that it was time to enjoy treats and cake.  

I have to say I think people were more impressed with my ability to cut semi-intact slices of the overly tall cake, than with my ability to bake it.  :)

Then afterwards the kids enjoyed some running and playing in the yard on such a beautiful day. 

I can hardly believe my little girl is 6 (and really now, she's half way to 7!)

Haven't come up with a definite plan for next year yet...I'll keep you posted.

JT

 

 

 

173: unicorns and rainbows party part 1: the details

 Finally.

I've been holding on to these pictures for a while now.  I just really needed to edit them down a bit.  There were so many good ones that I find it nearly impossible to choose.

Anyway, as the title implies, this year Aurora chose a unicorns and rainbows party.  Actually she chose unicorns and I convinced her to add the rainbows by describing the candy buffet. She had been reading this series of books about a unicorn school and was really into them.  And who can't get behind that idea?  And for the boys, dragons were permitted to attend.

While the party followed a VERY hectic summer and Theo's party, it went off with very limited hiccups.  Much less stressed out that at Theo's.  That's not to say it wasn't a boatload of work.  This stuff doesn't just happen, people.  :)

The day was darned near perfect.  Great weather.  Great Friends.  Great fun.  The kids enjoyed a day full of sugar as well as a craft and even a treasure hunt for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

I asked everyone to come dressed all in one color so we could be our own rainbow...

 You'll find the sources and inspiration at the bottom of this post, and I'll be back soon with a summary of the day's events.

 Photography: Evan Foster

Invitations: custom made by me

Dessert Table: inspired by the infamous Amy Atlas

Uncicorn cookies: made by me, inspired by this photo

Yarn balloons: made by Aurora and me, tutorial found here

Paper mobiles: tutorial found here

Cake: made by me, lots of inspiration around the web

Craft: freezer paper stenciling (tutorial found here), used unicorn clip art found here, and a dragon I drew

Face painting: Bella Facia

Favors: a bag filled with a unicorn lollipop, mini unicorn (or dragon) coloring book (available on amazon), set of mini rainbow markers, rainbow and unicorn stickers, wooden unicorn to color and a sewn matchbook notebook (tutorial found here) - plus a whole container full of the candy!