I am totally obsessed with feathers lately and it seems everyone else is, too. I know several people who have gotten them put in their hair like extensions, people are wearing them as long dangly earrings, cool necklaces and broaches, and even decorating with them. They’re everywhere. I need some! You need some. Let’s look at some now.
this one has a free printable pdf link
I was lucky enough to win two Ashley English books from her Homemade Living series through a giveaway at CraftGossip: Home Dairy and Keeping Bees. While I’m not sure what exactly I’m going to do with the Keeping Bees book (we just don’t have the room), Hubs and I have already tried one of the cheeses from Home Dairy. So exciting! One minute it’s all liquid and the next…boom! Cheese! Very cool.
We started with the first cheese in the book, Queso Blanco and had a taco night. Our friends brought over some yummy homemade Limoncello and we had a great night of it! Next I want to make some feta cheese and maybe some mozzarella for Friday night’s movie night. I also really want to make some yogurt. I might do that tomorrow. Fun!
Queso Blanco
Ollie's limoncello
Here’s some general info on the book in case you are thinking of getting it.
Overall, this book is very thorough with a lot of recipes in it. We found some supplies that we needed at a local kitchen co-op store called Mirador. We also found some at New Seasons grocery.
Ashley English’s other books in her Home Living series are Canning & Preserving (which I would happily trade the Keeping Bees book for if anyone has it) and Keeping Chickens.
Posted in Handmade Projects
Tagged ashely english, cheese making, craft gossip, home dairy, homemade living, keeping bees, queso blanco
We usually celebrate Easter by having the first picnic of the season if weather permits. If its rainy we picnic inside. Hubs makes his famous fried chicken and I make my oh so yummy deviled eggs. We like to color eggs and give some small candy treats. Last year the girls were old enough to have our first hunt. All in all a pretty sweet time that I’m looking forward to doing again this year.
If you are getting excited about Easter too, and want to have some fun crafts/recipes to try, check these out.
Tara from Easy Makes Me Happy made these great looking crocheted and needle felted eggs. Very creative! There’s a crochet egg tutorial here and a needle felting tutorial so between the two you should be able to get hopping! (Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.)
If you’ve got a little boy in your life you might want to check out Jamie from Prudent Baby’s bow tie tutorial. Your little guy will look spiffy on Easter morn.
Nothing says Easter quite like hot cross buns. Perhaps you are like me and have never had this treat homemade or maybe you have a great recipe and make your own every year. Either way, you should check out Maria’s recipe at Scandi Food and see what you’ve been missing.
Over at Craft Passion, they’ve got a great pattern and tutorial for these adorable little bunny sachets. I love this kind of gift. Both cute and practical these bunnies can stick around long past Easter.
What would any Easter celebration be without a great Easter basket, or in this case bucket. Make your own adorable bunny bucket using Positively Splendid‘s tutorial and be extra happy to see those kiddos hunting Easter eggs.
If this still isn’t enough Easter crafty goodness for you, I saw Dana over at Made has a whole bunch of tutes, too. Hoppy Easter! (groan)
Posted in Must Make Lists
Okay, so a week is probably too long to still be jet lagged. Regardless, my Wednesday post is a day late. I’ve become a Pinterest addict within the last month or so and have decided to post a few of my inspirations from my Scalloped for her Pleasure board. Enjoy and go creative something wonderful!
I may be a bit biased, but I think this weeks must make list is particularly inventive and creative. Not because of anything I’ve done, but because of the truly inspiring crafty ideas from these wonderful bloggers. Each one makes me want to get crafting and I know they are items my kids, AND YOURS, will love! Enjoy and happy spring to everyone!
People with those unresellable recalled cribs take notice! Notes From a Very Red Kitchen had the great idea for upcycling your old crib into a chalkboard easel.
Part of Ashley’s MISTER Make it and Love it series, she’s put up this great tutorial for a cardboard guitar! Rockin’!
Do you know what happens when I sit on a bunch of cute tutorials? You get three from the same crafty blog! Here are three great tutes from one of my favorite blogs, Giddy Giddy. This first one is her super cool fashion paper dolls. (Note to traveling families: I bought a book of punch out paper dolls for my 2 and 5 year old girls and it kept them busy for a good hour on the airplane back from Hawaii. Think how much longer this little project would take. Just a thought!)
These cool characters are actually coat hooks. How awesome is that! I totally want to create some of these.
Last, but certainly no least, are Giddy Giddy’s beautiful handmade kites. I’m sure these are great for flying on one of these blustery March days, but I think they’d be just as cool hanging from the ceiling above my daughters’ bed.
If your kiddos aren’t into paper dolls, maybe these felt ones would do the trick. Smile and Wave shows us how to make a felt board and gives templates for creating the dolls and clothes.
For even more felt board fun, check out this more toddler friendly wall board and shapes by Red Shoe Girl.
Some folk’s creativity is so inspiring. Matstake and this stuffed fox lamp is a great example. Just think what you could do with an idea like this!
This toadstool stool tutorial from Tao of Craft is adorable and would be a great addition to any kid’s room. Maybe now that it’s spring you could even take this great stool outside for a Tao of Tea party!
First off, posts have been scarce around here for a little bit while the family and I did a bit of vacationing. We had a great time. Survived the tsunami. Got tan, at least for Portlanders. And made it back in one piece. While I’m getting unpacked and trying to remember how my daily routine works- here are a few fun blogs to read. (If you have any favorite blogs you want to share, please do!)
Simple Simon & Company are two sisters-in-law with the same name who sew and share tutorials for making items for under $5.
no big dill is a mother of five and a awesome sewer. I first discovered her through Project Run and Play. She is doing an awesome online project for the month of March called Once Upon a Thread. She’s featuring an all star line up of bloggers who are sewing and writing inspired by favorite children’s books, (one of my favorite crafty inspirations! See my side bar for my latest.)
Misako Mimoko lives in Barcelona and makes some really cool dolls. Reading her blog always makes me want to run to my studio and start a new project.
Paul & Paula is an international kids design and lifestyle blog. My new favorite place to find cool stuff. I’m always pinning stuff from this site.
me sew crazy has a TON of great sewing tutorials and a really fun writing style.
Hopefully this will be enough to keep you busy until I get back. Happy reading and aloha!
Posted in Handmade Projects
Spring! Even the word seems happy. Every year, around this time, I start to feel itchy waiting for spring to arrive. Each newly spotted bloom is a fresh reminder that soon the sun will come back and life will begin again. If you’re like me and ready for spring, then this Must Make Monday should fill you with inspiration.
Whether spring brings to mind thoughts of bunnies and chicks, flowers and fresh produce, floral prints and pastels, or even rain boots and frilly umbrellas, this list has something for everyone.
Make a paper mache boat with Ann Wood and sail it through a spring shower.
Let Martha show you how to paint the inside of your vases to make the most of your spring bouquets.
Cami at You Seriously Made That?!? shows us how to crochet a beautiful flower headband that will put us in a spring frame of mind.
She’s Got a Passion for Fashion and she wants to give your wardrobe a lift by showing you how to make a fantastic Peter Pan collar.
Your little rabbit can hop right into spring with these clever dress up ears. Stacy from Hart and Sew will show you how, you just need to bring your imagination.
These pom poms bring cheer to your house while you wait those last few weeks for the flowers to bloom. Clean out your closet and Craftaholics Anonymous can show you how to make them out of old tee shirts.
Speaking of spring cleaning, Macheesmo shows you how to do it the natural way with 4 great cleaning fluid recipes. Add some lavender oil and let the scent whisk you away to a spring meadow.
Craft Knife knows how to get your kids up and out the door this spring. Give’em wings! Make beautiful butterfly wings out of wire hangers and old clothes.
This great dress from Me Sew Crazy is enough to give anyone spring fever! Make one for your little girl and watch her twirl.
Think about refashioning some of your winter wardrobe to beat those winter blues and spring into a fresh new cardigan with help from Ruffles and Stuff.
Even when it feels like you can’t chase those clouds away, just remember that April showers bring May flowers. While we wait for those, wear one of these cute felt rain clouds, from Bugs and Fishes, on your coat and know that spring is just around the corner!
Posted in Must Make Lists
Tagged animal ears, cardigan refashion, crochet headband, diy, dress up, felt rain clouds, homemade cleaners, kids dresses, make your own cleaners, painted vases, paper mache boats, peter pan collar, pom poms, t shirt refashion, tutorials, upcycle, wire hanger butterfly wings
My fourth project for the Spring Palette Challenge is my “sunset dress”. I got this fabric from our local Mills End fabric store because it reminded me of a sunset on the ocean. I’m going to love wearing this dress in Hawaii.
This was another super easy dress with the elastic thread for shirring. And the great part is you can pull it down and wear it as a skirt too!
Posted in Handmade Projects
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