The disaster molecule.

3D model of the Sucrose Molecule. Image from 3d chem.com

As I posted last week, 5 year old turned 6 and had a pretty crazy mad scientist party.

I, embracing the whole mad bit…. and a tad of the scientist bit…. decided that for this party she needed a molecule cake.

Although I was able to find lots of helpful images and ideas for games and general party food, I couldn’t find many images of molecule cakes. I now know the reason for this!

One of the VERY few cake-pop molecule cakes on the internet. Image and cake by Hecticium.

But…. undaunted and sure that it was just because no-one had thought of it yet…. I decided to give it a go.

My idea was to make cake-pops (so each child could eat it at the park without a plate) and link them (bond) all together with their sticks to form a 3D shape….. somewhat reminiscent of the sucrose molecule above. Yes, sucrose as in sugar, the very thing a cake should be made with. Yes , I was finding the whole planning process very entertaining and amusing.

Now, because I am not a baker…and generally leave the baking to the professionals…I decided to try my idea a couple of days before the party. As it turns out …. this was indeed the best idea surrounding the fated molecule cake!

The cake-pops …although incredibly tedious…. looked ok in themselves.

After much research into cake-pop making, no baking involved because you break-up already baked cake (bonus!), the purchase of very colourful and sweet ingredients….. a bit of food colouring….. white chocolate…. icing…. non-parelis (the blue things)….I set to work.

Ahhhhh……

Be warned people! Cake-pop making is to the cake decorating world as hand beading is to the world of couture. Amateurs run for your lives!

Not a good birthday cake beginning when the components need such careful manoeuvring.

Anyway…. long story short. After a full day of fiddling and fussing and a whole lot of questioning of ones sanity….. I was glad I had an option B.

THe ‘Epic Fail’ molecule cake.

The girls verdict on arriving home from school was ….. ‘they taste yummy’, ‘didn’t really work’ and ‘it was lucky you tried it first’.

All in all it was a disaster, however the disaster was still made up of molecules.

Underwater fun-kit for a 6 year old.

The finished product. No extra wrapping required.

In keeping with the making of gifts idea from previous posts…. I attempted a variation of the Fort Building Kits by Saltwater Kids posted in a great big list of gifts for boys and girls last Christmas.

I have been wanting to try these for ages, and I am pretty sure I will make more after this success.

The theme of the party was mermaids…. so I purchased fabric appropriate to the sea, included some sequin length, white fur trim and a few gold coins to contribute to the sea idea.

Because I wanted the lovely Lily to be able to use it for other creative play, I decided to call it a fun-kit rather than a fort kit in the hope that it would open up the imaginative possibilities rather than close than down. I imagine her using the contents not just for forts but backdrops for ‘shows’, dress-ups, dancing, picnics or playing mermaids or other sea creatures.

I included a frangipani hairclip just….because it was gorgeous.

One fabric was a sea blue cotton and the other a watery print blue chiffon.

….I hope she enjoys playing with it as much as 8 year old and I enjoyed pulling it together.

Her mum sent me through this photo of an early incarnation of the fun-fit.

Nice one Lily.

An early incarnation of the fun(fort)-kit. Thanks Laura for the picture.

… more cute easter eggs…..

Image and tutorial from Southern Living.

I have always had a thing for duck egg blue…. I really want to have a go at these ones.

Three upcycled outfits in 3 days.

Day 1: Big smile in her skirt into dress....oh and a sneaky owl!

Day 2: A Mary Poppins impersonation before leaving home. Another skirt made into a dress.... yes and am "Over it" Brooch to finish it off.

Day 3: Orientation done! I think a song is in order. Men's shirt into a skirt and top.

Leading up to orientating 5 year olds to school, she began getting very excited about upcycling skirts into dresses.

We had made one in the past, and she really enjoyed wearing it….bit small now…

On a recent trip to the Op Shop, 5 year old bought me the two ladies skirts and suggested we make dresses for her ‘try out days’. She called them this because  she was under the impression that she would try it…ask the teachers a few questions (Like what is 2+2… because if they didn’t know, then she thought they wouldn’t make very good teachers)…..

Anyway we thought we would turn it into a fun activity together. She would pick some pieces from the Op Shop and I would make her some things to wear. While I sewed she sat on the floor and floated around watching and learning what Mummy does.

These are what we ended up with!

The first one is simply made by attaching ribbons to the top of the skirt and tying them together at the shoulder.

With dress two, I made fixed straps with ribbon and attached the ties. I also added a little ribbon on the skirt yoke to draw the ribbon print into the overall dress.

The skirt and top is a little complex to explain in a sentence, but I hope to share a tutorial of how to do it soon. It’s a great (cheap) way to introduce children to sewing…..

17 Handmade Gift Ideas for Babies + Teachers……with Tutorials.

Babies:

1. Paint Chip Mobile by Kirsty.

2. Washcloths by Martha Stewart.

3. Printed Scrap Ribbon Tags by Lil Blue Boo.

4. Catch-all Baby Bib by Make-It and Love-It.

5. Vinyl Tablecloth Change Mat by Lil Blue Boo.

Teachers gifts:

6. Homemade Herb Soap by Henry Happened.

7. Wallet that turns into a Tote via How About Orange.

8. Hot Cold Rice Bag by Make It and Love It.

9. Felt Magnets via Everything Etsy.

10. Bath Fizzies by Martha Stewart.

11. Printable Lollie Wrappers by Fun.kyti.me

12. Time For Tea Soap by Cucumbersome.

13. Japanese Motif Soaps by Martha Stewart.

14. Cake In A Jar by Cakies.

15. Chocolate Fudge by Martha Stewart.

16. Subway art by Lil Blue Boo.

17. Printable Soap Wrappers by Fun.kyti.me

34 Handmade Gift for Little Boys + Little Girls….. with Tutorials

Ideas for Little Girls 

1. Upcycled Knit Pom Hair Accessories by Lil Blue Boo.

2. Puffy Bead Bracelets by Running With Glitter.

3. Non Slip Hair Bows by Make It and Love It.

4. Little Girl Romper by Make It and love It.

5. Braided Headband by Skip To My Lou.

6. Bonsai Tree Applique by Lil Blue Boo.

7. Lazy Days Skirt by Oliver and S (download).

8. Black Apple Dolls by Martha Stewart.

Ideas for Little Boys 

9. Upcycled : Shirt to shorts by Saltwater Kids.

10. 'Gak' by Make It and Love It.

11. Picture Matching Word Cards by Canon.

12. I Spy Bag by Make It and Love It.

13. Boys Shorts with Cargo Pockets by Craft Passion.

14. Upcycled Fused Plastic Belt by Lil Blue Boo.

15. Green Robot Stenciled T-shirt. by Lil Blue Boo.

Little Kids 

16. Personalised Memory Game by Momtastic.

17. A frame play tent by My Cakies.

18. Alphabet Wall Art by The Handmade Home.

19. Owl And Elephant Collages by Martha Stewart.

20. Kids size Ironing Boards by Duo Fiberworks

21. Rolling Pin Stamps by Redefining Creativity.

22. Nesting Dolls by the ETSY blog

23. Stick Horse by Light Blue Grey.

24. Felt Cookie Presents/Playfood by Redefining Creativity.

25. A Matching Game (Tutorial and Download) by Lil Blue Boo.

26. No Sew Pennant Banner by Place To Bloom.

27. Libray Totes by Noodle Head.

28. Dr Suess Activity Blocks by Sugar Bee Crafts.

29. Painted Block Puzzle by Momtastic.

30. Window Garland by Noodle head.

31. Accidental Painting by Lil Blue Boo.

32a. Thrifty Fort Building Kit by Saltwater Kids.

32b. Fort Building Kit ( all packed up) by Saltwater Kids.

33. Birthday (or Picnic) in a Suitcase by Funky Time.

34. Fabric Dollhouse (or Barn) by UK lass in US.

22 Handmade Gifts for Men or anyone really….. with Tutorials.

1. Vintage Trophy Coat Rack by Design Sponge.

2. Gardener's Apron by Martha Stewart.

3. Leather Journal by Duo Fiberworks.

4. Honey Walnut and Dried Fruit Topping by Martha Stewart.

5. Car Wash Kit by Martha Stewart.

6. Oilskin Zippered Pencil Case by Momtastic.

7. Upcycled Messenger Bag From Cargo Pants by Noodlehead.

8. Framed Initial by Make It and Love It.

9. Whimsical Key Chains by Living With Punks.

10. Dishtowel Apron by Made By Petchy.

11. Wooden Pendant Necklaces and Keychain by Lil Blue Boo.

12. Retro Duffle Bag by saltwater Kids.

13. Personalised Coffee Blend by Martha Stewart.

14. Toffee by Martha Stewart.

16. Homemade Book Plates by Martha Stewart.

15. Jam recipes with Printable Labels by Funkytime.

17. Rollie Pollie Pillows by So You Think You're Crafty.

18. Large Paintings Full of Text by Redefining Creativity.

19. Paint Chip Wall Art by How About Orange.

20. Car Travel Kit by Martha Stewart.

21. Monogram Mugs by Designmom.

22. Big Scrappy Painting by Redefining Creativity.

19 Handmade Gifts for Women and Older Girls…. with Tutorials.

1. Chalkboard Necklaces by Henry Happened.

2. Felt Ball Necklace by Purl Bee

3. Twig Necklace by henry Happened.

4. Sewing Kit in a Jar by Martha Stewart.

5. Paper Clip Earrings by Evie-S.

6. Recycled Woven Rug by Craft Passion.

7. Fold-over bag by Noodlehead.

8. Little Letter needle Book by Emaykayee.

9. Silhouette Jewellery by Less than Perfect Bliss.

10. Feather Hair-clips by Henry Happened.

11. Clay Necklace by Henry Happened.

12. Embellished Resin Rings by Tatertots and jello.

13. Beach Towel Tote by Redefining Creativity.

14. Swatch Portraits by Purl bee.

15. Vintage hankie Pillow Cover by Noodle Head.

16. Fabric Beaded Jewellery by Make It and Love It.

17. Dip Died Scarf by Henry Happened.

18. Love letter Corsage by Less Than Perfect Life Of Bliss.

19. Confetti Earrings by Evie-S.

Orientating a 5 year old….and a very simple water bottle tutorial.

Friday was the first of 3 orientation mornings for 5 year old.

On Thursday we made a special water bottle to take and use into the coming year.

It is such a simple little project…and will make great Christmas presents for some of my many nieces and nephews.

I thought I would make up a little tutorial (although I am sure you could work it out for yourself:))

1. What you will need.

You will need:

• a plain drinking flask
• letter stickers
• a sheet of stickers the child will like. (Waterproof if you can get them)
• diamonties …..maybe not for boys…..

2. Using the letter stickers and the base of the flask as a guide..... stick on the name. Add diamonties if appropriate.

3a. Ta Da. Give the flask and the sheet of stickers to the real designers!

3b. Horsey stickers ....very inner city!

4. Enjoy watching them (you may need to be an extra set of hands) design their flask.

...and stick...

5. Admire the artistry....and use. Can you see she added some extra bedazzling between the horses?

This was a 10-15 minute craft.

• No mess (Yay!)
• Useful (Yay!)
• Something I want to keep. (Bonus!)

11 year old loved it and asked could I make her a more grown -up one.

I'm thinking I might make myself one too! And no...she doesn't read Patricia Cornell and PD James. That is my stash from the fete last week....... thought it made a nice background.

Let me know if you try it.

13 Handmade Advent Calendars…. with Tutorials

1. Pottery Barn Inspired Advent Calendar by Hallelujahs for Joy.

2. Bucket Advent Calendar by Curbly.

3. Pocket advent Calendar by Noodlehead.

4. Advent Tree How To by Paige + Russell.

5. DIY Advent Calendar (Burlap) by Funkytime.

6. Advent Calendar Tutorial (House) by See Mommy Sew.

7. An idea to adapt for Advent Calendar by Hambley Screen Prints.

8. Countdown Calendar by Maya Made

9. Button Advent Calendar by Craftstylish.

10. Fabric (Paper Type) Advent Calendar by Roots and Wings.

11. Simple Advent Bags by Moment to Moment.

12. Burlap Sack Stocking Advent Calendar by Making the world cuter.

13. Giving Advent Baskets by Molly Piper.

….no tutorials for these but I think you get the idea!

14. IDEA: Advent shoes by Great Craft Disaster.

15. IDEA or Purchase Advent Calendar Printed Pouches by nuvonova.

16. IDEA Printable labels by Poppy Talk.

16. IDEA Parcels in a parcel by Women bible Life.

More Ideas from Last Year

What our family did in 2010…including contents ideas.

What our family did in 2009….. including contents ideas.

Cathy’s content’s ideas from Women Bible Life (a simpler and more complex version….. keep going to the end of the post for the easier one!)

Ruth’s ideas via 168 hours

Jesse (Jesus) Tree reading ideas from the voice.