Homemade Toys!

My little boys have such active imaginations these days.  It doesn't take much to get them started down the road of make believe.  This in mind, I thought I would try my hand at some homemade toys. Above is a campfire set I made out of felt.  I was inspired by this beautiful set from "The Land of Nod"; click here to see it.

I just free handed the design of the flames and stones.  For the logs, I rolled up one sheet of felt and then sewed the ends together.  I used "fiber fill" to stuff all the items.

Materials Breakdown
Felt Squares-$2
Fiber Fill-$4
Fun Creating-Priceless

Total Cost:  $6

My boys love to play in this tent we have set up in the basement, and now they have the campfire to go with it. I plan to add some sticks with marshmallows and hot dogs when time allows.

I will be back with more homemade toys I have been working on in upcoming posts.

-Laura-

Ahoy, It's a Pirate Party!

Yesterday we celebrated my oldest son's 4th birthday with a pirate themed party. Above is a cake I made from a "Duncan Hines" mix and pre-made white fondant by "Wilton".  I colored the fondant with "Wilton's" gel food coloring to create some red stripes, an ocean, and small island.  My husband put together the "sails" with some white paper and chop sticks.  I then added the base of "sand" by sprinkling some brown sugar around the cake plate.  Last but not least, I added some "Jake and the Neverland Pirate" figurines to finish off the design.

Just in case there wouldn't be enough sugary indulgence, I also ordered a "cupcake cake" from "Sam's Club".  I have found that sometimes kids just like their own cupcake at a party.  As they have in the past, "Sam's" came through with some great looking and tasting cupcakes.  This year I got a "Jake and the Neverland Pirate" edible screen print design.

I found some neat pirate favors treasures and decorations at "Hobby Lobby". 

 

 Pirate Necessities:  Treasure Maps, Mini-Swords , Gold Coins, Eye Patches, Hats, and Pirate Booty

I am by no means a professional cake decorator, but I do have a lot of fun giving it a try.  Here is a little recap of the past birthday cakes I have made for my boys!

 

Wishing everyone a "yo-ho" day!

-Laura-

"Cat in the Hat", Simple Summer-weight Blanket

Here is a project in honor of the recent birthday (March 2nd) of Dr. Seuss.  This summer weight blanket has been on my "to-do" list for a long time.  I bought this "Cat-in-the-Hat" panel almost a year and a half ago.  I always knew I would turn it into a blanket, but I finally got to it a couple of days ago.  My youngest son loves to sleep with blankets.  With warm weather on the horizon, I thought is would be good to make a light weight blanket for him.

Here are the details:

1.  "Cat in the Hat" flannel panel, found at my local "Bernina In-Stitches" store
2.  " Letter Block" cotton fabric, found at "Hancock" fabric store
3.  "Yellow Diamond" flannel, found at "Hancock" fabric store

Just some straight seam stitching and this blanket is now on my "done" list.  

Now we all know a little about that, Cat in the Hat blanket!

-Laura-

So Fresh So Spring

Today I searched the house for free ways to add some touches of Spring. I found a piece of fabric from an old drapery project that never happened. I sewed a couple of hems and bing bam boom, new tablecloth. I also pulled this "faux" tool box from my book shelf and moved it to the dining table.  After adding some fresh flowers, clementines, and napkins the dining room is feeling ready for Spring.  Let's hope the warm weather follows soon.

-Laura-