New home

Wow, it's been a while since I've been here. If you haven't noticed, I'm no longer updating this blog.

But you can find me at my new website mrsricefield.com.

I'm keeping this blog up so you can still check all the tutorials and ideas, since my new website focuses on art and leaves baking, crafting, etc, behind. I hope to see you there.

St Patrick's Day watercolor illustration

Oh March, you craft-tiful month you. With every crafting opportunity you already offer, you bring yet another that almost slipped my mind: St Patty's Day. It was almost too late to make something.

Although I'm not even remotely Irish, I still love this holiday. There's something cool in making everything green. Oh, and rainbows and pots of gold, how can you not love that?

And oh yes, and when you lack frames, use whatever you can find. Like unused embroidery hoops. I can't be the only one with those around...

cheeky little fella

Why is it so hard to get good natural lighting at home? Oh yeah, we live in Portland now...

Want to join? Grab some watercolor supplies, draw something easy (like a shamrock), let your kid paint it or do it yourself, and frame it with the hoop. Have fun trying this out and let me know what you come up with.

I hope you have all the luck of the Irish this week. Happy St Patrick's Day!

Easy egg garland for Easter }{ crafting with kids

 Ah, March. You're such a lovely month with so much to celebrate. There's Easter Sunday this year on March 31st, and the Vernal Equinox (the first day of Spring) on March 20th. And if those two weren't enough, you're national craft month.

With so much going on during March, how could I choose just one theme for the month? Impossible. So, we're doing them all. Since this is my crafting blog, national craft month is celebrated every month around here. Then there's Easter and Spring. I'll be alternating crafts related to both this month.

The first tutorial I want to share is for a very easy and fun craft to do with the kids. These are rough guidelines and you can do so much with it - change the materials, the presentation, the educational content. Start with this blueprint and let your imagination run wild. 

Materials:

1. felt (cut up in egg shapes)
2. glue
3. tapestry needle and twine or string
4. buttons, ribbons, glitter, or anything you want to use to decorate

Steps:

1. If you haven't yet, cut up the felt in the shape of eggs. Place all the decorations and the stack of egg shapes on a tray for the little ones to have easy access.

note: if you want to add some fun education activities here, cut up the decorations in different geometric shapes and ask the kiddos to identify them as they decorate for example. Or have them count the eggs, or sort them by color. The possibilities are endless.

2. Give them the glue and let them go wild. Always remember that with kids it's the process, not the product that matters most. Having said that, you'll be surprised at how cute these turn out even with a 4 year old.

3. Once the eggs are dry, thread the needle with the string or twine and connect all the eggs into a garland.

note: you don't have to make a garland with these eggs. You can keep them as an activity to do over and over, just don't use glue. Or make a big collage on poster board with all the eggs and display that on the wall. Again, the possibilities are endless.

4. Display the garland somewhere everyone can see. In our new apartment, it was over the fireplace.

What are your plans for March?

How to make an egg carton chick for Easter candy

This whole month of February, I've been keeping a theme going of organization and repurposing (see the following posts - blog organizing, recycling a box into a wreath, and repurposing a belt as a headband). Today's post will be the last, for a while, on this theme.

This post recycles in two ways. First, it recycles a common household waste product into a craft. Second, I'm recycling the craft/post. I had published it a couple of years ago on a website which no longer exists. It made me sad to think that one of my favorite little crafts had disappeared into the nether regions of the web. So I decided to bring it back right here with brand new instructions.

Now Let's get to business. 

Have you ever looked at your empty egg carton and imagined all kinds of little critters you could make out of it? Maybe I'm crazy, but that's all I see! The possibilities are endless, I'm telling you. With Easter coming up, here's one that would make nice little additions to an Easter get together. 

Materials:

• cardboard egg carton (I like them better than the styrofoam for crafts)
• construction paper (green or brown)
• yellow craft paint and a paint brush
• glue
• scissors
• yellow tulle
• orange craft foam
• small circular jewels for the eyes
• a small yellow pom pom

Steps:

1. Cut out the egg cradling parts of the carton, both top and bottom. Each pair will be one chick.

2. Paint the top half yellow and set it aside to dry.

3. While the top dries, cut a strip of tulle and one of green or brown construction paper. Cut thin lines until about 1/4 in from the bottom across the strip to make the grass for the nest. Glue the bottom of the strip on the inside of the bottom half of the egg carton.

4. Glue the small yellow pom pom (the head) on one upper side of the yellow painted carton. Then cut a small square piece of yellow tissue paper and scrunch it up for a tail, then glue it.  

5. Cut a small triangle of orange foam and glue it as a beak, then glue the small jewels as eyes. That's it, you're done!

When you put them together, you've got a cute little chick on a nest where you can store small candy. Just make sure you put some clean tissue paper at the bottom before adding the candy.

Filled with Easter M&Ms and jelly beans!

Have you ever done a craft with your old egg cartons or recycled containers? What was it?

Valentine's wreath }{ tutorial

My daughter's favorite color is pink. No surprise then that she goes crazy around Valentine's day, specially if we happen to stop by Joann. And we did.

She begged me to buy half of the seasonal decor on display at the store, but instead I promised her we'd do our own. Lucky for me, she loves to do craft projects. Thus, today's post was born.

As I mentioned in the last post, this month's themes are organizing and re-purposing. After unpacking quite a few boxes we're surrounded by empty boxes, so I decided to use some cardboard for the project as a way to recycle it and save some money as well.

Materials

• cardboard (or whatever you have that's easy to cut but still sturdy)
• scissors
• gesso/paint (optional)
• paint brushes (optional)
• glue
• tissue paper (or other decorations like pom poms or buttons)
• ribbon

Steps:

1) Draw the heart shape on the cardboard. It doesn't have to be neat since it will get covered up.

2) Cut out the shape. If you'd like a wreath like backing, cut out the middle as well. We ended up using both parts.

3) Paint the backing with gesso/paint. We did this in case some showed through the tissue paper. It turns out you need a couple of coats and my little one was not that patient, so some of her heart has the box' original paint showing through. It didn't matter to her (reminder: crafting with kids is all about the process, not the product).

4) Dry it with a blow dryer (much quicker, helps the wee ones stay with the project)

5) Spread some glue on a medium sized area (~4 inches), rip tissue paper a little at a time, scrunch it up and attach it to the backing. This will go a little faster if you use larger pieces of paper, and if you don't put them super close together. I did (so it took much longer), but the little miss did not. She also decided to cover her middle with the tissue paper.

6) Repeat step 5 until the whole wreath is covered up. This is where you can let your creativity run wild. Use buttons, combinations of colors, glitter, pom poms, whatever. See what you come up with.

7) Cut a piece or ribbon and glue each end to one bump on the back of the heart (to hang it up). Done! After it's dry just go hang it up. The little miss' went outside for everyone to see, but I took a picture of both so you can see them.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Do you make projects inspired by what you see at the store? I'd love to hear examples.

From a belt to a headband }{ diy

And the boxes are still crowding almost every room...

On the other hand, I'm taking this move as an opportunity to purge, clean out, de-clutter. With that comes some reorganizing and considering the fate of many possessions. I'm no hoarder, but I also don't like to waste. I see potential in a lot of random odds and ends. If it sits in my to do list for too long however, it's time for it to go.

So, this month's theme on the blog will be reorganizing and repurposing.

As part of that theme, today's post is about changing a fabric belt into one (or many) headbands. It's so simple and easy, you can even do it without a sewing machine (although the machine makes it that much faster).

Materials: your old belt, some elastic, measuring tape, scissors, needle/sewing machine and thread

Steps: 

1. Measure your head around the area you want to wear your headband.
2. Measure your belt from one end to about 4 inches less than your head's measurement and cut it.
3. Cut about 2 inches of elastic (depending on how stretchy it is, you may want to make it a bit shorter or longer).
4. Fold the raw edge inward twice (1/4" * 2) and iron (optional but makes it neater).
5. Place one short side of the elastic in downside of the folded edge and pin. Sew edge.
6. Place the other side of the elastic on the downside of the other edge, pin, and sew it in place.
7. Wear your band.

I asked my sister who's living with us to model the headband for me. She's a little shy but reluctantly agreed. Thank you, sis!

Won't you share your repurposing projects?

3 weeks and 3 projects }{ Valentines Day roundup

Alright, I have a confession: I hate moving. You're thinking "no way that's true, she's moved around like a gypsy!" Fair enough. But I really dislike the packing and unpacking, especially since this time I'm also trying to get rid of as much as I can.

Point of the rant above: I'm still working on getting settled in. The crafting materials are still packed, so what's a girl to do? I thought about digging through my old photos that I haven't shared with you yet. Then I had a better idea. Why not do a roundup of some possible Valentines Day projects? There are only 3 weeks left, and this gives you some options.

Project #1: 3 Heart Tea Bags (by Design Sponge)

Aren't these just adorable? Give yourself a valentine or make some to share with your friends. Valentines Day will be that much more enjoyable, no?

Project # 2: Pie box (by Twig and Thistle)

Well, technically this project is a printable. But I had to include this awesome little box! Nothing says I love you like a little apple pie, yum!

Project # 3: Hearts throw pillow (by Diary of a Quilter)

This project is a bit more involved, but isn't it worth it? Gorgeous! Must.make.one.now.

I hope you try at least one of these. Handmade Valentines keeps the sweetness without the consumerist "Hallmark" holiday feel, right?

Kisses!

Happy New Year!

I still coming up for air and 2012 is a goner.

Hold on to your seats kids, this ride is about to get funkier.

But seriously, 2012 was a year of complete upheaval in my life, so rather than doing a retrospective, I'm going to look forward to 2013 and many life changes.

In 2013 I'm moving to Portland, OR. Yep, one more move, but this time we're settling down. (I hope)

There will be at least one less student fighting and slaving away trying to complete a PhD (moi). My sister is coming to stay with me for a whole year (this is a good thing).

And I'm planning more changes at a more individual level. These are heartfelt goals that I intend to use as a guide not just resolutions to discard by March. I plan to live a more focused, intentional life.

I vow to:

Be kinder and more accepting of others.

Smile more and more often.

Listen more and speak less.

Make the time for those I love.

Stop and think positively.

Simplify life.

Reach for a minimalist approach (i.e. get rid of "stuff" cluttering my life).

Organize different aspects of life.

That last one includes planning the blog and posting more regularly. More to come on that.

Here's to a new year.

sorry about the quality of the picture - my camera went to Portland already and I'm still in NY for the next 2 weeks

Salt dough ornaments }{ tutorial

Dear friends, I'm beat. I wish I could tell you all that's going on. Soon.

But the Christmas/holiday season is here and if that doesn't inject a hefty dose of energy into a crafter, I don't know what does. The princess and I have been doing small little projects almost daily. On the weekends we go a little crazier and do more involved crafts, like this one. It can be done in one day, but why would you want to put more rush into your holidays?

Materials for the dough ornaments:

• 1/2 cup of salt
• 1 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of lukewarm water
• cookie cutters
• chopstick or a pencil
• rolling pin
• cookie sheet
• parchment paper
• aluminum foil

Materials for decoration:

• white craft paint
• sharpies
• glitter paint
• brushes

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 250F.
2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. It quickly becomes a pliable but firm dough. It's super easy to manage this one.
3. With some flour on the rolling pin and surface, roll the dough until it's about 1/4" thick. The thicker you make it, the longer it takes to dry (believe me, the princess didn't want to roll it and ours came out very thick)
4. Cut shapes with the cookie cutters. Make a hole for the string with the chopstick or pencil
5. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the ornaments carefully on the sheet. Cover them with foil and bake it for 3-4 hours (depending on thickness).
6. Let them dry for a while (we left them alone overnight).
7. Paint them with the white craft paint and let it dry. Our dried quite quickly because we used a blow dryer on the paint.
8. Draw designs with the markers, add glitter, or finish whatever look you want to give them. This part is up to your imagination.
9. Cut some string and put through the holes. Tie a knot and voila, you have ornaments ready to hang on your tree.

I don't know why she's so serious. She was smiling a second before.

We had so much fun making them, and the princess is so proud of hers she took them to school to share with her friends. This is an easy but fun way of making ornaments with the kids.

Felt Christmas tree }{ Crafting with kids

A while back I came across this project from Olives and Pickles on Pinterest, and I knew I wanted to try it with the princess. We love Christmas projects and this was easy and fun.

I also had this tray frame that I got on sale and that begged to be used for framing something fun. I put the two together - let the princess make some art and then frame it with the tray. My plan is to use it for different seasons and holidays. Simply change the background and the art piece as the year goes by.

Materials:

• green and brown felt
• yellow felt or gold card stock
• buttons of several colors
• glue
• silver glitter
• a large piece of card stock in a color that contrasts with green and gold
• a frame

Steps:

1. Draw a Christmas Tree on a sheet of green craft felt (or you can use a template) and then cut it out.
2. Cut out a small square of brown felt to be the tree trunk.
3. Draw and cut the yellow felt or gold card stock in the shape of a star.
4. Gather some buttons, the glue, and the glitter. 
5. Let the child decorate the tree. With older kids they could actually do the previous steps as well, but I decided to have it all ready for her to make it a quicker activity. She can get tired quick if it's too hard and involved.
6. Add the tree and the trunk in the frame facing down.
7. Place a contrasting card stock sheet on top of the tree for a background. I chose silver since it's sparkly for Christmas and out of the card stock I have it provided the biggest contrast.
8. Close up the frame and place it somewhere where everyone can see, and show your kiddo how proud you are of their work.

So I did turn the original project into a little art project rather than math play. The great thing about inspiration is that you can turn something you find into something entirely different and have two activities instead of one.

 

Headbands for Christmas }{ crochet pattern

I'm thinking this will be the last in a series of crochet and knitting posts I've been writing.

Following the headband and the scarf, today I'm sharing the pattern I used for the flowers I used in the girls' headbands for Christmas. It's a modified version of a flower pattern I learned a while back, but I can't remember where I got it from.

The pattern itself is simple and easy, but I wanted to share it because of the scalloped edges it creates. Making scalloped edges in crochet projects creates a cute little detail and it's so easy. The secret is to crochet some double or half double crochet stitches in the same stitch, then skip the next and slip stitch in the following stitch. Easy, right? You'll see what I mean in the pattern below.

In terms of yarn and hooks, I used an E hook and sport weight yarn, but that can be changed. Play around with different weights and hooks to find the results you like best.

CH = chain
DC = double crochet
SL = slip stitch

Pattern for base:

1. CH 17
2. Row 1: In 5th ch from the hook (including the chain on the hook, count 5 backwards), DC. *ch 1, skip the next ch, then DC, ch 1, DC in the following chain*. Repeat steps between ** until you reach the end. 
3. Row 2: CH 3, turn. This will be your first "DC" in this row. 5 DC in first ch 1 space, *SL in the next ch 1 space, 6 DC in the next ch 1 space*. Repeat steps between ** until the end of the row.
4. Tie it off leaving a long tale for sewing the flower together with a tapestry needle, then attaching it to the headband.

Pattern for second layer:

1. CH 17
2. Row 1: In 5th ch from the hook (including the chain on the hook, count 5 backwards), 5 DC. *skip the next ch, sl in the following ch, 6 DC in the next*. Repeat steps between ** until you reach the end. 
3. Tie it off leaving a long tale for sewing the flower together with a tapestry needle, then attaching it to the flower base.

The princess asked me to add a "jewel" to the middle and I let her pick one for me to attach with hot glue. Done! Then reluctantly, the dragon modeled the finished headbands.

what's this you've got on my head, mom?

Mini pumpkin muffins }{ recipe

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

This week has been busy with preparations for our family's Thanksgiving meal. Today we set the table and I baked mini pumpkin muffins. Each of us will be bringing three dishes, and I figured I would get a head start on mine now.

Tomorrow there will be so much cooking, talking, drinking, and making merry, that I know I won't have time for blogging. So I wanted to share this awesome little recipe with you tonight. It's delicious and it comes in bite sized pieces for less guilt. Well, that word shouldn't be allowed on Thanksgiving at all anyway.

The original recipe is found here: Allrecipes' pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. I doubled the recipe and made half with raisins, and the other with peanut butter chips instead of chocolate (as per a family member's request)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 1/4 cup of apple sauce
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup of water
• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup of raisins
• 1/2 cup of peanut butter chips

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400F and grease or line a pan of 24 mini muffins
2. Mix the sugar, apple sauce, and eggs.
3. Add the canned pumpkin and the water and mix.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients, then combine them with the pumpkin mixture.
5. Divide the batter however you like and add the raisins and chips. My family wanted more peanut butter chips, so I divided the batter into approximately thirds and added the raisins to 1/3 and peanut butter chips to the other 2/3.
6. Spoon the batter in the liners/greased pan and bake for about 15-17 minutes. Repeat until you use all the batter. We got 60 mini muffins today with these measurements.

I set them on a platter, but somehow the mini muffins seem to be disappearing...

A day for giving thanks

I love Thanksgiving.

It's the one holiday, squeezed between two other awesome but very commercialized holidays, that still centers around family. At least for us it does. It's not that I don't love Christmas, I do. Believe me, I do. But there's just something fulfilling about thanksgiving and getting together with the family for a big feast. I like the idea of taking time to reflect on the things I am grateful for, and we do it almost every day before bed or at dinner time. But then, to have a special day dedicated to that, that's just gravy.

So, in honor of this great holiday, here's my list of 10 things I am thankful for (in no particular order).

The princess drew this for me at school

1. Life: waking up everyday to a brand new day, alive and healthy.
2. Beauty: take a look outside and find beauty around you. It's there.
3. Family: it's a given, but I love my family so much. All of them, even when I'm mad at them.
4. Laughter: its infectious, and the cure for the worst cases of the blues. Go figure.
5. Friends: a second family that I've chosen myself. Here's to making new ones and finding long lost others.
6. Opportunity: I've been given so many great opportunities, though I haven't succeeded in all.
7. This blog: it's been neglected but never abandoned because it makes me so happy and provides an outlet for my scattered brain.
8. You: my bloggy friends who still take time to stop by, read a bit, and say hello sometimes. You make my life happier.
9. My husband: life would be so much sadder without him to share it with.
10. My daughters: yeah, they're family of course, but they get a special place of their own. I'm so thankful and amazed that they're here.

And speaking of family, here's what I received from mine. My aunt sent me these adorable mittens for N1 (the princess) and the cutest hat for N2 (the dragon). One day I hope to be as good as she is with crochet...

Thank you for stopping by!

One for the family

This post goes out to our families scattered throughout three continents.

The Squish with her eyes open:

This week, in honor of Thanksgiving, I will be posting more than usual. Today, a little Squish for the family, tomorrow a thank you post, and Wednesday, a recipe for bite-sized yummies for Thanksgiving dinner. Hope you're all having a wonderful week!

Easy scarf and headband }{ Knitting

Remember the scarf I mentioned back in September? I realized I never shared the finished product with you. I added some pockets at the end of the scarf in a simple way, made this headband, and added a bright flower to the headband. I quite like it and decided it was worth sharing the pattern for it.

Materials:

• Size US 13 knitting needles 
• Bulky yarn

I didn't measure the gauge because I feel like scarves are so flexible. It's really up to you to decide what feels most comfortable in terms of width and length. So follow these instructions with the caveat that length and width can and should be adjusted to fit you and your taste.

What I did:

1. Cast on 14 stitches (this is where you would adjust the width - anywhere between 10 and 18, with 10 being very, very thin)
2. Rows 1-12: knit straight through
3. Row 13: purl
4. Row 14: knit
5. Row 15: purl
6. Row 16: knit
7. Rows 17-28: purl
8. Row 29: knit
9. Row 30: purl
10. Row 31: knit
11. Row 32: purl
12. Repeat rows 1-32 until you're satisfied with the length.
13. Once it's as long as you want it, repeat it one more time (to have enough scarf for pockets). Bind off and weave loose yarn. Fold both ends on their wrong sides, just enough to form two pockets that fit your hands. Sew the sides and turn them right side out. 

I'd share a self-portrait wearing them but the Dragon doesn't let me sleep enough, or wear clothes long enough without spitting up to allow for a decent photo. Maybe soon.

How are you keeping warm this Fall? 

More Crochet

Here I am , waiting for the election results and thinking that I should have done some patriotic crafting. Ah, well, my brain has been busy with other things lately. 

Like crochet. More of it.

Check out this book that I just bought the other day: Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies.

With 20 projects of adorable and wearable food related crochet, it's been making me drool since I first saw it. It's got a cupcake hat, cookie scarf, carrot scarf, and probably my favorite - spaghetti with meatballs scarf.

Yep. How could I pass that up? So I've been mulling it over and trying to decide what to do first. It's going to depend on who it will be for. I'll let you know and share the results soon I hope. 

Halloween Lunch Bags }{ Tutorial

With the 31st of October just around the corner, I feel like everything is excuse to do some cute Halloween-y craft. This one is easy, perfect for the little ones in your life, and made with simple materials you can find in almost everyone's home.

So let's get crafting.

What you need:

• paper lunch bags
• construction paper in white and black for the mummy (and for the vampire as well)
• glue
• scissors
• crayons and markers for adding details (optional)

What you do (for the mummy, the easiest one):

1. fold the open end of the lunch bag down about 1/4 of the full length (see picture)
2. fold the bottom so that both sides are going down (see pictures)
3. cut out shapes from the constructions paper: white and black circles for the eyes, a crooked mouth, some longer strips of white construction paper.
4. Glue the strips of white paper all over the bag with the top folded down; lastly add the eyes and mouth. 
5. For other characters like the vampire or the owl, this is where you'd add some extra details with crayons or markers (e.g. blood on the fangs).

The steps are the same no matter what character you make, but the shapes you cut out and the construction paper colors are different obviously. I can also imagine how easy it would be to do a Frankenstein one, or a skull. What Halloween monster/character would you make?

Happy birthday princess!

This weekend we celebrated our princess' 4th birthday. At her request, she had a castle cake and an ocean theme.

I have a lot of respect for cake chefs... I worked my butt off but the cake was a disaster! I used this fondant recipe and this buttermilk frosting. It turned out delicious and I got lots of compliments on the taste, but all I could see were the mistakes I made.

But all that matters in the end is that she loved it.

Glittery Spider Webs }{ holiday crafting

Ready for a "why didn't I think of that" moment? At least that's how I felt when I saw this idea on Pinterest (originally on Redbook). So easy. Why didn't I think of that?

We did this with a 4 year old and a 7 year old, and it was a hit with both. It was also messy and a bit hard for them to get it just right. So we helped. The hardest part is waiting for the glue to dry.

Materials:
glue
glitter
wax paper
patience

What to do:

1. Cut a piece of wax paper larger than you want the web to be and place it over some cardboard.
2. With glue, draw a spider web on the wax paper - start with 8 straight lines, like you're cutting a pie into 8 equal pieces; then draw curved lines connecting the adjacent straight lines to each other. Look at the picture to see what I mean.
3. Cover the glue in glitter. This was hard for the kiddos to do thoroughly, so we helped by shaking the cardboard and wax paper around a bit until all the glue was covered.
4. Wait until it's dry (3-4 days) and carefully peel the web off the wax paper.

The cool thing is that you can use the technique to make all kinds of designs. Sooo many glittery possibilities...

Are you ready for Halloween?

Painting Mini Pumpkins }{ crafting with kids

Here's an idea for an easy and fun activity during a Fall afternoon: painting some mini pumpkins.

These mini pumpkins are very inexpensive at pumpkins farms, but our grocery store also offers them as a kit that comes with some paint. Everything you need is right there in the package. If you get the pumpkins individually, acrylic paint should work fine.

Just give the kids (and adults!) some paint, brushes, sharpies or paint pens and let them come up with whatever design/pattern/faces they want. Fun for the whole family. And I also like the mini pumpkins early in the season because they don't rot as quickly as the bigger ones we carve every year.

Apologies for the wonky photos, they were taken while holding a 6 week old wiggly girl...

How do you like to decorate your pumpkins?