Author Archives: eclecticlamb

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About eclecticlamb

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Waffle Pizza Bento

This was the first bento I made from the Cooking with Trader Joe’s Cookbook: Easy Lunch Boxes by Kelly Lester. The book features recipes from many contributors. The Waffle Pizzaaaah! recipe (page 152) is from Corey of Family Fresh Meals. She … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Pumpkin and Corn Centerpiece

My garden club has a tradition of making 36 arrangements for the Thanksgiving meal at our County Skilled Nursing Facility. The design and assembly of the arrangements was a group effort. A garden club member came up with the concept … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Sports Bento

My 8 year old nephew and I planned and made this bento. It was his idea to do a sports themed lunch. We had a great time making this and he enjoyed eating this lunch. Note: It was his first … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 18 Comments

Week 46 Checkered Chain Stitch

The stitch for week 46 of TAST was the Checkered Chain stitch. It was a quick and fun stitch to learn!

Posted in Embroidery | 13 Comments

Thankful Bento Blog Hop

I am pleased to join Bento Bloggers and Friends on this “I’m thankful for…” blog hop. After viewing my post, please click on the Thanks button to continue on to the next blogs to see the many bento interpretations of … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 55 Comments

Week 45 Open Base Needlewoven Picot

The stitch for week 45 of TAST was the Open Base Needlewoven Picot stitch. It is similar to the Closed Base Needlewoven Picot but it has a wider base. I enjoyed learning this stitch.

Posted in Embroidery | 11 Comments

Mickey Bento

This was a quick and easy lunch. In the time that it took to cook the pasta, the rest of the meal was ready. The Mickey pasta was a gift from my 10 year old niece. The watermelon was inspired … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 12 Comments

My First Flower Show Entry

My garden club district held a flower show during their semi-annual meeting. I am glad that I entered. It was a great experience. I made the above three brooches and picked the one to submit in the parking lot of … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | 12 Comments

Cornucopia Bento

Container: EasyLunchBoxes Vegetables: Sugar snap peas and carrots Bread: French bread shaped as cornucopia (see note) Fruit: Seckel pear Protein: Colby jack cheese cut into fruit and vegetable shapes Note: Over the years I have made many cornucopia shaped breads. … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged | 2 Comments

Week 44 Closed Base Needlewoven Picot

The stitch for week 44 of TAST was the Closed Base Needlewoven Picot stitch. As is typical when I learn new stitches this stitch took some practice. My last try worked out the best. The Closed Base Needlewoven Picot stitch … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 1 Comment

Italy Bento

This was made in the summer. My niece and I made this easy lunch. She was 13 at the time but is now 14. Container: Sistema Klip It to Go Main: Penne with Wegmans Pasta Sauce Decoration: Italy flag and … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 5 Comments

Halloween Treats 2012

This is some of what we will be handing out to trick-or-treaters this year. Typically we get about 250 kids come to our door seeking treats. I like to give something special to the first 25 trick-or-treaters. This year my … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Spiderweb Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin cheesecake with sour cream topping Spun sugar spiderweb Chocolate spiders My husband and I made this several years ago before I had a blog. The photo is not great and the spiderweb is not perfect but we were still … Continue reading

Posted in Food | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Jack O’ Lantern Themed Dinner

My family and I prepared and enjoyed a jack o’ lantern themed meal. Each course had a jack o’ lantern face and all but one course had pumpkin. Appetizer: Pumpkin cheese ball with crackers, carrots, and sugar snap peas I … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Party Planning | 8 Comments

Week 43 Buttonhole Wheel Cups

The stitch for week 43 of TAST was the Buttonhole Wheel Cup. I did not pay close enough to the directions with my first two attempts (sampler below). The spokes on the wheel need to be close for the cup … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 2 Comments

Bagel Jack O’ Lantern Bento

Container: ECO Lunchbox Fruit: Orange sections with raisins (Jack o’ lantern face) Sandwiches: Homemade mini bagels with pumpkin cream cheese (cream cheese, canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice), roasted pumpkin seeds (eyes), black olives (faces), sugar snap peas (stems) Vegetables: baby … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 5 Comments

Japanese Themed Birthday Party

My niece had a Japanese themed birthday party for her 14th birthday party with family. The focus of the theme was nature (crane, maple leaf, cherry blossom, and bamboo). We planned an Americanized version of Japanese food because many of … Continue reading

Posted in Party Planning | 6 Comments

Cheese and Crackers Butterfly Bento

My friend and I made this lunch for her 4 year old daughter. Her daughter was very happy with this cute lunch. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Crackers: Pepperidge Farm Butterfly Crackers Cheese: Cheddar cheese Fruit: Apple slices cut into butterflies with apple … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 1 Comment

Week 42 Italian Border Stitch

The stitch for week 42 of TAST was the Italian Border stitch. I enjoyed working with this easy stitch. I did not notice until I took the photo that I stitched the words on the wrong side of the piece. … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 5 Comments

Domino Costume Halloween Bento Hop

I am happy to join my fellow Bento Bloggers & Friends on this Halloween themed blog hop. Please follow the hop button on each blog to see all of the Halloween themed bentos. While brainstorming for this lunch I thought … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , | 40 Comments

Week 41 Knotted Loop Stitch

The stitch for week 41 of TAST was the Knotted Loop stitch. At first I struggled with learning this stitch. But once I figured it out I had fun varying the stitch.

Posted in Embroidery | 1 Comment

Fall Leaf Bento

My friend and I made this lunch for her 7 year old daughter. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Fruit: Apple leaves, Wegmans Fruit Flat (veins on leaf sandwich) Sandwich: Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jam on wheat bread Vegetable: Carrots Dairy: Wegmans Blueberry Greek … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 10 Comments

Falling Leaves Bento Lunch

On Columbus Day I went on a hike and picnic with my niece (13) and nephew (8). We went to Linear Park in Penfield, NY. It was a beautiful fall day with falling leaves. The hike was fun and our … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 7 Comments

Week 40 Beaded Hedebo Edge

The stitch for week 40 of TAST was the Beaded Hedebo Edge. I enjoyed working with this stitch. I am not a beader so I did not have a great selection of beads for this sampler. But I used what … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 1 Comment

Dance Themed Slumber Party

I enjoyed helping with a dance themed slumber party for a 13th birthday. Invitations The birthday girl knew she wanted a star shaped handcrafted invitation that folded up. I designed a prototype and once approved, we worked together to make … Continue reading

Posted in Party Planning | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Week 39 Knotted Buttonhole Stitch

The stitch for week 39 of TAST was the Knotted Buttonhole stitch. There are many different types of knotted buttonhole stitch. We learned the version with the knot at the bottom. I found this stitch to be easy and enjoyable.

Posted in Embroidery | 3 Comments

Buffalo Bills Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Favorite Team”. I don’t follow sports but my 8 year old nephew follows several teams. He requested a Buffalo Bills themed lunch. Container: EasyLunchBox Sandwich: … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Napkin Ring Tutorial

This past summer my in-laws celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a country barn dance. It was held at their farm and my mother-in-law self-catered a majority of the meal for 300 guests. I designed and created napkin bundles. The … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | 3 Comments

World Animal Day Lamb Bento

In celebration of World Animal Day I am happy to join my fellow Bento Bloggers & Friends on an animal themed blog hop. Each blog  is featuring a different animal themed lunch. Of course I choose lambs. I am excited … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 33 Comments

Week 38 Drizzle Stitch

The stitch for week 38 of TAST was the Drizzle stitch. I struggled with this stitch. It took me a LONG time to complete the few stitches on this sampler. I normally do not enjoy threading needles and this stitch … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 3 Comments

Bagel Bento

I made this for my 8 year old nephew. It was a simple and quick lunch assembled from breakfast leftovers (I added the pistachios for protein and crunch). It was  not a cute lunch but my nephew thought it was … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 4 Comments

Bento Blog Network Anniversary

This week is the 1 year anniversary for the Bento Blog Network. In celebration I made this simple bento. I discovered Diana’s site about 6 months ago. I enjoy creating bentos to fit her weekly theme. Some of my most … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 6 Comments

Talk Like A Pirate Bento Blog Hop

Treasure Chest with Vegetable Treasure: French bread baked in a mini loaf pan, mini corn, peas, carrots, and peas & carrot necklaces Skull: White chocolate with milk chocolate features (cheddar cheese under skull) Pirate Monkey: White cheddar, Sargento ultra thin … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 38 Comments

From the Garden Bento

This lunch was fresh from the garden (mine and my grandmother-in-law’s). The Lentil Salad with Feta Cheese is a typical summer staple for me. I added the crackers for an extra “crunch” factor. Lentil Salad with Feta Cheese from Cooking … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 2 Comments

Weeks 36 & 37 TAST Catch-up & Pistil Stitch

Week 36 was a catch-up week. I was already caught up so I spent time stitching the baptismal stoles. The stitch for week 37 of TAST was the Pistil stitch. I found this stitch to be easy and fun and … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 2 Comments

Ballet Positions Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Dance”. I made a stencil for the first three ballet positions. Bento Box: ECO Lunchbox Fruit: Apples with music picks Main: Rice with carrots, green … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 6 Comments

Hand Embroidered Baptism Stoles

I embroider Baptism stoles for my parent’s church. Several members of the church hand embroider these Baptismal garments. My parent’s church baptizes over 150 babies each year. Candle and embroidered stole Dove and trinity symbol stitched with variegated thread Dove … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Summer Tea Bento

Unsweetened Iced Tea with lemon Mini bagels with cream cheese, pepper, and cucumber slices Watermelon and blueberries Apricot and Oat scones (Martha Stewart Baking Handbook) Apricot jam (low sugar, homemade – I picked the apricots myself), and fresh whipped cream … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 2 Comments

Week 35 Sheaf Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 35 was the Sheaf stitch. It is an easy and quick stitch.

Posted in Embroidery | 3 Comments

Doctor Who Bento Blog Hop

When I was a child my dad watched Doctor Who. I was often drawn into an episode but I don’t think I ever watched an entire show. I found parts of Doctor Who too scary to watch. I have not … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 10 Comments

Week 34 Linked Double Chain Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 34 was the Linked Double Chain stitch. I was not fond of this stitch but I don’t think I like any stitch that involves the twisted chain.

Posted in Embroidery | 1 Comment

Back to School Bento

I made this bento for my 10 year old nephew. It was his first day of 6th grade at a new school. My nephew enjoys math so I decided on a math theme. The carrots and cucumber are supposed to … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 7 Comments

Mouse Bento

My 8 year old nephew planned this bento. I gave him my animal cookie cutters and the mouse inspired him. His sister and I just helped a little with styling. Background: tortilla Mouse hole: red pepper Border: Wheat thins and … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 4 Comments

Dinner with Edible Bowls

My 15 year old nephew wanted to make a meal with edible bowls. This is the same nephew who when he was young wanted to make a dinosaur shaped bread that stood up. (we made it happen) Since I am … Continue reading

Posted in Food | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Week 33 Pekinese Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 33 was the Pekinese stitch. It is a simple stitch but I struggled with threads and ripped out a lot of stitches. It was not my first time working with the Pekinese stitch. Pekinese attempted … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 3 Comments

Bear Puzzle Bento

I made this especially for Fancy Sandwich Friday at Beneficial Bento. It is raining this morning so I could not get good photos. I assembled this meal quickly with food I had in the house. My husband went out in … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 8 Comments

Bake Sale Food

We made caramel popcorn, cheese bread, and cookie pops for a bake sale at my in-law’s church. Caramel Popcorn My husband made his family’s favorite caramel popcorn recipe. Ingredients 3 quarts air popped popcorn 1 1/2 cups peanuts (optional) Cooking … Continue reading

Posted in Food | 4 Comments

Lego Bento

This lego themed lunch was fun to make. My 8 year old nephew thought it was fun to eat. Lego Bricks Blackberry yogurt: I dyed some bricks blue and kept some natural. I froze the yogurt in a building bricks … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged | 16 Comments

Week 32 Cast-on Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 32 was the Algerian Eye stitch. I enjoyed this stitch and expect to use it again.

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Bento Tips – Sandwich Backgrounds

I continue to experiment with edible backgrounds for my bentos. I make a lot of American food bentos because that is what my nieces and nephews will eat. Many of my bentos contain some type of sandwich. I love the … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 1 Comment