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Author Archives: eclecticlamb
Care Package Graduation Gift
Many years ago, I found this idea from Be*mused for a care package gift certificate. It is a perfect gift for a high school graduate planning to attend college. I first used the care package gift certificate a few years … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts
2 Comments
Winners of 1st Blogiversary Giveaway
Thank you to everyone for your kind comments and for entering my first giveaway! The winner of the napkins is #1 – Mary Lee. The winner of the bento is #26 – Rina. Mary Lee and Rina, I will be … Continue reading
Posted in Blog
2 Comments
Week 26 TAST Palestrina Stitch
The TAST stitch for Week 26 was the Palestrina stitch. I am very far behind. Hopefully I will complete some catch-up stitches this week. I enjoyed working with this stitch.
Posted in Embroidery
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1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway
Today is my blog’s 1 year anniversary. I started this blog as a class assignment for a masters course in Social Media. I went against advice to have a single topic blog because I wanted one place to document my … Continue reading
Posted in Blog
40 Comments
Zebra Bento
I created this for my nephew a few days before his 4th birthday. This bento lunch was themed to match the activity we did that day. We went to Hidden Valley Animal Adventure. They have trolley rides where visitors can … Continue reading
Transportation Birthday Party
My sister-in-law held her son’s 4th birthday at her parent’s farm. The invitation for this party mentioned trains, cars, tractors, and trucks. This was a family party with about half adults and half young cousins in attendance. My contributions to … Continue reading
Posted in Party Planning
3 Comments
Week 25 TAST Cable Chain Stitch
The stitch for week 25 of TAST is the Cable Chain Stitch. While my version may not be as beautiful as more accomplished stitchers, I enjoyed playing with this stitch.
Posted in Embroidery
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Picnic Bento
My 13 year old niece and I planned this bento. I am proud of her concept and planning. She even created a grocery list for me! Picnic blanket: rice and red pepper Grass: snow peas Watermelon: red pepper, chocolate sprinkles, … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
6 Comments
Felt Road Gift
When I found the Felt Road patrol kit post by Kristen at Make the Best of Everything, I knew it would be perfect for my nephew’s 4th birthday. I decided to keep my kit simple and did not add the … Continue reading
Sand Dollar Bento
This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Beach”. My inspiration was Maine vacations my family took when I was a kid. I loved to walk the beach and find sand dollars. This … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
2 Comments
July 4th Bento
This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “4th of July”. My 11 year old nephew and I came up with this red, white and blue theme for this lunch. We worked together … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
6 Comments
Hot Bento
This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Hot”. While brainstorming the theme I thought about three interpretations for hot. Sun Spicy Cool and refreshing for a hot day I decided to incorporate … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
3 Comments
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
A few days ago my 11 year old nephew and I went hiking at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama, NY. We walked the Swallow Hollow and Onondaga trails. This was our second time visiting these trails. Our first … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
1 Comment
Week 24 TAST Buttonhole Wheel
The stitch for week 24 of TAST is the Buttonhole Wheel. I tried the Buttonhole Wheel during week 2 Buttonhole stitch. Since I did not need to make a page for my sampler, I created a bookmark. It was a fun … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
7 Comments
Swimming Bento
This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is Swimming. The only theme part of this is the bears swimming in blueberries. But it tasted great! Cinnamon Teddy Grahams in blueberries Plain Greek yogurt … Continue reading
Bagel and Cheese Bento
I created this bento lunch for my 11 year old nephew. He did not want a theme. Typically I like to make themed bentos but it was fun to try to make ordinary food interesting. Chocolate covered pretzels Strawberries and … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
1 Comment
Weeks 22 & 23 TAST Knotted Cretan Stitch & Catch-up
The stitch for week 22 of TAST is the Knotted Cretan stitch. I was not good at Cretan (week 4) so I was not looking forward to working with the knotted Cretan stitch. I don’t think it is a stitch … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
2 Comments
Tree Bento
Maybe this should be called Sugar Bento. There are not as many M&M’s as there appear. They are not under the tree. But there are still more than I intended. My 10 year old nephew requested this theme and helped … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
3 Comments
Week 21 TAST Butterfly Chain Stitch
The stitch for week 21 of TAST is the Butterfly Chain stitch. I had fun working with this stitch.
Posted in Embroidery
3 Comments
Basketball Bento
I created this basketball themed bento for my 15 year old nephew. I had thought that he would not want a themed bento but he did not care as long as it tasted good. I was happy to work with … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
5 Comments
NGC Flower Show
The National Garden Club (NGC) convention was in Buffalo this year. My garden club attended their flower show. It was fun and educational to see entries in the various categories. Apples are in the water Bamboo and roses Columbine Cafe … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
4 Comments
Week 20 TAST Bullion Knot
The stitch for week 20 of TAST is the Bullion Knot stitch. I have wanted to try this stitch for a long time. One of the things I like about TAST is that it forces me to attempt new stitches. … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
4 Comments
Marionette Bento
This weeks theme for Bento of the Week (BOTW) at Bento Blog Network is kabobs. When brainstorming kabobs I came up with a Marionette. I was aiming for clown but I think it looks more like a silly puppet. Wood … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
4 Comments
Week 19 TAST Half Chevron Stitch
The stitch for week 19 of TAST is the Half Chevron stitch. I liked working with the Chevron stitch but did not have fun with the Half Chevron. I think that I did the last part of the stitch wrong … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
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Armadillo Bento
This is my attempt at using a leftover stuffed shell to make an armadillo. I had to curve the tail to fit in the bento. The armadillo is on a bed of green beans. I used a slivered almond for … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
6 Comments
Week 18 TAST Crossed Buttonhole Stitch
The stitch for week 18 of TAST is the Crossed Buttonhole stitch. This was my first time working with the stitch.
Posted in Embroidery
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Saturn Bento
You need an imagination for this one. My 7 year old nephew and I made this the same day we went to a movie at the planetarium. Saturn: Clementine Rings: Nutella bagel sandwich (homemade from bagel dough) Sky: Wegmans blue … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
3 Comments
Week 17 TAST Wheatear Stitch
The stitch for week 17 of TAST is the Wheatear stitch. This was my first time working with the stitch. I found it enjoyable. I tried to stitch in a circle on Aida and picked it out. I did not … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
2 Comments
Fruit and Vegetable Themed Bento
This bento was for my 13 year old niece. I decided on a fruit and vegetable theme to use some of the cute items my friend sent me from Japan. Left: Strawberries and Blackberries Middle: Salad with cucumber cut outs … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
5 Comments
Week 16 TAST French Knots
The stitch for week 16 of TAST is the French Knot. Above is my sampler page for the French Knot. Below are some French Knot examples I did years ago. Sheep Tree French Knots with Antique Button
Posted in Embroidery
2 Comments
Zucchini and Cheese Pie with Rice Crust
I enjoy trying new recipes so I do not have a lot of repeat recipes in a dinner rotation. This Zucchini and Cheese Pie is one recipe that has been in my menu rotation for many years. It is adapted … Continue reading
Week 15 TAST Stem Stitch
The stitch for week 15 of TAST is the Stem stitch. I am still catching up as we are currently in week 16. Top row: Stem stitch Bottom row: Raised stem stitch
Posted in Embroidery
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Terrarium Bento
This is my Earth Day submission for Bento of the Week at Bento Blog Network. I started planning this about a month ago when the theme was announced. I was happy when my husband came home with this container. His … Continue reading
Week 14 TAST Satin Stitch
The stitch for week 14 of TAST is the Satin Stitch stitch. I have worked a little with satin stitch in the past but was not fond it it. This week was my first time to try padded satin. I … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
1 Comment
Airplane Bento
My 7 year old nephew helped design and style his lunch. He wanted a blue box and an American cheese sun (upper left corner). The airplane is a peanut butter sandwich. The plane is flying in the clouds (popcorn) with … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
4 Comments
Felt Peeps
When looking for something to make for my out of town nieces this year, I found this wonderful tutorial and pattern by Michael Ann Made. These were fast and fun to make. It was a bit more complicated because her … Continue reading
Easter Egg Tree
This year is my first time hanging eggs on an egg tree. My Mom helped me out by taking branches from my yard and spray painting them white. There are two styles of eggs on this tree. My niece and … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts
4 Comments
Felt Easter Bunnies
I made these felt bunnies for Easter in 2006. I used the directions and pattern from Woman’s Day magazine but I could not find the directions online anymore. I scanned my printed copy and you can see it here – Bunny … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts, Embroidery
6 Comments
Dump Truck Bento
I made this dump truck themed bento for my 3 year old nephew. The dump truck is a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich. I used Craisins for the tires and American cheese for the window. The truck is carrying … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
3 Comments
Week 13 TAST Catch-up Week
Sharon asked the TAST stitchers if they wanted a catch-up week. The majority voted yes. So Week 13 is a catch-up week. I did not vote as it did not matter to me. This week Sharon provided two mini challenge … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
3 Comments
Australia Bento
The inspiration for this theme was a set of flag picks a friend sent from Japan. The set did not have the Australian flag so I made this pick. The kangaroo is a quesadilla with a cheddar cheese joey. The … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
Tagged country theme bento, Kangaroo bento, koala bento, lunch
2 Comments
Week 12 TAST Barred and Alternating Chain Stitches
The stitch for week 12 of TAST is the Barred Chain and Alternating Barred Chain stitches. This stitch was not in my pocket stitch guide or Embroidery Stitch Bible. I struggled a little with the stitch but I am glad … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
1 Comment
Alligator Bento
I made this bento lunch for my 9 year old nephew. I used my french bread recipe for the alligator but somewhat followed the shaping directions from this recipe. The greased aluminum foil ball worked out great to hold the … Continue reading
Week 11 TAST Whipped Wheel Stitch
The stitch for week 11 of TAST is the Whipped Wheel stitch . Click on the image for a larger view.When I first looked at Sharon’s description of this stitch, I thought “Oh no!”. The Whipped Wheel was new to … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
5 Comments
Bald Eagle Bento
When I told my 7 year old nephew that I wanted to make a bird themed bento, he said, “bald eagle”. I looked at photos of bald eagles and then made a template to cut the bread. The eagle is … Continue reading
Hilmar Cheese Visitor Center
While on the CLAAS tour, our bus stopped at the Hilmar Cheese Visitor Center. Hilmar Cheese is the largest cheese processing plant in the United States. First our bus took a tour of the processing facilities. We then ate a … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
7 Comments
Week 10 TAST Running Stitch
The stitch for week 10 of TAST is the Running stitch. Click on the image for a larger view. I think that most of the rows on this sampler are Darning stitches. Darning stitches fall under the Running stitch category. … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
4 Comments
Turtle Bento
My 9 year old nephew wanted his bento lunch to include pistachio nuts. He decided on a desert theme so the pistachios could be the ground. He enjoyed eating so many pistachios! I researched desert animals and decided on the … Continue reading
Japantown San Francisco
When I heard that we would start the CLAAS Tour in San Francisco, my first thought was Japantown. The last time I went to Japantown was 2005. This year we were able to spend time in Japantown during our brief … Continue reading
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