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Author Archives: eclecticlamb
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
Week 9 TAST Couching Stitch
The stitch for week 9 of TAST is the Couching stitch. After I created my sampler page, I played around and made a maze. The maze has an S (start) and F (finish) stitched with the chain stitch. Maze (I … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
4 Comments
Lion / Lamb Bento
Will March come in like a lamb and go out like a lion? Or in like a lion and out like a lamb? I found a set of animal picks at Japantown in San Francisco. I immediately knew how I … Continue reading
World Ag Expo
The main reason my husband and I joined the CLAAS tour was to attend the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. The World Ag Expo is a large agriculture exhibition. It covers most aspects of agriculture (equipment, communication, technology, etc.) … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
1 Comment
CLAAS Tour – World Ag Expo
My husband and I went on a business trip to California for the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA. We joined a tour sponsored by CLAAS. The tour was to promote CLAAS agricultural equipment and reward Jaguar owners. Our tour … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
3 Comments
Week 8 TAST Chain Stitch
The stitch for week 8 of TAST is the Chain stitch. After I created my sampler page, I used the stitch to embellish my tea basket. Each week I follow Sharon’s advice. I make a cuppa and view the inspiring work … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
5 Comments
King Cobra Bento Lunch
My nephew and I planned this lunch. He wanted a King Cobra made out of spaghetti. Muddy water (chocolate milk) was the desired drink. I don’t like snakes and only created this lunch with my nephew by his request. While … Continue reading
Week 7 TAST Detached Chain Stitch
The stitch for week 7 of TAST is the Detached Chain stitch. It is also known as the Daisy stitch or the Lazy Daisy stitch. I tried this stitch as a child, found it confusing and did not try it … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
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Valentine Embroidery Pattern
I enjoy hand stitching but am on a continuous quest to find things to stitch that can be functional. I came up with the idea to stitch on a removable fabric cover for a composition notebook. I then found a … Continue reading
Week 6 TAST Chevron Stitch
The stitch for week 6 of TAST is the Chevron stitch. This was my first time working with the stitch but it was similar to the Herringbone and I found it easy to stitch. The chevron stitch could be used … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
8 Comments
Superbowl Party Food
We were invited to a Superbowl party at my in-laws this year. I have no interest in watching football but I love any excuse to make cute food. I made a Corn Cheese Dip from Better Homes and Gardens Holiday … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
3 Comments
Week 5 TAST Herringbone Stitch
Herringbone is the stitch for TAST week 5. Click on the above sampler photo for a better view. Herringbone Double Herringbone Herringbone (varying lengths) Tacked Herringbone Threaded Herringbone Gathering enough stitching supplies was a challenge this week. I am grateful … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
4 Comments
Individual Cauliflower Pies
My Mom and I made Martha Stewart’s Roasted Cauliflower and Manchego Hand Pies as a test for a dinner party. The menu will be vegetarian. This recipe appealed to me as a vegetarian entree that could be satisfying for meat … Continue reading
Week 4 TAST Cretan stitch
The stitch for week 4 of TAST is the Cretan stitch. This was my first time working with this stitch. I struggled a little and needed more practice than the other stitches so far. This is my second attempt at … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
5 Comments
Tooth Fairy Pillows
I made these tooth fairy pillows a few years ago (before I had a blog). Right before each of my sister’s daughters lost their first tooth I made tooth fairy pillows and mailed a special package to them. For my … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts
2 Comments
Week 3 TAST Feather Stitch
The stitch for week 3 of TAST is the Feather stitch. I did not have experience with the Feather stitch but my work with the Fly and Buttonhole stitches prepared me. I was able to quickly stitch the sampler so … Continue reading
Snowman Themed Lunch
Two of my nephews (ages 7 and 9) spent the day at my house. We decided to make snowman themed lunches. We were inspired by this snowman pizza to make our own tortilla snowmen. We modeled the marshmallow snowman after … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food
5 Comments
Week 2 TAST Buttonhole Stitch
This is my sampler for TAST Week 2, the Buttonhole stitch. I stitched on Aida using DMC floss. I had prior experience with the buttonhole / blanket stitch. This week I played with variations of the stitch. Some of the … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
9 Comments
Week 1 TAST Fly Stitch
I decided to participate in TAST 2012. Sharon B of Pin Tangle is the organizer of this wonderful project. Each week this year Sharon will present a stitch for participants to learn. Over 500 stitchers signed up for TAST 2012. … Continue reading
Posted in Embroidery
9 Comments
Rose Napkin Ring
In 2010, I made these napkin rings to match my china pattern which was my great grandmother’s china. The pattern is Manor House by Vogue: Governor’s Mansion. I used the Purl bee’s rose pattern from their rose barrette tutorial to … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts
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Santa Claus Themed Dinner
I enjoy planning and implementing themed meals. This year I decided to create a Santa Claus themed meal a few days before Christmas. The dinner party was for 5 adults. Menu Individual Santa Bread: I found this image and tried … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food, Party Planning
Tagged santa claus shaped food, santa food, shaped bread
2 Comments
Rockefeller Center Holiday Decorations
I took these photos in December, 2010 when I worked in New York City near Rockefeller Center. 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Nutcracker on Avenue of the Americas Giant Red Christmas Ornaments Santa dog Minnie & Mickey Radio City
Posted in Adventures
3 Comments
Redwork Sheep Ornament
In 2005, I made a series of these ornaments for Christmas gifts. I bought paper boxes and painted them to match. Then, I attached a custom sticker to the top of the box. Box for ornament
Wooden Sheep Ornament
In 2003, I made a series of these wooden sheep ornaments. Friends let me use some scrap wood and their scroll saw. These turned out very large but I still like them. I used a combination of painting with a … Continue reading
The Garden of Lights – Brookside Gardens
My family celebrated Thanksgiving at my sister’s home in Maryland. The day after Thanksgiving we visited The Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens located in Wheaton, MD. It was a warm evening and it was delightful to walk through the … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
1 Comment
Christmas Ornament Craft
This year my sister and her husband hosted the family Thanksgiving. I am known as the crafty Aunt and I love doing crafts with my nieces. I planned the craft with inspiration from this and this. Mom and I both … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts, Embroidery
1 Comment
High Line Park
I took these photos last week on my third trip to the High Line. It is an elevated park located in Manhattan between Gansevoort Street and 30th Street near 10th Avenue. This was my first time to the park since … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
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Woodland Trio – Felt Ornaments
This craft evolved from my initial concept. My original plan was to embroider on felt to make Christmas ornaments. Last year I appliqued and embroidered three felt ornaments. I wanted to make three coordinating felt ornaments this year with an … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts, Embroidery
3 Comments
Union Square Greenmarket
This morning I visited the Union Square Greenmarket. The last time I shopped at the market was in 2000 when I worked nearby. Usually I attend a smaller Greenmarket near my home. Today I was seeking a large variety including … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures, Food
2 Comments
Halloween Finger Puppets
A few years ago I sewed and embroidered Halloween finger puppets for my nieces. I used patterns and directions from Activity Village. I deviated a little from the directions. My witch is bald. What I remember most about this project … Continue reading
Pumpkin Sail – Central Park
On October 23, 2011 I attended the Pumpkin Sail at Central Park. It was held at the Harlem Meer near the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. They take about 50 pumpkins on the sail. The carved pumpkin should be small … Continue reading
Diwali Festival
I attended the Diwali Festival (festival of light) in New York City at South Street Seaport on October 2, 2011. I was impressed by the children’s activity tent. They offered cultural activities such as goddess coloring pages and paint your … Continue reading
Creepy Crawly Party
A few years ago I gave my husband a small creepy crawly themed birthday party. We had a child style theme since young niece and nephews outnumbered the adults. I researched and found a few cakes in various themes. He … Continue reading
Maker Faire NY
Yesterday, I attended the Maker Faire NY at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This event showcases DIY projects in the areas of Arts, Crafts, Food/Sustainability, Engineering, and Science. There were many opportunities to make something. … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures, Crafts
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Craft – Sheep Party
The kids made an ornament at my Sheep themed party. I followed this tutorial and created craft kits for each child. I added a name tag (cut strip and punched hole in card stock) since many siblings were at the … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts, Party Planning
Tagged christmas ornament, craft kit, lamb, sheep
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Stamped Wooden Disc Tutorial
Disc for Sheep Scavenger Hunt I wanted an outdoor activity for my Sheep Themed party. I thought it would be fun to use my sheep stamp on wooden discs. We carved the stamp several years ago. I thought we should … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts, Party Planning
Tagged party game, scavenger hunt, sheep, stamped discs, tutorial, wooden discs
1 Comment
Place settings – Sheep Party
My vision for the table was sheep in a pasture. The colors were white and green. Place card – I used the directions from this and this. I ended up doing a combination of the two. I made these in … Continue reading
Favor Bags – Sheep Party
I decided to embroider my typical sheep drawing on bags to hold the kids favors. Originally I had thought about sewing the bags but I found some at Michaels Craft Store (Creatology Canvas). I invited 3 nieces and 7 nephews … Continue reading
Menu – Sheep Party
Mini Bagels – I made plain, cinnamon sugar, a few poppy and salt. I found this recipe a few years ago. It is very popular with my guests. The kids at the party loved the mini bagels. Lamb butter – … Continue reading
Sheep Party
I do not have children but I have 3 nieces and 8 nephews with a 9th nephew on his way. I thought it would be fun to celebrate my birthday and invite all of my nieces and nephews. Some adults … Continue reading
Eclectic Lamb 
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