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Category Archives: Crafts
Crafty Birthday Gifts from Nieces
My nieces gave me amazing handmade gifts for my birthday this year. I received this hand decorated pillowcase (see above and below). My 8 year old niece used fabric markers to decorate both sides of a pillowcase. I love it! … Continue reading
Mini Stuffed Animals
My 11 year old niece and I made these miniature stuffed animals. We used a large moose cookie cutter to make the pattern for the moose. My niece drew the pattern for the Teddy Bear. My niece stitched the eyes … Continue reading
3 Easy Pony Bead Projects
Edited: The links I previously shared to the making friends website are no longer available. I now link to a watermelon pattern on another site. For the Smile Face and Ladybug, you should still be able to make these projects … Continue reading
Tanabata Party
Tanabata is a Japanese star festival. According to a folktale, Hikoboshi (star Altair) and Orihime (star Vega) were lovers and separated by the Milky Way to only meet once a year. Typically people celebrate on July 7. Since I was … Continue reading
Under the Sea Day Preschool Camp
The theme for our fourth and last day of Aunt Kathy’s Preschool Camp was Under the Sea. Our previous themes were Australia, Dinosaurs/Volcanoes, and Outer Space. I made this lunch for my 28 month old nephew. I was running out … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food, Crafts, Food
Tagged bento, under the sea preschool, vegetarian
11 Comments
Outer Space Day Preschool Camp
The theme for our third day of Aunt Kathy’s Preschool Camp was outer space. Our previous themes were Australia and Dinosaurs/Volcanoes. This Astronaut lunch was prepared for my 28 month old nephew. He loves pasta! He did not eat the … Continue reading
Dinosaur and Volcano Day Preschool Camp
Dinosaurs and Volcanoes were the topics for our second day of Aunt Kathy’s Preschool Camp. This Volcano with Dinosaur pizza lunch was prepared for my 12 year old nephew. He was one of my two teachers for our preschool camp. … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food, Blog, Crafts
Tagged bento, dinosaurs, preschool, vegetarian, volcano
16 Comments
Australia Day Preschool Camp
Two of my young nephews are staying at my sister-in-laws house while their parents are on a business trip to Australia. I am hosting 4 sessions of “Aunt Kathy’s Preschool Camp” at my house. My 12 year old nephew and … Continue reading
Posted in Bento / Cute Food, Crafts, Food
Tagged Australia themed preschool, bento, vegetarian
17 Comments
Sashiko Pillow
This is my first experience with Sashiko. I found it relaxing and fun. Sashiko is a type of embroidery stitching from Japan. It uses a running stitch. In 2011 I took a Sashiko class at the City Quilter in Manhattan. … Continue reading
Tissue Box Die
When my 8 year old nephew and I spent the day together recently, we created a craft for JDaniel4’s Mom: 3rd Annual Tissue Box Challenge 2013. The challenge was to “decorate or build a tissue box(es) with or for your … Continue reading
Around the World Birthday Party
I hosted an Around the World birthday party for my husband’s birthday. I invited his family and friends. My husband picked the countries based on the food he wanted to eat. Our countries were: Mexico, Italy, and Thailand. Decorations: I … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts, Food, Party Planning
Tagged around the world party, italy party, mexico party, thailand party
17 Comments
Tea Party Trivia Game
I am part of a small women’s group. We get together at each others homes for some type of activity. Last month our get together was a tea party. The hostess did an amazing job with the food and table … Continue reading
Irish Heritage Card
For St. Patrick’s Day this year I made cards for my 2 nieces. Both cards are the same except for the recipients name. This one of course is Ella’s. I am not sure if the idea of a custom heritage … Continue reading
Sheep Embroidery Floss Organizer
I was inspired by this and my love of playing with shrinky dinks to create this project. I used a sheet of white shrink film. I had it left over from an angel place card/ornament project my niece and I … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts, Embroidery
Tagged how to make an embroidery floss organizer, lamb, sheep, Shrinky dink, tutorial
15 Comments
Stitched Valentine’s Day Cards
I stitched these simple cards for Valentine’s Day this year. There is something very satisfying about stitching on paper. I prefer fabric but I can see myself making more paper stitched cards in the future. Basically I followed this tutorial … Continue reading
Farm Themed Quiet Book
My 14 year old niece, my husband and I made quiet books as Christmas gifts for our 2 youngest cousins/nephews (in different families). We designed and created two identical books. One book has a blue cover, the other red. We … Continue reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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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
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
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
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
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
Christmas in July
I embroidered and appliqued these ornaments for Christmas 2010. (I know that this photo is not good but you can still get the idea). They are from a Hatched and Patched pattern. I purchased the pattern and started this project … Continue reading
Posted in Crafts, Embroidery
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Eclectic Lamb 
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