LOVEonBob!

I have a friend from college who has devoted her life to helping others. She and her family of five spend their days traveling and helping others based out of the family's "LOVEcan"-- A semi-trailer that they have turned into a home and a traveling ministry for good. She and I may differ on religious views, but my heart of hearts mirrors hers.

Even while following a different path, we both end up at the same place.

Her latest blog post details how she met Bob- an elderly gentleman, who needs some help reclaiming his home from the elements of time and economy. My friend has partnered with LeeBuildersCare so that Bob can continue to live in his home, make his daily visits to his wife in a nursing home and generally lend a hand.

Don't let Bob be forgotten.

Read the LOVEcan "What About Bob?" story.

Donate HERE.
(please write "LOVEonBob" on your PayPal donation so that it can be applied directly to his building fund)

Show Bob some LOVE!

/Julianna

MineCraft Cake Fit for a Ten-Year Old

April is a cake month around here. 

Miss M has her birthday in early April, and Genius Pants has his at the end.  Of course, with each Birthday, there must be a small family celebration on the actual day, followed by a birthday party on the next available weekend.

Are you counting?  Because, that's like, Four Cakes, already...

Adding to that, Miss M also requires that a slew of cupcakes accompany her to school on her actual day.

That makes five cakes.  At LEAST.

FIVE cakes.

Yesterday afternoon, I made the fifth cake of the month - a very simple cake for a simple gathering of our closest friends, just as the boy, himself requested.  It's my absolute favorite chocolate cake, and is  a one bowl, one spoon affair.  Crazy simple. 

The original recipe is specifically for a single layer, to be dusted with confectioner's sugar (which I often make for a quick after-dinner-need-some-chocolate sort of thing). 

This cake is also VEGAN.  No kidding.  you would never in a million years know from the dense, chocolate-y goodness.  Next time you need a chocolate fix, I PROMISE this will do 'ya. 

Or, you can do as I did last week, and double the recipe and make this Minecraft Cake for your ten year old's small, family gathering.

TEN?????  HOW IS HE TEN, ALREADY???  DOUBLE-DIGITS = AARRRRGGGHHHH!

He ever-so-adorably showed me what the "Cake" in Minecraft looks like (who knew?!?!), but honestly, it would have required fondant to best emulate the pixelated squares.  I'm not a huge fan of fondant, so I decided to make him a Minecraft Dirt Block Cake instead. 

He was cool with that.

So, I'm planning this cake in my head, thinking I'll crush chocolate creme-filled cookies for the dirt, and maybe crushed vanilla wafers with green food coloring for the grass on top...

In the end, I had to make a quick run to the dollar store for something.... Imagine my surprise when the very first thing I see as I walk in was a 12" x 12' square of green, plastic turf.

HUH.

Well, Well, Well.  That oughta do it.

SO-- I made the Minecraft Cake with the Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe, Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate, Chocolate Frosting*, crushed Chocolate Creme-Filled Cookies for the "Dirt", crushed and green food-colored Vanilla Wafers for the grass and.... a piece of that Green Plastic Turf square from the dollar store.   

NOTE:  I DID separate the plastic turf and the cake with a piece of wax paper, and I washed the plastic with dish soap and water beforehand.  It's entirely possible we will all die of some sort of horrific plastic poisoning, but it was totally worth it.

Underneath the plastic grass, it STILL looked like a Dirt Block.
And those crushed cookies were totally edible, if slightly gritty. 
C'MON! It's a DIRT BLOCK CAKE! Just bringing the realism!

He liked it, anway.

So did She.

There was also Home Made Pizza, per his request....

And at the end of the day, my sink looked like this.

THIS is Andy--- The Culprit behind THE GREAT MAGAZINE MASSACRE.

I just thought I'd include a picture of my mangy, gangly, 6 month-old  shelter mutt for your viewing pleasure. 

He's still in trouble.

  

Nah.  I'm just kidding.  He's totally not.

*see the bottom of the linked recipe... or look at the back of your Hershey's Cocoa container.  It's always there.  AND, it really is the best and the easiest, I think.  I don't even melt the butter.  I usually just beat it all together in my butterfly-bedecked Kitchen Mixer.  Totally works.

Paper Plate Birdie Bunting with Coffee Filter Flowers

Miss M wanted a Garden Themed Birthday Party this year.... and for some strange reason, I decided to make all the decorations out of coffee filters and paper plates. 

Seriously, don't ask me why.  I suppose I needed a challenge.  Maybe I was bored.  I have no idea.

But in the end, I spent a day or so playing with paper plates and coffee filters - and, come to think of it, cupcake liners as well - finally settling on a few designs that I could use to make bunting, decorations and treat bags. 

I ended up with Paper Plate Birdie Bunting, Coffee Filter Flowers, Paper Plate Spirals and a Giant Coffee Filter Flower/Disco Ball Hanging Centerpiece.  I think it cost me $2 at the Dollar Store.

Niiiice.

We also had several crafts for the five-year-old girls who came to the party:  Paper Plate Hats with Coffee Filter Flowers that the girls decorated, and Coffee Filter Butterflies.

To make the PAPER PLATE BIRDIES, for Bunting or just for fun:

You'll need:

- Paper Plates (2 per Bird)

- Scissors

- Glue or Clue Stick, depending upon your level of patience (mine is ZERO)

- Stapler & Staples

- A few paper clips or clothespins (I switched to clothespins halfway through)

- Twine/string/crochet thread for stringing

-aaaand... A half empty cup of coffee if you want to get all technical about it.

1.  Paper Plates.  Two of 'em.

2.  Fold BOTH plates in half. One plate will become the TAIL, BEAK & WINGS.  The other Plate will become the BODY. Set the Body aside for now.

3.  TAIL:  Cut the Rim off of ONE plate.  Fold the cut-off rim into fourths and cut into four pieces. 

4.  Staple three of the rim pieces together to form the tail.    BEAK:  Cut a triangular beak out of the extra piece of rim.  WINGS Working with the left-over (middle) portion of the cut plate, cut along the fold ALMOST to the edge.  I left about a millimeter or so, just to keep it together.

5.  Apply glue to the wings as shown (in red). 

6. Attach the WINGS to the BODY (the second, un-cut plate) close to where you want the head to be.  I attach the wings so that the edge hits just between the ridge and the flat portion of the body plate... I realize that got cut off a bit in the picture... see the completed bird (below) for a better view.  Let the tips of the wings droop down a little as you glue on the wings. 

IF STRINGING FOR BUNTING:  Now is the time to slide the string into the folded plate.  Be careful when gluing the beak and the tail  in steps 7 & 8 that the string slides freely through the body.

7.  Apply glue to front and back of tail near the staples.  Glue the TAIL to the inside of the folded BODY, opposite to the end where you've attached the wings.  Hold the join with a clothespin or paper clip until the glue dries.  

8.  Apply glue to both sides of the the beak (the non-pointy end). Glue the BEAK to the inside of the body plate.  Hold with a clothespin or paper clip until the glue dries.

Completed Bird.

COFFEE FILTER FLOWERS

1.  Lay out four or five filters as shown.

2. Make an "OK" sign with your non-dominant hand (a circle with your thumb and forefinger).  With your other hand, pinch one filter in the middle of the flat, circular part, and pull it through your "OK" sign, crumpling the filter into what will be the petals. 

3. Repeat with all four or five filters.

4.  Hold the pinched end of one filter.....

5.  ....and add another petal...

6.  ..... and another....

7. ...and another....

8. ... until you have formed a flower.  Don't make these too neat... the beauty here is in the asymmetry.

9.  Holding all of the petals together, fold the points over the bunting string.

10.  Staple the flower to the bunting string, being careful to allow the string to move freely.  Try not to staple the flower directly to the string, or it will be more difficult to adjust later.

 Alternate Birds and Flowers on a long string for Crazy Cheap (and really pretty) Party Bunting!

Add a giant coffee filter flower ball and petals-on-a-string for the

hanging coffee filter disco-ball effect!

Miss M turns 5....

Yes, yes, I know... I really need to get those pebbles from the Do Art Daily Show on the beach. 

True.

But, in the meantime... this happened. 

Miss M turned FIVE.

I do not understand how that is at all possible, and yet.... there were cupcakes and presents and friends and a party to prove it. 

I even challenged myself to come up with party decorations and activities made entirely of paper plates and coffee filters.

WHY?

I have no idea, but I'm blaming Pinterest.  Seems only logical....

It looked a little something like this:

The logical invitation to a Garden Themed Party.... A seed Packet

Hand-Made Paper Plate Birdie Bunting with Coffee Filter Flowers
(TUTORIAL Tomorrow!)

Paper Plate Birdie Detail

Afternoon snackies for hungry five-year old girls...

Butterfly cupcakes with piped Royal Icing Butterflies.
And, of course, when it matters, the Frosting WILL
fail and separate and probably because I over beat it,
or the butter was too cold or something equally stupid.
Tasted fine though.

Treat Bags waiting for the girls...

Coffee Filter Flower Straws
(No one wanted Lemonade... until they realized that it
came with a flower straw.  Then, everyone HAD to have it.)

Some of the girls in the backyard.

No planned games... Just a crafting table...

...with Coloring Pages, and crafty happiness.

Coffee Filter Butterflies:  Color a coffee filter with water-based markers.
Spray with water so the colors run and make a tie-dye effect. Gather
filter through the middle and secure with half of a black chenille stem
to form the body and the antennae.  Et Voila!  Another pretty Birthday Bunting.

Inspired by this post by the amazing Lindsay at Filth Wizardry,
I cut out paper plate hats, and made more coffee filter flowers for the brim.
The girls each decorated their own... well... And the the big boys, too.  Niiiiiice.

The butterfly cupcakes were devoured...

And Miss M is officially FIVE.  She looks pretty happy about it, too,
mouth crammed full of cupcake, and all that.

Happy Birthday, Miss Thing.

Happy Valentine's Day, Take 2...

Seems I wasn't quite done with the love today.

Besides, what's Valentines Day for, if not to make goodies for your sweet'umses?

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've been busy busy busy with the "Do Art Daily" project, but had a bit of time to make these for my daughter's preschool class....

Happy Valentine's Day!

REALLY?!?

Looks nice, no?



But, you will notice an acute lack of buyers in background.


The Holiday Hit List show was a complete bust for me.

I don't really want to talk about it.

Oh... yes I do.

When I was first invited, M said he would front me the $100 table fee (plus and extra $20 for applying late, and I'd only just heard about it), so I was quick to take him up on that.

And, THEN, of course, I spent about $50 on making the table presentable and merchandise-able; Tablecloth, Stands, Trays, etc..

I was so excited to see that there were over 60 vendors signed up, it was in a good area of town, so I just KNEW I would make enough money to not only pay him back for the Table fee, but also to buy M that Christmas present I'd planned for, and with MY OWN money (not the money he deposits into my bank account every month, or the credit card he pays for).

I had 5 sales.  I made less than $80.  And I still have to pay the Tax-Man.

The first hour was great - and that's where virtually all my sales came from.  After the first hour, people dwindled noticeable, and by hour three.... no one. 

There was no foot traffic and very little signage.  While everyone there told me that they had seen it in the local newspaper every day, I just wasn't sure.  On the other hand, one of the other vendors, upon hearing me and my neighbors complaining, mentioned that there are simply too many of these things happening at this time of the year.  That's probably true.

So.  No grand Christmas Present for M, I'm afraid.

So. Bummed.


In fact, I still owe him some money (he won't make me pay it, but still).

I talked about the project for 6 hours straight - to anyone who even so much as dared to make eye contact with me, and most thought that the project was an awesome idea, and they smiled and laughed and some didn't believe me when I told them that I actually take these things back to the beach and leave them for other people to find.... But I only sold ONE actual pebble, and 5 little Pebble Clips.  I dunno.  I suppose that the prices are higher than anyone wants to pay, but honestly, these things take at LEAST an hour for each pebble.  I really can't lower my prices, and I won't.  In fact, to that end, I'd actually painted some pebbles instead of crocheting them, planning to sell them for less than $5, but ended up simply giving one of them away to a cute little girl.

I spent at least a week, trying desperately to make MORE pebbles to sell, and even bought some clear glass Christmas ornaments and crocheted them, too... I was up till midnight the whole week before, crocheting and making signs and figuring out the display. All for naught.  Ugh.

But, I'm trying to keep my head up and remember the reason behind this - to keep publicizing the project and hopefully get some interest one way or another.  So.  I'll keep doing that, then.

At least I've got everything I need for next time, Right?

San Diego North Park Craft Mafia Holiday Hit List

IF YOU HAVE ever wanted to find a Curious Pebble for yourself, but haven't been so lucky as to meet me at the beach, now's your chance!

On Sunday, December 4, from Noon-6pm, I'll be HERE:

http://sandiegonorthparkcraftmafia.com/

Of course....

 

Wouldn't you know that the time I need all of my Pebbly Inventory the MOST,  I'd end up having a GIANT ORDER from Etsy? And, I DO mean a GIANT ORDER...

 

Ten Pebbles. 

 

Note to self... If Etsy Sales are slow, sign up for a show. You'll sell out of Pebbles before you can even pack up the car....

 

So for me, that's pretty Giant, especially when you consider that each one takes an hour or so to create. 

 

Now... I'm no Matematician, but that's, like, Ten Hours of work (although, someone might want to check my math, here).

 

Here's a bit of a preview, and the current view of my "Staging Area".... err.... I mean, "Dining Room Table".

 

 

Good thing I don't have plans to have any one over for dinner this weekend, or we'd be eating Pebble Soup.

 

 

  

Of course, Ten of these Sweeties are gone now thanks to Giant Order....

 

But I'll be making more Pebbles just as soon as I click "Post".

Or go to the Post Office.

Or put lights on the Very Large Christmas Tree that has taken up residence in my front room.

Or figure out how to contact the woman who won my giveaway over at One Pearl Button.

Or pick up the mess I've made getting ready for the show.

Or finish making signs for the show.

Or practice a few songs for my professor husband's University's Holiday Party (the new Dean is apparently, something of a Jazz pianist.... but he's also Jewish, so I guess my standard Christmas Songs are out... so... ???)

Or....

Oh geez.  Nevermind.

It's going to be a busy day.

Gratuitous Halloween Photos

Yeah.  I know.  No one cares about other people's kids' Halloween Pictures.

Sorry.

Can't seem to help myself.

I mean....

They are ADORABLE!

Can you blame me?

With his face all covered in powdered sugar?

And her mouth full of giant gumball?

Hope you had a lovely Halloween.

I know we did.

Miss M's Pirate Queen dress made of a cheapie, $2.50 (on-sale) Ladies short-sleeve T-shirt, completely remade and revamped.  Belt courtesy a pair of brown "pleather" curtains (given to me by a friend who removed them from his house after he re-claimed it from The Renters with Hideous Taste.  But, Oh! Pleather DOES come in useful!  Just not on your widows), some sticky glitter foam and a few snaps.  The stripe-y skirt was an old pair of pirate costume pants that I re-worked into a skirt....

Mr E prefers the conceptual, and decided that this year he would be "The Road", specifically, a Four-Way Stop Intersection.  It's yer' basic black sweatsuit with painted-on lines (I REALLY thought the yellow duct tape was going to stick.  I was wrong). Street Signs made with laser-jet Shrinky-Dinks.