"Be Mine" Bunting

I found a fun tutorial here for a Valentine Pillow Bunting and tried my own version, shown here. Reverse applique and embroidery--two fairly new techniques for me--made these cute little pillows to adorn a mantle, or wherever. My only problem was the little pillows don't hang quite straight, so I'm not taking a picture of them hanging up. Maybe next year I'll figure out a better way to hang 'em.

Yarn Felt Flower Wreath

My newest creation! Super-cute AND easy. I'd seen a couple done by friends on Facebook, and they led me to this tutorial, which gave props to the Itz Fitz Etsy shop. I made the mistake of first using a thin yarn, and realized about an hour into the project that this was gonna take FOREVER... so started again with a chunky yarn. Much better. I used both felt and fleece for the flowers. I love a project that doesn't have to be perfectly done to look good!

Kate's Christmas Bow

Homemade Playdough

Poor Kate was a little upset this morning when Brian and Jack went to Deming to pick up our "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake without her. I would have been a little worried about spending the morning with such a cranky girl... until I remembered a fun kids' kitchen project I'd been saving for awhile: homemade play-dough! The original idea I saw was for Candy Cane Playdough (get that "Artful Parent" tutorial here), which I think would be a lovely idea to give out as classroom gifts.



Today, however, we decided to play it simple and just do one plain batch. We had so much fun! Kate loves to help in the kitchen. And it made her forget all about her brother's trip to Deming.

Ingredients:
5 cups water
5 cups flour
2 1/2 cups salt
3 Tablespoons cream of tartar
10 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Food coloring

Instructions:
Mix water, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a large pot. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring regularly until mixture is hot. Add oil. Stir in flour a cup at a time, stirring in between each addition. Each cup of flour will make the dough more and more difficult to stir as it becomes thicker! Mix until playdough pulls away from pan and is no longer sticky (pinch it between your fingers to test). Dump dough on counter, let cool a bit, then knead. Keep playdough in a freezer bag at room temperature. This recipe makes a lot and lasts for several months!
*Recipe from this "The Artful Parent" post.