Category Archives: Stuff to make

LEGO Birthday Party!

Posted in Free Tutorials, Holiday, Kids, Stuff to make by

If you’re wondering (in a few years), why I can’t afford to send my kids to college, the answer is simple.

We’ve drained the college fund to buy LEGOs.

But as they say, carpe diem. Seize the LEGOs. This is Zeke’s 6th birthday–but it’s his second LEGO-themed birthday party. And for the occasion, my mom baked LEGO cake!

For the record, it took her 7 hours. But she’s sharing her secrets on how to make a LEGO Birthday Cake here–so it won’t take you nearly as long. She also found help from Betty Crocker.

Other party highlights:

1. Pin the Button on the LEGO. By “button,” I mean those little knobby connectors on a LEGO brick. (Over the years I’ve learned that variations on Pin the Tail are always a party favorite. I’m not sure why!)

2. Wacky, Crazy LEGO contest. All contestants get a bowl of mixed-up LEGO pieces and they have to build something strange, weird and wonderful with them. We gave out minifigure surprise packs for prizes.

(Zeke is working diligently. Notice other revelers behind him are more intent on throwing balloons around.)

3. Goody bags. Candy LEGOs, free LEGO magazines (you can pick up a bunch at a LEGO store), and some grab-bag LEGOs (At the LEGO store near us, you can buy a big ziploc bag with an assortment of pieces for $7–a great deal.) Throw in some granola bars and sugarless gum for good measure.

Lovely camper art!

Posted in Paper, Stuff to make by

Meg, this one’s for you! I read about The Handmade Home’s free illustrations on How About Orange (how about that I love everything on this blog…). These campers reminded me of your ambition to freezer stencil a camper.

Some of the other freebies are very appealing, too.

(Total aside, while perusing the recommended tags for this post, including “treehugger”–nice–I see “campervan.” And remember that once upon a time I loved Camper Van Beethoven.)

Cassandra Ellis

Posted in Sewing, Stuff to make by

The work of the British quilter Cassandra Ellis is so inspiring. Her impossibly pretty home was featured on design*sponge recently, and her quilts are scattered throughout. I often find it difficult to strike a balance between modern simplicity and lively patterns when I am thinking about making a quilt. I want to use bright colors and patterns, but I don’t want to end up with something chaotic or too patchworky. It looks to me like she is guided by the fabric–she uses gorgeous colors (yay red!) and prints, which are always a good starting point. Then she seems to piece them together improvisationally. The end results are stunning.

More ruminations on photo albums

Posted in Photos, Stuff to make by

Here is my rather small collection of albums. My trouble isn’t so much the albums as the picture taking. I like to take the same annual photos, but manage to take very few in between. My albums are a little reminiscent of Groundhog’s Day–like each year consists of the same handful of days. My greatest photographic achievement to date was taking a photo of Betty with every elf from A to Z in Santa’s Village, including B, Betty (!). (I can’t wait to do it again next year.)

Inkodye fabric printing

Posted in Stuff to make by

Jessica Jones, How about Orange blogger, has a great series of posts about printing fabric using Inkodye, which reacts to sunlight like a sunprint. It looks like lots of fun, and I want someone to try it! I really love the safety pin fabric.

I am meanwhile working away on some quilts, cushions, and other home improvements.