DIY Mini Doll Table and Chairs

Meant to post this back in December but just never got around to it.  For Christmas I bought my niece a ton of Lalaloopsy Tinies to add to her collection of mini Lalaloopsies.  Since I couldn't find a small doll table in the stores I set out to create one myself.  I got this idea from a YouTube person who reviews toys.  She made a cute table set and so the creation started. Here is what the final version looked like:

Here is what I did to make this table set.  I bought some mini spools in two sizes and some wooden shapes.

I took some craft pain I had and painted the pieces in some bright Lalaloopsy like colors.

I wanted to add a little more whimsy to it so I added some details to the pieces.

I glued all the pieces together with E6000.  My niece really loved her new table to have her dolls sit for a tea party.

DIY: Finger Puppet Theater

I purchased some cute finger puppets from Amazon for my niece as part of her birthday gift.
I didn't want to just give her the puppets, so I decided I would make her a quick puppet theater. I wanted one that would be very girly, can stand up on it's own (on a table top), and could fold up easily for storage. I decided to use and old priority mail box I had lying around. I cut the tops and bottoms off. I then cut down the middle of one of the panels and then cut a square opening on the other.

I covered the entire box (inside and out) in scrapbook paper (I used K & Co. WB Gypsy Baby Paper Pad which is no longer available). Then I used one of the long top flaps I had cut off earlier and used it as a sign on top. I used some glitter chipboard letters. I also used some white tulle scraps I had and some ribbon to create the curtains. For the curtain rod I used a chop stick.

My niece really liked her new puppet show stage.

Organizing scrapbooking and craft supplies

I've been working to clear out a closet that was packed with crafting supplies. I'm looking to sell my place in the next year or so and need to work on decluttering - so the first place was that closet which I was meaning to get to for years now. It is looking in great shape. I have posted several items on eBay. It was hard to try and part with my supplies but even with what I am keeping, I have more than I can probably ever use. If you are interested here is the link to my My eBay Auctions. Here is a picture of the before and after of the closet I was clearing out. It was a pretty big task but it is looking great.

And here are all the supplies I kept. This is a closet I purchased at IKEA several years back. It was already jam packed with supplies - so I also had to go through this closet to skinny down here as well. Pretty much all my crafting supplies are in this one closet, with the exception of my yarn and a few items I have stored in the basement.

Lalaloopsy Dollhouse

Little dollhouse I made for my niece so she can play with her mini Lalaloopsy dolls and furniture. Made from photo boxes purchased at Michaels and covered with scrapbooking paper to look like wallpaper. The house inspiration came from The Crafty LadyBug. The dresser and kitchen shelves were made from matchboxes inspired by Homemade City. The windows and Lalaloopsy pictures were cut out from the boxes the dolls came in.

Sock Bunnies for Easter

Made these two cute little bunnies from baby socks. Gave them to my niece and nephew last weekend. Need to make two more for my other niece and nephew as their Easter gifts.

Valentine Cupcakes

I decided to make my sweetie some yummy mini red velvet cupcakes for Valentines. I love this recipe, it is a hit every time. I added some red sprinkles and some conversation hearts. They look so cute!

For the recipe, go to The Cake Doctor Mix - Red Velvet Cupcakes (as seen on Good Morning America). I did not add the peppermint extract to the frosting because I am just not fond of peppermint, the frosting is just as delicious without it. This recipe is for 24 normal size cupcake. I made them into mini cupcakes and it yielded about 72 mini cupcakes. I'll be taking the rest into the office on Tuesday because otherwise I will eat them all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

You Have My Cheese

My boyfriend's 50th birthday is soon approaching. I wanted to give him something special. I am still thinking about what to buy him - but I knew what I wanted to make. We met at work several years ago. We were very friendly to each other and there was a draw to each other. But I had been burned a couple of times by dating someone at work - with me ending up in tears and looking for a new job. So I swore I would not do it again.

One day his group was given the book "Who moved my cheese". I asked if I could borrow it since several coworkers were talking about it. I read it one night and saw the page where it said "What would you do if you weren't afraid". Immediately I thought "I would date him". So I put a sticky note on that page and wrote - this is my favorite quote. Then I gave him the book back and asked him to read it so we can talk about it. It took a while for him to read the book, but when he finally did he understood what I meant by my note. So a couple of weeks later we went out to lunch and he asked me out to dinner. The rest is history. I could not have asked for a better man. He loves me just as I am, warts and all - and I love him dearly too. We have been together for 10 years.

So as part of his birthday present I wanted to make him a felt mouse holding a piece of cheese. Not sure what the note will say yet. It will either be "I found my cheese" or "You have my cheese". Anyway, I hope he likes it.

Goldfish Plushie for Kitty

Woke up too early this morning. Was browsing through the web watching you tube videos of crafty stuff and then kitty cats - my two favorite things. Not sure what sparked my interest to suddenly make my kitty cat a catnip toy - but I decided, hey I want to make him a goldfish with lots of catnip stuffed inside of it (he loves mega doses of catnip). I looked at some cotton material that I had (yellow with little flowers) and thought how thin this was and perhaps he needed something more substantial - something he can sink his claws and teeth into (although he usually licks the thing to death - lol). So here is the final product:



And here is kitty enjoying his new catnip plushie. :)