Pompom Puppet Tutorial

Months later and I finally got around to putting together a tutorial for the pompom puppet. This would be a fun project to do with children. Bags of multi-sized pompoms with enough for twelve puppets can be found at craft stores for under five dollars. You can use a glove instead of sticks for controls. During the winter season you can find a pair of gloves (makes 2) for a dollar at a variety of stores. The tutorial as a pdf can be found here.

Hedgehog Cupcakes: A mini how-to

My daughter loves hedgehogs. While she was on a trip to So Cal a friend bought her a hedgehog cupcake from a bakery. So, of course, when she came home she had to make hedgehog cupcakes.
Yummy and cute! They are easy enough to make with your kids.

You will need: caramels, mini chocolate chips, confetti sprinkles, sliced almonds, toasted coconut, chocolate frosting and cupcakes.

1. Frost a cupcake with chocolate frosting. Don't skimp, you need the frosting to hold the head and the coconut on.
2. Top cupcake with toasted coconut. Gently press into frosting or your hedgehog will shed.
3. Form a caramel into a cone for the head. Press well into the frosting.
   
4. Attach mini chocolate chips with a dab of frosting for eyes. You can put a little bit of frosting in a zip lock baggie and snip a tiny hole in the corner to make small dabs to attach eyes and noses.
5. Attach a small confetti sprinkle with a dab of frosting for the nose.
6. Add sliced almonds just behind the head for ears.
7. Admire your little creation before devouring.

Very yummy, very cute!

Treasure Bag Tutorial

This is a tutorial for a small gift bag. I've been making them for my family to hold chocolates and small gifts for the various holidays. I like to use theme fabrics when making them for the different holidays, hearts for Valentine's, shamrocks for St. Pat's, bunnies for Easter, etc. The finished size is about 4 1/2" tall x 3" wide. This is my first attempt at a tutorial. I would appreciate comments that would help my tutorial writing skills improve. So here goes:

Materials needed:

1. 2-5"x6" pieces of fabric for the sides
2. 1-3 1/2" circle of fabric for the bottom
3. 7/8-1yd 1/8" ribbon or cord for the drawstring
   

Due to the small size of the bag the casings get pressed before sewing the side seams.
Press down 1/4", then 1" from that fold. Unfold and sew the side seams (1/4" seam allowance), leaving a 1/4" opening 1 7/8" down from the top edge. (See above picture).Press the seams open.

I usually stay stitch just a bit less than the seam allowance on the bottom edge. This will allow you to clip to the stitching to help it lie flat when sewing to the bottom.

Now fold down the casing, 1/4" and then 1", edge stitch from the bottom fold and stitch again 1/4" away from the edge stitching. Make sure the side seams are flat or you will not be able to get the drawstring threaded through.

Next pin and sew the bottom to the sides,1/4" seam allowance. I divide the bottom and sides by quarters, match these up, pin on these marks and then sew. You may need to clip the bottom edge of the sides to make it fit and lie flat enough to sew. Just be sure not to clip through the stay stitching.

Turn the bag right side out. Cut the ribbon or cord in half and thread it through the casing as follows: start on one side and completely go around and come out where you started, then start on the opposite side and completely go around and come out where you started. Knot the ends together. TIP: Because the casing is so narrow I use a large blunt needle to thread the ribbon through. Thread the ribbon into the eye of the needle and push through the the casing with the eye end of the needle.


Your bag is now ready to be filled with treasures for that special someone.