Sewing Crafts

I do not know what goes through my head every time I jot down the deadline for my blog posts lately….the team ones that is. This has got to be the 4th time I have missed the Blogfire carnival by ONE day! Sheesh. I need a brain overhaul. Maybe I can squeeze one in between sewing, making custom orders, creating Xmas gifts, cleaning, cooking, shopping, paperwork, taking care of the boys…hmmm…maybe I should just be happy with only ONE day late

But I am still writing it, even if it does not count. The subject: The Holidays – what do you celebrate/make? We celebrate Christmas – although, hubby and I celebrate different aspects of it. That’s what happens when only one half of a couple is religious. But aside from church service, everything is essentially the same. We celebrate life, our family and all those we care about. This year we get to celebrate our (his technically) Great-Grandma’s 98th…yes, 98th…holiday season! Wowsers! And she’s still spunky – go Grandma!!!

As for what I make…well, that changes every year. A couple years ago I made a Santa & snowman head. Last year there were lots of purses. This year there will be quilts, tree skirts, stockings, felt goodies for the kiddos (I hope) and dessert…always dessert. I still need to decide on the dessert – any ideas?

The sewing stuff I listed, well, it is still in the ‘I hope” phase. I, gladly, have a few custom orders I need to complete first. I think next year I will have a cut off date for customs so I have all of December for my own creating. If I do get to it, I plan to make what you see below (clicking on the pics will bring you to the sites of the fabulous artisans I either bought the pattern from or downloaded the tutorial for free)…

Noah’s Ark by Bugga Bugs

Tiny Tree Skirt by Polkadot Chair on Moda (but I would make it regular tree sized)

…and maybe the runner too…

Pizzeria Felt Play Set by Gulf Coast Cottage

Teapot Play Set by Gulf Coast Cottage

Princess Pea Blanket by Angela Yosten on Moda

Marshmallows are the perfect snowman canvas. And as I’ve been so into marshmallows lately, it was just a matter of time before I made a marshmallow snowman. These are super easy and kid-friendly. As you can see from the masterpiece in pink and purple below, my 2-year old loves using my edible pens on marshmallows.

how to make a marshmallow snowman

you will need:*
marshmallows
edible pens
skewers
candy corn
large gum drops
whole cloves
sharp knife
light corn syrup

*NOTE: Use the larger marshmallows. Edible pens are available at craft stores, though I use Americolor gourmet writers, available in specialty stores and online. Find skewers in the supermarket or drug store. If you can’t find candy corn, you can also tint fondant (found at the craft store) with orange food coloring to make the carrot nose. See my post HERE for instructions how to do that. Lastly, you can also substitute large chocolate sprinkles or pieces of black licorice lace for the cloves to make the snowman totally edible, or omit the arms altogether.

what to do:
Skewer two marshmallows. Cut a large gum drop in half with a sharp knife and place on top of the marshmallows. Press skewer into gum drop to keep in place. Cut off the yellow bottom of a piece of candy corn and dab flat end in light corn syrup. Press onto the top marshmallow for the carrot nose. With a black edible pen, make dots for eyes and mouth. With any other color, make dots for buttons on the second marshmallow. Press cloves into sides for arms. (If you have difficulty getting cloves into the marshmallows, use a toothpick to make holes.) Let snowman rest on his back for a couple hours or overnight to let the nose dry.