Buzzmills

An Olympic Sized 10th Birthday...

Over the weekend we had our first party in our new house!  

An Olympic themed 10th birthday!

Every year, the kids get to pick their birthday themes...and this year, with all of the Winter Olympics excitement in our house, it seemed only natural to have an Olympic themed party!

Seeing that this was the big 1-0, I really wanted Violet to have a hand in all of the planning and such...We planned the food, the favors, the games and crafts together.  And, she helped to make some of the goodie bag items and treats as well.  It was fun to have her help and I think it made the party all the more special to her!

She and I made Olympic themed bracelets and tucked those into the goodie bags...

Along with some candies, hockey stick pencils, and flags...

The decorations were mostly international flags, along with a few balloons and white tigers...

For the food we kept it pretty simple with Korean chicken barbecue (a nod to the host country), Olympic colored fruits, and chips and veggie "torches"...

Violet and I made sugar cookies and with royal icing, and then drew one Olympic rings with edible markers for a treat...

And for the birthday cake...a marble cake decorated to look like the Pyeongchang Olympic mascot, Soohorang...

I'm not a master cake maker by any means!  But he turned out kind of cute, and really all that mattered was that Violet liked him which she did!

We played games, like "snow boarding"

Olympic ring toss,

"Speed Skating"

and archery...

We crafted our own Olympic torches...

And, at the end...there was a medal ceremony...

in which everyone was awarded their very own Olympic medal.  Violet and I made the medals using polymer clay, and paint...we were pretty thrilled with the way they turned out!

And while everyone else got "Happy Birthday" crowns to wear...the birthday girl donned a handmade crown of laurels for the occasion...

I think the birthday girl was pretty happy about how everything turned out!  I know that everyone had a great time with lots of laughs and giggles (including mom and dad!) and it was so fun getting to know some new friends and know that this transition that we've made is moving along pretty well! 

2017, A Year in Review...

Every year I think...eh, maybe I won't put together a year in review post...and then...I do.

The cons...it takes a long time to go through an entire year of making.  It takes a long time to sort through the blog posts and photos.  It takes a long time to put it all together.

The pros...it's all laid out there before you in one neat little package of a blog post.  You are reminded of all the things you actually did create over the course of 365 days.  And, while throughout the year you drew inspiration from so many others, your year in review inspires YOU!  

But, more than all of that...it's a year in review...a review of my makes from the past year, yes, but also of moments in time.  So much of what I make, whether it be sewn or otherwise, becomes a memory.  Makes are memories, makes are birthdays, holidays, vacations, special moments...Handmade is so much a part of our family life that these "year in review" posts remind me of all of that!

And, that, that, I think, is why I make the time each year to walk down memory lane...

January

DIY neck gaiters, nutcracker pajamas and dolls, dopp kit, winter woolies/long johns, King and Queen, faux fur vest and plaid skirt, cat hat DIY, sock monkey, tiny pocket tee and susanne cardi, clear plastic drawstring bag tutorital, birthday doll, poolside tote and teacher gifts

February

birthday nightgown, rowan tee and wild and free loungers, phinney ridge cardi, esme top, laure dress and fishtail kimono, marlene and miss marlene tops.

March

Corduroy dog, french terry hudsons, Secret Valentine Exchange, Toaster Sweater, Elsa tote, Zadie dress, Farrow Dress, kitty pillow, Valentine hearts pins and holiday shirts

April

Coffee and Thread blog tour, polymer clay bud vases, polymer clay egg cups, bunny pillows

and then...speaking of walking down memory lane...

the blog got left behind...It's funny how I didn't really think of it much from April through September.  There were a few (thousand) other things on my mind and more important...

We moved from Maryland to New Jersey, as with any move it was a crazy, emotional, whirlwind time.  And my fabric and sewing machines were tucked away in boxes for months...

And then in September I jumped right back in!

September

Klein dress, Bess top, Sway dress, Feliz Dress, Anniversary ties, Panda Rowan tee and Noa pants

October

Chambray Geranium, baby gifts, Apple Rushbrook dress, Halloween pajamas, Batty raglans

November

Plaid skirt, witch, cat treat bucket, cat costume, family halloween costumes

December

Urban Jungle doll, Yasmeen Maxi, Advent Calendar

And then, ALL those things that never did (and never will...) make it to the blog...

Because, let's face it Instagram is amazing and fun...and loads easier than blogging all of the time!  Ha, ha, ha!  Anywho...if you missed any of those fun creative things above, be sure to find me on Instagram, because, you know there's a whole other world of creativity over there!

And...one more thing...this year Rachael, Imagine Gnats, asked me to be a part of the already amazing team of contributors at the Imagine Gnats blog, which I could not be happier about!  It's an amazing group of talented woman and she's got such a beautiful shop...what could be better?

While many are looking ahead and putting together their #makenine collages or other "sewing in 2018" plans...here I am, taking a look back.

I've not really ever been one to make plans ahead of time.  Not in life, not in sewing.  I'm a procrastinator and a "let's see how things go" kind of gal (and I'm TOTALLY NOT at the same time!)

So, instead, I'll look back and move forward at the same time.  See what projects inspire me, see what memories there are to be made...and enjoy looking back on those that have already been made!

Happy 2018!

 

Welcome to the Jungle Blog Tour...

I am so excited for today's post! 

Today, I'm sharing my Urban Jungle Animal Doll as a part of the Petit à Petit "Welcome to the Jungle" pattern tour.  Celina, of Petit à Petit + Family, just released the coolest and cutest doll patterns (and clothes!) and to celebrate...I got to join the jungle tour along several other talented women!  There are so many different options so we are showing off a few of them so you can find inspiration and find time to make one yourself, just in time for holiday gifts!

Meet Olive the Oriole bird...

When I first saw Celina's Urban Jungle Animal Dolls I fell in love with April's fox, then I saw the panda and knew Henry would want him!  And then, out of nowhere Henry peaked over my shoulder to investigate what I was looking at.  The oos and ahhs ensued...which, of course brought Violet over too...I quickly realized that I had accidentally let the "cat out of the bag" on a potential Christmas gift idea. 

Boo.

A few days later Celina asked me if I wanted to be a part of the tour.  I thought about attempting, still, to make something in secret, but then I was having a tough time deciding on what to make after hearing them ooh and ahh over all of the dolls and they seemingly didn't really have a favorite.  I tried to get hints from them, but in the end I just asked...

I'm glad I did because, somewhat surprisingly to me, they both loved the bird!  I think it was the wings that won them over...

I don't at all blame them!

The bird, it was decided, wasn't going to be just any bird...but it'd be an Oriole bird!

It's a funny thing, the things that become important to you, the things that you hold on to. 

The Oriole bird, the bird of Baltimore (go O's!), the bird of Maryland.  A bird, that isn't often seen though it's revered by many.

The Oriole bird means a lot to these kids (and to my husband), because it represents the Maryland that's in their blood.  And now that we no longer live in Maryland, and must tolerate the many many Yankee fans around (sorry if you are a fan! ;) ) that symbol seems all the more important and special.

So, an Oriole bird is what we decided...but then of course, I couldn't help but take a few liberties to make this a special Oriole bird...

I am not new to making dolls and stuffed animals.  I've made many, many before.  Stuffed animals are actually some of the first things I sewed when I began sewing 10 or so years ago...stuffed animals for my soon to be nephews and for our friend's new babies...Dolls and stuffed animals are some of my most favorite things to make in fact!  

I love making them firstly because...who doesn't love a beautiful handmade doll?  Secondly, the possibilities are endless in the making.  From fabrics to colors to faces to...

Celina's doll patterns make the possibilities even more endless with a large variety of animals, eyes and even clothes to dress them up in!  

When I make dolls or stuffed animals I particularly love to play with texture...

The body and head is made of a random bit of gold specked herringbone wool that I had in my stash...

The red breast...a scrap of beautiful upholstery fabric from my stash...The arms, velvet (from Halloween), the legs, pinwale corduroy (from my Farrow)

Each and every element gives a new texture to touch and hold and cuddle.  Each and every piece of fabric making for a one of a kind, completely unique doll!  That's why making dolls is a favorite! 

I'm also pretty smitten with these gold flecks and herringbone!

And these fierce eyes! 

And don't get me started on the tail!  

I should say also, that making dolls is one of my favorite things because there is so much satisfaction when you see the smiles on the faces that get those handmade dolls!

The way handmade dolls are used to fuel their imagination...

And, in Olive the Oriole's case, the way their imagination can take flight and allow a bird with felt wings to soar...

And soar...

Imagination and smiles, make a makers heart happy don't they!

What a fun doll this was to make!  There are already requests for different dolls...a unicorn seems to be on the top of the list currently.  Bravo to Celina for making such a wonderful pattern filled with so many options and instructions that are clear and easy to follow and very well detailed.  My kids, and many others it seems, particularly love the giant size of this doll, it is super fun! 

If you want to see all of the different doll options from bird, to panda to lion and more...and, of course want to grab your own copy as well, you can find that all here!

To celebrate the tour, there is also a fantastic giveaway happening on Instagram, Head over to enter to win this great prize package!

– The Urban Jungle Animal Doll pattern bundle (this includes 15 animals + the Basic Clothing).
– All of the Petit à Petit patterns.
– $25 Gift Card to Chalk and Notch Patterns
– 1 pattern of your choice from Paisley Roots
– 1 yard of Christmas fabric from Emily of Enjoyful Makes

Also make sure your following along with the full tour...you are sure to be inspired!  

Dec. 6th: Made by Sara | Chalk and Notch
Dec. 7th: Little Cumquat
Dec. 8th: Buzzmills | My Cozy Co | Gaafmachine
Dec. 9th: Paisey Roots | Lily & Woody | Little Seren
Dec. 10th: Sewing Like Mad | Just Add Fabric | Enjoyful Makes

Enjoy and Happy Holidays and happy making!

Simple Photo Card Advent Calendar...

Happy December first!  It's just the first day of December but we are already fully into the Christmas spirit around here!  Decorations inside and out and Christmas music on repeat, all that's left is seeing Santa and getting our tree!

Of course, December first, also means it's the first day of Advent, which means the it's time for the Advent calendar!  And, as I unpacked our Advent calendar from last year and searched for a place for it in our new home...it occurred to me that I never did share it here!

It really is the simplest little advent calendar!  But what it "lacks" in fancy it makes up for in memories!  And, this year, being in a new home and starting brand new Christmas memories...remembering the old ones will be especially heartwarming. 

How to:

I simply cut cardstock to 4" x 6" size and printed pictures from Christmases past on one side...On the other side I added numbers 1-25.  That's it, really!  Each card is hung with a painted red (just to make it more festive) clothespin and flipped around to reveal a holiday memory from the past each day.  The pictures are a surprise to each of us every morning.  And the memories and smiles from each remind us all of what the holiday season is all about.

Really, it's the simplest things that can make your heart full...

Like finding a new and special place for our old advent calendar.

Ps...this advent calendar, while not in it's best shape, is hanging in the basement this year too because the kids still love it! 

And seeing my first advent calendar (despite my terrible photos!) still makes me smile, probably just because Violet is so tiny!

And, oh my goodness...the kids made ME and advent calendar this year too!  They are the BEST!

Happy Christmas season! 

Now I better stop procrastinating and do some Christmas making! 

Polymer Egg Cups...

Rainy, chilly days are really the perfect kind of days for family crafting aren't they?  With so many other family activities, sports, etc. in our lives nowadays we don't do it quite as often as we used to, but we still really enjoy it!

After we'd had our fill of bud vases, but not our fill of polymer clay crafting...we began to experiment a little.  Polymer clay is such a fun material to work with, soft and easily moldable for even small hands.  It's kind of like "grown-up" play-doh!  Grown up because you can bake it and keep it!  It's funny, I never quite enjoyed playing with play-doh, but polymer clay...I could twist and pull and mold and make with it for hours!  In fact, I/we did! 

It's really quite calming and a bit addictive too.

Being that we had just recently pulled out our Easter eggs and decorations the kids and I found ourselves inspired to make some eggs cups.  

Violet, began with a sweet little bunny egg cup...

Which turned out so well!

The single down turned ear was inspired, I think, by our bunny pillows.

And, the cutest part?

That little tail gets me! 

While she was toiling away on her sweet little Easter Bunny...I, began forming flower petal after flower petal...

To make a couple flower egg cup holders.

Henry thinks they look a bit like water lilies...

And, as I was making my flowers, he sat across the table observing my water lily making...and made his own!

We forget sometimes, or more to the point I forget sometimes, how enjoyable it can be to sit down and create quietly with the kids.  So often I find myself getting them set up to make something and then move on to whatever other thing I was working on, but, as it turns out, even bigger kids like to make alongside their grownups...

Afterward, both Violet and Henry, kept telling me, as they beamed with pride, how much fun they had.  Fun, because they were happy with what they made, but also fun because I was there making too...

It really was the perfect way to spend a rainy weekend morning...together and creating!

ps.  Want more polymer clay inspiration?  Or maybe more specifically Easter polymer inspiration?  

Or perhaps, some other fun Eastery things to do or create?

Enjoy!