handmade holiday :: plaid desk set for dad

start with plaid flannel shirts.

photocopy.

{expect a few raised eyebrows at the copy store.}

cut to fit a large empty can
& hot glue in place.

{we also glued circles of felt to the bottoms & insides of our cans}

trace can with dressmakers chalk 
onto four thicknesses of flannel.

sew along line & cut to trim.

{it's a coaster!}

extra credit:

use a fancy button-making machine

to make a matching button magnet

to hold a note on the can.

:: plaid pen cup ::

:: plaid coaster ::

:: plaid magnet ::

 a plaid dad is a glad dad.

♥

the olympia candy kitchen in goshen, indiana

my dad grew up in goshen.

he hung out at the olympia.

he took me there as a little girl.

he and i took emily there as a baby.

there is an old-fashioned soda fountain

and a super-tall pressed-tin ceiling.

it is like stepping back in time.

you can order a vanilla phosphate {my favorite}

and a toasted peanut butter sandwich.

{or a toasted nut olive sandwich... not sure about that one.}

take a look at their menu here.

whenever we would visit

grandma grace & grandpa weldon,

we would stop by the olympia for a box of

hand-dipped chocolate maple creams.

{the chocolate is swirled into an M on the top.}

you can still order them here.

♥

handmade holiday :: peanut butter dog biscuits

peanut butter dog biscuits

4 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups oats

1/4 cup flax seeds

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 1/2 cups water

mix all ingredients

roll out to 1/4 inch thickness

cut with a dog bone cookie cutter

bake 40 minutes at 350°

{allow to cool & dry out completely before packaging}

this recipe made enough to fill 8 tins

like the one pictured.

♥

p.s. i will email my dog biscuit label document

to anyone who would like it.

the big guy

we met him {and the missus} today

it was BREAKFAST WITH SANTA at ned's school.

in this photo, santa is holding

a shiny new penny that ned gave him.

{i guess there's more than one way to get on the NICE list.}

♥

p.s. today was also our last handmade holiday workshop.

as a result, i feel that special "christmas eve exhaustion" tonight.

i'll post more of our projects next week.

show & tell :: hexbug

a giant bug robot...called a hexbug

{a birthday present from grandma & pa}

{these grubby paws had just come home from kindergarten}

turn it on and it crawls around

in a way that is very buggish.

it even responds to sound.

look how happy it makes him

♥

handmade holiday :: teacup candles

we made teacup candles as teacher presents.

everyone chose a vintage cup

{which was prepared with a wick, metal wick tab, & a dab of hot glue}

and i poured the hot wax.

this is the wax i use.

it looks like flaked coconut

and melts easily in the microwave.

{i use a 2-cup pyrex measuring cup.}

i made candles long, long ago

but this video re-inspired me to make more:

♥

ebay listings

new items on ebay.

{thanks for taking a peek!}

post edit: i have removed links as all auctions have ended

retro kitchen clock

clown thingamajig

set of 5 fire & light candlesticks

clown jumping jack

jester jumping jack

paper watch

sophie the giraffe

large metal fish-shaped serving bowl

♥