Craft Hope Doll Finally Finished

About a month ago I found out about a site called "Craft Hope". I was led to participate in their most recent project, creating a handmade doll for a needy child in Nicaragua. Please visit the site to read more. It will inspire you. It is all about crafting for a good cause.

I finally finished the doll that I am sending to Nicaragua (she is the one on the left in the photograph). She is hugging Martha (the doll I made for Lilly) goodbye. We hope she makes some little child very happy. It was such a joy to bring her to life.

The pattern for the doll was designed by Emily of "Inside A Black Apple"

p.s. I made the doll outfits from old shirts of mine (except the rose shirt, it is fabric from the $1 table at Walmart). They didn't fit anymore, but I couldn't part with the fabric. Told you I'm a pack rack!

Yummy

My culinary genius husband made grouper tacos tonight. He grilled fresh grouper and served it in tortillas. Then he topped the tacos with grated cheddar cheese, shredded cabbage, sour cream and homemade mango and red salsas. Yummy! For dessert I, the culinary challenged, made a frozen peanut butter pie. It's a favorite around here. Here is the recipe:

FROZEN PEANUT BUTTER PIE 2 (3 oz.) pkgs. of cream cheese (softened)

1 c. sifted powdered sugar

1/2 c. peanut butter

1/2 c. milk

1 (9 oz.) container whipped topping (thawed)

8 inch graham cracker pie shell (I use the chocolate ones)

1/4 c. chopped nuts

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add peanut butter. Beat in milk, then fold in Cool Whip. Pile into pie shell. Sprinkle with peanuts and freeze until firm.

Very simple, very delicious.

A Brilliant Book!

I went to Barnes and Noble today and I found the most awesome book ever! It is like a book I have always dreamed of but didn't even know that I was dreaming of until I saw it. It is called "How to Be an Explorer of the World". It is a creative book for anyone. It is for creative people who want to find new inspiration and ideas, it is for people who want to tap into their creativity, and it is a great book for children to explore their imaginations. The author, Keri Smith, wrote the book one night when she couldn't sleep. She realized that scientists and artists explore and analyze the world in very similar ways so she wrote a book to teach others how they do this. Each page has activities and assignments that will allow the reader to explore the world around them and find inspiration all around, even in the most unlikely places. One assignment is to sit outside for 10 minutes and record all the sounds you hear. Another is to sit in a familiar room and list 10 things you did not notice when you first walked into the room. One of my favorites was to make a sculpture using things that are around you at that moment. It is just packed with awesome new ways to look at the world and observe. I didn't buy the book today because I am going to order it from Amazon. I will let you know when I get it and begin exploring. Let me know if you get one too and we can share experiences. Enjoy your weekend!

Rainy Day Fun

I have lost track of how many days in a row it has rained here...I think today was day 11. The pool is cold and the yard is muddy so we had inside fun making potato prints.

Sweet Scrapbook

My most recent project was a scrapbook for my daughter Lilly's 2nd birthday. It has only taken me 4 months to get it together...hey that's good for me. Her party had a candy theme. I couldn't wait to make a "sweet scrapbook" filled with candy, cupcakes, glitter and fluff. I have to say I am pleased with the results. I made the book itself by sandwiching cardstock between 2 gift bags ( purchased at the target dollar spot, one of my favorite places to shop). I left the gift bags intact and used them to hold her birthday cards and extra photos. When I find the book where I got this brilliant idea, I will post the title. On the cover is a cupcake off of a gift bag I received 4 years ago. It was way too cute to throw away. I knew I would use it one day. Who says being a pack rat is a bad thing? I made some candy embellishments by wrapping tiny buttons with tissue paper. I like the dimension. Martha Stewart has a similar product at Michael's, but I thought I'd make my own version.

Isn't it yummy?!

Do you think Lilly would mind having a candy party every year?

Am I the only crazy one that would actually plan my kid's party around what kind of scrapbook I want to make?

Lilly was looking through the book tonight and shrieking, "thas me mommeeeee!" She poured over each and every page and had fun feeling the tissue, buttons, and ribbons. She seemed to love it. Mission accomplished!

A New Day

I can't believe the day is finally here...the day I am beginning my blog. I have thought about this day for some time now and I am so excited to be making it a reality. I have been inspired by so many beautiful blogs over the past year. It all started with Posie Gets Cozy, a beautiful blog by Alicia Paulson. After I found her blog I was hooked! Now I am craft blog obsessed. I am never at a loss for ideas and inspiration. There are so many talented people out there creating and sharing.

Besides creating a new blog this weekend my precious daughter Lilly was baptized. What another beautiful new beginning! Our family was here to celebrate with us, including our beautiful new niece Daniela.

It was such a special weekend for me....welcome to Lilly Cakes...here's to everything new!