Non-traditional Cake Makin'

This is either the weirdest idea I've had, and possibly the strangest thing I've made or it's super smart and I'm thinking outside the box.  You can decide.  Even though I'm finished with the project, I'm still on the fence.

Sooo, here's what happened.  I have this friend, I haven't known her too long, just a couple of months but she is super cool.  She recently had a milestone birthday - one I will have this year, too - and I wanted to help her celebrate somehow.  However, I didn't want to be traditional.  I really do quirky best so stationary sets and fancy pens really weren't an option for her.  Instead I made a cake out of something she loves.  Let me just show you the pictures, that may be easier.  Now keep in mind, it's a cake in the loosest sense of the word.  Some of you may see the "cake", some may not - that's ok.

First, I went out and bought her favorite drink.  We have discussions about this often because I really don't like Pepsi - I can tolerate it now but there was a time that I was such a Coke fan that if my only choice in a restaurant was Pepsi, I'd crawl under the table and cry or boycott the restaurant completely.  I've matured now though so I can  have a friend who likes Pepsi and things will be ok.  

When I bought her soda, I had to make sure that I was buying the same amount of soda to equal her years in life - 40 of them.  My theory here is that even though I've only known her a few months, we've become fast friends and I'm sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that had we been friends longer, I would have treated her to a Pepsi many other times.  So, I decided to buy her 40 Pepsi's for the 40 years I missed out on being her friend.  Ya, it's cheesy but that's ok.  

Next, I grabbed my freezer paper (it was the only large white paper I had in my house) and I started wrapping the sodas up.  I did the big box first.

Then individual cans went into a small box and got wrapped up in white paper as well.  

After wrapping the smaller box I stacked it on top of the bigger box, you know, like a layered cake.  Can you see it?  We'll, this worked great for about 5 minutes.  Then my stupidity hit a new level.

I decided to cut a slit in the top of the box so that I could add "candles".  The slit worked great.  Just a straight line big enough for a straw to fit in.  The problem was that the cans had shifted in the box and I needed them to separate a little to fit the straw all the way in and have it hold in place.

This is were my great idea turns to a "what was she thinking, duh!" moment.  To make the room I needed, I put my scissors in the slit and attempted to push the cans apart. Do you know what happens when sharp scissors meet an aluminium can?

Pressurized soda can + sharp scissors = HOLY CRAP GRAB ME A TOWEL QUICK!!!

Yes, a soda geyser was erupting in my living room and my family will never, ever let me live this one down.

Luckily, because the sodas were inside a box, it only really ruined the one soda and the box.  I just had to start over.  The replacement wasn't as crisp looking but the idea still worked so I went with it.  

I was able to put the "candles" in place and then decorate the "cake" by wrapping ribbon around both layers and adding a big 'ol 40 to the front.  The candles were some of my happy straws with pieces of a sparkly Christmas garland coming out of them.  It worked.

And here it is, the finished "cake".  Ya, it doesn't look much like a cake BUT I know it is one cake that will stay moist, be fully enjoyed, and hopefully it made my friend smile, that's all it needed to do.

Heads-Up!

Just a heads-up.  Starting tomorrow, Tues. May 7th, my Etsy shop will go in sleeper mode.  It will re-open, next Monday, May 13th.  Soooooo, today is your last chance to buy something for mom and have it shipped in time for Mother's day.

These pendants have been the top seller this year.  You can add a child's name, birth date or both to back.  Such a sweet sentiment for the new mom, or the old mom, or just mom's in general.  Plus, I can make them in different colors if you don't like the turquoise, magenta or moss.

Anyway, I still have these and many, many other designs that can be make it to mom in time, they just have to be ordered today.  Follow the link here to see all the goods.  :)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Thenshemade 

Friday's Fast Five

I've been busily working away on a few things today and thought I'd show you the five things that have been taking up the minutes in my day.  Because, really, I know you want to know.  :)

Mother's Day orders - did you all realize that Mother's day is in 9 days?  Yup, it snuck up on me too.  I've been working on filling orders as well as listing new items.  Trying to get all the orders out on Monday morning so if you still wanted in on the action, there is time.  I can even send it directly to mom for you.  You can check out my stuff here:  

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Thenshemade

Father's Day - I'm ahead of the game on this holiday.  Mother's day may have snuck up on me but last night I made Father's day crafts, 80 of them to be exact.  It wasn't all me, I planned it out and got all the supplies but the women's organization in my church got together and cranked them out.  It was awesome and what they say is true, many hands do make light work.  We have a tradition that we always give the men in our congregation a little gift/treat on Father's day.  These are what we will be giving them this year.  And, because I know I will get asked, I'll share a tutorial and more details on them soon.

Flower Hair Pins - These little bobby pin flowers have been keeping me on my toes.  They are super cute and I'm getting a lot of requests for them.  I had just three different color sets listed in my Etsy shop but I've been sewing all week and am happy say that I'll be listing several more color sets tonight.  Pinks, reds, purples, and more  - so cute. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Thenshemade

Water and Adorable Straws - I'm trying again to remember to drink water.  I'm not good at that but I am getting better.  My trick?  Make your water cute.  Psychologically the cute straw works wonders and I'm certain it makes my water taste more fun.  It's true.

And, as an added bonus, since my girls have my same need to decorate their water, they think I'm the best mom ever for buying these straws.  Who knew that such a simple act could get me so much love and praise - I'll take it!  My friend Katie, who is awesome and very talented, sells these in her shop.  She does amazing things with invitations and announcements and all things paper.  If you want to make your water cute too go check out her straws and other things.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/katiedidesigns

Mustaches - Do you think mustaches will ever go out of style?  Bug and Jet have been home from school for three days.  One was a snow day, the other two were a school wide break.  To keep them entertained I took them shopping.  Of all the things they could have bought, we came home with fuzzy staches.  we've gotten a lot of mileage out of these little things too.  Awesome!  

Anyway, those are five fast things on this Friday night.  Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Heart Speaks

Yesterday I had an experience that will not leave my mind or my heart.  To sum it up, let me share with you my post on my personal Facebook wall...

"Today at work I had a lady hang out in the yarn department for about an hour.  At first I greeted her, then a little while later I asked her if I could help her find something, and then finally she came up to me and wanted to chat.  Granted I was working so it wasn't exactly chit-chat time but when she finally left my heart hurt a little.  I realized the woman was lonely.  I'm so glad she left with a smile but I keep thinking about her.  How sad that she had to go into a retail store to find a friend." - FB post May 1, 2013

This woman was put together nicely, hair combed and cute clothes.  When you looked at her she was your everyday woman.  Her head did not hang down.  She was not physically showing any signs of sorrow.  She didn't act needy, nor did she appear depressed.

She could have been you.

She could have been me.

I don't know much about her life.  I didn't get her name.  I don't know her story but I know that when I was talking to her my heart knew she needed our conversation.  It knew.  I felt it so strongly that I couldn't ignore it.  She needed somebody to connect with.  I don't know if I made a difference by taking the time to chat but I hope I did.

The interesting thing about it all is how this experience impacted me.  How many times I have passed by people that are just like her.  The ones that need a friend but it doesn't show on the outside.  The ones that maybe I make a passing judgement on; "they've got it together, they don't need me."  How many hearts are out there that need somebody?  How many people just need a friendly conversation?  How many woman have to go to a retail store to find a friend?  How many times have I let my own insecurities get in the way of being present enough to recognize a heavy heart that is hidden behind a put-together exterior?

Speaking of my own insecurities, a few years ago I was serving in a position at my church where I helped plan and execute a large youth event.  I was one of the leaders in charge and it was a new role for me.  After all the planning was done and it was time for the event I wasn't exactly sure what my role would be during the conference.  Was I to interact with the youth? Was I behind the scenes, kitchen duty?  Was I to do both?  So I asked.  The response I got from my superior, while I know it was said without malice, hurt.

I was told, "we want the dynamic people to be with the youth so Sister so and so ..."  He went on to explain that the other female leader was the one that they wanted to be interacting with the kids. I was, indeed, without it being said, just the kitchen help. It didn't matter that for months I had planned and researched and studied and worked.  It didn't matter that everything else I had done up to that point showed my talents and dedication.  None of it mattered because all I knew from then on was that I was not dynamic enough.  Which meant, in some way to me, that I was also not of equal worth to the other leaders.

Still to this day I hang onto those words.  Any time I have a hardship in life or have to put myself out there in social situations, or if I have to speak up about something, I hear in my head "your not dynamic enough, why try?  Why bother?"

It's a false statement but don't we all do that?  Don't we all hang onto the negative and then we let those negative statements restrict us from all the good that we can do?

Yesterday, while I was interacting with this woman,  I didn't need to be dynamic.  I just needed to be present.  I didn't have to be fun, I just had to be genuine.  I didn't have to entertain, I just had to listen. I didn't have to be charming, I just had to care.

At that point in time everything I kept telling myself that I'm "not" didn't matter as much as what I actually was.  I'm grateful that I had that moment of clarity.

I'm sure I didn't make a grand difference in this woman's life but maybe, just maybe, because I was willing to open myself up enough to feel her heart, maybe she didn't feel so alone when she left.  Maybe she left feeling like she met a friend in a retail store and maybe that made her day better even if it was just for a moment.  I know the whole experience made a difference in me.

I always say that kindness matters.  I hope I was kind enough that it mattered to her.  I also hope that I will remember that there are others just like her that are out there.  I'm sure I cross paths with people daily that just need a boost, a smile, a positive conversation or a heart that cares.  I hope I always remember, and then act on that.

I hope we all do.

Trim Headbands - Tutorial

So a few posts back I did a quick little tutorial on how to make bracelets out of trim.  If you don't remember it, you can find it here:  Trim Bracelets

The bracelets are cute.  We like them.  However there is a down side.  Each bracelet, depending on the wrist size, only takes between 4 to 8 inches of trim and then you have a whole bunch left over.  I'm really good at hoarding ribbon and trim so I don't mind the excess but it is a good idea to use it up, right?!  To do so I just made some really simple headbands.  My girls, all three of them, like to wear headbands so making headbands from the excess trim is a win-win for me.  And, these are actually easier to make than the bracelets.  They are also perfect for the kiddos to make themselves.  Just make sure they know how to properly use a glue gun and then let them go crazy using up all your old trim.

Here's what you do...

Gather your supplies, you will need:

Trim

Suede strips (or use a piece of ribbon)

Thin Elastic

Scissors

Glue gun & Glue sticks

Step 1:  Starting with your trim, cut a piece that measures from the bottom of one ear, across the top of the head, and then down to the bottom of the other ear.  

Next, cut the piece of elastic.  To get the right measurement of the elastic, measure from one ear around the base of the back of the head to the other ear and then cut it slightly smaller than the measurement you get.  No exact science here.  You just want the headband to hold tight to your head so make it so the elastic will be snug. Snug, not tight - tight headbands are annoying!

 Then cut two pieces of suede that are about an inch long.

Step 2:  Using your glue gun, add a dab of glue to one end of the trim and adhere the elastic in place.  Tip:  Don't over lap it too much or the suede won't cover it.  

Step 3:  Then position a piece of suede underneath the pieces you just glued together.  Use your hot glue again and add a little glue to hold it in place.  Then, add another dab of glue to the top part and wrap the suede piece around and secure in place.

When you are done with one end, it should look something like the photo above. 

Step 4:  After you get one end done, repeat the steps and glue all the pieces together on the other end. 

When you are done, which should only take a matter of minutes, you will have a headband that is ready to be worn.

Step 5:  Find a cutie to wear it!  (That was an easy step for me, Bug was a willing subject)

There you go, they are pretty simple.  And, depending on your imagination, or your stash of trim, you can make a bunch of different styles.

I prefer the braided style but the kiddos like some of these others and as an added bonus, the cost is low.  Much cheaper than buying them at a store.  I saw something similar at Target for $12.99 - eek.  Why pay that for one when you can make your own for much less?!

Enjoy!