Felt Obcession

We are coming close to the holidays so I am working on gifts for the kids in my life. I loved making the little donut I made a few months back, so I have made more some with different frosting and some with different sprinkles. I also made peanut butter cookies with chocolate and butterscotch kisses on top, as well as a big sandwich cookie. I am currently using the Lilly Bean Market patterns, but I am working on figuring out some patterns of my own. I thought I wouldn't have time, but if I plan out what I am going to do in stages, I am having good luck finishing projects.

I figure that homemade goods will be mostly what I'm giving this year. We really have to save as much as we can this year, especially since we now have 2 kids. But that being said, I have become a bit obcessed with making this felt food. I scour the internet looking for patterns and tutorials. I have gone to JoAnn fabrics to buy more felt even though have haven't finished the projects I am currently doing. Plus they had the cutest box of thread in so may colors on sale, that I had to buy that too. So, my idea to save money this year is slowly slipping away. Ooops!

Felt Sweets

So, I attempted to make a felt donut today. It came out pretty good for my first one, but it was definitely more difficult than the fortune cookies. I think I will try and make some potato chips next- to add some color to the plate, and maybe a cherry pie. The chips in a bag seem pretty easy. My son is enjoying all the food, and wants to be a part of the process. He's become a good circle tracer, and I just do the sewing when he's asleep.

My plan is to try and figure out which items come out best (who am I kidding- I mean the easiest and least time consuming), so I can start preparing for the holidays since I won't have any time when the baby comes. Since the economy is so bad, I'm going back to homemade gifts. Now that the sewing machine is out more, my son has requests! He says he wants a cake and some shoes for his doll Joe. I'm almost done with the shoes, but don't think I'll be attempting a cake anytime soon. As for my requirements...a cake seems pretty time consuming. At least longer than nap-time.

Play Food

I've gotten into making play food. I found a great website that sells it, but I can't afford it right now. My son loves his kitchen, and makes us dinner most nights. I've started making food from felt, because I think it's really cute and it's not plastic. We try and stay away from buying plastic toys in our household, but sometimes that can get expensive. I've found making it is really fun and lets me decompress for a while. I started with something really easy. Fortune Cookies! I found the tutorial on http://lillybeanmarket.blogspot.com/. Next I'm going to try felt donuts with icing - or maybe a pie or cupcake. Yum!