Sage's Birthday Gift

My two oldest kids were invited to a birthday party adventure this weekend and I needed to get creative with the gift. After some brainstorming for options, we settled on candy- lots of candy. Candy is always popular with 14 year olds, or so I have been schooled by my OWN 14 year old. So keeping that in mind, I thought I would dig out my stash of drink carriers and look for something creative to hold the candy. I just happened to have a quart canning jar that would fit the bill. One of the other crafty things I keep noticing on other blogs and in the hands of friends, are those clear eco-cups that have been decorated with die cut vinyl. Very cute!! I just recently made my own and thought that I could make one of those to put in the other side. Seemed appropriate for a drink holder, right?? Off I went, crafting the night away after a quick trip to Hobby Lobby for the cup and some ribbon and Winco for the candy. As of right now, the kids are still at the party. I can't wait to find out what she thinks of it!

Crafting the Solar System

Making the Earth pretty

Today was a busy day for us, here in the Avila house. Lots going on, for sure. One of the more fun things was special crafting time with my Sophie. She was given the option last week of doing a weeks worth of homework, or making a solar system and not having to do homework at all. Sophie chose to make a project. (That's my girl...)

The painting begins

We bought the supplies last weekend and slowly started doing prep work, such as titles and planetary research. This morning we worked together for a couple hours and she finished up rather easily. It is really lots of fun to see kids majorly enjoying the learning process. I now know that she can tell you all the planets and their orders without even looking. She may even be able to say them without the infamous joking about the "unfortunately named" planet. (Oh come on now, don't tell me you don't know what I mean...)

I was really proud of all her work. Even the work she did on her face,  "just to look like a real artist."

Sophie, the REAL artist

The final result!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We found the Leprechaun's treasure. I repeat. We found the Leprechaun's treasure! Mission successful! My youngest son is a kindergartner this year and his teacher is wonderful. She sent home a story/activity called "The Legend of the Leprechauns." 

She had them put together a box and then decorate it and set home instructions as to what to do with it. He was very excited at the prospect of being able to keep its' contents when he found it after it had been hidden the night before. Well, all he had to do was follow the trail of tiny leaves to the treasure box where he was rewarded with the goodies. 

He was most impressed with the Leprechaun sized greeting card. He figured their hands must have been really tiny if a card had to be that size. He also wondered if the coin was real gold since its' glitter was flaking off (oops, busted...) Also, he was surprised to know that even Leprechaun's steal pieces of gum from mom's purse. I think he felt sympatico or something. Like, "heck yeah, Leprechauns! Extra Strawberry Banana is my fave too!" (Too cute...) As for the emerald ring? I guess it is time to plan a wedding. He has the engagement ring already, don't you know. ;-) Overall, a very excellent experience for such a young treasure hunter. I have a feeling that he will be talking about it for some time to come. And now, we plan to enjoy the corned beef and cabbage dinner and avoid being pinched. All is right with the world. 

Pork Spring Rolls

I thought since I am getting into Spring mode, I would add a recipe that we enjoyed again tonight for pork spring rolls. And yes, I understand that the only thing they have to do with Spring is, well, the word SPRING. Whatever it takes for me to get inspired to make them is ok by me! I will fess up, though, and let you all know that the recipe comes from the back of the egg roll wrapper package. Not very glamorous, I know. But I'm not ashamed. ;-) I do, however, change it here and there as I make it to suit my family's taste, but overall it is the same and one of the best versions I have ever had. VERY yummy and super easy too. I always thought that spring/egg rolls were way to hard for an average home cook but am happy to report that they have turned out well every time I have made them. I hope that you get a chance to give them a shot. I can imagine that you could make them vegetarian by using tofu in place of the pork or by adding chopped up water chestnuts and extra veggies in place of the meat. Seems like it is more about the seasonings and sauce than the vegetable or protein ingredients. Happy Spring! :)


Pork Spring Rolls


1 lb ground pork, browned and drained and crumbled
2 tsp minced ginger
1 tsp crushed garlic
2 cups finely chopped cabbage
1/4 lb bean sprouts
1/2 cup shredded carrots
3 green onions, finely chopped
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 pkg egg roll wrappers
vegetable oil for frying

Stir fry meat, ginger and garlic over high heat until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Add cabbage, bean sprouts, carrot, green onions, salt, pepper and sugar. Cook 2 minutes. Stir in oyster sauce. Let mixture cool. Use 2 tablespoons filling for each egg roll and roll up so that all ends are sealed. Wet finger and run along edge of wrapper to help adhere edges. Fry in 350 degree oil until golden, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with your choice of dipping sauce.




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It's almost Spring!

Last Fall, I bought a wreath stand at Pier One. I had many plans for what I could put on that puppy. I figured I would get sick of seeing the same thing and would be inspired to make new creations for every season. Figured it could be my crafting catalyst... Well, so far, that hadn't exactly happened. UNTIL... I got another crafty bug this week and decided to make some Spring decorations and more specifically, to do a wreath for my fancy shmancy holder. I did a little bit of internet trolling, ummmm, I mean SEARCHING for wreaths... and found a few inspiring ideas at The Casabella Project and at Blue Sky Confections. I have been seeing burlap used in all sorts of ways lately and I have also noticed a trend in alphabet letters and numbers, so I figured that would be a good starting point.

I started at Dollar tree but wasn't all that excited by what they offered at that visit (which is a rare thing,) so, I ventured over to Joann's and picked up a few things. They practically had their whole store on sale since it happens to be "National Crafting Month!" Didn't even really know there was such a thing, but figured it was serendipitous.

I started by wrapping the "A" in twine, a little tedious, but piece of cake once I figured out how to keep the hot glue off my fingers. (Ain't that the truth...)















Then I cut a piece of burlap, long enough to go around the perimeter of the wreath form and the glued it down. I kind of gathered up the edges as I went along to give it a nice, well... gathered look. I glued it down on the back as I overlapped the edges.

Here is how it looked all covered. Just in case you wanted to see the magic that is a burlap covered wreath form. ;-)

















Then I started making a gazillion little fabric flowers. If you haven't made these before, there is a trick to them. I, however, don't really know that trick so I found myself winging it. A LOT. I started by cutting some strips of pretty spring colored fabric, about 25 inches long and about 1 inch wide and then cut some circles of burlap and started twisting and adhering the fabric strips (wish I had some felt handy 'cuz I probably wouldn't have burned my fingers as much as the glue exuded itself through the holes in the burlap.)

Next is to start arranging, rearranging and then arranging again, all those little flowers you made. Oh, and don't forget to embellish. You must embellish! ;-) I added some flat backed pearls, some colored rhinestone brads and some seam binding ribbon leaves. I just played around with the placement until I liked what I had. I ended up needing to make another flower or two because I had some that just didn't live up to my (relaxed) standards. Last step was adding a ribbon to the A and attaching a ribbon for hanging. Then I still questioned whether it was done or not. I had a couple of suggestions for adding another flower or something to the letter. I see what they are saying, but I am not sure if it would look too busy or not. As it is, there is a lot going on. Not sure if I want to complicate it or not. If I feel bored later, I may play around with it some more. Who knows. But the crafty bug has a short life span and there is still much to be done before he goes away. Thanks for stopping by and visiting. See you next time!