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Tiny Paper Tiger

While I was shopping I tried to find candle holders with a large flat top to hold larger candles, but could only find ones for the typical tall skinny ones, so I improvised! I found a dozen decorative little wooden pieces from the craft store (around .50 each) and used those to create a nice large flat surface on the top, and some of the candle holders I also added a nice wooden base at the bottom from an identical piece to make the design look finished. I played around with them for awhile before glueing them in place to see what looked best. When you’re shopping for your candle holders, try and find ones that are different heights and thicknesses.

Here’s what you need to make your own set of mismatched candle holders:

Supplies:

• Cheap (and otherwise ugly) thrift store candle holders, I made 6 all together.
• Different shades of acrylic paint, I used a different shade for each candle holder
• Square of Circular decorative wooden pieces, I used both
• E-6000, must have for any crafter

Here’s how to make your own set of mismatched candle holders:

1. Glue your wooden pieces to the top (and bottom if needed) of each candle holder with E-6000 or glue of equivalent strength.

2. After the glue dries, paint each candle holder. 2-3 coats may be needed depending on what the candle holder is made of. I found that metal was easiest to paint.

Yay! Now you’re all done, let these little guys dry…

Place some new candles on each holder and enjoy your new set of mismatched candle holders! Depending on where you’re going to put them, you may want to keep them in one large group or split them up like I did, and put half on each side of a love seat in my living room.

I’m so happy with these, what a fun, easy way to reuse and repurpose old junk. I’d love to see these done in different colors, please send me pictures if you complete this project. I’ll be happy to answer any questions or comments below…

Happy Crafting!

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The recipe is pretty simple, it does take a good 45 min to make, so I suggest making a bunch at once to last you. They stay good for a couple days. So, here’s what you need:

Ingredients:

6-10 small potatoes potatoes of your choice, peeled and halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise (can’t go wrong with Vegenaise!)
2 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
dash hot sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon dill relish (optional)
paprika, for sprinkling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F, and grease a cookie sheet. Coat all sides of each potato with olive oil. Place potatoes face down on prepared cookie sheet and bake for about 30 minutes, or until soft (but not too mushy).

2. While the potatoes are roasting, mix the rest of the ingredients (except paprika) together. When the potatoes are done, allow to cool a bit, and then use a sharp knife to cut into the flat side of each potato and then hollow it out with a spoon. You want to be left with a little cup-shaped potato.

3. Add the scooped-out potato to your mayo/mustard mix and blend well. You can then fill the hollowed out potato shells with the mixture piping it on with a cake decorating bag, or just spoon it in there. Sprinkle each potato with paprika.

If you’re a hungry monkey, you can just eat them warm right then and there! If serving for a party or entertaining, I suggest putting them in the Fridge for an hour to chill. You’ve got to get creative when it comes to vegan cooking sometimes, but I promise cven egg-eaters/meat-eaters will be stoked to eat these delicious little bastards.

Happy Cooking!

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We made some super cute DIY journals with real bindings! A project I’ve been wanting to try for awhile, I was so surprised how well they turned out. I have a feeling I’ll be making about a million more of these cute little books. I used regular copy paper, but I think I will make a sketch book or watercolor journal next.

Here’s what you need to make this handmade journal:

Here’s how you make this handmade journal:

1. Fold 48 pieces of paper long wise.

2. Cut each piece in half.

3. Make 8 small booklets using 6 sheets of cut paper (12 pages per booklet).

4. Use this template to mark holes with your needle in each booklet.

5. Sew booklets together, following the holes you’ve already marked and secure bias tape under outside stitches.

6. Sew all 8 booklets together side by side, crossing the outside stitch (shown above), then heavily mod podge/glue the entire spine and let dry.

7. Cut two pieces of cardboard (I used the back of an old sketch book) 4 3/4″  x  6″. Allow 1 1/2″ for the spine, mark where each piece of cardboard lays on fabric.

8. Cut rectangle of interfacing to fit within the front and back covers (iron on if fusible). Cut top and bottom of spine and sew down.

9. Glue extra piece of scrap fabric around spine of pages to secure and glue bookmark ribbon (optional).

10. Put cardboard in place and glue down edges of fabric, let dry.

11. Glue inside pages in place by gluing bias tape and scrap fabric to each side of cardboard.

12. Glue card stock over each side of inner cover.

All finished! So so so cute. I’m so stoked on this little book, I don’t even want to write in it yet. This is a great way to make a super personalized recipe book, or address book, maybe even a daily planner. I’m going to play around with some different sizes, try some other vintage fabrics and possibly even add a closing latch or small inner pocket. The possibilities are endless! Please leave any questions or comments you have and I’ll be glad to help. As always, I’d love to see your version if you complete this project.

Happy Crafting!

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So, I pulled out some scraps from my embarrassingly huge collection of extra fabrics and came up with these adorable little fabric coasters.

What you need to make these Scrap Fabric Coasters:

Supplies: Scrap Fabric, Interfacing, Scissors, Iron and your trusty Sewing Machine!

How you make these scrap Fabric Coasters:

1. Use this pattern to trace onto your scrap fabric.

2. Cut out 10 layers of fabric and at least 1 layer of interface for each coaster.

3. Iron each piece flat.

4. Sew 10 layers together to make each coaster (I used a wide zig-zag stitch).

Tie around a cute bow, slap on a little hand-made tag and there ya go, a super adorable gift that is guaranteed to get you an invite to the next dinner party! Also a great idea for a DIY housewarming gift. If you’re worried about the edges fraying (depending on the scraps you used), try using a little FrayBlock. Just one of the many of ways to use up those old scraps. Coasters may also be really cute if done in different shapes, I’d love to see your version of these, please send me pictures of finished projects <3

Happy Crafting!

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In case you didn’t already know, raw cabbage is a great source of Vitamin C, fiber, potassium and other nutrients that cause our bodies to produce enzymes which block new cancer cell growth (awesome!), and at only about 25 calories per cup, it truly is a superfood. I’m doing my part to eat more cabbage and for lunch today I made a super delicious, simple Asian Salad. I’ve eaten a million of these at different restaurants over the years, but finally decided to make my own. Lemme tell ya, I’ve been missing out! Such a perfect mid-day snack or appetizer, here’s the recipe:

•     1 cup white cabbage, shredded
•     1 large carrot, grated
•     3 tablespoons rice vinegar
•     1 tablespoons agave nectar
•     2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
•     1 teaspoon sesame oil

Mix them all together, chill, and eat. Feel free to add bean sprouts, fresh soy beans, or mandarin oranges if you’re feeling crazy- but the most important ingredient is the Sesame Oil, that’s what gives it the familiar taste of a good Asian Salad.

Happy Cooking!

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I’ll admit it, being Vegan has made me miss many “Cream of [INSERT YUMMY VEGETABLE]” soups, but I have successfully satisfied my craving with the delicious little number. Perfect for rainy days I suggest you make it…. right now.

Ingredients:

•     3 Tablespoons Earth Balance
•     1 (8 ounce) package shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced
•     1 Large Potato
•     1 cup chopped Broccoli
•     1 Small white onion
•     1 (8 ounce) package cremini mushrooms, sliced
•     2 cloves garlic, minced
•     3 cups vegetable stock
•     1 (15 ounce) can coconut milk (you can use unsweetened soy milk also, but the coconut milk is much better in my opinion)
•     2 Tablespoons Sriracha
•     salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Cook Potato (boiled, baked or microwave).

2. Saute mushrooms, union, garlic and broccoli until union is translucent. 

3. Blend mushrooms, union, garlic, broccoli and potato together (I use a blender, a food processor or hand held mixer will also do).

4. Add blended mixture into a large pot, add remainder of veggie stock, can of coconut milk, Sriracha and Earth Balance and simmer on low until mixture is hot. Salt and pepper to taste and serve. 

Makes: 2-3 Servings, Preparation time: 5 minutes, Cooking time: 20 minutes

Happy Cooking!

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Although my husband and I do have a nice backyard, it’s difficult just to keep our grass alive through the brutal Texas Summers, so this year I decided to bring my essential kitchen herbs indoors and readily available at my fingertips. This was a quick and easy project that my husband and I did together (and had fun doing so!), it turned out so cute, I just can’t stop passing through my kitchen to catch a glimpse.

This is also a great project for anyone with a small apartment or no backyard area, you can also substitute flowers or cactus if you don’t have a green thumb! Make sure your herbs get plenty of sunlight and water once a day.

This entire project cost me around $10.

Here’s what you need to make your own Kitchen Herb Garden:

… and of course, whatever you’ll be planting inside!

 Here’s how to create your own Kitchen Herb Garden:

 1. Cut and nail trim to board (optional). We found pieces out of the discount bin at the hardware store, spent less than $1!

 2. Paint.

3. Measure and hammer in stud covers.

4. Use steel hanger strap coil to screw jars onto board.

5. Label herbs.

6. Plant and hang! Enjoy fresh herbs year around.

I want to give a special thanks this week to my followers who suggested that I start doing craft tutorials in addition to my Episodes. I love ALL crafts, and have millions of ideas for upcoming tutorials that I think you will all love. Don’t worry, I plan on continuing Episodes as well. Thanks for all the support, and like always, please leave any questions or comments for me below. There are plenty of ways to make this project your own, send me some pics if you complete it.

Happy Crafting!

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Hey Guys! Spring is in the air, which means it’s time to add some adorable new pieces to your closet. This week I show you how to recreate a minty-fresh sleeveless blouse from Modcloth. Be sure to download and print your pattern

Here

I love this mint color, but was also thinking all white with a black bow might be just as cute, and maybe a little more formal, what do you guys think? I’d love to see any of your finished projects, and answer any questions you may have. A special thanks this week to Saman Ghanbar and also the beautiful ladies of my favorite vegan ice cream shop Sweet Ritual.

As always, happy sewing!

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Download and Print Your Own Card Here

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