Daiso Shopping Spree

 Shopping at Daiso is never dull because there are so many cute and unique items at really great prices (mostly around $2.25).  I purchased a bunch of stationery items for my card making.  The stamps and punches made me so happy and I already have ideas for them.  I was excited to find the acrylic blocks for the stamp sets because they are usually very expensive. 

Something unique that I discovered were the mystery packages which contained acrylic pieces that had popular characters decorating them.  I especially loved the acrylic coaster with Pompompuri printed on it.  I plan to go back and get more packages...hopefully, I will be lucky and get the whole set of different character coasters.

Although, I just purchased some sealing wax and metal stamps from HM Ben Franklin Crafts, I couldn't resist the great assortment of wax and stamps at Daiso.  I can't wait to make more seals on parchment which I will save to be added to my envelopes, cards and gift packages.

I couldn't believe the amazing array of kitchen items Daiso carries.  I just couldn't resist the clever and adorable but useful kitchen goodies I found.  I purchased some unique cookie cutters that I can't wait to test out.  I plan to do some painting on the handles of the rice paddles.  I just saw some hand painted wooden spoons in a magazine so why not do the same to rice paddles to give as unique gifts? The adorable plastic containers aren't going to be used for food. I plan to put small craft supplies in them so my desk will be less cluttered and somewhat organized.

Of course, I couldn't leave Daiso without  getting some stationery items. I like to carry color pencils everywhere just in case I need to sketch something.  I also found a small water coloring set...so portable!  As you can tell I had a fabulous time shopping at Daiso.  The variety of items is unbelievable and the prices makes shopping a truly enjoyable treasure hunt.  Treat yourself to a basket of goodies. You deserve it!

Moru Chenille Doll with Sunglasses

I'm still having fun playing with my chenille dolls....I think this one is a bear actually.  It started with a very plain kit that just provided the chenille pipecleanmer, eyes, nose and instructions. The instructions are in Japanese so I just sort of followed the diagrams. You can use an app on your phone for a translation if you need to. To me, the fun part of making these chenille creatures is dressing them up.  I chose a striped pink T-shirt that I purchased from HM Ben Franklin Crafts.  For added fun, I glued on purple sunglasses and a lemon ice cream cone.

 

The little chenille figures look super cute with other decorations like the Easter chick I found at Daiso.

I have a little HM Ben Franklin bucket on my desk which I use to hold pens and tubes of gliter sprinkles.  Well, the mischevious little bear decided that the bucket was the perfect place to sit, relax and eat his ice cream!  The plastic mini ice cream cones and sunglasses came from packages of buttons.  You could cut off the shanks, but I just glued them onto the bear with E6000 glue.  HM Ben Franklin Crafts has a gigantic amount of Moru doll kits, costumes, and embellishments.  You should check out this fun craft and you'll soon be making adorable chenille animals for yourself and your friends!

Sealing Wax Update

 

The use of sealing wax is not a new craft.  It has in fact been used for centuries as a way to secure persnal mail by stamping a unique mark (signet ring) into melted wax.  Supposedly, the recipient of the mail would be able to tell if the mail was interceped because the wax seal would be damaged. Today the use of wax seals is mostly for a decorative effect. HM Ben Franklin Craft stores sell both the wax pellets and stamping tools.  

Like candy, there seem to be an endless supply of colorful, irridescent wax pellets availble today.  I can't stop buying the wax pellets because each one has a different look when melted. I use a heat tool to melt the wax on a silicon mat or in a silicon mold.  (If you have a strong heat gun, work slowly to get the wax melted so you don't blow the liquid wax around.) It's so much fun watching the pellets melt and blend then making an impression with a metal seal.

Like the explosion of wax pellet colors, sealing wax stamp designs have also multiplied drastically.  You can buy stamps attached to handles or buy just the metal part and use one handle for many metal design heads that screw on, The new wave of metal stamp head designs is truly exciting and you're sure to find many that suit your needs.

New on the market to enhance your sealing wax stamping are silcon molds into which you can melt the wax pellets and impart a desired shape.  (I'm not sure where I purchased this silicon mold...maybe HM BEn Franklin Crafts.)  The two tools with the silicon tips are really useful for pushing the melting wax around.  I used the gold and silver colorants on the cooled impressed wax designs.  They help to highlight the details which often are hard to see.  Both the tools and colorants were purchased in Japan but perhaps you can find them online or HM Ben Franklin will carry them in the future.  I hope this post has helped to update you on the new things happening in an old fashioned craft medium. Rather than melting the wax on my crafts, I plan to glue my finished wax seals on envelopes and cards as decorations. I think they add a special personal touch which lets the recipient know that they are 'special' to me. YOU are special to me too!

Five Baroque Pearl Necklaces

After making the baroque pearl bracelets featured in a previous post, I decided to make some necklaces using single pearls. It seems like lately jewelry is becoing very simple and elegant in design.  With this in mind, I created these super easy pearl necklaces.

 To make one, I started with a single gorgeous baroque pearl that had a drilled hole. Some pearls have top holes and others have holes that pass from side to side.  I started by stringing a piece of 22 gauge sterling silver round wire through the pearl and using pliers to shape a small hanging hole on each side of the pearl.  Next I used a wire snipper to cut through the chain (with clasp) midway in the necklace. The chain needs to have links able to accomodate the 22 gauge wire.

The ends of the wire passing through the pearl and with the formed hanging loops were then attached to the chain ends and wire wrapped.  Ta da!....all done! Wasn't that easy?

It was so easy to make one baroque pearl necklace, that I made four more.  Like your own children, I like them all.  I can't pick a favorite.

Maybe this one is my favorite......

Or this one?   Eventually, I'll choose one for myself and put the others in my HM Ben Franklin Crafts locker box.  Maybe you'll buy one or with minimal effort and supplies you can make one for yourself!

No Recipe Panettone Bread Pudding

 My husband was grumbling about the loaves of panettone bread I've been hoarding in the freezer since last Christmas. LOL!  I decided to make him some bread pudding so he would stop mumbling about the lack of freezer space.  I began by tearing the bread into large chunks and placing them into a parchment lined 8 x 8 baking pan until the bread pieces are in a layer almost to the top of the pan.  Next, I beat 3 eggs into a mixing bowl and added 1 cup of heavy cream plus some (about 1/2 cup?) water, sugar (1/2 cup?) a grating of nutmeg, and a dash of vanilla. I pured this liquid over the bread pieces to which I had added about 1/2 cup of dried fruit ( cranberries, raisins, cherries, etc.).  After making sure the bread pieces were soaked, I dotted the top with chunks of butter (1/4 cup?) and baked the mixture at 350 degrees until the bread pudding smell was irresistible. Hahaha! The finished bread pudding should be brown on top and a butter knife inserted should come out clean.  Sorry that I don't have a real recipe for my bread pudding but this is how I use up freezer bread and please my husband at the same time!

Quick Sticker Birthday Card

I was thinking of designing either a shaker or pop-up birthday card for a 1-year-old, but I was short on time and not really sure that a child celebrating a 1st birthday would appreciate the effort it would take to make one of those cards.  I opted to make a colorful, personalized card with a matching envelope.

I think it turned out well and was super easy to construct because I used stickers for the letters.  I must admit that I have an enormous sticker collection which is the result of years of hoarding. LOL!  I used some of my favorite letter stickers on this card. Check out the extensive sticker selection at HM Ben Franklin Crafts which is where I purchased these letter stickers years ago.  It made me very happy to make this card and use up a miniscule portion of my overflowing sticker collection. Don't be afraid to use stickers on your crafty endeavors.  They are time savers and can really make your crafts more professional looking. Stickers can even get you out of a sticky craft time crunch!

Baroque Pearl Bracelets

I needed a present for a girl who loves to dress up and wear jewelry.  I thought that a baroque pearl bracelet might be the perfect gift.  I chose twelve assorted baroque pearls from my stash and wire wrapped them with 22 gauge sterling silver wire.  It was easy jewelry work that was finished off with a sinple clasp and charm.

Since I was happy with the first bracelet, I decided to make a variation of it. This one has pearls, adventurine rondels and a special aquamarine charm.

Next, I thought I'd create a bracelet with aquamarine and adventurine beads plus a sweet amethyst charm.  The clasp on this one was a puffy silver heart with a securit;y lock.  It turned out lovely so I was encouraged to make another version of this simple bracelet.

The fourth variation of this wire wrapped pearl bracelet included larimar chip beads, a puffy heart clasp and a 'LOVE' heart charm.  The look of this last bracelet enticed me to make the fifth and final version of this pearl bracelet.

This pearl bracelet features two large unique baroque pearls. One of the pearls looks like two large oval pearls fused together.  The other special pearl has a round white pearl nestled in a shell-shaped grey pearl.  This 'black and white' pearl bracelet was finished off with an 'S' clasp that is embellished with an amethyst cabachon.  As a reward 'wink' for making five baroque pearl bracelets in a row, I decided that this last bracelet is.... MINE. Lucky hardworking ME! (The extra three bracelets will be sold in my HM BFC locker box.)

Mochi Crunch Cookie Test 1

I love inventing new cookies for holiday gift giving but usually I start my test batches too late in the year and thus I reluctantly bake the same (but delicious) cookies year after year.  This year by starting my 'cookie experiments' in the summer, I should be able to create a few new cookie taste delights. The batch of cookies shown in the photo was the product of my love for the Trader Joe's Mochi Crunch Rice Nuggets.  Before finishing off my last bag of the tasty treats, I decided to add a cup of the crushed nuggets to a basic butter cookie recipe.  The original recipe said that the batch would result in 4 dozen cookies but I only formed 2-1/2 dozens. My idea of cookie size must be a bit bigger than other bakers (hahaha!).  The cookies were super delicious but not very festive looking.  I think for the holidays I will try to add something colorful like sprinkles or mini M&M candies.  For a more Hawaiian taste to send to mainland cookie lovers, I will add chopped macadamia nuts to a future batch.  As it gets closer to Christmas and I tweek this recipe into perfection, I will keep you updated. Yummy taste tests ahead....YAY! 

 

Artificial Chocolate Strawberry Dessert Cups

 If you've been to Japan, you know that pretend food is everywhere, usually in front of restaurants.  They look very realistic and edible.  When I saw kits for making some fake desserts at the Japan Hobby Show, I just had to purchase one.  I was surprised when I opened the kit box to find that it the contents were very simple.  Basically, there were two packets of what seemed like Hearty Clay, one dark brown   (a bit dry) and the other white. Even though the directions were written in Japanese, the diagrams were quite easy to follow and I was able to replicate the fake desserts. I was uncertain what the instructions intended, but I crumpled aluminum foil and placed it in the cups.  Over the foil I glued a circle of brown (slightly dry) clay.  Onto the 'chocolate ice cream' I glued seven ball of white clay and an artificial plastic strawberry.  Finally, tiny fake straws were skewered in. The 'straws' were made with toothpicks covered in striped paper.  As you can tell, this fake sweet is easy to replicate and you don't really need a kit to make it.  I plan to turn these dessert cups into fridge magnets by simply gluing a strong magnet to the back of each one.  These dessert cups are lightweight so they are perfect for this use.  Alternately, you might put heavy rocks or marbles in the bottom of the cups so they can be used as a paperweight.  I'm sure you are clever enough to think of a dessert party favor or small hostess gift. It's cute and  calorie free!   

Personalized Cat Banks

Quite awhile ago, I purchased two plastic screw on lidded banks from Daiso . I knew I wanted to decorate them (so plain) but I didn't have any ideas.  Finally after a long time, I decided to decorate them for two cat loving boys.  I wanted the coin slot to be hidden so I reversed the banks.  However, then the designs on the clear body of the banks were upside-down.  I solved the problem by gluing some bumpy grey yarn around the body of the banks.  Now the banks sort of look like cat scratching posts. LOL!

To decorate the recessed lid of the banks, I found colorful confetti (HM BFC), small ceramic cats            ( Daiso), and miniature Scrabble letters (from my stash). I used UV-LED resin (Padico) and a UV light to adhere the letters and cats first.  Then I filled in the recessed area with confetti (two different ones for each of the banks) and resin.  I used the UV light several times to make sure that all the resin was hardened and dry to the touch.

I am pleased with the outcome of the banks.  They are not only useful, colorful and cute but they feel so furry and cat-like.  Perhaps the best part is that the banks don't look like banks  (kids love to hide their money) and can be used to hide other special items.  If you can't find the banks for sale at Daiso you might be able to repurpose a Talenti ice cream jar (similar shape).  Anyway, have fun creating your own personalized bank as a gift or for yourself!

Father's Day 2026 Card

This year because of a trip to the East coast, Father's Day just sort of appeared on my calendar.  This meant that I had to think fast and work with supplies I had on hand.  I found a scrap of hand dyed (by me) watercolor paper (in my stash) that had the just right quiet colors that matched my husband's personality. I wanted to stamp an appropriate design over the dyed colors but I couldn't find a large enough rubber stamp.  Since he does a lot of traveling (even got a million mile recognition from American Airlines), I looked for airplane or travel stamps.  I finally located an impression folder which had postage images....good enough!  After impressing the dyed watercolor paper by running it through my Big Shot machine, I rubbed the surface lightly with a dark brown stamping ink.  After adhering the impressed, dyed panel to a grey card blank, I die cut the words using a Lawn Fawn die on grey metallic foil paper.  I used Fabri-Tac glue to attach the words to the front of the card and voila! my Father's Day card was done! My husband, father of my children,  loved the card!  I am happy that I found a quick and easy way to create a suitable card to celebrate this special day. Hope your dad had a great day too and you made him something heartmade!

 

Father's Day Blueberry Cornbread

 

While our sons were growing up, my husband cooked breakfast almost every Sunday. He usually made cornbread using the recipe on the cornmeal box.  The kids enjoyed it and I got to sleep in late. This year in honor of Father's Day, I decided to make my husband some cornbread. LOL!  To step it up a notch, I added blueberries, melted butter and heavy cream. Whenever we have excess blueberries and/or heavy cream, I freeze the extras and so I usually have them on hand to enhance everyday recipes.  Here is the recipe I created for Father's Day Blueberry Cornbread:

1 c. ccornmeal

1 c. all purpose flour

1/4 c. sugar

1 T. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 c. heavy cream

1/3 c. melted butter

1 large egg beaten

1 c. frozen blueberries

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.  Combine the liquid ingredients and add them to the dry ones. Carefully fold in the blueberries and pour into a parchment lined 9 x 9 baking pan. Bake the cornbread in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.  Remove the pan from the oven and let cool before cutting into individual pieces. Enjoy! 

Resin Mofusand Coasters and Sumikogurashi Trinket Tray

I purchased a package of blank cardboard coasters from Daiso quite a while ago.  I finally decided what to do with them.  The inspiration came from some Mofusand stickers I bought in Japan.  Of course HM Ben Franklin Crafts has hundreds of sticker packages you can choose from to design your coasters.  It is simple work to adhere the stickers and then apply the UV resin (Padico) and set it with a mini UV kught (reasonably priced ones are available at HM BFC).  Apply just a thin coating of the resin or your coaster will warp.  Slight warping can be corrected by leaving the finished coaster under a heavy weight. Coasters like these would make great party favors and can be personalized with a name or message before applying the resin.  I only applied resin on the front of the coaster.  Before applying the resin, put the coaster on a jar cover over parchment so you can catch any excess resin drips.

I think this Sumikogurashi  sticker trinket tray turned out very well.  It was so easy to do . I started by applying a large sticker onto a printed cardboard tray .  I think I purchased the tray from Daiso or HM Ben Franklin Crafts. Next I poured Padico UV Resin into the tray and brushed it up the sides of the tray.  A UV light was used to set the resin and that required several timed exposure to insure the resin was dry.  The back of the tray was done in the same way.  Although, the resin makes the tray waterproof, I asked the resin manufacturer if the finished resin surface was food safe and he said the resin was designed to make beads or charms.  I guess this means that the resin coated tray should NOT be used to hold food.  I plan to use this Suikogurashi trinket tray to hold my current favorite jewelry pieces for easy access.  Making a simple tray like this is so rewarding.  It makes the recipient (me) smile everytime I look at it.  A big Sumikogurashi Smile to YOU! 

Vintage Ceramic Treasures Discovered

While traveling, I often peek into antique shops in the hope of finding something unique and irresistible.  During a quick stop at the Cambridge Antiques store in Boston, I uncovered two vintage ceramic pieces. This first one was made by the Roseville company in 1944.  The glaze color and unique shape made it stand apart from all the other 'stuff' on the shelves of ceramic items. For a piece of pottery 82 years old it was in great condition, having a lovely glaze with no cracks or chips.

From the top view, you can see the frog holes that are meant to hold the flowers or greenery.  I need to find a large glass bowl to set the frog in so I can arrange some flowers in the piece.  I think gardenias from our garden will look great blossoming from this vintage piece.  I paid very little for this flower frog and after research I discovered it was a real 'find' worth several times what it cost.

The second ceramic piece that I 'discovered' at the same antique store was this small matte glazed pitcher.  Although this piece doesn't have an impressed mark to identify the maker, I think it probably at one time had a foil sticker with the maker's name and date of production.  If I would have to guess, I think it likely was made in California during the 60's or 70's.  It just has that west coast 'hippie' vibe...like me!  It doesn't take much to make me happy and for just a few dollars this little pitcher really brought a smile to my heart. I'm sure many would disagree (especially my kids) but I believe that we should surround ourselves with items and people who make us smile and bring back memories of happy times.  Yes, I've become one of those old ladies who has a story to go with everything in her house.  I can tell you stories about every collectible so don't ask unless you have lots of time. LOL!

Chiikawa Figure with Macrons on Jar Top

 Here is the second Chiikawa figure jar that I've made.  Like the prvious blog post the components were adhered to the cover with Padico UV resin that was set with a UV light.  The little hearts are actually confetti (HM Ben Franklin Crafts). 

The macrons were made from Hearty clay and were formed in a silicon mold.  I can't remember where I purchased the mold from but I think you could hand form the macrons.  Like the previous Chiikawa jar, this one is waterproof so it would make a great washable food jar...I suggest a sweet treat! It doesn't take many supplies to make a cute jar like this and it comes together quickly because of the 1 minute setting UV resin  available from HM Ben Franklin Crafts.  You don't have to use a Chiikawa figure...look around and I'm sure you'll find something that will make a perfect cover topper. Cute, useful and handmade are the perfect ingredients for a great craft project. Give it a try!

Chiikawa Figure with Flowers and Butterflies on Jar Top

When in Japan we saw many people eager to purchase some figures with large round heads and expressive faces so we bought some, too! Hahaha! Copycats!  I later learned that these figures were the rage because of their association with Manga.  The packages I purchased were mystery ones meaning that I couldn't see which one I was getting.  It turned out that two of the six figures were duplicates so I decided to use them to deorate some glass jars from Daiso. The first one had a very bald head  and I decided it needed something whimsical so I added a butterfly.  On the rest of the jar lid I added flowers, leaves, and another butterfly before pouring Padico UV LED resin over them. It just took a few minutes to harden the resin with a UV light.

Some of the flowers were actually confetti and others were tiny artificial ones. Both of them and the plastic leaves (from Daiso) were easily adhered with resin (Padico) and cured under a UV light. A bit of resin was also applied to the sticker butterflies to firm up their wings.  This jar lid is waterproof so it can be washed and used to hold edibles.  I think this jar made good use of an extra plastic Chiikawa figure and it will probably will make a Manga fan very happy. I was really pleased to make another pretty and useful container. You can do it too....really!