Monday, April 30, 2012

Easy DIY Glass Cupcake Stand


My sister-in-law is getting married this August. Thanks to the ridiculousness that is Pinterest, I have spent many hours looking at all the wedding pretties on far too many pin boards. Since cupcakes are being used as wedding favors, I thought it would be a fun idea to display the cupcakes as a table centerpiece. Enter this DIY cupcake stand. It turns out Dollar Tree stores have a great selection of glassware and you can order in bulk on their website and pick it up in store for free, a handy feature for the spendthrift bride.

To construct the cupcake stand, I got two of these taper candle holder sticks:


and one of these 10 inch cut glass plates


The plate is surprising sturdy and pretty. All of these items were a buck a piece (so we're up to $3 worth of material, if you are keeping count).


To glue all this together, I used E-6000 craft glue. You can find this at pretty much any craft store for about $5 and it is pretty awesome. It does have a strong smell so I recommend using it in a well ventilated area. 


Start by cleaning and drying all your glass pieces. Place a small amount of glue around the rim of one of the candlestick holder tops. Flip the other candlestick over and place it on the gluey piece. Any excess glue can be wiped away with nail polish remover. I let this candle holder pillar sit for about an hour. It was still tacky so take care not to bump it too much. 


Find the center of the underside of the plate. This is easy on this particular one because the candle stick top fits right around the perimeter of the flowery star burst design in the center. Add a small amount of glue around the rim of the candlestick pillar then carefully set it to the underside of the plate. Let this dry for at least 24 hours, though the glue says it can take up to 72 hours to cure, so be careful with it until then.



 And Viola! Here is the stand with some of my felt food on it. I can't wait to see it with real cupcakes. This stand would also be great for displaying brunch goodies if  a wedding isn't really on your radar.

Happy Crafting!

~Brittany

     

Friday, April 13, 2012

What's in a Doula's Bag?



Last month, World Doula Week was celebrated March 22-28. These humble birth attendants certainly deserve their own week, probably their own month. A kindred sister to the midwife, a doula provides physical and emotional support to a laboring mother and her partner. She plays an important part in the births she attends, reducing incidences of c-section and epidural use while increasing breastfeeding initiation and overall birth satisfaction. If you aren't at all familiar with what a doula is and what they do, be sure to check out THIS ARTICLE.  


When a fellow blogger asked me if I had an item similar to the Midwife kit that she could give as a gift to her doula, I thought a felt playset would be a fantastic idea. In addition to a fun appreciation gift, I think this set would help a child conceptualize the tools a doula would use at a new sibling's birth. Here are my felt doula tricks-of-the-trade, developed with suggestions from the Mama's Felt Cafe Facebook community:


Of course we need a bag to carry all our birthy goodies in. I chose a tote style bag so that it would be easy to grab for the on-the-go doula. 


First up for items are a fan and a purple rice tube. No matter what time of year you are giving birth, laboring is well, labor. I remember feeling alternatingly too cold and too hot while I was having Asher. A fan helps keep a mama cool while she is working oh so hard. The rice tube is filled with real rice and although I would not suggest heating the felt, a real rice sock can be warmed and provide relief to achy muscles. It's also provides a fun texture to play with. 

Next comes the granola bar, this one is cranberry oatmeal flavor. This item could be for the mama or the doula. During long labors, both the mom and her support team need to make sure they feed to hunger and drink to thirst. We know there is no reason to deny a birthing woman food and labor can even be stalled if the mother is hungry and uncomfortable. Many doulas make sure to carry some healthy snacks with them to births.


I also included two starlight peppermints in the kit. One is for the mother, to help ward off any labor induced nausea. The second is for the doula, so she will have sweet breath while working with the mother. Smells seem heightened during labor and anyone who has breathed coffee or onion breath on a birthing mama has probably been shown the door!


Last was a bottle of lavender essential oil, complete with removable cap. Many find the scent of lavender calming and relaxing. It can also be mixed to be used as a massage oil and rubbed on the mother if she likes. If you happen to be a doula (or just a person of interest) you can win a (non-felt) doTERRA Essential Oils kit from The Black Sheep Princess and Essential Oils for Family Wellness. The kit contains lavender, peppermint and lemon oil plus a list of suggested uses. Enter to win HERE.

Based off a logo by Everyday Miracle Doula Services

So there you have it, all the tricks in my doula bag. Did you have a doula at your birth? Would you consider a doula for your next birth?

Happy Felting!

~Brittany

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Star Trek + Felt + Giveaway = Love


Being a kid in the early 90's means there is a good chance you've seen an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I'll admit to a long standing crush on Commander Will Riker, though only in the seasons when he had a beard. 


When a friend *ahem* asked for a Star Trek Kindle case, it sounded like project worth taking on. I chose Captain Picard's rank and uniform design and went to work. 



I discovered some other pieces of Star Trek felt awesomeness during research and development: 


This Star Trek Quiet Book Pattern from Julie Bell is complete with template for TNG finger puppets, 




and just in time for Easter, this wool felted bunny, an ode to the Expendable Ensign, made by WoolyKins


Now to celebrate this feat of geekery, I'm giving away a custom made Star Trek: The Next Generation device  sleeve. Completely hand stitched with two layers of felt on top and bottom to protect and clean your electronics. The winner can choose between Command Red and Engineering Gold and the rank (those gold buttons on the collar) from Ensign to Captain. Winner can also specify the device (Kindle, Nook, Tablet, Ipad, smart phone, ect.) but you'll have to provide me with measurements for something other than a Kindle or Iphone. 

Enter to win with the easy Rafflecopter form below. This contest will be open for two weeks and end midnight EST April 18, 2012. Will will be notified by email and must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of US and Canada. Star Trek is copyrighted by Viacom. 

May the odds be ever in your favor

and Happy Winning!

~Brittany


a Rafflecopter giveaway


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