Caveman Peg Doll

My son requests peg dolls for every birthday, and the Caveman Birthday was no exception! They make perfect cake toppers, but have also been so fun for him to play with. 

I put them in a tray with black sand and rocks from the dollar store. He is in Heaven every time he plays with them.

I am not a pro at painting peg dolls, I just think they are cute.

I hot glue small wooden balls and eggs for the hair buns. I think it adds so much! I paint the main clothing and hair colors with a paintbrush, and add the rest of the details with a toothpick.

I had to make two family sets, because they are too darn cute!

I used the cave I made from the gnome play set I made him a few years ago (which he still plays with), and some thrifted wooden trees.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a Happy and Creative Day

Risa

Doily Teepee & American Indian Family

Have you ever thought to yourself... "It would be so cute to make a teepee out of a doily."? These are the kinds of thoughts that go through my mind. So, this morning I decided to do it. I got 8" paper doilies from Hobby Lobby.

After I got the teepee's made, I decided they need a family to inhabit them! So, I got my blank peg dolls out, and started painting...

This is the result!!! I am crazy about it! I am taking my last born child's bedroom form baby to toddler, by changing from a jungle theme to American Indian. I plan to use these Indians in his room, but will need to come up with a more masculine teepee.

 I have two tutorials below. One for the tall teepee, and one for a shorter version. Picture them at a party, as a place setting. They are so feminine and darling.

TALL TEEPEE

Fold the bottom over.

Glue it into a cone, leaving a hole on top, and the fold in back.

Fold the top flaps out.

Put sticks in the top.

 Couldn't be any easier!

 Now for the short teepee. I was picturing this super feminine,  with Indians wearing only pastel pink feathers, but it evolved to this....

SHORT TEEPEE

Fold doily over.

Cut an elongated triangle out of the middle, by slightly folding the white part in half.

Make into a cone and staple the back.

Cut a straight line up the front, and fold the doors out.

Place sticks in the opening.

Here's a closer look at the family. I love them!

 

I am busily working on my son's room. He isn't in a big boy bed yet, but I have already started changing things up, and am excited to include these Indians in the mix!

Be sure and check back for more creative inspiration. I am also working on my tween daughter's room, and loving it! I'm excited to share.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

GNOME PARTY!!!

Rhett's party was last night

and
OH MY, WAS IT CUTE!

Let's start with the tables where everyone sat shall we?

Do you remember my Wizard of Oz party? Well, I used the napkins and runners I made for that party here as well. I made a gnome family and mushrooms for each table (there were three). They are sitting on round wooden disks from Hobby Lobby. I used a yard of the brown polka dot fabric cut in half for each table, and put it under the runner for added interest. I bought moss covered rocks from the dollar store. One bag for each table. The plates and cups are paper, and from Wal-mart.

Admittedly, I am a little gnome obsessed!


Next stop, DECORATIONS FOR THE FOOD TABLES!
This is the main food table. My fabulous friend Candy loaned me the lanterns. Thank you Candy!!! They all have battery operated t-lights in them. (Thanks mom for picking those up for me!)


Do you recognize the gnome family on display from my previous post?


I just used random fabric and other decor I already had.


This is the dessert table - cute right?


THE CAKE

This may be my most favorite cake I have ever made! I thought I had all the ingredients for it at home, but I didn't. I had even thrown out my bundt pan, because I, "never use it." That's what I get for trying to declutter my house. Luckily, I have a fabulous friend and neighbor Kristen, who not only loaned me her pan, but most of the ingredients for the cake and frosting as well. Kristen - I owe you! Thanks! She also gave me the recipe, and it was delish!

Not to mention cute! Yup, I put a gnome family on top, along with a bunch of mushrooms and green sprinkles on the frosting!

I didn't want to cut it. I just wanted to keep looking at it!

The kids love their brother!


I think he liked it!

So fun to make!

FAVORS

Remember my last post about making the gnome families, and giving a gnome bowling set to each cousin? Here is the finished product!


Also, remember how I was making something for the baby cousins? How do you like these plushie gnomes? They were super easy. The hardest part was figuring out the pattern.

They were cute on display as well.

I guess you could call these favors. I put large and small gum drops on dowels to make mushrooms, and then stuck them all in a pot I got from DI for $1.50.

I used the same basic idea for the mushroom cupcakes. This time, I used gummy hearts and white jelly beans on toothpicks.

I decided the day before the party, that I wanted my family to be in gnome hats for the party. They were SUPER easy to make once I figured out the pattern. I didn't finish any edges, just sewed the seams. I love felt! I even made Rhett's outfit. I used knit, so I didn't have to sew any edges and he would be comfortable.

This was such a super fun and memorable night! Hum... what am I going to do next year???

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

linking to bloom, sew can do, sun scholars, heart 2 heart

GNOME PARTY perparation and tutorial

I decided couple months ago that I wanted to have a gnome party for my baby boy on his first birthday. We are having his party this Friday, and I am a bit ahead of schedule, so I thought I would share what I have ready so far. This is the main inspiration for the party. I have made all these toys by hand... yup, trees, cave, gnomes... all of it. I bought the knobs and painted them as mushrooms, and bought pegs for the dad and son, and the pieces to make the mom daughter and baby, as I couldn't find any in stores around here, and didn't take the time to order online before Christmas. I didn't even think about pulling this out until a few days ago.

I did design, cut out, sand, and paint the trees bushes, lake, cave and ground. I will post about that later.

I found the most adorable parties on line, and took inspiration from them. You can check out my pinterest board for more inspiration, but the main party that inspired me is found here.

Like I mentioned before... I couldn't find any lady, girl, or baby peg people in any craft stores, so I had to come up with a design of my own. I actually like it better than anything I could have bought. I got the men and boys at Hobby Lobby.

Here is a little tutorial

For the mom peg person, you will need:

Finial Dowel Cap 1 1/16"; 1/2" hole
Circle 1" x 1/8"
Furniture Plug 1/2"
Round Ball 3/4"
Glue that works with wood

Glue the circle to the dowel cap to cover the hole.

Glue the furniture plug to the circle. Make sure this is in the middle, as these will be the feet, and the mama gnome will stand on it.

Turn the whole thing over, and glue the ball to the top of the finial dowel cap.

Paint whatever color you want. Cut a circle out of felt, and glue it to either side of the neck with the top of the triangle pointing towards the back.

Paint the eyes on using a toothpick you have dipped in paint.

You can see in the photo above, how the triangle works for the sister gnome's head dress. I stitched triangles together for the male gnomes.

The sister gnome is made using a 3/4" round ball, and a 1"3/8"hold acorn dowel cap.

The baby gnome is made using 1/2" round ball and a 1/2" x 5/8"; 1/4"hole Candle Cup.

They are both made by gluing the ball on top, with the hole on the bottom.

I think they are more cute than you can buy on line. (If I do say so myself;)


I am not letting my baby play with these yet, as he could bite part off, and choke. But, they will be fun for display, and the older kids like them. Did I mention I made a gnome family for each older cousin to take home from the party. I made it into gnome bowling, and have included a large wooden ball in the gift bag. I will take a picture of the bags once they are complete. The families are all bagged and ready to go. I just need to tie up the bags, and hook the wooden labels on after I wood burn the words. Now if I can only find a wood burning tool... Mom?

Come back to see what each baby cousin is getting.
They are almost finished, and so soft and sweet!

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa