Mysterious Japanese Candy from Kawaii Box

Hello Kawaii Buddies,

I am a lover of all things kawaii and so I subscribe to Kawaii Box.  It is fun for me...it is fun for my daughter, although I have to make sacrifices and let her have things that I really want to keep for myself...but hey - that's what parenting is all about.

Anyway, in this month's package we received a package of some sort of mysterious Japanese candy.  At first glance, during my daughters frenzied attempt to claim the candy as her own, I thought it was going to be some Japanese version of Peeps marshmallow candy but no I was wrong.  So wrong.

So I open it only to discover that the package contains a tray, a spoon, and 3 packets of some mystery ingredients.

So, I flip the package over only to discover that the instructions are in Japanese.

Thank goodness for photo instructions!

Step 1:  Pour packet 1 into left section of tray and add water using the tiny detachable measuring cup

 

Step 2:  Add contents of packet 2 to the tray and mix using spoon

(she was so excited to help make it)

Step 3:  Add contents of packet 3 to 2nd section of the tray

Time to eat!  Would you eat it?  We did.  The whipped stuff tasted like a combination of fizz-less sour grape pop rocks and nerds, and the crushed up candy tasted like grapefruit.  It was pretty intense.  

I couldn't read the ingredients so I only let her have a few small spoonfuls and I ate the rest.

I love Japan.

Sincerely,

Myria <3

DIY - Toddler Sewing Cards

Hi My Beauties,

Following with the toddler antics theme, this week I will be discussing one way to keep your wees busy. 

When I was little I used to have a set of sewing cards.  They had cute animals on them and were about 5" x 7".  They were kind of like a perforated connect the dots, using yarn with tape on the end (like a shoelace) to "sew" the image.  My mom showed me how to use them and from then on I was hooked to sewing!

Recently, one day when I was trying to work in my craft room, and my daughter was being especially needy, so I decided to try to make a set for my her.  I didn't have all of the materials to make them like the ones that I used to have, so I just used some pretty 4" x 6" card stock and a stamp.

Note:  On the burgundy card I tried using a mini heart punch but realized 6 punches in that it wasn't going to work because it wouldn't reach!  Lesson learned.


First I picked my paper using the 4" x 6" Mariposa matstack.  I happened to have some ornate butterfly and dragonfly stamps to embellish it with.

Next, I used a tri-color stamp pad to stamp the butterfly.

I put the stamp face up and put the ink where I wanted it on the stamp.  I used a fading technique that I think came out pretty cool. 

I got my punch tool and foam mat.

I used a ruler to measure equal intervals between punches - approximately 1/4" between holes.

After this I took some wire cutters and an old embroidery needle.  I cut the tip off and filed it a bit so she won't poke her eye out when she tries to use it.  It could still be dangerous in little hands so be sure to emphasize to your littles that they need to be very careful!

The last step is to tie the thread onto the "first hole" of the card - or whatever you designate as the first hole.  I should have used embroidery thread, but you get the idea.

Needless to say, this kept her busy for a couple of hours while I worked.  Mission accomplished!

Rest assured that if I ever make an "actual" set of these I will post it for you all.
Love,
Myria

Being A Working Mom

So I have spent the morning reading the blogs that I follow and reveling in the beauty and perfection of all of the home decor photos and craft spaces.

I realized that I have yet to follow a blog that is written by a woman that I can truly identify with. A crafty working mom who is trying to juggle work,  parenting,  side craft business,  chores,  and home repairs,  etc.

I am planning on tackling these dishes shortly but before I did I just wanted to post this shout out to all you ladies out there who, like me, are struggling to keep it together.

Keep your chin up!   Take it a minute at a time.

^.^  Myria