DIY Gemstone Rubber Stamps

This DIY stamp project was inspired by an unusual item, packaging for a chocolate candy mold.  On the packaging I spotted a teeny-tiny gemstone which reminded me of a rubber stamp.  Since I had all the supplies, I decided to make gemstone stamp (pictured above).  This stamp would be good for gift wrap, cards, etc.  Tutorial below.

Supplies
Tracing Paper
Pencil
Speedball Speedy Carve block - you could also use a white eraser
Speedball Lino Cutter
Stamp pad
E6000 Glue
Wood block

 1. Click on image, right click, save, and print image.

 2.  Trace printed image with tracing paper and pencil.  Place tracing paper on stamp and transfer image to stamp.

3.  With lino cutter, carve out where pencil marks on the stamp.  Once carved test it out with the stamp pad.  If you see some edges that need to be cleaned up, you can shape it more with the lino cutter.

4. With E6000 glue, adhere the stamp to the back of a wood block.

My Milk Toof Book 2

My children and I have been waiting patiently for the new My Milk Toof book to come out and it's finally available!  My Milk tooth is about the adventures of two mischievous and curious teeth (Ickle and Lardee). You can't help but fall in love with these fun characters after peeking into their daily lives.  The book is written by Inhae Lee and it's a photo comic book.  Inhae also shares many of the photo comics on her blog, My Milk Toof. You'll find the book is very similar to the stories on her site.

I've also written about the first book here if you would like to check it out.

 

Promo video animated and directed by Inhae Lee

Craft: Washi Tape Paper Lantern

Guess what, I actually have a craft tutorial for you guys today!  I can't even remember the last time I posted one of my own craft tutorials.  All I know is that it's far overdue.  So without further ado, here's the project.

With just a little washi tape you can add a contemporary new look to paper lanterns. Make them to add a little ambiance to your room or hang them up for a party.  By mixing and matching different prints you can tailor the lanterns to your own tastes.

Supplies:
3 1/2-by-6 in office paper
Scissors
Washi tape - I recommend a thicker washi tape that's more opaque.
Elmer's tape runner
Electric tea light

1.  Cover one side of paper with washi tape.

2.  Add trim with washi tape (blue and purple stripes).

3.  Fold paper in half and cut into the center of each piece of tape and between each piece of tape (you're using the tape as your cutting guide).  Cut all the way up to the border (blue piece of tape).

4.  Unfold.  With tape runner, place a strip of tape on the right edge of the lantern.  Bend into a cylinder and seal shut by overlapping both ends.

Add an electric tea light and you're all set. 

Origami Nail Polish

Well here's something fun and new, origami nail polish bottles.  They were designed by Leyla Torres, author of the blog  Origami Spirit.  You can find the tutorial to make the nail polish bottles on her site, (click here).  Besides their cute aesthetic, these nail polish bottles open up to reveal a nail polish brush.  The cap even slides on top of the bottle!

Pictured above are a couple bottles I folded.  They're very easy to fold but take a little time since there are two pieces.  Once you have the steps memorized, I'm sure you could whip them up in no time. 

Gummy Fun

Not too long ago I picked up the book Gummy Fun at Kinokuniya in San Jose. I've always wanted to try making my own gummy candy and this book looked like it had some good and unique recipes to help me get started.   I also liked the cute pictures in the book (I'm a sucker for cute pictures).  Below are a few photos of the inside of Gummy Fun.

Demonstrates how to make depression molds.

Cute illustrations I was talking about.

Coffee and milk tea gummies.  Yes, please.

Here's a photo of one of the recipes I  tested out.  I made my gummy candy with canned peaches.

For the gummies, I used a silicone heart mold I found at Daiso for $1.50.  One batch ended up filling up the heart molds perfectly.  I should also point out the recipes make tiny batches.  The gummy hearts don't taste like the gummies you would find in the candy aisle.  They're less sweet and the texture is more like thick jello. 

Overall I like the book.  My only complaints are that it never states how long it takes to make the gummies.  The directions only say to "set up at room temperature". The gummy hearts I made took an hour to set up.  There's also no mention of how long the gummy treats will stay fresh or if they need to be refrigerated.  But knowing my family, that's not really a problem.  I'll be lucky if the gummy hearts last an hour in our house.

Have you ever made your own gummy treats?  Have any good recipes to share?