Simple Very Hungry Caterpillar Dress Tutorial

This year I had the pleasure of making two dresses both of which I will be sharing a tutorial for.  The Party dress tutorial can be found HERE.  I had all this extra fabric from Boo Bear's dress so I decided to make her best friend a party dress as well.  It's a simple dress, but really cute!  And just a note, the tutorial for attaching the caterpillar will come in another post. 

I started by creating a pattern for the basic dress using the width, shape, and length of a dress she already has.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Party Favor Printables

Coming back from vacation is so hard for me.  All the laundry, the cleaning, readjusting to our daily routine.  BLAH.  Probably not the best time to go to Berlin considering it's party time, but I'm doing my best to play catch up.  I have so many fun things to share but I probably won't be able to until after the party because it's crunch time for me.

One of the things I have been working on are printables.  Holy guacamole lots of different printables.  Here is one of them.  I found this idea on pinterest.  She used some sort of dot candy but two year old kiddos can't handle all that raw sugar so I filled mine with fruit snacks.

The printable is available  HERE.  Just download and print. 

I filled clear plastic bags with the fruit snacks, folded the top and staple.  The bags are 4.5 inches long.

Once it is printed, I cut the rectangles using those fancy scissors I have that get used once a year.  The size of the printable after cut is 4.25 by 1.75 inches.  Glue it to card stock [4.5 by 4 inches], fold it, and stable it the bag.

This would be a pain in the neck if you had to make a ton but since there will only be a handful of kids it was perfect and they came out really cute.

Since we are having a smaller party I was also able to create personalized party favors.  I really am in love with these Very Hungry Caterpillar personalized white boards now that awesome Crayola has come out with white board crayons.  I customized a printout that I found online HERE and ran it through my laminating machine.

Yup seriously that easy!  I love that the crayons looks like crayons when you color on the board and that it can easily wipe off.  The backside is white so they can also use that for free draw.  Not to mention it is reusable so no wasting paper or ink.  Love it!

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Very Hungry Caterpillar Leaf Garland

Slowly but surely I have been getting my party to do list checked off.  Thank goodness  we are having an itty bitty party this year so there isn't that much that needs to get done.   I saw this somewhere online and thought it was so cute... A leaf garland! The perfect trim to any party table.

Really simple to make.  I painted some green card stock with some water colors.

Then my lovely friend Adria helped me trace and cut out a ton of leaves.  Lucky for me she is a perfectionist and the leaves came out really nice.  I punched a hole in some of them to make it look as though the caterpillar ate it. 

You sew all the pieces together and before you know it you have a long leaf garland that any little caterpillar would want to eat. 

Chunky Scarf in Shadow Ombre

There has been lots of crafting and creating going on and it makes me happy!  I love it.  I promise more Very Hungry Caterpillar posts to come this week and the following.  BUT, for now I wanted to share this simple scarf I made for a friend of mine.  My beautiful friend Adria from The Crunchy Lion was nice enough to model it for me.  Aren't they purty?! 

This is my first time using chunky yarn but I love it!  The project comes together so fast it is awesome!  I can't wait to try making a hat with chunky yarn or even a blanket.  Maybe when I get a little better.  I bought this gorgeous yarn from fabric.com [my one stop shop] and it is the Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn in Shadow Ombre.  It took two skeins for this scarf. 

Sorry for the lack of in the process pictures but this one is simple enough to do and is yet another great beginner project just like the puff stitch scarf only even easier.  

Chain 15.

In the third hole start with a double half crochet in every hole until the end.

Chain two, turn, then double crochet in every hole.

Alternate between double half crochets and double crochets until it measures about 56 inches.  

Sew the two ends together.  

Pretty basic and easy to make and it's super warm!  I realized a scarf is pretty much a blanket for your neck.  Plus, the ombre yarn is so pretty. 

Puff Stitch Infinity Scarf in Aqua

I have been bit by the crocheting bug because all I want to do is crochet a bunch of different projects.  I even signed up for a class later this month!  It's fun but completely distracting me from birthday prepping which I have been slacking on.  But with fun results like this scarf how can I not get distracted!?

Who knew there were so many different stitches out there.  I absolutely love this one even though it is a yarn guzzler.  It's called the puff stitch and is really simple to do and very forgiving if you mess up a little.  I love this stitch.  I love the texture and that it it easy to count and keep tack of hehe.  I watched THIS video to learn how to do it.  

I wish I could say I came up with the idea for this pretty scarf but I didn't.  I got it from All About Ami.   She does a great job showing the step by step so I won't even bother attempting to repeat it.  And if you are wondering, I used 100 percent acrylic Bernat yarn and this gorgeous color is Aqua.  Perfect for a dark outfit that needs a pop of color.  Doesn't it look so pretty on my lovely friend Petronie.? She is the one who gave me the Doughnuts from Biscuits recipe.   

The scarf measures 56 inches and the two ends are sewn together.  So cute and another great beginner project.

Marshmallow Fondant Recipe

Anyone in the birthday spirit?!  I am and should be considering I have a party to plan and execute in less than a month.  If you know me, you know I am always trying to save a buck.  Last year, I saved a lot of money on Cindy's cake by having the baker print an image on edible paper instead of fondant.  It turned out really nice too.  This year, I am going to save money again by buying a plain cake and decorating it myself using marshmellow fondant!  Here is a simple cake I whipped up for my hubby birthday.

Making this stuff is so easy and it looks just like plain fondant but tastes better.  Here is the recipe:

4 cups of mini marshmallows [unpacked]

4 cups of powdered sugar plus extra for dusting

2 tbsp of water

food coloring

I cut the recipe in half since I didn't need to make as much.  Also, if you only have large marshmallows  just cut them into smaller pieces. 

To start, put the marshmallows and water into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for a minute or less until the marshmallows and fluffy.  Then mix it up with a spatula to make sure it is all melted.  If not, put it back in the microwave for a few more seconds.  If you are only making one color, you can add food coloring now.

Then, pour in the powdered sugar and mix.  Once you can't mix it anymore, put powdered sugar on your hands and a cutting board.

Start kneading the fondant adding more powdered sugar as needed.  Don't add too much though because it will make it hard to work with.  You can wrap it tight in plastic wrap and save for later or work with it now. I split my fondant into two parts, added food coloring, and kneaded it into the dough.  Then, I rolled it out and cut the shapes.  I didn't have circle cookie cutters so I used my metal measuring spoons and it turned out just fine.

Then I placed it to my frosted cake.  Because the fondant was kind of covered with powdered sugar, I brushed a little water to each circle so the color would pop.  

Easy peasy... Oh the possibilities!

The best part is, you can make it a few days before and then use it when needed.  My plan is to make fondant pieces inspired by these two cake and place them on a store bought frosted cake.  Fingers crossed it works out!   [Images found HERE on my Pinterest board]

Ediaper Cakes Giveaway

What a better way to start the week off than with a giveaway?!   eDiaper Cakes if offering a prize for one lucky reader. I am sure this new year is going to bring lots of new babies, which means baby showers!  One of the best gifts to give are diaper cakes and eDiaper Cakes has plenty to choose from!  I of course love Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Liz started the company about a year ago after she had her daughter Liliy.  She wanted to have a business that allowed her to be with her daughter and making these gorgeous diaper cakes was it.

Plus, they are the only ones that do book themed diaper cakes.  How darling is the Good Night Moon cake?

There are plenty of cakes to choose from and they even offer a do it yourself kit.  You can't beat the shipping price either, only $5!  It was really hard to pick a favorite because there are so many cute ones but I think this Hello Kitty one is a winner!

Ediaper Cakes is offering you readers a $25 gift certificate to use!  Here is how to enter:

1.  Visit their site HERE and leave a comment telling me which cake is your favorite. 

2. For a bonus entry share this giveaway on your facebook page and be sure to link to Make it Cozee and Edaiper Cakes.  Then leave a comment saying you did.

Giveaway ends and a winner will be announced on January 14th.  Be sure to enter and best of luck!

Doughnuts From a Can of Biscuits

Happy Friday everyone!!  Awhile ago my friend Petronie made me these doughnuts and they were so yummy I had to know her secret.  I was shocked when she told me they came from a can of buscuits!  Seriously!  And one little can makes plenty!  My talented friend can make them look like real doughnuts but I am not that good so I stuck to doughnut bites.  They are seriously so easy to make and were the perfect antidote for my doughnut cravings.

For the small ones, you cut the busciut into fourths[halves for the jelly filled]  and roll it into a flat circle.  It will puff up when dropped into the oil.  Heat a pan of oil on medium heat.  I would do a test one before throwing in a whole batch.  The doughnut bite should sink, then come to the surface and slowly start to turn golden.  Flip it and when it is done, place it on a paper towel to drain excess oil.  The process is very fast, only a few minutes.  However, if you drop your doughnut bite in and it turns golden super fast, the dough inside is probably not cooked. 

I rolled these ones in some cinnamon sugar and they tasted so yummy!!!

And like I said, be sure to do a test one to make sure it is cooked inside before doing an entire batch.  

Now, there are these German doughnuts that I am obsessed with.  They are jelly filled and sprinkled with sugar both powder and regular.  When I made these, jelly was on my mind.  I just put regular jelly inside but I think next time I am going to buy the special ones they sell at our German grocery store.  I put it in a squeeze bottle and filled the doughnuts.  Then rolled them in regular sugar and powdered sugar.  Not as good as the ones at the bakery but they are pretty yummy! 

Crocheted Boot Cuffs and Leg Warmers

As you know,  I have been wanting to learn to crochet.  A few weeks ago I did my first project, the fingerless gloves.  They were a great starter project, but I needed more things to make as pracitice.  My cousin sent me a huge box of crafting items and inside there was a small ball of white yarn.  I thought about what I could make, and it came to me.... boot cuffs.  Then that inspired me to make my Boo Bear some leg warmers.  I can't wait for her to wear them to dance class.

I got the pattern for the boot cuffs from Vanessa at See Vanessa Craft.  She gives a great tutorial.  The ones she made are so much more adorable!  I tried the scalloped trim on my cuffs but with the type of yarn I was using it just didn't look right.

They still came out pretty cute though.  I was running low on yarn so I had to make mine a little shorter.  My only suggestion is to make the ribbed top portion of the cuff a little longer.  I wish more of the rim of the cuff was showing but I am still pretty happy with them considering it is my second project.

But these are not nearly as cute as the leg warmers!  I am biased though because I love leg warmers, especially on little girls.  I used the same pattern but of course made it smaller and made the body portion a lot longer and thicker.  Otherwise, it's the same idea.  Maybe next time I will actually write my own pattern.  HA!

I love them on her and they go perfectly with her little black leotard.  So, if you want to make some cute boot cuffs or even leg warmers head on over to Vanessa's site for the pattern.  She gives great step by step instructions with pictures!  Perfect for a beginner.