Vegan Whoopie Pies

It was my turn to make treats for family night on Monday, so I made vegan whoopie pies from BitterSweet.


I followed the recipe but made mint frosting. These were so yummy but gigantic! Next time, I am going to make them a lot smaller...or just make the frosting. It was the best frosting I've ever made--just like Mint Creme Oreos--and there is a ton leftover. What to do? (Apparently, suck it straight out of the icing bag, if you're me).

 The chocolate rush begins. No, he did not eat a whole one--just a bite! It was way too close to bedtime.
 

Ms. Molly Monkey

I found this awesome, free pattern for Molly Monkey here and wanted to try my hand at it. It was so fun and such a satisfying project. I couldn't find brown corduroy anywhere, so I had to make do with the stripey stuff, which makes it look like a sock monkey. The skirt is made from Moda's Love is in the Air charm pack (uh oh, I really, really like charm packs. They make me want to quilt. Could I ever be a quilter?)
I really like hand embroidery, so my hubby (who draws way better than I do) traced an "anime face" on.



 
Coco loves it, too. This is just seconds before she ripped off the hat and started gnawing on Molly's head.

Happy Mother's Day!

 Happy Mother's Day! As this blog is dedicated to things that make me happy, I want to share one of my favorite quotes, from Marjorie Pay Hinckley:
 
“It is the mothers of young children I would like to address first. These are golden years for you. These are years when you will probably do the most important work of your lives. Don’t wish away your years of caring for small children. Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans. This is a time of great opportunity for you to build the kingdom. When you teach children to love their Heavenly Father, you have done one of the greatest things you will ever do. If you can be a full-time homemaker, be grateful. If not, you must do what is best for you. I for one have never felt a need to apologize for my role as a full-time homemaker.

“These are busy, busy days for you. I have seen women in all kinds of circumstances—Chinese women working on road repairs, European women working in the fields, Asian women sweeping streets—but it is my opinion that … Mormon women are among the hardest working women in the world. They plant gardens and they bottle the produce; they sew and bargain shop. They go on the heart fund drive. They take dinners to new mothers and the sick in their neighborhoods. They take care of aged parents. They climb Mount Timpanogos with Cub Scouts, go to Little League games, sit on the piano bench while Jennie practices, do temple work, and worry about getting their journals up-to-date. My heart bursts with pride when I see them come into church on Sunday, some as early as 8:30 in the morning, their children all clean and shiny, their arms loaded with supplies, as they head for classes where they teach other women’s children. They scrub their houses with little or no domestic help and then try to be the glamour girl in their husband’s life when he arrives home at night. But remember, my dear young friends, that you are now doing the work that God intended you to do. Be grateful for the opportunity."

MSCE wrap-up

Makes Something Cool Everyday in April has ended. What did I think?

Let's see. I attempted to create something every day in April. I made a few baby beanies, some booties, a little pillow, and started cut-outs of a few different handbags. What I learned? Crafting needs inspiration, not deadlines! However, I did discover something about myself. Every day in April, I tried a new recipe without even thinking about it. That is just me. Trying new recipes is something that I get great pleasure out of, even if I won't eat what I'm cooking (I'm kind of picky!). And all of my cooking creations were successes--hooray!

So, right now, my craft boxes have not diminished in size as a result of my completed projects. In fact, the boxes are now overflowing with new projects to complete (oops!). At least my baking supplies have gotten some great use!

My Lil' Tooth Fairy Pillow

 
I saw mmmcraft's tooth fairy pillow and thought it was so cute! I had to make one for one of my nieces who is consistently losing teeth. The mouth opens up to stow a tooth (and a return reward)! I really didn't know how to embellish this, but I kind of thing it looks cute plain. What do you think?

Reversible Baby Shoes!

I just love little sewing projects for babies. They are so fun! Here's the latest:

I love this pattern:


And turned inside out:


Finally, a project worked! I have tried a few patterns for soft baby shoes, and this is by far my favorite. The pattern is from Bare Maked, and it's so simple. It is definitely for a newborn, but I am going to scale the pattern up and try it in a larger size. I just love that these shoes are reversible and don't require interfacing. So, they are super quick to make--definitely a 1 hour project!

MSCE: Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been trying to create something cool every day, and it hasn't been working too well. All of my creative attempts, except for cooking, have gone terribly wrong. I have a list of projects that I am working on--and it has just seemed that every time I go to finish a project, something happens--the baby refuses to sleep, I run out of hot glue, the fabric is the wrong size, the pattern is confusing, I pick up a book and can't put it down (Fablehaven this time--so good!). But cooking always works for me. In fact, I have tried a new recipe just about every day this month.

This healthy chocolate chip oatmeal cookie is the best recipe yet! So yummy. There is a lot of cinnamon in here, so it almost tastes like a crumb donut. I'm embarrassed to say how many batches of these cookies I've made this month!

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/4 cup applesauce
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tbs. white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp. salt (can use 1/2 tsp)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. quick oats
3/4 c. dark chocolate chips
1/3 c. unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together applesauce, butter, and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir flour mixture into first mixture and mix well. Then stir in oats, followed by the chocolate and coconut. Place rounded tsp-full 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet (I always lightly grease mine, but you don't need to). Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden on bottom. Enjoy!