Minnie Mouse Birthday!

At HankOrange, we aim to please!

When customers ask me to create something specific, it is an honor and I work hard to create the perfect item. Recently, Karina {who is a woman of many talents} asked me to make a dress for her daughter’s third birthday party.  Her little girl was having a Minnie Mouse themed party {so fun!} and wanted a ‘pillowcase’ dress for her to wear.

After the party, Karina {who also happens to be an amazing professional photographer; check out her website}, was nice enough to share some photos of her adorable little girl wearing her HankOrange

dress.  She was also kind enough to write a little review for me {and make me blush a bit with her complimentary words!}

Here is what Karina had to say:

“My daughter had a Minnie Mouse Birthday party and I went a-hunting on pinterest for some ideas for her party.  I found a dress that I liked and e-mailed the picture to Amy at HankOrange.  She (of course), found an even MORE fabulous fabric and added her own adorable touches to make it a one of a kind piece that we will treasure forever.  There was a black and white fabric along the bottom that gave it detail and definition.  She also added a Minnie Mouse silhouette with her own
little pink ribbon that my daughter could tie (and untie!  Let’s be honest – she’s 3!)  I also loved that all of the ribbons were sewn in so they can’t be lost!  Knowing me, we would have NEVER found them again.
The dress perfectly matched our cake, our Minnie Mouse Tea Party set, and the Minnie Mouse headband that I had purchased weeks before for her to wear.  I couldn’t have planned it better!

Thank you Amy for always creating such great pieces and for saving me again and again for searching FOREVER for the perfect outfit for my little toddler’s special days!”

Thank YOU Karina, for the kind words!

I’m thinking about making girls' dresses to add to the HankOrange collection.  What do you think? I’m thinking if all little girls look this adorable; every girl should have one {she makes HankOrange look good!}!

Robot Valentine ‘Envelope’ Tutorial

-->

Supplies Needed:

Felt - Red, Black, Gray, White {or whatever colors you want}

Scissors

Ruler

Thread

Ready to begin!
 

To start, cut a piece of felt for the ‘envelope,’ roughly 10” x 18”  {finished size will be about 10” x 7.5”}

Creating the ‘eyes’ for the robot:  Cut two large {black} and two small {white} circles out of felt.  As a template, I used two different sized spools of thread.  Then cut two small hearts {red felt} for the center of the eye.

* Optional: Adding a name.  I wanted to customize the envelope so I used my embroidery machine to add his name.  You could also cut out felt letters to spell the name, or cut one letter for the first initial.  

Creating the ‘ears’ for the robot:  I cut out Frankenstein-ish bolts for the ‘ears.’  I cut one piece {black felt} then laid it on top of a piece of gray felt, then, to make sure it would be the right size, cut around the black felt leaving the desired space. 

Sewing:  I first folded the large felt rectangle into the shape I wanted the ‘envelope’ to be.  I marked where I wanted the eyes and name to go, then I unfolded the ‘envelope’ so I could I then pin and sew on the eyes and the name. 

Once those were sewn on, I re-folded the ‘envelope’ and marked where the ‘ears’ needed to go.   I sewed them onto one layer of felt.  Next, I folded the ‘envelope’ around the ‘ears’ {so the ‘ear’ is in between the two layers of the felt when finished}.  I then sewed the ‘envelope’ and folded down the top ‘flap.’

And, Done!
Wasn't that easy?!

Your robot is ready to be stuffed with goodies and love notes for the little man {or lady} in your life! 

Robot Valentine Envelope
Now it is time to think of all the fun things you can put into the envelope for the little 'robot' in your life!   What will you put in your robot?  

Robot Valentine Envelope

-->

With Valentines coming up, I wanted to make something ‘boyish’ for the little man. Initially I wanted make an ‘envelope’ {similar to something I’d seen at Pottery Barn Kids} that I could stuff with notes and goodies each of the 13 days leading up to Valentine’s Day.
   
My little man is into Robots right now.  He wanted a robot themed birthday party, he talks like a robot at times, and he dances {well, tries to} like a robot!  So, I went with the ‘robot’ theme.

Once I finally figured out what I wanted Mr. Robot to look like, it didn’t take too long to create.  I used felt and supplies I already had on hand.  If I had sat down and actually finished this in one sitting {uninterrupted time, what’s that?!}, it would have taken less than an hour to make.

Here is what I came up with.
I think this could be super cute as a ‘girly’ robot too.  But, since I have a boy, had to stick with keeping this as ‘manly’ as possible.

When I showed this to Little man he responded with,  ‘He needs feet.’ 

Hmm, maybe.  I think he might need a nose.

What do you think?

Envelope filled with a letter and popcorn for a 'date night'

Next year I think I will write daily ‘love letter’ {maybe I’ll call it a ‘robot-gram’ or something more ‘boy’ than ‘love letter’} or include a special treat and have it waiting for him when he wakes up each morning.

Tutorial coming tomorrow!

Wintery Wreath Tutorial/ DIY

The Christmas decorations are down, and my house is looking a little bare.  Often I just get out the Valentine’s décor to add at least a little color.  I wanted to make a wintery wreath so I could have some sort of décor up before getting out all the red and pink for Valentines Day. 

I thought it would be fun to make a ‘snow’ wreath for post Christmas décor.  Not really sure why, but at some point I bought a ton {I must have at least 40} of the plastic snowflakes you find at Christmas time. 
  

I thought it would be fun to make a ‘snow’ wreath for post Christmas décor.  I originally planned to use the snowflakes and put them around the wreath, but I didn’t love the way that looked.   I wanted something different.

I started with strips of white felt that I thought would create a soft ‘snowy’ look.  Then I added the snowball ‘sticks’ {no idea what they are actually called!} I found at Michaels on clearance and a sequined bird I’d purchased a few years ago.   I am really happy with the way the wreath turned out!   

Here is what I did, a quick tutorial:

The wreath is very easy to make and I used supplies I already had {mostly}.

Supplies you will need:

* Styrofoam wreath

* White felt, cut into strips

* Pinking Sheers {not necessary, but adds a little extra to the strips of felt}

* Plastic snowflakes

* Decorative bird {I got mine at Pier 1, but I’ve seen them elsewhere too}

* 'Sticks' I bought at Michaels during their post Christmas clearance

Cut felt {or fabric of choice} into long stripes.

I used some white felt I had and cut it into strips about an inch wide. My strips were about 14 inches long, but the longer you can make them the better!
 
Take your first strip of felt.  Starting on the backside of the wreath, pin the piece of felt to the wreath.  

 
    Wrap the felt in a circular motion around the wreath.  When you come to the end of the first piece of felt, take the second piece and continue wrapping making sure to cover up the end of the first piece of felt.  Continue until the entire wreath is covered with the felt.   *The longer the strips the better because they can be wrapped around and around the wreath without having to stop and ‘cover up’ the end pieces. 

 Once you have the wreath covered, take the ‘sticks’ or twigs or whatever you choose to use and decide where you want to place them.  When you have them ‘in place’ take another piece of felt and wrap around the ends of the ‘sticks’ to secure in place. 

 
    Take the bird and place it in the middle of the ‘sticks.’  The sequined bird I used has a clip on the bottom so I clipped it onto one of the ‘sticks’.  The clip also made it more challenging to get the bird to look just right. 

 
    Final step- add the snowflakes!  Since the snowflakes came with strings attached, I figured they could hang and create a more ‘snowing’ look. 

 

    Take your plastic snowflakes and arrange on the wreath by pinning them to the top half of the wreath, allowing them to hang.  You could also glue or pin the snowflakes to the top and sides of the wreath.

 

Voila- done!  Fun new wintery wreath to hang!  

Winter Wreath

I love Christmas.   I love {most} everything about it.   The post-Christmas event of taking down the Christmas decorations, however, is my least favorite thing about Christmas.  Not only do I dislike putting everything away, I dislike the emptiness the lack of the decorations leaves behind.  Once the Christmas décor is put away, it seems my house is left empty.  As if to remind me that yet another year has come and gone.

Often I put up some Valentine’s decorations, but this year I wanted to do something more ‘wintery.’  I wanted to make a wintery type wreath so I would at least have something up before putting up the Valentine decor.   

I had an idea in mind that I wanted to create - snowflakes, snowballs, something to that effect.  I used some supplies that I already had {snowflakes from Christmas decor, felt, sparkly bird}  and purchased a few things at Michaels… the finished product was different than I had originally thought, but I like it even more!  

Tutorial coming soon!

Wicked Creative

-->

Retro Machine created by Napping Goat Design

I received a huge compliment the other day {at least I took it as a huge compliment!} A friend told me I was ‘wicked creative.’   

I don’t think it was the exact words that meant so much, but more that the comment was so meaningful because it totally caught me off guard.

I had no idea my friend had looked, or would ever look, at my blog.   I think I mentioned the blog once in a brief conversation and I had no idea he was actually paying attention.  

The comment had a big impact for being two simple words.

The comment was unexpected and flattering.  The comment came at a time when I must have really needed to hear it.  That might sounds silly, but it is so true.  It caused me take a step back and realize that maybe I do have a talent.   The comment also caused me to recognize I don’t give myself much credit at times.  I sometimes find myself disappointed with my lack of creativeness or lack of ideas or lack of motivation.   I suppose it all comes down to confidence in myself and my creative abilities.  

Sometimes all it takes is an unexpected compliment.  A friendly reminder, maybe I am talented.   Who knew a simple compliment could mean so much and cause such thought!

The next time I’m feeling ‘lacking’ I am just going to say the words and maybe it will be the motivation I need to press on: ‘Wicked Creative.’ 

At the very least, it will make me smile!   

Thank you, dear friend, for the compliment!  

Advent Idea for Kids: Book A Day

-->

My Mom had a great idea this year for an Advent calendar for little man.  A book a day.   

I’m not sure if she came up with the idea herself, or read it somewhere, but either way, I give her all the credit.  She wrapped up 24 books and each morning little man gets to open the package with the number that corresponds with the day. 

Seriously, a brilliant idea.  

I figured he would enjoy this, but I had no idea just how much he’d love it.  He wakes up each morning wanting to open the book for the day.  He remembers what number we opened the previous day and he knows what the current day is.  If anything, this ‘advent calendar’ is a great way to practice numbers and counting!  Again, Mom, you're brilliant.  I’m lucky to have a teacher for a mother! :) 

I totally recommend this for younger kiddos.  You don’t even have to use new books.  My Mom gathered up some books she had from when my brother and I were younger {works out in my favor that she saves things!} and then she purchased a few at the book fair at her school.  

The books are just wrapped with simple plain paper with a big number written in marker on the top.  

Easy.  And, the kid loves it.  LOVES it!

Books are much healthier than candy too!

Mom, you’re a genius!  Thanks for the idea, and the 24 new books!