Award winning Fresh Baked Pies

Kid2 made these magnets for 2009 County Fair. 
She won First Place, Judges' Favorite, and Best in Class (Youth Recycle Category). 

Chinese New Year Red Envelope projects

I think I’m a 4th-generation Chinese-American.  Lots of things get watered down or forgotten.  Such as….
I’m not sure what the protocol on the red envelopes are.   I do know you’re supposed to receive it with two hand, look the giver in the eye, and say something appropriate.  I thought I read somewhere that it is bad luck to rip and/or throw the envelopes away.  I don’t know if there’s a policy on reusing the red envelope, but I’ll admit to doing so.  And always make sure the red envelope is appropriate for the occasion.  It helps to have someone who can read Chinese or know what the pictures mean.  Rosemary Gong’s book “Good Luck Life” is a basic reference guide for the befuddled Chinese-American. 
The top two projects were copied from Grandma’s assisted living facility.  They do great crafts.  (If no one is inspecting the handiwork closely, a stapler works great.)
The square was made using the same technique as explained in this link.
The lower right hand project was a squatty, stunted goof of the more round one. 

Polymer Clay: Musubi

inspired by The Polymer Clay Cookbook: Tiny Food Jewelry to Whip Up and Wear by Jessica Partain and Susan Partain (Paperback - Oct 20, 2009)

Nook Book Cover

IngredientsMain Book cover: 1 book cover slightly larger than Nook
Inside:  1/2 book cover slightly smaller or same size as Main Book Cover
Inside Patch:  Scrapbook paper
Elastic: Approximately 2 feet (the debate, what color elastic to use?!?)

ToolsGlue Gun
Flexible adhesive appropriate for paper (I used my ATG)
Paper trimmer
Xacto Knife
(I didn’t take in-process pictures.  I was just excited to put it together.  If I ever make another one, I’ll update this post.)

1.  Cut scrapbook paper at least 3x bigger than the book spine.  Adhere to cover up book spine “scar.”  I goofed up a couple of times during this part.  First, I cut the paper 2x bigger than book spine.  I figured that I would cover just over the minimum space of the spine scar.  Doesn’t work,  Paper pops up and doesn’t lay flat.  And I also wanted to make sure the scrapbook paper underneath the 1/2 book cover would not suffer from the “popping up” syndrome as well.  It’s just paper – use a generous size.
2.  with the 1/2 cover and the elastic figure out what will keep your Nook secure.  Take note of finished edges.  Make sure the unfinished edge is by the spine.  Trace where elastic will be on wrong side of 1/2 cover.  In order to avoid lumpiness, I used the Xacto knife to remove some of the inner book cover and created a groove the width and depth of the elastic.  Using glue gun, fill in groove with hot glue and secure elastic.
3.  If everything’s dry and you are sure of the orientation of the inner book cover/elastic piece, apply hot glue to cover and carefully adhere 1/2 book cover.  I also put some heavy books on it while it dried.  Just say no to lumps!

Polymer Clay: Coffee Beans and Coffee Cups

inspired by The Polymer Clay Cookbook: Tiny Food Jewelry to Whip Up and Wear by Jessica Partain and Susan Partain (Paperback - Oct 20, 2009)

Polymer Clay: Lollipops

inspired by The Polymer Clay Cookbook: Tiny Food Jewelry to Whip Up and Wear by Jessica Partain and Susan Partain (Paperback - Oct 20, 2009)

March 2010: Polymer Clay Cookies, Cheese, Hot Chocolate