Saturday 29 December 2012

New Ideas for a New Year!

Another Christmas has come and gone!  Can you believe it?  Wow. 

Mrs. Rabbit and I both had a wonderful time with our friends and family sharing and eating, and eating and sharing and we hope you did too!  With Christmas comes gifts and this year I was the happy recipient of a number of GREAT crafting books and magazines but this one really takes the cake:


A gift from my family: Crafting with Cat Hair: Cute Handicrafts to Make with Your Cat
By: Kaori Tsutaya
Translated from the Japanese by Amy Hirschman


That's right: CAT HAIR!  Could anyone get me a more spot-on gift?  I think not.  As anyone who knows me in 'real life' knows, I am a certifiable Crazy Cat Lady.  I love me some kitties and since the hubby has been relatively insistent that I keep my feline possy to one, I chose the BIGGEST most gorgeous kitty I could find.  You've seen him before, but give him a warm welcome anyways:  The Magnificent Lord Aslan
 
 
 
 
With great tips on how to clean his fur, felt with it, care for it AND a couple of really sweet little craft ideas, this book promises to be a source of significant entertainment over the coming winter months.  I'll be sure to share whatever Aslan and I come up with and hope that you will do the same.

Until next time, Kitty-Wranglers
 
Mrs. Bumble (and Appa *meow*)
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Monday 17 December 2012

DIY Alert~ Felt Masks!

Our table at the Peterborough
30 Craft-Market!
Well, we made it through the Christmas handicraft-show season successfully and with both new lessons learned and new friends made!  Thank you to everyone who came out to support us and all of the other awesome local vendors in Peterborough on December 8th: we had a great time and hope you did too!


Now, Ms. Rabbit and I have turned our attention to other projects.  First off, a little bunny told me that YOU may very well see Rabbit and Bumble on Etsy in the new year!  Check in with us here, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@RabbitandBumble) for more details!  I am pretty excited about this: note the excessive use of punctuation --->  !!!!

Other than opening an online store, we have both been putting our hands and hearts to work making some homemade gifties for OUR loved ones and I thought that I would share this little project with you all.  Originally the idea for these amazing(ly simple) felt masks came from a GREAT felt wolf mask which my husband found online with good-old Etsy.  Little Bit: Creative Felt Designs is a wonderfully whimsical Etsy shop run by a woman from Canada's beautiful west coast!  Check them out here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlebitdesignshop?section_id=11311988)  He was participating in a costume contest at work and one of his costume wearing colleagues asked if I could make her a mask for the event.  I said, "sure!"  I had such a good time making the first one that I kept right on going.

In fact, I had SUCH a good time making them that I decided to make some less detailed, slightly more vibrant and impressionistic masks for the kids in my life!  Made simply from coloured felt, ribbon, and hot glue these were cheap, easy, and fun to make.  So, without further delay, I introduce to you my Lazy-Woman's Circus.... Enjoy!

To be honest, this was MEANT to be an owl but, to me, looks more like a hawk!
Whatever he is, I had a HOOT making him!


Cats and Birds: Hope these don't start a sibbling rivalry!


Someone is going to look FOXY this holiday season!


Fish Kiss, anyone?  Oh, Hello, Ms. Butterfly!
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Friday 7 December 2012

Peterborough 30 Craft Market ... One more sleep!

If you are from Peterborough or the surrounding area, make sure to come on out and see up tomorrow at the Peterborough 30 Craft Market (downtown at the Public Library from 12 - 5 pm)!  Everything is handmade and less than 30$ so you are sure to find some amazing bargains and some unique holiday gift ideas for your loved ones, or maybe even yourself?

Rabbit and Bumble will have a wide selection of Christmas Tree Decorations from felt and origami ornaments to garlands as well as seasonal banners, gift tags, and upcycled tin lanterns!  We make everything with as many found, natural, and reused materials as possible and always, always with love *wink*

Some of the many felt ornaments that will be available tomorrow!

Jumbo Banners: An Homage to National Geographic

Let'em Glow, Let'em Glow, Let'em Glow!
More banners and Woodland Animal felted puppets to live in your tree!
Don't know what to do with all those T.P. rolls?
We made some crafty holiday banners for your home or tree!


We would love to thank you for your support and we extend a heartfelt invitation from us to you to come out, shop local, and say hello!

Hope to see you soon!
Love,

Ms. Rabbit and Ms. Bumble
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Tuesday 27 November 2012

New Lovelies for the Peterborough Under 30 Craft Show!









We will be offering a large selection of gift tags and tree ornaments at the Peterborough Under 30 Craft Show on December 8th at the Peterborough Public Library. Come and have a look!
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Sunday 25 November 2012

Peterborough 30 Craft Market: 2 Weeks and Counting

Do you know what today is? 

Today is exactly 1 month from Christmas and only 2 weeks until the event you've all been waiting for:  the Peterborough 30 Craft-Market (@30craftsmarket on Twitter or on the web http://buyhandmade.weebly.com/ )  This is going to be a great event! Saturday December 8th right downtown Peterborough at the Public Library from 12-5 pm!



 Some fun facts:
- Everything MUST be $30.00 or less (including the taxes)
- Everything MUST be handmade!
- Everyone MUST smile and be merry while shopping!

OK... so that last one isn't an OFFICIAL rule; but, let's pretend, non?  Sounds great, doesn't it?  Well, I know that Ms. Rabbit and I are sure excited about it. 

Since the last show (Make it Indie!) we have been hunkered down recovering and prepping for this new adventure.  Finally, we are emerging from our respective burrows and hives and are prepared to share some of the new projects we have been working on with you!  While we're at it, we may even remind you of some of our other projects *wink* 

The name of the game over here at the Bee Hive is... PILLOWS!  Corduroy, Plaid, Buttons, Beads!  It's a party, and there's no mistake about it.  I've been busy dreaming up creatures, flowers, and characters for you to take home so make sure to come and see them at the Craft-Market!

Phase One: Hand-Stitched Appliqués are added to the base

Close up of a flower appliqué

Oh, hello Mr. Octopus.  Nice bead-bubbles! *wink*

Hmmm... Must have been feeling nautical one day!  *Fish Kiss*
I wish I had time to make a whole alphabet!
Phase 2 will be to turn these bad boys into Pillow Covers!  Hint: It will involve ribbon.  Check back in next week for the update!

In the meantime, visit us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to find out more about our shennanigans with craft in preparation for the Peterborough 30 Craft-Market.  We hope to see you there!

Until then,
Keep on Craftin' xx
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Sunday 11 November 2012

One down, one to go!



Well folks, Make it Indie was a load of fun! 



We met some great people, shared some smiles and laughs, and generally had a wonderful time! 



Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us as well as Hope Agency.  We have high hopes for the 30 Craft-Market here in Peterborough on December 8th and would really love to encourage you all to come out and support your local artists and artisans.  Unique gifts, handmade wonders, great people, and all within walking distance from the gorgeous Peterborough downtown! 

Until then,

Sending lots of love to you all xx 

Ms. Rabbit and Ms. Bumble
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Tuesday 6 November 2012

Make it Indie Show...Draws Near!





Rabbit and Bumble have been working around the clock...and finally, we are ready for the "Make it Indie" Show!

Are you?

Prepare to be delighted with many handcrafted gift and decorating items as well as Ms.Bumble's  fabulous selection of Vegan and Gluten Friendly Fine Baked Delights:)
 

Here is a sneak peak at some of the items that we will be offering at the show coming this weekend!
We hope to see you there:)
Mushroom Centrepiece!

Let it snow.

Plants that you cannot kill...lovely mushrooms!

Mushroom ornaments

Buttons!


Happy Hoot!


Fuzzy little fellow:)

He is ready for his closeup:P


One of our tree ornaments.

Running Rabbit.

Looking forward to starting off a fantastic Holiday Season at the "Make it Indie"
 Cobourg Show!
Hope to see you there!
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Friday 26 October 2012

Peanut Butter Cookies: The Perfect Midnight Snack!

Alright, I confess. 


After watching Xena all evening (you've got to love that outfit, right?) I got a little restless!  All that travelling and fighting, and fighting and travelling.  Phew!  A girl could really get hungry. 

So I says to Mable, says I "You know what that Xena girl would probably like after all that yipping and carrying on?  Cookies."  So I made some.

I've been hankering after some soft on the inside, crisp on the bottom, make you drool peanut butter cookies for a while now and I think last night's experiment paid off!  Try them out, let me know what you think!

Peanut Butter Cookies!


Peanut Butter Cookies
*vegan
*gluten free

Ingredients:

1/4 cup margarine (Earth Balance is pretty yummy!)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (you could do crunchy or smooth)
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup of rice milk + 3-4 tbsp
1/2 cup brown sugar (if using an organic or less refined sugar, you may consider pulsing it a few times in a processor to make it easier to blend in with your oils/margarine)
1 tsp salt
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup sweet rice flour
2 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Combine your margarine and PB until smooth.  Add in your sugar and mix, mix, mix.  When it is well combined, add in your vanilla and salt. (**Note: You could use agave or honey, however, I haven't played with the proportions yet so tread carefully and let me know if you have any successes!)

In a separate bowl, combine you flours and baking powder.  Add the flour mixture to the PB mixture and begin to combine adding a little rice milk at a time.  You will need at least the whole 1/4 cup of rice milk and possibly a few tbsp more.  The goal is a cookie dough that holds together enough to form a small ball, but that is wet enough that when you press the cookies down they don't just fall apart!

Roll ping-pong ball sized dough balls, arrange them on a tray with about an inch distance between each--these do not spread too much-- and then flatten them with a fork or the back of a spoon.  Bake in a pre-heated over (350F) for approx 10 mins, or until the edges look golden brown.  Enjoy!

We would love to hear what you think of this and other recipes so feel free to leave a comment below or come and tell us in person at the Make It Indie Show and Sale (makeitindie.blogspot.com) November 10th, in Cobourg!

Until then, ducklings!
xx Ms. Bumble
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Thursday 25 October 2012

Something WINTER this way comes!

Hello, hello, hello! 

Ms. Rabbit and I are still madly preparing for the Make it Indie show in Cobourg on Nov. 10th (makeitindie.blogspot.com for more details!) and thought that some of you may be curious to see what other goodies we will be bringing along for the ride!

Hand-stitched ornaments for your tree!
 

 Ornaments are the order of the day (or week, to be more precise!) and they have been a blast to make.  Felt, buttons, beads, and a little creativity go a long way when making ornaments.  We have chosen a selection of more traditional Christmas shapes as well as some more "free form" designs to keep things interesting!  Each one is unique and made by hand.






In my household growing up, Christmas was about good food, good company, and having a good time!  Of course we did the present exchange and ate a ton of candy and cake, but it was always really important to everyone that we remembered how lucky we were to have each other and all of the "stuff" that comes with Christmas.  Now that I am all grown up, I feel like I should take every chance I get to give a little back.  Thankfully, the wonderful Ms. Rabbit (aka. Amber) is right there with me and even came up with the idea of having a 'Tree of Hope' at the upcoming Make it Indie Show and Sale. 
 
In addition to selling Cards for Hope (post cards featuring drawings done by Cambodian children supported by Hope Agency) at 1$ a piece, we will also be donating 1$ from the sale of any item selected from our Tree of Hope (you guessed it: a Christmas tree which will be decorated with all of these wonderful hand made ornaments and some other goodies!) directly to Hope Agency!  (www.hopeagency.net)  As if you needed more reason to come out and buy original, handmade items, am I right?


Cards for Hope feature drawings done by Cambodian children and photographs taken by
yours truly from my 2011 trip to volunteer with these AMAZING people!

 
That being said, come on out on November 10th to the Make it Indie Show and Sale in Cobourg and check us out!  There will be food, crafts, and good people all day!

 
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Tuesday 16 October 2012

Handmade? Make it Indie!

Hello Bunnies and Bees! 

Amber and I are pretty excited about the Make it Indie Show and Sale coming up in Cobourg on November 10th.  If you haven't done it yet, check out the Make it Indie blog (makeitindie.blogspot.com) for a complete list of vendors and links to all of their fabulous pages! 

With less than one month to go, we are getting busy!  Glue, beads, fabric, ribbon, paint, and empty coffee cups are scattered here and there so I thought that I would share the madness with you all... before I clean up and move on to even more new projects!

Remember, Amber and I really strive to use recycled, found, or natural objects in our crafting as much as possible!  It gives things personality and history, it is kind to the environment, and-- if we are going to be honest-- it is a little easier on the pocket-book!  More than that, we really enjoy searching for natural treasures, hunting for antique collectibles, and poking through bins and buckets to gather our materials.  It's fun!



These ornaments come with loads of personality!  Inspired by the veritable mother-load of pine cones that I came across while hiking out at Eel's Creek ( http://www.start.ca/users/mharris/waterfalls/high-falls--eels-.html), my funky fish are made from felt, acrylic paint and pine cones and are glued and sewn together by hand.  I think these would make excellent additions to a Christmas Tree but could also make fun bathroom accessories or even be added to a child's mobile!  The possibilities are endless.  *fish kiss*

Even the cat likes them! (yes, that is his "I like it face"...
not to be confused with his "get real" face, his "I am grumpy" face,
or his "I didn't do that" face)


"Little boxes, on the hillside, little boxes filled with ticky-tacky, little boxes on the hillside, little boxes all the same...." If you watch Weeds, then you know this little song all too well!  I just so happen to have come across a lovely stock pile of discarded jewelry boxes which I quickly snatched up, took home, and got to work on! 



During the holiday season I am always looking for ways to wrap or package gifts without buying wrapping paper which ALWAYS gets balled up, tossed in a bag, and thrown out.  Boxes are a GREAT way to package small items and, if you jazz them up a little, the box itself can be part of the gift!  I've added everything from ribbon to beads to these little boxes and the result has been a collection of charming, brightly coloured and, most importantly, re-usable gift packaging!



Come out and see us at the Make it Indie Show and Sale November 10th, in Cobourg for these and many more wonderful gift-items and seasonal decorations! 

DID YOU KNOW?  1$ from the purchase of any item from our "Tree of Hope" will be donated directly to Hope Agency (a Cambodian based NGO of which Ms. Bumble is particularly fond) and Cards for Hope will for sale at the rate of 1$ per card!  Save your loonies and make a donation for a great cause while you load up on your seasonal sundries!
 
['Cards for Hope' is a fund raising initiative implemented by Jennifer Avis on behalf of Hope Agency and the children of rural Cambodia.  Ms. Avis enlisted the help of several elementary-school aged children from the village of Bakod in Cambodia and came away with a selection of drawings and photographs which have been turned into totally unique postcards!  100% of the money raised through the sale of these cards will go directly to Hope Agency to help in the construction of schools, agricultural projects, and for the eventual construction of a permanent shelter for the dozens of orphaned children currently living in and around the area.  Buy a card, spread some Hope!]

We can't wait to see you all in Cobourg!
*kisses*  Jenn and Amber
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