A BIRTHDAY. A CHALLENGE. AND A LABOR OF LOVE.
It’s not often that I write about something other than food. But I was presented with a quite extraordinary challenge. At least it was for me. You see, I happily raised two boys. I don’t do hair. I don’t sew. I’m not crafty. When my button falls off my shirt, I take it to the dry cleaners to have it sewn back on! Yes. Seriously. I don’t sew.
But I was recently invited to join a group of amazing women. (You know who you are!) We refer to ourselves as the Theme Weavers and once a month present a week long themed celebration of some kind of food. I like to call them the Fabulous 14! These women are truly special, creative and talented. And they really add to the fun of blogging for me.
Jeanne, of Inside NanaBread’s Head, recently celebrated a birthday. It was a big one. And we had to celebrate big! If you’ve never visited Jeanne’s blog, you simply must. You no doubt, will be hooked. She is pretty awe inspiring to me. Jeanne is one of those women who just does everything well. But her crafts, you will just adore! One in particular is her Felt Mice Photo Tutorial. So on Jeanne’s birthday, she received boxes of mice! 50 mice to be exact! And these were my contributions. . . . .
When I considered how to photograph my mice before I mailed them, I thought about laying all the mice into a pie plate and laying strips of ‘felt lattice pie crust’ over the top of them! I can’t help it. My humor runs dark. Fargo and Pulp Fiction are two of my favorite movies! Yes. Perhaps that would be a bit too cruel.
Here is the gang posing on a cake stand instead.
On a Saturday morning, I sat down at the dining room table at 9:30 am. I didn’t leave the table till I was finished with at least half of my mice at 11:30 pm! These are really easy to make. But remember. I don’t sew! So I was up and at it again bright and early Sunday morning.
Did I mention that I existed only on Coke Zero and Girl Scout Cookies for a day and a half?
We each picked a theme. I chose to do Mice Bakers. (I knew I’d have to work it into my blog somehow!) Here are my cast of dessert loving mice:
What’s a baker with out a rolling pin?
If you give a mouse a cookie: (I still have that book!)
Cotton Candy Girl:
One donut for me. One donut for Jeanne:
Who wants pie?
Baking is all about the Flour Power!
So there you have it! I laughed. I cried. I cussed. I shoved another girl scout cookie into my mouth. My glasses were on. My glasses were off. I stabbed myself countless times with the needle. I lost the needle. I cussed some more. But I thought of Jeanne. And I sewed my heart out!
Jeanne, your Felt Mice Photo Tutorial is great! And I’m sure a craft loving, sewing type person would whip up one of these mice in no time flat. It quickly became very addictive. And I was kind of sad to see my little buddies go. (I thought I heard them squeak as I left the UPS store.) But it was all worth it. Because it was for you!
If this project was a recipe, I’d absolutely give it 5 whisks! But since it’s not, I can only give you a thumbs up and a high five.
For more mice shenanigans, Jeanne documented the unwrapping, unveiling and unraveling of the many mice she received in her post The Mouse Project.
Warning: the production of these mice may be addictive for some. But be prepared to be inspired!
Anne, I laughed so hard at your post! You are a trooper! I hope we are friends when I turn 50 ( long ways away
) You are a great friend indeed and I just absolutely love your mice, though we do share the same kind of dark humour. I would’ve liked to see the mice in a pie 
They are very cute and I am quite sure Jeanne appreciates it very much. I would.
Well done!!
Nazneen
Thanks Nazneen! And I hope we are friends when you turn 50, too…whenever that is! I’ve become a great fan of yours and your beautiful blog! : )
Oh Anne you are a trooper! Your mice are adorable and you are very crafty my dear. These must have been a pure delight to Jeanne.
Thanks Sandra! My first (and possible my last!) craft project….but all worth if for Jeanne! : )
These are so adorable, Anne! Well worth the effort!
Thanks Laura…and all complaining aside…it actually was fun! : )
These are so incredibly cute!!!
Thanks Stephanie! : )
Wow, what a great way to show you care Anne! I´m not crafty so I admire this type of things so much. The little details of each mouse are phenomenal! What an awesome project you all put together.
Thanks Paula…and I’m not so crafty either. And it truly was an awesome group effort! : )
Oh, Anne!
I knew they were adorable and I love every single thing about them, but they mean even more now knowing that you bled & cursed for them. All of your shots showcase them beautifully, but that last one might be my favorite. I laughed out loud at that last shot – the wounds, the needles, all that gauze, and the Excedrin Migrane just at the edge of the frame. It’s hilarious. These little cuties are addictive. Once you start giving them personalities, they take on a life of their own. Rest assured they are being well cared for and are having all kinds of fun with their new friends. (PS – I think they’re all getting a little tired of The Tammys keeping them up late each night.)
LOL…Jeanne, too funny about the Tammy’s! But we knew you would appreciate them. And YOU may have started a new craze….I think there could be a business in your future with your sock monkeys and your own gorgeous mice! Thanks for letting us have a little fun at your expense! : )
Anne, These are absolutely ADORABLE! I can so relate to your sewing experience. That is one of those skills that I was not graced with. I made (very simple) curtains for my camper and thought I might hurt myself before I finished them. I love your mice and I’m going to have to try making (ONE). LOL….
Thanks Eileen….and looking at that awesome retro camper of yours….I would think you were a VERY crafty person! You can start with ONE mouse….but wait and see….you’ll be wanting another! : )
Bravo Anne!! What totally adorable mice! I think it’s so cool that all of you presented the birthday girl with 50 mice. My sister is turning 50 in a few days so I know it’s a milestone birthday.
Maybe I’ll have to check out this tutorial and make my sister a few. :0)
Thanks Ramona….and you should check out Jeanne’s tutorial….something fun to make with your kids, even. : )
Hope you’re coming down off that sugar high! I can tell from your writing and this post that you were hyped, excited, and thrilled. And you should be. Your mice are GREAT!!!! It’s hard to believe that you don’t sew! I love the theme and the name of each little mouse. I can’t say which one I like the best, but I think I am partial to cotton candy and Party. I read Jeanne’s post and it was obvious that she was far beyond thrilled!!!! Great job!!! I think it’s time for a break my busy little friend.
Ha! Thanks MJ….and yes…a little wired from the sugar and the caffeine….BUT it really was fun and I was amazed that I could get it done! Thanks for stopping by Jeanne’s to take a peek. And yes…..my fingers most definitely need the break! : )
Just like you, I cook, I bake, but I don’t sew and I’m not crafty at all. But you are AMAZING! These are so wonderful and adorable. Are you sure you don’t sew? I think you’re secretly talented at sewing, and now, it’s not a secret anymore.
Thanks Amy….but trust me…I don’t sew! LOL…If you take a look at the mice that Jeanne made that lead to all of this shenanigans….you will see the difference! But just for the record….I don’t sew anymore! : )
Anne, for someone who doesn’t like crafts, you’ve done a marvelous job, they look so cute, just incredible!
p.s. I understand you concerning certain crafts, I was like that with knitting… When at school during home economy class we had to knit, everyone as expected went with a sweater, except for me, as I went to do for vest only (sleeves are a tragedy to knit), needless to say that put me on the teacher’s top of the black list right away
Thanks Ms. G….and I can totally relate! I took up knitting….but all I could manage to make was one loooooong rectangular thing! I’d be black listed, too! ; – }
These are absolutely adorable, Anne! What a special labor of love and a cute gift to give for Easter! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Georgia…and I thought the same thing….these would be so cute in an Easter basket! Great idea! : )
For someone who’s not crafty you sure did a bang up job of making these. They’re wonderful! Great pictures (particularly the one of your hand!), and I’d have loved to see a picture of these in a pie, too (I like the same movies!). At least you could have given them a bit of cheese to eat.
Really fun post – thanks.
Ha! Thanks John. I should have crafted little pieces of cheese! And yes…I did a bang up job….on my poor fingers! Thanks for taking a moment to comment on my silly post. You are a good guy! : )
Oh my gosh these are just the cutest ever! What a cool idea
Thanks Natalie…they really were fun…and addictive to make! : )
Anne ~ Thank goodness for Coke and Girl Scout cookies. . . . forever to the rescue. What adorable mice!! I really thought I would pick out my favorite mouse, but they are all so darn cute, I couldn’t pick out just one. You truly are so very talented
Thanks Kris and I love my Coke Zero! I love also, your spring bean salad….so good for our upcoming fresh veggies. And congrats on the new baby chicks! So adorable! : )
Anne, these are TOO cute! Your poor little fingers. I love the mouse with the donutes (my weakness). Now I want to make mice!
Thanks Jennie! I love donuts, too. But I really want to try your home made nutella chocolate Easter eggs! They look amazing! : )
Hi, AnniePoo!!!! Was thinking of you and just stopping by to look through your amazing website. I am so happy and proud that this is still up and you’re still enjoying your passion. I miss you tremendously, being my mother hen at work! Hope all is well and since I don’t get to do it everyday please punch Joyce in the eye for me lol. Much Love <3
Hi Quonnie Bear and I miss you too. I’m proud of you, too for pursuing your passion. Hopefully, you will come back and take care of me one day! But I cannot punch Joyce in the eye. Cuz then you know that I’ll have to fix her eye. Unless you want to fix her eye? Things are definitely not the same without you and I hope to see you soon. Much love back! : )