homemade vanilla extract

Last holiday post, promise!  I love gifts, I love giving.  But living on one salary never leaves very much extra dough for presents for everyone.  Every year I like the challenge of finding something to make for everyone that doesn't break the bank.  First year was marmalade, second year was John's home roasted coffee with a side of ginger cookies.  This year, homemade vanilla extract!

I scoured the web for the recipe and they are all pretty much the same.  Little bit vodka and little bit vanilla beans.  Vanilla beans can be a little pricey though.  I went to Whole Foods first and I think they were $7 for two.  But I got about 20 from Beanilla for a great price.  And I got the bottles for $0.79 a piece from the American Science & Surplus Store.

I printed out the labels with a "use after" date since I waited until the last minute to make them and they take at least 8 weeks until you can use it.  The good thing about this gift?  It keeps on giving!  Just continue to add vodka and vanilla beans as you use it and it will only improve with age.

The only bummer?  I gave them all away!  I will have to order some more vanilla beans to make one for us.  But what will we do with all that extra vodka?  Hmmm.

send a family

Kari are you still writing Christmas posts?  Yes.... I worked so hard to get everything made for Christmas, and then went right into making our party packs, I just forgot to post the rest of my holiday goodies.

John's brother moved away just before Christmas, and we missed him like crazy over the holidays!  He keeps me giggling from kapusta to pumpkin pie.  I wanted him to feel like he was surrounded by family even though we couldn't be together, so I sent us to him.  In a box.  With cookies and some of Johns home roasted coffee.  Oh yeah....that's a robot with a beer in there too.

I also made a stick Uncle Steve and we included him in all our holiday festivities....until Lola ate him.

mr moo goes to a party

The Little Mr Moo 2 year anniversary was a perfect opportunity to launch a new venture...Mr Moo Goes to a Party!  

We are creating kids birthday party packs- in other words...we choose the theme and handcraft the decor, gifts, photo accessories, and other miscellaneous accoutrement!  All available on Etsy!

To start things off we have two pack options; the first a Black & White Mod Pack.  

Includes:

12 custom 5x7" invitations

12 cloth zig zag napkins
12 triangle cloth cup rings
12 black & white stripe straws
12 black & white circle crayons
12 cloth stamped gift bags (approx. 6x6")
1 hand-cut triangle runner (19x70")
1 black & white felt triangle bunting w/gold thread (approx.23 feet long)
1 black & white felt triangle cake bunting topper

I hand cut every single triangle in this felt runner.  It is awesome.  I will make one for myself.

Pack 2- Hipster!

Includes:

1 Vintage 45 Album Sleeve Bunting- approx. 15 feet long (bands we're sure you've never heard of)

1 Silver "Turntable" 
12 Custom Invitations with teeny bowtie attached
12 Custom Stamped Arrow Fabric Favor Bags
12 Pairs of Clear Lens Wayfarers
12 Kids Flannel Bowties (in the 4 patterns shown)

We put these party packs to the test at the "blogiversary" party, combining the elements of both packs- and then I added a little gold just for me.  We invited friends and their littles to sample the party goodies.  It was a hit!

 The invite. Glam.

A homemade gold fringe pinata was a subtle reminder of the reason for the party.  And our black & white triangle cup rings and zig zag cloth napkins.

The original Little Mr Moo pic.  Glitter party hats with felt pom pom tops.

Pumping some 70s and 80s tunes all night on my new hot pink Crosley with the hipster wayfarers.

Who's spinning tonight?

Yum yums.

Black & white cupcakes with mini felt triangle topper.

Oreos on a stick!!  Kids loved those.  The black licorice...not as much.

Blackberry champagne with glitter drink stirs.

PB&J's with washi flags.

Vintage cake recipe with felt triangle topper.

Party gal.

Photo Booth...

Thanks friends!

happy 2 years!

Happy Blogiversary to Little Mr Moo!

I have some super exciting things to tell you about, but first I need to have a little heart to heart.  I love this blog, but I have always felt really self conscious when writing posts.  I feel like people won't care what I have to say, or the things I make just aren't as good at what other people are making...  I guess I always hold back so I don't risk real failure.  But I've been looking back at all my old posts since it's officially two years and I am proud of myself.  I've made some really cool things, but most of all I have this diary- with pictures- of Max growing up, Lola growing up, and even me growing up.  Even if I do only have 24 followers and 22 likes on Facebook- this hasn't been for nothing.

However, I still have some work to do.  I think about the blogs I love to follow and they don't hold much back.  So if I just want to talk about our day, what the kids did that was cute, what they did that was not cute, or tell a fart joke...I'm going to.  If you want to stop reading my blog because of that, I'm going to have to be ok with it.  My favorite blog is Under the Sycamore.  Originally because she posted a ton of really cute vintagey DIY projects, but it has become more personal throughout the past year.  She really lets her readers in on her life.  I cried when she posted pictures of the first time she held her adopted daughter.  I need to work on letting you in on my life.

The other thing I want to work on is more original projects.  I'm great at copying people- truly.  But that's not all that awesome.  So my 24 followers, tell me if there is anything you want to see!

It feels like a long time ago I started this blog- thinking I'd be able to name every post a Beatles song.  Here is a look back at some of the most memorable/popular posts on Little Mr Moo...

 Most viewed post of all time- family flip book.

2nd favorite- suitcase dollhouse.

This is hilarious, number 3- rap embroidery.

Number 4- statement sign.

And number 5 appropriately- the original sweater pants!

And some of my favorites...

My second post ever, DIY anthro chairs.

Book of colors for Max.

The contest I won on KLT Works.

More recently- tshirt printing.

Lace teepee and Lola's corner.

Cutie doll for Lola.

And the stackers, because of this video.

Thank you- to those of you who read Little Mr Moo.  And go tell your friends to like me on facebook! Or twitter!  Or instagram!  Or pinterest!