School Projects

Most of the time, the things I post about on Project Denneler are either my kitchen creations or Eric's workshop wonders. But throughout the school year, Gus and Bea have also been busy making projects for class assignments. 

I try really hard not to "take over" when they tell me about a project due at school. I might give them some creative direction or subtle suggestions, but ultimately, they have to do the work and be able to present it as their own. 

Here are just a few of the fun school projects they worked on this year.

Gus' spud diorama of Aldo Leopold

Bea's model of the solar system

Gus' viking ship model

Gus' egg baby project (which unfortunately cracked, but he bandaged it up for extra credit points!)

Desserts to Celebrate a Diploma

Two years ago, my friend Kim asked me if I would create a dessert table for her son's graduation in May of 2014. Now THAT is an organized mom! I remember thinking... that's 2 years away, surely she'll change her mind or forget? 

No chance. Kim & I have been making plans for months now and the big graduation party was Saturday. Here are some photos of the sweet, celebratory spread.

Alex, the graduate, picked out all of his favorite candies during a trip we took to the Nifty Nut House - gummy candies, Nic-L-Nip wax candy bottles, chocolate coins, Pop Rocks, Sixlets, licorice, and Dove chocolates. He graduated from The Independent School of Wichita and he'll be attending Iowa State in the fall, so we got every candy we could find in these colors: royal blue, white, red and golden yellow. They looked great against a backdrop of black and silver.

In addition to the candy, I baked some vanilla cupcakes and made some yellow-frosted sugar cookies.

And I found some great table decorating ideas with printable graphics from Frog Prince Paperie. I just adjusted the colors and some of the wording to match Alex's table, and added photos of him as well.

Congratulations to all of the graduates this year. May your futures be sweet and colorful!

Rock Springs T-shirt

At the end of every school year, the 5th graders at Gammon Elementary get to take a fun trip to Rock Springs 4-H Camp in Junction City, Kansas. It's a day to get away, enjoy nature and just be a kid. (Before they head off to middle school next year.)

This year's classes wanted t-shirts to wear on the trip, so I designed something gender-neutral that allowed all of the kids' names to be included into the graphic. (I was inspired by this cool t-shirt I saw for Jeff Lake Camp in New Jersey.)

The teachers and students really seemed to like them. The best part is, I think we'll be able to use this design every year - just change the colors and names of the students. (Good thing Gammon's PTO president just happens to be a graphic designer too, huh?)

Like Taking Candy From a Baby

On Sunday, I played around in my kitchen making these little candy versions of the classic, Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack toy. I have to admit, it made me kind of nostalgic for when my kiddos were little. I remember the excitement I felt when they finally learned how to stack the colors and circles correctly! (What a treasured memory for so many parents, really. Would you believe this toy has been around since 1960?)

I made these candy treats just for fun, but I think they'd be super cute at a baby shower or 1st birthday party. They're gender-neutral, brightly-colored and downright adorable. 

For the simple instructions & list of ingredients, head to my Candy Rainbow Rock-a-Stack tutorial on Handmade Charlotte.

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms, new & not-so-new. (Sounded better than old.)

Cookie Purses for Fashion-plate Palates

A few years ago I made some Nutter Butter high-heel cookies for my shoe-lovin' friend's birthday. I always thought it would be so cute to make some matching, edible purses.

Ten years later (no way.. has it really been that long, Adriene!), I created these cookie purses: a bite-size bowler bag 

a classic cookie clutch 

and a tasty-yet-trendy tote.

They'd be a really fun dessert to make for Mother's Day, bachelorette parties, bridal showers and birthday parties.

I was surprised at how perfect the different store-bought cookie shapes and textures were for making purses. 

You can find my easy, step-by-step instructions at SheKnows.

Shout-out for Margarita Shots!

If you need a delicious party beverage that doubles as a festive decoration, then I've got the perfect recipe: Margarita Gummy Shots.

They're a clever and colorful combination of mini margarita cocktails and tequila-soaked gummy Life Savers, served on a tiny spoonful of salt. They'd be magnifico for Cinco de Mayo or splendid at any summer party.

For the complete Margarita Gummy Shot recipe and details, head over to my tutorial on SheKnows.

Party on!

Yum…. Muppets!

If I can't get my kids to go with me to see the new Muppets Most Wanted movie, maybe I can at least get them to eat this Beaker BLT Wrap I created.

For the complete assembly instructions, head over to Handmade Charlotte.

Or, ask Beaker would say "Meep!"

Easter Pudding Pop Surprises

Remember those old Jell-o Pudding Pop commercials with Bill Cosby? "A wholesome treat that mom will let you eat, because it's made with real pudding."

Now that I've taken us all down memory lane, how 'bout I share my latest springtime treat: Easter Surprise Pudding Pops. Yummy, creamy, chocolatey pudding pops with a candy bunny hidden inside.

Do you think I could get Bill Cosby to try one?

You can find my step-by-step instructions at SheKnows.

Bea liked them, that's for sure.

Gear up for Gardening

Spring is finally here! All the blooming trees and flower bulbs in Wichita decided to show their magnificent colors this week.

Which also means, it's time to get your 2014 Tree Top Nursery garden t-shirt. Good for 10% off all your purchases when you wear it to the store this year. Just stop by Tree Top and pick one up this weekend. And while you're there, could you pick up about 60 bags of mulch for me? I've got a little springtime sprucing up that needs done at our house. 

Here's a closer peek at this year's "Live for Today. Plant for Tomorrow" design.

Cupcake Headboard

As a gift for my niece's 7th birthday a few years ago, I decorated her bedroom. At the time, I also promised Addie I would make her a cupcake headboard. (Here's the original post from 2011.)

Well, it only took 2 1/2 years.... but I finally finished it! 

The bottom of the cupcake is made of foam swim kickboards covered in purple, polar fleece fabric. The chocolate cupcake top is stuffed with quilt batting and covered in brown, curly chenille fabric. And the cherry on top is a pink fluffy pillow that I found at Walmart. The whole thing is built on a frame of wood and polycore board.

I'm sorry it took me so long, Addie. Thank you for being so patient. I wish you the sweetest of dreams under your new cupcake headboard.