tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27614510602062938352024-03-19T11:17:08.010-05:00Momma C DesignsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-84890050603606725232013-12-07T20:59:00.001-06:002013-12-07T21:43:09.475-06:00Closet Makeover Reveal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cJLYwRTH1KYVKAl-XP6mpIkw9Tj2u3tngwK9BlAre9vvNwiWW9UgjDYxBKA-NasUTG2MoMGeeLqOj6bzqwS7mmKegyy7x1oSXzzJw4IPz4Fhg8t6zIFo0nIdj_GdDAila3zHErmurkw/s1600/closet+Makeover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cJLYwRTH1KYVKAl-XP6mpIkw9Tj2u3tngwK9BlAre9vvNwiWW9UgjDYxBKA-NasUTG2MoMGeeLqOj6bzqwS7mmKegyy7x1oSXzzJw4IPz4Fhg8t6zIFo0nIdj_GdDAila3zHErmurkw/s640/closet+Makeover.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I say I haven't touched my coat closet since we moved to Cincinnati back in December of 2012, what I really mean is I have consistently piled more stuff in there than humanly possible since then. So much stuff that I found all kinds of hidden treasures that I previously considered lost. Score!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a pile of crap mixed in with regularly used items and you couldn't even see the floor because of bags and shoes. It was by far the worst space in my home - although all the closets need a good work out. Not only is it the worst, but it's the most used...which is why it was the worst! I finally broke down and said, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"THAT'S IT! IT'S CONSTRUCTION DAY!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My husband hates it when I say that, because he knows I'm about to make a mess...and somehow I'm going to rope him into it. Sorry hun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, in my break-down-haste, I forgot to take a picture of the dreaded beast that was my closet...however, I took a picture of the damage it made to my adjoining kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mountains of ties...that Mr. MCD all of a sudden realized he liked...again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hats, mattress pads, and a bag. Don't let that bag fool you...it is full of meaningless crap and pens and crap and CRAP! And it wasn't all neat and in a bag. Oh, the deception, THE LIES!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Tupperware full of silverware...lol. All kinds of gadgets and gizmos a plenty (see what I did there). Old remotes, car chargers, and paper and CRAP!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So much CRAP!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Okay, so on to beauty and function and a lot less crap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After I cleared her out, she looked so clean and minimal and I really wanted to keep the closet like that but I need room for coats, gloves, scarves, shoes, bags, cameras...okay...crap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was actually a second shelf right above the clothing rod and another shelf above that one that you can barely see. I had already started adding stuff like the brand new shoe rack down at the bottom by the time I realized I needed to take pictures. Hello!! Blog about it lady!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So on the agenda was to move the clothing rod up to the top shelf, change out the old closet shoe organizer for a hanging nursery organizer I had in Grace's room but really wasn't using. This one, by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Shelf-Closet-Organizer-Cream/dp/B004HM4648/ref=sr_1_4?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1386468204&sr=1-4&keywords=munchkin+organizer">Munchkin</a>, has mesh pockets on the side and multiple sized cubby holes, in which I placed three fabric bins I already had. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpon6f7JOMjezPjhfkkOT7DZnQVgnPQ0lFwgc3lzEVip6FZFrRANlz0BP1kCFGeWc5R5fhD6E9Yx0WYMntWOADrsaEuK4OJxNUogvk8hyt69_fjVUWotIvkT_k0C_gPzssGWtA3d2skjQ/s1600/71BYzY3x4AL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpon6f7JOMjezPjhfkkOT7DZnQVgnPQ0lFwgc3lzEVip6FZFrRANlz0BP1kCFGeWc5R5fhD6E9Yx0WYMntWOADrsaEuK4OJxNUogvk8hyt69_fjVUWotIvkT_k0C_gPzssGWtA3d2skjQ/s400/71BYzY3x4AL._SL1500_.jpg" width="140" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the organizer. At the top of it, I have all of my wristlets, which are switched and used all the time, and even some of my evening bags. The next meshed cubby at the top has all the girls' gloves. The divided cubby has pull-ups for C-bear on one side and my camera and camera case on the other with room to spare should I need it. In the bottom three cubby's are hats and scarves for the whole crew. The side mesh pockets hold mommy's and daddy's gloves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also attached hooks that I already had on hand in a V pattern on the side. The bottom is for G's preschool backpack, <a href="http://mommacdesigns.blogspot.com/2013/09/preschool-backpack.html">from this post</a>. The top two are currently holding a scarf and two light jackets for the girls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The over the door shoe organizer was already there but definitely got a make-over and doesn't just hold shoes. It holds dance gear, headbands and bows that don't make it upstairs to the bow holder. And it also holds toiletries like deoderant, chapstick, sunscreen and even a hairbrush for the girls with hair ties. It works so well for getting ready for the gym and school as I generally unpack our bags after every outing because I used different bags for different purposes and need different things in each.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other side is just as functional!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I got another set of hooks for small items and in the back is a towel bar from Ikea with clip on plastic hooks. The plastic hooks work for now but I think I am going to use something a bit sturdier like a regular s hook. However, it holds the two rain coats and one of my small hand bags for now with room for more.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That one random shoe...Don't ask where the other one is. The closet probably ate it.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shoe storage!!! The girls have already formed the habit of taking off their shoes and putting them in the closet. However, they just threw them in...there was nothing else to do so I can't blame them. So now I have to break them of that habit and turn it into putting them on the new, pretty shoe rack...*sigh*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Behind the shoe rack is the perfect amount of space for one of my large diaper bags and another bag (like my diaper backpack) to sit comfortably and out of the way. GENIUS!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And at the top...another bag, a purse and bucket full of grocery bags! Clean, uncluttered, functioning beautifully...this make me happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sorry for the lack of a full on frontal but...it's a small hallway and I wouldn't be able to get all of it. But trust me when I say...it's sooooo much better. Even Mr. MCD keeps opening the door and saying..."I can't believe how much of a difference this is." He especially loved my idea to raise the clothing rod, which truly did make all the difference in the world. By utilizing the vertical space, I made the closet not only look bigger, but increased the usable square footage at the bottom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh...and a little extra something I did for myself. When we are leaving or have just gotten back from an outing, I don't put my bag away right away because, as I've mentioned, I like to completely empty the bag. However, I'm tired of having to place the bag on the counter when packing or unpacking and also having it linger on the floor while in transition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That little beauty of a hook is reinforced with some heavy duty toggle bolts so it's not going anywhere and believe me, that's good because that awesome backpack is pretty heavy at times. It's the perfect spot; out of the way but within our regular traffic pattern. Love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Very cheap makeover for me. I didn't have to buy anything but, if you had to build your closet space from scratch but as affordable as possible you could make your closet look bank for under $100.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you would like some closet organization ideas, <a href="mailto:shannacdesigns@aol.com">contact me</a> and I would be happy to provide a detailed layout and price sheet for your project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-65733476531018632282013-09-23T18:01:00.002-05:002013-09-23T18:03:11.072-05:00Preschool Backpack!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGUq5WE8j_QbsJMZUxpTwPVymFhmN4w8iJFS5Zo3VNa1QzzI86qbuko7uMjDfFMN0B6eLnzMBrrJaq-oNG1mtZfGOIR3e1G5CwODzVaORCby0mP9Jbw0DstN2toTB06Lk63CKMlurkC0/s1600/Preschool+Backpack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGUq5WE8j_QbsJMZUxpTwPVymFhmN4w8iJFS5Zo3VNa1QzzI86qbuko7uMjDfFMN0B6eLnzMBrrJaq-oNG1mtZfGOIR3e1G5CwODzVaORCby0mP9Jbw0DstN2toTB06Lk63CKMlurkC0/s640/Preschool+Backpack.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's been a whirl-wind of a time here at the MCD house. We've had family and friends over and I've been sewing and crafting a ton! One of the most recent projects has been the oh so beloved backpack.</div>
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G started preschool this year!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-ridCDXZ7bDEkEokzrICrkHMoTVmohSrb1a9TkY5WiSGNqpBEfhkXKqc4zy3RtUuo71El9WjQMQvr2MGrXnKVfes4IN6UrsYC1AcDu7foK4xS_u9nB1X5vAOWFO4MsX1cn1ylb-bh9w/s1600/DSCF6924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-ridCDXZ7bDEkEokzrICrkHMoTVmohSrb1a9TkY5WiSGNqpBEfhkXKqc4zy3RtUuo71El9WjQMQvr2MGrXnKVfes4IN6UrsYC1AcDu7foK4xS_u9nB1X5vAOWFO4MsX1cn1ylb-bh9w/s640/DSCF6924.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And although G and I were super-duper excited about this little adventure...a certain little someone else, was not...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVFMlUMmKUmd1DOb04HBc496GfWWMLO9biVZZznM5esmzPvOzpWe-7edrgqQFgk0XaUvHMvFZ7wcM5GpU1dgG6GfZt4BzRxeEGJNhSfEN_OXIHfjQt0t6SMJ6mgAVS-UIzbpUvyXxUWc/s1600/DSCF6949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVFMlUMmKUmd1DOb04HBc496GfWWMLO9biVZZznM5esmzPvOzpWe-7edrgqQFgk0XaUvHMvFZ7wcM5GpU1dgG6GfZt4BzRxeEGJNhSfEN_OXIHfjQt0t6SMJ6mgAVS-UIzbpUvyXxUWc/s640/DSCF6949.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Poor Claire Bear.</div>
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But G and I couldn't have been happier! It was time. She is so beyond ready and I need a little more one-on-one time with my little pouty-lipped, fire-cracker of a two-year old. Because believe it or not, the little baby doesn't require the most attention, it's G! G won't play by herself to save her life! And she's oh so sensitive, which I love, but it can be tough and can require a bit of time and a truck load of patience since I'm trying to raise a human being...not a hot mess.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzonlJ5bk_FuISbP8mfU5ZndukJdrki18awF_u-CeatEqUWGxXou6HxECzqyIcGIwysFnq5J00zXmQib7Lnm5_vmBm4VGW6JSWmA9mITYjSH4NI_lHL8zbyux-W3owWkUhKnFjtzZdrII/s1600/DSCF6937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzonlJ5bk_FuISbP8mfU5ZndukJdrki18awF_u-CeatEqUWGxXou6HxECzqyIcGIwysFnq5J00zXmQib7Lnm5_vmBm4VGW6JSWmA9mITYjSH4NI_lHL8zbyux-W3owWkUhKnFjtzZdrII/s640/DSCF6937.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I just love that photo.</div>
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Since G was starting Preschool, we needed a backpack! And when I say I looked, I mean I scoured the internet, looked at all the department stores and came up with only two that I even remotely wanted.</div>
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The first choice was this one from Joo of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BagyBags?ref=l2-shopheader-name">BaggyBags</a>...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r1BXbaA-tkI3w-kq_iLp8sMAYOGzvYDw_Nb5UlJd0mFAhT5nDkfHpOw15lXlwBK_nvQ3ADDJbgsyebQQ_56P_hKRCuUHvKedIaFiNZekVbC8k9Z-jK0DIUFRAqteBvugSrsMauHBxw0/s1600/il_570xN.423441889_8kwq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r1BXbaA-tkI3w-kq_iLp8sMAYOGzvYDw_Nb5UlJd0mFAhT5nDkfHpOw15lXlwBK_nvQ3ADDJbgsyebQQ_56P_hKRCuUHvKedIaFiNZekVbC8k9Z-jK0DIUFRAqteBvugSrsMauHBxw0/s640/il_570xN.423441889_8kwq.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Needless to say, I was in love with this bag. Unfortunately, no embroidery and we were required to have her name on the inside, outside and top of her bag. This bag is just too pretty to do that to.</div>
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If you are looking for an amazing bag with beautiful neutral colors, classic shapes and clear-cut quality...Joo of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BagyBags?ref=l2-shopheader-name">BaggyBags</a> is phenomenal. I know I'm about to purchase something for myself from her...however, I can't choose which one I love the most. She's that good.</div>
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Second choice and the one we almost got was from Pottery Barn. The only reason we didn't get it was because I wouldn't have received it until the end of October!!!</div>
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Therefore, instead of letting G get swallowed by a slew of plastic and poly...I made the trepidatious decision to make her backpack. *ooohhh....gasp*</div>
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I got a couple folks who asked "Are you crazy?" and "why?" and "Really?"</div>
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Yes...I'm kind of nuts sometimes.</div>
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But, let me tell you how wonderful this experience was. This was by far my most complicated project I have ever taken on. And I came out singing!</div>
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Take a look!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OjFwzAlmEUw/UjextcXu2TI/AAAAAAAACpw/V2cTomTUov0/s1600/DSCF6967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OjFwzAlmEUw/UjextcXu2TI/AAAAAAAACpw/V2cTomTUov0/s640/DSCF6967.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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First, lets talk fabric. This fabric is absolutely too cute!!! I found it at my new favorite fabric shop, <a href="http://sewnstudio.com/">Sewn Studio</a>. The shop is the perfect stop for modern fabrics and the owner and staff there are beyond remarkable. They are so helpful and I dare say they were as excited about my project as I was! I could talk to those ladies for hours and their knowledge and experience shows. If you are ever in the Cincinnati area and you sew or know someone who does...go to Sewn Studio. You will not regret it.</div>
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The fabric is called <a href="http://www.hartsfabric.com/collage-dotty-bird-border-print-purple-72360.html">Collage Dotty Bird</a> in purple. It also comes in tan and cream, which is so pretty. It's a border print so the birds are on the bottom so I had to buy extra yardage...for another project :) It's a neat fabric. Some of the dots and bird wings look like newspaper print and the colors are a little more funky...not so bubble gum pink if you know what I mean. Basically, I love this fabric!!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7j0WqoQr98k/UjeyHhDVITI/AAAAAAAACqI/QCl4lVPSKwo/s1600/DSCF6974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7j0WqoQr98k/UjeyHhDVITI/AAAAAAAACqI/QCl4lVPSKwo/s640/DSCF6974.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I paired it with a orange and white gingham...think creamcicle and that is the color it reads. For the piping, which I made myself thanks to the help of Julie at Sewn Studio, I chose a beautiful teal cotton. I'm telling you, I'm probably going back for more of that teal fabric. It's so soft and has a sheen to it. I can see a skirt for myself in that fabric. </span></h1>
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The pattern I used is the <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2009/03/finally-here-toddler-backpack-pattern/">Toddler Backpack</a> from <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/">Made By Rae</a>. The pattern is really a beautiful basic pattern and it can be expanded for a school-aged child. I added a front pocket to mine to highlight the birds on the fabric and lined it with the teal.</div>
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The straps were new for me. I've never done anything like that but...I will be in the future! (hint, hint)</div>
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I added a lot of extra stitching to the bag, one for durability and two, for style.</div>
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I hand embroidered all of the name patches. There are three in total, one on the front, one on the top....</div>
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...and one on the inside pocket as a tag. I also embroidered a little heart on it! So cute!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNCFziddbam841j6ko19W8ZYp08Kx2dCJBL56oD4cSshLAAUYjrjHQVXfzGgdijIO4kVLEDaHkJB7SW9d3SW4TmjH60G_QsgtIf-vDhF7oetep5-pKzTEZnTaMpLJ1FQH2EILr6hv1F8/s1600/DSCF6999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNCFziddbam841j6ko19W8ZYp08Kx2dCJBL56oD4cSshLAAUYjrjHQVXfzGgdijIO4kVLEDaHkJB7SW9d3SW4TmjH60G_QsgtIf-vDhF7oetep5-pKzTEZnTaMpLJ1FQH2EILr6hv1F8/s640/DSCF6999.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I thought the bag seemed a bit heavy when I went to photograph it...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJt2uUwntCY/UkC_0SHjCrI/AAAAAAAACtA/M1F66TjC7Z8/s1600/DSCF7001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJt2uUwntCY/UkC_0SHjCrI/AAAAAAAACtA/M1F66TjC7Z8/s640/DSCF7001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So besides being lined in canvas for stability, it seems to make a very nice home for the entire royal family.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">James to Sophia: "I really like this bag...and the stitching is impeccable..."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Queen Miranda: "Please! I was a cobbler for royal sake! Talk to me about stitching."</span></td></tr>
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G really loves her backpack. She loves that it's purple, she loves, LOVES that it has pockets...for various reasons...namely, the ridiculously real looking lizard.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bs7JSH-8sj0/UkDAnd50DYI/AAAAAAAACtw/BMOC0VlbAe8/s1600/DSCF7018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bs7JSH-8sj0/UkDAnd50DYI/AAAAAAAACtw/BMOC0VlbAe8/s640/DSCF7018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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That lizard is so creepy.</div>
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She loves that it's all hers and she can put it on by herself and she loves that Mommy made it for her. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out and I am truly proud of myself. It was easy in some ways and pretty tough in others and I think I did a pretty good job on this beauty.</div>
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Hand-made preschool backpack...COMPLETE!</div>
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Until next time...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-40236935017079626712013-08-06T08:00:00.000-05:002013-08-06T08:00:00.683-05:00DIY Fairy Garden!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7BbJ7bAT_w95B5QlpBy2fS7hVa7oiWPGw6ZiizNO7sb0YT2gnjnG1x6BVqGRW9dbwaypnvg4iKQF5WPQtQFKq7Svdn5kvP4vOtKczIcnDZWV7L4L9kMSHv7fSl3Z7XliYYk9YX1YXVw/s1600/diy+fairy+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7BbJ7bAT_w95B5QlpBy2fS7hVa7oiWPGw6ZiizNO7sb0YT2gnjnG1x6BVqGRW9dbwaypnvg4iKQF5WPQtQFKq7Svdn5kvP4vOtKczIcnDZWV7L4L9kMSHv7fSl3Z7XliYYk9YX1YXVw/s640/diy+fairy+garden.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What little girl doesn't want to play in a fairy garden! Grace and I have been talking about making a fairy garden or fairy house for quite some time. So the hunt has been on for something we could turn into a fairy garden or house. We've seen bird houses and other structures that could have worked, but nothing ever really seemed right. It all seemed too closed in. But today...a stroke of genius!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My DIY fairy garden has a tree house with ladder, a swing, and a campfire with three stools and a bench. I also made a chaise lounge and small awning along with some "poufs" for sitting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Supplies for one phenomenal fairy garden...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1 Cereal box (that's my stroke of genius)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Scissors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- A pair of small hand held pruning shears </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Hot glue gun and glue...quite a few sticks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Elmers Glue</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Spray Adhesive (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Potting Soil (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Small sticks, leaves, acorns, rocks...pretty much anything you can find in your back yard</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ2e_2UlZIU/Uf7u3OhrYqI/AAAAAAAACiU/sL7_6vap09Q/s1600/IMG_20130804_130908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ2e_2UlZIU/Uf7u3OhrYqI/AAAAAAAACiU/sL7_6vap09Q/s640/IMG_20130804_130908.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First and foremost, the scavenger hunt to find all the sticks and leaves and goodies was so much fun! First, we have these giant Hickory trees and they are dropping these enormous hickory nuts. I don't allow the girls to go under the trees right now because they seriously hurt when they fall on your head....but, they turned out to be great fairy boulders or poufs! More on that later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First! Cut off one wide side of the cereal box. Next hot glue the tabs and sides together to make a box. In the front portion, cut an L shape into the cardboard, this makes your gate. Although, I doubt fairies need gates, seeing as they can fly...but hey, my kiddos love the gate!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJPx-9Eocwk/Uf7vA9n2swI/AAAAAAAACj0/uBOcUNSyarM/s1600/IMG_20130804_193835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="592" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJPx-9Eocwk/Uf7vA9n2swI/AAAAAAAACj0/uBOcUNSyarM/s640/IMG_20130804_193835.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the fence, take your pruning shears and start making some uniform cuts length wise on your twigs and sticks. Some you can just break by hand, for others, I was very happy to have the pruning shears. Below is a look at how it was going...then I clearly got distracted with the idea of making furniture. But a word for the wise, if you look at the photo below, you will see that I started the tree house before completing the fence all the way around. I probably wouldn't do this again because I had to be very selective to fill in those spaces for the fencing. That part was kind of annoying and took a very long time. Instead, I would complete the entire fence, then glue in additional parts and pieces in their proper spaces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After you have made your fence, you can use spray adhesive on the floor and dust potting soil onto it. After spreading it out, patting it gently and then dumping the remaining soil, just spray again and repeat. When finished with the second coating of soil and getting rid of the extra, give it another good coat of the adhesive. You don't have to do this. You could paint the floor, make beams for it, glue beads or pebbles to it. You can really use your imagination on all of it.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzleBKWNWJ8/Uf7u5ILqAhI/AAAAAAAACig/yyHQUtzxX0g/s1600/IMG_20130804_153515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzleBKWNWJ8/Uf7u5ILqAhI/AAAAAAAACig/yyHQUtzxX0g/s640/IMG_20130804_153515.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Filling in the gaps with twigs...not fun. Also, the original swing...really cool. It was also supporting the other corner of the tree house!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the tree house, I simply took a rectangular piece of cardboard and glued leaves to the outside, turning the overhang under and gluing in place. Next I made a small fence around three sides of the perimeter and hot glued two small plants for decoration. Next, I figured out how high I wanted it to stand and cut three twigs to that length, my fourth was cut longer so I could anchor it into the corner and not take up floor space (you can see it a few pictures down). Grace then white-washed the leaves to give them contrast and painted the railings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I then hot glued small pieces of twigs to one of the support beams for the tree house (cut using the pruning shears).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I then made a long support beam anchored to the front corner of the garden the the front corner of the tree house to make a swing. My original swing was way cooler but it broke on the way out to put in the soil. Once installed, paint it yellow and call it a happy day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The swing was made from an old hickory nut section with twine hot glued beneath it and wrapped around the twig and secured with hot glue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next comes furniture!!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You can see the long anchor beam for the tree house right in the middle of the corner.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omNFxbdsH6I/Uf7vDv_5gzI/AAAAAAAACkU/L49juCi7rcU/s1600/IMG_20130804_194045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omNFxbdsH6I/Uf7vDv_5gzI/AAAAAAAACkU/L49juCi7rcU/s640/IMG_20130804_194045.jpg" width="480" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stools are made with a small piece of cardboard (1"x1" roughly) and tiny twigs hot glued to it. Next hot glue four small twigs to the bottom...then hand it over to your child to paint...done!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The camp fire is actually two parts. First part is four twigs shaped like a rectangular tic-tac-toe...if that's understandable. Glue in some tissue paper fire and the camp fire is done. The bowl on top is two hickory nut sections glued and painted. It's removable and deep enough so that Grace can put things in it and cook for her fairies. Oh, and our fire is pink...because Grace said that's the color of fairy fire. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...You learn something new every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next, I made the chaise lounge. I think it's my favorite. Just take a rectangular piece of cardboard, fold one-third of it and glue a leaf to it. Next hot glue some short legs and it is the cutest thing in the world! We then gave it a little white wash with some pink highlights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The awning is just as easy. I took a rectangular piece of cardboard and covered it with leaves the same way I did with the tree house. Then I cut out a small rectangle right in the middle that was wide enough to fit the corner support pole for the swing. Next I hot glued a small twig (same as the ladder) to the pole and the height I wanted. Attach the awning with hot glue at your desired angle on top of the twig with the support beam in the cutout and it such a nice shady spot for the fairies!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and don't forget the boulders...the poufs...or whatever they are. Paint some nuts and put them in there for extra seating!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's not too shabby! I love how rustic it is but how colorful it still was able to be. It really helped when we white washed the fence and put a little color on the gate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm very happy with it and so is Grace. She's waiting for me to make some fairies...but I'm kind of at a loss as to how to do that and not be overly breakable. No biggie, I'm sure it will come to me!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-51056619619350030552013-04-03T10:16:00.000-05:002013-04-03T10:16:01.043-05:00Original Painting Begins!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello! Voting has ending and with the combined votes from Momma C Designs and Facebook, you all voted for an original painting. I'm actually thrilled with the choice! I've been itching to do a painting for about a year now but our living situations kind of hindered that. Moving a lot does not necessarily lend itself to a ton of creativity in the way of painting...at least not for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below is the AWFUL painting that we found in the house when we moved in.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY8fj-MA-sdzN7pWhSHpLCv9jlsc8iD9-ggoKwatCKdcsUFWvabS0boUOXi1BLLmwSEJpR2_CMtJPkUlmDRrFfScHeIcgT2m0-rEwoXmH75jF9sDvOT9qp3B1Hnmq0GzYlI0xfxIH1mY/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY8fj-MA-sdzN7pWhSHpLCv9jlsc8iD9-ggoKwatCKdcsUFWvabS0boUOXi1BLLmwSEJpR2_CMtJPkUlmDRrFfScHeIcgT2m0-rEwoXmH75jF9sDvOT9qp3B1Hnmq0GzYlI0xfxIH1mY/s640/photo+(2).JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's dark, muddled. It's just plain ugly! But, it's big! I knew right away that I would want to reuse it. But first, I've got to get rid of that hideous painting. Introducing, Liquitex Gesso! I love this stuff. I found it quite a few years back and have used it on all of my paintings prior to starting. It gives you a great base to work with...especially with acrylic paint, which is what I'm choosing to use for this project. When you just start painting on a canvas, the paint really soaks into it so this gives it a barrier and a smoother surface. It also works to hide previous work if you are reusing a canvas...just like in my case!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can find this at Michael's Craft Store, and pretty much anywhere else including online.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Look how thick this stuff is. It's completely opaque and the coverage is phenomenal so a little goes a long way...And yes, I'm doing this on the hood of my car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE8BFJel_TFS690pAGfH040mgbwQtr9haXdThgv3YjyL-LqNL6_Kk3N1WQFG1BBB62-hXcZg8UpMKej6DsoA6feLxfgkZwgC8xNLqiaWonq_QvSABS2lOidGuxbomYbUhV2cOFxmB15o/s1600/photo_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE8BFJel_TFS690pAGfH040mgbwQtr9haXdThgv3YjyL-LqNL6_Kk3N1WQFG1BBB62-hXcZg8UpMKej6DsoA6feLxfgkZwgC8xNLqiaWonq_QvSABS2lOidGuxbomYbUhV2cOFxmB15o/s640/photo_1.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below is the coverage just from that little amount I put on. You can see that it completely covered the darkest area of the painting (although I did give it a second coat later...just for my own piece of mind).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNAG9aK4LuBMstjcDFS-gnWdycdXrH7IXi47pNrztVblZMDFqJWGoRPqEJTKwzTisWtWmBI666yfU-l_bLwmt7ioUUakOJbpTTdcKu8ZRwXKrPPgRuvZ-OgYxWKlglRHra9wyWqQ0wv8/s1600/photo_2+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNAG9aK4LuBMstjcDFS-gnWdycdXrH7IXi47pNrztVblZMDFqJWGoRPqEJTKwzTisWtWmBI666yfU-l_bLwmt7ioUUakOJbpTTdcKu8ZRwXKrPPgRuvZ-OgYxWKlglRHra9wyWqQ0wv8/s640/photo_2+(1).JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I finished up with the gesso and then went to work on a general draft. I love stripes and that's what I was going for with the background but then I went with the idea of creating a planked wood background for dimension...so that's where I'm going. You can at least get the general orientation of the painting with the sketch. I'm also thinking about changing Grace's line of site to look at me...or, the viewer if you really want to get technical.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, there you have it! Work has begun and I'm so excited to do it. I'll keep you posted as I go along with little tips and tricks. Thank you for voting and I can't wait to hear your comments!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-81554621381505338282013-03-28T10:14:00.001-05:002013-03-28T10:14:47.656-05:00Vote on the Next Project!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi there everyone! Okay!!! So what should the next project be?</div>
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From Left to Right...</div>
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- A Three cubby bookshelf for the playroom</div>
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- Farmhouse doll bed (Sandy has been needing a bed for quite a while)</div>
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- Original painting utilizing an old canvas that was here when we moved in and depicting the scene of my two lovies.</div>
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- Handmade knitted washcloths from Purlbee. We seem to be in need of some new ones...so why not make them. I made one a long time ago and I love the feel of it.</div>
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<u>VOTE NOW!!</u></div>
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Look to the right of your screen and find the Next Project Poll. You can choose multiple projects if you are not sure which project you like the most.</div>
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Poll ends Friday (March 29th) at 12pm. Work on projects will begin next week!</div>
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I can't wait to see what project you choose!</div>
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Until next time...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-86955333348954267472013-03-26T09:38:00.000-05:002013-03-26T09:38:59.793-05:00A New Vanity For A New House!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello! It's been five months since my last post!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">WOW! is all I have to say. Sad, but true. We've moved again from Columbus, Ohio to Cincinnati, Ohio. I'll spare you all the details, save for one. I was not thrilled. In fact, I was so down about moving, that I stopped blogging. I didn't talk to friends for a while.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I felt like I was finally settling into a place and then, here we go again! Our move to Cincinnati marks the fourth move in three years. I was being ripped from friends and a house that I really loved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But...God works wonders. Our new house, lovingly dubbed The DJ House, is my favorite home I've lived in thus far. The previous owners did a phenomenal job on the place. Photos will be uploaded soon...now that we are moved in and there aren't boxes in every nook and cranny!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, I did need to add a vanity. So here she is in all her glory!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt9gJ0k4tlw7dUCEBot07VpLmEgJVSegfPWzn7QIMFdnh3VEAsHFNdD5mOPFZCwoGc06yDZg9a0f63tswI00nrVCigGiCmA4REY-aAwmI8sCSw2aPk3pELoJnhWLwp0kej0JKCUOO2dc/s1600/Vanity+March2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt9gJ0k4tlw7dUCEBot07VpLmEgJVSegfPWzn7QIMFdnh3VEAsHFNdD5mOPFZCwoGc06yDZg9a0f63tswI00nrVCigGiCmA4REY-aAwmI8sCSw2aPk3pELoJnhWLwp0kej0JKCUOO2dc/s400/Vanity+March2013.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know, it's not much. But before, it was just a three sided alcove right next to my closet. Now, it's a perfect spot for my makeup, jewelry and a pretty little mirror I got at a garage sale back in Columbus for $1!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next is a multitude of things for this space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The mirror is getting painted Aubusson Blue from Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/aubussonblue120.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It will then get a nice rub and buff of gold on it's pretty edges.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.joann.com/images/09/37/6/xprd93760_m.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joann.com/rub-n-buff-finish-/prd36790/#"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rub-N-Buff - Grecian Gold</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also need a new light fixture. The one up there now looks like a weird clam shell. I'd like something along these lines.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRmozGEFV6ayShI0JIL_SRqM6XTzPKxfxm_Nb3C-ARh41om1u1uayn7xj_7YQa5wvOk1rHVznIzhK3JOvzzSaIa3_F369tN-929S2BWkLUGjTrGqM4Xxn3fqlHvEzz9dtQwdxiUNB95M/s1600/58410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRmozGEFV6ayShI0JIL_SRqM6XTzPKxfxm_Nb3C-ARh41om1u1uayn7xj_7YQa5wvOk1rHVznIzhK3JOvzzSaIa3_F369tN-929S2BWkLUGjTrGqM4Xxn3fqlHvEzz9dtQwdxiUNB95M/s320/58410.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSo-7VgWktUXOeXkhg8tlOFo4waEjHiYmotrCqk6wmW67mJgaqA7vdIQX63xSMTXd3qgpRVStwVRLutxT9z3VTfBOoa7ni1AjX6Fhx0J8ZWueaf_ANc_Za2M3AId9-EQ4_bcATqlrpK4/s1600/M2601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSo-7VgWktUXOeXkhg8tlOFo4waEjHiYmotrCqk6wmW67mJgaqA7vdIQX63xSMTXd3qgpRVStwVRLutxT9z3VTfBOoa7ni1AjX6Fhx0J8ZWueaf_ANc_Za2M3AId9-EQ4_bcATqlrpK4/s320/M2601.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fwt1itmgS7dwZ4elJDZis3RT-ZB6eEZVr2WxDSd-oCwLUEAZMXgfco18__O6OPLePPr-T5cobnQIaAyieoNlJ1YU00C9lvKix4NGqmLYQ8d2jj4EmLpBF-7yBysy1LYsjPF3wtJuJW4/s1600/M5841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fwt1itmgS7dwZ4elJDZis3RT-ZB6eEZVr2WxDSd-oCwLUEAZMXgfco18__O6OPLePPr-T5cobnQIaAyieoNlJ1YU00C9lvKix4NGqmLYQ8d2jj4EmLpBF-7yBysy1LYsjPF3wtJuJW4/s320/M5841.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JLq9nDCxgi7w5ogza6DPteqdK7oZDIxmW2ME3nAZYCk8frkRv-g0s-sHEfdzF1kCdMnrjpTHzs_8c_FyYvm4CdNCm-HHDUZHUzExcs-Y8zaQ_FMSgadFhOIQF30dqd3NiS727IUokfg/s1600/785652472534lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JLq9nDCxgi7w5ogza6DPteqdK7oZDIxmW2ME3nAZYCk8frkRv-g0s-sHEfdzF1kCdMnrjpTHzs_8c_FyYvm4CdNCm-HHDUZHUzExcs-Y8zaQ_FMSgadFhOIQF30dqd3NiS727IUokfg/s1600/785652472534lg.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkm1MPTNrmJd2upldvP7jWgBPNxcXyET20TKLHMDZ21HsgL_eoDxmBX6BbEzZt8KL_UOgJxJW-H7q3eU6GJ0BteG4M_G8lyz0JqfVQ8dYF8sEL7PFR55eXfGGVmV2bZHRCBnepAvSpmo4/s1600/X3683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkm1MPTNrmJd2upldvP7jWgBPNxcXyET20TKLHMDZ21HsgL_eoDxmBX6BbEzZt8KL_UOgJxJW-H7q3eU6GJ0BteG4M_G8lyz0JqfVQ8dYF8sEL7PFR55eXfGGVmV2bZHRCBnepAvSpmo4/s320/X3683.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can kind of see the route I'm going just by looking at the lamps. A little regal, a little glitz with some interesting detail. I think my least favorite is the very top one, but I really love the glass on it. The bottom one would have to be three or four in a row, but I LOVE the star burst. Very playful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then, I need ruffles! I'm going to put a shelf below the vanity and I would like to hide that if I could. Below are some ideas I liked.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://granddesignco.blogspot.com/2012/05/wash-dry-fold-repeat.html" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grand Design Co.</span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img height="400" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/736x/72/ef/04/72ef043d139930793c0d30d9be2544c0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22688683&catId=HOME-CURTAINS&pushId=HOME-CURTAINS&popId=HOME&navCount=42&color=085&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=HOME-CURTAINS&templateType=hybrid" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anthropologie</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I like the Anthropologie look, although the ones shown are curtains, but that's an easy DIY.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also have to finish my chair, which I don't have a picture of. However, below is a similar one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img height="400" src="http://www.edensauctions.com/pictures//22/0301.jpg" width="321" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That is pretty much the exact chair, minus a few details and a very much needed seat. I need a jig-saw to cut out a seat to reupholster it. But, my little cane-back chair cost me zilcho dinero! I was out running one day and saw that little baby on the side of someone's house. Luckily my Spanish is decent enough that I was able to communicate that I would like to have the chair and the lovely couple let me take it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's beautiful! It just doesn't have a seat yet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Along with accessorizing and all the other little tid-bits I mentioned. This project is well underway!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, the hideous wallpaper will have to wait. I'm not ready for it yet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBkmWWr7Y64zEG5ha1AFDDYUM8xlrBV98_-jiyVKk6WmPSIr_ricGw3dn0n7RmKVRIk-brT3Wn3grCuAI5YKqSVWAEbCDTTo7UEjwXbZqxLMtwOCpXXYp82BCncwos8W2_WBqH5GXQFs/s1600/Vanity+March2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBkmWWr7Y64zEG5ha1AFDDYUM8xlrBV98_-jiyVKk6WmPSIr_ricGw3dn0n7RmKVRIk-brT3Wn3grCuAI5YKqSVWAEbCDTTo7UEjwXbZqxLMtwOCpXXYp82BCncwos8W2_WBqH5GXQFs/s400/Vanity+March2013.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can't you see how pretty this little spot is going to be?!?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until next time...hopefully not five months down the line...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlG--Q-TpGM/TydgMVYb2sI/AAAAAAAABQU/zRcSakWhZKA/s1600/18662329551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlG--Q-TpGM/TydgMVYb2sI/AAAAAAAABQU/zRcSakWhZKA/s320/18662329551.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-69269385940517003412012-10-19T08:11:00.002-05:002012-10-21T21:38:17.404-05:00Photo of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcnI1AebqLMvJTRFtASK2jtjmE4KLkprtoN46hR3WorbA2GlVc81akXvzuVJWCOzjbjwCF8oW5DpTINi34042UJrN9lIWqlDWxDy86dlFJk4HAAsiqPJWZ1VHLUGWSeenx1bvMEjpEpo/s1600/pow+10-19-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcnI1AebqLMvJTRFtASK2jtjmE4KLkprtoN46hR3WorbA2GlVc81akXvzuVJWCOzjbjwCF8oW5DpTINi34042UJrN9lIWqlDWxDy86dlFJk4HAAsiqPJWZ1VHLUGWSeenx1bvMEjpEpo/s640/pow+10-19-2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't necessarily any special. Maybe it was just the way the light seemed to fill everything so I could see things very clearly. Maybe it was my vantage point. The girls and I normally sit right beside each other to eat, but on this particular morning, I decided to sit across from her...and she was so small.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She has seemed so small to me lately. Last night when she crawled into my bed and I wrapped my arms around her...she was so small. When her feet rested against my legs to listen to music and read a story together...she was so small. When she came to me and whispered, "I have a secret...I love you," she seemed so small.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I forget because I'm constantly in a state of amazement at how smart, talented and kind she is. It's because of this that the tiny whispers of "I'm scared, mommy" throw me off and make me remember, she's still just a baby. My little baby who wraps her arms around me so tight during the day, and at night, just lies in my arms in complete trust. She's just a baby.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlG--Q-TpGM/TydgMVYb2sI/AAAAAAAABQU/zRcSakWhZKA/s1600/18662329551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlG--Q-TpGM/TydgMVYb2sI/AAAAAAAABQU/zRcSakWhZKA/s320/18662329551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linked up to... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The Hollie Rogue</div>
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<a href="http://www.thehollierogue.com/2012/10/05/photo-friday-insta-friday-sort-of-a-link-party/" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-297" height="150" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttonthr150copy.jpg" title="button1" width="150" /></a></div>
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McDougall Photography</div>
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<a href="http://mcdougallphotography.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z126/scarlett1977_photos/button.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Long Road to China</span></div>
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<a href="http://thelongroadtochina.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="the long road" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/7748164760_cb87fd57a6_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-89543982767099086242012-10-18T00:22:00.000-05:002012-10-22T14:52:55.828-05:00Not so Spooky Spooktacular Pumpkins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfmTV4Ak7wmJqeMib2fWR1ihHFftgxyjZMw_-6QOn-icBNPEc_FrvBCtyqMrqha3y87LV7OCkl0vHRYf6_EB7X2GMQkBEiITnhF-lLt_5PAp8OTwvY1lqPO-Kw5cb7A9s4ym4t4qUNoA/s1600/Title+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfmTV4Ak7wmJqeMib2fWR1ihHFftgxyjZMw_-6QOn-icBNPEc_FrvBCtyqMrqha3y87LV7OCkl0vHRYf6_EB7X2GMQkBEiITnhF-lLt_5PAp8OTwvY1lqPO-Kw5cb7A9s4ym4t4qUNoA/s640/Title+Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, so maybe they aren't very spooky...but they were fun; as fun could be!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you will need in addition to the photo's list:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">White pen, chalk or crayon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">brown crayon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exacto knife and a good blade</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">scissors</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Office stapler and staples</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiKs9gH0VyMEBlAn1DDrDjIp9_QJSKsGg6E4vFS3aLS-Iq6zRgIg1Dy5zgDt4KGqKtHfIOldnHGSnvYjW68k2mHWR7-4Dr4aSSIqoD52nV2I1WnNSPJnbEkc54_sBjb6HmpNoeMDkMT0/s1600/Supply+List.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiKs9gH0VyMEBlAn1DDrDjIp9_QJSKsGg6E4vFS3aLS-Iq6zRgIg1Dy5zgDt4KGqKtHfIOldnHGSnvYjW68k2mHWR7-4Dr4aSSIqoD52nV2I1WnNSPJnbEkc54_sBjb6HmpNoeMDkMT0/s640/Supply+List.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, draw a pumpkin. If you are going to make multiple, staple that picture to a number of pages of the same paper. (We used orange construction paper) and then cut out with a pair of scissors. Now you have a bunch of pumpkins!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Draw in the lines with white pen, chalk or crayon, then color the stem with a brown crayon. You can even go back over the white lines with the brown crayon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Picture doesn't show that step...but you get my drift.)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCUcow8lhq0/UH-VL0y2_wI/AAAAAAAACWs/9wr7WajUmEQ/s1600/DSCF4615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCUcow8lhq0/UH-VL0y2_wI/AAAAAAAACWs/9wr7WajUmEQ/s640/DSCF4615.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, take some squares of black construction paper and draw some scary, funny, or happy teeth. I found that using an Exacto knife was the best route for this step. I was able to get some really funky teeth with the Exacto blade....and it went so much faster than scissors.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You could do the same as with the pumpkins to get multiples of the same mouth. That would save time. too.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMuj6M3XuYI/UH-VMeDqsZI/AAAAAAAACW0/-TC_hB_VJ7E/s1600/DSCF4618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMuj6M3XuYI/UH-VMeDqsZI/AAAAAAAACW0/-TC_hB_VJ7E/s640/DSCF4618.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, cut a strip of black construction paper and cut out triangles with your scissors all the way down the strip. They don't need to be perfect and you don't have to just do triangles. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, present all the pieces, get a pumpkin for yourself and let the fun begin!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to add some more fun, add some glitter, halloween stickers, and maybe even some cutout spiders! You can do so much with this craft.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh what fun they are! If you don't feel comfortable with your drawing skills or don't have any fake fall leaves, I've created three printables which can be cut out. All you would need then are the buttons and glue.</span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2UFb2T19kVKTnc4dnY4cWlob1k/edit"><span style="font-size: large;">Spooktacular Pumpkin Printout</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2UFb2T19kVKQWJ5UFJ2U2syN0U/edit"><span style="font-size: large;">Spooktacular Faces Printout</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2UFb2T19kVKaFdCWkY5QlhzQzA/edit"><span style="font-size: large;">Spooktacular Leaves Printout</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiKs9gH0VyMEBlAn1DDrDjIp9_QJSKsGg6E4vFS3aLS-Iq6zRgIg1Dy5zgDt4KGqKtHfIOldnHGSnvYjW68k2mHWR7-4Dr4aSSIqoD52nV2I1WnNSPJnbEkc54_sBjb6HmpNoeMDkMT0/s1600/Supply+List.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you have as much fun as we did making this craft. Here are a few shots of what G and I created (I really only made one).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Poor guy...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like the eyebrows on this fella.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy and until next time...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linked up to...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-31608598058399314272012-10-17T07:47:00.001-05:002012-10-17T14:43:53.011-05:00Guest Post at My Mommy Manual<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtYMQOx1MN48Gd1OUfshO-AztPIFa650LZYTbnJlVm1F5QMvRc3i2hGYVEDeV-cDR7y2a-DyjmmJhJad1s_2AJgg7o03z4dMinNwOjGAKr7rdMgB2YVd2BboWV6958bIRpWTIBH4AbR4/s1600/The+Crayon+Connection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtYMQOx1MN48Gd1OUfshO-AztPIFa650LZYTbnJlVm1F5QMvRc3i2hGYVEDeV-cDR7y2a-DyjmmJhJad1s_2AJgg7o03z4dMinNwOjGAKr7rdMgB2YVd2BboWV6958bIRpWTIBH4AbR4/s640/The+Crayon+Connection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi there! Today I'm so honored to have the chance to guest post over <a href="http://mymommymanual.com/">My Mommy Manual</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zen Mommy, Suzanne, (and trust me, this amazing woman is so zen) and Practical Mommy, Ria, write amazing posts catering to all things mommy. My Mommy Manual encourages support and love. Whenever I read My Mommy Manual, I come away feeling as if I've learned a lesson in serenity, in gratitude.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether it be a look at loving boundries for our children, finding that confident inner voice as a mother or even an honest and heartfelt look at loss, My Mommy Manual is just the place for a healthy dose self love.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, Suzanne asked me to write a guest post about crafts and connecting with your children, I panicked, because all I could think about was...crayons...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hop on over to <a href="http://mymommymanual.com/">My Mommy Manual </a>to read about "The Crayon Connection". And while you are there, give MMM a good read and see why I love My Mommy Manual so much.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-45241787306491565242012-10-15T07:59:00.000-05:002012-10-15T07:59:42.623-05:00Bella's Blossoms Winner<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations entrant #4 - Sherra Fritz </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please send me
your contact information so Robin at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bellasblossom">Bella’s Blossoms</a> can get in touch with you
to create your custom blossoms…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s right,
CUSTOM. She has a multitude of colors to
choose from and you get to choose how your three blossoms will look.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to everyone
for entering and I’ve got the giveaway bug now so Momma C Designs will
definitely be hosting more giveaways.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations again
Sherra!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This giveaway was sponsored by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bellasblossom?fref=ts">Bella's Blossoms</a> and the winner was chosen through <a href="http://random.org/">Random.org</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-59035226539471196632012-10-12T10:12:00.002-05:002012-10-13T12:09:33.104-05:00Photo of The Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mevCJc7Ozw/UHgip_cdKEI/AAAAAAAACSY/j-vYx6-3ZAU/s1600/DSCF4590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mevCJc7Ozw/UHgip_cdKEI/AAAAAAAACSY/j-vYx6-3ZAU/s640/DSCF4590.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: 'AR DELANEY';">Pumpkins!</span><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: 'AR DELANEY';"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Oh, pumpkins. Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins. I love the word, pumpkins. Grace does too because that is all I’ve heard this past week since telling her we were going to go to the pumpkin patch on
Mr. MCD’s day off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Every day it was, “Are we going to the
pumpkin patch? Oh no! I’ve got to go get dressed, we don’t want to
be late!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">She would run off in a frenzy gathering
any and all clothing she could find. One
day she even brought me a hair tie and a bow and asked me to put her hair up so
she could play in the pumpkin patch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">So when the moment finally came for us
to leave, I was a little worried that the pumpkin patch might not live up to
the hype of the week. We’ve made maps to
the pumpkin patch, talked about it endlessly, made drawings of what the
carvings should look like (I should have taken pictures of those…there wouldn’t
be any pumpkin left!). It’s been a big
deal around here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">When we were a little ways away, I saw
the pumpkin patch…and it was dry. Ohio
was hit pretty hard by this year’s heat and it showed. The ground was so cracked and dusty and everything was so
withered. But, we were not disappointed!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">We were expecting to just go to the
local pumpkin patch…but they go all out!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">We rode on a hayride to get to the
pumpkin patch...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9Atm2cIIdI/UHgiXfoK66I/AAAAAAAACQI/s_GO08QGsp8/s1600/DSCF4545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9Atm2cIIdI/UHgiXfoK66I/AAAAAAAACQI/s_GO08QGsp8/s640/DSCF4545.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">They dropped us off at the entrance to
a corn maze…which was AWESOME! And they
even had a bounce house, a few animals to pet, a straw maze and some Fall/Halloween
peep-through boards. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">As my family and I were running around through
the maze, I was able to get some great shots.</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">It was really quite beautiful with the light shining through the tall
corn stalks.</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">I wish I knew more about
photography and had a DSLR.</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">Maybe I
could have captured the sunlight and its gorgeous beams.</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">However, I think I did pretty well with my
little FugiFilm Finepix S camera.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">When we got through the maze, the
pumpkin patch opened right up to us.</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">It
was pretty vast and although the ground and leaves were dry and wasted, it
really looked pretty.</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">The pumpkins were
so bright and the sunlight was great.</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">The sky had such a great gradient going up from white to blue, and there
weren’t very many clouds.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Grace wasn’t as excited as I was about
how pretty everything really turned out to be…she was too involved with all the
PUMPKINS!!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">That kid practically went insane,
running from one pumpkin to the next.
Picking them up, examining a few that was damaged or icky. She was fascinated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Claire was too. She found one that she determined would be
the one to pick up…take a look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FwWZmhd6Ec/UHgihcye6gI/AAAAAAAACRY/p_Xpl6qEUG0/s640/DSCF4578.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="406" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You look like a good one to try...Oh yeah, your mine."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQPvKI5iWg4/UHgijksjAPI/AAAAAAAACRo/b44b-7My4Ng/s640/DSCF4580.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="608" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Let's see here, thighs parallel, back straight...let's do this!"</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQPvKI5iWg4/UHgijksjAPI/AAAAAAAACRo/b44b-7My4Ng/s1600/DSCF4580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXUy5u97Hk8/UHgiiTGKY3I/AAAAAAAACRg/XuwoCi8uir0/s640/DSCF4579.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="494" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Oh....hmmmm!!....Okay, one more time...HMMM!!!..."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4mNjoony5w/UHgikaZdHjI/AAAAAAAACRw/buZirRFgQMk/s640/DSCF4581.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Yeah, I think you are right Daddy, this one might be a little bit better."</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">I love that little girl. She was so happy and relaxed throughout the
whole thing, just taking it all in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S9wvLCOJatU/UHgx8YOHETI/AAAAAAAACUA/Wz_AceD1UzY/s1600/DSCF4595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S9wvLCOJatU/UHgx8YOHETI/AAAAAAAACUA/Wz_AceD1UzY/s640/DSCF4595.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">Claire really loved the animals,
especially the bunnies. I couldn’t pull
her away! The calves were cute too, but
I didn’t get any pictures. A tiny
meltdown ensued. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEBmonbH-hY/UHgisghwr0I/AAAAAAAACSw/-48JKmtv3iM/s1600/DSCF4603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEBmonbH-hY/UHgisghwr0I/AAAAAAAACSw/-48JKmtv3iM/s640/DSCF4603.JPG" width="444" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">It was great time. We got four great pumpkins, great pictures
and everyone was so happy. It will be
one of my favorite memories.</span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Lucida Sans, sans-serif;">Oh...and look at this photo...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxGO96x8IJ0/UHgiYJXXwVI/AAAAAAAACQQ/TrD3EJQRbR0/s1600/DSCF4554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxGO96x8IJ0/UHgiYJXXwVI/AAAAAAAACQQ/TrD3EJQRbR0/s640/DSCF4554.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">How neat is that!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">Don't forget you have until Sunday, 12pm to enter to win the three blossoms from our newest Sponsor, Bella's Blossoms. Go <a href="http://mommacdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/10/bellas-blossoms-free-giveaway.html">HERE </a>to enter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlG--Q-TpGM/TydgMVYb2sI/AAAAAAAABQU/zRcSakWhZKA/s1600/18662329551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlG--Q-TpGM/TydgMVYb2sI/AAAAAAAABQU/zRcSakWhZKA/s320/18662329551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linked up to... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">McDougall Photography</span></div>
<div>
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<a href="http://mcdougallphotography.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z126/scarlett1977_photos/button.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Long Road to China</span></div>
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<a href="http://thelongroadtochina.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="the long road" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/7748164760_cb87fd57a6_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-22622812994088109342012-10-10T08:08:00.000-05:002012-10-14T13:37:25.799-05:00Bella's Blossoms Free Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;">**Giveaway is now closed**</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Castellar, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What an exciting day!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today, I have the pleasure of introducing our newest
sponsor of Momma C Designs and I am hosting my very first Giveaway! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And
today's sponsored giveaway comes to us from...</span></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bellasblossom?fref=ts"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emWWvwU9RZI/UHLy71GegFI/AAAAAAAACNg/u0-3NHJLoYQ/s640/Label2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dear friend, Robin, over at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bellasblossom?fref=ts">Bella's Blossoms</a> is giving away not one, not two, but <u>THREE</u> of her amazing crocheted blossoms. These are so cute and look great as a stand-alone hair accessory or on one of her crocheted hats.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a look at some of her creations. She doesn't just do blossoms. Check out all of her amazing products for sale at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bellasblossom?fref=ts">Bella's Blossoms</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f156YLtNl3Q/UHLimFk9iuI/AAAAAAAACNQ/3wcOQWE-3Ug/s1600/Giveaway+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f156YLtNl3Q/UHLimFk9iuI/AAAAAAAACNQ/3wcOQWE-3Ug/s640/Giveaway+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I am thrilled to have Bella’s Blossoms as a sponsor and can’t
wait to showcase more of the amazing goodies that come from such a talented
woman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you
would like a chance to win three beautiful crocheted blossoms, here's how to
enter...</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">♥</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Leave a comment telling me how you express your creativity
</span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">♥<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">♥ </span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And if you are an eager beaver, be sure to like our
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<span style="background: #F2F2F2; color: #c27ba0; font-family: "Freestyle Script"; font-size: 20.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/mommacdesigns">FB Momma C Designs</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have until 12pm Sunday, October 14th to enter. I'll announce the winner on Monday.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck and Until next time...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-63770660793710170132012-10-08T06:54:00.003-05:002012-10-08T11:17:30.010-05:00Crocheted Butterfly Beanie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3ezwVIB3IQ/UHI4jy6gkvI/AAAAAAAACM8/3IjMEcMBnvY/s1600/Butterfly+Beanie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3ezwVIB3IQ/UHI4jy6gkvI/AAAAAAAACM8/3IjMEcMBnvY/s640/Butterfly+Beanie.jpg" width="450" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, isn't that pretty? I am in love with this little hat. It looks so cute! Plus, the butterfly part is so perfect and I can add little embellishments to it making it very versatile.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't crochet. I've had a set of crochet hooks for years, and never broke the package. But last week, I made this beanie, with the help of my good friend, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bellasblossom" target="_blank">Robin</a>. She's a pro and was very helpful.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though this was my first time crocheting a hat and only my second or third time crocheting at all, this hat turned out AMAZING!! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is the butterfly beanie without embellishments.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0QuxmcNJylg/UHI011eJ6wI/AAAAAAAACL8/4wSmtOjFKME/s1600/DSCF4404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0QuxmcNJylg/UHI011eJ6wI/AAAAAAAACL8/4wSmtOjFKME/s640/DSCF4404.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then you add some sunlight and a cute little clip....and a cute little head...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And VOILA! Gorgeousness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This hat makes me smile, and only took me two hours to make. I could have actually made it in less time, but babies need tending to. <span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-size: 22px; line-height: 23px;">♥</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty hats and dirty shirts from playing in the mud...my kind of girl....oh, and a little nose action as well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And why not some ears too?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G wore the hat to our Church's Fall Festival and a friend of mine asked me to make one for her little 11-week old lady. So, I guess I did a pretty good job!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, I can't lay claim to the pattern...I wouldn't even know where to begin to make a crochet pattern. The lovely lady over at Vallieskids made it and provides the pattern as well. She even makes a matching butterfly hat for a <a href="http://vallieskids.blogspot.com/2011/02/saras-butterfly-doll-pattern-to-go-with.html" target="_blank">doll</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've included the pattern below, but please hop on over to Vallie's by clicking on the link below. If you are interested in crocheting and knitting, she has a ton of great patterns.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just a little note, Vallieskids calls for worsted weight yarn and a J hook. I used a bulky yarn and the J hook. It fits both of my children </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">perfectly </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(3 years and 1 year - see the hat on Claire </span><a href="http://mommacdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/10/photo-of-week.html" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) ...I guess Claire bear has a big head! However, the pattern can easily be made to fit by simply adding or subtracting stitches in the beginning.</span></div>
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<a href="http://vallieskids.blogspot.com/2009/06/olivias-butterfly.html"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vallieskids Butterfly Hat Pattern</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rnd 1) ch3, 11dc in 3rd ch from hook (11dc) sl st to top of first dc (now and through out),</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rnd 9) ch2, dc in same st, dc in next 21 sts, ch10, skip next 9 sts, dc in next st and in each st accross, slip st to join</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rnd 10) ch2, dc in same st and in next 21 sts, ch 10, skip 10 chains, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc, slip st to join</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rnd 13) ch1, sc in same st and in next 21 sts, ch5, sc over all ch 10's by bunching together and into 5th dc of the 9 skipped dc on row 9, ch5, sc in next dc and in each dc around slip stitch to join, fasten off.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-25673255251903639612012-10-05T08:15:00.002-05:002012-10-05T10:34:43.631-05:00Photo of The Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at those two. It doesn't get much cuter than that. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's baby boy Ben and Jubbles the Claire...see what I did there...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love two babies together. They are always so fascinated with one another. From the moment these two met they have been lovey doveys. Claire used to crawl onto Ben when he was still back bound and would kick her legs up and down behind her with excitement. She loved to give him kisses. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Ben was just starting to move around, he got her back. He would grab her and kiss her. He even kind of tackled her a couple times. He would just pin her and give this amazingly huge smile. I've never seen anything like this kids smile.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this visit was no different except for the fact that they haven't seen each other in a while and a lot has changed. Claire walks very well and Ben is just starting to. Claire would squeal with excitement when Ben would get going and he was so gentle when would touch her face and hair.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They played and played together. At one point I caught a stare down and then a giggle. They were so sweet together. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I already had my photo of the week post written and ready but when my friend and her boys decided to crash my afternoon...YAY!...the pictures I got were just too much for me to pass up.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's right...boys. We had four little kiddos running around. Grace, Claire, Jake and Ben...and I think Ben took his very first solo steps to mommy! That was exciting.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And even though this is the "Photo" of the week...I can't help but share a few others from our visit...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Claire and Ben playing on the computer...</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jake and Grace playing in the dirt and having an absolute blast. At one point they were sitting right next to each other working together to fill a bucket and quietly talking to each other. So cute.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at that cuteness!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, that smile. It just kills me. And boy does he loves his Momma!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone played together so nicely. It was so much fun.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little platter of our finest meats and cheeses. Jake kept feeding Claire and it was very serious work. He kept saying, "Care like cheese....I do too."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such a fun afternoon. It was definitely the icing on the cake for my day. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Jen for sharing your friendship and your family with mine. </span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="color: #e06666;">♥</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linked up to... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Hollie Rogue</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.thehollierogue.com/2012/10/05/photo-friday-insta-friday-sort-of-a-link-party/" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-297" height="150" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttonthr150copy.jpg" title="button1" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">McDougall Photography</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Long Road to China</span></div>
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<a href="http://thelongroadtochina.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="the long road" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/7748164760_cb87fd57a6_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-21408908130723374782012-10-03T08:53:00.001-05:002012-10-03T08:53:23.002-05:00Fall Stew: Preschool, Nature and Seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started homeschooling Grace a few weeks ago and one of the biggies around here is outside playtime. We are pretty home bound as we don't get to have the car during the day. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...THIS HAS BEEN MISERABLE...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, it's temporary. So, in the meantime, I try to get the kids outside at least for an hour a day and I <u>usually</u> try to keep it educational.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I take my cues from Montessori for the most part, like properly presenting an activity or lesson...but this was completely random and off the top of my head. However, it was a HUGE hit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Introducing, Fall Stew.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUiirXUkUaktPRba6dx1KQ-J3pltjp-SH_Ie-nPXQmUH9KOGgMqBJREOIuGUoK1BzuHOz2FIEXXyTZwDXagQJr_8bH7yxbPVklglBySc-AJVxoK0T19-gngK9pNODPZ9-Id3QD6LpcJk/s1600/DSCF4073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUiirXUkUaktPRba6dx1KQ-J3pltjp-SH_Ie-nPXQmUH9KOGgMqBJREOIuGUoK1BzuHOz2FIEXXyTZwDXagQJr_8bH7yxbPVklglBySc-AJVxoK0T19-gngK9pNODPZ9-Id3QD6LpcJk/s640/DSCF4073.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First we gathered our materials. To make Fall Stew you need:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaves of various shapes and sizes</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cooking Supplies - pots, spoons, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doesn't that look appetizing?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We named the leaves. There was one that kind of reminded me of rosemary. We called one a bay leaf. The sticks were deemed cinnamon sticks. And as Grace was wafting the imaginary aromas into her little nose, she informed me that it wasn't quite ready.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So she stirred, and stirred. She whisked and poured. Sister sat by, watching very closely all that was happening. Grace was very busy at work and this stew needed to be perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grace transferred water to the larger pot with the turkey baster...a favorite of hers. She often asks why it doesn't have feathers. *smile*</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She examined the leaves and made exciting discoveries about each one, which I of course had to check out. She loved the sieve and was quite intrigued with that for quite a while.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That face is what you call sweetness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We talked about the leaves and why they weren't green anymore. We talked about why there were so many leaves on the ground. She tried to remember the number that she saw and then said, "There were a million-bagillion-trillion!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was very serious work as you can see. And I don't think it was ever "ready", but they both had a great time. We wound up being out there for almost three hours. I eventually ran out of things to talk about and just let them both do their own thing while asking questions here and there throughout the rest of Grace's play. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's my big baby. She was doing her "So Big" gesture, but to me she just looks like she's about to bust out some sick rhymes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved this playtime we had. So many lessons were learned through the simple act of playing. Fresh air, smiling babies, amazing weather and a perfect pot of Fall Stew made this Momma and her babies very happy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the things Grace learned through play:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretend/Imagination</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colors</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shapes</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Counting</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sharing</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fine Motor Skills</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gross Motor Skills</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seasons</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nature</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a lot...and it showed. She took a three hour nap that day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-60457430500167311602012-10-01T09:32:00.001-05:002012-10-01T09:32:06.717-05:00Up-Cycled Skirt Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AfXuv-VdfPg/UGeF0P9cmLI/AAAAAAAACI0/Jz5kz5uuXJM/s1600/Upcycled+Skirt+Tutorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AfXuv-VdfPg/UGeF0P9cmLI/AAAAAAAACI0/Jz5kz5uuXJM/s640/Upcycled+Skirt+Tutorial.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever had one of those moments where you are doing something or looking at something and then this big idea hits you and you have to stop everything you are doing and just focus on that? That is why this skirt exists.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While looking through a box of old clothes that I keep for up-cycling purposes I ran across and old maternity shirt. I was going through the box for a completely different project but when I saw the shirt I was overcome by the "Do It Now" syndrome that I have a tendency to let control my life.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADfexGzfiFE/UGeE444k1tI/AAAAAAAACFo/HU5oDWynoP0/s1600/DSCF4320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADfexGzfiFE/UGeE444k1tI/AAAAAAAACFo/HU5oDWynoP0/s640/DSCF4320.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's beaten, bruised and sad. I wore this quite often while preggo with both of my children. I loved the soft fabric and the stripes looked great under a maternity cardigan. It was also a favorite sleeping shirt. It has seen it all. But when I saw it I was thinking two things...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I bet Izzy would wear this!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Izzy is the female pirate from Jake and The Never Land Pirates</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Grace wants to be a pirate for Halloween!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been discussing the costume options with Grace and it always comes back to Jake and The Never Land Pirates. She keeps telling me that I can be Izzy, Daddy can be Cubby, She's Jake and Claire can be Skully....the parrot...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll admit, I've really been contemplating the idea of making costumes for the whole gang...even a parrot costume for Claire bear.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, for the next hour after finding the shirt, I made a simple skirt that maybe she could use for pirate dress up too. Who knows.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First and foremost, Grace had to confiscate and check out the original shirt.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I finally convinced her that it would be much cooler as a skirt, she finally let me have it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here is how an old maternity shirt became a soft and cute fringed skirt.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, gather your materials. You will need:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Striped shirt that you would like to up-cycle.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Good fabric Scissors</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Sewing Machine</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Appropriate Sewing Needle</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Matching thread</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Elastic (1/2 inch wide or less will do) cut to desired length</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Pins</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Two Safety Pins</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. An hour of time</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to take a moment to stress the importance of number four. My shirt was a stretchy, knit jersey fabric. And if you happen to use a similar fabric, be sure to use the appropriate needle as you could damage the fabric and your machine. I went with a knit needle for lightweight fabrics. Worked like a charm...smooth like buttah!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, my rule of thumb for cutting elastic is to cut one inch less than the required length. Grace's waist was 19 3/4". So I cut a piece of elastic 18 3/4" long.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here we go!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First you need to cut the fabric to ensure a perfect "tube". Since my shirt was a maternity shirt, this was really important. I had more fabric in the front than in the back, naturally. If you are using a regular shirt, you could simply use the hem as-is or cut along or above it depending on the length you want.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted a longer skirt so I found the first stripe that went around the entire shirt and cut along the bottom of it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, I did the exact same thing to the top, finding the first stripe that went all the way around unhindered by any hems on the shirt. Again, I cut along the bottom of that stripe.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you have cut out your piece, you should have a "tube" of fabric.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My fabric widened near the bottom as it was a maternity shirt. Therefore, I chose that part as my bottom and started working on the top.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the elastic waistband I made a casing. After turning the fabric inside out, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I suggest you make a hem by folding 1/4 of an inch, iron that down, and then fold over again an inch (you can also use one of the stripes as a guide). Pin along the bottom of the hem.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, Take two pins and mark the opening to your casing on a side seam or on the back of the skirt. You will not sew this area to begin with and the pins will act as a start and stop point. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creating a hemmed casing makes for a cleaner and more professional garment. However, I had length working against me so I had to sacrifice the pretty hem.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> : - (</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next you will start at one of the opening pins and sew along the bottom of the casing using an overlock or zig zag stitch for stretchy knits, or a straight stitch for non-stretch fabrics. Remember that when you start, sew a few stitches and then make a few back-stitchs before proceeding.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you come to the other pin, make a couple back-stitches to secure the thread. This opening will need to be secure when putting in the elastic.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now you will want to insert the elastic, and I have a couple tricks.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, place a safety pin on the end of your elastic. This will be the end that you feed into the casing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other end (making sure to keep the elastic untangled and straight) pin the elastic to the outside of the casing. This keeps the end of the elastic from slipping into the casing when you are tugging it through. Brilliant!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After you have pulled the elastic through the casing to the other end, pin the two ends of elastic together and sew. Use a zig zag stitch and go over it a few times to ensure a secure hold.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, sew up the hole in the casing. If you catch the elastic, that is perfectly fine and will actually help it to stay in place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After your top is finished you can start on the bottom fringe. I fashioned the bottom with those fleece throws in mind. Basically it is simply tying two strips of fabric together.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First start by cutting about 1" into the fabric and make the strips about 1/4" wide. I used the bottom of one of the stripes as a guide.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continue to cut until you are about two inches from your starting point. This will keep you from cutting one too many strips and not having anything to tie it to.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tie two strips together in a double knot and continue until you get to the two inch block. From there you can eyeball it to cut the correct amount of strips to ensure everyone gets tied to a partner.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then you are done. All that's left to do is bribe your daughter with a piece of chocolate just so you can take a picture of her wearing the skirt!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After she put it on she of course loved it. I made no mention of Izzy and the other pirates. But I can definitely see this with some tights, a vest and a pirate hat. Can you? I'd love to hear what you think.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love up-cycling. This project cost me $0!! I al</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ready owned the t-shirt and the elastic came from a giant bag of it that my d</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ear friend Robin over at </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bellasblossom" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Bella's Blossoms</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> gave </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">me. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had the thread and everything else so this project was great! Plus, it only took me an hour and that was with both babies running around and Grace repeatedly asking me, "Is it done yet?"</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really love this skirt. It's loose and the fringe at the bottom adds just a little more visual interest. Here's the before and after:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3jl8mKiO5mE/UGeo6zvSOUI/AAAAAAAACJU/vbseYnSaJPw/s1600/before+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3jl8mKiO5mE/UGeo6zvSOUI/AAAAAAAACJU/vbseYnSaJPw/s640/before+after.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now go dig through your old shirts and find one to make into a skirt!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-30653696618325925262012-09-28T08:15:00.000-05:002012-09-28T08:25:45.545-05:00Photo of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5K3h4jJDZObbe8jrQyOAQmR8WIoWN6Vx0KqLu3ScOY9H_u6KZuGhIMTjzaZdFZAlc6hgMz6LaI6ft6-jaTYP4JHATHnbXnJr2ku4J3tjkGenhJNSNz1kamp56cwjbksh4qlHbVeCJkRc/s1600/12.9.28+Claire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5K3h4jJDZObbe8jrQyOAQmR8WIoWN6Vx0KqLu3ScOY9H_u6KZuGhIMTjzaZdFZAlc6hgMz6LaI6ft6-jaTYP4JHATHnbXnJr2ku4J3tjkGenhJNSNz1kamp56cwjbksh4qlHbVeCJkRc/s640/12.9.28+Claire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obviously, this photo wasn't taken this week. But I thought that since this little angel has been on my mind so much this week, it was only fitting to have her as my first Photo of the Week post. (That's a lot of "weeks" in one paragraph!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Claire just turned one in August and even though I desperately try not to think about her birth and the days after, that seems to be all I can think about lately. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a couple new and, quite frankly, stinking adorable babies around me these days. Holding these tiny little creatures has given me a bit of baby fever. But as soon as I think, "Yeah, why not? We could have another one." My brain then comes to a screeching halt and I immediately think about her birth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know if Mr. MCD and I will ever have another baby. We both want one. But I think I'm too afraid right now to even try.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for the picture. This was the very first picture I took of her to share with everyone. I took it on August 31st, 2011, 20 days after she was actually born, and I still didn't share it until September 1st. I remember thinking and asking Mr. MCD if he thought we could...if we should. I think I kept thinking that the <strike>amazing</strike> miraculous recovery she had made would all of a sudden disappear and I really wouldn't get to have her after all.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Claire is a miracle and there is no doubt about that. She has no physical issues...a shock. She has no brain damage...a COMPLETE shock. In fact, she's crazy smart.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am lucky I came out of it alive and, God willing, still able to have future babies if our family wishes and Claire is truly a blessed baby.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love our family and we love our friends. It always amazes me the support and comfort people can give in the darkest of situations. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy 1st Birthday to my little miracle.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linked up to "Photo Friday" at <a href="http://www.thehollierogue.com/" target="_blank">The Hollie Rogue</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-46555160503044987282012-09-26T06:54:00.000-05:002012-09-26T06:54:04.300-05:00DIY Inspiration Line<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuufkuy8XOXfCNMRlDe144Lofe0gYL_b4lzCAwshn701F8GbFOpZ88rVT9WNnywUSoCZIeJJvqA_uBjoAmQmEjXbPQXFusEY9ISk8dVVckUCGd0NtrRRLhkGMaAGF4CNiuYiZ9kqjmTY/s1600/Inspiration+Line+Tutorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuufkuy8XOXfCNMRlDe144Lofe0gYL_b4lzCAwshn701F8GbFOpZ88rVT9WNnywUSoCZIeJJvqA_uBjoAmQmEjXbPQXFusEY9ISk8dVVckUCGd0NtrRRLhkGMaAGF4CNiuYiZ9kqjmTY/s640/Inspiration+Line+Tutorial.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi there! I've got a fun little tutorial today. This project cost me ZERO dollars! However, I had all the ingredients from previous projects. No fear though! If you want to make your very own Inspiration Line and need to get the materials, you can make just one stop at your local craft store and spend under $10. Not bad when you consider how stinking cute these things are.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Materials needed for your very own Inspiration Line include:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twine - cut to desired length</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miniature Clothespins</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Putty Adhesive</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hot Glue (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Embellishments/Buttons (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kElghm7hREQ/UGJR2rHcx3I/AAAAAAAAB_s/9g75CDeKoaY/s1600/DSCF4237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kElghm7hREQ/UGJR2rHcx3I/AAAAAAAAB_s/9g75CDeKoaY/s320/DSCF4237.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as a side note, the putty I used was your basic sticky-tack variety. A little goes a long way. With that said, you want to make sure the majority of the back of the clothespin is covered in order to have a secure hold.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three small pieces seemed sufficient. I also chose to use three clothespins to secure to the wall as the length I wanted would have put too much strain on two clothespins alone. I highly suggest dividing the distance between endpoints if your length is going to be more than 15-20 inches.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7pP0PaW7dg/UGJR3_GSSNI/AAAAAAAAB_8/PU4591w6p0o/s1600/DSCF4239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7pP0PaW7dg/UGJR3_GSSNI/AAAAAAAAB_8/PU4591w6p0o/s320/DSCF4239.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here they are <u>firmly</u> pressed against the wall. And then I realized...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCCsh5B0PgE/UGJR4r1VuHI/AAAAAAAACAA/8kNVGaLy3zk/s1600/DSCF4242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCCsh5B0PgE/UGJR4r1VuHI/AAAAAAAACAA/8kNVGaLy3zk/s320/DSCF4242.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I needed a bit of color. After all, this is in the playroom, which is full of color...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66-hMRb3SU0/UGJR5Dh02LI/AAAAAAAACAI/DUNU0eYK5qs/s1600/DSCF4244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66-hMRb3SU0/UGJR5Dh02LI/AAAAAAAACAI/DUNU0eYK5qs/s320/DSCF4244.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus, I've had these buttons that were given to me for over a year. I've tried to use them several times. However, I couldn't find a high flyin' thing to put these on!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So of course, I cut off the shank with utility scissors (the shank was plastic) and hot glued those cuties to the clothespins. More than adorable!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This part is completely optional. In fact I did this same project without embellishments in my kitchen area to rotate artwork made by G. I love the naked clothespins just as much.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8aLI2PpZDkq6HTqB_iyLAwE32FcvYAnZQzlD8BAsslrICf8BIHf6mL9HYEuQ7epvst1UI9Ls-d020uXT-rzknNlXQAGD75bdIxXuOgt_eMlDd-juGeir0gGpL6VyuvoUIkooLeqIFO0/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8aLI2PpZDkq6HTqB_iyLAwE32FcvYAnZQzlD8BAsslrICf8BIHf6mL9HYEuQ7epvst1UI9Ls-d020uXT-rzknNlXQAGD75bdIxXuOgt_eMlDd-juGeir0gGpL6VyuvoUIkooLeqIFO0/s320/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next clip on your string and attach your beautiful and inspirational pictures and memorabilia to the twine with the extra clothespins. So easy, it's silly.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxOKlsK1hG4/UGJR78kySgI/AAAAAAAACAo/NYBzJ-V7E4U/s1600/DSCF4250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxOKlsK1hG4/UGJR78kySgI/AAAAAAAACAo/NYBzJ-V7E4U/s640/DSCF4250.JPG" width="449" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I2jJeMoOzQA/UGJR9YpH40I/AAAAAAAACA4/j2yiyEiIHaY/s1600/DSCF4258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I2jJeMoOzQA/UGJR9YpH40I/AAAAAAAACA4/j2yiyEiIHaY/s640/DSCF4258.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On my Inspiration Line I have a recent letter from the oh so beautiful Shannah of <a href="http://writebeforeyoureyes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Write Before Your Eyes</a> and one of my favorite pictures of Mr. MCD and G during Father's Day back in 2010. There is also a cool postcard, a bow, a favorite note card, birthday card and some art by my amazing Niece and Nephew. I'm sure there will be more, but I'm happy to now have those things I love and look to for comfort and inspiration right in front of my creative work space.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you have enjoyed this simple tutorial. I love the whimsy it brings to the room. I also love the fact that it took me no more than ten minutes to complete. That's a win-win right there. If making this from scratch it would be under $10 in 10 minutes...are you kidding me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This little sewing/crafting desk is actually in the playroom but it's permanent and the sewing machine can stay out at all times. The Inspiration Line makes this little area even more personal in a sea of toys and I love that. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by! Until next time...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-52545357698831166432012-03-16T22:06:00.002-05:002012-03-16T22:06:22.091-05:00Big Fat Stuffed Envelope!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently participated in a swap called "Big Fat Stuffed Envelope". Wow! What a tremendous loot! My swap partner gave me oodles of cool stationary, a nice hand made bookmark, blank ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), a beautiful blank postcard from Louisiana with a Magnolia flower on it...she didn't know it but that has significant meaning to me. I went to Magnolia Springs State Park when I was a kid and I just had such a wonderful time...It was the first time that I realized how much I loved the outdoors...and can't go too long without being in some natural setting.</div>
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I think I may now have an obsession with these swaps.</div>
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It's even better than a letter in a way. I open it up to find goodies that someone hand picked or even hand made for me.</div>
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I always have to send a nice thank you note. And since Jennifer gave me such wonderful things, I decorated the envelope a little.</div>
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Until Next Time...</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-65652223678446578122012-03-13T12:47:00.003-05:002012-03-13T12:47:59.474-05:00A Few Clothing Sketches...and one unfinished piece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I thought I would share with you a few clothing sketches that I made back in 2009...wow! That seems so long ago now. I was living in Ohio and was starting to dream of making my own clothing for my little one. I got a little carried away with these as the home I was visiting had beautiful renderings of Victorian ladies and their exquisite dresses of that era. So, inspired, I took charcoal to paper and here is what I designed.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBpzZZZynSI/TsA_8opzc3I/AAAAAAAABYU/orbl8qPWJEU/s1600/232323232-fp733-5-nu%253D3269-839-7-7-WSNRCG%253D36-396556632-nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBpzZZZynSI/TsA_8opzc3I/AAAAAAAABYU/orbl8qPWJEU/s400/232323232-fp733-5-nu%253D3269-839-7-7-WSNRCG%253D36-396556632-nu0mrj.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I like this. A little more of a modern approach as back in the Victorian days, there was no such thing as a bare arm.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTxIC-OhoKw/TsA_-7o38lI/AAAAAAAABYs/AiIdRNTsfPk/s1600/232323232-fp73467-nu%253D3269-839-7-7-WSNRCG%253D36-396557832-nu0mrj.jpg.crdownload" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTxIC-OhoKw/TsA_-7o38lI/AAAAAAAABYs/AiIdRNTsfPk/s400/232323232-fp73467-nu%253D3269-839-7-7-WSNRCG%253D36-396557832-nu0mrj.jpg.crdownload" width="400" /></a></div>
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This one just looks comfy. I was envisioning something that could be played in while not worrying about if it were to be stained.</div>
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Can you tell I'm a fan of ruffles???</div>
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Cute!</div>
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Looks like a circus tent!</div>
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This might be more "flapper" era.</div>
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Oh...and I found this unfinished piece. I completely forgot about it. I started it back in 2006 and I should really finish it. It was going to be a collage of sorts...but now I don't remember the direction I was going. It's sharpie and color pencil.</div>
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Until next time....</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-50689626437471826452012-03-13T12:37:00.000-05:002012-03-13T12:37:07.487-05:00Mail Art: Shannah with an "H"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh, my dear friend Shannah! How patient you are!</div>
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Look at this great mail art from my pen twin, Shannah over at <a href="http://writebeforeyoureyes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Write Before Your Eyes</a>!</div>
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I really can't get enough of the Chinese New Year dragon, very colorful.</div>
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I finally got the chance to respond and I gave her some hand drawn stationary. I just love drawing. It is really a comfort to me. </div>
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And yes, those are my hands holding a polka dot pencil.</div>
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S...for my name, for her name, for my favorite word...serpentine.</div>
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I have a thing with trees. When I was a child, I couldn't stop drawing trees. We had a giant sycamore tree in the back yard. The bark was ghostly white and in the winter when the leaves were all gone it was quite a sight. But I have drawn and stared at that tree all my life. I was always fascinated at drawing trees mainly because, you can't go wrong. A tree, in my opinion, is like a face, it can have many different expressions.</div>
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The above tree I drew from a memory of a house that I passed every day driving from school. It had these teeny-tiny little twig like trees lining the driveway and at the top was a mop of leaves. They always made me laugh. They reminded me of Carrot Top!</div>
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Again, I've taken these photos with my camera phone...and the contrast is no good. I did my best with editing but to no avail. The drawings are much darker in person and I hope Shannah enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed drawing them for her.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kq6dh93Pvfo/T0pfq4Wft-I/AAAAAAAABlA/bRFa5ROoBHs/s1600/IMAG0510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kq6dh93Pvfo/T0pfq4Wft-I/AAAAAAAABlA/bRFa5ROoBHs/s320/IMAG0510.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the handmade envelope for her. I was tired of the plain manila envelopes and I have been itching to use this paper. It's simple but it's cute! </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-21238488150709777582012-02-24T10:51:00.002-06:002012-02-24T10:51:18.589-06:00Mail Art: A little in and a little out...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello! Here's another bit of mail. I think I have fallen in love...and behind!<br />
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It's been a while and these are FAR OVERDUE! My dear pen twin...<a href="http://writebeforeyoureyes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shannah</a>...please forgive me for my belated post.<br />
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So to start things off, check out that black and white post card! How neat is that! It comes from Rose Oziorny for a postcard swap from SwapBot. It is a vintage photograph of Althea Gibson. She was the first African American to win a major title. She won the French Championship in 1956 and then went on to win both the U.S. Open and Wimbledon titles in 1957 and 1958 respectively. Rose didn't know it...but I love tennis and played in high school and recreationally in college. Mr. MCD and I always watch the tournaments every year.<br />
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Shannah'a letter was beautifully decorated. She pasted that flower and added some paint splatters. I personally love the Ronald Reagan stamp. <br />
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The inside was just as sweet as the outside. I looked at the card she wrote on over and over again. The illustration is beautiful and the overalls on the little girl are just darling. I love that old fashioned look on babies...look at that bonnet! Her stationary was so pretty. I'm a sucker for flowers. <br />
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I love reading Shannah's letters. Hop on over to her blog, <a href="http://writebeforeyoureyes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Write Before Your Eyes</a>...great name right! She's always posting about her latest mail goodies and some of her recent stationary finds. She is even considering creating her own stationary...and it is really good.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47B_f5_mFS8/TzGQ0ucXrTI/AAAAAAAABXM/zl5i8qt5EcA/s1600/18819955378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47B_f5_mFS8/TzGQ0ucXrTI/AAAAAAAABXM/zl5i8qt5EcA/s320/18819955378.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a sample of my outgoing mail goodness. I sent out handmade stationary and envelopes to my neice, Jazz. You can see the stationary <a href="http://mommacdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/mail-art.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. She's definitely excited to have her own paper to write on!<br />
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I sent out a thank you note to Rose for the post card and modge podged tissue paper to the envelope...I really like doing that. It's an interesting look, almost like confetti.<br />
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Hand made envelope for Chrissy, another SwapBot project. It's kind of funny. It was supposed to be and International letter swap. I got Tasha, in Spain...you can see her mail art <a href="http://mommacdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/so-much-mail.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. However, poor Chrissy got me...and she lives in Virginia. Such a nice woman! I'll post her letter soon...and wow! The stationary!<br />
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You can also see my letter to Shannah at <a href="http://writebeforeyoureyes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Write Before Your Eyes</a>. She really loved how I drew her name.<br />
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Also, a very cool looking envelope to Debbie Harmon. I sent her the <a href="http://mommacdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/art-artist-trading-cards.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Day ATC's</a>. She is a veteran in the ATC department so I wrote her a quick note telling her I was a newbie to the game and that I would love to see some of her work.<br />
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She apparently LOVED my ATC's and I'm so happy that she did. I also loved this envelope. It was just so simple, but very graphic with the bold red stripes and plain black lettering. Seems strange but this is one of my favorite envelopes that I have created.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-16024191844471503042012-02-15T14:31:00.001-06:002012-02-15T14:31:26.036-06:00St. Patrick's Day Bows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yay! The St. Patrick's Day bows are complete and are now in the wonderful boutique, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LookingGlassDesignsLafayetteSquare" target="_blank">Looking Glass Designs</a>. I made an order of ten to start and they couldn't have turned out any more adorable.</div>
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And the bow card looked great attached to the bow. It's light and fresh and is the perfect complement to any color bow. I didn't want anything too showy...I wanted the bow to stand out and I really think it does.</div>
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I also took a moment in the mayhem of it all and captured a small snippet of my work area...and this is before I really got going!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just what is the greatest trick not in the book you ask...stick a pencil, pen,<br />or in my case, an exacto knife (whatever fits) into your spool of thread so<br />that when you need to get string all you have to do is hold that piece and<br />pull the string. Nice and easy. No unraveling by hand and then misplacing <br />your spool because you put it in a different spot every time. It just acts like<br />a roll of toilet paper.</td></tr>
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Grace took the liberty of adding to my mess with the diaper, the goody bag and a puff flower that is usually attached to the baby Claire's swing. However, she is such a big girl now she can just reach up and grab them. She kept saying..."You need these momma!"<br />
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And speaking of baby Claire, here is a picture of that gooey goodness...<br />
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She just had a checkup today and she is 19 lbs...at 6 months! 27.5 inches and growing. She's the size of a 9 month old, which I already knew because the 9mo. clothing she has been wearing is getting tight. Just look at those cheeks!!!<br />
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Also, in the middle of all this bow goodness, and because I always forget to feed myself, Mr. MCD made me an amazing bowl of clam chowder and homemade garlic toast. Yep, he's mine.<br />
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I'm very happy that I got the order completed and in the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LookingGlassDesignsLafayetteSquare" target="_blank">boutique</a>. The next bows to made for Looking Glass Designs are going to be for the St. Louis Cardinals. And look out little boys....I'm making some handsome little bow ties for you!!<br />
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Until next time...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-62835598869010273372012-02-14T10:11:00.000-06:002012-02-14T10:11:18.080-06:00Bow Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUuIz5gtNdg/TzXnZ8GpWaI/AAAAAAAABZY/uyo8EwQROZY/s1600/18879420191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUuIz5gtNdg/TzXnZ8GpWaI/AAAAAAAABZY/uyo8EwQROZY/s400/18879420191.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now that my bows are going to be in a boutique (here) I decided to package them a little differently than I have been.</div>
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The image you see above is what will be on the back of a card that holds the bow and I'd love to know what you think of the design!<br />
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Here it is attached to a bow...<br />
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Until next time...</div>
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P.S. I think I'm starting to have a fetish with the color orange...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906429778851151308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761451060206293835.post-36138944734458507662012-02-13T16:42:00.002-06:002012-02-13T16:42:46.964-06:00Extra, Extra!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Shanna got her bows in a boutique and she's gonna shout all about it!!!</div>
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And yes, the over exaggerated usage of the exclamation marks are most definitely in order.</div>
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We all know that I'm a big fan of making <a href="http://mommacdesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/Hair%20Bows" target="_blank">bows</a>. They're a blast to make and I just can't get over how cute little girls are with a big, fat bow in their hair.</div>
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So, I decided to start spreading the love and sell the bows that I love to make...</div>
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Well, I just got an amazing opportunity to sell my bows in a gorgeous boutique right here in St. Louis!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHWRkqXgPL4/Tu94kQw_yUI/AAAAAAAABDY/53LCSdF8Xp0/s1600/17872832927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHWRkqXgPL4/Tu94kQw_yUI/AAAAAAAABDY/53LCSdF8Xp0/s320/17872832927.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/LookingGlassDesignsLafayetteSquare" target="_blank">Looking Glass Designs of Lafayette Square</a> will be selling my bows starting tomorrow on Valentine's Day! This boutique is so beautiful and Andrea, the owner, is such a warm individual. Take a look at some photos of her amazing boutique...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A249jyN_BDQ/TzXzlptbH8I/AAAAAAAABZ0/byGSKc0ASso/s1600/18880119295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A249jyN_BDQ/TzXzlptbH8I/AAAAAAAABZ0/byGSKc0ASso/s400/18880119295.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB9utljiFY0/TzXz9k2-4bI/AAAAAAAABZ8/4s11gqSNaPs/s1600/18880144079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB9utljiFY0/TzXz9k2-4bI/AAAAAAAABZ8/4s11gqSNaPs/s400/18880144079.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When you walk inside, you just know you are somewhere special. Andrea is so creative and you should have seen some of the overalls she just embellished with ruffles...*GASP*</div>
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Looking Glass Designs not only sells beautiful and unique baby clothing and accessories, but the boutique specializes in unique gifts that range from gorgeous and intricate handmade jewelry, monogrammed bags, spa apparel, serving and wine accessories and gorgeous home goods.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you Andrea for now offering my bows to your customers in your amazingly beautiful boutique.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please go to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LookingGlassDesignsLafayetteSquare" target="_blank">Looking Glass Designs' Facebook page</a> and "like" them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can also visit Looking Glass Designs <a href="http://www.lookingglassemb.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Until next time...</span></span></div>
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