tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58976669793714522052024-03-21T08:20:05.104-04:00The Project DiaryMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-32051715477077294012014-03-16T21:35:00.000-04:002014-03-16T21:35:01.547-04:00Ding Dong the Wicked Peep is Dead!<div style="text-align: center;">
It's that time of year--Washington Post's annual Peeps Diorama contest! This year I decided to go with a Wizard of Oz theme because I knew it would be fun to make all of the characters out of peeps. Here are the pictures I submitted for the contest:</div>
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This year I had almost all of my materials on hand, so I was glad that I didn't have to buy too much. Just red glitter, brown embroidery thread, and green paint. Oh and lots of peeps!</div>
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Here is the Wicked Peep of the West. I spray painted her green, used green pipe cleaners for the arms, and black satin for her dress and hat. I also used a stick and some dried grass for her broom. She doesn't have any legs because she is melting! </div>
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I made the Tin Man's funnel hat and body out of paper, then spray painted the whole thing silver. To make his legs I cut off the ears of one peep and glued them to the bottom of his body. Peeps with legs! By the way, after much trial and error I've learned that hot glue is the best for working with peeps. Their sugary bodies makes it hard for anything else to stick. And you would think that the hot glue would melt them, but it works really well. Just wanted to share in case you are crazy like me and want to get crafty with peeps!</div>
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The Cowardly Lion looks just like my nephew Owen in his lion Halloween costume, because I used leftover fleece and yarn. My favorite part is how he is holding his tail because he is so scared. </div>
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The Scarecrow was the toughest one to make, but he turned out so well! I made his hat and shirt out of cotton fabric and stuffed in some dried grass to look like straw.</div>
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Here is Dorothy in her cute gingham dress and brown hair made from embroidery floss. Let me tell you, it is not easy braiding hair for a peep! </div>
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Of course Dorothy had to have her ruby slippers. I had some Barbie shoes and I painted them with red nail polish and dipped them in glitter.</div>
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And now for my favorite part--the closeups!</div>
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So, after Dorothy pours water on the Wicked Peep, she grabs the witches broom...</div>
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And then takes it back to the Wizard of Peep! </div>
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I couldn't resist making the green wizard's head out of one of these giant peep bunnies!</div>
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I hope you like this year's theme. The winners of the contest will be announced in a few weeks, but I just have so much fun making my peeps! </div>
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-33241646281049119782014-01-14T21:32:00.000-05:002014-01-14T21:32:22.911-05:00The Kitchen is Finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our kitchen is finally done! The contractors finished up on the day before Christmas break, so we were able to enjoy the kitchen and do a lot of cooking over Christmas. </div>
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And now for some Before & Afters!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj8mMM0Ox-ElQgPdyIpOO4C5EcWsaqe4JMMwvQZcyyGNe3xyy03T2eUAUH__5c3IxGhkHRtZlJw5yIzb7dygSQbgeLJ1Xn8S5958rGWzTDwNjes3xSDoExhMbNSosH0gNGQqODApH720/s1600/DSC06374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj8mMM0Ox-ElQgPdyIpOO4C5EcWsaqe4JMMwvQZcyyGNe3xyy03T2eUAUH__5c3IxGhkHRtZlJw5yIzb7dygSQbgeLJ1Xn8S5958rGWzTDwNjes3xSDoExhMbNSosH0gNGQqODApH720/s400/DSC06374.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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You may have noticed something else that's new--roman shades for the windows! </div>
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This past weekend I was determined to keep the momentum going and make the curtains. <br />I also made pillows for the new booth.</div>
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We love the booth and have been eating lots of dinners there. We hang out in the kitchen a lot more than we used to. Alan sits in the booth while I cook dinner and then I linger while he does the dishes!</div>
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I am also really proud of my invention for a sliding broom holder. I bought a drawer track to attach it to some of the wood trim that matched the cabinets, then added hooks. It slides in and out very easily and is perfect fit for the narrow space between the fridge!</div>
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We are really happy that it all turned out so well and we love everything about our new kitchen!<br /></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-61306804317388830312013-12-05T07:45:00.001-05:002013-12-05T07:57:01.863-05:00Kitchen Project: Week 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Look at how much progress we've made!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRm24ggNbvGLE4ktSe6vEMsth1PGeNQ5-Vfvnn0riOg64_KlwPKN4kAPuM2AGoTkYScSqr9xHpeBaok5PU5Ln5_ZXEd9FxIi05hWk0YFr9LmRG5G-ETsM_xWyGb3HcwnFE8w6pRZhiDY/s640/blogger-image-903604956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRm24ggNbvGLE4ktSe6vEMsth1PGeNQ5-Vfvnn0riOg64_KlwPKN4kAPuM2AGoTkYScSqr9xHpeBaok5PU5Ln5_ZXEd9FxIi05hWk0YFr9LmRG5G-ETsM_xWyGb3HcwnFE8w6pRZhiDY/s640/blogger-image-903604956.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Vvvg_RxOmD7RBThyphenhyphenBEbY1wHthaIDIoRVUxaeBnzaOo0nFA5H8v9hXieBhQF9GjBHmUvQmQuDDUGIlOtwqDile0CX-gQsxWxo7YxKx3Zfa8Xpf03j-2tTsd2obVK_cqs1rWSZXDsd3GI/s640/blogger-image-358205640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Vvvg_RxOmD7RBThyphenhyphenBEbY1wHthaIDIoRVUxaeBnzaOo0nFA5H8v9hXieBhQF9GjBHmUvQmQuDDUGIlOtwqDile0CX-gQsxWxo7YxKx3Zfa8Xpf03j-2tTsd2obVK_cqs1rWSZXDsd3GI/s640/blogger-image-358205640.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LygsLkGbGMBUGIKbZgL9MHw0KZebxjRmEzg069ctyEuN3NXXP3v_Z0XiQ1l7cdB4vCusfqGGxl7869s_SDr56nrFBnE3ELSQd5cxGTacTZUI_IGmDy4w5eWAhCxOi83VaZFSTcLy-eE/s640/blogger-image--921148297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LygsLkGbGMBUGIKbZgL9MHw0KZebxjRmEzg069ctyEuN3NXXP3v_Z0XiQ1l7cdB4vCusfqGGxl7869s_SDr56nrFBnE3ELSQd5cxGTacTZUI_IGmDy4w5eWAhCxOi83VaZFSTcLy-eE/s640/blogger-image--921148297.jpg"></a></div><br></div>We are getting very close to being done! Our new booth is just waiting for the granite countertop, but it is looking great. There are just a few more things that need to done, like grout for the backsplash and installing the new window. We plan to do some serious cleaning this weekend because there is dust everywhere. Then we can start moving things back into the kitchen!</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-80360881701270621532013-11-19T20:59:00.000-05:002013-11-19T20:59:02.138-05:00Kitchen progress: Two weeks in<div style="text-align: center;">
We are making slow but steady progress on the new kitchen. This weekend we picked out the backsplash tile. Here are all the samples together. On the left are the maple cabinets in a medium brown finish, tile for floor at the bottom, granite counters in the middle, backsplash tile on top, and green wall color in the middle. </div>
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We also picked a light fixture for over the new booth! This isn't the best picture because I was right underneath the light but at least you can see the shape. It's much smaller in person and not distorted. </div>
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Today was the second day of laying the tile floor. They are almost done, just have to finish the step. </div>
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The big holes in the walls are patched and electrical is ready to go. </div>
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The most exciting news is that our appliances came today!</div>
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We opened up the fridge and it is amazing! My favorite parts are the ice maker on the door and the freezer has a special spot for pizza storage! You can slide a frozen pizza right in the front. </div>
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Tomorrow the cabinets are being delivered! It's going to start looking like a real kitchen soon!</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-22198192280786290682013-11-05T19:19:00.001-05:002013-11-05T19:19:17.282-05:00Demo starts today on our kitchen!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Its official, we are getting a new kitchen!! Today our contractors began ripping out everything. Alan and I are so excited and can't wait until this project is finished. For our sanity, this isn't a DIY project. We decided to leave this on to the pros. Hopefully it will be finished just after Thanksgiving. </div>
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Here are some before shots of the kitchen after we had emptied everything out. </div>
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Here are the plans so you can get a sense of what it will look like when it's all finished. Our cabinets are a medium brown color with a Shaker door style. </div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>You can see that the side door is gone and replaced with a window. We have only opened that door about 2 times since we have lived here, so we decided to take it out. We will make the opening narrower with a smaller window so that we can extend the cabinets and countertop. </div>
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To the left of the sink we are going to have a pull out drawer for trash and recycling bins. Alan is so excited! And the big cabinet next to that is going to have pull out shelves.</div>
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The microwave is moving from the counter to over the stove. We bought a french door fridge with ice/water on the door (that actually works!). We also bought a slide in gas range, so there is no back to it (just like in the picture). We think it will make the space feel more open, since it is small. The best part is no more cooking on an electric stove! This is my favorite part, and I can't wait!</div>
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And I don't have a drawing, but the cubby area is going to be turned into a built in booth. We thought long and hard about what to do on that side of the kitchen, and we are really excited about having a booth. Right now we don't have a place to eat in the kitchen, so we are looking forward to sitting with a cup of coffee and enjoying the view the view out our front window. We are using base cabinets for the seats, so they will have open storage and I plan to buy some nice baskets. The tabletop will also give us some much needed counter space.</div>
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Since our kitchen is so small, we had to make some decisions for function over style. But we are very happy with the overall design and think we have maximized the functionality of our kitchen. <br />
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And now for the demolition!!!</div>
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Where did it all go??<br />
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Oh, there it is. On our front lawn. </div>
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Then they loaded it all up on their truck and hauled it away. Like magic our kitchen just disappeared!</div>
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-50828028399980244152013-10-31T12:06:00.001-04:002013-11-01T09:28:52.282-04:00Our Civil War Costumes are Finished!<br />
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Happy Halloween!! I wanted to share pictures of how we decorated our house and also our costumes!</div>
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Our front porch is ready for fall with a new orange wreath, mums, and some pumpkins. I also planted some yellow pansies in our garden, and the deer haven't eaten then yet. Hurray!<br />
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When you come in the front door, I added some spooky art to our chalkboard. I found the design on Pinterest. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQunFK08kJHIPmZZtFsi6FfGZSf-t-c_qI2VtjVAR62p4dsxTE7w5v3jDyI8ZpXddVwCdLPIzDbOc9r_p46gg9w6VX8hEi7PZzOytklDafVlmwe28qSmz3ffyB2NyTArtRaZxcPLAicTw/s640/blogger-image--638724299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQunFK08kJHIPmZZtFsi6FfGZSf-t-c_qI2VtjVAR62p4dsxTE7w5v3jDyI8ZpXddVwCdLPIzDbOc9r_p46gg9w6VX8hEi7PZzOytklDafVlmwe28qSmz3ffyB2NyTArtRaZxcPLAicTw/s640/blogger-image--638724299.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also rearranged our mantel for Fall. There are two new things: a red wire thingy that goes over a candle, and a tall basket that is supposedly for catching fish. They were both under $10 each and I like that they go with the colors in the room. </div>
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Our dining room cabinet is also spookified. I added some eyeballs in a jar, books with creepy titles, skulls, and other thigs I found around the house. It's like a witches curio cabinet!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71jtNI-Qu1iubDnuiLA1ozNGofUBXBoOTk8fV8o14mhVBJ8c88rGH6BTCkXh0Gc3RWogjRP2Qjl95R_fxDPmxG86lMtp4TyzQSeC1yXZxUghRyXW8zIfyyW8XN8nBHKPkAaMrIG0h1CM/s640/blogger-image--1210626292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71jtNI-Qu1iubDnuiLA1ozNGofUBXBoOTk8fV8o14mhVBJ8c88rGH6BTCkXh0Gc3RWogjRP2Qjl95R_fxDPmxG86lMtp4TyzQSeC1yXZxUghRyXW8zIfyyW8XN8nBHKPkAaMrIG0h1CM/s640/blogger-image--1210626292.jpg" /></a></div>
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And now on to what you really want to see...our costumes! We went with a Gone With the Wind/Civil War theme this year. I made Scarlett O'Hara's curtain dress for me and a confederate soldier outfit for Alan. I hope you like them!!</div>
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-41197716963223571362013-07-06T14:36:00.001-04:002013-07-06T14:36:54.172-04:00Civil War Dress: Part 1This past week I started working on my Halloween costume for this year, Scarlett O'Hara's curtain dress! It's a Gone with the Wind theme this year, and Alan will be wearing a confederate soldier's uniform. <br />
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My dress will be made out of hunter green taffeta and will have some gold tassels and cords. I couldn't find a civil war pattern that I liked, so I am improvising. To make the skirt I used the same pattern as my Elizabethan dress. <br />
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After cutting out the pieces (7 total) I sewed them all together and gathered the waist. I was so excited when I tried it on my dressform with the hoop skirt underneath! I looped some gold cord around the waist and hung a large gold tassel from the cord. <br />
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Now I have to make the bodice, which is going to be more interesting since I don't have a pattern to follow. I'm up to the challenge! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzoq93fAAn9TDKfAZJSzaSUBuxdK6bCB_Dx0T8bW4rdJyJUPyTdINPypvxwxDJyL9FEKX4gLKdR2khA5iX_QXFvsNqOVQ00TBctyFNyDaCe9-Ue0NLkZNNhy6stI7KG5wLoHgtDJbrjI/s640/blogger-image--1373384802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzoq93fAAn9TDKfAZJSzaSUBuxdK6bCB_Dx0T8bW4rdJyJUPyTdINPypvxwxDJyL9FEKX4gLKdR2khA5iX_QXFvsNqOVQ00TBctyFNyDaCe9-Ue0NLkZNNhy6stI7KG5wLoHgtDJbrjI/s640/blogger-image--1373384802.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB_zfv9VTYJiKR-rVaRPE6RqcqEz6l4V3s283Hk27lbuCzV4xAQNJx1JDbBdtQQXheVMo0ktMGgsKObfng988YMIUUpSEboJezS49p3gtS4lZi9BAJWVbZHzB7N0Z1E1UnOTqSjVkb5Q/s640/blogger-image--1664850677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB_zfv9VTYJiKR-rVaRPE6RqcqEz6l4V3s283Hk27lbuCzV4xAQNJx1JDbBdtQQXheVMo0ktMGgsKObfng988YMIUUpSEboJezS49p3gtS4lZi9BAJWVbZHzB7N0Z1E1UnOTqSjVkb5Q/s640/blogger-image--1664850677.jpg" /></a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-49525184832398073912013-06-25T21:36:00.000-04:002013-06-25T21:36:31.158-04:00Burlap Roman Shade for the Back Door<div style="text-align: center;">
We've been working on our back door recently so we have a nicer exit to our new patio. The inside door was painted red on one side (and very chipped), so I painted the entire door white. I also replaced the door knob and deadbolt so they would match the new door knobs we replaced throughout the rest of the house. Getting the old knob off was a bit tricky, but we eventually got it off. </div>
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We also replaced the storm door. No more bars!! It's now much easier to see out the window. And the new door has a retractable screen built in.</div>
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Now with these changes the door felt a little bare, so I decided to make a roman shade for it. I used a kit from Joann's that has almost everything you need. I bought some burlap fabric and topstitched green ribbon down each side. </div>
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Doesn't it look so nice on the white door?</div>
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I really like how the new shade complements the other shades in our living room. In this picture you can see how the pillows on the sofa go well with the shades. </div>
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This back door project took longer than expected, but I'm so happy with the results! </div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-58854734751098226572013-05-07T11:12:00.001-04:002013-05-08T12:41:28.509-04:00Spring Pinterest Challenge: Patio Umbrella Pennant BannerI made a triangle flag banner for our patio umbrella as my project for the spring Pinterest Challenge sponsored by Young House Love. I wanted to add some more decoration to our patio and also to use up some leftover fabric I had when I made pillows for our lounge chairs. I cut out lots of triangles then sewed them together with the right sides facing the inside. I turned them right side out and ironed them flat. Then I sewed the flags together using double fold bias tape. I didn't have time to finish all the flags this week, but I did get 2 sides of the umbrella done. I just love the bright blue and green colors!!<br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-41945340227166192402013-02-27T22:09:00.000-05:002013-02-27T22:09:42.051-05:00All Peeps Go To Heaven!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's time for the 2013 Washington Post Peeps contest!! This year I decided to make a scene with peep angels and call it "All Peeps Go To Heaven!"</div>
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Here are the two pictures I submitted and their captions (warning: they love peep puns):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzriyLFluVhXMl3_BoJ249f5kKzlrct6epmme_d8eSN_PvKazNkBfFIOf07Qx5PUQgddYSYqMaU2fYJvujkXHBb4zTHmH1Guv82Xo0YT5VvvL3gLM0x2QOBVRwSicwSnbb0sZ3e98Zvo/s1600/DSC05992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzriyLFluVhXMl3_BoJ249f5kKzlrct6epmme_d8eSN_PvKazNkBfFIOf07Qx5PUQgddYSYqMaU2fYJvujkXHBb4zTHmH1Guv82Xo0YT5VvvL3gLM0x2QOBVRwSicwSnbb0sZ3e98Zvo/s400/DSC05992.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Godpeep with his long white beard (and old man eyebrows) watches over all the angelpeeps in Peep heaven. One angelpeep plays the harp, while others are playing a friendly game of poker. Two purple angelpeeps are peeping over the edge to see their peeps on earth.</div>
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St. Peeper checks in the newest angelpeep, as the angelic choir peeps their hymns. Two lovepeeps have finally reunited in Peep heaven!</div>
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And now for the close ups!</div>
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Here are a few behind the scenes pictures. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOhsCr-xClpQaGB7GNm0Pk2M9Cuf7HEnABypBG_wmICco8UT5fuMLm-uPNA9gL6C3hotMFPkfeyKwpbUsIVckzN_8hVyY7ilObbr_3kZYgRlN0wrZSOpHOfcwjlmdqyKEvOQD80tPXks/s1600/DSC05932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOhsCr-xClpQaGB7GNm0Pk2M9Cuf7HEnABypBG_wmICco8UT5fuMLm-uPNA9gL6C3hotMFPkfeyKwpbUsIVckzN_8hVyY7ilObbr_3kZYgRlN0wrZSOpHOfcwjlmdqyKEvOQD80tPXks/s400/DSC05932.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Work in progress...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEHH6sfPejnQzWW_mhZsWXSeQnbahYfP_QGRxxPPXZr5Id6nDCSsJVgtfMTdQ-Bz8-JWvRHaBAB4KHWIv9grDCUx_Ff4DfTM2ZMbxmVvdeGkbXkz5N2SM5_-dMnlHXSbBvQVysyvQ5-4/s1600/DSC05926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEHH6sfPejnQzWW_mhZsWXSeQnbahYfP_QGRxxPPXZr5Id6nDCSsJVgtfMTdQ-Bz8-JWvRHaBAB4KHWIv9grDCUx_Ff4DfTM2ZMbxmVvdeGkbXkz5N2SM5_-dMnlHXSbBvQVysyvQ5-4/s320/DSC05926.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />To make the wings, I used card stock to create the shape and then glued a piece of toothpick to the back. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd14cAl5HygQY1k1uHfiUQLQQ47KQ8GOrDsbmiHbcJjo0DUy6u97biHIPzDlIiMZIE7n8uR5tnnOt8R15r-KEZ2CJyQSMYFs9xOqyNEtiihoXq960pYsmI_0XDU2arn0CjK9xWfO4gdUY/s1600/DSC05927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd14cAl5HygQY1k1uHfiUQLQQ47KQ8GOrDsbmiHbcJjo0DUy6u97biHIPzDlIiMZIE7n8uR5tnnOt8R15r-KEZ2CJyQSMYFs9xOqyNEtiihoXq960pYsmI_0XDU2arn0CjK9xWfO4gdUY/s320/DSC05927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I put hot glue on the card stock and laid a feather on top.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyUa_r7X5M_p4YtqPvtBzi1gBTmD_PwRQeibtXZ3hSVLNblkHFiEPxoh-FL2fYwbFpT8ym-rLbK3ov0roc5-oDTZ8961AGIVI_g5sCS91lAIlo1e-wFCSrDwDDee7lfpOibrsqhONNks/s1600/DSC05928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyUa_r7X5M_p4YtqPvtBzi1gBTmD_PwRQeibtXZ3hSVLNblkHFiEPxoh-FL2fYwbFpT8ym-rLbK3ov0roc5-oDTZ8961AGIVI_g5sCS91lAIlo1e-wFCSrDwDDee7lfpOibrsqhONNks/s320/DSC05928.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />Here's what the back of the wing looked like after cutting off the feather.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufOvudvu2xEHNLWKuTSqdXa5XjBNOCeiL7Ib6FFZyi92ePPOZZQaJ2r_aZXjUtcMnlKqRpTZWL-f0LurKc8jwDf7fUScLkYbkItgOVFHhLsAVx9zSukrEN2Z7Hp1F_34CknaowdAqmPo/s1600/DSC05929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufOvudvu2xEHNLWKuTSqdXa5XjBNOCeiL7Ib6FFZyi92ePPOZZQaJ2r_aZXjUtcMnlKqRpTZWL-f0LurKc8jwDf7fUScLkYbkItgOVFHhLsAVx9zSukrEN2Z7Hp1F_34CknaowdAqmPo/s320/DSC05929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I flipped it over and glued another feather to the front.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZE8DDLWmVgRzndVHWlFn8uQlJVQQI-u_eLU6rWoHKovoPydhMz8NLLMVK1pbA2ybtSWgABVgUAI0RxUm-NPpGgghKz3ibJijHbAC8veN-U7AtlKAWJdgfR7n4TptiSK_8i9ejJH_koo/s1600/DSC05931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZE8DDLWmVgRzndVHWlFn8uQlJVQQI-u_eLU6rWoHKovoPydhMz8NLLMVK1pbA2ybtSWgABVgUAI0RxUm-NPpGgghKz3ibJijHbAC8veN-U7AtlKAWJdgfR7n4TptiSK_8i9ejJH_koo/s320/DSC05931.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />Here is a finished wing!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLEHfd0q9ORRYEd6wtts2m6TJ_vbjRL6aQs3ddmVGH9paHqYydF1pSEF2rzGBWqb541dNZUaCo1COsYK0DRTuQfiIxBpVB7ZsdQPg8Yj3zWcymAoOK435a4tdymE_gYbrv1w0c5H9DvM/s1600/DSC05935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLEHfd0q9ORRYEd6wtts2m6TJ_vbjRL6aQs3ddmVGH9paHqYydF1pSEF2rzGBWqb541dNZUaCo1COsYK0DRTuQfiIxBpVB7ZsdQPg8Yj3zWcymAoOK435a4tdymE_gYbrv1w0c5H9DvM/s320/DSC05935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the halos, I used gold pins for jewelry making. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcJm5j7ljcv62n28E5onqHRbp3MSt1jWU2m2ueilBA7CgVtBm-xMaIZF8JOlWXUw1IZ41NbJ_4H5gMaTZUJ01NYXBDrrE9-f1AA3HFUAmxC01AqO-fSxpAaSp2mwP9yDnYpSzTljRXZQ/s1600/DSC05937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcJm5j7ljcv62n28E5onqHRbp3MSt1jWU2m2ueilBA7CgVtBm-xMaIZF8JOlWXUw1IZ41NbJ_4H5gMaTZUJ01NYXBDrrE9-f1AA3HFUAmxC01AqO-fSxpAaSp2mwP9yDnYpSzTljRXZQ/s320/DSC05937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pins are bendable, so I wrapped them around a marker to get the right size.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaGaSRy1FFxUEXV0XkeWe4vuxkxs5SiXQfML037AbB3X6WHMQgF5t3FIY_gg2akh9lx12npOoLqzCvtZdDtu5pRWtnVEJoQZffq5GYnJ3FuurXKvGKt1jouxBOQmiluNxUCSYHtwneSE/s1600/DSC05938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaGaSRy1FFxUEXV0XkeWe4vuxkxs5SiXQfML037AbB3X6WHMQgF5t3FIY_gg2akh9lx12npOoLqzCvtZdDtu5pRWtnVEJoQZffq5GYnJ3FuurXKvGKt1jouxBOQmiluNxUCSYHtwneSE/s320/DSC05938.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />Then I just bent one end for the part that would stick into the peep.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XYFaP2-KV6xPtrWnX9qM5WIR2Idw_rlwfPFMeTQeAI4dduPsLO0PzL0TpkbxNefVDubXyUHgjhD10-YDrvYTmspf2Vhbpl8t012F9bha2ryHAT02yQW38DZXEPxzQHfjWFWKihuy1wg/s1600/DSC05941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XYFaP2-KV6xPtrWnX9qM5WIR2Idw_rlwfPFMeTQeAI4dduPsLO0PzL0TpkbxNefVDubXyUHgjhD10-YDrvYTmspf2Vhbpl8t012F9bha2ryHAT02yQW38DZXEPxzQHfjWFWKihuy1wg/s400/DSC05941.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I call this the Green Room. The peeps are waiting to make their debut!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHP_Or8uWqPa_Pi9-BO_JuOr9L2goF05L5sooSofoHg-vR9QgUMMDRob2tapCrq_ueyQBS7U4EGGrC-vK0skSbH-oWjn46Rt-kwlzhKR1cnzaDRLuFK6mP5hfxzhQdmoPJLTowc5QSNg/s1600/DSC05960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHP_Or8uWqPa_Pi9-BO_JuOr9L2goF05L5sooSofoHg-vR9QgUMMDRob2tapCrq_ueyQBS7U4EGGrC-vK0skSbH-oWjn46Rt-kwlzhKR1cnzaDRLuFK6mP5hfxzhQdmoPJLTowc5QSNg/s400/DSC05960.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is the set for the photo shoot. The blue walls of our kitchen made the perfect backdrop to look like the sky.<br /><br />I hope you enjoyed all the pictures! I know I am a little crazy, but I always have so much fun with the peeps contest. They are just so darn cute!</div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-87816269706815789792013-02-21T21:07:00.000-05:002013-02-21T21:07:28.113-05:00Buddy the Elf costume<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite movies is Elf with Will Ferrell, and we have a tradition to watch it every year at Christmas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW1yxJcwkYq0y2BVk1EPouE5wLU_qwA-kgwr-f8mqz6YW5ZpAatOIdMh4t6R0y6lq6WzxiiM31nv9544L1NYwdJw7XUqgkrT_YowBB-Zj1KEnayxlBiUOuzMiOJatuPfc7Xr9-3DOiyI/s1600/elf-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW1yxJcwkYq0y2BVk1EPouE5wLU_qwA-kgwr-f8mqz6YW5ZpAatOIdMh4t6R0y6lq6WzxiiM31nv9544L1NYwdJw7XUqgkrT_YowBB-Zj1KEnayxlBiUOuzMiOJatuPfc7Xr9-3DOiyI/s320/elf-movie-poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Alan looks a lot like Will Ferrell, so when I found this pattern I just knew that I had to make Alan a Buddy the Elf costume!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-dEluaeAJj3ySOIhzJC2CWW-kzNzsjpFkFFQmSs9aK4mxG1jUNvWZ1KkarfDT7dsdKQBCpBJxeucEabTwKB5LaxOgQGvs1i0X4CPj2qEiV5Nna-Jj9TmzBfEcUFrEvkxb_987-dQjLU/s1600/pattern+4393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-dEluaeAJj3ySOIhzJC2CWW-kzNzsjpFkFFQmSs9aK4mxG1jUNvWZ1KkarfDT7dsdKQBCpBJxeucEabTwKB5LaxOgQGvs1i0X4CPj2qEiV5Nna-Jj9TmzBfEcUFrEvkxb_987-dQjLU/s320/pattern+4393.jpg" width="283" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I didn't have any extra time in the weeks leading up to Christmas to work on the costume, so I didn't start until two days before Christmas when we were visiting my parents. It's a good thing my mom has a sewing machine! I cut out all of the pieces one night, and then I sewed all day long on Christmas Eve. I tried to work as quickly as I could in order to finish it that night, but there was just too much to do. But I finished it on Christmas Day, just in time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we proceeded to have a photo shoot, complete with some re-enactments from the movie...</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqsbpT0nKRfB_ZGfmnhH3WTysWWl6wkBSXk9XePZRnB6ahskzTfU3V4lc603Jg3u_5RlRcV-1fOQkFhYWSmCVPB-wQ55tLLAb-w08fJSZKPPLFbKxYWn4jr5k8DqG5HDcNHbcp83fn_M/s1600/DSC05788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqsbpT0nKRfB_ZGfmnhH3WTysWWl6wkBSXk9XePZRnB6ahskzTfU3V4lc603Jg3u_5RlRcV-1fOQkFhYWSmCVPB-wQ55tLLAb-w08fJSZKPPLFbKxYWn4jr5k8DqG5HDcNHbcp83fn_M/s400/DSC05788.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel."</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0PEHPRjTNlz2YK5BVHRnl3lKMOqlKPKoxg_3vyPxg8LZNjyBoAhgGt0nIgcN37WAOp7-zC3_WzTReEdcQwdbTOjvlY1kNo8GjE7ey83PnAsxoW_OPSiM4Nqv03JPpTonOwPMR5dIWKQ/s1600/DSC05784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0PEHPRjTNlz2YK5BVHRnl3lKMOqlKPKoxg_3vyPxg8LZNjyBoAhgGt0nIgcN37WAOp7-zC3_WzTReEdcQwdbTOjvlY1kNo8GjE7ey83PnAsxoW_OPSiM4Nqv03JPpTonOwPMR5dIWKQ/s400/DSC05784.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Of course you're not an elf. You're six-foot-three and had a beard since you were fifteen."</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMDl5qO2ygp9-2PhV0yNllOsk3T9rnEe-ubHnz4ug8hA29tPnTwHh3iUJBJ3sZ1Z-eM9_8PANNjRU_oGMmpC-Zj5tlPn6Cu24vNHlMeBiLj1BggaIZC4P9Jt_m4fl7UZwBemb3aGhPOg/s1600/DSC05785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMDl5qO2ygp9-2PhV0yNllOsk3T9rnEe-ubHnz4ug8hA29tPnTwHh3iUJBJ3sZ1Z-eM9_8PANNjRU_oGMmpC-Zj5tlPn6Cu24vNHlMeBiLj1BggaIZC4P9Jt_m4fl7UZwBemb3aGhPOg/s400/DSC05785.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Don't knock over the Christmas tree!"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TxoKuSg_5SaWSF93e75sUo0oO5JUzkjdtK4SaYJLoTcC-7WSnbFfSFNW_xevEMMj7hwWHrteZG3xJxHA1SI7uZnsZPsn-knHwluj7fznUG1AsCUjXfInnM9qDX5wVVASnUhnxz4yz0c/s1600/DSC05787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TxoKuSg_5SaWSF93e75sUo0oO5JUzkjdtK4SaYJLoTcC-7WSnbFfSFNW_xevEMMj7hwWHrteZG3xJxHA1SI7uZnsZPsn-knHwluj7fznUG1AsCUjXfInnM9qDX5wVVASnUhnxz4yz0c/s400/DSC05787.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Buddy, don't eat those cottonballs!"<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1lY0OqRRGRb_9Uvl-UYxthSLz8sV3-f4WJiksAUrWmQDh9T8Hj8RsAFBC5pFRlrYDzxHr0_BVegb0pI-jsrLSgxrvMwlH2hVvNGE_7t29kqj3pZyFIfA_z11_bzlJ4jpyGfH3liZueA/s1600/DSC05790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1lY0OqRRGRb_9Uvl-UYxthSLz8sV3-f4WJiksAUrWmQDh9T8Hj8RsAFBC5pFRlrYDzxHr0_BVegb0pI-jsrLSgxrvMwlH2hVvNGE_7t29kqj3pZyFIfA_z11_bzlJ4jpyGfH3liZueA/s400/DSC05790.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw6plx1Qkoajja6iDRNu8DLNCTdNHpgU7iivXtpA32bwFKhFzPA7YMqNck11XV5TtwuBvHx4kxmA22dcGd-gkYp55glo1-lO4Ugk1ghIxACUeNDMJlgrA_CRwGJFDJDGuEi7QdqOi4h4/s1600/DSC05791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw6plx1Qkoajja6iDRNu8DLNCTdNHpgU7iivXtpA32bwFKhFzPA7YMqNck11XV5TtwuBvHx4kxmA22dcGd-gkYp55glo1-lO4Ugk1ghIxACUeNDMJlgrA_CRwGJFDJDGuEi7QdqOi4h4/s400/DSC05791.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"You did it! Congratulations! World's best cup of coffee! Great job, everybody! It's great to be here."</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEsRRU57x3DoK6RAE0Dp9Z4BouXIsGXYxSy-MhkuCgsxjdfvGYUyoTtbd7pOcwe8trdgr8t29hFglPsJ78nN6BA7_fdPIA4zCkblr28HjIFdKTFZsX9QAY2icFyLp8SyKZICv0Hx9_Ec/s1600/DSC05793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEsRRU57x3DoK6RAE0Dp9Z4BouXIsGXYxSy-MhkuCgsxjdfvGYUyoTtbd7pOcwe8trdgr8t29hFglPsJ78nN6BA7_fdPIA4zCkblr28HjIFdKTFZsX9QAY2icFyLp8SyKZICv0Hx9_Ec/s400/DSC05793.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Buddy with Papa Elf</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2t30LaiJlW83DMob36DrtL3-rBfd12L2kjk9C5AOACmfHh6BHRDn8kLrrh0UWCBWdWg5XLYxjONX5EMBDuzeWG2eRkyALWVcNIO6LNkpQHpKg371Q-D5Q-s2ri33fFYCATCFDFMx3b0/s1600/DSC05794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2t30LaiJlW83DMob36DrtL3-rBfd12L2kjk9C5AOACmfHh6BHRDn8kLrrh0UWCBWdWg5XLYxjONX5EMBDuzeWG2eRkyALWVcNIO6LNkpQHpKg371Q-D5Q-s2ri33fFYCATCFDFMx3b0/s400/DSC05794.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear."</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doesn't Alan look just like Buddy?? There's really nothing better than a 6'5'' elf to get you in the Christmas spirit. And I have to give a shout out to Alan for being the best husband ever--he did this willingly!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next year I think Buddy will be making more appearances so he can check on the little ones and report back to Santa!</span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-66623745841909339612013-02-20T20:19:00.000-05:002013-02-20T20:19:12.747-05:00Coconut Sugar Scrub<div style="text-align: center;">
This year for Christmas I decided to make some homemade sugar scrub for all the ladies on my list.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnt-iTntsHmoy4J4qitu3jsNWKlavH-huDRNRu6hjX-VMu6mMKn8ntZlmC5xMQKnlCYYNbr7QLKt_ZNv85pxR9q6BwZr7jiZrNZ1en4kS-3WEkDsVkHtQzlWXzXuvrCOlAB-8MV5sEzRc/s1600/DSC05882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnt-iTntsHmoy4J4qitu3jsNWKlavH-huDRNRu6hjX-VMu6mMKn8ntZlmC5xMQKnlCYYNbr7QLKt_ZNv85pxR9q6BwZr7jiZrNZ1en4kS-3WEkDsVkHtQzlWXzXuvrCOlAB-8MV5sEzRc/s400/DSC05882.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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I searched Pinterest for lots of ideas and finally came across two that used coconut oil (from <a href="http://www.thepinterestproject.com/2012/08/coconut-sugar-scrub.html">The Pinterest Project</a> and <a href="http://www.aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com/2011/08/coconut-sugar-scrub.html">A Pretty Life</a>). They didn't sell coconut oil at my regular grocery store, but I found it at Trader Joe's. I didn't realize that it's solid at room temperature. I heated it up a little and mixed it with plain white sugar until I got the right consistency. I used about 2.5 cups of sugar and about 0.5 cups of coconut oil, which made enough to fill two of my jars. I found that ratio left my hands soft but not too greasy. One jar of coconut oil gave me enough to make 10 sugar scrubs!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lMgumXPbZkgsnP-cVuAytkVcNCYyBPb_L3CO-z3_4i5o0aggSu2SWbIqC9vL_fou1Dj5YQJhhhclBkJof9osLkUojKkas7FnF2PgB88RyRlqqR4DnyhYl1f6fcEheCXmGEkfOKju8dw/s1600/DSC05884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lMgumXPbZkgsnP-cVuAytkVcNCYyBPb_L3CO-z3_4i5o0aggSu2SWbIqC9vL_fou1Dj5YQJhhhclBkJof9osLkUojKkas7FnF2PgB88RyRlqqR4DnyhYl1f6fcEheCXmGEkfOKju8dw/s320/DSC05884.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /></div>
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Once I made the scrub, I wanted to make pretty labels for the jars. I really didn't want to design one from scratch, so I looked online and found <a href="http://blog.worldlabel.com/free-printable-labels-gallery">this website</a> that has free templates for all kinds of labels. It is the best site! They have labels for weddings, holidays, canning, book nameplates, stickers, and so much more. Seriously, you have to go and check it out!</div>
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The one I chose is listed near the top under "More Wedding labels" and is called Blue Lace (available for downloading <a href="http://blog.worldlabel.com/2009/diy-wedding-labels-for-free-collection-two.html">here</a>). I was wondering why they have so many free templates, but I learned that they are actually selling blank label sheets. But you can always buy your own and use their templates. I went to Office Depot and bought a pack where the whole sheet is one big label, because I always hate trying to get labels to line up correctly. After I printed out a sheet, I just used scissors to cut out each one. I only needed two sheets, so now I have lots more left to print out other fun labels!<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDP5ebzljVE_OD6p2DUs4tEvistUD7f7Pr8HJsWIAv_u1R3C37o9uZmja8QG3iojtDKmlYkUlOjfP1nbXLqpPIJx9qfh7jkS4m5iaS6Pf1vZTuo7YSkfxV7oWZExBauJgWiRBGQ9yHow/s1600/DSC05883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDP5ebzljVE_OD6p2DUs4tEvistUD7f7Pr8HJsWIAv_u1R3C37o9uZmja8QG3iojtDKmlYkUlOjfP1nbXLqpPIJx9qfh7jkS4m5iaS6Pf1vZTuo7YSkfxV7oWZExBauJgWiRBGQ9yHow/s320/DSC05883.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> </span>The scrub smells sooo good! And its great to use on your hands to soften them up in the winter or you can even use it in the shower. Another fun fact is that it's safe to eat, in case you need an energy boost in the morning!<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDMXZZH9lTDvoDSQWgAZBUaA9I27h7TZyHJ6tCN3I1vPPEgGR7Q-4gfi630-SkL0fOwe91k3vLEadYiqs0m0U_snLKcrrhm9xwygBJ_HHb5ut5Xm-nnm_YaO3hbqENplILhcnGVbeLIM/s1600/DSC05797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDMXZZH9lTDvoDSQWgAZBUaA9I27h7TZyHJ6tCN3I1vPPEgGR7Q-4gfi630-SkL0fOwe91k3vLEadYiqs0m0U_snLKcrrhm9xwygBJ_HHb5ut5Xm-nnm_YaO3hbqENplILhcnGVbeLIM/s400/DSC05797.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Isn't the label so cute??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTp_h-4hkrIa26hHveCNY_xQr6O3XKhdsvKDVwFF4mSDjWcZMvoMwkgwkDsa1FDKu8RjFIEGzlapl3OZ65m4mz2vN3BxCQWjZEriqEwULvuG5QehzknlBqXRDBq8U48abpdONIBkT9s4/s1600/DSC05798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTp_h-4hkrIa26hHveCNY_xQr6O3XKhdsvKDVwFF4mSDjWcZMvoMwkgwkDsa1FDKu8RjFIEGzlapl3OZ65m4mz2vN3BxCQWjZEriqEwULvuG5QehzknlBqXRDBq8U48abpdONIBkT9s4/s400/DSC05798.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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The scrub looks a lot like snow, so I thought it was a perfect winter gift!<br /></div>
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I hope all my favorite ladies enjoyed their gift! Now I got to go make some for myself!!</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-82886017748298772522013-02-19T19:07:00.000-05:002013-02-19T19:07:03.963-05:00Christmas Ornament Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back in December, I made some Christmas Ornament cupcakes for a party we had at work. I got the idea from my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Cupcake-Irresistibly-Playful-Creations/dp/0618829253">Hello Cupcake book</a>. I used gumdrops and twizzler pull n' peel to make the hooks at the top of each cupcake. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmBMmlmjFfBi_SkLqzwS53Cd2IaQXuQn_0WJpUX-32VkaWK5GHPpHSj6_2I_mPdNlWk1Spg1pdFAVQIeopeByPjRe3vegjMeuhoOhBLQLc-aoo3sceqHUqy4Zk0wFpj0Z2FvU9Q-1xu8/s1600/DSC05736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmBMmlmjFfBi_SkLqzwS53Cd2IaQXuQn_0WJpUX-32VkaWK5GHPpHSj6_2I_mPdNlWk1Spg1pdFAVQIeopeByPjRe3vegjMeuhoOhBLQLc-aoo3sceqHUqy4Zk0wFpj0Z2FvU9Q-1xu8/s320/DSC05736.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />After frosting the cupcakes, I dipped each one in red or green sugar sprinkles. Then I used twizzlers and airhead candies to make stripes. I used redhots and frosting to make the dots. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKKT6g5hSo11k4N9XjVWAOpn7xt9DRJ4TGe4Kd7O9nOwlQ_cdSD_xVjAACrHBLb4UiTXp-ihBzuhbQUm1nA384i1o3CNLH4pZ2BgV3biRUTMNvViE08E-ghDcQcx74Q9Ig492w7aN1DA/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKKT6g5hSo11k4N9XjVWAOpn7xt9DRJ4TGe4Kd7O9nOwlQ_cdSD_xVjAACrHBLb4UiTXp-ihBzuhbQUm1nA384i1o3CNLH4pZ2BgV3biRUTMNvViE08E-ghDcQcx74Q9Ig492w7aN1DA/s320/photo+(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here they all are lined up for the party!<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuSxXgdlGp3iuE5evHkjqtN5f_nmaLRCTbDF8HLd2TLrdfKFMT0ryU1TgORfZBZ93FrW8Q7GOYfdRH3E7fDaHNvN6baA4IbjNaOESsPdYQslc3K_wF0CqgIa5DceR8XBF0hefYAEcoWk/s1600/DSC05743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuSxXgdlGp3iuE5evHkjqtN5f_nmaLRCTbDF8HLd2TLrdfKFMT0ryU1TgORfZBZ93FrW8Q7GOYfdRH3E7fDaHNvN6baA4IbjNaOESsPdYQslc3K_wF0CqgIa5DceR8XBF0hefYAEcoWk/s320/DSC05743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm working on getting caught up with all the projects I have been up to lately, </div>
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so I'll be posting more pictures soon!</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-7263828069462278352012-11-04T21:53:00.000-05:002012-11-04T21:53:37.742-05:00Titanic Costume: Rose's "Jump Dress"<div style="text-align: center;">
For Halloween this year, I decided to go as Rose from Titanic. Did you know that it's the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking? Simplicity re-released their Titanic pattern this year that first came out after the movie in 1997, so I decided to make this red and black dress. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nySOpeswfLN6yryX7OAGp_XXSU9Nq-96naieHGEeJ7sHMg2rYYfWXuIvgHQ6li-MrJPlKfInMtdsLmrvd57n5Is0n0oUxAfDAMroau1pjGgzhUX3jI-lYyHaTfqQhK0gcLgY2qoQfSk/s1600/Simplicity+pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nySOpeswfLN6yryX7OAGp_XXSU9Nq-96naieHGEeJ7sHMg2rYYfWXuIvgHQ6li-MrJPlKfInMtdsLmrvd57n5Is0n0oUxAfDAMroau1pjGgzhUX3jI-lYyHaTfqQhK0gcLgY2qoQfSk/s320/Simplicity+pattern.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>
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It's also known as the "Jump dress" because it's the dress Rose wears at the beginning of the movie when she attempts to jump over the railing. This is when Jack and Rose first meet, and he saves her from going overboard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLA-ma-BATJ7lhRKbAeZZBS7YgBt82uwH9jNVDq0TWEtBPQBmz_m38Tb8AeWsbkJf-vMJdALWj6oSsmVt1tMWakaaTnvOHiwGmxAGxMzXttBSHUL9UnpnA-i_Ud3drkeNqvA2te8tPWA/s1600/Blog+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLA-ma-BATJ7lhRKbAeZZBS7YgBt82uwH9jNVDq0TWEtBPQBmz_m38Tb8AeWsbkJf-vMJdALWj6oSsmVt1tMWakaaTnvOHiwGmxAGxMzXttBSHUL9UnpnA-i_Ud3drkeNqvA2te8tPWA/s320/Blog+6.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />Don't jump Rose!</div>
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On the top part of the dress, there is a red satin bodice with a black lace top over it that has cap sleeves. It's a little hard to see, but I also put black sequin trim on the neck and armhole edges of the red bodice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0TCpNV9UXx050ftrs0aeM2Cgp8QMCM2pIaKGBu1BbW3VtrAcnWXM1CaTTF0acu4ovN3LtAJU5l7eYf8f1E461g4cU9thyphenhyphenqIBQd2ccLSEgRmX4AFDzRa2g8UKxzenHpHt9Iq2tYw_wYU/s1600/Blog+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0TCpNV9UXx050ftrs0aeM2Cgp8QMCM2pIaKGBu1BbW3VtrAcnWXM1CaTTF0acu4ovN3LtAJU5l7eYf8f1E461g4cU9thyphenhyphenqIBQd2ccLSEgRmX4AFDzRa2g8UKxzenHpHt9Iq2tYw_wYU/s320/Blog+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWzSGZyd6-K5yJbxnbZiIoCqxaLnKdbOwtuw8J1n4KIkIewPweXHXBAGvi2PiexdZi3rJeNbrsABX7X7xHXYXccg-YN8GnAcz3hvgsmoq-K1XXstnodKOfyZjJsC_TxPxTvTmSIkfwLw/s1600/Blog+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWzSGZyd6-K5yJbxnbZiIoCqxaLnKdbOwtuw8J1n4KIkIewPweXHXBAGvi2PiexdZi3rJeNbrsABX7X7xHXYXccg-YN8GnAcz3hvgsmoq-K1XXstnodKOfyZjJsC_TxPxTvTmSIkfwLw/s320/Blog+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the bottom part of the dress, there are actually three layers. First a red satin skirt, and then a single layer of black tulle. Attached to the tulle are two rows of black fringe and two rows of lace. To give the lace a wave-like shape, I cut out along the flowers and removed the top part of the border. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmA1xoK6vqjh1VoapG1qH8isyHdEknK84xvsfOwCNVkjdQZxcYez7a6YTHd1qNY3in13q16hjPvp_mhrxB0Rui0FbWmmgsJ28WcsKF34p6W85ZKTNLZA5-mf7S2MuT0uxxu_CBUm5keE/s1600/Blog+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmA1xoK6vqjh1VoapG1qH8isyHdEknK84xvsfOwCNVkjdQZxcYez7a6YTHd1qNY3in13q16hjPvp_mhrxB0Rui0FbWmmgsJ28WcsKF34p6W85ZKTNLZA5-mf7S2MuT0uxxu_CBUm5keE/s320/Blog+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The third layer on the bottom part of the dress is made out of a fabric called point d'esprit, which is basically black tulle with small dots. This layer is cut away in the front and forms the train at the back of the dress. To finish the edges, I used fabric glue to attached some black sequins, then trimmed away the excess fabric. Let me tell you, gluing through sheer fabric isn't easy! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdgsZs0q_NA-vYgEvgEKX7P7zwlEMhLnZI1els6wU3t7A712Yo4CHuTYNyTvK_dpKvEXhyphenhyphenDHahddjnkaNfQNHtURh2r2-r1aKOqGOacbWdw3rAmFikz85wj-6KZmX23zYamEGlN5hcMY/s1600/Blog+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdgsZs0q_NA-vYgEvgEKX7P7zwlEMhLnZI1els6wU3t7A712Yo4CHuTYNyTvK_dpKvEXhyphenhyphenDHahddjnkaNfQNHtURh2r2-r1aKOqGOacbWdw3rAmFikz85wj-6KZmX23zYamEGlN5hcMY/s320/Blog+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Did the sequins get stuck to the newspaper? Why yes, yes they did. </div>
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After all the layers were assembled, I had to attached them at the empire waist seam. I had to start with the outermost layers and work in, so first I attached the train, then the tulle, then the red satin. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpygOFYTk_UIUDGvFoJMrisOc2l8igaIfopYNu6XQ4o8lCej4oAXMktQZLSrApATErLnfjXsbS9fGyc12CPBgUHMEysQe0xP8etYk4nne1Hnh97YcrAgEmMuvRbXHst18VT7RVCQhf5wM/s1600/DSC05300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpygOFYTk_UIUDGvFoJMrisOc2l8igaIfopYNu6XQ4o8lCej4oAXMktQZLSrApATErLnfjXsbS9fGyc12CPBgUHMEysQe0xP8etYk4nne1Hnh97YcrAgEmMuvRbXHst18VT7RVCQhf5wM/s320/DSC05300.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7Pjwn3V3DQznp8NFxO9MoQYtkmyjsIIdVSnjzQ0yZX5CsWUE4kWGUEu1gFUc9p13__47Rt8bnA57U72nmqwBqarUYcQfeODVv8Q0WzDMIWXIjSopO990LaDOHdwSMKDatQT1z9m-yFg/s1600/Blog+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7Pjwn3V3DQznp8NFxO9MoQYtkmyjsIIdVSnjzQ0yZX5CsWUE4kWGUEu1gFUc9p13__47Rt8bnA57U72nmqwBqarUYcQfeODVv8Q0WzDMIWXIjSopO990LaDOHdwSMKDatQT1z9m-yFg/s320/Blog+5.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And here I am wearing the finished dress! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr6yDE_nGqqCTZanhWzV8EBPSzw8ZnxnJ_PWbmyDUBeyfWvw_ZFSaKYA_QJf2t6Z4sqW65ksUGNh6-QoYj77hSWQjOM_1EL2_5y9XWCFzVp3G0dzyA73kAQcVGUO2IXzjM3u9J-XdPvg/s1600/Blog+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr6yDE_nGqqCTZanhWzV8EBPSzw8ZnxnJ_PWbmyDUBeyfWvw_ZFSaKYA_QJf2t6Z4sqW65ksUGNh6-QoYj77hSWQjOM_1EL2_5y9XWCFzVp3G0dzyA73kAQcVGUO2IXzjM3u9J-XdPvg/s320/Blog+7.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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These pictures make it seem like it went by fast, but it actually took a fair amount of time because there were so many steps along the way. I did have a lot of fun making this dress though. I really enjoyed the chance to use so many fun fabrics: satin, tulle, lace, fringe, and sequins! </div>
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The only major change I made to the pattern was to add a black satin sash to better define the empire waist. There was a lot of fabric gathered around the waist, so I wanted to cinch it in so it wasn't so poufy!</div>
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To complete my costume, I bought a blue sapphire necklace from ebay just like the one Rose wears in the movie. Ok, not exactly like hers because mine only cost $10! I also wore long black gloves--the ones I wore to my prom so many years ago. And my costume wouldn't be complete without Rose's better half, Jack! To make things a little more interesting for Alan, he dressed up as "Frozen Jack" with blue lips, white face paint, and gel in his hair to make it look wet.</div>
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I'll never let go Jack, I'll never let go!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MJmAje1qdEXHOie2iL5JmP-DsK8goyxxF_wKp4FySyI4iRFdtaF5rAtIaE2FgZSQJ1sC4XF8-ATy_q3p4alR0hLc8biqfGknPxU87VROkc-OnmFY4EEjkxOxfYsTbChA8Sei6zadNCc/s1600/Blog+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MJmAje1qdEXHOie2iL5JmP-DsK8goyxxF_wKp4FySyI4iRFdtaF5rAtIaE2FgZSQJ1sC4XF8-ATy_q3p4alR0hLc8biqfGknPxU87VROkc-OnmFY4EEjkxOxfYsTbChA8Sei6zadNCc/s320/Blog+8.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-24984523302051861302012-10-14T21:19:00.000-04:002012-10-14T21:19:13.707-04:00Transforming an Old Dress <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I just finished transforming this dress that has been sitting in my bin of clothes to fix up. I finally decided that I could turn it into a shorter tunic top that would look great with a pair of leggings for the fall.</div>
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Here is the before picture I took a long time ago (when my hair was much shorter!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGjD9VVpwpxK3SvTvgH5m_V-umg21HsQVkk3DB67PFN6AT5sRpxZmSLyvbMOuKFaP8_ETiDPlcrkJzj0PNLBgyN1Pebox9JXa-Vt7uxGLI9qZlc8tpcWuGCXWD6xBpPEWOeWTP6f4oS0/s1600/DSC03211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGjD9VVpwpxK3SvTvgH5m_V-umg21HsQVkk3DB67PFN6AT5sRpxZmSLyvbMOuKFaP8_ETiDPlcrkJzj0PNLBgyN1Pebox9JXa-Vt7uxGLI9qZlc8tpcWuGCXWD6xBpPEWOeWTP6f4oS0/s320/DSC03211.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I cut off more than a foot from the bottom and sewed a new hem.</div>
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I also cut a slit in the neckline to create a v-neck. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jmZrJLBf5kc8_6RdwAe5kPz7hL3MgDFVp1yEkLs04I3f7CoiU6NfVIcaYsebHx_pyPlrYKFTDk-06E2u0Kx3V7FGDk8G95kqHXTwJ_l71G1Q_WAK-9ATLKvLNHFVGCh4y4zcKG8L9go/s1600/DSC03363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jmZrJLBf5kc8_6RdwAe5kPz7hL3MgDFVp1yEkLs04I3f7CoiU6NfVIcaYsebHx_pyPlrYKFTDk-06E2u0Kx3V7FGDk8G95kqHXTwJ_l71G1Q_WAK-9ATLKvLNHFVGCh4y4zcKG8L9go/s320/DSC03363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the finished top, which I paired with my new gray leggings and a black belt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVjcTZJlt-vg3MREZrM9acepO9fEHKbBdBH_yEZayVqCQ-QklKe0LfUvDyjpx-OGqQY7qPcUOuhEmv1u6dtzmQP1E_Zl3Vjbc0NOkdDhWcEQpydMlERlw-iSzIpoiHCECE0ckMFGuu_4/s1600/DSC05347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVjcTZJlt-vg3MREZrM9acepO9fEHKbBdBH_yEZayVqCQ-QklKe0LfUvDyjpx-OGqQY7qPcUOuhEmv1u6dtzmQP1E_Zl3Vjbc0NOkdDhWcEQpydMlERlw-iSzIpoiHCECE0ckMFGuu_4/s320/DSC05347.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Doesn't it look much cuter now? I'm so excited to have a brand new piece that I got for free!</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-69148480912202723522012-06-27T20:19:00.000-04:002012-06-27T20:19:49.923-04:00Sunflower cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I made these sunflower cupcakes for a party at work. They were a big hit!</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkSYpJP1uSGKQ8NnS3pwgEQLFfDAV6iR-Vqfrjqts9f5uWrIQHZ8L7MKYA0pln4dzSRhmuLExy5SyX4iOhoo5CIduuVA5CHlrRKhc4BpB_vVRbeFeR81v4YYHuq8dyMn381hDcPw0JqE/s1600/DSC04260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkSYpJP1uSGKQ8NnS3pwgEQLFfDAV6iR-Vqfrjqts9f5uWrIQHZ8L7MKYA0pln4dzSRhmuLExy5SyX4iOhoo5CIduuVA5CHlrRKhc4BpB_vVRbeFeR81v4YYHuq8dyMn381hDcPw0JqE/s320/DSC04260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found the idea in my Hello Cupcake book. First I frosted each cupcake with green frosting. Then I placed regular oreos or mini oreos on top. I used a leaf decorating tip to put two layers of petals around each oreo. That's it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8QxR2ZhcBQRPKLpMJ5C7OetJDz7V1TE3euCdZ0cgfxy6Ah1-am_vWIVLB-hNzNWd_hGMq4RGF6Yhydem2ZKf3-hLiZHT0ytTjkeEAP46Jg18WLMYTr78iiytcb0s3jpL-eaeROk1gUs/s1600/DSC04257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8QxR2ZhcBQRPKLpMJ5C7OetJDz7V1TE3euCdZ0cgfxy6Ah1-am_vWIVLB-hNzNWd_hGMq4RGF6Yhydem2ZKf3-hLiZHT0ytTjkeEAP46Jg18WLMYTr78iiytcb0s3jpL-eaeROk1gUs/s320/DSC04257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To save time I used regular store bought frosting and added food coloring, but it was a little soft. Next time I think I will use homemade buttercream frosting to get the right consistency.
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Any ideas for what I should make next?</div>
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-51051221650011566622012-04-28T11:29:00.000-04:002012-04-28T11:29:02.740-04:00Flower Power!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The next step in our effort to overhaul our yard was to plant some flowers to give us some more color. So one Sunday morning we went to Home Depot to buy a whole bunch of plants...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8qOhSO17s3c-C9bjUD6OC2-HHrMJuMEB-SO-ecVZW9H_A7RC92QDlsEenFDZ3BxhsGuYKcs4j9FCjI3Lmv3DKpWX2enX8xEZpZOjuGRkdLJcxFW48MoDYeyEpI-ZmGc0Qjp7LNtRvJA/s1600/DSC04054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8qOhSO17s3c-C9bjUD6OC2-HHrMJuMEB-SO-ecVZW9H_A7RC92QDlsEenFDZ3BxhsGuYKcs4j9FCjI3Lmv3DKpWX2enX8xEZpZOjuGRkdLJcxFW48MoDYeyEpI-ZmGc0Qjp7LNtRvJA/s320/DSC04054.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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We ended up buying a lot of annuals, so that the colorful blooms would last all season. From top to bottom in the picture below you can see we bought a skimmia (the only perennial), geraniums, begonias, petunias, gerbera daisies, a few different kinds of marigolds, snapdragons, and zinnia seeds. We also got tomatoes, hot peppers, mint, basil, and cucumber seeds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6O9M707ori6QYIWVSzruTsXvxTUfDpihLCJ5G6PX0tfFP3V9auJ80osYe8l45twigVFFIJcVs_T9ZmSZODdChGsq884Pab5NDCl6CFzLMpx5sHFiiZXfhRbKuhK9NpG7gQ1FzUg-dteo/s1600/DSC04055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6O9M707ori6QYIWVSzruTsXvxTUfDpihLCJ5G6PX0tfFP3V9auJ80osYe8l45twigVFFIJcVs_T9ZmSZODdChGsq884Pab5NDCl6CFzLMpx5sHFiiZXfhRbKuhK9NpG7gQ1FzUg-dteo/s320/DSC04055.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<br />Here are the before pictures... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil9lFkn0q2zpTWnK_3mRl255aR9dhTqIS9PpeCsahUIR0UQsW75zERx3sdIYrXJLS1VqGSuFgq-wNiy_VWic11xWUVhl51FmQmJqFlv3KwxiTU8ZtXR9XZsbIx2uQ94NPqNU0ft7dQ0c/s1600/DSC04062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil9lFkn0q2zpTWnK_3mRl255aR9dhTqIS9PpeCsahUIR0UQsW75zERx3sdIYrXJLS1VqGSuFgq-wNiy_VWic11xWUVhl51FmQmJqFlv3KwxiTU8ZtXR9XZsbIx2uQ94NPqNU0ft7dQ0c/s320/DSC04062.JPG" width="320" /> </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlL1_MXOUxJXJg4wtJ2wFV5PjG-9keEeMUxUmBzdME0ClZkuhL9J6XketJMdsdiCBUBjg65Mpn2YmD5fmYBbHMiPDyNaH91REyHZOcrVWqJn59NE4yDOc6Oljob0pkQ8MxAH-3CEYZ5w/s1600/DSC04060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlL1_MXOUxJXJg4wtJ2wFV5PjG-9keEeMUxUmBzdME0ClZkuhL9J6XketJMdsdiCBUBjg65Mpn2YmD5fmYBbHMiPDyNaH91REyHZOcrVWqJn59NE4yDOc6Oljob0pkQ8MxAH-3CEYZ5w/s320/DSC04060.JPG" width="320" /> </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ9st80rWOWL6o72relnjx1K-Enxv81NxRLKs44yIG2Sf0Q3TD3OTx7iE9ezKMPxR4SGZkgwDPAPyjwN44NZ5BW5I7Ghf27puLe9vfZWv1xbuzb5u-JcUzeXz8I5pbJGPwUaGLbJUdzQ/s1600/DSC04061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ9st80rWOWL6o72relnjx1K-Enxv81NxRLKs44yIG2Sf0Q3TD3OTx7iE9ezKMPxR4SGZkgwDPAPyjwN44NZ5BW5I7Ghf27puLe9vfZWv1xbuzb5u-JcUzeXz8I5pbJGPwUaGLbJUdzQ/s320/DSC04061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Take a look at this close up. Our grass is growing! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3FJN3QeiUlyYrwahSg1p0-4wIg_GGt5rocI24M6CSQm7IPJpUzlFLrkwgWZUy1k4QdyZ-CEYpG0oHZqyP_x5r5aQku4a5K_TTV82hkNvA4T54CaSzheXEqDAupb7mXkaJoBvBhgE9Kg/s1600/DSC04094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3FJN3QeiUlyYrwahSg1p0-4wIg_GGt5rocI24M6CSQm7IPJpUzlFLrkwgWZUy1k4QdyZ-CEYpG0oHZqyP_x5r5aQku4a5K_TTV82hkNvA4T54CaSzheXEqDAupb7mXkaJoBvBhgE9Kg/s320/DSC04094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the hill in the backyard, we planted 15 groupings of plants. Look at how much more colorful it is!<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswb-n4LdEaGRpYR1EqlLLOGqF_d7XS-bXFWkTMHbhnlzdtksIzPYPfNLHafbPBrE4y2SqwMWQXehqOQ10zFkay0wT6dNrQh7RKGHvQ0yIF_rMoPUgsuVGsPVXBSENSg-X2gzF7boOZWU/s1600/DSC04080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswb-n4LdEaGRpYR1EqlLLOGqF_d7XS-bXFWkTMHbhnlzdtksIzPYPfNLHafbPBrE4y2SqwMWQXehqOQ10zFkay0wT6dNrQh7RKGHvQ0yIF_rMoPUgsuVGsPVXBSENSg-X2gzF7boOZWU/s320/DSC04080.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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We added a few pots at the corner of the patio with flowers and mint.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v0VqaXcjBg7txIReDmi13h0V24V-U9kGuJMzE2L18pZZZlKgE67Ql4NN71tHx2E2a6jpASeSPwneePkv4erd4ght792kITbE2ba9eykq5aayGPATeOdhyDbw3F1N8b5UfntoDhHccQU/s1600/DSC04086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v0VqaXcjBg7txIReDmi13h0V24V-U9kGuJMzE2L18pZZZlKgE67Ql4NN71tHx2E2a6jpASeSPwneePkv4erd4ght792kITbE2ba9eykq5aayGPATeOdhyDbw3F1N8b5UfntoDhHccQU/s320/DSC04086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On top of the wall, put a box full of petunias. Hopefully as they grow bigger they will drape over the side of the wall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nyC2F3NwpQO9_ep0BsBuP-i8qEUhyr2nc95LZ8MTES4J0be4F1FpsxotPqeWyQVC4O4HefuVzMUe3fJJ1GyCtqjKowopV1sC5PsfU9GIjKYZyrUjKcioT2L2Dd0eKVHslQZzMp-HkjI/s1600/DSC04087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nyC2F3NwpQO9_ep0BsBuP-i8qEUhyr2nc95LZ8MTES4J0be4F1FpsxotPqeWyQVC4O4HefuVzMUe3fJJ1GyCtqjKowopV1sC5PsfU9GIjKYZyrUjKcioT2L2Dd0eKVHslQZzMp-HkjI/s320/DSC04087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the other side of the patio (near the grill) is our vegetable corner. Each tomato plant got its own pot, and we bought a large galvanized tub for the peppers, cucumbers, and basil.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOT8Y7NuSoLsTgqC-4aTKLeX7Dvd87z-8U1nyDsLz1eV62z-ymfAuUTdlBdLTv6J7w0mCBdE0bV3day6iRK1QjGmQO-JbScy_5s6-hMNtePyfG1JmIDjtOWGdv9P8jNr3aBhGcC1Uy7g/s1600/DSC04076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOT8Y7NuSoLsTgqC-4aTKLeX7Dvd87z-8U1nyDsLz1eV62z-ymfAuUTdlBdLTv6J7w0mCBdE0bV3day6iRK1QjGmQO-JbScy_5s6-hMNtePyfG1JmIDjtOWGdv9P8jNr3aBhGcC1Uy7g/s320/DSC04076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also moved our little pine tree to a bigger pot and added some new plants to keep it company.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eg-gc9n7ECpdqpZbm2rzDF6McoTpcBYf6Aj2QcATv55vtY5IUT7R-RCkZsi6vwj3DV9aGh0M1nOBO9X5FE-dJNT0u9gv246gLhymD94lXycDD-5kZcklDigKjI0mTCIeXcVVlj4qfq4/s1600/DSC04077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eg-gc9n7ECpdqpZbm2rzDF6McoTpcBYf6Aj2QcATv55vtY5IUT7R-RCkZsi6vwj3DV9aGh0M1nOBO9X5FE-dJNT0u9gv246gLhymD94lXycDD-5kZcklDigKjI0mTCIeXcVVlj4qfq4/s320/DSC04077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are the pictures of the front yard with new plants and fresh mulch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUkklqG-pbajz1rpM4OcWAhXCF6j5oFlcm4KMzJuuqpffwxfsbknk616vsKgVMRVfEPYvz1k_MCqvS6AROaLMNYa7oiQ6RL3hl_KZ9fgeZtpW0QWRGf-faUY4lnbqUf4-NW4FOtM_qVA/s1600/DSC04089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUkklqG-pbajz1rpM4OcWAhXCF6j5oFlcm4KMzJuuqpffwxfsbknk616vsKgVMRVfEPYvz1k_MCqvS6AROaLMNYa7oiQ6RL3hl_KZ9fgeZtpW0QWRGf-faUY4lnbqUf4-NW4FOtM_qVA/s320/DSC04089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKDt2QkCwXZ7P5MMAN6cEaxB0nOfhn49iq-dojWqYgdWLYFkDT_soPplRQtX-b2kLlBaHXC9qD11mMTmSTUwAAAdtbyU-ZJFserpy8qM3ar__Dm62yw6rycn9wMgkJr-e3uOHYvoU2aQ/s1600/DSC04093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKDt2QkCwXZ7P5MMAN6cEaxB0nOfhn49iq-dojWqYgdWLYFkDT_soPplRQtX-b2kLlBaHXC9qD11mMTmSTUwAAAdtbyU-ZJFserpy8qM3ar__Dm62yw6rycn9wMgkJr-e3uOHYvoU2aQ/s320/DSC04093.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our yard looks better already!</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-35266800425097035022012-04-07T09:05:00.000-04:002012-04-07T09:05:50.157-04:00Getting dirty!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Two Fridays ago, I came home to this in the driveway:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ESsiiz1Audnmy_7kdtqj1xadwNVqtZNhyphenhyphenFwDJdfKl2GYf4D2ljQpGvo0rB8FbN8n4dLsAVvmd6cAVd6fVNTHEO9cR3RmbSvnJ7ksV0HlT3Lwq0oftQkZlAnMcDTIbpq42xcHQnnHFy4/s1600/DSC04016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ESsiiz1Audnmy_7kdtqj1xadwNVqtZNhyphenhyphenFwDJdfKl2GYf4D2ljQpGvo0rB8FbN8n4dLsAVvmd6cAVd6fVNTHEO9cR3RmbSvnJ7ksV0HlT3Lwq0oftQkZlAnMcDTIbpq42xcHQnnHFy4/s320/DSC04016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The plan was to fill in the low spots in the front yard with topsoil, because it was impossible to mow around the tree. We also decided to finally create a proper path from the driveway to the front walkway. When we moved in last year, we took the small pavers that were near the basement door to serve as a temporary path. It only took us one year to find a more permanent solution!</div>
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The forecast called for rain all weekend, so we decided to start moving the dirt on Friday evening after work.</div>
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In less than three hours, we had moved all the dirt!</div>
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This past weekend, we went to a stone quarry on Saturday morning to pick out new stones for our walkway. We chose Pennsylvania flagstone in 2 foot squares. When we got home, we started to dig out the ground to set the stones. </div>
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First Alan had to chop up a few roots that were in the way. He loved the opportunity to get out the ax!</div>
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It took most of the afternoon to get the stones leveled, but in the end we had a brand new path! </div>
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On Sunday, we spread grass seed over the entire front yard and then put down straw on top. </div>
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Hopefully soon we'll have a yard with actual grass!</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-36099464468677112502012-03-19T21:59:00.001-04:002012-03-19T21:59:11.795-04:00Just a Little Light Yard Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8U8N_1iQRWSZIR3rhHwVvsqwTjjySPKX0pGkHgntlG0OCPuIGBiBjBGj3jK4mSVN5aXbisqnWFP4dN4ZHgrYwhsbrZ1x9DU4qSBRuygyA3hA24X4w6NudAxcLsvngcDITZ9gkeI5HDg/s1600/DSC04002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8U8N_1iQRWSZIR3rhHwVvsqwTjjySPKX0pGkHgntlG0OCPuIGBiBjBGj3jK4mSVN5aXbisqnWFP4dN4ZHgrYwhsbrZ1x9DU4qSBRuygyA3hA24X4w6NudAxcLsvngcDITZ9gkeI5HDg/s320/DSC04002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, you counted right. That's 11 bags, 2 trashcans, and 5 bundles of sticks!</div>
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This weekend Alan and I decided to try and tackle the wild jungle that is our backyard. I couldn't wait to rip out the nearly dead bushes and out of control vines! You can see how it looked last summer in <a href="http://theprojectdiary.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-dress-day-dress-1.html">this post</a>.</div>
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First Alan ripped out everything around the compost bin and he was even able to move it back a few feet. </div>
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Then we cleared out the middle section. I left a small clump of bushes in the middle...for now.</div>
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We'll see how it looks once all the leaves come in.</div>
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Then finally we moved up the hill and tore up everything in sight! </div>
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Some of the plants put up a good fight, but in the end we prevailed! </div>
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There's another big yard project planned for next weekend, so stay tuned. </div>
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Hopefully our backs will be healed by then!</div>
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-82299468070362689202012-03-13T22:23:00.000-04:002012-03-13T22:23:10.246-04:00Pinterest Challenge: Yarn Wreath<div style="text-align: center;">
It's time for another Pinterest Challenge! </div>
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Sherri from <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/03/can-you-smell-that-smell/">Young House Love</a> issued a Pinterest Challenge last week to make something based on an inspirational picture found on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> (my new favorite website!)</div>
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I have been eyeing a bunch of yarn wreaths for awhile now, so I thought it would be a fun project. Here is a picture of one that I really liked, which you can buy on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62451101/yarn-wreath-felt-handmade-door">Etsy</a> for $30. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-A0TeOFhcZPNu9kPSMzKPZPRcBFB9XxEhIb5bWkYCMScaLDgRnR7sg10JoCTMdoxAhSUaJbBP-EWSAaUtggv9gbfcYSq40La52PNiWEiOV8MTnCBkIYtuEH5_1ZjOSY_8ZD1yG48AYhI/s1600/88946161360166580_5BEcWBpq_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-A0TeOFhcZPNu9kPSMzKPZPRcBFB9XxEhIb5bWkYCMScaLDgRnR7sg10JoCTMdoxAhSUaJbBP-EWSAaUtggv9gbfcYSq40La52PNiWEiOV8MTnCBkIYtuEH5_1ZjOSY_8ZD1yG48AYhI/s320/88946161360166580_5BEcWBpq_f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also fell in love with these felt flowers. I played around with all different types of flowers, but found <a href="http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2011/10/how-to-make-felt-flowers.html">these instructions</a> to be the easiest to follow.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Xwi7MXZjQ-z2VwFez1iE6TudHMH4auD1yeBMia4ZSKIOMS-mhSuUuNSJGymOtmoF963clVI8hC2Paio-pvUkqWZL0Qpj9ySYyaAvh7aVZRxX7CwtlQ94xcvt6Nm3aSjjeAYLwN9R5b4/s1600/felt+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Xwi7MXZjQ-z2VwFez1iE6TudHMH4auD1yeBMia4ZSKIOMS-mhSuUuNSJGymOtmoF963clVI8hC2Paio-pvUkqWZL0Qpj9ySYyaAvh7aVZRxX7CwtlQ94xcvt6Nm3aSjjeAYLwN9R5b4/s320/felt+flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Here is a picture of my materials. I couldn't find a foam wreath, so instead I used one made of straw. I left on the plastic packaging, so it was pretty smooth. I also bought cream colored yarn, a few sheets of felt, and some creamy metallic berries. I think I spent less than $15 for everything.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvDrk3RJQdpQwZek_wNDMOLBNNcNeA7mhfJ9nPvUkng3IlnpLW4Jygain0-ylhp3fwSfXSvUuw9ItjOOa0T4gyb2YCHOvOfAr0vpejtAf9SAKhLwnNgFVLvuvp976E5SMNry7D0noTiY/s1600/DSC03781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvDrk3RJQdpQwZek_wNDMOLBNNcNeA7mhfJ9nPvUkng3IlnpLW4Jygain0-ylhp3fwSfXSvUuw9ItjOOa0T4gyb2YCHOvOfAr0vpejtAf9SAKhLwnNgFVLvuvp976E5SMNry7D0noTiY/s320/DSC03781.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />I ended up only using the purple and gray felt to make the flowers. They were so easy to make! I cut a strip of felt about 2 inches wide, then folded it in half and used a bit of hot glue along one edge to stick it together. Then I made little cuts along the folded edge. I started rolling the felt at one end and adding a dab of glue every now and then to keep it together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BI1QGt0V7GSRWfSuOvimpyDfbGINXXCdH13wtZ8yII4FUJNKxXHMtIKHAzBFVXVvOVPlrLV5M4ZQ4UrWfLDDY6VzRMrlmac8zdj27nOvHRRytbbpU6vwKJER9KPw7T4Y5TR1Ge5x4LM/s1600/DSC03990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BI1QGt0V7GSRWfSuOvimpyDfbGINXXCdH13wtZ8yII4FUJNKxXHMtIKHAzBFVXVvOVPlrLV5M4ZQ4UrWfLDDY6VzRMrlmac8zdj27nOvHRRytbbpU6vwKJER9KPw7T4Y5TR1Ge5x4LM/s320/DSC03990.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the finished wreath!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5DvMBdo0S9gtEaRafjgxo5YQDpNhJcF5GB4yJi2uKFN2jJhWSRda1hLdGUXvKTsx3ZhUWY5RXtXNcl6-wv6U0LRLIWJdWTCsjbxDtUC8xqOwVSjg6WNn8znEt5v5d_srUades5x51Kc/s1600/DSC03997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5DvMBdo0S9gtEaRafjgxo5YQDpNhJcF5GB4yJi2uKFN2jJhWSRda1hLdGUXvKTsx3ZhUWY5RXtXNcl6-wv6U0LRLIWJdWTCsjbxDtUC8xqOwVSjg6WNn8znEt5v5d_srUades5x51Kc/s320/DSC03997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSpL47zd2jpiZcwb5d1CMoxTiQ-aKhESG2MmYAlFpODrA4ye5oS15mOMdjTMtPdHpDhbnypeXazhyphenhyphenobViSfxl7wxr8d6ph9mFlVeMxIjHRwPKMlfLHho7N149TR-__0Y5maLr4BZA44s/s1600/DSC03999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSpL47zd2jpiZcwb5d1CMoxTiQ-aKhESG2MmYAlFpODrA4ye5oS15mOMdjTMtPdHpDhbnypeXazhyphenhyphenobViSfxl7wxr8d6ph9mFlVeMxIjHRwPKMlfLHho7N149TR-__0Y5maLr4BZA44s/s320/DSC03999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I can't wait to hang it up on our front door! </div>
</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-87540841563759438402012-02-11T22:54:00.000-05:002012-02-11T22:54:08.714-05:00Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Cake<div style="text-align: center;">
Last summer, I was very excited when I went through the pans my grandma had given me to find this teenage mutant ninja turtle pan. When Alan was growing up, he used to re-enact scenes from the movie with his brother, so I decided to surprise him by making him this cake! I also thought it would ease the pain of turning 30 to have a cake designed for a 10 year old.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb3wEatrUSCIC5nKH8nrc_IsMm-C-pk_WNdZkTZAfZJI8uoT4kuk-qD3iUfOs23Nb9rJhEeQxvUBNIMwEvucWUL-HglOI3no50bHOpFdhQF8R4aqQMpdIYmlVyoYn3mXR8RVYWlapbVY/s1600/DSC03850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb3wEatrUSCIC5nKH8nrc_IsMm-C-pk_WNdZkTZAfZJI8uoT4kuk-qD3iUfOs23Nb9rJhEeQxvUBNIMwEvucWUL-HglOI3no50bHOpFdhQF8R4aqQMpdIYmlVyoYn3mXR8RVYWlapbVY/s320/DSC03850.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyZNqk1P3WMjeBhVKhl3AJDLx_d228elTi2VRgQ6Kq6SGOT4zCpnyMUD4Gqs518J7cpr16eyTTjqS8M_7OxZvQi4V-tgewWVDZl9lbix8ewhmkHxBgVpIwu0TJBkUSqLSsYKZ6vZnn_Q/s1600/DSC03846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyZNqk1P3WMjeBhVKhl3AJDLx_d228elTi2VRgQ6Kq6SGOT4zCpnyMUD4Gqs518J7cpr16eyTTjqS8M_7OxZvQi4V-tgewWVDZl9lbix8ewhmkHxBgVpIwu0TJBkUSqLSsYKZ6vZnn_Q/s320/DSC03846.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Here's a picture of the cake while it was cooling. You can see most of the indentations from the pan, which I used to outline all of the different sections. Once I had everything outlined, I filled it in with lots of little stars. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMyvgyZdbh-OfdzKr1S64O6lCIj-vIT0e88VNT40fvismqsk-cuZYOPxT_uWmyS1QZqYOmTCiRrZum9f5rhoU-jNFnZm1WT0wQ4AfIQuBRf_ccahwvV72vq_rCgNGp3DGwPL8cXZBRT4/s1600/DSC03837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMyvgyZdbh-OfdzKr1S64O6lCIj-vIT0e88VNT40fvismqsk-cuZYOPxT_uWmyS1QZqYOmTCiRrZum9f5rhoU-jNFnZm1WT0wQ4AfIQuBRf_ccahwvV72vq_rCgNGp3DGwPL8cXZBRT4/s320/DSC03837.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here is a picture of the finished cake!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0u850mTh78kkSXX-PogKYxaFgtXBhqPN1PJZfp2m9i9grU-8ZwKoiOTZcHz32h6jE6ySozsnORa5Rugq76B0Or5_7GjhzabeY9rWo7TM1wwoZIoptsW6qMYM-kndZyBPGiv4N4ZZugo/s1600/DSC03843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0u850mTh78kkSXX-PogKYxaFgtXBhqPN1PJZfp2m9i9grU-8ZwKoiOTZcHz32h6jE6ySozsnORa5Rugq76B0Or5_7GjhzabeY9rWo7TM1wwoZIoptsW6qMYM-kndZyBPGiv4N4ZZugo/s320/DSC03843.JPG" width="220" /></a></div>
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It took a long time and my hand was tired by the end, but it was worth it. Alan knew I was making his cake, but I wouldn't let him come in the kitchen to see it. I kept it hidden until later that night when we had a surprise party for Alan and Andrew.</div>
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Here are the birthday boys!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3duMXOfIn7D4t3HlD1VnGV2R_PVowjxr9IHmD9zTtuT5cgDszA6kJhyphenhyphen_AMCtIzZBhXrQZx_XXXseDhBxJ8OV9UZCRpSWlsn8I4ZicgoKG52MF_FGmtirq31P7vCnojMD_fPPf7Sa0I0/s1600/DSC03851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3duMXOfIn7D4t3HlD1VnGV2R_PVowjxr9IHmD9zTtuT5cgDszA6kJhyphenhyphen_AMCtIzZBhXrQZx_XXXseDhBxJ8OV9UZCRpSWlsn8I4ZicgoKG52MF_FGmtirq31P7vCnojMD_fPPf7Sa0I0/s320/DSC03851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(They didn't dress alike on purpose.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GEJcLgMefRFdHa2yCkDfDd_b6sYKyqAuK-NHMeggN6_eEOeerbDEBnSxWQhLxIS4me0Nz0SOkzGLVZhk3_RcndvzyYtL6E9hv8PlFUcOS8sBHHiRvQ1Z8788XpwOFsOQYgmWIbhrPjU/s1600/DSC03854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GEJcLgMefRFdHa2yCkDfDd_b6sYKyqAuK-NHMeggN6_eEOeerbDEBnSxWQhLxIS4me0Nz0SOkzGLVZhk3_RcndvzyYtL6E9hv8PlFUcOS8sBHHiRvQ1Z8788XpwOFsOQYgmWIbhrPjU/s320/DSC03854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a short video of them blowing out their candles:</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwF3zoXWdA_zTgbpoQxI5HEXbgHP6FdC2sFoti4BKK4621Z6LgaaxJB6eGABtbT7i-lCn2Fi3-fSYMqgfZ_sQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Alan and Andrew loved their cake! </div>
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I think everyone else liked it too because almost the entire thing was eaten.
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-81009615562926215862012-01-18T22:47:00.000-05:002012-01-18T22:47:38.624-05:00Rolled Edge Baby Hat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I just finished knitting a baby hat for my new nephew! </div>
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I found the pattern in a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/60-Quick-Baby-Knits-Superwash/dp/1936096137">60 Quick Baby Knits</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifW7fAQyAD6PVr_6BzoS6tFfNWgK8PyCqIT2QBlUgXrgKuQMCIm-Av5Fb9BvPa1qqmAa7pY5iPl10Zd3t07YxwS_L-Q1DWkb-E-wLUt-xiB71c_U-dgc74mMBT1gaYX-_SQNiC2nYfvq0/s1600/Baby+hat+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifW7fAQyAD6PVr_6BzoS6tFfNWgK8PyCqIT2QBlUgXrgKuQMCIm-Av5Fb9BvPa1qqmAa7pY5iPl10Zd3t07YxwS_L-Q1DWkb-E-wLUt-xiB71c_U-dgc74mMBT1gaYX-_SQNiC2nYfvq0/s320/Baby+hat+1.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl01DabXN8WUH0vbIAp8RVI_zXP2PLpFJIoGd6g29rdWxBBVfKntGldN07LT86iuuc5_csQdFz_9J4T7jbq9OEGf4zk5jna0veAiRrGfnEItpb-uQCAmmSL8221RDn57ulD2GgwMB6W8/s1600/Baby+hat+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl01DabXN8WUH0vbIAp8RVI_zXP2PLpFJIoGd6g29rdWxBBVfKntGldN07LT86iuuc5_csQdFz_9J4T7jbq9OEGf4zk5jna0veAiRrGfnEItpb-uQCAmmSL8221RDn57ulD2GgwMB6W8/s320/Baby+hat+2.JPG" width="319" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLAwtUHDLWghbp9LYRu1XJCT13h0gw38f_LCEDVA6lq0QgJnmgfEHpxI8XPsmZD4f_2egvjjxnyh94KCgVW6dCGZ7z0OcwnM-euQUJTXhfBDzQnp35n-Tzk4je10O8TJi7OlqnfJtAMQ/s1600/Baby+hat+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLAwtUHDLWghbp9LYRu1XJCT13h0gw38f_LCEDVA6lq0QgJnmgfEHpxI8XPsmZD4f_2egvjjxnyh94KCgVW6dCGZ7z0OcwnM-euQUJTXhfBDzQnp35n-Tzk4je10O8TJi7OlqnfJtAMQ/s320/Baby+hat+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This was my first time using double pointed needles to knit in the round.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFqRlGY0FU_fcOCv69ijDIbje2vfWuwHxwYbZxnYMMRtjvfLeYeXoTmBmxwSKo2rMo6GFFiQja35uIWTwdpSH4791tIoN4xSlmzp8EW7cd2i9LatxYEmTHALyb2PG_GR4NCNbPT7ZfzI/s1600/Baby+hat+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFqRlGY0FU_fcOCv69ijDIbje2vfWuwHxwYbZxnYMMRtjvfLeYeXoTmBmxwSKo2rMo6GFFiQja35uIWTwdpSH4791tIoN4xSlmzp8EW7cd2i9LatxYEmTHALyb2PG_GR4NCNbPT7ZfzI/s320/Baby+hat+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKqNGOxCfKjAxV79QgL9kuDQUV-0vFkbmfAA8iTxOgZgJVRwlDG-g8fo_0T37IVHwyDuWgIufK1GoQREdg7UVwL82KAKiu8VbPAY8t_hI1yKVHkPqUWMgFUgPMUQjeMZeWtlvv0U8jOk/s1600/Baby+hat+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKqNGOxCfKjAxV79QgL9kuDQUV-0vFkbmfAA8iTxOgZgJVRwlDG-g8fo_0T37IVHwyDuWgIufK1GoQREdg7UVwL82KAKiu8VbPAY8t_hI1yKVHkPqUWMgFUgPMUQjeMZeWtlvv0U8jOk/s320/Baby+hat+6.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /></div>
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Once I started decreasing at the top of the hat, I used a ball of yarn to make sure the size was right. It was the perfect substitute for a baby's head!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEH-O92He0ywtk5x6geCvMJe8vlsbc2Rvmtlk1jpYPoqH-2O6oqoI6R_TE4088ABEGFmVd5me9taMzGfq5EeANKBgaOJ3xU15G6F1OshVcvlMIao3oWBDnbGGM2XqlKfzAtfXx6iyges/s1600/Baby+hat+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEH-O92He0ywtk5x6geCvMJe8vlsbc2Rvmtlk1jpYPoqH-2O6oqoI6R_TE4088ABEGFmVd5me9taMzGfq5EeANKBgaOJ3xU15G6F1OshVcvlMIao3oWBDnbGGM2XqlKfzAtfXx6iyges/s320/Baby+hat+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUE9-weneFAObfSTL7W0ogL-4GrBgppxQpONhyhFAYpC9IPCfYl8nyGGCC0lOexpaGkkEhKpgoBMHdbsEBcBcqjNwdPKsVLK7X5-CpFDNSPjXGbBWwx5igLiFoliX0OYeXVmiMeLxLo4/s1600/Baby+hat+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUE9-weneFAObfSTL7W0ogL-4GrBgppxQpONhyhFAYpC9IPCfYl8nyGGCC0lOexpaGkkEhKpgoBMHdbsEBcBcqjNwdPKsVLK7X5-CpFDNSPjXGbBWwx5igLiFoliX0OYeXVmiMeLxLo4/s320/Baby+hat+9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyh9i0SX4pt9l5K53nvRlV2dg8UnWC9gx34LYjZXGdW4PmNBF6DaAV15EWMu8KnWH3ZnMBZPHQ8MX99vJknXwENL6evVSCHoXsnkUAnr9oQoC4hUzZIsS3F2HPMhhGdq5kP8shRb3eBpQ/s1600/Baby+hat+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyh9i0SX4pt9l5K53nvRlV2dg8UnWC9gx34LYjZXGdW4PmNBF6DaAV15EWMu8KnWH3ZnMBZPHQ8MX99vJknXwENL6evVSCHoXsnkUAnr9oQoC4hUzZIsS3F2HPMhhGdq5kP8shRb3eBpQ/s320/Baby+hat+10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is Owen wearing his new hat!<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sNkbKsppf869mvQIAJ-Ny69WEPXptiFX8C5ihO40zorxvAUgqClXL1m4_8JCSha_AWYyJBBodYAPIvJDR8hx7MJcnYN9prOVBlzSWeRCzOh7zvpWztrsYDq3r88wCz9yU_nVRVpIKeA/s1600/Baby+hat+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sNkbKsppf869mvQIAJ-Ny69WEPXptiFX8C5ihO40zorxvAUgqClXL1m4_8JCSha_AWYyJBBodYAPIvJDR8hx7MJcnYN9prOVBlzSWeRCzOh7zvpWztrsYDq3r88wCz9yU_nVRVpIKeA/s320/Baby+hat+12.JPG" width="239" /></a><br /></div>
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Owen is making his best Elvis impression--"Thank you...Thank you very much."</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-56636429797560368552012-01-04T20:22:00.001-05:002012-01-04T20:30:42.212-05:00House Painting: Before and Afters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We finished painting the house this fall and here are some before and after pictures:</div>
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You can tell that it took along time to finish since there are no leaves on the trees in the after picture! Actually, I just had to wait awhile for a cloudy day to take the after pictures because there were too many shadows on sunny days. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HE3cqmUOvIU/TwT1jwkcsNI/AAAAAAAAJFE/Sbe1JcS43BQ/s1600/3+Side+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HE3cqmUOvIU/TwT1jwkcsNI/AAAAAAAAJFE/Sbe1JcS43BQ/s320/3+Side+Before.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The back of the house looked the worst before we painted...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4u3YScvjfQ/TwT1uLwOheI/AAAAAAAAJFs/P09LZY99bGI/s1600/8+Back+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4u3YScvjfQ/TwT1uLwOheI/AAAAAAAAJFs/P09LZY99bGI/s320/8+Back+Before.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But now it looks so much better! The white windows and door really stand out. I can't wait until we can paint the patio next spring. Some other outside painting projects we have to complete in the spring are painting the soffits all the way around the house and the metal piece above each window. You can't really tell in these pictures, but the metal is painted red right now and is very rusty. We're also going to paint the steps leading to the basement door. Once the weather warms up we'll have lots more painting to keep us busy! In the meantime, I think there are some inside painting projects in our near future...</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-65587085530042244062011-11-01T22:49:00.000-04:002011-11-01T22:49:51.036-04:00Men's Shirt To Cute Skirt<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week, Sherry from my favorite blog <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/10/its-baaaack/">Young House Love</a> issued a "<a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> Challenge" to create something based off an inspirational picture found on Pinterest. I wasn't able to make something for the last Pinterest Challenge this summer, so I didn't want to miss out this time. I decided to turn one of Alan's Oxford shirts that didn't fit him anymore in a cute skirt!</div>
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Here's a sneak peek of the finished skirt:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Iatthmu6H17UYChb7rCMVTxj0ONPmUtvPHCoTgq56ijnkxMKtZNSYlp_XdE4Vo0Z6UOq_e05NwcGQAJtaYFKoKHYV7b-JnD8T5rV104B4hi0MEKZQ-laf9yDh-See-YjpC6gYdpCfQI/s1600/DSC03560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Iatthmu6H17UYChb7rCMVTxj0ONPmUtvPHCoTgq56ijnkxMKtZNSYlp_XdE4Vo0Z6UOq_e05NwcGQAJtaYFKoKHYV7b-JnD8T5rV104B4hi0MEKZQ-laf9yDh-See-YjpC6gYdpCfQI/s320/DSC03560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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These were my inspirational pictures from Pinterest found <a href="http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2010/04/one-of-greatest-mens-shirt-makeovers.html" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">here</a> and <a href="http://www.outsapop.com/2009/01/diy-project-shirtskirt.html">here</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; text-align: -webkit-auto;">.</span> <br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-SCFclaXmXdsbMss96XM5iLc0oyT9Mpfddy06-cuNmYeWJtuuNFOLEZ165qSN4LnXq2sQXJGH4AdDDugZNfRfpRPijLp34MG_ga2kFVCwfb0yk14dmw4aCBgrk9ytWZoic5jF4bxa-U/s1600/149752361_WsZTFNAq_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-SCFclaXmXdsbMss96XM5iLc0oyT9Mpfddy06-cuNmYeWJtuuNFOLEZ165qSN4LnXq2sQXJGH4AdDDugZNfRfpRPijLp34MG_ga2kFVCwfb0yk14dmw4aCBgrk9ytWZoic5jF4bxa-U/s200/149752361_WsZTFNAq_b.jpg" width="153" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFKSqKu7QDtkhmfTxn2qJG6egI9X3zPH9MjCrUtmRBQ38M5ahyphenhyphen8EhyphenhyphenG6wnVsY-MvXcvHKroBFxmdiNuuRYUav66Nn0qJ6KZIK3fyMYGryeXSw_0uSDve5EnUPoSaOx6ICnK18XVqpHek/s1600/20819276_Jphm8UuF_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFKSqKu7QDtkhmfTxn2qJG6egI9X3zPH9MjCrUtmRBQ38M5ahyphenhyphen8EhyphenhyphenG6wnVsY-MvXcvHKroBFxmdiNuuRYUav66Nn0qJ6KZIK3fyMYGryeXSw_0uSDve5EnUPoSaOx6ICnK18XVqpHek/s200/20819276_Jphm8UuF_b.jpg" width="133" /></a>
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First I cut the shirt straight across underneath the pocket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8x9ywDC-FdgFvDrwWXWDPNNJlw1bUJYazH8CzyjJNVCL2TXQMOR4U1ssMHMiDeuh9asSfqsd8ilikPTESQEYy-2xBpfaBolLuEkJGpbFIdpnWeoxWfr2Ahsw0_X0tzyh9r9rHsYZ-MxY/s1600/DSC03544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8x9ywDC-FdgFvDrwWXWDPNNJlw1bUJYazH8CzyjJNVCL2TXQMOR4U1ssMHMiDeuh9asSfqsd8ilikPTESQEYy-2xBpfaBolLuEkJGpbFIdpnWeoxWfr2Ahsw0_X0tzyh9r9rHsYZ-MxY/s320/DSC03544.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I tried it on to make sure it would fit, then I turned it inside out and pinned the side seams at the waist. I sewed the sides to create an A line shape, then trimmed the excess fabric.</div>
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Next I cut off one of the sleeves at the shoulder seam, removed the cuff, and cut along the underarm seam so I ended up with a flat piece of fabric. I cut two pieces about 4" wide for the waistband and ironed on fusible interfacing to make it sturdier. I sewed the two pieces together, and pressed under 5/8" on one of the long sides of the waistband (this makes it easier to finish the inside of the skirt). The stripes on the skirt are vertical, but I wanted the waistband to have horizontal stripes, so using the sleeve was perfect!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFJ_dKkETGRGm93WLpOy721ZpPHgISEodjSL12YI9HCVY61-NHC2cbQZIPDICP3eyWjnQAEfLLnOZMfM2kxpUKWUAMm4vI1EInsZ5PjfISysMnnGgdeAv3RVs72AQxWOUWm-d0osT2l8/s1600/DSC03547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFJ_dKkETGRGm93WLpOy721ZpPHgISEodjSL12YI9HCVY61-NHC2cbQZIPDICP3eyWjnQAEfLLnOZMfM2kxpUKWUAMm4vI1EInsZ5PjfISysMnnGgdeAv3RVs72AQxWOUWm-d0osT2l8/s320/DSC03547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I sewed a gathering stitch along the back of the skirt, then aligned the seam of the waistband with the center back of the skirt. I pulled up the stitches to make it fit, then sewed on the waistband.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBumYEGBUbBdg2s9IJBxkTF4p9oDxEraeMGMxEB6P0qR4GL5OV5Pdu4V58t26arVm1Kmd-Q0UPCHnY-uefqEkPfUTc9ulrnEdEGlE7x1NyJy4uje8sDX82S6aPncIlB6RmpDf3SURhuXc/s1600/DSC03555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBumYEGBUbBdg2s9IJBxkTF4p9oDxEraeMGMxEB6P0qR4GL5OV5Pdu4V58t26arVm1Kmd-Q0UPCHnY-uefqEkPfUTc9ulrnEdEGlE7x1NyJy4uje8sDX82S6aPncIlB6RmpDf3SURhuXc/s320/DSC03555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To make the corners of the waistband along the front of the skirt, I folded the waistband with the right sides together, and stitched along the edge. After trimming the excess waistband off, I turned it right side out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy5cB3QrckgG_Yez9_gwy4mbhC0hDWNrH0gPjlT6cXgRidIcYEXlaj5qIbNqIR2Tl587K1lqKApZfbBfVeMiAC62ScCNTdXQDW1GCF61k2r96xTUfGpttW1Purulg3Hd7SMQcd14zeQI/s1600/DSC03556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy5cB3QrckgG_Yez9_gwy4mbhC0hDWNrH0gPjlT6cXgRidIcYEXlaj5qIbNqIR2Tl587K1lqKApZfbBfVeMiAC62ScCNTdXQDW1GCF61k2r96xTUfGpttW1Purulg3Hd7SMQcd14zeQI/s320/DSC03556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now the folded under edge of the waistband covered the seam on the inside of the skirt, and I slipstitched the inside by hand so it doesn't go all the way through. </div>
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I added two hook and eyes to the top of the waistband. I could have used larger ones like you usually see on pants, but I only had the smaller ones on hand.</div>
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Here are pictures of it all finished from the front and back. This was a quick project that was a lot of fun!<br />
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022716731990258004noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897666979371452205.post-46431376895606402282011-10-31T21:30:00.001-04:002011-10-31T21:33:09.480-04:00Happy Halloween!<br />
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Here are some pictures of the tombstone cupcakes I made for our Halloween party on Saturday. First I used chocolate frosting to write RIP on Milano cookies.</div>
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Then I used a cupcake plunger to scoop out the middle of the cupcake.</div>
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I filled each cupcake with a scoop of cherry pie filling.</div>
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And then I put the piece of cake back on top, with one end sliced off for where the cookie will go. </div>
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I put a spiral of chocolate frosting on top, then smoothed it out with a knife. I stuck in the cookie, then sprinkled crushed Oreos on top for mounds of dirt! Here are some finished cupcakes in my new spiderweb cupcake stand.</div>
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For the party, we created two haunted rooms. The first one using my dress form, costume, pumpkin head, and a wig to create a scary pumpkin lady. For my sewing room, Alan taped up all of our painting tarps and on the table he placed saws, duct tape, bleach, a "bloody" rag, and a mask. </div>
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With the lights dimmed at night, they were very spooky!</div>
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Here is a picture of our dining room table. I bought a piece of lace from Joann Fabrics with skulls for the table cloth, used all of our candle holders, and spray painted some leaves silver. </div>
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We had lots of fun this Halloween. I hope you did too! </div>
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